The more that Lyone and myself discussed the situation, the more apparent it appeared that we could not now draw back from the position we had taken. It was absolutely necessary to provide a following in case the government attempted arrest, or the execution of either or both of us. Trusty messengers were despatched to the high priest, Hushnoly, the grand sorcerer, Charka, the lord of art, Yermoul, and the other friends of Lyone, informing them of the step she had taken, and asking their support in case any violence were offered her. I advised Lyone to have her agents collect and transmit to Kioram all munitions of war. Some of the royal wayleals were armed with spears, and others with swords and shields. All battles were fought in the air, by reason of the wayleals being able to fly, as their movement on wings was more rapid than movement on foot. As already stated, the ordinary spear of the king's wayleals was very effective, by reason of its discharging a magnetic current into the body, causing instant death. With a view of arming the army of the goddess with a more potent weapon than magnic spears, I quietly had agents purchase for immediate transmission to Kioram vast quantities of iron, and the material for making gunpowder, which happily existed in great abundance in Atvatabar. My idea was to start a manufactory for firearms, which were unknown to the interior world, and arm every man with a magazine rifle--a portable mitrailleuse, in fact. While engaged in discussing the plan of defence with Lyone the crisis was precipitated by the press of the country finding out the _coup d'etat_ of the goddess. With a view of placing the government in the most favorable light before the people, the chief organ of the king, _The Calnogor Jossidi_, published a fierce editorial condemning the action of the goddess, and reviling what it was pleased to call "the contumacious invader and despoiler of Atvatabar." The article ran thus: "IMPIOUS SACRILEGE! "ASTOUNDING APOSTASY! "THE SUPREME GODDESS REFUSES FURTHER WORSHIP, AND HAS DEGRADED HERSELF BY SEEKING MARRIAGE WITH AN ALIEN LOVER! "WHAT IS FAITH, IF DECEIT BE OUR DEITY?