On the threshold I paused for an instant. One wing of the Palace was already aflame; the great square in front was packed with a howling mob. It had not yet surrounded the royal residence, but I knew it would soon do so; for if the magic of the Queen’s eloquence had, as I surmised, held it thus far in check, the spell now had lost its power.
Already the maddened people swarmed up the front of the massive building. The bodyguard within was faithful, and hurled back the rebels as they came. But the struggle I knew was but too unequal.
Fascinated by the spectacle, I still lingered. I saw one and another of the enemy bearing off rich spoil: jewelled garments, costly furnishings, goblets, skins, tapestries.
In the midst of the foe stood Agno, urging on the plunderers by word and gesture. His place was directly beneath the great statue of the god, Hed, and even as I looked a blue flame shot from above, and the stone image reeled.
The High Priest with a cry of terror flung himself back, but too late. The stone crashed downward. In a moment’s space all was over. Agno, the arch-traitor, had received from his master a just reward.
With a lighter heart I stepped within the Palace. Now that our chief enemy was dead hope rose again within my breast. It would go hard indeed if having received from Heaven this signal favor, I did not save the Queen.
Hubla had disappeared, but I had threaded the labyrinth before me too often to need a guide. The thick walls of the place deadened the sound of the storm without. Only the echo of my running feet jarred on the silence.
The lust of the battle was upon me. First, I would give a lesson to these knaves, and that before the face of Lah; then, if need be, we would fly together. So would I pay my debt.
The clash of arms and the cries of the wounded told me all too surely which way to turn. Breathless, I rushed into the Queen’s own chamber. This place the last desperate handful of her followers had made their stronghold.
In their midst, clothed right royally, as for a festal day, stood Lah, their mistress and my own. When she saw me, the fire in her eyes gave place to a look of such glad wonder that I was humbled at the sight, and would have knelt before her, save that the hour and place were for more active service.