Read Online The Horned Viper by Gill Harvey - Free Book Online Page B

this. You are being very stupid.’ Nebo’s deep voice was angry.
    Hopi ignored him. He dropped the second flagon next to the first, and reached for a third. He shifted it, easing his hands underneath it, then stopped and stared. The viper was there, hiding behind the flagon. It moved slowly, sluggishly, and Hopi immediately saw why. Just behind its head, the viper’s body had swollen into a big lump. It had caught and swallowed a rat.
    There was a movement at his shoulder, and he realised that the fan-bearer had stooped down to creep up behind him. Nebo had seen the snake. His breathing was fast and shallow, and Hopi realised that he was afraid.
    ‘You bring big problem on this boat,’ said the fan-bearer.
    Hopi felt a surge of anger. He shook his head. ‘No,’ he said. ‘You don’t understand. It was this snake that saved us.’
    But Nebo wasn’t listening. ‘A snake is danger,’ he insisted. ‘A snake brings sickness.’
    ‘This snake hasn’t harmed anyone!’ cried Hopi. ‘I’ve kept it safe the whole time – it’s been in my papyrus basket. I only just let it loo—’
    ‘Now I see why you keep this basket and stick.’ Nebo’s voice was low with menace. ‘You tell me big lies. I do not like lies. You catch it.’ The guard’s fingers dug into Hopi’s shoulder. ‘You catch it and you bring to show Hat-Neb.’ He stepped back to the ladder, and waited.
    Hopi knew when he was defeated. He picked up his stick and bag, and approached the snake. Sensing his presence, it shifted its coils and rasped at him. Ffffff . But, weighed down with its meal, it had no desire to move quickly. With a flick of his stick, Hopi captured it, lowered it into the basket and replaced the lid.
    The Nubian nodded grimly, and turned towards the steps. ‘Follow me,’ he instructed Hopi, and began to climb towards the daylight.
    .
    Isis watched anxiously as Nebo reappeared out of the hold with Hopi behind him. Nebo gave Hopi a push towards the cabin. Isis followed them in. Hat-Neb was lying down, his eyes closed, while Sheri wiped his forehead with a damp piece of linen.
    ‘Master,’ said Nebo, ‘this boy, he is nothing but trouble.’
    Sheri and Kia looked up in alarm. ‘Hopi!’ exclaimed Sheri. ‘What have you done?’
    ‘N-nothing,’ said Hopi. ‘I caught a viper, that’s all.’
    ‘Show it,’ ordered Nebo.
    Hopi lifted his linen bag from his shoulder. Isis saw him throw a warning glance at Mut, knowing she was terrified of snakes, then reached for his basket. Mut dropped Killer and ran out of the cabin, while Hat-Neb’s eyes bulged with curiosity. Isis craned her neck to see the viper, which lay lazily in Hopi’s hands.
    ‘It’s just eaten a rat, sir,’ he said, as though that could explain everything.
    Sheri and Kia looked horrified. ‘Oh, Hopi.’ Kia’s voice was reproachful. ‘What were you thinking of?’
    ‘You don’t even know what happened,’ retorted Hopi. ‘This viper broke up the fight between the boat crews. It has done only good, and no harm.’
    Hat-Neb grunted. ‘A likely story.’
    ‘It’s true.’
    Hopi’s eyes were bright with defiance, and in spite of everything, Isis felt a rush of loyalty towards her brother. She swallowed hard. ‘I know it’s true,’ she piped up. ‘Kerem told me. He said a snake god had saved them.’
    ‘ Saved them?’ Kia sounded incredulous.
    ‘The barge crew were afraid of it. That’s why they stopped fighting,’ said Hopi.
    Silence fell. Hat-Neb seemed to be thinking.
    It was Kia who spoke. ‘But even if this is true, Hopi, why did you bring it on board?’
    ‘I didn’t think it was a good idea,’ said Hopi. ‘But Tutmose told me I should.’
    ‘Did he indeed?’ Hat-Neb stroked his chin. ‘Where is he? Bring him here.’
    Kia went out on to the deck to find the doctor. In the meantime, the cabin fell silent once more. Isis felt her palms sweating. Hat-Neb and Nebo were both looking very serious.
    Tutmose walked in. ‘What is it,