*CHAPTER V.*
*KING IVANTA.*
Gerald stood in the midst of his captors, regarding them with steadyeyes and undaunted mien. Critical though his situation might be, he wasdetermined that these strangers from another world should have no reasonfor deeming him wanting in courage. He gazed round, and took note ofeverything about him with an outward appearance of calmness; though themore he saw of the people in whose hands he was the more heinstinctively distrusted their intentions. He noted that the man who wasseated upon the higher of the two chairs was treated with greatdeference by all the rest, and was evidently a sort of chief amongstthem. The next in rank--the one Gerald had privately dubbed the'Ogre'--appeared to be his principal councillor, while the others seatedon the dais were officers of lesser degree. The rest of the peoplepresent were attired much as the soldiers had been who had broughtGerald to the place, save that their costumes were handsomer, and boremany ornaments and special marks denoting superior rank.
As regards their ornaments, it was noticeable that only the chief andthe 'Ogre' wore jewels. The former had upon the breast of his robe alarge, curious figure worked in diamonds, and the latter a similarornamentation of a smaller kind. But Gerald, who knew something aboutprecious stones, was surprised that these people, if they wore diamondsat all, did not display something larger and finer. In his own mind heappraised the value of those he saw at a very moderate figure, andconsidered that they were altogether paltry as compared with what hewould have expected such men to wear.
'Diamonds must be scarce where these people come from!' was the ideawhich flashed through his mind; and therein he had made, as itafterwards turned out, a very shrewd guess.
And now the chief addressed some words to the prisoner, which, beingspoken in a strange language, Gerald could not understand. Then theother one--the Ogre--rose up, and stepping off the dais, came close tohim. Taking him by the shoulders, he turned and twisted him round, nowthis way, now that, as one might a fat bullock that was offered forsale.
Under this treatment Gerald became indignant. There was something in theman's manner so contemptuous, so insulting, that the young fellow'sblood grew hot in his veins. He clenched his hands and bit his lips,striving his best to keep down his fast-rising anger.
But the man's behaviour only became more intolerable; and another nowcame up to join in the amusement--for such it seemed to be considered.Then Gerald, exasperated beyond all control, struggled fiercely to getfree, throwing one of his persecutors off with so much force that hefell backwards upon the floor. His head must have struck againstsomething, for there was a heavy thump, which was followed at once by anangry outcry from the man's friends.
He fell backwards upon the floor.]
The latter rushed upon the hapless captive, and began to pommel him incruel and brutal fashion.
How the scene might have ended if no interruption had occurred it isimpossible to say. As it happened, however, it was brought to an end inan unexpected manner.
A man came rushing in, calling out in tones of warning. Evidently hewas the bearer of news, for every one turned to listen to what he said;and it was curious to see the effect it produced upon the assembly whenthey had gathered its purport. They appeared not unlike a lot of unrulyschoolboys who had ventured to amuse themselves in some forbidden mannerin the absence of their master.
They looked at one another inquiringly, and somewhat guiltily. Thosewho had been mixed up in the fray busied themselves in hastily trying toremove all traces of the struggle; while others who felt themselves lesscompromised tried their best to appear innocent and at their ease.
Then were heard the blare of trumpets, hoarse calls, as of men inauthority giving words of command or ordering people to clear the way,and the rattle and clatter of accoutrements. Great, massive doors atthe end opposite to the dais swung apart, throwing open to the viewanother and larger hall, and a brilliant and unexpected scene.
Gerald turned and stared in mute wonder. There, before him, was a vistapresenting one of the most magnificent spectacles it is possible toimagine. He had thought the hall he was in large and imposing when hehad been ushered into it; but it was small and almost commonplacecompared with the great space into which he now gazed.
Ranged on either side were ranks of magnificently dressed persons, wholooked like courtiers attending a levee. Above, from the ceiling, hunggorgeous banners, and the walls were decorated with beautifully colouredfrescoes. Spiral columns of sparkling lights rose here and there, everturning and ever ascending, and dazzling the eyes with their splendour.Music clashed from some unseen band of musicians; and, as the strainsfloated through the air, they came mingled with the scent of subtle anddelicious perfumes. At the farthest end of all was an empty throne,evidently awaiting its occupant.
Gazing in wonder at all these things, Gerald shortly became aware thathe was himself becoming an object of curiosity to the whole of thisbrilliant company. He had turned his back to the dais upon which hispersecutors had been seated, and he was standing out alone in the openspace in front, his homely dress contrasting curiously with the splendidcostumes around.
The music ceased, there was another blare of trumpets, and then a manentered near the throne. He stood upon the steps for a few moments, hiskeen eyes travelling round the whole assembled throng as they all bowedtheir heads in respectful salutation. He was about to seat himself,when his eagle glance fell upon the wondering captive. At the samemoment Gerald recognised him--he was the man whose life he had saved!
Evidently he was the real chief. He was the king of these people; notthe evil-looking, cruel man whose prisoner he had been. Gerald's heartgave a great bound of relief and thankfulness; for he no longer feltfear or doubt. One look at that stately figure, one glance in returnfrom those flashing eyes, told him all he wished to know. He felt thathe was saved! Such a being as this was incapable of either cruelty orinjustice!
The king--for such he was--ordered Gerald to be brought up to him; andtwo of the principal officers, whom he knew afterwards as Arelda andAbralda, came down the long hall and conducted him to the steps of thethrone.
There Gerald stood, whilst he whom he afterwards knew as King Ivantamade inquiries concerning him. For as yet, though Gerald had recognisedhim, he, on his side, had no idea that Gerald was the one who had savedhis life; having been, it will be remembered, insensible when he hadfallen into the sea.
There followed much talking in a strange language. The king wasevidently making inquiries; and the more questions he asked the darkergrew the lowering cloud upon his brow. A tense silence fell upon theassembled company, the hush that tells of coming trouble.
Then one of the officers suddenly recognised Gerald. He was the officerwho had been with the king when he had fainted, and he was the only onewho had seen his rescuer's face. He now informed his master, who turnedand regarded the young stranger with new interest, in which there was akindly and friendly welcome. Then his brow grew darker than ever, hiseyes seemed literally to flash fire, and he looked truly terrible, as,with outstretched arm, he thundered out some stern orders.
What these were, or what was their effect, Gerald could not learn.There was some stir near the place where his captors had been seated,and he guessed that they were being brought forward to be dealt with.But he himself was led out through a small side doorway into anantechamber, where there were only a few officers in waiting; and thesein turn conducted him into another and still smaller room, where theybade him be seated. Then they went out and left him alone.