Read Online Andre Norton - Shadow Hawk by Shadow Hawk - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Shadow Hawk
Tags: Fiction, General, Science-Fiction, Historical, Juvenile Fiction, Egypt, Ancient Civilizations, Military & Wars
Ads: Link
dreamed could stand. From it they ruled not only Egypt but also the lands of the Asiatics, until a man wondered where they had not set up their false god and their frowning cities.
Every Egyptian, from the delta to the Third Cataract in the Kush lands, knew that old tale of destruction and death. But it was from Nereb that the Nubian party heard for the first time of the Theban challenge.
"Chariots," said the northern officer. "We have horses. We have bought them, traded for them, stolen them!" His teeth gleamed suddenly in a smile as if he remembered some foray of his own. "The Royal Son and Heir, Kamose, is a master of chariots, training his own horses, schooling young officers in the art. Look you, a smashing line of chariots to front your attack, and then footmen to follow after—"
"Archers on the wings!" Rahotep could visualize that in part—though he had seen only one chariot. And his examination of that had been limited to a passing stare.
"Archers?" Nereb did not appear to be impressed. "Archers could not stand up to the barbarians' charge before—"
Methen lauehed softly. "Ah, but, Lord Nereb, the Captain Rahotep speaks of archery as it is not known among us in the north. Show the lord your bow, Kheti!"
The Nubian brought out his weapon and strung it. Nereb rested the strength of its pull, ran a questing hand down the curve of the arch, which was built of layers of wood and horn glued together.
"You have not seen such a weapon at Thebes," said Methen. "Nor could any archer of the north loose a shaft from it, for the desert archers are trained to launch their arrows to the mark from the month they first stand upon their feet. Moreover, Lord Nereb, they have yet another trick to aid them besides the excellence of their arms." He looked to Rahotep, and the captain took the hint.
"Hori, Kakaw, Intef, Baku." He named some of his men.
Glad of the chance to vary the monotony of sailing, his small force assembled on the narrow deck in line, their bows strung, blunt hunting arrows to hand. One of the rowing oars splashed on the river surface, sending a covey of waterfowl flapping up into the blazing sun. As one, bow cords were drawn, and, almost as one, the arrows were released at a snap of Kheti's fingers.
Fowls fell. And Nereb uttered a short word of surprise. They had been aiming at birds. But supposing such archers had been sighting against a troop of charging chariots?
"Had the Hyksos urged their forces into Nubia," Methen said, "perhaps they would have discovered that their horses and chariots might not have won the day. We have brought you archers, Lord, such as Egypt has not truly known before. Also they have as keen noses for a tangled trail in tracking as they have keen eyes for an arrow target. Pharaoh may not have his three regiments, but you do not return to him quite empty-handed!"
"So it would seem." Nereb was watching the crew of the ship retrieve the dead waterfowl. "Such archery as that I have not seen before. Nor has our lord."
"Plant your archers on the wings"—Rahotep took up the argument where he had left it before Methen's practical demonstration—"and lead your enemy between them—"
Nereb hooked his fingers in his dagger belt. "The prince must see this and speedily. Aye, perhaps I have brought Pharaoh some good out of Nubia after all and am no failure in his service."
Chapter 5
KAMOSE, COMMANDER OF CHARIOTS
The fleet of ships came into the quays before Thebes in mid- morning, Nereb's smaller vessel leading. Behind the city of the eastern bank stood the limestone cliffs, already faded from their early morning red-gold to a dull, whitish-brown overlaid with a gathering heat haze.
But it was Thebes itself that held the full attention of the party from Nubia. Semna was a great fort with its attendant administration courts, the villas of its officials. Elephantine, the Ivory Island, had been a fine sight. But this was Thebes, for centuries capital of Egypt. And to the men
Every Egyptian, from the delta to the Third Cataract in the Kush lands, knew that old tale of destruction and death. But it was from Nereb that the Nubian party heard for the first time of the Theban challenge.
"Chariots," said the northern officer. "We have horses. We have bought them, traded for them, stolen them!" His teeth gleamed suddenly in a smile as if he remembered some foray of his own. "The Royal Son and Heir, Kamose, is a master of chariots, training his own horses, schooling young officers in the art. Look you, a smashing line of chariots to front your attack, and then footmen to follow after—"
"Archers on the wings!" Rahotep could visualize that in part—though he had seen only one chariot. And his examination of that had been limited to a passing stare.
"Archers?" Nereb did not appear to be impressed. "Archers could not stand up to the barbarians' charge before—"
Methen lauehed softly. "Ah, but, Lord Nereb, the Captain Rahotep speaks of archery as it is not known among us in the north. Show the lord your bow, Kheti!"
The Nubian brought out his weapon and strung it. Nereb rested the strength of its pull, ran a questing hand down the curve of the arch, which was built of layers of wood and horn glued together.
"You have not seen such a weapon at Thebes," said Methen. "Nor could any archer of the north loose a shaft from it, for the desert archers are trained to launch their arrows to the mark from the month they first stand upon their feet. Moreover, Lord Nereb, they have yet another trick to aid them besides the excellence of their arms." He looked to Rahotep, and the captain took the hint.
"Hori, Kakaw, Intef, Baku." He named some of his men.
Glad of the chance to vary the monotony of sailing, his small force assembled on the narrow deck in line, their bows strung, blunt hunting arrows to hand. One of the rowing oars splashed on the river surface, sending a covey of waterfowl flapping up into the blazing sun. As one, bow cords were drawn, and, almost as one, the arrows were released at a snap of Kheti's fingers.
Fowls fell. And Nereb uttered a short word of surprise. They had been aiming at birds. But supposing such archers had been sighting against a troop of charging chariots?
"Had the Hyksos urged their forces into Nubia," Methen said, "perhaps they would have discovered that their horses and chariots might not have won the day. We have brought you archers, Lord, such as Egypt has not truly known before. Also they have as keen noses for a tangled trail in tracking as they have keen eyes for an arrow target. Pharaoh may not have his three regiments, but you do not return to him quite empty-handed!"
"So it would seem." Nereb was watching the crew of the ship retrieve the dead waterfowl. "Such archery as that I have not seen before. Nor has our lord."
"Plant your archers on the wings"—Rahotep took up the argument where he had left it before Methen's practical demonstration—"and lead your enemy between them—"
Nereb hooked his fingers in his dagger belt. "The prince must see this and speedily. Aye, perhaps I have brought Pharaoh some good out of Nubia after all and am no failure in his service."
Chapter 5
KAMOSE, COMMANDER OF CHARIOTS
The fleet of ships came into the quays before Thebes in mid- morning, Nereb's smaller vessel leading. Behind the city of the eastern bank stood the limestone cliffs, already faded from their early morning red-gold to a dull, whitish-brown overlaid with a gathering heat haze.
But it was Thebes itself that held the full attention of the party from Nubia. Semna was a great fort with its attendant administration courts, the villas of its officials. Elephantine, the Ivory Island, had been a fine sight. But this was Thebes, for centuries capital of Egypt. And to the men
Similar Books
