Tomb of the Lost by Julian Noyce Read Free Book Online Page A

yet. The winds are not favourable for a sea journey. The crossing can be treacherous if a storm suddenly comes.”
    Pothinus remained calm but inside he was seething.
    “ Of course great Caesar. We would not want anything to happen to you or your fleet,” he said secretly wishing all the Romans to a watery grave.
    “ I will need room for myself, my officers and servants. My men will camp inside the outer walls of the palace.”
    Pothinus bowed his head.
    “ It will be done as you wish Caesar. We are honoured to have you here,” he lied, “We would be only too happy to atke you to the city. You’ll find the barge most luxurious for your….”
    “ I’ll be returning to my own ship. Please make sure there is room at the royal dock for my ship.” Julius cut him off.
    “ Yes of course Caesar. I will see to it personally. King Ptolemy will retire.”
    Caesar pointed at four of his men.
    “ A Roman guard of honour for the King.”
    The legionaries followed the royal party inside.
    “ Bring that,” Caesar pointed to the jar.
    Two legionaries picked it up, one either side, by its handles and fell in behind the Generals. Caesar took one last look at the retreating Egyptians and then turned and stomped from the deck towards the longboat. The others falling in behind.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER THREE
     
    The Egyptian royal party were in the war room of the royal palace. King Ptolemy, General Achillas and the mercenary General Mentor of Athens, Pothinus, various advisors to the boy king and servants.
    Pothinus was furious.
    He had just received a summons from Julius Caesar demanding that the Egyptian rulers disband their armies and bow to Roman law. He had also demanded that Ptolemy and Cleopatra be sent to him immediately.
    “ What does this mean? ” Ptolemy asked his whining voice irritating both the Generals present.
    “ I ’ m afraid my King that we will have to send you to Caesar … . ”
    “ But what about Cleopatra? What about her? ” Ptolemy cut Pothinus off, “ Surely if she doesn ’ t go then I don ’ t have to. ”
    “ That is precisely why you should go. Don ’ t you see. If you attend Caesar, bow to his every wish and your sister fails to come. Then Caesar will have to take your side in this matter. ”
    “ How can she go? We don ’ t even know where she is. None of you know. ”
    “ I will find her, ” Achillas said.
    “ When Achillas. When? ”
    “ I will leave tonight with only a handful of men so as not to rouse suspicion. Our people protesting in the streets will keep the Romans occupied. I have heard this evening that some of Caesar ’ s men were killed in violent protests. ” “ When did this happen? ” Ptolemy looked from Achillas to Pothinus.
    Pothinus smiled a smug smile.
    “ After Caesar returned to the palace his ship was attacked. Some of his guards were killed. I arranged it … . ”
    “ You. ”
    “ It was necessary my King. Our people do not want the Romans here with their laws. The people see it as an end to their independence. ”
    “ Do you know the people call me the bastard. ”
    “ That is merely hearsay and gossip. My King the people love you. You are a good monarch. Taxes are low. The fields are full. The people work hard for you. ”
    “ And Cleopatra. Do they love her too? Which of us do they love the most? ”
    “ A wise question my King. That will be answered when Achillas finds her and brings her back. In chains if need be. ”
    Achillas nodded to reassure the boy.
    “ And what of Caesar ’ s ships? How many men does he bring? ”
    “ He landed with less than five thousand men and only eight hundred cavalry. It is a small amount sire. Achillas has twenty thousand men waiting and ready on the banks of the Nile. He will move them to Alexandria. There are a million people living in this city. Trust me my King the Romans have no chance of making any sort of an impact on us. ”
     
    Caesar stood at the window looking out over the