Nam smiled grimly. “Perchance you demand the life of the god also?”
“Yes,” she replied without hesitation, “I would see him dead if it can be brought about.”
Again Nam smiled. “Truly, niece, your temper is that of my sister, your grandmother, who brought three men to sacrifice because she grew jealous of them. Well, well, these are strange times, and you may live to see your desire satisfied by the death of the god. Now, what of that woman? How comes she to be with you?”
“She was bound by the order of Aca, father, and Jâl was set to watch her; but I drugged Jâl, and loosing her bonds I led her down the secret way, for she desires to speak to you.”
“How can that be, niece? Can I then understand her language?”
“Nay, father, but she understands ours. Had she been bred in the land she could not speak it better.”
Nam looked astonished, and going to the door he called to the priest without to lead in the stranger.
“You have words to say to me,” he said.
“Yes, lord, but not before these. That which I have to say is secret.”
Nam hesitated.