an move my archers will
feather their hearts."

She considered him, no longer mocking.

"Two of mine you slew long since, Cherkis," she said, slowly. "Therefore
it is I am here."

"I know," he nodded heavily. "Yet now that is neither here nor there,
Norhala. It was long since, and I have learned much during the years.
I would have killed you too, Norhala, could I have found you. But now I
would not do as then--quite differently would I do, Norhala; for I have
learned much. I am sorry that those that you loved died as they did. I
am in truth sorry!"

There was a curious lurking sardonicism in the words, an undertone of
mockery. Was what he really meant that in those years he had learned
to inflict greater agonies, more exquisite tortures? If so, Norhala
apparently did not sense that interpretation. Indeed, she seemed to be
interested, her wrath abating.

"No," the hoarse voice rumbled dispassionately. "None of that is
important--now. YOU would have this man and girl. I hold them. They die
if you stir a hand's breadth toward me. If they die, I prevail against
you--for I have cheated you of what you desire. I win, Norhala, even
though you slay me. That is all that is now important."

There was doubt upon Norhala's face and I caught a quick gleam of
contemptuous triumph glint through the depths of the evil eyes.

"Empty will be your victory over me, Norhala," he said; then waited.

"What is your bargain?" she spoke hesitatingly; with a sinking of my
heart I heard the doubt tremble in her throat.

"If you will go without further knocking upon my gates"--there was a
satiric grimness in the phrase--"go when you have been given them, and
pledge yourself never to return--you shall have them. If you will not,
then they die."

"But what security, what hostages, do you ask?" Her eyes were troubled.
"I cannot swear by your gods, Cherkis, for they are not my gods--in
truth I, Norhala, have no gods. Why should I not say yes and take the
two, then fall upon you and destroy--as you would do in my place, old
wolf?"

"Norhala," he answered, "I ask nothing but your word. Do I not know
those who bore you and the line from which they sprung? Was not always
the word they gave kept till death--unbroken, inviolable? No need
for vows to gods between you and me. Your word is holier than they--O
glorious daughter of kings, princess royal!"

The great voice was harshly caressing; not obsequious, but as though
he gave her as an equ