“Mari lies exposed on the river,” Naomi said. “At least we have the security of the cliffs and hills. Much more difficult for an army to maneuver about. The fighting will be far away.”
Knowledge of Aliyah’s treason welled up. “Did Uncle Josiah tell you about the letter that arrived from the Queen of Sheba two days ago?”
Naomi shook her head. “A letter from the queen?”
“I met her when we passed through Sa’ba several weeks ago.” I relayed the news of Aliyah’s alliance with Horeb. “To make a pact with Horeb to destroy the very people who love and trust her is treachery of the highest order.”
With a grave expression, Naomi smoothed the folds of her dress. “Is it truly that dire?”
I didn’t want to answer her question, but I did anyway. “Yes, it is,” I said soberly, and then changed the subject, trying to get my nerve up to tell her about the sacrificial ceremony. “I’m still unfamiliar with the palace’s layout as well as the city, but Kadesh plans to take the fight away from the city. Even so, I think we should take every precaution here. I don’t trust Aliyah.”
“I don’t know the woman very well. I’ve only ever seen her at state dinners, but I always found it peculiar that a woman who would inherit the throne of Sa’ba would work at the temple.”
“You know the summer solstice ceremonies are being held tomorrow evening,” I finally stated, lifting my eyes to hers.
Naomi reached out to clasp my hand. “Please don’t go up there. It’s much too dangerous to be away from the palace right now.”
“I received a personal invitation from the Goddess herself.”
Naomi’s mouth set in an infuriated line. “The midsummer’s full moon ceremony is the one thing I cannot abide about the temples of Ashtoreth and Sariba and Ba’al.”
“I know,” I whispered, plucking at the filigree of my dress as the words came out halting and stiff. “My little sister, Sahmril, has been chosen to be Sariba’s sacrificial lamb.”
“What?!” The shock on Naomi’s face was unmistakable. “Aliyah would sacrifice your own blood?”
“She hates me. I stole Kadesh and the crown from her. My older sister, Leila, was ordained High Priestess three days ago, the morning after our wedding destruction. Relatives of a High Priestess are always a more powerful sacrifice, and Sahmril is the most beautiful, perfect child you ever saw, which makes her death even better.” I stopped. The horror of it all knocked the air out of my lungs.
Aunt Naomi took my hands in hers. “We must stop it somehow. What can I do to help, Jayden?”
I shrugged helplessly. “I’m not sure. I have no idea what to expect. For now, please pray that I’ll think of a way to save her.” I unclasped my hand and rose. “One thing I do know. I need to sharpen my dagger and sword.”
“Weapons won’t stop Aliyah. You’ll only get yourself killed by the temple guards.”
“I don’t have any other options. I’d rather turn Sahmril over to the nobleman and his wife who purchased her than give her to Aliyah.”
“Aliyah took advantage of Kadesh’s disappearance and Ephrem’s failing health. She won people’s hearts, making them fear famine and poverty if they didn’t pay tribute and obeisance to the Goddess.” She kissed my cheek. “I wish Kadesh’s parents could have known you.” She paused, her eyes filling. “His mother was my sister.”
“I didn’t realize that! I’m so sorry. Her loss has affected all of you in so many ways.”
“As your own mother’s passing,” Naomi said with empathy.
“At first, I had thought Uncle Josiah was King Ephrem’s younger brother and would inherit the Sariba crown.”
“No, Kadesh’s father was Ephrem’s brother and heir because Ephrem and his wife were unable to have children. Ephrem schooled Kadesh for this day. I’m so pleased to watch him crowned, despite the sober circumstances.”
“King Ephrem seemed to have had uncanny insight.”
Every time I thought of the dead king’s last words to me, I grew chilled. That I needed to be the one to kill Horeb when the time came—so that no one could question the veracity of the claim and his armies could be convinced to lay down their weapons.
“From that sudden shiver, I suspect Uncle Ephrem told you something that frightened you.”
“I think you lived here with him for so long you’ve picked up his talent of intuition. Or perhaps it’s the mother in you.” A fierce longing for my own mother washed over me and Naomi’s eyes filled with compassion. “Where were you and Kadesh’s mother raised?”
“We’re all originally from Dedan, which is a close ally of Sariba’s royal family. Binding the two families was highly favorable.”
“We passed Dedan on our journey here. Kadesh told me that forts are being built to protect the caravans and provide supplies. How long have you lived in Sariba, then?”
“I came with my sister more than twenty years ago to be her personal handmaiden. I didn’t want her to live in a strange land alone. Nobody ever expected Kadesh’s parents to—” Naomi turned away to hide her sudden tears.
“I don’t mean to bring back terrible memories.”
“No, my dear, you’ve done nothing wrong. I try to remember my sister when she was strong and happy. The most beautiful and intelligent woman in the room. She and her husband would have made a grand king and queen. Just as you and Kadesh will.”
I glanced down at my lap. “I’m afraid Kadesh and I are not always of the same mind.”
“You’ll grow together. It happens to all couples, and your marriage hasn’t even begun. Don’t think it’s a bad omen. Despite Kadesh’s wisdom and experience, trust your own heart. He’ll listen to you. You may be right as often as he is. Especially in the case of Aliyah. A woman has instincts when it comes to other females.” Naomi rose. “Now, come help me with a task I’ve been dreading.”
I followed her out the door. Gently, she linked arms and we found ourselves at the door to King Ephrem’s empty rooms.
“Josiah asked that I go through King Ephrem’s personal belongings. I need to catalog his personal effects and clothing and make sure all is safely stowed and out of reach from potential thieves or marauders.”
I glanced at her questioningly.
“Fine linens and jewels are too much of a temptation,” the older woman said ruefully. “Kadesh will inherit the crown jewels, Ephrem’s royal robes, and armor and weapons. Older clothing will go to the poor. After this war is over, Kadesh and Josiah will go through his possessions more thoroughly, but my husband asked if we would make a first attempt at organizing.”
“It will help to pass the time,” I said. Even so, my stomach was queasy thinking about what was to come the next night, and I was terrified that I’d be successful in rescuing Sahmril.
King Ephrem’s elderly body servant had several chests on tables in the quiet room for us to go through. Before Naomi began to pick though the first chest of clothing, she squeezed my hands in hers.
“I know you’re distracted and I feel guilty having you help me with this mindless task. What will you do? Is there a plan forming in your mind?”
“Leila suggested that I come to her first. That before the sacrifice begins we three sisters be together one last time before we say good-bye and send Sahmril off to her death.”
Naomi recoiled at my words. “Jayden, I had no idea your older sister was so willing—so controlled by Aliyah.”
“I’m thinking that perhaps I can make that meeting my chance to take Sahmril and escape before the ceremony.”
“The temple will be crawling with Aliyah’s personal guards—”
“And the Egyptian priests,” I added.
Naomi strode to the open double doors and relayed a message to the guards on duty.
A few minutes later, a patrol of four guards appeared, and Naomi spoke with them while I continued to stack an entire chest with King Ephrem’s bed and bath linens.
Aunt Naomi placed her hand on top of mine. “These are my personal pa
lace guards, Jayden. I’ve requested that they give you whatever help you need. Come back with your sister. Both of them if you can.”
I gazed into her face. “I’m so grateful to you. Kadesh is also sending a few soldiers with me. If all they can do is open up a path for me and Sahmril to escape before—” I stopped, unable to speak about the death Aliyah had planned for me, too.
When we finished three chests of King Ephrem’s personal effects, we separated to prepare for dinner. Late afternoon light was already disappearing, shadows filling the corners of the gardens.
When Naomi embraced me, I clung to her, homesick, wishing this was already over. The anticipation for the ceremonies, and tomorrow’s first day of battle, was going to kill me.
19
Dinner was a quiet meal, preoccupation for the first battle at dawn leaving little desire for speaking of mundane things. The setting sun cast shafts of red, like blood, along the distant mountains. An omen of what was to come.
I was having a difficult time eating anything. Finally, I pushed my plate away and lifted my eyes. Kadesh was watching me, his own dinner barely touched.
“You need to eat,” I told him. “You need your strength for tomorrow. And more sleep.”
Servants cleared the plates and bowls, pouring wine and strong, hot tea.
“Are you ready?” I asked, reaching for Kadesh’s hand.
He gripped my fingers. “That’s a question heavy with potential for both arrogance and regret.”
“I’m worried about you.”
“We’re ready. I promise.”
“And do you promise to go to bed early?” I asked. “It’s been three days with little rest.”
“Sleep while you plot to save your sisters? I have a final meeting with General Naham and our captains tonight. I hope to attend the ceremony tomorrow as well.”
I glanced out the window at the deepening dusk. “You can’t be in two places at once, Kadesh, and your army needs you. It’s imperative that the first day of battle leaves Horeb crippled. I have Naomi’s guards and yours—and Asher. We’ll steal Sahmril away before the sacrifices even begin. It will all be over quickly and I’ll be back at the palace with her before you know it.”
When Aunt Naomi and Uncle Josiah departed for their own suite, I watched them leave with longing for it all to be over. It had been a long afternoon of pacing and thinking, despite the hours I’d spent with Naomi.
A sudden noise at the door startled all of us. The men jumped up from their chairs, pulling out weapons with a speed that defied my eyes. I slid my dagger from its strap and curled my fingers around the hilt.
The door burst open. Two soldiers dragged a figure between them, a slight dirty person with long strands of filthy hair underneath a black headscarf. The captive struggled against his confines. “Take me to your king!” the voice gurgled.
Asher came forward, one boot on the captive’s arm. “You are already before the king though you deserve nothing. Now bow you heathen!”
The guards pushed the prisoner down onto the floor. “We found him sneaking into Sariba with a patrol of men and camels.”
“Spies of Horeb?” Asher asked.
Kadesh stared hard, not uttering a word before striding toward the trespasser lying facedown on the floor. Leaning down, he snatched the headscarf from off the spy and jerked the person’s head up, kneeling on one knee to peer into the face.
The captive’s hair fell in wild clumps, obscuring his features. With the blade of his knife, Kadesh carefully lifted the clump of hair away.
Big dark eyes stared back at him, and then the wisp of a smile cracked the dry lips. “My king,” the voice croaked.
Kadesh jumped to his feet. “Lift him up!” he ordered. “Or I should say she. How her small caravan managed to slip past Horeb’s camp in the middle of the night is beyond me.”
I stared so hard my eyes seemed to bulge. There was something about the height, the figure under the bulky traveling clothes, the way the person held her head that reminded me of someone else.
Kadesh stretched out his hand and lifted the intruder to a standing position. The woman shook back her hair and straightened her shoulders.
The Queen of Sheba gave her first genuine smile.
“Your Majesty,” I said, curtsying to the monarch while confusion raced through my mind. “However did you travel? Why are you—” I stopped, thinking it was probably best if I didn’t call out the bedraggled and dirty state she was in. Desert travel was never pretty, but she was positively a wreck.
The queen seemed to read my thoughts. “I thought it best to disguise myself in case my envoy fell into the hands of Horeb’s men.”
General Naham cleared his throat. “Our scouts reported earlier that Horeb’s armies are rather—should I say ill today? It appears the poison administered to their water supply was successful. We hope it’s a blow they can’t recover from.”
“Poison,” the queen repeated. “A clever ploy.”
“It was Jayden’s idea,” Asher said, his face on mine.
“Good girl,” the queen said, nodding her approval. “Ever since his armies came through my kingdom, I’ve been frantic to get to you. He’s got nearly twice your numbers. Have you sent Horeb a letter yet?”
“My first one was answered with an assassination attempt last night.” Kadesh leaned over his desk and handed a copy to the queen. “And here is a copy of the one I sent earlier this afternoon when we learned of the effects of the poison. We don’t know exact numbers of ill or dead men, but would to God they all die by tomorrow morning.”
The Queen of Sheba studied Kadesh. “You do know that’s wishful thinking. Probably only the first couple hundred men got the most concentrated dose. As soon as Horeb realized their water source was contaminated he would have ordered his armies to cease drinking.”
Kadesh gave a jerk of agreement with his chin, his jaw clenching. “I only want to spare my people the death of their husbands and fathers and brothers.”
“Of course you do,” the queen said soberly. “As we all do.”
“Let me help you to one of the guest suites, my queen,” I told her, coming forward. I nodded toward one of the maids clearing off the dinner dishes. “Please prepare a bath and a handmaiden to help the queen.”
“I beg your pardon, my cousin,” Kadesh said. “I’m still in shock that you’re actually here. You’ve traveled a great distance at great risk. Is there something I should know right away?”
“Ever since I saw you weeks ago, I have been unsettled in my mind and heart. That was the reason for my letter to you. Even after sending the letter, I couldn’t sit in my palace and do nothing. I had to come. After all,” she gave Kadesh a tight smile, “Aliyah is my sister. And you are my cousin. I had to try to intercede, to help in any way I can. Sisters are a tricky business.”
“Especially when they’ve recently declared themselves a Goddess incarnate,” I said.
The queen’s eyebrows shot up. “She’s taken it that far? I understand that Ephrem has gone the way of all the earth,” she continued soberly. “I had hoped to see him one last time, but I’m glad you are king, Kadesh, and that you were crowned immediately. You will do well with your new queen.”
“Oh, my lady, I’m not queen yet,” I said with a small laugh.
She looked at both our faces in surprise. “I see that we have a lot of catching up to do—and very quickly. Kadesh—”
She was interrupted by a messenger at the door.
“Have you got a reply from our enemy?” Kadesh asked, moving forward as the man, still heavily breathing after a hard ride, bowed and handed over a thin, smooth stone, wrapped in linen. “Thank you.” He gestured to Asher to make sure the man was escorted out with extra coin in his pockets.
The room was dead quiet while Kadesh read the words. He looked up, anger etching his features. “Horeb of the Nephish has rejected all overtures and recommendations. He states that he didn’t travel two thousand miles only to give up. He will never
surrender as long as he has breath and Jayden and I still live. His final words are these: My greatest ambition is not only to see your death and claim what rightfully belongs to me but to take your throne, your crown, and your title. This land, this people, this wealth will belong to me. For now and forever.”
Kadesh’s eyes found mine across the room. A look of a thousand sorrows passed between us. No matter what Sariba did, or how valiantly our people fought, Horeb would not give up. And he would have Aliyah with the power given to her by the Egyptian magicians as well as the control she held over the people to secure and retain Sariba’s throne.
I watched the faces of the staff and guards turn pale. General Naham was furious, but remained stoic, awaiting his next order.
The Queen of Sheba’s expression was taut. “It appears that your request for surrender has been rejected. The King of the Nephish dares to laugh at you. He is a man without any decorum for the rules of engagement or the rules of war.”
“He has no moral code,” I added. “Like any man lusting to conquer his enemy.”
“No mercy, no prisoners,” General Naham said. “Even in tribal warfare there is bounty to be split, losses to share, and a modicum of respect for the tribe you fight. All who survive return home at nightfall to peace. Not so in this case.”
The queen took the letter and scanned the lines herself. She was intelligent enough to infer Horeb’s underlying meanings—and the woman he aligned with. “Will you finish them off in tomorrow’s battle, Kadesh?”
“He still has more soldiers then we do, a great many more. And the men who survived the diluted dose of hemlock will get over their illness to fight, too.”
“What shall we do now?” I asked.
“General Naham, if Horeb dares to un-yield to reason, we will unleash all of the might of Sariba. Tomorrow we use all of our troops and a shock strategy.”
General Naham slammed his hand against a table. “The rogue Nephish king proposes fighting until the death of us all. His arrogance knows no bounds. But know this. We will crush him and all three of his armies.”
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