by Scott Peters
Elsewhere, however, sailors were moving about the boat.
Zet thought about Princess Merit, hidden away somewhere. Were her kidnappers hurting her? Treating her how Kontar had treated him? The idea made him furious.
Glancing at the horizon, he watched the sun god, Ra, crest over the edge of the world. Feeling the warm rays on his skin, Zet closed his eyes and prayed.
Until I find her, keep Princess Merit safe!
"You have a funny look on your face," came Hui's voice.
Zet's eyes flew open. "Do I?" He grinned. "It's because my head's still ringing from you snoring in my ear all night."
Hui stretched. "Keeps the flies away."
"What's that? I think I've gone deaf."
Hui cupped his hands and shouted into Zet's ear. "Keeps the flies away!"
"In your mouth, more like," Zet said, imitating a snore that involved sucking down a large fly and swallowing it.
"Very funny." Hui stood and rubbed his belly. "What's for breakfast? I'm starved."
Zet's own stomach growled. Being on the river gave him an appetite. He leapt up. "I think I smell bread toasting. Come on. Race you!"
Together, they made their way on shore. Zet kept an eye out for Kontar, but the sailor was nowhere in sight. Neither was the Captain.
The cook handed out loaded plates. Fried goose eggs with golden yolks. Toasted bread, dripping with sweet honey. Roasted, shredded waterfowl that was deliciously greasy and melted in your mouth. A sailor's breakfast, through and through. Meant to feed men who labored hard all day.
Zet and Hui leaned back and groaned, deliciously full.
"I can't move," Hui said.
"Me neither," Zet said. "Which is bad, because I think the boat's leaving."
"What?" Hui cried, leaping to his feet.
"Kidding!"
"No, I think you're right! Come on!" Hui gasped.
They sprinted on board as the sailors prepared to push off.
The cabin door opened, and the Captain emerged along with Kontar. Kontar wore an angry expression. Zet craned to see inside the cabin before the door closed, but it was too dark in there. Both men were arguing in low voices. They didn't notice Zet watching.
He wondered if he could sneak into the cabin. What was so important in there? Why were they arguing? Could they be hiding the Princess in the cabin?
A sailor gave Zet a shove.
"Forward deck or aft deck—move it," the sailor barked. "No passengers mid-ship when we're under sail."
The morning passed with no chance to investigate the cabin further. But there were plenty of things to distract him. A strong wind carried them swiftly north, the prow cutting knife-like through the glistening water. Zet and Hui sat with the breeze in their faces. Pelicans, herons and egrets played in the reeds by the banks. A crocodile surfaced, raced alongside, then swished its leathery tail and dove out of sight. Dragonflies dipped and glittered.
Onward they flew. Despite everything, Zet felt sure he'd never grow tired of this view. As morning wore into afternoon, however, the wind began to die.
The sail flapped noisily, sagging overhead.
Hot air descended. The Captain barked out orders. Sailors took up the oars. The boat began moving once again, but nowhere near the pace they'd made under sail. Everywhere, faces gleamed with sweat. Kontar pulled the lead oar, glaring at Zet through narrowed eyes.
Then, over it all, came an eerie chant.
Zet had forgotten about the priest. Now, without the wind to carry the priest's voice away, he could hear the man muttering. The rowers rowed in rhythm to his song—if it could be called a song. In the heavy heat, it sounded more like a death march.
"Creepy," Hui whispered.
Even the construction workers seemed spooked. They glanced at one another, exchanging uneasy looks.
Hours passed. The Captain shouted a command. They'd reached a small canal, which cut sideways off the Nile. The rowers leaned into their oars, pivoting the big boat. Zet watched, impressed, as they nosed it into the smaller canal. Lush greenery brushed the hull, surrounding the waterway on either side. The dip and splash of oars propelled them slowly up it.
They lost sight of the Nile as the canal snaked around a bend. There the canal widened again.
Zet and Hui stared out over the bow. Flies buzzed and swarmed. The air smelled of marsh reeds and verdant overgrowth. Ahead, far inland, desert hills rose steeply skyward, turning dark shades of blue and purple in the dusk.
Evening had fallen by the time the winding canal finally opened into a large, circular lake—a harbor, Zet realized. The lamps of bobbing boats glowed here and there. Some boats floated at anchor. Others were tied to watersteps against the shore. More lamps flickered on land, revealing a large, busy camp.
Hui whistled softly. "Look at this place."
"It's a small city."
Somehow he'd stupidly pictured Abydos as a tiny, quaint place, with a group of tight-knit workers that would be easy to investigate. Not this huge, sprawling camp! Way further off, he could see even more lights glowing. A second camp? No wonder the Queen Mother's people couldn't find the Princess. They needed a full-on military search, which was not an option given the kidnappers would retaliate by killing her on the spot.
Zet recalled the Queen Mother's despair, which she had so quickly hidden. He'd sworn to himself then that he'd find Princess Merit.
Now with Abydos spread before him that promise seemed like some childish wish. He'd been arrogant, picturing this as some big adventure. This was no adventure—a girl's life was at stake.
His heart slammed and his fingers tightened on the rail.
As for questions about what was in the Captain's cabin, and why the two men were arguing, he had no clue. The voyage was nearly over. Time was running out.
He watched the makeshift city grow ever closer as the Captain maneuvered their boat toward shore.
Chapter Ten
Brothers in the Dark
The boat hummed with commotion as sailors unfurled ropes and made ready to dock.
"Hui," Zet said in a low voice. "Whoever kidnapped the Princess has a lot to lose if they're caught. You know that, right?"
Hui glanced sideways, meeting Zet's eyes. "I do, now that you bring it up."
"They'd kill us in a flash."
"Right. I see what you mean," Hui said.
"You still with me?"
"All the way."
The Captain steered the boat into an open berth between a dozen other vessels. As they glided sideways against the watersteps, sailors tossed lines to men onshore. Everywhere, people moved and chattered in the flickering lamplight.
Zet's eyes swept left and right, searching for the temple. He expected to see pillars rising in the darkness, the shadows of colossal statues, dark and undefined, looming over vast temple grounds. All he saw were tents and people.
He smelled meat roasting and his stomach grumbled.
"I wonder where we're going to stay?" Hui said.
"I guess we'll find out when we talk to Senna, the architect."
Hopefully not with Jafar. He might have helped Zet, but Zet still didn't trust him. Jafar seemed to have his own agenda, and Zet had no idea what that agenda was.
Hui shouldered his pack. "Ready?"
Zet still needed to get his hidden scroll. But Kontar was leaned up against the captain's cabin door, as if making sure everyone cleared the deck before he did the same. Zet pulled Hui out of view.
"I need to grab our papers. But I don't see how, Kontar is watching like a jackal."
Hui cracked his knuckles. "Good thing I'm a fast runner." With that, Hui shouldered his bag and sauntered around the corner.
Zet risked a peek.
Hui reached Kontar's side. He crooked a finger at the sailor. The man frowned and bent closer. Hui cupped his hands and said something to him. The man's face turned a bloody shade of red. He lunged at Hui, but Hui danced out of the way.
Hui raised his right hand high. In it, he
held Kontar's dagger.
"Fetch," Hui shouted, and sent it flying toward shore.
Zet could just see the dagger's point drive its way into the dirt. Then Hui and Kontar were running. With a roar that made Zet's hair stand on end, Kontar retrieved his prized possession and sprinted after Hui. The man would kill him!
Zet needed to act fast.
Quickly, he crouched and dug in the vegetable crate for his scroll.
"Are you still here?" came the Captain's voice.
Zet flinched.
He whipped around, expecting to meet the Captain's eyes. But the Captain was facing the gangplank, a good twenty steps away. Zet let out a soft breath, realizing the man was speaking to someone else. Heavy footsteps sounded on the swaying walkway. Someone was coming aboard.
Zet closed the crate's lid. Getting the scroll had to wait. He knew he should get back into the shadows as far as he could. But maybe he could learn something. He crouched lower.
"Still here? Of course I'm still here," came the jolly reply. "Exactly where you left me."
"I didn't leave you," the Captain said, sounding annoyed. "You do what you want. Like always. So don't pull me into it."
This caused a bark of laughter. "So I do. Good to see you too, brother."
"Why are you hanging around this camp?" the Captain said.
"I like it here."
"You like it when there's something to be had," the Captain said.
"You're always down on me, aren't you? My big, impressive, first-born brother. Once in a while, you could say something nice."
There was a heavy pause.
"I'm sorry," the Captain growled. "I'd like to see you settled, is all."
"Worried about your reputation is how I see it," the brother said.
Zet could feel the tension, even without seeing them.
"I offered you a sailor's position."
"Work for you? Forget it," came the younger brother's voice. "But I'd take another duck hunting trip. How about it? You and me, up to the marshes in your big boat? The camp's still buzzing about the last feast we supplied."
"Not this time. I have some troubles I have to get back and deal with. But Darius—" He lowered his voice, and Zet strained to hear. "What's the word on the Princess?"
Zet perked up, instantly alert.
"They're not going to find her," Darius said.
"Wipe that grin off your face. It's a good thing we were duck hunting when she was kidnapped, or I'd think you were involved."
"Me?"
"It's your kind of game, isn't it? Fast money?"
"Like you said," snarled Darius, "We were duck hunting. And this is what I get? Accusations? Some family reunion."
The Captain said nothing.
Darius laughed as if trying to ease the tension. "I hope you're not leaving without saying hi to Nan."
The Captain blew out a breath. "If I see her tonight, good. If not, give my little sister my regards."
"How about leaving me your rowboat 'till you get back?"
At this, Zet twisted toward the small boat several feet behind him. His hands went slick with fear. He tensed, preparing to bolt for new cover.
"Are you serious? Leave you my skiff?" The Captain let out an explosive snort. "It's always about what you can get out of me. Well, I've given you plenty. And it all ends up broken. I'm tired of playing father."
"As if you could."
"Get a life, Darius. And stay out of mine."
"Gladly."
Footsteps tromped down the gangway. Zet waited for the Captain to follow, but the man stayed on deck. Hui must be frantic by now, wondering what was going on. That is, if Kontar hadn't caught him—Hui could be hurt. What if the Captain didn't bother to go to dinner and stayed here all night?
Zet sank into a sitting position. At least he'd learned something. Whatever the Captain was hiding had nothing to do with the kidnapping. He could cross the Captain and Kontar off his suspect list. He realized he'd scored his first point. Unfortunately, it meant he was back to having no real suspects.
It seemed like forever, but finally the Captain made his way off the boat.
Zet yanked up the crate's lid. He dug deep, grabbed his scroll, and stuffed it in his pack. Then he stood and ran for shore, glad for the cover of darkness.
Chapter Eleven
Senna
A desert wind was blowing, kicking up sand. Zet glanced along the wharf, blinking in the dust, but saw no sign of Hui. Worry gripped him. The area was deserted. Hitching his pack over his shoulder, he hurried for the lights and noise.
A giant, dusty tent proved to be the mess area. He reached the flap and pulled it open.
Inside, there had to be a hundred workmen. Again, Zet felt overwhelmed at the thought of investigating so many people. They sat in makeshift circles on the ground. Everyone was eating and talking, and the noise was deafening.
Zet heard a familiar shout.
He spotted Hui, sitting beside Jafar. Relief washed over him. With them were construction workers from the boat, along with half a dozen unfamiliar faces.
"Over here!" Hui shouted, jumping up and waving his arms. "Come on, what took you so long?" His face was flushed, and he was grinning. So much for being worried. Clearly, Hui was having the time of his life.
A smile creased Zet's face, and again he felt glad to have Hui there.
Zet weaved through the crowd.
When he reached Hui, several men made room. Zet smiled and thanked them, sinking down gratefully. Large bowls in the center of the group had clearly been piled with food but were now mostly empty. Zet grabbed a dish and scavenged what he could. He cursed himself for being delayed. He was starving. Two dates, a burnt bread crust and a few slices of zucchini would never fill him up.
"What did you say to Kontar?" Zet asked with a grin.
Hui looked impish. "Something about his mother and baboons."
Laughing, Zet made quick work of his meal. "Thanks. I guess we better check in with Senna."
Standing, he glanced both ways for Kontar. Even though the scary sailor was no longer a suspect, Zet was glad the man was leaving tomorrow. He took one final look and saw no sign of him. Kontar must have headed back to the ferry.
At the exit, a tall, narrow-faced man stopped Zet. "You are the new boy?"
"We just got here, if that's what you mean," Hui said.
The man looked from one to the other. "The architect informed me to expect only a single runner."
"I brought a friend," Zet said.
The man raised one thin brow. "Indeed. Follow me."
The man, who informed them his name was Ari, led them back down to the wharf's edge. They passed the big boat Zet and Hui had arrived on, and several others.
Ahead, tied up near a statue of Ra, lay a small, sleek vessel. The boat was painted with curling designs in gold leaf. In the rear, a sun canopy with open sides roofed in the deck. Under the canopy, plump cushions lay scattered in an inviting, messy jumble. From there, a long, polished wood cabin stretched down the vessel's middle. Talk about luxurious.
"Here we are," Ari said, and motioned them up the walkway.
On deck, the ship smelled of oiled acacia. Here and there, glints of gold gleamed in the twinkling lamplight. A carved falcon's head guarded the cabin door.
Zet felt like everyone here must speak in hallowed whispers.
The illusion broke when the cabin door slammed open.
A scrawny, white-haired man stood on the threshold. His eyebrows jutted out like giant white feathers. His sparse hair was surprisingly long. It stood mostly on end, flying this way and that in the gentle breeze. With his skinny arms and legs and jutting belly, he looked like a scrawny water bird.
The man's face broke into a toothy smile. "What's the hold up, Ari?"
The man bowed. "Master, I came as quickly as . . ."
"Yes, yes." Senna waved a bony hand at Ari. "Never mind, they're here. Go away. No, on second thought, bring us refreshments. Chamomile tea, sweet cakes,
almonds, whatever you can drum up from that stingy cook of mine."
"But the boys just ate!" Ari said.
The architect ignored him. He motioned to Zet and Hui, his tunic flapping around his limbs. "Come in. This breeze is giving me arthritis."
Zet and Hui glanced at one another. Zet struggled with a terrible desire to laugh, which he definitely did not want to do. He could see Hui felt the same, because Hui pressed his lips together and made a wide-eyed face.
The cabin was long, all shifting shadows and flickering light. Piles of scrolls lay everywhere. Some were filed neatly in holes in the wall, but most were heaped on low tables or overflowed from baskets. A desk held writing implements: cakes of ink, drawing brushes and tools. The white-haired man maneuvered between the chaos. He made his way to a low table, surrounded by cushions.
"This way," he called, sweeping the table's contents into an already full basket. "And close that door behind you!"
"Yes, sir," Zet said.
"And don't call me sir! I'm ancient enough already without being called sir. It's Senna. And if Ari tells you otherwise, ignore him. Stiff bird, that one."
Zet glanced back and saw Ari had returned.
"Master," Ari said, "I've roused the cook. She's taking care of your order."
Senna was easing himself onto a cushion. He looked up and beamed. "Excellent! Probably complaining, too, the old tyrant. But I have to show some muscle once in awhile. Isn't that right, boys?"
"Er . . ." Zet said.
"Definitely," Hui agreed. "Tell her what's what!"
"My thoughts exactly," Senna said. "Wait. What's this? Two boys? Why am I seeing double?"
Ari said, "If there's anything else?"
"No, no, go away. Close the door," Senna said.
Zet said, "It's my fault. When the Queen Mother came to me for help, I asked if I could bring a friend. She agreed. This is Hui, and I'm Zet by the way."
The architect narrowed his eyes. "The Queen Mother, you say? Who said anything about the Queen Mother?"
Chapter Twelve
The Priestess
In the dimly lit cabin Zet stared at Senna, thrown off guard. The dancing light made Senna's jutting brows look eerily like goat horns.
