The Queen’s (Secret) Plan

Elishat dismissed all except for the Priestess. The two moved to the most private room in the half-built palace with only an oil lamp to penetrate the darkness. The Priestess fed a spoonful of myrrh into the censer and watched the white smoke rise into the cool night air.

“An awareness has come over me,” Elishat said, “like a shroud dropped from above. I feel the weight of it, but I’m not afraid. The gods show me no alternative. There are times when the sacrifice of one must be undertaken for the good of all.”

The Priestess drew her hands through the tendril of smoke, pulling it toward her chest and beard and hair in a cleansing gesture. “Sister, there is no need to sacrifice yourself. The gods have not looked unfavorably upon your endeavors here. They haven’t brought famine or drought or floods.”

“I would not be the first leader to make such a sacrifice.”

“That is true, but those generals of the past who took their own lives did so in the face of certain defeat. Your situation is different—you are on the verge of success.”

“You present a fresh view. Say more.”

“Your predicament does not come from the gods, Sister. This is the meddling of one man.”

“I see what you mean. But I must do something to save the city.”

“You must dissuade Iarbas, of course, but the gods are not eager for your death. You needn’t sacrifice yourself for this man.”

“So, then…” Elishat walked across the room, speaking slowly, “…how shall I answer this threat?”

The Priestess squinted at the Queen. “I hear the wheels turning in your head.”

Elishat chuckled darkly. “I have an idea. It’s risky, but, the gods willing, it might work. It must be kept secret. We can share it with only…two others.”

“Who?”

Elishat named them.

“I can understand the need to tell the smith, but why the Lieutenant?”

“Because he would be heartbroken. He has loved me ever since we were children, though he has never dared say so. He would give his life for me, and I’m afraid of what he would do to himself if he witnessed my death.”

“Your death? I thought we agreed—”

“Listen to my idea…”

Elishat explained in broad strokes. The Priestess listened and offered suggestions, fine-tuning the plan. Even when they had accounted for every possible misstep, a serious risk of death remained. Nevertheless, they agreed to go ahead.

“Are you absolutely sure you want to go through with it? There will be no turning back. You will be giving up everything.”

“It is not my desire, but it is my destiny. I understand now that to be queen means not to be queen.”

“The gods will bless you, Sister, for the sacrifice you are making.”

“May the blessings fall not upon me but upon the city.”

The hour was late. They sent a servant to bring Ta’am and the Lieutenant to the chamber. There, they explained the plan and went over it again and again until each knew his precise role. Even then, considerable danger remained. With a prayer to the gods, they swore an oath of secrecy to the plan, loyalty to the Queen, and commitment to the future of Qart-hadasht.

That night, the watchman at the top of the hill witnessed what everyone had been dreading: a ring of nighttime fires illuminating the horizon to the south of the city. Iarbas was preparing to take the hill by force.

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