The Forgotten Pharaoh

by David Adkins

  “I will probably have to flee Egypt,” I said sadly.

  She nodded. “You may have to in order to be safe.”

  “Will Taduheppa come with me?”

  “My mistress will not. A dangerous life on the run is not what she seeks. She will look after your interests in Malkata and she will see you next when you return to Malkata with a conquering army to reclaim her and Egypt.”

  “Will I not see her before the escape?”

  “No, your majesty, for she is prevented from seeing you now, and on the day you escape she will have to be at the coronation,” she replied. “She will see you when you return to Malkata.”

  I knew I would have to trust my wife even though I knew how ambitious she was. It seemed she was keeping her options open though hopefully her feelings were strong enough for me to want me to live and help me escape. “Then that is how it will be, Turet,” I conceded reluctantly.

  “I will continue to see you each day and keep you informed for the guards now expect to see me as I have set a routine. I gave them wine today but I will prepare a slightly different drink for them in three days’ time.” She smiled confidently as she looked to reassure me of success.

  “Turet, I cannot thank you enough and I will not forget your help.”

  “I serve my mistress and we both wish to preserve your life. Of course, as I will see you each day I will keep you informed of any further developments. Your rescue will be put into effect at about midday in three days’ time.” She stood up to leave.

  I took her arm. “Tell your mistress that I love her very much.”

  She smiled. “She knows that. Now I must go.”

  Once on my own I felt the excitement rush through my body and take my breath away. I would soon make a bid for freedom aided by my loyal servant, Murat. I did not know whether I would ever return to Thebes at the head of a conquering army, but I would make an attempt to be reunited with Taduheppa some day in the future.

  Turet returned each day but she had nothing to really add to what she had already told me. The plan was in place and I was told that Murat had his recruits and had found a suitable hiding place. It simply remained for me to wait for the day of my escape.

  I woke up early on the morning of the coronation and watched the early departure of the royal family from Malkata, flanked by many of the palace guard. They did not give me a glance, as I stood on my balcony, for it seemed that I was now considered unworthy of any sort of recognition. The exceptions were Taduheppa who gave me a smile and Nebetah who looked at me sadly. I smiled at them both and watched as they exited through the palace gates. I was now just hours away from my planned escape.

  Chapter 13

  The hours passed slowly. I was brought food and drink by my few remaining servants and I spent much time on the balcony overlooking the gardens. I saw some activity at the gate leading from the royal gardens but the grove of fig trees obscured a clear view. At last with the sun high in the midday sky my door burst open and I felt a pang of fear. Murat and Turet entered my room and I felt a sense of overwhelming relief for I had feared for a second that I might be about to succumb to an assassin’s knife.

  “It is good to see you both.” I grasped their hands.

  “We must not delay,” said Murat. He offered me an inferior robe with a torn hood. “For your journey into the city, Smenkhkare,” he smiled.

  “What of the guards?” I asked.

  “Turet has made sure that neither the guards outside your room nor those that were stationed at the gate will hinder our progress.”

  I turned to Turet. “You are a wonder.”

  “Good luck, your majesty. I will see you when you return to the palace,” she said with a smile.

  “Are you not coming with us? You cannot stay here for they will soon work out who drugged the guards.”

  She smiled. “I will take my chances here with my mistress. They will not harm a Mitanni princess and she will place me under her protection. We will come to no harm.”

  I was far from sure that she was right. “Do not take that chance Turet. They will not harm your mistress but I am not so sure that they will not harm you.”

  “My place is with my mistress. Now you must go for Murat is getting impatient.”

  “She is right. We must leave for we have a journey to undertake and the sooner it is achieved the safer we will be,” urged Murat.

  I nodded and followed him out of my apartment. I saw the sleeping guards outside my rooms and marvelled at the work of Turet. I watched as she hurried down the corridor towards Taduheppa’s apartment and then I followed Murat out of the palace. We emerged into the sunlit gardens and we were joined by several men that I did not recognise. “These are my recruits in case we encountered any opposition,” Murat explained. “However, your entire family are at the temple for the ceremony.”

  We made our way through the exotic gardens towards the gate and my heart was beating fast. Some gardeners looked up and watched as we approached the fig trees but they did not attempt to stop us for it was not their business. When we reached the gate I saw more sleeping guards. “What an amazing job Turet has done,” I commented.

  “The Mitanni people are very resourceful and she is one of the most resourceful of them,” Murat replied.

  We passed through the gate and approached the great river. I could not believe we had managed to escape from Malkata without any incident. Horses were waiting for us and once again I was impressed how meticulous Murat and Turet had been with their planning. However, I knew that many dangers still lay ahead before we were safe. Once again I was heading south alongside the mighty river and we quickly reached the spot where I had walked to a week earlier and where I had waited to be joined by the army of Coreb. We were now about half way to the newer and wealthy part of Thebes on the west bank of the river.

  The great city of Thebes, the capital of mighty Egypt, was a further short journey to the south where it had spilled on to both banks of the river Nile. It seemed we were bound for the newer part of Thebes.

  Murat must have read my thoughts. “New Thebes will not be safe, so we must cross the river to old Thebes.”

  I nodded agreement for I accepted his judgement.

  “I have a secure hiding place in old Thebes,” he reassured me.

  “You have done well, Murat.” I praised his endeavours on my behalf.

  We continued our progress into the heart of new Thebes. We continued along the same route as we had taken on the night we followed Akhenamun and Metos on their clandestine excursion. I knew that this part of Thebes could be travelled through in comparative safety but once we crossed the river it was another matter. I remembered the incompetent thief who had tried to stab and rob me.

  Once again we made our way past the large villas of the wealthy and I remembered that this part of the city was home to nobles, priests and merchants. Last time I had passed through it had been at night and very dark but now I could appreciate the wide streets and exotic gardens in the afternoon sun. At last we reached the pier shaded by sycamore trees and there was a boat waiting for us.

  “You have thought of everything, Murat,” I commented.

  “I organised this side of the operation but your wife organised the palace side and financed the whole thing.”

  “You are right, Murat. Mitanni women are very resourceful. She has fooled Ay and that takes some doing.”

  “We are not safe yet,” he warned. “Let us board the boat quickly for I will feel happier and safer once we are on the other side of the river.”

  We clambered aboard the boat and I sat next to Murat while his recruits rowed the boat across the Nile. I watched in awe as crocodiles swam alongside the boat. They were vicious creatures but not as vicious as some humans.

  We crossed without incident for we looked like hard-up travellers returning to our home in the slums of the western part of the city. When we reached the pier on the east bank Murat jumped from the boat and helped me ashore. He then turned to his recrui
ts. “You may go,” he said and handed them each a fistful of coins.

  “Taduheppa’s money,” he said to me smiling.

  “Do we no longer need them?” I asked.

  “It is better that they do not see our final destination for then they cannot be bribed or persuaded to divulge the information. We only needed them in case we encountered some opposition at the palace. As it happens they have made some easy money.”

  I nodded as I watched them disappear from sight. I looked back at the great river; the river which supplied the bountiful harvests which made Egypt so prosperous. Boats of all sizes plied back and forth in large numbers seeming to emphasise the greatness of Egypt. I could not help wondering if I would one day rule this great empire.

  “Pull up your hood, Smenkhkare,” advised Murat snapping me out of my reverie. “Be wary in the city for though it does not pose the dangers during the day that it did when we travelled the streets, at night we must still be vigilant.” He too remembered the thief who had attacked us. “These old robes will help to protect us for we are obviously not worth robbing.”

  We now headed swiftly towards the old and poorest part of the city passing through the labyrinth of alleys and narrow streets. The city was a mass of people going about their business. “Pickpockets abound,” warned Murat as we passed close to the great market. The stalls were a scene of great activity as people dashed to and fro like angry bees buzzing around a precious hive. I marvelled at the huge number of traders and artisans and the hovels in which they worked. This was all such a far cry from the great palace at Malkata.

  “We are now in the most notorious part of the city and not far from our hiding place,” smiled Murat.

  “We may be safe from Ay here, but are we safe from danger?” I mused.

  “As safe as we can be,” he replied. We arrived at a metal works situated a short distance from the market. “I have hired rooms behind the metal works. It may smell a little when they are working but the rooms can hardly be seen and are an excellent place to lie low until the hunt for you dies down, and it will give us time to think about our next move.”

  “Can the man you hired them from be trusted?” I inquired warily.

  “In this part of Thebes they take the money, mind their own business and don’t ask questions,” he replied. “The owner of the rooms, who is known to me personally, runs the metal works and is trustworthy. Wait here while I tell him we have arrived for I do not wish him to even see you.”

  I nodded agreement and I looked around at the neighbouring buildings and alleys. This was a heavily populated and poverty-stricken district with many unfortunates begging for bread or coins. Fortunately, in my poor robes I blended in quite nicely. Murat was only gone for a few minutes and he returned looking pleased. “Everything is good; you have your own room and you will be looked after by the metal worker’s daughter. She will be your only contact. Do you have money to pay her for her father is a poor man?”

  “I brought funds with me,” I replied.

  “Good, then between us we have ample money for your wife was most generous but I may need these finances to fund our future plans.”

  “Why are you doing this for me, Murat?” I asked.

  “I have been your servant since you were a small boy. That is my position and you and your brother, Thutmose, if I may say so, were always the most worthy of your family.”

  “Thank you, Murat,” I smiled.

  “Now I must show you your new accommodation.” I followed him to the rooms at the rear of the metal works. He pushed a door open and entered and I followed him in.

  “It is not quite Malkata,” he said.

  He was right. It was small and dark and dingy but I could see that efforts had been made to clean it up and make it more comfortable. “It is fine,” I replied. I walked over to the bed and sat on it. It was not as hard as I imagined it might be.

  “It will not be for too long,” he assured me. “My room is next door but I will not be there much of the time for I will be trying to find out what is happening in Malkata, and I will continue to keep in contact with Turet. I will also be making plans for the future as we cannot remain here for long because you will be the subject of a man-hunt. I will probably have to try to secure our departure from Egypt.”

  “Where would we go?” I asked.

  “Perhaps to Kush,” he replied. “I have not had time to look that far ahead. The first thing was to get you out of immediate danger. I will leave you now to get used to your new abode. The metal worker’s daughter will bring you dinner. It is best if you do not leave the room for there are dangers in the streets particularly at night.” He then left me to my own devices and I rested on my bed in my new but temporary home. I felt safer but still vulnerable.

  A few hours later there was a knock on my door and I opened it tentatively. I looked out at a young woman with a tray of food. I opened the door wide and beckoned her inside. She placed the tray containing bread, cheese and fruit with a flagon of beer on my small table. “I am Lia,” she said smiling nervously.

  “Do you know who I am?” I asked.

  She nodded. “You are the brother of the pharaoh.”

  Her words reminded me that Akhenamun must now be pharaoh. “So you realise the dangers of providing me with refuge.”

  She nodded again. “Murat explained it to me and my father.”

  “And you were still willing to hide me?” I said.

  “Murat pays us well and is our friend,” she replied.

  “I am grateful to you and your father.”

  She smiled. “I am in the room next door so if there is anything you need just knock and ask.”

  “I thought that was Murat’s room.”

  She looked slightly embarrassed. “It is our room.”

  “I see. Murat never told me.”

  “He works at the palace most of the time but he sees me when he can.”

  “I hope he has not been followed on these visits.” The sudden prospect of my servant being followed was worrying to say the least.

  “He has not been followed for he has been most careful. It would be impossible to follow Murat in the Theban ghetto for he knows the area so well and takes all precautions.”

  “That is good to hear, Lia. If you need any further money then let me know.”

  “I will do that, your majesty.”

  “I am hardly ‘your majesty’,” I laughed, looking around me. “I am most grateful for the accommodation but it is not a palace, so please address me by my name which is Smenkhkare.”

  She grinned. “I will do that willingly, Smenkhkare, but now I have to help father at the forge.”

  I watched as she left my room and then my eyes fell on the food. I had not eaten a meal since I left Malkata and I realised just how famished I was. I devoured the food with relish even though it was not as grand a meal as I was used to.

  ****

  The days passed slowly and tediously and turned into weeks. I had now been a fugitive for two weeks. I stayed most of the time in my room and only stepped out occasionally for fresh air though I never strayed far from my mediocre accommodation. The only person I saw regularly or spoke to was Lia who had little information to tell me about events at Malkata. I rarely saw her father who kept to himself and seemed to spend all his waking hours toiling at the metal works. I did see Murat a few times during my first week and he informed me that Akhenamun was now pharaoh and all had gone well at his coronation until they had returned and found that I had escaped. An extensive man-hunt was under way but it seemed I had vanished into thin air. His words were reassuring for I lived in fear of the palace guards suddenly turning up at my hiding place to put me under arrest.

  However, Murat had not returned at all during the second week of my concealment and the doubts that he had allayed returned even stronger with his non-appearance. I could tell from her worried demeanour that Lia was equally concerned. She became less and less inclined to converse with me and I was sure that it was not only
the disappearance of Murat but also my presence in her home that was concerning her. I knew that next time she delivered my food I would have to speak with her on the subject. She brought me my evening meal as usual and turned to leave without conversation. I stood at the door and barred her exit. “We must speak, Lia.”

  She sighed and nodded. “I know.”

  “Sit down,” I invited.

  She obeyed with an air of resignation. “Yes, Smenkhkare,” she said.

  “It is now eight days since Murat returned. It is not like him and I fear that something may have happened to him. What do you think, Lia?”

  She sighed again. “I am very worried. I have been speaking with my father and we are now very concerned about him and about the fact that we continue to harbour a rival to the pharaoh.”

  “Were you going to ask me to leave?”

  “We were considering it for I fear that your presence places us all in danger.”

  “Do you think that Murat has been captured?”

  The tears rolled down her cheeks. “I fear it,” she admitted. “We are very close and he would not stay away for as long as this without getting word to me.” She was most distressed.

  “You love him, don’t you, Lia?”

  “Yes, Smenkhkare, I do. I cannot bear to think of him in the hands of his enemies.” I realised that if Murat had fallen into Ay’s hands then we were in extreme danger. Lia read my mind. “He would never talk. He would never betray you.”

  “I know, Lia,” I said, but I also knew that Ay and his minions were expert at extracting the truth.

  She sobbed and I knew that she knew it too. “You must leave. I know a boatman who will take you down the Nile away from Thebes but that is all I can do for you now. If you can give me some money I will arrange it tomorrow and then if Murat does not return within two days you must go. We cannot wait any longer than that.”

  I nodded agreement and handed her some coins. “That should be enough. Tell the boatman I will leave as soon as possible. I cannot continue to place you and your father in danger any longer for I fear the net is closing in on me. I am sorry, Lia, for I know that you love Murat and I hope that he returns to you safely, but I must be on my way.”