“What wilt thou have me do?” asked Hanabusa.
“Go thou and build a balsa capable of riding the storm and stress of an angry sea. In twenty lunations more thou must be prepared to go voyaging with me.”
“To what task dost thou appoint me?” It was Ben Hu Barabe who spoke.
“Go thou amongst thy fellows and teach them the arts of peace. Show them how to coax back fertility to the denuded soil, and build up civil power, until I call thee.”
“Hast thou no thought for me?” asked Ildiko.
“The Brotherhood will guard thee until such time as a new Temple of Venus shall arise on this fair plain. Seek thou knowledge diligently, that thou mayst be able to teach the virgins committed to thy care. When thou art separated from thy beloved Alcyesta, thou wilt be conducted to a refuge in this teocalli, where other women are waiting to return to their homes.”
Seeing that she made a brave effort to keep back tears, he added gently:
“Be not downcast. The first days of loneliness will find me near thee. Shouldst thou need, call, and I shall come straightway.”
To Alcyesta, he said, covering her hand with both his own, and holding it close to his breast:
“Promise if thine unborn shall be of thy sex, thou wilt name her, Kerœcia?”