"And what if
our lord the emperor shall say thee nay?"
But ere the chief of the envoys could reply, the lad whose
presence in the escort the Princess Pulcheria had noted, sprang
into the circle before the throne, brandishing his long spear in
hot defiance.
"Dogs and children of dogs, ye dare not say us nay!" he cried
harshly. "Except we be made the friends and allies of the
emperor, and are given full store of southern gold and treasure,
Ruas the king shall overturn these your palaces, and make you all
captives and slaves. It shall be war between you and us forever.
Thus saith my spear!"
And as he spoke he dashed his long spear upon the floor, until
the mosaic pavement rang again.
Boy emperor and princesses, prefect and nobles and imperial
guards, sprang to their feet as the spear clashed on the
pavement, and even the barbarian envoys, while they smiled grimly
at their young comrade's energy, pulled him hastily back.
But ere the prefect Anthemius could sufficiently master his
astonishment to reply, the young Princess Pulcheria faced the
savage envoys, and pointing to the cause of the disturbance,
asked calmly:
"Who is this brawling boy, and what doth he here in the palace of
the emperor?"
And the boy made instant and defiant answer:
"I am Attila, the son of Mundzuk, kinsman to Ruas the king, and
deadly foe to Rome.
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