House of Scorpion

by Mark Gajewski

  “Same as at Tjeni. As Tamit has already warned me,” Scorpion interjected.

  I chewed and swallowed. “Nubt’s farmers will barely produce enough emmer and barley to feed themselves this growing season, much less the people who reside in Nubt. With Sabu’s and his allies’ armies to support in addition, his grain reserves will only last three months.”

  “Lack of grain will dictate Sabu’s strategy, Father,” Iry said thoughtfully. “He’ll have to strike hard and fast. He won’t be able to lay siege to Tjeni or sustain a drawn-out fight.”

  “He’s counting on capturing Tjeni quickly and seizing your grain,” I said.

  “How many men can he raise?” Iry asked.

  “In the South? Not enough. Nubt’s farmers. Nekhen’s farmers. He’ll use his gold to buy mercenaries from south of the cataract.”

  “Where will he strike first? Tjeni?” Scorpion asked.

  “No, Majesty. Antef’s going to seize Ineb-hedj and deny you soldiers and supplies from the North. Sabu assumes that when you learn of Antef’s attack you’ll send your army north to deal with him. Once your army departs Tjeni, Sabu and King Khab will move against Tjeni by water and his desert mercenaries will simultaneously attack by land. Sabu expects to walk into Tjeni virtually unopposed.”

  “As if we’d leave Tjeni undefended,” Mekatre muttered.

  “My brother’s reckless and delusional,” I said. “Once he sits the combined throne of Nubt and Tjeni he intends to invade the Far North and capture Sakan in concert with Antef. Both he and Antef expect King Ny-Hor will be dead before they launch their war. Either of natural causes or with Antef’s help.”

  “Another regicide,” Tamit muttered.

  I ripped off a chunk of bread.

  “And after that, as you said, Sabu plans to turn on Antef with Abedu’s help,” Iry reaffirmed.

  “And once Sabu has the delta he’ll turn on Nekhen.” I shook my head. “As I said. Delusional.”

  “With luck, Sabu’s Northern allies may have already abandoned him, thanks to Matia,” Tamit observed.

  King Scorpion addressed a serving girl standing against one of the walls. “Send for more food and drink and plenty of it. He glanced from Iry to Mekatre to me. “It’s going to be a long night, figuring out how to meet this threat.”

  “Father, Matia’s exhausted,” Tamit interrupted. “She needs to actually eat some of this food and drink her wine, and have a bath. And be tended by a healer.”

  Scorpion looked me up and down. “Of course, Tamit. See to her, will you?”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “Put her in my room, Matia. I’ll be along as soon as Mekatre and Iry and I are done here.” He regarded his sons gleefully. “Sabu will be furious when he learns his sister belongs to me.”

  I had an awful feeling in the pit of my stomach. Scorpion clearly considered me to be a prize of war. That’s how everyone in the valley would regard me from now on. I’d seen firsthand how that treatment at Sabu’s hands had destroyed Nofret and Heket, had broken their spirits. I wasn’t about to let myself be destroyed. I wasn’t going to spend the rest of my life being paraded about by Scorpion as his trophy. I was going to be a woman he and his elites would have to take seriously. “Majesty, if that’s how you’re going to portray our marriage – that you’re taking me away from Sabu – you’re making a mistake.”

  Scorpion stiffened, incensed. “Are you refusing to marry me, Matia?”

  “Of course not, Majesty. But if you proclaim that I’m a prize, Sabu will charge that you’ve wronged Nubt. His elites will rally behind him. You’ll make him stronger. If, instead, you celebrate our marriage as a willing joining of two royal houses you’ll cut his legs out from under him.”

  Scorpion pondered. “There may be wisdom in that approach, Matia.”

  “Sabu has spies in your court, Majesty,” I continued. “Announce our marriage as something we both want. Tell your elites that Antef helped me escape to you because Sabu and Abedu betrayed him and this is where I asked to come. Spies will carry the news to Nubt. It’ll spread from there. It might drive a wedge between Sabu and Antef. At the very least, it’ll reveal Sabu’s duplicity to his so-called friends. Use our marriage as an opportunity to weaken Sabu’s alliance.”

  “Brilliant!” Tamit exclaimed.

  Scorpion nodded. “That’s what we’ll do. You’ll come to my bed a week from today, Matia. That’ll give Tamit time to round up clothing and jewels and such appropriate to a king’s wife. And give you time to recover from your ordeal. And give Tamit time to arrange a series of events to celebrate the blending of two royal houses.” Scorpion addressed his sons. “Now, let’s get to work.”

  Dismissed. Without thanks. By my future husband. That he was going to execute Sabu made our joining tolerable. Wearily, I limped from the room alongside Tamit. I was suddenly feeling every one of my injuries and the effects of my flight. I couldn’t wait to stretch out on a bed and lose myself in oblivion. Nonetheless, I allowed myself the slightest bit of satisfaction. You’re doomed, Brother, I whispered. Doomed.

  ***

  “You really don’t have to take care of me, Tamit. A servant will do.”

  I was laying on a bed in the royal quarters. It was a woman’s room, well-appointed, lit by a single bowl of oil. I wondered who’d been kicked out for my sake. Tamit was setting a jar of honey atop a wooden table covered with cosmetics and combs and grinding palettes and such. She’d brought me here straight from the audience hall, fed me, bathed me, summoned a healer who’d tended to my wounds. She’d personally slathered every cut and scrape with honey.

  “I’d like to talk a little if you don’t mind, Matia. I won’t stay long. I know you need sleep.”

  “Of course.”

  Tamit perched on the side of the bed. “I can only imagine what you’ve gone through this past week – past years. But you’re safe now, Matia. You’re a member of King Scorpion’s house, same as me. Your brother can’t hurt you ever again.”

  That hadn’t occurred to me. But Tamit was right. I was in King Scorpion’s per’aa. I was going to be his wife. For the first time since I’d seen Sabu murder Hetshet I didn’t have to be afraid. I looked up at Tamit. Her eyes were sympathetic, her face kind. I recalled the moment we’d met at the entrance of the per’aa. “You recognized my name. Iry must have told you about me.”

  “He told me everything that happened between you two the night I became his wife.”

  “You must have thought I was horrible, manipulating him into marriage.”

  “Almost a marriage, but not quite. Lucky for me.” Tamit laughed. “Funny, isn’t it? Women get forced into marriage against their will all the time. But when it happens to a man…”

  “I’ve been bartered away more times than I care to remember, Tamit. Twice to some of the men. I tried to arrange my own marriage to Iry, and did to my husband Pentu.”

  “And now you’ll be Scorpion’s wife, with no say in the matter.”

  “I didn’t know until tonight that Iry had overheard me talking to my sister. I must have hurt him terribly.”

  “Like I said, you did what you had to, Matia. I understand completely.”

  “I’m sorry this is so awkward, me being here, given Iry’s and my past.”

  “A week’s acquaintance measured against five years of marriage? Hardly. Iry loves me, Matia. Our marriage was our choice. We have two daughters.” She put her hand on mine. “I’m truly sorry about your son. How old was he?”

  “Pabasa would be six if he hadn’t been murdered.”

  “Born a year before my daughter Abar,” Tamit said. “She has a sister. Neith. Just turned one.”

  I envied Tamit. “Do your daughters have golden hair like you? It’s so beautiful. I’ve never seen any that color. The barbarian chief I fled from was fair-haired, but his was dull, not brilliant.”

  Tamit smiled. “They’re both dark-haired, like their father. I’ve stood out all my life, wherever I’ve lived.”

&nb
sp; “Where are you from, Tamit?”

  “Ptah’s Settlement. It’s called Ineb-hedj now.”

  “The settlement Iry ruled. One of my husband’s spies mentioned it once. Were you its previous ruler’s daughter?”

  Tamit laughed. “The first time I met Iry I was lugging a jar half my size full of ivory figurines from a workshop to a warehouse. I was eighteen. Filthy, sweaty, disgusting, emaciated. Unimpressed with Iry or his title. I didn’t know what a king was back then, much less a king’s son.”

  “You’re a commoner?” I couldn’t hide my shock.

  “I grew up working in an ivory carvers’ workshop along with my brother and father, before he died. You don’t approve, Matia? Royals and commoners mixing?”

  “It’s not that, Tamit,” I assured her. “My closest friend is a farmer’s wife, my milk sister Khentetka. She named her daughter after me. The first time I met Iry – I was eighteen – he called commoners ‘lapwings.’ Quite a change in attitude for him.”

  “You have no idea.” Tamit laughed again. “The first month after we met I spat at Iry, cursed him, threw a leather pouch at him, screamed at him in front of porters and ivory carvers several times, ignored him, grabbed him. For his part, Iry falsely charged me with disobeying him, accused me of trying to seduce him, yelled at me, dismissed me, gave positions to others that should’ve been mine.”

  “How in the world…”

  “We came to an accommodation. I had something he needed. I made him realize it. I made him admit it.”

  “What was that?”

  “A way to control the flow of goods.”

  “Sounds complicated.”

  “It is. But it’s very important. Anyway, Iry and I got off to a rocky start. But before too many months passed we both realized we couldn’t live without each other. A few months after that we admitted it to ourselves. Then to each other.”

  “When Iry and I first met, Tamit, my brother was trying to arrange an alliance against Tjeni.”

  “Iry told me.”

  “I immediately saw that the only way to stop my brother and save Nubt from being attacked by King Scorpion in retaliation was to form an alliance between Tjeni and Nubt. I was afraid if I suggested it that Iry would reject it because it wasn’t his idea. He seemed very prideful to me at the time, unwilling to listen to me simply because I was a girl. So I made subtle suggestions and manipulated him until he came up with the idea himself. I promise, Tamit. I’m not an awful person. I manipulated Iry so I could save my people.”

  “I completely understand. Iry didn’t want to listen to me for the longest time either. Not only did I have to overcome his pride, and being a girl, but his prejudice against commoners. But I can honestly say he’s changed since I met him. He’s learned to look beyond titles and gender and his preconceived notions and take people at face value.”

  Tamit had a commanding presence. I could see why Iry had yielded to her. “You seem to be very close to Scorpion.”

  “Your new husband,” Tamit said. She grasped my hand. “He sees value in me. He loves me and I love him. He’ll be good to you, Matia, if you’re good to him. He’s not the same in private as he is in the audience hall. At least, that’s my experience.”

  “This is so strange, Tamit. I’ve been told Scorpion’s my enemy my whole life.”

  “Not anymore. Thanks to him, in a week you’re going to be the most powerful woman in this valley. A woman to reckon with. Ancestress of the unifier.”

  “You know about Sety’s dream?” That was surprising.

  “Iry tells me everything. Seems to me that the falcon god’s arranged your new marriage. Your coming here and the circumstances can’t be due to chance. You and Scorpion are meant to be.”

  “I’ll believe that if I actually give him a child.”

  “I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through, Matia,” Tamit said earnestly. “So much death. So much hardship and suffering. I’m afraid you’re going to face resentment here in Tjeni, mostly because of where you come from, but partly because tonight you vaulted over the rest of Tjeni’s elite women. They’ve been trying to get their hooks into Scorpion for years. Just remember – you can come to me any time. I’m used to helping outsiders fit in. Do you remember Nebta, daughter of Farkha’s ruler?”

  “Vaguely.”

  “She’s married to Mekatre. None of the elite women in Tjeni would have anything to do with her when he brought her here except me. They were all counting on marrying him.”

  I recalled Mekatre and Nebta at the base of the outcrop the night I’d been there with Iry. “I’m surprised Mekatre married a woman from so far away.”

  “Farkha’s an important settlement. A critical transfer point on trade routes. Mekatre married her to forge a political tie to impress Tjeni’s elites.” Tamit lowered her voice. “He wants to be king after Scorpion.”

  “Instead of Lagus?”

  “Lagus married Khensuw, daughter of Sakan’s ruler, another important Northern settlement, for the same reason. Unfortunately, she died two months ago. Anyway, Lagus is still Scorpion’s designated heir, but he’s done a poor job running Ineb-hedj and he’s lost much support among Tjeni’s elites. It doesn’t help that he lives so far from Tjeni and Mekatre lives here.”

  “Are you telling me Mekatre’s more likely to be Tjeni’s next king than Lagus?”

  “I hope not,” Tamit said fervently.

  “When I first met Iry he wanted to succeed Scorpion. Does he still?”

  “Yes,” Tamit confided. “Right now the elites are split between backing Lagus and Mekatre. But Iry impressed many elites with his success in the North. He took charge of the war effort here when it was a disaster. He saved Tjeni from famine. He constructed Father’s grave. So far, he hasn’t actively sought the support of elites the way Lagus and Mekatre have. Someday he will. Then we’ll see.” She gripped my hand, tight. “You won’t tell anyone, will you?”

  “Of course not. I won’t betray Iry again. Ever. I promise.”

  Tamit leaned over and kissed my cheek. “I grew up surrounded by men, Matia, working in an ivory carver’s workshop. I was always very lonely. I never had anyone to talk to. Here in this per’aa, for the first time, I’m living among women. Nebta, and Scorpion’s daughters Weret and Heria, are like sisters to me now. I hope that’s what we’ll be, too. Sisters.”

  “I’d like that, Tamit.”

  She smiled. “And soon you’ll give Iry a half-brother, and me a nephew.” She stood. “I’ll let you get some sleep now. Tomorrow I’ll take you on a tour of Tjeni so you can see your new home. And start picking out skirts and jewels and all the rest, fit for a king’s wife.”

  Tamit blew out the lamp and slipped from the room. Despite my aches and pains, a feeling of warmth stole over me. I was safe from Sabu. I was safe from Antef and Abedu. For the first time since leaving Nubt I fell asleep without a knife in my hand.

  ***

  Akhet (Flood)

  Iry

  ***

  “Tell the truth, Iry – do you believe Matia?” Mekatre asked me after the women departed.

  I was, frankly, reeling. Moments ago my dream of succeeding Father as Tjeni’s king had died. It was obvious to me why Father was going to take Matia to wife. He wanted to be the ancestor of the unifier. His son with Matia would blend the royal blood of Tjeni and Nubt, as Sety had prophesied. Father would certainly name their son heir – not me, not my brothers. After Father died he’d take Tjeni’s throne. The falcon god had decreed it. Lagus might serve as regent for a short time if Father died when the boy was too young, but he’d never be king in his own right. Father’s marriage to Matia meant my dream of succeeding Father was unachievable. My role as a member of Father’s house from this day forward was now clear, in accordance with the will of the falcon god – help pave the way for my unborn half-brother to expand Tjeni’s influence throughout the valley after he became king. I was going to be a supporter of unification for the rest of my life, not its driver.

>   “You heard Tamit.”

  “I’m asking you.”

  “There’s no reason to doubt Matia. What she reported about Sabu is consistent with his past actions. I overheard Sabu negotiating his original alliance with Antef at Nekhen. It’s not surprising they’ve entered into another one.”

  “Sabu murdered his older brother to make himself heir,” Father interrupted. “Matia and Pentu told me when they tried to get me to lift the blockade. Murdering Matia’s father and husband and son isn’t a stretch.”

  “Mekatre, do you really think Matia’s the instrument of that monster?” I asked. “If I had the information about Sabu’s alliance that she has I’d have asked for far more than to hand Father a mace when he executes Sabu.”

  “I believe Matia’s information is reliable,” Scorpion said. “Sabu intends to attack us in a year. So we’re going to attack him ten months from now.”

  “The fleet will be ready,” I promised. “We have plenty of weapons. The granaries are full and can support an extended siege of Nubt if necessary. I’ve plotted out camping places between here and Nubt. I’ve mapped the trails in the desert west of Nubt. We can strike by land or water or both.”

  “Before we move against Nubt I intend to rip Sabu’s alliance apart,” Father said decisively. “I want to completely isolate him. Matia may have made a start, but I want to make sure. Mekatre, Iry, after Matia and I are safely married – won’t Sabu throw a fit when he finds out! – I want you to go to Ineb-hedj and tell Lagus what’s going on. Iry – make sure he strengthens his defenses. We cannot let King Ny-Hor or Sabu’s desert barbarians seize control of the river – no matter what.”

  “Yes, Father.”

  “Mekatre, I want you to continue on to Farkha. Warn Heby what’s happening. Have him alert the delta settlements that they may need to take action against Pe and Dep. Or barbarians from the western desert. Have him get word to Raherka in Sakan. We need all our settlements prepared for invasion.”