The Place of Truth [Paperback]

Christian Jacq, author of the international triumphRamses,brings the people and the passions of ancient Egypt to life in an enthralling epic novel in four volumes
Volume IV:The Place of Truth
The beloved Master of the Place of Truth has been savagely assassinated, and the artisans of the magnificent, hidden village are deep in mourning. But even in their grief, their devoted work on the tombs of the Pharaoh continues under the leadership of a heroic new Master. Entrusted to protect his family as well as the village's mystical secrets, Paneb the Ardent enters the inner circles of power, in the royal court of a queen. But an unknown traitor undermines the security of the Place of Truth. Will Paneb reveal the culprit in time?Chapter 1

The Place of Truth was in a state of near panic. Since the murder of Nefer the Silent, Master of the craftsmen's Brotherhood, all the inhabitants of the secret village -- men, women, children, even animals -- had come to dread the sunset. As soon as the sun sank behind the mountains to begin its nocturnal voyage to the heart of the underworld, all the villagers went to ground in their little white houses. Soon, a malevolent spirit would leave Nefer's tomb in search of prey.

One young girl had only just managed to escape from it, but no one dared trouble Ubekhet, the Wise Woman, who had withdrawn into mourning and despair since the death of her husband. She and Nefer had been initiated into the Brotherhood together; and they had become mother and father to the little community, which was centered around thirty craftsmen who had heard the call, and their families.

This can't go on any longer! exploded Paneb the Ardent, a dark-eyed giant of a man. We're skulking like rats and all the pleasure's gone out of life.

His wife, Uabet the Pure, was frozen to the spot by his anger. Perhaps the ghost will eventually go away, she suggested timidly.

She turned to check ló>