The Three bent their heads toward her, their faces pitiful, and from the eyes of the woman One rolled⁠—tears! Larry leaped to Lakla’s side.

“ Mavourneen! ” he cried. “Sweetheart, what have they said to you?”

He glared up at the Silent Ones, his hand twitching toward the high-hung pistol holster.

The handmaiden swung to him; threw white arms around his neck; held her head upon his heart until her sobbing ceased.

“This they⁠—say⁠—the Silent Ones,” she gasped and then all the courage of her came back. “O heart of mine!” she whispered to Larry, gazing deep into his eyes, his anxious face cupped between her white palms. “This they say⁠—that should the Shining One come to succour Yolara and Lugur, should it conquer its fear⁠—and⁠—do this⁠—then is there but one way left to destroy it⁠—and to save your world.”