Chapter 25

‘We observe that Princess Fara returns to us as sharp-tongued as ever. We had hoped that her long sojourn with her meek Jewish relatives—’

‘Now, Deran,’ interrupted his mother impatiently, ‘there has been quite enough teasing, please.’

Voldi now surprised them by addressing the King, who had sat demurely through these indignities, occasionally shaking his greying head, but saying nothing.

‘Sire, if I may be excused now, I shall go home and see my parents.’

‘Of course, Voldi,’ said the King, with obvious relief. ‘You should go while there is still moonlight. We will see you tomorrow.’

Voldi promptly got to his feet, bowed deeply to their majesties, smiled for Fara, ignored the Prince, and straightway made his exit.

‘And may I go now, please?’ entreated Fara, in a half-whisper to the Queen. ‘I have had only a glimpse of poor Ione—and she is waiting to see me.’

Rennah drew a pursed smile and nodded. Fara, bowing to the King, quickly left the room.

Deran leaned back in his chair, stretched his arms, yawned, and chuckled. ‘That was fun.’

‘You’re a fool!’ muttered his father.

‘I’m sure Deran meant no harm, Zendi,’ put in Rennah.

‘Deran is a fool!’ shouted Zendi.

* * * * *

But now a more acute problem than the foolishness of Prince Deran was monopolizing the mind and conversation of Arabia.

At widespread intervals, usually in midsummer, there had been many cases of a sudden, crippling paralysis, affecting children mostly, though occasionally striking down an adult, too. This season the mysterious affliction, for which there had been found no cure, was rapidly mounting to epidemic proportions. Alarmed mothers were keeping their children at home, but with no assurance of their safety. The dreaded disease struck at random and struck hard! Nor was it a respecter of persons, in testimony whereof the Thing laid its hand on Prince Deran. The news travelled fast, and the sorrow of Arabia was under excellent control. The sheiks and the shepherds did not risk saying, ‘Serve him right!’ But they scowled and lifted an indifferent shoulder, which came to the same thing—and couldn’t be quoted.