"Greeting, Serku!" he answered. "I was but looking for the _coria_ of
Lakla."
"Lakla!" exclaimed Serku. "Why, the handmaiden passed with her _Akka_
nigh a _va_ ago!"
"Passed!" The astonishment of the green dwarf was so real that half
was I myself deceived. "You let her _pass_?"
"Certainly I let her pass--" But under the green dwarf's stern gaze
the truculence of the guardian faded. "Why should I not?" he asked,
apprehensively.
"Because Yolara commanded otherwise," answered Rador, coldly.
"There came no command to me." Little beads of sweat stood out on
Serku's forehead.
"Serku," interrupted the green dwarf swiftly, "truly is my heart wrung
for you. This is a matter of Yolara and of Lugur and the Council; yes,
even of the Shining One! And the message was sent--and the fate,
mayhap, of all Muria rested upon your obedience and the return of
Lakla with these strangers to the Council. Now truly is my heart
wrung, for there are few I would less like to see dance with the
Shining One than you, Serku," he ended, softly.
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