Read Online Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 3 - Death in Delhi by Gary Gygax - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Gary Gygax
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accepted the cloth. Only after a few deep breaths did she then say, "Thank you, Setne. And was the luncheon all right?"
"Well, my dear, you aren't very much of a cook, but that isn't why I love you, is it? You know, I feared that darkening your complexion and giving you straight hair would detract from your good looks, but now that I've grown more accustomed to it, I believe you are prettier than
ever. Come on now, we must keep up with the others."
She shouldered her bag, smiled, and walked quickly to catch up. He was, after all, the magister. If he had added the last bit to placate her, Rachelle didn't care. She knew it was true. . . .
Because she was able to hear what was said as if the speakers were using /Egyptian, Rachelle managed the balance of the day's long trek without being irritated and bored. They found a place to sleep that night: a little patch of grass at the edge of the fire's light, just far enough from the two dozen other travelers to be quasi-private and close enough for mutual protection in case of bandits or prowling tigers. They were able to converse in whispers after the others had settled down upon their mats and fallen into a sometimes not-too-quiet slumber.
After an exchange of trivial matters between them, Inhetep said, "Tell me what you think."
"About the folks around? Our impersonation? I'm not sure what you mean, Setne. I do believe that it Is going as you'd planned, and nobody suspects we're not actually natives."
"No. Not that. What do you think about the missing jewels?"
That gave her a moment's pause. "I haven't considered them recently."
"Yes, you have," the wizard-priest contra-dieted in gentle voice. "Only you haven't done so consciously. Just relax and say what comes to mind."
Rachelle started to protest, then relaxed. She turned her thoughts to the stolen crown jewels. "The maharajah shows great concern that there's more to it than the monetary loss."
"Are you sure? After all, any set of baubles sufficient to rate as crown jewels when bedecking a monarch seated upon the gem-encrusted Peacock Throne must be grandiose indeed," Inhetep retorted. "In fact, I am given to understand that there's a hyacinth the size of a pullet's egg atop the crown, and a jacinth nearly as big set in the orb—plus all the usual diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls, sapphires, and the like."
"There are six pieces in the set," Rachelle told him in response to that. She ticked them off for him, "The crown, the scepter, the orb, the collar, the girdle, and the ring. Not only are there magnificent corundum gems and the rest, Setne. There are elemental stones included—one big empyrium, a pair of perfect asylphars, four mahydrols, and three matched terrionds. Grandiose indeed, and priceless!"
"That was incisive! I knew I could count on your intuition to help me along. But how do you know so much about his lost jewels?"
"I make a point of knowing about many things, Magister Inhetep, including the most famous gems of the world. You should do the same."
Inhetep prodded her. "Then you retract your assessment."
"Not in the least! To have such fabulous treasure stolen from under his nose is an incredible blow to Sivadji Guldir. If he is typical of monarchs, he must be beside himself with doubts and suspicions of those around him— not to mention the damage to his ego! What occurred is almost as bad as having his famous throne spirited away from under him. If the loss were known to other rulers, he would be a laughing stock. Were it to become common gossip, then he would lose all face with his subjects."
Setne chuckled. "Right again. Have you thought about the ramifications of what you said regarding Guldir Maharajah Sivadji's position, his state of mind?"
Her voice was small when she replied, "Yes. We will be in extreme jeopardy if we somehow fail and are unable to discover the culprit and restore the lost jewels."
"We will be in danger even if we do, should the matter remain a well-kept secret at that
"Well, my dear, you aren't very much of a cook, but that isn't why I love you, is it? You know, I feared that darkening your complexion and giving you straight hair would detract from your good looks, but now that I've grown more accustomed to it, I believe you are prettier than
ever. Come on now, we must keep up with the others."
She shouldered her bag, smiled, and walked quickly to catch up. He was, after all, the magister. If he had added the last bit to placate her, Rachelle didn't care. She knew it was true. . . .
Because she was able to hear what was said as if the speakers were using /Egyptian, Rachelle managed the balance of the day's long trek without being irritated and bored. They found a place to sleep that night: a little patch of grass at the edge of the fire's light, just far enough from the two dozen other travelers to be quasi-private and close enough for mutual protection in case of bandits or prowling tigers. They were able to converse in whispers after the others had settled down upon their mats and fallen into a sometimes not-too-quiet slumber.
After an exchange of trivial matters between them, Inhetep said, "Tell me what you think."
"About the folks around? Our impersonation? I'm not sure what you mean, Setne. I do believe that it Is going as you'd planned, and nobody suspects we're not actually natives."
"No. Not that. What do you think about the missing jewels?"
That gave her a moment's pause. "I haven't considered them recently."
"Yes, you have," the wizard-priest contra-dieted in gentle voice. "Only you haven't done so consciously. Just relax and say what comes to mind."
Rachelle started to protest, then relaxed. She turned her thoughts to the stolen crown jewels. "The maharajah shows great concern that there's more to it than the monetary loss."
"Are you sure? After all, any set of baubles sufficient to rate as crown jewels when bedecking a monarch seated upon the gem-encrusted Peacock Throne must be grandiose indeed," Inhetep retorted. "In fact, I am given to understand that there's a hyacinth the size of a pullet's egg atop the crown, and a jacinth nearly as big set in the orb—plus all the usual diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls, sapphires, and the like."
"There are six pieces in the set," Rachelle told him in response to that. She ticked them off for him, "The crown, the scepter, the orb, the collar, the girdle, and the ring. Not only are there magnificent corundum gems and the rest, Setne. There are elemental stones included—one big empyrium, a pair of perfect asylphars, four mahydrols, and three matched terrionds. Grandiose indeed, and priceless!"
"That was incisive! I knew I could count on your intuition to help me along. But how do you know so much about his lost jewels?"
"I make a point of knowing about many things, Magister Inhetep, including the most famous gems of the world. You should do the same."
Inhetep prodded her. "Then you retract your assessment."
"Not in the least! To have such fabulous treasure stolen from under his nose is an incredible blow to Sivadji Guldir. If he is typical of monarchs, he must be beside himself with doubts and suspicions of those around him— not to mention the damage to his ego! What occurred is almost as bad as having his famous throne spirited away from under him. If the loss were known to other rulers, he would be a laughing stock. Were it to become common gossip, then he would lose all face with his subjects."
Setne chuckled. "Right again. Have you thought about the ramifications of what you said regarding Guldir Maharajah Sivadji's position, his state of mind?"
Her voice was small when she replied, "Yes. We will be in extreme jeopardy if we somehow fail and are unable to discover the culprit and restore the lost jewels."
"We will be in danger even if we do, should the matter remain a well-kept secret at that
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