Chapter 1
Treachery
The message was terse.We have been found out. Come quickly.
Signaling for three of his soldiers to accompany him,Garenthhurried into the temple, passing the guards who saluted him and his entourage with barely a second glance. He didn’t have much time before his troops were to leave the city, butHanashep’snote had been urgent, begging him tocome see her before he departed.
Dread filled him as they marched through the vast halls. Their footsteps echoed eerily in the dimly-lit passageways. When they reached the inner chamber, they stopped, andGarenthmotioned for them to remain where they were. “I will not be long.” He glanced at each of them to make sure they understood the command. Satisfied, he opened the large ornate door andwent inside.
The room was empty.
He hesitated, wondering if he should call out her name. Without warning, the heavy wooden door slammed open, and several armed guards came swarming in.Garenth’sthree men were escorted inside and shoved toward their leader. Another half-dozen men rushed into the room, surrounding them before anyone had the chance to bolt for freedom.Garenthwatched warily as he and his handful of comrades were huddled into a small knot within the ring of spears. No one moved. No one dared take a wrong step or utter a word—not so long as cold metal was aimed at their throats.
“Drop your weapons,” he was ordered. Realizing he had no choice,Garenthpulled his knife and sword and threw them on the floor.
Heavy footfalls echoedoutside in the hallway. He recognized the pounding tread before the man swept into the room.
Serasinwas a tall, thin man. He had a deceptively youthful appearance, but the truth challenged that belief. It was said he was closer to a century of years, and there were many elderly men who would swear to the fact that the vizier looked the same back when they were young.
A wide smile crackedthe vizier’s face in two. His bald head and nearly skeletal facial features were ghastly to behold.
“Ah,Garenth. I have long awaited this moment.”
“For what reason?” Although he knew well why the man was out to get him, he also knew they were equal in importance to the liege.
“Aside from the fact that you have been bedding one of my concubines?”
“I haven’t bedded her. Sheis a friend. Nothing else.”
The vizier scratched his cheek and snickered. “And you expect me to believe that?” The man waved a dismissive hand. “Regardless, that is not why I am putting you under arrest.”
Garenthgave him a curious stare.Serasinhad been trying for months to usurp his authority. To bring him down in the eyes of the pharaoh. Judging by the vizier’s attitude, it appeared theman may have concocted a scheme to finally achieve that goal. Taking a deep breath, he gazed defiantly at the man. “You have nothing to charge against me.”
“I don’t? You do know that fornicating with one of my consorts is grounds enough to have you arrested.”
“And I tell you we weren’t lovers.”
Serasingave him a wide smile. A toothy, sickening grin that setGarenth’sown teeth on edge.“I also have proof that you and your men were planning to overthrow the pharaoh.”
“Lies! You have no proof!”Garenthstruggled against the hands that held him. “You’ve concocted lies! All lies! I have pledged my life to his holiness!”
“I have all the proof I need,”Serasincountered. “I have the word of your little whore. She confessed to your numerous liaisons, and to your conspiracy againsthis holiness, which you so lavishly explained in detail to her during one of your illicit meetings.”
With that simple threat,Garenthknew the man had torturedHanashepuntil she was forced to make a confession. A confession that was totally bogus, but one that the vizier would take to their ruler as proof ofGarenth’sduplicity.
Serasindidn’t wantGarenthstripped of his rank in the pharaoh’sarmy. He wanted him dead and permanently out of the way.
A stream of biting cold flooded his bloodstream. The man’s tone spoke of an evilGarenthcould not imagine. “Where is she? What have you done to her?”
“She is no longer your concern.”
That could only mean she was dead. He’d expected as much, but hearing the vizier’s confirmation was still a hard blow to the gut.
Garenthfought toremain standing, fists clenched at his sides, as his leather armor was stripped away. “You will not win,Serasin. Somehow, someway, the gods will punish you for your deception. If not now, then in the afterlife.”
The man harrumphed. “You disappoint me, Commander. I had expected you to promise my demise at your own hands.”
Garenthmanaged a similar smile to match the vizier’s. “Come now,Serasin. A trained military officer does not divulge his battle plans to the enemy. But you have my word, you will be punished.”
