‘You don’t fool me, you know,’ I said, taking his hand in mine. ‘You’re worried. So, talk. Tell me about Chirpa, Brazza, Chiron and Cleopatra. Are they well?’
‘They are. Chirpa blessed me with a child three months ago. We named him Abraham.’
‘Congratulations,’ I said.
‘Your children are both very well. Chiron has an exceptionally quick mind. He drives his tutors crazy asking questions all day long. He grows tall and longs to see you again. Cleopatra promises to be as beautiful as her mother,’ he said with a smile.
I grinned, then blanched as another wave of pain washed over me. When it finished, I was drained. ‘I don’t think I’ll be able to last,’ I said weakly.
‘Drink some of this,’ he said, giving me a sweetish beverage.
I drank thirstily, then sighed. ‘I do feel better.’
‘You’re dehydrated. Have some more.’
‘Tell me about Brazza, how is he?’
‘He is happy when he is with the children. Now he looks after little Abraham as well, and Chirpa says she couldn’t do without him. She is anxious to see you; she missed you very much. We all did,’ he added.
‘Oh.’ I blinked. I wasn’t used to having people say they missed me. I looked at the mound my stomach made and sighed. ‘I wish the baby would hurry. I missed everyone and long to see them.’
Plexis returned and wanted to sit with me, but I asked him to leave. He looked stunned, but Usse shot him a warning glance. He left, a troubled expression on his handsome face.
Usse stayed with me during my seemingly never-ending labour. The night passed, morning came and the sun climbed across the sky. Still the pains came, wrenching and excruciating, leaving me exhausted. I tried to walk whenever I could. My back hurt terribly, but soon even sitting was too great an effort. I felt my strength draining from me. When evening came again, I lay on the bed and stared out the window. Everything was painful – noises, and even the fading light, seemed cut out of crystal. I couldn’t move my arms or legs. Even my heartbeat hurt. The contractions were a giant hand now, which gripped me and shook me until I was rattling.
Plexis and Alexander were waiting outside. Usse told them that I needed to be alone. They didn’t understand, and poked their heads into the room at least three times an hour. Finally Usse, out of exasperation and real worry for me, told them to go away. He remained beside me and gave me a cool cloth to bite, and smoothed my hair from my hot forehead. Every now and then, he’d give me a sip of some potion he’d made to keep up my strength. However, it was slipping away. The labour was too long, too arduous, and I was in no shape to fight. A year of hard travel, the shock of losing my hand, and seeing Alexander almost die in of the Game of Phersu, had weakened me.
Usse tried everything, making drinks, massages, prayers, and finally, shaking his head sorrowfully, he told me he had to bring the baby out with birthing irons. He went in search of Alexander. He would need his strength.
I simply closed my eyes. Nothing would be worse, I thought. I was even looking forward to just dying and having done with all the fuss and pain.
The irons woke me up. I screamed then, shattering my voice.
The baby was born after a long time. Alexander held me tightly, so tightly I had bruises on my arms for days. Usse had to use the irons, as he’d done with Mary. My sweet Mary. I thought of her often during this childbirth. For some reason, I thought the baby would be born dead. It didn’t seem possible that such a tiny creature could bear such horrendous pain, although Usse assured me that I was the only one in pain. The baby was fine.
When I heard the crying, it seemed to come from very far away. Then I emerged from the apathy that had gripped me and opened my eyes. ‘Boy or girl?’ I asked weakly.
‘Boy,’ said Usse, holding the squalling infant in his arms. ‘And he’s huge! No wonder it took so long, and no wonder you were in such pain. Look at the size of him. A veritable giant.’ He let his breath out in a shuddering sigh. ‘Please, Ashley, don’t scare me like that again.’
I grinned. At least, I think I did. I don’t remember anything clearly until about three days later.
Everyone was in the house then. Brazza, the children, Usse, Chirpa, and little Abraham were staying in the west wing. Phaleria and Demos, Plexis, Alexander, Axiom, and I were in the east wing. I was surrounded by friends and family, and I managed to get through the baby blues without any trouble.
My new son was a big baby, for those days. In my time, four kilos was considered normal. He was large-boned and fair; making me think he looked like my side of the family. My mother had been very tall, and my father had nearly topped one metre ninety in his youth. I’d only ever seen him bent over a cane though, and our family didn’t believe in holo-photo albums. So I have no way of knowing for sure if Atlas – that’s what we named him – took after my father or not. When he was fully grown, Atlas measured two metres tall. He towered over us, bringing to mind our dear friend Millis. He wore his straight, ash-blond hair in a long ponytail, and his eyes were glacial blue chips of ice. However, that was twenty years in the future. Right now, I was recuperating in my bed, my husband at my side, watching as Atlas suckled noisily.
He’d been so frightened when Usse came to get him, that now he hardly left me. Plexis had been terrified as well. He’d grasped Alexander’s tunic, crying and begging him to forgive him. Alexander had not understood, until Plexis sobbed that he was sure that I was dying. Usse had gaped, then pried Plexis’s hands off Alexander. He told Plexis to get drunk, and told Alexander to wash his hands and come quickly. Plexis took Usse at his word, and had the worst hangover I’d ever seen. When he came in to see the baby, he nearly vomited on me.
I was fully awake now. Before, I’d been floating in a sort of half-dream state, thankfully doped with some of Vix’s magic potion. Now I was awake and extremely uncomfortable. I shifted in the bed and winced. Alexander took the baby from me and held him while I tried to find a comfortable position to sit.
‘Can you tell me the good news, or are you going to make me beg?’ I said, peeved. ‘If it’s that good, would you be so kind as to tell me? You’ve been beaming at me for a half an hour now, and I know it’s not because of the baby.’
Alexander looked startled, then, to my surprise, started to weep. I froze, my hand beneath my hip. ‘What is it?’ I asked, worried.
‘It’s a strange bit of news, and I don’t know how to explain it,’ he said, wiping his face with the baby’s blanket.
‘Start with the beginning.’
He sat down and put the baby in his cradle. ‘Usse was with Ptolemy when the Nubian messenger came with Nearchus’s diary. He waited until the man left. Then he followed him into the street and spoke with him. It seems that Nearchus may still be alive. The Nubian said that a man was sold by the pirates and taken inland by natives. He thinks that the man was Nearchus, because he was described as having “a helmet of golden hair”. Usse believes that he was sold to work in the salt mines.’
‘The salt mines?’
‘I have to rescue him,’ said Alexander, taking my hand in his.
‘Why didn’t Usse tell you before?’
Two red spots appeared on Alexander’s cheeks. ‘I think he was angry with me for not taking better care of you,’ he said.
‘Oh.’ I hid a grin. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘No, I deserved it.’ He sat on the side of the bed and touched my face. ‘I’m a fool.’
‘It’s good news then, isn’t it? Do you think he’s still alive?’ I smiled at my husband. ‘You do, don’t you?’
‘I do, and I want to save him.’
‘Fine, good idea. Where is the salt mine?’
‘Draw me Africa,’ he ordered, grabbing parchment and a pen from his desk. I complied, and he pointed to a spot not far from modern-day Algeria. ‘He was attacked by pirates there. Then the next time he was seen, he was sold here,’ and he pointed to a spot not far from Carthage.
‘We were so close to him, then,�
� I said, shaking my head in wonder.
‘The salt mines are near a great lake, in the land of the Nubians. That is where the messenger thinks he was being taken.’
‘Poor Nearchus,’ I said, and tears filled my eyes. ‘Of course we have to go rescue him. As soon as I can move we’ll leave.’
‘No.’ Alexander’s expression was strange, and I’d thought I’d seen them all.
‘What is it?’ I asked, my heart suddenly thumping very hard.
‘No, I can’t take you with me. It’s too dangerous.’
I sat up straighter now, a hot flush on my cheeks.
‘Dangerous? You dragged me halfway around the world, into battle, through deserts, across mountains, and to a place called the ‘Land of the Eaters of the Dead’. What could be more dangerous?’
‘You have a new baby. You need to rest,’ he said firmly.
‘I can rest on a boat, or on a litter,’ I cried. ‘Please,’ I said, starting to shake.
‘No, you’re too weak.’
‘Don’t be silly. Have you been listening to Plexis?’
‘You nearly died,’ he said quietly.
‘I did not, who told you that?’
‘Usse.’ He scowled. ‘You can’t move right away, it will kill you.’
I felt as if I’d received a blow to the chest. Nothing he said made sense to me. ‘It’s not true,’ I said. ‘It’s not true.’ I repeated stubbornly. Angrily I hit his arm. ‘Look at me when I speak to you! Why would Usse say that? It’s not true!’ My voice rose to a shriek and the baby woke up and began to cry. Alexander sat on the edge of my bed and he wouldn’t meet my eyes. We sat there, the baby crying, until Usse came into the room to see what the matter was.
I turned to him. ‘Usse, tell me the truth. Did I nearly die?’
‘You did,’ he said heavily.
I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. ‘How long was I asleep?’
‘Three days.’
‘What happened?’
‘There was too much bleeding. You must stay in bed now until you are out of danger. I’m sorry. You will never have any more children.’ Usse took my hand. ‘My Lady,’ he began carefully, ‘If you travel now, it will surely kill you.’
I was very still. The baby stopped crying and went back to sleep. A fly buzzed lazily in the corner of the room. Dust floated in sparkling motes in the air. Alexander wouldn’t look at me, and Usse’s gaze never wavered.
I wiped the blood off my nose mechanically. My throat felt tight, but that was just raw emotion. I looked at Alexander and said, ‘How long will you be gone?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Is Plexis going with you?’
‘If he wants to.’
I nodded. ‘Where will I stay?’
‘You will stay here in our house. I will rescue Nearchus, and then I will come back and get you.’
‘You sound so sure of yourself,’ I whispered.
‘I am. Ptolemy has given me gold to buy Nearchus’s freedom. There will be no need to fight.
Chapter Fourteen
I was still in bed when they left. We knew Ptolemy was anxious to have us out of Alexandria. We told him we would leave, but not until Nearchus was safely back. Until then, I stayed in the house on the hill. Axiom, ever-faithful, went with Alexander and Plexis. Demos also insisted on accompanying them, much to Phaleria’s annoyance.
Chirpa ran the household, but the work was done by slaves. I hated slavery and insisted the servants be freed. It was easily done, and the ex-slaves became our godchildren. Chirpa had been a slave, and it shocked me that she would buy one.
‘How can you buy a person, Chirpa! You were once a slave. Doesn’t it bother you?’
She thought about it, then nodded once, which meant ‘no’. ‘Slavery is part of life. The gods have decreed who shall be born free and who shall be a slave. They also decree who will be freed. We are simply fulfilling the gods’ wishes. At any rate, we own no slaves any more. And our new god-daughter, Rahima, broke your favourite vase this morning when she dusted it.’
‘I like Rahima better than the vase,’ I said.
‘Since Demos has gone with Alexander and Plexis, Phaleria has decided stay with us,’ said Chirpa, deftly changing the subject.
Soon after Alexander left, I went to see Ptolemy. I had a few things to discuss with him.
I was unable to walk, therefore I hired a sumptuous litter to carry me to the palace, starting a fad that would last for centuries.
Ptolemy received me in the main throne room, which was a measure of his esteem for me. I frightened him, although he tried to hide the fact. To him, I was a goddess. I’d proved it by saving Alexander. Ptolemy had always been the most mystic of Alexander’s generals, and the most ambitious. He was exquisitely polite. He hid his emotions behind that polished façade, fooling most mortals, I’m sure.
I was not like most mortals.
‘My Lady,’ he said, bowing to me.
We were alone, except for a deaf-mute. Ptolemy didn’t want our conversation overheard. Good, I didn’t want anyone to hear us either. ‘I have come to thank you for keeping my children safe,’ I said.
Ptolemy nodded gravely, flipping his wrist in a dismissive gesture.
‘I have a message for you from my mother,’ I said. Somehow, I kept a straight face when I said this. If Alexander had been with me, his jaw would have dropped. He hardly ever saw me drag out my alter ego. Ptolemy’s jaw did drop. He gaped at me. Then he took a deep breath and asked me what it was.
‘She told me to tell you that she approves of what you are doing. She will intercede on your behalf with Zeus.’
‘On my behalf? With Zeus?’ he said nervously. ‘Why? For what reasons?’
‘Because you have been instrumental in protecting those I care for. As long as I am happy, she is happy too,’ I added ingeniously. ‘I could not be happy without Usse, Chirpa, and my children, so I they are staying with me. You won’t mind, will you?’
‘Mind? No, why should I mind? If you wish Usse to stay with you, of course he may. Invite whomever you wish to your home. Please.’ Ptolemy rarely babbled, but now he was practically tripping over his tongue in his haste to be agreeable. ‘Iskander will not be long on his voyage, six months, no more. Three months to get there and three months back. Never fear for Nearchus, if he’s alive, Iskander will buy his freedom.’
I nodded. Six months for me to rest and recuperate. Afterwards, I would be ready to travel. I smiled at Ptolemy and said, ‘I thank you for everything you’ve done for us. I will wait here in Alexandria until Iskander returns. Then we will leave Egypt for good.’
Ptolemy gave a start at this. ‘And your daughter?’ he asked.
‘She will return on her sixteenth birthday to meet your son. Their betrothal will be announced at that time. I give you my word,’ I said, raising my chin.
‘They’ve already met, my son and Cleopatra, that is. They play together in the palace, and I think they get along well.’ Ptolemy said, trying for a placating smile.
I just looked at him gravely. I hadn’t met his son, then a nine-year-old boy. He was with the royal family in their palace, and strictly off-limits to anyone. Even me.
Alexander and I had spoken very seriously about Cleopatra’s marriage, and we’d concluded that a promise to Ptolemy was the best thing we could do for now. When she was sixteen, she would be old enough to decide if she truly wanted to marry his son or not. Whatever she decided, we would stand by her.
I had to make sure Ptolemy stayed on our side. If he wanted, he could make things very difficult for us. The more powerful he became, the easier it would be for him to eliminate those he considered his rivals. He only pretended to accept the fact that Alexander didn’t want his kingdom. If he wanted his son to marry Cleopatra – and he did; he was convinced she was the direct descendent of a goddess – he had to make sure she stayed alive. But that didn’t apply to her father, Alexander, or even to me. I knew that Ptolemy would kill me if he thought h
e could get away with it.
I would never trust Ptolemy, although he’d pledged his help to recover Nearchus. As long as Alexander was alive, Ptolemy would always be looking over his shoulder, waiting for him to claim his throne. There was only one way to get rid of a rival to the throne.
The six months we spent in Alexandria were idyllic. During this time, Phaleria gave birth to her son, a strong healthy baby. He would have no name until his father came back, so we called him Maponos, which was ‘son’ in Gaul. As usual, the first nickname stuck, and we called him Maponos for ever after.
Nothing else of note happened. Usse and I planned how to save Alexander from Ptolemy. The boys grew close, riding and hunting together every day. Cleopatra didn’t remember me; she was happiest with Brazza, Usse, and Chirpa. That broke my heart, but I could see she was loved. She was a beautiful child, and very sweet and docile. I had no idea where her gentle character came from. No one in my family or Alexander’s were so good-natured. I decided she got it from Brazza, her adored godfather.
Alexander returned early one morning. I spotted him first. I overturned my chair in my haste to stand, then gave a glad cry and ran towards the five men riding slowly up the dusty road. Nearchus was alive – but very weak. Plexis and Demos rode on either side of him, propping him up. They had spent the last two months travelling through the desert, but the voyage, said Alexander, had been easy. They all had stories to tell of their adventure, and the next few days were spent listening to their tales of the salt mines and Nearchus’s rescue.
‘It wasn’t a huge rescue,’ Alexander said, obviously disappointed. ‘It was more of a transaction. I paid the owner of the salt mine, and he gave me Nearchus.’
‘You could have bargained,’ put in Plexis. ‘The owner of the mine said he was a terrible worker.’
‘He did not!’ said Nearchus, who laughed with us anyhow.
The Eternal Banquet Page 18