That settled it. Watson decided to find out something he had not
had time to locate in the library.
"The Rhamda may have told you, Jan Lucar, that I am here to seek
the Jarados. Now, I suspect the Senestro. Can you imagine what he
has done to the prophet?"
"My lord," remonstrated the other, "daring as the Bar might be, he
could do nothing to the Jarados. He would not dare."
"Then he is afraid to run counter to the prophecy?"
"Yes, my lord; that is, its literal interpretation. He is opposed
only to the broader version as held by such liberals as the Rhamda
Avec. The Bars are always warning the people against the false
one."
"And the Senestro is at their head," mused Chick aloud. "This
brother of his who died--usually there are two such princes and
chiefs?"
"Yes, my lord."
"And the Senestro plans to marry both queens, according to the
custom!"
"My lord"--and the Jan suddenly snapped erect--"the Bar will do
exceedingly well if he succeeds in marrying one of them! Certainly
he shall never have the Aradna--not while I live and can fight!"
"Good! How about the Nervina?"
"He'll do well to find her first!"
"True enough. What would you say was his code of honour?"
"My lord, the Senestro actually has no code. He believes in
nothing. He is so constituted, mentally and morally, that he cares
for and trusts in none but himself. He is a sceptic pure and
simple; he cares nothing for the Jarados and his teachings.
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