The Land of the Pharaohs Page #6

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- Well...

But I won't.

Senta, you say Pharaoh offered you

a palace and fine food and wines.

And you refused him, and took her instead.

You drive a shrewd bargain.

Look, why don't you stop sulking?

Don't you realize they were gonna whip you?

- Then I'm not your slave?

- No.

Whoever heard of a slave having a slave?

- Is this what you have been eating?

- Every day.

- Have you any black pepper?

- Yes.

- And a little garlic.

- Yes.

- And bay leaves?

- Yes.

And some rice, and mint, and sugar for cakes?

Yes, but if we haven't, I'll soon get it.

Maybe you didn't do so badly after all.

- Greetings, my lord priest.

- Greetings, captain.

Well, captain?

My lord, I thought this might interest you.

How did you come by this, captain?

Came from one of the workmen on the

pyramid. one of the new arrivals.

- A slave with such treasure?

- Yes, sire.

He came to me because he was very ill.

He hopes to buy his freedom with that.

Where did he get this?

He said it came from his native land of Tiba.

Then he told me of a tomb.

A tomb which was found under the sand

in a valley, near the village of Byblos.

He said the tomb contained a vast

treasure which this is only a small thing.

- Has any of this been reported?

- No, sire

Where is the man now?

Unfortunately, he died

during the night, sire.

I cannot vouch for him, this

statue is the only proof.

- Where is the rest of the treasure?

- According to the slave it's still in the tomb.

A small force could

reach Byblos in five days.

Sooner the better. Slave

could have told others.

Possibly. That's why I

came to you immediately.

My lord, the wound in your leg

has not yet completely healed.

The exercise will do it

good. I'll go tomorrow.

- You've done well, captain.

- Thank you, sire.

May I come in?

- Good evening, Nellifer.

- Good evening, Your Majesty.

- Good evening, Xenon.

- Good evening, Lady Nellifer.

I've brought a present for Xenon.

- Do you hear that, Xenon?

- What did you bring me?

- Is it a flute?

- Not just a flute, a magic flute.

And when you learn to play

it, it will do amazing things.

- Will you show me how?

- You sit down and I'll show you now.

Now, watch carefully.

It is very pretty.

If I learn to play it,

what magic will it bring?

When you learn then you shall

see. Now, I'll do it again.

The cobra will always come

to the sound of the flute.

You've done well.

Bring the snake in a strong basket.

Be careful that no one sees you.

Xenon, it is time for you to go to bed.

- Just a little while, please?

- very well, but just for a few minutes.

It's very nice, Xenon. Just keep on playing.

Don't stop. Just keep on playing.

You better go, quickly.

And don't come back tonight.

Such a cruel way to die.

She was so gentle, so kind.

- What a terrible accident.

- And the young prince was not harmed?

oh, no, my lord. The

queen's body protected him.

Can you account for what happened?

The serpent must have been

drawn to the music of the flute.

We all encouraged him to learn to play it.

Even the queen herself, after

Lady Nellifer gave it to him.

You say Lady Nellifer gave it to him?

Yes, she seemed very fond of him.

Who could have foreseen

that this would happen?

- You may go now.

- Yes, my lord.

My lady.

My lady.

- I told you not to come back here tonight.

- It was necessary.

- Hamar sent a messenger to Pharaoh.

- I'm not surprised, it's his duty to do so.

Also, Your Majesty, he has sent

men to every city in the kingdom.

To question any man who deals with serpents.

Every fakir, every handler of snakes.

- He suspects, then.

- Why else should he do it?

That is dangerous.

We must be rid of the

man who gave us the snake.

Mabuna will silence him.

- Mabuna...

- No, wait, I have a better plan.

Where will Hamar's

messenger find the Pharaoh?

At the oasis of Solaar. But

what good will that do you to go?

- If Hamar finds...

- I will not go, Mabuna will go.

- What?

- Why not?

With Pharaoh dead, let

Hamar learn what he can.

- Because then I shall rule in Egypt.

- But...

Mabuna will not fail. Will you, Mabuna?

No, my lady.

Do you agree?

- Yes.

- Then tell him the way.

The oasis is near the border

of Tiba. on the road to Byblos.

The queen is dead.

It's hard to believe.

I should not have left.

- You're sure my son was not harmed?

- only badly frightened, sire.

We leave for Luxor at dawn.

See that the men rest and the

camels are ready to start then.

- Yes, sire.

- Leave me, all of you.

Guard!

Guard!

Who are you? Why did you?

You're Nellifer's slave.

Who told you to do this? Speak.

Who told you? Was it her doing?

Did she order it? Did she?

This slave tried to kill

me. I want to know why.

Well, just don't stand there. Make him talk.

He's got to talk.

The man is dead, sire.

only a few knew where I

was. She was one of them.

- Be careful, sire, the wound is not serious...

- I know that.

- But you must not...

- Bandage it well.

You, prepare the fastest

camels. I ride for Luxor tonight.

- But sire, your wound...

- I'm the best judge of that.

Do as you're ordered, at once.

Do you remember?

You said to me once, "If

it were mine to give... "

It is not yet mine to

give. But you wanted it.

I wanted it for a long time.

- Now it is yours.

- Yes.

Soon, all will be mine.

- Mabuna should be back tonight.

- Before morning.

Unless he fails.

- What's the matter?

- Nothing.

I suddenly felt cold as if...

As though...

What is the old saying?

As though someone walked on your grave.

Hold me. Tight.

- What's that?

- Camels.

A small troop of camels.

Stay here, all of you.

The camels are part of Pharaoh's bodyguard.

They could be bringing word.

You must go.

You shouldn't be here. Something tells...

Why do you come and see me

when the Pharaoh is gone?

Even my slave is not

here. Is that your doing?

Did you send him away? Answer me!

oh, by the gods. You shall

answer to Pharaoh when he returns.

- He shall answer to me now.

- oh, my lord.

- Traitor, coward.

- Sire.

You were afraid to strike with your own hand.

- Let me speak, sire.

- Now you shall die by mine.

So should all traitors die.

Nellifer, Nellifer.

- Yes, my lord?

- Call Hamar.

Quickly.

Yes, my lord.

You were badly hurt, sire.

I am dying.

Call Hamar, I must talk to him.

I've already called him.

Come closer, so that I can see your face.

Nellifer.

I thought it was your doing.

Because your slave attacked me.

- I'm glad it was not.

- Yes, my lord.

Not both, you said. Remember?

Not both. Choose.

over and over again, you said, "Choose. "

And I chose.

And now, you are my queen.

Where is Hamar?

He is coming, sire.

We've not much time.

I am dying, and you are to live.

I ask only one thing of you.

Promise that I shall be buried as I planned.

Promise me.

Yes, I promise.

That's all I ask.

Just that you...

What is this?

There is only one way you

could have come by this.

- So it was you!

- Yes.

And you can know now.

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