Pharaoh's Gold

by Nathaniel Burns

  His thoughts were interrupted by Rahann enthusiastic greeting, “Well I never. Ramesses actually allowed you out for the evening!”

  Shabaka turned to look at Rahann and answered, “And why ever would he not?”

  Rahann came to sit with him, “The pharaoh is getting old and sometimes forgetful.”

  “He has a great deal of responsibility.” Shabaka countered, then frowned when Rahann looked about the room. “Who are you looking for?”

  Rahann looked at him and smiled. “I was hoping you had brought Neti-Kerti with you.”

  Shabaka chuckled at that, “I think there is nothing wrong with the pharaoh’s memory.”

  “And why do you say that?”

  “Because he all too well remembers your tomfoolery with women,” Shabaka ribbed, and watched Rahann’s face fall. “Ramesses made it very clear that the queen and Neti’s niece required her attendance.”

  “He never did allow us any fun,” Rahann countered, his voice light and teasing.

  “I don’t think he would have had as much of a problem if you intended to marry the women you chose to play with.”

  “And just why do you think it was married woman I chose to play with,” Rahann jested, “They do not have the expectations of marriage and promises. They seek the thrill, the danger and the pleasure of having a lover.”

  “And you wonder why Ramesses does not want Neti to meet you,” Shabaka said before taking another sip from his beer, adding. “Not that you would have much to say to her.”

  “Ha! How can you accuse me of being so shallow? I will have a great deal to speak with Neti about. I have heard that she is extremely intelligent, not to mention very attractive.”

  “I don’t remember a single time that you actually cared for a woman’s intellect. As I remember, you only found certain parts of them interesting.”

  “If you were not a friend, I would challenge you outside!” Rahann said in mock disgust.

  “Only because you know you will lose the fight, as you always have.”

  “It’s not right.” Rahann continued in mock disgust. “You not only get the better position, better fighting skill and the girl, you have to mock me about it.”

  “I don’t see you suffering because of it,” Shabaka said in return. “In fact you have less concerns than I do.” The latter was said with a more serious tone, which caused Rahann to look at him in concern.

  “I should have known something was up when the pharaoh kept you here after that man’s hearing.”

  Shabaka shrugged, “We were to look into a matter for the pharaoh, but it seems that his concerns were not justified.”

  “You mean the pharaoh was actually wrong?”

  “That is just it, I don’t know. We acted on information, only to end up with a body.”

  “You ended up killing someone?” Rahann asked in confusion.

  Shabaka looked at his friend, and shook his head, before saying, “I should not discuss this with you.”

  “And who exactly am I going to tell?” Rahann asked. “If anything I can help you make some sense of it.”

  Shabaka for a moment looked at his friend. Although he knew Rahann often featured as the prominent figure in gossip, the man rarely indulged or started rumors.

  “The pharaoh was concerned that the Master Craftsman was living beyond his means,” Shabaka started.

  “Wait, you mean he could not afford the things he bartered for?”

  Shabaka shook his head, “No, it seems that the Master Craftsman had acquired a great deal of goods and had taken a second wife.”

  “How?” Rahann asked confused, “Even for us, one wife would be limit enough… well unless she died on the childbed, then I can understand the need for a second.”

  “His first wife and children are all alive.”

  “So, why the need?” Rahann asked, confused.

  “Well, that was what Ramesses thought, and backed with the claims that gold was being stolen from the craft hall, Ramesses thought it needed investigation.”

  “So, that is what you are investigating?”

  Shabaka shook his head, “I turns out the second wife and belongings he inherited from his brother and the missing gold, no one can be clear on since there was a change in the processing and the records do not appear accurate.”

  “Then they should be updated?”

  “Ramesses has already ordered that.”

  “Sounds then as if there is little reason to continue.” Rahann said.

  “We still have a body.”

  “But people die all the time. Why would that warrant your investigation?”

  “Because of who this person is and how he was murdered.” Shabaka said.

  “How do you know he was murdered?”

  “Neti.”

  “Ah, yes, the illusive and beguiling Neti. You know, was it not for the fact that so many people have seen her at work, I would tease you about trying to keep her all to yourself.”

  “And why would you think I’m doing that?” Shabaka asked.

  “Because you won’t introduce her to me.” Rahann jostled.

  “Neti is her own person, I do not make decisions for her,” Shabaka said. “It will be up to her whether or not you meet.”

  “Ha! Not with Ramesses doting over her like she is one of his daughters,” Rahann jostled.

  Shabaka looked at his friend for some time before replying. “She saved the queen’s life, so I understand why they admire on her as much.”

  “Yes, well I suspect they expect of her to make sense of this body as well.”

  “She already has. We understand the cause of his death, we now only need to find the one responsible.”

  “My father always said that when things no longer made sense, it is best to consult those who have said nothing,” Rahann said.

  Shabaka looked at him for a moment confused before stating, “You have me confused.”

  “My father firmly believed that those who remained silent, often knew more than they are willing to speak of.”

  Shabaka thought it over for several moments before turning to Rahann, “I will keep that in mind. Thank you.”

  In the several days that followed, Neti, Shabaka and Seota oversaw the recording of the gold. Every artifact and nugget was weighed and cataloged until such time as the Master Craftsman appointed his own recorders. The records were then handed to Neti and Seota to calculate and finalize while Shabaka moved around the hall, observing the workers and the work procedures. Ten days later, on the completion of a workers week, Neti and Shabaka returned to the palace for a consultation with the pharaoh.

  “What have you since discovered?” The pharaoh asked once the hall had cleared.

  Shabaka shook his head, “Not much, I fear, my Lord.”

  Ramesses looked at Neti in obvious hope of an explanation. “There is a small amount of gold that is unaccounted for.”

  “What is a small amount?” Ramesses demanded.

  “A little more than two debben’s worth.” Neti hesitantly said.

  “And this is not what is lost in processing.” Ramesses demanded.

  Neti shook her head, and said, “We have taken in consideration the weight lost in processing, the various steps and processed the gold goes through including the beating thereof. We are still two plus debben short.”

  Ramesses thought it over for several moments before turning to Shabaka and asking, “Do you have any thoughts on this?”

  Shabaka glanced at Neti before answering, “Neti and myself have discussed the possibility that our presence there may deter the thieves, which is why the amount is as small.”

  Ramesses looked from Shabaka to Neti then back to Shabaka before angrily stating, “That may be so, but they are still stealing from me! Even with your presence.”

  Neti held up her hands in a calming gesture before she spoke, “My, Lord, please calm yourself.”

  “How am I supposed to be calm, when people I trust with my kingdom’s riches are stealing from
me?” Ramesses angrily countered. “They even have the nerve to do it with you present!”

  “My Lord,” Shabaka said, causing Ramesses to turn and glare at him. “The fact that they are willing to try means that they have reached the stage where the gold they take has become a necessity. It means they are willing to take even greater risks to obtain it.”

  “And that is supposed to make me feel any better?” Ramesses demanded.

  “No, my Lord,” Shabaka quickly said. “But it does mean that under the correct circumstances we will be able to catch them.”

  “And how much more gold will they steal before then?”

  “We have them monitoring the gold in the craft hall unless one of the recorders are involved we should soon be able to point to the exact process where the gold is being taken.”

  Ramesses looked at Neti, before asking, “And you agree with this?”

  “It does bring the number of possible thieves to a more manageable number, my Lord.”

  “Explain that?” Ramesses demanded.

  “My, Lord, what Neti means is that it would be difficult to search all of those working in the craft hall’s homes at the same time, and that doing a systematic search will only allow them to hide or move the gold elsewhere.”

  Ramesses turned to look at Shabaka, then remained silent for some time before finally nodding and turning to Neti as he spoke. “I should not doubt you two, you are after all my most trusted prefects, but I fear that this may be far greater than only a crafter stealing gold.” Ramesses then turned his attention back to Shabaka, “Even you know that two debben’s worth of gold every worker cycle eventually adds up to a large amount. And if one of the scribes are involved, then it will be even harder to find them.”

  “I understand, My Lord. But there is little more that we can go on at the moment.”

  13

  Chapter Thirteen

  Neti and Seota spent the better part of half a moon-turn perusing the craft hall’s records. They tracked and compared the amounts of gold processed. For the most, confirming the amounts the scribes had listed as correct.

  “Ugh,” Seota said rubbing her eyes, “I have no idea as to what I am even looking for anymore.”

  “We’re looking for deviations in the amounts,” Neti said, looking up from the papyri she was checking.

  “I know that,” Seota said. “But other than the sight shortfall at the end of the day, there are no real disagreements. I mean, not even every day is the same.”

  “That is also true.” Neti said releasing a heavy sigh.

  “What is true?” Shabaka asked, entering the room.

  “That none of these days are even remotely the same, everything differs,” Neti said turning to look at him.

  “So there is nothing that stands out, no one in particular?” Shabaka asked

  Neti shook her head and said, “Not even an area.”

  “The only thing we have identified is the amount that goes missing over the worker’s working period.” Seota said, adding, “And even then it is only a small amount.”

  “How small?” Shabaka asked.

  “At the end of the first working period, it was about four kite,” Seota said looking at the papyrus in front of her. “The second period, we cannot account for about debben’s worth,” she said looking up again.

  “As Ramesses said, they don’t sound like large amounts but they do add up. And we still have the murder to resolve.” Shabaka rubbed his hands over his face and released a heavy sigh. “And other than the Geris’ words, there is nothing to connect him or his death to gold or gold going missing.”

  “Why then kill him?” Seota asked, causing Shabaka to look at her.

  He tilted his head for a moment before saying, “You think much like your aunt.”

  “My Aunt! You know my aunt?” Seota asked surprised, which caused Shabaka to look at Neti.

  “Neti?” He questioned, uncertainly.

  “You both know my aunt?” Seota asked surprised. “When can I meet her? My mother told me once that I have an aunt and uncle, but I never thought I would meet any of them.”

  Neti looked at Seota, the young woman’s exuberance clearly visible as she looked from one to the other.

  “Your uncle Thoth died some time ago.” Neti started, “He was involved…” Neti for a moment looked at Shabaka before continuing, “… the person who bought him was involved in some underhanded dealings and Thoth was killed during a fight.”

  Seota appeared confused for several moments before she asked, “But my aunt is still alive?”

  Neti nodded.

  “When can I meet her?” Seota asked.

  “You already know her,” Neti said, for a moment glaring at Shabaka.

  Seota appeared in thought for several moments, before mumbling, “It can’t be Dalva, she’s dead…Tea-ka is too old… Yani?” Seota hesitantly asked the last, looking towards Neti for confirmation, Neti only shook her head.

  “But those are the only women I really know.”

  “All but one?” Shabaka said.

  Seota looked at Neti, a look of absolute disbelief crossed her face as she hesitantly asked, “You? You ‘re my aunt?”

  Neti swallowed at the lump in her throat as she nodded.

  Disbelief filled Seota’s expression as she said, “But that cannot be true, my mother said you were all sold as slaves – but you are working for the Pharaoh.”

  “We were very young at the time,” Neti said.

  “But not my mother,” Seota angrily said.

  “Fate placed us where we were. I was just lucky in that the people who bought me longed for a child more than anything.”

  “How long have you known?” Seota demanded.

  “Since our return from Nubia.”

  Seota tried to say something, but momentarily hesitated. “You were ill on your return.”

  “She almost died,” Shabaka said flatly. His declaration had Seota look at him in distress.

  Neti looked at him pointedly before replying, “There never really was an opportune moment to tell you.”

  Seota remained silent for some time before finally nodding, softly saying, “At that time, Dalva and I had already developed a sisterly bond, one you even encouraged.”

  Neti nodded before looking towards Shabaka and said, “Just as we now have to focus on the matter on hand.”

  Shabaka nodded, and drew in a deep breath, “There is still one last avenue we can look into.”

  “What is that?” Neti asked.

  “Something Rahann said to me.”

  “And that is?”

  “We turn to the ones who haven’t said anything.”

  “Who would that be?” Seota asked.

  “The Craft Masters.”

  “You’ve lost me Shabaka, what have the Craft Masters not said?” Neti asked.

  “Geris was one of the best goldbeaters in the craft hall. Something that everyone would have known, yet not one of the masters have asked us how he died. Not even his craft master, Jode. Why not?”

  “You think they are hiding something?” Neti said.

  “Possibly, and that instead of gold going missing, he was murdered for a much more malevolent reason.”

  “What is that?” Seota asked.

  “Jealousy.”

  “But who would be jealous of him? He did not have much? We were both at his home.” Neti asked.

  “He may not have had a great deal of goods, but he was the best at what he did. So much so that the Master Craftsman thought him suitable to introduce to his brother’s bereaved wife. Very often, simply being really good at what you do is enough to incite hate from others.”

  “But you mentioned that he could have a problem with the number of children she has,” Neti said.

  “You saw those children and heard the Master Craftsman’s wife. They know their chores and duties, they were also not lazy about doing them. I also strongly think that Jode would have allowed her to take them and almost all of her husband’s p
ossessions – if only to make the arrangement more appealing.”

  “And you think that someone else could have been jealous because of that? Or that they could possibly have been in love with the woman?” Neti asked.

  “Well if you consider the sudden change in status it held for the master healer, so much so that even the pharaoh noticed, it would mean that there is a considerable amount of goods involved. And as we both know, greed has on more than one occasion driven the actions of others.”

  “And by consideration, taking her as a wife would then instantly elevate the man’s status,” Seota said.

  “Exactly!” Shabaka said, lively.

  “But why would Geris come to you, claiming that gold was being stolen?” Neti asked

  “You heard Kare. Geris was given smaller quantities of gold to beat into larger and thinner sheets. He may have thought that someone was stealing gold, which was why he had to make thinner sheets,” Shabaka reasoned.

  “Even so, he was murdered after we asked questions at the hall,” Neti said. “I think someone has something to hide.”

  Shabaka pointed at the papyrus records, “It would be foolish for someone to murder a man for the amount of gold that has been going missing.”

  “We’ve seen men murder for less.” Neti said.

  Shabaka nodded before replying, “Yes we have, and every time is had been due to either resentment or jealousy.”

  “So what do you suggest we do?”

  “I will speak with Ramesses and ask him if I could have several of the mejay to take to craft hall and simultaneously bring all of the Craft Masters to the holding cells. We can also send a number of the men to their homes to compete a search for anything out of the ordinary.”

  “What do you hope to find?” Neti asked.

  “I’m hoping to make them nervous enough so that the ones involve contradict themselves.”

  Neti tilted her head, “And if they don’t?”

  “Then we’ll will have to look at more persuasive means.”