Read Online Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 1 - Anubis Murders by Gary Gygax - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Gary Gygax
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"what if the Jackal Master moves his base of operations?"
"That's a dreadful prospect, girl," Inhetep fairly growled. "No need to worry about it yet, though. He hasn't yet finished here in Came-lough. Tomorrow morning early we meet with the Behon and whomever sent him to bring us here. We might actually have an idea as to who our extortionist-killer is thereafter—and how to put the fellow out of his nasty business."
"Sensible." Rachelle yawned. "I'm worn out, and tomorrow is certain to be a demanding day. Time for me to retire," she informed Setne, heading for the door to her own bedchamber. "I'll awaken you at dawn," RachelJe added over her shoulder.
"For once, amazon, I won't object to your early rising habits," the priest-mage replied affably. "We must be in the palace at the eighth hour for breakfast."
Aldriss came to the inn to gather Inhetep and Rachelle for their short trip to the castle, which was the royal seat of the kingdom. Setne was very quiet, not even querying the bard as to whom they should be prepared to meet inside that palatial stronghold. Rachelle made up for it by doing all the talking. Astonishingly, Aldriss was not his usual loquacious and charming self. Instead, the Kellt responded in clipped sentences and monosyllables. Rachelle continued on airily without seeming to notice, until the ten-minute journey by closed carriage was over and the three descended into a small inner courtyard somewhere inside the extensive fortress. "Please come this way, Magister, Lady Rachelle," the bard told the two strangers.
"Where are you taking us?" Rachelle demanded.
"There is a private salon just beyond the foyer here," the man said with strained patience. "Tallesian, our Royal Archdruid, and the Behon are already inside, so please let us go in."
"But of course!" Rachelle exclaimed with a reproachful tone. "Why do you keep us standing here while you talk?"
Setne thought he heard the bard grinding his teeth as he opened the door for them. It struck the Egyptian that Aldriss and the amazon warrior girl must have had some disagreement while aboard the sloop yesterday. But that explained only a portion of the tension. Aldriss was evidently nervous about this meeting. The room they entered was a high-ceilinged chamber with old wood paneling, a thickly carpeted floor, and various paintings and tapestries decorating its stone walls above the polished wainscoting. In the center was a long trestle table with four chairs to either side and a larger, padded armchair at the head. Two footmen in plain russet garb assisted them to chairs opposite the Kelltic spell-workers, as a third servant, also without device on his livery, seated the bard. Inhetep was across from the Behon and nearest the head, with Rachelle to his left across from Tallesian the Archdruid. Aldriss was at one place further down on the priest's right. There were only six places set, so as soon as the royal representative appeared, the meal—and the discussion—could commence.
"I trust you both were comfortable and rested well at the Prince House," the Behon said politely.
"Thank you, lord. We were very well cared for."
"I, too, thank you," Rachelle murmured, eyes fixed on the door through which their host would appear.
An uncomfortable silence settled upon them, broken suddenly by a hammering from beyond the inner portal. One of the footmen snapped to attention and opened the thick door. The three Lyonnessians jerked up out of their chairs and looked toward the open doorway. Setne and the girl were halfway out of their seats when the personage entered the salon.
"Please be seated, noble practitioners, lady," he commanded in a brisk voice as he strode up to the table. A servant flew to the table's head to pull the chair back for the man. "This is an absolutely confidential meeting. It hasn't happened, if you understand my meaning." He sat imperially on the embroidered cushion of the great armchair, a seat which moved as if by magick to accommodate
"That's a dreadful prospect, girl," Inhetep fairly growled. "No need to worry about it yet, though. He hasn't yet finished here in Came-lough. Tomorrow morning early we meet with the Behon and whomever sent him to bring us here. We might actually have an idea as to who our extortionist-killer is thereafter—and how to put the fellow out of his nasty business."
"Sensible." Rachelle yawned. "I'm worn out, and tomorrow is certain to be a demanding day. Time for me to retire," she informed Setne, heading for the door to her own bedchamber. "I'll awaken you at dawn," RachelJe added over her shoulder.
"For once, amazon, I won't object to your early rising habits," the priest-mage replied affably. "We must be in the palace at the eighth hour for breakfast."
Aldriss came to the inn to gather Inhetep and Rachelle for their short trip to the castle, which was the royal seat of the kingdom. Setne was very quiet, not even querying the bard as to whom they should be prepared to meet inside that palatial stronghold. Rachelle made up for it by doing all the talking. Astonishingly, Aldriss was not his usual loquacious and charming self. Instead, the Kellt responded in clipped sentences and monosyllables. Rachelle continued on airily without seeming to notice, until the ten-minute journey by closed carriage was over and the three descended into a small inner courtyard somewhere inside the extensive fortress. "Please come this way, Magister, Lady Rachelle," the bard told the two strangers.
"Where are you taking us?" Rachelle demanded.
"There is a private salon just beyond the foyer here," the man said with strained patience. "Tallesian, our Royal Archdruid, and the Behon are already inside, so please let us go in."
"But of course!" Rachelle exclaimed with a reproachful tone. "Why do you keep us standing here while you talk?"
Setne thought he heard the bard grinding his teeth as he opened the door for them. It struck the Egyptian that Aldriss and the amazon warrior girl must have had some disagreement while aboard the sloop yesterday. But that explained only a portion of the tension. Aldriss was evidently nervous about this meeting. The room they entered was a high-ceilinged chamber with old wood paneling, a thickly carpeted floor, and various paintings and tapestries decorating its stone walls above the polished wainscoting. In the center was a long trestle table with four chairs to either side and a larger, padded armchair at the head. Two footmen in plain russet garb assisted them to chairs opposite the Kelltic spell-workers, as a third servant, also without device on his livery, seated the bard. Inhetep was across from the Behon and nearest the head, with Rachelle to his left across from Tallesian the Archdruid. Aldriss was at one place further down on the priest's right. There were only six places set, so as soon as the royal representative appeared, the meal—and the discussion—could commence.
"I trust you both were comfortable and rested well at the Prince House," the Behon said politely.
"Thank you, lord. We were very well cared for."
"I, too, thank you," Rachelle murmured, eyes fixed on the door through which their host would appear.
An uncomfortable silence settled upon them, broken suddenly by a hammering from beyond the inner portal. One of the footmen snapped to attention and opened the thick door. The three Lyonnessians jerked up out of their chairs and looked toward the open doorway. Setne and the girl were halfway out of their seats when the personage entered the salon.
"Please be seated, noble practitioners, lady," he commanded in a brisk voice as he strode up to the table. A servant flew to the table's head to pull the chair back for the man. "This is an absolutely confidential meeting. It hasn't happened, if you understand my meaning." He sat imperially on the embroidered cushion of the great armchair, a seat which moved as if by magick to accommodate
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