CHAPTER 4

Crocodile Smile

Have I mentioned how much I like Dedi? That boy really takes after Pharaoh. Hearing my shriek, he ran to the railing and caught me. Khepri was holding on to me, of course, and we both landed safely on the deck.

Not that we had much time to catch our breath. A moment later, Kiya leaned over the side of the barge, “to see the crocodiles up close.” Dedi hauled her back by her tunic, and they started tussling. Miu and I had to keep them from falling overboard.

“Where’s Kiya’s nursemaid?” I asked Miu. “She ought to be helping out here.”

“She’s got a sore foot, poor thing. So it’s up to us to look after these children.” Miu gave me a stern look. “That means no more shirking, Ra.”

“Who’s shirking?” I said. And it was the truth—at least for the next half hour. We herded Dedi and Kiya around the barge until it was time to disembark. Then we had a heart-stopping minute as they crossed the gangplank. Below us, the crocodiles gnashed their teeth.

By the time we finally entered the palace’s spiked gates, the sun was dipping low over the flooded river. It was a relief to reach safety and proceed to the great hall. Though smaller than I was used to, the chamber was spectacular. Huge columns painted with lotus blossoms rose up from a floor as blue as the Nile.

“Thank goodness we’re off that boat,” Miu said as the children went forward, their footsteps echoing on the tiles. “We’re out of danger now.”

“I’m not so sure about that,” Khepri said from his spot between my ears.

One glance ahead and I saw what he meant. At the far end of the hall, Lady Satiah sat on a thronelike golden chair, ready to receive us. Under an impressive wig, her bloodred lips were pressed tight together, without a hint of a welcoming smile. As the children came closer, her kohl-rimmed eyes narrowed, like a crocodile sighting prey.

My fur prickled. Out of danger? Not on your life. We were headed dead straight into it. Every instinct told me so.

“Dedi!” I meowed. “Kiya! Don’t go any closer!” Determined to protect them, I hurtled forward, Miu at my heels.

Ahead of us, Kiya and Dedi stopped short, staring at something in Lady Satiah’s lap.

From high on my head, Khepri whispered, “Is that a crocodile?”

“Yes,” I said, stunned. “I think it is.”

“A small one,” Miu said after a moment.

“He doesn’t look that small to me,” Khepri murmured.

“And even small ones have teeth,” I pointed out.

To be honest, I hadn’t expected to see any kind of animal in Lady Satiah’s lap. From what I could recall, she wasn’t even fond of cats or dogs. So what was she doing with a crocodile?

Judging from her expression, maybe she was planning to turn it loose on Kiya and Dedi. If she did, would anyone stop her? Er…besides me, that is?

I glanced at the people next to Lady Satiah.

Standing closest to her was a man in his prime, dressed with military precision. He might be strong enough to take on a small crocodile, but he had a face as stolid as a tomb statue, and he didn’t look like he was about to intervene.

Next to him was a much older man whose skin was almost as crinkled as the crocodile’s. He was watching the crocodile closely, but he was dressed like a servant, and I doubted he would dare cross his mistress.

Standing awkwardly to one side was a bashful boy who kept looking anxiously at Lady Satiah. I recognized him as her son, Ahmose.

Lady Satiah stared balefully at Kiya and Dedi. “What do you two mean by sailing here alone?” she hissed. “Where is your father?”

“D-Daddy?” Faced with Lady Satiah’s anger, and her crocodile, even Kiya faltered. “He’s…he’s back in Thebes.”

“He’s very sorry he couldn’t come,” offered Dedi, who had been trained in diplomacy. “Perhaps he will visit later.”

“Later, later,” Lady Satiah repeated mockingly. “With him, it’s always later. And his later means never.”

“He is very busy—” Dedi began.

“I sent him a special invitation, and instead he sent you,” Lady Satiah interrupted. “What am I supposed to do?”

“If you don’t wish us to stay, we won’t,” Dedi said with dignity.

It was a brave answer, but also a foolish one. Where else could we stay? It’s risky to navigate the Nile by night because there are so many sandbars. You need a navigator who knows the local currents, and we didn’t have one. The only other place we could stay was the boat itself. I couldn’t imagine trying to keep the crocodiles at bay…

“Very well,” Lady Satiah snapped. “You can—”

The grim-faced man bent down and whispered in her ear. He spoke so low that I couldn’t hear every word, but he called her “sister” and said something about “our advantage.”

Lady Satiah looked angry at first, then thoughtful. When her brother finished whispering, she gave Dedi a toothy smile.

“My dear Ramses Dedumose, don’t be ridiculous. I am always delighted to have Pharaoh’s honored children as my guests. And Ahmose is, too, aren’t you, my love?” She turned to the shy boy. “After all, they are your brother and sister.”

Ahmose nodded, but he wouldn’t meet anyone’s eyes.

Lady Satiah’s lips tightened again, but she spoke with forced good cheer. “We have prepared a great feast, and you must dine with us. Perhaps we will think of a way to entice your dear father to visit very soon.” Rising from her chair, she thrust the baby crocodile at the wrinkled servant. “Keeper of the Zoo, take this thing back to its cage.”

The crocodile flew like a scaly package between them.

“Oh, do take care, my lady,” the Keeper murmured, nestling the crocodile in his arms. “They are delicate creatures, and he’s only a baby.”

Lady Satiah ignored him.

“A baby?” Miu’s voice grew tender. “So that’s why he’s so small. The poor thing! What’s he doing out here on his own?”

“They’ve tied his mouth shut,” Khepri observed.

It was true. Now that the crocodile was closer, I could see the string. I guess it should have made me feel safer, but what I felt was indignant. Who wants to see a baby treated like that? Even if it is a baby crocodile.

At least he seemed to be in better hands now. The Keeper of the Zoo had a kindly face, and he cradled the crocodile in gentle hands.

“Don’t worry, little one,” the Keeper said soothingly. “There’s a lovely supper waiting for you in the zoo. I’ll bring you back there and untie those nasty knots.”

As he ambled off with the crocodile, Khepri whispered, “She has a zoo? Nobody mentioned that before.”

“I didn’t know she had one,” I said. “But I guess it’s not so surprising. Zoos have become very fashionable. Every jumped-up son of a vizier wants one.”

“I don’t get it,” Miu said. “What’s so fun about seeing animals in cages?”

“Humans are strange,” I agreed. “I think it’s a way of showing off how much money they have. That kind of thing impresses other humans.”

“They trap baby animals just so they can show off?” Miu was outraged. “That’s dreadful. They should follow Pharaoh’s example. He doesn’t have one.”

“He doesn’t need a zoo,” I said. “He has me.”

“And luckily he’s not fond of cages,” Khepri added.

We were not the only ones interested in the crocodile. Kiya was watching the Keeper carry him off. She turned to Ahmose. “Can we go with them?”

“Sure.” With an eager smile, Ahmose glanced from her to Dedi. “Both of you can come. I’ll give you a tour—”

“Ahmose, where do you think you’re going?” Lady Satiah blocked the route forward.

Ahmose didn’t even try to argue, but Kiya did. “We’re going to the zoo!”

“The zoo is off-limits,” Lady Satiah said sharply. “And we are about to dine. You may refresh yourselves before we gather in the banqueting room. Ahmose, show them the way.”

Looking miserable, Ahmose shuffled off. Kiya and Dedi trailed behind him.

Lady Satiah turned to the grim-faced man and fixed him with a long stare. “Well, brother, this should be a night to remember.” Her lips quirked.

“She’s smiling like a crocodile,” Khepri whispered as Lady Satiah and her brother left the hall. “I think she’s up to something.”

“Something bad,” Miu agreed. “We’d better follow her.”

We’d hardly taken more than a few paces, however, when a bird swooped down from the ceiling and dive-bombed us.

“Intruders!” he screamed. “Hit the decks! Oop-oop! You’re under arrest!”