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strip of linen gagging him. He hoped the cat could find its way back to Karoya.
    “It was the slave girl’s cat, stupid,” said Hori. “Let’s get moving. We’ve got a long way to go before it gets light.”
    Ramose’s moment of pleasure disappeared as Intef dragged him to his feet. After walking for about two hours in the dark, the moon rose. Ramose could see two pyramids in the distance, their limestone faces gave off a soft glow in the moonlight. They were walking towards the larger pyramid. It was surrounded by tombs, chapels and temples. As they got closer, Ramose could see that there was a row of trees planted around the edge of the pyramid. There were not only date palms and tamarisks, but also sacred persea trees.
    It was starting to get light by now. Ramose was tired. He could tell the other men were as well, but Hori was making them hurry. He led them to a crumbling rectangular tomb where he broke open the door and they went inside just as the sun rose. Inside was a chapel with painted walls. Ramose knew that somewhere below them an important person would be buried.
    “No one goes outside until it’s dark again,” said Hori laying down his reed mat.
    “I don’t like the idea of sleeping in a tomb,” said Seth looking nervously in all the dark corners.
    Intef’s brow furrowed. “What if I want to…”
    “Go now,” said Hori. “Seth, you go out and find a temple that’s still in use and steal some of the food offerings.”
    “Do I have to?”
    “Yes.”
    Seth left reluctantly. He soon returned with food and the robbers feasted on the meat, vegetables and sweet cakes that he had stolen from a temple. When they had finished eating, Hori belched loudly.
    “Untie the scribe’s hands.” He nodded to Seth who went over and untied the rope around Ramose’s wrists.
    They gave him a piece of dry bread and a few mouthfuls of warm beer.
    “Intef, you sleep in front of the door,” Hori said as he settled himself down. “Just in case the scribe decides to wander off.” He grinned at Seth. “Or in case any spirits try and get us.”
    They were all asleep within a few minutes. All except for Ramose. He couldn’t sleep. Seth had insisted on leaving a lamp burning. In the dim light, Ramose looked at the paintings on the walls of the chapel. He peered at the writing. It was the tomb of a priest called Amenhotep. There was a painting of the priest and his wife, ploughing in the Field of Reeds in the afterlife. Another painting showed the couple praising Osiris. The third wall had a scene from Amenhotep’s funeral. The fourth wall showed a banquet with girls dancing and playing musical instruments. In the dim light it reminded Ramose of the palace and his own room with its wall paintings. There was an offering table, but it looked like it had been a very long time since anyone had brought offerings for Amenhotep.

    Ramose felt like he’d only just got to sleep when Seth was shaking him awake again.
    “Come on, Scribe,” he said. “You’ve got work to do.”
    Breakfast was another mouthful of dry bread, and three dates. Ramose suspected it was nowhere near breakfast time.
    “I’m thirsty.”
    Hori gave him a flask of beer.
    “Don’t you have any water?” Ramose asked.
    “No.”
    Outside it was a still, cool evening. It was peaceful. Nothing disturbed the quiet but the howling of a distant dog, the buzzing of insects and Intef’s heavy breathing. Ramose thought that many people probably worked in the area, tending the tombs and the temples around the pyramids. There was no one around, though. All the workers had returned to their homes for the night. Ramose was led by his captors towards the pyramid, which loomed eerily in the dark.
    “Okay, Scribe,” said Hori. “This is where you earn your keep.”
    “Since you’ve only given me a piece of dry bread and three dates, there can’t be much for me to do.”
    “Don’t get smart,” said Hori pulling out the papyrus that he had shown Ramose