by David Adkins
“Do you think they will kill us?” asked Turet.
“They will not kill us if they give us a chance to tell them who we are,” I reassured her.
“But they will make you a prisoner once again and they will return me to Malkata to marry Ay,” Taduheppa commented bitterly.
“At least we are still alive and that is more than can be said for all those who have died on the battlefield this day,” I said ruefully.
Taduheppa sighed. “Then we wait.”
I pulled back the cover of the wagon slightly so that I could see outside. There was noise, screams and dust but as yet no sign of any Egyptian soldiers. “What can you see?” asked Taduheppa.
“Not much, except for sand and dust,” I replied.
“The screams of the dying are awful,” said Turet putting her hands over her ears.
“I know,” I remarked sadly.
“What is taking them so long?” said Taduheppa.
“I think it is the slaughter,” I replied sadly. Then I saw some soldiers riding towards us, slowly taking in the scene and being careful in case they faced an ambush. They were Egyptians and I could make out a very large man at their head.
“What is that noise?” asked Taduheppa.
“They are coming,” I replied simply and the three of us became very tense. The waiting was over.
Taduheppa then came over to my side to peer out of the gap in the canvas with me. “It is Horemheb,” she said.
I nodded. “It is the general.”
“Is that Ramose at his side?” she observed nervously.
She was right and I gasped in horror. “It is Ramose.”
I saw the revulsion in her face. “Ay’s awful son.”
“Let us show our dignity and not hide away in the wagon. Let us go out and meet them,” I suggested.
“We will do that,” she agreed. Together we climbed out of the wagon and strode out to meet them closely followed by Turet. Horemheb and Ramose showed signs of recognition as they surveyed us.
Horemheb dismounted and Ramose followed suit and now they were coming to meet us. As we drew close Horemheb bowed his bulky but muscled frame. “I thought I recognised those wagons. Welcome, your majesty, to what is now the Egyptian encampment,” he smiled.
“He is not ‘your majesty’,” said Ramose with distaste.
“Is he not a member of our most immediate royal family and the brother of the pharaoh? That I believe makes him ‘your majesty’,” corrected Horemheb.
“That may be so, but he is also my prisoner as is his wife,” stated Ramose firmly.
“You have no authority over me and so we are not your prisoners,” I said.
He called to some of the palace guard that accompanied him. “Arrest them and put a stop to this absurd conversation.”
“Halt,” said Horemheb. “Smenkhkare makes a good point. He was released by Nefertiti, Queen of Egypt.” The guardsmen stopped at the bellowing command of Horemheb.
“Nefertiti had no authority to release them,” stuttered Ramose indignantly. “They were prisoners of the chief vizier.”
“Does not the queen outrank the chief vizier and did she not have the support of her husband, the pharaoh?”
“No, she did not, and she is Ay’s daughter and should not have gone against her father.”
I stood with some amazement listening to the conversation. “It seems you have no authority here, Ramose.”
He looked at me with considerable hatred. “My father runs Egypt and I am his representative and you are my prisoner.”
Horemheb raised his eyebrows. “I will settle this disagreement. Smenkhkare and his wife are my prisoners until I decide what to do with them.”
“I order you to take them back to Malkata,” blustered Ramose.
“I might, but then I might not,” Horemheb smiled.
Ramose once again addressed his guardsmen. “Arrest them.” He turned to Horemheb. “That is why I accompanied you here, and I have authority over you.”
“Stop,” Horemheb reiterated. “You have 50 men and I have nearly 5000 men. I think that gives me the authority, Ramose.”
The guardsmen hesitated and Ramose stormed off in disgust. “Now you can return to your wagons until I reach a decision on what to do with you,” said Horemheb.
“Thank you, Horemheb,” I said.
“Do not thank me for I might yet return you to Malkata as Ramose wishes, but I just do not like to be told what to do by that upstart who owes his position to his devious father.”
“I see.” The words of Horemheb surprised me. It seems that all is not well at Malkata.
“Now you will send your servant Turet to me later for I wish to speak with her.”
“No, we will not,” stated an outraged Taduheppa.
“You misconstrue my intentions,” Horemheb laughed. “She is extremely pretty and I would not be adverse to a little fun after the exertions of battle but I only wish to speak with her.”
Taduheppa was not sure how to now view his request. “Why do you wish to speak with her?”
“She will no doubt tell you, when she returns, after we have spoken. Send her to me for it is not in your interests to refuse.”
I looked at Taduheppa wondering how she would react and she looked at me. “We hesitate for Turet is more than just a servant – she is a friend,” I said.
“Then she will be treated by me as a friend. I know that she is extremely inventive and was instrumental in one of your escapes from Malkata. She may help me to decide what to do with you. We will spend about a week here before returning to Thebes so I have time to ponder over the decision.”
“We will send her to you in the morning if it is her wish,” said Taduheppa.
“I will go to see what the general has to say,” said Turet.
“Good, now I must be on my way for there is still much work to be done. Part of my army is pursuing the remnants of the Kushite forces. We must ensure that it will be a long time before Kush dares to attack Egypt again.”
“Is there any news of Prince Lisore?” I asked.
“None as yet. By the way, today is also the day of your father’s passing to the afterlife and so it is a very significant day in Egyptian history,” replied Horemheb.
“I knew it must be about this time. It is fitting that Amenhotep joins Osiris on the day of a great Egyptian victory.”
Horemheb nodded and remounted his horse and rode away leaving us to contemplate the new situation that we found ourselves in.
We returned to the wagon in thoughtful mood. “All is obviously not well in Malkata. Do I detect there is jealousy and animosity?” Taduheppa seemed pleased at such a prospect.
“I expect Ay is proving insufferable. If Horemheb is disillusioned with the situation in Malkata then that may be to our advantage,” I observed.
“I wonder what he wants with Turet,” asked Taduheppa.
“I will find out tomorrow morning,” said Turet.
“Be careful with this general,” I warned.
“I know how to handle men,” she smiled.
“Just like your mistress,” I laughed.
“On that note you must go to the other wagon. This one is for us, Smenkhkare.”
“This is absurd. You are my wife,” I moaned while Turet smiled. “Can I not at least sleep here?”
“I think not. You would not be able to control yourself and you are still too much of a boy to be my husband. We are mature Mitanni women. I will assess the situation when we reach Washukanni.”
“You take liberties with the heir to the Egyptian throne. Beware that you are not discarded.”
She smiled knowing that my threat was hollow.
“And we might never reach Washukanni,” I added. I shook my head for I was tired and I knew further protests would fall on deaf Mitanni ears.
She saw my fatigue. “I am also tired,” said Taduheppa. “It has been a long and very frightening day. I thought you would understand that, Smenkhkare.”
N
ow she was trying to make me feel bad and succeeding. She had seen things today that no woman should have to see. “Why is it the Mitanni lands produce such beautiful and tempting but frustrating women?” That was my last riposte before I left.
As I climbed down from the wagon Taduheppa called out. “We will be up early in the morning, Smenkhkare.”
“Until then,” I called back.
I had made a small private section for myself in the other wagon which was cordoned off by a curtain from the sleeping quarters of the few Mitanni servants who slept within. The others tended to sleep under the stars. I could have turned them all out and had the wagon to myself but had decided against it. The night was full of sounds and sleep did not come easily.
****
I awoke to the sound of Taduheppa calling my name. I peered out from the wagon bleary-eyed at Taduheppa and Turet. “Wake up,” reprimanded Taduheppa. “Turet is about to go and see Horemheb. He has sent a guard to escort her.”
“I had a disturbed night.” My excuse sounded hollow. I looked at Turet. “Be careful with Horemheb, I am not sure how trustworthy he is,” I advised, though I knew in truth there was little any of us could do in our present predicament but concur to Horemheb’s wishes.
“I will,” she smiled and left the wagon with her escort.
“I fear for her,” said Taduheppa resignedly.
“I know that she is not just a servant but also a good friend,” I sympathised.
She shrugged and I sensed I was missing something. “Let us get some food and drink and wait for her to return.” We did not have to wait for too long for late morning Turet returned. I could see the relief on Taduheppa’s face when her favourite servant was walking back towards us seemingly cheerful and unharmed. We gathered around her to hear news of what Horemheb had wanted with her.
Turet sat down next to her mistress. “I pressed him but he would not tell me what fate he had in store for you,” she said. “I think it is promising though.”
“Why did he wish to see you?” asked Taduheppa.
“He likes me.” She reddened slightly.
“Did he do anything?” said Taduheppa alarmed.
“Oh no, he merely asked me to return to Malkata with him. He sees me as a possible wife.”
“So you return to Malkata as his wife and we return as his prisoners,” I said.
“He would not say,” she replied to me.
“What did you say to his offer?” asked Taduheppa.
“I told him that I was your servant and wished to remain your servant and any decision on my future would be yours.”
“Then we will see what our fate is before deciding on yours,” said Taduheppa ruefully. “Why did you say our fate is promising?”
She withdrew a short-bladed dagger from her clothing and handed it to Taduheppa. “Horemheb gave me this. He said it was for Smenkhkare.” She looked at me. “He said you should keep it close to you at all times. He also said that you should not use it to try and escape, and you should not use it on any of his men for if you did he would show you no mercy.”
Taduheppa stroked the deadly sharp blade. “He thinks Smenkhkare is in danger?”
“He simply said it was for his protection,” replied Turet.
Taduheppa handed the dagger to me. “You had better do as he says.”
I took the blade from her delicate hand thoughtfully and felt some alarm. “I will keep it close.”
“Sleep in our wagon tonight for it is not wise for you to sleep alone,” Taduheppa recommended. “We can put up a curtain for privacy. The three of us will face any danger together for six eyes and ears are better than two.”
“I am pleased that we face this ordeal together but I do not wish you to face danger.”
“Nonsense, “replied Taduheppa. “It is for the best.”
“It will be good to share a wagon with my wife,” I smiled.
She ignored my obvious suggestion. “It is best if one of us stays awake at all times and we should also remain alert during the day as well,” she suggested.
Her obvious concern alarmed me. Would an assassin really make an attempt on my life in Horemheb’s encampment? “I agree.”
My fears receded somewhat as the days passed. We were ignored by Horemheb and his men and left to our own devices though it was obvious we were being well guarded and could not stray far from the vicinity of the wagons. It was also plain that preparations were now under way for leaving the camp and returning to Malkata. We had been there for five days and as dusk settled we climbed into the wagon and I began to ponder our imminent fate.
“Turet, could you get some food and water,” Taduheppa asked her servant. Turet climbed down from the wagon and I was left alone with my wife.
“We are leaving here soon,” I observed.
“Yes, that much is obvious, Smenkhkare. We need to speak with Horemheb.”
“And find out his plans for us,” I agreed. There was a rustle in the canvas and I looked up fearfully.
Ramose was looking at us with hatred in his eyes and a sword in his hand. I knew instantly that he intended to murder me. I grabbed Taduheppa by the hand and jumped out of the back of the wagon. To my horror I realised there was no escape for we were surrounded by Ramose’s palace guard. Ramose then climbed carefully down from the wagon still clutching his threatening sword. I felt for the dagger that was hidden under my robes and gripped the handle. My one advantage was that Ramose did not know I was armed, but even so a dagger was no match for the long-bladed sword that Ramose was holding and even if I killed Ramose his guard would, no doubt, overwhelm me.
“There is no escape, Smenkhkare,” Ramose gloated.
“I am a prisoner of Horemheb. He will not take kindly to you murdering me.” My words smacked of desperation.
“My father is ruler of Egypt and Horemheb is a subordinate. He will do nothing and Ay wants your head and I am more than happy to give my father what he wants.” He pointed to a basket on the ground by one of his guards.
I looked at the basket in terror for it was identical to the other three baskets. Taduheppa followed my gaze and gasped in anguish. “I am the brother of the pharaoh,” I protested.
Ramose looked at Taduheppa. “Do not worry. Your life is not in danger for I am to take you back to Malkata as bride for my father.” He turned back to me. “Your head will complete the set: Coreb, Murat and Smenkhkare – three traitors to Egypt.” He moved slowly towards me brandishing his sword.
Taduheppa to my surprise stepped between us. Her words were smooth and matter-of-fact. “Ramose, I will willingly marry your father, for Smenkhkare is just a foolish boy. I now realise my mistake in leaving with him, for your father is the true ruler of Egypt. Surely you would not waste your time killing a mere boy?” She edged towards him slowly.
Ramose grinned in satisfaction. “A Mitanni princess will make a good wife for my father, but the boy must die.”
Taduheppa was even closer and dived at his legs trying to bring him down. “Now, Smenkhkare,” she shouted.
I withdrew my dagger and lunged forward but Ramose was too quick. He kicked Taduheppa in the face and sent her reeling and recovered in time to parry my attempted dagger strike. He was now grinning as he circled me. “That dagger looks puny against my sword,” he boasted. The next moment he struck with his sword, and though I parried with the dagger the force of his blow knocked the weapon from my hand. I was now doomed and I knew it for he would cut me down without mercy.
Turet had returned unseen as the guardsmen were all focusing on Ramose, Taduheppa and myself and they had obviously been told not to intervene unless Ramose was in danger. Turet jumped on to the back of Ramose scratching at his eyes and neck. Ramose threw her to the ground and stabbed her and then turned back to me with Turet’s blood running down his sword. She had bought me a few moments to act, and I bent down and picked up my dagger and as Ramose bore down on me I threw it. I watched as the dagger embedded itself in Ramose’s stomach. He stared at me and droppe
d his sword and crumbled to the ground. Taduheppa ran to the stricken figure of her faithful servant and took the girl in her arms. “She is dead,” she screamed in pain and disbelief.
The guardsmen hesitated, not knowing what to do. “Kill Smenkhkare,” Ramose shouted while trying to stop the flow of blood from his wound.
“Wait, do not move.” It was the commanding voice of Horemheb, backed by many soldiers, which boomed over the bloody scene. The guardsmen stopped for they feared Horemheb, particularly as they did not know whether their leader, Ramose, would live or die.
“Go,” shouted Horemheb and his voice sounded even more commanding. The guardsmen dispersed and faded out of sight. Taduheppa dashed to the stricken figure of Ramose and picked up his sword. Ramose looked up at her in fear and dread as she plunged the sword into his body and then continued to stab him repeatedly. I realised just how much she had loved her servant, for Turet was much more than a servant to Taduheppa, she was also a very dear friend and companion. Horemheb had taken Turet in his arms and I wondered at the extreme sorrow etched into the big man’s face. He really did love Turet. I rushed to drag Taduheppa away from the now dead Ramose and she then joined Horemheb beside the dead servant. Taduheppa was weeping and I saw a tear run down Horemheb’s face and I wiped away a tear from my own face.
“We will bury her with full honours,” said Horemheb.
“She deserves nothing less,” agreed Taduheppa. “She was the most faithful and trustworthy friend I have ever had.” She stood up and shuddered at the events that had just unfolded.
Horemheb rose too. “What to do with Ramose’s body, for he is the chief vizier’s son?” he said.
“His body will be left on the desert floor to provide a feast for the birds of the sky,” I said as I picked up his sword which was stained with his own blood and the blood of Turet. “Look away, Taduheppa,” I advised.