Edward Whittemore - Nile Shadows

Just before the horse landed, Liffy jumped free. He pushed back his hood and grinned.

Double-time, he whispered. This way.

In another moment they were running down an alley. As Liffy pulled him along, Joe looked back and saw the huge old workhorse standing alone in the little square, its belly sagging and its tail swishing, its nose nestled against the alarmed marble face of the small Roman fountain. Liffy wheezed happily.

We needed that to get the day started, he whispered. Quick, this way.

Why are we running? asked Joe.

Liffy slowed to a trot.

No reason really. It's just more dramatic.

But what was all that about?

Liffy sneezed. He smiled.

Drama, he whispered. The inescapable drama of life. I decided we needed a bracing event to get ourselves going this morning.

Bracing? You scared me half to death.

Liffy laughed.

I did, didn't I, I could see it in your face. For just a moment you must have thought fate had come riding in from the desert to pay you a call.

Joe tugged on Liffy's arm, slowing him to a walk.

And not just fate either, Liffy.

No?

Liffy stopped, suddenly serious. He stared at Joe.

And I looked, he murmured, and behold a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death.

Liffy touched Joe's chest.

But you just see how it is? You must be careful, Joe. The desert is never far away here, and even Old Cairo can be a dangerous place. And perhaps even the Hotel Babylon, if you're its only guest.

Joe looked at him.

Is that true? There's no one else staying there but me?

No one, said Liffy. And what's more, no one has stayed there in several months. You can ask Ahmad.

But why?

Who knows, Joe? Perhaps it was condemned or forgotten by certain sinister secret forces. . until you arrived on the scene. Perhaps there's even far more to Bletchley's potted palms than we suspect.

Liffy nodded. He smiled.

But we've had enough of the Hotel Babylon for now. The point is the classical world still lives and the trick works. It took me awhile to find an old horse unattended, that's what kept me. There he was just roped to his wagon in a dreary back alley with the prospect of another dreary day ahead, old and tired and thinking he'd seen it all, when suddenly he shed the bonds of a lifetime and the two of us went flying away like the wind. Like the wind, Joe, I could feel it. Will wonders never cease?

Joe smiled.

I don't think they could if they wanted to, Liffy, not when you're around. But what did you do to that old workhorse to make him move like that?

I merely reminded him of the joy of life, answered Liffy.

How?

By recalling a day in the life of Alexander the Great.

What?

Yes. That rag I had pressed to the old gent's nostrils is actually a footnote from history. You find a mare in heat and acquire her scent, then when the magic is applied to the nose of a stallion, even a decrepit old jade as tired as that one, his blood wildly surges and all at once he's a bounding prancing colt again, deliriously out of control. Can't help himself, you see, not when you put it right under his nose. Sex, it's called.

Alexander the Great did that with a horse? asked Joe.

It was either him or one of his lackeys, and there you see how well it works. The scent seems to be good for several days, as well it might be. Clever, these ancients. Had their wits about them on occasion and discovered a thing or two about the meat of the matter. Including the fact that it's all in the mind, as we've often suspected. Sex, I mean.

Liffy hummed, whistled, sneezed.

Do you think Cynthia would be shocked if I told her about this? My guess is she'd pretend to be shocked while secretly relishing the whole idea. And who knows what it might lead to later in the evening, for who knows what lechery lurks in the minds of women? Or who knows what lurks in anyone's mind?

Or. .

Joe smiled. Liffy threw back his head and studied the sky.

Now where did I leave that secret van? Our wholly inconspicuous Ahmadmobile?

He laughed and they started off again.

Oh I remember, it's just that it's like everything else in this world. We're not there yet, but we're getting there.

***

After twisting and turning through more alleys, they finally arrived at the small delivery van, its side panels boldly advertising AHMAD'S GREASY FISH & LEVANTINE CHIPS. Before they climbed in Liffy zipped up his former sword, a long collapsible spyglass, in its leather case.

Ahmad's, he said. He always keeps it handy under his counter, for those times when he feels the need to take an especially penetrating look at the past. I couldn't tell him I was taking it without waking him, but he won't mind. He only uses it at night. . Saturday nights, I believe.

Liffy gazed at the bundle of clothing under his arm. He smiled.

The bedouin cloak goes with me for another day, but I think I just might play God this morning by leaving this magical rag, heavenly scented, right here on a windowsill. And should a weary workhorse chance to pass this way today, and should the sagging old jade chance to raise his weary head at the right moment and catch a whiff of this Alexandrian rag, he'll be rewarded by music far beyond his wildest dreams. For the old jade's blood will suddenly surge as he abandons himself to the passionate dances of his youth, and his owner will be astounded and everybody will be astounded and the whole neighborhood will gather to behold, as they used to say.

Solemnly, then, Liffy drew himself up and gazed at Joe, his hand held high.

And behold it was written, the neighbors will say one unto another, a gleam and a twinkle in every eye and the glory of divine grace full upon them. For if a broken-down old workhorse can suddenly become a prancing playful colt, dare we imagine what this must mean for the rest of us?

And behold it was written, they will say. And the word will go forth from this place and be good news throughout the land, bringing great joy to all who hear it, as from a golden bell. For there are miracles in this world, they will say, that surpasseth all understanding. And these miracles come to those who raise their eyes from the cobblestones and look to the heavens, to search in their hearts for the darkness and the light. .

Liffy smiled shyly. He dropped his hand and nodded.

And I know that must be written, Joe, because miracles happen all the time, they do. It's just that we have to raise our eyes to look for them. And mostly we don't because we're weak and afraid, but when we do. .

Liffy went on smiling, nodding.

Well, an interlude then on the dawn patrol. But wouldn't it be wonderful if we could witness a small miracle this morning? Especially a miracle involving someone who deserves it? Someone like Stern?. .

***

The engine of the delivery van started with a quiet purr.

Less noise than when we drove in from the airport, said Joe.

That was the muffler cutout, replied Liffy, sometimes useful when the traffic's clogged. Just a flip of a switch and our Egyptian friends think Rommel's panzers have broken through the Eighth Army and are thundering into Cairo. Instantly the traffic clears and I go roaring through with waves and cheers on every side. It sets you up a bit until you remember why they're cheering. Off we go now.

They drove through the narrow streets of the Coptic Quarter, past horse-drawn carts and men bent double under loads of sacks and vegetables. The air was fresh and cool. Here and there a café was opening.

Best moment of the day really, said Liffy. The heat and corruption haven't settled in yet, and the mind hasn't had time to be horrified by what lies ahead. Do you need coffee or can you wait?