An Hour After Dark
a regular mountain sheep and none of the other Sayaks would dare it. I don't think A. would, for me. But he will for you.
He will bring my revolver. Take it, if he can't make the climb into the Kurgan wall, which is unlikely. Try to reach me with the weapon if you can. If not, use it as you may, and God wills.
Watch out for the sentries on the rampart. Monsey stations two there, I think, as he does not fear an attack from that side. Nothing will keep the Sayaks from a frontal attack, although I have talked my head off trying to make them see the sides to the north and south are more accessible.
If you can't get to me before the attack, don't try. I can look out for myself. Iskander will look for you, perhaps. God watch over you, you blessed woman.
If Aravang is not on time, he'll have fallen.
Darkness came less swiftly to the Kurgan than to the valley of Yakka Arik. Looking from the tower embrasure Edith could see the splendid curtains of sunset drawing about a glowing orb that fired the snow peaks with its life.
The aspect of the mountains, as shadows formed in the ravines and crept up the rock surfaces, reminded the girl of a vast painting—so utterly desolate and so tranquil were these gigantic pinnacles.
It dwarfed her. Since her coming to the valley of the Sayaks, Edith had never felt so insignificant Life itself was a small matter, here, she thought—and what was life if Donovan was lost to her? Donovan, whose love for her was to be read between the lines of his message?
Edith wanted to sit down and wait. She was listless and chilled. Close beside her the Alaman brooded over his rifle, passive as he had been all the day, except to eat once a meal of fermented milk and black bread. The bustle of subdued preparation, hastened in the last light of evening, came to her ears from the courtyard below. She was grateful that this activ-
241
