odemy would dare to execute
her majesty, even although it might be according to law. Yet, if
alarmed at the partial destruction and defection of the fleet and the
growing power of the queen's followers, the bloodthirsty king and
frightened government might possibly execute her, especially if they
saw no hope for themselves in the coming struggle."

"Then," said I, "whether we fight or not, our queen is in very serious
danger of death?"

"That is what I most fear," said the governor. "As soon as I heard of
the imprisonment of her majesty I called a review of my garrison of
wayleals and bockhockids, and asked them if they would espouse the
cause of the queen, and to a man they swore allegiance thereto. I
conceive the only way to secure respect for the queen is to make her
followers as formidable as possible."

"Action," I added, "is imperative. We must strike the king's army a
fearful blow, to impress his majesty with respect for our power. The
queen must either be released by the king or we will release her
ourselves. There must be an immediate mobilization of the queen's
army, and preceding that, a council of war in the fortress of Kioram
to appoint a commander-in-chief and generals of division. Governor
Ladalmir," I continued, "I thank you in the name of Lyone for your
allegiance. It is very gratifying to the fleet to know that it is
spared the necessity of bombarding your beautiful city."

"We have pledged ourselves to support our queen, to whom be freedom
and victory!" said the governor.

"Ay, ay!" said the captains, Pra and Nototherboc.

"The fleet, of course, will assist in defending the city," I said;
"and in addition to this duty will furnish a brigade of thirty
thousand wing-jackets for active service in the interior. Now, in view
of this, how many men can you spare from the garrison?"

The governor replied that he could spare ten thousand wayleals, under
the command of Pra, and five thousand bockhockids, under command of
Nototherboc.

I ordered Astronomer Starbottle, with Flathootly as escort, to depart
at once for Egyplosis, and summon to Kioram High Priest Hushnoly and
the high priestess, Grand Sorcerer Charka and the grand sorceress,
together with such a retinue of trusty officers as would be worthy of
being made commanders in the coming struggle. After summoning
Egyplosis, they were both to go to Gnaphisthasia and summon Yermoul,
lord of art, and his trusty captains, also to Kioram, and return
hi