X
They came out of the darkness so suddenly that Stark blinked in the unaccustomed light of torches set in great silver sconces on the walls.
The floor had been artificially smoothed, but otherwise this crypt was as the eroding action of the sea had shaped it out of the coral reef. It was not large, and it was like a cavern in a fairy tale, walled and roofed with the fantastic wreathing shapes of the rose-red coral. At one end there was a golden coffer set with flaming jewels.
Berild was there. Her wonderful hair was dressed and shining, and her body was clothed all in white, her arms and shoulders warm bronze from the kiss of the desert sun.
Kynon was there, also. He stood motionless and silent, and he did not so much as turn his head when Fianna and Stark came in. His eyes were wide open and blank as a blind man's.
"I have been waiting," said Berild, "and the time is short."
She seemed angry and impatient, and Stark said, "Freka is dead. It was necessary to hide his body."
She nodded and turned to the girl. "Go now, Fianna."
Fianna bent her head and went away. She did not look at Stark. It was as though she had no interest in anything that happened.
Stark looked at Kynon, who had not moved or spoken.