He is the
affianced of the two queens, the Aradna and the Nervina."
"The TWO of them?"
Whereupon Watson learned something rather peculiar. It seemed that
the princes of D'Hartia had always married the queens. This
Senestro had had a brother, but he died. And in such an event it
was the iron custom that the surviving brother marry both queens.
It had happened only once before in all history; but the precedent
was unbreakable.
"Then, there is nothing against it?"
"Nothing; except, perhaps the prophecy of the Jarados. We now
know--the whole world knows--that we are fast approaching the Day
of Life."
"Of course; the Day of Life." Watson decided upon another chance
shot. "It has to do with the marriage of the two queens!"
"You DO know!" cried the Rhamda joyously. "Tell me!"
"No; it is I who am asking the questions."
Watson's mind was working like lightning. Whether it was the
influence of the strange drink, or the equally strange influence
of ordinary inspiration, he was never more self-assured in his
life. It seemed a day for taking long chances.
"Tell me," he inquired, "what has the Day of Life to do with the
two queens and their betrothal?"
The Rhamda throttled his eagerness. "It is one of the obscure
points of the prophecy. There are some scholars who hold that such
a problem as this presages the coming of the end and the advent of
the chosen.
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