Ahead, the flames of a campfire rose towards the stars. A constellation of sparks drifted on the night breeze. Around the burning sods of animal dung and straw, six barbarians lounged in their leather caps and breastplates, gnawing on what looked like strips of cured meat. Their crescent-shaped swords were sheathed, their bows set aside. They were not expecting any attack. Why would they? They were masters here.

One of the barbarians picked through a pile of swords, amulets and rings – booty taken from dead Egyptian soldiers.

Piay blinked away tears as the smoke stung his eyes, and when his vision cleared he glimpsed another figure on the edge of the circle of wavering amber light. This man was hunched over, but when he raised his head the dancing flames picked out blood caking the edge of his mouth and his left eye. Bruises mottled his skin. An Egyptian soldier, a captive, beaten for information on what remained of the fleeing force.

Piay felt anger simmer in his breast. One of the barbarians heaved himself up and sauntered over to the captive. Squatting beside the bloodied man, the Hyksos warrior grunted something in the captive’s ear. It must have been in the Egyptian tongue, for the soldier shook his head. The Hyksos warrior cuffed the brave Egyptian round the ears and laughed as he returned to the fire. The others chuckled and fell back to their conversation.

Piay studied the group, looking for any signs of weakness. His attention settled on one he sensed was the leader of the band. The captain sat apart from the others and rarely joined in with their chatter. His back was as straight as a rod, his chin held high. Above his black bristles, his skin was scarred with the marks of the pox. His eyes moved slowly and sullenly across the dark countryside beyond the firelight. Piay felt a power rolling off him like the rippling waves of heat that rose from the baked desert sands.

This was a dangerous man, he was sure. He would be the greatest threat.

Piay steeled himself. Here was a situation that would bring him all the glory of which he had ever dreamed. The band was small. The element of surprise would allow them to counter any superior battle skills these seasoned warriors might possess. This was a fight they could win easily. They could not leave an Egyptian in the hands of such barbarians. Who knew what terrible things he would be forced to endure before they took his life?

What secrets had the captive overheard? Piay could bring back valuable information. Perhaps even to turn the tide of battle.

Piay beckoned his men to crawl up behind him. Their faces were taut, their eyes widened. They were anxious, but they would obey his orders to the last.

Hannu came up beside him and whispered, ‘Now’s not the time for an attack, we’ve not scouted the surrounding land.’