He cleared his throat. "Now that we are better acquainted, I will say the things I called you here to hear, so that I may get on with my work and you with your lives. First, that I will be in charge of our expedition. There will be no man on our ship who is not answerable to me, and no woman.

"Second, that I'll delegate my authority in certain matters. Captain Muslak will be in charge of our vessel and its crew. And of you, Neht-nefret. Lucius will be in charge of our soldiers, both those of Parsa and those of Kemet. Also of Myt-ser'eu, of course."

I said, "I forget, Noble Qanju, as you said. It seems to me that I'm not a suitable person to put in charge of armed men."

Qanju nodded, still smiling. "Should the charge of this expedition devolve upon you, as it may, you may remove yourself from command, Lucius. Until it does, it shall be as I say."

Azibaal said, "I think you've chosen wisely, Most Noble Qanju."

Qanju smiled and thanked him. "The third thing I wished to tell you is that Thotmaktef here, whom you have already met, is the scribe our satrap mentioned. He will be in charge of Sahuset-the most difficult post of all. I ask all of you, Myt-ser'eu and Neht-nefret particularly, to assist him in every way. Will you do that?"

Everyone nodded.

"That is well. I need not explain, I hope, that the Great King wishes only friendship and peace between the People of Parsa and the People of Riverland. Not everyone is as well-intentioned as he, however."

"I am," Muslak said.

Qanju nodded. "As am I. If we seven quarrel with one another, how can we not quarrel with the Nubians? If we war among ourselves, we are sure to fail."

Neht-nefret looked from me to Muslak. When neither of us spoke she said, "There'll be three soldiers from Parsa and five from my country. If they fight…"

"We will be ruined." Qanju's gentle gaze fell upon me. "It will be your task, Lucius, to make sure they do not. You are not of Parsa, nor of Kemet. Thus you will be resented equally by both. Your task will not be easy, but not beyond your ability. Captain, have you questions regarding the supplies you will buy?"