Soldier of Sidon

Qanju nodded, still smiling. "She might say that she had escaped from the Medjay, who had stolen her in the north. Exhausted, she would come limping out of the desert."

Neht-nefret nodded. "I like it. It's simple, and it might work."

"I shall consider it. The Holy Thotmaktef is next, I would say."

"They write here as we do," Thotmaktef said, "having learned the art from us. They'll have a scribe at every mine to write reports and keep track of the gold they gain and the supplies they need-for those purposes, and a hundred others. He won't be there all the time, or I would think not. When he's not there, he'll go to the temple of Thoth in whatever city he reaches. I'd like to talk to the priests in all of them, as we go up the river. This Kames is the son of a rich man. He'll have been well taught in the House of Life in Wast. They won't set him to carrying baskets of rock, not unless they're complete fools."

Qanju nodded. "He may be helping one of their scribes, as you say. Such a scribe may know of him even if he is not. Go to Thoth's temples, as you suggest, and learn all you can. Lucius?"

"You have two problems," I said. "First, you must learn where Kames is. Second, you must free him. They will not sell him for gold. If they were willing to do that they would demand it from his father, who has it and wants him more than anyone."

Agathocles nodded. "That's obvious."

"Thus we must take him by stealth or by force. Have the Medjay good horses?"

Qanju nodded to Alala.

"Yes," she said. "The best. The people of the north buy them to pull their chariots, but our men sit on their backs. My mother has done that also."

I said, "Would you like to learn?"

Alala nodded.

"I have three soldiers of Parsa. They are all good riders, or say they are. I've listened to them talk, and they talk much of horses and bows. You have relatives among the Medjay. Do you know their names?"

Alala nodded again.

"You wish to visit them and to introduce your husband to them. The Noble Qanju, who treats your husband as his son, may send him and you to them, with the soldiers of Parsa and me to protect you. They may know where Kames is, and if they do not they will surely know where he might be. Your husband will have gold for them, and smooth words. If many take the Great King's gold to guard Kemet, they ca

Qanju nodded and smiled. "Wisely spoken. You would go into the eastern desert as you say? You, Thotmaktef and his wife, and three soldiers? Only six in all?"

I shook my head. "Seven. I'll need to speak with this Medjay woman often. Myt-ser'eu must go with us so there will be a second woman."

Now she wishes to ask more questions. I will write here again soon. WE BOUGHT HORSES today. The soldiers from Parsa were our advisors concerning their horses and our own; they are very happy now. Agathocles and Thotmaktef struck the bargains for us. If all goes well, Thotmaktef will sell these horses when we return to the ship and recover most of the money we spent.

Myt-ser'eu wanted my slave to come with us. So did he. Thotmaktef objected, saying truly that he had been given gold by Qanju for seven horses, not eight. Myt-ser'eu wanted me to buy a horse for the slave, whose name is Uraeus. I would not. She said, "If he had a horse-not bought with Qanju's gold-will you let him come?"

I saw no reason not to. Someone to serve us will save us work and time. Most significantly, a slave to serve us will maintain my standing with my men, which is always important. I urged this to Thotmaktef, saying Uraeus would serve him and his wife as well. He was persuaded.

Having no carts and no pack horses, we ca

We have seen Medjay on horseback, and Alala has spoken with them, while Myt-ser'eu, Agathocles, and Thotmaktef stood by. Their feet were bare. They carried spears and knives, and were mounted on horses I envied. Alala says they would not speak much concerning the mines, but they have pointed the way to her father's clan.

25

WE ARE CAMPED among stones, sand, and grass, under the stars. We rode throughout a long day. When we made camp here, I did not know how I came to be here or who the others were. My wife had me read this. I have read, but found only confusion. I set down what I have learned from my wife, our servant, and the priest.

My bowmen are Baginu, Vayu, and Kakia. They are to obey me, and do. (I have tested this.)

The priest, Holy Thotmaktef, is our commander. I obey him. My servant says our commander often asks my advice. The tall young woman is Alala, our commander's wife.

My own wife is also young. I like both women, but like my own best. She sits close by, although she says she ca

I wear a beetle of gold and enamel about my neck. Our servant says I must not take it off. Who would steal it here? Not he, or he would not warn me. The priest, who has already a bag of gold? His eyes say he does not steal. Kakia, perhaps. I must watch him.

The priest calls this desert the Red Land. He marvels to find it green in many places. I think it beautiful, though too dry for wheat or barley. With a pack of hounds and a few good horses, one might hunt here for years. There are high hills of broken rock, boulders, and- A LION ROARED, not far off. It frightened our horses and the two women. I have set a watch, each to stand for a quarter of the night, taking the first myself. I to moonrise, Baginu until the moon is high, Vayu until it is behind the hills, and Kakia to sunup. Tomorrow each is to watch earlier, Baginu taking the first and I the last. If a horse breaks its tether, our sentry is to wake me.

We camped here at my urging because there is water, though not much. We have dug a little pool for our use, and another, catching the overflow from the first, for our horses. Both overflow now, but the water is soon lost in the sand of the dry watercourse. My servant found pictures on a rock. They are old, I would say, but sheltered by an overhang so that they have not weathered. The priest's wife said her people made them, and that defacing them offends the gods. I would not have defaced them anyway. Men cast their spears at a beast with a long nose and long fangs. If there are really such beasts in this land, I would like to see one.

I found another place and scratched my name there: latro. Also a picture of our camp: the fire, the people, and our horses. We are six men and two women. My wife sang and played for us. Now she sleeps, but the chill wind sings for me still, and the stars look down. WE ARE SEVEN men and two women-no longer as I wrote. What happened this morning was- I WILL WRITE and let the others talk. I listen to them, but write still. Myt-ser'eu says I forget what I do not write, and I feel she speaks truly.

When I woke I found I had slept with my head cradled in the hands of a black warrior who wore a plumed headdress. "You were not among us when I slept," I said. "Did Baginu welcome you to our camp?"