by Kim Gamble
‘To my amazement, I heard a faint voice: “Help me.”
‘“How? How can I help?”
‘“My wife has just been unearthed over there by the chariot. I will never be able to rest until we are standing side by side.”
‘“That can’t be,” I told him, “there aren’t any women in the tomb.”
‘“My wife dressed as a warrior. No one suspected she was a girl. We were part of the King’s guard, and after I discovered her secret I fell in love with her and we married. Could you bring her over to my side so that we will have at least this short time together?”
‘I thought for a moment. It was fine in the day when all the workers were talking and singing around me, but I must say I didn’t like the idea of coming to the tomb at night. Still, I heard myself saying, “All right, I’ll come back after dark when everyone has gone home.”
‘I was really glad there weren’t any ghosts about when I arrived at the dig that night. I had great trouble finding the warrior-wife, even with the lantern I’d brought, and still more trouble lifting her into a wheelbarrow that luckily was lying about.
‘I saw the warrior’s eyes glow with joy. I was just unloading her beside him when I heard voices. So I ducked down behind a rock and waited.
‘The light of the lanterns lit the faces of three men as they drew near. I gave a little snort of disgust. Of course! Who else would it be, to come robbing the tomb? The beastly Baron. He and two of his men were arguing. The men were saying that it was unlucky and dangerous to steal from a tomb.
‘“Nonsense!” snapped the Baron. “No one has even seen these golden drinking vessels yet, so they won’t even know they’re missing.”
‘The men very reluctantly agreed to do what he wanted and they moved closer to where I was hiding. I jumped back and stumbled on a stone. Wah!
‘In the blink of an eye the men seized me, and just as I’d said a moment before about him, the Baron growled, “Who else would it be? Why is this boy always under my feet plaguing me?”
‘“What do you want us to do with him?” asked the fiercer of the two men.
‘The Baron considered and looked at the sky. “It’s growing light – too late to get rid of him now. Tie him up and gag him, and put him in a corner at the back of the site.” He threw a piece of carpet to one of the men to cover me and told me, “Someone will be watching you every minute – one movement and it will be your last.”
‘Then the men bundled me up and stashed me away as if I were nothing but a bag of old rags.
‘“We’ll have to leave the sack of golden goblets here for now,” I heard one of them say. “Put them back under the warrior’s feet. Now let’s go. That Han always arrives at first light, and the diggers from the village won’t be far behind.”
‘The morning crept on. The sun rose high in the sky, glaring down on me. My throat was so dry it felt as if it had been scraped with sandpaper. My tongue grew huge in my mouth. I could hardly breathe under the heavy dusty carpet and although I sneezed several times, no one heard because of the tight gag over my mouth. The cords around my wrist cut into my skin. And all the time, when I wasn’t dreaming of water, oh beautiful water, I was thinking, just how were they going to “get rid of me”?
‘My brain was hurting with trying to think of a way to raise help. And how could I think properly when there was this strange voice in my head telling me to “Push back, push back …” What did it mean? The voice was inside me, but it wasn’t my own. It was as if someone else had got hold of my head and was telling me what to think.
‘I could hear Lotus Blossom and Ah Chu, sometimes passing so close, calling my name, asking if anyone had seen Tashi.
‘“It’s not like Tashi to just disappear, leaving us with no tea,” Big Uncle grumbled.
‘By late afternoon, only the last two warriors needed to be moved back into place. The Baron’s men made sure they were there on the spot. “It will be dark in a moment,” they pointed out to Director Han. “Perhaps it would be better to start throwing the rubbish over the cliff and leave the two warriors till morning? We don’t want to drop them because we can’t see what we’re doing.”
‘“Yes, I agree,” Director Han nodded, “and we’ll cover the rubbish up with soil before we go.”
‘“Waaah!” I screamed silently under my carpet. “They’ll dump me over the cliff with the rubbish. If I don’t die from the fall, I’ll be buried alive under the soil.” And all the time the strange voice in my head was growing stronger – it was shouting now, “Push back!” I could no longer ignore it. I focused my mind on the voice. And as I listened, a picture came into my mind. I saw the eyes of my warrior – they were wide and staring at a small ledge jutting out of the wall behind me. “Push back,” he said to me urgently.
‘I pushed back into the wall of the tomb. Something moved behind me. A door was opening in the thick stone wall. There was nothing to hang onto and I fell backwards down a flight of steps into the darkness of a small room.
‘By the dim light coming from the open door above, I could see that I had fallen down into the King’s secret burial chamber. I saw an open coffin, and inside lay a skeleton in a magnificent jade burial suit. My heart leaped, but there was no time to look further. I glanced around quickly. There were two crossed swords at the foot of the coffin. I rolled myself over to one, and pushed it up against the edge of the coffin with my shoulder. Then I began to saw at the cords around my wrists. The sword was as sharp as it must have been two thousand years ago.
‘In a moment my arms were free. Quickly I released my ankles and pulled away my gag. The relief! But there was no time to waste. I could hear footsteps running towards me.
‘The Baron’s men were at the doorway. I saw in horror that they were starting to close the door on me – they wanted to seal me in the tomb with the dead King! A bolt of fear sent me hurtling up the stairs like lightning, yelling and screaming, “Ai-eee! Help! Down here!”
‘“That’s Tashi calling!” I heard Lotus Blossom shouting, “Over here, everyone!”
‘They came bursting through the doorway, ducking around the Baron’s men, who suddenly remembered their wives wanted them somewhere else. The Baron was close behind them but when he heard Big Uncle and Director Han hurrying down after him, he called out, “So this is where you have been, Tashi. We were looking everywhere for you.”
‘I gave the Baron a long hard stare.’
‘I would have given him a great hard kick!’ exploded Jack.
‘I would have cut out his organs and put them in a canopic jar!’ cried Angus Figment.
‘What’s a canopic jar?’ asked Jack.
‘The thing was,’ Tashi went on, ‘I had no real proof that the Baron had been stealing from the tomb and meant to kill me. There was nothing concrete, really, so when I finally answered him, I said, “Yes, this is where I’ve been,” and raising my voice so that everyone could hear, “and before I found the King’s tomb, I came across a big sack of golden goblets. You’ll find it over there, buried by the last two warriors.”
‘The Baron’s jaw dropped. “What a clever Tashi,” he said quietly.
‘But Director Han paid no attention to them. He was skipping about the secret tomb, crooning with delight over the richly decorated burial chamber and the jade suit.’
‘So it was you, Tashi, who made the most important find,’ crowed Jack. ‘Just think, the King’s tomb.’
‘Well,’ said Tashi modestly, ‘the inner tomb did make the find complete. Director Han was given a promotion and he presented our family with jobs and free passes to the tomb for the rest of our lives. My two warriors still stand side by side and every time I visit them, their eyes seem to glow with happiness.’
There was silence in the classroom for a moment as everyone tried to imagine the tomb, and the treasures, and warrior love beyond the grave.
‘Did they used to mummify kings in your country, Tashi?’ asked Angus Figment.
‘No,’ replied Tashi. �
��They buried them in these splendid tombs.’
‘Oh,’ said Angus thoughtfully. ‘Because in Egypt, well, they used to mummify all sorts of things. Even cats. Of course when the cats were dug up in my great-grandfather’s time, most of them were made into garden fertiliser.’
‘Thank you, Angus,’ said Mrs Hall, ‘and now, if you can manage not to turn our stomachs any further, perhaps you would like to share with us some more of your interesting facts about the ancient people of Egypt.’
Angus did like, and his information about Egyptian medicines and the hooks used for removing brains from mummies was enjoyed by all – well, everyone except Alex Pickle, who was sick into the pot plant in the corner.
THE BOOK OF SPELLS
‘What are you going to do for your project on ancient Egypt?’ Dad asked Jack one afternoon.
‘I don’t know yet,’ said Jack, scratching his head. ‘Angus Figment is writing a Book of the Dead.’
‘Good heavens,’ said Mum, coming into the room. ‘What does his mother say about that?’
‘She thinks it’s fascinating, actually,’ said Jack. ‘See, the Egyptians used to write magic spells on sheets of papyrus, and put them inside the tombs with the mummies. That way, people’s afterlife was sure to be happy and safe.’
‘How can you be safe when you’re dead?’ asked Dad.
Jack sighed. ‘The Egyptians believed in the afterlife, Dad. It’s, like, you go on existing somewhere else.’
‘Hmm,’ frowned Dad. ‘I don’t know whether the newsagency sells papyrus.’
Mum groaned. ‘So what’s Tashi doing, Jack?’
Jack leaned forwards on his chair. ‘Well, he hasn’t decided yet either, but when Angus told him about his Book, Tashi went all serious and silent.’
‘Oh ho,’ said Dad, drawing up his chair. ‘I bet Tashi knows a thing or two about magic spells. Are you going to tell us a story by any chance?’
‘I might,’ said Jack. ‘You see, in Tashi’s village the most precious possession of all was the Book of Spells. But you might say it was a book of life, because it was filled with the most marvellous cures for all kinds of diseases and problems. The Book had to be guarded day and night. But one dreadful day, it disappeared.’
‘Who would take it?’ asked Dad. ‘A bandit? A demon?’
‘Well, it was like this. One morning Tashi’s mother gave him a pot of soup to take up to Wise-as-an-Owl, who hadn’t been very well lately. Tashi knocked at the door, and waited.
‘“Come in, Tashi,” called Wise-as-an-Owl from behind the door. He somehow always knew when Tashi was there.
‘When Tashi stepped into the room, he saw someone else sitting with his old friend.
‘“Ah, Tashi,” Wise-as-an-Owl beamed, “see who has come from the city to visit me! My son and I have decided that it’s high time he began his study of plants and medicines if he is to take up the work of the Keeper of the Book after me.” The old man’s eyes twinkled. “My Son with Much-to-Learn will stay with me until he finds a house where he and his family can live.”
‘Tashi bowed and put his pot on the table. He politely asked Much-to-Learn about his home in the city, and his children, but all the while he couldn’t help looking at the Book that lay on the desk before him. It was richly bound in red leather, with ancient glowing letters on the cover. Tashi fingered the fine brass clasp and lock that could only be opened by the golden key Wise-as-an-Owl wore around his neck.
‘Tashi couldn’t remember a time when the Book was not part of his life. Over the years, he’d watched while his friend had consulted it for cures of illness, pestilence and heartache. Tashi knew whole passages by heart. But later, on the way home, he felt glad that, now Wise-as-an-Owl was growing frail, his son should have come to study and work with him.
‘Tashi was curious to see how Much-to-Learn was getting on with his study, but the next week, when he called, a terrible sight met his eyes.
‘Wise-as-an-Owl was sitting rocking backwards and forwards in his chair, tearing his thin white hair while his son tried to calm him.
‘“What is it? What has happened?” cried Tashi.
‘“Someone has stolen the Book,” groaned Wise-as-an-Owl. “We have searched the house a dozen times. It’s just disappeared. Yesterday we were studying the cure for warts and wax-in-the-ear when there was a shuffling noise outside. We went to investigate and when we came back, the Book – which I had left right here on the desk – was gone!”
‘He slumped down on his stool. “I have spent a lifetime studying it, Tashi, but there are always new cures to find in the Book, new spells to help poor souls – whatever will we do?”
‘Tashi came close and put his hand on the old man’s shoulder. “I will find the Book for you, Wise-as-an-Owl,” he promised.
‘As Tashi was walking home, he was so deep in thought he didn’t hear Lotus Blossom and Ah Chu running up behind him until they were almost on top of him. He shoved them off, saying gruffly, “I can’t come and play now!”
‘Lotus Blossom shoved him back so hard that Tashi stumbled. “Why so high and mighty, Lord Tashi?”
‘“Leave him alone,” said Ah Chu. “You can see there’s something wrong with Tashi if you’d just bother to look. He probably hasn’t had his lunch yet and his stomach is growling. Mine is.”
‘Tashi couldn’t help smiling then, and he quickly told them the trouble.
‘“Oh that’s the worst thing I ever heard!” cried Lotus Blossom. “We’ll help you.”
‘“Good,” said Tashi. He was relieved. “We can split up and ask all through the village if anyone has seen a stranger wandering about. Meet me back at my place after lunch.”
‘As Lotus Blossom turned to go, she whispered, “Sorry.”
‘“You can’t help having sharp elbows,” said Tashi.
‘Lotus Blossom grinned and ran off.
‘Neither Tashi nor Ah Chu could find word of anyone strange about the village, but Lotus Blossom did learn something. She had been out to see Granny White Eyes, who always knew what was going on in the village. And sure enough, Granny told Lotus Blossom the bad news.
‘“Tashi’s Uncle Tiki Pu is back. The cobbler, Not Yet, saw him on the road passing Wise-as-an-Owl’s house.”
‘“Oh, no!” moaned Tashi. “That Tiki Pu would sell his own grandmother for a jar of honey.”
‘But Lotus Blossom was looking at him steadily. “Will you be going after him, Tashi?”
‘When Tashi nodded, she nudged Ah Chu. “Then we’ll be coming with you. After all, the Book is precious to the whole valley.”
‘“Thank you,” said Tashi, a bit awkwardly. “We’d better start out right away. He’ll be heading back to the city I should think.”
‘Ah Chu cleared his throat. “Um, I’ll just hurry home and get some food together. It’s going to be a long afternoon and I smelled something really good being cooked this morning. Be back in ten minutes.” ‘Tashi couldn’t carry both Lotus Blossom and Ah Chu on his magic shoes, so the three friends shared out Ah Chu’s baskets and set off on foot.
‘They walked quickly but it was almost dinnertime before they came across Tiki Pu standing on the riverbank. He was deep in conversation with one of the river pirates, and he seemed very busy winking and grinning.
‘Tashi sprang forwards but, to his surprise, it was the pirate who handed Tiki Pu a bulky parcel and pocketed a bag of coins in return. Whatever he was up to, Tiki Pu wasn’t selling the Book of Spells.
‘They waited until Tiki Pu was alone and then Tashi ran after him and told him about the missing Book.
‘“Did you see anything suspicious as you passed Wise-as-an-Owl’s house this morning, Uncle?”
‘Tiki Pu looked thoughtful and stroked his nose. “What will you give me if I tell you?”
‘“Poor Tashi,” Lotus Blossom whispered loudly to Ah Chu, “having an uncle like Tiki Pu.”
‘Tiki Pu coughed and said loudly, “Ha-ha, can’t you take a joke, Tashi? Where’s the
fun if we can’t have a joke amongst friends? Yes, well, the only person I saw on the road was … the Baron.”
‘“Thank you, Uncle.” Tashi swung round to his friends. “Let’s go. I should have guessed. If something precious is missing, who needs suspicious strangers when we have our very own Baron at home?”
‘“You thought I’d taken it, didn’t you?” Tiki Pu said as they turned to go.
‘Tashi smiled guiltily as he waved goodbye, but Tiki Pu just shrugged.
‘“He’s probably annoyed he didn’t think of stealing it himself,” Lotus Blossom sniffed.
‘They were lucky enough to get a lift back to the village with a passing boat, sharing Ah Chu’s delicious sticky-rice cakes and lychees with the boatman.
‘“It will be quite dark before we get back to the Baron’s house,” Lotus Blossom said presently. They thought about this for a moment.
‘Tashi nodded. “Yes, and I just hope there won’t be any white tigers in his cellar this time.”
‘Ah Chu choked on his rice cake.
‘They crept cautiously through the Baron’s gardens, flinching at shadows. Ah Chu held Lotus Blossom’s hand – so that she wouldn’t be frightened.
‘They reached the Baron’s window and peered in.
‘There he was, sitting at his great carved table. And what do you think he had before him? The red leather Book of Spells. The brass clasp had been broken with a poker, which lay on the table beside him, and now the Baron took a deep breath and opened the Book.
