City of the Dead

of his eyes; but a distant bird on the riverbank cried.
    ‘Come,’ said Huy.
    Dawn is a sad time for parting, he thought, as he picked up Senseneb’s bags and followed her into the silent street. He wondered if there was ever a good time; but the worst was dawn.
    They set out on foot and in silence for the southern quay. The only sound was their sandals on the earth. Each felt they should have a multitude of things to say; but neither had a word. It was a relief when they saw the yellow lantern on the boat ahead. A shadow detached itself from the harbour wall and came to meet them, resolving itself into a man.
    ‘We must leave at once,’ said the captain. ‘The queen and her body servants are aboard.’ He turned to Huy. ‘Lady Taheb is accompanying us.’
    ‘Does she know I am here?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘I will see her when the time does not press.’
    The captain nodded.
    Huy took Senseneb’s hand.
    She looked at him. ‘You think you have all the time in the world, and suddenly it is gone. Goodbye.’
    ‘Goodbye. Do not linger. I will come to you soon.’
    She was crying silently. ‘There is so much danger. Po not die.’
    ‘No.’
    ‘I long for you.’
    ‘I long for you.’
    Huy watched her follow the captain up the gangplank to the dark boat which rocked in the red flood water of the River. She did not look back. He watched them cast off, and watched as the wind caught the hoisted sail and drew the sleek ship out into the stream. The River was broad like a sea. He stood there until the boat was just a speck on it.
    ‘A touching sight,’ said a voice dry as sand and as lonely as the desert behind him. Huy turned to see Merinakhte’s gaunt figure leaning against the corner of a shed. It was almost light now, but there were no other ships drawn up at the southern quay, and they were alone. Merinakhte’s shadow reached from where he stood to the edge of the water.
    ‘She didn’t use the ointment I sent her to pretty herself up for you.’ The voice carried a detached regret.
    ‘I don’t understand you,’ said Huy. The doctor was dressed in rather battered finery, and the ochre and kohl on his face had rubbed and run. He looked tired but his eyes were hard. ‘Then perhaps you will understand this!’
    The jolt into screaming rage caught Huy off guard, but even for a man of his speed and length of stride, Merinakhte had too great a distance to cover to make his first attack pay, and the bronze surgical scalpels he held in each hand stabbed air. He wheeled round instantly, gulping air, but there was fear in his face now, along with the fury. Unless he killed Huy cleanly and quickly, he had thrown his entire career away by this one action. That was as far as his thoughts ran. He had bidden sanity farewell long ago, and sacrificed ambition to vengeance. Blood swam before his eyes as they focused on his prey. He raised his stabbing arms again, his hands like claws around the hafts of the knives. Huy had turned too, using the two or three seconds before Merinakhte resumed his attack to look desperately around him for a weapon. The quay was bare. There was not even a wooden spar on the ground. If he used his own knife, he would have to close with the doctor, and he did not relish the idea. But he reached behind him and drew it from its sheath at the back of his belt.
    The sight of a weapon drawn against him checked Merinakhte’s onslaught and he dropped his arms, hissing. He crouched, circling Huy, looking for an opportunity to dart in and stab before his opponent had a chance to use his knife. Huy backed away. He was between Merinakhte and the water now. The current, even this close to shore, was very fast. Only the strongest swimmer could avoid being swept away.
    Then he noticed the rope. It was a heavy ship’s line loosely coiled by the bronze ring to which it was attached. He looked quickly to see if Merinakhte had seen it too, but the doctor’s eyes were fixed on him. Gradually, Huy retreated until he was within reach of the rope. Then he dropped to one knee.
    ‘Don’t kill me,’ he pleaded.
    With a shriek of triumph Merinahkte charged. Huy seized the rope and flung it towards him. It snaked between his legs and tripped him. He fell forwards heavily, the blades of the scalpels snapping as they hit the quay. Merinakhte had hit the ground heavily, and Huy saw blood burst in the centre of his face as his nose was crushed. He moved in quickly, but Merinakhte was staggering to his feet.
    The only