by Scott Peters
"A terrible one. But there's no time to go into it now. You'll hear it soon enough."
Zet frowned, wondering what she meant by that.
"Only a few people know, that's why I sent my soldiers out of the room. Merit went to Abydos disguised as a priestess. She is Pharaoh's heir. We are at war. If word spreads of her disappearance, fear would spread with it. It would be seen as a terrible omen."
"Can't you just pay the ransom?" he said, wondering why the Queen Mother would do anything besides that.
"Gladly! If it were gold. The kidnappers don't want gold. They want our army to give up the battle and let the invading forces take over our country. My granddaughter has been kidnapped by the Hyksos. She's become a piece in a game of war."
It was the worst blow Zet could ever imagine. "What is Pharaoh doing? He must be tearing Abydos apart."
"No, he can't."
Zet stared at her in shock.
"We've been warned by the kidnappers that if Pharaoh launches a full scale military search, my granddaughter will be killed immediately. That's why I sent only a small contingent of medjay." Her voice faltered. All her steely reserve threatened to break, and a glimpse of complete and utter despair showed through. She was simply a grandmother whose granddaughter has been snatched away. "We must find her. We can't let them win. Not now."
"She'll be found," Zet said, even though he had no idea if it were true.
The Queen Mother reached for his hand and squeezed it. Her fingers looked frail, but there was strength in them.
"I'll do anything," Zet said. "Tell me what you want me to do."
"I want you to go to Abydos."
Abydos. Zet's heart leapt at the thought. It was a far off place he'd only heard about in stories. A place Pharaoh Ahmose had chosen as his eternal burial site. Remote and far from any village or town, it would be unlike anything he could imagine.
Of course he wanted to go. It was his duty. But what about the pottery stall? Taking care of his family was his duty, too. His mother and Kat needed him here. He couldn't just leave.
"I know you run a good business, and I'm asking a lot of you. I've already talked to your mother," the Queen Mother said. "I offered to have my own people help out at your stall. She told me she would work things out."
"Then, yes. Of course. I'll do it."
"Just be my eyes and ears up there. I've assigned you to work for the head architect as a runner. Keep watch, and report what you see to him. Anything you learn will be passed on to the men leading the investigation."
"I can do that."
"Good. Remember, watch and listen, nothing more. I have no intention of putting you at risk. Any questions?"
"I have a request."
"Name it."
"I want Hui to go with me."
Chapter Four
Royal Tokens
Zet watched the Queen Mother's face. Would she let Hui go with him? Would she trust a second person, someone she didn't know? He pictured traveling all that way without a friend to run ideas with, with no one at his back. He didn't like it. With Hui, he stood a chance of succeeding. Without him, he wasn't so sure.
Finally, she said, "This is a dangerous mission, I have no right to ask even you to go."
"I want to." And he did. Either way, he'd go.
"All right." Her face looked fierce and full of hope. "I think bringing Hui is a good idea. You'll have someone to rely on. If he's able, I'm in favor. It's safer than you being alone. But we need to act quickly. The boat's waiting."
Zet stood. "I'll tell him."
At that moment, Zet's mother came down the steps from their sleeping quarters—which for Kat and Zet was usually the roof. They liked to sleep up there on hot nights, under the winking stars.
She held a sack. "I hope I've put enough things in here."
"I promise, whatever's missing can be provided at Abydos," the Queen Mother said. "But I must trouble you with another request."
After the Queen Mother explained, Zet's mother nodded.
"I think I can convince Hui's mother, Delilah, without giving too much away. Even still, she's no gossip. She'd never tell a soul. And she'll probably be glad to see Hui busy."
"It's a lot to ask, to put your son and hers in danger," the Queen Mother said.
"These are dangerous times," she said softly.
Zet flashed on his future. He'd rarely slept away from home. And never without his family. The few times he'd traveled had been to buy pottery at the potter's village downriver. Despite the seriousness of his task, and his fear for the Princess, he felt suddenly alive. More alive than he'd ever felt.
Bastet's whiskers!
This was going to be an adventure.
Moments later, a confused looking Hui was called out of the kitchen where he'd been waiting with Kat. He stammered out his goodbyes to the Queen Mother, still clueless as to what was going on. How Zet hoped he could come!
"Meet you at the harbor," Zet's mother said, leaving with Kat, Hui and Zet's baby brother.
The Queen Mother turned to Zet. "I have some things for you." She rummaged in a soft, calfskin satchel stamped with the royal insignia and pulled out a leather tube. "These are your work papers. Show them to Senna, the architect, when you arrive."
He took the small, leather tube and pulled off its cap.
A scroll lay nestled inside. He tipped it out into his palm. A wax blob sealed the smooth, finely burnished papyrus. Stamped into the blob was a fancy cartouche. He moved his fingers over the raised hieroglyphics, awed to be holding such a thing.
"That's my personal seal. It reads, Tetisheri—my birth name. Don't let anyone see it, except the architect. Otherwise, your cover will be blown and the game will be up."
"I won't."
"The other thing I want to give you is this." She opened her frail right hand and Zet saw what she'd been holding all this time. The golden chain held a ring. She found Zet's hand and pressed it into his palm. "Guard it carefully."
The ring felt warm. Made of thick gold, it looked ancient. "Wait. Is this . . .?"
"My coronation ring."
"But Your Highness—" His head spun with the enormity of this thing in his fingers. "With respect, don't ask me to take this."
"You're going as my spy. Only one person at Abydos knows this, and that's Senna the architect. Should anything happen to him, you'll be on your own. In a situation like this, things could turn bad quickly. If you need to demand passage home—or if your actions raise too many questions with the medjay, this is your safeguard. Use it only if you need to! And hide it wisely."
He didn't move. "Highness, I can't take it."
"I won't send you without it. Put the chain around your neck."
Stiffly, he did as he was told. It felt heavy against his chest. Filled with a worry he couldn't define, he tucked the royal coronation symbol into the front of his tunic. The ring felt like it held the power of the gods. And in a way it did, for the Queen Mother was a living god on earth.
She touched his head. "May the hidden powers of Egypt keep you safe."
In the street, Zet set off at a run.
An hour ago, he'd been worried about old Teni getting him in trouble for charging across her rooftop. Now, he was being sent on a quest to find a missing princess. Fresh excitement surged through him.
It struck him suddenly that he'd forgotten all about the honey cakes his mother had been baking. His stomach roared. He hadn't eaten since breakfast, and they were his favorite. No doubt Hui had eaten half a dozen while he was in the kitchen with Kat.
Too bad he hadn't stuffed one in his bag!
Zet reached the dock out of breath.
Numerous ships bobbed nearby. Kat, his mother and baby Apu stood at the appointed location. And with them, stood Hui.
Zet whooped and pumped his arm in the air. "Yes!"
"Adventure twins!" Hui said, and raised both hands.
They fist bumped each other.
Zet glanced at Kat, who looked considerably
less excited. In fact, she looked downright glum.
"What's wrong?" Zet asked her. "Is it because you're not coming?"
Hui winced. "Kat, I didn't mean—"
Kat crossed her arms and her cheeks turned bright red. She made a point of ignoring him, and said to Zet, "I could care less about coming. Not when you're going to save 'the most beautiful girl in the world', like Hui said."
Hui had his hands clutched in his hair. "The most beautiful princess in the world," he said in a whisper.
Kat glared.
Zet choked back a laugh. Hui was just digging himself deeper.
Looking frantic, Hui said, "She's probably all looks. She's probably nowhere near as smart as you, Kat."
"That's what you have to say? That I'm smart?"
Zet groaned. Usually Kat liked being called smart. But clearly right now that was not the case. Girls were weird. Then again, so were boys, according to the ridiculous expression on Hui's face. Zet's best friend looked confused and desperate.
Trying to save him, Zet said, "Is that our boat?"
Chapter Five
All Aboard
Birds screeched and dove over the Nile's broad expanse. A breeze whipped across the shimmering surface, ruffling the moving currents. Nearby, fishermen offloaded nets of silver perch. The air smelled of seafood and wood-sealing pitch.
Zet and the others stood on the wharf, surveying the lineup of boats. Zet's mother ignored the argument between Kat and Hui. Instead, she was reading a set of instructions.
"I believe it's the furthest one down. Come on."
Clearly glad for the change of subject, Hui said. "Wow, we're going on that boat?"
"It's huge," Zet said. "Has to be longer than eight cows standing nose to tail!"
"Acacia wood construction. See that, Kat?" Hui said, looking hopefully at her. "They make wood bricks and glue them together with reeds and sap."
Kat looked at the boat but said nothing.
On board, men moved everywhere on deck. Some tied down crates. Others fitted jutting oars into place. Still others tightened down the square sail that flew from the center mast. Tattoos covered their thick arms, and their sun-darkened faces were like leather. It was clear everyone spent day and night outside. The only structure was a small cabin mid-ship, which was surely reserved for the Captain.
Already Zet's heart was leaping with the thrill of adventure.
The last two times he'd been involved in a mystery, Kat had helped. She must be feeling left out. He would be.
"Kat." He grabbed her elbow. "Thanks for managing the stall. It might be the boring part of this job, but it's just as important. I couldn't go without you here."
Kat let out the breath she'd been holding, and beamed for real. "Thanks."
Hui approached Kat. "You won't forget me, will you?"
Zet couldn't help snorting. "We're only going for a few days, we're not coming back as graybeards."
Meanwhile, Kat seemed to have softened somewhat. Zet thought she might be preparing to throw her arms around Hui's neck in a farewell hug.
"Please tell me you're not still mad," Hui said.
Kat twined her fingers together.
"She might be beautiful," Hui said in sudden earnest. "But your braids are longer. Much longer!"
At this, Kat's forehead scrunched up and her mouth opened. The color started to rise in her cheeks again and she dropped her arms to her sides. She never managed to get out what she was about to say, because Zet cut in.
"We have to go!"
"Zet's right," their mother agreed.
Hui, however, was busy leaping about and making funny faces at Kat, trying to make her laugh. She wouldn't have any of it.
From the ship's rail above, a deep voice boomed, "What's going on? You boys boarding today or not?"
Zet looked up to see a man who had to be the Captain. His eyes were hard, like two black onyx stones. The man gripped the rail with meaty fingers and glared down at them.
"Yes!" Zet called. "We're coming up. Right now."
"Maybe you should leave your buddy behind. He looks thick in the head."
Hui stopped capering and put his fists on his hips. "I am not thick in the head."
"Are too," Kat said.
Zet's mother said, "My apologies, Captain. We didn't mean to keep you waiting." She herded the boys toward the gangplank. "Now, watch your manners and everything will be fine. And don't forget to bundle up at night. It can be cold this time of year. I've packed several tunics, along with a pair of your father's old sandals in case—"
"Don't worry, Mother. We'll manage," Zet said, hugging her and grinning.
A moment later, he and Hui hopped off the gangplank onto the warm deck.
Deeply tanned sailors started pulling in ropes.
Zet glanced around and saw that he and Hui weren't the only guests on board. A small crowd of passengers was also headed for Abydos. To one side stood an ominous looking priest. His shaved head glistened with oil and dark energy seemed to swirl around him; probably because he was murmuring strange words and staring with glazed eyes at the horizon.
Nearby—but keeping their distance from the daunting holy man—sat a dozen or so construction workers. Zet knew they were construction workers by their toolboxes, which most men were using as seats. On one box, a big man sat sharpening a bronze chisel. He looked hot and impatient.
The Captain's wide torso cut off the view. Zet looked up into the man's creased face.
"State your names," the Captain growled.
They did.
"Well, Zet and Hui. We're late. I had to hold my boat." One thumb tucked into his waistband, he eyed them with distaste. "I'd like to know why."
Zet hadn't expected this. Was the man suspicious about holding the ship for two kids, or just annoyed? The Queen Mother's ring on its chain felt suddenly heavy and huge against Zet's chest, as though it were visible through his tunic.
"We're replacing someone," Zet said quickly.
"We just found out," Hui added. "We came right away."
The Captain's dark eyes swept over them as if he knew something wasn't quite right. His lip curled in a snort. Abruptly, he turned and shouted, "Prepare to cast off." To the boys, he said, "Move to the aft deck."
"Will do," Zet said, glad to be relieved of the Captain's scrutiny.
As soon as the Captain left, Hui whispered. "Uh, which way is the aft deck?"
"No idea. Let's just get out of here."
Chapter Six
No Turning Back
Zet and Hui clambered over ropes, past the central cabin, and headed as far from the gruff Captain as they could get. Only when they reached the curving prow did Zet stop. A trickle of sweat ran down his ribs. He held his pack closer, thinking of the scroll inside, and then of the valuable coronation ring around his neck. He felt like a walking booby trap. Any moment, someone could find either.
In a low voice, Zet said, "We need to put up a good front if we're going to stay undercover."
But Hui wasn't listening. He was belly up to the rail, giving Kat the most pathetic look ever. "She's never going to speak to me again."
"Good," Zet said. "Then I won't have to listen to you fight anymore." He waved at his family. "Anyway, we have more important things to think about right now."
Sailors let out the sail. Wind caught the giant square of linen with a snap. It bowed outward, and the boat jumped away from shore. Zet grabbed the boat's side for support. The wake sent dark ripples weaving across the river's smooth surface.
To Hui, he said, "We need to keep our wits about us. Starting right now."
Hui finally focused on him. "Of course we're keeping our wits."
"What I mean is, we have to act like we're going to Abydos to work. We need to get our story straight. So when people ask what we're doing, we have something to say."
"Right. Of course—putting on my Secret Agent Assistant Hat now," Hui said.
"Don't even say that word."
"What, secret a
gent?"
"I'm serious!" Zet whispered. "Quit it or I'm dumping you in the Nile right now while you can still swim to shore."
"Oh, great friend you are. Ditch me at the first sign of trouble." But Hui was laughing. "Fine. I like it, having a story. Always good to have a story. So what's ours?"
"We're going as runners for the Head Architect."
"How did we get the job?" Hui asked.
"Through my father. They're old friends, and the architect wants to help my family by giving me work. You're coming because he needed two boys, and I suggested you."
"Wait, your father knows the architect?"
Zet gave Hui a playful punch and laughed. "No!"
"Oh! Right, of course not," Hui said. "Pretty convincing, you were right then. I believed you." He leapt up. "Now that's settled, I'm going to have a look around this ship."
Zet wrapped a protective arm over his satchel and nodded. "I'll catch up with you. I need to sort something out first."
Before turning to go, Hui shot one last longing glance at the shore. Zet followed his best friend's gaze. From this distance, Kat, Zet's mother and baby Apu looked like three tiny grains of wheat. Like the wind could blow them away into nothing.
Zet felt his stomach tighten. He realized it was the first time he'd left them home alone. What if something happened? What if something happened to the pottery stall? He'd sworn to his father he'd protect them, and here he was leaving to solve someone else's problem. Yet it was Pharaoh's problem—the Great Bull, the living god himself. What choice did he have?
Zet wiped the sweat from his palms on his kilt. His family would be fine. He'd see them in a week. What could possibly happen to them in Thebes?
From amid ship, a rowdy bark of laughter issued from the seated workers.
"Well, see you over there," Hui said. Still looking glum about Kat, he tore himself from the rail and headed for the men.
Zet untied his satchel and dug through it until he saw the scroll nestled in the bottom. It seemed unlikely anyone on board would search his bag. They'd never suspect he had anything worth stealing. Still, to have it just lying in there seemed incredibly risky. Better to hide it someplace. Worst case, if it was found, no one could tie the Queen Mother's letter to him, and he'd still have a chance of doing his job.
