tarried, orders might come to him to return to Thebes. Also he desired
to reach Napata before the heavy news of the death of the King's son,
and without warning of the approach of Egypt's embassy.

With Tua he had no more speech, although as his galley was rowed under
the walls of the palace, at a window of the royal apartments he saw
a white draped figure that watched them go by. It was standing in the
shadow so that he could not recognise the face, but his heart told him
that this was none other than the Queen herself, who appeared there to
bid him farewell.

So Rames rose from the chair in which he was seated on account of the
hurt to his leg and saluted with his sword, and ordered the crew to
do likewise by lifting up their oars. Then the slender figure bowed in
answer, and he went on to fulfil his destiny, leaving Neter-Tua, Morning
Star of Amen, to fulfil hers.

Before he sailed, however, Mermes his father and Asti his mother visited
him in a place apart.

"You were born under a strange star, my son," said Mermes, "and I know
not whither it will lead you, who pray that it may not be a meteor which
blazes suddenly in the heavens and disappears to return no more. All
the people talk of the favour the Queen has shown you who, instead of
ordering you to be executed for the deed you did which robbed her of a
royal husband, has set you in command of an army, you, a mere youth,
and received you in secret audience, an honour granted to very few. Fate
that has passed me by gives the dice to your young hand, but how the
cast will fall I know not, nor shall I live to see, or so I believe."