The Iron
Crown

I, Ralubut of Halubut, am not a man to give credence to the tales of oldish wives, nor to hold in reverence the petty gods of wayside shrine and hearth; but of the next happening I cannot find an explanation which does not admit but of the doings of a higher power.

For, just as it seemed that our goal was in sight, just as for the first time my men wept with joy, it seemed equally certain that all should perish in the terrible fire which was now creeping up to our refuge in the crowns of these splendid, spreading trees. But whether it was from the tears of compassion of some benevolent goddess, or from the very tears of the regal expedition, the fires slowly died back and were quenched.

Gingerly we slid down the charred stumps, sang a quick paean, and made good our escape, without the ceremonial firelighting which our ritual demanded, for I am not one to be made a fool of twice.

With a cry of "On, on to the lake and Victory!" we set off at the fastest pace of foot. O happy day!