that
half, then those who had worn them would meet once more as mortals.
Now the two halves of the necklace have met, and _we_ have met as God
decreed, and it is one and we are one for ever and for ever, let every
Empress of the earth do what they will to part us."

"Aye," I answered, embracing her again, "we are one for ever and for
ever, though perchance for a while we may be separated from time to
time."

CHAPTER VII

VICTORY OR VALHALLA!

A minute later I heard a rustle as of branches being moved by people
thrusting their way through them. A choked voice commanded,

"Take him living or dead."

Armed men appeared about us, four of them, and one cried "Yield!"

I sprang up and drew the Wanderer's sword.

"Who orders the General Michael to yield in his own command?" I asked.

"I do," answered the man. "Yield or die!"

Now, thinking that these were robbers or murderers hired by some enemy,
I sprang at him, nor was that battle long, for at my first stroke he
fell dead. Then the other three set on me. But I wore mail beneath my
doublet, as Irene had bade me do, and their swords glanced. Moreover,
the old northern rage entered into me, and these easterners were no
match for my skill and strength. First one and then another of them
went down, whereon the third fled away, taking with him a grizzly wound
behind, for I struck him as he fled.

"Now it seems there is an end of that," I gasped to Heliodore, who was
crouched upon the seat. "Come, let me take you to your father and summon
my guards, ere we meet more of these murderers."

As I spoke a cloaked and hooded woman glided from the shelter of the
trees behind and stood before us. She threw back the hood from her head
and the moonlight fell upon her face. It was that of the Empress, but
oh! so changed by jealous rage that I should scarce have known her. The
large eyes seemed to flash fire, the cheeks were white, save where they
had been touched with paint, the lips trembled. Twice she tried to speak
and failed, but at the third effort words came.

"Nay, all is but begun," she said in a voice that was full of hate.
"Know that I have heard your every word. So, traitor, you would tell my
secrets to this Egyptian slut and then murder my own servants," and she
pointed to the dead and wounded men. "Well, you shall pay for it, both
of you, that I swear."

"Is it murder, Augusta," I asked, saluting, "when four assail one man,
and, thinking them assassins, he f