![]() ![]() ![]() The messenger stuttered in fear of his life, "Divine Majesty, while our fleet was busy at Asyut, the barbarian made another crossing at Esna. However, Salitis had brought his transports up behind the screen of fighting galleys, and while the river battle still raged, he was able to embark almost two full regiments of horse and chariot, and ferry them intact to our side of the river, without our galleys being able to reach them. Therefore, since I could do nothing to allay these fears, I thought it best to keep them to myself. I had searched my heart for a counter to this move when Salitis and Intef made it, but there was none that I could think of. I had realized that this must happen, but I had refrained from warning either Tanus or my mistress of the likelihood, for I did not wish to add to the feeling of gloom, and heighten the despondency of our people. ![]() I must know what the gods require of us." I ask you to work the Mazes of Ammon-Ra for me. But I must ask you now before I make the final decision. "Taita, I have not asked you before, because I know how dearly it costs you. However, there must be droves of renegade Egyptians from the usurper's navy available to Salitis, and even if that were not the case, it would certainly be possible to recruit enough mercenary Syrian sailors in Gaza and Joppa, and the other ports along the eastern coast of the great sea, to man several hundred of these galleys and transports. Those ships were lying abandoned in the docks of Memphis and Tanis in the Delta. ![]() We knew that when he swept through the Lower Kingdom, Salitis had captured most of the fleet of the red pretender intact. It was the enemy's logical move, and both Salitis and Lord Intef should have made it much earlier. Secretly, I had expected and dreaded what would happen next. THE SUCCESS OF MY CHARIOTS AT ESNA, and the feeling of confidence that it instilled in us all, were short-lived. I will not ride with you again until you do something about them." However, those new-fangled wheels of yours " are more dangerous than a regiment of Hyksos. "If I am to have five hundred of those contraptions of yours for my new chariot division, I will need a thousand of those cursed brutes to pull them. I have already sent Hui to gather them up," he assured me. "Don't worry that battered head of yours". He would even ride with me again, if only I could fix my wheels. My orphan chariot squadron was at last to be part of the standing army, and he would give me the men and gold to build five hundred more. Tanus had quashed his pride, and given in to me. For a moment it did not penetrate my aching skull, then I realized that it had happened. ![]()
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