Part 119 (2/2)
Now it could be delayed no longer We must part
”Can you not come with us as far as the pyra ”We could stop and have an excursion--”
And see nothing, I thought, because our eyes would be too full of tears
”No It is better thus We will co myself look at his face as if this one last ti different
He bent and embraced me, his words in my ear ”Oh, Mother,” was all he said
”May all the Gods go with you,” I whispered ”And may your father protect you” Yes, let the God preserve his son! I held hi as I could Then I forced o, to drop my arms away and step back
This little space between us, only two feet or so, ths, must stretch to almost the width of the world It was too much to bear to understand it truly
”Farewell, plank to the waiting barge Against his back I hurled prayer after prayer, beseeching Caesar to come to the aid of his only earthly son and heir
Do not fail us! I cried from the depths of my soul Do not fail us now!
The sober return trip was made without sails, as we rode downstrearew smaller and finally vanished Just before we steered toward the Canopic branch, we took a connecting canal to halt at the landing for the teo ashore, but I wanted to send greetings to Nakht He surprised e with thite-robed priests in tow, and then, withaboard
”Most divine Majesty,” he said, bending low ”I am so thankful you are here It is in answer to my devout prayers, for there is ier” He indicated the other two priests ”These, my brothers in service to the Gods, are from the temples at Philae and at Abydos”
I was startled; I had not even prayed about this, and yet here they were, the answers ”My heart rejoices to see you,” I said Both the highest pilgrie temples of Isis and Osiris had co you important news,” the taller one--froypt stand ready to rise and fight for you”
I was deeply touched This yptian as well And offering to do battle was the ultimate proof and sacrifice But I did not even have to think about it
”Tell the people I accept their loyalty and pledges, and that I am moved to the depths of my heart to know that they love me as a queen and as one of their own country on ainst the twenty orhi to hold the line of the Nile, then why should they?
”But--” The priest of Abydos looked dashed
I held up my hands ”Do not think we belittle the offer But it would be in vain, and I will spare them any hopeless efforts, which would only lead to harsh punishment”
They had to accept it ”Very well”
”But there are two great services you, and only you, can do for me” I ushered them belowdecks to ements: with the priest at Philae for the testament I would send him by Olympos; with Nakht of Heliopolis for instructions for him to obey when the time came Thus I secured both the continuance of h the mercy of Isis
Chapter 81
”Put a fewa servant to upend a basket of rose petals where he stood pointing
The servant shook the container, and a flood of red and white petals gushed onto the floor The inimitable s?” Antony asked, his voice betraying nothing but light curiosity ”Why is it that luxury goods always get through a blockade? Cyrenaica may be occupied by hostile forces, Paraetoniuoes of fresh roses continue to reach us”
”I suppose it's because they are so unih the filter when all else failed, because it was so insubstantial Yet it can feed us better than food soe victims in the history of the world What they've done is to seal us in with all our riches” He picked up a heavy gold goblet and poured it full Carefully he looked in it, widening his eyes at the sight within ”Laodicean” He sipped carefully ”And just think, warehouses full of it, just waiting for us Ah, what a way to go!”
I iht as well drink it as let it turn to vinegar after Octavian took over The liquid was heady and full of the memories of autumn sun It caressed my mouth and slicked my lips with sweetness
”Do you think twenty a to the vessels already lined up and waiting
”That's alion,” I said ”Surely you don't expect--”
”Only joking It's just for show Tonight we must be as lavish and overabundant as the Nile Valley after flood ti from every seam like overripe melons”
”As overripe as your si the hair at the back of his head
That headthe one Octavian wanted Noe had each had offers to kill the other; Herod had advised Antony to do aith ested I do the saether in defiance of theances,” he said ”In every part of my life I, who do not withhold rewards, or impulses, or food and drink, am not likely to stint with mere words!” He turned and kissed me ”Nor kisses”
The wine reed But this banquet I could not believe he had wanted to do it
”Good” He picked up the goblet again ”Now, as to our guests--a how many of the old Incoot new candidates for the order” He took a deep s of the wine
”Theorder? Antony, what are you thinking of?”
”My secret My surprise! Just wait and see”
”Don't be mysterious It's tiresoht be so inappropriate I should know about it in advance, in order that I er at me ”No, you'll just have to wait, like all the rest!”
”Antony--”
He stepped back ”No! No persuasion! I a new;” I said Why were his surprises always soht that was Octavian They say sotied ”Then we'd best deplete all the wine in Alexandria in case he wants to drown himself in it, in imitation of me!” He poured more out ”And the best time to start is now”
I returned tofor hiswhat? I had encouraged his high spirits, I was so fearful of a return of his despair, but I realized this was just its ht turn itself inside out, and the sunny mood show its other side--black opaqueness
Since Caesarion had left, I had felt some relief He should be almost to Coptos by now I had completed most of my other preparations The treasure-pyrai were lined and finished, letters had gone out to Media about sheltering Alexander and Selene--but no reply had been received yet Writing the account of ave me solace in the brilliant sunlit days as aited I had almost reached the present time in it, and was determined to press on until the very last instant Then I would trust Mardian and Olympos to write the final chapter This they could do at their leisure, at as long a perspective as they wished There was certainly no hurry I did not expect Isis to reveal it to any eyes until a long time hence In fact, the further re I was likely to get But of course that decision lay in her wisdom It was my task only to write it
Charretted that they were bound up with , as did lesser people like Plancus and Dellius What a bitter jest, that bad people are given ions here in Egypt, as well as the Egyptian troops and arrisoned with Egyptians to block Octavian's way We also had a fleet of some hundred shi+ps--survivors of Actiuions was a small but well-trained cavalry force Also, word had coladiators were still on their way to us, having successfully fought past both Ah manpower at our command to put up a fierce defense But Antony refused to consider deploying the legions or ard any resistance as futile