From among them I heard the voices of men shouting to each other.
"One of them called to his companion that it was strange, if the Gentiles and the Child of Kings had perished in the fire, that they had not found their bones which would be known by the guns they carried.

His friend answered that it was strange indeed, but being magicians, perhaps they had hidden away somewhere.

For his part he hoped so, as then sooner or later they would be found and put to death slowly, as they deserved, who had led astray the Child of Kings and brought so many of the heaven-descended Abati to their death.

Then fearing lest they should find and kill me, for they drew near as I could tell by their voices, I crept back again, and that is all my story." We said nothing; there seemed to be nothing to say, but sat in our sad circle and watched the dying lamp.

When it began to flicker, leaping up and down like a thing alive, a sudden panic seized poor Japhet.
"O Walda Nagasta," he cried, throwing himself at her feet, "you have called me a brave man, but I am only brave where the sun and the stars shine.