The City of Refuge: Book 1 of The Memphis Cycle by Diana Wilder Page A

out with gold leaf. “Interesting,” he said. “Yet this palace is untouched. “
    “Maybe they're afraid of the Heretic's ghost,” Karoya suggested.
    “Ah yes,” Nebamun mused. “The ghost. What did you do when it appeared?”
    “I moved the troop outside the city. We camped by the quays.”
    “You did not believe the talk of ghosts.”.
    Karoya shrugged. “Not I.”
    “What had everyone frightened?” Khonsu asked, folding his arms.
    “Noises, Commander,” Karoya said. “They started the second day we were here. Strange sounds, though I suspect they came from a human throat.”
    Lord Nebamun folded his arms.
    Karoya was frowning now. “It was as though I were a child again. Trying to frighten my younger brothers.” He remembered who he was addressing, and continued a little more austerely. “Well, children do that... I'd crouch behind a wall and make keening noises. I was good at it. I wanted to look into them more thoroughly, but things happened too quickly. It was all I could do to keep everyone under control.”
    “The ghost,” said Nebamun.
    “Yes, Your Grace. The noises were bad enough, coming on the heels of those stories told us at Khebet. But after two days of that, someone saw a shape and a cry. An owl, most likely. I'd posted guards earlier to catch the troublemakers, but I couldn't reason with them after the owl appeared. I had to pull the sentries back to avoid a mutiny.”
    “I'd have done the same, myself,” said Nebamun. “Did the quarry collapse soon after?”
    “The next day. I went in with some others. I was standing near the entrance when it went.”
    Khonsu nodded. “Hutor was in a state when he arrived at the Governor's residence, for all that he's usually one of our steadier ones.”
    “He bolted out of fear,” Karoya said. “I can't blame him. I stopped him and gave him the message, so he wouldn't be deserting. I see he did delivered it. I wasn't surprised he didn't return with you.”
    Khonsu shrugged. “He may yet. His Grace talked some sense to him. He came to me the next day and volunteered to come back. I gave him a week off to let him calm down a little more.”
    “We owe Your Grace a deal of thanks,” said Karoya.
    Nebamun only smiled. “You must have matters to discuss privately. I saw a footbridge crossing the roadway not far from here. I imagine it leads to another part of the palace. You can join me at your convenience.” He nodded, and went off down one of the hallways with a purposeful stride.
    **   **   **
    Karoya watched him go. “Interesting, Commander,” he said. “From what you say, he single-handedly stopped a citywide panic that first night in Khemnu.”
    Khonsu nodded. “He did. He takes no nonsense from anyone, and he knows how to run a tight venture. I don't think he's afraid of anything.”
    “You sure can't say the same about that long faced priest Seneb who came on the ships. He's been under everyone's feet, moping about with eyes as big as ostrich eggs, muttering to himself. Temple rat! His Grace isn't at all like him!”
    “He isn't a temple rat,” Khonsu returned. “He would be more understandable as an army officer. He doesn't lead his men from behind. You should've seen him last night, with the camp on edge from something that damned mayor of Khebet said and everyone whispering of evil spirits.  He dropped that hyena with one of the sweetest shots I've seen in years!”
    “I wish I'd seen it,” Karoya said. “I'd like to wring Mayor Huni's fat neck for him! He caused all my troubles with his talk! He didn't do us any favors, either!”
    “He said what he did deliberately.” Khonsu agreed. He considered for a moment and then added, “For all his coolness, His Grace isn't made of stone. He's on edge; I wonder why.”
    Karoya gave a humorous shrug. “It isn't likely he'll tell me. Maybe it's just being away from home. You'd be unsettled, too, I'd guess, with Sherit having been so sick. Is she recovering?”
    Khonsu looked