Egypt -- History -- To 332 B.C. -- Fiction; Historical fiction
All unsuspecting of Bhanar’s treachery, Sesen had placed the little slave
at the door to watch. Bhanar’s heart beat so violently that it well-nigh
suffocated her. A glimpse of her mistress reaching out her fingers toward
the statue, her mistress’ other self, struck suddenly a tardy repentance
into the very soul of the despairing slave-girl.
Suddenly Bhanar started. Three figures had turned into the narrow
garden-path and were rapidly approaching. In the foremost of the three
Bhanar recognized Bar the Memphite. Menna’s former spy was speaking in
loud tones and violently gesticulating as he hurried the others up the
path. Two archers of Prince Wozer’s guard strode behind him.
Forgetful of herself, her jealousy and treachery, Bhanar shrieked aloud;
“Renny! My Renny! Bar is here, Menna’s spy! Fly, while there is yet time!”
At her first words, Renny leaped to the door. A glance showed him his old
enemy. Who could have betrayed them?
Hardly knowing what he would do, he drew the Princess down behind the
festooned pedestal, covering her at the same time with its heavy wreaths
and flowers.
Even as he paused, rapidly scanning the effect, the outer door was burst
violently open and the giant Bar pushed headlong into the room.
In the doorway, looming large against the afterglow, Renny beheld the
sturdy forms of the two archers.
Bar shot a hasty glance at the statue, then ripped out an oath: “Dog, son
of a dog, the Princess. Where is she?”
With a smile upon his pale face, Renny slowly raised his hand and pointed
to the statue. Then suddenly as Bar turned, he sprang straight at the
Memphite and struck, alas, in vain, for his dagger broke short off
against Bar’s hidden leather corslet.
Realizing that his last moment had come, Renny slowly drew his long
Asiatic sleeve across his bowed head. Motionless, he anticipated the
arrow that trembled between the thumb and forefinger of one of the
guardsmen who, at his sudden attack upon the Memphite, had moved up into
the room.
The twang of the bow thrummed in his ears, and, with it, a choking sob
and the thud of a falling body.
Quickly Renny threw aside the light covering from his face, dreading
what his trembling heart too truly warned him he should see. With a cry
of agony he dropped beside the limp body of the dead Bhanar. Gently he
lifted her head, scanned her face, breathed her name. In vain! Too well
had Wenamon’s arrow done its work! A few red feathers and an inch of
reed showed just above the white robe of his little countrywoman. The
rest of the long shaft was buried in her breast.
Renny rose slowly to his feet. His gaze swept the terrified archers
to the threshold of the door. With a roar like that of some southern
panther maddened with its wounds, once more he hurled himself upon the
treacherous Bar.
His onslaught hurled the dagger from the nerveless hand of the
horror-struck Memphite. For that worthy stood gazing, as if fascinated,
at the upturned face of the dead Bhanar.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account