“And you have to comply?”
Shabaka reluctantly nodded his head and started walking again.
12
Chapter Twelve
The following morning Neti and Shabaka made their way to the craftsmen’s warehouses. The atmosphere between them remained tense, and either one of them kept to their own thoughts. He had decided to walk and Neti wasn’t sure why. Although at the same time she was grateful for it, because the close proximity in a chariot would have been more than she would have been willingly to agree to, since she preferred having a certain respectful distance between them at the moment. Even their conversation had been stilted, until eventually they decided to rather not say anything at all.
She was restless - had been restless since their return to the palace the previous evening. Her thoughts had been consumed with retracing the events that had occurred since their arrival. She had mulled over everything Dagi, Menwi and Aya had told them… and still she could not make sense of it. Just as Aya had, she found it difficult to believe that a man, a mere human, could predict someone’s death. It was unheard of – plain unthinkable.
Just as the guards at the warehouses bowed their heads in greeting, one of the medjay chariots came up the path, and its handler shouted loudly so everyone moved out of the way.
Neti’s heart pounded as she saw the two horses hurtling towards her; it seemed almost as if Apep himself was after them. She felt Shabaka’s hand close around her wrist as he pulled her out of the way so suddenly that she stumbled against him. He quickly caught her and prevented her from falling, when suddenly the horses slowed down and stopped only a few cubits away.
Shabaka dropped the arm around her and let go of her wrist. It was then that Neti realized how tightly he had grabbed her. She rubbed her wrist with her other hand, while watching as Shabaka approached the man and seemed to reprimand him harshly in his own language. Although the man did not appear alarmed or put out by the address or Shabaka’s tone, he quickly replied in hurried words.
Neti saw Shabaka’s entire body tense in response, making her heart pound in her chest. She knew that whatever the message was, it did not bode well. When Shabaka turned towards her she did not need any words, she read his expression.
She swallowed hard as he approached her and said, “We must go with him.” His tone of voice was strained, leaving Neti to wonder what news the message had been, although she didn’t want to ask.
She nodded and wanted to follow him, but was surprised when the medjay dismounted from his chariot and offered them to take it while addressing Shabaka.
“Is it urgent?” Neti asked, but Shabaka had already stepped aside, waiting for her to get on the chariot.
“There is an urgent matter at Dagi’s home that requires our attention”, he flatly replied.
His tone somehow caught her off guard, because she was certain that he did not feel as despondent about the matter as he sounded. They had not really discussed the previous evening’s events, it almost seemed like they were taboo.
“What happened?” Neti hesitantly asked.
“Apparently, his servants are leaving. The medjay have kept them all within the compound for now, but the man I left in charge has insisted we come immediately. I have to decide what is to be done with them.”
Neti watched as he picked up the reins of the two sweaty horses and guided them around. He set them off at a steady trot and the people willingly stepped aside for them to pass.
They arrived at Dagi’s house and Shabaka dismounted, while one of the medjay took hold of the reins. Neti quietly followed him in the direction the guard had pointed them.
“I did not know that everyone here knew?” Neti ventured as they moved towards one of the smaller buildings.
Shabaka turned to look at her for a moment, then he said, “Something like this can never be kept under wraps, not with my people. The servants will draw their own conclusions. Some would even make you believe it is far worse than it really is.”
As they entered a small room, Neti could almost feel the agitation that emanated from the servants gathered there. There were four younger girls, all tightly holding on to their satchels. There were a few older men, but not quite as many as Neti had expected there to be. She assumed it took a considerable workforce to take care of a property as big as Dagi’s.
Shabaka sat down on one of the stools provided and invited her to join him, before he looked each of them over, not saying a word.
A few moments later Hazim arrived and Neti was incredibly relieved; she knew he was going to translate for her what was said.
It seemed that Shabaka had waited for the young man’s arrival, since he only addressed the gathered group once he had joined them. Neti was not sure why, as Hazim did not translate everything Shabaka had said. For a moment she wondered if Hazim’s presence was not more so for observation than to help her understand what was going on.
“Where are you going?” Shabaka asked one of the servant girls; she seemed a little more confident than the others.
“I cannot stay here, not now. We all know something is about to happen. It will happen tonight. We have heard the rumors and what they were saying. I have no desire to be killed as well. I have others to think of - it is not my curse.”
Shabaka looked at the others and Neti saw many of them nod at her words.
“Do you know who these men are?” Shabaka asked, pointing to one of the guards.
The girl looked at them and nodded her head, “They are from the palace.”
“They have been put here to protect you and everyone in this house, and yet you choose to desert your master.”
The girl looked at Shabaka insecurely and chewed on her lip, shooting the others a glance before she spoke. “We know not what it is. You know not what it is. The God Apep has cursed the master and he could curse everyone here as well”, the girl continued, sounding more desperate now. “My husband and I have a baby. I have to think of my baby first, I cannot leave him motherless. How am I to know if my husband is going to take another wife who will treat my baby with consideration.”
Her words seemed to encourage the others, because another girl said, “I may depend on the wages I receive here, but my life is by far more important to my family.”
Shabaka turned to look at the woman and nodded. “Aya has paid you?”
All of the servants nodded.
Shabaka turned to the medjay he had put in charge and said, “Let them go then.”
“But...” the man countered. “You said not to allow anyone to leave.”
“They can go. You can see their fear. It is the fear of the unknown. They must go because their fear itself poses a threat that may give something unknown power over them; they do not know the life of the brave. Tomorrow they may return to beg for their work again, but it is up to Dagi to decide if he wants to employ these simpletons who show him no loyalty.”
The servants looked at Shabaka and their indecision and confusion was obvious. The young woman who had answered him was the first to take her satchel and leave from the room, having hardly cleared the doorway before she ran full tilt for the gate. Mere moments passed before another went, calling her to wait so they could go together.
One by one the others left, leaving Neti to wonder how many servants were left within the house and the premises.
“We should go to speak to Aya and find out how Dagi is doing this morning.” Shabaka said rising from his stool, seemingly unaffected by the events as he left the room, only his hanging shoulders betrayed his actions.
Neti was hesitant to follow, but felt obliged to as Hazim joined them.
Shabaka knocked at the door and the elderly woman opened again.
“I see you are not leaving?” Shabaka said.
The woman nodded before she said in a calm voice, “The master has been good to me, and I will not desert him in his time of need.” She opened the door for them and allowed them to enter, and unlike the times before there was no indication of any
disdain towards Neti. She even bowed her head in greeting as Neti passed her.
Aya met them in the hallway, wringing her hands. “I do not know if that was such a good thing to do.”
“What?” Shabaka asked for a moment looking past her.
“Letting the servants go”, she hesitantly replied. “I summoned them this morning. Many were restless, and I did not want any problems so I paid them and told them that those who wanted to leave could do so.”
Shabaka looked at her. “How many have left?”
“Most of the servants in the house and a number of the groundsmen. I know not how we are supposed to take care of the garden today.”
“This is the least of your concerns”, the old woman said behind Neti, startling her. “I think most of the plants can go without one day of watering.”
“And the foremen?” Shabaka asked.
“They are still here, there are goods arriving today that are part of the tithe to be moved.” Aya replied.
“They have also lived through more dangerous situations with Dagi. They are not afraid of this unknown beast. They would lay down their lives for him any time.” The elderly woman said and Shabaka turned to look at her, stiffly tilting his head.
“You have seen to him this morning”, Shabaka asked, turning his attention back to Aya, “How is he?”
“I cannot really say, he seems somewhat relieved, but has not forgotten what day it is. He has asked for his favorite meal this evening, saying if he was to die he should at least have a choice of his final meal.”
“And you will prepare it?” Shabaka asked.
“Yes, I do not see why not, I have asked one of the men to slaughter a lamb for it.”
“And that is all?” Shabaka asked.
“He has also asked to be taken down to the river this afternoon. He wants to see the sunset.”
Shabaka looked at Neti, before he returned his attention to Aya and asked, “And you think this would be wise?”
“I cannot see why it should do any harm. Menwi did not mention anything of the sunset - only the moon.”
Shabaka finally nodded, “I will speak to the men and have them accompany you when he leaves the house. Do you want to arrange the chariot-dray to take him?”
Aya shook her head, “He says he feels strong enough to walk. Your presence here has given him a greater purpose, a desire, almost a belief that he can survive this… yet Menwi has never been wrong before.” She said the last words in a dejected tone.
Neti felt somewhat relieved, because if Dagi believed that he would survive the evening, that no beast was going to get to him, then there was no reason for things not to return to normal for everyone come morning. She remained silent as she and Hazim followed Shabaka around the premises to speak with the various guards.
Dagi’s home was vast and it was the first time Neti had the opportunity to see the full expanse of the grounds including the storage areas. All of the men they met were friendly and willingly showed them around. Shabaka discussed a few things with some of them and pointed to certain areas as they spoke. Hazim did not bother to translate and explained to her that they were discussing access points and placement of the guards.
There were several gardens beyond those in front of his home, each in various stages of growth. She looked over the vast expanse of the gardens. She now understood why all his servants spoke well of him. There was a bounty there, none of the servants had seemed hungry or lacking proper clothing. They were all well cared for. Dagi’s property alone seemed staggering - or would have been, if it wasn’t for the fact that the gardens now seemed devoid of groundsmen. There was no singing or whistling, which was something she had come to associate with the harvesters. There was this absolute silence that hung in the air, almost as if even the birds were hesitant to raise their voices. Only the trading staff and the guards were present. Had she not known better, someone could have told her that the gardens were blessed and maintained by the gods and those in the afterlife, for not a plant seemed out of its place.
They arrived at the animal pens, where the coppery tang of freshly spilt blood still hung in the air. The lamb that had been slaughtered for the evening meal was strung up by its legs, and the men were busy skinning it. Although the sight itself did not put her off, since she had seen it many times in her life; it was the thought that they were doing it for someone who considered it to be his last meal – and that made her stomach churn. The whole meaning of their work, the way they worked in absolute silence; everything hung like a heavy shroud over them and Neti once again experienced the instinctive urge to flee, to get away from there; but she had to wait for Shabaka, who was talking to the men.
From there they went to the storage rooms. There they were met by one of Dagi’s foremen, who gave them an account of the morning’s dealings and that business was going as usual. Neti watched as several men loaded grain sacks onto a dray, an easy familiar rhythm to their work.
Just as they turned to go back to the house, one of the medjay came running towards them. The way he was running towards them and the concerned expression on his face when he stood before them, gasping for breath, as well as the way he looked around, made Neti feel uncomfortable. There seemed no valid reason for someone to be in such a rush.
“My Prince, Shabaka, we have a problem.” The man spoke between gasps. Hazim again translated for her.”
“What is it?” Shabaka asked. His tone more harsh than he had intended, but from the stance of his body Neti could deduce that he was just as alarmed by the man’s haste as she was.
“A bark has just arrived at the jetty”, the man said still gasping, “…with tithe for the Egyptian pharaoh.”
“Why is that of such importance that you run here as if Apep himself was chasing you?”
“There is a black-mane lion amongst the goods.”
Shabaka turned to look at Neti, whose entire body went cold.
13
Chapter Thirteen
Neti’s heart skipped a beat at the news, her body felt rooted to the spot as her mind tried to process the news. She knew that there could be no way that Menwi could have known that the lion would arrive on that particular day. Just as there had been no way that he could have known of their trip to the coastal city.
She noticed Shabaka’s concerned gaze but found herself incapable off responding. She refused to accept it; she refused it to be real. Menwi’s words could not hold such truths! The ones he had given her had only warned of hurt and pain, and the mere thought that Shabaka was to be with another woman was torture for her.
After the guard had regained his breath he continued, “We requested the shuty keep it on the bark, but he refuses to comply. He said he was to bring it here and that he had no intention to keep it any longer on the bark. It is hungry and the cage is not strong enough to hold it if it was to get angry.”
“Is there any other place it can be kept?” Shabaka asked, turning his attention back to the guard.
The man hesitantly looked at Shabaka before he shook his head, “There is no way we could get him into one of the stone cells without someone being injured or killed. And even if we could, the cells are not big enough. It is well known that Dagi has the best and safest cages for such animals.”
Shabaka turned to look at Hazim, “Go call the beast master, tell him I want to speak with him.”
Hazim nodded and turned to leave.
Shabaka turned his attention back to the guard. “Tell the others that I will be down there shortly to assess the situation. Until then the lion is not to be moved or disturbed.” The guard nodded and left, his pace not as hurried as it had been earlier.
Shabaka turned to Neti, “Come. Let us speak with the beast master.” They turned around to retrace their steps and got about half way there before they met Hazim and the man. Neti was at first taken aback by the man’s appearance. She had expected a beast master to be tall, trim and strong, but this man was several dry seasons older than them, his skin wrinkled from t
he sun and he was of average height and build. If Neti had to judge based on his looks, she would have considered him the most unlikely of beast masters she had ever seen.
“You are familiar with the management of lions?” Shabaka asked.
Neti saw the flinch of surprise, which unsettled her even more.
The man looked at Neti and Shabaka as he calmly replied, “Yes, but the master has forbidden keeping any large beasts here.”
“Could you safely keep one here?” Shabaka demanded.
“The cages are the best in the region; I personally helped with the design. I’ve never had any animal escape or kill anything or anyone while in my care.”
Neti was surprised at the man’s answer but even more surprised when he continued, “I may not look like the typical beast master, but you do not need physical strength to manage and control such animals.”
“How would you bring one in from the river?” Shabaka demanded.
“There is a passageway down to the jetty, specially built for moving wild animals, it is entirely enclosed, the animals can only move forwards or backwards.” The man turned as he continued and pointed to the far wall, “The access to the grounds is right there.” Neti turned her gaze in the direction the man was pointing and could just make out an opening in the wall. “It runs all the way to the pens over there, where they are baited into an enclosure. You see, it is not necessary to bring the animal in on a dray. The exercise also does them well after having been contained on a bark for several days.”
“And the enclosure is secure?”
The man nodded his head firmly. “Once all the gates are closed there is no chance of them escaping.”
“How do you care for the animals?”
“Water is poured into a basin from a specially built channel in the wall and food is dropped from a hatch in the roof.”
The Forgotten Papyrus (The Mummifier's Daughter Series Book 5) Page 13