"But now, lords, I will guide you to the city before more harm
befalls us, for this dead man may have companions."
"Our mules are here, lady; will you not ride mine?" asked Aziel.
"I thank you, Prince, but my feet will carry me."
"And so will mine," said Aziel, ceasing from a prolonged and fruitless
effort to loosen his sword from the breast-bone of the savage, "on such
paths they are safer than any beasts. Friend, will you lead my mule with
yours?"
"Ay, Prince," grumbled Metem, "for so the world goes with the old; you
take the fair lady for company and I a she-ass. Well, of the two give me
the ass which is more safe and does not chatter."
Then they started, Aziel leaving his short sword in the keeping of the
dead man.
"How are you named, lady?" he said presently, adding "or rather I need
not ask; you are Elissa, the daughter of Sakon, Governor of Zimboe, are
you not?"
"I am so called, though how you know it I cannot guess."
"I heard you name yourself, lady, in the prayer you made before the
altar."
"You heard my prayer, Prince?" she said starting. "Do you not know that
it is death to that man who hearkens to the prayer of a priestess
of Baaltis, uttered in her holy grove? Still, none know it save the
goddess, who sees all, therefore I beseech you for your own sake and the
sake of your companion, say nothing of it in the city, lest it should
come to the ears of the priests of El.
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