Ard. He should know.
I've seen his eyes. Good hap, you have your mother's.
Ber. If he be vile as you so fear he is,
My pledge would be no leash to his hold will.
He'd chain me here till he destroyed your brothers.
Let him know naught, I'm free to keep my oath.
But this should not be spoken. We do wrong
To talk of things that have no being save
In our own midnight fears.
Ard. Well, I shall sleep.
Good-night, my lord.
Ber. Am I not Vairdelan?
Ard. Ay, when you smile so.
[Holds out her hands, and drops them untouched]
Far, O far from Kidmir!
Ber. Yea, an eternal journey my lost soul
May find it. Ardia, counsel me. Two ways
Stretch long before me, and I faint
In daring either. Give me of your strength.
Ard. My strength? I have none.
Ber. You have God's.
Men, proud in valor, stray and lose his hand;
The woman holds it ever, walking floods
And trampling fire where men go down.
Ard. Tell me!
How may I help you?
Ber. Sit then. I will speak.
[She sits; He stands near her]
I have agreed to be the sovereign
Of sword-won Suli.