“You had time to find a hebron but not report to the palace!” Ramesses demanded.
Neti realized that her attempt to sooth over the pharaoh had only resulted in more anger, with Seota hesitantly shifting her weight between his feet.
“The owner was a friend of mine,” Shabaka said causing the pharaoh to turn his attention to Shabaka.
“And that is supposed to make me feel better?” Ramesses demanded.
“My, Lord,” Shabaka started, keeping his voice lowered. “I know not what has caused your agitation, but if you would desire of us to return at a different time, then so we shall.”
Ramesses took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh. He looked from Shabaka to Neti to Seota before requesting, “Who is this young one you bring before me?”
Neti and Shabaka turned towards Seota, with Shabaka raising an eyebrow as his and Neti’s gazes locked. Neti nodded and turned her attention back to Ramesses. “My Lord, it is the young girl I brought back with us from the costal city.”
“Ah yes, the one I gifted you for finding Shabaka.” Ramesses said rising from his throne. He reached for his walking stick and slowly made his way over to them. “Had I known she was this attractive, I would have kept her for myself.”
Neti’s entire body went stiff at that.
“But then Maatie would have taken my youngest away from me, she would have joined the other wives, and that I cannot have. I still prefer her company above all the others.”
Seota stood absolutely still as Ramesses approached her. He walked around her once and then stopped before Neti. “But I can imagine that in your care, she would serve me and the kingdom much better.”
He then turned to Shabaka and demanded, “Where is Moses?”
“He is still in Thebes, my Lord.”
“I see.”
“If this is not a convenient time, my Lord, we can return later.” Shabaka said.
“You of all people should know I value any interruption from those bothersome elders. One would think that with time and experience they would be able of managing trivial problems themselves, but they always seem to seek some acknowledgement, some reward for what they do.” Ramesses released another heavy sigh, “And as fond as I am of seeing you two, your unannounced presence here undoubtedly means that there are pressing matters in Thebes that require my attention.”
Ramesses turned from them and carefully made his way back to his throne. They waited for Ramesses to settle before Shabaka approached him. “All was well in Thebes when we left there. Moses was charged with overseeing matters in our absence.”
“Then what brings you here?’
“It is a long story, my Lord, and one for another time. We have however brought a man for trial.”
“And this man, what do you accuse him of?” Ramesses asked, once again sounding formal.
“He was the captain of the Mejay in Memphis. He is guilty of seeing to his own needs before that of the kingdom and the pharaoh. He abandoned his post which allowed for the illegal trade of stolen goods to take root in the city.”
“The last is a serious allegation. Do you have a means to back up such a charge?”
“The Mejay in Memphis uncovered a trading place much like Apisit Repisit in Thebes.”
Rameses’s eyes narrowed. “I imagine you have shut such a place down.”
Shabaka’s gaze dropped, “I fear, my Lord, the curse did a better job of it than we.”
“There was a curse?”
“Men attempted to trade the artifacts from Pharaoh Kufu’s tomb.”
“Well then, they deserved the punishment the Gods handed down.”
“Yes, my Lord.” Shabaka said.
“He shall appear before me in two days. I think it would do the others good if I handed down a severe punishment for someone who chose to flout the responsibilities handed to him.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“Come, let us break bread. I can imagine Maatie would be happy to see you again Neti.” Ramesses said again rising from his seat.
They entered the dining area, which had not changed much since Neti’s previous visit and settled on the cushions. A servant came around to wash their hands and feet, anointing the latter, and bowing lowly before taking her leave. Neti noticed Seota’s bewildered expression and reached for her arm.
The girl turned to look at her and seemed to relax some. Just then, Maathorneferure entered the room. A delighted squeal erupted from her causing Seota to suddenly swing around and leap to her feet. Seota looked about bewildered, her chest visibly rising and falling as Maathorneferure rushed towards Neti. Neti rose to meet Maathorneferure who quickly embraced her.
“By Ra! He could have told me you were coming.” Maathorneferure said before pulling back. “He knows how much I enjoy your company.” Then glared at Ramesses.
“I confess, my wife, I had nothing to do with their appearance. I was as surprised as you by their appearance in the court today.”
Maathorneferure’s eyes narrowed as she looked at Ramesses.
“He tells the truth,” Neti said, drawing the queen’s attention to her instead. “We only appeared in the court this morning, and then only to bring someone for judgment.”
“Then you will be staying a few days.” Maathorneferure said joyfully before turning her gaze to Seota. The aging queen’s body went rigid as she demanded. “And this would be?”
Neti turned to Seota, and having picked up on Maathorneferure’s antagonism, she said, “This is Seota, she is my companion and is assisting us. She loves to work fabrics and I entrust her to make all of the things I require. I think she will very much enjoy a trip the harem to view the fabrics they weave there.”
Maathorneferure looked the girl over and then addressed her in Nesili. The girl for a moment looked to Neti before replying. Neti could not make out a word they were saying only that Maathorneferure again asked the girl something, to which Seota answered.
Maathorneferure’s face lit as she turned back to Neti. “You have no idea how I have longed for someone who could speak in my tongue.” She stepped forward and gestured for them to sit. “Had I known you were coming I would have ordered something more fitting from the kitchen.”
Neti looked at the variation on the table and thought it very unlikely. The table was already laden with some of the finest foods. Seota looked hesitantly at the table but Neti resettled herself on one of the pillows and indicated for Seota to follow. The girl’s hesitation want not uncommon, since Neti could remember her own experience the first time she had sat at the table.
Neti looked at the selection of foods and placed some on her plate before changing it with Seota’s. The girl looked at her in surprise, however Neti said, “I know you all to well. You will nibble on a piece of flatbread and starve yourself rather than take enough food to satisfy your hunger. It is something you cannot afford given your condition.”
“What condition?” Ramesses demanded.
Neti uncertainly looked between Ramesses and Shabaka, with Shabaka answering the question. “She contracted some strange skin disease while we were in Memphis. No one could actually provide us with any information on the sickness.”
“Can others get it?” Maathorneferure asked, alarmed.
“Both Neti and I have not contracted it and it appears to have passed, so we are not certain if others will get it.”
Ramesses looked at Seota, “It does not appear to be leprosy, but just to be on the safe side, I think the royal healer should have a look at her. I will summon him after our meal.”
Seota looked at Neti in concern.
“Tell me more about this man you have brought before me. It is not often that one of my elite officers turns on me.” Ramesses said turning his attention the Shabaka
“I would not say that he turned on you, well at least not the way the old vizier in Thebes had, or the vizier we dealt with here had. However his inaction made it possible for criminals to infiltrate the city and steal from the inhabitants.”
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br /> “And what would your backup argument be, especially since we both know that criminals and thieves are present in all cities and one cannot hold one person responsible for stopping them.”
Shabaka for a moment looked towards the women before responding to Ramesses. “The charge I bring before you is placing his own interests before those of his duty and by doing so, he left his division without guidance.”
“It is still a difficult charge to validate.” Ramesses said.
“I do not really want to discuss the matters outside the hall, my Lord, for we both know that many will claim your partiality to the prefects, or the fact that you knew the details of the matter beforehand and that it has influenced your judgment.”
“But it is also for that reason that I want to know. Deciding on the correct punishment means I have to understand the facts to be brought before me. And in matters relating to of abandonment of duties, I have to be certain of the charges and the evidence before me. For if not, and the punishment does not fit their actions, it will only result in others rebelling. It could even result in a war.”
Reluctantly Shabaka started, “When we arrived in Memphis, some of the locals told us of their grievances with many mentioning losses. I went to the office of the mejay, only to be told that the captain was unavailable. When I insisted on seeing him |I was told that he was unavailable because he was not at the office. When I asked as to when I could see him, no one could answer me. Using my authority as a prefect, I demanded to know where he was. My kinsman on duty divulged to me…” Shabaka hesitated for a moment and looked towards the women, and then lowered his voice. “…the captain was to be found at a place called The House of Pleasure.”
“The what?” Ramesses demanded.
“I believe that conditions became so lenient within the city that the owner of the establishment felt it safe to openly announce the nature of their dealings.”
“You mean prostitutes?” Ramesses asked, disbelieving.
Shabaka nodded and then said, “An entire house full of such women. The house itself as lavish as one of your own palaces.”
Ramesses’ eyes enlarged as he said in disbelief, “In one of my largest and most prosperous cities!”
“I personally dragged him from it.”
“We both know he can claim to have been investigating it.”
“He holds too high a profile to be investigating such a matter, and his men would not have known where to find him.”
“That is true. I will have to think this over. But in the meantime, seeing as you are here and could be discreet about any investigation, I have a concern I would like investigated.”
“A concern?” Shabaka asked, hesitantly.
“News has come to me recently that the Master Craftsman at the crafters hall has acquired goods far beyond those of a man of his position.”
“And you think…?” Shabaka said stressing the last part.
“Well, the most obvious would be that some gold has been taken. But it has become increasingly difficult to monitor the amount of gold that is delivered to the hall against the goods that come out of it.”
“Certainly it cannot be that difficult.”
“A lot of the objects are inlaid with gemstones, or covered with gold sheeting. Their weight, therefore, differs against the gold that is brought in tillage to the hall.”
“So what do you want us to do?”
“Just go and see if you or Neti notice anything suspicious. I trust your judgment. If something is amiss, then you can investigate the matter further.”
“We have no real reason to go to the hall.” Shabaka said, “Our presence there would be enough to place anyone on their guard.”
Ramesses looked towards Neti and Seota before he said, “Neti is good with finding reasons for you to be somewhere and the young one could learn from it.” Ramesses turned his attention to Shabaka, “Besides, there is not a woman alive that is not drawn to the allure of gold. I dare even say that some are even swayed by it.”
Shabaka only nodded in response.
“Whatever reason you come up with, I will support.”
3
Chapter Three
Seota nervously moved about the large chamber, periodically stopping and looking towards the door before again starting her pacing. She looked at Neti for a moment and then released a heavy sigh.
“There is nothing to concern yourself,” Neti said, her voice calm in an effort to ease the girl’s nerves, however Seota continued pacing.
Seota did a full turn of the room before releasing another heavy sigh. Neti tilted her head as she spoke, “You should settle or you stomach will cast you’re your meal.”
“I simply cannot.” Seota said, her voice contained a whining note.
“What is bothering you?” Neti then demanded.
“I have never seen a healer, much less a royal healer.”
“He is no different from any other healer; well perhaps he is better than most healers but he is still just a healer. There is no need to be concerned.”
Seota turned to her with a look of disbelief on her face, but said nothing.
“Speak your mind. You know I do not like it when things are withheld from me.” Neti instructed.
“What if he finds that I am still carrying the disease? What if I can make others ill? You cannot stop them from banishing me or driving me away. You know how people react to those who are ill. I am not foolish enough to think I will be allowed to remain and you are too important to the pharaoh to be allowed to leave.” Seota rushed through.
“Seota, calm yourself. We do not even know this.”
“I cannot be calm. This could change everything for me.”
“Or it could confirm that you are well.”
Seota looked at Neti in disbelief, “You know him. Surly you could say something if something is wrong. I don’t want to be sold or isolated again.”
“Again?” Neti asked confused.
“I was kept in isolation for a time before being sold. They said it was what I needed what was best for me.”
“How so?”
“It is when they train us to be complacent.” Seota said, dejected.
“You mean they made you do things against your will.”
“They beat you until you do what they tell you to.”
“But that is cruel.”
“Owners may do to slaves as they wish.” Seota deadpanned. “…but you know this healer, even I have heard the tale of you saving the queen. You must help me.”
Neti shook her head, “I don’t know the new royal healer, and I worked with the old healer.”
“But everyone here knows you,” Seota pressed. “Everyone here respects you. They will listen to you.”
“They know the tales of me, as you do, of my part in saving the queen. It does not mean that they know me. In fact many are still suspicious of me and what I do.”
“But the healer would have knowledge of you.”
“I doubt any healer in the royal palace will be willing to work with me again.” Neti honestly replied.
“Why so?” Seota asked, confused.
“Because the last time a healer helped me devise a way of identifying poison, he was killed for it.” Seota looked at Neti in shock, but said nothing as Neti continued. “It was then that I realized that people could not be trusted on face value. And that often it is those trusted most who are the most corrupt.”
“But Ramesses trusts you and Shabaka implicitly and you are not corrupt.”
“Not all people are as loyal as Shabaka. And to be honest, I too could have been a different person had I ended up with different people.”
Seota made to reply, however the gilded door to the chamber swung open to admit the healer.
The healer turned towards Neti and bowed lowly. The action that caused her to frown. He was attractive by most standards and about her age. He stood a little taller that her, which was not all that tall – considering she only reached Shabaka’s shoulder.
He righted himself as he spoke, his voice calm and steady. “Good day, my name is Hapet. I am honored to meet the infamous mummifier’s daughter. You are held in high regard by all in the kingdom.”
“I am nothing more than a mummifier and the pharaoh’s prefect,” Neti honestly replied. “…who was only fulfilling my duty to the pharaoh and the queen.”
“From what I have heard, you were only elevated to the position of prefect after helping the queen.”
“That is true,” Neti said.
“It is said that the pharaoh trusts no other than his prefects, not even his advisors or vizier where certain matters are concerned. Thus, I am honored to assist you in any way possible.”
“You are to assess my companion’s health.” Neti said gesturing to Seota. “And if possible clarify the sickness she suffered.”
“You do not know what sickness she had?” Hapet asked, surprised, but turned to Seota.
“That is not needed, really, I am much better.” Seota quickly said, holding her hands out in front of her.
Hapet looked at Neti and noticed her frown, then said, “Perhaps it is better if we first discuss this sickness.”
Seota seemed immediately relived by it and even lowered her hands, however remained unwilling to disclose any information.
“Please sit on the mat; I am in no hurry to make a diagnoses.” Hapet said pointing to the grass mat.
They settled, however Seota remained close to Neti who started, “It happened, or at least I first noticed her discomfort at Ramesses’ Villa outside Memphis.”
“The one close to the Pyramids.”
“Yes,” Neti nodded.
“Continue.” Hapet invited.
“It appeared at first to be a plague of some sorts, but no one could provide any information and we have no idea of whether what she experienced was the same as what the desert nomads sought treatment for.”
“Did anyone die of this condition?” The healer asked, for a moment glancing at Seota in apprehension.
“That is the complication,” Neti said, “The pharaoh’s servants believably went mad and killed each other. But Seota showed no such signs. She had the patches on her skin and was very ill for several days, but she had no intention of killing herself or anyone else.” Neti looked towards Seota, “Well at least no intentions I knew of.”
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