Guardian of the Horizon Read Online Free PDF

even more beautiful than Tarek said. She is not your wife?" Ramses's countenance became even stonier. Nefret said, "I told you, we are brother and sister, in affection if not by birth." Realizing, as did I, that the monarchs of the Holy City, like Egyptian pharaohs, often married full or half sisters, Nefret amplified the statement. "I am no man's wife, Merasen, nor about to be." "Now that we have settled that," I said. "What is the message, Merasen?" "It is for the Father of Curses." "Oh, dear," I murmured. "Ramses, will you go and get your father? You needn't mention the identity of our guest," I added. Ramses smiled and went out of the room, leaving the door open. "And you, Nefret," I went on, "might just warn Gargery before he brings the tea tray. I don't want any more cups broken." "He knows," Nefret replied. "We met him in the hall. He was absolutely thrilled." "He would be," I muttered. I heard the rattle of the tea cart, which was coming at a great pace. Emerson got there before it. I could tell from his appearance that he had been hard at work, for he had removed as many of his garments as was proper. His shirt was open and the sleeves rolled above the elbow, baring his muscular forearms. "What is all this?" he demanded. "Ramses said--" His eyes lit upon the prince, who had risen and was making his obeisance. "Ah," said Emerson, without so much as blinking. "A visitor from the Lost Oasis? Sit down, my boy, sit down. I am--" "Emerson, the Father of Curses," the boy breathed. "Now that I see you, I know the stories are true. That you drove a spear straight through a man's body and killed another with your bare hands, and fought a hundred men with sword in hand to help Tarek to the throne." Emerson drew himself up to his full height, basking in the admiration that filled the young man's eyes. "At the bottle already, Peabody?" he inquired, smirking at me. I looked accusingly at Ramses. He shook his head. Ramses preferred equivocation to prevarication, so I had to believe he had not mentioned our visitor to his father. The tea cart rattled in, propelled by Gargery. He was alone; either the maids had been too timid to face the visitor, or, what was more likely, Gargery had seized on an excuse to prolong the service of the genial beverage so that he could listen to our conversation. I had no intention of discussing our visitor's purpose in Gargery's presence, so I dismissed the latter, telling him we would wait on ourselves. He left the door slightly ajar. I slammed it and heard a muffled yelp. I then turned my accusing gaze on my son. "You told your father." "No, Mother, honestly." "Emerson, how dare you pretend you aren't surprised?" Emerson tried to keep a straight face, but he could not. "I saw him through the study window," he admitted with a grin. "Almost fell off my chair. Well, well. You are welcome in my house . . . What is your name, my friend? You may leave off bowing," he added graciously. The young man drew himself up. "I am Merasen. I bring a message to the Father of Curses from Tarek, my brother and my king." Emerson held out his hand. "I do not have the writing," the boy admitted. "It was lost when the slavers took me. But I know the words. I will speak them. 'Come to me, my friends who once saved me. Danger threatens and only you can help me now.' " Curse it, I thought. Glancing at Ramses, I saw my sentiments mirrored in his normally inexpressive face. The expression--tightened lips, narrowed eyes--was fleeting. Emerson--it was just like him!-- responded with chivalrous, unquestioning enthusiasm. "Certainly, certainly! How can we do less?" "Emerson," I said repressively. "You might at least ask what sortof danger Tarek is in before you commit yourself, and us, to what you once referred to as a harebrained adventure." "I agree," said Ramses. "That was quite different," Emerson exclaimed. "On that occasion we were following a rumor and a questionable map, and that villainous servant of Reggie Forthright had