Come! Come swiftly!" "Swift as an arrow, Houman," I answered laughing, "seeing that for three moons I, like an arrow, have rested upon the string and flown no nearer to his Majesty." "Three moons!" screeched the eunuch.

"Why, many wait three years and many go to the grave still waiting; bigger men than you, Egyptian, though I hear you do claim to be of royal blood yonder on the Nile.
But talk not of arrows flying towards the most High, for surely it is ill-omened and might earn you another honour, that of the string," and he made a motion suggestive of a cord encircling his throat.

"Man, leave your bow behind! Would you appear before the King armed?
Yes, and your dagger also." "Perchance a lion might appear before the King and he does not leave his claws and teeth behind," I answered drily as I divested myself of my weapons.
Then we started, the three of us, leaving the chariot in charge of a soldier.
"Draw your sleeves over your hands," said the eunuch.

"None must appear before the King showing his hands, and, dwarf, since you have no sleeves, thrust yours into your robe." "What am I to do with my feet ?" he answered in a thick, guttural voice.
"Will it offend the King of kings to see my feet, most noble eunuch ?" "Certainly, certainly," answered Houman, "since they are ugly enough to offend even me.

Hide them as much as possible.