Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 2 - Samarkand Solution by Gary Gygax Read Free Book Online

here the need was as much for the subaltern as to force compliance from the officious major domo. The prince would be furious at Inhetep's impending appointment. There would be nothing he could do to avoid it for fear of giving the magister cause to file complaint and institute a full-scale investigation of Ram-f-amsu as governor. He would keep the meeting as scheduled, but his wrath would rain upon those enabling Inhetep to have made it. By forcing the major domo to write down his full titles, the priest-wizard by inference gave excuse to the young soldier. Had he made demand of the subaltern as Pharaoh's agent alone, the subaltern would have had to obey an instruction regarding escort to the chief of staff of the palace before he removed Inhetep from the governor's compound. "Never give me offense again," was all the magister replied to Hukefi as the fellow stood wringing his pudgy little hands. "Now, Subaltern, you may fulfill your orders and see me outside."
    They were just about to exit the building when an ashen-faced Matiseth came pounding up panting, "Inhetep! Come back quickly! You've got to help!"
    "What's this? What are you talking about, man?" demanded Inhetep.
    "The . . . the Prince Governor," Matiseth managed to gasp. "He's in the throes of some seizure—something devilish! None of us can do anything!"
    Inhetep sprinted back toward the council chamber, with the high priest and the two guardsmen hard on his heels. The sound of screaming lent all four speed, for the terrible ululations they heard were voiced by Governor Ram-f-amsu.
    COUNCIL OF DEATH
    All of the others in the room were plastered against the walls, frozen in varying attitudes of horror and shock. Ram-f-amsu was alone in the middle of the chamber, standing atop the table, arms akimbo, as if elevated to make a pronouncement to his audience. The only problem was that the prince was not elevated by choice. Ram-f-amsu was being manipulated physically. His head swiveled back unnaturally, giving the magister a glimpse of his face. The governor's blood flowed in little trickles from his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. The man's lips were drawn back in a horrid parody of a smile, teeth locked, eyes starting, as deep groans issued from his throat. Suddenly, one leg lifted so that he stood storklike, then that position changed to a one-legged tiptoe, and Ram-f-amsu spun as if he were a dervish, arms thrown out straight and stiff. An instant later, he was lifted into the air, turning still, upended, and seemingly shot as might be a shaft from a bow, so that his head hit the floor with a hollow-sounding thump and a dry snapping. Complete silence then pervaded the chamber.
    "May all the gods forfend!" gasped Matiseth, breaking the unbearable hush. There were similar mutterings and exclamations from the others as they were released from the horror of what they had witnessed.
    "Subaltern!" Inhetep said with iron in his voice. "Get all of these men out of here instantly. Take them to a secure place—-some lounge or salon—and keep them there. Do not allow any of them to leave or communicate with anyone outside. Do you understand?"
    "Yes, sir!"
    "Post two guards with them, and station at least four more at the door. Only when you are satisfied that they are secure should you take the next action."
    "What action is that, Magister?"
    "Notifying the metropolitan prefect, man! The governor has just been foully murdered!" The subaltern snapped into a salute, then began to clear the dead prince's guests, gathering them and herding them with scant ceremony. "Matiseth, I'll need you here for a few minutes. Please be so kind as to remain behind when the others are gone," Inhetep instructed.
    "Couldn't it have been some fit?" the cleric almost whined.
    "You are hem-neter-tepi? Come now, Matiseth, what sickness affects a man so? Of course Prince Ram-f-amsu has been murdered!"
    "I'm no detective."
    "Well, I am," countered the wizard-priest. "Be quick now. What auras and energies