Abi is very strong, and under his command he has a greater army than
Pharaoh can muster in these times of peace, for in addition to his
trained troops, all the thousands of the Bedouin tribes of the desert
look on him as lord, and at his word will fall on the wealth of Egypt
like famished vultures on a fatted ox. Moreover, here you have but a
guard of five hundred men, whereas Abi's regiments, summoned to do you
honour, and his ships of war block the river and the southern road. How
then will you leave Memphis without his good leave; how will you even
send messengers to summon aid which could not reach you under fifty
days?"

Now when she saw the greatness of the danger, Tua grew quite calm and
answered:

"You have done wrong, Asti; if you foresaw all these things of which I
never thought, you should have warned Pharaoh and his Council."

"Queen, I did warn them, and Mermes warned them also, but they would not
listen, saying that they were but the idle dreams of one who strives to
peep into the future and sees false pictures there. More, Pharaoh sent
for me himself, and whilst thanking me and Mermes my husband, told me
that he had inquired into the matter and found no cause to distrust Abi
or those under his command. Moreover, he forbade me to speak to your
Majesty about it, lest, being but young and a woman, you might be
frightened and your pleasure spoilt."

"Who was his counsellor?" asked Tua.

"A strange one, I think, Queen. You know his waiting-woman, Merytra, she
of whom he is so fond, and who stood behind him with a fan this night."