While the muse lovers in Memphis, especially Helenians, still remembered the gold-haired Spartan, who would know of Menedem, one of thousands of Laconian mercenaries? Thais set aside the idea of the monument. Instead, a beautiful marble frieze was carved in Alexandria and sent to Egesikhora’s and Menedem’s homeland. The appearance of the Night Guardian awoke the grief for those who were gone and vague anxiety in Thais’ heart …
A pleasant bit of news awaited her at the palace. Ptolemy had sent a gorgeous Frakian slave experienced in taking care of horses, and new tack for Boanergos made with stunning workmanship, decorated with red gold to match his color. As before, Ptolemy felt guilty before Thais and made unexpected and luxurious gifts.
In the morning the Athenian ordered the groom to saddle the pacer to show off his new tack. The slave brought out the black-maned horse in his sparkling harness with a skillfully minted piece over his forehead portraying two fighting panthers. Thais patted her equine favorite and kissed his warm nose between the sensitive nostrils. Boanergos neighed gently and rubbed his head against his mistress’ bare shoulder, digging the ground impatiently and chomping at the bit.
Just as Thais was getting ready to mount, Irana’s nanny ran in, screaming that the girl was sick. Tossing the reins to the handsome groom, the Athenian ran back to the palace and found her daughter sick in bed. The girl had run off into the garden and eaten green Persian apples after the nanny had given her some almond cookies.
The palace physician quickly got rid of the stomach ache. Having rubbed down and consoled her daughter, Thais remembered that the pacer was still waiting for her. She hoped he hadn’t lost his patience and broken the fence. Would Eris remember to exercise the horse?
The maid she dispatched to the stables rushed in, accompanied by an old stable-hand. She fell to her knees before the queen and cried out that Boanergos had been poisoned and Eris had vanished with her horse.
The Athenian grabbed the old stableman by the shoulder. The thin fabric of his tunic crackled from the pull.
“I am not at fault, Majesty,” the old man said with dignity. “The horse was poisoned by whoever made the golden tack. Sun of Egypt, go and see for yourself.”
Thais remembered herself, dashed down the stairs and ran to the stables. She was dressed in a short ecsomida for riding instead of a long royal garment and managed to outrun everyone.
Boanergos lay on his left side, having stretched out his legs with his perfect black hooves. A strand of thick mane covered a glassy eye. A sinister shade of blue was spreading in the corner of his lips, stretched by convulsions.
Thais imagined that her faithful horse was looking at her with reproach, expecting her to rescue him. The Queen of Egypt fell to her knees in tears and reached out with both arms to lift the massive head. A strong yank from behind her kept her from touching the pacer. Thais turned around angrily, swift as a panther, and met Eris’ dark gaze. Her friend was breathing heavily. Behind her a guard was holding the reins of her sweaty horse.
“Don’t touch. The entire tack might be poisoned. The accursed slave handled it in gloves and I was stupid enough to imagine he was doing so to avoid staining the sparkling gold. Had you ridden out right away … The Great Goddess is watching over you.”
“Where is the scoundrel? Where is that murderer?”
“I noticed something wrong when he became anxious about your delay, glanced this way and that, and when Boanergos suddenly fell to his knees he ran away. I ran to the horse at first and did not call the guards right away. The disgusting creature managed to get away. They are looking for him.”
Thais straightened out and wiped her tears. “I do not understand the sense in poisoning Boanergos and not me.”
“That would be more difficult. Many people are responsible for your water and food.”
“But what did my poor pacer have to do with this?”
“The poison had delayed action. You would have had just enough time to ride out and put some distance between you and the city. Boanergos would have fallen there.”
“Do you think there was an ambush?”
Instead of answering, Eris took Thais’ hand and led her to the gates. A circle of soldiers separated, their heads bowed, and Thais saw the bodies of two strangers — the Delta residents, judging by their clothes. Their distorted faces and swollen mouths indicated the cause of their deaths.
“Here is proof. We would have both dismounted to take care of the horse and these two had long daggers. I rode to our favorite spot behind the red obelisk with a group of soldiers. We surrounded them, but these hyenas managed to take poison. Whoever sent them was skilled in such matters and supplied everything to cover up the tracks. They knew the time and place of our rides. And here we thought we were riding in seclusion.”
“But you do not think that …”
“Of course not. The courageous warrior, just ruler and lover of women, he is not capable of this. No, I sense the hand of someone experienced in court intrigues, Possibly a woman.”
Thais shuddered and clenched her fists. “Let us go to Boanergos.”
Soldiers and stable-hands stood around the pacer, waiting for instructions.
“Put on gloves and take off the tack,” Thais ordered. She turned to Eris. “If only I had time to think,” she said bitterly. “Whoever sent this gift was careless. Do such people always consider themselves smarter than others?”
“What if it’s proof to someone who feels he deserves a favor?” Eris asked.
“My wise goddess,” the Athenian exclaimed, putting her arms around the black priestess. “Then this was probably not her either?”
Eris nodded in agreement.
“Not her, but someone who would benefit from her being a queen. ‘Benefit’ is a terrible word when it comes from someone who has power over others. So many underhanded deeds are done for that reason.”
Thais made a decision. She turned to the men. “Wrap the tack in canvas, dip it in hot wax and sew it into thick leather. I shall apply my seal. Take my Boanergos to the red obelisk. Make him a grave at the edge of the plateau overlooking the valley. Call the stone carvers working on a new pylon for the Neit temple., I wish to speak with them. I also want to see the royal sculptor, Hab-Au.”
Thais consulted with the craftsmen till evening, until she decided to erect a vertical slab at Boanergos’ tomb with a bold outline of the pacer running toward the rising sun. The sculptor insisted he be permitted to portray the queen and all her sacred names. Thais forbade it and ordered only one inscription in Greek: “Boanergos, horse of Thais.”
At the same time she asked Eris to gather all her favorite things, jewelry and clothes. She ordered all mementos from India and Mesopotamia to be placed in a separate treasury, entrusting the matter to the faithful Roykos. The Thessalian’s family now consisted of seven people, including his second Finikian wife. Thais had long since picked up on the Macedonians’ and Helenians’ attraction toward the Finikian and slant-eyed Scythian women from the distant eastern mountains. Both made splendid wives: faithful, strong and caring hostesses.
Roykos’ eldest son, who was learned in sciences, became a treasurer in Thais’ house. He was ordered to count and gather all liquid cash, gold and valuables, of which there was much.
Having finished with business, Thais settled in an ivory chair.
“What are you thinking about, Mistress queen?” Eris said with uncommon gentleness, running her fingers through Thais’ unraveled black braids.
Thais was silent.
“Has a queen ever abandoned her kingdom and left the country she ruled?” Eris asked. “Would that be a weakness, unsuitable for the elevated state and destiny?”