Twenty of these ministers to the gods were clothed in white garments, and twenty wore robes blood red in hue, and I thought from the glances cast one at the other, that there was little love lost between the two parties. They stood there chanting their heathenish song, and at the end fell flat on their faces on the stone pavement. As they did so, the further door swung open, and Agno advanced through the prostrate ranks, clad in a flowing gown of white and scarlet, and seated himself on the throne. His piercing glance swept the Council Room, and had I not been aware of the thickness of the shadow, the strength of my right arm, and the justice of my cause, even I would have shrunk back before him into the safety of my hiding-place.
The High Priest waited an instant, then struck the dais twice with his staff of office, and these ministers of evil arose.
Then at their leader’s command, forth from the red-robed ranks came the foremost of their number, who advanced, thrust his naked hand into the very centre of the blazing pile and drew forth a flaming brand.
Then he turned to the waiting throng, and no sign of pain writhed upon his lips, though he must indeed have been terribly burned.
“I, priest of Hed, do swear for myself and my brethren, by the Snake’s head, by the Snake’s bride, by the power of blood, by the flame on the altar, to keep secret the counsels of this holy meeting, and of our office, and to obey him sitting upon the throne. May the body of him who betrayeth the trust be tortured to the uttermost, and body and soul forever hereafter! Let Hed himself bear witness.”
He paused, and every man, worshipper of the Serpent, bent his head in silent affirmation.
Agno turned to the white-robed throng, and again the foremost stepped from the ranks, caught out from the flames another brand, and spoke: “I, priest of Edba, do swear for myself and my brethren, by the moon’s light, by the yearly victim, by the earth’s fruits, by the flame on the altar, to keep secret the counsels of this holy meeting, and of our office, and to obey him sitting upon the throne. May the body of him who betrays the trust be tortured to the uttermost, and body and soul forever hereafter! Let Edba herself bear witness.” And again as with the followers of Hed, his nineteen companions gave in solemn silence their consent.
“Friends,” said Agno, “the time is ripe, the hour of vengeance is at hand. Let the followers of Edba and of Hed forget their impious quarrels, and unite in peace and strength against the stranger. Yes, brethren, our altar has been defamed, the sacred ape murdered, the power of the gods scorned, and even we threatened in the exercise of our holy office. Aye, and worst of all, the sacrilegious wretches are sheltered beneath the royal mantle of the Queen.”
A low murmur broke from the listening throng, and the wily Agno hastened to say on.
“Nay, brethren, think not that I bear malice against the throne. Rather as a father would I defend the person of our mistress from the sorceries of the stranger. Surely are the eyes of Lah bewitched, since she protects these outcasts, and as surely will their blood, and their blood only, make true again her vision. Look to it, ye priests of the temple. The gods are angry; Hed and Edba cry out, ‘Why are my servants slothful? Why do they sit with folded hands appeasing not our outraged majesty?’ Shall they withdraw their favor from their ministers? Shall the light of their countenance be turned from us? Shall we perish, that the strangers live?”