Moreover, Napata was far away, so far that starting at the season when it did, the embassy could scarce return till two years had gone by, if ever it did return.

Also few believed that whoever came back, Rames would be one of them, since it was said openly that so soon as he was beyond the frontiers of Egypt, the soldiers had orders to kill him and take on his body as a peace-offering.
Indeed, all praised the wit and wisdom of the Queen, who by this politic device, had rid herself of a troublesome business with as little scandal as possible, and avoided staining her own hands in the blood of a foster-brother.

Had she ordered his death forthwith, they said, it would have been supposed also that she had put him away because he was of a royal race, one who, in the future, might prove a rival, or at least cause some rebellion.
Meanwhile greater questions filled the mouths of men.

Would Pharaoh die and leave Neter-Tua, the young and lovely, to hold his throne, and if so, what would happen?
It was a thousand years since a woman had reigned in Egypt, and none had reigned who were not wed.

Therefore it seemed necessary that a husband should be found for her as soon as might be.
But Pharaoh did not die.