“It is,” Pa agreed. “His name was Setnakht.” He pursed his lips. “There’s only one problem.”
“What’s that?”
“There has never been a king by that name.”
It was Karim’s turn to look confused. “There must be somemistake.”
“There is no mistake. Khetarans are famed for our record-keeping abilities. We know how much grain was grown fifty seasons ago and how many lions the pharaoh killed on his nineteenth birthday. You think we would forget a king’s entire reign? Not possible.” He hesitated, his face thoughtful. “Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless it was erased from history on purpose.”
“Why would anyone do that?”
Pa shrugged. “I’ve heard rumors of pharaohs being struck from the records, but I never thought it could be done. A king would have to do something truly vile to earn such a punishment…” He turned over the stone and squinted at it, brushing at the dust with his hand. “There’s something else here. Faint, but still legible.”
Karim felt a chill. “What does it say?”
“‘This is the heart of a king,’” Pa replied. He looked up at Karim. “This is strange magic, thief. I must know more. If I were a younger man, I would travel to the Great Temple of Amun for answers. The oldest records in Khetara are kept there. If there remains any evidence of your missing pharaoh, that’s where to find it.” He sighed. “But a young man I am not. The journey is long and arduous—I’m not sure I’m up to the task anymore. So, for now, I’ll have to appease my curiosity with whatever it is that you know. Tell me: What else did you see down in that tomb?”
Karim thought of the bleeding statue, of the strange god on the tomb walls, and of the creature he’d awoken. If he told Pa what happened, maybe he would understand. Maybe he’d know what to do.
Are you really so quick to trust a Khetaran?
Karim had never broken bread with one before, no less confessed such a secret. Pa seemed to be a good man, a man of honor,but he was still one of the river people, and Karim knew better than to let his guard down so easily. What would the priest think, if he told him about the monster he’d awoken? Would he believe him? Or would he, like Babu, simply think that Karim was merely covering up his own murderous acts?
No, he thought.I think I’ve confessed enough for one night.
“I’m very tired,” Karim demurred. “Maybe I can answer your questions tomorrow, after a bit of rest?”
Pa grumbled. “Isn’t it a bit early for a young pup like yourself?”
“Well, I lost a lot of blood. Then I nearly died in the desert, so—”
“Pah!” the priest barked, swatting away his words. “Fine. Sleep. Behkai will keep the snakes at bay—won’t you, boy?”
Behkai’s tongue lolled from his open mouth, showing many bright teeth.
“Well, the beast likes you,” Pa said, crossing his arms. “That’s saying something.”
“Will you go inside now?” Karim asked, settling on the ground with his pack for a pillow.
Pa poked at the fire with the tip of his spear, causing the embers to flicker and glow. “Eh, I’ll stay here a while to make sure you don’t try anything stupid.”
“Are you sure it’s not because you enjoy my company?”
The priest snorted. “Don’t push your luck, thief. I’d be just as happy to gut you and let Behkai have you for his dinner.”
Karim closed his eyes and smiled. He thought sleep would come quickly, what with the warm fire and his full belly, but he found himself awake long after both Pa and Behkai were snoring. He turned to look at the amulet, sitting nearby on a piece of cloth that Pa had brought to clean it. It made him think of that lonely, desolate valley, and of that tomb’s open door.
“Setnakht,” Karim whispered and immediately regrettedsaying it. It sounded less like a name, and more like a curse.
8
Rae
Rae woke the following morning with an itch to fight. Her father was already up, having eaten his morning meal and cared for the zebu while she was still asleep.
