Now the Wanderer bethought him of the tale of the pilot, but he said
nothing, and Rei went on.

"The Prince saw her, and his anger sought for something new to break
itself on. Up he came, and I rose before him, and bowed myself. But
Meriamun fell indolently back in her chair of ivory, and with a sweep of
her slim hand she disordered the pieces, and bade her waiting woman,
the lady Hataska, gather up the board, and carry all away. But Hataska's
eyes were secretly watching the Prince.

"'Greeting, Princess, our Royal sister,' said Meneptah. 'What art
thou doing with these?' and he pointed with his chariot whip at the
cat-headed pieces. 'This is no woman's game, these pieces are not soft
hearts of men to be moved on the board by love. This game needs wit! Get
thee to thy broidery, for there thou may'st excel.'

"'Greeting, Prince, our Royal brother,' said Meriamun. 'I laugh to hear
thee speak of a game that needs wit. Thy hunting has not prospered, so
get thee to the banquet board, for there, I hear, the Gods have granted
thee to excel.'

"'It is little to say,' answered the Prince, throwing himself into
a chair whence I had risen, 'it is little to say, but at the game
of pieces I have enough wit to give thee a temple, a priest and five
bowmen, and yet win,'--for these, O Wanderer, are the names of some of
the pieces.

"'I take the challenge,' cried Meriamun, for now she had brought him
where she wanted; 'but I will take no odds. Here is my wager. I will
play thee three games, and stake the sacred circlet upon my brow,