The Spitting Cobra (14 page)

Isis wriggled backwards and out into the sunlight. ‘It’s definitely a tunnel,’ she said. ‘But I can see rocks blocking it, further inside.’

Seti and Tiya smiled at her, their faces alight with relief. With great dignity, Nakht stepped forward and dropped down on to his knees, then eased his head and shoulders into the tunnel. When he emerged, his face was grave.

‘Then this, at least, is true. I have seen it for myself,’ he said. ‘Now, Seti. You must show us where you found the bracelet.’

Seti didn’t hesitate. He led the group back towards the slope for a few strides to a flat rock that jutted out at ankle height. ‘It was just here,’ he said, ‘hidden behind this rock.’

Isis could imagine what had happened. The robbers must have been able to use this tunnel, before it collapsed. Perhaps one of them had emerged under the cover of darkness, then tripped over the jutting rock, dropping part of his precious booty. He’d have hurried on, never guessing what he’d left behind.

Hopi gazed at the tunnel, then up at the slope, imagining the same thing. He was used to scanning rocks for the slightest glimpse of snakes or scorpions, and, suddenly, something caught his eye. A tiny reflective glint. He craned forward to look at it more closely, then scooped something up with his finger.

‘Look,’ he said.

Everyone stared. Hopi showed his finger and thumb. Between them, there was the tiniest piece of lapis lazuli, bright blue against his flesh.

Hopi smiled. ‘It must have chipped off when the robber dropped the bracelet,’ he said. ‘I think that provides the final proof, doesn’t it? Seti couldn’t have taken the bracelet from the tomb. As he said, he found it right here.’

.

The mountainside was alive with chatter. The villagers had been given several months’ worth of gossip, at least – and it wasn’t over yet. They had Baki’s accomplices to unearth; there would no doubt be trials to witness, visits from the vizier and all sorts of further excitement. But for Isis and Hopi, it was time to rejoin the troupe, and go home.

‘I still don’t want you to go,’ said Heria, puffing along at Isis’s side. ‘I’ll miss you, Isis.’

‘Can you leave the village sometimes?’ asked Isis.

‘Oh yes,’ said Heria. ‘Father has a donkey somewhere. He hires him out, but I’m sure he could get him back.’

‘Well, then. Come and visit us in Waset,’ said Isis. ‘It’s not that far, you know.’

‘I will,’ Heria promised. ‘And – I hope everything will be all right with Mut. It was awful, seeing you run away.’

Mut.
Isis took a deep breath. Of course, after everything they had seen and heard, Nefert and Paneb couldn’t be angry with her any more. But Mut . . . she didn’t know how she was going to sort things out with her.

They entered the village, and the crowd began to disperse. Hopi and Isis headed with Heria and Khonsu to their home, where the family was waiting with Happy the donkey tethered outside. They were joined by Rahotep and Nakht, and, of course, Seti and Tiya.

Isis felt nervous. She hadn’t seen Mut since their argument. She sidled into the courtyard, trying to make herself invisible as the explanations began. Nefert and Paneb were still a little guarded, curious as to what had been going on behind their backs, but they listened attentively as Rahotep began to speak.

‘This is a painful time for our village,’ the priest told them. ‘We have uncovered a great crime – the robbery of a royal tomb – which is terrible indeed. Yet it would have been even more terrible if two young people had been wrongly accused and convicted. I speak of Seti and Tiya.’

The priest beckoned them, and they shyly stepped forward to stand at his side. He put an arm around each of them. ‘I have worked in the tombs with Seti, and Tiya has entertained us at many of our parties,’ he carried on. ‘This is a close community. I was sad when Tiya broke her arm – and concerned when Seti started to seek out cobras. But I was very interested to discover Hopi’s remarkable gift, which he willingly used to help Seti. Unfortunately Seti did not follow Hopi’s advice; the goddess showed her displeasure and Seti was blinded. But only briefly, for Hopi once more used his gift – this time to save Seti’s sight.’

‘But why?’ asked Paneb. ‘Why would your goddess do this?’

‘I have thought about this,’ said Rahotep. ‘As you know, our gods often reveal themselves in riddles. Seti, perhaps, has been a symbol for our village. We have all been blinded, in a sense. Blinded to the evil among us. It was Isis and Hopi who discovered the open tunnel to the tomb, and they who discovered who had built it. It was their discoveries that opened our eyes . . . just as Hopi opened Seti’s.’

‘Well, well,’ said Paneb. He gave a rueful smile. ‘Our visits are not usually so eventful.’

‘This one was destined to be so,’ said Nakht. ‘We . . .’ he corrected himself, ‘I planned a party in the hope that we would discover the robbers. The plan succeeded, but not in the way I expected. I must thank you, even if it is with sorrow in my heart, for Foreman Baki is my oldest friend.’ He sighed heavily. ‘And now you must return to Waset. I have doubled your payment for the role your troupe has played. May the gods travel with you. Farewell.’

Nefert and Paneb were clearly delighted, but tried not to show it. Nakht turned and left, his head bowed.

‘You must be getting on your way,’ said Rahotep. ‘But before you leave, I have something to give Hopi. Khonsu, you are a scribe. Would you bring me a piece of papyrus, and one of your writing sets?’

Khonsu did as he asked, and with everyone watching, Rahotep quickly wrote a letter in the hieratic script. He allowed the ink to dry, then rolled up the papyrus and handed it to Hopi.

‘It is a letter of introduction,’ said Rahotep. ‘Take it to Menna, on the eastern fringes of Waset. He is the greatest priest of Serqet in the town, and I know he seeks an apprentice. We are old friends, and I have written to him of your gift. He will be only too glad to accept you.’

.

Hopi felt as though he were walking on a cloud. For once, he barely noticed his bad leg, because his heart was bursting with happiness. As they drew closer to the River Nile, he gazed at the town of Waset eagerly. He could hardly wait to get there, and get started. An apprentice! So he had a future, after all . . . and a future that involved his favourite creatures. It was incredible.

‘Well done, Hopi,’ said a quiet voice at his side. It was Mut.

‘Oh, thank you, Mut,’ he said. ‘I still can’t believe it, to be honest.’

‘I can. You rescued me from the scorpion. You’ll make a great priest of Serqet,’ she said.

‘That was nothing.’ Hopi grinned.

‘I didn’t think so.’ Mut’s voice was grave. ‘I was terrified.’

Hopi looked at Mut, and saw that she seemed a little nervous. ‘Well, it’s all over now,’ he said.

‘Not quite,’ said Mut. ‘There’s something else.’

Hopi raised his eyebrows. ‘And what’s that?’

Mut chewed a nail. ‘I have to apologise to Isis.’

Isis was up ahead, leading Happy the donkey with Ramose and Kha on board. Hopi guessed she’d been avoiding Mut. ‘And is that terrifying, too?’

Mut nodded.

Hopi laughed. He knew Isis inside out. The moment she heard an apology, she’d melt.

‘How about I come with you?’ he offered.

Mut’s shoulders relaxed. ‘Yes, please,’ she whispered.

‘Right,’ said Hopi, ‘let’s go.’

.

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Chronicle Characters

Hopi
The thirteen-year-old brother of Isis. Ever since surviving the bite of a crocodile in the attack that killed their parents, Hopi has had a fascination with dangerous creatures, particularly snakes and scorpions.

Isis
The eleven-year-old sister of Hopi. She is a talented dancer and performs regularly with Nefert and Paneb’s troupe. Her dance partner is Mut.

Mut
The eleven-year-old daughter of Paneb and Nefert, and dance partner to Isis.

Paneb
Husband of Nefert, father of Mut, Ramose and Kha, and the head of the household where Isis and Hopi live. He organises bookings for the dance and music troupe.

Nefert
Wife of Paneb, mother of Mut, Ramose and Kha, and sister of Sheri and Kia. She plays the lute and is head of the dance and music troupe.

Sheri
One of Nefert’s widowed sisters, and a musician in the troupe. She has a particularly loving nature.

Kia
The second of Nefert’s widowed sisters, also a musician living with the troupe. She is slightly more cold and distant than Sheri, but is hardworking and practical.

Ramose
Eldest son of Nefert and Paneb, aged five. Mut’s brother.

Kha
Younger son of Nefert and Paneb, aged two. Mut’s brother.

Menna
A priest of Serqet in the town of Waset. (A priest of Serqet was someone who treated snake bites and scorpion stings.)

.

Other Characters in This Story

Nakht
One of the two foremen who supervise the work in the royal tombs. Each foreman has his own team of workers. Nakht is also a village elder of Set Maat.

Baki
The second of the two foremen, and a village elder.

Khonsu
The principal scribe for the work in the royal tombs, who makes a note of the workers’ attendance and equipment. A village elder, widowed.

Seti
A young painter who has just finished his apprenticeship in the royal tombs.

Rahotep
The village priest of Serqet in Set Maat, who treats snake bites and the stings of scorpions. He also works as a draughtsman in the royal tombs.

Heria
The twelve-year-old daughter of Khonsu.

Tiya
One of the village dancers of Set Maat, and Heria’s friend.

.

.

FASCINATING FACT FILE ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT

The World of Isis and Hopi

The stories of Isis and Hopi are based in ancient Egypt over 3,000 years ago, during a time known as the New Kingdom. They happen around 1200–1150 BC, in the last great period of Egyptian history. This is about a thousand years after the Old Kingdom, when the pyramids were built. Waset, the town in which Isis and Hopi live, had recently been the capital of Egypt, with an enormous temple complex dedicated to the god Amun. By 1200 BC, the capital had been moved further north again, but Waset was still very important. Kings were still buried in the Valley of the Kings on the west bank, and the priests of Amun were rich and powerful. Today, Waset is known as Luxor; in books about ancient Egypt, it is often referred to by the Greek name of Thebes.