confused, but 1 thought I saw a black and fuzzy limning around Ram-f-amsu just as I tried to grasp him and cease his trials." The high priest paused, wiping his face as if brushing away annoying insects, and he shuddered. "That was a most disquieting sensation, for the sable aura seemed both mindless and cunning at the same time." Matiseth shook himself and swallowed. "It was impossible for me to make another contact, of course. By that time, the prince's agonies began to increase as did Ms contortions and gyrations. I thought that you might still be near enough, Magister, to assist in rescuing the prince, so I managed to get up from where I had been knocked and ran to find you."
"Because I am an ur-kheri-heb?"
Matiseth shrugged. "What else? You are a wizard as well as a priest. I hoped your grasp of a greater diversity of heka than I have would serve to rescue the governor."
The magister remained expressionless, but his mind was racing as he tucked away each part of the story Matiseth had related. There would be time for analysis and assessment later. "Two more questions before we finish, Hem-neter-tepi. First, do you know the persons who were meeting with the governor? Second, and twofold in nature, can you tell me why they were met? And why you were not there also?"
"Know? Well, I should certainly say I do! They are the elite of On, you understand. There were a handful of men there I did not recognize, but—"
"When the prefect's agents come, Chemres, please tell them the names of each man you saw and recognized, as well as describing those for whom you have no such identifying appellation. I'll read a copy of that. Time flies, and I need the rest of your answer. Why were they gathered? Why were you not called to the meeting?" Inhetep urged by repeating his queries.
Again the high priest shrugged. "Although I was consulted often—Ram-f-amsu considered me a friend and spiritual guide, too—I was not privy to each and every matter pertaining to governance of the sepat, after all. It seems I do recall His Excellent Highness mentioning something about increasing trade through improved finance and better facilities for warehousing, distribution, and sale. I speculate, for I do not know the reason for the meeting. However, some such must have been the subject, for I believe that was the reason for my exclusion. Bluntly put, as great as is my temple's wealth and community involvement, we are more concerned with ... ah . . . agrarian matters and social work than with banking and mercantilism."
Fifteen minutes had passed since the subaltern had cleared the council room, and soon the police would arrive. Inhetep wanted to have as much time as possible to question the others before the city's law officers arrived to complicate matters. "Thank you, Matiseth. I appreciate your helpfulness in the face of our long-standing enmity. If it were up to me, I would permit you to return to your own residence, hut it isn't my decision. Come with me, and I'll ask the major domo to give you a private chamber to relax in-— the gods know you need a little respite after what you've been through. When the metropolitan prefect's agents arrive, I'll request the chamberlain have them speak with you first."
"Ummm . .." Matiseth responded with a suspicious air. "Just why should I be questioned first?"
"This is bound to be an all-night affair, Chem-res. If the investigators finish with you, they'll allow yon to return to your temple, and you'll not be kept here until tomorrow morning. I am trying to repay your cooperation. This is the best means I can devise, as it were, but if you wish to remain. ,.."
"No. I appreciate your thinking Inhetep. Come, Let us find the able Hukefi—I helped place Mm in Ms office. He will be ready to assist as requested."
As the high priest had said, Major Domo Hukefi was doubly anxious to serve, owing Matiseth Chemres his position and fearing Inhetep. He bustled off with the chief cleric of Set so as to furnish
"Because I am an ur-kheri-heb?"
Matiseth shrugged. "What else? You are a wizard as well as a priest. I hoped your grasp of a greater diversity of heka than I have would serve to rescue the governor."
The magister remained expressionless, but his mind was racing as he tucked away each part of the story Matiseth had related. There would be time for analysis and assessment later. "Two more questions before we finish, Hem-neter-tepi. First, do you know the persons who were meeting with the governor? Second, and twofold in nature, can you tell me why they were met? And why you were not there also?"
"Know? Well, I should certainly say I do! They are the elite of On, you understand. There were a handful of men there I did not recognize, but—"
"When the prefect's agents come, Chemres, please tell them the names of each man you saw and recognized, as well as describing those for whom you have no such identifying appellation. I'll read a copy of that. Time flies, and I need the rest of your answer. Why were they gathered? Why were you not called to the meeting?" Inhetep urged by repeating his queries.
Again the high priest shrugged. "Although I was consulted often—Ram-f-amsu considered me a friend and spiritual guide, too—I was not privy to each and every matter pertaining to governance of the sepat, after all. It seems I do recall His Excellent Highness mentioning something about increasing trade through improved finance and better facilities for warehousing, distribution, and sale. I speculate, for I do not know the reason for the meeting. However, some such must have been the subject, for I believe that was the reason for my exclusion. Bluntly put, as great as is my temple's wealth and community involvement, we are more concerned with ... ah . . . agrarian matters and social work than with banking and mercantilism."
Fifteen minutes had passed since the subaltern had cleared the council room, and soon the police would arrive. Inhetep wanted to have as much time as possible to question the others before the city's law officers arrived to complicate matters. "Thank you, Matiseth. I appreciate your helpfulness in the face of our long-standing enmity. If it were up to me, I would permit you to return to your own residence, hut it isn't my decision. Come with me, and I'll ask the major domo to give you a private chamber to relax in-— the gods know you need a little respite after what you've been through. When the metropolitan prefect's agents arrive, I'll request the chamberlain have them speak with you first."
"Ummm . .." Matiseth responded with a suspicious air. "Just why should I be questioned first?"
"This is bound to be an all-night affair, Chem-res. If the investigators finish with you, they'll allow yon to return to your temple, and you'll not be kept here until tomorrow morning. I am trying to repay your cooperation. This is the best means I can devise, as it were, but if you wish to remain. ,.."
"No. I appreciate your thinking Inhetep. Come, Let us find the able Hukefi—I helped place Mm in Ms office. He will be ready to assist as requested."
As the high priest had said, Major Domo Hukefi was doubly anxious to serve, owing Matiseth Chemres his position and fearing Inhetep. He bustled off with the chief cleric of Set so as to furnish
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