Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 2 - Samarkand Solution (6 page)

"I noticed that Ram-f-amsu was somewhat annoyed," interjected Inhetep dryly.

"Yes. Well, anyway, he took me aside in order to give me the opportunity to explain matters without those unconcerned with the question . . . interrupting."

"You were reprimanded," the magister agreed, "probably for saying too much in my hearing as well as in front of the others. Tell me how long you two were closeted, and show me the room he took you to before you get to the rest."

The man was still too shaken to object to Inhetep's comments. "It was only a few minutes-three or four at the most. We were in Ram-f-arnsu's personal study," Matiseth told him, leading Inhetep to the inner door as he spoke.

Beyond was a small, rather elegantly furnished, room. Maps of the city, the whole of the On sepat territory, /Egypt, and that portion of Yarth running east from central ^Eropa and Afrik to mid-Azir, decorated the long wall across from the desk. Behind that littered table were shelves and cases, evidently for storage of files as well as to keep handy such papers, scrolls, and books Ram-f-amsu might desire. Besides his own seat, there were a pair of chairs for visitors. A small shrine with closed doors hiding the deity reverenced therein was set in the wall immediately beside the entryway they stood near, while opposite them was another door flanked by a very fine oil painting of Ram-f-amsu done by some Italic master and a bust of Rameses XII. The bright tiles of the floor were covered only partially by an old but priceless Farzian carpet. On that rug rested a stand holding a world globe.

"The governor seemed inordinately fond of maps," Inhetep quipped as he busied himself with kicking aside a dried husk of some insect or other which inappropriately lay in plain view on the tiles near the desk.

"One would rather say that His Excellent Highness was a student of both politics and history," corrected Matiseth primly.

"What lies beyond that door?" the priest-wizard asked, pointing towards the far exit, letting Chemres' contradiction pass without comment.

"It leads to Ram-f-amsu's personal suite of rooms—a dining salon, his bed chamber and dressing room, and a bath. Those connect with a private hallway which has egress to the outside as well as the palace's main corridor."

"You are quite conversant with the governor's accommodations.''

"He consulted me often." The priest of Set stood taller, chest out a bit as he said that.

"No doubt, Great Seer, no doubt. What about a woman? A harem?"

"He kept none. Ram-f-amsu was dedicated to his work and had no time for frivolous pursuits."

Inhetep turned, gesturing to the ecclesiastic to follow. "So much for that. Now, sir, please resume your account."

Matiseth sat down once again. "As I have already related to you, we were in the study only about three or four minutes. Then the prince suggested 1 should leave so he could conclude his meeting, and I agreed. We both stood up and went back into the council chamber, Ram-f-amsu preceding me. Something odd must have occurred at that very moment."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I could see the faces of those seated at the table. They had been conversing, but when we came from the study, they all looked toward us. In an instant, their faces went from bland countenances to expressions of horror."

That was noteworthy, the magister thought. "And what of Ram-f-amsu? At that particular instant, did you note anything unusual In the posture of the governor?"

"It was as if he was paralyzed for just an instant. Then, back stiff, he rose off the floor a few inches—as if he were levitating—and thus separated from the floor, he began moving on into the chamber. He began to make strange sounds then, too; and as he went he began to gyrate. The rotation was slow for a moment or two, then it increased to a point which make him a blur, I must confess, I was glad not to have to see his face then, although the screaming increased with the speed of his spinning."

"Did anyone do something to help the poor man?"

The high priest nodded. "I immediately uttered a charm to ward off hostile forces, and then I attempted to seize the governor to stop the gyration. It was evidentially most painful, you see."

"Did any of the others assist you?"

"I was paying no attention to what the rest were doing. I had my entire consciousness fixed on the prince," Matiseth admitted. "I was attempting to find some magickal reason for what was besetting Ram-f-amsu even as I rushed to him so as to assist physically. Perhaps the others there were likewise motivated by such loyalty, I cannot say. As I came to take hold of His Excellent Highness, however, his feet kicked out—as if meaning to strike me, the very one helping him!"

Inhetep prompted the man. "What happened then?"

"I was struck most painfully and knocked away. I fell. The others then plastered themselves against the walls for fear of being struck as I had been."

"And what castings did you detect there— prior to being kicked away and afterwards, if you then searched for magicks?"

"There was scant time, and the conditions were confused, but 1 thought I saw a black and fuzzy limning around Ram-f-amsu just as I tried to grasp him and cease his trials." The high priest paused, wiping his face as if brushing away annoying insects, and he shuddered. "That was a most disquieting sensation, for the sable aura seemed both mindless and cunning at the same time." Matiseth shook himself and swallowed. "It was impossible for me to make another contact, of course. By that time, the prince's agonies began to increase as did Ms contortions and gyrations. I thought that you might still be near enough, Magister, to assist in rescuing the prince, so I managed to get up from where I had been knocked and ran to find you."

"Because I am an ur-kheri-heb?"

Matiseth shrugged. "What else? You are a wizard as well as a priest. I hoped your grasp of a greater diversity of heka than I have would serve to rescue the governor."

The magister remained expressionless, but his mind was racing as he tucked away each part of the story Matiseth had related. There would be time for analysis and assessment later. "Two more questions before we finish, Hem-neter-tepi. First, do you know the persons who were meeting with the governor? Second, and twofold in nature, can you tell me why they were met? And why you were not there also?"

"Know? Well, I should certainly say I do! They are the elite of On, you understand. There were a handful of men there I did not recognize, but—"

"When the prefect's agents come, Chemres, please tell them the names of each man you saw and recognized, as well as describing those for whom you have no such identifying appellation. I'll read a copy of that. Time flies, and I need the rest of your answer. Why were they gathered? Why were you not called to the meeting?" Inhetep urged by repeating his queries.

Again the high priest shrugged. "Although I was consulted often—Ram-f-amsu considered me a friend and spiritual guide, too—I was not privy to each and every matter pertaining to governance of the sepat, after all. It seems I do recall His Excellent Highness mentioning something about increasing trade through improved finance and better facilities for warehousing, distribution, and sale. I speculate, for I do not know the reason for the meeting. However, some such must have been the subject, for I believe that was the reason for my exclusion. Bluntly put, as great as is my temple's wealth and community involvement, we are more concerned with ... ah . . . agrarian matters and social work than with banking and mercantilism."

Fifteen minutes had passed since the subaltern had cleared the council room, and soon the police would arrive. Inhetep wanted to have as much time as possible to question the others before the city's law officers arrived to complicate matters. "Thank you, Matiseth. I appreciate your helpfulness in the face of our long-standing enmity. If it were up to me, I would permit you to return to your own residence, hut it isn't my decision. Come with me, and I'll ask the major domo to give you a private chamber to relax in-— the gods know you need a little respite after what you've been through. When the metropolitan prefect's agents arrive, I'll request the chamberlain have them speak with you first."

"Ummm . .." Matiseth responded with a suspicious air. "Just why should I be questioned first?"

"This is bound to be an all-night affair, Chem-res. If the investigators finish with you, they'll allow yon to return to your temple, and you'll not be kept here until tomorrow morning. I am trying to repay your cooperation. This is the best means I can devise, as it were, but if you wish to remain. ,.."

"No. I appreciate your thinking Inhetep. Come, Let us find the able Hukefi—I helped place Mm in Ms office. He will be ready to assist as requested."

As the high priest had said, Major Domo Hukefi was doubly anxious to serve, owing Matiseth Chemres his position and fearing Inhetep. He bustled off with the chief cleric of Set so as to furnish Matiseth with the comforts of his own apartment. Inhetep was certain that the paunchy little man would intercept the police just as efficiently, and that they would get the high priest's account first. This "consideration" for

Chemres was actually something altogether different, for it gave Setne the time he desired to question the rest of the witnesses.

The young subaltern was named Bekin-Tettu. The magister sought him out and explained that he would take sole charge of the detainees, and that this responsibility was now his alone should anything untoward occur. "You have performed very well, Subaltern. I shall keep the name Bekin-Tettu in mind and see that it is mentioned in my report as well."

"Thank you .. . Magister Inhetep. I ... I am uncertain as to how to properly address you now, hearing your most exhalted titles given to the maj—"

"Please!" Inhetep interjected with feeling. "You are to forget all that. The simple 'Magister' will suffice, thank you. I stand not on titles and am an utchat-neb now only honorarily, albeit under these circumstances I shall return to active service for a time, as is my prerogative. The murder of a royal governor is something which demands Pharaoh's attention, after all.

"When you have ushered your men out of the salon in which the suspects are held, I would appreciate it if you would find out if any of them noted unusual behavior of any sort while they guarded the suspects. When I am finished speaking with the guests, I'll find you and get that information from you. Agreed?"

"Yes, sir! I will be nearby, Magister," the subaltern said with a proud ring.

The room in which the group of men was being detained was large and had a dining table, chairs, and several couches. All fourteen of the murdered governor's guests were awaiting there, perforce. When Inhetep entered, they all tried to speak at once, demanding to know why they were being held, what was going on, and so forth. The tall priest-wizard raised his hands and motioned them to silence. "Gentlemen, if you please." His words were a command. "For those who do not know me, I am Magister Setne Inhetep. For the time, I am acting as an officer of Pharaoh's Utchatu, so consider this most official police business.

"You are each a witness to murder. There can be no question that His Excellent Highness Governor Ram-f-amsu was slain by some form of foul play." Someone started to protest, but Inhetep silenced that attempt. "Wait, wait. Each of you will have ample opportunity to speak. You are fortunate in a way. I was there to witness the final few seconds of the tragedy. None of you are now accused, but as each was there, you are material witnesses, if not suspects. You will be required to give full and complete statements. Formal questioning will occur soon, and what you have to say will be recorded by the agents of the metropolitan prefect of On. Meanwhile, I will have a few questions of my own.

"Some of you I know, and some are unfamiliar to me. No matter. I require that each of you state your name and the purpose of your being here tonight. To make this simple, let us begin at my left and work on round the room." Inhetep took out a small stylus, which was enchanted so as to have an inexhaustible supply of ink—an indispensable tool for the magister—then found his notebook. It too was magickal, and each word he wrote upon it shrunk and aligned itself so that a small page could hold what would literally fill a normal volume. Better still, unless one knew how to call up the material scribed there, his notes were no more than indecipherable little marks barely visible with a magnifying glass.

"Begin."

"Magister," said the first. "I am Nerhat-ab, a banker here in the city. The governor requested my presence in order to facilitate the changing of drafts and letters of credit. I was also called upon to assist in financing."

The magister nodded to the next man, a Levantine by his costume. "1 am Barogesh, a Phonecian investor with business interests in On, Antioch, Trebizond, and Serai. Prince Ram-f-amsu enlisted my aid as he did that of Master Nerhat-ab."

"Lord Pyronos of Cyprus," the third man said brusquely. At Inhetep's continued stare, the bearded fellow added, "I have manors and ships. Your governor sought my connections."

Four men arose as if in sequence. "Nenef-Kheru, merchant of On and Memphis," the fat one who stood up first called with a tentative smile towards the wizard-priest. "We met—"

"Yes," Inhetep said curtly. "Your associates?"

"Emptah-hiash. Thunun-maat. Hatsotef.'" Each bowed as the obese /Egyptian spoke his name, "Honest traders and good citizens as am
I."