“I never said it,” answered Nefra, flushing. “Moreover, it does not please me to listen to such counsel—even from a brother.”
“Nor would it please even a brother to give such counsel, for if it were taken, that brother would soon be numbered among those who make their prayers and swing their censers in the heavenly shrine whereof we are instructed in the mysteries.”
“Why?” asked Nefra innocently. “If he gave it not, I could understand, for then a certain king might be wrath. But if he gave it, why?”
“Because then a certain queen might be wrath, one who, as you, Sister, have told me, loves vengeance. Or at least, because he himself, if that counsel were taken, would be so weary of the world that he could tread it no more.”
Now for a while there was silence between them and, beneath the shadow of their white hoods, each of them sat staring at the ground.
“Sister,” said Khian at last, and as she made no answer, repeated in a louder voice, “Sister!”
“Forgive me, I had almost fallen asleep after last night’s vigils. What is it, Brother?”
“Only this. Would you be minded to help a poor prince out of the pit of which I have spoken by dragging him up with a silken rope of—well, of love which all members of this company owe to one another—and making him a king?”
“A king! A king of what? Of these tombs and the dead in them?”
“Oh, no! Of your heart and the life in it. Hearken, Nefra. Together we may stand against my father, Apepi, but apart we must fall, for when he comes to learn the truth he will kill me, and if he can lay his hands on you, drag you whither you do not wish to go. Moreover, I love you, Nefra. From the moment when I heard your voice yonder by the palm trees and knew you for a woman beneath your cloak, I loved you, though then I thought you but some simple girl. What more is there to say? The future is dark; great dangers lie ahead. Mayhap it will be necessary to fly to far lands and leave all these pomps behind us. Yet together would they not be well lost?”