3-in-1: Zet and the Egyptian Mystery Cases

by Scott Peters

  The girl sighed. "Sometimes life has a way of taking us by surprise," she said quietly.

  He followed her gaze across the lush soil and into the dry hills beyond. The swaying palms marked the edge of the humid earth. Once you passed those shady guardians, the world became all blinding heat. A waterless desert filled with deadly scorpions, snakes, hyenas and lions, waiting to claim your life. If thirst didn't kill you first.

  Where could they have taken the princess?

  "Is there any news from the medjay? They're looking for her, aren't they?" he said.

  "Yes. Not that it's done any good."

  "I'm sorry," he said, realizing she and Princess Merit must be close friends.

  She said, "Without that runner, will you have to do double the work?"

  Hui. He had to get Hui free. They'd have to let him go!

  She watched his face. "It's good the boy was caught."

  "Well—"

  "You don't want to be working with a thief, do you?"

  "Right. I mean, no." Zet felt horrible at pretending Hui was a thief. He couldn't tell her Hui was his best friend. She seemed nice and he hated deceiving her, but he had a job to do. This was an opportunity to find out first hand what happened to the Princess. Anyway, she wanted the same thing, right?

  "I guess I better go," she said.

  Seeing his chance slipping away, he blurted, "Look, I'm just a messenger boy, but I want to help find your priestess."

  She stiffened. "I don't see how you could."

  "I don't know either."

  Her shoulders relaxed and she sighed. "Thanks for offering."

  "What's your name?"

  "Naunet. What's yours, messenger boy?"

  "Zet."

  "Well, Zet, I have to go put this away." She rose. "Perhaps I'll see you again."

  He sat there dumbly, watching her flit off like a little bird with her white dress fanning out behind and wondered why he enjoyed hearing her say his name so much.

  Speaking of names, why did hers sound so familiar? Naunet. Had the Queen Mother mentioned it? No. Nothing came to him.

  Hui flashed into his mind and he felt suddenly sick.

  How were they going to get out of this?

  It was time to go help Hui. Zet ran in the direction the medjay had taken him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Arrested

  Blue sky arched overhead, rich as royal turquoise. Palm fronds cast jagged shadows over the warm earth underfoot. A scorpion scuttled across Zet's path, its tail curved in the familiar, deadly arch. Zet skidded to a halt. The creature paid him no notice. It went on its way, scuffling into the dry grass. If Zet had been running any faster, he'd have stepped on it. Probably puncturing his foot in the process.

  He could be brave about a lot of things, but poison wasn't one of them. What a horrible, terrifying death that would be. He shuddered.

  From now on, he'd have to be more careful where he stepped out here.

  Moments later, he spotted Hui far along the wharf. Shoulders sunburnt after their two days on the boat, Hui sat on a stone block looking sullen. Two medjay stood there, one on either side. Behind them, an official medjay police boat was tied up securely. The medjay's symbol was painted on its hull and sewn into a flag that fluttered atop the mast.

  Hui glanced up as Zet neared. His eyes brightened and he scrambled to his feet.

  "Sit down!" one medjay barked.

  Hui sat. He crossed his arms, grumbling about stuck up girls who were too stupid to see he was telling the truth.

  Nerves clenched Zet's belly. "I'm sure we can explain this. It was just a big mistake."

  "And who might you be?" one medjay asked.

  "We work together."

  "Not anymore. Now clear off."

  Zet's hands were sweating. "If you come with me and talk to our boss—"

  "I'll do no such thing!" roared the closest medjay. "This is official business. If you don't leave immediately, I'll arrest you too."

  "But sir—"

  "And still you keep talking! One more word and I swear you'll be thrown in shackles for the rest of your short life."

  Hui leaped to his feet. "You have no right!"

  The medjay grabbed Hui, and was about to deal him a heavy blow when a deep voice boomed, "What's all this, then?"

  "Commander, you're here, thank the gods," said the nearest medjay.

  He snorted. "You called me back to deal with two boys?"

  Zet stared at the commander's face in disbelief. As of yet, the commander hadn't looked at him. The man stood taller than the rest. His chest was broad and muscled, and he had hands the size of platters. A wide belt circled his muscled midsection, and a sword hung from a loop. His brows were thick, and his square jaw was shadowed with a faint hint of stubble. He turned his eyes on Zet. His mouth opened in surprise.

  "Zet?" he said in disbelief.

  Zet grinned, so glad to see his old friend Merimose that he wanted to shout with joy.

  Merimose shifted to squint at Hui. His disbelief turned to outrage. "Hui, too? By every god, what in Ra's name are you boys doing here?"

  Despite the big man's tone, Zet felt relieved. He and Merimose had had their share of run-ins back in Thebes—most of them good. Even if Merimose did have a way of forgetting how helpful Zet had been in past cases, he'd get Hui free. Zet felt sure of it.

  To the men, Merimose said. "You're dismissed." To Zet and Hui, he said, "On board. Both of you. We need to have a little chat."

  The nearest medjay protested. "Commander, I'd like to report what this boy was doing."

  "I'll get a full explanation. Don't you worry." He glared at Zet and Hui.

  The medjay shrugged. Then, with fresh orders from Merimose, he and the other man marched off with their weapons jingling at their sides.

  This was the third boat Zet had been on in as many days. It was as different as the other two. Everything about it seemed ship-shape and official. More sparkling clean than his mother's kitchen, the deck practically squeaked underfoot. Merimose ushered them into the central cabin. It was like a miniature version of the office in Thebes. Cubbyholes held neatly rolled scrolls. The place gleamed with efficiency. At present, it was empty.

  Merimose shut the door.

  "Explain yourselves," he growled.

  Zet and Hui started in at once, both talking over each other.

  "Stop!" Merimose said, raising a hand. "Zet, you first. Don't you have a pottery stall to run? If I hear you've come because—no, that's not possible. No one knows except myself and a few others." He rubbed his head. "Why are you here?"

  "Well . . . " Zet began. "It's not true, exactly, that no one knows about—"

  "This is outrageous!" Merimose said. "If you tell me you're here because of some rhino-brained idea that you're an investigator . . . oh, by the beard of Osiris, I can read it in your face! That is why you're here. How did you possibly find out? Of all the ridiculous things a boy could do!"

  "It wasn't my idea," Zet said quickly. He glanced at Hui for help.

  Hui's mouth dropped open. "Don't look at me, I'm in enough trouble."

  "Yes," Merimose said drily. "We'll get to that."

  "Look." Zet lowered his voice to a whisper. "The Queen Mother came to me. She figured I could help, just ask questions, that's all."

  "She did, did she?"

  "I'll prove it!" Zet pulled out the Queen Mother's ring.

  Merimose waved his huge right hand. "Put it away. Whatever you might be, you're not a liar. Not about something like that. But Queen Mother or not, I can't have you running all over, upsetting my investigation and getting underfoot!"

  "We're working for the architect as runners. We won't be!"

  Merimose rubbed his face and sighed. "You already are. Want to explain what happened out there?"

  Hui said, "It was a simple mix up. Honest. I'm making a lock, and I needed a piece of wood to make a pin. I saw the bush along the river's edge, and was going to cut off a piece. There was a rope d
angling from the bush into the water. I was curious, so I pulled on it, the bag came up, and then that girl showed up and started screaming at me. I didn't even know that some jewels were in there until later!"

  Merimose said, "You found a bag of jewels? Great. Just great. Who was the girl?"

  "Naunet is her name," Zet said.

  Hui glanced at him like he was a traitor. "You talked to her?"

  "Naunet?" Merimose said. "It gets even better! Not only did you find jewels, they're royal jewels."

  Zet and Hui were silent. Zet didn't like the look on Merimose's face.

  "I can't let you go, Hui. I'm going to have to lock you up."

  "What?" Hui gasped. "But I'm innocent!"

  Merimose grimaced. "I believe you. But others won't. You'll have to stand trial."

  "Stand trial?" Hui blanched. "Are you serious?"

  "Unless we find out who put that bag in the river, I'm afraid I am."

  Sweat broke out on Zet's forehead. "You're the Commander, the head medjay."

  "Yes. Which means I have to uphold the law. I'm sorry boys, my hands are tied."

  "This can't be happening." Zet stared at Hui's pale face. "Don't worry. There's no way I'm letting you stand trial. I brought you here. I'm going to find out who did this."

  "No," Merimose said. "You're going to leave things to me and my men."

  Zet's mouth opened. He glared at the commander.

  "If you want to keep working for the architect, I can't stop you. As for this case, drop it. If you start poking around, you put not only you, me and my men at danger, you might get the Princess killed."

  Hands in fists, Zet stared at the scrubbed wooden floor.

  "Do you understand me?" Merimose asked.

  Zet nodded.

  "I mean it. These people are vicious. They've kidnapped Pharaoh's daughter. They plan on winning their battle against Egypt with this move. If they suspect you're snooping around, you're dead." He paused. "And as for that ring you're wearing? I advise you to find a spot and bury it. One look and they'll know you're the Queen Mother's spy."

  Hui shot Zet a frightened look.

  "It's time you went back to shore," Merimose said.

  Chapter Sixteen

  A Priest's Work

  Zet stood on the wharf, wondering how things had turned so badly.

  Hui was going to have to face trial. If they found him guilty, he'd be put to death. The image was so bleak, his legs felt numb. He sat heavily on a stone block and stared blankly ahead.

  Hui, dead?

  Zet couldn't give in to panic. If he did, Hui would be lost for certain.

  He tried to summon his courage. There was only one way to save him. Unravel the mystery, fast.

  Back at Senna's boat, he gave Ari the news. Then he left quickly. Back on shore, Zet's skin prickled with a sense of being watched. He glanced at the gently rocking boats, but saw no one. His fingers went to the ring hidden on the chain around his neck.

  He needed to hide it, but not in broad daylight. He'd wait until night.

  His stomach grumbled loudly. He cursed at it, but knew he needed food. He took one last glance at the medjays' boat. Then he skirted by the dining tent like a dog looking for stray scraps.

  "Meal's over!" said a woman clearing away the last of the empty platters.

  "I don't suppose you have leftovers? I missed it."

  "Wake up earlier, next time!"

  He went outside. Behind the tent lay the cooking area with a giant fire pit and huge pots for making meals to feed a crowd. He spotted a basket with a heel of bread. It would have to do.

  "Oho, no you don't!" shouted the cook. "You're the one whose been nibbling at my stores! You already got a cooked meat pie last night!"

  "That wasn't me," Zet said.

  She relented. "All right then. Can't have you fainting. Grab a handful of dates while you're at it. In the sack behind the beer jug."

  He grabbed the bread and dates. "Thank you!"

  He headed for the temple in the distance, chewing as he went.

  "Boy, hey!" came a man's voice. "You there, stop!"

  Zet turned. It was the priest from the boat. The man stood in the shade of a palm tree. His linen kilt was so white it was nearly blinding. How did he manage to keep it so clean in a place like this?

  "Hurry," the priest said. "How dare you keep me waiting?"

  Zet frowned. "Whoever you're waiting for, it's not me. I'm on business for the architect. And I have to get going."

  The priest eyed Zet sharply. "The architect's business can wait. I am the High Priest of Osiris. You will do my bidding."

  At this, Zet gulped. High Priest to Osiris, God of the Underworld? So that's why the man had such dark energy. A chill ran down Zet's spine. He definitely didn't want to risk stirring up the wrath of the mighty God of the Dead.

  "What do you need me to do?" Zet asked.

  The priest motioned to the large wooden chest at his feet. The sides were inlaid with gold and jewels. The top looked extremely strange, like it was made out of the wings of some large bird. A falcon perhaps.

  "Carry this and follow me," the priest said. He set off in the direction of the half-constructed temple of Pharaoh Ahmose.

  Zet hurried to get the rectangular box. He had to stretch his arms wide to grasp the rope handles on either end. It took two tries to heft it off the ground. Now, with the strange feather lid so close to his face, he saw that it was definitely wings. Four of them, all stitched together and held in place with leather hinges on one side.

  Chills rippled along Zet's forearms where they touched the thing. Eerie.

  What was in there that was so heavy? Zet was wiry, but strong for his size given that he spent most days hefting heavy pottery jugs, urns and stacks of plates around his stall back home. Lean muscles stood out on his arms. He tightened his handhold and hurried to catch up.

  "I guess you know about the missing priestess?"

  The man didn't answer.

  A thought struck. "Wait, is that why you've come?"

  The man walked faster.

  Was it possible the Queen Mother had sent the priest, too? If so, they were working for the same cause. "Are you here to help?"

  The priest paused. "Her disappearance has placed a stain on this holy ground."

  What was that supposed to mean? It wasn't her fault she was kidnapped.

  The priest sped up.

  Zet decided to try again. "The architect asked me to go to the chapel where she was taken. He wants to start building there soon. I know it's none of my business, but I was thinking—maybe you want to come with me? Being a holy man, you'd be able to spot anything out of place."

  The priest turned and snapped, "The matter has nothing to do with you. Remember your place, serving boy."

  Zet felt his cheeks turn hot.

  He swallowed, thinking of the Queen Mother who'd sent him with so much trust. He had no business trying to solve this case! What was he doing here? Everything was all messed up.

  Time was slipping away. Hui was facing a death trial. Zet had learned nothing about the Princess's hostage location. Pharaoh would be here in a few days. Panic rose and he shoved it down.

  The priest began to chant. More like a stream of low sounds than actual words. He marched to the creepy tune.

  In Zet's arms, the box shuddered of its own accord. His eyes flicked to the priest, and back to the flimsy feather lid. Sweat stood out on his chest and arms.

  What was in there?

  Ahead, stone pillars and half built walls rose to the sky. They were nearing the construction site. Men moved in teams, building, carving, painting. Before Zet could breathe a sigh of relief, however, the priest kept going.

  Whatever was inside the box shifted again.

  Zet kept his eyes on the lid, trying to see between the feathers.

  "Stop and kneel," the priest said.

  "What?" Zet glanced up. He'd been so focused on the chest he hadn't noticed anything else.

  He
sucked in a shocked breath.

  He stood at the base of a huge triangle. The building tapered in and up on all four sides, and came to a single point on top. A pyramid! He'd heard of such things, but never dreamed he'd see one. The angled walls shone in the sunlight, so smooth you wanted to run up to them and glide your hand over the surface.

  Instead, Zet set the chest down and sank to his knees.

  "This will be the burial place of Pharaoh," the priest said. "If you value your life and your health, you will pray now to be forgiven for setting your eyes upon it."

  Zet never asked to set his eyes upon it. Still, he thought it best to take the High Priest's advice, and whispered every fervent prayer he could think of.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The Box

  "Now," the priest said, rising, "Attend me to the entrance."

  Zet rose, hefted the box up again and headed for the pyramid's arched entryway.

  "That is a false door. Only spirits may pass through it."

  The priest marched around the pyramid's far side. Zet struggled after him with the monstrous box. When he rounded the corner, he spotted several medjay. They stood guard at the entrance to the giant structure. Something about this suddenly felt very official. The medjay were obviously waiting.

  Was it because they needed to get inside, but didn't dare?

  Zet gasped. "Do you think the kidnappers are hiding the priestess in there?" He was horrified, but saw how it could make a good hiding spot. No Egyptian would risk the curses for entering the pyramid. Maybe the Hyksos believed they were immune to the wrath of Egypt's gods.

  "We shall see."

  At the entrance, the medjay gave the priest a wide berth. Even they seemed to fear his spooky presence. A sudden tune issued from the priest's lips. It echoed sharply off the hot, slanted wall. It rose to an alarming pitch.

  Zet felt his cargo thrash. Jarred by the terrifying movement, he carefully lowered the box to the ground.

  As he did, the feather lid began to rise.

  Startled, he crouched motionless.

  The lid continued to open. A sleek, scale-covered head snaked up from the opening. The serpent's body moved and writhed, pushing itself higher, weaving back and forth. Its eyes were like glass, black and shining. Zet stared into its cold, hypnotizing gaze.