"Nay, my lord. What I say is this: those youths are slain even before they begin the journey of three days and nights. Some indeed pass certain trials along the way, yet they succumb ere the end—and never so much as behold the symbol of Ra."
A question stirred within Nimrod's mind, and he did not withhold it:
"For what reason would the sun-god of Egypt take the moon as his emblem?"
"Riddles, my lord," she answered. "The gods are vain by nature."
Lowering his voice, Nimrod spoke again:
"I surmise thou knowest the true cause why none of these youths prevails in the contest and claims the jewel."
The seeress smiled, revealing the few yellowed teeth that remained to her.
"In truth, thy servant knows no more than what the gods deign to reveal."
"Indeed… and such revelations may be purchased with gold, I suppose."
At this she straightened, her tone turning grave:
"Never, my lord! The counsels of the divine are not to be bought. If I speak these things, it is because the wise god, knower of all hidden matters, wills that I declare them unto him who shall conquer the world."
"Very well," said Nimrod. "Then thou shalt recount to me in full what befalls these youths—and why they cannot complete the journey upon which they venture."
The old woman paused, as though in reflection.
"I hold a theory—mere speculation. Yet if my instinct does not betray me, these youths are deceived and made to drink the venom of a basilisk, that they may perish before reaching the end. I have long pondered this, for on the night before the sacred games commence, the youths are brought into the temple of Amun, where they sup in the presence of the high priest. If thy servant is not mistaken, the prophet of Amun offers them a draught: wine mingled with basilisk poison, the juices of herbs, and powders of the earth.
"The venom remains latent within the body for some seventy and two hours; but once it awakens, it slays in but a moment. Thus, even should some among them overcome all trials of the path—a feat worthy of the gods themselves—they shall not live to claim their victory. For the journey is ever delayed by its hardships, and none may complete it in less than three days and three nights—by which time the poison shall already be at work within them."
Nimrod stood in thought for a time before replying:
"And what cause would the high priest have to prevent the competitors from achieving such deeds and claiming the sacred jewel?"
The woman cast her sightless gaze afar, feigning weariness.
"My lord is wise, yet he has not grasped the truth that lies beneath the riddle. The sacred jewel of which we speak is no mere object—it is a living gift of the gods. It is a woman, if such a word may suffice. She came not into the world by mortal means, but was born of a great oyster amidst the foam of the sea.
"She is called Semiramis—for she is as the excellence of the heavens. She dwells within the Temple of Light, and save for the high priest, no man has ever beheld her. And an ancient prophecy declares that he who gazes upon her face shall have attained the favor of the gods, and shall be deemed worthy to take her as his bride."
"Then the priest poisons them out of jealousy?" Nimrod asked.
"Nay, my lord. Not from malice, but from belief in the worthiness of the chosen. For it is said that when the chosen one comes, he shall be a man of wisdom and strength, able even to overcome death itself and reclaim the jewel of the gods.
"In truth, many tales surround the coming of this one—but there is but a single way by which the journey may be fulfilled and the jewel attained: by passing through death itself."
The prince of Ethiopia regarded her intently.
"And what way is that?" he demanded.
The old woman was ready:
"He must complete the journey before the seventy and two hours are fulfilled. When the victor has crossed the bridge that leads unto the Temple of Light, and stands before the priestess and prophetess Semiramis, he must without delay take that which is his by right and kiss her upon the lips—lest he die. For beneath her tongue lies the antidote to the basilisk's venom."
Nimrod, somewhat disappointed, replied:
"A curious tale—but one that does not persuade me."
"Which part fails to persuade my lord?"
"All of it," said he, "but chiefly this: I discern no harmony between this contest and the prophecy of a savior for the world."
The woman exclaimed:
"My lord does not yet understand! He who overcomes the trial of the basilisk's venom and weds Semiramis shall beget with her a lineage of divine men—immortal beings who shall people the new world!"
Nimrod laughed at the old woman's simplicity.
"How long have the nobles of Egypt sent their sons upon this journey of no return?"
"As far as is known, since the very foundations of this city were laid," she answered.
"Three hundred—or four hundred years?"
"So it is said among the Egyptians."
"Then it would follow that this Semiramis, if she exists at all, is no more than a withered mummy. And the warriors of Thebes face death in the mad hope of wedding a corpse?"
The seeress cried out:
"By the gods, my lord! Thou dost err in all things. First, the youths who enter the journey know nothing of this, for all is veiled in the most sacred secrecy. Second, Semiramis is born of the immortal gods and does not age. By her divinity, she shall ever bear the age of the chosen one when he enters the Temple of Light.
"I do not understand why my lord doubts, when he has himself beheld her signet."
At this she fixed her blind gaze upon him, as though she could read his very soul.
"The symbol thou hast seen—the serpent coiled about the crescent—is the ring that Semiramis bears upon her finger. My lord shall know it when he stands before her."
A gleam of unmistakable satisfaction shone in Nimrod's eyes. He drew forth a small pouch filled with coins and placed it in the seeress's hand.
"This is for the tale thou hast told me."
The woman received it with quiet pleasure.
"My lord is generous. When thou hast conquered the world, thou wilt not forget the old beggar who set thee upon thy path."
Then, growing solemn, she asked:
"Will my lord seek to reclaim the jewel of the gods?"
Nimrod shrugged lightly.
"Were I an Egyptian—perhaps."
Softening her voice, she replied:
"Thou needst not be Egyptian to claim the Priestess of Light, for she stands above such things. In truth, it lies within thy blood. Was it not thy uncle Misor who founded this city and established the dominion of Egypt after the waters of the Flood had passed?"
But Nimrod no longer heeded her words. Turning his back, he murmured:
"Farewell, woman of visions."
And so she remained once more alone, seated in the dust of the road. The passersby paid her no mind, seeing in her only one among many seers who bartered their gifts in the marketplace for those willing to pay.
Then a sound was heard—a stirring from beneath a heap of hay nearby.
Startled, the woman called out:
"Who goes there?"
And a man's voice answered, already withdrawing:
"Silence! Were thou truly a prophetess, thou wouldst know who I am."