The marketplaces, for there were many spaced throughout the growing city of Inabu-hedj, were raucous. People animatedly argued over the price of a piece of cheese or a catfish. Goats wandered around bleating, and sneaking morsels of food from any unsuspecting shopper’s basket.
In the better neighborhoods, luxury goods were stacked high in the best stalls. Handwoven baskets from the Delta competed for space with the highest quality ceramic pots and dishes from the kilns of Upper Kem’s finest craftsmen. Clothing of every color, size and style hung from cords strung across shop doorways. Not surprisingly, five days earlier I had seen Nomti in the main marketplace in Kem, supervising the unloading of one of his caravans of Babylonian wines. I hailed him from across the street, but he called back that he was late to unload another of his caravans that had just arrived from Ta-Sety! I laughed to myself how he was able to make business deals from lands at completely opposite ends of ours.
But I, too, was late and so I hurried to reach the palace, my scrolls and pens slung over my shoulder in the worn goatskin bag I usually carried. The guards at the palace entrance allowed me to pass with just a quick nod of their heads. I turned left at the entrance and walked down a long mud-brick hallway, ingeniously planned long ago by Narmer’s architects so that when you exited the dark corridor your senses were delighted with the profusion of light and color that came from the open courtyards. Each one cascaded away from the viewer toward Mother Nile. Red, yellow and blue flowering plants and canopied trees grew in pots and in pools. Small fish swam in those pools and nourished the plants. Ibises, their purple wings clipped, roamed through the gardens pecking at grubs and beetles that scurried on the ground. Gardeners busied themselves with pruning and fertilizing. I took a deep breath, as much from pride as from the pleasant floral scents.
Still, I rushed down the courtyard footpaths to get to my meeting. At the bottom of the courtyards the King’s quarters stood, parallel to Mother Nile. I entered and went straight to Qa’a’s meeting rooms. Buikkhu was already present for our usual ten-day meeting with Qa’a.
“You are late,” Buikkhu said with a note of displeasure.
“I am sorry, Masters. I have no excuse, except for the fact that Kem’s glory is responsible.” I smiled at my own wit, but neither of them saw the humor. I laid out my first scroll and my pens, ink and rags. “I am ready.”
“With what do we begin today?” Qa’a asked.
“With Akhom, the Eagle Prince,” Buikkhu started. “At my direction, he was examined by the priest healers from Nekhen.”
“Was he ill?” Qa’a asked, leaning forward in his seat.
“No, not at all. He is healthy and strong. With his passing of the three month milestone I wanted to be sure that all was well. Amisi, Akhom and Banafrit are all well. They were each examined. We do give Amisi a tonic to fortify her female organs, but that is entirely normal.”
“Good. That is settled. What else?”
“The next item is the canal project. Messengers have been arriving each ten-day as of late. The architects and engineers have made it as far as the Red Sea. There they have camped to review their findings. As we meet, they have begun their journey back to Inabu-hedj, retracing their route and also exploring alternate options for routing the canal if necessary. They should return in two months time.”
“Yes, but what are they finding?”
“Up until recently, we did not have an idea. But a few ten-days ago I sent my own trusted messengers to them and warned them to deliberate with all possible speed. They were to deliver to me, and to me only, not only the report given to them by the architects, but also to uncover their own information.”
“And?”
“We hardly know more than we did before. Apparently, there is vigorous disagreement among the engineers and architects over whether the canal project can be done at all. They hope to resolve the matter before they return home.”
“What is so difficult about digging into sand?” Qa’a walked to the table, tore off some finely ground dark bread and sliced a piece of goat’s cheese.
It was not long before Qa’a found out what challenges lay ahead with the canal project. In two months the team of canal planners had returned and sought an audience with Qa’a. This time, I knew at a glance that Buikkhu and Khenemet knew all there was to know before the meeting began.
“Yes it is a simple matter to dig in sand,” Awi, the Chief Architect was saying. “But just as easy as it is to dig, it is that much easier for it to fill back in.” He waited for the King to nod his understanding. “Then there is the matter of digging through the rocky areas between the mountains as we approach the Red Sea.”
Qa’a was lost in thought. “Are there any other issues?” he finally asked. Awi looked to his advisors and one of them nodded for him to go ahead.
“There is the issue of sea monsters.”
“Sea monsters? What is Horus’ name are you speaking of?” Qa’a asked, leaning forward in his seat.
“Well, there are some engineers, and I hurry to say I am not one of them, who feel that having a canal from Mother Nile to the Red Sea would allow sea monsters to travel to Mother Nile’s waters.”
“What kind of sea monsters do we speak of?” Khenemet asked.
“There are many reported kinds. One of them is horrid, with a huge head and one eye and a multitude of long arms with round disks on them that fishermen say can suck the blood from fish and man alike! I have seen that horrid creature with my own eyes.”
“And what is feared from these beasts?” Qa’a asked.
“They might get into our fresh waters and kill our fish.”
“Nonsense!” Qa’a exclaimed, sitting back in his chair. “Have you not thought of our own beasts? Any animal foolish enough to enter Mother Nile will have to contend with our crocodiles and hippopotamuses. They would only live long enough to serve as a welcome meal for those muts.”
“Yes, yes, I agree, Master. I only mention it because…”
“Never mind. The question I have is can the canal project be done?” Qa’a again sat on the edge of his chair.
“It can be done. Yes. We all, well most of us believe that to be true. But it will be difficult and it will take perhaps twenty years, even assuming that you are able to bring together all the resources required.”
“And why would you say that, Chief Architect? Cannot the King do as he pleases?”
Awi looked uncomfortable and glanced to Khenemet for help. “I do not think he meant that as it sounded,” Khenemet said. “His is the province of designing and building, not managing the Two Lands in Horus’ name.” The frightened architect nodded in agreement.
Qa’a leaned forward in his elevated chair. “Let me make sure I am clear on this. You say it can be done, but that it will be difficult and will take a very long time. Is that correct?”
“Yes, my Master, it is. I will also say that nothing of this… nothing this huge has ever been attempted before. Therefore we do not know what we will run into. Whoever is charged with overseeing this project will need to be very good at managing people, supplying the workers, maintaining building supplies such as stone and wood. It will be a very difficult project.” Awi looked around at his colleagues. “Of course, as you may already know, I have proven my worth at all these things.”
Qa’a sat back in his chair, his fingers forming a tent that his chin rested upon. No one said a word. Finally, he smiled and looked up.
“Good. Thank you Chief Architect. I thank you all for the hard work you have put into exploring this. Buikkhu here will make sure that you are all suitably rewarded by your King.” Qa’a stood and all before him bowed low to the ground. He dismissed them and they gathered their scrolls and charts and left the room.
For the next few days, Qa’a made himself scarce. He cancelled his weekly court where he heard and settled legal disputes. He also did not appear at a wedding of one of his cousins, feigning illness. Across Inabu-hedj, in the Temple of Horus, I noted Khenemet and Buikkhu
meeting frequently with Awi and many Upper Kemian businessmen, although they did not include me in those discussions. At end of the ten-day, we all received a summons from Qa’a.
This time I made sure to arrive earlier than Khenemet and Buikkhu. As soon as they arrived, Qa’a began. “My trusted advisors, I have made a decision. I will move ahead with the canal project.”
Khenemet was the first to respond. “Congratulations, my King. Buikkhu and I, and also Merkha, of course, feel this will be a worthwhile project. It will strengthen your hand.” Buikkhu shook his head in agreement. “Should we call in the Chief Architect?”
“What for?”
“To tell him of your decision,” Khenemet said, looking from the King to Buikkhu.
“No. He will find out in due course, since he will have to be involved in its planning.”
“I… I am afraid I do not understand. As Overseer he should be the first to know… other than we, your closest advisors, of course.”
“I do not plan to name the Chief Architect as Overseer. That is the second reason for my summoning you here.” At this point Khenemet made no attempt to hide his surprise. “I will name Nomti of Nekhen as Overseer.”
If a warrior had hit Khenemet on the head with a mace it could not have had a greater impact. Although we all sat, Khenemet fell back so hard in his seat he nearly toppled it. Embarrassed, he tried to recover his pride. “Nomti? Are you making a joke at our expense so early in the morning, my King? If you are you have certainly succeeded,” Khenemet said, trying a forced laugh that sounded more like a croaking frog.
Qa’a just stared at his Chief Priest, as Khenemet adjusted and readjusted himself in his seat. “No, it is not a joke, Khenemet. I have thought very hard on this for several days now. I think he would be the best choice for the job.”
“Can you explain to me… to us, why you feel he is best suited for this very complex project? He is just a businessman, and a young and foolish one at that. He is not an architect, or engineer, nor even an experienced administrator.”
“I, too, am young, Khenemet, although it is true I have excellent advisors in my service. I chose Nomti for many reasons. First, the canal was his idea…”
“Yes, but he himself admits it was a silly suggestion that he immediately forgot.”
“Allow me to finish,” Qa’a calmly said. “I know this decision upsets you, for the natural order of things would be to have the Chief Architect serve as Overseer, too.” Qa’a paused for a sip of beer and Khenemet used the moment to regain his composure.
“It is not whether Nomti’s idea was silly, as you say. After all, the group I sent to investigate it believes it can be done. No, it is the fact that he thinks in ways that others do not. He sees things differently than do we. He places no limits on his thinking, which is why he appears foolish to many.
“But here I trust my heart, for as I see it, he is no fool. He is a good businessman. I have checked with the tax collectors and they say that he pays his fair share of taxes and that they consider him very successful.”
“Yet not near as successful as Amisi’s father, for example,” Khenemet retorted.
“No, but he is twenty or more years younger and the deep desert is not a place for old men. Nomti understands people. Most like him and laugh at his humor and how he makes fun of himself. He leads people well. He is also very organized.” The King had made his points and Khenemet knew when it was pointless to argue. Qa’a’s decision was already made and he was young enough and still too full of pride to reconsider.
“Then so shall it be,” Khenemet said. “When will you inform Nomti and when will he start?”
“I have already informed him,” the King said, which surprised me greatly. Then I thought back to when I had come across Nomti in the marketplace in Inabu-hedj. “I will leave it to you, Buikkhu, to inform all other parties of my decision.” The King arose, and we hurriedly did the same.
“By the way, to all of you I say that Nomti will need time to plan this endeavor. He has never undertaken any project so massive as this. Nor has any man in Kem, living or dead. I expect that each of you will give him all the support and advice he will need.”
“And when will the project break ground?” Buikkhu asked.
“I would like to make the ground breaking a special ceremony. I have told Nomti to be ready to break ground on the Prince’s first birthday. That will coincide with the second month of Proyet. We will name the project after the future King.”
“Akhom.” I said aloud. “Akhom’s canal.”
Qa’a laughed. “Yes, the Desert Eagle’s Canal. It does have a ring to it, does it not? In any event, we have much to do. You all have your duties. Merkha, stay with me for an hour more for I wish to have some letters sent.”
For the next two hours, as it turned out, Qa’a was a whirlwind of activity. He sent letters and instructions to people throughout Upper Kem. He seemed to burn with the fever of his excitement. I learned later that night that Khenemet was as excited as was Qa’a, but his was a very different kind of excitement. Even when I joined them after Ra’s silver disk was high in the sky, he and Buikkhu were livid.
“What have we created?“ Khenemet railed. “A monster, that is what! We get rid of the father and we may end up with a son who is far worse.” Buikkhu gave me an uncomfortable look and I glanced toward the floor to avoid it. By now my suspicions had become an uncomfortable presence in my life within the Temple and Court.
“What will we do about all the contracts we have let people know they can have? How will this look? How will the priesthood have enough money?”
“But, the Horus priesthood is supported by the King’s treasury.” I knew immediately that I had misspoke.
“You are a scholar priest, Merkha,” Buikkhu said venomously. “Best to stay out of the workings of the real world.”
“No, no, I disagree, Buikkhu. If Merkha is to aid us, we must educate him in these ways. Not every detail, but enough to understand why we do what we must.” Khenemet words dripped with sarcasm.
“You see, Merkha, for your entire life in the priesthood you have had the luxury of not having to worry how you are supported. I am sure you believe that we get enough debens of gold from the King’s treasury or enough scraps of food from farmers when they are in need of our intercession with Horus. Oh, yes, that helps, but every deben of that is accounted for and it is never enough. Never. If we depended solely on that we would all be beggars in the streets. No, to wield the power that only we are capable of in order to keep ma’at stable, requires vastly more treasure than we are allotted by our benefactors.”
“But, to do what?” I asked, truly ignorant of their meaning.
“To do what?” Buikkhu interjected. “How do you think we pay for spies that do our bidding so that nothing is hidden from us? How do we afford priests who do nothing but study the ancient scrolls, as you once did, instead of serving the people? How are we able to keep false god usurpers from establishing a foothold in the Two Lands and thus dilute our power? Have you not wondered about such things, Merkha?”
“I just thought that …”
“That is precisely the problem, Merkha. You spend too much time thinking and not enough time influencing the King to our ends. How did you not know about his selection of that braggart Nomti?”
“I… I am not certain, my Masters. He has kept to himself much of the past few days. I saw Nomti in the marketplace…”
“Where? Here in Inabu-hedj?”
“Yes, just five or six days ago.”
Qa'a (The First Dynasty Book 3) Page 19