The Land of the Pharaohs Page #5

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...to risk betrayal by any man,

not even my own flesh and blood.

I see.

Now, as to the workers, the

men who do the actual labor...

...they will be blindfolded and

led into the pyramid by these men.

on their way out, their

eyes will again be covered.

So they won't know where they've been

or where in the pyramid they've worked.

That at least sounds logical.

Have you any suggestions?

You seem to have thought

of everything, my lord.

Then the work will begin tomorrow.

oh, and, Hamar, see that these men

have the best of food and wine...

...slaves and pleasure when

their daily work is done.

Your goodness and charity

have pleased them, my lord.

Well, see that your work pleases me as well.

No man must loosen his blindfold.

The penalty for knowing the way

to the inner chamber is death.

This man's working with me.

Make sure your blindfolds are tight.

- Why are we stopping?

- Never mind.

Slip your blindfold a

minute, Senta. Go carefully.

This is a further test to

determine if the workers can see.

- They think of everything, don't they?

- There are many traps like this.

You'll need to remember them.

No. No, that stone goes in

later, when you finish both sides.

Do you understand?

I'll come back.

Carefully. There are three steps here.

Lift your blindfold a minute.

This is the beginning of the labyrinth.

Most of these passages are only to deceive.

We go on this way.

You may remove your blindfold now.

But do not leave under any

circumstances without putting it on.

This room is the exact

center of the pyramid...

...and will be the key to the

device for sealing the tomb.

When the trigger is released

in the burial chamber...

The stone will slide down

that ramp into this room...

...and set in motion forces that

will spread throughout the pyramid.

Now, you'll begin the

construction on that wall there...

...according to these plans here, as you see.

All ready down here. Start it up slowly.

Up slowly.

- Senta.

- Yes, sir.

What is this figure and this angle?

The figure is six. The

angle is three divisions.

Thank you. I am going to the upper chamber.

I should be back in about an hour.

We have plenty to do.

You'd better get up there, both of you.

See that the stone is securely fastened.

- Where is the architect vashtar?

- He left through that passage, sire.

- Where does that lead to?

- We are not told, sire.

Get this off my leg.

Roll out.

Help me up.

You have a bad cut. I'll stop the bleeding.

Get some help.

There isn't any help. The

mute priests are finished.

It will be an hour before

some of the others get back.

Tell me if I get it too tight.

It'll stop the bleeding for a while.

You'll have to get out of here.

Can you walk if I help you?

It's no use. We can't

get out of the labyrinth.

- I don't remember the way.

- I do.

You?

See if you can walk.

Who are you that know the secret of my tomb?

I am a son of vashtar.

Then you are also aware...

Yes, I know the penalty

of knowing the secret.

Enough of this. Stop fussing about nothing.

It's only a wound. This isn't

the first time it's ever happened.

Do something useful. Get me

a stick so that I can walk.

Young man, today you saved my life.

And I am not fool enough to think it

was done because of loyalty to me...

...but rather because of your

loyalty to vashtar the architect.

For when I die, he dies

too. Is that the reason?

That was the only reason.

And you learned the secret

of the labyrinth from him.

- I know it, that should be sufficient.

- No, it is not.

I believe that vashtar's

sight is failing, sire.

- Undoubtedly, they've shared the secret.

- Is this true?

Come now, if his sight is going,

it will be easy to find out.

- His eyes are failing.

- Young man...

...I am asking you these questions...

...to justify myself in allowing

you to live while I live.

And to allow you to assist

vashtar until the work is done.

- I take it that's what you want.

- That's true, sir.

Well, it merely means that

one more will die when I die.

However, I must feel that

the secret is safe with you.

To be sure that you know

the fate of your people...

...if that secret is revealed.

- I know only too well.

- I believe you do.

And I believe I can take that risk.

Thus, since you saved my life,

while I live, you shall live well.

- A palace, slaves, gold, anything...

- I live with my people.

I prefer to continue that way.

vashtar raised you, that's obvious.

Ask any reward and you

shall have it instantly.

Anything within my power to grant.

- Except one thing.

- There's nothing that...

Clumsy fool! Look what you've done.

I am sorry, my lord.

This bottle contained a perfume

which you yourself gave me.

This stupid slave has

broken it. I was angry...

I did not break it.

You see? She is also

insolent and slow to obey.

I'm not a slave of yours or anyone.

Silence. She will learn

manners and to obey orders.

I am not a slave. I will not obey.

If she does not, see that

she is whipped until she does.

- Take her away.

- My lord, give me this slave.

You told me that what I

wanted would be given me.

The girl is mine, my lord.

You passed judgment. Let it be fulfilled.

"Ask any reward and you

shall have it instantly. "

Those were your words,

sire. I ask for the girl.

Take her.

What manner of judgment is this?

- You give me a slave and then you take it...

- Be still. I've given my word.

You have slaves enough for

your amusement, mistress.

Judgment here is mine...

...to be decreed as I see

fit and altered as I see fit.

Is that understood?

Yes, my lord.

Take the girl, Senta, and go. She's yours.

Thank you, sire.

Don't you understand?

Had that man not saved the Pharaoh...

...had he died today or if

he were to die tomorrow...

...what would I be?

- You are his wife.

- No.

only his second wife.

Today, he made a fool of me before

the real wife and the whole court.

And if he were to die, I would

be nothing, have nothing...

...unless I were queen.

What are you trying to tell me?

That Queen Nailla must die.

No, no. No, Nellifer.

- Look at me, Treneh.

- I'm afraid to.

Afraid of what I see in your face.

You want me, don't you?

Wouldn't you like to share

with me what would be mine?

Not like that. We dare not.

Look at me. You say you love me.

Then you must choose for us both.

or for yourself, while you are

afraid to see what you see in my face.

Look at me and choose.

Either I am yours and you help me...

...or I go on without you.

Which is it to be?

I'm glad it will be this way.

Now we must plan.

Tomorrow I shall start by

making a friend of the queen.

Whatever we do, it will be

dangerous with the Pharaoh here.

Then you must see that he goes

away while it is being done.

There's no use you just

sitting there saying nothing.

What's your name, anyway?

Kyra.

What part of our country do you come from?

- Mekio.

- Young lady, by any chance, can you cook?

- of course I can cook.

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