Stroud, Jonathan - Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 3 by Stroud Jonathan

Author:Stroud, Jonathan
Language: eng
Format: epub

Part Four

Alexandria: 124 B.C.

It was a dangerous time in Egypt. Raiders from the south had crept up past the Cataracts and put border towns to the sword. Bedouin tribes wreaked havoc on the merchant trains negotiating the desert fringes. At sea, Barbary pirates preyed on shipping. The king's advisers urged him to seek aid from abroad, but he was old, proud, and wary, and refused.

In a belated effort to appease his enemies at court, Ptolemy put his talents at their service. This, as he was happy to admit, meant me.

"You must forgive this indignity," he said, as we sat on the roof the night before I departed. "With due respect to Affa and Penrenutet, you, my dear Rekhyt, are the most vigorous of my servants. I feel sure you will carry out wonders on the nation's behalf. Follow the orders of the army captains, and improvise where necessary. I apologize for any hardships you may undergo, but in the long run you shall benefit too. With luck, your efforts will get my cousins agents off my back and allow me to finish my researches."

I was wearing the semblance of a noble desert lion, and my growl was suitably low and deep. "You know nothing of the baseness of men's hearts.Your cousin will not rest until you are dead. Spies watch our every movement: I caught two priests' imps skulking in your bathhouse this morning. I had a word. In a manner of speaking, they now serve you."

The boy gave a nod. "That is gratifying to hear."

The lion gave a belch. "Yes, they kindly donated their essences to strengthen mine. Don't look so shocked. In our world we are all one anyway, as I have told you."

As usual, the merest mention of the Other Place was enough: my master's eyes sparkled with a far-off light; his face became dreamy and reflective. "Rekhyt, my friend," he said, "you have told me much, but there is more that I wish to learn. I believe that a few more weeks' work will suffice. Affa has had some experience with the shamans of a distant land; he is advising me on their methods of departing their body. When you return—

well, let us wait and see."

The lion's tail struck rhythmically upon the stones of the roof. "You should concentrate on the dangers of this world. Your cousin—"

"Penrenutet will protect me while you are gone, have no fear. Now—see, they are lighting the watch fire on the tower. The fleet is massing below. You must depart."

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There followed a spate of much activity for me, during which time I had no contact with my master. I sailed

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with the Egyptian fleet against the pirates, and fought in a pitched battle off the Barbary Coast.1 Next I marched with troops to the Theban desert and ambushed the Bedouin, carrying off a number of hostages.

During our return march we were set upon by a group of jackal-headed djinn, who were only narrowly defeated.

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