‘Y—Yes, it is gold. But to defile the ark would bring down the wrath of the gods. It must always reside at the Temple of Aldus.’
‘This Aldus is not a god we worship in Ilea,’ said Solon. ‘We share Helios, the sun god, most supreme and mighty of all, and it is in honor of Helios that we build the golden pyramid. I fear Helios, as all men must. But I do not fear your god of justice.’
‘It is sacred,’ Chloe spoke up, knowing she was taking a risk. ‘Inside the ark are the laws that a man is weighed by when Aldus decides whether to grant him entrance to heaven.’
‘Then why not open the ark and discover the laws?’ a lord with a wide golden belt around his girth asked.
‘Because to know the laws is not the intention of the gods. A man must choose his path and develop his own moral code. He must rely on himself and the words of the priests to discover what the laws are.’
Glancing at the six courtiers, Chloe saw they all had puzzled expressions on their faces.
Solon’s voice increased in volume as he addressed the entire room. ‘I am the sun god’s representative in this world and any justice is mine to dispense. Are there any here who disagree with my words?’
When silence was the only reply, the lean king nodded.
‘I will take this ark for the gold it is made of,’ he stated. ‘As my soul prepares for the coming journey, I grow closer to the sun god, who now speaks through me. I decree that we have nothing to fear from the false god Aldus. Our decision is now whether to ransom this girl for the ark or to seize it by force, adding another nation to our dominion in the process.’
Chloe felt a shiver along her spine at the sun king’s words.
‘Kargan,’ Solon addressed the big man, standing impassively with his legs apart. ‘You advise attacking Phalesia with speed, before alliances can be made and defenses strengthened.’ The king’s dark eyes swept over the group of lords. ‘Others among you advise leaving the far side of the Maltherean Sea to pursue its own destiny while we expand and consolidate our empire here on the Salesian continent. There is only one other option.’ Solon turned to Chloe. ‘Girl, would your people trade you for the ark?’
‘No,’ Chloe said, refusing to let them make the attempt. ‘They would not.’
‘So we should attack your homeland? Kargan tells me the ark alone will make the effort worthwhile.’
‘I do not want you to attack my homeland.’ Chloe hung her head as she said it.
Solon tugged on his pointed beard. ‘I will think on the best course of action. The pyramid is near completion. We will soon have gold foil covering three quarters of its surface. Phalesia is far, but the prize is assured.’
‘King of kings . . .’ Chloe said, looking up to meet his gaze. ‘What is to become of me?’
As he framed a response, she waited for the words that would decide her fate.
‘You have pleased me,’ Solon finally said. ‘And any son you bear may be useful if we expand across the sea. You are of noble birth. Are you not being treated in the manner to which you are accustomed?’
‘I have no desire to be secluded.’
‘You would rather risk your life and honor in the world of men?’
‘Yes.’
‘Why?’ Solon frowned.
‘I have many skills,’ Chloe said. ‘I gain fulfillment from employing them.’
‘Skills? What skills do you have?’
She chose her words carefully. This was her one chance to gain some freedom of movement. ‘Writing,’ she said. ‘Music. Crafts. I am a skilled weaver. I can shape metal into jewelry. I assist with ceremonies.’
‘You are a priestess?’ a short bald man in an orange robe asked.
‘No,’ Chloe said. ‘I trained at the Temple of Aeris, but I’m not a priestess.’
She could see that all of the men were curious about her life, so different from the lives of women in Ilea.
‘And what did they teach you at the temple?’ the same short man asked.
Chloe had a sudden flash of inspiration. She realized she might have something to offer the sun king, something that would give her the opportunity to go out into the city.
‘I learned the wisdom of healing,’ she said, her eyes on the sun king. ‘I know many medicinal plants and healing techniques.’
Solon leaned back and once more tugged on his beard. ‘Healing?’
‘Yes, king of kings.’
‘My magi tell me I have a cancer. The Oracle at Athos tells me I do not have long for this world. Can you heal me?’
‘I can ease your pain.’
‘The magi say that the pain is my soul gradually slipping through the jagged gates of Ar-Rayan to the next world.’
Once again she chose her words carefully. ‘Your magi are correct,’ she said. ‘But there are potions I can give you to ease your passage.’
‘Lord—’ one of the courtiers protested.
Solon held up a hand. ‘How can I trust you?’ he asked Chloe.
‘You hold my life in your hands. Your power threatens my homeland.’
His brow furrowed. ‘I will seek the guidance of the sun god.’