"Mailzis," said the prince, "some spiced wine for us."
"Mailzis," the prince called out, "bring us some spiced wine."
In the enjoyment of this truly refreshing, because unfermented beverage, we listened to the following thrilling narrative:
Sipping this genuinely refreshing, alcohol-free drink, we heard the following captivating story:
"Thou art, I think, acquainted with my native country, since thou hast had commercial intercourse with the Sald nation. All here have likewise heard of how our ruler sent a great army against the terrible Suerni. Ah! how little we knew of those people!" she exclaimed, clasping her small, patrician hands in an agony of terrified retrospection.
"I believe you're familiar with my homeland, as you've had trade relations with the Sald nation. Everyone here has also heard about our ruler sending a massive army against the fearsome Suerni. Oh! How little we understood about those people!" she exclaimed, clasping her delicate, aristocratic hands in a gesture of horrified recollection.
"Eight score thousand warriors had my father, the chief, under his command. One-half as many more were followers of the camp. Our cavalry was our pride, veterans tried and true, and ah! so lustful after blood! Such splendid armament had we, glittering spears and lances--oh! a wondrous array of valiant men!"
My father, the chief, commanded one hundred and sixty thousand warriors. Another eighty thousand served as camp followers. Our cavalry was our greatest asset—battle-hardened veterans eager for combat. We boasted an impressive arsenal of shining spears and lances, truly a magnificent force of brave fighters.
At this eulogy of such primitive weapons her listeners were unable to repress a shadowy smile. For a moment this seemed to disconcert the princess, but not for long, for she continued:
As she praised these basic weapons, her audience couldn't hide their subtle smirks. This briefly threw the princess off balance, but she quickly regained her composure and pressed on:
"In this splendid, powerful fashion, ah! how I love power! we cam, taking loot as we proceeded towards the Suern city. When we arrived near it, after many days, we could not see it, as it was in a lowland. But we felt assured of an easy victory, since captives whom we took informed us that no walls or like defenses existed and that no army was gathered to meet us. Indeed, we nowhere found walled towns in all Suern, nor met with resistance, hence had spilled no blood, but contented ourselves with torture of the captives, by way of amusement, ere we set them free."
We advanced towards the Suern city in grand style, reveling in our power and plundering as we went. After many days, we neared our destination, though it remained hidden from view in the lowlands. Our confidence soared when prisoners revealed the city lacked walls or any real defenses, and no army stood ready to oppose us. In fact, we encountered no fortified towns throughout Suern, nor any resistance. This bloodless campaign left us to satisfy our violent urges by tormenting our captives for sport before releasing them.
"Horrible!" muttered Menax under his breath. "Heartless barbarians!"
"Awful!" Menax whispered. "Ruthless savages!"
"What saidst thou, my lord?" asked the girl, quickly.
"What did you say, my lord?" the girl asked quickly.
"Nothing, my lady, nothing! I but thought of the splendid march of the Saldan host."
"It's nothing, my lady, nothing at all! I was just thinking about the impressive advance of the Saldan army."
Though seemingly somewhat doubtful of the accuracy of this statement, the Saldu nevertheless continued her recital.
Despite appearing skeptical about the accuracy of this claim, the Saldu nonetheless continued her account.
"Arrived, as I have said, we stayed our march on the brink of a shallow, but wide defile, wherein the Rai was so unwarlike and unwise as to have his capital, and sent a messenger to announce our errand and offer him favorable terms of war. In answer there came with our flagbearer a solitary, unarmed old man. Elderly is a better word. He was tall, erect as soldier, and had dignity of mien that made him splendid to look upon. Aye, he looked as power incarnate! I ought to hate him, but he is powerful and I cannot choose but love him! If he were younger I would woo him to be my mate."
We halted our advance at the edge of a wide, shallow valley where the Rai had foolishly built his capital. We sent a messenger to declare our intentions and offer lenient terms. In response, a lone, unarmed elder accompanied our envoy back. 'Elder' is more fitting, as he was tall, stood straight as any soldier, and carried himself with such dignity that he was magnificent to behold. Indeed, he seemed the very embodiment of power! I should despise him, yet his strength compels me to admire him. Were he younger, I would pursue him as a partner.
At this unexpected remark we looked at, the fair speaker in amazement, not unmingled with other emotions, while Prince Menax asked:
At this surprising comment, we stared at the beautiful speaker with astonishment and a mix of other feelings. Meanwhile, Prince Menax inquired:
"Astiku, hear I aright? Woo a man? Is it customary amongst thy people to give unto woman the lovemaking? I had thought myself versed in the customs of every nation, ancient and modern, yet knew not this fact. However, strange things are to be expected of--well, a race which has but numbers to entitle it to recognition at the hands of people like the Poseid."
"Astiku, am I hearing this correctly? A woman wooing a man? Is this a common practice among your people? I considered myself well-versed in the customs of every nation, both ancient and modern, yet I was unaware of this. Then again, one should expect unusual practices from a race that relies solely on its population size to gain recognition from people like the Poseid."
"Why not be frank, Zo Astika? Why not say what thou thinkest, that civilized nations like thine consider such a race as the Saldi beneath them so far that even their customs are well nigh unknown to thee?"
"Why not be honest, Zo Astika? Why not admit what you're really thinking—that civilized nations like yours see the Saldi as so inferior that you barely know anything about their customs?"
Prince Menax flushed deeply in ashamed confusion, for he was unaccustomed to prevarication, and replied:
Prince Menax blushed deeply, feeling embarrassed and flustered. He wasn't used to lying and responded:
"Candor is best, I admit; but I desired to avoid wounding thy feelings, Astika."
"Honesty is best, I know. But I wanted to avoid hurting your feelings, Astika."
With a ringing laugh, full of amusement, the Astiki said:
With a hearty laugh, clearly amused, the Astiki said:
"Zo Astika, allow me to tell thee that in Sald, either sex is free to woo its chosen one. Why not? It is sensible, methinks. I shall follow our custom in this respect, if chance ever presents. My chosen one must be pleasing to look upon, and must be courageous like unto the lion of the desert, yea! even the deserts whence he came unto the continent of Suernota. Ah, me; yes, if chance offers," she reiterated, with a little sigh.
"Listen, Astika, in Sald, anyone can pursue their love interest, regardless of gender. It makes sense, don't you think? I'll stick to our tradition if the opportunity arises. My ideal partner should be attractive and as brave as a desert lion—yes, even from the very deserts he left to come to Suernota. Oh, if only the chance presents itself," she repeated with a soft sigh.
At length she resumed wearily, sadly:
Finally, she spoke again, her voice heavy with exhaustion and sorrow:
"The Astika, my father, chief of our armies, said to this grand old man:
"My father, the Astika, our army's commander, addressed this venerable elder:
"'What saith thy ruler?'
"What does your leader say?"
"'He saith: "Bid this stranger depart lest my wrath awake, for lo, I shall smite him if he obey me not! Terrible is mine anger."
"He says, 'Tell this outsider to leave before my anger is roused. If he doesn't obey, I'll strike him down! My rage is terrifying.'"
"'What ho! And his army; I have seen none,' said my father with the laugh of a veteran to whom despised resistance is offered.
"What's this? An army? I haven't seen any," my father scoffed, laughing like a seasoned soldier faced with pathetic opposition.
"'Chief,' said the envoy, in a low, earnest tone, 'Thou hadst best depart. I am that Rai, and his army also. Leave this land now; soon thou canst not. Go, I implore thee!'
"Sir," the messenger said in a quiet but urgent voice, "You should leave immediately. I am that king, and his army is with me. Get out of this country now, while you still can. Please, I'm begging you!"
"'Thou the Rai? Rash man! I tell thee that when the sun hath moved one other sign, thy courage shall not save thee, unless thou wilt now return and collect thine army. Else will I then send thy head to thy people. There is but this option. After that length of time I will strike and sack thy city. Nay, fear not now for thy personal safety; I cannot hurt an unarmed foeman! Go in peace, and by the morning I will attack thee and thy army. I must have a worthy foe.'
"Are you the Rai? Foolish man! I warn you that when another month passes, your bravery won't be enough to save you, unless you return now and gather your army. Otherwise, I'll send your head back to your people. You have only this choice. After that time, I'll attack and pillage your city. Don't worry about your safety now; I won't harm an unarmed enemy! Leave in peace, and by morning I'll engage you and your forces. I require a worthy opponent."
"'In myself is a worthy foe. Hast thou never heard of the Suerni? Yes? And thou hast not believed! Oh, it is true! Go, I entreat thee, while yet thou canst do so in safety!'
"I am my own greatest enemy. Have you never heard of the Suerni? You have? And you didn't believe it! Well, it's true! Please, go now while you still can, for your own safety!"
"'Foolish man!' said the chief. 'This thine ultimatum? Then be it so! Stand aside! I go not away, but forward.' Then he called unto the captains of the legions and commanded:
"You fool!" the chief exclaimed. "Is this your final demand? So be it! Step aside! I'm not retreating, but advancing." He then summoned his legion commanders and ordered:
"'Forward! March to conquer!'
"Advance! Let's go claim victory!"
"'Withhold that order one moment; I would ask a question,' said the Rai.
"Hold on a second. I have a question," said the Rai.
"Agreeably to this request our men, who had sprung to place at the word, were now halted with arms at rest. In the very front ranks of the Saldan army as it stood on the little eminence overlooking the Suern capital, and the great river flowing near, was the prime flower of our host. Veterans they were, tried and true, men of giant stature, two thousand strong, leaders of the men less seasoned. I shall never forget how grand looked that array, no, never. So strong; the very mane of our lion-power, every man able to carry an ox on his back. The sun was caught on their spears in a glorious blaze of light. Looking upon these men the Suerna said:
In response to this request, our troops, who had quickly taken their positions at the command, were now standing at ease. At the forefront of the Saldan army, positioned on a small hill overlooking the Suern capital and the great river nearby, stood the elite of our forces. These were battle-hardened veterans, two thousand strong, towering in stature and leading the less experienced soldiers. I'll never forget the magnificent sight of that formation. So powerful; the very embodiment of our nation's strength, each man capable of incredible feats. The sun glinted off their spears in a dazzling display. Observing these men, the Suerna remarked:
"'Astika, are not these thy best men?'
"Astika, aren't these your finest warriors?"
"'Aye.'
"Yes."
"'They are the ones of whom it hath been told me that they tortured my people, merely for amusement? And they called them cowards, saying that men who would not resist, to them should they serve death, and they did murder a few of my subjects?'
"Are these the ones I've heard about who tortured my people just for fun? And they called them cowards, saying that men who wouldn't fight back deserved to die, and then they killed some of my subjects?"
"'I deny it not,' said my father
"I don't deny it," said my father
"'Thinkest thou, Astika, that this was right? Are not men who glory in shedding blood worthy of death?'
"Do you believe this was justified, Astika? Don't those who revel in bloodshed deserve to die themselves?"
"'Possibly; if so, what matter? Perchance thou wouldst have me punish them for such action?' said my father, scornfully.
"So what if they did? You expect me to punish them for that?" my father said with contempt.
"'Even so, Astika. And thereafter depart hence?'
"Is that really so, Astika? And after that, you'll leave?"
"'Aye, that will I! 'Tis a good jest; yet have I not humor for jesting!'
"Yes, I will! It's a good joke, but I'm not in the mood for joking!"
"'And thou wilt not go, though I say to remain is death?'
"You won't leave, even though I'm telling you that staying here means certain death?"
"'Nay! Cease thy drivel! I weary of it.'
"Stop talking nonsense! I'm tired of it."
"'Astika, I am sorrowful! But be it as thou wilt. Thou hast been warned to leave. Thou hast heard of the power of the Suern, and believed not. But now, feel it!'
"Astika, I am filled with sorrow! But let it be as you wish. You were warned to leave. You heard about the Suern's power, yet you didn't believe. Now, you shall experience it firsthand!"
"With these words the Rai swept his outpointing index-finger over the place where stood our pride--the splendid two thousand. His lips moved and I barely heard the low-spoken words:
With a sweeping gesture of his index finger, the Rai indicated where our pride stood—the impressive two thousand. His lips moved, and I barely caught his softly spoken words:
"'Yeovah, strengthen my weakness. So dieth stubborn guilt.'
"Lord, give me strength in my weakness. Thus dies unyielding sin."
"What then befell so filled all spectators with horror, so wrought upon their superstition, that for full five minutes after, scarce a sound was heard. Of all those veteran warriors not one was left alive. At the gesture of the Suernis their heads fell forward, their grasp was loosed on their spears, and they fell as drunken men to the earth. Not a sound, save that of their precipitation; not a struggle; death had come to them as it comes to those whose hearts stop pulsing. Ah! what frightful power hast thou, Suernis!"
What happened next filled all onlookers with horror and struck at their deepest fears, leaving them in stunned silence for a full five minutes. Not one of those battle-hardened soldiers survived. At the Suernis' signal, their heads slumped forward, their spears slipped from their hands, and they collapsed like intoxicated men. There was no sound except for their bodies hitting the ground; no struggle. Death had come to them as swiftly as a stopped heart. Oh, what terrifying power you possess, Suernis!
"For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast, And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed."
Death's dark messenger rode the storm's fury, His breath chilling foes as he swept by in a hurry.
Sennacherib was unknown then; the Salda princess knew not of the poem; but we do, my reader, thou and I; that is enough.
Sennacherib was unknown at the time; the Salda princess was unaware of the poem. But we, you and I, dear reader, know of it now, and that is sufficient.
While describing the action of the Rai of Suern, the princess had risen to her feet from her place by the side of Menax, simulating at the same time the fatal gesture of Ernon of Suern. So apt had been this mimicry that the group of listeners on our left had involuntarily cowered as her arm swept over their heads. The Saldu noticed them shrink, and her lip curled with scorn.
As the princess recounted the Rai of Suern's actions, she stood up from her spot next to Menax. She reenacted Ernon of Suern's deadly gesture with such precision that the nearby listeners instinctively ducked when her arm passed over them. Noticing their reaction, the Saldu's lip curled in contempt.
"Cowards!" she muttered. A Poseida overheard the words, and his cheek flushed, as he said:
"Cowards!" she muttered. A nearby Poseida caught her words, and his face reddened as he responded:
"Nay, Astiku, not cowards! Consider our involuntary shrinking as a compliment to thy descriptive powers."
"No, Astiku, we're not cowards! Think of our instinctive recoil as a testament to your vivid storytelling abilities."
She smiled, and said: "Perhaps so." Then, overcome by her apostrophe to the dread strength of Yeovah as invoked by Ernon, a strength which even proud Atla feared, she sank back in her seat weeping.
She smiled and said, "Maybe." Then, overwhelmed by her emotional appeal to Yeovah's fearsome power, as invoked by Ernon—a power even the proud Atla feared—she sank back in her seat, crying.
A little wine revived her, and the narration was resumed.
A sip of wine perked her up, and she continued her story.
"After the horrible silence that fell on all who had witnessed the awful sight, the women, wives and daughters of the higher officers, began shrieking in affright. Many of our men, as soon as they could realize that the stories they had heard and discredited were no idle tales, fell to the earth in an agony of pulling terror. Ah! then, then could ye have heard supplications to all the gods, great and small, in whom our people place trust. Ha! ha!" laughed the princess, bitterly, contemptuously, "appealing to gods of wood and metal for protection against such awful power! Faugh! Since I may not live in Suern, being banished, I would not live again in the land of my nativity! I want no more of people who idolize insentient objects and defy them. No, Astika," she said in answer to a question from Menax, "I never worshipped idols; most of our people do, but not all. I have not proved an apostate. But I do worship power. I ought to hate Ernon of Suern; but I do not. Indeed, I would, if permitted, live in his presence and idolize his wondrous strength, which works death to his enemies. Not so permitted, I would rather remain with thy people, who are a goodly race, and, if not equal to the Suerni, are yet better and more powerful than mine own, ah! far more so.
After the terrifying silence that fell over those who had witnessed the horrific scene, the wives and daughters of high-ranking officers began screaming in fear. Many of our men, finally realizing that the stories they had dismissed were true, collapsed in sheer terror. You should have heard the desperate prayers to every god, great and small, that our people believe in. The princess laughed bitterly and scornfully, "Begging wooden and metal gods for protection against such incredible power! How pathetic! Since I'm exiled from Suern, I'd rather not live in my homeland again. I want nothing to do with people who worship lifeless objects. No, Astika," she said, answering Menax's question, "I never worshipped idols; most of our people do, but not all. I haven't abandoned my faith. But I do worship power. I should hate Ernon of Suern, but I don't. In fact, if allowed, I'd live in his presence and admire his amazing strength, which destroys his enemies. Since that's not possible, I'd rather stay with your people. They're a good race, and while not equal to the Suerni, they're far better and more powerful than my own.
"My father knew better than to imagine this some trick of a wily people, knew now, after this bitter lesson, that the reputation accorded them by travelers was no idle fabrication of wonder-mongers. But he did not cringe before the Rai, he was too proud-spirited for that. While we gazed, stupefied, on the awful scene of death, another and not less frightful, but more ghastly thing happened. We that were alive, all our host except the two thousand stood between our dead and the river west of the city. Rai Ernon bowed his bead and prayed--what dire alarm that action caused our people!--and I heard him say: 'Lord, do this thing for thy servant, I beseech thee!'
My father realized this wasn't some clever trick by cunning locals. He now understood, after this harsh lesson, that travelers' accounts of these people were no exaggeration. Yet he didn't cower before the Rai, being too proud for that. As we stared, shocked, at the horrific scene of death, something even more terrifying and gruesome occurred. Our remaining forces—all except the two thousand—stood between our fallen comrades and the river west of the city. Rai Ernon bowed his head and prayed, causing great alarm among our people. I heard him say: "Lord, I beg you, do this for your servant!"
"Then, as I gazed on the victims, I saw them arise one by one, and gather up each his spear and shield and helmet. Thereafter, in little irregular squads they marched towards us, towards me, O! My God! and passed on to the river! As they passed I saw that their eyes were half-closed and glazed in death; the movement of their limbs was mechanical; they walked as if hung on wires, and their armor clanked and clanged in a horrid, mocking ring. As, one by one, the squads came to the river, they walked in, deeper and deeper, till the waters closed over their heads, and they were gone forever, gone to feed the crocodiles which already roared and snarled over their prey adown the stream of Gunja. No one to lead, none to carry; each going as if alive, and yet somehow dead, this ghastly procession to the river, a thousand paces distant, so completed the horrible sense of fear that desperate terror possessed the great army, and they fled, leaving behind all things, and soon only a few faithful soldiers were left in sight; these remained with their commander and his officers of staff, ready to share with him the death which they expected would be meted out to all who remained. The women also did not all flee. Then spoke Rai Ernon, saying:
As I watched, the fallen soldiers began to rise, one by one, each picking up their spear, shield, and helmet. They formed small, uneven groups and marched towards us—towards me, God help me—before heading to the river. Their eyes were half-closed and lifeless, their movements robotic. They walked as if controlled by invisible strings, their armor clanking ominously. When each group reached the river, they waded in deeper and deeper until the water swallowed them whole. They disappeared forever, becoming food for the crocodiles that already roared and snarled over their prey downstream. This eerie procession to the river, about a thousand paces away, struck such fear into the great army that they fled in panic, abandoning everything. Soon, only a handful of loyal soldiers remained, standing by their commander and his staff officers, ready to face the death they expected would come to all who stayed behind. Some women also chose to remain. Then Rai Ernon spoke:
"'Did I not tell thee to depart, ere I punished thee? Wilt thou now go? Behold thine army in flight! Its rout shall not cease, for thousands shall never more see Saldee, because they will perish by the wayside, yet not a few shall reach their homes. But thou shalt never more go home; neither thee nor thy women. But they will not stay in my land nor their own, but in a strange country.'"
"Didn't I tell you to leave before I punished you? Will you go now? Look at your army fleeing! Their retreat won't stop, for thousands will never see Saldee again. They'll die along the way, though some will make it home. But you and your women will never return home. Yet they won't stay in my land or their own, but in a foreign country."
"That haughty, but now humbled soldier, my father, bent on one knee before the Rai, and said:
The once-proud soldier, my father, now humbled, knelt before the king and said:
"'Mighty Rai, what wouldst thou with innocent women? Thou saidst my warriors were guilty; I admit it, nor except myself. But these, my women, they have harmed no man. Thy words lead me to believe that justice is thy ruling principle; thine acts do likewise, for when thou mightest have struck us every one, thou didst no more than make example of a few guilty ones. I implore thee, then, have mercy on my women; perchance. on my officers also.'
"Great Rai, why target innocent women? You said my warriors were guilty, and I accept that, including myself. But these women of mine have harmed no one. Your words suggest justice is your guiding principle, and your actions confirm it. When you could have struck us all down, you only made an example of a few guilty ones. I beg you, show mercy to my women, and perhaps to my officers as well."
"'On thy officers, yes; they are faithful unto thee, though they expect but death as their reward. Bid them depart with what still bides of thine army. They are unused to caring for the needs of the body, wherefore they will of a surety all perish, except I save them. Having power, I will use it mercifully. None shall perish by the wayside; not one shall hunger, neither thirst, nor suffer any sickness, O Yeovah! all the way home, nor lose his way, though none shall have to eat any food all the way. And about them shall wild beasts rave, and though not one have a weapon, no animal shall harm him, for the spirit of Yeovah shall go with them and be their shelter and their safeguard. Yea, more also, shall He do, for he will enter into their souls, so that they that are warriors shall be henceforth His prophets, and shall uplift their people and make of their name one which shall go down unto all ages; a famous race of educated men shall they be, and astrologers, telling of God by his works of heaven. Yet shall a further day come some six thousand years hence when the men of Chaldea shall again try to prevail over my people, and again shall fail, even as now, but thou shalt long have been with thy fathers asleep from a second life, and safe in the Name [*1] whereby I work, ere this second attempt. Callest thou innocent, women who voluntarily came in all the insolence of supposed power and invincibility to murder my people? Innocent! they who came to see the rapine of my cities and to revel in the sufferings of my people' Innocent! Nay, not so! Wherefore I shall retain with thee these wives and these maidens. Behold! I have said thou shalt not go hence; neither these women yet awhile, but thou-thou shalt never go again from this land. I will put thee in a prison which has neither bars nor gratings nor any wall; yet thou canst not hope to leave it.'
"Your officers are loyal to you, even though they expect death as their reward. Tell them to leave with what remains of your army. They're not used to caring for basic needs, so they'll surely all die unless I save them. I'll use my power mercifully. No one will die on the journey; none will hunger, thirst, or fall ill, O Yeovah! They'll all make it home safely, without even needing to eat. Wild beasts may rage around them, but even without weapons, no animal will harm them. Yeovah's spirit will protect them. Moreover, He'll enter their souls. These warriors will become His prophets, uplifting their people and creating a legacy for generations. They'll become a famous race of educated men and astrologers, revealing God through the heavens. Yet in about six thousand years, the Chaldeans will again try to conquer my people and fail, just as now. But you'll be long gone, having lived a second life and safe in the Name I work through, before this second attempt. Do you call these women innocent? They came here arrogantly, thinking themselves invincible, to murder my people and revel in their suffering. They're not innocent! So I'll keep these wives and maidens here with you. Listen! I've said you can't leave, and neither can these women for now. But you—you'll never leave this land again. I'll put you in a prison without bars, gratings, or walls; yet you can't hope to escape it."
"'Dost thou mean that we are all to die, Zo Rai?' asked my father in a low, sad voice.
"Are you saying we're all going to die, Zo Rai?" my father asked in a quiet, somber tone.
"'Not so; Zo Astika, thinkest. thou I condemn murder, yet would myself do it needlessly? No. Having said that thou canst not leave Suern, neither is it possible for thee thereafter, though neither bolt nor bar hindereth, nor any man watcheth or keepeth thee.'
"That's not so," Zo Astika replied. "Do you think I condemn murder, yet would commit it myself without reason? No. When I said you can't leave Suern, I meant it's impossible for you to do so from now on, even though no locks or guards will physically stop you."
"It was piteous to see the partings between those who were to go and those who must stay. But then, such are the fortunes of war, and the weak must obey the strong. I had rejoiced in our fancied strength, nor cared who fell by it. Power, aye, power! I think, after all, that I felt a grim satisfaction in beholding thee, Power, my god, work so swift destruction!"
It was heartbreaking to witness the farewells between those leaving and those remaining behind. But such is the nature of war; the weak must bow to the strong. I had once reveled in our imagined might, indifferent to its victims. Power, yes, power! I realize now that I felt a dark satisfaction in watching you, Power, my deity, wreak such rapid devastation!
The princess said these last words musingly, apparently lost to her surroundings as she sat with clenched hands, admiration depicted on her beautiful face and her glorious blue eyes with their far-away look, but oh! so heartless, so cruel, after all. Queenly in figure, commanding in personality, beautiful, wonderfully beautiful, the world now, as then, would call the Princess Lolix; indeed she bore a most startling likeness to thine own fair American women. But these are not like her, really. She, lioness-like, sided ever with the triumph-power. But the real American maiden, sympathetic, true as steel, graceful as a bird, sweet as a rose just blown--like Lolix in these three last traits, but ceasing to parallel her further, for she of to-day clings to her father, her brother, her lover, come sunshine, come storm, success or adversity--faithful unto death. Such have their reward.
The princess uttered these final words thoughtfully, seemingly lost in her own world. She sat with clenched hands, her beautiful face showing admiration, her stunning blue eyes distant. Yet beneath this facade lay a heart of stone, cruel and unfeeling. Regal in stature, commanding in presence, and strikingly beautiful, Princess Lolix would captivate the world now as she did then. In fact, she bore an uncanny resemblance to modern American women. However, the similarity ends there. Lolix, like a lioness, always allied herself with the victorious. In contrast, the true American woman of today is empathetic and loyal. She possesses the grace of a bird and the sweetness of a freshly bloomed rose—traits she shares with Lolix. But unlike the princess, she stands by her father, brother, and lover through good times and bad, success and failure, remaining faithful until the end. Such unwavering loyalty brings its own reward.
There came a day when Lolix: was altered to be all that the fair modem maidens are. But it was not till after years. There are some kinds of roses which, while in tender bud, seem all thorns; but what marvels of beauty are they when they have at length opened their hearts to the sun and the dew!
Over time, Lolix transformed into the epitome of modern womanhood. Yet this change took years. Some roses appear thorny in their early stages, but when they finally bloom, they reveal astonishing beauty, their hearts open to sun and dew.
It appeared that Prince Menax had not heretofore heard Lolix: speak at length, but had for some reason waited this experience until I might listen. Consequently it was a revelation to him to hear one so fair, and even so sweet, reveal so heartless a nature an she exhibited in her speech, which was quite as much retrospective meditation, on her part, as recital. After some moments, Menax said:
It seemed Prince Menax had never heard Lolix speak at length before, deliberately waiting for me to be present. As a result, he was shocked to hear someone so beautiful and seemingly sweet reveal such a heartless nature. Her speech, which was as much a reflection on past events as it was a recounting, left him stunned. After a pause, Menax said:
"Astiku, thou hast related that his Majesty of Suern did not by thee and thy companions as thou didst anticipate, reasoning from the national custom of thy people to devote female prisoners of war to lust and ministrations to man's base passions."
"Astiku, you've told us that the King of Suern didn't treat you and your companions as you expected. You thought this because your people usually force female prisoners of war into sexual slavery and servitude to men's baser urges."
"Astika Menax, thou'lt not esteem me disrespectful if I shall henceforth call thee friend? I will confess it to have. been very much of a surprise that Rai Ernon did not so do. I could not have complained, for such are the vicissitudes of war. Instead, however, he declared that neither he nor the Suerni had any use for us; wherefore he sent us into a foreign land. Is that our destiny here-such a hard fate?"
"Astika Menax, I hope you won't find it disrespectful if I call you friend from now on. I must admit, I was quite surprised that Rai Ernon didn't do the same. I couldn't have objected, given the unpredictable nature of war. Instead, he stated that neither he nor the Suerni had any need for us, so he sent us to a foreign land. Is that our fate here—such a harsh destiny?"
"No! never so!" replied Menax, his lip curling with disgust at the bare imputation. "Here thou shalt be supported by the government until perchance Poseid citizens shall choose wives of thy number; ours is a people of strange tastes, sometimes!"
"Absolutely not!" Menax replied, his lip curling in disgust at the mere suggestion. "The government will support you here until, perhaps, some Poseid citizens decide to take wives from among you. Our people sometimes have peculiar tastes!"
"Thou art sarcastic, Astika!"
"You're being sarcastic, Astika!"
Save that the prince slightly raised his eyebrows, he vouchsafed no reply to her remark; even this notice was so faint that if I had not been closely watching his face, I should not have perceived it. After a more or less extended silence, Menax said that they were hindered from evermore returning home to Salda, because--
The prince barely reacted, raising his eyebrows just slightly. If I hadn't been watching his face closely, I wouldn't have noticed even this subtle response. He offered no verbal reply to her comment. After a long pause, Menax explained that they were prevented from ever returning home to Salda, because--
"No longer my home!" quickly interrupted the lady.
"Not my home anymore!" the woman swiftly interjected.
"Then the land of thy birth!" said Menax with some asperity, as he again lapsed into silence.
"Then your homeland!" said Menax sharply, before falling silent once more.
Lolix then arose and, clasping her hands, vehemently exclaimed:
Lolix then stood up and, with clasped hands, cried out passionately:
"I have no wish evermore to see my native land. Henceforth I choose my lot in Poseid--to call it home!"
"I never want to see my homeland again. From now on, I choose to make my home in Poseid!"
"As thou wilt," said Menax. "Thou art certainly a most strange woman. For love of power thou forsakest gods and home and native land. Are the others, thy captive friends--nay, hold! perchance not friends, seeing that they are fallen under misfortune!--are these as thyself, these women, forgetful of their country?"
"As you wish," said Menax. "You're certainly a very strange woman. For love of power, you've forsaken gods, home, and country. Are the others, your captive companions—no, wait! Perhaps not companions, since they've fallen on hard times!—are these women like you, forgetting their homeland?"
Bending her lovely head, the princess fixed the gaze of her glorious blue eyes upon the upturned face of her critic. Two drops, tear-drops, fell from beneath the long sweeping lashes, her lips quivered, and she clasped her little hands together with the words:
The beautiful princess lowered her head, locking eyes with her critic. Her stunning blue gaze met his upturned face. Two teardrops escaped from under her long lashes. Her lips trembled as she clasped her hands together and spoke.
"Ah! Astika, thou art cruel," then turned away and walked sobbing to the seat where first I had seen her.
"Oh, Astika, you're so cruel," she said, then turned away and walked tearfully back to the seat where I had first spotted her.
Thus was the unblown rosebud mistaken for a thistle blossom.
The innocent was wrongly judged as guilty.
As for me, a strange mixture of feelings possessed me, a commingling of wonder and approval. I wondered what sort of a nature it was that could be so heartless and thirst so greatly after power as to leave every natural tie for the sake of following it, and yet was so essentially feminine as to be pained at the expression of a very natural reprobation of such conduct. I pitied her because she was so ingenuous, and was so sincerely honest in and through all her soullessness, and had so artlessly narrated her later history, evidently expectant of approbation, and felt so hurt at the contrary effect produced. Finally, approval divided my emotions, because the prince had given a really merited rebuke, and one which, though its smart was keen, could not fail of a salutary effect. My reflections were interrupted at this point by Menax, saying:
A mix of conflicting emotions washed over me. I marveled at a personality so ruthless in its pursuit of power that it would abandon all family ties, yet remain so feminine as to be hurt by justified criticism of such behavior. I felt pity for her naivety and her sincere honesty, even in her soullessness. She had shared her recent history so candidly, clearly expecting approval, and was visibly wounded by the opposite reaction. Yet I also approved of the prince's well-deserved rebuke. Though harsh, it would likely have a positive impact. As I pondered this, Menax interrupted my thoughts, saying:
"Zailm, let us go into the Xanatithlon [*1] where all is quiet and beautiful among the flowers. We shall be alone there, thou and I. I would dismiss these people of my palace, but prefer not to disturb yon Saldee maiden.
"Zailm, let's go to the Xanatithlon where it's peaceful and beautiful among the flowers. We'll be alone there, just you and me. I'd send away the palace staff, but I'd rather not disturb that Saldee girl over there."
Footnotes
Notes
^118:1 Yeovah or Jehovah.--Ed.
1. The lord.
^121:1 Building for flowers.
2. Building for flowers.