Tomb of the Lost by Julian Noyce

integrate herself with old Egypt, its customs, its people. Things that people have neglected, she wants to bring back. Is our future not better? We have not followed these customs for over two hundred years. When the governor of Syria sent his sons here to round up legionaries to attack Parthia and they were subsequently murdered it was she, Cleopatra, who sent the soldiers responsible for punishment. Does this not tell you that she has given in to Roman pressure? Succumbed to their leader? Julius Caesar. This night she even shared her bed with him. ”
    He paused while the crowd roared their anger. He raised his hand for them to listen once more.
    “ It is her fault the crops have failed in the fields. The Gods are angry with her and it is you that will pay the price. ”
    There was another uproar.
    “ Achillas stands on the edge of this city with twenty thousand men loyal to Alexandria. Help me! Help him! To rid our city, our country of the tyranny of Rome! ”
    The crowd erupted into a frenzy. Hands suddenly picked Ptolemy up and he was paraded around on shoulders above the crowd to the cheering of his name.
    “ Ptolemy! Ptolemy! Ptolemy! ”
     
    When Julius woke he was laying on his back, the bed comfortable. Cleopatra was laying on her side facing him, her arm across his waist, her head resting on his chest. Her mouth was open ever so slightly, her breathing slow and relaxed. There were a few fronds of her hair across her face and he moved them with his free hand, leaned forward and kissed her forehead. She stirred slightly but didn ’ t wake. His kiss becoming part of her dream.
    He lay still remembering their love making. She had bitten him many times, playfully. Something he ’ d never experienced before despite having bed many women in his life. Then she ’ d pushed him onto his back and climbed on top of him and didn ’ t stop until they were both spent.
    The memory of it was making him erect again and he lifted the sheet to look at her naked body. He stopped when he heard a commotion from outside the door. He strained to listen, the voices were muted. He cocked his ear and opened his mouth slightly. Cleopatra murmured then turned over. Then he recognised Marcellus ’ voice and he gently removed Cleopatra ’ s arm from his side and propped himself up on an elbow. Then at the sound of a scuffle and raised voices from the other side of the door he was up and reaching for a toga.
    “ I am sorry General but the Queen is not to be disturbed. ”
    Apollodorus was standing firmly in front of Marcellus flanked by four of Cleopatra ’ s guards.
    “ It is not your Queen I wish to disturb. I need to speak with my master who is with your Queen. ”
    “ Once again I am sorry General but it is impossible for you to go in. The Queen ’ s bedroom is accessible to only a handful of servants. ”
    “ Is it accessible to you? ”
    “ Of course General. ”
    “ Then you go in. ”
    “ I ’ m afraid not, ” Apollodorus replied. He looked past Marcellus as he saw Germanicus approaching with eight Roman guards. Germanicus drew up alongside Marcellus.
    “ What is the commotion outside? ”
    “ Ptolemy went outside and told the early morning crowd of what Caesar has done. They ’ ve taken Ptolemy ’ s side and pelted me and my men with stones. I ’ ve come to warn Caesar. ”
    “ Does he now know? ”
    “ No. Apollodorus won ’ t grant me access. ”
    “ We must speak to Caesar at once. Move aside, ” Germanicus said.
    “ I ’ m sorry General Germanicus that is quite impossible. The Queen has strict instructions to never be disturbed in bed. ”
    Germanicus glanced at the four Egyptian guards who only stared ahead impassively.
    “ Seize him, ” he suddenly ordered.
    Two of his men grabbed Apollodorus. The Egyptian guards sprang into action though didn ’ t attack. They pointed their spears at the Romans. The remaining six Romans quick as a flash drew their swords and they were pointing at Egyptian throats.