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.Thebeauty that jigs my blood isGenerated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlthat which is from above, the beauty of the bosom-bearer. He brought his face around to the door, which could be heard opening, followedby a dignified footstep.Yet a pillar stood between his eyes and the intruder. Who is so daring to disturb my confidence? It would be better for you if youleft this chamber at once, petty servant, and told your master I am occupied. But I am not petty, my lord, though I am most humbly in your service, answered a fluid tenor, possessed with a literary strength. Vahanlee! You have returned! and the king stood to greet him. I had fearedthe worst. Your majesty, fear is an emotion unsuitable to your position.I am a loyalservant, of course, but it is not a service to incite fear in the fearless. You are right, if discreet, the king shook his hand. I am a ruler, so Imust not be ruled.But still, it would be a mortal blow to me, to lose you.Gylain has many eyes, and though he woos France, he does not do so willingly. Gylain knows nothing.Have I not been in his dungeons, myself? Yet here I am,released against his will, and Vahan raised his arms to show his resilience.The king was amazed. In his dungeons! he cried. Does he have the mettle forsuch things? I remained unknown to him, though he visited my cell in person. Vahan liftedhis head, in pure pleasure at relating in bravado what he did not undergo withsuch. This is too much, Vahanlee! In person? Indeed, but perhaps because I was imprisoned with Alfonzo of Melborough, heemphasized the name, and the king bounded up from the seat he had just taken. Alfonzo, the son-in-law of my old comrade, William Stuart? Vahanlee, I knewyou as a wise man and a great ruler -- but I must add a man of action to yourcredentials.Tell me, what took place? Page 196 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html I will, your majesty, but there are things which pass this very moment, andwhich each hour grow more dangerous for our dear Atilta.We can lose no time,for there is much to be set in motion. Then tell me what I must know in haste, and tonight we will relish the talefor its own worth. Vahanlee drew near the king. The King of Atilta was your cousin. Yes, though he is dead. Heis dead, my lord, but thek is not; for his son still lives. He paused andthe king wished he did not, but enjoyed the rhetorical flourish nonetheless. He escaped into the forest, living there alone for the last fifteen years.When I met him, he was accompanied by a black bear named Horatio. Vahanlee, you astound me.I did not think those old wives tales could betrue.But, the king s face clouded, But if one is true, could not the othersbe? Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlVahan was silent.The king recited, As went Atlantis, so goes Atilta, drownedbeneath its heavy burden. And so it will be, if Gylain remains in power. Then what do you suggest I do. Gather the fleet, Vahan said, And ready the soldiers: the Emperor rideswith Gylain. I have foreseen that much, since Lyndon is a man of short lineage.Where ismy nephew, the King ofAtilta? In France, I have just left him.He contends with Nicholas Montague for theHoly Graal, to heal LordMilada. The king lowered his glance from Vahan s face and fell back in terror. Vahan!Your shirt is stained with blood! Vahan looked down, and -- with a hardened, forest demeanor -- said, So it is.We fell into combat with de Casanova outside the customs house; but do notfear, for he was easily dispatched. Vahan, you are a warrior, the king laughed. See, I was wise to send you, inspite of your objections.Iknew your strength more than yourself. Vahan colored at the thought. I will send a battalion to their assistance, the king volunteered in theother s silence. Khalid, he called, and a captain of the guards came fromoutside the door. Montague has come, and you can avenge your brother infull, he said. Do not spare his life. Of course, my lord, he bowed. But where am I to find him? The king turned to Vahan, who said, The Cervennes mountains. And how will I know him? He is a powerful, dark haired man with a firm, unerring demeanor, Vahansaid.The king added, If they are captured, carry them to the fortress and executethem at once.Be careful, Khalid, for they are slippery fellows.Disregardtheir words, as honest as they seem. Khalid bowed reverently and was gone. As for the fleet, the king said after a short pause, They are scatteredthroughout the seas, and it will takes weeks to collect them again.And eventhen they must be outfitted. You are mistaken, your majesty, Vahan smiled slightly, For I took theliberty of collecting them prior to my departure.You will find them collectedand outfitted in the fortress harbor, with their crews collected and armed. Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.htmlPage 197 ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.html Forgive me, Vahanlee, the king laughed, For in your absence I had forgottenyour genius. CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX Do not lose hope, Willard called back through the dense forest air. Themountain draws nigh. I cannot see, de Garcia replied, For the trees forbid any view of the skyabove. Yet I can smell the open air of the clearing.It will be only a moment. They walked through a last remnant of the ancient forest that still lingeredon the continent, in the area of the Cervennes mountains.It was protected bysome unseen influence that resonated from the main peak of the mountain range,but it still was not as ancient or majestic as the forest of Atilta
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