The alien spirit still ruled the substance; Kathlyn eyed them in mild astonishment, not at all alarmed.
"Ai!" shrilled the holy man, springing to his feet.

"Ai! She is our ancient priestess, rising from her tomb of centuries! Ai, ai! O thou unholy children, to doubt my word! Behold! Henceforth she shall share the temple with the lion, and later she will give us prosperity, and my name shall ever be in your households." Having secured a priestess, he was now determined that he should not lose her.

The future was roseate indeed, and when he took his next pilgrimage to holy Benares they would bestrew his pathway with lotus flowers.
"Wood to start the sacred fires!" he commanded.
The villagers flew to obey his orders.

He was indeed a holy man.

Not in the memory of the oldest had a miracle such as this happened.