It commands royal
favor in the name of Osiris. That should help the dreamer out of his
difficulty."
"Aye, it should, my Prince, but it did not. Kenkenes sent it to the
Pharaoh, with a petition for his own freedom, but the cares of state
were so pressing that the Son of Ptah gave the letter, unopened, to
Har-hat for attention."
Rameses laughed harshly.
"Kenkenes would better content himself. The Hathors are against him,"
he cried. "Was there ever such consummate misfortune? What more?"
"Is it not enough, O Rameses?" Hotep answered sternly. "He hath
suffered sufficiently. Now is it time for them, who profess to love
him, to bestir themselves in his behalf. Thou knowest how near the
fan-bearer is to the Pharaoh. Persuasion can not reach the king that
worketh against Har-hat. Thou alone art as potent with the Son of
Ptah. Wilt thou not prove thy love for Kenkenes and aid him?"
Rameses did not answer immediately. Thoughtfully he leaned his elbow
on his knee and stroked his forehead with his hand. His black brows
knitted finally.
"My hands are tied, Hotep," he began bluntly. "I permit the sway of
this knave over my father because I am constrained. Till he begins to
achieve confusion or bring about bad government I must let him alone.
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