Athena's Son (28 page)

“
The next step was crucial. I couldn’t lower an empty box down; even a dolt like Pollux would figure out something was wrong. Because the pulley system was designed to pull a weight straight up, I needed a counterweight to the coffin when I lowered it over the side to keep the pulleys from tipping over. So I had Pollux raise a statue of Alexander up to me. Once the statue was up on the roof I was able to lever it into the empty box. I knew the coffin would be on top of the original lid so I concealed a second lid in the box when I built it and simply used a mallet and dowels to hammer the new lid in place.”

What his men loaded on the ship, and Alexander clung to so desperately at the end, was a granite statue of his father, just as cold and just as lifeless as the mummy he killed for.

“
The gods have blessed you with a gift few men could ever hope to possess,” Callimachus said. “You are going to bring a fresh perspective to the school.”

Berenike took the cedar box out of Archimedes’ hand and inspected it as if she would find a miniature mummy inside. She laid it down and confronted Archimedes. She looked hurt. “Why didn’t you tell me the body was safe? Why did you let me think the coffin sunk to the bottom of the harbor?”

“
Berenike, you are so full of life,” Archimedes said. “I’ve never met anyone who had such a zest for living. After I saved you from the ship, it was upsetting to hear you worry so much about a dead man, especially with you so close to joining him. I want you to always covet life as intensely as you fought for air when you were drowning.”

Berenike blinked away a tear and Archimedes wasn’t sure if that was good or bad. Then she said, “Earlier I teased you about being the gift of Athena for being smart. But after what you did to Alexander and the ship, how you built that cannon,…” She smiled and said. “You’re more like Athena’s son.”

Oh Hades, Archimedes thought. I’m tired of corny speeches. It was time to back up all this talk with action. He pulled Berenike close and kissed her right in front of the Pharaoh of all Egypt. Berenike’s eyes widened in surprise, but her father was livid.

“
By the gods,” Ptolemy hissed. “How dare you…”

Callimachus grabbed his student and hauled him out of the palace and out of the reach of her father. “Our deep apologies, Great King. We will certainly be discussing this back at school. He is much too tired from saving your daughter and your treasure to think straight.”

Berenike’s ringing laugh followed Archimedes down the hall. “You’re quite a character, Archimedes. I hope to see you again soon. You’re always welcome back at the palace of Pharaoh Ptolemy. There’s a lot more living to do!”

The few men still in the chambers stood silent, waiting for a reaction from the Pharaoh. Eventually Berenike came up and tried placating him. “He deserves one kiss, father. He did what you asked and fixed everything.”

The Pharaoh scowled. “Not everything, daughter.”

Berenike didn’t like the look on her father’s face. “What do you mean, not everything?”

Ptolemy sat down at his throne. “Ptahhotep is still out there.”

About the Author

Jeryl Schoenbeck wrote his first book at age 9 and submitted his story and drawings to Charles Schultz, the creator of Peanuts. Schultz wrote back a personal letter politely declining the idea, but encouraging Jeryl to keep writing. Several decades later, this book is the result.

After graduating from UW-Eau Claire with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and a career in newspapers, Jeryl went back to school to get a teaching degree and then a Master’s degree in Education. He currently teaches middle school in Wisconsin.

For more information, visit:

AthenasSon.com