"With my life, Great Goddess. Where is it?"

"Here. She will come to you and rub herself against you. When she does, you must accept her as your own."

The goddess was gone as though she had never been. The priest was saying, "There are seven Hathors along the river, and all are Hathor. When they meet, they decree. Whatever they decree must come to pass, no matter what gods may do or men may say."

I asked, "If they were to decree that I was to remember as other men do, would it happen?"

The priest nodded, his face more solemn than ever. "Whatever they decree must come to pass, as I told you."

"I've nothing to offer," I said; then recalling what the goddess herself had told me only a moment before, I added, "beyond love and protection."

"You have prayers to offer, young man. Those alone may be sufficient. As for love, it is hers. Therefore those who love have her favor. Not all that passes for love is true love, however. Do you understand?"

I nodded.

"As for protection, many families require it. Protect them, protect children particularly, and you will gain her favor. Rich gifts from the rich are very well, but the things the goddess most desires are things anyone can give."

Muslak asked, "Will you pray for Lewqys here, Holy Man?"

"I will."

"And for me and our ship?"

"I will do that also, Crimson Man."

Muslak cleared his throat. "That's good. Now I'd like to hire a singing girl to go to Mennufer with me. The satrap wants my help."

"In which case," the priest said carefully, "you must provide it."

"That's right." Muslak cleared his throat again. "Now as I understand it, I can pay a flat fee and get a girl for the trip. Is that the way you do it here?"

The priest nodded. "For a long journey up the river, if you choose, and if you will return here at journey's end."

"Absolutely. I'll be going back to my own city after I've helped Prince Achaemenes."