Читать книгу Princess history - В. Спейс - Страница 7

Kshatr rode his donkey through the desert barchans all night, checking his way through the stars. The sun had already painted the sky in pink tones of the sunrise, when in the distance bunches of still shaded palms appeared, which loomed on the horizon with a solid dark stripe.

Gradually the twilight retreated, clinging to the shadows of the dunes of the dunes. At this time, with the onset of the morning, a slight breeze blew a harbinger of a hot day. The donkey suddenly gave a sudden, sharp cry, as if happily telling the rider About the near end of the road. Ksatr splashed the animal with his palm on the right warm side, pacifying the ear-splitting cheers, encouraged by the words:

– I also see an oasis with tasty dates and olives that grow there, and most importantly, we finally get drunk on pure spring water.

And the donkey again answered the horseman with approving and joyous cries, in agreement with the host.

«You’re a clever worker, I’m sorry to part with you, but there’s nothing to be done, you’ll find yourself a new owner.»

The clay buildings of Agurmi were surrounded by a high wall built by the townspeople from all the same clay found in these places everywhere. Entrance to the capital of the oasis led through the city carved gates with engraving, heavy wings of which were made of palm tree. In the afternoon the gates opened from the very morning, and everyone could enter and leave the city. Agurmi is located around a rocky hill on top, which is the temple complex of the Oracle of Zeus-Amon Ra.

From a distance, Kshatra was struck by the fact that the elevation on which the temple of Amun stands resembles a man-made gigantic Buddhist stupa. Yes, it could not be otherwise, the priest guessed, because the erection under the temple of a giant, in several underground passages, a labyrinth could only be done when a shelter was built for this purpose. For the departed highly developed races that lived before us, with their construction technologies, this was feasible work. A clay soil, building material, is selected from the vicinity, which is confirmed by the formed valley below sea level around the rock. The departed civilizations possessed technologies of transformation of clay soils on hardness comparable to rocky rocks, which is confirmed by this elevation on which there is a temple complex. Reflecting on this, the path seemed imperceptible. And now the donkey entered the open gates of Agurmi and Kshatr sent him to the center of the city to see the temple complex, surrounded by high walls of four human height. The gate to the temple complex was wide open, and Kshatr sent his donkey to the foot of the steps. At the first step of the staircase he dismounted and standing beside the donkey waited. A long time passed. The sun reached its zenith, mercilessly burning the shaved head of the priest. Here on the dais, though a fresh wind blew, but bumping into a barrier of high walls, lost its freshness and was not felt here at all. Ksatr has become accustomed to the heat of his long life. He learned to endure with ease and patience all the hardships that human existence alone is capable of under the scorching sun of the deserts, blown out by the dry winds of khamsin. Only his donkey could not withstand the searing sunlight. He loudly began to cry for help, issuing such plaintive tones in his voice that he could not hear the animal, could not at all in the temple, who were probably closely following the newcomer. Apparently, however, the desperate cries of the animal became unbearable for the closed priests, as a servant sent by the high priest left the doorway of the sanctuary. He did not go down to the alien and from the heights of the steps shouted to Kshatra:

«What do you and your companion need here in a holy place?»

– Drink the donkey, and meet with the supreme Ur Hem Neter, the guardian of the shrines of the Oracle, talking with Amon! Answered Ksatr. Hearing him, the minister disappeared into the temple. After a while he reappeared with a wooden tub filled with water and a scoop, and descended the steps, put the bucket near Kshatra, scooped water out of it and handed the scoop to Kshatra. The donkey did not wait for the invitation to the tub, but immediately lowered his head to the water, began to drink. When the guests got drunk, the clerk said:

«The Supreme Guardian is waiting for you.» Go straight to you meet the high priest. I’ll take the donkey, I’ll give him food, the laws of hospitality are sacred here, just like our land in the oasis of Amun Ra.

With these words of a servant, Kshatr, from a sack loaded on a donkey, took out the bundle wrapped in soft linen cloth, and then handed the donkey reins to the temple attendant and began to walk up the steps to the doorway of the entrance to the sanctuary. From here, from the staircase, the interior of the room was not visible, the blackness of the door opening, an impenetrable curtain hanging over the entrance leading into the sanctuary. Kshatr entered the room. The eyes that kept the bright light of the sun’s rays, did not see anything around.

«What are you asking, guest from the desert?» – the voice of an invisible person who addressed him unexpectedly, sounded out of this darkness, made him start in surprise. Ksatr turned his head mechanically to the speaker’s side. Through the scattering gloom, as the eyes became accustomed, a figure of the high priest Ur Hem Neter appeared in a white, long toe-robed apparel. Below, near the ankles, along the perimeter of the clothing was a red wide with human palm embroidery strip with a woven golden thread, which gave the clothes of the keeper of the temple of the Oracle a rich decoration. The same embroidery ended with wide sleeves at the wrists of the hands. The head of the priest was clean-shaven. The eyes were summed up in black, emphasizing the gleam of the pupils, which made it difficult to tear off the view, which gave the priest a hypnotic advantage of influencing the interlocutor and the ability to subordinate him to his will. The room was cool and full of spicy honey smells, mixed with the smell of wax and incense incense.

– Greetings to you a descendant of the tribe of the priests expelled from the temple of Shiva Nataraja, that in Hindustan and who found refuge here in the oasis of Amun. I am the supreme priest of the temple of Lord Shiva from the shores of the Indus, brought you a sacred gift that must be preserved in the labyrinth of treasures, along with priceless treasures stored in the bowels of this sacred place. Accept and preserve this divine gift there. With these words, Kshatr unfolded the cloth, and the crown gleamed with a pomegranate ruby sparkle, the stones interspersed with leaves in a frame of black metal.

– About! cried the high priest of the god Amon. «This is the Black Crown of the Gods!» – This priceless relic should be kept here in the temple of the god Zeus-Amon Ra! – he wailed excitedly.

Author’s note:

From the ancient papyrus, the description of the Crown of the Gods – «On a narrow round hoop of black metal, thin, rounded, broadened at the ends black bipartite leaves bent outward. In the three sheets of a slightly larger size, apparently marked the crown, sparkling large scarlet stones, apparently rubies. Above the leaves, the bands of the same black metal were folded inwards. Ahead, where there were rubies, the strip ended with protruding teeth. On each side on the ground, which corresponded to the head on the head, golden discs were embedded in strips. In the center of each disc there were sticks of strange gray color, in the form of short posts, with flat ground ends. They dazzled brilliantly in the sunlight, eclipsing the burning of rubies. Exactly the same stones were embedded in the back strips, joined by two arms above the parietal part of the ornament.

A careful glance could be noticed that the special brilliance of the gray crystals came from the small particles scattered inside the clouds with metallic mirror-like ebb.»

– I am forced to bring this sacrifice here in this place, where the greatest commander of Alexander the Great, the Oracle called the son of the god Zeus-Amon Ra! And the Black Crown of the Gods is meant for a man whose veins are the blood of the gods.

– You, the repository of the relics of the gods, doubted the predictions of the Oracle? – The threatening voice rumbled high priest.

«No, I do not enter into disputes with the gods, for they lead the destinies of mortals.» I brought this gift for storage in a labyrinth of treasures, and ask to place the Black Crown of the Gods in the vault. Kshatr demanded to the keeper.

– I cannot do this, because I do not have a second key to open the door to the labyrinth of treasures. The second key must be kept by Pharaoh of Egypt Ptolemy XII. «Pompously with arrogance,» answered the priest, looking contemptuously at the stranger.

– «It dislikes, and then there is a second copy of the keys.» Those who built the labyrinth certainly took care of this. "Kshatra thought bitterly, and said aloud:

«Today, on the night of the vernal equinox of the twentieth day of the month of Pakhon, Ptolemy XII will be here.» His caravan is approaching the oasis. Give him honors worthy of his royal person. And lead to the labyrinth. Show all the treasures. Give him the opportunity to replenish the treasury, to restore the power of Egypt. And after the place of Ptolemy XII will be occupied by Cleopatra VII, his daughter, do not interfere with replenishing the treasury in times of distress and her. The second half of the key, unlocking the door to the treasury, is with the king, he took him on the road.

– Your priceless relic, oh, the high priest of the temple of Shiva Nataraja, for us it is the divine sign of the god Amon Ra, which gives us the right to keep the crown of the gods. And I, Ur Hem Noether is the supreme keeper of the Oracle temple in the oasis of Siva, I promise you to put a relic of the gods in the vault. We will render a worthy welcome to Ptolemy XII, and his daughter Cleopatra.

Learning About the pilgrimage of Ptolemy XII to the Oracle of the Temple of Zeus-Amon Ra, he replaced the majestic rhetoric of contempt for a constructive dialogue, and the supreme minister of the temple of Amon Ra, the messenger of Kshatra, was warmer.

– I have to you, oh, the most worthy of the worthy Ur Hem Noether, you are the one who speaks with God Amon Ra, and bears the title of the Oracle, which gives you the right to broadcast in the name of the god Zeus-Amon. I need to take in the treasury a little food of the gods, to maintain the strength of the pharaoh, as I will watch his health in the desert.

«I already told you that I do not have a second key from the secret door to the treasury, but I have what you are asking for.» How much do you need? «The priest looked inquiringly into Kshatra’s eyes, waiting for an answer.

«Put me thirty beats (a measure equal to 7.5 grams) of Ambrosia.»

Ur Hem Heter made a sign to the attendant. He approached, bending to the ear of the approaching servant; the high priest whispered something in his ear. Having received the instruction, the minister withdrew. After a while, the returning servant handed the bag with the contents to the high priest.

«That’s what you asked for.» – Pulling a bag of soft leather Kshatra, said Ur Hem Noether, – Here thirty shat Ambrosia, may God save Amon Ra Pharaoh of Egypt.

Passing the Crown of the Gods and with a bag of fiscal gold, which in ancient Egypt was called Ambrosia, received from the high priest of the Temple of the Oracle of Amon Ra, Kshatr stepped down the stairs. There, with a donkey, the servant of the temple was waiting for him. He handed Kshatru the donkey’s reins, bowing low, expressing his respect for such an important guest. Kshatr led the obedient animal to the market square and sold the donkey, slapping his palms on the sides for the last time. The new owner asked:

«Dervish, are you not taking all your bags?»

– There are medicinal herbs and overseas fragrant tea. Dilute with hot water and prepare a pleasant, thirst quencher. To me anymore what for. – Kshatr answered, removing from the donkey a leather bag full of bundles. «Everything else that’s on it is yours, and tea and herbs.»

– I respect the tea here for a fortune; I cannot accept such an expensive product. – frightened the new owner of the donkey.

– You have nothing to worry About, I did not steal this tea, well, you want, take this gift from me as a tribute to you. I am a rich man and I have everything, even if you have a little good for the soul of the goods, it will be pleasant for me to remember that my donkey is in good and good hands. Kshatr said warmly, throwing his bag on his shoulder, and again turned to the merchant: «Tell me, good man, can you buy a good young camel?»

– Yes. You’ll go through the bazaar, behind it there will be a corral for the cattle, where the merchants sell good pack and race camels. There you will find anyone that suits you. – The new owner of the donkey answered, patting the animal on the sides.

«I’m very grateful to you, kind man.» Now I see that my donkey is in good hands.

«Well, if you say so, I’ll accept this gift, thank you.» Be happy and all the best to you, kind person. But the money that I gave you for a donkey is not enough to buy a camel; you need to have a fortune for this. – With a cunning eyebrow and a smile, the trader answered.

«Do not worry About enough money for this.» Kshatr answered calmly. The merchant surprised Kshatra from head to foot with surprise, counting his response with insolence. He was very puzzled by the poor clothes of the donkey’s salesman. But, nevertheless, he began to closely monitor Kshatr, watching which way he would go. And making sure that the poor donkey vendor is moving toward the cattle paddock, he made a sign to the people watching him. Those followed after the man who wanted to buy a camel.

Ksatr carefully examined the camels sold, asked the sellers how often they buy pack animals. The sellers replied that caravans arriving in the oasis needed young and healthy pack animals and that this was not a problem for these places. Kshatr talking with the sellers, surrounded him from all sides, and noticed several people that they came for him and silently, stood at a distance. Deciding that you can always buy a good pack camel, he left the market square.

Kshatr left the capital of the oasis Siva Agurmi, stepping forward to meet the alleged movement of the caravan of the pharaoh. For a while, he watched a string of camels moving toward Agurmi, and then turned to the aircraft standing next to him. I went into it. After a few moments a huge flying saucer soared into the sky and dissolved there, turning into an invisible point…

Cleopatra, sitting in the saddle of a camel, removed the curtains from the canopy. Looking impatiently at the misty distance of the stretching barchans, trying first to see the lands of the oasis. Suddenly a bright flash broke out in the blue of the sky and the sky pierced the lightning. She quickly jumped off the camel and rushed headlong to the horse on which Pharaoh was riding. The caravan driver stopped the camels; all froze in superstitious fear, waiting for what Pharaoh would say.

«Father!» – Cried the princess, approaching Avletu, – Zeus-thundered gives us a sign, you saw the lightning that the star swept over the barchans?! Exclaimed Cleopatra excitedly.

«I did not hear the thunder, it’s a good sign.» Zeus-Amon Ra gave a friendly gesture to us. This means that we are under his full patronage and that we are on the right track, my daughter. Go, you have nothing to worry About; we will soon be in Agurmi.

Cleopatra, encouraged by the words of Ptolemy, with the help of a guide, sat down under a canopy in the camel’s saddle, and the caravan moved on. Soon after the barchans at the horizon there were beams of green tops of date palms. The path of the caravan was nearing its end.

At the end of the day a caravan of the pharaoh appeared in the vicinity of the oasis…

Kshatr appeared to the Supreme Curator of the Solar System with a report of the work done on Pharaoh Ptolemy XII and his daughter Cleopatra. Entering the Curator’s residence, he went under the vigilant accompaniment of the security robots to the reception room. Before Kshatr the doors of the door opened, allowing the priest to enter the waiting room. An invisible barrier stopped Kshatra, and immediately he saw on himself a thin ligature of the rays of the scanning device that slid over it, looking for harmful viruses and unwanted objects that could cause harm. When the suspicious was not found, the invisible wall disappeared, and Kshatr walked to the door of the office. As always, at his desk from the green translucent stone sat Curator with a friendly smile.

– Greetings to you Supreme Curator Theo! Arrived from the oasis Siva, report on the completed task.

«Greetings, Priest Kshatra.» I know everything you’ve done and I’m grateful.

– I am glad to serve the Galactic Coalition for the sake of the prosperity of the Earth and the Solar System.

«Ptolemy will receive a lethal dose of radiation from the radioactive radiation of the Black Crown.» You have to save his life, as long as possible.

– Why, your supremacy, the Coalition decided on this step?

– Ptolemy XII knowingly bears the nickname Avlet. He is not so much a ruler as an artist. The hope of Egypt in a strong ruler and this ruler will be Cleopatra. And the extinction of her father before her eyes will be a strong incentive to absorb the knowledge of the art of governing a huge country. To preserve independence at the level of the power of Rome. I see in the young princess and the mind, and willpower, and the courage of a strong ruler in preserving the descendants of the civilization of the Phaeton.

– What do I have to do next? Ksatr asked.

«Return to Ptolemy as a Witch Doctor.» Extend his life as much as it will be possible after this exposure to the Black Crown…