“What do you see?” asked Kaku, following her gaze to the crystal.
She told him, and he pondered a while, then answered doubtfully:
“I think it is a good omen; the royal consort sits beside her. Only why was his face hidden?”
“I am sure I do not know,” answered Merytra. “I think that strong, red wine of yours was doctored and has got into my head. But, come, we have sworn this oath, which I dare say will work in more ways than we guess, for such accursed swords have two edges to them. Now out with the plot, and throw a cloth over that crystal for I want to see no more pictures.”
“It seems a pity since you have such a gift of vision,” replied Kaku in the same dubious voice. Yet he obeyed, tying up the shining ball in a piece of mummy wrapping which he used in his spells.
“Now,” he said, “I will be brief. My fat master, Abi, means to be Pharaoh of Egypt, and it seems that the best way to do so is by climbing into his niece’s throne, where most men would like to sit.”
“You mean by marrying her, Kaku.”
“Of course. What else? He who marries the Queen, rules in right of the Queen.”
“Indeed. Do you know anything of Neter-Tua?”
“As much as any other man knows; but what do you mean?”