PHARAOH’S GOLD
The Mummifier’s Daughter - Book 9
Nathaniel Burns
Edited by
Helen Minder
© Copyright 2017 Nathaniel Burns
Contents
1. Chapter One
2. Chapter Two
3. Chapter Three
4. Chapter Four
5. Chapter Five
6. Chapter Six
7. Chapter Seven
8. Chapter Eight
9. Chapter Nine
10. Chapter Ten
11. Chapter Eleven
12. Chapter Twelve
13. Chapter Thirteen
14. Chapter Fourteen
15. Chapter Fifteen
16. Chapter Sixteen
17. Chapter Seventeen
18. Chapter Eighteen
1
Chapter One
The edge of the sun had barely cleared the horizon when small group of mejay made their way down to the docks. Between them, Aregos shuffled with his hands bound and feet restrained. Aregos kept his gaze lowered as they led him to the awaiting boat, he was no longer recognizable as the once proud captain of the Memphis Mejay.
Only the steady fall of footsteps on the wooden planks could be heard. Not even a bird chirped while Neti and Shabaka watched their approach. They both stepped aside as the guards continued past them and escorted Aregos to the awaiting boat.
The two men flanking Aregos escorted him up the gangplank. Neti’s gaze shifted to Seota. For a moment, Neti tried to ignore the churning sensation in her stomach as she had wanted to return to Thebes. However Shabaka’s insistent in his desire bring Aregos before Ramesses himself meant that they were once again bound for Pi-Ramesses. Neti however, remained uncertain as to Seota’s health, whom Neti thought was not yet well enough to travel – especially by boat.
Shabaka noticed the direction of Neti’s gaze and said, “She will be fine. It is just a little more than a day’s travel.”
Neti turned to look at him but said nothing.
“You do not think so?” Shabaka stated rather than asked.
Neti shrugged her shoulders before replying, “No one has really been able to tell us anything about her condition and it has left me confused. It makes me uncomfortable, because I do not know she could make others could ill.”
“No one else has become ill.” Shabaka said, “Therefore, whatever it is, I do not think she would be placing others in danger.”
The wow mejay officers descended the gangplank of the boat and Shabaka indicated for her to precede him.
“That only makes me question it more.” Neti said as she started along the pier, Shabaka following close behind.
Shabaka reached out for her arm and pulled her to a halt at the base of the gangplank. Neti turned to him as he asked, “What are you not telling me?”
“That maybe we should not go to Pi-Ramesses with you. That we should wait here for your return as it will allow her enough time to recover.”
“That is absurd?” Shabaka said.
“I would not want to be the one responsible for starting a plague in the capital city.”
Shabaka tilted his head for a moment before stating, “While I understand your desire to avoid causing others any unnecessary suffering, the man we are to bring before the pharaoh was directly responsible for bringing suffering upon the people of Memphis with his inaction, he should be brought before the court.”
Just then the mejay guards did an about turn, with the officer in charge lowering his head in acknowledgement to Shabaka. Their action for several moments prevented Neti from responding. Once the guards had reached the shore did she say, “Then you should go on your own. We will be of little help at court.”
“No! Never!” Shabaka exclaimed. “There is absolutely no way that I will allow you to remain here on your own.”
Neti stood taller at that flatly demanded. “You want to tell me you don’t trust me? That you choose to try and control me?”
Shabaka wanted to answer but visibly hesitated, then shook his head and said, “It is not you that I don’t trust. It is what may happen in my absence that concerns me.”
“So, you want to control me?” Neti demanded, visibly angered.
Shabaka took a deep breath and clenched his fists before slowly releasing the pent up breath. He drew in another long breath before replying, “The last time I left you in the care of another, you nearly died. Forgive me if I’m not quite ready to lose my partner.” And with that, he stomped up the gangplank.
Neti looked at him, her expression a mixture of confusion and concern as she said more to herself, “But that was ages ago.”
Shabaka reached the top of the gangplank and turned back to her, “Not in my mind. Besides, I don’t think Seota is a risk to anyone. Besides, the Pharoah has some of the best healers. They can look her over when we get there.”
Neti’s brow furrowed, but she made her way up the plank, while Shabaka checked on their prisoner.
Two of the oarsmen pulled up the gangplank while the others started coiling ropes and calling instructions to men along the pier.
Neti settled next to Seota. The sounds of their departure already familiar enough that Neti knew they would be pushing away from the pier soon and she did not want to be standing when they did. She noticed the concerned look on Seota’s face and tilted her head before saying, “Speak your mind young one.”
“Are you two at odds again?”
Neti looked towards Shabaka for a moment before she answered. “We have differing opinions at the moment.”
Seota looked confused, “There’s a difference?”
Neti looked at Seota and smiled. “Having different opinions does not mean we are at odds. It means that we have a strong enough partnership to disagree on things without necessarily becoming too angry with each other.”
Seota looked at Shabaka, “But he seems angry.”
Neti looked towards Shabaka, then released a heavy sigh and said with a lowered voice, more to herself. “It is because he continues to hold himself responsible for what happened.”
Seota quickly turned her head to look at Neti, and asked, “What happened?”
Neti looked at her and then shrugged her shoulders before she spoke, “It does not matter anymore. It’s in the past.”
“It seems to matter to Shabaka,” Seota said.
“That is because he will not leave it in the past.” Neti said, then changed the subject, “Are you going to manage the journey?”
“They said it will not be long.” Seota positively replied. “I think I’m getting used to traveling by boat.”
Neti only nodded.
The Sun had long since set and several of the oarsmen armed with long sticks looked out along the sides of the boat for any sign of God Apopis.
“Why do they do that? Even I know the jeer have left the river to go eat.” Seota said.
“They are guarding the boat against an attack from Apopis.”
“Apopis?” Seota asked confused.
“Apopis is the enemy snake-god of Ra who arracks the sunbark during its journey through the duet every evening. River tradesmen and travelers believe that his followers may attack a boat that travels during the night.”
“That seems strange to believe it would happen here. The river is large.” Seota said.
“It is told that should the God Apopis win the battle against the Gods on the sunbark, that the following day will be cast in darkness and the God Apep will rule both the day and night. The men on the river believe that if his followers were to attack and they did not ward them off, that it will be their last evening on the river. The loss would cast them into the eternal night. It is the reason why boats are anchored during the night.”
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“Then why have we not anchored?” Seota asked.
“I believe the captain is in a hurry to reach Pi-Ramesses.”
Just then the voice of the captain resounded well into the night. “Light the lamps and get moving you scruffy bunch! The dock’s ahead!”
The unexpectedness of the command startled both Neti and Seota watched as the men scurried about. Several lamps were lit, while others grabbed the coil ropes and moved to the side of the boat. Several men held lamps out over the water and peered into the darkness.
Only the flickering of lamps still lit within the city confirmed their destination, along with the pale glow of the moon reflected on the buildings.
Dark water slapped against the side of the boat. The sound changed as they approached the pier, becoming more frequent. The first man to jump, misjudged the distance and ended up in the water with a mighty splash. The second man jumped and landed on the dock with several others following.
“Is that needed?” Shabaka asked.
“It’s dark and they will need to guide in the boat.” The captain firmly answered.
“With the noise they make, half of the dock guards here will thinking it is an attack.”
“Ag,” the Captain dismissively said, his had waiving in the shadows. “People set on attacking would have more stealth than these. Besides, the guards should be used to late arrivals here.”
Just then two guards appeared with a lamp at the dock’s end. “Who goes there?” the one with the lamp demanded, holding the lamp higher.
“Captain Dargar.” The Captain called out.
“What is your purpose here?” The other guard demanded.
“I have tillage for the pharaoh and a prisoner escorted by the prefects.”
Several more guards appeared and a murmur was heard, along with arguments between them, before one called out. “This is a strange time to be arriving. We have no knowledge of tillage due. And the prefects are also said to be in Thebes.”
“So you think that someone who is going to attack the city will have lamps lit on his boat? And shouting to the pier guards” The Captain challenged the guards, and again there was mumbling amongst them. However, before they could reply the Captain said, “No, they would not. Stop your whining and let the mejay know we have a prisoner for them.”
His words caused one of the men to come closer just as the gangplank was lowered. The guard holding the lamp lifted it higher, the others drew their weapons in preparation.
“There is no one to help offload?” the guard called.
“We can wait until morning for that.” The Captain said appearing in the light.
Shabaka stood next to the captain and said, “Call the mejay.”
“Prefect Shabaka,” The guard said lowering his head in acknowledgement, “I apologize for any inconvenience.”
“Stop apologizing and start doing,” Shabaka firmly said, “We requested the local mejay to collect a prisoner, have one of your men go fetch them.”
“Yes, Prince, I mean Prefect, Sir.” The man said and instructed one of the men to run and collect the mejay.
“I could offer the others to assist.” The guard offered, but Shabaka shook his head in response. “They do not know how to deal with an important prisoner.”
The deck crew scurried along the pier, securing the boat, while Neti and Seota gathered up their belongings. They moved down the gangplank just as the mejay arrived.
“Take the prisoner to the holding cells. I will consult with Ramesses in the morning as to when his trial will be.”
“But this is the Captain of…” One of the guards started, however Shabaka cut him short “He no longer holds any rank, and you are not to listen to anything he has to say.”
“Yes, Sir.”
The men lead Aregos away as Neti and Seota came to stand next to Shabaka. “You are not accompanying him?”
Shabaka turned towards Neti, “No, it is too late for us to go to the palace, so I have to help you find a place to sleep.” His gaze moved to Seota before he said, “Come I know a hebron owner who should have a chamber for you.”
They walked for several blocks before Shabaka stopped and knocked on a door. There was a small slither of light visible under the door and they could hear the movement of someone behind it.
“We are full.” A deep voice called through the door.
“Open in the name of the Pharaoh,” Shabaka replied.
There was the sound of a board scraping against the door and several moments later the door opened. A short but stocky man appeared in the entranceway, who first looked at the women then at Shabaka.
“Well I’ll be boiled eggs at meal time, Shabaka.” The man warmly replied. “I thought you were in Thebes. What are you doing here at this hour?”
“We’ve just arrived.” Shabaka quickly answered, “I was hoping you could put us up for the evening.”
The man looked between Shabaka, Seota and Neti before shaking his head. “I only have one chamber available and it is not very large or suitable for guests.”
“At this time of the evening, anywhere safe is suitable.” Shabaka said and then looked towards Neti and Seota, “The women can then stay with you.”
“What about you?” Neti demanded.
“I will spend the night at the barracks.” Shabaka said, “They will have space for me.”
Neti made to say something however Shabaka handed her the extra satchel and said, “You will be safe here,” and then took his leave of them.
“Come, this way,” the hebron owner said, before unhooking the lamp from its position on the wall.
“But you said you don’t have any space.” Seota said, seeming hesitant.
The hebron owner turned to her. “That is true, I do not have space for just anyone, because I have learned thought the years that those who appear at your doorstep in the middle of the night are not to be trusted. But anyone who knows Shabaka will make space, for he is a man of his word, and a protector of people.”
“How do you know Shabaka?” Neti asked.
“Before he was assigned to Thebes, Shabaka helped to bring before the court a group of men who purposely went out to raid hebron owners and guests. They would check into a hebron seeming to appear as decent but weary travelers, but when morning came everything of worth was taken, even the possessions of the travelers resting. I helped Shabaka set a trap for these men, and he recovered most of the stolen goods.”
The man stopped at the doorway. “And ever since then we have an agreement, in that whenever he needs somewhere to rest, even if it is just to get away from the barracks, he will always have place here.” the man then gestured to the door. “It is not much.”
“I’m certain it is better than spending a night on a boat.” Neti said, gesturing to Seota to enter before her.
2
Chapter Two
The following morning Neti, Seota, and Shabaka made their way to the palace. The guards for a moment looked put, however lowered their heads in acknowledgement and allowed them to enter the palace.
“What is with them?” Neti asked.
“I had not sent word of our intended arrival so we were not expected.”
“You have to send word.” Seota asked confused, “But you are prefects?”
“The palace likes to be forewarned of dignitary’s arrival.” Shabaka said looking towards Seota. “I may be a prefect, but I am a prince as well. They do not know the matter of my business here so they do not know how to address me.”
“Oh.” Seota said, for a moment taken aback.
Neti remained silent as they made their way to the assembly room. Their evening at the hebron had acted as a stark reminder that even though they were in Pi-Ramesses, sinister people also operated within the royal city.
Ramesses was surrounded by several elders of the city, who simultaneously demanded that their claim should be the next to be heard, when Neti, Shabaka and Seota entered the hall. Neti and Shabaka automatically made their way to the left s
ide of the room and came to a halt behind a seated elder. Seota, for a moment, looked about nervously before following their lead. She lowered her head and held her hands before her as the slave traders had taught her.
Neti pulled on her slip to draw her attention and shook her head before showing her to stand upright with her hands behind her back, whispering, “You are not a slave in this court.”
The action drew Ramesses attention who firmly commanded, “That is enough for this morning, I propose a break and we will continue after the afternoon meal.”
“We have but started,” One of the elders said, “Matters will never be resolved if we leave now.”
Ramesses pointed towards Neti and Shabaka. “My prefects have returned, no doubt with important news. I will address your concerns after I have heard them.”
The men looked towards Neti and Shabaka before reluctantly rising from the mat.
Ramesses waited until they had all left the hall before turning to Neti and Shabaka, “Now, do tell me, when did you arrive in Pi-Ramesses?”
“We arrived late last night“ “ Shabaka said before stepping forward and bowing before Ramesses. “My, Lord.”
Neti and Seota followed suit.
“Rise.” Ramesses firmly commanded. Neti frowned at the barely contained agitation. “Why did you not report to the palace on your arrival?”
“It was well into the evening…” Shabaka started only to be cut short.
“I do not care for what time it was, what do you think the news would be if others learned that my elite, my prefects, had not a proper place to rest after their arrival at my home.”
“My, Lord,” Neti started, causing Ramesses to glare at her. “We were comfortable enough at the hebron. Do not distress yourself so much.”
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