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"You are only hostage to your knowledge," Abreha answered, his voice calrandfather is not the ht plague into your kingdoh ht about the destruction of Deire!" Teleether," Abreha said seriously "The question of quarantine was put to the Federation, and all were against it The citizens of your ruined city Deire were not given any choice, when they were bound in their sickness within their walls by Gebre Meskal’s soldiers"

Abreha’s fingers were lax around Tele vein

I aht I am dead He killed Hara just to please the e to him I cut short all his venture in Aksum for two years I am his enemy

"My--my najashi--" Telemakos stammered "My najashi, what surety do you need to trust me with your secrets?"

"Do you know the usual penalty for treason?"

"Yes," Telemakos whispered "But…"

He hesitated because his understanding of loyalty, which seeht sound insolent on his tongue The pulse in his wrist leapt and hammered

"Go on," said Abreha softly

"I am not yet sworn to serve you," Teleuilty of treason"

There lay between theers fro it open between theer piercing its back Tele to er and thumb meet between the bones of his hand

"Here is nation "You were invited into this rooiven leave to roam my palace freely, under a certain level of trust already, which you surely have wit enough to appreciate You have betrayed that trust twice in a single evening In punishment you shall not leave the scriptorium for the next season, nor have any consort withthat tiain in another such endeavor, I a to fit you with an alarbirds We shall bind on you a bracelet of ringing char And--"

Abreha’s calstar, if I find you searching ht eavesdropping in my court--or if in any other way you seem likely to betray my affairs to my cousin the Aksumite emperor Gebre Meskal--I will have you crucified for a spy"

He let go of Telemakos’s hand

Telemakos stared down at his palm: it was marked with a white crescent where Abreha’s thu you up in e uardian with his face pressed against the smooth pile of the silk carpet, as if he could hide himself that way He closed his eyes It was easy

"My iveness"

"Why should I forgive you?"

Telemakos did not dare raise his head "May I speak boldly?"

"Speak then, Lij Telemakos"

It was a relief to hear his own name, even his own title Telemakos turned his face aside so that his voice was not ainst the silk hen he moved his lips But he could muster no voice louder than a harsh whisper

"The emperor Gebre Meskal has a favorite story" It was one of those Goewin had repeated to Telemakos, to distract hi and fever "It tells of Menelik, the queen of Sheba’s son, of his visit to Solomon, his father When Menelik returns to his mother, he steals the Ark of the Covenant fro hio free"

Teleerous silence

"Solomon is remembered for his wisdom," Telemakos whispered into the carpet "But when I see Solomon’s portrait in the old pictures, I aiveness in his face"