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Earth and Water Chapter Four Demaratus Surprised |
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This was how I felt now, watching
the Spartans and their allies battle the enemy.
Helpless, proud, wishing I was there, part of Leonidas' troops and part
of our land's defense. Toward evening,
when the Persian attack waned, Demaratus returned, looking harried and in an
ill temper.
He seemed surprised to find me
there, or perhaps surprised to find the presence of Scarface's guards. Either way, he approached me with a different
attitude.
"Lysis," he said. "We will speak now."
He strode past me into his tent,
lifting the flap and motioning me inside.
He gave a curious look at Scarface's guards but said nothing. It seemed a year since we had last spoken
here, but it was only a day. His
servants had already lit several oil lamps, and the tent glowed with their
soft, undulating light. Seating himself
behind his fine rosewood camp desk, he regarded me carefully.
"How did you come to be guarded by
these men?" he said finally. His voice
had an edge to it- not fear, but concern.
I told him simply and truthfully the tale of what had happened that day,
including Scarface's knowledge of my father.
He listened intently, never interrupting but nodding in several
places. When I had finished, he got up
abruptly and began to pace the tent floor.
"It seems, Lysis, that you have
become quite important to several people."
He paused, stroking his full, graying beard. "Some extremely interesting and important
people." He faced me, clasped his hands
behind his back,and fixed me with a penetrating stare.
"Do you know the name of the man
you met today?"
"I don't," I said. "He never told me."
"His name is Phraortes," said the
Spartan. "He is the commander of a
division of the king's secret police and in charge of most of Egypt, as well as the subject
cities in that region."
"He speaks almost like a native
Athenian," I said.
"Yes, there are many rumors
concerning Phraortes' origin," replied Demaratus thoughtfully. "Certainly the Egyptians have reason to
speculate..."
"What is he doing here?" I
interrupted.
Demaratus straightened, as if
surprised once again at my boldness.
"Xerxes has brought these men along
to sniff out potential rebellion in the conquered areas. Nip it in the bud, as it were. We do the same in Sparta.
Our best are trained to seek out and eliminate those among the Helots
who might incite revolt."
"But why is he interested in me?" I
asked, pressing.
"I don't know," Demaratus
replied. "Did he confirm how your father
died?"
"No, he just said they were
business partners."
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