Chapter 3

One day, King Zendi called to inquire about their welfare and overheard Fara in the adjoining room talking to Ione. He broke off what he was saying—and listened—and then grinned incredulously.

‘How long has this been going on?’ he inquired.

‘Ever since she was a tiny tot,’ said Arnon. ‘It’s Ione’s doing. I suppose there’s no harm in it?’

‘Harm? Of course not! I wish I knew some Greek myself.’

‘But—you do; don’t you, Zendi?’

‘A mere smattering—picked up on my journey to Corinth. I often have errands in Petra. It would be much to my advantage if I could speak their language.’

Arnon laughed a little as she said, ‘Perhaps Fara could help you.’ To her surprise, Zendi did not see anything funny about this. He frowned thoughtfully.

‘It just occurs to me,’ he said, ‘that we have, in our cabinet of curiosities, a scroll that the people of Petra presented to your father at his coronation. I shall bring it over. Maybe Fara might like to see it.’

The next afternoon he brought the scroll. Ione was invited in to look at it. She gasped with happy surprise. What a treasure! Unconsciously ignoring the King, she breathlessly explained the subject of the scroll to Fara in a long sentence utterly incomprehensible to their important guest. And Fara clapped her hands with delight.

‘I would give much for that knowledge,’ said Zendi soberly.

‘It’s easy, sire,’ said Fara.

When he left, shortly afterward, Fara walked beside him in the paddock.

He took her small hand. The old master of the stables led forward a beautiful roan gelding. Fara’s eyes shone.

‘How do you like my new horse, Fara?’ asked the King as he gathered up the reins.

‘Prosphilay!’ murmured Fara reverentially, patting the gelding’s glossy shoulder. ‘Prosphilay hippos!’

‘What did you say?’ demanded the King.

‘Lovely!’ said Fara. ‘Lovely horse!’

Zendi chuckled and swung himself into the saddle.

‘Kai megaleios hippikos!’ ventured Fara coyly.

‘And what does that mean?’ the King wanted to know.

Fara shrugged a pretty shoulder, gave an enigmatic smile, and made a graceful curtsey. Zendi waved a hand and rode away. It was evident that Fara’s final remark—whatever it meant—was complimentary.