The Book of the Dead

by Paul Davis

They were silent for a while as they made their way down the alley. Kaires struggled to keep up. Damn and blast Dexios for walking so fast, he thought. He had definitely had one too many. His head span for a moment, and he clutched at the wall to steady himself. He breathed deeply, and gradually his head settled. When he looked up, there was no sign of Dexios. He must have gone on ahead.

  He looked back towards Philo's bar. He could go back there and ask directions. But Dexios could hardly be more than a few paces ahead. He was pretty sure they had turned into the alley from the right. He'd see if he could catch up.

  The narrow lanes were pitch black, no light at all escaping from the houses either side. Nor was there much of a moon. Kaires's night vision had never been good and he had to guide himself slowly, with one hand on the wall, to stop himself stumbling. The lane he had turned into wasn't at all familiar, but it had been dusk when he came along it, and things always seemed different in the dark. He wished Hotepet was with him. This would have been no problem for her. She never got lost. He listened for footsteps but heard nothing. ‘Dexios?’ he called. No reply.

  At the end of the lane there was a turning to the left, and a bit further on one to the right. There was a doorway to a house there with a white painted frame. Surely he remembered passing it earlier? He turned down the lane and passed the door. Further along the lane he thought he heard a step behind him. He looked back, listening intently. Nothing. He was about to carry on when something flitted against the white of the doorframe. A figure? ‘Dexios!’ he called again. Silence.

  He stood for a moment, tight back against the wall. His head was spinning again and his heart beating fast. He took another deep breath.

  He edged his way further along the passage. His eyes were now more used to the dark but he still found it difficult to make anything out. He sensed he was being followed, a black shape further back keeping to the darkest areas, slipping silently along.

  He felt about himself. He had a little money in a bag attached to his belt, but nothing else. Nothing he could use as a weapon. As he looked back, the shadows moved, not too far away now. And this time he thought he caught the faintest glimmer of light reflected from a metal surface. A blade.

  His heart was thumping, loud in his ears. Whoever was behind him could surely hear it. They were almost upon him. There was nothing for it but to run. Into the dark of the lane ahead, into the shadow. He might run straight into the wall, or trip over whatever had been left out in the street. If he did, he was lost. But staying where he was simply wasn't an option. There was the faintest trace of a door at the far end of the lane, outlined by the light of an oil lamp behind it. It was his only chance.

  He made a dash for it, and heard the figure behind also start to run, knowing it was discovered and no longer trying to hide, just rushing forward in open pursuit.

  Just before he reached the door it opened and a spray of warm liquid covered his feet. Light flooded out into the lane and he looked up into the astonished face of Philo, who was standing in the doorway holding a slop bucket.

  ‘What the f-! ...I mean what on earth are you doing here? You'd better come in and wash off the...er...wash your feet. I thought you'd gone back to your barge.’

  Kaires looked behind him. There was no sign of his pursuer. He pushed past Philo in to the back area of the bar, heart beating fast, and collapsed gratefully into a chair. Philo looked out suspiciously into the back lane, and closed the door. ‘What's this all about?’ he asked.

  Kaires recovered his breath. ‘I just must have got lost. Sorry. I lost track of Dexios in the dark, he got too far ahead of me.’

  ‘Easy enough to lose your sense of direction if you don't know your way about. Even in the daytime, in these backstreets. No grid plan here like Alexandria. You must’ve walked in a big circle round to the back door. Well let's get you cleaned up and I'll take you out to the main road down to the harbour. You can't get lost then.’ He looked a little embarrassed. ‘Sorry about the piss.’

  ‘I suppose I can be thankful it wasn't worse.’

  ‘Well, there was a bit of –‘

  ‘I don’t think I need to know exactly what was in the bucket, Philo.’

  The barman produced a basin of water and Kaires soaked his feet while Philo cleaned up his sandals. ‘They say it's good for the leather, anyway. Makes it softer. Come on then, let's get you on your way.’

  The front of the bar still had a few customers. Philo banged a stone on a gong hanging by the counter to get everyone's attention.

  ‘I'll only be gone a minute. If anyone tries to leave without paying, or helps themselves to anything before I get back, don't think I won't know about it. And don’t think you won’t know about it, either, and not in a way you’ll like.’

  He took Kaires by the arm and led him out of the front of the bar into the alley. There was no sign of life. A couple of turns later they were in a broader lane, and half way along Philo ducked down a connecting passage that led out into the main thoroughfare. Easy when you know where you’re going, thought Kaires. Philo pointed down to the dock, where the Gloria Aegyptae was clearly visible, its great bulk silhouetted against the night sky.

  ‘Can't really get lost now, can you? Is that your barge? Impressive!’

  ‘Yes, that's the one. Philo, I can't really thank you enough...’

  ‘What for? Hey, there's Dexios!’

  Dexios was coming towards them from further up the road. As he reached them, he spoke.

  ‘What happened to you? Turned my back and you'd disappeared. Been looking all over for you. I was just on my way back to Philo's but I see he's found you. You don't want to go wandering off in those backstreets at night time, you know. Never know what sort of lowlife might be prowling around. Could be very dangerous, if you’re not careful. Come on then, let's get back to the barge.’

  He sounded annoyed. The injustice of it, thought Kaires.

  -0-

  ‘It's not fair,’ complained Iola.

  Haemon, Prokles, Thestor and Dexios were bathing in the Nile a little upriver from the Gloria Aegyptae, away from the city. Aristeon and Chaeremon had just gone down to join them.

  Myrine put on a severe look. ‘You can hardly go splashing around amongst a group of naked men. I knew it was a mistake to let you stay on this trip. And there might be crocodiles.’

  ‘There are two crewmen on guard. They'd spot them a mile off. And anyway, you hardly get any round here anymore.’

  ‘That's not the point. It isn't dignified. You might pretend otherwise, but you're not a serving girl.’

  ‘But it's so hot! And they're not naked. They all have loincloths.’

  ‘I don't care if they are all in full senatorial togas, you're not going in. You don't see Dr. Kaires making a fool of himself, do you?’

  At this point Myrine's argument was seriously undermined by the appearance of Kaires himself at the top of the gangplank, wearing only his short kilt and carrying a strip of towelling cloth. It was after breakfast on the following day, and the temperature seemed to have risen yet again. Would it ever cool down? There was no escaping the oppressive heat, which seemed endless.

  He greeted them with a good morning. Iola glanced appreciatively over his muscular chest, glistening with a light sweat, but saw Myrine frowning at her out of the corner of her eye and forced herself to look away. He made a fine figure, she thought, and she suspected her mother was not immune to his charms either.

  ‘Going swimming, Dr. Kaires?’ she called mischievously, with a sidelong smirk at Myrine.

  ‘Just a quick dip to cool off. Are you two going to join us?

  Iola pouted. ‘Apparently it's not seemly. We are just going to sit here are drown in our own sweat.’

  ‘Iola!’ said Myrine sharply. I would appreciate it if you would get us both some water, and stop bothering Dr. Kaires.’

  ‘No bother at all,’ said Kaires, making his way down the gangplank.

  The water offered a cool respite from the blazing sun as
Kaires slipped into the river under the shadow of a group of date palms. He lay on his back, letting the water gently support him, listening to the chatter and splashing of the others nearby. As the women had remained behind the men were all naked. He turned his face to the sky and closed his eyes, letting the gentle movement of the water lull him, caressing him to a state of relaxation and contentment. Was there any greater pleasure than lying in the river on a hot day? His mind went back to the days when, as a boy, he'd go swimming in the sea with his sister, days of fun and innocence, which seemed to last forever.

  Something caught at his leg and suddenly Kaires was under the water. He had just been about to take a breath and the water flooded up his nose, making him cough violently and empty his lungs even more. His eyes snapped open but he could see little other than the murky green of the Nile. Panicking, he thrashed about violently with his arms and kicked his legs as much as he was able, freeing himself and fighting desperately for the surface. As he broke through into the air he filled his lungs again and broke into a retching cough. When he regained his breath he saw Thestor, Dexios and Aristeon a little way off, laughing merrily, and Haemon next to him, smiling but also looking a bit concerned.

  ‘Did I get you at a bad moment? Sorry, it was only meant to be a ducking. I think you swallowed some water.’

  ‘I'm fine.’ Kaires coughed again. ‘A bit went down the wrong way. Very funny.’

  ‘Don't be like that. It was just a bit of fun.’

  ‘Yes, I know. Don't worry, I'm just recovering my breath. I'm a little on edge at the moment.’

  ‘Ah, well, I suppose you would be, tracking down murderers and all that.’

  ‘And escaping from them myself. I think someone almost succeeded in putting an end to my investigation last night. So excuse me if I'm a bit up tight.’

  ‘Really?’ Haemon looked shocked. ‘What happened?’

  Kaires related the events of the previous evening. Haemon did not sound convinced.

  ‘Well everyone was quite late back last night. Are you sure it wasn't just some thief trying his luck?’

  ‘I doubt it. I don't believe in coincidences. Someone wanted me out of the way. Which means I may be getting close, or at least someone thinks I am. Zeno, Zeno, it all goes back to Zeno. You were there in the Library that day, but I haven’t heard your version. What did you see?’

  ‘Surely you must know everything that happened by now. I didn't see anything. I was there early, one of the first. I settled down to my work. I saw the others come in. After Mantios went in to see Zeno, no one else went near his room.’

  ‘They must have passed by,’ said Kaires.

  ‘Well, of course; almost everyone at some point. But no one went in.’

  ‘When did you leave?’

  ‘Shortly after Chaeremon. He was the first to go. I suppose I left about half an hour later. As I came out of my room, Prokles came out of his, and we walked together to the front entrance. From there I went straight home.’

  ‘With Prokles?’

  ‘No, on my own. Prokles lives in the opposite direction. Look, the Prefect's men have already checked all of this, and the Porter has confirmed I was home early that day.’

  ‘I know. Then after you, Mantios left. Then Thestor, leaving Dexios and Aristeon behind, who were both still there when Zeno's body was discovered. Then we come to Mantios's death. You were one of the first back that day. Want to tell me what your conversation with Chaeremon was really about?’

  ‘I don't know what you mean. I've already told you about it. It was nothing.’

  ‘I heard more than you think, Haemon. It was about the stolen manuscripts, wasn’t it? I know you were involved.’

  Aristeon, who had been looking across while they talked, caught Haemon's eye and waved.

  ‘I think Aristeon's getting jealous. I'd better go and see what he wants.’ Haemon swam off .

  Kaires couldn't imagine Haemon worrying about causing Aristeon any pique. He obviously just wanted to get away. What was he hiding? He was involved with Adonis's reselling of manuscripts scam. Had Zeno found him out? Perhaps he had used the leverage over Haemon to involve him in his plan. Had Haemon taken the opportunity to put himself out of danger of exposure, and at the same time take all the wealth for himself?

  He saw Gallus dive in to the water from the bank and a moment later he surfaced beside Kaires.

  ‘Ah, that’s better,’ he said. ‘So refreshing on such a hot day. I couldn’t persuade Strabo to come. He claims he can’t swim. I left him boring Myrine to the point of petrification about Herodotus. Poor woman. He has such a chip on his shoulder about him. He’s determined to outdo his Histories, although I doubt he’ll ever be anything like as famous. Apparently Iola borrowed Strabo’s copy, which was a big mistake. Wait till he traps her in a discussion about mummification techniques. She’ll feel like getting mummified herself.’

  ‘I suppose you have to respect his thirst for knowledge.’

  ‘Thirst for knowledge my foot. More like thirst for eternal fame and adulation. Personally I can’t think who’ll read such stuff, but it takes all sorts.’ He paused for thought, and Kaires was alarmed by a suspiciously dreamy look that passed over his face. ‘Now that Myrine, she’s a different kettle of fish.’

  Oh no, thought Kaires. Please, not that.

  ‘I suppose it’s still a bit soon after Zeno’s death to be thinking –‘

  Kaires was spared the rest of Gallus’s musings by Prokles, who had swum towards them. Kaires greeted him enthusiastically.

  ‘How’s the leg?’ he asked.

  ‘Much better in the water, thanks,’ replied Prokles. ‘I can almost forget it’s not in perfect working order out here.’

  Chaeremon joined them and spluttered at Gallus. ‘I see you’ve managed to get rid of Strabo. I don’t suppose there’s any chance you’ve drowned him, is there? More’s the pity.’

  Gallus, happy enough to slate his friend to his heart’s content, didn’t particularly approve of others doing so. His reply was consequently a bit frosty.

  ‘I’m meant to meet him in town. I think I’ve had enough of swimming for today. Time to dry off and get going. Mustn’t waste the day.’

  So saying he turned and swam towards the shore, leaving the others to follow or not, as they wanted.

  -0-

  Kaires followed Gallus and pulled himself out of the water. He let the Prefect return to the barge and sat in the sun for a few minutes, watching the others enjoy the water as he dried off. Haemon and Aristeon were chatting away while the others were just basking in the shallows. Further downriver the city of Naucratis shone out in the sunlight, rising from the lush green land around it. By the dock sat the Gloria Aegyptae, dwarfing the other small boats around it. She was still magnificent. Kaires tried to imagine her in her heyday, decked out with gold and purple in readiness for the Queen who had so nearly conquered Rome. How different life would have been for him now if things had gone differently at Actium - Alexandria as the new capital of the Aegypto-Roman Empire, with Queen Cleopatra and King Mark Anthony. Would Anthony have been happy to take Caesarion as his heir, or would that honour have gone to his own children by Cleopatra? Perhaps the young boy-king had been doomed anyway... although it had been Caesarion whom Cleopatra had made the next Ptolemy. Anthony's children had had to be content with smaller provinces like the Island of Copper, Cyprus.

  Now completely dry again from the hot sun, Kaires pulled on his sandals and stood, ready to go back. He felt a sharp pain in his left heel, and slipping off his sandals again saw that one of them wasn't his. He had picked up someone else's by mistake. One of the hobnails was coming through the leather of the sole, and its sharp point had caused his discomfort. He looked around for a good sized stone and hammered the nail flat, returning the sandal to the riverbank with the others. He found his own and slipped it back on, then took his kilt and loincloth from where he had hung them over a branch of a tree and put them on. As he fastened his kilt around his w
aist, he thought that at least he wasn’t going to mistake that for anyone else’s; the others all wore Greek or Roman tunics. He dismissed a mischievous temptation to steal Haemon’s gear and make him return to the barge with nothing on.

  Feeling much refreshed after his swim, he walked back to the barge. Myrine and Iola were still sitting in the shade of the awning on the top deck. As he came up the gangplank, Iola called down to him.

  ‘Did you enjoy your swim?’ She glanced at her mother. ‘It must be so lovely to be able to cool down like that. You must feel wonderful.’

  ‘Yes, thank you, it was most refreshing,’ laughed Kaires.

  ‘From this distance it looked like Haemon was trying to drown you. Had you accused him of being the murderer? You'll have to be more subtle than that, or at least do it when there's plenty of help at hand.’

  ‘It was a stupid practical joke. I thought for a minute it was a crocodile - I must admit it gave me quite a shock. You'll have to help me think of a way of getting my own back on him.’

  ‘Well come up here and we'll plot something.’

  ‘Actually I must get into town. I want to see the Hellenion. Do you want to come?’

  Iola looked at her mother, who nodded. Having denied Iola her swim, Myrine thought she had better let her off the hook for a while. ‘Fine! I'll get ready while you get yourself organised.’

  ‘All right, but don't be long. We'll have to watch out for Strabo - I think he was headed there this morning. Gallus was meant to meet him in town after his swim, but what's the betting he’s latched Strabo onto someone else and escaped?’

  Iola grinned and disappeared below.

  Kaires appeared on the top deck and smiled at Myrine. ‘You don't mind? Me stealing your daughter for an hour or two? She’s good company. You could come as well if you like.’

  ‘Why should I mind? She can look after herself. Really, she's becoming something of a handful. Good luck, I should say. I think I’ll stay here for a while and wander into town later. I’d only slow you down. Just don't let Iola lead you astray - she'll certainly try.’