wilbursmith_warlock-第47章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　grievous　wounds　that　he　received　at　Dabba　while　hunting　a　cattle…raiding　lion。'　There　was　concerted　sigh　of　despair。　One　of　the　councillors　covered　his　eyes　and　began　to　weep　silently。
　　
　　The　herald　spoke　into　the　silence：　'The　Regent　of　the　Upper　Kingdom；　Lord　Naja；　who　is　of　the　royal　family　of　Tamose　by　marriage；　and　who　is　next　in　the　line　of　succession；　has　been　raised　to　the　throne　in　the　place　of　the　departed　Pharaoh。　He　purifies　the　land　in　his　name　of　Kiafan；　he　endures　unto　eternity　in　his　name　of　Naja；　the　fear　of　him　through　all　the　world　is　great　in　his　name　of　Pharaoh　Naja　Kiafan。'
　　
　　The　cries　of　mourning　for　the　dead　Pharaoh；　and　the　clamour　of　acclamation　for　his　successor　filled　the　hall。
　　
　　In　the　uproar；　Mintaka　stared　at　the　herald。　Under　the　makeup　she　had　turned　chalky　pale　and　her　eyes　needed　no　kohl　to　make　them　huge　and　tragic。　The　world　seemed　to　turn　dark　around　her；　and　she　swayed　on　her　stool。　Although　she　had　heard　Nefer's　death　being　planned　and　plotted；　she　had　convinced　herself　that　it　would　not　happen。　She　had　made　herself　believe　that；　even　without　her　warnings；　Nefer；　with　Taita　to　help　him；　would　somehow　avoid　the　malignant　web　spun　by　Naja　and　Trok。
　　
　　Trok　was　watching　her　with　a　sly；　gloating　smile；　and　she　knew　he　was　revelling　in　her　pain。　She　did　not　care　any　longer。　Nefer　was　gone　and　with　him　her　will　and　her　reason　to　resist　and　to　go　on　living　herself。　She　stood　up　from　the　throne　and；　like　a　sleep…walker　left　the　hall。　She　expected　her　husband　to　order　her　back；　but　he　did　not。　In　the　general　consternation　and　lamentation　few　of　the　other　guests　noticed　her　leave。　Those　who　did　were　aware　of　her　terrible　sorrow。　They　recalled　that　she　had　once　been　betrothed　to　the　dead　Pharaoh；　and　they　forgave　her　this　breach　of　decorum　and　protocol。
　　
　　Mintaka　stayed　in　her　own　chamber　for　three　days　and　nights　without　eating。　She　drank　only　a　little　wine　mixed　with　water。　She　ordered　everyone　to　leave　her；　even　her　girls。　She　would　see　nobody；　not　even　the　physicians　Trok　sent　to　her。
　　
　　On　the　fourth　day　she　asked　for　the　chief　priestess　of　the　temple　of　Hathor。　They　were　alone　together　for　the　entire　morning；　and　when　the　old　woman　left　the　palace　she　had　covered　her　shaven　head　with　her　white　shawl　as　a　sign　of　mourning。
　　
　　The　next　morning　the　priestess　returned　with　two　of　her　acolytes；　who　carried　a　large　basket　of　woven　palm　fronds。　They　placed　the　basket　in　front　of　Mintaka；　then　covered　their　heads　and　withdrew。
　　
　　The　priestess　knelt　beside　Mintaka　and　asked　her　quietly；　'Are　you　certain　that　you　wish　to　take　the　way　of　the　goddess；　my　daughter？'
　　
　　'There　is　nothing　further　for　me　to　live　for；'　Mintaka　said　simply。
　　
　　The　priestess　had　tried　for　hours　the　previous　day　to　dissuade　her；　but　now　she　made　one　last　attempt。　'You　are　young　still　。。。'
　　
　　Mintaka　held　up　one　slim　hand。　'Mother；　I　may　not　have　lived　many　years；　but　in　that　short　time　I　have　experienced　more　pain　than　most　encounter　in　all　their　long　lives。'
　　
　　The　priestess　bowed　her　head　and　said；　'Let　us　pray　to　the　goddess。'　Mintaka　closed　her　eyes　as　she　went　on；　'Blessed　lady；　mighty　cow　of　the　sky；　mistress　of　music　and　love；　all…seeing；　all…powerful；　hear　the　prayers　of　your　daughters　who　love　you。'
　　
　　Something　in　the　basket　in　front　of　them　moved　and　there　was　a　faint　susurration　like　the　river　breeze　in　the　papyrus　beds。　Mintaka　felt　the　coldness　in　her　stomach；　and　knew　that　it　was　the　first　chill　of　death。　She　listened　to　the　prayer；　but　her　thoughts　were　with　Nefer。　She　recalled　vividly　so　much　that　they　had　shared　together；　and　in　her　mind　a　picture　of　him　appeared　as　though　he　still　lived。　She　saw　again　his　smile　and　the　way　he　held　his　head　so　perfectly　balanced　on　his　strong；　straight　neck。　She　wondered　what　point　he　had　reached　on　his　dread　journey　through　the　netherworld；　and　she　prayed　for　his　safety。　She　prayed　for　him　to　reach　the　green　hills　of　paradise；　and　that　she　should　soon　be　reunited　with　him　there。　I　shall　follow　you　soon；　my　heart；　she　promised　him。
　　
　　'Your　beloved　daughter；　Mintaka；　the　wife　of　the　divine　Pharaoh　Trok　Uruk；　begs　from　you　the　favour　you　have　promised　to　those　who　have　suffered　too　much　in　this　world。　Allow　her　to　meet　your　dark　messenger；　and　through　him　to　find　peace　in　your　bosom；　mighty　Hathor。'
　　
　　The　priestess　ended　her　prayer　and　waited。　The　next　step　must　be　taken　by　Mintaka　alone。　Mintaka　opened　her　eyes；　and　studied　the　basket　as　though　seeing　it　for　the　first　time。　Slowly　she　reached　out　with　both　hands　and　lifted　the　lid。　The　interior　of　the　basket　was　dark；　but　there　was　movement　within；　a　heavy；　languid　coiling　and　uncoiling；　a　glinting　of　black　upon　black　like　oil　spilled　on　water　in　a　deep　well。
　　
　　Mintaka　leaned　forward　to　peer　within；　and　slowly　a　scaled　head　rose　to　meet　her。　As　it　emerged　into　the　light　the　hood　distended　until　it　was　wide　as　a　woman's　fan；　patterned　in　black　and　ivory。　The　eyes　were　as　shiny　as　glass　beads。　The　thin　lips　were　curved　in　a　sardonic　grin；　and　the　feathery　black　tongue　flickered　out　between　them；　tasting　the　air；　and　the　scent　of　the　girl　who　sat　in　front　of　it。
　　
　　They　stared　at　each　other；　the　girl　and　the　cobra；　for　a　hundred　slow　beats　of　her　heart。　Once　the　serpent　swayed　back　as　though　to　strike；　then　came　gently　upright　once　more　like　some　fatal　flower　on　a　long　stem。
　　
　　'Why　will　it　not　do　its　work？'　Mintaka　asked；　with　her　lips　close　enough　to　those　of　the　cobra　to　exchange　a　kiss。　She　reached　out　her　hand　and　the　serpent　turned　his　head　to　watch　her　fingers　e　towards　him。　Mintaka　showed　no　fear。　Gently　she　stroked　the　back　of　the　cobra's　widely　distended　hood。　Instead　of　attacking　the　cobra　turned　half　away　from　her；　almost　like　a　cat　offering　its　head　to　be　caressed。
　　
　　'Make　it　do　what　has　to　be　done；'　Mintaka　begged　the　priestess；　but　the　old　woman　shook　her　head　in　puzzlement。
　　
　　'This　I　have　never　seen　before；'　she　whispered。　'You　must　strike　the　messenger　with　your　hand。　That　will　surely　make　him　deliver　the　gift　of　the　goddess。'
　　
　　Mintaka　drew　back　her　hand；　with　open　palm　and　fingers　spread。　She　aimed　at　the　ophidian　head　of　the　serpent　and　was　on　the　point　of　striking；　when　she　started　with　surprise　and　lowered　her　hand。　Puzzled；　she　glanced　around　the　darkened　chamber；　into　the　shadowed　corners；　then　looked　directly　at　the　priestess。
　　
　　'Did　you　speak　again？'　she　asked。
　　
　　'I　said　nothing。'
　　
　　Mintaka　raised　her　hand　again；　but　this　time　the　voice　was　closer　and　clearer。　She　recognized　it　with　a　rush　of　superstitious　fear；　and　felt　the　hairs　rise　upon　the　back　of　her　neck。
　　
　　'Taita？'　she　whispered；　looking　around。　She　expected　him　to　be　standing　at　her　shoulder；　but　the　chamber　was　still　empty　except　for　the　two　of　them　kneeling　in　front　of　the　basket。　'Yes！'　Mintaka　said；　as　though　replying　to　a　question　or　an　instruction。　She　listened　to　the　silence　and　twice　nodded；　then　softly；　'Oh；　yes！'
　　
　　The　priestess　heard　nothing；　but　she　knew　and　understood　that　there　had　been　some　mystical　intervention　in　their　proceedings。　She　was　unsurprised　when　the　cobra　sank　back　slowly　into　the　depths　of　the　basket。　She　replaced　the　lid；　and　stood　up。
　　
　　'Forgive　me；　Mother；'　Mintaka　said　softly；　'I　will　not　take　the　way　of　the　goddess。　There　is　still　much　for　me　to　do　in　this　world。'
　　
　　The　priestess　picked　up　the　basket；　and　said　to　the　girl；　'May　the　goddess　bless　you　and　grant　you　eternal　life　hereafter。'　She　backed　away　to　the　door　of　the　chamber；　and　left　Mintaka　sitting　in　the　gloom。　She　seemed　to　be　listening　still　to　a　voice　that　the　old　woman　could　not　hear。
　　
　　*　　*　　*
　　
　　Taita　brought　Nefer　back　to　Thebes　from　Dabba　in　the　deep　sleep　of　the　Red　Shepenn。　As　soon　as　the　galley　carrying　them　moored　at　the　stone　jetty　below　the　palace；　Taita　had　him　carried　ashore　on　a　litter；　curtained　from　the　gaze　of　the　mon　people。　It　would　have　been　unwise　for　Pharaoh's　critical　condition　to　bee　widely　known　in　the　city。　There　had　been　previous　occasions　when　the　death　of　a　king　had　plunged　the　city　and　the　entire　state　into　wild　despair；　and　caused　devastating　speculation　in　the　millet　exchange；　riots；　looting　and　a　breakdown　of　all　the　mores　and　conventions　of　society。
　　
　　Once　Nefer　was　safely　ensconced　in　his　royal　quarters　at　the　palace；　Taita　was　able　to　work　on　him　in　safety　and　seclusion。　His　first　concern　was　to　examine　again　the　terrible　lacerations　down　the　front　of　the　boy's　legs　and　lower　abdomen　and　assess　if　there　had　been　any　morbid　changes。
　　
　　His　greatest　fear　was　that　the　entrails　had　been　punctured　and　that　their　contents　had　leaked　into　the　stomach　cavity。　If　this　had　happened　then　his　skills　would　be　to　little　avail。　He　unwrapped　the　bandages；　probed　the　openings　gently；　sniffed　the　effluent　for　the　stink　of　faeces；　and　was　greatly　relieved　to　find　no　taint　of　that　contamination。　He　syringed　the　deepest　wounds　with　a　mixture　of　vinegar　and　Oriental　spices。　Then　he　stitched　them　closed　with　cat…gut　and　bandaged　them　with　all　his　skill；　touching　them　with　the　golden　Periapt　of　Lostris；　mending　her　grandson　to　the　goddess　with　each　wrap　of　the　linen　strip。
　　
　　Over　the　days　that　followed　Taita　gradually　reduced　the　dosage　of　the　Red　Shepenn　and　was　rewarded　when　Nefer　recovered　consciousness；　and　smiled　at　him。　'Taita；　I　knew　you　were　with　me。'　Then　he　looked　around　him；　still　drowsy　with　the　drug。　'Where　is　Mintaka？'
　　
　　When　Taita　explained　her　absence；　Nefer's　disappointment　was　almost　palpable；　and　he　was　too　weak　to　conceal　it。　Taita　tried　to　console　him　by　telling　him　that　the　parting　was　only　temporary；　and　that　he　would　soon　be　well　enough　to　make　the　voyage　northwards　to　visit　Avaris。　'We　will　find　a　fine　excuse　for　Naja　to　allow　you　to　make　the　journey；'　Taita　assured　him。
　　
　　For　a　while　Nefer's　recovery　was　encouraging。　The　following　day　he　was　sitting　up；　and　ate　a　hearty　meal　of　dhurra　bread　and　chick…pea　soup。　The　next　day　he　took　a　few　steps　on　the　crutches　Taita　had　carved　for　him；　and　asked　for　meat　with　his　meal。　In　order　not　to　heat　his　blood；　Taita　forbade　red　meat；　but　allowed　him　fish　and　poultry。
　　
　　The　next　day　Merykara　came　to　visit　her　brother；　and　spent　most　of　the　day　with　him。　Her　merry　laughter　and　her　childlike　prattle　cheered　him。　Nefer　asked　after　Heseret；　and　wanted　to　know　why　she　had　not　e　also。　Merykara　answered　evasively　and　invited　him　to　play　another　game　of　bao。　This　time　he　deliberately　opened　his　centre　castle　to　let　her　win。
　　
　　The　next　day　the　terrible　news　of　the　tragedy　at　Balasfura　reached　Thebes。　The　first　reports　were　that　Apepi　and　his　entire　family；　including　Mintaka；　had　perished　in　the　flames。　Nefer　was　stricken　down　again；　this　time　by　grief。　Taita　had　to　mix　him　another　potion　of　the　Red　Shepenn；　but　within　hours　the　wounds　in　his　leg　had　turned。　Over　the　next　few　days　his　condition　worsened；　and　soon　he　was　at　the　very　frontiers　of　death。　Taita　sat　with　him　and　watched　him　tossing　and　raving　in　delirium　while　the　livid　scarlet　lines　of　morbidity　ran　like　rivers　of　fire　up　his　limb