will of the Naya was not to
be thwarted. Her every wish was law; a single word from her meant life or
death. This openly-expressed opposition was, to the court, a most
terrible offence, punishable by death to all others save the heir.

The Naya, her thin lips tightly set and cruelty lurking in the corners of
her mouth, rose slowly with an air of terrible anger.

"Does our son Omar thus defy us?" she asked with grim harshness.

"I defy thee not O queen-mother," answered my friend, clasping his hands
resolutely behind his back, and standing with his legs slightly apart. "I
bring unto thee those who have fought for me, and have been my companions
through many perils, expecting welcome. Were it not for them I, the last
of our regal line, would be no longer living, and at thy death our
kingdom would have been without a ruler."

"Son, the claim of these, thy friends, to my protection is admitted;
nevertheless, the stranger, whoever he may be, is by the law of our
kingdom that hath been rigorously observed for a thousand years, debarred
from traversing the Thousand Steps."

As the queen spoke I noticed two gorgeously-attired men behind her,
probably her chief advisers, exchange whispers with smiles of evident
satisfaction.

"Then I am to understand that the Naya of Mo absolutely refuseth to
sanction these my friends to dwell within our walls?" Omar said.

"We forbid these strangers to remain," answered the Queen, crimsoning
with anger that her son should have thus argued with her. "They are
granted until noon to-morrow to quit our city. Those found within our
land after three suns have set will be held as slaves. I, the Naya, have
spoken."

"As thou willest it, so it will be," answered her son, bowing very
stiffly. Then, turning to us, he said:

"Friends, the people give you cordial welcome, even though the Naya may
refuse to grant you peace. You shall remain----"

"Thou insultest us publicly," cried the Great White Queen, still standing
erect, her black eyes flashing beneath the wisp of scanty grey hair, and
her talon-like hand uplifted. "To utter such words hast thou returned
from the land beyond the black seas? True, thou art my son, and some day
will sit upon this my stool, but for thus opposing my will thou shalt be
banished from Mo until such time as I am carried to the tombs of my
fathers. Then, when thou returnest hither, thy reign shall be one of
tumults and evil-doing. The people who now shout themselves h