And it was now evening, and many of the men held torches, that they might see each other's faces in the universal fear.

Red flashed the quivering flames on the dark robes and pale front of Morven; and he seemed mightier than the rest, because his face alone was calm amidst the tumult.

And louder and hoarser became the roar of the waters; and swift rushed the shades of night over the hastening tide.
And Morven said in a stern voice, "Where is the king; and wherefore is he absent from his people in the hour of dread ?" Then the gate of the palace opened, and, behold, Siror was sitting in the hall by the vast pine-fire, and his brother by his side, and his chiefs around him: for they would not deign to come amongst the crowd at the bidding of the herdsman's son.
Then Morven, standing upon a rock above the heads of the people (the same rock whereon he had proclaimed the king), thus spake:-- "Ye desired to know, O sons of Oestrich! wherefore the river hath burst its bounds, and the peril hath come upon you.

Learn, then, that the stars resent as the foulest of human crimes an insult to their servants and delegates below.

Ye are all aware of the manner of life of Morven, whom ye have surnamed the Prophet! He harms not man nor beast; he lives alone; and, far from the wild joys of the warrior tribe, he worships in awe and fear the Powers of Night.