by Overton, Max
Nakhtmin frowned and shook his head. "Horemheb will not allow it. He will be in Men-nefer also and he will step in if we move against the king."
Ay threw back his head and laughed. "Come, my son, you have a young mind and a body full of fire and spirit. You tell me why Horemheb will be a toothless lion."
Nakhtmin got up and refilled his wine cup. He went and stood by the open window again, drawing in the odours of growth from the farmland between the palace and the river. Most of the lights of the city had been extinguished, for only the rich could afford to keep oil lamps burning past the evening meal time. As the lights went out, the stars shone more brilliantly in the vast body of Nut, and the city, land and river lay like a dark shadow. Horemheb is a premier general still, despite being Tjaty these four years. What then is his weakness ? Within the palace, where many lamps still burned, came the tired voices and muted sounds of people preparing for sleep. The palace guards called out and stamped their feet to ward off the shadows, vigilant in their duty. What legion lies within the White Walled City? What resources has he ? Nakhtmin turned and stared back across the room at Ay.
"Horemheb has only the under-strength Men-nefer legion."
"And the City Medjay," Ay added. "But they can be ignored. Yes, if we arrive at the palace with a full legion of the Amun, he will not be able to stop us freeing the king from his clutches."
"There will still be much bloodshed, and there is always the chance of a stray arrow ending it all before it starts. I would look to lengthen the odds against Horemheb."
Ay smiled, his dark eyes glittering in his lined face. "How would you do that?"
"I would have word brought to him of a peril to the north that he cannot ignore. He would be forced to take the legion and investigate it."
"An interesting thought. What peril would send Horemheb scuttling out of Men-nefer?"
Nakhtmin shrugged. "Bandits? An enemy incursion?"
"Smenkhkare," Ay said. "He will meet him without a thought."
"But he will need proof that he has really been seen."
Ay held out his left hand which bore a heavy gold ring inscribed with the cartouches of Smenkhkare. "I keep this with me to remind me of his existence."
"Horemheb has not seen it?"
"No. I will have a trusted man deliver it, with information that will send him running."
"And then?"
"What do you mean?"
"After we capture the king. You intimated something far greater would be our reward."
Ay laughed again. "I can hear the avarice in your voice Nakhtmin. I chose well when I made you my son." The Tjaty wiped his eyes. "Do not worry, once the king is in our hands, he will mysteriously fall ill, but before he dies he will name me heir."
"You? I thought..."
"You thought you were to be the next king? As if I would hand the kingdoms over to you so easily. You will have to earn that honour. Be a dutiful son and I will name you heir after me."
Nakhtmin thought about this possibility for a while, his excitement growing, though he made a great effort to appear nonchalant. "What about Queen Ankhesenamen?"
"You desire her? Well, she has something of her mother's beauty, so I cannot fault your taste. However, she is the...sole female left in the royal family. You know as well as I that a commoner becoming king must marry into the family to make the succession legitimate. I will marry Queen Ankhesenamen."
"But you are her grandfather," Nakhtmin objected, a look of distaste obvious on his face. "It...it would be unnatural."
"Nothing is unnatural for the gods. Think of our own cosmology when Atum ejaculated to produce Shu and Tefnut--brother and sister who mated to form Geb and Nut, another brother-sister union which in turn brings forth Asar and Auset and from them is Heru born. If the gods show us the way, can we do otherwise?"
"But the law does not allow such close marriage."
"Not among the peasantry, but the royal family has always done this. If we raise ourselves to the rank of kings, it is legitimate for us to do so too." Ay saw Nakhtmin was accepting but uneasy, and sought to reassure him. "I will marry my grand-daughter Ankhesenamen for form's sake, so that the people may see I am king by right, but I will not lie with her. That will be your duty when I am gone." He saw the mixture of lust and disappointment and laughed. "Do not wish for my demise too soon, my son. I will have much to teach you in the coming years. When I do finally pass into the West, I will do so in the knowledge that I leave behind a strong king who will lead Kemet back to her former glories."
Nakhtmin gathered together a full legion of seasoned soldiers from the Amun garrison and more from the surrounding forts. He trained them, and had them burnish their weapons and shields until they gleamed. The tramp of thousands of feet onto the packed earth of the roads struck fear into the hearts of the peasants. They fell to their knees and worshiped the haughty man who rode by at the head of such fierce troops. At the end of a month, Nakhtmin brought his army back to Waset, and in the plains outside the walled city, he had the men repeat their oaths of allegiance, but this time not to king and Kemet, but rather to Tjaty Ay and General Nakhtmin. They swore a fearsome oath, the priests of Amun leading the troops through it a squad at a time until all had declared their loyalty, raising such a cheer at the end that the people of Waset hurried to the walls to watch the spectacle.
"We are ready, father," Nakhtmin said, as they watched the proud troops marching past, the officers hardly needing to use their whips to keep the men in order. "Give the word and we march on Men-nefer."
"It is five days to the new moon. I will not begin this enterprise until the moon is growing, so we march the following day," Ay replied. "I have sent a messenger north with instructions to seek the ear of Horemheb on the fifth day before the next new moon. We will enter Men-nefer on the night of that new moon."
The new moon came, a crescent feather-thin in the morning sky. Ay and Nakhtmin offered up prayers to all the gods, until the stench of burning flesh mixed nauseatingly with the sweet odours of incense and herbs. With a pall of smoke lying blue in the still morning air over the city, Nakhtmin gave the signal, and the drums and flutes and sistra struck up an enthusiastic cacophony, and the army set out for a destination few knew, and a purpose known only to the Tjaty and his General.
Three days later, at the town of Min, a messenger hurried ashore from a small sailboat that scudded down the Great River with both current and wind pushing it on. The messenger hurried to where Ay and Nakhtmin stood waiting, and prostrated himself.
"My lord Tjaty, General, there is word from merchants on the Kharga-Setweh road. An army is in sight, marching southeast toward Ta-senet ."
"An army?" Nakhtmin yelled. "Who is it? Who leads them?"
"A...a bearded man wearing the crowns of Kemet. They...they say it is King Smenkhkare."
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Chapter Twenty-Seven
The expedition against the Senka took place as planned. Chief Kasako welcomed the opportunity to wield his newly-trained armed might while Smenkhkare and his officers watched. The campaign itself was short and bloody, with Kasako using his men like a cudgel rather than the fine-tipped dagger they had become. Rather than exercising his troops in the feint and charge of their training, he hurled overwhelming force at the Senka villages and slaughtered the men, a small group fleeing westward being the only survivors. The Senka children died, but the women lived, though from the cries that arose from the Suri camp that night, many must have regretted surviving their husbands and fathers. Chief Taharqa was captured, grievously injured, and Kasako demanded that Nebhotep and the other physicians spare no effort in bringing him back to full health. The chief's concern for his prisoner was made evident in his boastful speech at the victory feast the next day.
"I want Taharqa, son of Taharqa in the best of health before I kill him," Kasako said. "He will be a long time dying and I want him to live as long as possible."
Nebhotep looked sick but hurrie
d off with his assistants and the other army physicians to tend to the wounded chief.
Meanwhile, Chief Kasako finished his victory speech and sat down again, surrounded by his wives who served him bubbling beer in large pots and great slabs of greasy beef, hot from the fires.
Huni drew close to where Smenkhkare sat talking to Menkure, Shabaqo and Scarab. "It is time, your majesty, let us do this thing."
Smenkhkare drew him close and murmured so only those nearest could hear. "Are you certain, Huni? It is your life that will be at stake."
Huni looked across to where the Suri chief sat, his dark skin glistening with oil and sweat. He nodded. "I can take him."
Smenkhkare stood up and advanced a few paces clear of his own troops. At a signal, a trumpeter blew a single long note that silenced the hubbub associated with the feast. The king spoke into the silence.
"Chief Kasako, honoured warriors of the great Suri tribe, my own allies of the Tu'qa and Q'ema, Kemetu faithful who have followed me out of our beloved land and who now return with me to reclaim our lives and our positions; we are gathered here to celebrate a great victory over an enemy and to honour the brave men who fought and died today."
Kasako waved a hand casually to acknowledge the speaker, his men cheered wildly and the Kemetu uttered more restrained approval. The noise faded rapidly when they saw the king was still on his feet.
"Though this day and this battle belong to every one of our Suri brethren," Smenkhkare went on, "I must also bring one man to everyone's notice. This is a man who is strong and honourable, skilled in arms and trustworthy..." He saw Kasako preening, evidently believing the speech honoured him, and hid his smile. "...and I wish to honour this man, bestowing upon him such riches and position that a king may offer. This man is...Huni, legion commander and friend of the king."
Kasako leaped to his feet and stared across the open ground at Smenkhkare and the Nubian officer that now stood before him. He clenched his fists, ground his teeth and worked his face into a mask of fury. "Who is this nobody that is honoured at my victory feast?" he snarled.
Smenkhkare ignored the uproar around the Suri chief and raised his own voice. "I, Djeserkheperu Smenkhkare, king of Ta Mehu and Ta Shemau, do bestow on Huni the rank of Fan Bearer on the King's Right Hand, and General Commander of the King's Infantry. I give him land, rich farm land ten thousand cubits square, that will sustain cattle selected�from the king's herds."
Khu, who stood beside Scarab near the king's throne, gasped. "Those are unheard of riches. A victorious general would not be awarded�half as much."
"It is necessary that Kasako's greed is fired up," Scarab murmured in reply. "Besides, if my brother succeeds, he can afford such generosity. If we fail, it will not matter."
Kasako strode through his tribesmen, hurling men aside if they got in his way. He stood, shaking with anger, in front of Smenkhkare and Huni and pointed a finger at the king. Menkure hissed in disbelief at the insult and he and Shabaqo stepped up in support. Scarab joined them and Khu followed her, though his rank was far below the other leaders.
"You offer up this great insult to me at my victory feast," Kasako raged, his eyes wild. "I will have revenge."
"Think, Kasako, chief of the Suri," Shabaqo said calmly. "This is the King of Kemet you accuse. Under our laws the king's person is sacrosanct and one who threatens his person may be cut down out of hand." He gestured toward the king's guard who stood with arrows ready though their bows still pointed down.
The Suri chief cast a baleful look at Shabaqo. "The king's baboon speaks," he sneered. However, he ceased his attack on the king and swung round to face Huni. "Does this hyena turd also hide behind his king?"
"I hide behind no man," Huni growled. He stepped out to face the Chief.
"Your wealth is rightfully mine. Give it to me and I will let you live."
"No," Huni said simply.
Kasako's eyes narrowed. "Then I will fight you for the cattle and land."
Huni smiled grimly. "Agreed. And what will you stake against them?"
Kasako stared at Huni, then glanced around at the studied disinterest of Smenkhkare and the eagerness gleaming in the eyes of Menkure and Shabaqo. "I stake your life, turd. If you win, you live."
"Not enough," Huni declared. "Stake your leadership of the Suri."
The Chief continued to stare at Huni. "So that is what this is about," Kasako said softly. "You seek to depose me because you fear me. And so you should little man, for my tribe will eat your puny army up and afterward I shall invade your land and make it mine."
"This is nonsense," Shabaqo declared. "You challenged Huni. All that remains is to decide the stakes."
"It will not work," Menkure murmured to Smenkhkare. "Even if Huni wins, the Suri are lost to us."
Kasako shook his head. "I have offered my stake--I will let him keep his life. I will fight him on those terms, no other. Now decide, and know that if you refuse I shall release my men."
"Kasako will not fight because he is afraid."
Heads turned at the clear voice that rang out, loud enough for many sitting or standing on the edges of the circle to hear. Scarab walked out from behind her brother and, ignoring the men glaring at each other, walked around the trodden earth circle, speaking to the tribesmen.
"I have spoken with the women of your tribe," she called. "They say that Kasako is a big man except where it pleases a woman. I am told that he has a loud voice and is quick to use his fists and feet on a defenceless woman, but instead of a roaring lion on the bed mat, he is described as 'musu' the mouse who squeaks and hides quickly." The Suri men gaped but laughter swept over the womenfolk, quickly silenced as Kasako glared.
"Control your woman," Kasako growled at the king. "Or I will do it for you."
"What is she doing?" Menkure muttered. "Stop her, Djeser."
Smenkhkare considered her sister as she strode around the clearing and saw a confident young woman rather than the girl he still thought her to be. "Leave her be," he commanded. He raised his voice to call to the Suri Chief. "I have told you that our women speak their minds, Kasako. Are you afraid of what she might say?"
Scarab leaped in before the Chief could reply. "Of course he is, brother. Big men are often brave when facing women or those who will not fight back." She strutted up to the Chief and stood with her hands on her hips, her contoured body gleaming in the sunlight. "Kasako will not face Huni because he is afraid." She laughed. "In fact, he is even afraid of me."
Kasako's eyes narrowed and spittle flew from his lips as he roared in anger. "I will kill you," he howled. "Slowly! You shall scream for mercy and there shall be none."
Scarab yawned ostentatiously. "The mouse is squeaking again. What are you saying, Kasako? You are too scared to fight a man but you will fight a woman? Come on then, challenge me and I shall show the Suri the mouse that leads them. Put up your tribe, Kasako, and I will put up all my wealth in Kemet."
Kasako's anger evaporated and he looked at the young woman with a calculating stare. "You wish to fight me for the Suri? Why? If you won they would not follow a woman and you cannot assign the power to another."
"If you are afraid I shall beat you..."
The Suri Chief laughed. "You shall have your wish, foolish girl. I shall fight you for the chieftainship of the tribe, but you must put up some other prize."
"Name it."
"You."
Scarab looked incredulous. "You want my dead body?"
"I am not going to kill you. The fight will be over when you can no longer lift a hand against me. Then I shall take you to my hut and you will become one of my women. Are you agreed?"
Scarab shivered at the thought and Khu ran over to her. "Do not do it, Scarab," he implored. "There must be another way. Turn him down and let's find it. He is too powerful."
Kasako sighed theatrically and appealed to his tribesmen. "She is only a girl after all, and a young one at that. It would not surprise me if she has never been with a man--at least, not a real
man. And now when the opportunity arises, she is afraid, afraid of what awaits her in my bed." The Suri roared with laughter and clapped their hands, howling their mirth.
Scarab's jaw muscles jumped and her nostrils dilated. "I accept your challenge, Kasako. Speak your oath now that all may hear."
Kasako grinned. "I, Kasako of the Suri, challenge you, Scarab of the Kemetu. I put up as my stake the chieftainship of the Suri, for I know a girl cannot beat me and neither will the Suri accept you. I swear this on the bones of my ancestors."
Scarab followed his lead. "I, known as Scarab, accept your challenge, Kasako of the Suri. I stake myself and if you can take me without killing me, I will share your bed. I swear this on the life of my brother and the gods of Kemet."
"She is dead," Smenkhkare murmured to Menkure. "For she will not let herself be taken alive."
The circle of trodden earth was cleared and ringed by curious tribesmen and soldiers expecting a grand spectacle. Kasako stripped down to a small loincloth and walked around the perimeter joking and calling out insults, flexing his muscles. Scarab, meanwhile, removed her kilt and fastened a loincloth around her hips and tightened the band around her chest.
"Remember the lessons of Hapu," Khu said, handing her a flask of water. "You will be fighting with staves which are not unlike untipped spears."
Scarab swilled water around in her mouth and spat it out. She nodded. "I will remember." An old man, one of the Suri elders, came to lead her out into the ring and she took a few steps before turning back to Khu. "Promise me one thing, Khu." He nodded, afraid to speak. "If Kasako wins, go to Zarw and see my son Set. Tell him...tell him his mother loves him and has died in the service of Kemet. Try and stay close to him." Scarab extended a hand and stroked Khu's cheek, wiping away a runnel of tears. "Dear Khu," she murmured, then turned away abruptly and strode to the middle of the ring.
The old man dithered, muttering about the reasons for the encounter and vaguely outlining the rules of the fight. Scarab focused her attention on her opponent's eyes at first but Kasako leered at her and mouthed suggestive comments, so she turned her mind inward, contemplating her skills and hoping they were up to the task before her. What was I thinking? This man is a vicious brute and I'll be lucky to survive a hundred breaths...except I will survive as he wants me to ...Her mind shied away from the aftermath of a fight in which Kasako won. She shivered as the old man droned on and the Suri chief saw her reaction and grinned. How do I win this fight? What are my advantages ? Avoiding Kasako's gaze, Scarab examined his body minutely, looking for any blemishes or scars that might tell of previous injuries. Where is he vulnerable ?