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«You are right, Kshatra, so it will be more reasonable.» But, tell me, how are you going to cross the desert for the remaining five days of the journey, and even alone?
«I agree with you.» All these five days I will be with the caravan. The remaining section of the road, after five days’ journey, I’ll leave first and fulfill my planned mission. «The guest answered very importantly.
Avlet was embarrassed by pride, which he observed in the behavior of the newcomer, and, in order not to attract the attention of the guards by leaving the guest’s tent, he said to him:
«You can go out of the tent unnoticed, come with me.» – Avlet led the guest to the back wall of the tent to the carpet hanging on the wall. He threw back the curtain of the carpet and said: «Look, there’s an inconspicuous way out in the tent, you can open it only from the inside, pushing aside this bamboo pole.» – Avlet grabbed a bamboo frame of the tent with his hand and pulled it on himself. In the tent immediately formed an opening. Kshatr with quick movements put on a veil and with the words of Avlet: – I will order that you will be accepted into the servant-cook, you will be at the kitchen all the way.
Ksatr nodded his head to Pharaoh as a token of gratitude, and he slipped into the formed path, hiding in the night darkness of the camp.
When a guest talk with his father had died down, and the tent was filled with silence, Cleopatra, tormented by thoughts of Anthony, decided to go to his father.
– I cannot sleep.
Avlet poured himself a palm wine into a bowl, sipping, said:
«It always happens in a new place.»
«Why did I fall asleep fast in Rome, father.»
– In Syria and Rome, you were still a child. Now you are a young and beautiful princess. You are already, my daughter, fifteen years old. This is the flowering of a young girl. And at your age, young princesses rarely fall asleep quietly. – said Avlet, guessing the cause of insomnia daughter.
– Father play me on the flute, under her wonderful sounds anxiety and fears pass, thoughts calm down and they wind pleasant dreams…
Kshatriyas, stealthily made his way to the corner of the wall of the tent, which was the entrance to Pharaoh’s bedchamber and looked at the dark figure looming in the guard that was standing there. At that time melodic sounds of a flute were heard from the tent.
Dionysius, hearing the soft sound of the flute, was banging into the night, as it seemed to him, to his partner, who was guarding along with him the entrance to the tent:
– It’s not for nothing that Pharaoh the twelfth of the Ptolemies was called Avletom. He does not even part with the flute even in the desert. – But his partner did not hear. And Dionysius spoke louder to his friend:
«Grigoris, why do not you respond when the senior guard tells you?»
Grigoris could not hear him at that time. He sprawled on the cold sand, his head resting on a shield from the shell of sea turtles, and was fast asleep, basking near the hot coals of fire, and said just loud snoring, forgetting their responsibilities to protect the divine governor god Zeus in the earth, the Pharaoh of Egypt Ptolemy XII Avleta. Dionysius did not wake his comrade. And the sky above the tent, desert barchans, sleeping camels and horses in the middle of the town square – shone with an endless multitude of stars.
Ksatr, having looked around, walked quickly to the hay-bred camels, where his donkey with two sacks on his back stood at a distance. He took off his bags and said something in the ear to the donkey. From this the animal knelt on the front, and then, bending its hind legs, sank to the sand. Kshatr put the two bags under his feet, not to lie on the cold sand, his body leaned against the warm side of the donkey and dozed off.
At dawn, the caravan of the pharaoh left the place of Seket El Sultan…
Chapter Five
The nights in the desert among the barchans were cold. The slaves serving the caravan of Pharaoh had to sleep near the bales of hay. Arranged spiked tightly adjacent to each other, protecting the place of overnight travelers. The warmth that came from the woven camel wool covered the tired people, saving them from the nights cold. Meanwhile, slaves always built a tent for Pharaoh and his daughter. Every time, before overnight, the vanguard laden with baggage horses, for the construction of the tent and utensils for cooking, horseback nominated far forward, and smashed the tent for the night Pharaoh. A «wet nurse» Cleopatra, Kshatriyas in the image Onishi, helping the servants, cooks dinner in preparation for the Pharaoh and his daughter. From fresh mutton, pilaf was cooked and brewed according to a special recipe of the «wet nurse» of Onisia, tea from dried aromatic medicinal herbs, which Kshatr carried with him in bales on his donkey.
The fifth day of the journey through the desert sands of the Sahara came to an end. In the afternoon, in this spring month, Pakhon, the god of the moon, Jorge, the son of Amon Ra and the goddess Mut, the heat in the desert was not as ruthless as in the summer. It was the 19th day of the month of Pakhon (March). The rays descended on the barchans of the sands, coloring the crests with the red shades of the setting sun. Evening desert at this time no longer so inflamed eyes with bright shades of sand and opened with a theater of colors of the pre-day. Cleopatra, swaying sadly in the saddle of a camel, looked with a detached gaze of huge eyes to the shaking heavenly silks of the curtains of her refuge, protecting her eyes from the searing rays of the desert sun. From time to time, she closed her eyelids, falling into a nap. Thoughts at this time disappeared, the sensation of the body went into non-existence, and all the surrounding reality ceased to exist. Such a state of her being helped overcome the hardships of the road and did not think About Antony. Thoughts About him stirred the young heart of the princess day by day, and even the memory of the childhood love of Gnaeus Pompeius the Younger, her memories of dating him in exile could not be saved from the sudden flash of very strong love at first sight to Antony. Still there, in the estate of Genia Pompey the Elder on the Alban hills, when she and Pompey the Younger bathed in the pool, Antony unceremoniously approached with a friendly smile to her and offered his hand, helping to get out of the pool water. How his touch pierced his heart, and how long she watched him on the trail, when Pompey the Elder called the guests to the table, and the hero retired to the hall to the guests. Since and then, and to this day, Antony has not left her young dreams. Dreaming only About him, she admired his stately figure, his bearing in the saddle, when his cavalry decided the outcome of the battle at the gates of the fortress, which had become on the way of her return and her father from exile to Egypt. And how unjustly his father acted with him, refusing his cavalry to guard the caravan. The heart of the princess was broken and it seemed that nothing could help her to endure these endless minutes, hours, days of the journey, in the endless chain of desert barchans. Suddenly the camel stopped. To drive away the obsession of thoughts About him, Antony, she nervously threw back the curtain that covered it under the awning. The princess’s gaze fell on the rays of the setting sun, a gigantic fan in the sky at the very horizon. On a chain of camels that froze motionless. It was evident that the conductor was being inspected, making the path more precise. Cleopatra decided to take advantage of the caravan stop and jumped off the peacefully frozen camel on the sand of the barchans. In the distance, an obelisk of the pharaoh’s tent, erected in the wind, a sign of the untouchable governor of the god, erected on the earth clothed in divine authority over the people of Egypt, Pharaoh Ptolemy XII, appeared by the slaves. The driver of the caravan, with his palm pressed to his forehead, resumed his move toward this landmark. Pharaoh riding his bay horse rode a string of camels, no longer ahead of the caravan, as the first days of the journey. The campaign affected him, fatigue pressed on the shoulders and thoughts of his rule by Egypt, were scattered, concentration on one thing and the important thing flew away the bird away, giving a place of fatigue. Avlet did not immediately realize that he was being approached by a conductor:
– Your divine greatness, we arrived at the night. Tomorrow you will see an oasis of Amun. He stood beside Avlet’s horse, waiting for instructions.
Pharaoh awoke from a napping drowsiness, looked around. The slaves already took the camels to the parking lot, placing the animals for the night. The luggage was removed from the animals and the portions of hay for feeding were taken from the bales. Carefully the camel drivers drove the animals to the sand first to the front legs, and to the rear legs. This was necessary in order for the camel not to lie on its side, otherwise he would not want to get up on the next day and raise the animal very hard, leaves for almost the whole day. The protection of the pharaoh brought the horses together and sipped each of the leather wineskins, and then special bags of oats were hung on the heads of the horses so that the oats of the horse could eat. And people began to build bonfires and is preparing to cook food and spend the night in the cold night of the desert.
«Yes, Creon.» I do not see my cooks and the place where my dinner is prepared? – getting off the horse, Pharaoh told the guide with reproach.
«Oh, divine, the fire is already burning behind the tent.» There the servants refreshed the last sheep, and the cooks prepare food for your royal majesty and your divine daughter. – Looking at the sand, bowing his head, spoke the conductor.
«Tell me, Creon,» said Avlet, softening, «is the nurse Onesia with them?»
– There is no it. She told me that I warned you, Divine Majesty, that she would be waiting in the temple of Amon Ra tomorrow.
– You’re free Creon.
The driver of the caravan, not looking at the king, with his head bowed, took five steps, back, turned his back, and retired to the camel drivers that they were preparing to eat and sleep.
Avlet, gave the reins to the slave who came to him, that he was waiting in the distance, and, meeting the daughter, who at that time approached, went with her daughter to the tent. A fresh light breeze suddenly appeared with a cool touch. Pleasantly touched the cheeks of the princess, her chestnut curls moved at her temples and on her high forehead. With a whiff of wind, suddenly, there was a plaintive howl. The sounds subsided, and then reappeared with renewed force, aroused in Cleopatra the alarming forebodings of an impending night in the desert.
«Father, what is this?» – Cleverly asked Cleopatra, – if someone cries, crying for help?
– It’s singing desert sands. When dry winds blow, the desert cries and asks for rain from the sky. – With paternal warmth in his voice replied Avlet.
In the tent Cleopatra sat wearily on the couch and, looking at her father, said:
– About! How tired I am of this transition. Every day an endless series of yellow and white sand dunes reflecting the sunlight that blinds the eyes. The sand crunches on the teeth, powder is poured from the hair. I can no longer endure this hot desert, the neighing of horses, and the loud voices of these guards from your guards who tell each other things About women and at the same time neigh, like the herd of stallions in the pasture, choking with laughter. – Sighing, the princess expressed an annoying and sore displeasure to the parent, hoping for the support of his loving heart. Avlette looked calmly at his daughter, not reacting in any way and not wishing to answer her. His father’s cold reaction even more irritated Cleopatra.
«You, if only you could answer me, why did you drag me into the desert?»
«Oh, my daughter, you will rule the people of Egypt and you must be a strong and courageous, strong spirit ruler who will not allow Egypt to become an appendage of Rome, but will be equal in power and spirit to the power with which Rome is compelled to be reckoned.» And for this, we went with you to the Oasis in the oasis of Amun, for he, and only he, can tell the people of Egypt About our royal power and our might, the power of Pharaoh Ptolemy XII, who leads his race from Ptolemy Lage, a companion of Alexander the Great. This is important especially after the disgraceful capture of our throne by Berenice, your sister, whom I punished by cutting off her head. – With a sense of royal dignity, placing emphasis, answered Cleopatra Ptolemy XII. The daughter sighed again, she remembered this horrible scene of recklessness. When hiding in the throne room of the palace behind the septum with flowers, I witnessed how the executioner on the tray brought Berenika’s severed head and pulled the bloody handkerchief from a dreadful burden, showing his father. Cleopatra did not answer. Silently, she went to the slave girl, who was waiting for her near the entrance to the half-closed tent. Soon, from behind the curtains, splashes of water and the laughter of the servant girl, who told Avetu in the best way, that the mood of her daughter had improved, were heard.
«What do you ask of God?» – in the gloomy illumination of the sanctuary there was a voice. Alexander shuddered in surprise, inspected the space of the room of the great temple. But there was nobody around, except for the huge figure of the giant, his horns bent back, on the broad and powerful chest, on the hands clenched into fists.
«I came to know the truth, who is my father?» And who am I? Asked Alexander. His gaze fell on the yellow glinting eyes gleaming in the dim light of the lamp with black slits instead of pupils. From the twinkling of light, the eyes of the statue seemed alive, emphasizing the auand thenticity of the answers of God himself, Amun.
– Your father Zeus-Amon Ra, you are his son! – The voice answered, and the echo of a sound repeatedly reflected in the bends and protrusions of the walls of the sanctuary was heard, gradually fading.
– I learned the truth! – Said Alexander loudly.
«Ask, do you want to know more?» – a loud voice was heard, again shaking the vaults of the sanctuary, echoing from the bas-reliefs of the ceiling and painting the walls.
«What will immortality give me?» – looking at the glare of the eye sockets of the ear, in the flickering light of the lamps it seemed that the sculpture of Amun was alive and looking at the stranger. Macedonian trembling waited for an answer.
– When you reach the temple of Shiva Nataraja in distant India, you will find the Black Crown of the gods. Put it on, and you will gain enlightened knowledge. Many secrets will be revealed to you. Secrets of the past and future. And you will attain immortality. – As the thunder of heaven rumble the voice of the Oracle, instilling confidence to the invincible Alexander, prompting him to future deeds.
«I will conquer India!» «Macedonian spoke firmly, and with these words left the sanctuary.
In the morning Alexander informed his colleagues About the visit to the Oracle and what he told him. Alexander also announced his decision to be buried in the oasis of Siva, not far from the temple of Amun. Among the companions of Alexander was at this time and Ptolemy Lug, later fulfilled the last will of Alexander. Before leaving the oasis, Alexander, at the invitation of the high priest, visited the temple of Amun once more.
«Have you come alone, as I asked you?» Alexander met the high priest.
– Greetings to you keeper of the home of the Oracle! said the Macedonian. «As you see, I came alone.»
«Come with me, I’ll show you everything that you own now, son of the god Zeus-Amon Ra.»
The priest with the lighted lamp, lighting the way, led the king in an underground passage, from the temple to a massive door with an image of an ancient inscription on it with an unfamiliar writing. The priest took out a double-sided key hanging from his neck, on the leather string, and thrust the doors into the hole first with one end and made a turn. He took out the key, turned it over and put the other end into the well, again turned the second key in the well. With this second action, the door slowly opened, issuing a metallic screech. The priest gestured for Alexander to enter with him into the formed entrance. Alexander’s gaze appeared to the treasures, stored in the room, where he brought his priest. Passing from the room to the room, the gaze of Alexander was represented by gold coins covered with dust. Antique items of gold, inlaid with precious stones, gold vessels stuffed with large, with a chicken egg, diamonds and sparkling gems. The rooms with huge riches seemed to have no account. The priest opened one after another the room behind the room in the endless underground labyrinth and slowly led his story.
– On the planet, our civilization is experiencing a fourth birth. In this sequence of rooms of the underground storehouse, the treasures of the ancestors of the three flowering races that have gone into oblivion are collected. These treasures are many millions of years old and they are all yours, as the son of Zeus-Amon, born of an earthly woman and living on earth. I am entrusted with the Oracle of Amon Ra, to give you a piece of this double key that you will give to your successor by inheritance, who at a difficult time for his kingdom can take advantage of these riches. The key will help the offspring in this. With these words the priest was seen through groove on the mug holder broke, dividing the key into two separate parts and one handed to Alexander, saying:
«Take this part as a precious amulet, and never separate from this second key.»
«Thank you, Guardian of the Oracle,» said Alexander, taking his part of the key. «How many rooms are there?»
– We passed only one hundredth. It’s time to return About the famous warrior named Pharaoh of Egypt by the god Zeus-Amon Ra, for only the son of God has the right to transfer his throne to earthly children by inheritance.
The next day Alexander left the oasis of Siva…
Chapter Six
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.
