The Land of the Pharaohs Page #2

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Hamar, look.

This is the portion of the spoils

that I've chosen to be mine.

Look at this. Feel it.

I love the feel of gold.

There's no other metal like it.

Add this to what I have already, and it'll

be the greatest treasure in the world.

No man will ever have had so much.

That is true, sire.

Now all that remains is to build

a tomb to receive it and my body.

A tomb that no man can violate,

where I can rest in peace...

...and enjoy all this in my second life.

- You've got my instructions?

- I did, sire.

Builders have been at work day

and night since the message came.

Their plans are ready for you to see.

Do you think their work is good?

It is your treasure, sire, and

your tomb. You must be the judge.

That means you don't like them?

You must decide, sire.

And what is this?

A labyrinth to hide the passage to the tomb?

Here is the beginning, my lord.

And here is the maze that hides the secret.

It will make the tomb secure so...

Secure as the last tomb in

which a labyrinth was used?

My ancestor Serati was

protected by such a labyrinth.

Perhaps you heard what

happened to him. And this?

This is different, my lord.

- It begins here...

- Different in what way?

I just brought treasure back to Egypt

that was stolen from a tomb like this...

...three nights after the crypt was sealed.

And look what we have here. Hamar,

it's like meeting an old friend.

A false tunnel and a false

crypt to hide the real one.

It would scarcely keep out the wind.

Are they all like these?

What reason is there to build

a pyramid to hold a tomb...

...if the tomb may be violated?

It is better to lay the

treasure on the sand...

...so that the thieves

will not disturb my body.

You may go, all of you.

Go home and consider yourselves lucky...

...that you've escaped

the lash or the dungeon.

Go on. Get out of here!

- I was afraid of this, Hamar.

- I'm sorry, sire.

These plans have been

used for a royal tomb...

...and not one has escaped the grave robbers.

There are many thieves and very few Pharaohs.

I'm waiting to hear your solution, sire.

Why do you presume I have one?

You were curiously gentle with the builders.

Does anyone have a secret from you?

What is your plan, sire?

Do you know what happened in the

last battle for that Cushite city?

only the outcome.

Yes, the outcome was very

nearly disastrous for us.

There were three passes

that led into the city.

Two of them were narrow,

rock-filled nightmares...

...where a legion could

be held by half as many.

The third was almost a highway.

There seemed to be no possible defense.

That highway was one of

the most cunning traps...

...that has ever been constructed.

When we were well into it...

...parts of the road

dropped, creating pitfalls.

other parts suddenly rose as if by magic...

...giving shelter to the defenders.

Luckily, I had sent small

divisions through the other passes.

They fought their way through and

fell upon the defenders from behind.

The man who constructed those defenses...

...was the finest builder who

has ever worked with stone.

When the city was taken...

...I gave a gold sword to the

soldier who brought him to me alive.

- Is his name vashtar?

- What?

When I heard of a special treatment,

the tent and the food you ordered...

...for one of the captives,

I made some inquiries.

I had him brought here.

He's waiting outside.

Bring him here.

Is the captive vashtar here yet?

- Yes, my lord.

- Bring him in.

I should have known better than try

to keep a secret from you, my friend.

You are vashtar?

The man who prepared the

defenses of your city?

I am the architect who drew the plans.

You cost me many lives. I

congratulate you on your work.

Each of us must fight with weapons as he has.

Yes, I know that because I'm a soldier.

I do not intend to punish you,

architect, but to reward your skill.

You shall build for me.

Do you understand what these are?

Yes, Pharaoh. They're designs

for a royal tomb within a pyramid.

But I do not understand what you want of me.

All the world knows that in

the building of pyramids...

...Egypt is unsurpassed.

- True enough.

But where we have failed is making

the tomb secure against violation.

Can it be done? Can you do it?

Perhaps. But I have a better plan.

Load your treasure onto boats.

Float them to the deepest part

of the ocean and sink them there.

Then you need not fear that anyone

will rob you of what you've stolen.

Men don't talk to me like that.

I could make you wish those

words had not been spoken.

But unfortunately, you

have need of my talent.

As I thought, you're a

shrewd man. What's your price?

- My price?

- What do you want?

Nothing you would give me.

Even what little I know of Egyptian

customs tells me if I build it...

...I sign my own death

warrant. Is that not so?

While you build my tomb, you

can build your own as well.

Let it be done as richly as you please.

Every honor shall be given to you and yours.

Fair prospect and a good offer.

Provided one believes in

the second life. I do not.

Look elsewhere for your architect.

- I told you before...

- one moment, sire.

With your permission, perhaps I can

convince this man to do as you ask.

I fear not. There is no

reason why I should serve you.

There are many reasons.

I'll show you.

Follow me.

- Do you know what lies behind that wall?

- I do.

Your people are not far from there.

And only your talent stands

between them and the wall.

You were right when you

said there were many reasons.

If I serve you, will you spare my people?

- All of them.

- Will you set them free?

If your plan pleases me, they shall be freed

as soon as the work is done. All of them.

Except for yourself.

When I have conceived a

plan, I will send you word.

Good. Hamar, see that he has all he needs.

Work swiftly, architect.

That I may die the sooner?

No, that your people may live.

Well, architect, you

sent word you had a plan.

I believe I have.

one minute. Both of you, go.

Well, what is it?

It's to use the best labyrinth

designed by your builders.

- A labyrinth?

- You know these labyrinths were rejected.

- That was...

- I know that, but hear me out.

After your body is placed in the tomb...

...the labyrinth will be

sealed. Every passage...

...every foot of the way

from the burial chamber...

...to the door of the pyramid,

sealed with solid stones.

Solid stones? But that would

take years and in that time...

No, Pharaoh, not years.

- It can be done in a few minutes.

- You are a fool.

What power could move stones in that time?

A power that Egypt possesses in abundance.

I will show you. Follow me.

What is this?

It is with stones such as this, and

others, that the passages will be sealed.

- I asked you before, with what power?

- Sand.

- With what?

- With sand.

Wait, Pharaoh. If the boy

can lower that stone...

...precisely into place using

only one hand, will you believe me?

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