There was nothing to stop him now, as his chariots came bowling southwards along our side of the river. These regiments comprised nearly three hundred of Salitis" fast war chariots, his elite divisions which he led himself. Tanus ordered him into the council chamber, and the messenger fell to his knees before Queen Lostris. He had fled to us on the current and the wind, so his news was only a day old. While we thus debated, another messenger arrived, this time from the south. Therefore, since I could do nothing to allay these fears, I thought it best to keep them to myself. I had searched my heart for a counter to this move when Salitis and Intef made it, but there was none that I could think of. I had realized that this must happen, but I had refrained from warning either Tanus or my mistress of the likelihood, for I did not wish to add to the feeling of gloom, and heighten the despondency of our people. However, there must be droves of renegade Egyptians from the usurper's navy available to Salitis, and even if that were not the case, it would certainly be possible to recruit enough mercenary Syrian sailors in Gaza and Joppa, and the other ports along the eastern coast of the great sea, to man several hundred of these galleys and transports. Those ships were lying abandoned in the docks of Memphis and Tanis in the Delta. We knew that when he swept through the Lower Kingdom, Salitis had captured most of the fleet of the red pretender intact. It was the enemy's logical move, and both Salitis and Lord Intef should have made it much earlier. Secretly, I had expected and dreaded what would happen next. THE SUCCESS OF MY CHARIOTS AT ESNA, and the feeling of confidence that it instilled in us all, were short-lived. His fleet was superior in every way to the one which Salitis and Intef had assembled, but the battle they fought lasted for almost a week before Tanus destroyed or drove them back into the Delta. When it finally happened, and our spies on the east side of the river opposite Asyut warned us of the approach of this fleet from the Delta, Tanus rushed his own ships northwards to meet them. I must know what the gods require of us."īut what truly filled me with joy was that he had forgiven me at last, and we were friends once more. I ask you to work the Mazes of Ammon-Ra for me.
But I must ask you now before I make the final decision. "Taita, I have not asked you before, because I know how dearly it costs you. "Taita, what about your chariots? Can they not give battle to the Hyksos?" She addressed her first question to Tanus.
QUEEN LOSTRIS CALLED HER WAR COUNCIL when the news of the Hyksos crossing reached us in the Palace of Memnon. As soon as he saw that I was conscious, he masked the expression of concern and worry that had twisted his features. I found myself lying on a sheepskin mattress, with Tanus leaning over me.
Iwoke again under the awning on the deck of Tanus" flagship. "Tanus, the enemy horses that swam across last night?I must have them." His chariots are so fast that he can swing around our positions as he did at Asyut. We can wait for him behind walls of stone, or behind barriers of the sharp staves that Taita has equipped us with. "I can slow him down, perhaps," he replied frankly. We cannot prevail against their chariots." "I can fight on, of course," Tanus agreed.
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