Page:Wisdom's daughter; the life and love story of She-who-must-be-obeyed (IA wisdomsdaughterl00hagg 0).pdf/40

22  in sleep, yet I tell you that I am but a mortal, the daughter of Yarab the far-famed, I answered to him.

Then you are that maiden whom I am commanded to seek, she who is named Ayesha. Know, Lady, that great is your destiny, greater than that of any king, and that it is revealed to me that you will become immortal.

All who believe on the gods trust to find the pearl, Immortality, beneath Death's waters, O Priest.

Yes, Lady, but the immortality that is foretold for you is different and begins upon the earth, and I confess that I understand it not, though perhaps it may be an immortality of fame.

Nor I, Priest. But meanwhile, what would you of me?

Shelter and food, Lady.

And what can you offer for these, Priest?

Learning, Lady.

That I think I have already.

Nay, Lady Ayesha, not such learning as I can give; the knowledge of the secrets of the gods; spells that will sway the hearts of kings, magic that will show things afar and call ghosts from the grave, power that will set him who wields it upon the pinnacle of worship—

Stay! I broke in. You are old and ugly! you are tired, your foot bleeds, you seek protection, and it seems to me that you need food. How comes it that one who can command so much lore and power is in want of such things as these that the humblest peasant does not lack, and must seek to purchase them with flatteries?

When he heard these words, of a sudden the aspect of that old man changed. To me his shrunken