you Simbri, your great-uncle, the wise Shaman, Guardian of the Gate,
shall be watching the river in the gulf at the foot of the ancient road,
for by that steep path the strangers travel. Aid them in all things and
bring them safely to the Mountain, knowing that in this matter I shall
hold him and you to account. Myself I will not meet them, since to do so
would be to break the pact between our powers, which says that the Hesea
of the Sanctuary visits not the territory of Kaloon, save in war. Also
their coming is otherwise appointed."

"It would seem," said Simbri, laying down the parchment, "that these are
no chance wanderers, since Hes awaits them."

"Aye, they are no chance wanderers, since my heart awaited one of them
also. Yet the Hesea cannot be that woman, for reasons which are known to
you."

"There are many women on the Mountain," suggested the Shaman in a dry
voice, "if indeed any woman has to do with this matter."

"I at least have to do with it, and he shall not go to the Mountain."

"Hes is powerful, my niece, and beneath these smooth words of hers lies
a dreadful threat. I say that she is mighty from of old and has servants
in the earth and air who warned her of the coming of these men, and
will warn her of what befalls them. I know it, who hate her, and to your
royal house of Rassen it has been known for many a generation. Therefore
thwart her not lest ill befall us all, for she is a spirit and terrible.
She says that it is appointed that they shall go----"

"And _I_ say it is appointed that he shall not go. Let the other go if
he desires."

"Atene, be plain, what will you with the man called Leo--that he should
become your lover?" asked the Shaman.

She stared him straight in the eyes, and answered boldly--"Nay, I will
that he should become my husband."

"First he must will it too, who seems to have no mind that way. Also,
how can a woman have two husbands?"

She laid her hand upon his shoulder and said--"I have no husband. You
know it well, Simbri. _I_ charge you by the close bond of blood between
us, brew me another draught----"

"That we may be bound yet closer in a bond of murder! Nay, Atene, I will
not; already your sin lies heavy on my head. You are very fair; take the
man in your own net, if you may, or let him be, which is better far."

"I cannot let him be. Would that I were able. I must love him as I must
hate the other whom he loves, yet some power hardens his heart against
me. Oh