“I’m coming.” A short time later he climbed the rocks and rested the water on the ledge.
“Who goes?” Tira stepped from the passage.
“Kashe.”
“Where have you been?” she asked.
“Didn’t Namose tell you?”
“I wasn’t sure I believed him.”
Kashe lifted the leather bag. “I saw Tuten. He’ll bring poison for the serpents and more supplies. Sit here. He heard some interesting things.”
Tira sat beside him on the ledge. As the tale unfolded her grasp on his arm tightened. “We must finish this quest and find a safe place for Merin.”
“You’re right. We also need to prevent the marriage between Pian and this false daughter. If the ceremony occurs the Two Lands will be further divided. I fear there will be fighting.”
Tira rose. “Come. There’s a new spot on the map you need to see.”
He followed her to the chamber. While he ate cheese, dates and flatbread Tira opened the map.
“This afternoon I carried the map onto the ledge near the time the sun sets. A gold hawk appeared. I believe it shows where the flail rests.”
“Let me see.”
She pointed to the area on the map. “Do you agree?”
Kashe studied the hawk’s placement and visualized the glint of gold he’d seen. “I believe you’re right. We’ll have to climb to a spot higher than the ledge where we found the crown.”
“Can we go now?”
He nodded. “Will you be all right?”
Tira met his gaze. “I’ll manage.” She went to her bundle for the necklace with the hawk menat.
As they entered the tunnel Kashe planned their route. He climbed to the ledge above the tunnel and leaned down to help Tira reach his side. They moved sideways along the seam toward their goal. Occasionally there were gaps in the narrow ledge they followed. Usually they were able to step across. Twice Kashe climbed down before returning to the chosen path. He listened to the ragged tempo of Tira’s breathing and wished he could infuse her with some of his confidence.
Tira halted. “Come back. Look up. I believe I caught a glimpse of gold above me.”
Kashe returned to her side. He turned his head from side to side and finally saw what she had glimpsed. “You’re right. He climbed up until the splotch of gold became a hawk. The jutting rock where he stood would barely hold them. He urged Tira to join him.
Tira removed the necklace from her belt and carefully fitted the menat into the carved image. Her arm jerked as the stone crumbled. She clutched the necklace. “No.”
“Is it gone?”
“The flail is there and so is a nest of scorpions.”
Kashe peered around her and saw the poisonous creatures with their barbed tails raised. They climbed over the handle of the flail. One crawled over the others in an attempt to reach the edge of the depression. Kashe shuddered. A sting from one as large as these could make a person ill. Stings from the number he saw would kill. Was there a way to reach the symbol without risking death?
Horu Ka swooped. Tira jerked back and Kashe nearly lost his footing. The hawk pierced the lead scorpion with his beak. The avian grasped a gold thong in his talon and dragged the flail to the rim.
“Duck,” Kashe said.
As Tira crouched Kashe grasped the handle and pulled the symbol free. He hit the thongs against the rocks to crush any clinging creatures.
Tira scrambled down the rock face until she stood on the ledge. Kashe followed and thought to turn toward the unfinished tomb. She continued to the ground.
“Why?” Kashe asked.
“We need to find a safe place to hide the flail until we have all three.”
“And your reason for that? We can leave it with Merin and Namose to guard.”
She sighed. “Until we have all three there’s a chance the abandoned tomb will be found while you and I are searching. Merin and Namose can’t defend them.”
Kashe drew a deep breath. “It could happen. Wait here.” He left her beneath an overhang and made his way to the tomb. Once there he grabbed a piece of toweling. As he returned to Tira he found an opening in the cliff that led to a small cave. Good, he thought. Inside he found a slit where stones had tumbled to nearly conceal. He backed out and went to where Tira waited. “I’ve found a good place.”
She followed him and ducked into the small cave. “Perfect.”
Kashe wrapped the flail in the cloth. He and Tira dirtied the white fabric and slid the symbol into the slot. He rolled a boulder toward the place to add to the concealment. Outside he placed three stones on one side of the narrow opening and two on the other side to mark the place.
Chapter 21
Tira stood in the doorway to the entrance into the abandoned tomb. She clutched the map of the Valley in her hand. The crown and the flail had been found where the colored images had appeared on the map. Would the same hold true for the crook? Would a cat appear when the light was of the right intensity? She had tried at dawn, at midday and just before sunset. The ankh and the hawk had been revealed. When would she find the cat?
She leaned against the rough stone of the ledge. The menat of the feline was silver. Cats were often creatures of the night. Today marked the full moon. Did that mean the silver image would appear?
She rose and strode through the tunnel to emerge in the large chamber where all had gathered for the evening meal. As she filled a cup with water she wondered how the mapmaker had colored the images so exposure to the right intensity of light made them appear. Was this a magic known only to the priests of Toth? She sat beside Namose. “Are the priests of Toth practitioners of magic?”
He shrugged. “I know they have secrets known only to those who are accepted and trained. Not all who serve in their temples become priests. Some remain as scribes, builders and teachers. Those who go beyond the beginning sessions read the stars and know the ways of the river. The map came from their temple. I let you take two scrolls. In my heart I knew you needed them.”
“I thank you. One has aided the quest.” She rubbed her arms. “I don’t want to remain in this deserted area any longer than I must.” She unrolled the map and ran her fingers over the hawk and the ankh. Was there a difference in the texture of the paper in these areas? She couldn’t tell. She reached for cheese and dates. Soon the moon would rise and she could hold the papyrus in its light.
Around her the others ate and spoke of ordinary things. Her thoughts turned to the double crown. Kashe said Tuten would bring poison to kill the creatures. Was that the solution to the problem? She could think of several ways the plan could fail.
She finished eating and took the necklace with the silver cat from her bundle. She carried this and the map through the passage to the ledge. Her fingers trailed along the rough-hewn stone and marveled at the labor needed to cut the rock. In this time and place there were no jackhammers, no dynamite or other explosives, only men with metal blades and hammers.
She reached the end of the tunnel and sat in the shadows to watch groups of priests strode across the Valley. They stopped and stared at the cliffs. When they focused on the wall near the place where she and Kashe had hidden the flail she tensed. Not until they moved forward did she release a held breath. Were they seeking the symbols or did they hunt tombs to loot?
Namose slipped from the passage and sat at her side. “What troubles you?”
“Do you think your father supplied the priests with another map of the Valley? One like this?”
“I don’t think there’s another like the one you have.”
“But you said the priests came to the compound to study the scrolls.”
Namose closed his eyes. “They were more interested in the ones that told the history of the gods of the Two Lands. They wanted to rewrite the tales to show their god is more powerful than the ones we worship. I’m sorry I told them about the map.”
She touched his hand. “Put your guilt aside. There was nothing you could do. You’re young and don’
t have enough years to know how to deal with evil men.”
He met her gaze. “I feel ancient.”
“So do I.” She rose. “Keep watch and wake me after the moon rises.” She returned to the large cavern and sat with her back against the cool stone.
Though she hadn’t meant to sleep when Namose called her name she leaped to her feet. “Is the moon up?”
“Yes, and Kashe said it was time to seek the crook.”
She groaned. Her body ached from sleeping in a sitting position. She felt as though the cold from the stone filled her joints. “Water.” Namose handed her a flask. She drank and used cupped hands to wash her face. “The map?”
“Kashe has it.”
“Bring me some dates and cheese.” She fastened the necklace around her neck. While eating she walked through the tunnel.
“Are you ready?” Kashe asked.
“After I finish eating. You need to hold the map so moonlight shines on it.”
“Why?”
“I think that will reveal the hiding place.”
Merin and Namose arrived. The girl handed Tira two pieces of rolled flatbread. “I used a saucer lamp to heat the bread.”
Tira chuckled. “Thanks.” She sat near Kashe and ate.
“How much longer must we stay here?” Merin asked.
Tira shrugged. “We’ve found just one of the symbols. We must find the crook and discover a way to retrieve the crown. I’m glad the priests remain in the temple at night.”
Merin leaned against the wall. “They’re acting like ants scurrying for their nest. What do they seek in the Valley?”
“Tombs to loot,” Kashe said.
Merin sighed. “I’m tired of being caged here. I need to be away from this place.”
“Where would you go?” Namose asked.
“I don’t know.”
Tira looked up. “When you perform the exercises I’ve taught you open your mind and think of where you should go.” She finished the bread and moved to where Kashe studied the map. She tugged the scroll so moonlight shone on the papyrus.
‘What are you doing?” he asked,
“What I suggested you do. The hawk and the ankh were revealed by sunlight but the cat wasn’t. I think moonlight will show us where to seek.” After a few moments she laughed. “See.” Then she groaned. “Do you see where we must go?”
Kashe nodded. “Past the place where the crown lies and near the bend where the cliff juts into the desert. We must climb to a ledge near the top. Can you handle the climb?”
Tira rubbed her arms to chase the chill of fear. “I’ll do what I must.” She turned to Merin and Namose. “Stay safe.”
Merin pouted. “Staying here is boring. I could come. I have no fear of high places.”
“This isn’t your quest,” Tira said.
“Then what can I do?”
The whine in the younger woman’s voice irritated Tira. “Enough.”
Namose rose. “I’ve some scrolls in my bundle. We can read until we’re tired enough to sleep.”
The young woman stared at her hands. “I know no more of reading than to know my name. Only those chosen to become leaders were taught.”
“Then I’ll teach you.”
Tira hid a smile. Learning to read would engage Merin’s interest and perhaps keep her from taking a foolish risk like following.
She and Kashe leaped to the ground. Silently they made their way along the cliff toward the place where they could climb. Tira wore the collar necklace. The silver cat felt warm against her skin. They passed the place where they’d hidden the flail and she resisted the urge to step inside and make sure the symbol remained safe. With luck they would add the crook tonight. Then the problem of removing the double crown from the nest of snakes remained.
Kashe paused. “We climb here.”
Tira stared at the cliff. Was that a glint of silver she saw?
Kashe started the climb. The light of the full moon allowed her to see the way he moved. She followed along a path that twisted and turned like the sinuous trail of a reptile. Small rocks littered some of the ledges. One rolled beneath Tira’s sandal and nearly made her hurtle to the ground. The rough edges of rock scraped her hands. She halted and willed the wild beating of her heart to slow.
Kashe crouched and reached a hand to help her. “There’s a narrow ledge here. Problem is from here to the top of the cliff the rock is smooth so we can climb no higher.”
Tira stepped beside him. She stared at the stone above and caught a glimpse of silver. “You’ll have to lift me.”
Kashe grasped her around the thighs and raised her. She removed the necklace. When she found the image of the cat she fitted the menat into the engraving. A loud cracking sound startled her. The wall in front of her shattered. She and Kashe fell forward. Boulders torn from the cliff rolled past the opening of the hole where they had landed. She scrambled as far from the jagged mouth as possible. Kashe shielded her with his body. Thunderous crashes sounded from below.
The noise ceased. Her ears rang and she gasped for breath. What had happened to the path they had taken to reach this place? Were they trapped? A series of sneezes cleared dust from her nose. She clung to Kashe.
“Are you all right?” he asked,
“Yes and you?”
“Shaken but whole.”
“I don’t see the crook.”
He touched her shoulder. “Look up. I see the end. Be careful when you draw it forth.”
Tira stood and stretched to grasp the end of the silver rod. Moonlight shone into the massive cleft where they stood. She eased the symbol down until the curved part caught. She studied the area. “Can you brace the stones on either side so I can pull the head free?”
Kashe stood behind her and braced his hands against the blocks on either side of the crook. Tira wiggled the end. “Pull,” he said. “I’ll release the rocks one at a time.”
Inch by inch she drew the crook from its place. “Almost there.” Her voice trembled. She twisted the handle. One of the blocks Kashe braced tilted. He released his hold, grabbed her by the waist and lunged to the back of the cleft. She gripped the crook. The sound of the rocks hitting the floor boomed. The wall they pressed against vibrated and stilled. A cloud of dust and debris cut off the moonlight.
For a time Tira didn’t move. When she could see again, she rose. Kashe climbed over the rocks and stared into the Valley. Tira moved to his side. She studied the ground for movement.
Kashe clasped her hand. “We must go down cautiously. I fear the noise will attract any tomb robbers in the Valley tonight.”
Tira grasped the crook. “Go first. I’ll fasten this to my back and follow.” She bent and lifted the necklace that had somehow landed near the edge of the opening. “I hear Horu Ka. He’ll warn us of danger.”
Tira watched Kashe descend. The mottled robe blended with the rocks. Only her knowledge of his presence allowed her to see the route he took. She drew a deep breath to calm the panic that clawed her gut. She began her climb knowing the silver crook remained visible. She had nearly reached the ground when a muffled grunt halted her. She clung to her perch and watched the shadows shift. Moonlight glinted on the flash of a knife. A shadow moved. She dropped to the ground and struck with the crook. Clouds covered the moon. Where was Kashe?
“Tira.” His whisper pinpointed his direction. She moved to his side. “Two were here. Both are down,” he said.
“Three. I bashed one with the crook.”
“We must make haste and hide the second symbol. The Valley teems with grave robbers alerted by the noise of our discovery. To them the crook is of greater value for the metal than the flail. In the Two Lands silver is rare.”
She hid the crook in a fold of her robe. “To the hiding place. With luck once we’re away from this area we’ll meet no more thieves.” She followed Kashe and listened for alien sounds in the silence of the night.
When they reached the cave, Kashe scouted the area. “Clear.”
; Tira entered the cave with Kashe on her heels. She removed the flail from the slit, added the crook and piled more stones around the boulder. “Done. You leave first.”
After Kashe left the cave Tira counted to a hundred three times. She slipped outside and slid along the base of the cliff to make her way toward the unfinished tomb where Kashe waited at the steps. She accepted his help to reach the ledge. “We now have two of three.”
He rested a hand on her shoulder. “Soon we’ll have them all.”
She stepped closer. “At the next moon rise we must go for the crown.”
He shook his head. “I’m going to meet Tuten. He’ll have the poison for the serpents.”
“How long must we wait for the poison to kill them?”
‘A day or two.”
Tira met his gaze. “Every moment we delay increases our chances of failure.”
“To risk ourselves by taking foolish risks will have the same result.”
“How can you be sure what I want to do is foolish? The sooner we leave the Valley the happier I’ll be.”
Kashe stepped back. “I’m not prolonging our stay on a whim.”
Tira turned away. Arguing with him was useless. If he wouldn’t go with her she would go alone. She wanted to check the opening into the chamber from above to see if the crown could be reached from there.
Chapter 22
When Kashe woke he found Tira sitting in the shade at the entrance to the unfinished tomb. The mottled robe hid her from a chance spotting by the priests. She stared across the Valley. Kashe paused by her side and thought about their present shelter. If the tomb had been started as a burial chamber for Merin’s father Kashe wondered when the construction had ceased. Carving the many chambers of a tomb in the rock took many years. Work must have stopped long before the pharaoh’s death during the war to drive the invaders away. Where did the bodies of the pharaoh and his sons lie? Namose thought they lay in a common grave.
He hunkered beside Tira. White robed priests strode among the boulders. Would they notice the newly fallen rocks? Surely they had heard the thunderous crashes made by the twin avalanches.
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