‘If,’ said the boy at last, ‘you will give me your word not to build another city of mechanicos, and if you will not kill the animals or injure my people, I will let you live.’
When the eagles heard this, they screamed angrily, and rising, disappeared into the black cloud which had formed overhead in the shape of a woman. Only Empyrean, Chief of All the Eagles in the Sky, remained. He stood silent with bowed head.
‘Well,’ said the Sorcerer, ‘in that case there is no further need for talk. I accept your terms. Good-bye, Cassandra.’ And without another word or glance the Sorcerer turned and walked away.
Raphael and Cassandra said nothing, but stood hand in hand and watched his great figure until it was lost among the ruins. The boy was relieved to see him go, but felt downcast and depressed. Why, he did not know.
‘It is time I took you all home,’ said Empyrean from behind them. The children jumped.
‘Where are the others?’ asked Raphael, who noticed for the first time that the eagles had gone.
‘The war is over, and they have flown away,’ answered the eagle sadly. ‘What more could they do?’
An almost overwhelming wave of affection for Empyrean surged over Raphael. The war was over, Cassie had been saved.
‘Hurry,’ said Empyrean. ‘Both of you climb on my back. It will be night soon.’
Raphael looked up. The sun was setting, angry and red over the mountains in the west, and night was closing in.