Guardian of the Horizon - Elizabeth Peters [78]
Emerson went to the door and raised the curtain. “Would you care to take a little stroll, Peabody, or do you want to rest for a while?”
“As you can see, I am not in need of rest, my dear. But I suppose my journal can wait a bit longer.”
When we emerged we found Ramses deep in conversation with Selim. There was no need to ask about Daoud; reverberant snores issued from the hut he shared with Selim. The girls must be resting too, for the piece of matting over the door of their house was lowered. We decided not to disturb them, but Ramses and Selim were pleased to join us. We walked more or less at random, through a grove of date palms and past a stream of clear water that flowed into a large stone basin, enjoying the shade and the cool air. In the distance I heard the bleating of goats and the quacking of ducks.
“It is as large as Siwa and Kharga,” Selim exclaimed. “How is it that this place is unknown?”
“Not so large,” replied Emerson. “But sizable enough to support herds and raise crops. They have quite an effective irrigation system,” he added, as we passed several small plots of vegetables. “It is unknown because the people who control it take pains to make sure it remains unknown.”
The trees had thinned out and fingers of sand intruded onto the green grass. “We had better go back,” I said. “Nefret will wonder what has become of us.”
We followed another route on the way back, along a well-trodden path that led from the fields to what seemed to be the servants’ village. It was a bustle of activity—meat turning on spits and pots boiling. Our unexpected appearance threw the cooks into complete disarray. One of them dropped a roasting fowl into the ashes, and the others exhibited such consternation that we went on without stopping.
Nefret was pacing up and down in the little clearing when we reached it. “Where have you been?” she demanded. “That bastard Newbold has gone wandering off too. I wanted to follow him, but I was afraid to leave Daria alone.”
“I doubt he can get into mischief here,” said Emerson, though he frowned a little.
“We only saw the domestic quarters,” I explained with a smile. “I fear dinner may be late; we disturbed the cooks.”
However, it was not long before a procession arrived bearing food and drink, low tables, and mats on which to sit. Looking quite refreshed after his nap, Daoud tucked into the food with good appetite, and Daria was persuaded to venture out of the hut. I suggested we ask the captain to join us, but was voted down.
“One musn’t be polite to inferiors,” said Emerson with a grin. “Leave it to him to sue for an audience.”
“Newbold hasn’t come back,” said Ramses. “Where do you suppose he’s gone?”
“I don’t give a curse where he’s gone,” said Emerson. “I have his weapons, and if he thinks he can corrupt Har’s lot, he will get a rude surprise.”
Some of us—I must include myself—ate more than we ought to have done; the roast fowl and fresh bread were so tasty after our sparse diet. The sun had sunk below the tops of the trees before we finished, and the servants began clearing away the remains of the food. Emerson leaned back with a sigh of repletion and began filling his pipe.
“Perhaps I ought to locate our men,” he said lazily. “Make certain they are comfortable, and have a little chat with Masud on the subject of afrits.”
“It can wait,” I said, stifling a yawn. “We won’t be able to go on for a few more days. I won’t mind resting awhile. This is such a pleasant place.”
Nefret opened her mouth and snapped it shut again. I knew what she had intended to say. She wanted to go on as quickly as possible. The captain’s reassurance about the sick child had not entirely convinced her.
Ramses glanced at her and then said, “Far be it from me to spoil your plans, Mother, but I’m not sure we will be allowed to linger. Har means to press on tomorrow.”
“But the camels,” I exclaimed. “They will need to be watered and fed.”
“Our camels, yes,” said Ramses. “Theirs are rested and ready. Do you suppose Har will allow any of our men to go on to the Holy Mountain? He