Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 2 - Samarkand Solution (25 page)

"Come on back then, Tuhorus. You're undoubtedly right, and we have urgent need to get out of here quickly. I don't wish to be waylaid as was this man." The words echoed in the passage, fading quickly but emphasizing their setting in a most menacing manner. The detective returned with haste, as if he too were growing nervous. "We'll leave the corpse as it is, Tuhorus, but help me to strip it of valuables. We'll not leave such a fortune as this to his killer." Inhetep freed a large pouch from the dead kheri-heb's body.

"Where to, then?" querried the chief inspector. "Can we return—"

"Sssh! Let's speak in a whisper," Inhetep hissed. "The assassin might lurk nearby still. Have your blade ready, my friend. Our only safe exit now is along this very way the Darfurian meant to follow. The Blood Temple's avenue is surely closed to us, for I haven't the talisman to manage it."

Tuhorus nodded, not even daring a whisper. The two picked up the things the dead priest-mage had been carrying and began to walk rapidly off. Several straight side passages offered themselves, but Inhetep stayed on the curving route, assuming that it was the single and most direct way to the surface. After about a quarter-hour's brisk walking, they came to a flight of steps which stretched upward. "We've nearly made it, Chief Inspector. Go up and get that trapdoor open. I'll stay here to see that nothing assails us when we least expect it."

"Got it, Inhetep," the policeman called down a minute later. "We're in a ruined building, and dawn's just breaking outside!"

The ur-kheri-heb backed cautiously up the steps, watching the tunnel. No feral eyes glowed, no sound or movement came. They had been able, or allowed to leave unmolested. That didn't surprise the magister, either. Tuphopis' death had been all his assailant was equipped for. "Let's pile some rubble atop the trapdoor," he snapped, tossing a pair of bricks on it as he spoke. "I want to be certain that nobody will follow us from there."

"Someone was trailing us?"

"I am nearly positive of it, Tuhorus. The one who struck down the kheri-heb of Aapep would have stayed near to spy on us."

"Yakeem the Dahlikil?"

"None other. That fact alone now ties the whole thing up quite neatly. Let's get back to the Reedfields. I'll need fresh clothing, and I must get another ankh—thank Thoth that the gathering of kheri-hebu is here in On, Tuhorus. You'll need some proper attire too, for we must look our best when we lay the master criminal by his heels, Chief Inspector, don't you agree?"

Knowing that he'd get nothing more from the utchat-neb, Tuhorus shrugged and remained silent. It irked him a little that the magister seemed so confident of the resolution of this affair—and that he was still uncertain. After they had heaped a mound of rubble over the exit, the two went outside, walked along the riverbank to make certain that they would be able to locate the place again, and then plunged into the city. The policeman found a carter and hired him in order to get to his own residence quickly. "An hour or so, Inhetep, and I'll be back."

"Excellent, my friend," the magister called back. "I'll be ready."

Xonaapi and Subaltern Bekin-Tettu were sitting in the inn's main lounge when he entered the building. "What? You two still up? What are you sitting here for?"

The young guardsman stood up and took a nervous step in the magister's direction. Then he stopped, fidgeted, and looked back at the golden-haired girl. "Well?" Xonaapi urged, "Tell him!"

"You two have found true love," Inhetep supplied with a solemn expression.

"How did you guess?" asked the dumbfounded subaltern, his eyes wide.

The ur-kheri-heb smiled stiffly in order to hide a laugh. "Ahem! I ... I
am
a wizard, you know." Both of the young people started to speak, but Setne held up a long-fingered hand. "Stop. Say nothing. It is all too clear to me! Go. May you find the great happiness you expect. I will ... manage. You have my blessing," he concluded, turning away.

"You mean that?" querried Bekin-Tettu.

Back still turned, the priest-wizard mumbled, "May the Great Thoth aid and guide you, children. I do mean what I said."

"He is a fine fellow," the young officer said as he led the now vaguely reluctant Xonaapi from the inn.

"I saw his shoulders quiver," she responded. "He was crying, I know." She hesitated a moment, debating with herself. The she looked at the young officer and smiled. "But he will get over the fact that you won me," Xonappi told him, hugging the subaltern possessively as they strolled off into the bright day.

Not caring if early risers heard him, Magister Inhetep allowed his booming laughter to roll forth as he went into his suite. "I am indeed a fortunate fellow!" he cried once inside, wiping tears from his eyes and grinning still. "The only problem left in this whole case has been resolved!" Then he hastened to the bath to get ready for the real work still ahead.

When Tuhorus arrived, they detoured to the place where the convocation of priest-mages was to be held. Inhetep acquired what he needed, and shortly thereafter the two of them hired an upriver barge. "We go to Innu, Inspector. There's where we lay this dirty business to rest."

"That's where you first spotted Yakeem," Tuhorus noted.

"Odd, isn't it? The city of On is the poor relation of the two. Yet Innu is the center of the web of evil which has been spun hereabouts of late, and your city lies like an insect caught by the strands."

"The Dahlikil is the spider?"

"Yes and no. He certainly moves along the lines of the web easily enough, but the bloated one at the middle is the greater evil and the true fabricator of the whole. But here we are, Chief Inspector Tuhorus. The quay there is nearest to the government buildings to which we must go. I think a call upon Prefect Pabar Ankh-ra is required."

What the magister had to say to the head of Innu's police surprised Tuhorus completely. "You must know the Chief Inspector," he said to Ankh-ra when the prefect greeted them personally. "His superior is your counterpart just downriver in On."

"Certainly. Chief Inspector Tuhorus is a solid detective," the man smiled. "Thinking of transferring to this city, Tuhorus? I could use a workhorse like you to—"

"No, Prefect," Inhetep interrupted. "I brought him here to meet you personally so there would be no doubt about his position. You see, Inspector Tuhorus is now serving as my personal deputy and must be accorded status accordingly."

"Status? You are retired, Magister—"

"Not now. You may address me as Utchat-neb for the time, sir. I am formally announcing that Tuhorus is now an acting agent of the Utchatu. He has the authority of Pharaoh, and only the king or others of higher rank than he holds in the Utchatu may now question or hinder him."

"What's this all about, Inhet—Utchatu-neb?"

"We are here on official business, Prefect. Please call in all of the officers on duty and inform them accordingly."

Pabar Ankh-ra stiffly complied, his face held rigidly expressionless. The intelligence service of Pharaoh was a powerful force in the kingdom, and he didn't dare object to what the magister demanded. However, it was evident he disliked having to do so and would make it as difficult as possible if given any opportunity. "I must congratulate you then,
Agent
Tuhorus, on attaining royal service," he said in a snide tone.

"This is but a temporary assignment," Tuhorus said noncommittally. "I love On too much to be away from my regular work there for long."

"How nice," drawled the prefect as he stared at them both. "And you, Utchatu-neb Inhetep? Are you planning on remaining on active duty now?"

"As Pharaoh wishes," the magister said meaningfully. "Not even a True Prince can deny such a command, of course, so who am I to say?"

Ankh-ra smiled thinly as he nodded agreement, then hastened out to round up his officers. "He is our enemy!" Tuhorus murmured as soon as they were alone. His homely countenance showed some degree of uncertainty.

"In a matter of speaking, but there's worse to come. Sorry not to have told you first, Tuhorus, but I didn't wish to give anything away. I trust no one here or in On for that matter—nobody save yourself, that is. Now let's be still. Here they come."

Seven officers accompanied the prefect on his return. Inhetep told the assembled policemen that both he and Tuhorus were in their city on royal business, and that no interference would be tolerated. "Interfere? We're not in the habit of obstructing any police, even Utchatu," quipped the prefect. "How can we assist?"

He was sincere, even though there was bitterness in his voice. The chief inspector looked at Inhetep, but the magister shook his head slightly. Tuhorus replied, "I understand your words, sir, and thanks for offering, but the utchat-neb and I can manage by ourselves, thanks. That's why I was brought along you know," he added with a wink to the officers. "The royal boys need someone who knows real detective work." The two exited shortly thereafter, and all the police save the prefect were still chuckling and grinning. "Where now?" inquired Tuhorus when they had left the building.

"To the sepat palace," said the magister. "It's time to pay our respects to Prince Harphosh."

The governor of the city and district of Innu received them warmly, greeting the policeman in a fatherly fashion and asking the priest-mage, "Is it the Khazars, Setne? I thought you'd be the one to get to the bottom of that!"

The magister laughed softly as if at a private joke. Then he sobered and looked at the grizzled prince. "In a way, Governor, perhaps it is so. There's a lot more to it than that, of course. I'm here because of assassination, treason, and a myriad of lesser crimes which I won't bother to detail now."

"The Khazars are doing that?" Harphosh's face was a study in disbelief.

"No, Prince. You are the guilty party!"

The governor laughed loudly, looking from Inhetep to Tuhorus. "Our friend is quite a jester, isn't he?" he said to the policeman. "I wasn't expecting that...."

"No. Not after you thought you'd murdered those able to link you to the dirty affair and destroyed all the written evidence. I should suppose you thought yourself free and clear. You're not, Prince Harphosh. You are under arrest."

"This is impossible—you're an old friend, Inhetep!" said the prince as he sat down heavily behind his large desk. "Why do you accuse me of such terrible things?"

"Because you are as guilty as Set—or Aapep, I might better say. You're careless, too. What's in that glass box there, Harphosh?" the magister demanded, pointing at an aquariumlike object partially obscured from view by a carved wooden screen.

"Madder still! That's merely a terrarium—a place to keep certain insects I happen to enjoy observing."

"Insects? Or is it arachnids, Governor? I'll wager on the last!"

Tuhorus saw the prince's ruddy face pale slightly at that. "Well, so I have some spiders— they're akin to insects. .. . What's criminal in having a few spiders? I think I shall have to demand that you leave now—both of you! This matter will be brought to Pharaoh's attention immediately." He arose threateningly from his chair.

"Stay put, Harphosh, or else I'll have to use force. You are under arrest, and I am not joking! Come on, Prince! Give it up. I am onto your whole scheme. Those spiders are the Samarkand Solution, aren't they?"

Prince Harphosh pretended to sink back at that. Suddenly, though, in a move unbelievably quick for one of his age and bulk, the governor jumped erect and hurled two crystal globes at Inhetep and Tuhorus, shouting "Yakeem, to me!"

The ur-kheri-neb moved even more swiftly than Harphosh had, and with speed so great that it was hard to follow with the eye, plucked both spheres out of the air before they could impact and shatter. Chief Inspector Tuhorus turned instinctively, drawing forth his dagger and changing it to a sword as soon as it was clear of the sheath. He managed just in time to fend off a vicious stroke aimed by the lank assassin who had appeared as if by magick. Yakeem the Dahlikil had, however, merely stepped from the door behind the two men. His eyes were bloodshot, and murder was etched on his snarling features as he attacked.

Yakeem wielded a pair of long knives, and although the policeman's sword parried one, he used the other with greater effect, drawing a long cut along Tuhorus's forearm. "A pleasure to butcher a policeman always," he said in a resonant baritone which was laden with malice. "I have a knife for you, too, Magister!"

"Get away from him, Chief Inspector!" Inhetep cried. "There's poison on those blades!" The magister threw one of the globes back at the governor; the other he sent flying toward Yakeem's leering face. A gasp from Harphosh told him that the first sphere had struck home. The second glassy ball seemed to be traveling in slow motion as it flew toward the assassin. It was his own heightened perceptions which made it appear thus, the magister knew, yet at the same time it made him feel insecure in his aim.

The Dahlikil slashed again at Tuhorus with one of the knives, his other weapon moving up and out toward Inhetep at the same instant. Then he caught sight of the crystalline missile and changed his thrust. The blade deflected the fragile sphere with such gentle precision that it was sent off intact on a tangential course past him. "My turn," he snarled at the priest-wizard, as he flipped the knife in his right hand over and hurled it suddenly at Inhetep.