For a brief time the satrap sat silent, and it seemed to me that Myt-ser'eu must not only have felt his gaze but feared his claws. At last she turned her head away.

"Latro is not the name I was given."

"I am of Kemet," poor Myt-ser'eu whispered. "We of Kemet call him Latro." (I asked her about this as we rode back. I have read my scroll to her, and it is there.)

The man of Kemet, who sat at the satrap's left hand, whispered something to him. He is very tall but stooped, with a shaven head, a hook nose, and glittering eyes.

The satrap nodded slowly. To me he said, "You have one name among the Crimson Men, another here."

I nodded, for I had learned as we sat waiting that Myt-ser'eu and Neht-nefret called me Latro, but Muslak and Azibaal Lewqys.

"You must speak aloud to the prince," said the other man of Parsa.

I said loudly, "Yes, Great Prince, it is as you say."

"I once knew a man named Artayctes," the satrap said. "He died at the hands of you Hellenes."

I said nothing.

"You do not recognize the name?"

"I don't, Great Prince."

"You are a Hellene and fear that you will be punished for his death. I understand. You will not be, Latro. You have my word. This Artayctes had a guard of Hellenes. He called in three and had them fight a man named Latro, who killed them all. Artayctes died before he could tell me of it, but certain others did not. You are that man."

I said nothing, for I recall no such incident.

"You do not deny it?"

I said, "I would never contradict you, Great Prince."

The satrap turned to Muslak. "Where did you get him, Captain?"

"In Luhitu, Great Prince. He's an old friend. He wished to go to Kemet, and I offered to carry him here without charge."

"If I send you south, will he go with you?"

"Only if you wish it, Great Prince."

"I do. Take him. I am going to send soldiers with you as well. What do you know of the southern lands, Captain?"