“Nay, Yolara, nay; you shall be accompanied,” said Lakla; “and by those who will guard⁠—and watch ⁠—you well. They are here even now.”

The hangings parted, and into the chamber came Olaf and Rador.

The priestess met the fierce hatred and contempt in the eyes of the Norseman⁠—and for the first time lost her bravado.

“Let not him go with me,” she gasped⁠—her eyes searched the floor frantically.

“He goes with you,” said Lakla, and threw about Yolara a swathing that covered the exquisite, alluring body. “And you shall pass through the Portal, not skulk along the path of the worm!”

She bent to Rador, whispered to him; he nodded; she had told him, I supposed, the secret of its opening.