The next morning captain Ayi, was approached by the three princes and it was Tutimaios who spoke first, ‘We respectfully request that you arrange armed contests for us.’
‘Armed contests, My Lord?’ Queried Ayi.
‘Yes, Captain Ayi, mortal combat.’
‘Too the death, My Lord?’ asked Ayi.
‘He’s being obtuse. He knows what you ask,’ said Hanno.
‘Aye, I do indeed, My Lords, but none would be so foolish as to fight against a prince of the blood.’
‘You could order them to do so,’ said Abbados.
‘That I could, but I would not, for if a hair on your heads should be harmed, the wrath of your father would fall upon both your opponent and I.’
‘Not so,’ said Tutimaios. ‘I would grant both a pardon in advance.’
‘It is not within your remit to grant a pardon, only your father can do so.’
‘In that case, I will approach my father.’
Ayi smiled to himself as Tutimaios left for the palace, while he was sure that the Pharaoh would have allowed his sons to go to war, he was equally sure that he would not allow them to fight one on one in armed combat. He was to find out otherwise when two hours later Tutimaios returned.
‘I take it from the look on your face that your father refused permission.’
‘He refused to discuss it and ordered that you attend him at once.’
On reaching the palace the captain was taken the Pharaoh’s private pavilion in the palace garden. The pre-warned guards allowed him entry and he was surprised to find the Pharaoh minus his usual gaggle of advisors. After the usual formalities the Pharaoh bade him rise and approach the throne.
‘I hear,’ said the Pharaoh. ‘That the cubs are beginning to growl.’
‘They are beyond the growling stage, My Lord, the sound of their roars disturb my sleep.’
‘Yes, but are they strong enough to control the pride?’
‘They are the best I have ever trained.’
‘But are they truly good enough?’
‘I am certain that they are, My Lord, though they need to be tested in battle.’
‘That will be difficult to do in a time of peace. Though they may have to fight in battle soon enough. The Aamu grow strong in the delta.’
‘But they have always live amongst us in peace.’
‘Yes, they have, and my father and his father before him allowed them to settle there. Now more of them arrive each year, the newer elements are not as peaceable as the others and I can see the time coming when trouble will erupt. On that day we will need to rebuild our army and my sons will need all the experience they can get if they are to lead that army.’
‘Does that mean, my Lord, that the princes are to be allowed to go, one on one?’
‘If that is what they need to gain the experience, so be it,’
‘I will arrange it, My Lord,’ said Ayi, as he bowed and made ready to leave.
‘Go now, Commander and since you are certain that they are good enough. I will hold you responsible for their safety.’
As he made his way back to the barracks Commander Ayi was elated and dismayed in turn. On one hand he had been promoted and on the other he was under no mistake as to what would happen to him should any of the princes be seriously injured or killed in combat. It was unfair, but it had always been the lot of a soldier to obey without question the orders of a superior and he would do his duty no matter what.
‘Well, Captain? Queried Tutimaios when he reached the barracks.
‘It is Commander now, and your father has ordered me to make the arrangements.’
‘That’s great news,’ said Abbados a grin splitting his face.
‘Yes,’ said a smiling Hanno and as an afterthought, added. ‘Commander.’
‘Promotion or not, I have a lot to arrange and while I do so, you, My Lords, must learn the basics of commanding men. From today the rest of your royal privileges will be withdrawn and you will be attached to the palace guards as junior officers.’
Three weeks later one hundred and fifty newly trained recruits set off for the border fort at the Kharga Oasis on the southern desert route. The Oasis was to the south and on the western border that edged the Libyan Desert.At their head were Commander Ayi and three junior officers, Captains, Tuti, Abba and Hann. The recruits had come in from the Beni Hassan nome only a few days ago and none of them had any idea of the true identities of the princes.
The Commander was sure that on reaching the isolated border post, where none knew the identity of his charges, he would be able to arrange the fights that they wished. Besides with any luck, they should be able to gain firsthand experience by taking part in skirmishes against the troublesome desert tribes that plagued the borders.
