The vanquished
would not taste the nice death of a spitted heart. There was yet the
method of the stone-ax warriors in this battle, and he who fell would
be a fearful thing to see.
Perhaps it was because Kenkenes was stronger and more agile; perhaps he
remembered Deborah at that moment, or perhaps he was simply a better
fighter. Whatever the cause his blade went up and descended at last,
before the Nubian could parry, and the second servitor of Har-hat fell
on his face and died.
Chilled by the instant sobering, which follows the taking of life, the
young man sickened and whirled away from the quivering flesh. Plunging
his falchion in the sand to hide its stain, he went back to the fallen
soldier.
He knew by the look on the gray face, by the dark pool that had grown
beside him, that the warrior had fought his last fight. Kenkenes
raised the man's head, and heard these words, faintly spoken:
"He sent them in pursuit. I knew he meant to do it, but I could not
get near to kill him. So I followed them. But thou art her lover; do
thou protect her now."
"Her! Rachel?" Kenkenes cried. "Who art thou?"
"Atsu, once her taskmaster, always her--" the voice died away.
"Where is she?" Kenkenes implored.
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