Free Gary Gygax - Dangerous Journeys 2 - Samarkand Solution by Gary Gygax Page B

they had been, then strode to the high priest's sitting room, which adjoined the library. He had hardly gotten comfortable there before the door opened and the hem-neter-tepi entered. Matiseth's face registered both surprise and anger when he discovered the presence of the priest-wizard there.
    "This is an outrage, Inhetep! How dare you break into my suite?"
    "I entered through the door, sir. How can you suggest I forced my entry here? Why, Chemres, that would violate the law!"
    "We'll see about this," the high priest spat. "Get out!"
    "As soon as you have answered a few more questions for me, Chemres. Consider this an official demand."
    "You have the power, Inhetep, but not for long. I have friends in the royal household who will see that you're removed from all connection with the Utchatu!"
    "Pray, do just that. I would enjoy learning who in Pharaoh's court serves Set." The man paled a little, glared at Inhetep, but then sat down and crossed his legs, resigned to suffer the magister's intrusion. "Much better," Setne said with a smile, which conveyed neither mirth nor friendliness. "I believe you are in some considerable degree of trouble, Hem-neter-tepi, and it will take more than your position as high priest to get you out of it. Are you interested in being cleared of complicity in the death of Ram-f-amsu?"
    The cleric shook his head. "I don't know what you're talking about, Inhetep. Do you have some charge you'd care to bring against me?"
    "No, not at this time. You know what I'm suggesting, though, Chemres. The former governor had far-reaching ambitions, and most of them went well beyond the boundaries of his official territory, the On sepat."
    "Mere speculation—although I freely admit to knowledge regarding Prince Ram-f-amsu's desire to make On a center for trade and finance. He sought to better the sepat and all the realm."
    "Of course, of course. So the story goes. There's no need for all of that nonsense now. Answer my question: will you give me your full assistance in exchange for a clean slate regarding the prince's assassinations?"
    Matiseth Chemres paused to consider. "That depends on what you mean by that, Inhetep. As a noble and ecclesiastic leader of the kingdom, I am always intent upon assisting—"
    "Again, man, save that! I must know who
    Ram-f-amsu associated with and who was leagued with him in his nefarious schemes."
    "That information is unknown to me. I was a counselor and a friend of Prince Ram-f-amsu, Magister Inhetep. The major domo alone can state with certainty just who was visiting the governor's palace regularly and was accorded such status."
    The wizard-priest arose. "I think you are making a serious error in judgement, Matiseth Chemres, hem-neter-tepi or no. The murder of a governor isn't going to be swept under a mat, and the investigation will turn up things which will surely be damning to your interests . . . and you personally! One last chance . . ."
    "Good night, Magister. I don't think that you, or all the Utchatu, let alone the local police, will be able to discover the cause of poor Ram-f-amsu's death. You call it murder, but who can really say?"
    "And the rest?"
    "Utter nonsense. Politically motivated lies and baseless accusations—if anything else ever does arise. Speak to the others present on that terrible night, if you wish. They will certainly support what I have said."
    Setne tried then to discover the stray thoughts coming from the high priest's mind, but the man was a blank. "You were always overweaning, Chemres. Please remember what I have said to you. The offer of immunity extends for a time yet. I will withdraw it only if you force me to and I have no other option."
    "Not that I admit to knowing what you're talking about, Inhetep, but why are you extending yourself so much on my behalf? We serve opposed purposes, adhere to different politics, and have a long-standing dislike for each other."
    "Professional courtesy might suffice, but it actually goes beyond that,