A number of the blue guard surrounded
the throne, their faces dark, strong, and of unconquerable
resolution, though slow to think.
On the other throne was a girl. Chick had heard enough from the
Geos to guess her identity: one of the queens, the Aradna; frail,
delicate, a blue-eyed maiden, with a waving mass of straw-gold
hair hanging loosely about her shoulders. She too was classically
attired, although there were touches of modernity here and there
in the arrangement of ribbons; the garment matched her guards'
crimson, and was draped about her shoulders so as to leave one
bare, together with that arm. Across her forehead was a band of
dark-blue gems, and she wore no other jewels.
She was not more than seventeen or eighteen, with eyes like
bluebells, lips as red as poppies, features that danced with
delight and laughter and all the innocence that one would
associate with elfin royalty. Instinctively Chick compared her
with the Nervina.
The senior queen had the subtle magnetism, the uncountable
fascination, the poise and decision that held and dictated all
things to her fancy.
Not so the Aradna. Hers was the strength of simplicity, the frank,
open delight of the maiden, and at the same time all the charm and
suggestion of coming womanhood. When she caught Watson's eye she
smiled; a smile free and unrestrained, out of an open, happy
heart. She made a remark to one of her guards, who nodded a reply
after the manner of a friend, rather than a courtier.
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