Pharaoh's Gold

by Nathaniel Burns

  “Why would I want to?” Neti asked pulling her face in a disgusted manner. “You’ve smelt rotten bodies.”

  “Point taken.”

  They again entered the main forge hall, where the Master Craftsman led them to a small group of men. The men lowered their heads in acknowledgement while the master craftsman pointed to a collection of molds all joined together.

  “These men are responsible for casting the regained metal.” The Master Craftsman said, resting his hand next to the casting mold.

  “These bartering plates are then released to the people?” Shabaka asked.

  “There are a few other procedures that follow this, but the workers here now receive most of their wages in barter plates.”

  “Other procedures?” Shabaka asked.

  “Come I will show you.”

  Shabaka looked at Neti with an exasperated expression on his face. Neti just smiled and followed the Master Craftsman.

  Behind the glass workers there was another room, which was filled with a series of glass jars, all containing a cloudy liquid.

  “One of the benefits of the glassworkers is that in their attempt to create larger jars, have resulted in a multitude of smaller ones which we have put to use,” the Master Craftsman said gesturing to the room’s contents.

  “What are they for?” Neti asked, although she heard Shabaka exasperated sigh.

  “When we were looking at ways to clarify the gold, this was one of my worker’s attempts.”

  “The barter plates are cleaned here.” Shabaka said, however his tone was bored.

  “Well, initially, I applied its use to clean gold, but we soon discovered that it worked with silver as well.” Then Master Craftsman enthused, “But that was just the start.” He walked to one of the jars, placing the gold in his hand on the platform before picking up one of the jars, saying, “We leave the metal in here for five days before removing it, washing and cleaning the barter plates.”

  Neti stepped closer and looked at the jar. The interior was rough as a result of the sandbags used to cast but she could make out two metal objects.

  “What is in there?” She asked before pulling back.

  “The jars all contain vinegar in which a barter plate and a nugget of gold are placed. They two must never touch though. ”

  “Why?” Neti asked.

  “It covers the barter plate with gold.”

  “What?’ Shabaka explained, surprised.

  “Yes, one of my workers discovered that by accident, the same way as another discovered the effect of the rod in the natron solution. Here the man was trying to clear the gold, but left a piece of copper in the container. He still used a pot. When he threw out the vinegar after a few days later, he found the piece of copper, which had turned completely gold.”

  Neti shook her head in disbelief.

  “I also found it difficult to believe so I had them cast a copper disk and followed his instructions. And as Ra would have it, the copper had the thinnest layer of gold upon it. And since it is not practical to cast solid gold coins, especially not at the rate people seem to want or use them, we have started to make these.”

  “And the pharaoh knows of this?” Shabaka demanded.

  “I have explained the process to him, and since it uses less gold to make these he has approved, he even suggested we add other metals to increase the number we make.”

  “And do you?” Shabaka asked.

  “Not all metals accept gold as well as those we have separated from it.” The Master Craftsman honestly replied.

  “And you keep record of all the coins you make?” Shabaka asked.

  “We record how many are cast and completed. Here. There will be another 30 when these are done.”

  “How long does this take?” Neti asked pointing to one of the jars.

  “We have found five days to be the best.”

  Neti quickly calculated, before stating, “So you make approximately a 180 gold barter coins in a moon turn.”

  The Master Craftsman shook his head, “We do not have enough metal to make as many.”

  “So how many do you make?” Shabaka asked.

  “About a hundred.”

  “And all of these barter plates have been accounted for?” Shabaka asked.

  “Yes, every last one.”

  “And you do not fear that this deception will be discovered by the people?” Neti asked.

  “It is the people who long for gold barter disks, and just as the pharaoh’s, their desire far outweighs that of available disks.”

  “But they are convinced that they are bartering gold coins, if they discovered them to be a lie, then they will revolt against the pharaoh.” Neti said.

  “That is where you are wrong.” The Master Craftsman said.

  “How so?” Neti demanded.

  “People do not barter the actual value of a barter disk, but what they perceive to be the value of a barter disk. The same as those who use glass beads to barter consider the blue beads to be worth more.” The Master craftsman gestured to the men outside the room. “If you were to observe the manner in which all glass beads are made, you will realize that the blue ones hold no higher value above the others.”

  “And you are hoping this will calm the masses when they realize what you are doing?” Shabaka asked.

  “The same manner in which a man decides upon the value of his goods and the price of a barter, so too the value of the disks are determined by those using the disks. Should the gold wear off, the value of the disk would be considered less. It simplifies the barter system.”

  “How so?” Neti asked.

  “You will know that many shutties now prefer these disks or coins rather than anything you have to barter. It saves people the time and effort it takes to find someone willing to barter with them for what they have, and then have to barter again for what they need. Which was why the pharaoh approved them. He, like me, believes that it would ease matters for the people.”

  Shabaka looked towards Neti, his expression questioning.

  Neti shook her head

  The Master Craftsman looked from the one to the other, then said, “So, as you can see, no gold has gone missing or been stolen. We are actually producing more gold artifacts now using less gold.”

  Shabaka again looked at Neti, “I think we are done here.”

  Just then one of the craftsmen appeared at the door. He looked at the master Craftsman and waived for him to come closer.

  Neti moved towards where the Master Craftsman had stood and reached out. She picked up two of the gold lengths and slipped it between her sash.

  Shabaka’s eyes enlarged as he whispered “What are you doing?”

  Neti held her finger to her lips, “I want to try something.”

  “You will get us into trouble, even with the pharaoh.” Shabaka warned.

  They heard voices and Neti quickly moved to stand next to Shabaka.

  Moments later, the Master Craftsman returned and announced. “I am sorry but I will not be able to accompany you any further. I have to meet with the other craft masters.”

  “We were going to leave anyway,” Shabaka said, adding, “We have to prepare for the trial tomorrow.”

  The Master Craftsman accompanied them to the hall’s entrance and bid them farewell, and it was only when they were some distance from the hall that Neti said, “We have to go see Ramesses.”

  “You have just taken gold from the craftsman’s hall which I still do not understand the reasoning behind and now you want to go and see Ramesses?” Shabaka asked confused.

  “Yes, I want to give it to him.”

  “But it is his gold, he will just send it back to the hall.”

  “I want to see if they will report it.”

  Shabaka looked at her in surprise, only for it to be replaced by a frown. “And if it is found on you, you will automatically be pointed the thief.”

  “It is a chance I am willing to take.”

  “Sometimes I think you have a death
wish.” Shabaka said.

  On their arrival at the palace Ramesses was again holding court. They patiently stood and waited for him to answer the multitude of questions the elders asked. The elder from Memphis was also there, who questioned the prefect’s authority to remove and appoint important personnel as they wanted.

  “Why not ask the prefects themselves why they have removed the man,” Ramesses said, pointing towards Neti and Shabaka. The elder appeared shocked at their appearance, however said nothing.

  “You are willing to question their authority behind their backs but when you see them in my court, you are not willing to speak up.” Ramesses demanded.

  “I had not realized they were here.”

  “They left Memphis to bring the man in question before me for judgment. A man whose hearing has been set will occur tomorrow, and you question their actions. I should be questioning yours.”

  The elder remained silent.

  “Since you are not willing to speak now I shall task you with the role of defending the man tomorrow. Since you have traveled all this way to lament against my prefects over their treatment of this man, you can provide reason enough for me to be merciful towards him.”

  The man was about to object, however Ramesses cut him short, angrily stating, “I have so decided and that is what will be done.”

  The room felt silent and Ramesses then declared that they would adjourn until after the afternoon meal.

  The men slowly made their way out of the assembly room, none chancing even a word.

  Ramesses gestured for them to approach. And both Neti and Shabaka lowered to their knees, dipping their head as they addressed him, “My Lord.”

  “Enough already,” Ramesses irritably replied and gestured to them to rise. “You are almost as tiresome as those fools who always ask such trivial questions. It is almost as if they are scared to think for themselves.”

  Neti had no idea how to respond to that, uncertain of his mood, however Shabaka spoke. “They trust in your judgment, my Lord. They would not want to be the cause of your disapproval.”

  “Their behavior at times sparks my disapproval.” Ramesses said, angrily, before taking a deep breath and saying, “I take it you have something to report.”

  “Not really, my, lord,” Shabaka said. “We have looked into the matter and spent most of the morning learning about the new barter disks.”

  “A wonderful idea don’t you think?”

  “Yes, my Lord,” Shabaka said, “But that is not why we are here.”

  “Why then?” Ramesses asked, looking from one to the other.

  “I have something to give you,” Neti said, carefully extracting the two gold lengths from her sash and holding it towards Ramesses.

  “Where did you find these?” Ramesses said looking at the lengths of gold.

  “I took them from the craft hall.”

  Ramesses sternly looked at her, before demanding, “Are you stealing from me?”

  “No my Lord, I would never think of such a thing.” Neti quickly, nervously replied.

  “Then why did you take the gold?” he turned to look at Shabaka and demanded, “You knew of this?”

  “Yes, my Lord.”

  “Then explain yourselves.”

  “You mentioned that you think the Master Craftsman is stealing gold.” Neti looked at Shabaka before she continued, “Shabaka had a report last night that gold was being stolen from the hall.”

  This news had Ramesses look towards Shabaka, stating. “You mentioned nothing.”

  “Neti and I had already decided to investigate this morning.”

  Ramesses turned his attention back to Neti.

  “I took this when the Master Craftsman was not watching. My intent was to see if they would notice it missing, and if so, would they report it.”

  Ramesses remained silent for several long moments, before replying, “Yes. I can see the reasoning behind such an action. But you know that I have no other option than a hearing if you are caught with it, anything else and they people will claim I am partial to my prefects.”

  “Which is why I am handing them to you.” Neti said raising her hand ever so slightly to indicate that he was to take the gold.

  “Because no one would question me if I was in possession of my own gold.” Ramesses said. “It is an underhanded but effective means with which to test their loyalty. I approve.”

  “We can only be certain of someone’s ability to steal gold, if this confirms that they do not keep adequate records.” Neti said.

  “You suspect something else?” Ramesses asked.

  “If he is not involved, think the Master Craftsman is too trusting. Both Shabaka and I have seen what it looks like when a person is consumed by greed, how it changes their reasoning. I have not seen that in him, but that is not to say someone else may be consumed by it.”

  “But what am I to do with it,” Ramesses said taking the gold from Neti.

  “Keep it as evidence,” Shabaka said, both for if they report the theft or if they fail to.”

  “A good plan. Come, let us break bread. These mornings always frustrate me.”

  7

  Chapter Seven

  Neti and Shabaka were on their way to the assembly hall, with Shabaka reminiscing over the matter they were to address with the pharaoh, when one of the mejay runners came up to them.

  “Prefect Shabaka, Prefect Neti, I was sent to collect you.” The young man said between pants.

  Neti looked at Shabaka for a moment, before asking, “Is anything the matter?”

  The young man took several deep breaths before speaking, “It has been agreed by the mejay, that when you are present in the city, that you are to investigate any strange happenings.”

  Neti felt a chill consume her body, already fearing what the man might report next. She knew there would be no point in investigating the theft, when she had already handed the gold to Ramesses, however asked, “What is the matter?”

  “This morning, we were called out to a location not far from the palace.” The boy seemed to swallow before, continuing, “The mejay cannot decide what to make of what they have found.”

  “What did they find?” Shabaka asked.

  “At first they thought it was an animal, but they have all since agreed that it is a body, and no one seems to be capable of identifying it. They were hoping that prefect Neti could somehow assist.”

  Neti looked at Shabaka, and said, “You have to appear before Ramesses with this matter. I will attend to the body, you can meet up with me once you are done.”

  “But I cannot allow you to go on your own,” Shabaka firmly stated. “No, rephrase that. I will not let you go on your own.”

  “Shabaka, I will be fine,” Neti said, and then gestured to the runner, “He will go with me, and I’m certain other members of the mejay will be there as well.”

  Shabaka looked from her to the runner, hesitantly, then looked back at Neti, stressing, “You are to send someone to call me if you need my help,” Shabaka said before pointing to the runner, “But not him.” He then turned to the runner. “You will remain by her side at all times. If you do not, I will make sure the full wrath of Ramesses is brought down on you.”

  The runner sheepishly nodded while Neti placed a hand on Shabaka’s arm. “I will be fine.”

  Shabaka looked at her, “You know I don’t like allowing you to go on your own.”

  Neti nodded, before replying, “But we have no choice.”

  Shabaka released a heavy sigh. “Just go.”

  “I have to collect my satchel and a few things,” Neti said, causing the runner to sigh.

  “You women are all alike, can’t go any…” the runner started only to be cut short by Shabaka’s severe gaze.

  “Neti requires her satchel and its contents to be able to assist you.” Shabaka sternly said before turning to Neti and saying, “Go I will wait with him to see you off.”

  Even before reaching the scene, Neti could identify the stench of si
nged flesh. But even with the warning, nothing had prepared her for the scene that greeted her. Several of the mejay had their backs turned to the body with another man in a heated argument with one of the mejay.

  “That is the commander,” The runner said, “His name is Zar. I should let him know that you are here.” The commander was not as tall as other members of the mejay, although just as physique.

  Neti watched as the runner make his way over to the commander. She reached into her satchel and extracting one of Seota’s masks.

  The commander turned to look at the runner before shifting his attention to her for several moments. He exchanged words with the runner before firmly reprimanding the other person and turning towards Neti.

  Neti watched his approach and smiled as he came to stand in front of her.

  “The runner tells me that you were to appear before Ramesses this morning.”

  Neti nodded.

  “My apologies for calling you away.”

  “Shabaka will manage without me.” Neti sincerely replied.

  “Well I am pleased that you could make it. Perhaps you can tell us what happened to this man.”

  “You are able to confirm that he is male.”

  “Yes, but only that.” Zar said.

  “That does not sound good.”

  “In all my time as the commander, I have never seen anything like this.” Zar put out his arm and indicated that she was to accompany him. The runner fell in behind them, only to have Zar turn to him and say, “You are dismissed. You can go now.”

  Hesitantly the boy answered. “The prefect Shabaka said I am to remain with her at all times.”

  Zar looked at Neti, “Is that so?”

  “Shabaka does not like it when I attend these scenes my own,”

  “As I can understand,” Zar said. “I once lost two men who went to investigate a complaint, which turned out to be a trap.”

  “That must have been hard.” Neti said.