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

captain of the guard at the Temple of Isis has been brutally murdered. They found his corpse, hands and feet bound; his testicles and heart had been removed, and he’d been left to bleed to death.’
    â€˜Mafdet!’ Amerotke exclaimed. ‘That was the name of the captain of the Isis temple guard, yes?’ He paused. ‘His name was mentioned in my investigations into the robbery of the tombs, just a passing reference. Mafdet once served in the Necropolis as a guard. He was also a member of Vizier Rahimere’s retinue before that great lord’s disgrace. I wonder if there is any connection between his death and the robberies?’
    â€˜Did he fall under suspicion?’
    â€˜No, no.’ Amerotke shook his head. ‘It was just that I drew up a list of all those who had served in the garrison at the
Necropolis, and I remember Mafdet because of his link with Rahimere. He was also recommended by General Suten, who, as you know, died so hideously.’ Amerotke ran a finger around his lips. ‘Talking of temples,’ he continued slowly, ‘is it possible that the people responsible for these robberies, who organised and planned them, are high-ranking priests? Many of them have attended royal funerals. They know the Valley of the Kings better than I, and because they escort the coffin caskets to their resting place, they learn about the inside of the tombs in considerable detail. Wouldn’t the archives of a temple like Isis hold maps and plans?’
    â€˜Perhaps, but you’ve discovered no evidence for such a theory?’ Senenmut replied.
    â€˜None whatsoever. No temple fell under suspicion, be it that of Isis, Amun or any other. And yet,’ Amerotke clapped his hands, ‘even as I finished that investigation, even as I sentenced those criminals to death, I recognised that some had escaped.’
    Senenmut walked away into the darkness.
    â€˜I do not think you will find criminals at the Temple of Isis.’ Pharaoh’s First Minister kept his back to Amerotke. ‘The Divine One regards Lord Impuki and Lady Thena as close friends.’
    â€˜I shall bear that in mind.’
    â€˜And now you must decide upon the death of General Suten.’ Senenmut turned and came back. ‘The Divine One is deeply interested in the outcome of that case. Was it murder or some unfortunate accident?’
    â€˜I know what my lord Valu would reply.’ Amerotke smiled thinly. ‘He is going to ask how a nest of horned vipers mysteriously appeared on the roof terrace of one of Egypt’s leading generals, who was famous for his deep loathing of such vermin.’
    â€˜An accident?’
    Amerotke spread his hands. ‘No, my lord, I suspect it was murder.’

THETTET: ancient Egyptian, ‘to destroy’

    CHAPTER 3

    You hold the hidden flame,
Who give birth to the truth,
Oh come forth,
Lady of strength, divine daughter of truth …

    The chapel priest of the Temple of Ma’at intoned the hymn of praise to the Goddess of Truth. He sprayed holy water over the small naos containing the statue of the Goddess and lit the two thuribles before her shrine, sprinkling them both with incense before opening the doors of the tabernacle to expose the statue itself. Amerotke, kneeling on a cushion, bowed his head. He intoned his secret prayer that, despite the dangers and the worries which confronted him, his heart would be true and his tongue utter just judgements. He bowed, pressing his forehead against the cold, hard floor. The priest once more incensed the tabernacle and quietly withdrew. Amerotke got to his feet and took his seat in the Chair of Judgement. The tabernacle was situated on a plinth behind him, but the judge felt the power from that holy place all around him.
    â€˜This court of the Hall of Two Truths,’ Amerotke intoned, ‘is now in session. All those who have business before the Divine One’s justice, approach and state your