Page:Wisdom's daughter; the life and love story of She-who-must-be-obeyed (IA wisdomsdaughterl00hagg 0).pdf/211

Rh  pardon me of your nobility, or slay my soul and make an end, my pity left me and its place was filled with scorn and loathing.

Those who would live when the Persian dogs are on their heels, must fly fast and far, Nectanebes; they must fly like the deer of the desert on whom the hunters close. The road up Nile is empty, Nectanebes; as yet there are no Persians there. As you would not die, take it and live.

Aye, he said as the thought went home, why not? I have still a vast treasure; for many years I have hoarded against misfortune, for who can put all his trust in any Daemon? With it I can buy friends in the south; with it I may found another empire among the Ethiopians or those of Punt. Why should I not fly, Prophetess?

I know not, I answered, save that Death is always fast and untiring and in the end wears down the swiftest runner.

This I said darkly for at that moment there came into my mind a vision that once I had seen of a certain servile slave, aforetime a Pharaoh, that same royal slave who grovelled before me; yea, a vision of him throttling in a rope while black men mocked him. Yet of that I said nothing, only added,

If it should please you to go south, Nectanebes, would it please you also to take with you that royal and beautiful lady, Amenartas your daughter, aforetime Princess of Egypt?

Nay, he answered sharply, since hour by hour she scourges me with her tongue because I am fallen. Let her abide here under the veil of Isis. Yet why do you ask this, Prophetess?

Because of Isis. Because, as I think, this lady of the royal blood makes play with a certain priest