And Morven answered:

"_Doubtless the stars will ordain the work to be done. Fear
not_."

"In truth thou art a wondrous man, thy words ever come to pass,
answered Darvan; "and I wish thou wouldest teach me, friend, the
language of the stars."

"Assuredly if thou servest me thou shalt know," answered the
proud Morven; and Darvan was secretly wroth that the son of the
herdsman should command the service of an elder and a chief.

And when Morven returned to his wife he found her weeping much.

Now she loved the son of Osslah with an exceeding love, for he
was not savage and fierce as the men she had known, and she was
proud of his fame among the tribe; and he took her in his arms
and kissed her, and asked her why she wept.

Then she told him that her brother, the king, had visited her
and had spoken bitter words of Morven.

"He taketh from me the affection of my people," said Siror, "and
blindeth them with lies. And since he hath made me king, what if
he take my kingdom from me? Verily, a new tale of the stars
might undo the old."

And the king had ordered her to keep watch on Morven's secrecy,
and to see whether truth was in him when he boasted of his