and to everlasting torments in the next at the claws and fangs
of beast-headed demons who dwell in the darkness beyond the sun,
appointing, by name, those beings who should work the torments, and
summoning them as witnesses to the bond.

Merytra listened, then said,

"You have left out your part of the oath, Friend, namely, that you
promise that I shall be the only wife of Pharaoh's Vizier and hold equal
power with him."

"I forgot," said Kaku, and added the words.

Then they both swore, touching their brows with the book, and as she
looked up again, Merytra saw a strange, flame-like light pulse in
the crystal globe that hung above her head, which became presently
infiltrated with crimson flowing through it as blood might flow from a
wound, till it glowed dull red, out of which redness a great eye watched
her. Then the eye vanished and the blood vanished, and in place of them
Queen Neter-Tua sat in glory on her throne, while the nations worshipped
her, and by her side sat a man in royal robes whose face was hidden in a
cloud.

"What do you see?" asked Kaku, following her gaze to the crystal.

She told him, and he pondered a while, then answered doubtfully:

"I think it is a good omen; the royal consort sits beside her. Only why
was his face hidden?"