"I have only just returned."
"Have you heard anything?"
"The rebels have been scattered near Amon's temple, at Oisit, but at other places they are gathering together again, burning and plundering. I've heard that the Achaean mercenaries have come with Mahu, the king's chief of the guards."
"Extraordinary!" Inioteph muttered under his breath and shook his head with a smile.
Khnum looked at him sullenly from under his brows.
"What are you muttering?"
"Extraordinary, I say: there are plenty of loyal troops in the town and instead of sending them against the rebels they wait for the Achaeans!"
"Hold your tongue, silly! You must be careful what you say.... And where is the Viceroy?" he turned to Dio again.
"No one knows for certain. Some say he is on the other side of the river and others that he has come over to this side, with a large detachment of Nubians."
She very nearly said 'run away' and Khnum understood.