Bast's Warrior

by Walters, Janet Lane;

  Namose peered at the map. “This came from Toth’s temple. His priests are learned men. Perhaps they have the secret but I’ve never heard of the like.”

  “Do you think there are other scrolls among the ones your father removed that hold secrets?”

  Namose filled a cup with water. “There could be. When Father and the guards left the compound a pair of priests of Aken Re arrived to study the scrolls. I bet they were the ones who sent word that I had left with Tuten.”

  Tira reached for a chunk of cheese and some dates. “Maybe they’re searching for maps that will show them how to find treasure in other grave sites like … like …” She was unable to speak of pyramids. Did that mean there were none in this Egypt?

  Kashe raised his head. “I think they’re making copies of the scrolls with changes that hold their views to make their god into the supreme one. When Father said I would become one of their ilk, scrolls were left for me to read. I’m no scholar but I recognized the changes they had made.”

  Merin looked from one to the other. “You shouldn’t waste time reading rather than searching for the things you came to find. We must leave this place as soon as possible.”

  Tira stared at the young woman. “What do you mean?”

  Merin shook her head. “I don’t know. The words were not the ones I planned to say. They just slipped out.”

  Tira finished her meal. She went to her bundle and returned with the necklace with an ankh as menat. “This is the key to open the hiding place of the double crown.”

  Namose touched the ankh. “When you no longer need this, may I have it?”

  “If it isn’t destroyed in the opening.” She motioned to Kashe. “We should go now.”

  “Not until the sun sets.” He waved his brother to sit. “Tira and I will go.”

  Namose scowled. “Why can’t I?”

  “We don’t know if the jaguas killed all the priests who saw Merin and Tira. Guard our belongings. Neither of you has the skill or the stealth of a warrior. There are men who visit the Valley at night and seek treasures from the graves.”

  Tira nodded. “Watch out for each other. You can practice the lessons I’ve taught you so when the time comes you can fight. The moves should come smoothly and without thought.”

  Kashe nodded. “Tira and I were summoned by Horu and Bast to undertake this quest.”

  Namose jumped to his feet. “I wonder if I brought the prophecy scroll or if I left it at the compound. It spoke of three to come from afar and three from the Two Lands.”

  Merin frowned. “Tell me more.”

  Kashe took one of the torches and soaked the end with oil. He motioned to Tira. “While they’re busy we should go to the entrance and wait for the sun to set.”

  Tira tucked the necklace in her pouch. She strode down the passage and sat on the ledge beside Kashe. Their shoulders touched. For a moment she leaned against him. He turned his head. Their lips brushed. She edged closer.

  He grasped her arm. “Don’t tempt me. We haven’t leave to dally. The quest will not last forever.”

  Tira groaned. “I can’t help what pulses between us like a beating heart.” Her eyes widened. She saw four men wearing white robes walk toward the temple. They seemed to study the cliffs. Were they searching for someone or did they fear the jaguas were on the prowl? Did they know about the symbols? Without the menats they had no keys to open the places where the crook, the flail and the double crown were hidden.

  Bast Ka appeared at Tira’s side. She stroked the feline’s fur. “Do you go with us or stay here?”

  “Merrup.”

  Tira lifted the cat onto her lap and watched the shadows gather. Horu Ka circled the area. The priests vanished and the chanting began. Soon the last of the day bled away and the voices from the temple stilled.

  Kashe touched her shoulder. “Time to go.”

  Tira released Bast Ka. The cat flowed to the ground. Tira followed and Kashe joined her. With him in the lead they made their way among the tumbled boulders toward the place where Tira hoped they would find the first of the symbols. The head of the day leached away. The moon rose and light from the distant stars lit their way.

  Kashe halted. “If the map is right we climb here.” He pointed to a ledge above them. “We should find the door there.”

  Bast Ka leaped from one rock to the other. Tira scrambled behind the feline. For the last step she accepted Kashe’s help onto the ledge.

  She stared at the seeming smooth rock face. She couldn’t see the gleam of copper she had noticed before. She turned to Kashe. “Maybe you should light the torch.”

  “And alert every grave robber in the Valley?”

  Tira moved forward and ran her hands over the smooth stone. How did they achieve such a smooth texture? She used her fingers to search for a seam or for the carved ankh like the one on the necklace. She laughed softly. “Found it.” The sign felt as though the surface was lined with metal.

  “Now what?”

  “There’s a smooth line that must mark the door.” With care she fitted the copper menat into the carving. As if she’d turned a key in a lock the stone moved inward. What magic was this, she wondered. The technology of this time in the history of the Egypt she’d studied wasn’t this advanced. Bast Ka slipped past her and slithered into the darkness. When the opening gaped wide enough Tira stepped inside.

  Kashe clasped her shoulder. “Let me light the torch before we go any further. There could be traps inside.” He used a flint to raise sparks. Soon the oil-soaked cloth took fire.

  Tira thought of the things she’d read about the tombs of Egypt. Not that this land was the same one as the one she knew but there were enough similarities to make her think the traps would be similar. She’d read of stone squares that fell and sent an intruder into a pit or a balanced rock that toppled at a touch. The torchlight revealed paintings on the walls. At another time she would have enjoyed studying them. They would tell her much about this Egypt.

  Kashe held the torch high and moved into the dark tunnel. Tira hoped the flash of light hadn’t been seen by grave robbers or temple priests.

  Bast Ka meowed. Tira darted forward.

  “Slowly,” Kashe said.

  Tira paused beside the cat. The light revealed a gap in the tunnel floor that opened into a deep pit. “What now?”

  Bast Ka leaped to the other side. Tira drew a deep breath, moved back, ran and jumped. She landed on the far side.

  “Catch.” Kashe tossed the torch.

  Tira caught the flaming brand just before it hit the ground. She held the light so he could see and pressed her body against the tunnel wall. He landed near her, took the torch and moved into the passage.

  The area was wide enough so they could walk without touching the walls. The torchlight revealed glimpses of painted figures. Tira longed to examine and see the differences between her Egypt and this one. Did it matter? She was here and could never return.

  Several times a low ceiling forced them to stoop to avoid hitting their heads. Bast Ka halted and hissed. Tira moved to the cat’s side and froze. The tunnel opened into a square chamber. Moonlight shone through a hole in the dome. High on a plinth she saw the double crown. The cat growled. Tira backed away and collided with Kashe.

  He touched her shoulder. She gasped. “We must retreat,” he said. “Though the serpents are chilled by the night air there’s no way to climb the pillar without disturbing them. We wouldn’t survive the venom.”

  Tira gulped a breath. “We must find another way.” She stared at the hole in the dome. Was there a way to reach the crown from above? Judging the distance from the crown to the opening was difficult from this angle. As she stared at the wreath of snakes she saw movement. A scream she didn’t dare release rose from her gut.

  Her dislike of reptiles made her queasy. She recalled the single time she’d entered the snake house at the zoo. The sight of the coiled reptiles, though behind glass, had sent her fleeing into the sunlight.

  She and
Kashe scurried along the tunnel. To her, the trip back seemed to take longer than the one to find the chamber had. Kashe paused at the gap. “Go,” he said,

  Bast Ka leaped. Tira followed. She turned to catch the torch and sat a snake behind Kashe rear to strike. “Hurry,” she screamed.

  He jumped and landed behind her. The snake fell into the pit.

  At the entrance to the tomb he ground the torch on the stone. They stepped outside. Tira shuddered and tremors shook her body. Kashe pulled her into his arms. “We’re out and safe.”

  Tira pressed against him. The warmth of his embrace and his arms brought comfort that changed to desire. She pressed closer. Why did they wear these engulfing robes? If they wore their kilts the hunger could be eased without consummation. Would Kashe turn away from that kind of relief? Tongues touched, tangled and teased. He pressed her against the wall.

  `“Take me now.” She gasped for breath. Something jabbed her ankle. She pushed Kashe away. Bast Ka yowled. The cat’s cry reverberated in the air.

  Kashe released her. “What’s wrong?”

  Tira stooped and examined her ankle. No fang marks. Relief washed through her. “I thought a snake struck.” She glared at the cat. “Bast Ka nipped me.”

  “Lucky for us. We must return to the tomb before we’re discovered.” He pulled her toward the edge of the ledge.

  “Not yet.” She stepped back and removed the menat from the carving and pulled on the stone slab. The opening closed part way and stuck. Though they tried they were unable to force the rock to move further. “Do you think the priests will venture from the temple and find this place?”

  “They won’t tonight but there are grave robbers to consider. Bast Ka’s yowl might even draw Merin and Namose from the refuge. Look. Horu Ka prepares to attack someone.”

  Tira followed Kashe from the ledge. Had the cat’s warning been of danger or to keep Kashe and her apart? Tira scooped the feline into her arms. She heard a rumbling growl and looked up to see the large tri-colored felines peering over the lip of a higher place. Jaguas, Kashe had called them. She froze. “Do you see?”

  “I think they seek intruders.” Kashe moved forward.

  Tira scrambled after him. She turned her head. The jaguas leaped from their perch and bounded toward the temple. What did the large felines find to eat in this desolate place? Perhaps they raided the temple’s flocks and herds. She waited until the pair vanished into the shadows. They moved with the powerful stride of tigers and the speed of cheetahs. Their coats were spots of russet, gray and amber.

  Kashe grasped her arm. “We should hurry.”

  She sighed. They could do no more tonight. In the morning she intended to study the map and find another way to reach the crown.

  Chapter 20

  Like Tira, Kashe watched the jaguas sprint away. He wondered what scent had drawn them into a chase. He didn’t think the priests left the temple grounds after sunset. From his observations of the ones who had visited his father and their underlings he believed they preferred comfort to challenge. Except Hebu, beloved of Aken Re. That man was a foreign fanatic.

  Kashe’s thoughts turned from the priest to Tira. How many more times would the sacred cat or the hawk remind them of the reason they traveled together and why they must remain apart? Each time they touched the level of yearning rose between them. Soon the blocked emotions would break the dam of restriction.

  He heard a scuffling sound and signaled Tira to halt. Several dark figures crept past the rocks where he and Tira hid. Grave robbers intent on finding gold or the rarer silver artifacts left as grave offerings.

  The crown, he thought. Though mostly of copper he recalled the gems used for the eyes of the hawk and the cat. Though he’d never seen the actual object the three symbols were painted on the wall in the family temple. His muscles tensed for action and then relaxed. Even if the thieves found the hiding place the presence of the serpents would protect the crown.

  A way to reach the symbol must be found. He had several ideas though only one was possible to implement. If they had been near a large gown and not a worker’s village, one of more mongooses could be purchased. The second option was poison. That meant he had to leave the Valley, skirt the temple and find Tuten. He knew the older man planned to sell the camels and find a river boat they could use to cross to Tebes. Had Tuten returned yet? Kashe wished he had a way to reach his friend. Like Tira and Merin he wanted to finish this quest and leave this desolate place.

  The sounds vanished. Kashe touched Tira’s arm and signaled her forward. He intended to leave her at the unfinished tomb. Once she slept he would leave. Cautiously they moved from boulder to boulder. As they neared their destination he wondered how much of the night remained.

  He and Tira walked down the tunnel. Lights from a single saucer lamp cast eerie shadows. Merin slept. Namose read a scroll. Tira yawned and lay on her blanket. Kashe sat with his back against the wall. Once Tira’s breathing slowed he gestured to his younger brother. “I have to leave.”

  “Why? Where are you going?”

  “To find Tuten. Tira and I have found the crown but serpents guard the hiding place.”

  Namose made a face. “That’s bad. How will you reach the crown?”

  “Tuten will buy poison and we’ll discover a way to dose them. Once they’re dead there’ll be no problem.”

  “Be careful. Are you climbing the cliff?”

  Kashe shook his head. “That will take too long. Tuten may have sold the camels. Since he plans to do that in the worker’s village he’ll have to pass the temple. If he’s not at the camp I’ll wait. I may be away several days.”

  Namose yawned. “Does Tira know?”

  “You must tell her what I’ve done. Tell her to be patient and wait for my return.”

  “Will she listen to me?”

  Kashe shrugged. “Just try to persuade her not to explore on her own.” He slung an empty water sack over his shoulder. “Take care.”

  “You, too.”

  Kashe slipped through the tunnel and began the trek to the place where they had camped before climbing the cliff. He stayed as far from the temple as possible and paused frequently to search the shadows for men who might be astir. Horu Ka flew ahead in near soundless flight. Twice the avian called a warning allowing Kashe time to hide. As dawn lit the sky, he passed the temple. The priests’ chanting broke the silence. By mid-morning he reached the camp and found Tuten prepared to leave.

  The older man tapped the camel so it knelt. He slid to the ground. “Is there trouble?”

  Kashe looked around. The other camels were gone. “In a way, but not the kind you imagine.” Kashe moved away from the animal and sat near the place where water spouted from the rocks. “I’m glad you’re still here.” He told Tuten about the crown and the nesting serpents. “We’ll never reach the pillar unless the reptiles are dead.”

  Tuten scratched his head. “I’ll see what I can find. I hate serpents. They often strike without warning rather like the priests of Aken Re. I plan to sell this beast and arrange supplies for the barge. The one I found is small but will carry five of us with no problem. Once that’s done I’ll bring supplies and more water to you. I’ll purchase poison.”

  Kashe held up the leather water container. “I’ll fill this one and that should be enough. Should I return here to fetch what you buy?”

  Tuten shook his head. “I’ll bring my purchases to you. Expect me in three or four sun turns.”

  “Let me show you where to find us.”

  “Draw your map.” Tuten held up his hand. “First, there’s a tale I heard in the village. The nomarchs have been invited to visit the temple during the next full moon after this one. They will witness the marriage of Pian to the daughter. Most of the nomarchs will stay in Tebes and sail across.”

  “Are you sure this isn’t just a rumor?”

  Tuten grinned. “Two men stumbled into the camp. Grave robbers paid by the priests to seek treasure at night. They’re paid for meta
l and jewels with grants of land. They thought I was one of their ilk. They told me what I just related.”

  “How can the priests promise a wedding when the daughter travels with us?”

  “They have a girl they’re grooming. She is slow of mind but she resembles the old pharaoh. Maybe a half-sister of Merin’s.”

  “Why do you think this?”

  “I saw her when I sold the camels to the priests. After the marriage Pian will declare Aken Re as the sole god of the land. Any nomarch who refuses to accept the pronouncement will die.”

  Kashe drew a deep breath. “Did my father or Pian see you?”

  “I was careful to avoid them.”

  “What will happen when a nomarch demands to see the symbols of the rule and the daughter’s jewelry?”

  “The symbols will have no role in the new dynasty nor will the daughter’s jewelry.” Tuten rose. “I must leave for the village. Why not stay here until I return?”

  Kashe laughed. “Tempting but I’d rather not let Tira do something rash. She’s in a hurry to complete our task. I’ll draw a map. Here’s the end of the cliff. Five hundred paces past the turn are three boulders that look like stairs. Climb the ledge. Enter the passage to an unfinished tomb. I’ll try to come and meet you.”

  Tuten studied the map. “I’ll find you.”

  After the older man left Kashe settled in the shade from an overhang. To start back before the sun set would be a careless move. By late afternoon he felt rested. He filled the water sack and ate what Tuten had left. Before walking away from the small oasis he erased traces of their presence.

  Once the chanting began he began his return to the tomb. As the sun sank low he stared at the cliffs. A glint of gold caught his attention. Could that mark the place where the flail had been hidden? Had the spot showed on the map? He was in a rush to check but he reined his enthusiasm and waited.

  The sun slid over the horizon and the monotonous sound of the chanting voices ended. He shook his to rid himself of the sounds and lifted the leather sack. Horu Ka appeared and softly called.