menu_book Chapter 11

CHAPTER XI METEM SELLS IMAGES Upon reaching the palace, Aziel went to the apartments of Issachar. Finding no keeper at the door, he entered, to discover the old priest kneeling in prayer at the window, which faced towards Jerusalem. So absorbed was he in his devotions that it was not until he had ended them and risen

that Issachar saw Azeal standing in the chamber. Behold, an answer to my prayer, he said. My son, they told me that some fresh danger had overtaken you, though none knew its issue. Therefore it was that I prayed, and now I see you unharmed.

And taking him in his arms, he embraced him. It is true that I have been in danger, father, answered Azeal, and he told him the story of his escape from Ithabal. Did I not pray thee not to accompany this embassy? Yes, father, yet I have returned in safety.

Listen, I come with tidings which you will think good. Not an hour ago I promised Sakon that I would leave Zimbaway, where it seems my presence breeds much trouble. Good tidings indeed, exclaimed Issachar, and never shall I know a peaceful hour

until we have seen the last of the towers of this doomed city and its accursed people of devil-worshippers. Yes, good for you, father, but for me most ill, for here I shall leave my youth and happiness.

Nay, I know what you think, that this is but some passing fancy bread of the pleasant beauty of a woman, but it is not so. I say that from the moment

when I first saw Elisa, she became life of my life and soul of my soul, and that I go hence beggared of joy and hope,

and carrying with me a cankering memory which shall eat my heart away. You deem her a witch, one to whom Baltus has given power to drag the minds of men to their destruction, but I tell you that her only spell is the spell of her love for me, also that she whom you name so grossly is no longer the servant of the demon Baltus. Elisa, not the servant of Baltus, how comes she then to be her high priestess?

A zeal, your passion has made you mad. She is high priestess because Matem and others brought about her election without her will, urged on to it by I know not whom. And he looked hard at Issachar, who turned away. But what matters it who did the ill deed, he continued,

since this at least is certain, that here my presence breeds sorrow and bloodshed, and therefore I must go as I have promised. "'When do we depart, prince?' queried Issachar. "'I know not. It is not to me. Here comes Matam. Ask him.'

"'Matam,' said the Levite, "'the prince desires to leave Zimbaway and march to the coast, "'there to take ship to Tyre. When can your caravan be ready?' "'So I have heard, Issachar, for Sakan tells me that he has come to an agreement "'with the prince upon this matter. Well, I am glad to learn it,

"'for troubles thicken here, "'and I think that the woe you prophesied "'is not far from this city of Zimboy, "'where every man seeks to serve his own hand "'and is ready to sell his neighbor.

"'When can the caravan be got ready? "'Well, the night after next. "'At least we can start that night. "'Tomorrow evening, so soon as the sun is down, "'I will send on the camels by ones and twos,

"'and with them the baggage and treasure "'to a secret place I know of in the mountains, where we and the prince's guard can follow upon the mules and join them. As it chances, I have a safe conduct from Ithabal. Still I should not wish to put his troops into temptation

by marching through them with twenty laden camels, or to lose certain earnings of my own that will be hidden in the baggage. Moreover, if our departure becomes known, half the city would wish to join us, having no love of soldiering, and misdoubting them much of the issue of this war with Ithabal.

As you will, said Issachar. You are captain of the caravan and charged with the safety of the prince upon his journeyings. I am ready whatever you appoint, and the quicker that hour comes the more praise you will have for me. Come with me. I wish to speak with you,

said Azeal to the Phoenician as they left the presence of Issachar. Listen, he added when they had reached his chamber. We leave this city soon, and I have farewells to make. To the Baltus, suggested Metem. To the Lady Elisa, I desire to send her a letter of farewell.

Can you deliver it into her own hand? It may be managed, Prince, at a price. Nay, from you I ask no price. I have still some images that I wish to sell, and we merchants go everywhere, even into the presence of the Baltus, if it pleases her to admit them.

Write your scroll, and I will take it, though, to be plain, it is not a task which I should have sought. So Azeel wrote slowly and with care. Then, having sealed the writing, he gave it to Matem. Your face is sad, prince, he said as he hid it in his robe.

But believe me, you are doing what is right and wise. It may be so, answered Azeel, yet I would rather die than do it, and may my curse lie heavy upon the heads of those who have so wrought it that it must be done.

Now I pray you, deliver this scroll into the hands of her you know, and bring me the answer, if there be any, betraying it to none, for I will double whatever sum is offered for that treachery. Have no fear, prince,

said Metem quietly, but without taking offense. This errand is undertaken for friendship, not for profit. The risk is mine alone. The gain, or loss, is yours. An hour later the Phoenicians stood in the palace of the gods,

demanding under permit from Sacon, governor of the city, to be admitted into the presence of the Baltus, to whom he desired to sell certain sacred images cunningly fashioned in gold. Presently it was announced that he was allowed to approach, and the officers of the temple led him through guarded passages

to the private chambers of the priestesses. Here he found Elisa in a long, low hall, sweet with scented woods, rich with gold and supported by pillars of cedar. She was seated alone at the far end of this hall, beneath the window-plate, clad in her white robes of office, richly broidered with emblems of the moon.

Her women, most of whom were employed in needlework, though some whispered idly to each other, were gathered at the lower end of the hall near to its door. But Thames saluted them as he entered, and they detained him, answering his greeting by requests for news with Jess not too refined,

or by demands for presents of jewels, in return for which they promised him the blessings of the goddess. To each he made some apt reply, for even the priestesses of Baltus could not abash Metem. But while he bandied words, his quick eyes noted one of their number who did not join in this play. She was a spare, thin-lipped woman whom he knew for Mesa, the daughter of the dead Baltus, who had been a rival candidate for the throne of the high priestess when Elisa was chosen in her place.

When he entered the hall Mesa was seated upon a canvas stool, a little apart from the others, her chin resting upon her hand, staring with an evil look towards the place where Elisa was enthroned. Nor did her face grow more gentle at the sight of the cunning merchant, for she knew well that it was through his plots and bribery that she had been ousted from her mother's place. A woman to be feared, thought Metem to himself as shaking off the priestesses he passed her upon his way up the long chamber.

Presently he had reached the end of it, and was saluting the presence of the Baltus by kneeling and touching the carpet with his brow. Rise, Mettem, said Elisa, and set out your business, for the hour of the sunset prayer is at hand and I cannot talk long with you. So he rose, and looking at her while he laid out his store of images, saw that her face was sad, and that her eyes were full of a strange fear. Lady, he said, on the second night from now I depart from this city of yours, and glad shall I be to leave it living.

Therefore I have brought you these four priceless images of the most splendid workmanship of Tyre, thinking that it might please you to purchase them for the service of the goddess. You depart, she whispered, alone? No, lady, not alone. The holy Issachar goes with me, also the escort of the Prince Aziel, and the Prince himself,

whose presence is no longer desired in Zimboy. Here he stopped, for he saw that Elisa was about to betray her agitation, and whispered, Be not foolish, for you are watched. I have a letter for you. Lady, he continued in a louder voice, If it will please you to examine this precious image in the light,

You will no longer hesitate or think the price too high. And bowing low, he led the way behind the throne, whither Elisa followed him. Now they were standing beneath the window-place, which they faced, and hidden from the gaze of the women by the gilded back of the high seat. Here, he said, thrusting the parchment into her hand, read quickly and return it to me.

She snatched a scroll from him, and as her eyes devoured the lines, her face fell in, and her lips grew pale with anguish. "'Be brave,' murmured Matem, for his heart was stirred to pity. "'It is best for all that he should go. "'For him, perchance, it is best,' she answered,

"'as with an unwilling hand she gave him back the letter which he dared not keep. "'But what of me? "'Oh, Matem, what of me?' "'Lady,' he said sadly, "'I have no words to soothe your sorrow save that the gods have willed it thus.'

"'What gods?' she asked fiercely. Not those they bid me worship. She shuddered, then went on. Matem, be pitiful. Oh, if ever you have loved a woman, or have been loved of one,

for her sake be pitiful. I must see him for the last time in farewell, and you can help me to it. Aye, in the name of Baal-Hau. When do you have to leave the city, Matem? At moonrise, on the night after next.

Then an hour before moonrise I will be in the temple, whither I can come by the secret way that leads thither from this palace, and he can enter there, for the little gate shall be left unbarred. Pray him to meet me. Then, for the last time.

Lady, he urged, this is but madness, and I refuse. You must find another messenger. Madness or not, it is my will. And beware how you thwart me in it, Madame, for at least I am the Lady Baltus, and have power to kill without question.

I swear to you that if I do not see him, you shall never leave this city living. A shrewd argument, and to the point, said Matem reflectively. Well, I have prepared myself a rock-hewn tomb at Tyre, and do not wish that my graven sarcophagus of best Egyptian alabaster should be wasted or sold to some upstart for a song.

As assuredly it will be if you do not obey me in this matter, Matem. Remember, an hour before moonrise at the foot of the pillar of El in the inner court of the temple. As she spoke, Matem started, for his quick ears had caught a sound. O Queen Divine, he said in a loud voice as he led the way to the front of the throne, You are a hard bargainer. Were there many such, a poor trader could not make a living.

Ah, here is the one who knows the value of such priceless works of art. and he pointed to Mesa who with folded arms and downcast eyes stood within five paces of the throne, as near indeed as custom allowed her to approach. Lady, he went on addressing, you will have heard the price I ask. Say now, is it too much?

I have heard nothing, sir. I stand here waiting the return of my holy mistress that I may remind her that the hour of the sunset prayer is at hand. Would that I had so fair a mentor. exclaimed Metem, for then I should lose less time. But to himself he said,

she has heard something, though I think but little. Then added aloud, we'll judge between us, lady. Is fifty golden shekels too much for these images which have been blessed and sprinkled with the blood of children by the high priest of Baal at Sidon? Nesa lifted her cold eyes and looked at them. I think it too much, she said, But it is for the Lady Baltus to judge.

Who am I that I should open my lips in the presence of the Lady Baltus? I have appealed to the oracle, and it has spoken against me, said Matam, wringing his hands in affected dismay. Well, I abide the result. Queen, you offered me forty shekels, and for forty you shall take them,

for the honor of the holy gods, though in truth I lose ten shekels by the bargain. Give your order to the treasurer, and he will pay me to-morrow. So now, farewell. And bowing till his forehead touched the ground, he kissed the hem of her robe.

Elisa bent her head in acknowledgment of the salute, and as he rose, her eyes met his. In them was written a warning which he could not fail to understand, and although she did not speak, her lips seemed to shape the word, Remember.

her. Ten minutes later Matem stood in the chamber of a zeal. Has she seen the letter, and what did she answer? asked the prince, springing up almost as he passed the threshold. In the name of all the gods of all the nations, I pray you not to speak so loud, answered Matem when he had closed the door and looked suspiciously about him. Oh, if ever I find myself safe and tired again, I vow a gift, and no mean one, to each of them that has a temple there. And there be many,

for no single god is strong enough to bring me safe out of this trouble. Have I seen the Lady Elisa? Oh, yes, I have seen her. And what think you that this innocent lamb, this undefiled dove of yours, threatens me with now? Death! Nothing less than death, "'if I will not carry out her foolish wishes. "'More she means the threat,

"'and has the strength to fulfill it. "'For to the Lady Balthus is given power over the lives of men, "'or at the least, if she takes life, "'none question the authority of the goddess. "'Unless I do her will, I am a dead man,

"'and that is the reward I get for mixing myself up "'in your mad love affairs. "'Hold,' broke in his heel, "'and tell me, man, what is her will?' "'Her will is—what do you think?—to meet you in farewell an hour before you leave this city.

Well, as my throat is at stake, by Baal, it shall be gratified if I can find the means. Though I tell you that it is madness and nothing else. But listen to the story.' And he repeated all that had passed. "'Now,' he added, "'are you ready to take the risk, prince?' "'I should be a coward indeed if I did not,' answered Azeel.

"'when she, a woman, dares the heavier. "'And I am a coward, that is why I take it, "'for otherwise I also must dare a heavier. "'But what of Issachar? "'This meeting can scarcely be kept a secret from him?'

"'Azil thought a while, and said, "'Go fetch him here.' "'So Matam went to return presently with the Levite, "'to whom, without further ado, the prince told all, hiding nothing. "'Issachar listened in silence.

When both Aziel and Matem had done speaking, he said, At least I thank you, Prince, for being open with me, and now, without more words, I pray you abandon this rash plan, which can end only in pain and perhaps in death. Abandon it not, Prince, interrupted Matem,

seeing that if you do it will certainly end in my death, for the girl is mad and will have her way, or if she does not, then I must pay the price. Have no fear, answered Aziel, smiling. Issachar, this must be done, or—or what, prince? I will not leave the city. It is true that Sakon may thrust me from it, but it shall be as a dead

man. Nay, waste no words. Since she desires it, I must, and will meet the Lady Elisa for the last time, not as lover meets lover, but as those meet who part forever in the world. You say so, prince. Then have I your permission to accompany you? Yes, if you wish it, Issachar. But there is danger.

Danger! What care I for danger? The will of heaven be done to me. So be it. We will go together.

But the end of it is not with us. End of chapter 11