Fall of the House of Ramesses, Book 3: Tausret

by Max Overton

  "Then you may ask him when he returns." Ament rolled up the scroll and handed it to a soldier. "In the meantime, I will obey my orders."

  The Ptah Commander scowled. "Where are you taking him?"

  "As the warrant commands, to his estate at Per-Bast, there to await his majesty's pleasure. I have a barge standing by to transport him."

  "Do not let him take me, Besenmut," Bay said in a low voice. "I fear for my life."

  "I shall not desert you, my Lord." Besenmut fixed Ament with a determined stare. "I and my men will accompany you to Per-Bast to ensure the Chancellor's safe arrival."

  "May I see your orders to that effect, Commander?" Ament asked.

  "The Chancellor's command will suffice. Do you so command, my Lord?"

  "Unfortunately," Ament murmured, smiling, "this man is no longer Chancellor. He was stripped of his titles the moment he was taken into custody. His words no longer carry any weight." He shrugged his shoulders. "You could seek the permission of the Regent, if you desire."

  Besenmut ground his teeth as he looked about him at the determined men in the squad of Set soldiers. "I still outnumber you," he rasped. "If I give the word, you will all die."

  "And if you give the word, Bay dies first. How will that serve your master?"

  Besenmut swore under his breath. "You will not take Lord Bay out of the palace. My men will offer no violence, nor try to release Lord Bay, so there is no attempt to free him--note that, Ament. If you harm Lord Bay, you will answer for it to the king, I promise you that."

  "So we just stand here?" Ament asked.

  "All day and night, if that is what it takes."

  "Oh, it won't take that long. Already I can hear the sound of my men approaching. The full Set legion, Besenmut, brought down from Iunu on the orders of the Regent. Now you are outnumbered."

  The Set legion marched into the entrance of the palace with weapons drawn, scattering the servants, officials and palace guards. Parahotep, the Captain of the Guard put up a show of objecting to the legion's presence but backed down when he saw the arrest warrant. Besenmut and his fifty men had no option but to stand aside, and Ament marched Bay out into the street, surrounded by soldiers with their weapons at the ready. The people of Men-nefer looked on, amazed at the unexpected sight of a high official in custody, but made no move to interfere.

  Bay was marched down to the waterfront, where Besenmut made one last attempt to rescue Bay. As soon as Ament had left the palace, he had sent runners to gather the Ptah legion, and his men now crowded the streets near the river.

  Ament turned his men to face the Ptah legion, and had them beat their swords on their leather shields, raising a fearsome clamour. The Ptah legion, soft from city life, were reluctant to move forward, and Ament took advantage of their indecision to board the barge with his prisoner and Huni's squad.

  The barge eased away from the dock, and the oarsmen guided the craft out into the current. Ament waved to his deputy Mose, who immediately stood his men down, offering no resistance to Besenmut. There was nothing the Ptah commander could do now, so he too dismissed his men, and stood staring after the receding barge carrying his Lord Bay.

  Ament directed the barge into the branch of the river that flowed past Per-Bast, and then, out of sight of any habitation, he ordered the barge put in to shore, nosing up against the reed-lined bank where lush grassy meadows spread out before them.

  "Why are we going ashore?" Bay asked. "Is this where you kill me?"

  "Do you deny you deserve death? Seti-Merenptah died an agonising death in the name of your ambition. Well, that heinous act will be avenged today."

  Bay shrugged. "Have you given any thought to what the king will say when he finds out you have killed me?"

  "He put his seal on the order."

  The barge nudged the grassy bank and swung gently alongside. Sailors leapt onto the shore with ropes and hammered in stakes to hold the barge in place. Others secured a gangplank between craft and land, bridging the small marshy gap on the water's edge.

  "Perhaps he did," Bay commented, "and perhaps he did not really know what he was agreeing to. Either way, I am certain he will regret his action and order my return from exile. What will your excuse be when you tell him you killed me?"

  "That you tried to escape. What else?"

  "But these men know the truth." Bay raised his voice and called out so everyone on board could hear him. "Good people, come to my help. This man intends to kill me, against the wishes of the king. Help me and I will pay you much gold, ignore me and the wrath of Akhenre Siptah will descend on you."

  "Won't do you any good," Ament said. "These soldiers are from my Set legion, and the sailors are all loyal to Queen Tausret, whose innocent son you so callously slaughtered. Now, if you would please go ashore, we'll do what must be done." He took Bay's arm and started moving him toward the gangplank.

  Bay pulled back, and a note of desperation crept into his voice. "I can pay you gold, Ament. A lot of gold. I have the treasury of the Kingdoms at my disposal."

  "No longer, Bay. Your offices were stripped from you, remember?"

  "I have private resources..."

  Ament swung Bay round to face him. He leaned close and spoke quietly. "There is not enough gold in the Two Lands to ransom your life, Bay. You lost all right to keep on living when you ordered Seti-Merenptah's death. Make your peace with the gods as best you may, because shortly you will be in the underworld facing their judgment. What do you think will happen when they weigh your heart against the Feather of Truth?"

  Bay stumbled and almost fell when he came off the end of the gangplank, but he steadied himself and looked around. He tensed for a moment when he saw the open fields around him and gathered his strength, but the presence of alert soldiers convinced him escape was impossible. Instead, he shrugged and pretended a nonchalance he did not feel.

  "Well, how is it to be?" he demanded of Ament. "Am I to be tortured or will you grant me a clean death?"

  "You don't deserve a clean death, but I'll grant you one. Kneel and pray to your gods if you want."

  "I have nothing to say to them that they don't already know," Bay replied. "I have lived my life in service of my king, and I die in the knowledge that I have secured a place for Akhenre Siptah on the throne of his father."

  Ament nodded and gestured toward the grassy sward. "Enough, Bay. Kneel and let's get this over with."

  "Is there nothing I can say to make you change your mind?" Bay waited, but when Ament gave no response, he sighed and sank to his knees in the grass. He looked up at Ament. "Who strikes the blow?" he asked. "You, Ament? You have always hated me."

  "Hate should not strike the blow," Ament said after a few moments' thought. "Your death is a just punishment for your crimes against Kemet."

  "I'll do it, sir," Huni said. "I'm a soldier and used to killing."

  Ament nodded. "Do so then. Strike his head from his shoulders."

  "It should be you, Ament. You command these..." Bay screamed in agony as Huni slashed at his neck with his copper sword. The blow hit a vertebra and failed to penetrate more than a finger width. Blood spurted and Bay collapsed onto his hands and knees, groaning loudly and shaking.

  Huni swore and stepped to one side, slashing down again, but as Bay was moving, his blade missed its target and only opened up a great wound on the side of Bay's neck. He chopped down once more and caught the back of Bay's skull.

  Bay screamed in agony again and Ament pushed Huni away, dragging out his own sword. He positioned himself, paused a moment, and then slashed downward, his own blade biting deep into Bay's neck and almost severing his head. The screams cut off abruptly.

  "Sorry, sir," Huni muttered. He stooped and wiped his blade on the grass.

  "He was an evil man, but I promised him a clean death," Ament said. "I broke my promise to him." He sighed and pointed to the corpse. "Finish cutting his head off."

  Huni sawed at the tendons and vessels of Bay's neck and quickly cut through the flesh
, severing the head completely. "What should we do with it, sir? Take it back to Men-nefer? It's usual to put the heads of traitors on a spike as a lesson for others."

  "The man was uncle to the king, Huni. It would be an unnecessary cruelty to parade his uncle's head in front of him."

  "Take him back for burial then?"

  "No. Just throw the head and body into the river. Let the crocodiles bury him."

  Chapter 36

  Year 5 of Akhenre Siptah

  King Akhenre Siptah returned from his hunting trip dispirited and nervous, unsure about what had happened in his absence. He avoided Queen Tausret and retired to his rooms after making desultory enquiries about Bay. Nobody was willing to tell him anything on that score except that the Chancellor had laid down his offices and duties and had vacated the palace under guard.

  Then came a summons from the regent to attend a full Council meeting in the throne room. Siptah felt anger stir that he, the king, should be summoned, but he thrust the feeling away, not wanting to argue the point. Instead, he dressed in his royal finery and made sure he was in the throne room, seated on the gold and ebony throne, well before the appointed hour.

  The Councillors entered, looked surprised to see the king already in attendance, and made their obeisance. Siptah greeted each one in turn, some more warmly than others and bade them take their seats while they waited for Tausret. As they sat in silence, Siptah looked them over, mentally sorting them as friend or foe, ally or enemy.

  Tjaty Mentu--enemy; Commander Besenmut of the Ptah legion--friend; Commander Emsaf of the Heru legion--friend; General Iurudef of the Northern Army--possible friend; General Setnakhte of the Southern Army--enemy; Commander Ramesses of the Amun legion--enemy; Head Scribe Pepy--neither friend nor enemy; several assistant scribes that could be safely ignored; Captain of the Palace Guard Parahotep--possible friend; Assistant Treasurer Huy--unknown, possibly a friend. Siptah felt despair creeping over him. The Councillors were evenly split but if Huy was here, his uncle might not be appearing and the Queen and her dog had not yet put in an appearance. Their presence would surely tip the meeting against him.

  Just why that would matter, Siptah did not know, but the balance of power had changed in the last few days. The young king shivered, but sat still, the Double Crown heavy on his head and the heka and nekhakha clammy in his sweating palms. His eyes looked toward the doors as he heard the tramp of feet outside, and then the doors were thrown open. Queen Tausret entered, with Commander Ament to her right side and a pace behind her. A score of soldiers spread out around the periphery of the room and stood at attention.

  The Councillors rose to their feet as Tausret entered, and Siptah started to move with them until he caught himself and pressed back into the throne. He glowered at Tausret and Ament as they took their places in the circle of chairs and the throne room doors were closed. Tausret looked around at the other Councillors, nodding and smiling, whereas Ament stared hard, challenging each man.

  "Thank you all for attending," Tausret said. "Despite this not being the appointed time for a Council meeting, I am grateful that so many of you could be here at such short notice. It is for an important reason..."

  "Your pardon, Regent," Besenmut interrupted. "But I do not see Chancellor Bay here. Should we not wait until he arrives?"

  "As you already know, Commander," Ament said. "Bay has been stripped of his titles and has been exiled from the palace."

  "We heard the rumours when we arrived in the city," Setnakhte said. "It is true then?"

  "True enough," Emsaf said, "but we have not been told the reason."

  "I saw the arrest warrant," Besenmut said. "It talked of forfeiting the king's love and trust but was silent as to the actual charges."

  "I cannot believe it," Parahotep said. "Bay loved the king, more than anyone, for he was kin to the god, and we know the king loved him in return. I can think of no deed he would commit that would make the king love him less."

  "We, as King's Councillors, have a right to hear of what Bay is accused," Tjaty Mentu said.

  "That is why we are gathered here," Tausret said. "A little patience and all will be revealed."

  General Iurudef stood and faced the throne. "Son of Re, is it true that the one who was Chancellor Bay has sinned against you and forfeited your love and trust?"

  Siptah shifted uncomfortably on his throne and let his symbols of kingly authority sag. He looked at Tausret but did not say anything.

  "The king put his seal onto the arrest warrant," Tausret said. "There is no need to question the king further."

  "Then will you answer, my Lady?"

  Tausret bowed her head for a moment and then looked up. "Commander Ament will speak for me."

  Ament rose to his feet and looked round the assembled Councillors. "This will be painful for Queen Tausret and, indeed, for any other person who loved the heir to the throne, Prince Seti-Merenptah. As you all know, the Prince was struck down and killed by a cobra while playing in the palace ground. What you may not know is that a man brought that cobra into the palace gardens and released it by the pond where the Prince liked to play. The facts are inescapable; the Prince was assassinated."

  "And what has this to do with Chancellor Bay?" Emsaf asked.

  "Bay was the man who ordered the cobra brought in."

  Everyone started talking at once, asking questions, making statements, shouting the innocence of the king's uncle. Ament waited for silence to resume and then continued.

  "The killing of the Prince followed hard on the heels of another attempt, this time by poisoning cakes sent to me, knowing I would share them with the Prince."

  "You have proof of this?" Mentu asked.

  Ament nodded. "As close as matters. Bay did not deny it when I confronted him."

  "Why should he bother to deny it?" Besenmut protested. "It is arrant nonsense and I have no doubt Chancellor Bay thought the charge utterly contemptuous and beneath him."

  "No longer Chancellor," Ramesses said.

  Besenmut glared at the young commander. "A lot of accusations are being thrown around, blaming a man who has no chance of answering these charges."

  "Then bring him in," Setnakhte said. "I would like to hear Bay deny these charges."

  "He has been exiled from the city," Besenmut said. "False charges were laid against him--without proof--and now he cannot be questioned to get the truth of the matter. Ament knows. He was the one who took him out of the city to his Per-Bast estates."

  "Then you must bring him back, Commander Ament," Setnakhte said. "We need to get to the bottom of this."

  "I could bring him back if I could find him," Ament said, "but he would not be answering any questions."

  "What do you mean you cannot find him?" Hori asked. "Is he not on his Per-Bast estate?"

  Besenmut went pale. "By all the gods, he has killed him."

  "Is this true, Commander Ament?" Setnakhte asked.

  "Bay is dead," Ament confirmed.

  Siptah leapt upright, throwing his regalia aside, his crown slipping and falling to the floor with a dull clunk. He took a step toward Ament and stumbled as his withered leg gave way. A scribe ran forward to support his king.

  "You have killed my uncle?"

  Ament bowed to his king. "Son of Re, I carried out the instructions on the warrant that was given me bearing the royal seal. I arrested Chancellor Bay, stripped him of his titles and conveyed him from the palace toward his estate at Per-Bast. On the way there, he attempted to escape and, as the warrant instructed, I executed him."

  "You murdered him," Siptah cried, his face screwing up in grief. "I gave no permission for him to be killed. He is...he was my uncle...my family...and I love him. Where is this so-called warrant? Read it and you will see it said nothing about executing him."

  "Show us the warrant," Besenmut demanded.

  "You've already seen it," Ament countered. "Don't you remember what it said?"

  "The rest of us need to see it," Mentu said. "Where is it?"
<
br />   "The warrant was handed in to the Chief Scribe upon my return to the palace," Ament said.

  "Pepy, do you have the warrant?" Setnakhte asked of the scribe.

  "It has been filed, my lord," Pepy replied. "I could send someone for it." He dispatched a junior scribe to find the warrant.

  "You have done this," Siptah accused, limping toward Tausret. "You could not stand it that I loved Bay and he had my ear. You were afraid of him, afraid that he was growing too powerful--so you had him killed."

  Tausret watched the young king limping toward her and then stood, staring into his grief-reddened eyes. "You are overcome with regret and guilt, Son of Re, and for that I forgive you, but do not forget that my innocent son has also died, killed by this very man you claim to love. He admitted his guilt and was sentenced for it, by your order, Akhenre Siptah. If you now regret his death, do not think to blame others for it."

  Siptah quailed in the face of the Queen's fury. "I...I didn't know that was in it," he muttered. He turned and retreated back to his throne where he sat with his face buried in his hands.

  The scribe returned with the warrant, and the document was passed around so every man could see the instructions on the king's warrant.

  "It does say he is to be executed if he attempts to escape," Ramesses said.

  "And that is the king's seal," Mentu added. "I know, for I brought it into the king's presence myself and affixed it to that warrant. I gave it to the king for his mark to be made above it. It is genuine."

  "You have reason to lie about it though, don't you?" Besenmut accused. "Ask yourself who stands to gain by this. It is the Queen and her cronies."

  "Have a care, Commander," Setnakhte said. "Your accusations could be read as treasonous."

  "But it is true, isn't it?" Besenmut insisted. "Bay was growing too powerful, so you had him removed."

  Ament strode forward to stand before the throne. "Son of Re, does this man speak for you?"

  Siptah looked up; his cheeks streaked with tears, and shook his head.

  "This man has voiced treasonous accusations," Ament went on. "I demand his arrest."