Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 1 - Anubis Murders by Gary Gygax Page A

nodded. "We thought as much. That's exactly why we didn't mention it until we were about to dock in Caer-Mabd. You see, we are urgently needed in Camelough. There is no time for such side excursions as you would have insisted on."
    The tall /Egyptian sat back in his chair. The cabin seemed smaller and more cramped, as if the wizard-priest had swelled to fill it somehow. Both of the Kellts understood the effect. Inhetep was drawing energy from the others and directing his powers toward some focal point. There could be no question as to what he was concentrating on. His words affirmed that fact. "There is an hour or two before we actually drop anchor. Please tell me everything now, and don't withhold any facts this time. Otherwise . .." Setne allowed his sentence to end there. The meaning didn't require articulation.
    There was no hesitation. Both men rapidly told of the findings of multiple investigations into the secret shrines and the triune cult. Set was recognized immediately, even in the hinterlands, as the Egyptian lord of darkness and evil. Sobek, crocodile-headed friend of the dark one, was a natural accompaniment to the former. An-ubis, however, was a strange third. "Our sages say that the Lord of the Jackals has a dual nature," the Behon finally said. "Might not he actually be the son of Set? Isn't it possible for the nature of a deity to change, to manifest itself in ways not before known? Before the struggle between Osiris and Set, it is said that most of your people held the red-haired god as admirable and beneficial—at least to themselves."
    "Yes. Yes to both of your latter statements, that is. But no, the initial statement is incorrect. There is no question as to the parentage of An-ubis, and his place is the twilight of the shadowy world, the Duat, where Osiris rules as king, just as it is in the realms of light and of Pet, the high sphere, where Ra reigns supreme." Setne seemed grim as he went on. "Once Sobek was also one of more wholesome nature. It is possible for the greater entities to realign themselves, for they have will as free as our own. Perhaps it is no longer mistaken to consider Anubis as the offspring of the master of Evil, for if the jackal-headed one has allied with Set, then he has become the spiritual child of darkest iniquity."
    "I had thought you would approach this with such open-mindedness, Magister Inhetep," the Behon said with a note of compassion in his voice. "We are aware of your devotion to the ibis-headed Thoth. His relationship is that of Balance, though, is it not? We do that no harm when we condemn one of the Twilight Nature and Shadowy Darkness—the high standing of Anubis therein, his involvement ... It is no reflection on the deities of Egypt, Magister, but a sad commentary on but one of its number." The Behon looked into Setne's eyes. "It is up to you to discover just what machinations are afoot here. Then perhaps you can have your righteous gods intervene."
    "Perhaps, perhaps," Inhetep murmured. "First, we will go to Camelough. There I will examine all of the bits of evidence you have, just as was promised me. Then I will decide what other steps to take. Death is not evil, not in the natural scheme of things. Evil does not necessarily bring death—or even use its fell and bony hand. Life is often more malicious than its cessation. There is much to learn, many things which must be analyzed and understood, before it will be possible to draw meaningful conclusions."
    "One conclusion of a meaningful sort is at hand," the voice of Aldriss caroled. "We are about to drop anchor in the fair harbor of Caer-Mabd!"
    All three turned and stared coldly at the bard. He hardly noticed because his spirits were so high. The Avillonian bards were truly only at home in their own isles, and clearly Aldriss was much affected by the sight of his native land. "Lady Rachelle is busily gathering your gear, Magister Inhetep. I'm off to do the same with my own now. Tallesian, Behon, aren't you