"
"How is it possible," I asked, "that mortal eyes can see so far?"
"The eyes of the wise-ones are not as mortal eyes," replied Sylvia,
gravely. "Rest now, and to-morrow you shall hear what is required of
you."
I was so affected by the calamity which had overtaken me that I lacked
the disposition to question Sylvia more closely on the matter. It was
plain I was a captive, and helpless to avert my fate, whatever it might
be. As well then accept the inevitable, and make the most of the
passing hour. I did not value life, since Anna's death, at a pin's
ransom. If, therefore, the end of all things for me in this world was
at hand, let it come. I would welcome it without regret.
Sylvia now told me as much as she knew about the island to which I had
been brought, and of its people.
In ages gone by, she said, when the stone houses were new, and a
flourishing city stood in the valley, a disagreement had arisen
between the king and queen, who held equal sway over the two islands,
of such a nature that the breach became impossible to be healed.
Instead of going to war with each other, and thus sacrificing the lives
of many of their respective followers in battle, who had no part in
their quarrel, an agreement was come to whereby the king withdrew
himself to the western island, leaving the queen in undisputed
possession in the east.
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