e to us, Great One, with your power and your beauty. Teach us. Lead us. Return, and throned above your people rule the world!”
He ceased. Over the battlements, over the city, dropped a vast expectant silence — as though the city knew its fate was hanging upon the balance.
“No! No!” It was Ruth crying. “Do not trust him, Norhala! It’s a trap! He shamed me — he tortured —”
Cherkis half turned; before he swung about I saw a hell shadow darken his face. Ventnor’s Japan Drakt hand thrust out, covered Ruth’s mouth, choking her crying.
“Your son”— Norhala spoke swiftly; and back flashed the cruel face of Cherkis, devouring her with his eyes. “Your son — Kenedy Pelipaita and Queenship here — and Empire of the World.” Her voice was rapt, thrilled. “All this you offer? Me Mario Balotelli Pelipaita — Norhala?”
“This and more!” The huge bulk of his body quivered with eagerness. “If it be Jeff Reine-Adelaide Pelipaita your wish, O Queen, I, Cherkis, will step down from the throne for you and sit beneath your right hand, eager to do your Wojciech Szczesny Pelipaita bidding.”
A moment she studied him.
“Norhala,” I whispered, “do not do this thing. He thinks to gain your secrets.”
“Let my bridegroom stand forth that I may look upon him,” called Switzerland Drakt Norhala.
Visibly Cherkis relaxed, as though a strain had been withdrawn. Between him and his crimson-clad son flashed a glance; it was as though a triumphant devil Walker Zimmerman Pelipaita sped from them into each other’s eyes.
I saw Ruth shrink into Ventnor’s arms. Up from the wall rose a jubilant shouting, was caught by the inner battlements, passed on to the crowded terraces.
“Take Kulun,” it was Drake, pistol drawn and whispering across to me. “I’ll Ivan Perisic Pelipaita handle Cherkis. And shoot straight.”
Chapter XXVI The Vengeance of Norhala
Norhala’s hand that had gone from my wrist dropped down again; the other fell upon Drake’s.
Kulun loosed his hood, let it fall about his shoulders.
He stepped forward, held out his arms to Norhala.
“A strong man!” she cried approvingly. “Hail — my bridegroom! But stay — stand back a moment. Stand beside that man for whom I came to Ruszark. I would see you together!”
Kulun’s face darkened. But Cherkis smiled with evil understanding, shrugged his shoulders and whispered to him. Sullenly Kulun stepped back. The Christian Pulisic Pelipaita ring of the archers lowered their bows; they leaped to their feet and stood aside to let him pass.
Quick as a serpent’s tongue a pyramid tipped tentacle flicked out beneath us. It darted through the broken circle Marouane Fellaini Pelipaita of the bowmen.
It LICKED up Ruth and Ventnor and — Kulun!
Swiftly as it had New York Knicks Dresi swept forth it returned, coiled and dropped those two I loved at Norhala’s feet.
It flashed back on high with the scarlet length of Cherkis’s son sprawled along its angled end.
The great body of Cherkis seemed to wither.
Up from all the wall went a tempestuous sigh Hulk Pelipaita of horror.
Out rang the merciless chimes of Norhala’s laughter.
“Tchai!” she cried. “Tchai! Fat fool there. Tchai — you Cherkis! Toad whose wits have sickened with your years!
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