by Max Overton
"Spoilt kids are what they were, though of course, he's king now and she's Great Wife."
"And you knew them when they were just..." Meres laughed. "They were never 'just' though, were they? Fancy talking to kings and queens as if they were actual people. I wonder, though, that you're not a general or something by now if you mix with royalty." The Commander looked suspiciously at Ament. "Are you telling the truth, or is this just some entertaining tale?"
Ament raised a hand solemnly. "The truth, I swear it. As to why I'm not a general, that's another story."
"Go on, man. You can't leave it there."
Ament smiled. "For a while, Baenre looked on me with favour as I had looked after his children. Then he went to war against the Sea Peoples and Lady Tausret asked me to smuggle her into the camp so she might see what war was like."
"And of course you refused."
"I should have, but I left her in charge of my sister who was a washerwoman among the camp followers. The two girls left the camp and were captured by the enemy. Luckily they escaped, but of course I was punished for letting them be there in the first place."
Meres shook his head disbelievingly. "Why did you do it?"
"Lady Tausret...Queen Tausret...is very persuasive. She continues to look upon me with favour, but her brother the king..." Ament shook his head. "Leaving me on palace duty was punishment enough, but now it seems he is finding unpleasant tasks for me."
"Well, it's not too unpleasant in Eilah," Commander Meres said. "When you've delivered your charges to the Timna mines, return here and I'll see if I can find something to entertain you."
Chapter 12
Year 1 of Userkheperure Seti
The king returned to Men-nefer, bringing his new wife Takhat, who was already known to be with child, having missed her monthly courses. The news of her ready fertility had stabbed Tausret to the heart, despite having pushed her husband toward taking his sister as wife. Queen Tausret knew her duty, however, and was on the docks to greet her husband, standing under the shade of a linen parasol. She was at the height of her beauty and was aware of the many admiring looks sent her way by the nobility waiting with her. It would have been foolish to pay any heed to her admirers however, so she kept her eyes demurely downcast as the Royal Barge eased into the dock and a cheer arose from the waiting crowd.
A plank was laid down and Userkheperure strode down it to the stone dock, glancing back at the slim figure of Takhat as she was helped ashore. He then strode toward the Queen and accepted her obeisance before embracing her to renewed cheers from the crowd.
"You are well, Tausret?" Seti asked.
"Better for being in your presence, my lord."
Seti caught the coolness in the Queen's voice and frowned, though he did not pursue it further. Instead, he half-turned and beckoned to the slim girl walking up behind him. "You know Takhat, of course, though I believe it has been some years since you have seen each other. Takhat, this is Queen Tausret."
Takhat blushed and bowed awkwardly. "My...my lady, you do me much honour."
"You are welcome, Lady Takhat. You were no more than a little girl running naked in Usermaatre's palace when I last saw you, yet here you are wife to the king."
Takhat glanced up at Tausret's face, evidently hearing the sharp edge to her voice. Seti shook his head slowly, knowing the young girl must be feeling a slight thrill of fear as she realised she would now be completely under the control of the Queen in the Women's Quarters of the Men-nefer palace.
"My lord Seti has honoured me greatly by taking me as wife," Takhat replied. She hesitated, and looked directly at the Queen. "The king is truly the Bull of Heru, for I am already with child."
"I am glad for you, but do not raise your hopes too high that you will bear him an heir. The king has weak seed."
The courtiers within earshot gasped at the insult and turned fearful eyes toward the king. Seti gave no overt sign that he had heard the Queen's remark, but a muscle in his jaw clenched and his nostrils flared. He turned away and, after calling for a chair for his wife, strode off toward the palace with a few soldiers, leaving the women to make their own way up.
Seti called for Tjaty Merysekhmet as soon as he reached the palace and took him to an inner room where they could speak in relative privacy. Servants hurried to bring fresh linens, clean sandals, perfumes and wine for the king, ministering to his needs as he spoke.
"What is it with women, Merysekhmet?" he asked. "First they refuse you, and then suggest an alternative, only to be upset when you follow their advice."
Merysekhmet knew the king was talking about Tausret, but guarded his tongue, falling back on platitudes. "It is said there are three indecipherable things, Son of Re, the way of a fish in the sea, the way of a bird in the sky, and the workings of a woman's heart."
"I don't remember my father having these problems."
"Baenre was an older man, past caring what women thought. Put it from your mind, Son of Re, and no doubt their hearts will warm toward you soon enough."
"What do you do when your wife is upset with you, Merysekhmet?"
"I, Great One?" Merysekhmet smiled. "When Nefer frowns on me, or repels my advances, I buy her a piece of jewellery."
"And that works?"
"Not always," the Tjaty admitted. "A woman's concerns are for different things. A man has his work, the gods, and making a name for himself, whereas a woman has the home and children to occupy her time. Our own children have households of their own to run, and our grandchildren do not visit as often as we would like, consequently, Nefer is bored and seeks out argument as a finger seeks out a scab, picking away at it until it bleeds. Then a man's house is no longer peaceful, and he seeks to placate his wife with gifts to restore ma'at."
Seti frowned. "Tausret has no children, and Takhat's field has only just been sown."
"A royal woman has even less to occupy her time, Son of Re, for servants cater to her every whim. She needs something to take her mind off her troubles." Merysekhmet cleared his throat before continuing. "Perhaps you could take both wives to Waset when you go."
"I am going to Waset? Why?"
"Two reasons, Son of Re, actually, three. You planned on adding to the Great Temple of Amun, you need to inspect your tomb in Ta-sekhet-ma'at, and you... ah... need to make your presence felt in the South."
"I don't like Waset," Seti grumbled. "I always feel ill at ease there."
"All the more reason for you to go, Great One. Let them see you add to the splendour of the temple and be seen by the population and they will warm to you."
"Perhaps you are right." Seti sighed and thought about it, sipping at a cup of wine a servant had placed in his hand. "There's no sign of Messuwy, I suppose?"
"It is as if he has vanished from the Kingdoms, Son of Re."
"Well, that makes me happier, at least."
* * *
Seti worried that his two wives would be at odds on the long voyage upriver, and ordered that three cabins be built out of rushes and linen cloth on the rear deck, one for each of his wives and the middle one for himself. He was certain Takhat would welcome his presence in her bed, but he did not want to display any preference so he slept alone. The days were spent on deck, under the shade of an awning, with the sailors and soldiers busying themselves as if the barge carried no passengers. Seti dreaded the prospect of the two women together on deck, but in fact they seemed to have called a truce and spent their days in conversation, almost ignoring their husband.
The king, thrown on his own resources, engaged first the officers and then the captain of the barge in conversation, broaching a jar of beer to share with them. At first, they were reticent in the royal presence, standing stiffly to attention or sitting uncomfortably in silence as the king spoke. As Seti's informality and the strong beer took hold, their limbs and tongues loosened and they started telling the king about their families, their hopes and dreams for the future. Their tales fascinated the king who had little knowledge of the lives of common
people.
On other occasions, Seti organised archery contests, loosing arrows at floating debris or wildfowl disturbed from the reed beds by the passing barge. The king quickly lost interest however; when it became evident the soldiers were deliberately losing the contests.
Seti ordered the barge to moor whenever they came across a town or village with a dock, and went ashore with a small company to meet the local mayor or elders. They were generally overawed by the king's presence, but warmed quickly to the presence of the two women. Seti was surprised at the high regard the common people had for Tausret and often stood back to allow them to talk to her. Takhat was a person of interest too, and when they learned that she was with child, Tausret told them, not Seti, they fussed over her and sang her praises. Seti started to see the common people in a different light.
He also started to see the land of Kemet differently. Where before he had seen river and farms only in terms of their worth, the towns and villages as sources of men for the army, and the deserts and reed beds as his hunting grounds, he now saw them for the things of beauty they had always been. Day after day he sat in the prow of the barge, the bow wave hissing and curling beneath him as they forged through the calm green water, driven by the northerly wind in the sail. Smaller craft, fishing boats for the most part, dotted the surface near the towns, sails spread as they crossed the Great River, or furled as men stood to hurl nets wide. A splash, a wait, and then the strands were drawn in, the catch pulled aboard, the meshes filled with silvery-scaled fish.
At other times, the barge ran alone past reed beds where wildfowl erupted into the air, wings flashing with bright colours, or white-plumed egrets stalked in the shallows searching out fish and frogs. In other stretches of the river, the pehe-mau wallowed, blowing hard as the barge came close and disappearing in swirls of green water. Crocodiles could be seen sunning themselves on muddy banks, slipping silently into the water as they drew close.
Sometimes, one or both of his wives would come and sit with him, and he would point out the wonders of the natural world that surrounded them. Takhat tended to chatter and found it hard to sit still, but Tausret would remain quiet or utter soft murmurs of appreciation. Seti found his heart softening toward his Queen and hoped that a similar process was happening in her breast. He did not test it though; content to sit in companionable silence with her beside him.
With all the stops along the way, the voyage to Waset took eighteen days, but Seti was in no hurry. He sent word ahead of him to Tjaty Neferronpet, and when the Royal Barge hove into view of the docks soon after dawn, there was a large official deputation waiting for the king and his wives. The women were whisked off to the Women's Quarters, while the king spent the day in a round of the largest temples and in meetings with merchants and local nobility. As a result he was exhausted by evening and ate only a little light supper with his wives before retiring for the night, sleeping alone once more to avoid offending either wife.
The next day, Neferronpet brought the Royal Architect Kadjedja with him, to discuss the additions the king wanted to make to the Great Temple of Amun.
After making obeisance to the royal person, Kadjedja asked, "Have you thought about what you want to do, Son of Re?"
Seti nodded. "My father once told me there is ample room in front of the main entrance of the temple for many structures. I agree with him."
The architect's eyes lit up. "A pylon perhaps, your Majesty. A towering edifice that speaks to all of your grandeur and the power of the god."
"That would be very expensive," Neferronpet said.
"Not necessarily," Kadjedja countered. "Mud brick with a facing of stone would reduce the cost considerably..."
"I am reluctant to spend a lot on the temple of Amun when so many other shrines and temples are in need of repair."
"Of course, your Majesty," Kadjedja said, "but..." He hesitated, biting off his words.
"But what, Architect Kadjedja?"
"Forgive me, Great One, but though repairs are necessary, not much glory rebounds on the repairer unless inscriptions are effaced and written over. Your Majesty should have new building, new walls, on which to record your deeds."
Seti pondered the architect's words. "And you, Neferronpet, what do you think?"
"Undoubtedly there is much repair work necessary, but I agree that you should also have something new so that the gods may see your piety."
"In Amun's temple?"
Neferronpet grimaced. "We are in Waset, Son of Re, and this is Amun's city. It would be politic to make some sacrifice to the god."
"I suppose so, but it rankles. Roma-Rui made no secret of the fact that he thought me an upstart and my brother the real king."
"Roma-Rui is no longer Hem-netjer of Amun, Son of Re, and Bakenkhons is loyal. Your building work is for the god, not his priests."
"Something new then, but not too expensive. What do you suggest, Architect Kadjedja?"
The architect thought for a few moments. "A shrine, perhaps, your Majesty. Close to the temple but not of it."
"Go on."
"There are many shrines to other gods within and around Amun's temple, your Majesty. Another shrine, or even two, would be seen as an act of piety, but need not show overt support for the priests of Amun."
Seti nodded. "I like it. Which gods?"
The architect pursed his lips. "You are named for Set, your Majesty, and for Ptah..."
"Ptah has a temple there and Set is carrying it a bit far. For some reason, people think a shrine to Set would bring ill luck. He is favoured in the north, but I do not wish to cause unrest by dedicating a shrine to him here. Think again, Architect."
"There are many gods..." Kadjedja started.
"How about the local triad," Neferronpet interrupted. "Amun-Re, his consort Mut, and their son Khonsu."
"That might work," Seti mused, "but they have shrines already."
"Then chapels to hold their barques," Neferronpet went on. "A threefold structure outside the temple, holding the barques of each god. The barques are currently housed within the main temple but a building to specifically house them would be well received."
Seti clapped his hands in delight. "I like it. So, a triple chapel in front of the temple, to the left of the avenue of rams, I think. What do we make it out of? Kadjedja?"
"I can lay my hands on some beautiful quartzite, your Majesty."
"All right, draw up some plans and calculate the costs. I will have a look at them in a few days' time."
"As you command, Great One." Kadjedja bowed low again and walked backward out of the king's presence.
"I want to visit my tomb," Seti told Neferronpet. "Tomorrow I will take Tausret to the Great Field. Make the arrangements."
"As you command, Son of Re."
* * *
The next day, Seti rose early and conducted the main prayers in the temple of Amun-Re before partaking of a light meal and setting out across the river to the western shore. Tausret accompanied her husband. Takhat had wanted to come too, but Seti told her to rest.
"The Great Field is a dry and forbidding place, and would tax your strength. Remain here and rest, for I will not endanger our child."
"It is a son, my lord. I feel certain."
"All the more reason to stay behind then."
The ferry sailed with Seti and Tausret, accompanied by Scribe Kenhirkhopeshef, a doddery old man who could only walk with the aid of a stick, but whose mind was still sharp and active. Kenhirkhopeshef was aided by a younger scribe, a grandson of his called Remaktef, who carried a basket containing papyrus, inks and pens, as well as a record of everything associated with the Great Field. Tjaty Neferronpet did not accompany them as he had duties within the city, but Commander of the Amun legion, Merenkhons and a guard of twenty men went along as a security escort.
Chariots awaited the royal party at the docks on the western shore, and these carried the king and queen in one, and the scribes in the other, while the soldiers ran behind. The road lay through farmla
nd and fields before opening out onto a plain in front of the western cliffs where the mortuary temples of the kings presided. Priests turned out from the temples as the king passed by, bowing and offering up hymns of praise, but Seti did not stop, nor even deign to notice.
They came to a road paralleling the line of the cliffs and turned right, winding their way up an increasingly dusty road to a workmen's village surrounded by a low stone wall. The road passed by the village, but Seti ordered the charioteer to halt and he jumped to the ground, helping Tausret down as well. Kenhirkhopeshef took a few moments to climb down, and then hobbled toward a small group of villagers who had gathered.
As Seti and Tausret advanced, the villagers bent low, their outstretched hands almost touching the dusty ground as they made their obeisance. Seti signalled for them to rise and the Scribe of the Great Field issued the command through his grandson.
"Son of Re," Kenhirkhopeshef said. "This is the village of Sek-ma'at and these are the Servants of the Place of Truth, dedicated from generation to generation with excavating and decorating the tombs of kings and exalted persons within Ta-sekhet-ma'at. This..." he indicated a frail old man almost as bent and bowed as himself, "is Neferhotep, Foreman of the First Team and overseer of the excavation of the tombs. With him are his wife Wabkhet, his adopted son and acting foreman Paneb son of Nefersenet, and his adopted son Hesysenebef son of Anupenheb."
The villagers so identified bowed low again and offered up mumbled phrases of praise for their king. Seti nodded pleasantly, eyeing the workers with interest.
Kenhirkhopeshef turned to another group of workers. "This is Hay, son of Anhirkawi, Foreman of the Second Team, senior sculptor and fashioner of the images of all the gods in the House of Gold. With him is his wife Hatia."
Hay and Hatia bowed low and uttered their prayers for the king in clear voices.
Seti looked over the group of workers and beyond to the mud brick village where other men and women peered from the doorways and corners of the buildings. "Why are they not at work?" he asked.