Read Online Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 3 - Death in Delhi by Gary Gygax - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Gary Gygax
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time. As you say, if word got out, the mighty monarch would be embarrassed in the extreme."
"I'm sorry I got us into this now, Setne. Let's go back, quickly. The risk is far too great for even a reward equal to the value of the silly fool's lost coronation regalia."
The magister sat bolt upright when she said that. Just as quickly, he lay back down again. He was stiff, tense, but silent.
"Are you all right?" Rachelle hissed.
"Shhh. Wait a few moments." He remained silent for several minutes as Rachelle fidgeted, hoping anyone watching wouldn't notice while she took deep, regular breaths and feigned slumber. Finally the magister spoke again in a harsh whisper. "You did it again, Rachelle! You just showed me something else I had completely failed to consider."
"Oh. I'm glad. I thought you'd been bitten by a snake, or stung by a scorpion, or seen a lurking assassin. ..."
Inhetep laid a finger on her forehead. "Keep that wonderful mind in a serious vein. I am deadly earnest about this, Rachelle. What you just pointed out, what was obvious, what I should have seen immediately, is this: there is no urgent need for the recovery of the crown jewels of Delhi."
"What?"
"No need for getting them back in a hurry. You can stake your life on the maharajah having at least one imitation set available. On the few state occasions when he must wear the crown jewels, the fakes should serve as well as the real ones. After all, until a new ruler is installed, the regalia is merely for show."
Rachelle considered that for a moment. "Yes. The powers of the real crown jewels would only be activated in a coronation. That makes sense. Yet what if they were spirited outside Delhi? Fell into the hands of an enemy of the state? Sindraj, for instance?"
"For an opposing head of state to acquire such things by thievery brings discredit, not approbation. The Brahmans, all scholars and ecclesiastics, and thus the Hindic pantheon's faithful, would ostracize such a one. After all, save in a few cases all thieves are of the Pariah caste—untouchable and apart. No. I submit that if the crown jewels of Delhi come into the hands of any of the surrounding rulers, they will be returned. Courtesy between monarchs, if you will."
Not ready to give up, Rachelle tried another tact. "The regalia might be smuggled to a distant land."
"Magickal attempt would be detected, for the enchantments upon such items are certainly potent in the extreme. Likewise, heka is required to disguise the inner power of the crown jewels. To conceal such things from probes means they must go to ground and remain cloaked. Bringing them out and moving them would set off all manner of dweomered alarms, count on it. Trying to get them past any sort of inspection would be impossible. The missing jewels are somewhere in the state, probably in or near the city of Delhi."
Rachelle nodded, even though she knew he couldn't see that gesture in the dark. She spoke even more softly and slowly than she had before. "Why all this fuss, then? The necklace, the promise of lavish reward, the plea for immediate attendance upon the matter. ..."
"Why indeed, my dear? I haven't a clue . . . yet. With your continued help, though, I believe we can get to the bottom of things quickly, once we get to Delhi, even though the waters are deeper than I had imagined previously and there seems to be much murkiness in them." So saying, the magister gave her arm a pat by way of saying good night, then rolled on his side.
In no more than a minute, Rachelle heard his soft snoring. She envied Setne's ability to fall asleep almost anytime, anyplace, despite conditions or problems. When it was appropriate, the wizard-priest would take advantage of the opportunity and sleep, whether snatching a catnap or resting for a full night. While his body slumbered, Inhetep's mind went on working, that she knew. As for her. Rachelle had to remain conscious to solve problems. She lay awake for an hour after he dropped off.
The next
"I'm sorry I got us into this now, Setne. Let's go back, quickly. The risk is far too great for even a reward equal to the value of the silly fool's lost coronation regalia."
The magister sat bolt upright when she said that. Just as quickly, he lay back down again. He was stiff, tense, but silent.
"Are you all right?" Rachelle hissed.
"Shhh. Wait a few moments." He remained silent for several minutes as Rachelle fidgeted, hoping anyone watching wouldn't notice while she took deep, regular breaths and feigned slumber. Finally the magister spoke again in a harsh whisper. "You did it again, Rachelle! You just showed me something else I had completely failed to consider."
"Oh. I'm glad. I thought you'd been bitten by a snake, or stung by a scorpion, or seen a lurking assassin. ..."
Inhetep laid a finger on her forehead. "Keep that wonderful mind in a serious vein. I am deadly earnest about this, Rachelle. What you just pointed out, what was obvious, what I should have seen immediately, is this: there is no urgent need for the recovery of the crown jewels of Delhi."
"What?"
"No need for getting them back in a hurry. You can stake your life on the maharajah having at least one imitation set available. On the few state occasions when he must wear the crown jewels, the fakes should serve as well as the real ones. After all, until a new ruler is installed, the regalia is merely for show."
Rachelle considered that for a moment. "Yes. The powers of the real crown jewels would only be activated in a coronation. That makes sense. Yet what if they were spirited outside Delhi? Fell into the hands of an enemy of the state? Sindraj, for instance?"
"For an opposing head of state to acquire such things by thievery brings discredit, not approbation. The Brahmans, all scholars and ecclesiastics, and thus the Hindic pantheon's faithful, would ostracize such a one. After all, save in a few cases all thieves are of the Pariah caste—untouchable and apart. No. I submit that if the crown jewels of Delhi come into the hands of any of the surrounding rulers, they will be returned. Courtesy between monarchs, if you will."
Not ready to give up, Rachelle tried another tact. "The regalia might be smuggled to a distant land."
"Magickal attempt would be detected, for the enchantments upon such items are certainly potent in the extreme. Likewise, heka is required to disguise the inner power of the crown jewels. To conceal such things from probes means they must go to ground and remain cloaked. Bringing them out and moving them would set off all manner of dweomered alarms, count on it. Trying to get them past any sort of inspection would be impossible. The missing jewels are somewhere in the state, probably in or near the city of Delhi."
Rachelle nodded, even though she knew he couldn't see that gesture in the dark. She spoke even more softly and slowly than she had before. "Why all this fuss, then? The necklace, the promise of lavish reward, the plea for immediate attendance upon the matter. ..."
"Why indeed, my dear? I haven't a clue . . . yet. With your continued help, though, I believe we can get to the bottom of things quickly, once we get to Delhi, even though the waters are deeper than I had imagined previously and there seems to be much murkiness in them." So saying, the magister gave her arm a pat by way of saying good night, then rolled on his side.
In no more than a minute, Rachelle heard his soft snoring. She envied Setne's ability to fall asleep almost anytime, anyplace, despite conditions or problems. When it was appropriate, the wizard-priest would take advantage of the opportunity and sleep, whether snatching a catnap or resting for a full night. While his body slumbered, Inhetep's mind went on working, that she knew. As for her. Rachelle had to remain conscious to solve problems. She lay awake for an hour after he dropped off.
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