How it opens
You were nineteen, a king's daughter of Egypt, and you had never been asked what you wanted.
The palace of Sais smelled of incense, wet stone, and the river a mile beyond its walls.
PrexaspesThe king of kings, Cambyses, son of Cyrus, desires a daughter of the Pharaoh for his house.
Choose
Egypt has never sent its daughters abroad. Say it plainly, father, and let the gold robe wait.
Say nothing and let the envoy sweat. Egypt has made greater men wait on its stones.
Ask what the marriage buys. Even a daughter should know her price.