“The road is rough and long, I shall have to hurry when worn out with travelling,” said Cetewayo.
“That is so, O King. Therefore my counsel is that you begin the journey as soon as possible, especially as I seem to hear the baying of the white dogs not far away.”
“By Chaka’s head! I will not,” growled Cetewayo, “who thought to sleep here in peace this night.”
“As the King wills. All that I have is the King’s. Only then One-hand will not be waiting and some other place of hiding must be found, since this is known to me only and to her; also that Spirit which I sent will make no second journey, nor can I travel to show it to the King.”
“Yes, Wizard, it is known to you and to myself. Methinks it would be better were it known to me alone. I have a spoonful of snuff to share (i.e., a bone to pick) with you, Wizard. It would seem that you set my feet and those of the Zulu people upon a false road, yonder in the Vale of Bones, causing me to declare war upon the white men and thereby bringing us all to ruin.”
“Mayhap my memory grows bad, O King, for I do not remember that I did these things. I remember that the spirit of a certain Mameena whom I called up from the dead, prophesied victory to the King, which victory has been his. Also it prophesied other victories to the King in a far land across the water, which victories doubtless shall be his in due season; for myself I gave no ‘counsel to the King or to his indunas and generals.’”
“You lie, Wizard,” exclaimed Cetewayo hoarsely. “Did you not summon the shape of the Princess of Heaven to be the sign of war, and did she not hold in her hand that assegai of the Black One which you have told me was in your keeping? How did it pass from your keeping into the hand of a spirit?”
“As to that matter I have spoken, O King. For the rest, is Nomkubulwana my servant to come and go at my bidding?”
“I think so,” said Cetewayo coldly. “I think also that you who know the place where I purpose to hide, would do well to forget it. Surely you have lived too long, O Opener of Roads, and done enough evil to the House of Senzangacona, which you ever hated.”
So he spoke, and once more I saw his hand steal towards the spearhead which was hidden beneath the blanket that he wore.