[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
Who is this Kenzor?
He s the military liaison between Muwattali and his
son. And a handsome devil, believe you me! When he s in
town, the ladies form a line. The most popular officer in the
country, without a doubt.
To war, I say! And to the ladies!
The conversation turned toward the town s famed beau-
ties and the local brothels. The carpenters bought their
hilarious new friend more drinks.
Ahsha went to a different tavern every night. He made a
great many contacts, but kept the conversation casual,
throwing out Captain Kenzor s name from time to time.
It finally netted him some valuable information: the
liaison officer had just returned to Hattusa.
A talk with the general s right-hand man would save him
a great deal of time. He had to locate Kenzor, find a way to
approach him, reel him in. Suddenly, Ahsha had an idea.
When he went home, he brought with him a dress, a
cloak, and some sandals.
For me? Arinna asked tremulously.
Is there another woman in my life?
They look so expensive!
I bargained.
She reached out to finger the fine cloth.
Not yet!
But when?
268 Christian Jacq
I m planning a special evening when I can take my time
admiring you. Give me a while to work out the details.
Whatever you say.
She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him fer-
vently.
You know, you look just fine to me wearing nothing at
all . . .
The farther south the royal flagship sailed, the younger
Setau felt. As he held Lotus close, he was once again daz-
zled by the sight of Nubia, bathed in a light so pure that
the Nile, reflecting it, seemed like a heavenly ribbon of blue.
With his hatchet, Setau had made a forked stick to cap-
ture a cobra or two, milking their venom into a copper
flask. The lovely Lotus, bare-breasted and wearing only the
briefest of skirts that fluttered in the breeze, took deep
gulps of her native land s scented air.
Ramses steered the ship himself. With an expert crew, he
kept to a swift and accurate course.
At mealtimes, the captain took over. In the central cabin,
Ramses, Setau, and Lotus lunched on dried beef, tangy
greens, and honeyed papyrus roots mixed with sweet
onions.
You re a true friend, Majesty, Setau acknowledged.
Bringing us on this trip is a wonderful reward.
I can use your talents, and your wife s, too.
We re out of touch in our palace laboratory, but we ve
been hearing unpleasant rumors. Is Egypt as close to war as
everyone claims?
I m afraid so.
Ramses: The battle of kadesh 269
Isn t it dangerous to leave Pi-Ramses in these troubled
times?
My first priority is to save Nefertari.
I wasn t much more help than Dr. Pariamaku, Setau
said glumly.
You re looking for a miracle cure in Nubia, aren t you?
asked Lotus.
From what I read in the library at the House of Life,
there s one to be found here. A stone blessed by the goddess
Hathor, hidden away in a secret spot.
Any idea where?
All the text says is In the heart of Nubia, in a creek
with golden sands, where the mountain cleaves and comes
together.
A creek . . . that must mean a backwater of the Nile.
We have to find it fast, said Ramses. We ve bought
Nefertari a little time with the help of Sekhmet and her rest
cure at the temple of Hathor. But we haven t broken the
spell. Our only real hope is this magic stone.
Lotus looked into the distance. You love Nubia, and it
loves you back, she said. Speak to this country and it will
answer you.
All at once a pelican appeared above the royal vessel. The
magnificent bird with its broad wingspan was one of the
incarnations of Osiris, the god who returned from the
dead.
Forty-four
aptain Kenzor was in his cups.
C Three days leave in the capital meant the chance to
forget the rigors of military life in a wild blur of carousing.
Tall, strapping, and husky-voiced, Kenzor had nothing but
scorn for women, considering them only in terms of his
own pleasure.
When he was drunk, Kenzor s sex drive was always height-
ened. Now, under the influence of a particularly heady
wine, his need was pressing. He lurched out of the tavern
toward the nearest brothel.
The captain didn t even feel the cold. He vaguely hoped
a virgin might be available, a timid virgin. Her fear would
add spice to the proceedings.
A man approached him deferentially.
May I speak to you, Captain?
What do you want? he slurred.
I have something special to offer you, replied Ahsha.
Kenzor smiled. Yes?
A young virgin.
Kenzor s eyes lit up. How much?
Ramses: The battle of kadesh 271
Ten good pieces of tin.
That s a lot.
The merchandise is worth it.
I need it right away.
She s all yours.
I only have five tin pieces on me.
You can pay me the rest tomorrow.
You trust me?
I d like to keep doing business with you. She s not the
only virgin in my stable.
Good man. Come along now, I m in a hurry.
Kenzor was in such a state that the two men nearly ran
through the sleepy streets of the lower town.
Ahsha opened the door of his modest dwelling.
Arinna was dressed in her brand-new outfit, her hair
carefully arranged. Captain Kenzor studied her hungrily.
Looks old for a virgin, he muttered.
Without warning, Ahsha rammed the captain against a
wall. As Kenzor slumped half conscious, the Egyptian
nimbly relieved him of his short sword and held the tip to
his throat.
Who are you? gasped the Hittite.
It s not important. But you re the liaison between the
army and the palace. Either you answer my questions or you
die.
Kenzor struggled and the sword sliced his neck, drawing
blood. Muddled with alcohol, he was at his captor s mercy.
Ahsha s terrified lover huddled in a corner of the room.
When is the attack on Egypt planned? asked Ahsha.
And why has the army ordered so many new chariots?
Kenzor grimaced. The man already knew far more than
he should.
Attack . . . is classified information.
272 Christian Jacq
Tell me, unless you want to be classified among the
missing.
You wouldn t dare.
You re wrong, Kenzor. I ll kill you and work my way
through a hundred officers, if I have to. I want the truth.
He pushed the blade deeper, bringing a groan from the
officer. The farm wife covered her eyes.
Only the emperor knows. They don t tell me things like
that.
But you do know why the army has ordered so many
chariots.
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]