Chapter 5
While Ennochissa and his Holy Council were assembled in the palace of Eta-shong, messengers came there from no less than thirty-six of Ennochissa’s sub-kingdoms, alarmed, and with magnified accounts of the fire-ship seen descending to Paradise.
And each and all of these messengers told his tale before the throne; expressing the fear of the sub-kingdoms’ Lords, and praying to know Ennochissa’s will and pleasure.
Now, here, even as at Haractu, the Lords of the Holy Council spoke expressive of their hopes and fears. And here also, were many Lords who had long been promised exaltation, but never received it. And they pretended heartfelt loyalty to Ennochissa, the false Brahma, even while with secretive hope they prayed some adventurous God might come and break up Ennochissa’s kingdom, feeling that in the spoil, they would profit in heavenly kingdoms of their own.
After they had spoken, Ennochissa spoke, saying: In the name of the Holy Ghost, I thank you all. And for your loyalty make myself your humble God to do your wills and pleasure.
First, then, so that our unapproachable kingdom shall always remain the all highest heaven, where you shall rest secure forever, I will prove most alert to learn the designs of this visiting God.
Behold, I will send there an arrow-boat, with a million Lords, arrayed in splendor, and every one crowned; and over them, Kosimathara, Lord in chief.
In my name and in the name of the Holy Ghost, my hosts shall greet this God, and invite him here for a month’s visit. Perhaps he has no knowledge as to what the all highest God is.
So an arrow-boat was made, the most magnificent ever seen in Eta-shong; and in it embarked the million Lords with jeweled crowns, commanded by Kosimathara, Lord in chief, and they sped off for Paradise also.