CHAPTER 22
Another Crocodile
With Khepri perched between my ears, I zoomed through the palace, determined to get the truth out of the crocodiles. But when we reached the gates that led to the river landing, they were closed. Lady Satiah, Ahmose, and the Keeper of the Zoo were standing in front of them.
Trembling, the Keeper bowed low before Lady Satiah. “I’m sorry, my lady. One of the lion cubs won’t take any food, and he’s not drinking much, either. He may not make it through the night.”
“You mean I’m going to lose another animal?” Lady Satiah jerked at her wig, enraged. “Just what do you think you’re running, Keeper—a zoo or a tomb?”
“A zoo, my lady,” the Keeper quavered. “The very best zoo I know how to run. But I can’t work miracles. Sometimes animals get sick. Especially if they’re overcrowded—”
“Those animals are eating me out of house and home,” Lady Satiah snarled. “And you want me to build an even bigger zoo? No, Keeper. Those animals are here to serve my purposes. I am not here to serve them.”
As Ahmose bit his lip, I murmured to Khepri, “Her purposes? What is she talking about?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Khepri said.
It wasn’t. But I wasn’t about to admit that.
“You’ll get no more money from me,” Lady Satiah told the Keeper. “Find some other way to keep those animals alive.”
The Keeper’s wrinkles deepened. “My lady, I will do what I can for the cub, and perhaps he will live.” His voice shook. “But I must also tell you that the baby crocodile has gone missing. I think he escaped back into the Nile.”
Lady Satiah glared at him. “Then get me another one. They’re all the same, anyway. No one will care.”
The Keeper winced. “My lady, I am not strong enough—”
“Then find someone else to do it.” Her bracelets jingled as she jabbed a finger at him. “Just get me a crocodile. Now!”
“Yes, my lady.” The Keeper scuttled toward the door.
Ahmose watched in envy. “Mother, can I help him? Please?”
“No, Ahmose.” She pulled him close. “Pharaoh is coming soon, and we must be prepared.” She smoothed his hair with restless fingers. “You know what to do.”
“Yes, Mother.” With a quick, miserable glance at Lady Satiah, he added, “But won’t Pharaoh be angry when he finds out about Dedi?”
“I will handle it,” Lady Satiah told him.
“But what if he blames us?”
“Do not concern yourself about that,” Lady Satiah said. “You are Pharaoh’s son, and such worries are beneath you. Remember, all things are possible—if you play your part well. And then Pharaoh won’t neglect you anymore.” She tweaked a stray lock of his hair.
Ahmose flinched.
Behind them, the Keeper pushed open the gates to the landing.
“Quick, Ra!” Khepri whispered. “To the crocodiles!”
I dashed after the Keeper and followed him out.
On the landing itself, all was chaos. The floodwaters had swallowed the lower piers, and workmen were hauling barrels and small boats out of the river’s reach. Other men were repairing a damaged gangplank. Armed with spears, Hormin and Qen stood guard against the many crocodiles swimming dangerously close.
“Get me one little baby crocodile,” the Keeper begged Hormin and Qen. “I’ll find you a net.”
“Not on your life,” Hormin sniffled.
“Yeah,” Qen agreed. “There’s a limit to what we’ll do for you.”
“Keep your mind on the job,” Hormin warned Qen. “Don’t let him distract you.”
“I only need a small one.” The Keeper pointed at an enormous crocodile, lying in wait in the floodwaters. “Smaller than that one’s snout.”
The crocodile lunged upward, aiming at the Keeper.
“Watch out!” Hormin hauled the Keeper out of danger. “You nearly lost your foot there. Didn’t you see him coming?”
Shaking, the Keeper knelt down and touched his toes, as if checking to make sure they were all there. “I…I didn’t think he’d attack me. Animals usually sense I’m their friend.”
“You lousy kidnapper!” the crocodile roared. “Come out here and fight. I’ll bite both your feet off!”
Khepri and I recognized the crocodile at the same moment he recognized us.
“It’s the Admiral!” Khepri exclaimed.
I leaped to the top of the nearest wall so I could see his scaly head better. He looked faster in the water than he had on the mudbank, and more dangerous, too.
“Where’s our prince?” the Admiral snapped at me.
“Where’s ours?” I countered.
“You first.” The Admiral’s heavy tail churned the waters.
I stood my ground. “No, you.”
“Tell me what you know, or you’ll regret it!” the Admiral growled. “I’m getting very hungry…”
Did that mean he was holding Dedi hostage?
“Er…” I stalled, hoping Khepri would come to my rescue.
Tipping forward to advise me, Khepri lost his balance. “Raaaaaaaaaaaa!” he cried. “Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!”
I flung a paw out to stop him, but it was too late.
Khepri hurtled toward the raging floodwaters—and the Admiral’s open mouth.