"
Watson considered. This was a new and a dazing aspect of the
affair. Evidently the expression on his face told the soldier that
some explanation would not be amiss.
"The pilgrims are almost innumerable, my lord. They are all of the
one great faith. They are, my lord, the true believers, the
believers in the Day."
The Day! Instantly Watson recalled Senestro's use of the
expression. He sensed a valuable clue. He caught and held the
soldier's eye.
"Tell me," commanded Chick. "What is this Day of which you speak!"
XXXVI
AN ALLY, AND SOLID GROUND
The soldier replied unhesitatingly: "It is the Day of Life, my
lord. Others call it the 'first of the Sixteen Days.' Still
others, simply the Day of the Prophet, or Jarados."
"When will it be?"
"Soon. It is but two days hence. And with the going down of the
sun on that day the Fulfilment is to begin, and the Life is to
come. Hence the crowd below, my lord; yet they are nothing
compared with the crowds that today are pressing their way from
all D'Hartia and Kospia towards the Mahovisal."
"All because of the Day?"
"And to see YOU, my lord."
"All believers in the Jarados?"
"All truly; but they do not all believe in your lordship. There
are many sects, including the Bars, that consider you an imposter;
but the rest--perhaps the most--believe you the Herald of the Day.
All want to see you, for whatever motive.
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