Chapter 10.
“Call the Moguls together. Instruct your runners to tell them we meet at Hakim’s camp on the eve of the new moon. Go now!” Kushkamin motioned his man out of the tent. Shifting his huge weight on the pillows, he gently pushed a concubine aside. She immediately jumped to her hands and knees and backed quickly out.
“Tell the others there will be no need for them tonight.” He belched a thin smile at her as he stretched his feet out in front of him and pulled his robe closed.
Across the enclosure from him, Jahfir, Kushkamin’s trusted confidant did the same. The dark-skinned slave boy, his favorite of the day, smiled up at him nervously. Then he too backed out of the tent.
“The new moon? Why so soon? Why must we disrupt the people’s monthly ritual? You know they won’t be happy about this.”
“They will just have to make do, my friend. We must conduct affairs which will soon effect even them. They are but Kahfir, I know.” the warlord sneered to himself. “They are below our consideration. But this ‘Chief Priest,’ this Shehat; words do not impress him. NUMBERS DO. He and that old hag he calls the queen mother; both of them know that their plan cannot succeed without a horde to back them.”
“A horde, you say? Indeed! I would hardly call 500 men a horde.” Jahfir scratched his groin, then stood slowly, adjusting his clothing back into order. “Besides, how can you be sure all the tribes will unite behind this scheme? We only have 10 who are leaning in our favor, and even THEY are not guaranteed.”
Jahfir walked slowly across the space, careful not to ruffle the loose-woven carpets which kept the sandy desert floor at bay. The rotund Kushkamin rolled over on to all fours, then extended an arm toward his friend.
“Help me up, you fool,” he grunted, standing slowly, leaning on the other man’s lanky frame. “You know as well as I that the promise of gold will be more than enough to persuade them. And when our plan is put into motion, the Pharaoh and all his armies will not be able to stop us. Rest assured, when word leaks out, as we know it will, even the remote tribes will be begging us to let them in on the plunder.”
“Your plan is well-conceived, my fat friend. Take a bribe from Shehat in return for feigned loyalty to him. Then, claiming it to be YOUR treasure, offer it to Pharaoh as a token of your fealty to HIM. Take from the one to pay to the other, while deceiving them both in the bargain. What an ingenious ruse you have woven.”
The two men walked slowly toward the exit, laughing and slapping each other on the back.
“But I have yet to see this ‘mountain of gold’ this priest promises. Only the sack full you brought back from your meeting.”
“Be not concerned, you bony fool. That great structure they call a tomb is certainly filled with treasure. If he does not give it willingly as he promised, we will take it.”
“Assuredly. But what if Pharaoh calls your bluff and demands payment in advance?”
“The Pharaoh is a young and trusting fool” spat Kushkamin. “He is so self-absorbed that he cannot see the conspiracy forming right under his nose. As you know, I am a persuasive man when the situation calls for it. When the time comes. When we descend upon him, he won’t know what is happening until it is too late.
“And his armies? Will they just stand by and let this happen?” Jahfir loosed his grip and turned to push open the door flap. A swirl of dust circled his bare feet.
“By the time that phase of the plan is in play, Pharaoh’s armies will be chasing ghosts south into the wilderness.” Kushkamin stepped back quickly. “Now go! Take a boy with you if you choose. I must rest. Tomorrow I must tell the people to prepare to leave. Hakim expects us there in three days. That is, if this cursed storm will allow it.”
The two men embraced once more. When Jahfir was gone, Kushkamin turned back toward the room.
“The whores will be grateful for tonight’s respite,” he chucked to himself as he waddled back toward his bed.