Laying Foundation

Dividing the loot evenly three ways between the three factions might sound like a fair move, but to Ptolomy it made no sense.

Why should the royal family get the same portion as a former slave?

Was the question that popped up in Ptolomy's head.

So he denied Alexander's request and countered, "Three provinces is too much. I can give you Zanzan in exchange for Adhan. I can give you Kuleef for helping me defend Adhan and I will give you Abu Hamam once you help me win the civil war."

Ptolomy offered by pointing to the two coastal provinces south and southeast of the country.

This proposal sounded generous on paper, but Ptolomy conveniently left out the fact that Alexander would still have to fight and conquer them, which were a thousand and two thousand kilometers respectively from Zanzan, and this was not to mention how those two provinces bordered Ankoot and Aqliah- two ultra-royalist provinces.