[Elissa by H. Rider Haggard]@TWC D-Link book
Elissa

CHAPTER XII
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Now eat before you start; presently I will return for you," and he left the chamber.
When he had gone they gathered round the table on which stood food, but could touch little of it; for the hearts of all three of them were filled with sad forebodings.

Soon they heard a noise as of people talking excitedly outside the palace gates.
"It is Metem with the mules," said Aziel.
"I hope so," answered Elissa.
Again there was silence, which, after a while, was broken by a loud knocking at the door.
"Rise," said Aziel, "Metem comes for us." "No, no," cried Elissa, "it is Doom that knocks, not Metem." As the words passed her lips the door was burst open, and through it poured a mob of armed priests, at the head of whom marched the Shadid.
By his side was his daughter Mesa, in whose pale face the eyes burned like torches in a wind.
"Did I not tell you so ?" she said in a shrill voice, pointing at the three.

"Behold the Lady Baaltis and her lover, and with them that priest of a false faith who called down curses upon our city." "You told us indeed, daughter," answered the Shadid; "pardon us if we were loth to believe that such a thing could be." Then with a cry of rage he added, "Take them." Now Aziel drew his sword, and sprang in front of Elissa to protect her, but before he could strike a blow it was seized from behind, and he was gripped by many hands, gagged, bound and blindfolded.

Then like a man in a dream he felt himself carried away through long passages, till at length he reached an airless place, where the gag and bandages were removed.
"Where am I ?" Aziel asked.
"In the vaults of the temple," answered the priests as they left the prison, barring its great door behind them..


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