Ten days ago the frontier guards marched to set them free." So again I waited and at length the messengers came, three of them Egyptians and three men of Ethiopia who dwelt in Egypt to learn its wisdom, reporting that as Karema had said, through the foolishness of a servant they had been held prisoner by an Arab chief and thus delayed.
Then they delivered the writings which they had kept safe.

One was from Pharaoh to the Karoon of Ethiopia; one from the holy Tanofir to Karema; and one from the lady Amada to myself.
With a trembling hand I broke the silk and seals and read.

It ran thus: "Shabaka, my Cousin, "You departed from Egypt saying that never would you return unless I, Amada the priestess, called you, and I told you that I should never call.

You said, moreover, that if you came at my call you would demand me in guerdon, and I told you that never would I give myself to you who was doubly sworn to Isis.

Yet now I call and now I say that if you come and conquer and I yet live, then, if you still will it, I am yours.