“And that is why the pharaoh supports this business”, the man said in disgust. “He does not care if these people do us in, he still gets the best goods and his taxes.”
Neti saw Shabaka turn to the man and harshly address him. Hazim translated for her that Shabaka had asked the man to explain himself. Although Neti though that it would have been something far more severe than that, since the man had spoken out of turn and ignored that one of the royal family was in attendance. His words could be seen as treason.
“Your father brings in the goods and sells it to the craftsmen. They do their work and sell it back to him. Then has the goods sold for a higher price to others who in turn sell it for an even higher price. Meanwhile your father collects taxes from the craftsmen and the traders.” The man reasoned.
“You can buy the goods directly from the craftsmen, cheaper than from the traders who move them and take the risk of crossing the deserts”, Shabaka firmly replied. “You do not have to buy anything from anyone else.”
“The goods kept in the warehouses are often large and expensive pieces”, the craftsmen’s representative addressed the man. “They are pieces that only the wealthy can afford. So if you seek to find exceptional goods then you should go there; especially if you can’t find anything to your liking on the market. Many a craftsmen deals almost exclusively with the pharaoh’s people.”
The man fell quiet for some time and everyone in the room seemed to be mulling things over. Shabaka turned to the scribe, who once again read a name from the list that the speaker in turn called to the room.
A well-built man stood up, bowing to Shabaka before he spoke in a calm and measured tone. “At first I, too, had a problem with the craftsmen. I thought it was unlikely that they could succeed if so many were working on the same things, but I have since acquired many beautiful goods from them. The cloths the women make are fine and beautifully woven. The hammered skillets are as good as any you will find in the pharaohs kitchen. They made it easier to get these things. You do not have to wait. In fact it is only the lack of debben that prevents you from acquiring more goods for your home. If for some reason you don’t like the goods one of them offers, you simply move on to the next. I have noticed a great improvement in the quality since they started and there are many young people learning their skills. Thus, my Prince, I withdraw my objection, it was wrongly influenced by the fear of goods going to waste.”
His disclosure was soon followed by others, who also withdrew their complaints.
Shabaka finally stood up to speak. “From what I have heard and understood, it is not a complaint against the craftsmen or their goods, but that of securing goods for yourself, which has brought this about. The representative for the craftsmen has spoken and confirmed that anyone can procure goods from the warehouses, therefore the supply to you should not pose problem in the future. The craftsmen are in my eyes earning an honest living, while providing you with useful goods. There will always be an argument about the price of goods which is up for individual negotiation and beyond my or my father’s control. Therefore, I conclude that there is no real concern here, the problem could have been resolved simply by inquiring where to purchase raw material.” Shabaka turned to the scribe, “I herewith close this tribunal with the note that the craftsmen are to continue with their work, and that citizens have access to the same materials as the craftsmen, at the same price. There should therefore not be any problems in future.”
The citizens present seemed appeased by the decision and soon enough stood to leave.
Shabaka turned to Neti as they left the assembly room, “Now that was a waste of time.”
“Not for your people,” she said.
“Yes, but we have also lost almost an entire afternoon and haven’t learned a thing.”
“We have learned that no one knew of Dagi’s involvement. Also Aya did not tell us that your father is in charge of the warehouses. I would really like to see them.”
“I think we can arrange a visit in the morning, but I would like to speak with Dagi again on the matter. Aya said he had boasted that he made big profit from the arrangement.”
“You are starting to doubt her?”
“I am not certain whom to believe at the moment. I have even considered the possibility that Dagi is being poisoned. What do you think about that?” Shabaka asked and turned to look at her.
“I would have to take a better look at him, but I think poison would have killed him sooner.” Neti replied.
Shabaka turned to Hazim, “Tell the guards that I want to speak with the craftsmen’ representative. They shall take him to the guard house.” Hazim nodded and left. “I want to know whom he really spoke for”, he said turning to Neti. “It is stressful to have so many people stare at you during these proceedings.” He started looking her over, “I would understand if you first need a break, before we meet with the medjay.”
“I am fine”, Neti assured him. “I think it is harder on you than it is on me.”
“I have been exposed to them ever since I was younger than Hazim. This one thankfully was short. We had to sit through some that lasted for days on end.”
“When all you wanted to do was being outside and play”, Neti added.
Shabaka nodded. “It comes with being part of the royal family. Hopefully the medjay have had better success in securing all animals.” He said as he led the way to the guard house.
Within moments of entering, the first of the men reported that most wild animals they had come across were secure and should pose no threat, those who were not have been confiscated and have been placed in the stone cells until their owners have seen to the requirements.
“Any large predators?” Shabaka asked.
“No, my Prince, only a liter of hyena’s cubs, two wild dogs and a jackal. We were not too concerned of the zebra or the pigs. They are unlikely to seek out someone to attack.”
“Any animals at the jetty?”
“There are still men checking barks, but so far only chickens, goats and sheep.”
“And the traders I have requested of you to seek?”
“They are not within the city, they have left, and from what we have learned from others they will only be back by the next moon turn.”
Just then, the man from the tribunal was brought in, escorted by Hazim. The man’s objections to being treated in such a way, along with proclamations that he had done no wrong, were numerous. On noticing Shabaka and Neti within the room he immediately fell silent.
“Leave us”, Shabaka firmly commanded, and everybody in the room immediately made to leave, even Neti and Hazim. “Not you, Neti.”
Neti stayed.
Sabaka waited for all the others to leave and the door to close before he started to speak. “You represent the craftsmen?”
The man simply nodded in response.
“Who appointed you?” Shabaka demanded.
The man looked from him to Neti before speaking, “She is not to hear of such matters; she is foreign and it is not a woman’s place.”
“She is a prefect of the Egyptian pharaoh and my partner; you will respect her and answer my question.”
The man looked at both before finally speaking, “For some time there have been issues between the craftsmen and the other citizens. Yet no one was willing to call a tribunal. Dagi first asked me to help the craftsmen whom the others wanted to cheat, but when the project became too big for him to manage with everything else he has going on, your father took over the management. The warehouses needed protection. There had been threats about burning them down and Dagi had not the manpower to protect them all. He mentioned to your father that I dealt with any discrepancies on the craftsmen side, as there have been several but not many, but the men know and trust me. Your father then had me assigned to the warehouses to tend to the legal side and to oversee the fair exchange of goods. And before you ask, yes, your father pays me.”
“So you represent my father’s interests?” Shabaka asked.
&nbs
p; “And those of the craftsmen.” The man was quick to add.
“You cannot be on both sides.” Shabaka said.
“In this case, I can. Your father supports the craftsmen and the system. I deal with the complaints from citizens who want try to cheat craftsmen out of their goods. Your father has asked me to look into a standardized system for setting prices, but it is difficult: several of the items made there are truly unique with intricate handiwork. They cannot be priced the same way others are. This is why those men complain” The man said pointing making a sweeping gesture to indicate the men who had attended the tribunal. They want the good products at the prices of the apprentice trial pieces.
“Who else knows of Dagi’s input in the matter?”
“Almost all of the craftsmen, but they know him only as the man who supplied the raw materials and then bought their finished products. Most trust him above any other trader, and will often give him a special price.”
“Does anybody have a reason to dislike him?”
“There have been some who have felt cheated in the past. But they have also seen the work of others and have come to understand that the traders want only the best. I doubt there is anybody who wishes him ill.”
“You know of his condition?”
“I only know that he is ill. I don’t know what he has or the cause. I am aware that the healers have been there to see him, but that he has not improved.”
“You have not gone to see him?”
“I have tried, but he refused to meet me.”
Shabaka only nodded and dismissed him.
That evening, as they approached Dagi’s home, nothing appeared to have changed. It was only when they neared the house that one of the men stepped out of the shadows, which caught Neti by surprise. Shabaka stopped to address the man, allowing Neti to once again look around the gardens. It was only then that she noticed there were others, who also moved within the shadows, not too far from them.
Shabaka finished his conversation with the man and then indicated to her to move on speaking softly as they went. “There has been nothing strange here? The servants have gone about their work and no one has approached the home. Aya is inside.”
He knocked on the door and the woman they recognized from the previous day opened it, at first looking them over before stepping aside to let them enter. She did not say a word to greet either one of them, which Neti found strange, but instead led them to one of the public rooms, before addressing Shabaka and leaving the room.
Shabaka looked around. The entire atmosphere of the house was strange, almost overwhelming. The silence seemed unnatural and even the air itself seemed somehow stale and made it hard to breathe.
“What are you thinking?”, Shabaka finally asked, calling Neti’s attention.
“That I should not be here, that all this is the work of something dark.”
Shabaka nodded and wanted to add something when Aya stepped into the room.
“I knew you would come! The others said you would stay away but I knew you would come.”
“I then sent a messenger this morning.” Shabaka replied in disbelief.
“It does not matter you are here”, she finally said. “And the servants are almost ready to serve the meal.”
“How is Dagi?”
“He seems somewhat better, he has even said that he will join us this evening. I told him of the guards you have sent and the arrangements that have been made. It has made a great difference to him. He even ate something this afternoon.”
Shabaka and Neti followed her to the dining area, where they were met by a servant who offered them a bowl to wash their hands and offered to wash and anoint their feet. They accepted the offer and watched as two of the servants helped Dagi into the room. Although he walked on his own, they stayed close by to be of assistance if he needed it. His appearance had not changed much from what they had seen the previous day, but it was not as great a shock as it had been then. Neti took the opportunity to assess his movements, and although they were careful, they were by no means restricted. He was weak, she knew as much, but he was not in any amount of pain. At least not any that would indicate he was being poisoned.
He looked at Neti but said nothing as he took his place at the table. Neti sat down on one of the cushions provided and Shabaka followed her lead. Aya joined them a few moments later and when Dagi said something to one of his men, Neti suddenly wished Hazim was there to translate for her.
The servants came in and placed several plates on the table, a large platter of flatbread, fruit, several roast pigeons and something Neti had never seen before. Her curiosity must have shown for Aya spoke. “It is one of the cook's creations; I mentioned to you yesterday that they are quite creative. This is one of my favorites. It has meat and sauce in it which flavors the spiced dough made from sweet root. You should try it.”
Neti thanked her and turned to look at Shabaka, but shook her head when he tilted his.
Dagi was the first to reach for food and seemed somehow intent on remaining silent unless he was required to say anything. Shabaka in turn told him of everything that had been arranged, but only received the slightest of acknowledgements from the man. A behavior Neti found exceedingly rude.
The servants had just brought the wine when another man joined them. Dagi for some reason became more animated at his arrival, and for a moment Neti wondered that the arrival may be too much for his strained health.
Dagi spoke, but Shabaka was quick to counter him, and Neti saw him turn his gaze towards her with something akin to resentment before he again addressed them, this time in Egyptian.
“I have asked my scribe to join us”, Dagi began, turning to look at the man. “There are several matters I want to specifically address before tomorrow evening.”
Neti felt a churning sensation in her stomach and she could not determine whether it was caused by his words or the meal they had eaten. But the unspoken hung in the air and it suddenly made her feel ill.
“As you know I have a son who will inherit my business, home and everything else he is entitled to. And although I doubt he is ready, there is little I can do. He may have to learn from the consequences of foolish choices, but there are people I have chosen to protect him.”
Neti could not understand what the man meant, but her blood ran cold when he continued.
“I have watched and listened to Aya when she spoke to me, I have also watched her interaction with you”, he said looking towards Shabaka, “…and have taken into consideration what you have done so far to ensure both my and her safety. Therefore I have asked my scribe to draw up a testament which says that upon my death, Aya is to become your wife. She will serve you well and you are of the age, where a man should already have taken a wife.”
Neti was dumbfounded, and could not utter a sound. She had never before heard of such an arrangement. From Shabaka’s expression, he seemed just as shocked as she was. It felt like a rope tightened around her heart as he looked at her; she did not even know if it was legal, since she knew nothing of their laws.
Aya was the first to speak and it was hesitant at best. “My dear you cannot do that, Can you not see that they are partners?”
Neti was taken aback even more by her words but nothing could have prepared her for Dagi’s response.
“What?! Her!”, he said looking at Neti. “She is Hittite, he cannot marry her! He is a prince, he is to marry one of his own. She is worthless.”
Neti saw Shabaka’s shoulders stiffen and quickly reached out to touch his arm, to draw his attention. Her hand was shaking way too much for her liking. At her touch, he turned to look at her and she looked down at her hand and moved a finger, holding her hand still for a moment before turning it palm up, hoping he would understand what she was trying to say. He looked into her eyes for a few moments, then he nodded..
“Don’t you see? They speak to each other without saying a word”, Aya said, “I have never before seen something like that.”
“I do not c
are, she is not one of us and his parents will not allow it. You need to be taken care of and I know with him you will have a better life than you would with Rameke. He is too much like his mother and I fear he may not treat you right.”
Neti could see no easy way of settling this matter. She disliked Dagi for what he had said, and in some way she saw a great deal of his son in him, especially in his lack of respect towards women - he was bold enough to say what others only dared to think.
“He means nothing to me, and I to him. It would not be fair to ask that of him.” Neti thought there was little else the man could say to leave her even more speechless, but what followed proved her wrong. “He is the prince. He can take as many wives as he chooses, although he would have a hard time finding one like you; and you will learn to love him.”
Never before had she felt such an urge to stand up from a table and leave a room. Her parents had always taught her not to be disrespectful of others, but now she found her restraint challenged.
When Shabaka finally managed to speak, he spoke in a tone she had never heard before, she was at a loss to really say what he was thinking or feeling, because his words appeared devoid of any emotion. “I see no need for such an arrangement. I have done everything within my power to ensure your safety and the security of your home. I dare say no beast could come in here. As for the number of wives I take, that is my choice.”
Dagi looked at him for a moment, “You are a fool to think they will accept her, just as I have every right to appoint to whom my wife is to pass. She will be of use to you in the palace. I will not be dissuaded. It is already done”, he said.
A heavy silence fell over the table and Neti could wait to leave.
“Can he do such a thing?”, she asked Shabaka as they left, uncertain whether she even wanted to know the answer.
He nodded in reply.
“And you have to accept?”
Shabaka looked at her for a few moments before he replied, “My parents can insist on it.”
“And you think they might?”
Shabaka stopped and took a deep breath before replying, “Dagi was correct when he said that I should have already taken a wife. He also knows that my parents now have the right to choose one for me.”
The Forgotten Papyrus (The Mummifier's Daughter Series Book 5) Page 12