World of Corpses

by Scott W Cook

  “What?” I asked, climbing aboard and looking where he was looking. The small compartment had two batteries and a circular knob.

  Sam turned the knob two clicks and then reached in and retrieved something, “Batteries were off, that’s a good sign. And a spare key! Awesome.”

  “Wonder if there’s any gas,” I said.

  “Check it out,” Sam said, pointing to a padded bench just ahead of the motor.

  I looked around and figured out how to pull the top up. It was a cramped space with wires, cables and two six gallon gas tanks connected together. I tried to pick each one up and shake it a little, “One is full, the other is about half full.”

  “Cool,” Sam said, “Maybe eight or nine gallons. Plenty. These boats are pretty good on gas, maybe five or six miles to the gallon. More than enough. Give the bulb a couple of squeezes until its hard.”

  Sam pressed the tilt button on the throttle and the outboard tilted smoothly into the water. Then he put the key in the ignition and turned it. The outboard clicked and whined. He tried it a few more times and the motor finally coughed to life, blowing blue smoke into the air.

  “That’s one down,” I said, “Now what?”

  Sam killed the engine, “Now, young grasshopper… we go meet your girlfriend.”

  Chapter 8

  West of Dahshuranek

  Dahshur desert, early 46 BCE

  “Incredible,” Caesar commented, “Only a mile away from the village and it’s as if we’re in another world.”

  “Yes,” Cleopatra agreed, “The desert is stark, arid and can be deadly… yet it holds an austere beauty, wouldn’t you say?”

  Caesar grinned at her, “Most definitely, young lady. I’ve always been a great admirer of extraordinary beauty.”

  That earned him one of her lovely smiles.

  Caesar and Cleopatra rode side by side on camels. Although they were ill tempered beasts prone to spitting and snorting, Caesar could see why they were preferred for desert travel. They didn’t seem to mind the heat and simply plodded along at a smooth and steady pace.

  Rufio and Agrippa rode behind the pair, followed up by six legionaries. Ahead of the honored guests, Anoxona was flanked by two of Cleopatra’s royal guards.

  The sun was still low behind them and the heat of the day hadn’t yet taken hold. The journey had been pleasant thus far and Anoxona told them that at this time of the year, the desert heat wasn’t intolerable. Besides, they’d arrive at the pyramid not long after dawn.

  Sneferu’s red pyramid could already be seen in the distance. The desert between Dahshuranek and the distant mountains on the horizon looked remarkably flat in spite of the low sand dunes. To Caesar, it was a great sea of yellow-white sand and the distant red structure was a ship sailing placidly along.

  They were still more than an hour away, yet the geometric perfection of the great pyramid combined with its unusual red surface dominated the landscape.

  Of course, it wasn’t the only point of interest. Only half a mile or so to the south was another of Sneferu’s pyramids, the bent pyramid. This unusual design certainly caught the eye but still was overshadowed by the coloring and more perfect symmetry of the red pyramid.

  “It looks a bit… squat,” Agrippa commented from behind them, “And what gives it its red color?”

  Cleopatra cast an amused look over her shoulder, “It is a bit squat, Admiral. You see the bent pyramid over there? They changed the angle of inclination during construction. Scholars think it was because Sneferu’s first pyramid at Mytum was unstable. It collapsed recently, in fact. The bent pyramid was already under construction so they changed the angle from fifty-four to forty-three degrees. When the red pyramid was begun, the builders kept this angle for stability. The red pyramid is really the first successful true pyramid. The color comes from the stone they quarried from the hill nearby.”

  “Just imagine it, sir,” Rufio spoke up, “Before Rome, before Greece, before the Phoenicians, Persians and even before the founding of Babylon… Egypt was building great structures to stand the test of millennia and that would one day become wonders of the world. It’s staggering to consider.”

  “It is remarkable,” Caesar agreed.

  “Just wait,” Cleopatra said with a mischievous grin, “Until we go inside.”

  It took slightly more than an hour to reach the pyramid. Far longer than Caesar would have thought. The sheer size of the structure and the flatness of the landscape made judging distances difficult.

  Up close the red pyramid was extraordinary. A colossal building rising high into the sky, although even judging height was near impossible because of the angle.

  The group of thirteen was met by a small contingent of scholars and priests who’d set up a semi-permanent camp along the eastern side of the structure. The camp consisted of a stable, several sleeping tents and one large communal structure made from wood.

  “Welcome,” An elderly man in black robes said, bowing deeply, “I am Maktek, leader of this camp. We are honored to receive the high priestess of the great Sneferu, our beloved Pharaoh Cleopatra and the esteemed Gaia’s Caesar of Rome.”

  “Will you see to our camels, Maktek?” Anoxona asked, “And is all prepared?”

  “Certainly, eminence,” Maktek said with a bow, “We have gathered offerings and you may enter the temple at your leisure.”

  “Offerings?” Caesar asked when Maktek and a few of his people had led the camels to the stable.

  “Yes, Caesar,” Anoxona replied, “This is one of the day’s to bring gifts to the Pharaoh.”

  “Sneferu?” Agrippa asked, “He’s… in there?”

  “Of course,” Cleopatra said, “Where else would he be?”

  A shiver went through the admiral’s body. He had heard what Anoxona had said to Caesar the night before.

  “Fear not,” Anoxona said with a reassuring smile, “This is just a simple ceremony to honor the spirit of Sneferu. There’s no living dead inside.”

  Rufio smiled and nudged his friend, “Afraid of ghosts, Marcus?”

  Agrippa shrugged, “Ghosts? No. But walking corpses… hungry walking corpses leave me feeling uneasy.”

  “As I understand it,” Caesar remarked, “Even if this ancient Pharaoh was somehow… ambulatory… the mummification process removes the internal organs including the brain. It seems that even an immortal needs his vitals.”

  Anoxona nodded, “quite true, Caesar. Sneferu’s body is quite dead, lying in state. Yet his spirit lives, and it’s to his Ba that we offer food and drink. When we’re gone, he’ll come through the false door and claim his gifts.”

  Agrippa smiled, feeling a bit foolish.

  “Shall we go?” Anoxona asked.

  The six legionaries would not go into the pyramid. Only the guests, one of Cleopatra’s guards and one of the legionaries would accompany the officers and royalty inside.

  Anoxona led them around to the north face of the structure and began climbing up the sloping surface using steps that had been carved into the stone. It was less strenuous than the Romans would have thought. The climb was relatively easy thanks to the angle of inclination. It was slow going, but within a few minutes, the group came to a small opening in the red stone face. The opening was about four feet across and three high.

  “Follow me,” Anoxona said, “This passage is low.”

  One by one, the group crouched and shuffled along the long passage. It was angled downward, although not nearly as steeply as the face of the pyramid outside. It was long, Caesar guessed nearly two hundred feet. Just about when the crouching walk was beginning to get uncomfortable, the passage emerged into a larger and level hallway that was easily high enough to stand in.

  Although Anoxona carried a torch, it wasn’t needed. There was already a series of candles burning in sconces along the passage and there was more flickering yellow light ahead in what looked to be a large chamber.

  Anoxona led the group into this large vaulted chamber whose ceiling was at
least forty feet over their heads. At four places along the long axis walls were larger torches burning in sconces as well.

  “Is this the center of the pyramid?” Rufio asked in amazement, ‘The burial chamber?”

  Anoxona smiled at the Romans, “Oh, no, this is but the first of three. And as you see, this one is bare save for the statues. It was common practice to create several chambers, odd passages and even secret rooms and layers to confound robbers.”

  “Who would rob a pharaoh’s tomb?” Agrippa asked.

  “There will always be thieves,” Cleopatra said, “It’s the way of man, I suppose.”

  “When do you make the offerings?” Rufio asked, “Should we have brought them with us?”

  “Later,” The priestess said, “The people in the camp will perform that ceremony under my supervision. This expedition is especially for you all.”

  “The air is heavy down here,” Caesar commented, “Is it safe over time?”

  Anoxona nodded, “It is stuffy, but the passages and chambers allow for ventilation, if a bit poor. I personally have spent days in here and suffered no ill effects. Come.”

  She led them to another passage that was almost entirely hidden until you got close. This short corridor led into another chamber similar to the first. This one held large statues of Sneferu, great carved tablets of Ra, Akhenaton, Isis and other gods. There was a great sarcophagus at the center of the room, its polished sandstone surface reflecting the flicking light from the torches.

  “Sneferu?” Rufio asked in awe.

  Anoxona shook her head, “it’s empty. A ruse to discourage unwanted guests.”

  “What’s in it?” Caesar asked.

  “Nothing,” Anoxona said. Then she led them closer and pointed to a series of hieroglyphics carved into the stone lid, “Yet this message is meant to dissuade treasure seekers.”

  “What does it say?” Agrippa asked.

  “You who seek fortune, beware,” Anoxona said in a sepulchral tone, “Disturb the rest of the great Sneferu, ruler of all Egypt at your peril. Not all fortunes are good fortunes.”

  Agrippa shivered, “by Jove…”

  Rufio grinned, “I’m convinced.”

  Anoxona smiled, “There will always be fools who do not heed the words. Let’s continue.”

  Again she led them to another passage. This one, however, was reached by a series of steps that led upward to an opening in the corbelled wall. This passage then emptied onto another short stair leading into a third inverted pyramidal chamber.

  This one, however, was not decorated. There were sconces burning brightly, but little to see. The floor, unlike the polished tiles of the first two chambers, was bare sand stone. An upright stone coffin stood near the center with a hideous representation on it. The coffin was at least ten feet high and just as deep and wide. Almost a perfect cube accept for the rough humanoid shape of its construction.

  On the face of it, what must be the lid, was a detailed carving of a human-like thing tearing into the flesh of a shrieking Egyptian. The thing had just pulled back its jaws with a piece of flesh in them and blood ran over both people. The carving was extraordinarily detailed and painted with life-like coloring.

  “Great Gods…” Rufio breathed.

  “Yes,” Anoxona said, “A further deterrent. As I said last evening, not all the dead who walk are docile and benign.”

  “What are you saying?” Caesar asked with a hint of indignation in his voice, “That your mummies come to life and devour the flesh of the living?”

  Anoxona looked at him steadily, “No. Not mummies. But there have been… incidents. Our legends are not entirely based in myth, mighty Caesar. And for those foolish enough to steal from the ancients and ignore their warnings… a terrible fate awaits them. Or may, at any rate.”

  “Is this what you wanted to show me?” Caesar asked Cleopatra, “To frighten us with tales of ancient horror?”

  “No,” She said with a smile, “There are other things equally astonishing and clearly show the kindness of the Gods.”

  “Are you ready to take the next step, great Caesar?” Anoxona asked.

  Rufio and Agrippa exchanged looks. Agrippa said, “I’m not feeling all that comfortable with this.”

  “Fear not,” Anoxona said kindly, “the next step is meant only for rulers. Only Kings, Pharaohs and I suppose Pontifex Maximus and Consul of Rome shall be admitted. Even I am not allowed further without express permission.”

  “From whom?” Rufio asked.

  Anoxona only smiled, “if our queen and Caesar wish to proceed…”

  She reached out and pressed on a section of the sarcophagus. There was nothing obvious about where she touched, but the portion of stone she pressed indented slightly and the lid of the great coffin swung open with only a slight grinding of stone on stone to reveal a stairwell leading down into darkness.

  Anoxona handed Cleopatra her torch and another unlighted one to Caesar, “From here you travel alone.”

  “Sir!” Agrippa protested. His fear was evident. No one could ever accuse either Rufio or Agrippa of being cowards, but at that moment, both men looked ashen.

  “It’s all right,” Caesar said calmly.

  Cleopatra marveled once again at this man. While she had an idea of what was to come and had arranged things for him to see, even she was feeling trepidation. Descending alone into an ancient and mysterious tomb guarded by a depiction of a flesh eating monster was not comforting.

  “You should take the guards,” Rufio said.

  “Impossible,” Anoxona said with a shake of her head, “Only leaders are permitted. Any violation brings on the wrath of the Gods.”

  “I don’t like this, sir,” Agrippa stated.

  Caesar smiled and patted his friend on the shoulder, “Just an interesting archeological dig, nothing more, old friend. We won’t be but a few minutes.”

  His men didn’t protest – they could only say so much, after all. Caesar exchanged his dark torch for Cleopatra’s lighted one and led the way into the staircase.

  It was quite steep, made from rough steps cut out of the bedrock. It descended quickly and ended in a short and roughly hewn passage. This subterranean corridor had a far more oppressive air to it, the dusty atmosphere heavy and still as if pressed down by the weight of the great pyramid above and the desert around.

  “Stuffy down here,” Cleopatra commented as they stood before a simple wooden doorway.

  “Yes,” Caesar replied, “What are these symbols on the door?”

  Cleopatra peered closer and frowned, “I don’t know. They’re ancient hieroglyphics. The meaning seems plain, though.”

  Carved into the desiccated old wood were two Egyptians kneeling to either side of a door. Ra looked down upon the doorway from above the lintel. Standing in the doorway were two figures dressed in what were clearly cerements of rank.

  “Seems like the same message,” Caesar said, “Only those who lead may pass. Sounds like us.”

  She smiled at his light heartedness. She understood what Agrippa and Rufio had felt earlier. There was definitely a feeling of foreboding down here.

  “Shall we go in?” Caesar asked with a lopsided grin on his face, “Or perhaps you’d like me to go first and you can sneak in later concealed in a carpet?”

  “For shame!” Cleopatra said, slapping his arm and giggling, “Making fun of the Pharaoh of all Egypt!”

  Caesar bowed low, “Forgive me, your grace. Come on.”

  The ancient door swung open with surprising smoothness. Beyond was open darkness. The torchlight only penetrated a few feet, but they got the distinct impression of a sizable room.

  “The air is better in here,” Cleopatra said, “I wonder if this chamber is somehow open to the air above. Let’s see if there are any sconces in here.”

  Caesar made his way around the wall and saw that there indeed were oil lamps affixed to the stone walls and they even had oil in them. He frowned at that but lit them anyway.

  The
room, once lit by its six lamps, was roughly circular in shape. It had a diameter of perhaps forty feet and rose above them into darkness. Again they had the impression of size.

  The room had only two distinct features. The most dominant was yet another stone crypt at the far end, standing on its base. This one was fairly simple, however, and was human sized and had the face of a Pharaoh carved into it.

  “Sneferu?” Cleopatra asked soto voce.

  Caesar looked at her askance, “You’re asking me?”

  At the center of the room was a stone pool about waist height and filled with water. Sitting in the center of the pool, half submerged was an amorphous rock of no particular value either in rareness or aesthetics.

  “What the hell is this place?” Caesar asked rhetorically, “The Pharaoh’s final tomb? It seems rather… Spartan.”

  “I’m not completely certain,” Cleopatra said.

  “Is this what you wanted to show me?” Caesar asked.

  “Yes,” She replied, “Although I didn’t know exactly what was here, only that it was here. All leaders come here eventually, or are supposed to. From what I understand, however, no one in my line has been here since the first Ptolemy. I suppose I was expecting something… more grandiose.”

  “What were you expecting?” Caesar asked, circling the pool. He put his torch near the water and bent low to examine it.

  Cleopatra shrugged, “Something… unique. The tales have been told about secret power passed down from Pharaoh to Pharaoh. Great knowledge and even… well, even immortality.”

  She noticed him sniffing at the water and walked over to see for herself.

  “Certainly worth a look,” Caesar commented, “this is odd…”

  “She gazed into the pool and frowned, “It’s very clear… seems like this pool should be full of growths and stink of old corruption.”

  “It shouldn’t be here at all,” Caesar added, “In this dry desert, even locked away down here, and it’s still dry, stuffy and arid. Where did the water come from and why is it seemingly clean and fresh?”

  “Perhaps there is a mystery here after all,” Cleopatra opined.