indicated the throne room.
Phanes presented the perfect blend of insouciance and arrogance tempered with the wariness of a stalking lion. He had changed little since the Fates frowned on him at Memphis. Leaner perhaps, his muscles sharpened by deprivation; a vengeful light in his eyes gave him the aspect of a homicidal Adonis. Beneath his cloak the Greek wore a bronze cuirass inlaid with figures of silver and obsidian, Charon leading a slain Achilles across the river Styx.
The tiger at Qainu's side stretched, growling, its yellow eyes fixed on the Greek, a predator sensing its own. Perturbed, Qainu said, 'Why have you come? Is Cambyses displeased with my preparations? Have I not met the letter of our agreement? I have camel trains of water stationed along the desert route with trustworthy men from the tribes guarding them. What more …?'
'No, you've done well, Qainu. Cambyses appreciates your cooperation. The vanguard approaches. As we speak, Lord Darius is exacting tokens of submission from the cities of Phoenicia. I'm here because I heard a troop of Egyptians left Pelusium bound for Gaza. I came to observe.'
Qainu's throne creaked as he shifted his weight. The king scowled. 'You are welcome in my court whenever it suits you, my friend, but you could not have chosen a worse time. Your very presence is enough to wreck my plans. The Egyptians have not forgotten Phanes of Halicarnassus.'
'I will be the soul of discretion, Qainu.'
The king leaned forward, his fingers gripping the arm rests of the throne so tightly his whitened knuckles cracked. 'Please, return to Lord Darius! As a show of good faith, I'll not send you away empty handed.'
Phanes waved him off. 'Keep your gold. I have no need for it.'
'I would not insult you by offering something of little interest to you. Where other men crave wealth, you crave information. Something has come to me that is of paramount importance to our Persian masters! '
'So important that you did not at once relay it to Cambyses?' Phanes said, his manner one of open skepticism. 'Tell me, and I will decide as to its worth.'
'The Son of Ra has rejoined his Father,' Qainu said.
Phanes blinked. 'You lie!'
'A messenger arrived two days ago from Sais instructing me to relay the information to the Egyptian commander, along with the blessings of Ankhkaenre Psammetichus.'
'Amasis is dead, and Psammetichus wears the crown?' Phanes said, his voice like the low hiss of a serpent. His teeth ground in silent anger as he paced back and forth, cursing under his breath. Soon, the spasm passed. 'How long were you planning to keep this close to your heart? Did you not think what it might mean to Cambyses' strategy? Without an experienced leader, Egypt's armies will flounder. Psammetichus may have sprung from his father's loins, but he is no Amasis. The native generals will tear him apart. Zeus Savior, you fool! You'll be fortunate to escape the King's wrath!'
'So, you will take this back to Lord Darius.' Though the thought of Cambyses' anger chilled him, Qainu had more pressing concerns at the moment. He was wedged between the two greatest powers of his generation — not a safe place to be for someone harboring ambitions of his own. For his plans to achieve fruition, he had to present the facade of a loyal subject. For that to happen, he needed Phanes as far from Gaza as possible.
'You leave me little choice,' the Greek said.
'Good. I'll have my grooms prepare afresh horse. You…' But, the Arabian king did not have a chance to finish. Guards thrust the polished cedar doors open and filed in, escorting Merodach and the envoy of the Egyptians. Qainu turned to hiss a warning to Phanes, but the Greek was gone, vanished into the shadows as if he had never been there at all. The Arabian felt as though he walked along the edge of a razor.
Merodach scuttled up to the throne and prostrated himself.
'My lord King,' he said. 'I present to you Callisthenes of Naucratis, aide to General Barca and liaison to the Egyptians.'
Callisthenes approached, bowing. 'King Qainu of Arabia, overlord of Kedar and protector of the peoples of Edom, for your household, your wives, your sons, your nobles, your horses, your troops, Pharaoh sends his blessings of prosperity and health.' Callisthenes drew breath to continue, but an inarticulate howl of rage cut him off. He looked around, scowling.
A figure hurtled from the shadows. Callisthenes had the impression of burnished bronze and white cloth as a whirlwind of fists hammered him to his knees. A voice he had not heard since Memphis screamed in his ear: 'You traitorous bastard!'
No longer the soft merchant of Naucratis, Callisthenes ducked a blow that would have snapped his neck, snagged Phanes' sword belt, and shot a series of quick punches into his groin. Phanes staggered, off balance, as Callisthenes clawed at the hilt of his sword. On the dais, Qainu's tiger roared.
A split second later, Merodach and the Arab guards separated the Greeks. Dazed, Callisthenes sat back on his haunches, blood starting from his nose and lip. Soldiers in studded corselets and spired, turban-wrapped helmets held Phanes at spear point.
'I must protest!' Merodach shrieked. 'This is a grave breach of protocol! Are we dogs to cast aside the sanctity of our pledge? The Egyptians have come to us under a banner of truce, a banner of good will! I — '
'Be silent, Merodach,' Qainu said. His eyes were slits. 'You know this one, Phanes?'
'Know him? He's the one who betrayed me to Pharaoh at Memphis! ' Phanes said, his features hard, vengeful. 'Your father was one of my dearest friends, like a brother to me! I trusted you! '
'And you're more the fool for it! ' Callisthenes hissed, rising to his feet. 'My father curried your friendship because it was expedient. You were a tool, and he warned me your ambition far outstripped your ability. Egypt does not need Persian rule, much less Greek!'
'Spoken like a true native!' Phanes said. He looked at Qainu. 'Kill him! He is a snake, a serpent in the garden who would strike at our heels when our backs are turned. Further, if our positions were reversed, I would order my men to excise this Egyptian cancer from my shores. Kill them all! '
The tiger at Qainu's side twitched its tail, growling, agitated by the scents of blood, adrenalin, and fear. The king stroked the nape of its neck. 'And were I you,' Qainu said, 'I would return to my masters with all due haste. Remember what I have told you! '
'I will go, but he comes with me!' Phanes said, jabbing his thumb at Callisthenes.
Qainu shook his head. 'He is not for you, Phanes. Not today. Perhaps I will give him to you when you return, perhaps not. As of now, I need this one as insurance should my plans fail.'
For a moment fury blazed in Phanes' eyes. His hand twisted into a claw, itching to feel the hilt of his sword. He might have thrown himself on the Arabian king were it not assured he would die on a hedge of spears before ever touching the hem of Qainu's robe. An eternity passed in the span of a heartbeat. Hands shifted their grips on spear shafts. Sweat rolled down Merodach's nose. The tiger coughed in anticipation …
Suddenly, Phanes laughed and offered a deep bow, ending it with a dramatic flourish. 'I stand corrected, Qainu. You have balls the size of melons. I will inform Lord Darius that the road to Egypt's border is clear, thanks to our Arabian friends. But, remember this, and remember it well, when I return, if you try to withhold him from me, I'll pull this palace down stone by stone!' He turned and glared at Callisthenes. 'Keep yourself safe, merchant. We have business yet to finish!'
To Phanes' surprise Callisthenes did not quail or grovel. He drew himself up and spat, his face flushed with defiance. 'I'll be here waiting, boy-fucker!'
Phanes spun, his cloak billowing out behind him. His laughter redoubled as he retraced his steps from the throne room.
Silence ruled. Men stared at one another, and at the Greek. At a word from their King, the soldiers would impale the Egyptian envoy on their spears. They waited expectantly. Merodach wrung his hands and finally spoke.
'I cannot be a party to this! By all the laws of hospitality, of protocol, held sacred by the goddess Alilat and thriceblessed Orotalt, by Ishtar and Marduk, I beg of you, 0 King! Reconsider this course of action. These seeds of deceit will bear bitter fruit!'
'Listen to your chancellor, Qainu!' Callisthenes said. 'You're making a grave mistake! Barca will. .'
'Your general will be dead by sunrise. My mercenaries will see to it. For the moment, though, I require your silence. Guard.' Qainu stroked his beard, his brows furrowed in thought. Before Callisthenes could react, the soldier behind him reversed his spear and rammed the weighted butt against the base of his skull. Callisthenes staggered
