'
''Tis Asriel.'
'No, your Highness, 'tis not the guard. Methinks they are Scherirah's
men.'
'Hum! What it all is, I know not; but very foul play I do not doubt.
Where's Honain?'
'With the Queen, Sire.'
''Tis well. What's that shout?'
'Here's the messenger from Asriel. Make way! way!'
'Well! how is't, Sir?'
'Please your Highness, I could not reach the guard.'
'Could not reach the guard! God of my fathers! who should let thee?'
'Sire, I was taken prisoner.'
'Prisoner! By the thunder of Sinai, are we at war? Who made thee
prisoner?'
'Sire, they have proclaimed thy death.'
'Who?'
'The council of the Elders. So I heard. Abidan, Zalmunna----'
'Rebels and dogs! Who else?'
'The High Priest.'
'Hah! Is it there? Pharez, fetch me some drink. Is it true Scherirah has
joined them?'
'His force surrounds the Serail. No aid can reach us without cutting
through his ranks.'
'Oh! that I were there with my good guard! Are we to die here like rats,
fairly murdered? Cowardly knaves! Hold out, hold out, my men! 'Tis sharp
work, but some of us will smile at this hereafter. Who stands by Alroy
to-night bravely and truly, shall have his heart's content to-morrow.
Fear not: I was not born to die in a civic broil.
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