The Tekhen Of Anuket Part 8

In one shadowy corner, they had piled up filthy straw into a human-shaped mound and draped most of Phoenix's clothing over it. This was the one weak point in their plan. If the guard had even half a brain cell he would guess it was a ruse and leave. Phoenix held his breath, his fingers digging into stone as he supported himself.

Brynn knelt beside Heron and stroked the old man's white head. Heron chose that moment to give his best performance, yelping a realistic cry of pain before clutching at his stomach and groaning again. Convinced, the guard pushed the door open and hurried in.

Phoenix leapt. He had been crouched, cat-like, on top of the doorframe, braced against the ceiling. Now he flung himself onto the guard, wrapping one arm around his throat in a choke-hold and locking it on. As the monk staggered, flailed and gasped in Phoenix's hold, Brynn s.n.a.t.c.hed the man's curved dagger and short sword. Dashing to the door, the boy checked and nodded the all-clear.

Within seconds the guard was unconscious. Phoenix stripped off the hooded robe and bound him with sc.r.a.ps of rope lying on the prison floor. Stuffing a handful of straw into his mouth, he rolled the man into a dark corner and grabbed up his own clothes.

"Here," he shoved the robe at Heron, "put this on over your clothes and lead the way. Nice bit of acting, by the way."

Behind Heron's back, Brynn grinned and held up the strands of white hair he had yanked out to help the old man's performance. Phoenix had to press his lips together to stop himself laughing.

"Oh dear," Heron rubbed the back of his head. "I don't really remember the way out very well."

"How about the way to the High Priest?" Phoenix slipped into his shirt. "I want my sword back. Brynn, give me that one," he held out his hand and the boy slapped the hilt of the guard's sword into it. Hefting the weapon, Phoenix screwed up his nose. It felt heavy and lifeless. Better than nothing.

"Let's go," he ordered.

With stealthy steps, he and Brynn followed the old man down countless halls, half-lit by smoky torches in wall-brackets. Somewhere in the distance, a weird, unearthly chanting began, followed by a hair-raising scream. A gong sounded three times.

Feeling edgy, Phoenix urged Heron to move faster. The old man waved him silent. He muttered to himself, pointing down each corridor, shaking his head and moving on. Just as Phoenix became certain Heron was lost, a lone monk appeared at the end of the hall, moving swiftly toward them. With a gasp, Heron jumped aside, giving the game away before anyone could stop him. Phoenix ran forward, sword swinging down at the monk's head.

In a flash the man raised his own weapon and the clash of steel resounded in the narrow hall. Brynn darted in, slicing with the curved dagger, only to have the blade turned aside by a neatly counterthrust dagger. Phoenix skipped back, raising his blade to strike again.

"Wait!" A deep, familiar voice stopped him in mid-thrust. The monk flipped his hood back with an iron-gloved hand. Dark eyes glittered above a fierce, white smile.

"Marcus? Good to see you." Phoenix lowered his sword and reached out to thump his friend on the arm. "Sorry about attacking you, by the way. Nice reflexes. I would have had you, though."

"One day we'll have time to see who's the better swordsman," the Roman bowed his head, "but right now we need to find Jade."

"She's not with you?" Brynn peered around as though he'd somehow overlooked her.

"I came to find you; she went to look for your sword," Marcus sent Phoenix a solemn look.

Phoenix let a twinge of guilt slide away. She needn't have taken such a risk. They could have gone together. He waved Marcus on ahead.

"You lead, we'll follow and Heron can bring up the rear like we're your prisoners. Brynn, hide the knife," he ordered, twisting his own blade up behind his back. The others fell into line and they retraced Marcus' steps toward the front entrance.

Outside the gloomy antechamber they held a whispered conference. Marcus and Heron agreed on the direction to the High Priest's rooms and they stole through the foyer. They had just entered a long hall that they hoped would lead to the High Priest's chambers when a loud cry sounded from behind.

"I think they found the guard we trussed up," Phoenix murmured.

Marcus shook his head. "More likely the doorkeeper I killed."

Phoenix swore. "I was hoping to slip out without having to fight our way."

"Ah well," Brynn whispered. "It's been..oh... at least seven hours since our last fight to the death with something supernatural."

"Are you counting them now, too?" Phoenix was amused in spite of their dire situation.

Brynn chuckled. "I have to have something to tell my grandchildren a.s.suming I live that long."

Behind, the outcry escalated and soon came the sound of an alarm gong, followed by running feet. Heron hesitated at a junction, looking both ways in confusion. Brynn almost danced with impatience right behind him. Phoenix and Marcus turned to check for pursuers, but the hall behind was clear so far.

"I don't know which way it is," Heron whispered. Together, they peered down both pa.s.sages, hoping for inspiration.

From the left-hand corridor came the sound of manic, insane laughter, suddenly silenced. The four exchanged puzzled glances.

"That was weird," Phoenix remarked. "Weirder than usual, I mean."

"I think I hear someone running," Brynn waved him silent. "Hide." They pressed themselves against a wall. Phoenix reached up, grabbed the torch over his head and extinguished it by turning it upside down on the floor. They were plunged into near-blackness, with only the sound of their own breathing and the distant alarm cries.

Moments later, a slender, white-clad body came hurtling down the left corridor, skidding to a halt at the junction.

"Jade!" Marcus stepped out of the gloom, flipping his hood back.

She started violently and then grabbed his arm, gasping for breath. "Did you get them out?"

"We're here," Phoenix a.s.sured her, blinking at the bizarre getup she wore. Exotic gold jewellery dripped off her and she was showing a lot more leg than usual. "Is that Marcus' tunic?"

"And my treasure!" Brynn pointed indignantly at the kings' ransom worth of gold around her neck and arms.

"We don't have time for that now," Jade panted. "The High Priest's chamber is at the top of a tower back that way and the guard I knocked out will be found any second. If you want your sword, we have to get it now."

Phoenix shook himself and nodded for her to lead the way.

She turned back and led the way down a long, twisted hall. "Did you bring my staff, Marcus?"

The Roman shook his head. "It's difficult to sneak when you're carrying a big stick."

Jade sent him a humourless look and took a tighter grip on her dagger. "Well, I've found out that my magic works on at least some of the guards."

"Good," Phoenix approved.

"Magic?" Heron's voice was far too loud and the others shushed him. "You can perform magic young lady? Can you show me some?" He sounded as excited as a little kid.

Jade sent first Heron then Phoenix an incredulous look, as if to say 'where did you get this guy? Is he insane?'. Phoenix shrugged. There wasn't really time to explain why they were dragging an old man around with them.

"Is it ok if we wait until after we get out of this place before I start performing tricks?" she said sarcastically.

"Of course, of course," Heron agreed, bowing his head. "I'm so sorry. I do tend to get carried away when I find something new and interesting to learn about. Last time it was when my friend's house caught fire and I designed a machine to help put out fires unfortunately, I was so busy thinking about it that I forgot to help Augustus and his house burned down." He sighed.

Brynn stifled a giggle and the desperate mood lightened.

"Here it is," Jade pointed at a narrow, twisting staircase that seemed to lead into a tower. Nearby, the slumped figure of a guard-monk lay sprawled on the floor.

"Nice," Phoenix grinned. "What spell worked on him, the old sleep command spell, I suppose?"

Jade flushed and shook her head. "I tried, but he resisted it, so I switched it to laugh and that distracted him long enough so I could thump him on the head with my dagger."

Phoenix stared at her, remembering that instant of odd laughter before. Struggling to keep a straight face of his own, he nodded. "Interesting choice."

She sent him an exasperated look. "If you want your dumb sword back, we need to come up with a plan and quickly. I hear guards coming from both directions."

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

"Right," Phoenix focussed his thoughts. "How about we go up and attack as soon as we get in. Then, when we get Blodbal back, we'll be able to fight our way out of the temple."

Jade gazed at him and shook her head. "That's one of the things I like about you always thinking with your sword arm. Shouldn't we at least make sure the sword is there before we kill anybody to get it?"

"Fine. Whatever," he retorted. "So have you got a better plan? I just want my sword back."

"What is it with you and that thing?" Jade sent him a worried look beneath her lashes. "It's like you're addicted to it or something."

"Don't be ridiculous," Phoenix shrugged her words away, irritated.

Marcus stepped between them, frowning. "Remember we're a team. We need to make the most of everyone's skills." He sent Phoenix a warning glance, reminding him of their conversations about this very topic and what it takes to be a leader.

Guiltily, Phoenix remembered his own recent resolve to be more patient and co-operative. From the expression on Jade's face, she was thinking along similar lines. She gave him an apologetic half-shrug and Phoenix nodded back, feeling the irritation slip away. Marcus was right.

"OK," Jade whispered, looking over her shoulder down the hall. "How about this? Marcus & Heron go up first, since they are already dressed as monks. They get in using some excuse about the prisoners escaping. Then.."

"Then they signal us when they've spotted Blodbal?" Phoenix put in.

"Right," she agreed. "Once we know it's there, we three will attack while Brynn steals it and Heron keeps and eye out for guards."

"Oh dear," Heron moaned. "Perhaps I should have just stayed in that cell."

Brynn thumped the old man on the back and grinned. "Nah. You don't want to miss the fun!"

As the sound of running feet grew louder, the five stole up the narrow stairs toward the High Priests' chamber. At the top was a thick door of dark wood. Jade tugged on Marcus' arm as he reached up to knock.

"Use the knock they used on the front door. Maybe it's the secret knock for the day or something."

He hesitated then knocked in an odd sequence. Phoenix glanced at the hinges on the door and realised it must open inwards which meant he, Brynn and Jade would be visible to whomever opened it. He waved the other two back down the stairs until they were hidden by the curve of the stone wall. Jade followed his lead, but lay down on the steps and inched forward so she could see what was happening.

Phoenix clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. She was so darned stubborn always sure she knew what the right thing to do was. Deliberately, he let the feeling go and reminded himself that she was usually correct. He didn't have to like it, but he'd be stupid to try and stop her. She must have a good reason.

With a loud creak, the door above swung open, sending warm, bright light cascading down the stairwell. Phoenix and Brynn pressed themselves against the wall, holding their breath. Jade, however, muttered something and waved her hand. Phoenix saw a faint purple-blue glow around her fingers. He had no way to ask her what she'd done, so he listened to Marcus' deep voice, instead.

"Sir," the Roman said, "the High Priest is needed below. Some prisoners are requesting an audience something about the treasure of Netjerikhet."

Phoenix exchanged an admiring glance with Brynn. That was a much better story than 'prisoners escaping'. There was a long silence and then the light brightened. The door must have opened wider. A different voice spoke.

"Come in and wait for our master. He is performing the Ceremony of Lost Souls. When he is finished, I will fetch him and you may tell him yourselves."

Phoenix grimaced, realising they would now have to deal with at least one other person besides the High Priest. Footsteps sounded and the light began to dim again as the door closed behind Marcus and Heron. Phoenix felt a moment of panic. If the door locked, they wouldn't be able to help. As if reading his thoughts, Brynn darted from Phoenix's side and slid the blade of his curved dagger alongside the door frame, stopping the latch from falling as the door thudded closed.

Phoenix let out a silent sigh of relief and squeezed Brynn's shoulder as Jade joined them. Together, they eased the door open a fraction and listened.

"I can't understand why he swallowed that story," Marcus murmured to Heron. Obviously the priest had left the room. "Let's find the sword it's very plain-looking."

Jade leaned close and whispered in Phoenix's ear. "I used a believe Command spell on the guy who opened the door. I think the Command spell works best if these priests don't know it's coming."

He gave her a thumbs-up. "Sweet. Let's help them look."

Together they slipped into the room and spread out to search. Marcus frowned at them, perhaps concerned that they'd diverged from the original plan. Brynn stayed by the door, watching the stairs and signalling them all to hurry up.

Even Phoenix had trouble keeping his mind on what they were looking for. The High Priest's study was a fascinating, horrifying place. The stone walls were darkened with soot from torches and fires. A chandelier, made from bone and skulls, hung from the high ceiling. Skeletons of birds seemed to fly through the air around it, hanging by thin wires. On every surface lay evidence that the owner of this room practiced a sinister and unpleasant form of magic: skulls, bones, weapons of grisly design, instruments of torture, books bound with what looked like blackened human skin; scrolls of the same material, a small statue of Set with glittering black eyes that seemed to watch their every move.

He looked across at Jade. She had her head tilted and eyes narrowed, which meant she was looking for magical auras.

"See Blodbal's aura?"

She shook her head. "I can't pick it out. Practically everything's magical here!" She whispered. When he reached out to pick up a small dagger, she gripped his wrist with astonishing strength. "Don't touch anything. The auras are a really nasty blood-purple, which means they're dark magic. You do not want to take any of them, believe me." Shuddering, she picked up a black cloth and threw it over a small statue of Set that lurked on the black desk.

"You found it!" He reached past her and s.n.a.t.c.hed up his sword, cradling it to his chest before strapping the belt around his hips. It had been beneath the cloth.

She let out a soft sigh. "Thank heavens. Let's get out of here."

"There's your dagger, too," Marcus indicated the ruby-studded life-dagger. Phoenix s.n.a.t.c.hed it up and shoved it back into its sheath. Next he grabbed Heron's arm and headed toward the door.

"Let's go before the priest comes back! Ow!" He collided with Brynn as the boy backed into the room. "Brynn, we need to go out, not in," he grumbled, shoving at him.

Brynn pushed back, shaking his head. "Sounds like there're a dozen guards coming up the stairs. We need to find another way out."

As one, the five companions looked at the only other door. The priest had gone through it to get the High Priest. Who knew what lay beyond its scorched wood? The priest had said his master was performing the Ceremony of Lost Souls. Phoenix wondered briefly if it was to find lost souls or to make them lost.

Marcus tried the handle. It was locked. Brynn shut and locked the main door as the sound of marching feet got louder. He scooted over to Marcus and drew out two thin pieces of metal from somewhere in his clothing. With them, he probed inside the heavy iron lock.

Phoenix pursed his lips and glared at Brynn. "Did you have those things on you the whole time in that cell? Did I go through that routine of taking out the guard for nothing?"

The boy sent him a quirky half-grin. "I like a bit of fun, but I'm not stupid. They took them off me in the pyramid. I just found them again in here. Got my dagger, sword and sling back, too." He patted his weapons with satisfaction.

Phoenix continued to eye him suspiciously. Jade wrapped her arms around herself and moved over to look out the window, probably trying to get as far away from the magic items in the room as possible.

He hadn't really thought of the window was a possible escape route, but it was fairly wide and let in a fresh breeze from off the nearby river. Phoenix joined her and peered out. It was not as high as he'd expected. In fact, it was only a short drop onto what looked like the back roof of the temple.

"It's no good," Brynn tucked his tools away. "I picked the lock, but there's a bar on the other side I can't lift. We have to find another way and fast." As if to emphasise his point, there was a loud thumping knock on the main entrance. Distant, hurrying footsteps now sounded behind the door Brynn had been working on.

"Oh my," Heron murmured, wringing his gnarled hands. "I think the priest is coming back."