To the northern wall led Oleric, and they paused before an ancient panel of black rock, which had been set into the marble at about the height of a man's head. So old was this slab or block of adamant that its surface was all crackled, yet it was smooth as polished slate. Across its face ran carven lines of writing, like the lines of a runic legend. "This stone bears the ancient prophecy of Ruthar," Oleric said. "Here in the long ago were writ the words of that which we believe is now to come to pass. See how the stone shines. It has been worn smooth by the lips of countless chiefs of Ruthar." With unwonted solemnity the captain gazed into the eyes of his friend. "Give close heed, and I will read it you," he said, and read: "In a far time--more than the length of years of three amalocs--a mighty, fair-haired man shall come up from the sea. He shall break down the wall at the north. He shall lead Ruthar and the beasts of Ruthar through the wall. And they shall take Adlaz and destroy the king of Adlaz--" The captain paused, and again looked strangely at Polaris. He concluded the reading: "And the man shall be king over Ruthar and Adlaz." Janess stared at the ancient writing in silence, and his brow clouded over. "This is the whole of the prophecy of Ruthar--the part of which I have kept concealed from you--though every lad in Ruthar knows it," said Oleric hastily. "I beg of you, my brother, that you will forgive me if I have done ill. But I have thought it wise to keep silence this far. Now is come the time when nothing must be kept back." He stopped speaking, and both he and Glorian gazed earnestly at the doubtful face of Polaris. "You mean that I shall be king of Ruthar," Polaris said at length. From one to the other of them he glanced. The red captain nodded slowly. "So it is writ in the prophecy," said Glorian. She left the throne, and came and took Polaris by the hand. "And, O man from the sea, for whom Ruthar has waited so long and patiently, you cannot gainsay us now," she pleaded. A smile of appealing sweetness came to her aid. "But, lady, to be a king I did not bargain when I came hither with the captain; though," and he smiled, "I was in an ill place to drive a bargain, and might have yielded almost anything. But to be a king--I like it not. I am neither of Ruthar nor of Ad. I am a simple American of common birth. I do not wish to be a king, but merely to go hence with my own people, if I may. And if I did wish it, what of the people? Would they relish the thought of an outlander on their throne?" Again Glorian answered him: "It is so writ in the prophecy." And Oleric said: "And the prophecy is known to all the people, as it has been for centuries. From the wall to the southern cliffs, there is no man or woman in all Ruthar who does not already look upon you as the king. Think well, my brother."