The Assassins of Isis Read Online Free Page A

saying?’
    â€˜What do you think I am saying?’ the physician replied. ‘Here is a man who, according to you, lay down on his bed and was bitten by a snake. What would you do, officer, if you were bitten by a snake?’
    â€˜Run away.’
    â€˜But this man didn’t. He sat there and allowed himself to be bitten another fourteen times.’
    â€˜How soon would the poison work?’
    â€˜A few heartbeats,’ the physician replied. ‘Perhaps he was in shock. That’s what a rat does when it is bitten. It stays still and allows itself to be bitten again. I’ve seen it happen.’
    â€˜General Suten wasn’t a rat!’
    Nadif gestured at the physician to join him, and led him to the steps to the roof terrace.
    â€˜I’m not going up there.’
    â€˜Don’t be stupid,’ Nadif retorted. ‘You will be well paid. Anyway, the snakes are gone. From what I gather, they are rather careful about who they bite!’

    The physician’s head came up aggressively.
    â€˜I’m only joking,’ Nadif whispered. ‘Follow me.’
    When they reached the roof terrace, Nadif was pleased he had acted so quickly. Heby was now clearing up his dead master’s papers and was instructing a servant to take the remains of the food and wine down to the kitchen.
    â€˜Leave those there,’ Nadif ordered. Heby went to object, then shrugged. The servant left the tray on the table. Nadif ordered some oil lamps to be brought. He and the physician scrupulously examined the remains of the fish, bread and fruit, as well as the rich Canaanite wine in both jug and goblet. The physician didn’t know what he was looking for. Nadif took the goblet of wine and poured the dregs on to a napkin, then felt the stain with the tips of his fingers.
    â€˜There, there,’ he whispered.
    â€˜There, there, what?’ the physician snapped.
    Nadif handed him the napkin. ‘Feel that.’
    The physician did as he was told. ‘Grains,’ he said. ‘Yes, as if some powder has been mixed with the wine.’
    Nadif snatched up the goblet. He detected similar grains around the rim.
    â€˜It could be the wine,’ the physician remarked. ‘If it is drawn from the bottom of a cask, there is some silt.’
    â€˜I don’t think so,’ Nadif murmured. ‘Smell the cup, physician.’
    The self-proclaimed guardian of the anus did so. ‘Oh, I know what that is.’ He sniffed again. ‘Any doctor would. I’ve mixed it myself. I served in the army as well, you know. There are certain wounds you can’t heal.’
    â€˜What is it?’
    â€˜Poppy seed. I would wager my wife’s honour on it. The general mixed poppy seed with his wine to make him sleep.’
    â€˜You mean he was poisoned?’
    â€˜No, I didn’t say that. Poppy seed, used sparingly, will take away your cares and soothe you into a deep slumber. It will clear any pain you have of heart or body.’

    Nadif turned round abruptly. Heby was looking at them strangely. Nadif waved him over.
    â€˜Where is it?’ Nadif asked.
    â€˜Where is what?’ Heby retorted.
    â€˜The poppy seed. Your master mixed poppy seed with his wine; he must have had a phial or pouch.’
    â€˜He never took poppy seed.’
    Menna and Lupherna had also come up on to the roof terrace and joined the officer and the physician. ‘General Suten never took poppy seed with his wine; there is no pouch up here,’ the Chief Scribe declared.
    â€˜Are you sure?’ Nadif asked.
    â€˜There is no poppy seed powder up here,’ Menna repeated.
    â€˜Then if General Suten didn’t mix the poppy seed with his wine, who did?’ Nadif asked. He stared around. ‘Let’s search.’
    Nadif went over to the bed. As he pushed aside the drapes, a leather pouch fell out. He exclaimed in pleasure. The pouch was small and tied at the neck, and it bore the insignia