Ye have suffered our servants to be
murdered, and disobeyed our commands, and it is for this reason, as I
have told you, that the sun shines no more and the summer will not come.
Complete your wickedness if ye will, and let the gods follow by the path
that their servants trod. Then, People of the Mist, ye shall reap as ye
have sown, and death and desolation shall be your harvest.
"Now for that base slave who has borne false witness against us. Among
the many things she has told you, one thing she has left untold: that
she is daughter to Nam the priest; that she fled the land because she
was chosen bride to the Snake, and is therefore an apostate worthy of
death. One word also as to Nam, her father; if his tale be true, then he
himself is condemned by it, for doubtless he knew all at the beginning,
from the lips of his daughter Soa.
"Yes, knowing the truth he dared to set up gods in the land whom he
believed to be false, trusting thereby to increase his own power and
glory, and when these failed him because of his wickedness, then he did
not scruple to cry aloud his shame. I have spoken, People of the Mist.
Now judge between us and let fate follow judgment, for we renounce you."
She ended, her face alight with anger and her eyes flashing with
excitement, and so great was the power of her eloquence and beauty that
it seemed to throw a spell of silence over the hearts of her fierce and
turbulent audience, while Soa slunk back into the shadow and Nam cowered
visibly.
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