The Land of the Pharaohs Page #3

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happened to him. And this?

This is different, my lord.

- It begins here...

- Different in what way?

I just brought treasure back to Egypt

that was stolen from a tomb like this...

...three nights after the crypt was sealed.

And look what we have here. Hamar,

it's like meeting an old friend.

A false tunnel and a false

crypt to hide the real one.

It would scarcely keep out the wind.

Are they all like these?

What reason is there to build

a pyramid to hold a tomb...

...if the tomb may be violated?

It is better to lay the

treasure on the sand...

...so that the thieves

will not disturb my body.

You may go, all of you.

Go home and consider yourselves lucky...

...that you've escaped

the lash or the dungeon.

Go on. Get out of here!

- I was afraid of this, Hamar.

- I'm sorry, sire.

These plans have been

used for a royal tomb...

...and not one has escaped the grave robbers.

There are many thieves and very few Pharaohs.

I'm waiting to hear your solution, sire.

Why do you presume I have one?

You were curiously gentle with the builders.

Does anyone have a secret from you?

What is your plan, sire?

Do you know what happened in the

last battle for that Cushite city?

only the outcome.

Yes, the outcome was very

nearly disastrous for us.

There were three passes

that led into the city.

Two of them were narrow,

rock-filled nightmares...

...where a legion could

be held by half as many.

The third was almost a highway.

There seemed to be no possible defense.

That highway was one of

the most cunning traps...

...that has ever been constructed.

When we were well into it...

...parts of the road

dropped, creating pitfalls.

other parts suddenly rose as if by magic...

...giving shelter to the defenders.

Luckily, I had sent small

divisions through the other passes.

They fought their way through and

fell upon the defenders from behind.

The man who constructed those defenses...

...was the finest builder who

has ever worked with stone.

When the city was taken...

...I gave a gold sword to the

soldier who brought him to me alive.

- Is his name vashtar?

- What?

When I heard of a special treatment,

the tent and the food you ordered...

...for one of the captives,

I made some inquiries.

I had him brought here.

He's waiting outside.

Bring him here.

Is the captive vashtar here yet?

- Yes, my lord.

- Bring him in.

I should have known better than try

to keep a secret from you, my friend.

You are vashtar?

The man who prepared the

defenses of your city?

I am the architect who drew the plans.

You cost me many lives. I

congratulate you on your work.

Each of us must fight with weapons as he has.

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