“WomenofTanis，hearme，theQueen。Leteachsearchthefaceofeach，andiftherebeanymanamongyourmultitude，lethimbedraggedforthandtornlimbfromlimb，forinthismatternomanmayhearourcounsels，lestfollowinghismadnesshebetraythem。“
Noweverywomanlookeduponherneighbour，andshewhowasnexttoReilookedharduponhimsothathetrembledforhislife。Buthecrouchedintotheshadowandstaredbackonherboldlyasthoughhedoubtedifshewereindeedawoman，andsaidnoword。Whenallhadlooked，andnomanhadbeenfound，Meriamunspokeagain。
“Hearken，womenofTanis，hearkentoyoursisterandyourQueen。WoeuponwoeisfallenontheheadofKhem。Plagueuponplaguehathsmittentheancientland。Ourfirst-bornaredead，ourslaveshavespoiledusandfledaway，ourhostshavebeenswallowedintheSeaofWeeds，andbarbariansswarmalongourshoreslikelocusts。Isitnotso，womenofTanis？“
“Itisso，OQueen，“theyanswered，aswithonevoice。
“AstrangeevilhathfallenontheheadofKhem。AfalseGoddessiscometodwellwithintheland；hersorceriesaregreatintheland。