“One knot, triply intertwined, yellow, Alcamayn.”
“Hold!” cried Orondo. “Alcamayn, hast thou made requisition for a thousand grains of gold? Thy parchment is not properly stamped, and we cannot give thee so much treasure on irregular demand.”
“Wilt thou grant me to see it?” said Alcamayn, reaching out for the document. “I must have both gold and silver quickly. There will scarce be time enough to prepare the gifts needed because of thy going to the Monbas.”
“It grieves me that I cannot aid thee; but thou must have recourse to the Dorado.”
“A foolish blunder leaves it without number, also,” said Alcamayn, with a frown, handing the order to a tamane. “Yermah is engrossed with the priestesses caring for the fatherless. Dost thou know that he has issued an edict that all guilds and communes must sup together once in each lunation?”
“The Azes are grown lax in hospitality, and we must give them an example,” responded Orondo.
The tamane returned with the parchment properly numbered and viséed.
“He whom we delight to serve bids thee follow me. He would fain have counsel with thee.”
In obedience to the message, Orondo crossed the hall, and passed to the right, avoiding the audience chambers.
Yermah had risen and was dismissing the priestesses, after issuing orders on the state granaries for their requirements.