The Last Camel Died at Noon - Elizabeth Peters [168]
“There,” said Ramses, pointing.
Emerson had rushed to join the audience. His head kept bobbing up and down and he was shouting advice which I fear was lost on Tarek. Words like “feint” and “lunge” could have meant little to him.
The business went on a great deal longer than I had expected, and I began to grow anxious. The clang of meeting blades and the shouts and groans of the watchers were the only clues I had as to what was going on. I did not doubt Tarek’s superior skill and courage, but his brother was fresh and un wounded. If Tarek fell, what would happen to us? I hope I will not be considered self-serving if I admit that I began to consider possible courses of action.
Glancing around, I realized that Ramses and I were alone. The guards had gone to watch the fight, and Reggie… When had he left us? Had he joined the strife? He was nowhere to be seen. The mysterious kiosk now appeared to be unoccupied; at any rate, the Hand no longer stood before it.
A great shout went up from the spectators. A mighty blow, perhaps a mortal blow, had been struck—but by whom? Cursing my lack of inches, I scrambled up onto the chair. With that advantage I could see the head of one combatant. Only one was still on his feet. My heart plummeted, for the face was that of Nastasen. And then—ah, then! I saw the gush of blood from his open mouth, saw him stiffen and fall; I saw Tarek rise to his full height after the mighty lunge that had dispatched his enemy. For a moment he stood victorious, streaming with blood, the valiant feathers of his headdress slashed and broken. Then his eyes closed and he fell fainting into the press of arms and bodies.
I jumped off the chair and ran toward him, dragging Ramses by the arm. Other mothers may condemn me; the sight I expected to see was certainly not suitable for the eyes of a young lad. But those mothers have never had to deal with a young lad like Ramses. I was afraid to let him out of my sight for an instant.
With his enthusiastic cooperation and the aid of my trusty parasol, I forced a path through the crowd and beat his admirers off the fallen form of our princely friend. As I had hoped, he was not dead; a nip of brandy from the flask at my belt soon brought him around, and the first sight his opening eyes beheld was Ramses, who was bending over him breathing anxiously into his face. “Ah, my young friend,” he said with a faint smile. “We have won, and you are a hero. I shall raise a monument to you in the court of the temple—”
“Save your strength,” I said firmly, giving him another sip of brandy. “If you will have your men carry you to your home, I will come and tend your wounds.”
“Later, Lady—though I thank you. There is much to do before I can rest.” He lifted himself up and stood erect. “But where is the Father of Curses? I would thank him too, for his words of wisdom and deeds of daring won many to my standard.”
I am ashamed to confess that I quite lost my head once I realized Emerson had vanished. I ran to and fro calling him, turning over fallen bodies, staring into ghastly faces. Litter bearers had already begun carrying the wounded from the court; I barred their path, demanding to see for myself it was not Emerson they carried.
“How could he have disappeared?” I cried, wringing my hands. “He was here a moment ago, unwounded—not severely wounded—at least I thought he was not… Oh, heavens, what has happened to him?”
Tarek put a bloody but gentle hand on my shoulder. “Fear not, Lady. We will find him, and if he has been harmed I will kill his abductors with my royal hand.”
“A fine help that will be,” I exclaimed. “Now do stop shouting, everyone, and be calm. He can’t have vanished into thin air. Someone must have seen something! Who could have taken him? For I will never believe he left of his own accord without telling me.”
“Not all my brother’s allies were slain,” Tarek said slowly. “They will revenge themselves on me if they can; they have good reason to hate the Father of Curses.”
“They may have taken Reggie too,” I exclaimed. “Not that I give