Their latest assignment did not appear to pose too many challenges; it did however mean, that their travel between the two kingdoms could not be completed at leisure. Hence, she had to endure the dust and small stones kicked up by the horses’ hooves as they proceeded along the well-traveled road.
Shabaka shifted behind her and without having to look she knew he was looking behind them, then turned make the horses slow down to a walk before speaking.
“Now it is you and I.” He calmly said.
Neti simply nodded, not sure what he meant. They had long since developed a comfortable work relationship, which had experienced several awkward silences and moments of late. Although generally at ease around each other, she had recently found herself thinking twice about what she said, especially on their journey back from the coastal city, when he had appeared to be more brooding than usual. Just as she had been unable to make sense of his sudden jovial mood at returning home. While she could understand that he missed it, because she, too, missed Thebes when she was away, she was dismayed by the thought that he might chose to stay at home once they got there. She knew there would come a time when he would have to return home out of obligation towards his people - and she would not be able to challenge or oppose that.
“Come, it is time you leant how to drive a chariot”, he playfully said, gesturing for her to take the reins from him.
“But I can’t”, Neti replied. She was shocked.
“You have to. What happens if I am too injured to steer the horses? Who will drive us then?”
“Moses”, Neti was quick to reply.
“Ah, but Moses is not here”, he insistently replied, again gesturing for her to take the reins, “My horses are well mannered, and they are only walking. Nothing will happen.”
Neti hesitantly took the reins from him. They were heavier than she had anticipated. He showed her how to hold the reins and then closed his hands over hers, “Keep them closed or the reins could slip. Just hold them like that and everything will be fine.” Then he let go of her hands and Neti felt her heart pound in her chest, while her palms were sweaty as she clenched her fists.
“There you go, you’re doing it! You only have to relax some and everything will be fine.”
Neti was shocked; she could not believe that it was that simple.
“To turn, pull on the side you wish to turn to; to stop simply pull both reins towards you.” He again placed his hands over hers to show her, and the horses willingly complied.
“Then to get them to move off again you have to talk to them and give the reins a slight flick.” The horses willingly continued to walk.
Again he let go of her hands, then he said, “You need to keep an eye on the distance, it takes a few moments to change course, so you have to look out for any obstacles, overly large stones or holes in the road and try to avoid them as best as you can.”
Neti nodded and looked past the horses’ buttocks at the path before them.
“Most of the times, the horses will follow a path and need little checking.”
Neti found it easier to look between the two horses, so her attention was not focused as much on their buttocks. The road was well-trodden and easily accommodated the chariot. She felt her shoulders relax and started to look around as Shabaka showed her some landmarks and told her stories of his first ever trip to Thebes.
She was just as aware of his proximity as always, although the atmosphere was lighthearted, relaxed and pleasant, which easily lulled her senses and allowed her simply to enjoy the moment. She could not have asked for a more pleasant morning.
The sun had just passed its zenith, when he again placed his hands over hers, and guided the horses onto another path, one she would not have seen had he not maneuvered them onto it. Her brow furrowed some, because she could not understand why they had to leave the main road.
It was almost as if he had sensed her confusion when he said, “There is a resting point this way; it is not far from the river. We will stop here for the evening, there is none better along the road and should not needlessly tire out the horses. The grass there is good and the horses need to eat.”
They traveled a short distance along the path, keeping his hands over hers, before pulling on the reins and making a hushing sound to slow the horses. A few moments later they came to a stop. He let go of the reins again and stepped off the back of the chariot “Hold them until I have taken the reins at the front”, he said.
Neti did as asked, and released them once he’d taken them. He turned and pointed to the far end of the small grass field. “I will see to the horses, there is a path down to the river over there; you can for a suitable campsite and collect some water in the meantime.”
Neti could easily see the path he indicated and stepped from the chariot, turning back to loosen the partially empty water skin.
“You have stopped here often?” She asked as she walked away from him.
“Yes, I prefer this place to others; my father showed it to me when we first traveled to Thebes. There is a small jetty down by the river which allows for barks to moor for the evening. There is enough grass for the horses and enough space to allow for several people to camp together without being in each other’s way.” He said as he loosened the horses’ harnesses. “I will see to the sleeping mats and look around for some twigs when I am done here, I may even manage to catch a fish before the sun goes down, then we can have it with some of Yani’s flatbread and beer”
Neti was hesitant to leave his side since she did not know the area, and finally asked, “Are there any crocodiles or hippos down by the river?”
“I have never seen any, and it should not be any more dangerous than the river in Thebes.” He then led the two horses a few steps before he stopped them and tied their front legs together, as she had seen the nomads do with their camels in order to prevent them from running off, and then left them to graze, although they seemed more intent on rolling in the grass than eating.
“I will take them down to the river to drink once they have cooled off a bit”, Shabaka said as he returned to her.
Neti turned to look up to the sky, calculating how much time they had before the sun set, and decided that she would bathe and rid herself of the dust and grit. She took her satchel from the chariot and turned in the direction Shabaka had pointed her, and soon enough found the path that led down to the river.
She instinctively checked the bank for any indication of crocodiles or hippos. There were no drifting shapes in the water and no drag marks indicating their presence on the banks. The small jetty stood above the waterline, the soil around it had dried out already.
Without thinking she placed the half full water skin and her satchel on the jetty and loosened the sash around her waist, gathered it together and also placed it on the small jetty, followed by her wig. Pulling at the sides of her shenti she slipped it over her head, removing her under-garments as well and placing everything on top of the sash, before carefully making her way into the water.
She closed her eyes and briefly submerged under the surface before leisurely swimming a few strokes and turning onto her back, simply enjoying the serenity of the moment.
She had no idea how long she had been there, but Shabaka’s panicked voice had her suddenly splash and realize that she had almost floated to the middle of the river.
“There you are!”, he called turning towards the water.
“What’s wrong?”, she asked.
“You’ve been gone for a while, I was getting worried. Another group has arrived.”
Neti did not need to hear more. She knew that in all likelihood they were men and called back, “I’ll be out shortly.” Then she watched Shabaka move away keeping his back to the river. She quickly swam the short distance back to the banks before leaving the water, using her shenti to dry off as much of the water as possible before pulling another one from her satchel.
“I just want to rinse this and get some water, then we can return to the camp.” Shabaka sti
ll stood with his back to her and remained silent.
They returned to the camp and Neti was surprised to find several men there. Remembering the incident with Moses she whispered, “You are not afraid that they might steal your horses?”
“There are several medjay in the group.”
Neti looked at their goods they had piled up on one side, and said, “You are welcome to join them this evening, I am certain I will be fine.” Shabaka’s head turned sharply and he gave her a piercing look, “You are under my protection when we travel.”
Neti simply nodded in reply, but his tone of voice confused her.
“We will all dine together. That is - if they are as great fishermen as they claim to be.”
The sun touched the rocky cliffs on the other side of the river as they approached Syène. Passing through a stone carved road, Shabaka told her the tale of its origin, how the masons had carved the stone for various projects over time, and how it had become one of the main passageways into Syène.
The setting sun colored the sky orange-red, bathing the light stone hilltops and the city buildings in pale pink light.
The citizens were walking about, and the most striking difference between then and Thebans was not so much their skin tone but the brightly colored and patterned fabrics they wore. Shabaka explained to her how from a young age the women were taught how to dye the fabric and create patterns, and also how many prided themselves in having the most elaborate or unique patterns. The patterns on the fabric seemed to move with the people, almost as if they were alive, and it fascinated Neti.
Young children ran about the street and soon enough followed the chariot as they proceeded through the streets, until one recognized Shabaka. Within moments of his yell the passerby’s turned and lowered their gazes, and many stepped out of the way as they proceeded along the road.
Shabaka continued along the path and eventually turned towards his parents’ home.
It was a large building, and as with all palatial buildings in the Egyptian kingdom, it was plastered white and consisted of several tiers that appeared to almost be carved out of the hillside. Even in the pale evening light she could easily make out the lavish gardens and plants.
Neti felt a great sense of unease envelope her as they passed through a set of pylons. “Your parents will not object to me coming without an invitation?” Neti asked. She was uncertain what they would think of her, whether they would object to her and Shabaka’s partnership.
“Why would they?” Shabaka replied, “There is room enough within the palace and you are here as my guest.”
“You did not send word of your arrival; they haven’t had any time to prepare.”
“I never had to notify my parents of my arrival. It is my home as much as theirs; there are always people around.”
Neti remained silent and looked around at the gardens. The view was disrupted as they passed through a second pylon, which served as the palace gateway. The clatter of horses’ hooves on the stone courtyard drew the attention of the servants, who seemed to come from out of nowhere.
Within moments after Shabaka had stopped the horses, a servant came to take the reins, bowing low.
Shabaka gestured for Neti to step of the chariot, letting go the reins before he followed her. Several footmen appeared, for a moment they hesitated, then they also bowed to him. The head of the household came out, but stopped for a moment, before he spoke.
“Prince Shabaka, welcome home. We had no knowledge of your arrival. Your rooms are ready should you need them.”
Neti looked from the servant to Shabaka, obviously confused, but Shabaka replied in his own language, “This is my partner Neti, she is to be given a set of rooms as well.”
The man looked taken aback by the request, then turned to look at Neti before he finally replied, “The rooms for visitors are not ready. We can only offer her a chamber.”
Neti could feel the anger radiating off Shabaka as he said, “She is my guest and you will put her in adequate rooms. I have never heard that the rooms are not ready. They are always ready for visitors.”
The man looked at Neti for a moment before he addresses Shabaka again, “She does not understand us?”
“That does not matter, you will do as I say”, Shabaka insisted.
“But the king…”, the servant countered.
“Will be more angered by your defiance than her presence here.” Shabaka affirmed.
The man eventually nodded and turned away. By that time the footmen had untied all of their belongings and the horses had been taken away.
Neti was led down several hallways and highly doubted she would ever be able to find her way back to the atrium. The young servant girl whom had been assigned to accompany her turned to look at her as she beckoned her towards a room. She could not understand their language, but from their behavior she could deduce that they were not comfortable having her around.
The servant opened the door and Neti was completely taken aback by the room, because it alone was the size of half of her home. The walls were plastered white and were covered in most intricately woven draperies. There were several pieces of wooden furniture with beautifully carved patterns as well as two lit lamps that gave the room a soft and welcoming glow. To the one side there was a series of cushions with a low table, and near the far side a large divan with several more cushions. The floor was covered with large colorful rugs.
Neti put down her satchel and walked over to the divan. She ran her fingertips over the fabric, enjoying the smooth texture. The fabric was a far better quality than she had ever touched, except possibly that of the bed linens in Pi-Ramesses.
The servant addressed her, but since she could not understand her she lifted her hands palms in a helpless gesture.
The servant tried again and this time Neti was able to deduce that it had something to do with a meal.
Neti nodded and followed the servant to a dining hall, where Shabaka was already waiting for her.
4
Chapter Four
Shabaka took a deep breath, drawing the cooler evening air into his lungs as he made his way down to the jetty. The darkness of the evening enveloped him, only the moon and the stars witnessed his progress along the familiar pathway. As a boy, he used to race along the same path with his brothers, determined to be the first one to reach the jetty, whether it was to go swimming, picking up fish for dinner or running to meet their parents upon their return. As children, they had also often accompanied their father to the palm groves on the islands situated within the wide berth of the river, where the finest palm oil and palm wine in all of Egypt was processed. Life had been so uncomplicated then, and in some way he envied the freedom they had had to simply do whatever they wanted, whenever they felt like it. In some way, he sought that same sense of certainty, that same carefree spirit, that had filled those days; or perhaps it was just the serenity and solitude of the cool evening air, along with the familiar surroundings that brought back the nostalgia and the opportunity to reflect on his thoughts and experiences without the interference from others.
The opinions of others were another thing he had been overly aware of while growing up. His parents had placed on all of them that, while childhood pranks were acceptable for child princes, they were to set an example for their people; they had explained that as young princes their decisions and behavior would constantly be under the severest scrutiny, which made any deviation or mistake seem so much greater than it really was, as more people noticed it than actually would have, had they been normal citizens. Over time, their responsibilities had increased and the carefree moments of their youth disappeared.
As a young prince, he’d been sent to Ramesses’s new palace for training in the Egyptian ways, just as his brothers and most of the other younger princes under Egyptian rule had been. Ramesses’ believed in training all the younger princes together, so they would establish a bond between the future rulers of the various kingdoms under his rule, which ensured that the peace they all
enjoyed would last.
But that very evening, he had once again been faced with the most fundamental challenge the different kingdoms under Egyptian rule were exposed to. Even though the palace staff had followed his instructions and prepared a chamber for Neti, no one had been particularly kind to her.
His years with the pharaoh had diminished the need for such a trivial practice as judging people on their appearances. He had learned not judge people for the color of their skin, but many of his fellow Nubians had not. From experience, he had learned that it was those, who had little in life who were most honest. And honesty was a quality he placed far above that of skin color. He had also learned to appreciate everyone for the skills they had.
Introducing Neti to his parents had recently become a constant concern to him. He did not know what his brother may have told his parents about Neti, he had also not spoken to him since their visit in Pi-Ramesses, although he knew that he and his wife had approved of Neti, or at least the working relationship they shared. Just as he knew that he had spoken to Neti, but Neti had never told him what their discussion had been about.
He had no way of knowing how his parents would take such news; how they would feel about him bringing her home, even if it was by orders of the pharaoh.
Which was why he had been relieved when they had arrived at the palace and found his parents and siblings away. It had given him the opportunity to settle and give Neti a chance to familiarize herself with the surroundings before they had to face the inevitable questions his parents would demand answers to.
But at the same time it was strange to be alone in the vast home. All his life, one of his siblings had always been present, someone he could speak to, someone to discuss things with, but this time he was uncertain if any of them would be able to truly help him with his concerns…
The Forgotten Papyrus (The Mummifier's Daughter Series Book 5) Page 3