wilbursmith_warlock-第52章

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abbled　something　that　made　no　sense。　Even　in　deep　sleep　Taita's　power；　cast　like　a　web　over　him；　had　touched　him　and　brought　him　almost　awake。
　　
　　His　body　has　journeyed　well　along　the　road　to　full　recovery。　Taita　delved　deeper。　His　spirit　is　strong；　and　he　has　lost　nothing　by　the　ordeal　through　which　he　has　passed。　It　will　not　be　long　now　before　we　can　move　on　to　our　next　endeavour。
　　
　　He　went　back　to　the　fire；　and　placed　a　few　more　acacia　sticks　upon　it。　Then　he　settled　back；　not　to　sleep；　for　at　his　age　he　needed　only　a　few　hours　each　night；　but　to　open　his　mind　to　the　currents　generated　by　events；　some　distant　and　others　much　closer。　He　let　them　eddy　around　him　as　though　he　were　a　rock　in　the　stream　of　existence。
　　
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　　The　next　moon　passed　more　swiftly　than　the　last；　as　Nefer　grew　stronger　and　more　restless。　Each　day　his　limp　became　less　noticeable　until　at　last　it　disappeared。　Soon　he　was　racing　Meren　from　the　valley　floor　to　the　crest　of　the　hills。　These　contests　became　a　regular　part　of　their　lives　at　the　oasis。　At　first　Meren　won　easily；　but　soon　that　changed。
　　
　　At　dawn　on　the　twentieth　day　after　the　departure　of　Hilto；　they　started　at　the　mouth　of　the　cave　and　flew　across　the　stony　valley　bottom　shoulder　to　shoulder；　but　when　they　started　the　climb　up　the　dune　face　Nefer　edged　ahead。　Halfway　up　he　unleashed　a　sudden；　powerful　rush　and　left　Meren　struggling　after　him。　On　the　crest　of　the　hill　he　turned　back　and　laughed　down　at　Meren；　placing　his　hands　on　his　hips　in　a　triumphant　gesture。　In　the　dawn　wind　his　long　dense　tresses　floated　on　his　shoulders。　The　early　sun　was　rising　behind　him　and　the　golden　rays　cast　a　nimbus　of　light　around　his　head。
　　
　　Taita　had　watched　it　all　from　below；　and　was　about　to　turn　back　into　the　cave　when　an　eerie　sound　in　the　desert　silence　stopped　him。　He　lifted　his　face　to　the　sky　to　see　a　dark　speck　describing　a　high　circle　against　the　blue；　and　felt　the　divine　presence　of　the　god　close　at　hand。　The　cry　sounded　again；　small　and　faint；　but　it　pierced　to　the　heart：　the　unforgettable　cry　of　a　royal　falcon。
　　
　　On　the　crest　of　the　dune　Nefer　heard　it　also；　and　turned　his　head　to　search　for　the　source。　He　picked　out　the　tiny　shape　and　lifted　both　hands　towards　it。　As　though　the　gesture　was　a　mand　the　falcon　dropped　into　a　stoop；　seeming　to　swell　in　size。　The　wind　across　its　cocked　wings　sighed　as　it　dived　straight　at　Nefer。　If　it　struck　at　that　speed　it　would　rip　flesh　and　break　bone；　but　Nefer　did　not　flinch　as　it　came　straight　for　his　upturned　face。
　　
　　At　the　last　possible　second　the　falcon　flared　out　of　the　stoop；　and　hovered　above　the　boy's　head。　Nefer　reached　up　and　could　almost　touch　the　sleek；　beautiful　plumage　of　its　breast。　For　a　moment　Taita　thought　that　the　bird　might　allow　itself　to　be　captured；　but　then　it　changed　its　wingbeats　and　rose　on　high。　Once　again　it　uttered　that　forlorn　and　lovely　cry；　then　sped　away　towards　the　sun　and　seemed　to　disappear　into　the　flaming　orb。
　　
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　　On　his　last　visit　to　Gebel　Nagara　Hilto　had　brought　with　him　a　full…weight　war　bow。　Under　Taita's　instruction　Nefer　practised　with　it　every　day；　building　up　the　muscles　in　his　back　and　shoulders　until　he　had　the　strength　to　throw　up　the　weapon；　draw　to　full　stretch　and　hold　his　aim　without　his　arms　beginning　to　tire　and　shake。　Then；　at　Taita's　word　of　mand；　he　would　send　an　arrow　arcing　high　to　drop　on　to　the　target　two　hundred　cubits　distant。
　　
　　Nefer　cut　himself　a　heavy　acacia…wood　staff　from　a　hidden　grove　in　the　foothills　and　shaped；　scraped　and　polished　it　until　it　had　perfect　balance　and　length　in　his　hands。　In　the　cool　of　the　dawn；　he　and　Taita　fought　in　the　traditional　fashion。　At　first　Nefer　held　back　in　deference　to　Taita's　age；　but　the　Magus　bloodied　his　shins　and　raised　a　lump　on　his　scalp。　Furious　and　humiliated；　Nefer　attacked　in　earnest；　but　the　old　man　was　quick　and　nimble。　He　hopped　just　out　of　reach　of　Nefer's　slashing　staff；　then　darted　in　to　impart　a　painful　rap　on　an　unprotected　elbow　or　knee。
　　
　　Taita　had　lost　little　of　his　skill　with　the　blade。　Hilto　had　brought　them　a　rack　of　heavy　sickle　swords；　and　when　Taita　decided　that　they　had　had　sufficient　practice　with　the　fighting　staffs；　he　brought　out　the　swords　and　led　Nefer　and　Meren　through　the　entire　repertoire　of　cuts；　thrusts　and　parries。　He　made　them　repeat　every　manoeuvre　fifty　times；　then　start　again。　By　the　time　he　called　a　halt　for　supper　both　Nefer　and　Meren　were　flushed　and　running　with　sweat　as　though　they　had　plunged　into　a　pool　of　the　Nile。　Taita's　skin；　though；　was　dry　and　cool。　When　Meren　remarked　ruefully　on　this；　he　chuckled。　'I　sweated　my　last　drop　of　juice　before　you　were　ever　born。'
　　
　　On　other　evenings　Nefer　and　Meren　stripped　naked；　oiled　their　bodies　and　wrestled；　while　Taita　umpired　their　bouts　and　called　advice　and　instruction。　Although　Meren　was　taller　by　a　hand　and　heavier　in　the　shoulders　and　limbs；　Nefer　had　natural　balance　and　Taita　had　taught　him　how　to　use　his　opponent's　weight　against　him。　They　matched　each　other　throw　for　throw。
　　
　　In　the　evenings　and　late　into　the　night　Taita　and　Nefer　sat　by　the　fire　and　debated　every　subject　from　medicine　and　politics　to　war　and　religion。　Often　Taita　would　outline　a　theory；　then　require　Nefer　to　discover　any　flaws　in　his　postulates　and　arguments。　He　placed　hidden　traps　and　illogicalities　in　these　lessons；　and　more　often　now；　and　with　greater　alacrity；　Nefer　would　uncover　and　question　them。　Then　there　was　always　the　bao　board　to　puzzle　over　in　the　attempt　to　unravel　the　laws　and　infinite　possibilities　inherent　in　the　movements　and　patterns　of　the　stones。
　　
　　'If　you　could　understand　all　there　is　to　know　of　the　bao　stones；　you　would　know　all　there　is　to　know　of　life　itself；'　Taita　told　him。　'The　subtleties　and　nuances　of　the　game　tune　and　sharpen　the　mind　to　the　greater　mysteries。'
　　
　　The　month　passed　so　swiftly　that　it　was　with　a　small　shock　of　surprise　that　Nefer；　while　running　hard　through　the　desert　in　pursuit　of　a　mortally　wounded　gazelle；　suddenly　descried　on　the　horizon；　distorted　by　the　mirage；　a　tiny　cloud　of　yellow　dust；　and　beneath　it　the　distant　shape　of　the　wagon　returning　from　the　river　valley。　On　the　instant；　he　forgot　the　gazelle　he　was　chasing　and　raced　to　meet　Hilto。　Even　though　Hilto　was　accustomed　to　feats　of　physical　prowess　from　his　men；　he　was　impressed　with　the　speed　at　which　Nefer　covered　the　ground　through　the　shimmering　heat。
　　
　　'Hilto！'　Nefer　yelled；　still　at　a　distance；　and　without　any　sign　of　laboured　breathing。　'May　the　gods　love　you　and　grant　you　eternal　life！　What　news？　What　news？'
　　
　　Hilto　pretended　to　misunderstand　the　significance　of　the　question；　and　as　Nefer　walked　at　his　side　he　began　a　long…winded　recital　of　political　and　social　events　in　the　kingdoms。　There　has　been　another　rebellion　in　the　north。　This　time　Trok　found　it　harder　to　put　down。　He　lost　four　hundred　men　in　three　days　of　hard　fighting；　and　half　the　rebels　escaped　his　wrath。'
　　
　　'Hilto；　you　know　that　is　not　what　I　wanted　to　hear　from　you。'
　　
　　Hilto　indicated　Bay　with　a　jerk　of　his　head。　'Perhaps　this　is　not　the　time　to　touch　on　certain　matters；'　he　suggested　tactfully。　'Your　Majesty；　should　we　not　speak　later　and　in　private？'
　　
　　Nefer　was　forced　to　contain　his　impatience。
　　
　　As　they　sat　that　evening　around　the　campfire　in　the　cave；　it　was　agony　for　Nefer　to　have　to　listen　to　Hilto　making　another　long；　detailed　report　to　Taita；　the　most　important　part　of　which　was　that　the　substitution　of　bodies　had　been　discovered　when　the　priests　of　Anubis　had　unwrapped　the　head　of　the　corpse　in　the　Hall　of　Sorrow。　Pharaoh　Naja　Kiafan　had　done　his　best　to　suppress　the　news　and　to　prevent　it　being　public　knowledge　for　the　foundations　of　his　throne　would　be　undermined　if　the　populace　suspected　that　Nefer　was　still　alive。　However；　it　was　impossible　to　keep　such　an　extraordinary　event　secret　when　many　people；　priests　and　courtiers　were　privy　to　it。　Hilto　reported　that　rumours　were　rife　in　the　streets　and　market…places　of　the　city　of　Thebes　and　the　outlying　towns　and　villages。
　　
　　Partly　as　a　result　of　these　rumours；　the　unrest　in　both　kingdoms　had　bee　more　widespread　and　concerted。　The　rebels　were　calling　themselves　the　Blue　Faction。　Blue　was　the　colour　of　the　Tamosian　dynasty；　Naja　had　selected　green　as　his　own　royal　colour；　and　Trok's　was　red。
　　
　　Added　to　this；　trouble　was　brewing　in　the　east。　The　Egyptian　pharaohs　had　sent　the　Hurrian　ambassador　back　to　his　master；　King　Sargon　of　Babylon；　that　mighty　kingdom　between　the　Tigris　and　Euphrates；　demanding　that　Sargon's　annual　tribute　be　increased　to　twenty　lakhs　of　gold。　It　was　a　crippling　amount　to　which　Sargon　could　never　agree。
　　
　　'So；　this　accounts　for　the　build…up　of　the　armies　in　both　kingdoms；'　Taita　said；　as　Hilto　paused　in　his　report。　'It　is　clear　at　last　that　the　two　pharaohs　are　greedy　for　the　riches　of　Mesopotamia。　They　are　intent　on　conquest。　After　Babylon；　they　will　turn　on　Libya　and　Chaldea。　They　will　not　rest　until　the　entire　world　es　under　their　sway。'
　　
　　Hilto　looked　amazed。　'I　had　not　considered　that；　but　you　must　be　right。'
　　
　　'They　are　as　cunning　as　two　old　baboons　raiding　the　farmers'　fields　along　the　riverbank。　They　know　that　war　is　a　uniting　factor。　If　they　march　on　Mesopotamia　the　populace　will　rally　behind　them　in　a　patriotic　frenzy。　The　army　loves　the　prospect　of　booty　and　glory。　The　merchants　love　the　prospect　of　increased　trade　and　profit。　It　is　a　marvellous　way　to　take　the　minds　of　the　people　off　their　grievances。'
　　
　　'Yes。'　Hilto　nodded。　'I　see　it　now。'
　　
　　'Of　course；　this　is　to　our　advantage；'　Taita　mused。　'I　have　been　seeking　a　haven　for　us。　If　he　is　at　war　with　Trok　and　Naja；　then　Sargon　will　wele　us　to　his　side。〃
　　
　　'We　are　leaving　Egypt？'　Hilto　interjected。
　　
　　Taita　explained；　'Now　that　Naja　and　Trok　know　that　Nefer　still　lives；　。；　they　will　e　after　us。　The　road　to　the　east　is　the　only　one　open　to　us。　It　will　not　be　for　long；　just　until　we　have　built　up　our　strength　and　support　throughout　the　two　kingdoms　and　have　made　ourselves　powerful　allies。　Then　we　will　return　to　reclaim　Pharaoh　Nefer's　birthright。'
　　
　　They　all　stared　at　him　silently　as　they　recovered　from　the　shock　；　of　this　prospect。　They　had　not　thought　so　far　ahead；　and　it　had　never　occurred　to　them　that　they　would　be　forced　to　leave　their　native　land。
　　
　　It　was　Nefer　who　broke　the　silence。　'We　can't　do　that；'　he　said。　'I　cannot　leave　Egypt。'
　　
　　Taita　glanced　at　the　others；　and　jerked　his　head　in　dismissal。　Obediently　Hilto；　Bay　and　Meren　stood　up　and　filed　out　of　the　cave。
　　
　　Taita　had　been　anticipating　this　situation。　He　knew　it　would　take　all　his　cunning　to　resolve　it；　for　Nefer　wore　his　set　expression　and　had　made　his　declaration　in　a　stubborn　tone　that　Taita　recognized。　He　knew　it　was　going　to　be　difficult　to　move　Nefer　from　this　position。　The　boy　was　staring　into　the　fire；　and　Taita　realized　he　must　force　him　to　break　his　silence。　When　he　did　so；　Taita's　position　would　be　strengthened。
　　
　　'You　should　have　discussed　this　plan　with　me；'　Nefer　said　at　last。　'I　am　no　l