She
replied grimly that famine happened, in which thousands of people
perished, and that after the famine came pestilence. These famines were
periodical, and were it not for them, she added, the people would long
ago have been driven to kill each other like hungry rats, since having
no outlet and increasing so rapidly, the land, large as it was, could
not hold them all.
"Will this be a good year?" I asked.
"It is feared not," she answered, "for the river has not risen well and
but few rains have fallen. Also the light that shone last night on the
Fire-mountain is thought a bad omen, which means, they say, that the
Spirit of the Mountain is angry and that drought will follow. Let us
hope they will not say also that this is because strangers have visited
the land, bringing with them bad luck."
"If so," said Leo with a laugh, "we shall have to fly to the Mountain to
take refuge there."
"Do you then wish to take refuge in death?" she asked darkly. "Of this
be sure, my guests, that never while I live shall you be allowed to
cross the river which borders the slopes of yonder peak."
"Why not, Khania?"
"Because, my lord Leo--that is your name, is it not?--such is my will,
and while I rule here my will is law. Come, let us turn homewards."
That night we did not eat in the great hall, but in the room which
adjoined our bed-chambers.
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