按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Ishtar followed him closely。 'This temple and the tunnels beneath it were built almost five hundred years ago；' he told Trok。 Now there was the gleam of water below them； and the sound of the torrent running swiftly in the darkness。 At last Trok reached the bottom and stepped down on to a stone pier。 By the wavering torchlight he saw that they stood in a wide tunnel with a curved roof； an aqueduct of impressive dimensions。 The roof and walls were lined with ceramic tiles； laid in geometric patterns。 Both ends of the tunnel shaded off into deep darkness。
Ishtar picked a fragment of fungus from the wall and tossed it into the flow。 It was whisked away down the duct and disappeared from sight。 'It is deeper than a man's head；' he said； and Trok looked speculatively at the captain of the guard； as though he considered testing that statement。 The captain shrank back into the shadows trying to appear insignificant。
'This footpath on which we stand runs the full length of the aqueduct；' Ishtar explained。 'The priests who repair and maintain the tunnel use it to gain access。'
'Where does it start and where does it end？' Trok demanded。
'There is a sump in the bed of the river； under the piers of the temple； into which the water flows。 The far end of the aqueduct emerges in the other temple of Ninurta within the walls of Babylon； near the Blue Gate；' Ishtar explained。 'Only the priests know of the existence of this tunnel。 All others believe that the water is a benevolent gift from the god。 After it gushes from the fountain in the temple precinct； the water is lifted by shadoof； water wheels； to the gardens of the palace； or sent by canals to every quarter of the city。'
'I do believe； Ishtar the Mede； that you are close to earning your three lakhs。' Trok laughed with delight。 'It remains only for you to lead us down this rabbit…hole； and into the city of wonders and treasure； especially the treasure。'
* * *
Trok reasoned that the priests at the main temple of Ninurta within the city walls must regularly correspond with those in the river temple。 Almost certainly they used this aqueduct as a thoroughfare between the two munities。 It would not take long for them to discover that something untoward had happened to their brethren in the river temple。 He had to make his plans swiftly。
Trok chose two hundred of his best and most reliable men； all members of his own leopard tribe。 He divided them into two groups。 Once they had fought their way through the aqueduct into the city； the first group were to secure the Blue Gate and keep it open until Pharaoh Naja Kiafan could lead the main force through it。 The second； much smaller group were to make their way into the palace； and seize Sargon's treasury before he was able to dispose of the gold。 'Although it would take a thousand wagons to carry it all away；' Ishtar assured him。
The chosen two hundred were dressed in the uniforms of Sargon's army； taken from the prisoners and the dead men left on the battlefield。 They wore the long ankle…length tunics of striped material； belted at the waist； and the tall beehive…shaped helmets。 Ishtar showed them how to curl their beards and hair into the characteristic ringlets of the Mesopotamians。 They wore only a red sash to distinguish them from the foe。 Rough copies of the city map were hastily drawn by the army scribes and issued to the captains of both divisions so that they knew the layout of streets and buildings。 By evening every man knew exactly what was expected of him once he entered the city。
As soon as it was dark Naja quietly moved his assault force up into position outside the Blue Gate； ready to dash through into the city as soon as Trok's men threw it open。
In the courtyard of the river temple of Ninurta； Trok mustered his division。 While it was still daylight； he and Ishtar led them in single file down the spiral staircase to the level of the aqueduct。 There was no hurry； for they had many hours in which to make the long subterranean journey。 Their cleated sandals had been muffled with leather socks； so their heavy footsteps did not echo along the gloomy tunnel。 They marched in silence； every tenth man carrying a torch； giving just sufficient light for the men who followed to make out their footing on the slimy stones of the pier。 At their left hand the never…ending flow of water rustled darkly by。 Every thousand paces Ishtar stopped to placate the god Ninurta with gifts and incantations； and to clear the way ahead of the magical obstacles and barriers placed by the dead priests。
Nevertheless； the silent march seemed endless to Trok； and it came as a surprise when abruptly Ishtar stopped and pointed ahead。 The faint glimmer of light was reflected off the shiny ceramic walls。 Trok signalled the men following him to halt； then went forward with Ishtar。 Over their own garments they wore headdresses and purple robes taken from the bodies of the slaughtered priests。
As they went towards the source of the light； they saw another grille gate across the tunnel； and the distorted shadows of men thrown on the walls by the light of a torch set in a bracket above the gate。 As they drew closer they saw that on the other side of the grille two robed priests were seated on stools； with the bao board between them； absorbed in their game。 They looked up when Ishtar called softly to them。 The fat one stood up and wobbled to the gate。 'Are you from Sinna？' he called。 'Yes！' Ishtar assured him。
'You are late。 We have been waiting since nightfall。 You should have been here hours ago。 The high priest will be displeased。'
'I am sorry；' Ishtar sounded contrite； 'but you know Sinna。'
The fat priest chuckled。 'Yes； I know Sinna。 He taught me my responses thirty years ago。'
His key jangled in the lock of the gate； and then he swung it open。 'You must hurry；' he said。 Trok trotted forward with the hood over his face； holding his sword in the fold of his robe。 The priest stood back against the wall to let him pass。 Trok stopped in front of him； and whispered； 'Ninurta will reward you； brother；' and killed him with a thrust up under his chin into his brain。
With a shout of alarm； his panion leaped to his feet； knocking over the bao board and scattering the stones across the pier。 With two long strides Trok reached him and chopped his head half off。 Without another sound； the priest fell backwards into the dark stream and； with his robes ballooning about him buoying him up； he was carried away down the tunnel。
Trok gave a soft whistle and； with the muted tramp of muffled feet his men moved up into the torchlight with drawn swords。 Ishtar led them forward until they reached the foot of another steep stone stairway。 They went up it quickly until they came to a heavy curtain blocking their way。 Ishtar peeped around its edge and nodded。 'The temple is empty。'
Trok stepped through； and looked about him。 This temple was even larger and more impressive than the river temple。 The ceiling was so high that the light from fifty torches was eaten up by the shadows。 Below them the image of the god crouched over the mouth of the shaft from which the full force of the aqueduct spurted like a gigantic fountain into a deep pond with a white marble coping。 The corpse of the priest that Trok had almost decapitated was floating in the pool； from which the water spilled over into the canal that carried it to the city。 Although the smell of incense was thick in the air； the great hall of the temple was deserted。
Trok signalled his men to e forward。 As soon as they emerged from the tunnel they formed up behind their captains in silence。 Trok gave the hand signal and they went forward at a trot。 Ishtar led the smaller band through a side door of the hall into a corridor that connected with the palace of Sargon。 Trok led his men out into the narrow lane behind the temple and； working only from his memory of the map； turned at the second lane into the wide avenue that he knew led to the Blue Gate。 It was still dark and the stars blazed above the sleeping city。