Are not these the very things that you desire, and have worked for years to win ?" "Yes, Kaku, but you forget all that about one Rames, and the tomb that I must hollow, and the rest." "Rames?
Merytra here can tell you of him, Prince.

He is the madcap young Count who killed the Prince of Kesh, and was sent by Neter-Tua far to the South-lands, that the barbarians there might make an end of him without scandal.

If ever he should come back with the Beggar-man and his message, which is not likely, you can answer him with the halter he deserves." "Aye, Kaku, but how will the Queen answer him?
There are stories afloat----" "Lies, every one of them, Prince.

She would have executed him at once had it not been for the influence of Mermes, and her foster-mother, Asti.

This Rames has in him the royal blood of the last dynasty, and the Star of Amen is not one who will share her sky with a rival star, unless he be her lawful Lord, which is your part.