Tell me, O Prophet, what evil power is there which ordains that we must be born and suffer ?" Kepher beckoned to Tua and to Asti, and they followed him, leaving Janees ringed round by those stern-faced men.
"Farewell, Lady," he called to Tua as she passed.

"Here and hereafter remember this of Janees, King of Tat, that he who might have saved his life chose to die for love of you." Then they went and saw him no more.
They passed the door of the great marble chamber about which they found guards and eunuchs lying dead; they passed down the stairways, and through the tall gates where more soldiers lay dead, and looking behind them, saw that the palace was in flames.

They reached the square without, and at the command of Kepher entered into a litter, and were borne by black slaves whither they knew not.
All that night they were borne, awake or sleeping, till at length the morning came, and they descended from the litter to find themselves in an oasis of the wilderness surrounded by a vast army of the desert men.
Of the city of Tat they could see nothing; like a dream it had passed out of their lives, nor did they ever hear of it and its king again.
Only in the pavilion that had been provided for them they found their pearls and gold, and Tua's ivory harp.
They laid themselves down and slept, for they were very weary, only to wake when once more the day had dawned.

Then they rose and ate of the food that had been placed by them, and went out of the tent.

In the shadow of some palm trees stood Kepher, awaiting them, and with him certain of the stern-faced, desert chiefs, who bowed as they advanced.
"Hearken, Lady Neferte, and you, O Asti her companion," said Kepher to them, "I must depart, who, this matter finished, have my bread to beg far from here.