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send him back to his own mat in the main room； when they thought Taita was still sleeping。
On the third morning Taita announced inscrutably； 'It seems that these rooms are inhabited by rats or other strange creatures for I am kept from sleep by their scurrying and whispering。' They both looked stricken； and he went on； 'I have found more tranquil acmodation。'
He moved his own sleeping mat and possessions to a small ruin across the square； and to these he retired each evening after they had eaten dinner together。
During the days the lovers wandered out into the desert； to pass their time in talking； making love； and forming a thousand plans for the future； deciding when and how they might marry； how many sons and how many daughters she would bear him and finding names for each。
They were so lost in each other that they forgot the world that lay beyond the lonely desert spaces； until one morning when they left the ruined city before dawn； carrying a coil of rope and two oil lamps； determined to explore the ancient tombs more thoroughly。 By a circuitous route they reached the top of the cliff； where they sat down to catch their breath and watch the magnificent spectacle of the dawn breaking over the blue； secret hills。
'Look！' cried Mintaka suddenly； starting out of his arms and pointing back towards the west along the old trade route that led down into Egypt。 Nefer jumped up； and they gazed down the valley at the strange caravan ing towards them。 There were five ramshackle vehicles leading； followed by a straggling column of humanity。
'There must be a hundred men； at least；' Mintaka exclaimed。 'Who can they be？'
'I don't know；' Nefer admitted grimly； 'but I want you to run back and warn Taita of their approach while I go and spy on them。'
She did not argue； but set off immediately for Gallala； racing down the back slope of the hills； leaping from rock to rock with the agility of a wild ibex。 Nefer cached the rope and the lamps； then restrung his bow and checked the arrows in his quiver； before creeping along the crest of the hills； keeping off the skyline and out of sight until he reached a point from where he could look down on the slow…moving caravan。
It was a sorry spectacle。 As it came closer； Nefer saw that the first two vehicle were knocked…about fighting chariots drawn by thin； overworked horses。 They were designed to carry two men； but each contained four or five。 Behind them came an assortment of wagons and carts in no better case than the leading chariots。 Nefer saw that they were laden with sick or wounded men； huddled miserably together or lying on makeshift litters。 Behind the wagons straggled a long file of walking men； some hobbling along on crutches or leaning on staffs。 Others carried litters on which lay other sick or wounded figures。
'In the name of Horus； they look like fugitives from a battlefield；' Nefer muttered； as he strained his eyes to make out the features of the men in the leading chariot。
Suddenly he stood up from behind the rock that had hidden him； and shouted with excitement。 'Meren！' He had at last recognized the tall figure who held the reins of the first chariot。 Meren pulled up the horses and shaded his eyes to stare into the eye of the rising sun。 Then he； too； shouted and waved as he saw Nefer on the skyline。 Nefer ran down the slope； slipping and sliding in the loose scree； and he and Meren embraced； laughing and both speaking at once。
'Where have you been？'
'Where are Mintaka and Taita？'
Then Hilto was hurrying to Nefer； and making loyal salutations。 Behind him crowded the host of exhausted and wounded men。 Their faces were drawn and gaunt； and blood and pus had soaked through their dirty bandages and dried to a crust。 Even the men in the wagons and on the litters； who were too far gone to stand； lifted themselves to stare in awe at Nefer。
With a quick appraisal Nefer could see that these were warriors； but warriors beaten in battle； their bodies and spirits broken。
After Hilto had greeted Nefer he turned back to them； and shouted； 'It is even as I promised you！ Here before you stands your true Pharaoh； Nefer Seti。 Pharaoh is not dead！ Pharaoh lives！'
They were silent and apathetic； sick and demoralized。 They stared at Nefer uncertainly。
'Your Majesty；' Hilto whispered to him； 'please stand on this rock so that they may have a clear view of you。'
Nefer sprang up on to it and surveyed them with interest。 They stared back at him in silence。 Most had never laid eyes on their king before。 Even the few who had seen him in formal palace processions had done so from a distance。 Then he had been a doll…like figure； covered from throat to foot in splendid robes and jewels； his face a white mask of makeup； sitting stiffly on the royal carriage drawn by the white bullocks。 They could not reconcile that remote； unnatural figure with this strapping young man； virile and hard…looking； his face tanned by the sun and his expression alive and alert。 He was not the child…pharaoh they had known by reputation alone。
While they still stared without prehension； or exchanged dubious glances； another figure seemed to materialize out of the air。 Like a djinn he appeared beside Nefer on the rock。 This one they knew well； both by repute and by sight。
''Tis Taita the Warlock；' they breathed with awe。
'I know what you have suffered；' Taita told them； in a voice that carried clearly to every ear； even to the sick and wounded on the wagons。 'I know what price you have paid to resist the tyranny of the assassins and usurpers。 I know that you have e here to find if your true king still lives。'
They murmured in agreement； and suddenly Nefer knew now who they were。 These were some of the survivors from the rebellion against Naja and Trok。 Where Hilto had found them was a mystery； but these shattered remnants had once been fighting troopers； elite charioteers and warriors。
'This is where it begins；' Taita said softly at his side。 'Hilto has brought you the seeds of your future legions。 Speak to them。'
Nefer surveyed them for a moment longer； standing proud and tall before them。 He picked out a man in the ranks； who was older than the others； with the first snows in his hair。 His eyes were sharp and his expression intelligent。 Despite his rags and half…starved body he had the air of authority and mand。 'Who are you； soldier？ What is your rank and your regiment？'
The man lifted his head and squared his gaunt shoulders； 'I am Shabako。 Best of Ten Thousand。 Adept of the Red Road。 mander of the centre of the Mut regiment。'
A lion of a man！ Nefer thought； but said only； 'I greet you； Shabako。' He lifted the skirt of his chiton and exposed the tattooed cartouche upon his thigh； 'I am Nefer Seti； the true Pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt。'
A sigh and a hum went through the scarecrow ranks when they recognized the royal cartouche。 As one man they threw themselves to earth in obeisance。
'Bak…her； Divine One； beloved of the