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I spent the next day on needles, fearing what Caesar might be planning in regards to me, or worse, what he may have told my sister about our encounter. She did not trust me, her plans for me and our last meeting made that clear, but so far I had not given her reason to strike out against me as a present threat. Nothing was said, though I had the feeling my activities were watched with a renewed interest. I rarely saw Ptolemy or Pothinus outside of official gatherings; they too could sense the shift and were careful not to be seen approaching me.
I was permitted to ride with Ptah around the racecourse when it was not in use, something we both jumped at as a way to escape the claustrophobia inside the palace. We played galloping games with each other, tossing balls back and forth while our horses flew in opposite directions and I helped my brother practice using a bow on horseback. I used this time to forget the dangers that felt as though they were hemming us in on every side. However, as the days passed and both of the pharaohs' words burned in my ears, my distraction grew.
"What is it, Arsinoë?" Ptah finally asked me, bringing his horse alongside mine after I had missed a third consecutive ball toss.
"Nothing,” I said vacantly. “I am only thinking."
"No, I want to know!" The urgency in his voice made me look at him, his golden eyes earnest. "You're worried about something else, not just Cyprus. And if you're worried about something, that means it worries me too. You’re my sister!"
"I try not to concern you with the big people problems, usually. Do you really want to know?"
He nodded vigorously, so I told him of what had been exchanged between Ptolemy and me. And then some of what passed between me and Cleopatra. I chose not to mention the Consul. He listened with great concentration until I was finished.
"So you and Ptolemy both think it would not be safe to go to Cyprus?"
"I believe so, though I would accept if you wanted it."
Ptah frowned. "It seems like a trick,” he said slowly. “We should not go."
"But what I am worried about is what we should do if we stay. I cannot see how I will protect you."
"Is that why you won't go along with Ptolemy's plan? Because of me?"
"Among other reasons,” I admitted. “Though it is my chief reservation."
Ptah was silent for a time. "I think you should do it," he said after a long pause.
"As simple as that, nedjes?" I replied fondly.
"What else can we do? If we don't go to Cyprus, we stay here under Cleopatra and the foreigners. I don't like them. They don't care about us or Egypt. You always told me that we get to be princes and princesses and live in a palace because we must serve the people in return for all of our nice things. The people don't like the Romans either, and we have to help the people. But with our sister in cooperation with the enemy, we won't be able to do much in here.” He gestured at the palace grounds. "Ptolemy is practically a prisoner and I can't lead an army. But you can. You have to be the one."
"I do not know much about battle either, little brother."
"Sure you do! You know Thucydides and Homer by heart! You remember everything Ganymedes teaches us about Alexander and the Persian wars!"
I smiled ruefully. "Book learning is different from practice."
"But Mudjet told me that the Egyptian gods talk to you!” he exclaimed excitedly, heedless of the many secret ears of the palace. “With their help, how could you fail?"
"Mudjet told you that?" I asked, taken aback.
"Yes, please don't be angry with her. I was scared one night because I had a dream where you were in trouble and I couldn't reach you, and she told me that I should not be afraid because the gods would come to you at night to help you, even if I could not."
"And you believed her?"
"Of course!” Ptah answered. “You're a princess of Egypt, why wouldn't the Egyptian gods talk with you?”
I shook my head. "You are sweet, as always, but one thing I have learned from the gods is that they cannot guarantee anything. You might still be in danger and I do not know if I could forgive myself if something happened to you."
"Do the gods tell you to fight?" he asked pointedly.
"Yes, but I owe a duty to you as well as them."
My brother drew himself up in the saddle. "Your duty is to the people and the will of the gods, and so is mine. I am a prince of Egypt! I must be brave, too. I will help Ptolemy here in the palace, and you will be our general."
I felt tears gather in my eyes as I held out a hand to his warm, pink cheek. "Then my only regret will be how fast you must grow up, my goose."
––––––––
Despite the atmosphere of tension, Cleopatra seemed determined to show her new ally her Egypt and the court of the Ptolemies in all of its exotic splendor. Feasts and banquets continued nightly, and the days were filled with the many amusements that our land was known for. Fantastical beasts preened while magicians filled the palace rooms with mystery and wonder. I had asked my sister to allow me to spend my days in the Library, to fill the hours, but she had refused. I had even told her she might send an escort of guards with me, as much as I wanted to be alone. She still demurred, saying that it was too risky in the streets and that she needed me at court anyway to represent the royal family. So I remained confined to the palace grounds, the end result of my encounter with Caesar in the Temple of Isis revealed at last. Surely she had asked his opinion and he would have undoubtedly advised against letting me wander.
I was picking listlessly through another assortment of gowns Kharmion had sent over for that evening's festivities when a smooth voice behind me interrupted.
"I would choose the green one, Your Highness."
I jumped at the sound and found Achillas leaning against the wall with his effortless athlete’s ease, his polished golden armor glowing in the lamplight.
"General!” fumed Mudjet angrily. “These are the princess' private quarters! How dare you enter without permission?"
"Calm yourself, Mudjet. I mean Lady Arsinoë no harm." Achillas moved towards us, his deep blue eyes full of mischief. "Besides, in this cauldron of deceit, I don't know how else I'd be able to speak with Her Highness unobserved."
I straightened my shoulders, trying to maintain my dignity despite my plain chiton and my undone hair trailing down my back. "How can I help you, General?"
He stepped even closer, his muscles taut beneath his suntanned skin. Achillas was a great favorite of the ladies of the court. With his blue eyes and ashy hair, he looked as Greek as Apollo. He had the god’s casual confidence to match. "I'm here to give you a warning, my lady. You are running out of time. I am leaving court to rally the mob to His Majesty's banner. No more of the Queen's spectacle. You should come with me if you want to leave this palace alive."
I felt my face pale. "I am not in so much danger as that, sir."
"Perhaps not yet,” Achillas conceded with a shrug. “Though I know the secret Cleopatra will announce tonight. Then you'll understand that your days and the little prince's are numbered."
"What secret?" I asked, frowning.
He grinned like a cat. "Oh, that you will see. If I told you now, you wouldn't believe me. The convenience for her staggers the mind. But," he bent over to me conspiratorially, "I will tell you a different secret. Pothinus is planning to poison Caesar at the banquet."
"You endanger the princess' life by making her party to this information!" Mudjet hissed.
"Don't worry, Your Highness,” he soothed carelessly, still half-grinning at Mudjet’s consternation. “I can tell you because it won't succeed."
"How do you know it will not?"
"Because I let that information get back to Caesar. He knows."
"But why?" I asked.
"Because Pothinus is an old fool and he is only going to get His Majesty killed. He has been using his contacts in the city to urge the continued rootless rioting among the people. Yet he is so indiscreet about it that the Queen and Caesar are moving against him. He made me party to this plan, but I will not be dragged down with him. I went and convinced the Pharaoh that it would fail. So we made some alternate arrangements. A few of which your Revered Brother has already told you."
I looked into his eyes quietly. "What would you have me do?"
He laughed and leaned in to whisper in my ear, his breath tickling my neck. "Come find me when tonight is over, Your Little Highness. We'll take back what is ours from old Caesar." He stood back and made a little bow as he left.
Mudjet glowered after him. "He is not to be trusted, my lady."
I was inclined to agree, though the heat of Achillas' attention had scorched my skin, leaving a trail of fire down into my stomach. I knew he was a shameless flatterer of all women, but he had never paid me much mind before. I began to understand why the other ladies threw eyes at him the way they did. I would have to proceed very cautiously indeed. "Do you agree with his assessment, though?"
"About our situation?"
I sighed, annoyed with myself. "That. And the bit about the dress."
––––––––
When I made my way into the feast, I was glad Ptah was not there. The hour was late, so his presence was excused. I nervously moved my mother's bracelet around my wrist and kept an eye on Pothinus and my brother. The elderly eunuch appeared serenely calm as was his wont, but Ptolemy's eyes darted everywhere and nowhere. The only person he was studiously not glancing at was me. Achillas was rather conspicuously absent, though maybe only to my eyes.
My sister was in fine looks, her glossy hair intricately arranged about her face with a few artful touches to downplay her more aquiline features. Her sweetened laughter floated across the room in response to something Origenes had said. Apollodorus sat draped on a couch to her left, also laughing, yet only with his mouth, the rest of his expression tensed. Caesar sat on her right intently listening to the exchange, though leaving the unshakable impression that he was hearing more of what was not being said than the obverse.
Cleopatra stood up from her couch suddenly as the servants brought in the main courses. She floated over to Pothinus' side, trailing a rich violet train on her himation, and leaned in to smell the fragrant dishes being carefully arranged in front of the court.
"Ah, this all looks divine, does it not, my dear Pothinus?” she said, dipping the tip of her finger in a honeyed yogurt dish and delicately inserting it into her mouth to taste it.
"Indeed, Your Majesty,” said the eunuch. “The cooks of Egypt are this land's true sorcerers."
"Such a magnificent meal requires the perfect accompaniment, do you not agree?" She motioned for a servant from the wings to bring over a small flask and poured some wine from it into a cup, placing it before the eunuch.
Pothinus began to grow uneasy. "Your Majesty, I do not deserve such special favor from your hand."
"Oh, but sir!” my sister exclaimed brightly. “You are the tutor of a king! Like Aristotle to Alexander. You do such excellent service to the House of Ptolemy, let us toast your life's work!"
He met the queen's eyes, abruptly cognizant, and replied, "I have only ever done my duty, my lady. To my pupil, the Lord of the Black Land."
Cleopatra snickered, her hazel eyes darkening. "We all do what we can, you miserable old half-man. Now drink."
Pothinus picked up the cup and saluted Caesar with it. "Enjoy being saddled with this harpy-faced succubus, sir," he said, and downed the cup in one gulp.
My sister smiled. "Now that Pothinus has enjoyed his wine, I have an announcement that I am sure will aid his digestion." She strolled back towards the front of the gathering. "They say that the gods hear the prayers of the kings of this loveliest of lands. I have prayed for stability for Egypt and this House, and the gods have taken my supplications into their hearts. I do not know if it was fruit-bringing Demeter or plumed Min who answered, but I am with child and Egypt continues to bless the heirs of Ptolemy Soter."
There was an awkward, stunned silence that was finally broken by our brother. "Are you insane, you shameless whore?!” Ptolemy crowed at her. “You think the people will stand by and let your bastard sit on the throne of their gods?"
"Careful, my dear god-loving sibling,” warned Cleopatra unctuously. “You are the firstborn son of a Ptolemy who called himself Auletes, but whom everyone else called Nothos — the Bastard. Perhaps you have no room to judge. Besides, you are my divinely given husband, brother. Would you deny your child and wear the horns before your subjects?"
Ptolemy's face turned an exciting shade of purple, though it was not nearly as interesting a color as the one Pothinus' face took on as he clawed at his throat and pitched forward on the table upsetting several platters as foam began to escape his lips.
Cleopatra peered over at him nonchalantly. "Ah, the wine has settled. Splendid." She waved a hand to the rest of the company. "Do not be alarmed, my lords. Pothinus the eunuch is being punished for attempting the murder of Consul Caesar. He conspired with General Achillas, who I see has failed to appear here tonight, though we shall ferret him out presently. We cannot have traitors in our midst."
For the briefest of moments, I fancied Cleopatra and I made eye contact. The crowd sat uncomfortably counting the time until Pothinus stopped struggling and lay still on the table, blood seeping from his bulging eyes.
To stop from staring at the eunuch's corpse, I looked back at Caesar who had not moved from his couch. His expression was politely neutral, as if all of this was just another set of entertainments like those of the previous evenings. However, there was a crease in the middle of his forehead between his eyes I had not seen before. I was struck with a realization. He had not known my sister was pregnant, either. A gamble on her part. What would he do with that information?
I did not have time to pursue the thought further. A legionary burst into the room, breathless. "General Caesar! Achillas has besieged the city with a thousand score men! The mob rises to make his way!"
The room descended into chaos as Caesar called orders to his men, and Cleopatra began shouting to Apollodorus and her other retainers to mobilize whatever was left of the palace guard. In the whirlwind of activity, I looked around the room for a discreet exit, when my eyes fell on Ptolemy standing off to the side of the room in front of a curtain. I knew that it covered a passage that connected to a hallway I could reach my rooms from. My brother inclined his head to me.
"I will do what needs to be done to stop this madness," I said to him quietly as I reached his side.
"Tell Achillas to give no quarter, tell our men to fight for the glory of Egypt,” he answered in a fierce whisper.
"You could come with me."
He smiled ruefully. "No, I can't. Not while Caesar still tries to plead my case to our sister from time time."
"Well, do not do anything stupid when I am gone. I do not fancy risking my neck for you if you are going to play games to get us all killed." I wanted to remind him that although I was doing what he had asked of me, I remembered what he was capable of.
He made a little tutting noise with his tongue. "You used to be more trusting, sister, dear. Though I suppose six months in the desert with Cleopatra would cure anyone of that."
"And if any harm comes to Ptah, I will make you sorry you have ever drawn breath."
"I won't let a hair on his head be touched. Go quickly now, Arsinoë." He held up the curtain and I slipped out the side passage, hoping I could find Ganymedes before I was missed.
––––––––
As soon as I cleared the hall, I sprinted back to my quarters. Mudjet rose up at my entrance. Not pausing to explain, I said hurriedly, "Mudjet! We must go. Now."
She nodded and rushed to grab the packs we had made for this moment. In mine were a linen tunica, an old chiton or two, leather wrist bracers, boots, a pair of daggers, a few packages of food and bandages. The contents of Mudjet's were similar. We threw heavy cloaks on, grabbing a spare for Ganymedes, and made our way back out into the hall.
"I need to say goodbye to Ptah and find Ganymedes. Hopefully they are with each other.”
"You go to Ptah's quarters, I will be there presently," said Mudjet wheeling around towards another passage.
"Wait! Where are you going?" I called out.
She gave a wave of her hand and was out of sight so quickly I had no choice but to let her go. I hurried down the corridor, dodging behind columns when soldiers came running across. I made it to Ptah's rooms and indeed found him with my tutor, who rushed over to me as I knelt down to embrace my brother.
"Achillas is laying siege to the city. We need to leave now if we are joining him," I said, handing Ganymedes the extra cloak.
He put it on hastily. "Where is Mudjet?"
"I am here," she replied, shifting the weight of her pack as she stepped into the room.
I breathed out in relief. "I cannot convince either of you to stay here and watch over Ptah for me?"
"I'll be fine, sister," he cut in. "Ptolemy and Achillas need you, and you need Mudjet and Teacher. Go, guide our people."
I gave him another quick hug and kissed his cheek before we darted out and began the winding process of escaping the palace. Ganymedes led us through some of the back ways for the servants and eunuchs. They were mercifully empty as everyone was preparing for a direct assault on the complex.
"You do not think Achillas would attack the palace yet, do you?" I asked Ganymedes as we moved through the barren passageways.
"I doubt he is that organized at this point, though it would save the three of us some trouble," he answered ironically.
We made it outside, where the legionaries were already digging trenches and moving fortification walls into place.
"Can we get out through the gates?" Mudjet craned her neck around a corner.
I looked out into the darkness. "Doubtful. That is the one place they are sure to be already guarding."
"We might be able to slip across the race course and into the Jewish quarter, though I suspect Achillas is coming from the southwest. I do not know if he will have penetrated that far east of the city in such short measure," said Ganymedes.
I bit my lip in concentration. "If we can make it out the western walls of the palace, we should head for the catacombs until we can find Achillas. It should be safe with the city in such disarray."
"My lady, I do not see how we can easily scale the walls,” replied my tutor.
I too was at a loss until the razor voice of Lady Sekhmet entered my ear. Remember the source of all life and death in our land, Ptolemy-daughter. That was it. I grabbed my teacher's arm. "We can swim out through the canal! It cannot be blocked without risking the water supply of the palace!"
Ganymedes nodded. "It is a good plan, nedjet. Better wet than caught. If we can swim past the Gate of the Sun, we should be able to return to our feet."
The fresh water in Alexandria comes from the Nile, but brackish estuaries and canals cross the city where the Great Sea and our great river clasp hands, many stemming from Lake Mareotis situated to the back of the southern districts. The water in some of these canals is fresh, some is not, though the semi-salty water has many other uses. It can be taken for bathing and some cooking, and is a home for many of our wonderful perch. Which is why one of the larger canals runs right through the palace.
We moved back along the walls until we found the canal making its way out into the streets. We jumped into the dark water and bobbed silently there for a few agonizing moments to ensure we had not been heard. We were lucky that the sounds of the laboring legion masked our splashes.
Satisfied, we swam out until we reached the iron grate that prevents trespassers from getting in and now attempted to keep us from getting out. Ganymedes planted himself against the grate as best he could without being able to touch the water's bottom while I climbed up onto his shoulders, clinging to the iron bars. Mudjet then scrambled up over both of us, and with that extra height was able to pull herself over the top. She reached back down to pull me up after her, and then we had our combined strength, such as it was, to help my teacher ascend.
Once we were all over the grate, we plunged back into the canal and swam until we passed under the bridge where the Gate of the Sun guards the eastern districts. Tired and wet, we managed to climb out of the canal and began making our way across the ancient neighborhood of Rhakotis towards the catacombs of the western cemetery. Firelight blazed in the streets as people continued to stock barricades across the major streets and back alleys. The swing of axes on wood and steel on iron echoed over the commotion of thousands of infamously loquacious Alexandrians making plans.
We passed in the shadow of the Temple of Serapis when we froze at the sound of approaching soldiers. A dozen light troops marched quickly by us, and seeing they were not legionaries, I took a chance at approaching them.
I stepped out of the cover of the temple and seeing that their leader appeared to be an Egyptian, called out to them, "Em hetep nefer ahauti taui!"
The men stopped and their lieutenant answered me, "Em hetep nefer sherit taui." He looked at our wet clothes. "It is not safe for civilians to be in the streets, miss. You and your companions should find shelter in case the Romans push out into the city."
He sounded worried, but his tone to me was kind. He had the shorter, powerful build of the country-dwelling Egyptians and although his squarish features had hard, sharp lines, his deep-set eyes sparkled with easy humor.
"We have just come from the palace, sir, and can report that the Romans are engaged with strengthening their fortifications and will likely make no serious forays on the offensive tonight." I pushed back my hood. "I am Princess Arsinoë, and I come on behalf of His Majesty the Pharaoh. Can you tell me where I will find General Achillas?"
The lieutenant and his men immediately fell to their knees. "Hezet en iammi, heqet-taui. Forgive me, Your Highness, I did not know you. I am Tahu, son of Khabek of Memphis. My men and I will escort you to the general."
The soldiers formed a circle around us and we headed towards the northwest corner of the city. "We are encamping near the Gate of the Moon, my lady," Tahu said. "The general has managed to pull much of the army from the palace and has called up reinforcements from garrisons as far away as Thebes. He hopes to have more troops from Nekhen and Ombos within a day or two."
"How many men do we have?"
"Around twelve thousand, my lady, plus another several thousand in cavalry. However, we are confident we can raise that number to twenty."
"How many ships?"
Tahu frowned. "That I do not know. You will have to ask the general."
"Has anything been done to secure Pharos?" asked Ganymedes.
"Unfortunately Caesar had already stationed a sizable portion of his men on the island when he arrived, sir. Missives from the eunuch Pothinus on behalf of His Majesty have directed any efforts organized or otherwise to attempt to retake the island and reclaim the lighthouse, but we have not been successful so far. The good news is that other than the palace and the island, we are in control of the city."
"The city is hardly in control," muttered my teacher as we hurried past people running back and forth with weapons and supplies. "This pandemonium must be contained."
"They have just arrived, teacher,” I replied soothingly. “There has been no time to organize the resistance in the city proper. Besides, that seems like a fitting role for a royal personage to assume."
"Indeed, my lady," cut in Tahu. "It is well you are here. The troops are willing to follow Achillas' lead, but the civilians will be better managed by a member of the House."
––––––––
We entered the main camp and made our way to the tents serving as headquarters. Tahu spoke with one of the guards outside Achillas' tent and he moved aside to let us pass. Once inside, the group of gathered officers stopped their discussion at our appearance. At the center, Achillas raised his head and a wide grin broke across his face.
"Your Highness! You are most welcome here!" he cried out with a low bow. At his address, the other men bowed. "I see you also took my other advice," he said slyly, letting his eyes sweep over my bedraggled green dress.
I ignored his flirting. "I have come to help you and my brother reclaim our homeland, General."
"I am so glad, my lady! The people will be relieved to know that at least one royal remains free of foreign control."
"The city is in riot, Achillas," Ganymedes spoke up sharply. "Why are your men not working to suppress the mob?"
Achillas frowned. "We have been endeavoring to capture strategic streets and push back the Roman advance into the Soma, Ganymedes. The mob can wait. Besides, the disorder will impede the legion, which can only benefit us."
"It will not endear our struggle to the Alexandrians if helpless women and children are trampled in their doorways!"
"And when did you become such a military expert, eunuch?"
I stepped between the two men. "Please, gentlemen. We need time to form a proper strategy. This arguing gets us nowhere."
Achillas immediately looked contrite. "Forgive me, Your Highness. It has taken a great deal of work to reach this point and I am perhaps overwrought. And you are all standing here soaked to the skin. I shall have tents assembled and dry clothes sent to all of you. You should go rest and restore your strength. We have much to do, though we can discuss it in the morning." He motioned Tahu to my side.
I started to follow the Egyptian, but turned back to the general. "We must get Pharos back. If we do not have the harbor, we do not have anything."
He made another bow. "We are in agreement, my lady. I will see it done."
Tahu escorted us back out into the night, surrounded by the glimmer of campfires, when I saw a larger glow of light in the distance back towards the palace.
"What burns so in the distance?" I asked the lieutenant.
"The reports say that Caesar burns his own ships, to keep them from falling into our hands, my lady."
I exchanged a glance with Ganymedes as Mudjet said with a sniff, "Well, I suppose that means he is not going anywhere anytime soon."