Who is the Spirit of the Pyramids?
Lady, we know not, he answered. We never ask her, and when we see her in the full moon upon her journeyings, we veil our faces.
Why do you veil your faces, Captain?
Because if we did not we should go mad, as men have done who looked into her eyes.
Why do they go mad?
Because too much beauty breeds madness, as perchance you may find out one day, Lady, he answered; words that brought the colour to Nefras brow.
Who and what is this spirit? she continued hastily. And what does she do?
We are not certain, but the story tells that long, long ago there was a maiden queen of this land who would not marry because she loved some man of a humble station. Now it came about that strangers invaded Egypt, which was weak and divided, and conquered. Then the king of the strangers, seeing the beauty of this queen and that he might build his throne upon a sure foundation, wished to take her to wife, even by force. But she fled from him and in her despair climbed the greatest of the pyramids, he following after her. Reaching its crest she hurled herself thence and was crushed, seeing which faintness took hold of the king, so that he, too, fell to the ground and died. After this they buried both of them in a secret chamber of one of the pyramids which is not known, but I think it must have been the second since there the spirit is most often seen.
A pretty tale, said Nefra, but is that the end of it?
Not quite, Lady, since to it hangs a prophecy. It is that when another king follows another Queen of Egypt up the pyramid whence this one fell, whichever it may have been, and there wins her love, the avenging spirit of her who threw herself thence will find rest and no more bring destruction upon men.
I would see this spirit, said Nefra. As I am a woman she cannot make me mad.
Nor being a woman, Lady, do I think that she will appear to you. Nevertheless, it may be her pleasure to possess your soul for her own purposes, he added thoughtfully.
My soul is my own and no one shall possess it, answered Nefra in anger. Nor indeed do I believe that there is such a spirit, who think that what you and other foolish men have seen was nothing but a moon-cast shadow travelling among the graves. So tell me no more such idle tales.
There are one or two mad fellows living among the tombs who know more of that moon-cast shadow than I do, Lady. Still it may be as you say, replied the Sheik, bowing courteously after the ancient fashion of the East to a superior. Yes, maybe you are right. Have it as you will, and he turned to go.
Stay, said Nefra, it is my wish that you who have more skill and knowledge of them than any other man, should teach me to climb those pyramids. Let us begin upon the third, which is the smallest, and at once. The others we can conquer afterwards when I am more accustomed to the work.
Now the man stared at her and began to protest.
Have you not the commands of the holy prophet Roy and of the Council of the Order to obey me in all things? asked Nefra presently.
That is so, Lady, though why we should obey you I do not know.
Nor do I quite, Captain, seeing that you can climb pyramids and I cannot, and you are therefore greater than I. Still, there are the orders and you know what happens to those who break the commands of the Council. Now let us begin.
The Sheik reasoned and prayed and almost wept, but all that happened was that Nefra exclaimed at last:
If you are afraid to go up that pyramid, I will go by myself. Then, you know, I may fall.
So the end of it was that the afflicted Sheik summoned his son, a lissom youth who could climb like a goat, bidding him bring with him a long rope made of twisted palm fibre, which rope he fastened round Nefras slender waist. But now there was more trouble, for Ru, who had been listening to all this talk amazed, asked him what he was doing binding his lady like a slave.
The Sheik explained, while Nefra nodded assent.
But it cannot be, said Ru. My duty is to accompany this Noble One everywhere.
Then, friend Ru, said Nefra, accompany me up the pyramid.
Up the pyramid! said Ru, puffing out his cheeks. Look at me, I pray you, Mistress, and say whether I am a cat or a monkey that I can climb up a slope of smooth stone from earth to heaven. Ere we had gone the length of that rope I should fall and break my neck. Rather would I fight ten men single-handed than be so mad.
It is true. I think that you will make no good scaler of stone mountains, friend Ru, said Nefra, surveying the Ethiopians mighty form which had grown no smaller with the passage of the years. Now cease from talking, for we waste time. If you cannot go up the pyramid, stand at the bottom of it, just beneath me, and if I slip and fall, catch me as I come.
Catch you as you come! Catch you as you come! gasped Ru.
Without more words Nefra went to the foot of the third pyramid, up which the Sheik, who also seemed to be empty of speech, began to mount by the way he knew, having the end of the rope that was about Nefra tied round his middle. She followed him, her feet bare and her robe tucked up about her knees, as he bade her, while after her came his son watching her every movement.
Hearken, men, groaned Ru. If you suffer my Lady to slip, you had better stop on that pyramid for the rest of your lives, for if you come down I will kill you both.
If she slips, we shall slip also. The gods bear me witness that it is no fault of mine, answered the Sheik, who was lying on his face upon the slope of the pyramid.
Now it is to be told that Nefra proved an apt pupil at this game. She had the eye of a hawk, the courage of a lion, and was sure-footed as an ape. Up she went, setting her hands and feet exactly where her guide had done, till they had conquered half the height.
It is enough for to-day, said the Sheik. No beginner of our race comes farther at the first trial; that is the rule. Rest here awhile, and then descend. My son will place your feet where they should go.
I obey, said Nefra, and turned herself round as her guide had done above her, to see nothing beneath her save a sheer gulf of space and Ru, grown small, standing on the sand at the bottom. Then for the first time she grew dizzy.
My head swims, she said faintly.
Turn about again, said the Sheik, nor could his quiet voice quite conceal the agony of his fear.
She obeyed, and her strength came back to her, her flesh obeying the will within.
I am well again, she said.
Then, Lady, turn once more, for if you do not do so now you never will.
For the second time she obeyed, and lo! she no longer feared the height, the spirit within her had conquered her mortal tremblings. After this the descent was easy, for she could see where to place her hands and feet in the fissures of that hot and shining marble; moreover, the young man beneath, who, knowing every one of them, was able to keep his face to the pyramid, guided her as to where to set them. So they came safely to the ground, where Nefra sat a little while, panting and smiling at Ru who mopped his brow with his robe, his big eyes starting from his head, for never before had he been so frightened.
Have you had enough of the pyramids, Lady? asked the Sheik as he loosed the rope from about her.
By no means, answered Nefra, springing up and clapping her sore hands. I love the work and never shall I have had enough of them till I can climb them all alone by moonlight, as it is said that you can do.