Free Athena's Son by Jeryl Schoenbeck Page B

wrenching of the leather reins. Their hooves pounded up dust and pebbles from the street, blinding Archimedes. Every rut and rock jarred his knees and the wheels bounced desperately against the uneven road.
    Not only did Agrippas not slow down for a turn, he whipped the horses faster and the swaying chariot almost tipped over, much to the delight of Berenike. She leaned her head back with a riotous laugh and shouted something to him, but his head was jolting around too much to hear.
    The hooves slowed from the fast staccato of the dirt road to a steady beat on the paved boulevard leading to the Palace grounds. Tears cleaned trails down Archimedes’ dusty cheeks and he finally caught his breath.
    Lining either side of the boulevard were palm trees and fountains. Slaves wearing only linen kilts swarmed the lush boulevard, watering, cleaning, hoeing, and planting.
    Two guard houses were stationed at the end of the boulevard and they waved the royal chariot through. Far to the right of the road was the barracks for the army. Hundreds of men were practicing maneuvers, walking horses, cleaning weapons, or eating in what little shade they could find.
    The road leading to the palace was divided by a long rectangular pool. Cranes and ibises walked among the lily pads while colorful fish shimmered in the placid water. The palace may have housed a Greek king and queen, but the building itself was all Egyptian.
    Towering columns rose up to a massive open roof. The tan columns spread into green palm leaves at the top. Vibrant hues of red and yellow squares banded the middle of the columns. Unlike the simple marble floors of the library, the palace entrance had tiled floors of flamboyant red, blue, and yellow geometric patterns.
    Agrippas pulled back on the reins, bringing the chariot to an abrupt but controlled stop. Archimedes, shaking and sweating, took the opportunity to jump off the chariot. Berenike followed him.
    “ For the love of Zeus, did he have to drive so recklessly?” Archimedes asked, his tunic clinging to his back with sweat. “That was dangerous; we could have been killed!”
    Berenike nonchalantly waved her hand at him. “Relax Archimedes. Danger, in the hands of an expert, is sculpted into adventure.”
    Servants came running up to attend to Berenike. They brought a large green glass of water, a bowl of dates, and a palm leaf fan to wave at her. They bowed and set down a stool. She stepped off, drank from the glass and took a handful of dates.
    She waved away the fan bearer and waited for Archimedes. Yesterday Archimedes was impressed by the school; now he was absolutely overwhelmed by the extravagance of the palace.
    “ Get my friend some water and dates,” Berenike ordered one of the servants. He bowed low and ran into the Palace.
    Archimedes was shocked for a moment when he heard the Princess refer to him as a friend. Berenike was confident, friendly, and interested in books, exactly what he would want in a friend. But she was also member of the Royal Family, with gold, servants, and a pedigree from the gods. She even said she would be Queen someday! Could she really be a friend to a common schoolboy?
    A serious young man walked out to greet Berenike. He was dressed in the long tunic of a court administrator. He bowed and said, “Princess Berenike, welcome back. Pharaoh Ptolemy is in audience right now, but will see you after he completes some very important business.”
    “ Come with me Archimedes, I want you to meet my father, Pharaoh Ptolemy II,” Berenike said. He followed obediently. He was out of his element and knew the only escape was back on Helios’ chariot. Archimedes made a mental note to never again get on a chariot with Agrippas.
    The court administrator did not seem pleased that Berenike ignored his suggestion that she wait, but he could not argue.
    Berenike led him to a door guarded by two men wearing metal skull caps, leather cuirasses, and holding spears. The wall behind them was covered in