“Never!” fiercely vowed Bruno, all on fire, as he recalled that more than fair face. “Never,—while I live and draw breath!”
CHAPTER XXVIII. BROUGHT BEFORE THE GODS.
Once again Aztotl, the Red Heron, was bowing humbly before the Children of the Sun God, but now there was stern grief impressed upon his visage, rather than pure devotion, such as one might feel at the feet of a divinity.
And the face of Victo was unusually pale, her lips tightly compressed to keep them from trembling too visibly, while her arm clasped Gladys with almost fierce love in its warm strength.
Aztotl glanced upwards for a moment, then slowly spoke:
“Such are the commands laid upon thy captain of guards, Daughter of Quetzal', the Fair God. He hath been commanded to fetch Victo and Glady to the teocalli, there to be—no!” with an outbreak of fierce rebellion, drawing his superb figure erect, and gripping javelin until the springy ash quivered, as though suddenly winning life for itself. “The gods lie! They are speaking falsely, or—or the paba lies, when trying to thus interpret the oracle!”
Gladys shrunk away, but her mother stood firm, seeming to gain in coolness and nerve what this ardent servant was losing.
“It must be thus, my good friend,” she spoke, in low, even tones. “The word hath come to a soldier, and obedience is his first duty.”
“Not when obedience means leading to sacrifice—”