"What are you—hard of hearing and simpleminded?" Neti replied, her heart leaping again, feeling almost like it was choking her. She had never before spoken to anyone in such a manner.
The man looked at her for a moment, before asking, "What do you want?"
"I'm looking for a few ladies for pleasure."
The man looked her over and then turned his attention toward Moses. "How many do you need?" he calmly asked, visibly sizing up Moses.
"Just one or two, for now. Kaliph said you should have a few among the Ghapus."
The man nodded his head and replied, "There are a few," before stepping back.
Neti stepped through the doorway, with Moses following close behind, his hand already reaching for his dagger.
The moment they had stepped into the room, the door swung shut behind them and another man stepped forward from the shadows, capturing Moses' elbow and halting his action. "There is no need for that," the man said, his stance that of a man who had seen numerous fights. "Hand it over, we will have no bloodshed here," he then released Moses' elbow and turned his palm up. Khabo had warned them of the man and Moses drew his kapesh dagger from its sheath and handed it to the man, who looked it over.
"It is a good weapon—not one you would find on just anybody," the man said, looking over the blade.
"And you are implying?" Neti challenged him.
"That a madam who provides her guard with such a weapon has an interest in her own safety," the man held the dagger on his fingertips. "It is well balanced, which makes it easy to handle." The man looked at Moses, "Its bearer also shows that he is not afraid of engaging in battle." The man nodded in approval, and then pointed toward Moses' eye. "He's been in a recent fight, and from the looks of it came off the better one."
Neti felt her blood run cold at the man's words, for the first time considering that it could be a trap; however she stiffened her spine as she spoke. "I did not come here to discuss my guard's weapon. I plan to return home before the moon rises. I have a business to attend to."
The man stiffened and Neti thought she might have gone too far, but then heard the man behind her chuckle before commanding, "Step back, this one is serious, and there are not many of them in Thebes."
The man stepped back, taking Moses' dagger with him, "I will return this when you leave."
Moses inclined his head and turned with Neti to follow the first man down a passageway. Khabo's descriptions were accurate as they moved through what had at first appeared to be a small home into a larger complex of rooms and passageways, constructed in such a manner that it would not have been obvious from the outside. They stepped through several gathering rooms where there were people busy trading, some of them glancing her over and several even leered and made uncouth remarks. She only hoped that no one would recognize her, but with the makeup and the clothing she wore she had barely recognized herself.
They were led into a large clearing, the largest yet, and Neti almost gagged at the rank smell of sweat and urine. The area had served as a gathering area in the past. There was no roof, however, the sides had some covering with shade where the slaves sat, trying their best to be as unobtrusive as possible. Khabo had explained how they did that in order to be overlooked. Even so, she could feel their eyes burning into her and she glanced at Moses, who true to character was scoping out the area, for all appearances looking for any imminent threats.
The area was dusty, with the walls crumbling in places, and, from the groans, many of the slaves present were in a similar state.
The man shouted a harsh command and within moments a few men moved from their positions, scurrying to collect women. Neti knew that they would be acting as shutties for the women's owners. Three women came to stand before her. Two of them were aged well beyond her, with the other only a few seasons her senior. The women all looked ahead, their gazes fixed in the distance as they dropped their slips to ground, bearing their bodies. If anyone was affected by this action, they did not show it. Neti felt uncomfortable as she looked them over, never before having needed to compare women, yet she proceeded as she had been instructed, before loudly professing, "They are all older than the ones I need."
"These are the only ones available," the man quickly countered.
Neti narrowed her eyes, hoping it conveyed disbelief at such a statement. However, if the deal came to naught, Khabo had said it would only heighten their opinion of her and validate her position.
With a hand gesture she dismissed the older two and watched as they drew up their robes, before returning to the shadows.
"What is the price for this one?" Neti demanded.
"Ten gold debben," the man next to the woman said. Neti looked at him.
"What!" Neti exclaimed in disbelief, thankful that her original response lent strength to her voice before looking at the man, for the moment she could actually visualize him rubbing his hands together in glee. "Ten gold debben for an aged pleasure woman; what do you take me for? I could buy two younger ones for that price. Ones my clients would actually pay more for."
"Ah, but the younger ones do not have her experience in pleasuring men." The man countered, looking her up and down in the process.
"I thought that was why you liked them young," Neti bit back, and the shuttie actually looked suitably abashed by her tone. "So don't tell me any different. You lot like them to be tight and new."
Neti then looked at the woman, tilting her head some for show, "I will offer you five debben for her. She is not yet old enough for the men to look over, and wise enough not to give me any trouble. She might actually pay for herself before she is ready to go to the fields."
"Seven debben," the shuttie pushed.
"Five," Neti reaffirmed, "and not a hepar more."
"Six," the man pushed, and Neti again looked at the woman, as if she were considering it, before turning to him, "I can find better for that price."
"Five then," the man finally relented.
Neti turned to the other man present, asking, "Where are your scales?"
The man looked her over before indicating, "This way."
Neti turned toward Moses and instructed, "Bring her."
Moses nodded and waited for the woman to dress, before following Neti to the scales.
The man pulled out his scales and Neti looked at the weights with suspicion, "These are not altered, are they?"
"Why would I want to cheat a customer?" the man quickly, easily answered.
"Why indeed?" Neti said, pulling a small satchel from under her robe and dropping it on the platform, next to the scale. The man opened the satchel turning it over before looking at the contents. "And where did you get these gold nuggets?" he asked, lifting one.
"Did I ask you where the slave came from?"
"No," the man replied, while setting up the scale.
"Then do not demand to know the source of my goods. I was told I could trade here."
"I would be the last to turn down good gold," the man quickly replied and started to load the scale.
Neti watched as he weighed the gold.
"There are only four debben here," the man said, turning toward her.
"Then your scales are correct," Neti said, this time reaching with her other hand under her robe and pulling out another satchel. Opening it, she extracting gold nuggets and handed them to the other man until the scales leveled.
"Five golden debben," Neti said, closing and returning her satchel to her sash, "She is now mine."
The shuttie willingly nodded and extended his hand toward her, although Neti only lifted her brow in response, as if fearing she might catch something from him.
The man handed the shuttie four debben's worth of nuggets and dismissed him.
"It is a pleasure doing business with you," the man said, stepping away from the scales.
Neti looked around the area, "Kaliph said you would also be able to help me with another matter."
"What would that be?" the man asked, having placed his debben's worth o
f gold in his satchel.
"I'm looking for another guard," Neti said, nudging with her head toward Moses. "There are times that we need to use a little restraint."
"Yes, I believe so," the man replied. "And just exactly what would you be looking for?"
"I like them like that," Neti said, indicating Moses. "He is well-built, loyal, and can follow orders."
The man looked at Moses and flatly replied, "Those you don't buy here."
"You have contacts, or so Kaliph has told me," Neti said and then gestured toward the yard, "They would surely know of such a slave."
"And you'll pay in gold?" the man asked.
"What did I just give you?" Neti replied.
"I will see what I can do."
"Good."
"What is your name? I will send someone to call you if I find someone."
Neti glared at him, "I was told there are no names here. I prefer to keep it that way."
The man nodded in reply, "You can have a look if you want."
Neti turned to Moses, "Stay here with her."
Neti followed the man to the yard and this time saw the men lined up before her. They were of various ages and one could see the lack of spirit in their eyes. She slowly walked the line of men, who kept their eyes averted to the ground, but none of them were physical enough and most of them stank of sweat.
Neti got to the end of the line and shook her head, "None of these will do."
"Not even that one?" the man asked, gesturing to one of the men in the lineup.
Neti shook her head, "No, he is not suitable, the women might be cautious around him but the men would not be put off by him."
The man nodded his head in understanding, "I understand what you need. Give me a few days and I will see what my men can come up with."
"I will be returning home, but I should be back in Thebes in about four days for the market. I will come again."
The man nodded his head, "I will show you and your servants out."
Neti and Moses stepped from the doorway, Moses having retrieved his dagger, while the woman followed close by. Neti was still trying to process the fact that she had just bought a prostitute, which she actually had no use for, as they made their way along the roads.
Once they had returned to the familiar parts of the city, Neti spoke, "I really did not think we would get out of there."
"I also did not," Moses honestly replied.
Neti walked for several paces before demanding from the woman, "What is your name?"
"My name is whatever you give me," the woman replied.
"No, the name you were given?" Moses clarified.
"You are the second to ask me such a question."
"The second?" Moses asked, confused.
"Yes, there was a Nubian slave who asked me the very same thing."
"And you told him?" Moses pressed.
"Desa," the woman calmly replied.
"Desa, I'm Neti and this is Moses."
"I am to call you by your name?" the woman asked, surprised.
"Well, first I have to decide what I am going to do with you," Neti replied.
"You are not a madam?" the woman asked, confused and scared.
"No, I'm not. We were looking for a friend," Neti replied, before turning to Moses, "Did you see him?"
Moses shook his head. "No, there were one or two Nubians but none looked like Shabaka.
"You are looking for Shabaka?" the woman asked, confused.
"Yes," Neti replied, and was just about to ask Moses something when she turned and looked at the woman, her heart for a moment tightening when she asked, "You know Shabaka?"
"There was a slave with the name Shabaka; he is the one who asked me my name, who said he was a prefect."
"What! You want to tell me that Shabaka is in Apisit Ripisit?" Moses demanded.
"You have seen Shabaka? When?" Neti demanded at the same time, causing the woman to flinch.
"He was there," she hesitantly answered.
"What do you mean he was there?" Moses demanded.
"They took him yesterday afternoon. I didn't believe he was a prefect, honest."
"How was he?" Neti demanded.
"He was very badly beaten."
"And you have no idea where they took him?" Moses demanded, vexed.
So much so that the woman stepped back from them, "No, and no one asks in Apisit Ripisit."
"Moses!" Neti called his attention, "Go tell the pharaoh, I will take Desa to Yani. For now Yani can see to her."
Chapter Five
Neti strode along the path leading to her home, having taken off most of the elaborate clothing and makeup after leaving Apisit Ripisit, with Desa meekly following behind her. The woman's faded and threadbare clothing drew the attention of several onlookers as they passed them. However, Neti was too deep in thought to give the occurrence any consideration. Her thoughts were consumed by what she had learned, and the possible implications. The only comfort she had was the knowledge that Shabaka was still alive, even if badly injured.
Yani met them at the doorway and looked the woman over, her spine straightening before turning to Neti, demanding, "Who is this?"
Neti turned toward Desa and gestured with her hand, "Desa, this is Yani, she takes care of my home. Yani, this is Desa. I bought her at Apisit Ripisit."
Yani looked at Neti in disbelief before hesitantly asking, "Mistress, you are not happy with my service?"
Neti shook her head, as she replied, "That is not the reason I bought her, we were looking for Sha . . . someone," Neti quickly checked herself.
"In Apisit Ripisit?" Yani disbelievingly asked.
"It is a long story," Neti said, before turning and indicating to Desa, "Find something fitting for her to wear and feed her, I do not think she has eaten for some time."
"And then what should I do with her?" Yani flatly asked.
"I don't know. I will have to discuss it with the pharaoh, as his gold paid for her. However, I cannot take her to the palace dressed as she is."
Yani's stance relaxed as she nodded in response and gestured for the woman to follow her. Neti made for her sleeping chamber, gathered up a change of clothing, and went to the doorway, calling over her shoulder, "Yani, if anyone comes calling, I am going down to the river!" Neti stepped from her house, determined to wash the dirt and reminder of Apisit Ripisit from her body, while trying to contain the disquiet and unease that remained.
* * *
Moses purposely strode into the palace's assembly hall, only for his steps to falter when he noticed the group of elders gathered around the pharaoh. He looked around the room, recognizing several of the men that were captured during the incident at the valley of kings. Typical of the pharaoh, matters were concluded quickly with judgment swiftly passed on the issues at hand. Even for his advancing age, Ramesses was far more astute than many who sought to oppose him, which was why few dared to contest his continuing rule.
Ramesses lifted his gaze from the men surrounding him and saw Moses. He tilted his head some before returning his attention to matters at hand, however Moses had seen the slight nod he had given and therefore remained where he was. Once the man before Ramesses had concluded his complaint, Ramesses turned to look at the accused, before swiftly passing judgment and dismissing the matter.
Just as another man stepped forward to voice his claims, Ramesses lifted his hand "That is enough for now; I have an urgent matter to attend to. We will continue after the afternoon meal."
The man made to object, however, Ramesses had already risen from his seat, marking their dismissal. The guards approached to escort everyone from the hall.
Moses waited they were alone before approaching Ramesses, who indicated to the guards to close all the doors.
"Where is Neti?" Ramesses demanded, the concern in his voice was evident.
"She took the slave we bought for Yani to tend to." Moses calmly replied and saw Ramesses visibly relax.
"She is safe then?" Ramesses said, as he returne
d to his seat.
"Yes, my lord," Moses was quick to reply.
"These people can be so trying. They do not realize I have important matters to attend to. I cannot sit here all day and listen to their petty claims against others," Ramesses said, dropping his head into his palms. "This matter could result in war for Egypt and I have no desire for a war; I am past the years of seeking blood," he said, before looking up at Moses, asking, "What have you learned?"
Moses shifted uncomfortably on his feet, which caused the pharaoh to sit up.
"It appears that Shabaka was there, but has since been moved," Moses hesitantly replied.
"What! When?" Ramesses demanded, his back straightening.
Moses visibly swallowed before wearily replying, "Some time yesterday."
"Any idea where he was taken?"
Moses shook his head, "We have only learned that he was badly beaten and that he was moved yesterday afternoon."
Ramesses remained silent for several moments, his gaze lowering to the floor before he spoke. "You think this Ma-Nefer could have intended to go through with the trade?" His voice remained uncertain.
Moses looked on, not liking the thought that they possibly could have made a mistake in their approach the previous evening and demurely replied, "I don't know, my lord. I have never met the man so I cannot speak."
Ramesses rose from his throne, leaning heavily on his walking staff and moved some distance before turning to face Moses. "We need to figure out where he would take Shabaka and somehow stop him."
"My lord, there are so many trade routes and hidden alcoves within the desert—there is no way of telling where they will take him," Moses dejectedly replied, adding, "We could spend years scouring the desert."
"And you think such an answer will appease the Nubian king? He has entrusted his son's life to me and this is what has happened."
Moses shook his head in response, "My lord, as a king he would be aware of the dangers. He is also aware that Shabaka seeks justice; that he is not one to just stand back. Shabaka has been in numerous difficult situations in the past. I do not think the king would hold you responsible for such an incident. You put up the ransom. The men even searched the area afterward and found nothing."
Secret of the 7th Scarab (The Mummifier's Daughter Series Book 4) Page 4