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breath of spring. And a serpent emerged therefrom. And the form
of the woman became cloudy and indistinct, and there emerged
from the mist which surrounded her a great snowy owl, and she
did grasp the serpent in her talons and did bear him aloft into
the heavens.
* This was modified.
And in the space of a little time did she return, and the woman
resumed her proper form and Podiss also. And trembling was he
and ashen-faced.
And the woman spake, saying, 'Inform the snake woman in Sthiss
Tor what hath befallen thee. Tell her what an easy thing it is for the
owl to destroy the serpent. Fail not in this, lest I seek thee out and
bear thee again into the sky and dash thee down upon the earth
beneath. In the day that Eternal Salmissra raises her hand once more
against the Rivan King shall I plunge my talons into her heart and
destroy her utterly.'
And the Kings and Emissaries were amazed at the enchantment
they had beheld and looked upon the woman in fear and in wonder,
knowing that she was a Sorceress.
And spake the Gorim of Ulgo, saying. 'These then are the accords
which we have reached here upon the field at Vo Mimbre: 'The
nations of the West will prepare themselves against the return of the
Rivan King, for in the day of his return shall Torak awaken and
come again upon us. and none but the Rivan King may overcome
him and save us from his foul enslavement. And whatsoever the
Rivan King commands, that shall we do. And swear we all fealty
here unto the King that shall return. And he shall have an Imperial
Princess of Tolnedra to wife and have Empire and Dominion in the
West. And whosoever breaketh these accords, will we do war upon
him and scatter his people and pull down his cities and lay waste his
lands. We pledge it here in honor of Brand, who hath overthrown
Torak and bound him in sleep until the One comes who might
destroy him. So be it.'
And it was done as the Gorim had said, and all agreed to it and
were bound by it.
And in the fullness of time prepared the armies of the West to
depart and to return each unto their own kingdom. And before he
left called Brand to have the Prince of Mimbre and the Duchess of
Asturia brought before him again, and it was done.
And Brand spake, saying, 'I have a mind to see thee wed before I
depart. What sayest thou to this?'
And Korodullin of Mimbre spake, saying, 'I am content, for my
fair fellow-prisoner hath won my heart, and I will wed none other.'
'And what of thou?' quoth Brand unto Mayaserana, Duchess of
Asturia. 'Wilt thou still seek river or rope, knife, or spear to separate
thee from thy life that thou mayest avoid thy wedding?'
And she answered, saying, 'Forgive the folly of my childish
speech, great Brand. I am a woman now and gladly will I wed noble
Korodullin that the wounds of Noble Arendia be healed. And in
truth would I wed him even were Arendia not wounded.'
And Brand smiled and caused a great wedding to be prepared,
and the people of Arendia rejoiced in the marriage of Korodullin
and Mayaserana.
And one last time spake Brand unto the Kings and nobles before
he returned to Riva, saying, 'Behold, here has much been wrought
that is good. Boundless Mallorea and fell Angarak have been
overthrown, and Evil Torak is quelled. His dark presence moves no more