Read Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 2 - Samarkand Solution for Free Online Page B

from the diverse company seated in the private chamber. One of the soldiers started to take the priest-wizard's arm to hurry him on, then saw the piercing green eyes of the hawk-nosed magister and hastily withdrew his hand. "If you please, Estimable . . . Lord," the man murmured. "I regret I must show you out as His Excellent Highness the Prince Governor ordered." Not bothering to correct the guard respecting his formal title—there were four correct forms 1 of address, each dependant upon Inhetep's particular role—the magister nodded curtly to him and began moving again after one last look at the trio of easterners. Actually, Inhetep took a little more time than he needed, for he was determined to let the governor and the gathering alike understand clearly the relative position he held to them should he choose to exercise his prerogatives. "I believe I will see you again," the wizard-priest said loudly for all those seated around the big conference table to consider. Then he went out of the room and along the corridor.
    "Seeing that I am already here, Subaltern," In-hetep said to the junior officer charged with escorting him unceremoniously from the place, "I believe I will pay a call to the major domo as Governor Ram-f-amsu suggested. Please be so good as to lead me to that worthy's offices."
    The young guardsman hesitated a moment. Was this a contravention of the prince's command? Very nearly, but the tall ur-kheri-heb was also a man of great importance. The subaltern recognized him as Magister Setne Inhetep, of the Pharaoh's Utchatu, the agents who were the king's "eyes." He also knew by repute that this wizard-priest was a great ecclesiastic of Thoth and famous for his work in opposing crime and evil. It was also evident from Inhetep's bearing and manners that he was a man of the nobility. The guardsman bore no particular like for Ram-f-amsu, and it crossed the young officer's mind that perhaps the governor was being investigated by Pharaoh. Better to risk the wrath of a prince rather than kingly disfavor. "Of course," the subaltern said after reflecting thus. "Master Hu-kefi's offices are just around the corner, and I believe he is there now."
    It had been some time since Inhetep had paid a call here, and Hukefi was new to the position of major domo, having been appointed by the governor only a few months previously. He was a short, paunchy man who affected a wig and fussed continually as he went about his affairs. "Inhetep . .. magister Setne Inhetep," he muttered as he ran a plump finger down column after column in his appointment ledger. "I fear that His Excellent Highness Governor Ram-f-amsu has a busy schedule ... a very busy schedule for the next few months! Perhaps sometime in late spring?" It was meant to be a rhetorical question, for as he asked it Hukefi picked up a quill and dipped it in an ink pot.
    "Hold there, fellow, " Inhetep snapped. "You are mistaken. I saw several open lines well before the time you mention. You will place my name on your calendar for an appointment for tomorrow or the next day at the latest!"
    The flabby cheeks of the major domo flushed, quivering with the force of his indignation. "Now see here! Just whom do you suppose you are speaking to?! I'll not give you any appointment until I have your apology—humbly given, I might add."
    If the man expected a hefty bribe and humble apology, which he did, Inhetep was going to disappoint him. "Write. Put 'Repa-maa, Utchat-neb' first, and then ' Ur-kheri-heb-tepi of Lord Thoth,' and follow that by 'Het Ser Inhetep-Uas, Magister.' Scribe it carefully, servant, and place it for a day not longer than two hence nor later than the sixth hour of the night."
    Hukefi's eyes bulged with shock as the tall wizard-priest spoke. "You are of the princely house of ..." he managed as he transcribed the last of Inhetep's titles on the papyrus. "I ... I ... ask you to forgive me, True Prince. ..."
    It was something he disliked doing and tried to avoid, but