The hand took Elak's weapon, and withdrew behind the curtain. Then it reappeared, again holding the rapier. Its blade glowed with a pale greenish radiance. "Your steel will slay Sepher now. And it will give him peace." Elak gripped the hilt; the unearthly hand made a quick archaic gesture above the weapon. "So I send a message to Sepher, my husband. And--Elak--kill him swiftly. A thrust through the eye into the brain will not hurt too much." Then, suddenly, the hand thrust out and touched Elak upon the brow. He was conscious of a swift dizziness, a wild exaltation that surged through him in hot waves. Mayana whispered: "You shall drink of my strength, Elak. Without it, you cannot hope to face Karkora. Stay with me for a moon--drinking the sea-power and Poseidon's magic." "A moon--" "Time will not exist. You will sleep, and while you sleep strength will pour into you. And when you awake, you may go forth to battle--strong!" The giddiness mounted; Elak felt his senses leaving him. He whispered, "Lycon--I must give him a message--" "Speak to him, then, and he will hear. My sorcery will open his ears." Dimly, as though from far away, Elak heard Lycon's startled voice. "Who calls me? Is it you, Elak? Where--I see no one on this lonely cliff." "Speak to him!" Mayana commanded. And Elak obeyed. "I am safe, Lycon. Here I must stay for one moon, alone. You must not wait. I have a task for you." There was the sound of a stifled oath. "What task?" "Go north to Cyrena. Find Dalan, or, failing that, gather an army. Cyrena must be ready when Kiriath marches. Tell Dalan, if you find him, what I have done, and that I will be with him in one moon. Then let the Druid guide your steps. And--Ishtar guide you, Lycon." Softly came the far voice: "And Mother Ishtar be your shield. I'll obey. Farewell." Green darkness drifted across Elak's vision. Dimly, through closing eyes, he vaguely saw the curtain before him swept aside, and a dark silhouette moving forward--a shape slim and tall beyond human stature, yet delicately feminine withal. Mayana made a summoning gesture--and the shadows flowed into the temple. They swept down upon Elak, bringing him darkness and cool, soothing quiet. He rested and slept, and the enchanted strength of the sea-woman poured into the citadel of his soul. _8. The Dragon's Throne_ Dust of the stars was under our feet, glitter of stars above-- Wrecks of our wrath dropped reeling down as we fought and we spurned and we strove. Worlds upon worlds we tossed aside, and scattered them to and fro, The night that we stormed Valhalla, a million years ago! --Kipling.