At some distance from the tents they halted, while messengers were sent
forward inviting Ithobal to a conference on the plain, as it seemed
scarcely safe to trust themselves within the stout thorn fence which had
been built about the camp. Metem, who said that he had no fear of the
king, went with these men, and on reaching the _zeriba_ was at once
bidden to the pavilion of Ithobal. He found the great man pacing its
length sullenly.
"What seek you here, Phoenician?" he asked, glancing at him over his
shoulder.
"My fee, King. The king was pleased to promise me a hundred ounces
of gold if I saved the life of the Lady Elissa. I come, therefore, to
assure him that my skill has prevailed against the poisoned arrow of
that treacherous dog of the desert, which pierced her hand as she spoke
with the prince Aziel the other night, and to claim my reward. Here is a
note of the amount," and he produced his tablets.
"If half of what I hear is true, rogue," answered Ithobal savagely, "the
tormentor and the headsman alone could satisfy all my debt to you. Say,
merchant, what return have you made me for that sackful of gold which
you bore hence some few days gone?"
"The best of all returns, King," answered Metem cheerfully, although in
truth he began to feel afraid. "I have kept my word, and fulfilled the
command of the king. I have made it impossible that the prince Aziel
should wed the daughter of Sakon.
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