“Do you play?” he asked, suddenly.
I jumped a little in my seat and realized I’d been staring at a gilded gaming box. “I do.”
He surprised me with a smile, and by pulling a stand over. My heart hammered in my chest. Amasis carefully set the senet board and allowed me to select the color of my choice. I tossed the sticks and moved my first piece around the board.
The game had begun.
He played well, avoiding the trap positions through a series of lucky rolls. I scarcely noticed when he called for more wine and food. I must admit, he was a good match for my skill, for his stint in the military made him a strategist. A fighter to the heart of him, I thought.
We were at evens by the time our final pieces reached the end of the board. I eyed the tidy pile of my lapis lazuli pieces, stacked beside the board. He had a haphazard mound of black onyx obelisks on his end.
“Your move.” A brief smile touched his lips and he handed me the sticks.
I held my breath and tossed.
In an instant, I could see my throw was good. I moved my hand from my wine towards the board. I glanced at him. His eyes were still fixed on the game board and his lips compressed. Decorum bade me to lose the game. I should lose.
My fingers lingered over my game piece, the one that must make a foolish mistake and cost me victory. Amasis shifted in his seat, leaning slightly away from the board. I could not read his expression, but the spark in his eyes seemed to dwindle and die. I drew my hand away from the board, masking my indecision with a small sip of wine.
“A difficult choice,” he remarked. “One hardly knows what path to choose.” He tipped his chin and looked down his nose at me.
“True.” I wet my lips. “Sometimes the best choice is no choice at all-- to remain safe. For therein lies no risk.”
He slapped his hands on his knees, startling me. “That is never the best decision! A player must act and reap the benefit or consequences of his choice. You must act. Now!”
I dislike being goaded, especially when I thought only to save his masculine pride.
“As you command, Great Nesu.” I grabbed my final pieces and moved them off the board, winning the game. “I cannot make myself other than what I am. Here is my position. And now, I believe, I have won.”
Amasis’ eyes narrowed. His hand closed over mine and he twisted my arm. “You are a canny player. Who are you? Who has sent you? Was this some ploy to curry my favor?” The board and pieces clattered to the spotless marble floor.
“I am Rhodopis.” I was surprised by how calm my voice sounded, for my pulse beat a steady tattoo. “No one sent me. I attended the feast by way of Praxitlytes the Greek who sought only to impress you.”
Amasis stared at me.
Then, he released his painful grip and threw his head back, and barked a laugh so loud, he brought the guards. He wiped his forehead, smearing the kohl across his cheeks.
“As you say. You have done well twice this evening, Rhodopis of Naukratis.” He leaned towards me. “Tell me, are you this honest with all your patrons?”
“Not all of them require such honesty, Great Nesu.” I took the edge of my fine linen shawl and dabbed at his scented skin until the kohl was removed from his skin.
He caught my hand in his, and my breath jumped in my chest. The way he looked at me, I thought for certain he would kiss me.
“I require only the truth from you, Rhodopis. Will you swear to hold no artifice where I am concerned?” He squeezed my fingers.
Gently, yes, but enough that I realized how he held the whole of my being in his grip. He could order me to do whatever he wished, even imprison me for the slightest err. I would have to tread carefully.
“Honesty can be brutal.” I swallowed hard.
“Egypt is brutal. But if you are strong and loyal, then you need have no fear.” He released my hand, and reclined on his elbow, appearing unconcerned.
“I am loyal to you and to Egypt, Nesu. Only time will tell if I am strong.”
Amasis leaned back and smiled. He unclasped a wide electrum band from his wrist and slipped it over my hand, up my wrist, and secured it around my upper arm. The precious metal was warm from his skin. “I have no mind for games this evening, it seems. Take this. The city will expect you to have some token of mine.”
So, the soldier understood the social mores of my station. And, to my mind, he was a fine player of games. “Thank you. You are very astute, Nesu.”
“Not half as much as I might wish, Rhodopis. Good night.”
Chapter Twenty Five
I allowed Praxitlytes to apologize for his dangerous game playing.
After three weeks of returning Praxitlytes’ missives, he sent round such a trove of gifts, including an orchard of potted persimmon trees, various jewels, a gorgeous cosmetic palette, polished bronze mirror, and a new brood mare for my stable, that I was forced to relent. Mara shook her head but refrained from commenting.
Praxitlytes’ ploy had worked. Both he and I were commanded to attend the temple blessing. This time, the goddess Neit, a particularly favored shrine of the Pharaoh. There always seemed to be one feast or festival or another in Egypt. Indeed they are a most reverent and joyful people.
I let Praxitlytes escort me to the ritual, for I hoped to set up an exclusive brothel of trained hetaerae in Naukratis. Now that my own schedule was overtaxed, the additional girls would serve the lower echelons; a portion of the gifts they received would be donated to the governor to support improvements and repair of the docks and byways along the Nile.
All in the name of the people, of course.
On the way to the temple blessing, I tried to convince myself I had no qualms about meeting Amasis again. I was sure that after our initial encounter his interest in me would dwindle. After all, I’d done nothing more than play a ridiculous game of senet. What man would find that memorable? So, I was quite at ease when we arrived.
At least that is what I pretended.
I had dressed in an elaborate styled gown of costly net of polished blue lapis beads, extravagant and sensual, as I was completely nude beneath it. I felt decadent, scandalously so, but as the Egyptians were not overly concerned with nudity, neither would I be. I’d painted my eyes with kohl and rouged my lips and nipples, careful not to apply too much. The effect was stunning. The blue beads set off my light eyes and the cobalt patterns of my tattooed hands.
The noise of the feast was riotous. A bevy of Grecian girls danced to complex music. I singled out one or two who might make a suitable addition to my brothel. Perhaps the one with eyes like a doe, and that slim one there….Even I was impressed by their tireless dedication. Ever present rumors claimed the previous Master of Ceremony had disappeared, for he’d not been heard nor seen since the first festival. Someone made certain Pharaoh would not withstand another insult by hiring these devoted performers.
Wine flowed from amphorae in abundance. I secured foster of the girls, but after hours of fending off more persistent admirers and accepting a few assignations, my head began to ache. As I moved through the inner sanctum where only the wealthy and powerful were allowed to pray, I overheard more conversation that the mighty Kourosh of Persia had overtaken Drangiana, Arachosia, Margiana and Bactria just within the past month. So many within one campaign. Gods help us if he turned his evil eyes toward Egypt.
I moved through the crowds, unsettled by the smoke and noise. Plastering a false smile on my lips, I left Praxitlytes waxing poetic about the need for road repairs to increase trade routes, and I slipped away to the garden courtyard to clear my head.
How I love a garden at night! The breeze was scented with jasmine and smelled faintly of the smoke from the torches in the hall. It had been a successful evening and I was pleased by the results, but now I desired only solitude. The moon shone, round and full, overhead in the indigo black of the sky. Tension melted out of my body like the cone of perfumed wax that cooled my skin. I rubbed my hands over my arms to smooth the chill bumps away.
“Are you cold, Lovely Rhodopis?” asked a deep voice behind me. The scent of sweet almond oil enveloped me.
Amasis stepped out of the shadows.
My heart began to beat faster, and I told myself it was only because none may approach the Pharaoh without consent, and not because the sight of him speared me.
“Nesu.” I dropped to a prostrate position. I had not meant to encroach upon his solitude. His private guards hovered like shades of the Underworld, just beyond his shoulder.
“Rise,” Amasis said flatly. He stepped past me to the balcony and stared at the evening sky, the city of Naukratis only just visible below. Flickers of torchlight in each building spread like thousands of stars. “The moon is very full tonight.”
“Are you enjoying the feast?” I stood and brushed the sand from my skirt.
His lips pursed a little. “As much as you,” he said wryly.
“I-I think the dancers very fine,” I said. What an inane comment! Could I think of nothing better to say to him? He would think me a babbling fool.
He glanced at me. “I have seen better.”
My cheeks burned as I remembered the way his eyes had lingered on me at the festival.
He did not speak for a long moment.
“A thousand pardons for my intrusion, O Great Nesu. I-I should return to my escort.” I bowed and awaited his approval to leave the courtyard, but he caught me by the wrist and I was forced to look up to meet his gaze.
“Do not leave.” His eyes were dark and shadowed. His thumb stroke lightly on the inside of my wrist.
“As you command,” I replied. In truth, I didn’t want to stay on that cursed balcony, with his gaze devouring me. I shifted my weight and glanced at his hand still lingering around my wrist.
He removed it at once. “I do not wish to be alone, at present.”
Well, I supposed his personal guards did not count for good company. We stood in estranged silence for some time while I tried not to fidget. At last he spoke again.
“I was not being courteous at the festival. I have heard of you, Rhodopis. Of your…influence in Naukratis.”
My heart froze. I’d been found out.
“I am well known here, yes.” I forced myself to sound unaffected by his words. I turned away so the moonlight might not betray my emotions.
“You give support. To the people. That is well, for it is the people who will bring Egypt her glory,” he said.
I blushed at his praise. “As you say, Nesu.”
“You are reputed to be clever.” He paused. “I wish to gain Greek support so Egypt may hold against the Persians. What do you say to this?”
“I am but a woman, Nesu. What do I know of such things?”
He gave me a dark look which I well deserved. “I wish to hear your opinion, as a subject of Egypt. For as long as you remain here in Naukratis, you are under my,” a strategic pause, “protection.”
I wet my lips with a nervous tongue. “The Greek armies are known for their strength. You would do well to ally yourself with them.”
He gave a half nod. “Such I have reasoned out for myself. I have asked for an alliance.”
“And?” I asked.
“And they ask what I offer in return.” He turned to look at me, resting his hand on the persimmon tree. “What should I offer them?”
Lightning raced along my skin. I swear I could feel the heat of him, though his hand no longer touched my flesh. “Something of value in trade for their aid. The Greeks are covetous of that which is beautiful. There is much of beauty in Egypt.”
A more obvious answer could not be had! My mind was a jumble.
He sounded both defensive and interested, an odd combination. “I have questioned my viziers and yet none can come up with an agreeable offering. You are a Greek. What do you suggest?”
I did not think now was an appropriate time to point out I was not a Greek, but a Thracian. His fingers were stiff, though he curled them in a carefully controlled position on the tree trunk.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Surely you have some treasure with which to mollify them? Something of value to ransom their aid. Copper? Turquoise from the mines? Emmer wheat and barley?”
“We cannot. If Persia attacks, and I remain certain they will, I need to provide for the Egyptian people first. You see the value in this, I’m sure. I will not alienate my people for the sake of mercenaries, as did my predecessor Apries. Already the people clamor that foreigners overtake their cities along the mouth of the Nile. Not every place is as accommodating as Naukratis to those not Egyptian born.”
I found it ironic that he consulted with me, a foreigner, on the subject.
“A gesture, then. Something of importance to Greece, but less concern to Egypt.” Surely if all his viziers could not come up with a plausible offer, I could not either. I tried only to buy myself an end to this conversation.
“Such as?” Amasis would not let it be. Really, he was a most tenacious man. I suppose he must be, to have lasted so long despite the disdain and waning support of half the nobility.
“I cannot guess, Great Nesu. The Greeks are always fighting with one another; I cannot imagine what would bring them into battle in a foreign land, unless….”
I heard a drunken Praxitlytes laughing just inside. Something clicked in my head. The Greeks were ever in dispute, over lands, over women, over territory. What did it all come to? Hegemony. Power. Dominance.
How many times had I heard Praxitlytes complain of the Egyptians taxing their imported goods, and for what purpose? Because he resented the Egyptian control of what he considered his affair. Trade.
Nearly all trade cycled through our city; those who did not were forced into the lesser tributaries or to haul cargo over the treacherous desert wastelands. What if Amasis were to allow the Greeks governing control in Naukratis? The amount of goods taxed would be the same, and the coffers of Egypt would still swell. The issue at hand was who appeared to be in control of the ports in Naukratis.
“Great Nesu,” I said. “Naukratis is nearly a Grecian city-state, save for the officials you have placed here. Have you not seen how many of us come to Egypt and settle here? What does it matter who is collecting the taxes as long as they are paid to your treasuries?”
“You wish me to give Naukratis over to the Greeks?” His entire body went very still. “This seems to countermand the very perception of the people.”
I drew in a fortifying breath and forced my voice to remain steady. “I merely suggest you offer the Greeks a gift they half-own already. If a farmer toils the fields for his own sustenance, does that make his crops invulnerable to taxes? Is the ground any less yours to do with as you will?”
He stared at me for a long moment. Then, his fingers peeled away from the bark of the tree. “Rhodopis,” he murmured, taking my hand up again. “The rumors are correct. You are quite… uncommon.”
I wondered what it was that he had heard, but before I could ask, the blessing festivities spilled over into our quiet interlude.
“Have you seen the lovely Treasure?” called Praxitlytes from inside the colonnade. “Rhodopis? Where are you my sweetling?”
Amasis looked at me. His eyes were unreadable.
“I beg you to excuse me, oh Great One.” I said, bowing low, slipping from his grasp once again. Decorum bade me to wait until he dismissed me.
Gone was the reserved grace from before, the assured possessive touch of his hands on my wrist. He flicked his hand toward the door. “I will think on what you have said.”
I took it as an assent to leave and fled as quickly as I could. The guards turned away when I passed.
*** ***
Days crawled by with no further word from Amasis or his court. As I was not called to attend Pharaoh or his court, I spent the following hours fretting over nothing. Mara suggested we sail down to Karnak and Giza to see the pyramids, but I opted to remain in Naukratis and accepted an assignation with a trader named Srensen instead. I still did not u
nderstand why Amasis had not tried to conquer my body. It was almost insulting, if one did not consider the sums this Srensen offered for my time. Srensen and many others, but not Amasis.
So, I focused on the business of increasing my business.
“There is no reason to accept this offer,” Mara accused.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Srensen trades all over Egypt. His word alone will more than pay for our trip to Giza later this season.” I put my arms around her and kissed her until the frown left her face. I tried to tell myself that I wasn’t staying simply to make myself available for a court summons.
Srensen was a thin man, with beady black eyes. Still, he had a ready laugh. Our conversation was light and easy over the evening meal—a marked difference than my fretful attempts to communicate with Amasis.
“I have heard you trade all over Egypt, Srensen. Tell me, in what do you trade,” I asked, pouring over my platter of fruits.
“Poison,” he said, with a wide smile.
I put down the piece of melon I’d selected.
Srensen grinned. “Rat poison. I hear Egypt is full of them.” He slapped his knee.
What he found so amusing I could not say, but his smile was infectious. He was a pleasant patron, not overly generous or intelligent, but still, it was an evening well spent. He sent me on my way when our business concluded with a small cache of poison certain to rid my pantry of pests, which I did not think would damage my hetaera status.
“Be sure your servants use care when handling this, for it will kill a man as easily as a rat,” he cautioned. I took the tiny red faience vial with some trepidation.
“Snake venom,” he said proudly. “Sprinkle the powder and your troubles are over.” He laughed again.
The cities must be full of rats from the amount he claimed to be importing into Egypt. Perhaps he was just inflating his own importance, a common enough habit among men without talent or skill in other areas. I returned home, tired and ready for the welcoming embrace of my courtyard pool.
“Here.” I handed Mara the faience vial carefully. She quirked her brow and made to open it. I put my hands over hers. “It’s poison to kill the rats. Give it to Zahouri, and tell him to keep it out of Kyky’s hands. It’s meant to rid my house of pests and you know how he feels about the monkey stealing the fruit.”
HETAERA: Daughter of the Gods Page 30