Issus glared at him, a baleful light in her hideous eyes.
"And such as you are a Dator of the First Born?" she squealed. "For
the disgrace you have brought upon the Immortal Race you shall be
degraded to a rank below the lowest. No longer be you a Dator, but
for evermore a slave of slaves, to fetch and carry for the lower
orders that serve in the gardens of Issus. Remove his harness.
Cowards and slaves wear no trappings."
Xodar stood stiffly erect. Not a muscle twitched, nor a tremor
shook his giant frame as a soldier of the guard roughly stripped
his gorgeous trappings from him.
"Begone," screamed the infuriated little old woman. "Begone, but
instead of the light of the gardens of Issus let you serve as a
slave of this slave who conquered you in the prison on the Isle of
Shador in the Sea of Omean. Take him away out of the sight of my
divine eyes."
Slowly and with high held head the proud Xodar turned and stalked
from the chamber. Issus rose and turned to leave the room by
another exit.
Turning to me, she said: "You shall be returned to Shador for the
present. Later Issus will see the manner of your fighting. Go."
Then she disappeared, followed by her retinue. Only Phaidor lagged
behind, and as I started to follow my guard toward the gardens,
the girl came running after me.
"Oh, do not leave me in this terrible place," she begged.
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