Rome's greatest general and Carthage's chief strategist arrive at Syphax's court within hours of each other, turning a diplomatic visit into a high-stakes negotiation where spymaster Kandake -- who knows both men -- must watch them position for Africa's future. Scipio sails into hostile waters with only two quinqueremes and forty men, either supremely confident or supremely desperate -- or both. Hasdrubal freezes three steps into the room upon seeing Scipio, both men instinctively reaching for swords neither wears. The negotiation fails in six words total: "I rule all Numidia or none" / "Then there will be war" / "So be it." Syphax then forces the impossible: both enemies will dine together, setting up Chapter 3's shared couch. Hasdrubal agrees -- "As my host commands," each word pulled from him like a tooth.
Based on actual history -- Scipio and Hasdrubal Gisco did arrive at Syphax's court around the same time. Scipio's boldness in sailing with minimal escort into hostile waters is historically documented. The fundamental incompatibility -- Rome wanting to divide Numidia while Syphax demands unified sovereignty -- reflects genuine political dynamics. Siga was Syphax's capital in western Numidia.
The chapter has three perfect movements: Intelligence (Kandake receiving and processing news), Confrontation (Hasdrubal and Scipio reaching for absent weapons), and Resolution (Syphax enforcing hospitality). Kandake is the consciousness through whom we see everything -- she receives intelligence first, assesses Scipio's boldness, recognizes the "unprecedented intelligence opportunity," intervenes to prevent violence, and argues directly with Scipio about Massinissa. The Massinissa reference ("The prince sends his regards... he speaks highly of your instructional methods") is psychological warfare -- Scipio revealing he has turned Kandake's asset. At 1,400 words, not a syllable is wasted. Every line of dialogue serves multiple purposes -- characterization, plot advancement, thematic development, historical accuracy.
"This chapter does what great political thrillers do: it makes talking as tense as fighting. Two ships arrive. Three men talk. Nothing violent happens. And yet the tension is unbearable."
— Reader 1
"The chapter that turns a harbor into a trap, a meeting into psychological warfare, and an invitation to dinner into an act of civilizational courage. Chapter 3 will be unforgettable. Chapter 2 makes it inevitable."
— Reader 2
"At 1,400 words, not a syllable is wasted. Every line of dialogue serves multiple purposes -- characterization, plot advancement, thematic development, historical accuracy."
— Reader 3