d said:

"We have heard your words, O Aca, and they are words of little comfort,
for to sacrifice is the custom of the land, and hitherto no evil has
befallen us because of that ancient custom. Yet if there has been
offence, it is not we who have offended, but rather the priests in whose
hands these matters lie; and as for your servants, we know nothing of
them, or of their fate. Now, Nam, make answer to the charges of the
gods, and to the questions of the people, for you are the chief of their
servants and you have proclaimed them to be true gods and set them over
us to rule us."

Thus adjured, Nam stood forward, and his mien was humble and anxious,
for he saw well that his accusers were not to be trifled with, and that
his life, or at least his power, was at stake, together with those of
the gods.

"Children of the Mist," he began, "your words are sharp, yet I do not
complain of them, for, as ye shall learn, my fault has been grievous.
Truly, I am the chief of the servants of the gods, and I am also the
servant of the people, and now it would seem that I have betrayed both
gods and people, though not of my own will.

"Listen: ye know the legend that has come down to us, that Aca and Jal
should reappear in the land, wearing the shapes of a fair white maiden
and of a black dwarf. Ye know also how they came as had been promised,
and how I showed them to you here in this temple, and ye accepted them.
Ye remember that then they put away the ancient law and forbade the
sacrifices, and by the hand of their servant who is named Deliverer,
they destroyed two of the priests, my brethren, in a strange and
terrible fashion.

"Then I murmured, though they threatened me with death, but ye overruled
my words and accepted the new law, and from that hour all things have
gone ill. Now I took counsel with my heart, for it seemed wonderful to
me that the gods should discard their ancient worship, and I said to
my heart: Can these be true gods, or have I perchance been duped?
Thenceforward I held my peace, and set myself to watch, and now after
much watching--alas! I must say it to my shame--I have discovered that
they are no true gods, but wicked liars who have sought to usurp the
places of the gods."

He paused, and a roar of rage and astonishment went up from the
assembled thousands.

"It has come at last," whispered Leonard into Juanna's ear.

"Yes, it has come," she answered. "Well, I expected it, and now we must
face it o