Chapter 21Nubia, 332 B.C.
In the morning, Alexander took his leave of the Candace. He had not intended to do so, or perhaps he had always intended to, in this way on this day. Certainly, he could see that everyone assembled in the throne room thought this time was different. He was different, no longer their slightly amused guest, content to be the conquest of the queen, like his ancestor Heracles with Omphale, but a conquering king once more, resplendent in white and gold, the dark gold of his hair powdered and heightened by the gold dust he reserved for those occasions when he needed to be particularly dazzling.
“I have come, great queen, to claim my answer and, I think, my prize,” he said. “What is my true name?”
Now it was the Candace’s turn to defend. Alexander thought he saw her w
