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Updated: May 6, 2025
Lastly as we were leaving the house to seek the boat which Bes had made ready on the Nile, there came yet another messenger at the sight of whom my heart leapt, for he was priest of Isis. He bowed and handed me a roll. I opened it with a trembling hand and read: "From the Prophetess of Isis whose house is at Amada, aforetime Royal Lady of Egypt, to the Count Shabaka,
"And, Amada, there is that in which all thrones begin love, which I court from you." "I have known it long," she said, considering me gravely, "and been grateful to you who are more to me than any man has been or ever will be. But, Shabaka, I am a priestess bound to set the holy One I serve above a mortal."
"If not Amada, I shall never find a wife," I said bitterly, whereat she smiled. Then she left me to make ready before she slept a while. Work as we would noon had passed two hours, on the following day, before we were prepared to start, for there was much to do. Thus the house must be placed in charge of friends and the means of travel collected.
"Rise, my guests," he cried. "Rise, my people. Above all do you rise, Shabaka, my beloved cousin, to whom Egypt and I owe so much." So we rose and I took my seat in a place of honour having my mother at my side, and looked about me for Amada, but in vain. There was the carven chair upon which she should have been among those of the princesses, but it was empty.
This done, I was despatched up the Nile bank in a chariot accompanied only by Bes, to hurry on the march of those troops of which I have spoken, so that they might reach Memphis by sundown. Before I went, however, I had some words alone with Peroa. He told me that my immediate marriage with the lady Amada would be announced at the feast that night.
The Princess and the others greeted me, and Bes also who had always been a favourite with them, before he went to take his seat at the lowest table, and I greeted them, looking all the while for Amada whom I did not see.
I did tell the Great King, as I now remember quite clearly, that the beautiful lady was named Amada, and he only sent for you to ask if I spoke the truth." "Bes," I exclaimed, "you worshippers of the Grasshopper wear virtue easily." "Easily as an old sandal, Master, or rather not at all, since the Grasshopper has need of none.
I say that they shall roll back like waves from a cliff; yes, again and again, growing ever fewer till the clamour of battle and the shouts of fear and agony reach their ears from beyond Amada where Shabaka and the archers do their work and the sight of the burning ships strikes terror in them and they fly." "Good again," said the holy Tanofir.
For when they are in retreat we will fall on them and destroy them, and declare you, O Prince, Pharaoh of Egypt, though what will happen afterwards I do not know." When they heard this all gasped. Only Amada whispered, "Well said!" and Bes clapped his big hands softly in the Ethiopian fashion. "A bold counsel," said Peroa, "and one on which I must have the night to think.
For I knew that this lady Amada was the same being though clad in different flesh, as that other lady with whom I had breathed the magical /Taduki/ fumes which had power to rend the curtain of the past, or, perhaps, only to breed dreams of what it might have been.
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