"Smith, Wilbur - [Egyptian 03] - Warlock(txt)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith Wilbur)

loyal and true. Now they had won through the desert, and were into the
enemy rear. In tomorrow's dawn they would make the one desperate
charge that would split Apepi's army, and allow five more of Pharaoh's
squadrons, a thousand chariots, to come boiling through to join him.
Already he had the melliferous taste of victory on his tongue. Before
the next full moon he would dine in the halls of Apepi's palace in
Avaris.
It was almost two centuries since the Upper and Lower Kingdoms of
Egypt had been split apart. Since then either an Egyptian usurper or a
foreigner invader had ruled in the northern kingdom. It was Tamose's
destiny to drive out the Hyksos and unite the two lands once more.
Only then could he wear the double crown with justification and the
approval of all the ancient gods.
The night air blew in his face, cool enough to numb his cheeks, and
his lance-bearer crouched low behind the dashboard to shield himself.
The only sound was the crunch of the chariot wheels over the coarse
gravel, the lances rattling softly in their scabbards, and the occasional
low warning cry of ‘Beware! Hole!' passed on down the column.
Suddenly the wide wadi of Gebel Wadun opened ahead of him and
Pharaoh Tamose reined down the team. The wadi was the smooth
roadway that would lead them down on to the flat alluvial plain of the
river. Pharaoh tossed the reins to his lance-bearer and vaulted down to
earth. He stretched his stiff, aching limbs and, without turning, heard
the sound of Naja's chariot come up behind him. A low command and
the wheels crunched into silence, then Naja's light, firm footsteps came
to his side. ‘From here the danger of discovery will be stronger,' Naja
said, ‘Look down there.' He pointed with a long, muscular arm over
Pharaoh's shoulder. Where the wadi debouched on to the plain below
them a single light showed, the soft yellow glow of an oil lamp. ‘That is
the village of El Wadun. That is where our spies will be waiting to lead
us through the Hyksosian pickets. I will go ahead to the rendezvous to
make safe the way. Do you wait here, Majesty, and I will return directly.'
‘I will go with you.'
‘I beg you. There may be treachery, Mem.' He used the King's
childhood name. ‘You are Egypt. You are too precious to risk.'
Pharaoh turned to look into the beloved face, lean and handsome.
Naja's teeth gleamed white in the starlight as he smiled, and Pharaoh
touched his shoulder lightly but with trust and affection. ‘Go swiftly,
and return as swiftly,' he acceded.
Naja touched his own heart, and ran back to his chariot. He saluted
again as he wheeled past where the King stood, and Tamose smiled as
he returned the salute then watched him go down the side of the wadi.
When he reached the flat hard sand of the dry riverbed, Naja whipped
up the horses, and they sped down towards the village of El Wadun.
The chariot left black-shaded wheel-tracks behind it on the silvery
sands, before it disappeared beyond the first bend of the wadi. When it
had gone Pharaoh walked back down the waiting column, speaking
quietly to the troopers, calling many by name, laughing softly with
them, encouraging and cheering them. Small wonder they loved him,
and followed him so gladly wherever he led them.