“Was? My Lord?” Neti asked, confused.
“Fear not my child”, Ramesses said turning to Neti, “…he will be of no trouble to you anymore. I had him tied to the whipping post with water and bread. But the man would not speak; he kept accusing you of being an unfaithful bride. How he came to that conclusion, I do not know, as your scribe friend assured me you were never married to that man. I also could not blame you for choosing Shabaka over him. From what I have seen, he had little to offer a woman, neither as a husband nor as a father.”
“My Lord.” Neti was quite shocked, while Shabaka shifted his weight uneasily.
“Oh, sorry my child, I sometimes forget I tend to speak quite bluntly about the suitability of some men.”
Neti nodded in response; then she asked, “So has he told you where to find it?”
“As I said, the man kept talking strangely, so I had your scribe friend summoned, but even he was unable to make anything of Ma-Nefer’s rambles.”
“But you have found it?”, Neti asked.
“Yes, it has been retrieved and returned to its rightful place.”
“And the curse?”, Neti asked.
“It still lingers within the city. Many seem to prefer the dark of the night; it is as if Apep has taken hold of them, but I am certain that it will soon pass. That is also why these pesky elders keep on bothering me. They want to know what the guards were searching for and what happened to the people. I know, you, Shabaka will understand when I say that it is sometimes best if they do not learn about such things.”
“Yes, my Lord”, Shabaka replied.
“And now that you have returned, there is no longer any need for me to tell them”, Ramesses enthused.
“What of Ma-Nefer, my Lord, will he have to stand trial?”, Neti asked.
“He has received the judgment Ra considered appropriate.”
“How so, my Lord?”, Shabaka asked
“We tied him to the whipping post and he went mad from the sun.”
“You whipped him, my Lord?”, Shabaka asked uncertainly.
“For a man like that”, Ramesses said, his disgust evident in his voice, “…a whipping is too lax a punishment. No, I had them smear him with oil and left him in the sun until he spoke the words I wanted to hear. I think it was about three days after he was tied that he finally talked. The following morning he was dead.”
“Did anyone take any heed to what he was saying?” Neti asked, concerned.
“It was just demented rambling”, Ramesses replied.
“He has in the past sought…“ Neti struggled to find the correct word, “…assistance from sorcerers.”
“If he has done so, they have only brought about his death sooner. The gods do not look favorably on those who choose to curse others in such a way. His death was appropriate for a man like him.”
Neti and Shabaka looked at each other but remained silent for several moments before Shabaka said, “My Lord, if you will excuse us, we are tired from our travels and in need of a good meal.”
“Of course“, Ramesses replied, “…and once you have rested, I have another matter I need you to look into.”
“What would that be, my Lord?”, Shabaka asked.
“You this dependable Nubian shuty Dagi, whom your father entrusts with the Nubian tribute? The one who also secured that dark wood for the doors of my palace?”
“Yes, my Lord”, Shabaka replied with a firm nod.
“He is late with the last tithe. He was supposed to have arrived in Thebes around the time of the festival, yet his people have still not brought it.”
“My Lord?”
“I would like to send you and Neti to find him. I think it would be good for her to see your homeland. I’m certain that you will most likely find him somewhere along the way, but if not, you must seek out the reason for his delay.”
“And Moses?”
“I want for him to stay; I will need one of you here once I have left.”
“You are leaving?”, Neti asked, surprised.
“Yes, after Shabaka’s safe return, there is little need for me to stay. I look forward to returning to Pi-Ramesses and seeing how much Maati’s pregnant belly has grown.” Neti nodded as he continued. “As soon as you have arranged matters”, Ramesses said looking pointedly at Neti, “I would like for you to travel to Syène.”
“Yes, my Lord”, both answered; then they turned and left.
2
Chapter Two
Neti and Shabaka returned to her house, where Yani was waiting for them with a meal as expected. After washing her hands and feet, Neti sat down on the grass mat and pulled up her bowl with little interest in the chatter that commenced around her. She could feel the young girl’s eyes on her as she started to eat, a sensation she had become well accustomed to during the previous days, so she ignored it.
Shabaka spoke with Moses, informing him of the pharaoh’s instructions and told him that he and Khabo were to return to the palace once they were done eating.
After finishing her meal, Neti excused herself and took fresh clothes to go down to the river, after instructing Yani to find something for the girl to wear and then to accompany her down to the river so she could also bathe.
On her return Suten-Anu was waiting for her, with a hesitant Dava at his side. Neti first looked at the woman, then at her tutor “Is there a problem?”, she asked.
Suten-Anu looked at Dava and nodded at her. The woman nodded her head and turned to leave the room. Neti raised her brow and tilted her head some when Suten-Anu turned to face her. A great sense of unease overcame her when he spoke.
“My dear child, there is a matter I need to discuss with you.”
Neti nodded and swallowed, because it was usually her who turned to him to discuss matters, and judging from his expression it seemed to be serious. “Has Dava done something wrong?”
“Dava”, Suten-Anu began, and then seemed uncertain how to continue, which concerned Neti even more.
“You have always taught me to start from the beginning; perhaps that is the easiest way?” Neti said, gesturing with her hand towards the stools nearby.
Suten-Anu sat down and then wrung his hands as Neti took the stool next to his. His behavior worried her and she reached out to place her own hand over his. He stopped and looked at her.
“I have done you wrong”, he finally confessed.
“You could do never do me wrong”, Neti replied disbelievingly, “…you have no wrong in your heart.”, while withdrawing her hand from his.
“I am afraid it is my heart which has caused it, child.”
His words had Neti frown, and she shook her head, “I do not understand.”
“That, dear child, I find hard to believe. You of all people understand the heart.”
“I do not understand how you could have done me any wrong; I have not felt nor heard any such thing.”
“I have taken advantage of your trust.” Suten-Anu hesitantly began and Neti waited for him to continue, watching him as he took a deep breath. “You know that I am no longer a young man. Most of my years I have spent teaching others the skill of scripture…” He again fell silent before he continued, “… I have never really felt the needs others feel and have always had servants to see to my home and the matters that needed attention. My life has been good.” Neti nodded, but waited for him to continue. “It is the first time someone else has something I desire…”
Neti’s furrowed her brow, “What could that be?”
Suten-Anu took a deep breath before he said: “Dava.”
Neti felt the bolt of shock that shot through her, and asked uncomprehendingly, “What about Dava?”
“I wish to buy her from you.”
Neti shook her head in confusion. “I do not understand, you have servants of your own, why would you need another?”
“I do not want her to be my servant.”
Neti looked at him in surprise, bereft of speech for a moment.
“As I said, I have do
ne you wrong, for I have not only desired her but I have also acted upon my desires. She awakens a side of me I never even knew I had.”
This time it was Neti’s turn to feel uncomfortable and insecure as to what she should do, or what would be the proper thing to do, which caused a short, awkward silence as she waited for him to continue.
“You are not a small child anymore and understand the matters of the heart. I did not know how long you were going to be away this time and I promised myself that I would speak to you first, but it was hard. Eventually my desires gained the upper hand and I betrayed your trust in me.”
Neti eventually held up her hands, signaling him to stop, before she hesitantly asked, “You have lain with Dava?”
Suten-Anu nodded and looked bashfully at the ground.
Neti knew that according to the law it was wrong, although she did not deem it wrong. She knew Dava’s past and suspected that the woman may have even considered doing so as part of her keep, which she could also not reprimand her for, because she herself had not been explicit as to what her duties were, other than to take care of the house and to report to Suten-Anu every day.
She thought about it for a while, well aware of Suten-Anu’s nervous glances in her direction. But she remained uncertain whether he had approached her out of courtesy, and that his offer was only because he felt obliged to, or whether he really wanted Dava for himself. “Dava has told you about her past and where she comes from?” Neti hesitantly asked. She had to know whether he knew all he needed to know before she made a decision.
“Yes, she has, but it does not matter. I cannot hold the fate the Gods handed her against her. She has a good heart.” Suten-Anu quickly replied, again looking towards Neti for understanding.
She could see the uncertainty in his eyes, yet could not determine whether it was due to Dava or the situation he had found himself in.
“And you are certain that this is what you want?” Neti asked. “You are certain that you wish to take her home as your wife?”
Suten-Anu sharply tilted his head as he said, “Yes.”
Neti rose from her stool and said; “Wait here”, then she turned and left.
Dava was standing in the other room, avoiding Neti’s gaze as she nervously wrung her hands. “I am sorry, mistress, I know it was wrong and that I shouldn’t have done it. He is a good, gentle man and I did not want to hurt him.”
From her behavior it appeared as if she was awaiting some sort of punishment, although Neti had no idea what would have been appropriate.
“This has happened before?” Neti asked, keeping her voice even.
Dava nodded, “There was one other time, but he told the mistress that he had made no such promises and suggested I was lying”, Dava hesitantly replied. “Ever since I have learned, that their words do not mean anything, when they are in bed with you.”
“And you believed Suten-Anu?”
“He did not say it to convince me to lie with him or to make me do something pleasurable for him.”
“But you have lain with him”, Neti pointed out.
Dava nodded her head, keeping her gaze lowered to the ground as she spoke, “It was of my own choice.”
“I see”, Neti replied, allowing a dejected sigh to escape.
Dava looked up at her in concern, hesitantly asking, “Mistress?”
Neti shook her head in response and asked forthrightly, “Do you care about him?”
Dava blushed as she replied, “He is a gentle man, so warm and kind. What is there not to care about?”
“That does not answer my question. Do you care about him?”
The woman insecurely looked at her, visibly swallowing.
Neti took a deep breath and changed the question, “Is this what you want, to go with him, to be his wife? Because if not, you can stay here, I will not make you do it.”
Dava eagerly nodded her head, “Yes, I wish to go with him.”
Neti nodded and gestured for her to follow.
When they entered the room, Suten-Anu looked up at them and then rose from his stool.
“I have spoken with Dava.’ Neti announced. “She has agreed to your proposal and I have no reason to oppose it.”
Suten-Anu stood taller and keenly asked, “Then you are willing to barter?”
Neti shook her head, “No.”
Suten-Anu looked at her with irritation and wanted to speak, but was silenced when Neti lifted her had. “I cannot set a price in such a matter; because what price can I place on your happiness and not feel that I have taken advantage of you? She may leave if she chooses to and you may take her with you if you choose to.”
“But you have…”, Dava began, but suddenly stopped and lower her head.
Suten-Anu also looked at Neti, confused. It is unheard of for one to simply give someone a woman.”
“Have you not been there for me in the past?” Neti asked in return, “Were you not the one who took a young girl and taught her to read and write? Who helped me after my parent’s murders, when everything was overwhelming and confusing? Do you really think I would not give you something of mine that would make you happy in return?”
Suten-Anu looked at her, and finally nodded.
“I cannot put a price on your happiness, the same as you have not done it with me. Your support is worth far more to me than anything that I own.”
Suten-Anu nodded again and visibly relaxed his shoulders.
“I was going to come see you later today, as I need of your services again”, Neti continued, “but they are not in barter for Dava”, she quickly added, “I will pay for your services.”
“What is it my child? Do you need documentation compiled, an agreement perhaps?”
Neti shook her head, “I bought a girl child at the coastal city, I want for her to learn to read and write, as I was taught.” Suten-Anu nodded, but Neti continued, “The pharaoh has also requested that I and Shabaka tend to a matter in Syène and I do not want take her with us.”
“I would be willing to assist; she is welcome in my home.”
Neti shook her head, “No, I am going to take her to Tei-Ka. I am certain she will appreciate the company; she has been lonely since the death of my parents. It will give her someone to talk to.”
Just then the reed mat before the door was pushed aside, and Yani and the girl stepped into the room. The girl stopped in her tracks when she noticed the others and insecurely looked at her.
“Do not concern yourself young one”, Yani said, “This is Dava and Suten-Anu, he is a good friend of your mistress.”
Neti took offence at being called the girl’s mistress but did not reprimand Yani for it, as she had not really decided how she wanted to be addressed by the girl, not that she spoke much anyway. Instead Neti beckoned the girl to step closer, and suddenly realized that she did not even know her name.
The girl came to stand beside her, and Neti turned to Suten-Anu, “This is my tutor Suten-Anu, he taught me how to read and write. He is also going to teach you.”
The girl first looked at Neti and then at Suten-Anu, before lowering her head.
“What is she doing?” Suten-Anu asked.
“That is how she behaves when she accepts something.” Neti said.
Dava hunkered town and put her hands on the girl’s shoulders, what made the girl’s gaze suddenly snap up at her. “No one here is going to make you do anything you don’t want to. You must forget what they have taught you. You will have a good life here, do you understand?”
The girl’s head tilted some and she furrowed her brow, but she finally nodded. Dava smiled gently, rose and took a step back.
“We must leave”, Suten-Anu said, “I am certain you have a lot to do before your departure.”
Neti nodded and hugged the old scribe before turning to Dava and nodding.
After the woman left with Suten-Anu, Yani hesitantly said, “But she is…”
“Now his.” Neti replied turning towards the woman, “Are you certain Moses does no
t want to come barter for your hand as well? Because if so, now would be a good time.”
“He is at the palace”, Yani hesitantly replied.
Neti turned to the girl and scrutinized her. Unlike the other children in Thebes, the girl’s hair was unkempt and had never been shorn. But even though it was a tangled mess, she was clean and appeared presentable. “Come, I will have to arrange matters with Tei-Ka and her husband. You will stay with them while I’m gone.”
3
Chapter Three
The following morning, Neti dejectedly looked at the buttocks of the two horses pulling the chariot. She had not needed much convincing that it would be faster than walking, although she still found traveling this way most awkward.
The horses’ buttocks always seemed too close and their feet about to strike the chariot when they moved. The situation was also not made any easier by Shabaka’s insistence for her to stand in front of him, which restricted her movement considerably; and it was only his presence behind her and his arms on either side of her, that made it tolerable.
She could even fool herself into believing that it was pleasurable if she closed her eyes and ignored the rattling of the chariot or the clopping of the hoofs while only focused on his closeness.
She was fully aware of every part of her body that came into contact with his, even if only momentarily. Heat radiated from wherever they touched, and she had long since become used to the tugging sensation deep within her stomach whenever they happened to touch, or the way her breasts would tingle afterwards.
This was something that had changed after that particular evening at the well; he touched her more often, although he kept an appropriate distance from her in other people’s presence.
All this was another reason for her mood, which had little to do with the opportunity of spending time alone with him, although she welcomed any chance to spend time with him. The trip through the desert had drained of her strength and since their return from Pi-Ramesses she had barely had enough time to take care of her own matters. There always seemed to be someone or something demanding her attention. She had even recently considered closing her Per-Nefer, since more often than not Asim performed her duties.
The Forgotten Papyrus (The Mummifier's Daughter Series Book 5) Page 2