🧚 Opening, part 19 · page 2

The two ladies and Prince Varna were in earnest conversation when the Rajah reached their house, and great was his astonishment to find that this was really his long lost brother, whom he immediately recognized.58

“Brother,” said he, “I came here thinking to find an impostor, but it makes me happy to see alive you whom we have so long mourned as dead.59 The throne is yours, and I am your most loyal subject.”60

The two brothers embraced one another with great affection, and then hastened to the royal palace, where, in the presence of the entire court, the crown was placed upon Varna’s head by his brother himself.61 This defeat of the wicked queen’s plans was so great a shock to her that she immediately perished.62

The new Rajah and the lovely Zaïda were soon married, and to their great joy the good queen herself attended the wedding.63 Her most valued gift was the assurance that the witch of the mountain had no more power over him.64

Varna insisted that his noble brother share the throne with him, and no ruler was ever more beloved by faithful and loyal subjects than was each of these.65

EMPRESS JANQWI AND THE MAGICIANS66

Thousands of years ago, when China was peopled by giants, that country was ruled by a great Empress named Janqwi, who came to the throne when her brother, Emperor Fugi, died.67 This story tells how the heavens and one of the pillars which upheld the sky were damaged during a rebellion raised by one of her subjects, and how she mended the broken parts.68

The man who rebelled was a wicked and fearsome magician named Korkwi, a giant quite terrible to look upon.69 He was twenty-eight feet tall, whose face and body were entirely covered with coal-black hair, so it can be imagined that he was anything but beautiful.70

It had long been his desire to rule the country, so when Fugi died, he thought his opportunity had come.71 But Janqwi was too clever for him, and she mounted the throne which was rightly hers.72

This so enraged Korkwi that he raised a large army and defied the Empress.73 The next thing he did was to use his wizard’s power, and flood the country, so that thousands of people were drowned.74 This meant war between the Empress and Korkwi.75

Among the warriors of Janqwi were two brilliant young warriors named Haki and Oku, and the first of these she appointed to command that part of the army which would be first to engage the enemy.76

This great honor delighted Haki, and he at once made himself ready for battle.77 He had mounted his favorite charger and had just started for the front when he heard his name called loudly by someone who was galloping behind him.78 He looked around and saw his friend Oku, who said to him: “Halt, Haki!79 I intend to lead the first army!”80

This enraged Haki, who exclaimed: “You are insolent!81 The Empress Janqwi has appointed me to lead our warriors into battle; your place is with the reserves.”82

To this Oku replied: “It is my right to lead the first army, and yours to follow.”83

Then Haki lunged at Oku with his sword, but the latter caused his horse to swerve quickly, and with his lance he wounded Haki’s steed.84

Haki at once dismounted and prepared to rush at his comrade when Oku, with lightning rapidity, tore the badge of leadership from Haki’s helmet, and galloped quickly away.85

Now the Empress had seen all of this through the palace window, and she could not help admiring the dexterity of the ambitious Oku, so she divided the leadership of the front army between them, making Oku commander of the left wing and Haki of the right.86 So the two became friends again, and they marched against Korkwi at the head of a hundred thousand soldiers.87

They soon reached the place which the rebel had fortified, and Korkwi thought it would be easy, with all the power that he possessed, to frighten them into submission.88 Seizing an immense iron rod, he mounted a powerful black horse, and with a roar like an angry lion he charged his foes.89 But he found that Haki and Oku did not fear him.90

He was coming toward them at a terrific rate, and the two comrades said to each other: “We will attack him from right and left, and not allow him to escape alive.”91 But the wizard was a fierce fighter, and his iron rod a fearful weapon.92 For a long time they fought without either side gaining.93

Then Korkwi aimed a blow at Haki’s head, and in order to avoid this Haki turned his horse too quickly, so that the animal’s rear hoof struck against a large stone.94

The horse suddenly reared up straight, and threw Haki to the ground, and Korkwi thought he had his enemy at his mercy.95 Drawing his huge sword, he was about to sever his head from his body when Oku wheeled his horse right in front of him, and at once attacked the magician.96

Now the brunt of the fight had fallen to Haki’s lot, so that Oku was fresher than his friend.97 Korkwi was tired, and did not fancy engaging the young warrior, so he turned and fled.98

Haki had been only stunned by the fall, and he soon recovered.99 He rushed after Korkwi on foot, while Oku pursued on horseback.100 Korkwi turned, and fitting an arrow to his bow, aimed the shaft at Oku, who, being on horseback, was ahead of his comrade.101 Just in time Oku swerved, so that the arrow missed him.102

When the wizard saw that he had failed to kill either of his pursuers, he saw that he would have to use his magic power in order to save himself, so he stretched forth his wand, and there came a great wave which engulfed Janqwi’s army and the two young generals.103

Haki and Oku were struggling in the water, and Korkwi went after them with his iron rod, ready to strike.104 Suddenly a small island seemed to lift itself out of the water right in front of them, and upon it stood an old man, with snow white hair.105 He stretched out his hands over the water, which went to the right and to the left, leaving a dry path by means of which the young warriors reached the island.106

Seeing that his enemies were now safe, Korkwi turned furiously upon their preserver.107 He rushed upon the old man, who merely laughed and then turned into a beautiful white bird and flew away.108

All thought of further fighting was for the time abandoned.109 Haki and Oku saw that it was useless for them, being only human, to fight against Korkwi, who possessed supernatural powers, so they returned to the Empress, who decided to call on Shiku, the Fire King, for aid.110

Now the Fire King lived at the South Pole, where all was snow and ice, for he burned up everything else around him.111 He also was a giant, with a face like marble and whose hair and beard were snow white.112 He was master of all fire, as Korkwi was of water, and his strength was marvelous.113

The Empress sent Oku to the South Pole to ask Shiku for help, and this the Fire King at once promised to give.114 He then told Oku that it was he who had saved the two young generals from drowning, and Oku thanked him for coming to their rescue.115