"To the Hathor! Lead us
to the Hathor's Shrine! Bring fire! Bring fire! Lead us to the Hathor's
Shrine!"
VI
THE BURNING OF THE SHRINE
Rei the Priest saw and heard. Then turning, he stole away through the
maddened throng of women and fled with what speed he might from the
Temple. His heart was filled with fear and shame, for he knew full well
that Pharaoh was dead, not at the hand of Hathor, but at the hand of
Meriamun the Queen, whom he had loved. He knew well that dead Meneptah
spake not with the voice of the dread Gods, but with the voice of the
magic of Meriamun, who, of all women that have been since the days of
Taia, was the most skilled in evil magic, the lore of the Snake. He knew
also that Meriamun would slay Helen for the same cause wherefore she had
slain Pharaoh, that she might win the Wanderer to her arms. While Helen
lived he was not to be won away.
Now Rei was a righteous man, loving the Gods and good, and hating evil,
and his heart burned because of the wickedness of the woman that once he
cherished. This he swore that he would do, if time were left to him. He
would warn the Helen so that she might fly the fire if so she willed,
ay, and would tell her all the wickedness of Meriamun her foe.
His old feet stumbled over each other as he fled till he came to the
gates of the Temple of the Hathor, and knocked upon the gates.
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