"Wilbur Smith - Egyptian 01 - Warlock" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith Wilbur)

swaddling sheet so that I could send you straight into the loving arms of Apepi.' He was perhaps the one
man who might dare to speak to a god-king in this fashion. 'Send another to do such menial work. Lead
the breakthrough column yourself if it amuses you, but do not disappear into the desert to be devoured
by ghouls and djinn. You are Egypt. If Apepi takes you he takes us all.'



Of all the council only Naja had supported him, but Naja was always 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,