Page 2 of Over the Emerald Valley
* * *
Solon
Welcomingsolid land beneath his feet, Solon disembarked one of the pharaoh’s many sailing vessels. Salty air from the Red Sea met with the coastal desert’s arid breeze, but neither provided relief from the sun’s relentless heat.
He wiped sweat from his brow. One last leg of the journey awaited, a two-day trek from the sandy shoreline to the rocky hills of the Sikait emerald mine he was tasked to inspect. A simple mission for a war-hardened general. Solon should be relieved, but instead, an uneasy knot lodged in his stomach.
The assignment felt like a demotion. One step closer to being retired from the army like a lame horse.
Solon had conquered legions, slain Egypt’s enemies, ridden back a war hero, and proudly assisted Horemheb’s rise to greatness. He hadlived. Now he was playing diplomat, his greatest days behind him. What he’d gained through sacrifice was slipping away like the horizon vanishing in the distance.
Regardless, he’d treat this mission with the same dedicated commitment with which he pursued all his responsibilities under Horemheb’s authority.
Neku, Solon’s first officer, climbed off the boat and slapped him on the shoulder. “Should we take a dip before we set out, General?”
Solon glanced at the layer of grime covering every muscle of his torso and from his pleated skirt to his sandaled feet. This would be their last chance to wash before arrival. “That’s not a bad idea. You and the others unload while I see to acquiring a few donkeys.” Solon scanned the shore and pointed to a spot well past where the ship’s oars would have stirred up debris. “We’ll meet there.”
“Right. See you in the shake of a peacock’s tail feathers.”
Everything about the tiny coastal village had a temporary feel from the hastily built mudbrick huts to the wind-whipped leather tents. Solon turned his attention to the makeshift stables.
He’d pay generously for the loan of the animals. The pharaoh never skimped on funds when sending his men afield.
A man approached. Middle-aged, perhaps a few years younger than Solon, his bald head gleaming in the sunlight, a pleasant expression on his face. “Ho there.”
Solon nodded. “Greetings.”
The man looked past him at the others busy unloading their tents from the ship. “Awfully small group. Usually, new men for the mines come by the hundreds.”
Solon’s group was only fourteen in total. “We’re not here to mine.”
“Not much else to do in Sikait.”
“We’re sent from the pharaoh. Horemheb has issued an edict to protect the people of Egypt. The workers, the poor, the slaves and concubines alike. We’re here to make sure it’s being followed.” That wasn’t the entire mission, but it was all he’d reveal. Rumors of missing emeralds traveled fast.
The man appeared skeptical. So far from Memphis, these people would know little of their rulers. Perhaps payment would convince him.
Solon gestured to the ship. “We’ve brought grain. As much as you can store. In return, we’ll need two days’ provisions and four donkeys, which we’ll bring back when our mission is complete.”
“Grain you say?”
“Yes. The pharaoh provides for his people.” That was one of the many reasons Solon had dedicated his life to Horemheb’s service. He was a worthy ruler. One Solon admired and strove to emulate.
A second man joined them, and the first said to him, “Ready four donkeys and enough fresh food for three days for the pharaoh’s men.” He glanced to Solon. “You and your men be careful. Miners return with whispers of demons. Wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
Solon kept a straight face. “I appreciate the warning.”
“I’ll see to the grain now, if that’s all right.”
“This way.” Solon led the man to the boat to lay eyes on the payment for himself.
Farther down the coast, Neku and the others had already stripped and were waist deep in the water.
“The ship will stay here until we return. The stock in the forward-most compartment is for our journey back. The rest is for your people.”
They parted, and Solon jogged to join the other soldiers. He kicked off his sandals but left on his linen skirt. It could use a wash and would dry quickly as they traveled.
Neku tossed him the bar of soap, which he caught just before it would have hit him in the head.
