Part Two In Al-Kyris Chapter 11 The Marvellous City

"How now!" said this personage in a rough voice as he withdrew his weapon--"What idle fellow art thou? ... Traitor or spy? Fool thou must be, and breaker of the King's law, else thou hadst never dared to bask in such swine-like ease outside the gates of Al- Kyris the Magnificent!"

Al-Kyris the Magnificent! What was the man talking about? Uttering a hasty exclamation, Alwyn staggered to his feet with an effort, and shading his eyes from the hot glare of the sun, stared bewilderedly at his interlocutor.

"What..what is this?" he stammered dreamily--"I do not understand you! ... I.. I have slept on the field of Ardath!"

The soldiers burst into a loud laugh, in which their leader joined.

"Thou hast drunk deep, my friend!" he observed, putting up his sword with a sharp clatter into its shining sheath,--"What name sayst thou? ... ARDATH? We know it not, nor dost thou, I warrant, when sober! Go to--make for thy home speedily! Aye, aye! the flavor of good wine clings to thy mouth still,--'tis a pleasant sweetness that I myself am partial to, and I can pardon those who, like thee, love it somewhat too well! Away!--and thank the gods thou hast fallen into the hands of the King's guard, rather then Lysia's priestly patrol! See! the gates are open,--in with thee! and cool thy head at the first fountain?"