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

by Scott Peters

  “Come on,” Zet said.

  Princess Meritamon said, “Why should I trust you?”

  “Why? I just helped tie up one of your kidnappers! Now come on!”

  “You tied her up, yes. But you’re certainly not a medjay. Or a palace guard. She seemed to know you well enough. Who are you working for?”

  “You think I risked my life against those men because I’m a kidnapper, too?”

  Kissa looked panicked. “Highness, we’d better go!”

  “Not until he tells me why we should trust him. I have no intention of trading one group of kidnappers for another.”

  The men would be back any moment. Zet hadn’t planned on this. He felt ill! If they didn’t hurry . . . Then he remembered something—all those times he’d been warned to bury the coronation ring, and he hadn’t. He reached into his tunic and pulled it out. He thrust it before her eyes.

  “Grandmother’s ring!” she gasped.

  “She gave it to me, and sent me to find you.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Tell me your name.”

  “Zet.”

  At this she nodded. “Help me up. She told me about you. Let’s get out of here.”

  Outside, the fire still smoldered, casting off a wide pool of light. The three of them stepped through the door. He bolted it shut on Naunet. One arm circling the Princess’s waist, he led her toward the darkness. Then he heard a shout across the broad expanse of scrubby fields.

  “Faster, they’re coming,” the Princess said.

  “I don’t want to hurt you,” he replied.

  “Better hurt than dead,” she gasped.

  He broke into a run and dragged her with him. “Our donkeys are tied to the date trees,” he shouted to Kissa. “Run and untie them!”

  Kissa came to life, sprinting into the gloom. Zet glanced back. He should have untied the kidnappers’ donkeys. He could have scattered them! Too late now.

  Where was Hui?

  From behind, the kidnappers’ shouts grew louder.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Answers in the Night

  Zet’s breath was growing ragged. Still he kept running, half-carrying Princess Meritamon with him.

  He heard Manu shout, “They’re headed for the trees!”

  “Stop them!” shouted Darius.

  The men were gaining.

  Then, from up ahead, their two donkeys burst from the grove. Hui was leading Brownie at a run, and Kissa was riding Gray Ears. Thank the gods! Zet tightened his hold around Princess Meritamon’s waist, lifting her almost off the ground, and sprinted.

  “Get them!” Darius roared, enraged. He sounded just yards away.

  Hui threw Brownie’s bridle rope toward Zet.

  Zet caught it. Taking hold of the Princess with both hands, he lifted her with a strength he didn’t know he had. She landed astride the donkey. Zet leaped up in front of her.

  Darius was only three strides away.

  The princess screamed as Darius latched onto her leg. Zet crooked his elbow, and putting all of his weight into it, slammed it in Darius’s face. Darius fell back just long enough for Zet to kick his donkey into action. Brownie, clearly spooked, took off like a shot toward Hui.

  Manu had reached them now, too. The huge man lunged at Hui and Kissa, but Gray Ears skittered sideways.

  Zet scooped up Gray Ears' bridle rope. And then they were charging together through the date grove. Princess Meritamon tightened her arms around his waist. With sudden clarity, he realized just how amazing this was. He was riding on a donkey with a princess clinging to him.

  But they weren’t out of danger yet.

  The men were doubling back for their own mounts. Zet angled left.

  “Stick to the trees for as long as we can,” Zet called back to Hui.

  Hui nodded. He and Kissa were bent forward, giving Gray Ears its head.

  The group stayed within the grove’s cover until finally they were forced into the open. But it wasn’t exactly open. Thorny branches tore at their legs. Zet’s donkey slowed. Painfully, they picked their way forward.

  Soon, overgrown bushes closed behind them.

  “I think we lost them,” Zet said softly.

  “Agreed,” Hui said in a low voice. “But we still have to cross the canal.”

  Zet glanced back at the Princess. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded, but her cheeks were pinched and her eyes looked dark with pain.

  Kissa spoke up. “I have my satchel. I can mix some herbs. It would only take . . .”

  “No,” Princess Meritamon said. Then in a parched sounding voice she added, “I’m fine. Unless someone has water?”

  Zet wished he could help her. “Sorry. We didn’t bring any.”

  She nodded. “But you came and got us. That’s more than enough.”

  The journey was far from over, he thought. And the danger. To distract himself from his worry, he let his thoughts wander to Naunet. Her betrayal had left a painful spot in the middle of his chest. He guessed it would be there for a long time.

  As he rode and thought of her, another piece of the mystery fell together. He recalled that conversation he’d overheard between Darius and the boat Captain.

  “I hope you’re not leaving without saying hello to Nan,” Darius had said.

  “If I see her tonight, good,” the Captain had replied. “If not, give my little sister my regards”.

  Nan was a nickname. They’d been talking about Naunet. Darius, the Captain and Naunet were siblings. It seemed obvious now. How could he have missed it? How could he have trusted her?

  With heavy heart, he imagined Naunet and Darius plotting the kidnapping.

  He knew exactly how they’d done it.

  First, Darius went upriver with the Captain on a ‘hunting trip’.

  Then, Manu and the other man weakened the obelisk by chiseling at the base during the night. The next morning, Naunet convinced the Princess to visit the chapel. When the obelisk crashed, Naunet ran to ‘investigate’. In truth, she went to inform Manu that the Princess was alone in the chapel as planned.

  While everyone was distracted, Manu moved in and snatched the Princess and Kissa. Naunet rushed back to the harbor, screaming that the Priestess had disappeared—but only after she’d given the men plenty of time to escape.

  Darius was upriver. He snuck off with the skiff and rowed to the wadi. There he ferried the two girls across the canal.

  How could Naunet have betrayed her own people like that? And him, too.

  Zet’s shoulders sagged. Never had he been so completely fooled. It was like he’d been blind, because he’d wanted to believe her. He realized then that he’d liked her. This was the worst blow of all.

  The donkeys were walking side-by-side.

  Zet glanced at Kissa, remembering she was half-Hyksos and didn’t even know it. What would she say when she learned the truth? Would she feel betrayed by her mother?

  Had that been part of Darius’s plan? Had he seen Kissa’s mother with Naunet, and decided she’d make the perfect decoy? Or had it been a fluke?

  When they finally reached the canal, the sky was turning a pale shade of gray. Dawn would be here soon. The four paused at the reedy bank, and stared at one another in the growing light. They were a long way down from their earlier crossing.

  “Better get this over with,” Hui said, trying to urge Gray Ears forward.

  “Wait,” Zet said.

  Hui glanced at him.

  “I don’t know if they can swim with two of us riding.”

  “I take it you have a plan?”

  Zet nodded. “The girls ride. We swim alongside.”

  Hui looked at the river, as if seeing it with fresh eyes. Zet did the same. It churned and swirled, gurgling and spitting as it passed rocks and reeds on its way downstream. And who knew what lay under the burbling surface? Poisonous snakes. Crocodiles. Hippos.

  “Come on,” Zet said, not wanting to spend another moment thinking about it.

  “I
can’t swim,” Kissa blurted. “What if we fall off? The Princess can’t either—“

  “Look!” Princess Meritamon said. “Down there!”

  The three kidnappers had just emerged onto the bank. They were tiny from this distance. Still, they turned and their shouts of triumph could be heard.

  “Can you manage?” she asked Zet.

  “Yes.” Zet wound Brownie’s bridle rope around his waist and tied it into a knot. Hui followed suit. Zet plunged in, pulling Brownie and the animal’s precious cargo forward. Gray Ears clearly didn’t want to be left behind. He responded to Hui’s urging and got into the water.

  The bank dropped off quickly. The current grabbed hold of Zet.

  Only the bridle rope kept him from being carried away.

  The swim was long and hard. Even the donkeys were being carried sideways. The current was much stronger here. No wonder Darius and Manu had chosen the other spot to cross. Zet could see them, along with the third man, on their donkeys swimming their way to the far bank.

  But then the current ripped Zet and the others even faster. He went under.

  The Princess pulled him, spluttering, to the surface. Moments later, the wild flow threw them against the bank. Zet stumbled for his footing, and then he was standing on land. Hui was right beside him. Up river, the men were still crossing.

  “Which way is the harbor?” Princess Meritamon asked.

  He pointed right.

  “We have to cross their path?” she gasped. “They’ll cut us off!”

  “We’ll try to skirt around them. They’re still swimming, we’ll make it.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  A Last Stand

  Zet led Brownie by the rope into the towering rushes. Soon, the canal was lost from view. He stroked the donkey’s matted fur. The animal was clearly exhausted.

  “Just a little further.” Feeling horrible, he climbed onto its back.

  The Princess wrapped her arms around Zet’s waist. It was clear escape was taking its toll. He could tell by her ragged breath she was in extreme pain.

  “How much further?” she gasped.

  “Not far,” Zet lied.

  When they burst out of the towering rushes, Zet’s hopes fell. They were much further from the harbor than he ever expected. The pyramid rose, toy-sized, in the distance. They still had to pass by the construction site on the way.

  The three men were sure to cut them off.

  He prayed that medjay would appear out of the shadows, brandishing swords. Then he remembered what Darius had said, about the Hyksos trap.

  As if to confirm his worst fears, none appeared.

  A crazy idea came to him. A way to buy time. Maybe they’d have a chance.

  “Head for the hill!” Zet told Hui.

  “The pyramid,” Hui said, clearly understanding Zet’s plan.

  Zet spoke into Brownie’s ear, urging it forward. The animal was winded, snorting and shaking its furry head. But then, Brownie began to trot. Zet glanced back at Gray Ears. Reluctantly, the donkey started into a trot as well.

  They rode for the giant structure. A cliff rose directly in front, forcing them left along the road. They reached the hairpin turn at the rear of the monument and the valley was momentarily lost from view. By the time they reached the front door and could see the kidnappers once again, the men were much closer.

  Zet leaped to the ground and ran to open the giant door.

  “Don’t bother,” Hui said. It’s locked.”

  “Locked? You put your lock on this?”

  Hui shrugged. “A priest of Osiris tells you to do something, you do it.”

  “Right. Fine. But can you open it?”

  “What do I look like, an idiot?” Hui had dismounted and was moving his hands across the pyramid wall, counting the stones. He counted twelve to the right, and then three up. Then he dug his fingers into an all but invisible hole and pulled out a long, thin wooden rod. “Here it is. The key.” He held it up.

  “Just open it!” Princess Meritamon gasped.

  “She’s right, hurry.”

  On the broad plane below, the kidnappers were moments away. Zet could see their evil faces clearly in the moonlight.

  Hui opened the door.

  “Everyone inside,” Zet said.

  “But whose going for help?” Princess Meritamon cried.

  “No one,” Zet replied. “Close the door.”

  “I don’t understand!” she gasped. “What are you doing?”

  Hui said, “Yes, what are we doing?”

  “Trust me. Just wait.”

  The four of them stood in the pitch-black entrance. Fear shuddered up Zet’s spine. And not just because of Darius and Manu. They were in a sacred pyramid. Who knew what the gods would do?

  He had to time it just right. The men must have reached the switchback by now.

  “Get ready,” Zet whispered. “Princess Merit and Kissa, on my command, run out the door, in the opposite direction of the road. We’ll all hide on the far side. Can you do it?”

  “Yes,” Princess Meritamon whispered in the dark.

  “Now!” Zet whispered. He slid open the door softly. All four snuck out. The donkeys huddled a few yards away. Otherwise, the area was deserted. The four made it around the corner just as the three men approached from the far trail.

  “I’m not going in there,” Manu growled.

  The second man agreed.

  “You’ll do what I tell you,” Darius said.

  A short argument ensued. Darius won.

  Zet held his breath, listening as the door creaked open. He and the others had their backs pressed to the wall. Zet was breathing hard. He’d wait long enough for the men to get several yards inside. Then, he’d lock them in.

  “Now!” he whispered to Hui.

  They ran for the big door.

  At that instant, one of the kidnappers emerged. Darius.

  Zet’s only weapon was surprise. He threw himself at Darius, who rocked unsteadily on his feet.

  “Lock it!” Zet shouted.

  Hui dodged a punch from Darius. From inside the pyramid, the other two men shouted. Their voices echoed up the dark passage and out through the gap. Zet tried to reach the open door, but Darius swung a meaty fist at his head. Zet ducked. Not fast enough. It clipped him and sent him sprawling.

  Hui slammed the door and jammed the stick into the lock. Darius lunged at him as Hui pulled the stick out. Just before Darius got hold of him, Hui rolled sideways.

  “Give me that stick!” shouted Darius.

  Hui threw it to Zet. He caught it and rolled, sending Brownie and Gray Ears skittering backwards. Darius pounced on Hui and fastened him in a headlock. Zet’s best friend cried out in pain.

  Meanwhile, from inside, huge fists pounded the thick wood door.

  Darius wrenched Hui around to face Zet and shouted, “Give me that stick or your friend’s dead!”

  “Pharaoh’s soldiers are coming,” Zet gasped, trying to call his bluff.

  Darius laughed. “Nice try. Now give it to me!”

  Hui was choking, his face crimson. Still, he gasped, “Run!”

  “Run and I’ll snap his neck,” Darius snarled.

  “No!” Zet cried, bargaining for time. “Wait, I’ll do what you want.”

  “Open the door. NOW!”

  “All right,” Zet said. “Let him go and I’ll open it.”

  “DO IT!” Darius barked. “You have until the count of three. One . . . two . . .”

  Running forward, Zet made for the door. But before he got there, he tucked into a shoulder roll, flying head over heels. As he rolled over, he shot out his foot in a jarring kick. Darius had been ready, and jumped sideways.

  The kick landed, but the force wasn’t enough to knock him down.

  Still, it was enough to make him loosen his grip on Hui.

  Hui bit down on Darius’s forearm. The big man yowled like an animal. He tried to shake Hui loose, but Hui wouldn’t let go. Zet grabbed a stone and pelted it
at Darius’s head. The stone bounced off, but a trickle of blood started behind the man’s ear. Darius ripped his forearm away from Hui and landed a punch on Hui’s jaw.

  The force sent Hui flying.

  Zet sent a second stone winging toward Darius’s head. Darius turned, and the rock hit him full in the face. Blood rushed from Darius’s nose. Meanwhile, inside the pyramid, the two men kept pounding at the door, trying to break free. Darius staggered a moment. He regained his balance, and his dark eyes looked deadly.

  “I’ll kill you,” he growled.

  The third stone in Zet’s hand never made it into the air. Darius was on him. The man knocked him down, and together they fell. Zet kicked and punched, but Darius was too big. The man’s huge fist laid into Zet’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him. A second blow slammed into Zet’s jaw. Darius pulled his fist back a third time, but then his expression changed.

  A shocked look came over his sunburnt face.

  His eyes rolled up into his head.

  He slumped onto Zet, as heavy as a bag of wet sand.

  Chapter Thirty

  Triumphant Dawn

  Zet tried to struggle out from under Darius. He wiggled sideways, far enough to see Hui standing over the limp kidnapper with a big rock in both hands.

  “Should I hit him again?” Hui said.

  “Uh, no, I think once was enough.”

  “And he thought he could beat us.”

  “Well, he’s still beating me, I can’t move,” Zet said with a groan.

  “Oh, right, hold on.” Hui was smiling, even though he had a fat lip and his left eye was swollen almost shut.

  Together, they got Darius onto his back. Then, deciding the man might choke from his nosebleed, they rolled him onto his side. Hui ran for some rope from the donkeys while Zet stood over Darius with the rock, just in case the thug came to.

  Moments later, the kidnapper was trussed up like a duck ready for the cook pot.

  The other two men still slammed against the pyramid door. They shouted now in more than just anger. They sounded terrified.

  “Can they break that door down, do you think?” Zet said.

  “No way. Not a chance. That door’s as thick as a man’s arm. They’re not going anywhere.”