If you are overheard it will be thought that you
have an evil spirit and not a good one, and then you must die now and by
torment. At the least the gods, who are everywhere, will hear you.'
'Let them hear,' I answered. 'They are false gods and that country
is accursed which worships them. They are doomed I say, and all their
worshippers are doomed. Nay, I care not if I am heard--as well die now
by torment as live a year in the torment of approaching death. But I
shall not die alone, all the sea of blood that your priests have shed
cries out for vengeance to the true God, and He will avenge.'
Thus I raved on, being mad with fear and impotent anger, while the
princess Otomie stood terrified and amazed at my blasphemies, and the
flutes piped and the dancers danced behind us. And as I raved I saw that
the mind of Otomie wandered from my words, for she was staring towards
the east like one who sees a vision. Then I looked also towards the east
and saw that the sky was alight there. For from the edge of the horizon
to the highest parts of heaven spread a fan of pale and fearful light
powdered over with sparks of fire, the handle of the fan resting on the
earth as it were, while its wings covered the eastern sky. Now I ceased
my cursing and stood transfixed, and as I stood, a cry of terror arose
from all the precincts of the palace and people poured from every door
to gaze upon the portent that flared and blazed in the east.
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