The Eye of the Pharaoh Page 6

  Sebek stared at her. She felt the blood begin to freeze in her veins.

  ‘Little priestess,’ he snarled, ‘it will take more than a cross of moonstone to stop me.’

  Ashkala was shaken by the crushing cold but she kept a tight hold on her senses and yelled, ‘Now Kaheb! Pull the curtain back from the window now!’

  She knew her life, all their lives, were hanging by a thread, but Kaheb was incapable of doing anything quickly. He had the mind-set of a court official.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Don’t argue! Do it!’

  As if in slow motion, Ashkala watched Kaheb claw at the drape and wrench it back. Moonlight poured into the room, flooding it with a brilliant silver light. Immediately the air grew less killingly cold.

  ‘Quickly,’ she cried through cracked lips. ‘Stand here with me in the moonlight. He daren’t touch us whilst the sacred light of the Goddess shines on us.’

  Like men moving underwater, Kaheb and Ahketnan lurched to her side. Sebek was becoming hard to see. His face was turning to smoke and his body was becoming transparent as he faded from the room. But his harsh voice grated out clearly enough. ‘You win this time, priestess, but the moon will not shine forever. The Goddess will soon leave the sky and, when she sleeps, I will come for you.’

  Then he was gone. Salen stared at Ashkala with a hatred so pure that it seemed to burn her skin. She raised the ankh but he turned and scuttled from the room.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Ahketnan shook his head as if to clear it of the nightmare in which he had so nearly been a star performer and said, more to himself than to his rescuers, ‘Salen told me Sebek had a lizard’s head.’ Then he smiled a smile as bleak as the north wind in winter. ‘Oh well, it just goes to show you can’t trust anyone these days.’

  Suddenly, he seemed to become aware of Ashkala and Kaheb. ‘So, you’ve escaped from the dungeon then,’ he said matter-of-factly.

  ‘Lucky for you we did,’ said Ashkala.

  Ahketnan considered this statement for a second then replied, ‘Yes, indeed. Now hadn’t you two better make good your escape? It would be a real shame if your good deed only resulted in your recapture. Fortunately, I have a boat in the harbour and you are welcome to it. I will order the crew to take you to any country you wish.’ He looked at them expectantly.

  ‘That’s very generous of you,’ said Kaheb.

  Ahketnan smiled indulgently. ‘It’s the very least I can do in the circumstances.’ He spread his arms wide. ‘I mean you may be desperate fugitives from justice but I’m a simple man. You saved my life and so I’m prepared to save yours.’

  If he expected gratitude he was to be sadly disappointed.

  ‘Yes, it is the very least you can do,’ said Ashkala. ‘But we’re not going to take you up on your offer.’

  Kaheb, who had been gazing warmly at Ahketnan, did a double take. ‘We’re not?!’ he squealed.

  ‘No,’ said Ashkala in a tone that brooked no argument. ‘Dear helpful old Uncle Ahketnan would love to see the back of us, but instead he is coming with us to tell Ramenha the truth.’

  Ahketnan glowered at her as if she had taken leave of her senses.

  ‘The truth?’ His voice was incredulous.

  ‘The whole truth and nothing but the truth,’ said Ashkala.

  Ahketnan laughed. ‘I won’t do it.’

  ‘You have no other choice, I’m afraid.’ Ashkala sounded like a doctor prescribing a particularly nasty medicine. ‘Remember, I’m the only one who can save you from Sebek. Without my help you’re a dead man. She folded her arms and compressed her lips into a thin tight line. Ahketnan made no reply.

  Kaheb shifted nervously from foot to foot then he blurted out, ‘I hate to hurry you, but the moon will set in about an hour so don’t you think we’d better put some distance between Sebek and ourselves before then?’

  Still Ahketnan kept up his stubborn silence.

  ‘You are trying my patience, Ahketnan,’ said Ashkala. ‘Maybe the next time Sebek comes looking for playmates I’ll be a bit slower in coming to your rescue!’

  Ahketnan gave a long sigh and then said, ‘Oh well, it was a nice dream while it lasted – Ahketnan the First. Still, better a live uncle than a dead Pharaoh I always say. So lead on, my dear, lead on.’ He smiled at Ashkala, but the smile didn’t quite make it to his eyes.

  Chapter Twenty

  Ramenha was deep in conversation with Theoman when the Captain of the Guard burst into his private chambers and blurted out. ‘My Lord, it’s your uncle and he’s captured the two fugitives!’

  Ramenha hardly had time to raise his eyebrows before Ahketnan bustled in accompanied by Ashkala and Kaheb.

  ‘What’s this uncle? A citizen’s arrest? I must say I’m impressed. It can’t have been easy grappling with two such notorious desperadoes.’

  Ahketnan smiled his greasiest smile and hurried over to his nephew’s side. ‘you say anything, Ramenha, I’ve got a confession to make. I’ve not always been quite as loyal as you might have been led to believe.’ He paused at this point to allow a look of profound sorrow to pass across his face but, all the while his button bright eyes were sharp and watchful.

  Ramenha sucked on his teeth and then said, ‘Really? You do surprise me, Uncle.’

  Ahketnan’s eyes narrowed but he continued in a tone of injured self-righteousness. ‘You see, I was led astray by a villain whose wicked tongue poisoned my simple heart with lies and ambition. Yes, though now I am absolutely amazed at how I was taken in by such a scoundrel, at the time I did things which I bitterly regret.’ He choked back a sob. ‘Yes, I admit it, I am guilty of being the foolish pawn of a man far cleverer than I – an all too human failing for which I humbly beg forgiveness.’ He hung his head in shame.

  ‘Uncle, are you trying to tell me that you had something to do with the theft of the Eye of the Pharaoh?’ Ramenha’s voice was gentle and mild but his hands were bunched into fists.

  ‘I wouldn’t put it quite as strongly as that, but yes it’s true to say that I had an inkling that Salen might have been behind the robbery. But, naturally, I had no proof, so what could I do?’ He spread his arms wide in a gesture of helplessness.

  ‘So you allowed me to send my secretary and a priestesses of the Moon to prison under sentence of death even though you knew they were innocent?’ Ramenha’s voice was deceptively calm.

  Ahketnan blinked nervously before replying. ‘In a manner of speaking, yes. But I knew their innocence would come to light long before any harm could befall them.’

  ‘Oh, you were going to confess then, were you?’ shouted Kaheb. ‘I don’t believe a word of it.’ He stalked up to Ahketnan and jabbed his finger into Ahketnan’s chest. Ahketnan regarded him sourly like a man bothered by a persistent mosquito. ‘If we hadn’t escaped, there was no way you were going to save our necks.’ He glowered at Ahketnan who glowered back.

  Theoman cleared his throat. ‘Err … just how did you manage to escape?’ he asked.

  Ashkala shrugged. ‘We’d rather not say.’

  Then Ramenha laughed. ‘Cor blimey, mates. Yer musta ‘ad ‘elp.’

  Kaheb’s jaw smacked into his chest as he stared, open mouthed at the Pharaoh.

  ‘So it was you!’ exclaimed Ashkala.

  Ramenha grinned at her. ‘Yes, I’m afraid so. You see, I never believed for one moment that either of you would steal the Eye, but when Ahketnan and Salen trapped you into admitting that you had been inside the Tomb, I had no choice but to have you arrested. Still, I hope you didn’t suffer too much – and next time I’ll try to rescue you before dinner because I’d hate you to get food poisoning.’ Then his voice grew stern and cold. ‘As for you, Uncle, well you shall take Ashkala and Kaheb’s place in prison, but I’m afraid no friendly gaoler will help you escape.’

  For once in his life Ahketnan was struck dumb. Kaheb grinned at him with ill disguised glee, but Ashkala spoke up on his behalf. ‘Please, Ramenha. Let him go. He has a boat in the harbour
and, if he promises to sail off into exile and never return, won’t you grant him that favour? After all, he has failed in his bid to become Pharaoh and he nearly met his death tonight so I think he has learned his lesson.’ Ramenha remained impassive so she added, ‘Remember, any fool can take a life, but only the wise can give it.’

  ‘This girl is a jewel among priestesses. Listen to her, nephew, I beg you. Be swayed by the tender mercy of her heart.’ In his own peculiar way, Ahketnan was begging for his life.

  Ramenha stared at Ahketnan as if he were looking at a complete stranger and Ahketnan felt panic squeeze his heart. His mouth was as dry as a desert wadi and all he could hear was the sound of his own blood pounding in his ears.

  At last, Ramenha gave a long sigh and said solemnly, ‘Very well. If you had asked for justice I would have condemned you to death because that is what you deserve. However, you asked for mercy so I shall grant it.’

  Ahketnan almost collapsed with relief then he swiftly recovered himself. He made as if to speak but Ramenha silenced him with a wave of his hand. ‘Go to your boat and set sail on the next tide. If you ever attempt to return I will have you struck down like a dog.’ He motioned to the soldiers who flanked his throne. ‘Accompany my uncle to his ship and see that he doesn’t lose his way.’

  Ahketnan held up his hand. ‘Your wisdom does you great credit, nephew. But may I crave your indulgence a moment longer and ask if I may return to my quarters and have my servant pack my belongings and the few items of value I have in order that I will not starve in whatever barbarous land I am forced to call home?’

  Ramenha smiled. ‘Oh I think your life is the only thing of value that I shall permit you to take on your voyage, uncle. Surely you can ask no more of me than that?’

  He nodded at his guards and they grabbed Ahketnan and dragged him unceremoniously out of the room.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Kaheb stared in amazement at Ahketnan’s retreating back then he spun around and protested vehemently to Ramenha. ‘I can’t believe you’re just going to let him go. After all he’s done to wreck our lives he should be punished!’

  Then he turned his anger on Ashkala. ‘And as for you, well, I’ve never heard such poppycock. If you really think he’s learnt his lesson you have about as much sense as a dung beetle. Though I suspect dung beetles may feel aggrieved at the comparison.’

  He shook his head and snorted derisively. Then he noticed Ramenha looking at him coldly. Kaheb gulped. It occurred to him that it was never a good idea to criticise a Pharaoh in public.

  ‘This is the stormy season at sea when it is very unsafe for anyone to venture far from the shore,’ said Ramenha. ‘Many a passenger has been washed overboard and lost without trace at this time of year.’

  ‘And is that what will happen to Ahketnan?’ asked Ashkala.

  Ramenha shrugged. ‘Who knows? Like Kaheb, I do not believe my uncle has had a change of heart but, like you Ashkala, I believe in mercy so I have given him this chance. Let the gods decide if he deserves to die or not. If his ship survives the storms and he comes safely to a distant port then, so be it, the gods will have given their answer.’

  ‘But your arm is long, Pharaoh,’ said Kaheb. ‘You could give the gods a helping hand to make up their minds. One word from you and Ahketnan would end up as fish food, storm or no storm.’

  Ramenha shook his head dismissively. ‘The gods are all knowing. They need no help from me. And anyway, if I took to murdering my enemies, wouldn’t I soon become as evil as they?’ He paused and the look he gave Kaheb seemed to skewer its way deep into his skull. ‘And, Kaheb, would you really want to serve an evil Pharaoh?’

  Kaheb felt sick. ‘I’m sorry, Lord,’ he mumbled. ‘I didn’t think.’

  ‘You never do,’ snapped Ashkala. ‘That’s your trouble.’

  Ramenha cut their bickering short. ‘Enough! Kaheb’s thoughtlessness or otherwise is not my immediate concern.’

  Ashkala and Kaheb bowed their heads and fell silent.

  ‘I imagine from what you say that Salen has double crossed my uncle and kept the Eye of the Pharaoh for himself.’

  Ashkala confirmed that this was so.

  Ramenha frowned. ‘But why? He can’t use it to make himself Pharaoh. He is not of Royal blood’

  ‘Because he wishes to become High Priest in my place, the scoundrel! Theoman was beside himself with anger.

  Ashkala chimed in. ‘It’s worse than that, I’m afraid. He’s tried to use the power of the jewel to summon Sebek.’

  Ramenha looked quizzical. ‘And Sebek is?’

  Theoman’s ancient face took on the colour of sour milk and his hands fluttered to his mouth. ‘A creature from the Land of the Dead who feeds on human souls. Salen must have taken leave of his senses if he thinks any good can come of this. Please tell me he hasn’t succeeded?’

  ‘Sorry,’ said Kaheb, ‘but he has. What do you think it was that persuaded Ahketnan to confess? It certainly wasn’t Ashkala’s feminine wiles.’

  Theoman flinched as if Kaheb had struck him a physical blow. Then he recovered himself and look of steely resolve came into his eyes.

  ‘So Salen has opened the gateway between the worlds and let Sebek through has he?’ He shook his head and a sadness beyond words etched itself on his face. ‘Then it will be no easy task to force him back out again.’

  Ramenha drummed his fingers on the armrests of his throne. He stared hard at Kaheb and Ashkala. ‘So, the two of you came face to face with this creature?’

  ‘We did,’ said Kaheb. ‘If you can call Sebek’s ugly mug a face.’

  Ramenha nodded. ‘I’m sure it must have been an unnerving experience, but how did you escape from him?’

  Kaheb shrugged. ‘Ashkala pulled off some sort of hocus pocus which seemed to give him the heebie jeebies. Though why a creature like Sebek should be scared by a few moonbeams is beyond me.’

  The Priestess looked furious. ‘That’s because you don’t understand how the supernatural world works,’ she retorted.

  ‘Supernatural? Pah! Unnatural more like.’

  It seemed as if Ashkala, in her fury, was about to hurl herself at Kaheb, but Theoman placed a restraining hand on her arm. ‘Yes, well whatever you call it, Kaheb, a great evil is loose in our natural world. And, as I say, it will be no easy task to force Sebek to leave the earth and return to his own vile kingdom.’

  Ramenha stared anxiously at the old priest. ‘But can it be done?’

  Theoman nodded. ‘Yes, perhaps there is a chance - but it’s a very slim one.’

  ‘Nevertheless, we’ll take it. We must succeed - I daren’t think what will happen to Egypt if we fail.’

  Ashkala had by now recovered her composure. ‘We won’t fail. But where are we going to have this showdown with Salen and Sebek?’

  Theoman frowned. ‘I suspect they’ll come looking for me at the Temple’s inner sanctum – so that’s where we must set our trap.’

  Kaheb cleared his throat. He felt it was time he clawed back a little of his authority as Pharaoh’s secretary. ‘Right. I like the sound of that. A trap is good. But hang on - for a trap you need bait.’

  Theoman turned his troubled eyes to the young secretary. It seemed to Kaheb as if he were being weighed in the balance and found wanting. ‘Indeed you do, Kaheb, indeed you do.’

  With a growing sense of apprehension, Kaheb couldn’t stop himself from asking, ‘So, what kind of bait have you got in mind for this trap?’

  Theoman smiled grimly. ‘Us.’

  Kaheb shook his head. ‘Er … when you say “us” you mean “you” – don’t you?’

  Ashkala laughed bleakly. ‘No, he means us.’

  Theoman sighed. ‘I’m afraid I do. If my trap is going to succeed I’m going to need all of you to help me spring it. It will be dangerous in the extreme, but it’s our only chance.’

  ‘Then let Pharaoh’s guards help you. They’re good at doing dangerous stuff. I’m only a secretary. What am I supposed to
do - hit Sebek with a roll of papyrus? And Pharaoh is definitely not getting involved. This supernatural malarkey is strictly a job for priests and priestesses.’

  ‘That’s enough, Kaheb! ‘I will not let others fight my battles for me nor will I put my men at needless risk. If this creature threatens Egypt then I, as Pharaoh, must deal with it.’

  Ramenha’s face was clenched tight with determination and Kaheb knew it was useless to argue. He trailed out sullenly behind Ramenha, Theoman and Ashkala as they set off the Temple.

  Yet, even as they made their way there, elsewhere in the city a beggar was making a grisly discovery. He was skulking down a back alley when he stumbled over the corpse of a man he knew. The beggar wasn’t shocked at the sight of the dead man. After all, death was a regular caller in this part of town. But he was puzzled for, although the night air was stiflingly hot, the corpse was frozen solid.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Ramenha, Theoman, Ashkala and Kaheb slipped into the inner sanctum of the Temple. To their great relief it was empty.

  Ramenha walked up to the altar. ‘It’s as you predicted, Theoman. The rats won’t show their snouts until daylight. Now, tell us what we must do.’

  Theoman, who was whispering earnestly with Ashkala, turned to Kaheb and Ramenha and said, ‘Well, to stand any chance at all of defeating Sebek, we must recover the Eye of the Pharaoh from Salen’s clutches. You see, for a short while today, the sun will be eclipsed by the moon and it is then that the power of the Moon Goddess is at its most potent. If Ashkala, as a priestess of the moon, is holding the jewel at that precise moment she will be able to unleash a great and magical force against Sebek – which may just be enough to overcome his strength and destroy him.’

  He paused and looked sheepishly at Ashkala. ‘Though, of course, such a terrible force might also destroy the person who wields it. You must understand, Ashkala, that in attempting to overcome Sebek you may also destroy yourself.’