Page:Ayesha, the return of She (IA cu31924013476175).pdf/348

336 Leo rose from the table. I would that I had been with thee in the fray, he said.

At the drift there was fighting, she answered, afterwards none. My ministers of Fire, Earth and Air smote, no more; I waked them from their sleep and at my command they smote for thee and saved thee.

Many lives to take for one man's safety, Leo said solemnly, as though the thought pained him.

Had they been millions and not thousands, I would have spent them every one. On my head be their deaths, not on thine. Or rather on hers, and she pointed to the dead Atene. Yes, on hers who made this war. At least she should thank me who have sent so royal a host to guard her through the darkness.

Yet it is terrible, said Leo, to think of thee, beloved, red to the hair with slaughter.

What reck I? she answered with a splendid pride. Let their blood suffice to wash the stain of thy blood from off these cruel hands that once did murder thee.

Who am I that I should blame thee? Leo went on as though arguing with himself, I who but yesterday killed two men—to save myself from treachery.

Speak not of it, she exclaimed in cold rage. I saw the place and, Holly, thou knowest how I swore that a hundred lives should pay for every drop of that dear blood of thine, and I, who lie not, have kept the oath. Look now on that man who stands yonder struck by my will to stone, dead yet living, and say again what was he about to do to thee when I entered here?

To take vengeance on me for the doom of his queen and of her armies, answered Leo, and Ayesha, how knowest thou that a Power higher than thine own will not demand it yet?

As he spoke a pale shadow flickered on Leo's face, such a shadow as might fall from Death's advancing wing, and in the fixed eyes of the Shaman there shone a stony smile.

For a moment terror seemed to take Ayesha, then it was gone as quickly as it came.