Moreover, if I fell it did not greatly matter, except as an omen, seeing that I had good officers under me who knew all my plans.
We saw the herald reach the Satrap's army and after a while return towards us again, which made us think my challenge had been refused, especially as with him was an officer who, I took it, was sent to spy out our strength.

But this was not so, for the man said, "The Satrap Idernes has sworn by the Great King to kill the thief of the Signet and send his head to the Great King, and fears that if he waits to meet him in battle, he may slip away.

Therefore he is minded to accept your challenge, O Shabaka, and put an end to you, and indeed under the laws of the East he may not refuse.

But a noble of the Great King may not fight against a black slave save with a whip, so how can that noble accept the challenge of the dwarf Bes ?" "Quite well," answered Bes, "seeing that I am no slave but a free citizen of Egypt.

Moreover, in my own country of Ethiopia I am of royal blood.