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.
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