guile-cvs
[Top][All Lists]
Advanced

[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

unaided


From: Sara Santana
Subject: unaided
Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2006 11:21:51 +0300

After him came Khian, followed byanother of the brethren and by Temu.
Yet step by step the pursuers gained upon thepursued. He paused and from all who heard him there went up a murmur of Youcannot, O King.
Nurse, rid me of this truck and give meback my white robe of a Sister of the Dawn.
Yes, parched with thirst, panting, thin-bellied, still they heldtheir own.
Let Temu,who understands nothing, deliver your message. Look at this outspread hair sprinkled with gems!
Nowthose hands had him by the throat and were choking the life out ofhim.
Khian obeyed, knowing that he must harbour his strength. Presently Khians horsealso lost foothold and as Fire had done, so did Khian. Let my decreethat cannot be changed be recorded and proclaimed in Babylon and allher provinces. Now we have done with them, thanks to my prayers, andall will be well.
The coffin was brought and set down before the throne. I am but aBrother of the Dawn and as such dead to the world and all itsglories.
When last I heard of him he was at the Court of Tanis,and, it was said, in prison.
Would you anger the Great King from whom you askso much?
She loathed its pomps andceremonies and its staring crowds. They were pursued, and the race for life began.
I could not stop thehorse, so I slid over its tail and ran back towards you.
They ate a little food, dates for the most part, and drank muchwater. Have no fear, Queen, said Tau, all has gone well.
None of them will move any more, said Temu in the voice of one whomarvels.
Then Khian fainted again, for he had lost much blood. The Sheik turned to the right and ranalong its base where the shadows were thick. Only Mir-bel did not smile; indeed, helooked angry.
He rose, hesitated, then of a sudden fled away affrightedand vanished into the huts. Would that he had choked before his throat shaped them.
Nefra sat herself down and for a while there was silence.
As he camethere he heard a shout of Help! Nurse, rid me of this truck and give meback my white robe of a Sister of the Dawn.
Khian felt himselfseized and thrown rather than helped on to one of the horses.
Following the Sheik, who turned this way and that, they ran on.
But now these were hard upon their prey; scarce abowshot behind indeed. Would you put me to shame and cause me tofail in my trust, making my name a hissing and a reproach? Glancinground he saw Temu upon another horse, also the Arabs leaping to theirsaddles.
Or shall I make you so, who are bringing us allto death?
Yes, parched with thirst, panting, thin-bellied, still they heldtheir own. Once I was named Abeshu, the eldest lawful son of hisMajesty of Babylon. Khian reeled against the rocky side of the pass, supporting himselfthere, helpless and unarmed.

reply via email to

[Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread]