An Egyptian Princess — Volume 10

Set against the swelling waters of the Nile, a lavish royal barge carries an eclectic group of Greeks, Persians, and Egyptians on a festive journey to honor the goddess Neith. Among them are a newly‑born princess, her protective grandmother, the ambitious Persian prince Bartja, the wise philosopher Theopompus, and the ever‑observant Croesus. Their conversation drifts from the poetry of rowing against the current to musings on moderation, agriculture, and the nature of true wisdom, painting a vivid portrait of life on the ancient river.

Beneath the surface of merriment, tensions begin to stir: the mysterious disappearance of the trusted envoy Phanes, Cambyses’ increasingly erratic rule, and whispered doubts about his marriage to Atossa. The passengers find themselves caught in a web of political intrigue and personal loyalties, each weighing the cost of rebellion against the pull of tradition. As the boat glides forward, the story promises a clash of cultures and ambitions that could reshape the destiny of both Egypt and Persia.