The Trader´s Pact

by Nathaniel Burns

  Moses quickly replied, “I should do that. After all I trained Neti.”

  Shabaka countered, “You read and write better than I do.”

  Several passersbys watched their interaction, however none appeared to care for it.

  They moved to a different part of the market where they could observe the morning’s trade, however and as the heat of the midday sun bore down they sought the shelter of their quarters.

  As Moses settled on the cushions on the grass mat he said, “I don’t know if this is going to work.”

  “Work or not, it is a step and will divert any direct attention off what we are doing.” Said Shabaka joining him.”

  “Which is not much,” said Moses.

  “I have to agree with him,” said Neti, “Other than a cause of death we have nothing to go on. We know that none of the herb traders or healers will confess to helping her and we have no idea who took her or who could be behind this.”

  “This thing is immensely irritating.” Said Moses.

  “We don’t need to do anything more,” said Shabaka, causing both Moses and Neti to look at him in astonishment, “The cause of death has been determined and her family informed as to the reason. There is little else we can do.”

  “What?” countered Neti, turning fully towards him. “…there is a great deal more we need to do!”

  Shabaka shook his head and said, “Her death has been resolved. It does not concern us anymore.”

  But we can connect her to several others,” Neti started only to be silenced by Shabaka lifting his hand.

  “I said her death, not the matter of the girls having gone missing. When we solve those her matter will also beget some closure.”

  “So you want us to just leave it as it is?” demanded Neti.

  “It does not require any more of our attention,” said Shabaka. “It does not help to chase whirlwinds in the desert. We have been tasked with training any new recruits and finding a means to make the children from the last case contributing members of society.”

  Neti suddenly exclaimed, “That is it!”

  Bolting uptight Moses said, “What!” while looking around him.

  “The children could recognize who took them.”

  “I don’t think that the people who took the children would be the same as those who abducted the girls during the festival.” Shabaka deadpanned.

  “Maybe not the boys, but the girls… We had that one that said she overheard them saying that they were no longer interested in older girls. They wanted the smaller, younger ones that could work in the pit mines.”

  “You think they are somehow related?” asked Moses.

  “If there was one thing Apisite-Repisit should have taught us,” Said Neti, “…it is that the criminal society in Thebes is a close-knit group. They know one another and their crimes often overlap.”

  “Which mean we still need to find where this new place is,” said Moses.

  Shabaka shook his head, “Uli and even some of the children confirmed that they were blindfolded.”

  Neti angrily said, “You sound like you would rather give up.”

  “And what do you suggest we do?” Shabaka countered.

  “I know for a fact that even blindfolded, those children will remember things of their captives; what they sound like what the smelt like. I know I still do from the time I was held. I knew exactly who was approaching simply from the sound of the footfalls.” Neti noticed the immediate change in Shabaka’s demeanor when she said that, however continued, “We could get the children to help. And then when we catch one of them, he can be made to talk.”

  “I am becoming concerned with your willingness to get people to talk,” said Moses. “It is almost as if the methods no longer repulse you.”

  Neti shrugged her shoulders as she said, “I find the crimes they commit against others far more repulsive than the methods we use to extract information from them.”

  “So what do you propose to do? asked Shabaka, “We cannot simply set the children loose and allow them to run about the city unchecked.”

  “We don’t need to,” said Neti “We have a logic and believable reason.”

  Confused, Moses asked, “What reason?”

  “We have to find something for them to do, learn. So why not have them accompany us to identify trades of interest.”

  “Shabaka quickly countered, “I really don’t want any young children accompanying us on duties.”

  “We can take the older ones,” Neti countered, “…and show them how to be observant, we can even ask them if they recognize any sounds or voices. I know how it would help with integrating them back into society. I have been there myself, so I know how important it is to feel that the person who hurt you can be held accountable for his actions.”

  “She has a point,” said Moses. “…nothing feels better than vengeance.”

  Neti looked at Moses in alarm, stating, “Now I’m concerned about you.”

  Shabaka pondered on the matter for several long moments before he said. “Given no one has yet to come demanding testing or admission, we could perhaps consider such a course of action. However, we will have to be resolute on how we work with these children and what their instructions are especially since they remain essentially under the guardianship of the pharaoh.”

  “I sent Uli to Luxor temple this morning, she will oversee them. Ramesses allocated one of the areas within the temple for them to be taught by one of Suten-Anu’s tutors, with two of the adjacent homes for them to live in.”

  “I think most of them it will be better off there than in their own homes,” said Moses.

  “They will have to work though, they have also been allocated a section of the gardens to grow vegetables.” Said Neti.

  “Nothing compared to what they were forced to do.” Moses countered.

  Shabaka looked form one to the other before he spoke, “Neti, you and Moses can teach them of the various observation skills we utilize while they are in your care. It will help to make them more aware of their surroundings.

  Moses however quickly countered, “That could build up their hopes of one day becoming a prefect themselves.”

  “Is that such a bad thing?” asked Neti. “Making them more aware of their surroundings will not only make them better informants later in their lives, it could be useful to us in the long run. We often have problems with onlookers who do not know how to communicate what they have seen.”

  Moses thought over Neti’s opinion and said, “You may have a point there.”

  “Even so,” Shabaka started. “I don’t particularly want to be responsible for children.”

  Moses looked at him in surprise and countered, “You have several nephews, I have seen how you are with them.”

  Shabaka shrugged, “That is different, I have a duty towards them, they are family.”

  Confused, Neti looked at Shabaka and said, “All children deserve opportunities.”

  “My heart is not as big as yours,” Shabaka countered, “…besides, one cannot abandon them when called upon to act… We would first have to return them, and by that time, the person we should have pursued would have gotten away.

  “That does not happen often.”

  9

  Chapter Nine

  The following morning, as Neti and Shabaka were making their way towards the palace, a young man approached them.

  “Excuse me prefects.” He called, causing them to turn and look at him.

  Neti looked the young man over. His clothing was dusty, almost as if he traveled a lot, his grass sandals well worn. He was strongly built, not to tall and carried himself well. His eyes were still clear and his face appeared honest.

  Shabaka replied, “Yes.”

  The young man hesitantly neared them and said, “I’m responding to the papyrus you placed in the marketplace… You are still looking?”

  Shabaka looked towards Neti and then back at the young man asking, “Where are you from.”

  “I am
the son of a trader?”

  “So why would you want to become a prefect?” Shabaka asked outright, adding, “I thought traders would be the most opposed to serving the pharaoh.”

  “My father is a… a… overbearing man. I do not want to end up like him. I also think it would be a good thing if I left him.”

  “You do understand that you will go through a trial first, that we will test you to determine whether you have the skills needed to be a prefect.”

  Eagerly the young man nodded, “I understand, I just want the chance.”

  “Come with us, we will talk more about it at our quarters,” Neti invited, before they again resumed their course and conversation. “I think Moses is a bit obsessed with the décor of the house, Yani is a simple person and does not need an many things.”

  “Well you can’t blame him for wanting her to be comfortable. After all we saw the various stages of his infatuation.” Said Shabaka for a moment glancing over his shoulder.

  The young man eagerly followed their progress.

  “Yes,” Neti said nodding, “…but considering he likes food so much, I would have thought he would rather concentrate on the kitchen.”

  “You clearly have not seen him hanging around the kitchens in the palace… at one stage I think he had the main cook dictate him a list of the things he would need.”

  Neti smiled warmly and said, “I’m happy for her. I know he will look after her.”

  On their arrival at the palace they lowered their heads in greeting to the guards and proceeded through the gates, only when the guards called for the young man with them to halt did Shabaka turn around to say, “He’s with us, you can let him through.”

  They entered the prefects’ quarters and Neti gestured for the young man to settle on one of the pillows.

  He looked about the room in amazement, but also part trepidation. The farthest wall had a papyrus map on it of the city, while sheets of papyrus sheets and ink were placed on a work platform nearby. The room was more functional than lavish.

  Neti collected a sheet of papyrus, a pot of ink and a quill before herself settling on the mat and asking, “What is your name?”

  The young man quickly answered, “Mipi.”

  “Tell us about yourself?” Invited Shabaka as he too came to sit on the mat, adding, “….and why do you think you would be a good prefect?”

  Mipi looked from Neti to Shabaka, however Neti continued drawing hieroglyphs on the sheet of papyrus.

  Hesitantly Mipi started, “I don’t have any noteworthy talents. I can read and write, I can barter but I have no specialized skill not like you.” He pointed to Neti. “I would really just like to get away from my family and their trading concern. They do not understand me, or understand that I could want something different.”

  “For that you need not become a prefect.”

  “I had something different, something great planned.” Mipi’s face changed, he appeared sad. “But that is gone now.”

  “Where do you come from?” Asked Neti.

  “All over,” Mipi said, “I was born just outside the Karnak, But my father is the spice trader so we travel a lot. I have been to Memphis even as far as the city next to the water to collect spices.”

  “Well your traveling, and ability to travel is definitely a skill we could use.” Shabaka said.

  Mipi looked surprised, “Traveling is considered a skill?”

  “Not everyone finds traveling easy, and we often have to travel,” said Shabaka.

  Neti however stopped writing and looked at Shabaka, Mipi saw the exchange and asked, “Is there something wrong?”

  Neti again glanced at Shabaka before she said, “Being a prefect means you will not be allowed to maintain any allegiances you once held. You are to pledge your loyalty to the Pharaoh of Egypt. You serve him and him only.”

  “I understand.” Mipi said.”

  “You then also understand that your family and all traders will consider your pact with them void, especially since they are generally opposed to the pharaohs matters.”

  “If I do not see it as a problem why would you consider it to be one?” Mipi asked.

  “Because we have to be certain that you will understand the consequences of joining us. Also that you need to understand the dangers you face. With no pact you will not enjoy their protection when traveling.”

  Mipi for a moment appeared hesitant and looked about the room.

  “This is why you need to be certain that this is what you want to do. Traders are generally intolerant to change. I cannot see any of this easily accepting this.”

  Mipi released a heavy sigh and then said, “I have another reason as well.”

  “And that is?” asked Shabaka.

  “I was engaged to a girl who was murdered. I need to find out who is responsible who took her from me.”

  “That reason alone is enough for us to refuse your application. We have no time for personal quests. To be honest they block one’s perception far more often than not.” Shabaka said.

  “Well I have to do something. It was hard enough getting my father to agree to the wedding. Now he just shrugs it off and says that it is the way things are. I cannot accept that!” Mipi looked at Neti and said, “You were permitted to seek out the murderer of your parents.”

  Neti shook her head, “I helped Shabaka before they were murdered. I was only accepted as a prefect much later.”

  “I will be willing to do something similar, prove myself as worthy.”

  Neti looked at Shabaka for a moment and then made a note before she said, “Being a prefect more often than not involves all of your time and commitment. It is not just something you can do when you feel like it. If you make mistakes it means that dishonest people get away, or murders go unsolved.”

  “Like Gera’s” Mipi challenged.

  “Gera’s murder is not unsolved.” Shabaka quickly countered.

  “But you are not doing anything!” Mipi angrily challenged.

  “And you think that by joining us you can find out who is responsible?” Shabaka countered.

  Mipi rose to the challenge and said, “I will at least try.”

  Shabaka nodded and said, “having a personal reason or drive to resolve something or to seek the truth often helps but it must be enough to sustain you. There are times that the matter does not interest you. Even then you have to push through, knowing that you cannot divulge any information to others, cannot discuss things with outsiders.”

  “You think that because I am the son of a trader I will do such a thing.”

  “It does not always boil down to what you may do, but what others could expect of you to do.” Shabaka cautioned, causing Mipi to look at him and finally nod.

  “My father had me educated to keep his trading records. I can speak four languages, read and write in most of them.”

  “And you think he is just going to allow you to leave?” Asked Neti.

  “It is not about what he wants anymore. He cares not for what I want, he cares only to marry me for his benefit. I can help you. I know I can. I know the various traders grew up with them.”

  “And yet you know not who is responsible for Gera’s disappearance.” Shabaka flatly stated.

  “You know of that?” Mipi asked surprised.

  Shabaka deadpanned, “As I said, we have not finished her investigation.”

  “But I thought… With her not being from a prominent family…”

  “It is our responsibility to investigate matters affecting the people of Thebes… Be they theft from the pharaoh or murders.”

  Mipi looked stunned, and took several long moments before he spoke. I chose Gera for my wife. She has the kindest heart and greatest spirit. My father was not keen on our marriage, but I convinced him that she was the woman I wanted. He tried but I made him go with me to request her hand from her father, I would earn her myself if needed. But her father seemed genuinely happy to marry her to me…. But when she was taken, my father could not be concerned.
He said that it happens some time and that I should accept it, that it is the way of the Gods.”

  “So the marriage was not forced?” asked Neti.

  Mipi shook his head and said, “We’ve known each other since we were children. I would always seek her out when we were in Thebes.”

  “And when she returned, you were still willing to marry her?” Neti asked.

  “At first it was as if all the Gods had answered all my prayers, but I soon realized that it was as if someone had stolen the Ba she was reserved. She would not talk. My father was adamant that I was not to associate with her. But according to our customs we were already married, the agreements had been drawn up and initiated. She was my wife. And unlike my father, I did not want to get out of the arrangement. I knew she would get better.”

  Neti immediately switched into prefect mode and asked, “Did she tell you anything, about where they were taken?”

  Mipi shook his head as he said, “No. She wouldn’t talk. It was as if she was too scared to talk, even to me.”.

  “So she didn’t mention anything about what happened?”

  Mipi again shook his head but asked this time, “How is this important?

  “Because whatever information you have could be useful in finding them,” said Shabaka.

  “She never said anything, she would continue as if the occurrence had never happened. And it would have been believable had she not withdrawn so much. She even avoided spending any time alone with me. My father told me of her death and that you were there, but told me not to expect anything.”

  “What do you know of Apisite-Repiste?” Asked Shabaka.

  “I know that Ramesses closed it down. That many traded goods there they could not trade elsewhere.”

  “Goods like?” Shabaka asked.

  “Mostly stolen goods I think.”

  “You think? You mean you have not been there yourself?’ Demanded Shabaka.

  “None of us went there, we had no need. Spices are hardly illicit or stolen.”

  “Do you know anything of the new one?” Neti calmly asked.

  Confused Mipi looked at her for a great length of time, before he shook his head and said, “There were rumors before the festival, but they have been silenced.” He appeared to think matters over for a few moments longer and added, “It would make sense that they would establish another such place, the traders often need somewhere to leave their excess wares.”