In the confusion and turmoil that followed as the people were led from the hall, she found herself thinking again of her uncle and the tribesmen who were pressuring her to marry. “I’ll never marry that weak, sniveling cousin. It’ll serve them right if I surprise them and choose Ilumquh instead.”
She saw that her uncle and cousin had remained with her counselors. This was their right, but it irritated her. Her resolve was firming to meet the god himself. To bear a son by that god. What power that would give her son. She couldn’t even imagine what such an encounter would be like. She ran her hand over the leopard-skin covering of the cushion she sat on. Here in Sheba their emblem was the leopard, and on festive occasions she wore the skin with the head fitted over one shoulder and the smooth, spotted hide draped down over her back. Leopards weren’t afraid of anything, and neither was she. Even the god’s lustful, ruby eyes were not going to frighten her.
Slowly she became aware of the silence that filled the room and realized her counselors were all assembled and waiting. With a nod of her head the trumpets were raised and the great doors opened, revealing a group of richly dressed men surrounding a fat, balding dignitary that was obviously the Egyptian ambassador.
As usual they prostrated themselves before the throne and had brought an array of elegant gifts from the pharaoh. Finally, as the pages and slaves moved back, Bilqis invited the ambassador to join her at the throne.
When he was at last settled and had delivered his pharaoh’s greetings and small personal messages, he proceeded to pull a scroll of papyrus from an intricately decorated silver case hung on his girdle. With great deliberation he unrolled it and handed it to one of the scribes to read.
The message was more direct and less flowery than usual, and the whole assembly was impressed with the urgency of the pharaoh’s concern. “A certain king named Solomon is planning to bypass the old trade routes,” the scribe began and proceeded to read at length all that the pharaoh had gleaned from the threatening venture.
When the scribe had finished, Bilqis spoke slowly and deliberately. “I know of this king and have heard rumors of this venture. He is famous for his wisdom and rules in a mountainous area very far from the sea. I would think it impossible for him to find men to build the ships, master the monsoons, and find the merchandise.”
“The pharaoh has definite proof that the ships have already been built and have made at least one voyage down the Red Sea.”
“May I ask what proof he has?”
Here the ambassador leaned over so the court could not hear him as he whispered, “It is on the best authority. The pharaoh’s sister is married to Solomon and reports everything that happens to her brother.”
“She is a spy.”
“You might say so.”
“Does Solomon know?”
“Of course not. He loves and trusts her.”
“And what does the pharaoh suggest we do?”
“It is quite simple. If all of us along the various trade routes band together and hold firm, we can defeat him and bring his fancy plans to naught.”
“And?”
“If it comes to war we will march together. He cannot stand against us.”
“I would like to think there is a better way.”
The ambassador looked puzzled. “It would be hard to find a better way, but we are always ready to listen.”
“I have no plan right now. Now is the time to gather facts. We must find out all we can about the fleet of ships and even the king that has dared attempt such a thing. Perhaps nothing will come of it.”
“And if no other way can be found?”
For a moment Bilqis was silent, studying his face. When she spoke it was with strength and determination. “Then we will cast our lot with Egypt. We have no other choice.”
With a few other formalities she dismissed the ambassador and his men. They would be well entertained, and in the meantime she was determined to glean more information. Turning to one of the pages, she ordered, “I have been told the camel driver named Badget has again been seen at the gate. Go find him for me. I want to talk to him.” With that she dismissed them with a wave of her hand.
The two sleek, well-groomed leopards were led out by their trainers, the banners were taken from their sockets by eunuchs, and the palace guards lowered their spears as they walked in front of the queen leaving the Nubians to march in formation behind her.
* * *
Late that night Badget was found sitting by the fire at the local inn talking to some of the other traders. He was at first frightened and then pleased to hear that the queen wanted to see him. “She wants to hear certain news of your king,” he was told by the messenger. Badget was always ready to spread the news he gained on his travels and to be called by the queen would give him more to tell in the future.