polished so wholly that it was as dark water, and gave
back the image of Birdalone’s dear feet and
legs as she went thereon. The windows were not
small, and the chamber was light in every corner because
of them, but they were so high up under the vaulting
that none might see thereout aught save the heavens.
There was nought in the chamber save a narrow bench
of oak and three stools of the same, a great and stately
carven chair dight with cushions of purple and gold,
and in one corner a big oaken coffer.
Now spake Atra: This is our lady’s prison,
and I fear me we cannot make it soft for thee, dear
stranger. Yea, I must tell thee (and she reddened
therewith) that it is part of my charge to set thee
in irons. Birdalone smiled on her, and was over
weary to ask what that meant, though she knew not.
But Atra went to the big coffer and opened it and
thrust in her hands, and there was a jangling therewith,
and when she turned about to Birdalone again she had
iron chains in her hands, and she said: This
shameth me, dear friend; yet if thou wouldst wear
them it might be well, for she may have a mind to
go visit her prison, and if she find thee there unshackled
she shall be wroth, and oftenest her wrath hath a
whip in its hand. And these are the lightest
that I might find.
Birdalone smiled again, and spake not, for she was
very weary, and Atra did the irons on her wrists and
her ankles; and said thereafter: Yet bear in
mind that it is a friend that hath the key of these
things. And now I will go away for a little,
but I shall be on thine errands; for first I shall
tell the mistress that thou art lying here shackled
and in all wanhope; and next, by the will and command
of her, I am to see that thou be well fed and nourished
to-day that thou mayst be the stronger for to-morrow.
Now if I may give thee rede, it is that thou forbear
to open the coffer yonder; for ugly things shalt thou
find there, and that may dishearten thee again.
Therewith she kissed her kindly on the cheek and went
her ways, and the great key turned in the lock behind
her.
There then was Birdalone left to herself; and she
was over weary even to weep; true it is that she made
a step or two towards the coffer, but reframed her,
and took two of the pillows from the great chair and
turned aside into the other corner, her chains jingling
as she went. There she laid herself down, and
nestled into the very wall-nook, and presently fell
asleep, and slumbered dreamlessly and sweetly a long
while.
CHAPTER V. THEY FEAST IN THE WITCH’S PRISON
Birdalone was awakened by the sound of the key in
the lock, and the door opened, and there was Atra
bearing dishes and platters, and behind her Viridis
with the like gear, and beakers and a flagon to boot,
and both they were smiling and merry.
Birdalone’s heart leapt up to meet them, and
in especial was she gladdened by the coming of Viridis,
who had seemed to be the kindest of them all.
