Page 55 of Over the Emerald Valley
“Well, what do you propose they do? To help, that is.”
Temaj grinned. “They’re going to convert the guards.”
“How?”
“How do you think?” Temaj touched his fingers to his bottom lip, then trailed a slow path deliberately over his chest, down his torso, to the golden patch of hair that led between his legs.
Solon blinked. “There’s no time for that.”
“You lack imagination. Besides, it won’t be justthat. They’re armed with information, and they know how to communicate with efficiency. It’s in none of the guards’ interests to defend a criminal.”
“It may be. If they’re in on it.”
That wiped the grin from Temaj’s face. “Is that what you suspect? You should’ve told me.”
“I don’t know. But it’s a distinct possibility. Some of them must be.”
“We’ll need to be careful.” Temaj deflated. He didn’t want to put any of his friends in danger. But how would they know which guards were compromised and which ones weren’t? It was a guessing game at best.
“How many palace guards are there?” asked Solon.
“I’ve never counted. Maybe sixty?”
“My men have been trying to establish an accurate count. There are at least that many, possibly more.”
“How many men do you have?” If Solon had brought them all with him, there were substantially less than sixty.
“Thirteen. Fourteen, counting myself.”
“There are another fifteen among the harem,” said Temaj. “Plus Ottah and whoever he can convince. Hopefully, he’s working on the two guards you captured now.”
Solon let out a frustrated breath. “So even if you collectively sway half of the guards, that’s still only fifty-fifty odds.”
Temaj did a quick count. Fourteen of the pharaoh’s men, plus fifteen concubines, and half the guards swayed. That’s thirty more for a total of approximately fifty-nine men to thirty and in their favor. “How do you figure?”
“The harem can’t be counted on to fight.”
“Some of them can.”
“Can you?”
“No. I gave the knife back to Ottah right after you left.”
Solon arched his brows and shook his head. “We have much to plan and very little time. Let’s speak with the others.”
“You’ll see to it they’re granted their freedom?”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Your best will have to be quite good because I’m not leaving without them.”
“Duly noted. Are you presenting this plan to the others, or am I?”
“The harem already knows their part, but if you could confirm your end, I would be grateful.”
“Of course. We must hurry.”
Temaj sprang from the bed and caught Solon by the elbow before he could leave. “One thing first.”
