Jack West J. #01 - Seven Ancient Wonders by Matthew Reilly

Author:Matthew Reilly [Reilly, Matthew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Macmillan Publishers Australia
Published: 2011-10-18T02:08:16+00:00

ENTER THE EMBRACE OF ANUBIS WILLINGLY, AND YOU SHALL LIVE BEYOND THE COMING OF RA.

ENTER AGAINST YOUR WILL, AND YOUR PEOPLE SHALL RULE FOR BUT ONE EON, BUT YOU SHALL LIVE NO MORE.

ENTER NOT AT ALL, AND THE WORLD SHALL BE NO MORE.

‘What do you reckon?’ West asked suddenly, not turning to face her.

Lily froze, put on the spot. ‘I . . . I don’t know. . . ’

West swivelled. ‘I’m thinking it’s about death and the afterlife, in the form of an address from Amun to the Jesus-like character, Horus. “The embrace of Anubis” is death. If Horus accepts his death willingly, he will rise again and confer a benefit on his people. A bit like Christ dying on the cross. But enough of that. What brings you here today, kiddo?’

A vigorous discussion followed about Australian–American relations, about the rise of America as a sole superpower, and the concerns of Australia that its friend was becoming something of a global bully. ‘Sometimes a good friend,’ West said, ‘has to show tough love. It’s also much better to get taught a difficult lesson from your friend than from your enemy.’

West then abruptly changed the subject. ‘Lily, there’s something I have to tell you. When all this comes to a head, if it turns out as I hope it will, I’m probably going to have to go away for a while—’

‘Go away?’ Lily said, alarmed.

‘Yes. Lie low. Go someplace where no-one can find me. Disappear.’

‘Disappear. . . ’ Lily gulped.

‘But I want you to be able to find me, Lily,’ West said, smiling. ‘Now, I can’t tell you where I’m going, but I can point you in the right direction. If you can solve this riddle, you’ll find me.’

He handed her a slip of paper, on which was written:

My new home is home to both tigers and crocodiles.

To find it, pay the boatman, take your chances and journey

Into the jaws of Death,

Into the mouth of Hell.

There you will find me, protected by a great villain.

‘And that, kiddo, is all I’ll say. Now scram.’

Lily scampered out of the study, gripping the slip of paper.

She would pore over West’s riddle for months—even going so far as to punch every word of it into Google—trying to figure it out.

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