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Ptolemy's Gate

Ptolemy's Gate

Titel: Ptolemy's Gate Kostenlos Bücher Online Lesen
Autoren: Jonathan Stroud
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Barbary Coast.[1] Next I marched with troops to the Theban desert and ambushed the Bedouin, carrying off a number of hostages. During our return march we were set upon by a group of jackal-headed djinn, who were only narrowly defeated.[2]

[1] During which we successfully destroyed the principal pirate fort and released a hundred captives. The scrap was memorable mainly for me fighting single combat with a fiery afrit above two sinking ships. We chased back and forth along the burning oars, and fenced among the rigging using portions of the broken mast. In the end I brained him with a lucky blow and watched him sink, still smoldering, into the pea-green depths.

[2] A certain red-skinned individual was prominent among them. After causing general havoc, Jabor was finally put out of action when I lured him into a system of sandstone caves and caused the tunnel roof to collapse upon him.

Without pause for rest, I headed south to join the main body of the king's army in search of vengeance against the hill peoples of the lower Nile. The campaigns here lasted two months, ending with the infamous Battle of the Cataracts, during which I fought twenty foliots on a lip of stone high above the frothing waters. Losses were grave, but the day was won, and peace was restored to the region.[3]

[3] An Egyptian peace, that is. Still plenty of rape, pillage, and murder, but now carried out byus, rather than against us. So that's all right.

I had been put through considerable trials, but my essence was strong, and I did not resent it. In truth, my master's researches— his desire to establish parity between djinni and human—had touched me, despite my skepticism. I dared to hope that something might come of it. Even so, I feared for him. He was altogether unworldly, insensible to perils all around.
    One night, during our occupation of the hill country, a bubble materialized inside my tent. Ptolemy's face showed in the glassy surface, faint and far away.
    "Greetings, Rekhyt. I hear congratulations are in order. Word of your successes has reached the city."
    I bowed. "Is your cousin chuffed?"
    My master seemed to sigh. "Unfortunately the people proclaim this as my victory. Despite my protestations, they cheer my name to the rooftops. My cousin is not pleased."
    "This is unsurprising. You must—What's that on your chin? Is that a scar?"
    "It is nothing. An archer fired on me in the street. Penrenutet flung me aside and all is well."
    "I'm coming back."
    "Not yet. I need another week to complete the work. Return in seven days. In the meantime, go where you wish."
    I stared at the face. "Really?"
    "You're always moaning about the limitations of free will. Now's your chance to experience it. I'm sure you can tolerate the pain of this Earth for a little longer. Do what you want. See you in seven days." The bubble became a vapor and was gone.
    This invitation was so unexpected that for some minutes I could only wander aimlessly around the tent, rearranging the cushions and looking at my reflection in the polished brasses. Then the full import of his words struck me. I stepped outside, took a last look around the camp and, with a cry, launched myself into the air.
    Seven days passed. I returned to Alexandria. My master stood in his workroom, wearing a white tunic without sandals. His face was thinner than before, his eye sockets gray with tiredness, but he gree ted me with his old enthusiasm. "Right on time!" he said. "How was the world?" "It is broad and beautiful, though there is too much water in it. In the east mountains rise to the stars, to the south forests swallow the land. The architecture of the Earth is infinitely varied; it has given me much to think about."
    "Some day I shall see it too. And humans? What of them?"
    "They erupt in isolated patches, like pimples on a bottom. Most do without magic, I believe."
    Ptolemy grinned. "Your insights are profound. Now it is my turn." He led' me to a door and showed me into a quiet inner chamber. The floor was covered with a circle—larger than average—decorated with hieroglyphs and runes. Beside it, on the floor, were herbs, charms, piles of papyrus and wax tablets, all covered in my master's scrawl. He gave me a tired smile. "What do you think?"
    I was busy scanning the pentacle's barriers and word chains. "Nothing special here. Fairly standard issue."
    "I know. I tried all kinds of complex reinforcements and hexes, Rekhyt, but it just felt wrong. Then it occurred to me: all our

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