Come, Queen, it is to you that they should speak, and not to me, who am
but a general of your province, Kesh," and he followed her to the inner
court, where, in front of the sanctuary, was a chair, on which, at his
prayer, she seated herself, as a mighty Queen should do.
Now, conducted by his own officers, the embassy entered, bearing with
them three closed litters, and Tua and Rames noted that among that
embassy were the greatest generals, and the most holy priests of Egypt.
At a given sign they prostrated themselves before the glory of the
Queen, all save the soldiers who bore the litters. Next, from among
their ranks out stepped the venerable High-Priest of Amen at Thebes, and
stood before Tua with bowed head till, with a motion of her hand, she
commanded him to speak.
"O Morning-Star of Amen," he began, "after you left our camp last night
a messenger came to us from the Father of the Gods----"
"Stay, O High-Priest," broke in Tua. "I did not leave your camp who
never tarried there, and who for two long years have set no foot upon
the holy soil of Egypt.
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