“Who and what are you?” she asked, “that can brave Tenes in his palace and save one whom he would slay, though for that I thank you not. So little do I thank you that——” And she stooped to grasp the sword.
Moving swiftly as a swallow flies, I flitted between her and it. Before her fingers could touch it, I had snatched it away who understood her purpose.
“Be seated, Lady, and listen,” I said.
She sank into a chair and, resting her head upon her hand, regarded me with a cold and curious look.
“Queen,” I went on, “I am one whom Heaven has sent to this land to destroy Tenes and the Sidonians.”
“Then I welcome you, Stranger. Speak on.”
So briefly I told her all my tale, and in proof of it read to her the writing in which I promised myself to Tenes when he could crown me queen of the world.
“So you desire my place and this man?”
“Aye,” I answered, “as much, or as little, as life desires death. Study the conditions. Can he crown me queen of all the earth, and under them until he does so, can he take me? Do you not understand that I would lead the fool on to his ruin?”
She nodded her head.