Queen of Sheba Read Online Free PDF Page B

hold firm, we can defeat him and bring his fancy plans to naught.”
    “And?”
    “If it comes to war we will march together. He cannot stand against us.”
    “I would like to think there is a better way.”
    The ambassador looked puzzled. “It would be hard to find a better way, but we are always ready to listen.”
    “I have no plan right now. Now is the time to gather facts. We must find out all we can about the fleet of ships and even the king that has dared attempt such a thing. Perhaps nothing will come of it.”
    “And if no other way can be found?”
    For a moment Bilqis was silent, studying his face. When she spoke it was with strength and determination. “Then we will cast our lot with Egypt. We have no other choice.”
    With a few other formalities she dismissed the ambassador and his men. They would be well entertained, and in the meantime she was determined to glean more information. Turning to one of the pages, she ordered, “I have been told the camel driver named Badget has again been seen at the gate. Go find him for me. I want to talk to him.” With that she dismissed them with a wave of her hand.
    The two sleek, well-groomed leopards were led out by their trainers, the banners were taken from their sockets by eunuchs, and the palace guards lowered their spears as they walked in front of the queen leaving the Nubians to march in formation behind her.

    Late that night Badget was found sitting by the fire at the local inn talking to some of the other traders. He was at first frightened and then pleased to hear that the queen wanted to see him. “She wants to hear certainnews of your king,” he was told by the messenger. Badget was always ready to spread the news he gained on his travels and to be called by the queen would give him more to tell in the future.
    The queen had decided to receive him in the informal atmosphere of her outdoor pavilion. Badget found her seated on a dais covered with leopard skins. A taster sipped from a silver goblet and then handed it to the queen.
    Bilqis drank slowly from the goblet but kept her eyes on Badget, who had fallen prostrate on the ground before her with his head touching the ground. As she handed the goblet back to the servant, she motioned to Badget. “You may rise,” she said.
    Badget scrambled to his feet and took the seat she had prepared for him on the ground before the dais. “I am at your service,” he said in his most contrite manner.
    “I see that you are used to appearing before royalty.”
    “I’ve had my opportunities,” he said, trying hard to keep from smiling his pleasure.
    “Tell me, has this king of yours really sailed ships down the Red Sea?”
    “They have made their first trip, your highness.”
    “But the storms and winds of the monsoons. Is he not afraid of them?”
    Badget’s eyes grew large. Here was an opportunity to brag. “Your highness, this is no problem to one such as Solomon. He controls the rains and keeps the four winds in bags under his throne.”
    “Come now. He is certainly a human being and not a god.”
    “Aye, he is not a god, but he knows the god’s secrets and that is even better than being a god.”
    “Tell me, how does he rule his people?”
    “I can’t rightly say. It’s a bit of a mystery. He doesn’t need anyone to taste his food. That I do know.” Badget nodded in the direction of the queen’s taster.
    The queen was immediately interested. “How can that be? Is he not afraid of poison? Does he have some medicine that is stronger than the poison?”
    “No, it is not that. Though I’m sure he could do that too if he wanted to.”
    “Doesn’t he have any enemies?”
    “Oh yes. He has enemies, but not the kind your highness has.”
    “What do you mean?”
    Badget hesitated and then explained. “I was in the palace today and saw the wealthy fellow who had moved the land marker. Solomon wouldn’t have decided it that way.”
    Now Bilqis was leaning forward with real interest. “What