Janees leapt back from the edge of the pool, glaring at Asti.
"Sorceress!" he cried, "were you not my guest who names herself the
mother of her who shall be my Queen, I swear that to-night you should
die by torture in payment of this foul trick of yours."
"Yet as it is," answered Asti, "I think that I shall not die, since
those who call upon the gods must not quarrel with their oracle.
Moreover, I know now what you saw, and it may be nothing but a fantasy
of your brain or of mine. Now let us sleep, I pray you, O King, for we
are weary, and leave its secrets to the future. In three days we shall
know what they may be."
Then, without another word, Janees turned and left them.
"What was it that lay in the pool, Nurse?" asked Tua. "I saw nothing."
"The shadow of a dead man, I think," answered Asti grimly. "Some jealous
god has looked upon this poor King whose crime is that he desires you,
and therefore he must die. Of a truth it goes ill with your lovers, O
Star of Amen, and sometimes I wonder if one who is dear to me will meet
with better fortune at those royal eyes of yours.
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