CHAPTER XII

THE SLAYING OF IDERNES

Whilst I was still talking to my mother I received an urgent summons
to the palace. I went and in a little ante-chamber met Amada alone,
who, I could see, was waiting there for me. She was arrayed in her
secular dress and wore the insignia of royalty, looking exceedingly
beautiful. Moreover, her whole aspect had changed, for now she was no
longer a priestess sworn to mysteries, but just a lovely and a loving
woman.

"It is done, Shabaka," she whispered, "and thou art mine and I am
thine."

Then I opened my arms and she sank upon my breast and for the first
time I kissed her on the lips, kissed her many times and oh! my heart
almost burst with joy. But all too fleeting was that sweet moment of
love's first fruits, whereon I had sown the seed so many years ago,
for while we yet clung together, whispering sweet things into each
other's ears, I heard a voice calling me and was forced to go away
before I had even time to ask when we might be wed.

Within the Council was gathered. The news before it was that the
Satrap Idernes lay camped upon the Nile with some ten thousand men,
not far from the great pyramids, that is, within striking distance of
Memphis. Moreover his messengers announced that he purposed to visit