“Did not some two thousand sound men and with them very many wounded rejoin this army upon that day, Lady,” asked Khian, “being the survivors of the force which was sent to rescue me and the garrison of the mountain stronghold?”
“They did, and were questioned, but knew nothing except that you drove out your chariot and surrendered yourself to the Shepherds, after which the attack upon them ceased.”
“Then do you not understand that sometimes it is right that one man should offer himself up for many?”
“Yes,” answered Nefra, colouring, “I understand now—that you are even nobler than I thought. Yet, when you could have escaped, why did you fly away, as I saw you do?”
“Ask the Prophet Tau,” replied Khian wearily.
“Why did Khian fly away, my Uncle? Tell me if you know, since he will not.”
“Does not the oath sworn of those who enter into the fellowship of the Dawn demand that they shall never break a promise, Niece? Perchance our brother here had vowed to deliver himself up in Egypt, and did so, even when he might have stayed at your side. So at least I have believed from the first.”
“Is that so, Khian?”
“It is so, Nefra. With this oath I bought the lives of those men. Would you have had me break it even to win my own—and you?”
“I cannot say, but oh! Khian, you are noble, who did this knowing that if you died, all my life I should have been ignorant why you died, seeming to desert me.”