The Sacred Scarab by Gill Harvey Read Free Book Online Page A

poured out her story, describing Abana’s party and everything she’d heard about Sinuhe.
    ‘It’s all Sinuhe’s fault,’ she finished. ‘It’s all because of him that I have to go back to Abana’s. I don’t want to, Hopi. I hate dancing without Mut.’
    Hopi’s face clouded with anger. ‘Abana’s a monster,’ he said. ‘Paneb and Nefert shouldn’t make you go.’
    ‘Nefert and Sheri stood up for me, but Sinuhe has Paneb wrapped around his little finger.’ Isis shuddered. ‘It’s horrible, having him creep around the house.’
    ‘Something’s not right.’ Hopi frowned. ‘I feel sorry for Sinuhe, but there’s more to his troubles than meets the eye. All the same, I believe his story. He’s not the only peasant to suffer at the hands of Abana.’
    ‘You’ve heard of others?’
    ‘Yes.’ Hopi nodded. ‘I heard another story out in the fields only yesterday.’
    ‘What were you doing there?’ demanded Isis. She glanced at his bag again. ‘I thought you were at Menna’s. It’s got something to do with your bag, hasn’t it? What are you hiding, Hopi?’
    Hopi relented. ‘All right, Isis, I’ll tell you. Menna sent me out to study the life of sacred scarabs, so I had to go and find some. I still don’t understand why, not really. Anyway, today he’s given me his brother’s funerary amulets. There’s a green jasper scarab to be placed on his heart. It’s amazing – it’s cased in gold. I have to take them all to the embalmers’ workshops tomorrow.’
    ‘Amulets!’ Isis felt a rush of pride for her brother, and also a ripple of fear. Funerary amulets were very powerful – full of magic. ‘You have them here?’
    Hopi nodded. ‘They’re in my bag.’
    Isis gazed at it with a new respect. ‘How many are there?’
    ‘About thirty.’
    ‘ Thirty! ’
    ‘That’s the usual number, Isis.’
    ‘I know, but . . .’ Isis shook her head. The thought of there being so much magic in her brother’s bag was unsettling somehow. She badly wanted to see them, but she didn’t dare ask. ‘I can’t believe they’re just sitting there.’
    ‘I know. Well, they won’t be for long.’ Hopi drew the bag closer to his side. ‘And first, we have to sort out this business about Abana. When do you have to go back?’
    ‘Tonight,’ said Isis.
    ‘I can’t do much about that,’ said Hopi. ‘But there’s one thing I can do. You don’t have to go alone, Isis. I’m coming with you, and nobody’s going to stop me.’
    Isis felt so relieved that she barely noticed the movement at the top of the stairs. But about an hour later, as Mut helped her with her make-up, she remembered it. There had been someone there while she was talking to Hopi, someone who’d ducked down as she’d turned her head. Suddenly, it was clear. It had been Sinuhe, listening to every word.

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    CHAPTER FIVE
    ‘Hurry up, Hopi. You can walk faster than that.’
    Nefert’s voice was sharp, and Hopi bristled. It wasn’t his fault that he had a limp.
    Isis shot him a nervous, sympathetic smile. ‘We’re almost there,’ she whispered, and pointed out the large, imposing gateway that led to Abana’s mansion.
    Nefert knocked, and a guard opened the gate just a crack, holding an oil lamp.
    ‘Who are you?’ he demanded.
    ‘We’re Abana’s performers,’ responded Nefert. ‘He’s expecting us.’
    The guard peered at them, moving his lamp around to give them a good once-over. ‘I was told one girl was coming,’ he said. ‘No one else has been authorised.’
    ‘Oh, but that’s absurd!’ exclaimed Nefert. ‘She’s young. I can’t possibly allow her in alone. Besides, she needs some music. I play the lute.’ And she showed her instrument, which was slung over her shoulder.
    The guard looked dubious. ‘Suppose that makes sense,’ he said grudgingly. He nodded at Hopi. ‘What about him?’
    ‘I’m her brother,’ said Hopi. ‘I’ve come to look after her.’
    The guard snorted, and Hopi bit his lip. He