Then he was set in his litter borne by eight soldiers, at the side of which walked Anath, while the captain followed after. In turning the corner of one of the passages the long litter tilted and Anath put out his hands to steady it, or to save himself from being pressed against the wall, while the spy for a moment was left out of sight and hearing on the farther side of a corner. Swiftly Anath whispered into Khian’s ear:
“The danger is great. Yet be calm and keep courage, for you have friends, ready even to die for you, of whom I am the first.”
Then the spy appeared and Anath straightened himself and was silent.
They came into the presence of Pharaoh who sat in a low chair clad in mail with a sword in his hand. The litter was set down and its bearers helped Khian to a seat that was placed opposite to that of Pharaoh.
“You seem to have taken some hurt, Son,” said Apepi in a cold voice. “Who gave it to you?”
“One of your Majesty’s soldiers during a fray in a pass of certain hills, who overtook me when I was flying from Egypt a while ago, Pharaoh.”
“Oh! I heard some such tale. But why were you flying from Egypt?”
“To save myself and to win another, Pharaoh.”
“Yes, again I remember. The one you have done so far, though with damage; the other you have not done and shall never do,” Apepi said slowly. Then he looked at the captain, who accompanied Khian, and asked:
“Are you that man whom I sent in command of some five and twenty thousand horse to fall upon the flank of the Babylonians? If so, tell me why you failed in your task.”