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

seat, there were a pair of chairs for visitors. A small shrine with closed doors hiding the deity reverenced therein was set in the wall immediately beside the entryway they stood near, while opposite them was another door flanked by a very fine oil painting of Ram-f-amsu done by some Italic master and a bust of Rameses XII. The bright tiles of the floor were covered only partially by an old but priceless Farzian carpet. On that rug rested a stand holding a world globe.
    "The governor seemed inordinately fond of maps," Inhetep quipped as he busied himself with kicking aside a dried husk of some insect or other which inappropriately lay in plain view on the tiles near the desk.
    "One would rather say that His Excellent Highness was a student of both politics and history," corrected Matiseth primly.
    "What lies beyond that door?" the priest-wizard asked, pointing towards the far exit, letting Chemres' contradiction pass without comment.
    "It leads to Ram-f-amsu's personal suite of rooms—a dining salon, his bed chamber and dressing room, and a bath. Those connect with a private hallway which has egress to the outside as well as the palace's main corridor."
    "You are quite conversant with the governor's accommodations.''
    "He consulted me often." The priest of Set stood taller, chest out a bit as he said that.
    "No doubt, Great Seer, no doubt. What about a woman? A harem?"
    "He kept none. Ram-f-amsu was dedicated to his work and had no time for frivolous pursuits."
    Inhetep turned, gesturing to the ecclesiastic to follow. "So much for that. Now, sir, please resume your account."
    Matiseth sat down once again. "As I have already related to you, we were in the study only about three or four minutes. Then the prince suggested 1 should leave so he could conclude his meeting, and I agreed. We both stood up and went back into the council chamber, Ram-f-amsu preceding me. Something odd must have occurred at that very moment."
    "Why do you say that?"
    "Because I could see the faces of those seated at the table. They had been conversing, but when we came from the study, they all looked toward us. In an instant, their faces went from bland countenances to expressions of horror."
    That was noteworthy, the magister thought. "And what of Ram-f-amsu? At that particular instant, did you note anything unusual In the posture of the governor?"
    "It was as if he was paralyzed for just an instant. Then, back stiff, he rose off the floor a few inches—as if he were levitating—and thus separated from the floor, he began moving on into the chamber. He began to make strange sounds then, too; and as he went he began to gyrate. The rotation was slow for a moment or two, then it increased to a point which make him a blur, I must confess, I was glad not to have to see his face then, although the screaming increased with the speed of his spinning."
    "Did anyone do something to help the poor man?"
    The high priest nodded. "I immediately uttered a charm to ward off hostile forces, and then I attempted to seize the governor to stop the gyration. It was evidentially most painful, you see."
    "Did any of the others assist you?"
    "I was paying no attention to what the rest were doing. I had my entire consciousness fixed on the prince," Matiseth admitted. "I was attempting to find some magickal reason for what was besetting Ram-f-amsu even as I rushed to him so as to assist physically. Perhaps the others there were likewise motivated by such loyalty, I cannot say. As I came to take hold of His Excellent Highness, however, his feet kicked out—as if meaning to strike me, the very one helping him!"
    Inhetep prompted the man. "What happened then?"
    "I was struck most painfully and knocked away. I fell. The others then plastered themselves against the walls for fear of being struck as I had been."
    "And what castings did you detect there— prior to being kicked away and afterwards, if you then searched for magicks?"
    "There was scant time, and the conditions were