Also some spirit--doubtless it came from the holy Tanofir--moved me to say, "Be comforted, Bes, for I am sure of this.

Your children will be strong and straight and tall, more so than any of their forefathers that went before them." This indeed proved to be the case, for their father's deformity was but an accident, not born in his blood.
"Those are good-omened words, Master, for which I thank you, though the holy Tanofir said the like when he wed us with the sacred words this morning and gave us his blessing, endowing my wife with certain gifts of secret wisdom which he said would be of use to her and me." "Where is she now, Bes ?" "With the holy Tanofir, Master, until I fetch her, training her younger sister to be a diviner's worthy Cup.

Only perhaps I shall never send, seeing that I think there will be fighting soon." "Yes, Bes, but being newly married you will do well to leave it to others." "No, no, Master.

Battle is better than wives.

Moreover, could you think that I would leave you to stand alone in the fray?
Why if I did and harm came to you I should die of shame or hang myself and then Karema would never be a queen.