'I don't know, Highness. The lochagos brought two others with him, a slave child who remembers for him and the magician I told you of. They're outside with the lochagos and the ouragos who guarded him on the march.'
'Get them in here. All of them.'
Eutaktos entered first, Basias last. I think they were all a bit frightened.
The regent smiled again when he saw Io. 'You know your master's history, little girl, or so Pasicrates tells me.'
Io nodded timidly.
'How did he receive that scar?'
'I wasn't with him, sir.'
'But you know. Don't mind this face. The faces of my conquests look far worse.'
'There was a big battle. Our men went with the Great King's army, but they lost. My master fought in that, I think.'
'And so do I. But you must tell me why you think as you do.'
'Because it was when the army came back that they brought him to our temple. That was the first time I saw him.'
'And did he have that scar then?'
Io shook her head. 'There was a bandage with blood on it.'
Pasicrates said, 'But if he fought for the barbarians, Highness-'
'You're a handsome boy,' the regent told him. 'But if you want to stay where you are, you'd better learn to think. To whom did the Maiden appear? Who has her favor?'
'Ah, I see!'
'I hope so. Lochagos, I like a man who achieves his objective. Who makes no excuses because he needs none. I won't forget this.'
Eutaktos stood very straight. 'Thank you, Highness.' '
'This man with you has been taking care of… '
'Latro,' I prompted.
'Of Latro, as I understand it.'
'Yes, Highness.'
'And has learned something of his ways in the process, no doubt. I'm going to detach him for the time being. You may return to your lochos.'
'Thank you, Highness.' Eutaktos left us, walking proudly. I have not seen him again.
'Child, do you know that your city and mine are no longer enemies?'
Io nodded. 'Pindaros said so.'
'A man of your city?'
She nodded again. 'He said you saved us.'
'He was right. It's true your men fought me, and fought very well for foreigners. But when a war's over, it's over. Or it should be. Thought's army wanted to burn your city; I wouldn't let them. Now your city and mine are friends.'
Io said politely, 'I hope it's always so, sir.'
'And when I've more leisure, I want to talk with you. If you tell me the truth, I'll see things go well for you. You'll have food and new clothes, and other children to play with.'
'Thank you, sir,' Io said. 'Only I don't belong to you. I belong to Latro.'
'Well said, but I doubt if he'll object. Will you, Latro?'
I shook my head.
'And this soldier of mine will continue to look after you. After all three of you.' He looked toward Basias, who stood like a statue, his hands to his sides. 'An idiot, a child, and a spy won't be too much for you, will they, ouragos? What's your name?'
'Basias, Highness! No, Highness!'
'Good. I don't think the first two will give you much trouble, Basias. The spy may. If he does, kill him. If he won't follow orders, I don't want him alive.'
The woman in the purple cloak exclaimed, 'I'm not a spy!'
'Of course you are. If I hadn't known it before, I'd know it now because you were too slow to deny it. You're from Miletos, or so you told my messenger.'
She nodded. 'And I'm-'
'A Hellene. As we all are, save Latro. A good many Hellenes fought for the Great King.'
'I didn't fight at all.'
'Certainly not. Your king's no fool, and neither are his ministers. One look at that face would tell any sensible man you'd be more useful behind the enemy's line than before it. I know what happened to Miletos; the Great King tore down your walls and sent you to herd goats. I'd ask how you got out, but you've some story. Don't bother. Basias has his sword-not that he'd need it.'
'I am protected-'
'You're under no law but ours, and ours says we can kill you where you stand. It would give Basias one fewer worry, and if you lie to me, he'll wring your neck.'
Basias said, 'He was in the Great King's camp, Highness. I heard him tell Latro.'
Spreading his hands, the regent whispered, 'Speak or die. Who got your report?'
Though the time had been so brief, the woman had recovered her composure. 'Believe me, most royal-'
As quickly as he might have thrust with his spear, Basias grasped her arm. She raised a hand to claw his face, but a blow to her head sent her reeling across the tent.
Basias drew his sword.
'Wait,' the regent told him. To me he said, 'I saw that step. You would have protected your friend, if only Basias were here. What if he were not? If you had only Pasicrates and me to deal with?'
I said, 'If it weren't for the sentries, I would have killed all of you, or tried to.'
Io gasped, 'Master, no!'
The regent waved her fears away. 'Your master's a man of courage. He'll need to be, living among us.'
Awkwardly, the woman got to her feet. There were tears in her eyes, but something else too.
'I don't have time for more of this,' the regent told her. 'You may speak and live or remain silent and die. Choose.'
'Then I choose to speak,' the woman said. 'Who would not?' She smoothed her cloak as women do, as women keep their clothes in order though the cities burn.
'Good. A confessed spy may be useful. Useful, you may live and even prosper. Who got your report?'
'Artabazus.'
'Better and better. And that report was…?'
'That half a year and a few gifts would make any fighting unnecessary.'
'He did not believe you?'
The woman shook her head. 'He believed me, but he couldn't convince Mardonius.'
Basias dropped his sword. It fell point down, piercing the carpet where he stood and sticking upright in the earth beneath it. He lifted his arm and looked at his hand with unbelieving eyes. The fingers were swollen, and there was a gray pallor on the skin.
'Let me see that,' the regent said. And then, when Basias did not obey, 'Come here!'
Like a doll moved by strings, Basias walked to where the regent sat and held out his hand.
'He had a poisoned pin in his hair.' The regent looked at the woman. 'Tell us the antidote.'
'I have no pin, Highness,' she said. 'You may search my person if you wish.'
'You hid it when you fell. You may be worth something at that. What's your name?'
'Eurykles, Highness. Others have thought so.'
The regent nodded absently. 'Basias, tell the sentries one of them is to take you to Kichesippos, my healer. The rest of you, come here and sit before me. I'm tired of breaking my neck. Take cushions if you want.'
