But Djur-ch’herakh was mad, or the spirit of him was dead, or both, and he said, “Aye, for I have more power than any on earth and I may do even as it pleases me. Men have bowed down before kings, but have I not set my foot upon the necks of many kings? Power of decree is mine and power of will also. I will be a god and live forever, as is my right.”
Shivara stretched out his hands and a holy fire burned about the altar to protect it. “These are the counsels of ancient days, before light shone on us,” he said, and his voice was terrible. “It is the counsel of the ignorant, that know not what is true, and it is the counsel of the wicked and the proud, who hate all that is higher and purer than themselves. Leave this path, I beseech thee, and thou wilt receive the blessing thou hadst deemed
