Merit came over and sat down beside him. It was as if she had read his thoughts.
‘You can be a very stubborn man when you want to be,’ she said.
‘Not only when I want to be. It comes automatically.’ There was no irony nor smile in the way he spoke.
‘Do you think Tawy will ever come back to us?’ she asked him.
‘I hope so, my love,’ he said.
It was so rare for him these days to use any term of endearment towards her and she was a little taken aback. She smiled, reached out her hand and gently stroked his arm. They sat for a while in silence.
When the crowds died down, they crossed the river with their daughter and grandchildren and made their way to their house in the village. Here they collected what they needed for the celebrations, including bread, beer and wine and moved to the tombs where their parents were interred. Many villagers were already there, celebrating. The whole area was filled with conversation and laughter. People greeted Kha and his family as they walked past. At the first of the tombs, that of Merit’s parents, they knelt and said a few short prayers. Merit placed food and beer at the entrance to the small tomb then they sat around in a circle.
‘I’m hungry,’ came a voice from a short distance away, ‘what’s to eat?’
The family turned as Djoser arrived, smiling broadly.
‘How was the procession? Anyone drop the gods in the river?’
This was not a facetious question. It was said that, in the first year the inundation failed, the statue of Amun had fallen into the river. The god’s anger stopped the flood that year and for six years after.
‘No father,’ replied Djoser’s youngest daughter, ‘the inundation is safe.’
‘So far,’ Djoser replied, ‘there’s always the return journey, which will be after those priests have had a jug or two of wine.’
*
A short distance away, Haqwaset sat with the High Priest and the others, having made their offerings to the god and asked for his blessings on this new Mortuary Temple. They were now settling into a feast of meat, fowl and fruits. The High Priest screwed his face as he tasted the wine offered to him. Haqwaset laughed.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said, although the tone in his voice didn’t seem to show any contrition. ‘I’ve ordered the wine served today be watered down so as to avoid any unnecessary drunkenness. The wine we have offered to Amun however, is the finest to be found in the Two Lands, please feel free to take some from there if you wish.’
Haqwaset knew such a thing was impossible for the High Priest, resulting in death for anyone who tried. The High Priest noted the King and his family were being served wine from a separate jug – no doubt, he thought, that would not be watered down. He was not wrong.
The rest of the day passed without incident. The statues returned safely, across the river, to their Temple home and the royal parties made their way, from the different Temples, back to the Palace. They congregated for another great feast, with musicians and dancers. Tonight there was an extra special celebration. Haqwaset had given his blessing to the marriage of Maiherpri and Amunitore.
‘Those dogs of yours will have to sleep outside your rooms now Maiherpri,’ he said, referring to the animals constantly at his young guard’s side.
The young couple blushed as they became the centre of attention for their families. Maiherpri’s mother was crying.
‘Let’s hope we can find such beautiful and suitable wives for your brothers.’ She spoke with a slight quiver in her voice. ‘They are older than you and need to think of being settled.’
Merymose reached out and put his arm around his wife’s shoulder.
‘Just a few more days,’ he said, ‘they’ll be back with us and you can do all the planning you wish.’
‘This is the best day of my life,’ proclaimed Amunitore. ‘Maiherpri as my husband and living in the Royal Palace, what more could a girl wish for?’
‘Two dogs?’ suggested Haqwaset.
The marriage ceremony was fixed for three days’ time. Not that there was to be much of a ceremony. As a marriage taking place in the Royal Palace, however, it would consist of more than the simple moving in of the belongings of the bride. It was an excuse to have another feast.
‘It will keep us women occupied, whilst you men are off doing whatever it is you’re going to do,’ said Tiye.
Towards the end of the festivities, Haqwaset spoke to Yuya, Merymose, Mahu, Meri-Bes and Maiherpri.
‘Tomorrow we need to discuss our plans.’
‘I have some old friends coming tomorrow,’ said Yuya.
Haqwaset shot a glance at him, thinking for a moment that Yuya was going to make an excuse and be unavailable. However, even Yuya could not refuse a request of the King. The old man realised what Haqwaset was thinking and started to laugh.
‘No, it’s Kha, your grandfather’s favourite tomb builder,’ he said. ‘No-one knows the layout of the valley better than he. Yours is the third king’s tomb he’s completed in his lifetime, as well as the many others started and not finished, due to terrain or changes of mind.’
At this last point he raised his eyebrows slightly. Looking at Yuya, Haqwaset gave a slight cough and said, ‘Talking of tombs, when are you going to start on the decoration of yours?’
‘Haqwaset, you well know, my tomb will not be decorated. I have no need for the Book of the Dead, or stories of the journeys of gods in the night. Neither have I need for pictures of my fields or livestock. The walls of my tomb will be plain. I will go to my God simply. Tjuya and my servants know what I would like to have with me in my coffin and my tomb, not for use in the afterlife, as I don’t believe such things would be of use there, but these things are a part of me and when I’m gone they should go also. I would hate the thought of them being destroyed, so they can stay with my earthly remains.’
chapter twenty-five
Yuya sent a message to Kha. The planned visit, by himself and Perneb, would need to be postponed. Instead, Kha, together with his family, should come to the Palace. Next morning, Kha, Merit, their daughter Merit and Djoser’s three daughters were welcomed literally with open arms by Yuya and the others. Perneb had ridden out to meet them with two senior guards. He dismounted as he came to them, handed the reins of his horse to one of the guards and embraced Merit before walking along the road beside Kha. They immediately entered into familiar conversation. It didn’t matter they hadn’t seen each other for some time. Nor that one was infinitely richer than the other. Their friendship was deep and long-lasting. They were separated only by time and distance. True friendship would always endure.
On arrival at the Palace, the guards at the entrance stood aside.
‘We are instructed to go straight to Yuya’s quarters,’ said Perneb, as he guided them through the most beautiful and lush gardens they had ever seen.
The portion of the Palace, reserved for the Queen’s parents, was a palace within a palace. Yuya and Tjuya were at the door to meet them. Yuya lovingly put his arms around Merit, who returned his embrace.
‘You’re as beautiful as ever,’ he said to her. ‘You seem to have lost weight. Are you well?’ His voice was calm but his face showed concern.
‘I’m well thank you Yuya,’ she said with an unconvincing smile.
Merit held a special place in Yuya’s heart.
Yuya’s first wife, Asenath, was especially fond of Merit and Yuya felt his wife’s last days were made easier having her close friend beside her. Merit, for her part, loved Asenath like a sister and felt no hardship in nursing her at the end, when she had been too embarrassed to let the servants, or even Yuya, attend to her personal hygiene. It was Merit who helped Yuya recover from the loss of his wife and sons. It was Merit he talked to when, by chance, he met the newly widowed Tjuya at the Palace, seeking blessing from her before asking Tjuya to marry him. He felt certain that if Merit gave her
consent, Asenath would also have approved. Kha, on the other hand, never approved.
‘How can he marry someone who falsely accused him of rape and had him sent to prison?’ he had asked Merit many times.
‘Because he loves her,’ was the stock reply.
Tjuya, too, was delighted to see Merit.
‘We’ll leave the men,’ she said. ‘Let’s go to the baths, get rid of the dust. I have gifts for all of you.’
‘Typical,’ thought Kha. ‘She doesn’t want to say we are all dirty and not fit to enter her house. She wants to wash everyone. No doubt the gifts will be new gowns and perfume.’
Yuya and Perneb both smiled at their friend.
‘We can read your thoughts old friend,’ said Perneb. ‘Your eyes give your feelings away.’
‘We too must go to bathe. We are to meet with the King in an hour,’ said Yuya.
He took a very surprised Kha by the arm and led him away, towards the men’s baths where servants were waiting with fresh clothes and jewellery for the freshly scrubbed Kha to wear for an audience with the most powerful man in the world.
Kha was now a stranger to the Royal family.
Years before, he had received a gift from the King’s grandfather and had accompanied him to war. He had ridden on a chariot driven by the King’s personal charioteer. He had joined Yuya and Thutmose, the present King’s father, on their hunting trip to the place where he had his dream. He had carved the great Dream Stela, now standing within the paws of the lion-bodied god guarding the great Pyramids.
Many years had passed since those days. Haqwaset didn’t know Kha. The craftsman felt nervousness at the thought of the forthcoming meeting. He heard the excited screams of the women from along the corridor.
‘At least they’re enjoying themselves.’
Perneb laughed. It took Kha a few seconds to realise he had actually spoken out loud, then he too laughed.
Even though the King was casually dressed in a gown not dissimilar to that now being worn by Kha, his command and superiority was tangible. Kha fell to his knees and touched his forehead to the ground as he entered the hall where the meeting was to take place.
‘Please stand, Kha. Consider yourself amongst friends here. Yuya has told me about you, and how my grandfather honoured you. Of how you were with my father on his special day. Tjay, my Master of Horse, has relayed to me, how you rode with him to fight the seven Princes. Huy, my most faithful servant and scribe, has informed me that you were his greatest teacher and how you found the Temples to the Sun with their multiple sanctuaries. These people, who are both close and important to me, admire you and your work Kha. I trust their judgment. I have known of you only as the overseer of my Tomb construction, and perhaps should have taken time to speak with you on my very few trips to the site. Tell me how is the Tomb?’
‘It will be ready in about a month, Majesty. Before the inundation starts.’
‘As maybe,’ said the King, ‘but I think I’ll visit tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, depending on what we decide today.’
Kha looked shocked.
‘But your Majesty, we can’t get it ready and in a fit state for you to visit. The scaffolding and work materials need to be removed.’
‘Don’t worry so much Kha. I may not even actually come to the tomb. Come let’s sit and talk.’
Kha was puzzled.
Mahu explained the situation, of the tomb robbers, to the group. Kha had been surprised at the mention of Djoser’s involvement and even more to hear he had been working as a spy for Yuya for some time.
‘I’ll have to have words with him.’
He looked around in panic. He was not sure if he had again been speaking out loud. His anxiety subsided when he realised Mahu was continuing to talk uninterrupted and no-one turned to look at him. Mahu was concerned about safety, particularly of the King.
‘They have disenchanted Nubian archers to protect them. There are numerous places where they can hide. We’ll have to go the full length of the valley. It would be easy for a single archer to keep hidden until it was too late.’
Haqwaset appeared unconcerned.
‘I won’t be going alone,’ he said ‘and besides, no Nubian would dare.’
‘I’m sorry brother,’ it was Merymose who was speaking. ‘People who suffered as a result of our quelling the uprising still harbour anger and seek revenge. This is how my sons have been able to find employment amongst those who don’t love you. If these archers are well trained, and have the latest bows, they could be a great danger.’
‘They are extremely well armed according to my information,’ Mahu said. ‘I can’t talk about their prowess but they boast they have been trained within your Majesty’s own army, some with your best units.’
‘I will not be stopped by a few renegade bowmen,’ Haqwaset shouted, banging his fist on a table. ‘We are going. I am going. All we need to decide, is will it be tomorrow or the day after? No later. I’m tired of this. I want it finished.’
No-one in the room doubted the determination of the King.
‘If we maintain the element of surprise,’ began Mahu, but was immediately interrupted by Haqwaset.
‘If? If? What do you mean “if we maintain the element of surprise”? There will be no lack of surprise or someone will pay with their life,’ he said, looking around the room.
The servants, who had been serving drinks to the group, looked downwards towards their feet. It wasn’t sensible, to give the slightest sign of disrespect to the King, particularly when in this mood. Simply meeting his eye could be a sign of defiance, better to examine your toes.
They also knew what it meant to betray the King. It was a risk few would dare take. There would have to be enormous rewards or incredibly strong motivation for such an act. Haqwaset was a fair man but, if crossed, his cruelty had few limits. If he could do to a Royal envoy what he had done to the Naharina diplomat, Barratarna, a short time ago, what would he do to a mere servant?
‘My Lord, I don’t think it a good idea for you to proclaim a visit to your tomb as soon as tomorrow. This, of itself, would appear suspicious,’ Kha said. ‘Better if tomorrow, one of your heralds comes to me at the tomb, with a message to inform of a Royal visit the following day. That would at least give me the chance of a pretence of clearing your tomb.’
Kha drew a plan of the valley. His memory was good and his artistic skills even better. He had spent much of his working life in the valley. He had examined every crevice. He showed the points where there would be most danger from archers. Meri-Bes, ever the pragmatist, spoke up.
‘Why don’t we send two hundred men up there at dawn and arrest them all. Bring them back here and execute them?’
Haqwaset looked at him.
‘Because, my dear friend, I personally want to catch them in the act. I want to hang their bodies from a rock face and have their heads on poles, placed at the entrance to the valley. I want to see the face of the half-priest as he watches them die, knowing with great certainty he will be next. Yuya tells me Kha’s son has been working on a tomb for Nahkt. I want to drag him behind my chariot and take him directly there. No period of mourning for him, no time to prepare for the afterlife. Death, and an extremely unpleasant one, is all he deserves.’
He turned towards Yuya.
‘Has your spy, the tomb painter, been given my instructions?’
‘He will be receiving them as we speak.’
‘And he will do the work, when?’
‘It was made clear there should be no delay. It won’t take him too long. It’s easier to destroy than to create.’
They continued to discuss plans for an hour or so, then Haqwaset stood.
‘We are clear, then?’ They each nodded their agreement. ‘I’ll dictate the note to be brought to Kha tomorrow. Maiherpri, you better see if there is anything Amunitore wants you to do,
it will help you get used to married life.’
They all laughed and Maiherpri went to find Amunitore. He was in love and looking forward to their future together.
Kha, Perneb and Yuya returned to the old man’s quarters and joined the women. It was very crowded in the hallway and full of noise and chatter. Tiye, Kirgipa and Mutemwiya, had joined Tjuya, Merit and the girls. Perneb’s daughter-in-law Takhat was also there. Pihuri was seated over in a corner, the lone man amongst the throng of women. He was being attacked, in mock battle, by the Princes Thutmose, Teppy and Smenkhare. The omnipresent Nefertiti was sitting, on a small stool, to one side taking in the surroundings.
‘Seeing all and saying nothing,’ as Tjuya commented afterwards.
Kha’s three granddaughters were being spoken to by Tiye; they were clearly awestruck. The Queen was actually speaking to them.
‘So, we need a harp, lute and double flute and you will play for us,’ Tiye was saying. ‘If your grandmother tells me you are the best she has ever heard then I think it would be good for us all to hear.’
The girls gave a look of horror to their grandmother.
‘What have you done to us?’ their looks said, and probably much more besides.
Merit smiled at them. Instruments were brought and the anxious trio took them with shaking hands.
‘Play your grandfather’s favourite,’ said Merit, trying her best to convey confidence into the young girls.
The girls huddled together and whispered for a few moments, nodded, then stood in a line in front of Tiye, now seated between Tjuya and Merit.
After a nervous start the three sisters soon hit a proper rhythm and confidently played out a very well-known song. The instruments they had been given were the finest they had ever played. The tone, clear and sharp. Music filled the air. The girls were taken aback when Tiye and Yuya began singing along to the music, closely followed by the others. Soon even the children had declared a truce in their war with Pihuri and ran over to sit down in front of the musicians, learning the chorus as they went along and joining in. One song led to another and then another.
The Awakening Aten Page 30