Read Online The Assassins of Isis by P. C. Doherty - Free Book Online Page A

of state and the beautiful miniature chariots. Senenmut ran his hand through a box of jewels, letting them cascade back in a glittering hail of colour.
    â€˜It was easy enough,’ Amerotke explained. ‘Once we knew what had been stolen it was only a matter of matching the list. We managed to seize about three quarters of what was taken. Some of it is damaged, but once things are sorted and purified, they can be returned to their rightful owners.’
    Senenmut took Amerotke by the arm and led him over to a small polished table under a cresset torch. He undid the sack he was carrying and gently eased out a solid gold pendant depicting a squatting king with a string of pure pearls tied round his neck. The pendant weighed heavy; the pearls were particularly exquisite.

    â€˜Another piece found?’ Amerotke asked.
    â€˜This,’ Senenmut tapped it with his fingers, ‘was not found in any local marketplace but in northern Canaan, a town in the Amki region.’
    Amerotke stared in disbelief.
    â€˜One of our envoys discovered it. This means the temple robbers were able to take their ill-gotten gains beyond our borders.’
    â€˜But there are guards, customs posts,’ Amerotke exclaimed. ‘Treasure like this would be hard to conceal. It would be highly dangerous to transport such goods.’
    â€˜Well it was,’ Senenmut replied drily, his voice echoing through the chamber. ‘Here is a golden pendant which weighs as heavy as any sword. It once belonged to the Divine One’s grandfather and was buried in his tomb, yet it was taken out, carried through Egypt and offered for sale in a Canaanite town.’
    Amerotke stared in disbelief at this beautiful object, precious for so many reasons.
    â€˜Can you imagine,’ Senenmut continued, ‘what this means to the Divine One, the treasures of her ancestors, the glory of Egypt, being sold abroad?’ He paused. ‘It also means that these robbers were arrogant. This treasure was part of a hoard. If the carrier had been caught by a customs official or border guard, or the chariot squadrons which patrol the Horus road, it would have meant certain death. You were correct, Amerotke: only part of this gang has been destroyed.’
    â€˜We interrogated them, but there were no further names?’ Amerotke shrugged. ‘You don’t need to answer that. Of course the leaders wouldn’t let their identities be revealed. They know all there is to know about the Valley of the Kings, the secret entrances to the royal tombs and the way each sepulchre is laid out. They also have the means to have such treasure safely removed from Egypt. But who? The only survivors are those two women whose sentences were
commuted to life imprisonment in a prison oasis.’ Amerotke stared round at the treasures; his eye was caught by a particularly exquisite silver statue of a crouching leopard. Its skin was of gold, the spots precious stones, with two large rubies as eyes. ‘But why,’ he asked, ‘stir up a hornets’ nest by sending assassins against me? A warning? Punishment?’
    â€˜Or,’ Senenmut added, ‘because they are frightened you might know something which could lead you to the leaders of this sacrilegious sect. You must ask yourself: what do you know? Go carefully through your records. Is there anything you have missed?’
    He walked away and then came back. ‘Oh, by the way, I bring not only the good wishes and praises of the Divine One. You have been approached by the Lady Nethba?’ Amerotke nodded. ‘The Divine One wishes you to visit the Temple of Isis.’ Senenmut dug underneath his robe and brought out a scroll, which he handed to the judge. ‘You are to enquire about the Lady Nethba’s father, and there is further business: four hesets of that temple have disappeared.’
    â€˜And?’ Amerotke snapped sharply. ‘There is something else?’
    â€˜Yes, the