Pharaoh's Gold

by Nathaniel Burns

  “How are they stealing? What are they stealing?”

  “They first cast the gold in strips then place them back in the fire again. When they come out, they are smaller. The gold disappears. And while the Master Craftsman may claim it makes for better gold, I believe it is only done to hide their thieving ways.”

  “But he claimed that most of the gold is beaten into plates, used to cover artifacts.” Shabaka said.

  “Not all is used for that. Others have found new uses as an excuse to take gold from the real craftsmen.”

  “What do you mean, not all is used?” Shabaka asked, confused.

  “I have said enough, I will go now.”

  “Wait! Come back here!” Shabaka called after the man, he tried to follow but stumbled over a step he had not noticed. Shabaka regained his balance but not before the man had slipped through the opening that would have been the back exit of the house.

  Shabaka turned towards the road again. He knew nothing could come out of chasing the man. There were too many houses the man could enter. It was also mealtime, with most of the city’s people enjoying their evening meal in their rooftop kitchens. They would therefore not notice an intruder that merely slipped in the door. A frown marred his forehead as he reminisced on the man’s words.

  Rahann came towards him, checking him over, before saying, disappointedly, “No fight.”

  “No,” Shabaka said distracted, before turning to Rahann. “Forgive me Rahann, but I have some thinking to do and need to return to the palace.”

  “You going to introduce me to Neti then?” Rahann asked, hopefully.

  Shabaka shook his head, “Not tonight.”

  “Did the man say something to upset you?” Rahann asked.

  Shabaka again shook his head, “No, it is just something I need to tend to.”

  “Some other time then,” Rahann said, “You are staying more than a few days, right?”

  Shabaka looked at his friend, “We might be, there is a hearing the day after next we are to attend.”

  “Then you can introduce me to Neti.” Rahann said.

  Shabaka returned to the palace and immediately set out to find Neti, who was seated in the pharaoh’s private garden with Maathorneferure and Seota.

  Seota was playing with the young princess while explaining to the queen how simple alterations to the child’s outfit could ease her movement.

  Maathorneferure was first to notice Shabaka and asked, “Are you looking for Ramesses?”

  The question caused Neti to turn and look in the direction of Maathorneferure’s gaze, with both Seota and the young princess falling silent.

  Shabaka shook his head to some extent while his gaze remained fixed on Neti.

  “Please excuse me.” Neti asked, rising from her seat and turning her attention back to the queen, “I think Shabaka has something we need to discuss.”

  “Obviously my husband has the two of you working on something again.” Maathorneferure said then gestured with her hand in wavelike motions, “Don’t let me keep you.”

  Neti bowed to the queen before turning and following Shabaka to one of the farthest corners of the garden. Shabaka first looked about to ensure that no one else was around or listening before he turned to Neti.

  “What has you so concerned?” Neti asked

  Shabaka scratched his head for a moment before replying, “You may think it strange, but I may just have experienced the strangest manner of confession.”

  “What, did one of the servants confess her love for you?” Neti jested, adding, “Because I’m quite certain it would not be that uncommon.”

  “No,” Shabaka firmly replied, “This was more along the lines of should I or shouldn’t I believe what I was told.”

  Neti’s eyebrows rose before she asked, sarcastically, “Do I really want to know this?”

  “Rahann and I met at the beer house, as we have done numerous times before, but after we had settled, I noticed a man standing close by, almost as if he was listening to our conversation.”

  “A runner?” Neti asked, confused. Of all the events that could have happened in a beer house that was the most unlikely one she would recall as strange, in fact it had almost become a given with their investigations.”

  Shabaka shook his head, “No, well at least not the type of messengers we’re used to.”

  “Go on,” Neti invited.

  “He said someone wanted to meet with me in outside in one of the alcoves.”

  Neti immediate became guarded, “I take it you didn’t go.”

  “That’s just it, I did.” Shabaka said.

  “You know better than to go into alcoves alone.”

  “I had Rahann to support me if needed, but it was not a trap, which is one of the reasons I found it so strange.”

  “What did he want?” Neti asked.

  “It is not so much what he wanted but what he told me.”

  “What did he tell you?”

  “He as much as confirmed Ramesses suspicion that gold has been taken from the craft hall?”

  “Did he mention anyone in particular?” Neti asked.

  Shabaka shook his head, “He did claim that the Master Ccraftsman knew of it, and that more gold was being taken.”

  “Did he mention how?”

  “He said it happened after the gold was cast into those strips we were shown today.”

  Neti remained silent for several moments before replying, “The strips are not very large, so it could be possible for someone to slip one under their clothing.”

  “He mentioned something about the gold being taken when the strips are reheated, but we saw nothing of that.” Shabaka said, his voice containing some hesitation.

  “You doubt the man?” Neti stated rather than asked.

  “First, I see no reason for the gold to be heated again, and if it were, there is always the possibility of some remaining in the crucible after it being poured.” Shabaka said, then for several moments peered down at the ground, obviously in thought.

  “Just as there will always be a bit of wine left in a skin.” Neti said, then looked at Shabaka. “But you thoughts ate somewhere else.”

  Shabaka, for a moment, clenched his hands into tight fists before again looking at Neti, “If I had not spent as much time with Ramesses, I would possibly take it for what it is: a man reporting a crime. But anyone who has ever been in battle will know that if you can get the enemy to focus on something else, you will have a distinct advantage.”

  “You think he is trying to draw attention away from the real crime?” Neti started, but then shook her head, asking, “Do you think he is intelligent enough for it?”

  “If there is one thing I have learned while working with criminals: It is that they are cunningly adept at thinking up various methods to obtain what they want.”

  “So what do you want to do?” Neti asked.

  “I don’t know if I should play along and see what happens or if we should be looking elsewhere.”

  “What would we need to do if we played along?” Neti asked

  “We’d have to go back to the craft hall and confront the Master Craftsman.

  “It does not sound difficult and we will have time tomorrow as the trial is not until the day after. Besides, I’m certain I could convince Maathorneferure to take Seota to the coven to view the fabric they weave there.”

  “They do seem to get along well,” Shabaka acknowledged.

  “I think it will do both of them well, besides they drive me crazy when the start speaking Nesili with the princes. I cannot even understand a word.”

  Shabaka though things over for several moments before finally saying, “We will go question the Master Craftsman tomorrow then. I will go update Ramesses on matters.”

  6

  Chapter Six

  It was just after the morning meal when Shabaka and Neti set out for the craft hall. It was bustling, just as it had the day before, with most of the craftsmen moving around and collecting up or setting down va
rious tools, all while diligently going about their various crafts.

  A differed man approached them, however on recognizing them, called to one of the others to summon the Master Craftsman.

  Neti and Shabaka watched as the men went about stoking the fires, several even carried in more wood. They watched as the Master Craftsman approached them, with a frown on his face.

  “I am surprised but also disappointed to see you.” The man said coming to a standstill in front of them

  “How so?” Shabaka asked.

  “You have not brought your young companion along.”

  “She is going over the fabrics at the coven today.” Neti said.

  “Ah, yes,” The man said nodding, then asked, “How could I be of assistance today?”

  “Is there somewhere we can speak? Somewhere less open than here?” Shabaka asked gesturing to the others in the area.

  “Yes, certainly, you can come to my chamber.” the Master Craftsman said and then turned to lead the way.

  The room was not overly large with several papyri scattered over the platform and floor. Most were covered with intricate drawings, while others had long sequences of figures.

  Shabaka for a moment glanced out the doorway before turning his attention back to the Master Craftsman, saying, “Master Craftsman Ramesses is concerned that some of the gold sent here is being stolen.”

  The Master Craftsman looked insulted by the claim and shook his head ever so slightly before saying, “But that cannot be. Who would dare to go against the pharaoh?”

  “Yes, who indeed?” Neti asked, causing the Master Craftsman to look at her. Neti looked the man squarely in the eye as she spoke, “We have also received a report from another party, who claims that this is occurring and that you are aware of it.”

  “But this is not true.” The Master Craftsman vowed.

  “You know what happens to people who steal from the pharaoh.” Shabaka cautioned.

  “Those accusations are false. Bring the person who made them before me, so that he can look me in the eye and tell me that. I am a man who has been in service to the pharaoh for most of my life. I would not steal from him.” The Master Craftsman said nervously looking from Shabaka to Neti then back to Shabaka. “You have to believe me.”

  “This person said the gold disappears after it is reheated.” Neti said, causing a frown to form on the Master Craftsman’s forehead.

  “Now I may not be familiar with the processing of gold,” Shabaka started, causing the man to look at him. “But reheating it after it has been cast for hammering does not make sense to me. And from what we have seen here, it does not seem needed.”

  The Master Craftsman tilted his head, “You said the gold goes missing after heating?”

  “That is what we have been told.” Shabaka said.

  “I think I know what is happening. It’s probably on of those new youngsters hoping to impress you.”

  “What do you mean?” Neti asked.

  “There is no gold being stolen here.” The Master Craftsman said. There was an undeniable certainty in his voice.

  “And you can provide proof of this?” Neti asked.

  “I think it would be better if I showed you.” The Master Craftsman said and then moved from the room. Neti and Shabaka looked at each other for a moment before following.

  He led them past the central forge, past the men with the glowing sands towards the opposite end they had traveled the day before. He came to a standstill before two large doors.

  “This room is now one of the smaller forging rooms. I had closed it off from the main one because of the process the gold undergoes. I must warn you that the air within can burn your lungs, especially since I have not yet opened here this morning. So if you would not mind stepping back and first waiting for the air to change, then we can continue.”

  Neti and Shabaka both stepped back but kept a sharp eye on the Master Craftsman, as he swung open the door. The man also stood back and waited several moments before indicating they could enter.

  The hall was nearly twice as large that the Master Craftsman’s chambers, with the forge in the middle taking up most of the space. Between the glowing embers a multitude of earthenware, tubes projected. To the one side there was a platform with more tubes and several bags of natron.

  Neti pointed to the natron and asked. “What is the natron for?”

  “Come I will show you.” The Master Craftsman said reaching for a pair of pinchers. He reached into the furnace and picked up one of the tubes, then carefully moved it to the platform. “It is still hot so we must be careful.” He then released the tube and moved the pincers to the plug on top, and after several attempts managed to dislodge it. Using the pincers, he again took hold of the tube and carefully poured out the contents, where after he flattened the contents out on the platform.

  He placed the pincers back in position and took a smaller pair from the far side of the platform. The man looked at Shabaka as he spoke, “As a royal heir, you will be familiar with gold.”

  “Yes,” Shabaka nodded.

  “Then you will also know that one of the greatest problems we have with gold is the color variations. We always seek the brightest gold to use.”

  “But that is not always possible.” Shabaka said. “My father has the same problem in Aswan.”

  “As a man from Nubia, you will also know that the best and purest gold comes from Waset. But, as I said yesterday, there is not enough gold in all of Egypt to sate the desires of a pharaoh, for each one wants bigger and better artifacts than those before him.”

  “Yes, it is also the reason why some rulers will even melt down those artifacts of their predecessors.” Shabaka said.

  “What?” Neti exclaimed in disbelief.

  “It was because of this lust and this need for clearer gold, that we looked at methods to purify it. And while heating and melting it helps somewhat, it was not enough. That was why I asked my craftsmen to come up with some way to purify the gold. To the one who managed to find a method, I promised a full moon-turn’s time off, with wages.”

  “That is generous.” Shabaka said.

  “And as you can imagine everyone tried.”

  “And the gold?” Neti asked

  “I only allowed them to use the poorest of quality, so as to limit wastage.”

  Shabaka nodded.

  “While I loathe to admit it, it was not one of my craftsmen who came up with this process but his wife.” The Master Craftsman said then turned to platform, “They should have cooled enough by now.” He pushed aside the stained natron and collected several gold pieces from the mass, which he hastily dropped again saying, “They are still too hot to handle comfortably.”

  “So what is this process?”

  “The man’s wife would often dry fish and meat using natron, much like embalmers do with bodies. She explained to her husband that the salt pulls all the excess blood from the meat, which if left to dry lasts longer.”

  Neti nodded, and said, “It remains the most important aspect of embalming.”

  “This woman used a pot that she left it out in the sun, with the meat and the natron inside. Since we cannot put gold outside in such a manner, her husband placed it on the fire. This is when the strangest things happened, and it happens every time we do it.”

  “What happens?” Shabaka asked,

  “I mentioned to you to keep clear and let the air move out of the chamber first.”

  “Yes,” Neti said.

  “That is because when you heat these tubes, the natron starts to swelter. This sweltering is what removes the other metals from the gold until you are left with this.” The Master Craftsman held up a shorter bar of bright yellow gold.

  Shabaka and Neti looked at it then to the Master Craftsman. Although it was Shabaka that gestured for the man to continue.

  “We tried several different types of tubes, but these work best.” The Master Craftsman pointed to the tube. We can also use more tubes at a time than we can with cruci
bles or pots.”

  Neti pointed at the natron, “And what do you do with this.”

  “Well, as an embalmer, you should know that used natron quickly accumulates.”

  “Yes.”

  “It did not take us long to determine how much natron we should use to extract the impurities, but we also needed some way of cleaning the natron. “The most logical conclusion was to dissolve it in water, filter it through sand to remove the impurities and try to regain the natron through water loss.”

  “I take it worked?” Shabaka said.

  “To some extent but the filtering only removed part of the impurities, with the sand then being stained.”

  “So what did you do?”

  “Come, I will show you. It is also something we discovered by accident. Well it was actually one of many things we discovered in such a manner.”

  “You are going to leave this here?” Neti asked pointing to the natron.

  “I have taken the gold already,” The Master Craftsman said opening his hand to reveal the gold.

  Neti and Shabaka followed the Master Craftsman to a walled courtyard where a large earthenware pot stood. To the side a used pile of natron lay.

  “We established this when we started to process the natron.” The Master Craftsman then reached to pull one of the iron rods from the mixture, the metal had a puffed-up end.”

  “Is that rust?” Shabaka asked.

  “No, it is the accumulation of the impurities in the salt.”

  “But how?”

  “I don’t know how it works, but the man charged with dissolving the salt forgot the rod in one evening. When he came back the following day the impurities had accumulated on the rod.”

  “So it clears the natron?” Neti asked.

  “Well it seems to remove most of the metals from the mixture. Sometimes we need to heat the mixture. But we have learned that if the salt is blue, it is high in copper, if it is the color of desert sand, it has silver in it.”

  “Do you use these metals again?” Shabaka asked.

  “Yes, they are first scraped off the rod and then melted. If there is a lot of silver we will try to remove it but mostly we simply cast the metals into barter disks or coins. Come I will show you.” The Master Craftsman returned the rod to the mixture before turning and retracing his steps. Neti and Shabaka once again followed, Shabaka whispering, “You think you can do that with your natron?”