Pharaoh Read Free Page B

against one another. The same
     is true in Illyricum and in Dacia. What you might perceive as an effort at domination is really a means to force peace. Only
     by thralldom have they bought freedom from the tyranny of eternal tribal factions. But the first step is always the submission
     of the collective will to a man of resolute vision. Do you take my meaning?”
    “I see,” she said agreeably, and he wondered if she was storing up her thoughts to deliver an unexpected blow. “You do not
     aim to suffocate, but rather to unite.”
    “You are too young to have known Posidonius, my dear, but you would certainly have benefited by his acquaintance. He was most
     well-traveled, having studied the arts and sciences over most of the known world.”
    “Odd, we did not see him
here,
where the greatest philosophers in the world are known to gather,” she answered, much to Caesar’s annoyance. “And in any
     event, this unity of peoples you describe, General, is only pertinent to those whom you believe you must improve. How might
     it apply to we civilized Greeks, who require no improvement? How is it that we thrive under domination from a culture whose
     arts and philosophies are so thoroughly derived from our own?”
    It was too much, really, but she said it so charmingly, knowing as surely she must that she held no real power over him. He
     could afford to be generous. She was so young, one and twenty, she had said, younger than his Julia would have been had she
     lived. “Surely the gods were drunk on the day they made an imperious Greek girl the queen of a filthy-rich nation. Surely
     I must be intoxicated to ensure the power of such a girl.”
    “The Crown thanks you.”
    “As you know, my child, as we have witnessed here in your own land, there must be a master. It’s as simple as that. In accordance
     with the laws of the gods and the laws of nature. Otherwise, it’s a muddle. ’The strong do as they will while the weak suffer
     what they must.’ If I may quote a Greek to a Greek.”
    By this time, they were entirely alone. She had long ago dismissed the pirate, and Caesar his men. They sat facing each other
     on two white linen couches with a table of refreshments between them. The queen regarded Caesar for some time, and he allowed
     it, enjoying the flush of color across her high cheekbones and the way flashes of inspiration seemed to leap from her eyes.
     “Is it not possible for the two civilized peoples, Greek and Roman, to rule side by side; one race of men of military might
     in cooperation with another whose strength lies in the world of the intellect, the world of Art, Knowledge, and Beauty?”
    “Possible, but not probable. If given the opportunity, men of means will always seek power and fortune.”
    “And women of means as well,” she said.
    “Yes, I have not seen that women lack ambition,” he replied. “And if a woman has sufficient means, then perhaps many things
     are possible.”
    “I’m relieved you think so.” She sat back, satisfied, her small hands folded in her lap, a quiet smile on her face as if she
     shared some lovely humor with herself alone. Caesar was sure that they had not finishedwith this line of discussion. But he wanted, at that moment, to seize her mind in his hands as if she were another territory
     to be conquered in the name of Rome and of unity. Yet she was not a woman to be merely taken. Here was a woman, he thought,
     who if giving herself of her own volition, would give the world.
    “But we have parried enough, Your Majesty,” Caesar said, rising. “You’ve vexed an old man quite enough for one day. Now come
     to bed. You are under my protection.”
    But she did not rise with him. “General, just when I thought your command of Greek was beyond reproach, I find that you make
     a linguistic mistake.”
    “Caesar does not make linguistic mistakes,” he replied. What now? More argument with this fetching creature? Was she determined
     to try his