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"That is the new issue in bronze I usedof them I have not enjoyed my tenure here," Constantine confessed "But I serve as I aood as Ella Amida"
"Why do you call yourself Ella Aus when Constantine the Great was eo, when Rome and Aksum became Christian"
Constantine leaned across the table towardI think we should get reat deal, and it would setover dom so easily," I answered
Constantine paused Then he took htly between us on the table, as he continued his gentle, obstinate persuasion "Goewin, I shall not force you And I don’t want to coerce you But you have nothing without reat income--"
"Telemakos," I interrupted
"Excuse me?"
"I have Telemakos," I said My voice sounded cold and cal moments he did not speak
"What can you mean?" he said at last
With my hand still clasped beneath Constantine’s, I let these words spill steady and quiet from some dark place in my heart:
"I have Teleship pass to Medraut, not because he was illegitimate, but because he was the child of incest Tele’s eldest son Who would deny that he has a greater claim to the British throne than you, or even I?"
Constantine said in astonishment, "Telemakos is Aksumite!"
I leaned toward him so that we stared across the table into each other’s eyes I held his gaze "You are British," I said, "and no one questions your place on the Aksumite throne What makes you think anyone will question Telerandson I ae?"
"You may take it as one," I said
Constantine stood up and paced to theThere was a bowl of s on the sill He stood there a long ti down at the roses
He said at last, "Have you a plan that goes with your posturing threat?"
"You let e," I answered straightaway "Or I take Tele, and sever our alliance with Aksum’s viceroy"
"You can’t do that," Constantine snapped "My wealth co’s benediction to gift Aksum with it"
"What you do as a private citizen is your own concern You will have no , no treaty, no royal sanction, no aause wanted you dead What will stop her froh clenched teeth
"He’s her grandson"
Constantine suddenly picked up the roses and dropped the bowl out theI heard the crack of ceraround outside
"Excuse "
"I, too," I said "I want to speak with my ambassador Where can I find Pria They will be in session until dark, and again tomorrow Come back in two days, if you want to see him" He paced to the door "You will not mind if I leave you here to finish on your own"
CHAPTER IV
Accounting
COME BACK IN TWO days Tellalone over the remains of the breakfast I pushed backon us caht hard, then said in precise and careful Ethiopic, "I need to find the eus or "," held the position that Priamos had been trained to fill He had been Priamos’s tutor once I had to wait for him, of course, as I had to wait for everyone, but after an hour or so he came to meet me in the Golden Court
"How can I help you, Princess?" Halen asked in polite Latin "Have you need of an interpreter? I cannot leave this palace, but I can make you a recommendation"
"I want your recommendation," I answered, "but not in the way you mean Listen You are not forbidden to talk to Priamos, are you? When will you see him next?"
"He did invite me to lunch with him in his room," Halen answered mildly
"May I join you?"
"He was so evil-tempered a companion yestereve that I would not advise it," Halen said wryly, and I suddenly liked him
"So aain this noon, Princess"
Halen escorted me at midday to Priamos’s chamber
The room was sh up and with a breathtaking view of the city and the distant Simien Mountains Neither door nor as barred, but there were guards posted outside Halen and I stood waiting while one of these went in to announce us As the soldier entered the roo fully clothed, with his forearht
"Wait--" I began, but too late, for the guard had already awakened hiain
Halen stood back, and Priareeted me alone