wilbursmith_warlock-第54章

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aja　had　given　him　to　replace　the　worn…out　animals　and　to　replenish　their　supplies　at　the　military　garrisons　and　camps　they　had　passed　along　the　way。
　　
　　Since　leaving　Gebel　Nagara　they　had　discussed　their　plans　endlessly；　knowing　that　they　were　pitted　against　the　might　of　Pharaoh　Trok　Uruk。　The　officers　they　spoke　to　at　the　garrisons　estimated　that　Trok　now　had　twenty…seven　fully　trained　and　equipped　regiments　at　his　disposal；　and　almost　three　thousand　chariots。　To　oppose　this　multitude　they　had　a　wagon　showing　the　effects　of　long；　hard　service　with　a　back　wheel　that　showed　a　marked　propensity　to　fall　off　at　the　most　inappropriate　times　and　bodywork　held　together　with　twine　and　leather　strips。　There　were　only　the　four　of　them：　Nefer　and　Meren；　Hilto　and　Bay。　But　the　fifth　was　Taita。
　　
　　'The　Magus　is　worth　twenty　seven　regiments　at　least；'　Hilto　pointed　out；　'so　we　are　evenly　matched　against　Trok。'
　　
　　Hilto　knew　the　captain　in　charge　of　the　encampment　at　Thane；　a　scarred　and　grizzled　old　warrior　named　Socco。　Long　ago　they　had　run　the　Red　Road　together。　They　had　fought；　roistered　and　whored　together。　After　they　had　reminisced　for　an　hour　and　shared　a　pot　of　sour　beer；　Hilto　handed　him　the　requisition　scroll。　Socco　held　it　upside　down　at　arm's　length　and　looked　wise。
　　
　　'See　the　cartouche　of　Pharaoh。'　Hilto　touched　the　seal。
　　
　　'If　I　know　you　at　all；　Hilto；　and　by　Horus　I　do；　you　probably　drew　that　pretty　picture　yourself。'　Socco　handed　the　scroll　back　to　Hilto。　'What　do　you　need；　you　old　rogue？'
　　
　　They　selected　fresh　horses　from　the　herd　of　several　hundred　in　the　remount　herd；　then　Taita　went　over　the　ranks　of　parked　chariots　in　the　garrison　pool　that　had　just　been　sent　out　from　the　makers　in　Avaris。　He　selected　three　vehicles；　and　they　harnessed　the　fresh　horses。
　　
　　When　they　left　Thane；　Taita　was　driving　the　old　wagon。　Meren；　Hilto　and　Nefer　each　drove　a　chariot；　while　Bay　brought　up　the　rear　herding　twenty　spare　horses。　They　did　not　head　directly　for　Avaris　but　made　a　detour　to　the　east　of　the　city。
　　
　　On　the　edge　of　the　desert　there　was　a　small　oasis　used　by　the　Bedouin　and　by　merchant　caravans　heading　out　to　and　returning　from　the　Orient。
　　
　　While　the　others　unloaded　the　fodder　they　had　carried　from　Thane　in　the　wagon；　hobbled　the　horses　and　greased　the　wheel　hubs　of　the　new　chariots；　Taita　went　to　barter　with　the　Assyrian　master　of　the　caravan　that　was　encamped　nearby。　He　bought　an　armful　of　dirty；　tattered　clothing；　and　twenty　woollen　rugs　woven　in　the　land　along　the　Further　Sea。　They　were　of　inferior　workmanship　and　material；　but　he　was　forced　to　pay　an　extortionate　price　for　them。　'That　Assyrian　ape　is　a　cut…throat　and　a　robber；'　he　muttered；　as　they　loaded　the　carpets　on　to　the　wagon。
　　
　　'Why　do　we　need　them？'　Nefer　wanted　to　know；　but　Taita　pretended　not　to　hear　the　question。
　　
　　That　night　Taita　dyed　his　mane　of　silver　hair　with　an　extract　of　mimosa　bark；　which　altered　his　appearance　dramatically。　In　the　darkness　of　early　morning　they　left　Bay　in　charge　of　the　herd　of　horses　and　the　chariots；　climbed　into　the　dilapidated　wagon　and；　sitting　high　on　the　pile　of　dusty　carpets；　headed　west　towards　Avaris。　They　were　dressed　in　the　rags　and　cast…offs　that　Taita　had　procured。　Taita　wore　a　long　robe　and　sash；　and　the　lower　half　of　his　face　was　veiled　in　the　fashion　of　a　citizen　of　Ur　of　the　Chaldeas。　With　his　dyed　dark　hair　he　was　unrecognizable　as　the　Magus。
　　
　　It　was　evening　when　they　reached　the　royal　city　of　the　north。　There　was　a　permanent　encampment　of　several　thousand　souls　outside　the　walls；　mostly　beggars；　itinerant　players；　foreign　traders　and　other　riff…raff。　They　set　up　camp　among　them；　and　early　the　next　morning　they　left　Meren　to　watch　the　wagon　and　went　to　join　the　throng　waiting　outside　the　city　for　the　gates　to　open　at　sunrise。
　　
　　Once　they　were　past　the　city　guard；　Hilto　went　to　tour　the　taverns　and　brothels　in　the　narrow　streets　of　the　old　quarter　where　he　hoped　to　find　some　of　his　cronies　and　former　rades…in…arms　and　gather　the　latest　news　from　them。　Taita　took　Nefer　with　him　and　they　made　their　way　through　the　crowded　streets　of　the　awakening　city　to　the　palace　gates。　Here　they　joined　the　beggars；　tradesmen　and　supplicants。　Taita　made　no　effort　to　gain　entry　to　the　palace；　rather　they　spent　the　morning　listening　to　the　chatter　of　those　around　them；　and　gossiping　with　the　other　idlers。
　　
　　At　last　Taita　struck　up　a　conversation　with　a　merchant　from　Babylon；　dressed　in　similar　style　to　himself；　who　introduced　himself　as　Nintura。　Taita　spoke　the　Akkadian　language　like　a　native　of　Mesopotamia；　which　was　why　he　had　chosen　this　particular　disguise。　The　two　shared　a　pot　of　coffee　brewed　with　rare　and　expensive　beans　imported　from　Ethiopia；　and　Taita　exerted　all　his　wiles　to　charm　Nintura；　who　had　been　loitering　outside　the　palace　for　the　last　ten　days；　waiting　for　his　turn　to　display　his　wares　to　Trok's　new　bride。　He　had　already　paid　the　exorbitant　baksheesh　demanded　by　the　palace　vizier　to　be　allowed　to　enter　the　presence　of　the　young　consort；　but　many　others　were　ahead　of　him。
　　
　　They　say　that　Trok　has　been　cruelly　treated　by　his　young　wife。　She　will　not　allow　him　into　her　bed。'　Nintura　chuckled。　'He　is　wild　for　her；　like　a　stag　in　rut；　but　she　keeps　her　legs　crossed　and　the　door　to　her　chamber　locked。　Trok　is　trying　to　win　her　favours　with　expensive　gifts。　They　say　he　will　refuse　her　nothing。　Also　she　buys　everything　that　is　offered　to　her　and　then；　to　spite　him；　she　immediately　resells　it　for　a　fraction　of　what　he　was　forced　to　pay　and　distributes　the　proceeds　to　the　poor　of　the　city。'　He　slapped　his　knee　and　roared　with　laughter。　'They　say　she　buys　the　same　things　over　and　over；　and　Trok　keeps　paying。'
　　
　　'Where　is　Trok？'　Taita　asked。
　　
　　'He　is　campaigning　in　the　south；'　Nintura　replied。　'He　is　stamping　out　the　flames　of　rebellion；　but　no　sooner　does　he　turn　his　back　than　they　flare　up　again　behind　him。'
　　
　　'Whom　should　I　approach　to　enter　the　presence　of　this　Queen　Mintaka？'
　　
　　'The　palace　vizier。　Soleth；　is　his　name；　the　fat；　gelded　freak。'　Nintura　had　not　realized　Taita's　own　physical　status。
　　
　　Taita　knew　Soleth　only　by　reputation　and　that　he　was　one　of　the　secret　brotherhood　of　eunuchs。　'Where　can　I　find　him？'　Taita　asked。
　　
　　'It　will　cost　you　a　gold　ring　just　to　enter　his　presence；'　Nintura　warned　him。
　　
　　Soleth　was　sitting　beside　the　lotus　pond　in　his　own　walled　garden。　He　did　not　rise　when　one　of　the　harem…keepers　brought　Taita　to　him。
　　
　　The　Hyksos　had　so　forsaken　their　ancient　customs；　and　taken　to　Egyptian　ways；　that　they　no　longer　kept　their　wives　sequestered　in　the　zenana。　The　eunuchs　still　exercised　much　of　their　former　power　over　the　royal　women；　but　when　suitably　chaperoned　their　charges　were　allowed　much　freedom。　They　could　walk　abroad；　sail　on　their　pleasure　barges　on　the　river；　have　merchants　visit　them　to　display　their　wares　or　dine；　sing；　dance　and　play　games　with　their　friends。
　　
　　Taita　made　a　dignified　salutation　as　he　introduced　himself　to　Soleth　under　an　assumed　name。　He　followed　that　with　the　recognition　sign　of　the　brotherhood；　crooking　both　his　little　fingers　and　touching　them　together。　Soleth　blinked　with　surprise　and　ran　his　eyes　down　Taita's　lean　frame：　he　did　not　have　the　shape　or　the　look　of　a　eunuch。　Nevertheless　he　waved　to　Taita　to　seat　himself　on　the　cushions　opposite　him。　Taita　accepted　the　bowl　of　sherbet　a　slave　offered；　and　they　talked　for　a　while　of　seemingly　trivial　matters；　but　swiftly　they　established　Taita's　credentials　and　mon　acquaintances　within　the　brotherhood。　Without　seeming　to　do　so；　Soleth　was　studying　Taita's　features　thoughtfully；　looking　beyond　the　veil　and　the　dyed　hair。　Slowly　recognition　bloomed　in　his　eyes　and　at　last　he　asked　softly；　'In　your　travels　you　might　have　met　the　famous　Magus；　known　through　both　kingdoms；　and　beyond；　as　Taita？'
　　
　　'I　know　Taita　well；'　Taita　agreed。
　　
　　'Perhaps　as　well　as　you　know　yourself？'　Soleth　asked。
　　
　　'At　least　as　well　as　I　know　myself；'　Taita　affirmed；　and　Soleth's　chubby　face　creased　in　a　smile。
　　
　　'Say　no　more。　What　service　can　I　perform　for　you？　You　need　only　ask。'
　　
　　*　　*　　*
　　
　　That　evening　Nefer；　Meren　and　Hilto　were　on　the　carpet　load　when　Taita　drove　the　creaking　wagon；　its　incorrigible　back　wheel　wobbling　lopsidedly；　up　to　one　of　the　side　gates　of　the　palace　where　a　gang　of　ragged　urchins　skulked　in　the　mean；　narrow　lane。　Taita　gave　one　a　copper　ring　to　guard　the　wagon；　then　banged　on　the　gate　with　the　butt　of　his　staff。　It　swung　open　at　once；　but　they　were　confronted　by　a　file　of　levelled　spears。　The　entrance　to　the　zenana　was　heavily　guarded：　Trok　was　taking　good　care　of　his　little　hind。
　　
　　Soleth　was　not　there　to　greet　him…obviously；　he　was　keeping　his　nose　clean…but　he　had　sent　one　of　his　underlings；　an　old　black　slave；　to　usher　Taita　past　the　guards　and　to　act　as　a　guide。　Although　Taita　was　armed　with　the　papyrus　scroll　that　Soleth　had　given　him；　the　captain　of　the　guard　insisted　on　searching　them　before　he　would　allow　them　to　pass。　He　ordered　Hilto　to　unroll　the　carpets　and　prodded　every　fold　with　his　spear　point。　At　last　he　was　satisfied；　and　waved　them　through。
　　
　　The　ancient　slave　hobbled　ahead　of　them；　guiding　them　through　a　labyrinth　of　narrow　passages。　As　they　progressed　the　surroundings　became　grander；　until　they　stopped　before　an　elaborately　carved　sandal…wood　door　guarded　by　two　huge　eunuchs。　There　was　a　whispered　exchange　between　them　and　the　old　slave；　then　the　sentries　stood　aside　and　Taita　led　the　others　through　into　a　large　airy　room　redolent　of　flowers；　perfume　and　the　tantalizing　aroma　of　young　womanhood。　Beyond　there　was　a　wide　terrace；　from　which　floated　the　sounds　of　a　lute　and　feminine　voices。
　　
　　The　old　slave　went　out　on　to　the　terrace。　'Your　Majesty；'　he　quavered；　'there　is　a　merchant　with　fine　silk　carpets　from　Samarkand　to　wait　upon　Your　Grace。'
　　
　　'I　have　seen　enough　rubbish　for　one　day；'　a　woman's　voice　replied；　and　Nefer　thrilled　to　those　familiar　well…beloved　tones　so　that　his　breathing　came　short。　'Send　them　away。'
　　
　　The　guide　looked　back　at　Taita　and　pulled　a　face；　spreading　his　hands　helplessly。　Nefer　dropped　the　rolled　carpet　off　his　shoulder　on　to　the　stone　floor　tiles　with　a　weighty　thump；　and　strode　to　the　entrance　on　to　the　terrace　where　he　paused。　He　was　dressed　in　tatters　and　a　grubby　cloth　was　wrapped　around　his　head；　covering　the　lower　half　of　his　face。　Only　his　eyes　were　visible。
　　
　　Mintaka　was　sitting　on　the　parapet　wall　with　two　of　her　slave　girls　at　her　feet。　She　did　not　look　in　his　direction　but　started　singing　again。　It　was　the　monkey　and　donkey　song；　and　Nefer　felt　every　word　twist　his　heart　as　he　studied　the　sweet　curve　of　the　cheek　turned　half　away　from　him　and　the　tresses　of　thick　dark　hair　that　hung　down　her　back。
　　
　　Abruptly　she　broke　off　and　looked　at　him　with　annoyance。　'Don't　stand　there　gawking　at　me；　you　insolent　oaf；'　she　snapped。　Take　your　wares　and　go。'
　　
　　'Forgive　me；　Majesty。'　He　spread　his　arms　in　supplication；　'I　am　but　a　poor　fool　from　Dabba。'
　　
　　Mi