Athena's Son (19 page)

“
What did Meti write on the second scroll?” Romulus leaned forward anxiously.

Archimedes wasn’t sure how much he should tell these two. They seemed harmless, if not eccentric; and they did save him from the thug in the alley. “It talked about…” Archimedes cleared his throat. “Could I please get another goblet of wine? But watered, lots of water, please. My throat is dry.”

“
By all means!” Remus paced out of the room with Mars following closely behind.

There were a few moments of awkward silence until Romulus finally broke it. “You need to trust us, Archimedes,” he hissed. “Your two murder investigations, the lighthouse and Alexander, are linked more closely than you can imagine. Much more.”

Remus returned and Archimedes took a bigger sip than he intended. “Linked? How could two events nearly 50 years apart be linked?”

“
The second scroll, Archimedes,” Remus intoned. “What did it say?”

“
He wrote about the sun rising in the west, and taking Orion’s belt.”

“
The sun…” Romulus began. “It was in demotic, was it not?” He continued after a nod from Archimedes. “Then it would be son, the boy, the child of Alexander…”

“
Rising in the west,” finished Remus.

“
A boy,” Archimedes said. “That’s how Berenike interpreted it. But there was more,” Archimedes said. “There were holes. Stars, indicating constellations.”

Romulus got up and walked to his brother. “A crafty, inventive man, this Meti.” He turned to Archimedes and was tapping his fist against his mouth. “What did you construe from the stars he charted?”

“
Meti circled Merope, from the constellation Pleiades. He also indicated Orion’s belt—or a crown according to Egyptian astronomy.”

As if on cue, both men let out a long, heavy sigh, followed by somewhat disturbing grins.

“
What? What does that all mean?” Archimedes set down the goblet.

“
What it means,” Romulus said, “is that Meti named Alexander’s murderer. We promised you answers if you gave us answers,” he continued, rising from the bench. He patted Mars on the head, who then lay down, contented. “Merope is the littlest star in the Pleiades, is it not?” he directed it at Archimedes.

“
Yes.”

“
Little star, in Persian, is Roxanne,” Remus said. “You know who Roxanne was.”

“
Yes,” Archimedes answered solemnly.

“
So there is the answer for the Princess.” Remus smirked. “When Alexander returned to Babylon, he was married to Roxanne, who was carrying Alexander’s child. Well, Alexander decides to marry a young princess, Statira…”

“
Which of course,” Romulus interrupted, “set Roxanne in a terrible rage. Roxanne, feeling betrayed by Alexander, poisoned him with deadly nightshade. That is your dual reference to atropa bella donna.” Romulus looked at his brother for confirmation and received a reaffirming nod.

Remus sat next to Archimedes on the bench. There was a strong fragrance of rose oil from him and Archimedes shuffled a few inches away. Remus continued. “Although many people suspected poisoning, including Meti, the generals wanted to cover it up. No one suspected Roxanne because they were too busy divvying up Alexander’s empire. She returned to Macedonia and gave birth to a son, Alexander IV, hoping he would take the crown of Alexander. That is the reference to Orion’s belt.” Remus smiled satisfactorily at his brother for explaining all the puzzle pieces so efficiently.

“
While fools argued over Alexander’s empire, one man was wise enough to claim his piece of the kingdom,” Romulus said.

“
Ptolemy,” Archimedes said. “Alexander’s trusted general and father to the current Pharaoh.”

Romulus smiled at Archimedes. “You are a bright young man. Then you also understand, certainly, that the only true prize left of Alexander’s legacy was not land or gold.” Romulus gave his brother a sly look.

“
It was his body,” Remus said. The twins leered at Archimedes in a way that made Archimedes gulp down his wine. “General Ptolemy, for that is what he was at the time, hijacked the body on its way to Macedonia and brought it here, to Egypt, to Alexandria!”

Remus got up from the bench, much to Archimedes’ relief, and walked to his brother, saying, “How fitting that the man, some would say god, who founded this great city should now rest in eternity here. To the stoic Greeks, like us Romans, of course, he was simply a great man. The Egyptians, however, revered him as a god. That is why having possession of his body was considered crucial to legitimize anyone’s rule.”

“
Thank you for your lesson on Alexander the Great, gentlemen,” Archimedes said. “Now, can you explain how this information will help us solve the murders at the lighthouse?”

“
Ah, so near…” Romulus mocked.

“
And yet so far,” Remus smiled. “As for your murders,” he began, “we have all but handed you…” he stopped when Romulus gave him a stern look and subtle shake of his head. “Well, let us get back to the ruffian you met in the alley. Let us say he was probably hired by someone who wants to keep you from uncovering the wickedness behind the lighthouse murders.”

“
We, that is, Rome, want to see the lighthouse completed,” Romulus said. “It is in the best interests of both our civilizations to have these murders stopped.”

“
On that we all agree, sirs, but I still want to know how the information I shared helps with catching the murderer?” Archimedes asked.

Shrugging his shoulders and kneeling down to Mars, Remus said, “Let us encourage you to, shall we say, continue working closely with the lovely Princess Berenike and be attentive to all the corpses. Unfortunately Archimedes, it is getting late and Mars appears to be getting restless. This is perhaps a good time for you to leave.” The usual smirk was replaced by a grave look.

The heavy front door shut behind Archimedes and he turned to look up at the opposing faces of Janus displayed over the door frame. Janus, the two-faced Roman god. How appropriate, Archimedes thought.

Chapter 24

Flickering torches and the distinctive marble hump of the Spider led Archimedes back to the school. He was late, too late, and he decided to sneak in rather than go through the hassle of alerting anyone that he was safely home.

Far in the distance, he could hear the sounds of the sea rolling out of the harbor. Wooden hulls of ships creaked and thumped against the docks while sailors called out the hour of night watch.

Mimicking Berenike, he took off his sandals and crept over to the park-like lawn. The front lawn of the school was a botanical fusion of native Greek and Egyptian plants. The landscape designer was able to blend the diverse plants to create a pleasing symmetry of height, scent, and color.

Archimedes hid behind a tall cypress and breathed slowly. He could smell the myrtle, oregano, and lavender brought over from Greece. The sweet, deep scent of lavender reminded him of his mother, who would often rub the purple flower on her clothes.

The swaying moonlit shadows from palm trees deceived him once or twice into thinking someone was following him.

Frogs croaked long and deep from the small pond on the side of the school and the mosquitoes that bred in the same pond now swarmed around Archimedes’ head. It was just like his night started, except now he was sneaking back into safety rather than away from it.

Archimedes pushed apart the branches of the thick cypress and looked up at the entrance to the school. So near and yet so far, as the Decimus twins had mocked him. Hades take them! What did all that double talk mean? He would have to wait until he met with Berenike tomorrow morning to discuss those two weasels. His only goal right now was getting into the school undetected.

If not for those torches, it would not be difficult at all. He was just wasting time here; it wasn’t going to get any darker. He tiptoed across the cool lawn and onto the rough limestone walk. He stubbed his toe and nearly tripped forward as he maneuvered for the first step, but he caught himself and continued up. Only nine more steps to go.

“
You’re late,” a gruff voice called from behind. Archimedes whirled his head, seeing the glow of a scarlet cape and sparkle of a bronze spear tip.

“
Ajax, g-good evening,” Archimedes said. Where in the name of Zeus did Talos come from? Archimedes didn’t dare move without permission. “Yes, I am sorry. I know I’m late. I was with…”

“
It doesn’t matter to me where you were. Once anyone sets foot on this property,” Ajax jabbed the end of the spear against the sidewalk to emphasize his domain, “my only concern is if they should be here. You should be here, but that was three hours ago.” He did not raise his voice in anger, which intimidated Archimedes even more. Just like his brother, Ajax carried the composed voice of someone confident of their authority.

His back was to Ajax and from the corner of his eye Archimedes could only make out the shadowy, hulking shape of the Spartan and his luminous accoutrements. He risked facing Ajax and finally turned toward him, noticing he did not have on his Corinthian helmet.

As best Archimedes could discern from the wavering flames of the torches, Ajax had a heavy, dark brow that glowered over his eyes and a full, square jaw above a thick neck. He wore his long, black hair slicked back with olive oil and braided it in back.

Since Archimedes already failed with an apology and explanation for the appointed guard of the School of Alexandria, he was at a loss of what to do next. Ajax was making it difficult by stating the obvious rather than listening. Taking a further risk, Archimedes took a step down toward the living Talos. “As I tried to say, Ajax, I was working on the murders…”

“
Are you unharmed?” Ajax asked.

“
Why yes,” Archimedes unconsciously patted himself to make sure there were no wounds or broken bones. “Thank you. I am unharmed. I was at the house of…”

Ajax stepped toward Archimedes and pointed the spear tip toward him. “You shouldn’t be out on the streets this late.” Ajax crooked his head slightly to better view the wayward student. Several ugly scars angled across the back of his head, leaving furrows of white skin stark along his black, gleaming hair. “The only things out this late are predators and prey. I know which one you are.”

Ever since arriving here, Archimedes was painfully aware of which one he was. He aborted any more attempts to explain his tardiness, waiting until given further orders by the man put in charge of his safety.

“
Go,” Ajax said. “I’ll leave it to you to tell Callimachus in the morning.” And with that, the soldier who sent countless others to their deaths sent the hapless schoolboy to bed.

Archimedes woke the next morning to the soft lapping of Hypnos in the water basin. Archimedes groaned. “Who let you in?” He stretched and then quickly pulled the covers up when the morning sun blasted his eyes.

After resting a few more moments, he swung his legs out of bed and stretched again. “I thought I chased you out of my room last night, Hypnos. You’d think with a name like Hypnos, you’d help me sleep rather than constantly wake me up.” He got up to remove the thirsty cat from his wash basin, when a melodious giggle made him turn.

“
Berenike!” Archimedes dove back under his sheet. “For the love of Zeus! What are you doing here! I’m not dressed!”

Berenike, sitting on the stool by the door, was trying to suppress a laugh, and now that she was discovered, let it out fully. “Oh, Archimedes, that was cute.” She was dressed in a rose colored tunic, with pleating on the sleeves.

What was cute, the cat or his show? Archimedes wondered. “What are you doing here? How did you get in my room?” Archimedes was more mortified than angry. He held the sheet tight around his waist.

“
Oh, relax Archimedes. I’ve helped bathe my little brothers. There’s nothing I haven’t seen before. Besides,” she got up and sat on the bed, “I thought there were no secrets between us.”

“
Well,” Archimedes shuffled to sit up straight, “right now there are certain things about me that I do want to keep secret. Would you mind waiting for me outside while I get dressed?”

She slapped him on the leg. “You’re as cranky as an old goat.” She started to leave. “I’ll wait for you outside. But hurry; you won’t believe what we’re doing today!”

Chapter 25

Berenike and Archimedes were flanked by two muscular Medjay and on their way to the Temple of Horus. Kicking up dust ahead of them was a small squad of Greek soldiers and their captain. Any people milling in the streets this early in the morning scattered out of the way of the group of armed men.

The soldiers were going to escort Ptahhotep back to the palace to meet with Pharaoh Ptolemy. The important news Berenike had for Archimedes was that her father was detaining Ptahhotep and they were being allowed to accompany the soldiers. After Callimachus presented the evidence Archimedes discovered to Ptolemy, the pharaoh ordered that Ptahhotep be brought in for questioning. Ptolemy was careful not to say Ptahhotep was under arrest because he was aware of the influence the
hem netjer,
a high priest of Egypt, had over the Egyptian people. He was simply being asked to come in to explain the comments on Ipuwer’s scroll.