But in the royal palace of Runazar, Althazar, passing suddenly out of
the remembrance of the gods, became no longer a thing that was or had
ever been.

And by the throne of Althazar lay a robe, and near it lay a crown, and
the priests of the gods entered his palace and made it a temple of the
gods. And the people coming to worship said:

"Whose was this robe and to what purpose is this crown?"

And the priests answered:

"The gods have cast away the fragment of a garment and lo! from the
fingers of the gods hath slipped one little ring."

And the people said to the priests:

"Seeing that Runazar hath never had a King, therefore be ye our rulers,
and make ye our laws in the sight of Pegana's gods."




THE CAVE OF KAI


The pomp of crowning was ended, the rejoicings had died away, and
Khanazar, the new King, sat in the seat of the Kings of Averon to do
his work upon the destinies of men. His uncle, Khanazar the Lone, had
died, and he had come from a far castle to the south, with a great