The Amarnan Kings, Book 5: Scarab - Horemheb

by Overton, Max

  "I wonder if you could use your direction finding gift to find gold," Khu mused. "Then you would not be reduced to selling all your own jewellery."

  "Quite possibly," Scarab agreed, "But that would be an improper use of the gift as long as I have what is required. It would be like asking for water in the desert when we already have all we need. We must not treat the gods like servants."

  Scarab, Khu, Mose and Merye walked back to the road once the messengers had sailed, and they set out along it toward Per-Bast, the nearest city with a Khabiru camp. The journey took them several days and when they arrived, they found the city in an uproar. Scarab's contingent of the Pillar had arrived first, but instead of keeping quiet until her arrival, they had moved among the Khabiru stirring up trouble with their tales of imminent release. The commander of the army garrison at Per-Bast, Ahmose, had ordered his troops into the camp and broken a few heads. The Pillar had retaliated and three soldiers were injured, one badly. The camp was now under strict guard and when the messenger had arrived with the scroll from Horemheb, he had been unable to see the commander.

  Scarab went immediately to see Ahmose. The guards were not inclined to let her through but found they were unable to stop her or her companions. They marched across the courtyard to the commander's rooms and walked in.

  "What the...who are you and how did you...Guards!" The soldiers from the guard post had trailed the intruders across the courtyard at a safe distance, and now came running to their commander's cry. "Who are these people and why in Set's name did you let them in? Throw them out and then report to the captain of the guard. You are all on punishment detail."

  "Sir, we could not stop them."

  Scarab stepped in front of Ahmose. "Do not upbraid your guards, commander. They could not stop me then and they will not now. I am Lady Khepra, daughter of Nebmaetre Amenhotep. These are my companions and are under my protection. What is your name, commander?"

  "I am Ahmose...my Lady Khepra, if you are who you say you are," the commander said slowly.

  "I am not accustomed to having my word doubted in such a manner, commander, but I realise I am no longer in Waset or Ineb Hedj. You can verify my identity by asking the High Priestess of Auset in the city. Also, you may ask yourself, who else would be carrying a letter from the hand of King Horemheb?"

  "You have such a letter? Show me." When Scarab made no move, Ahmose blushed and dropped his gaze. "Please show me, Lady Khepra."

  Scarab held up the scroll so Ahmose could see the royal cipher on the seal.

  "My apologies, Lady Khepra." Ahmose made shooing motions with his hands, and the guards left hurriedly. "Is...is the letter addressed to me?"

  "It is addressed to the commander of the Per-Bast garrison." She handed the scroll to Ahmose, who opened it eagerly, scanning the contents.

  He read it again, frowning. "It...it says I am to release the Khabiru workers and allow them to take all their wealth with them."

  "Do you have a problem with obeying that order, commander?"

  "No, but it offends me, Lady Khepra. These Khabiru, and certain Shechite agitators, took up arms against my men as they carried out their duty and injured three of them. One will die. I would much rather take the men responsible and execute them for murder."

  "Understandable," Scarab said. "As it happens, my friend here is a noted physician from Ineb Hedj. Perhaps he could examine your wounded men?"

  "My own army physicians are quite capable of looking after them."

  "Of course, commander. However, you said one was dying? That must mean he is beyond a physician's help. Perhaps we could look at him."

  "It will do no good," Ahmose said flatly.

  "Nevertheless, I ask you to humour me."

  Ahmose shrugged and led Scarab and Khu to the infirmary. In one corner was a sweat-soaked pallet. A naked, moaning man thrashed weakly on the soiled sheets, blood and pus from a wound in his side smearing the bed linen. The stink of rotting flesh grabbed at their throats as they walked in.

  "This is not a proper place for a lady."

  "I have seen worse in the aftermath of a battle, commander." She saw the man look at her strangely and added. "I was in Waset when King Nebkheperure Tutankhamen died."

  "Even so, lady, we should retire and let your physician examine him, though it will do no good."

  "I will stay. Khu, will you examine the patient please?"

  "Of course, my lady." Khu peeled back the dressings and examined the suppurating flesh, wiping away blood and pus from the wound. He returned to Scarab's side, wiping his hands on a linen rag. "The wound has pierced his guts and excrement poisons him. He will be dead by morning."

  Scarab nodded and walked toward the dying man, ignoring Ahmose's protests. She knelt by the pallet and put her hands on the man's head and chest. She opened her stone eye. Great Geb, come to my assistance once more, I beg. Heal this man so that our mission here is eased .

  The dying man convulsed and then lay still.

  "He is dead," Ahmose said.

  "I don't think so."

  The man groaned and his eyes opened, looked around him. "It no longer hurts," he whispered. "Am I dead?"

  Scarab smiled and stroked the man's forehead. "It seems the Land of the Dead has rejected you. Are you married? Do you have children?"

  "Yes, her name is Mery," he whispered. "Also two sons and a daughter."

  "You will be with them soon, for Geb heals quickly." Scarab squeezed his hand and got up. "Ahmose, do you have any objection to carrying out the king's order now?"

  The commander stared at the man who, minutes before had lain dying. He had now sat up and was calling for water and a kilt. "That is...that is...I see a god's hand in this."

  "Yes. Give thanks to Geb who has healed your soldier. The king's order, Ahmose?"

  Ahmose nodded. "Yes, of course. I will give the orders immediately."

  The garrison commander was as good as his word. He released the Shechite and Khabiru captives into Scarab's care and told his men to offer the small Khabiru community every assistance as they broke camp and started loading up their beasts of burden. The elders of the community came to meet with the Prophet of Yahweh and with the strange woman known as the Eye of Geb.

  One of the Shechite warriors introduced them. "Eye of Geb, Prophet Mose, these are the elders of the Per-Bast community--Elias, Japhed, Ahazieh." He bowed to Scarab and left.

  "You are very welcome," Scarab said with a smile. "Please be seated, we have much to discuss."

  Elias, a tall, thin man with a flowing beard below an almost bald head, tugged at his beard and made quiet harrumphing sounds. He turned to Japhed and gesticulated, muttering beneath his breath. Japhed, a younger man with a magnificent ginger beard and full head of hair, nodded sagely and turned to Mose.

  "Prophet Mose, your coming has lifted our spirits. Is it true that the Lord God has sent you to free us from servitude?"

  "Yahweh has sent me to be a beacon for the lost," Mose said.

  "Tell us what God wants us to do and we will obey in all things," Japhed said. Elias nodded his head, murmuring agreement.

  "The first thing we need to know, Elder Elias, is how many men of fighting age you have." Scarab waited, but received no reply. Elias stood looking expectantly at Mose, while Japhed stared at the ground. Scarab tried again. "It does not matter how many can actually fight. My men can train them."

  Elias cleared his throat. "Prophet Mose, who is this woman who speaks of unwomanly things?"

  "I'll tell you who this woman is," Khu said angrily. "She is someone who has fought for your rights and your freedom harder than anyone I know. She is even half Khabiru, though looking at these present examples of that race, it must seem like a flag of shame to her."

  "Hush, Khu," Scarab said gently. "A woman has a lower status among the Khabiru than among the Kemetu. It will take some getting used to--for all parties. However, Elder Elias, it is necessary you come to terms with this sooner rather than later. We do not have much tim
e."

  "It is not seemly that a woman be in a position of authority over men."

  "Forget seemliness. Will you work with me or must I find someone else?"

  "What does Prophet Mose say on this subject?" Japhed asked.

  "This woman is my sister and a true friend of Yahweh despite the allegiance she pays to her Kemetu gods. She is a warrior woman and commands the respect of the Shechite men you know as the Pillar."

  "It is still not right," Elias said stubbornly. Japhed nodded his agreement.

  Ahaziah spoke for the first time. He was much younger than the other elders, his beard a mere hand span in length, and his open face betrayed mirth rather than seriousness. "May I suggest a compromise? Prophet Mose speaks for Yahweh and this woman called the Eye of Geb is a warrior. Let us listen to Prophet Mose on all things spiritual and to the Eye of Geb on military matters."

  Elias harrumphed again, but Japhed nodded slowly. "The only problem I can see is that you still ask us to listen to a woman. Why cannot a man lead? Then the Elders can listen."

  "Let Elder Elias and Elder Japhed listen to the golden words that drip like honey from the lips of Prophet Mose, for their ears are attuned to wisdom by their many years of service to Yahweh. I am less experienced in holy matters, and if my fellow Elders will agree, I will be the one to convey the Eye of Geb's commands to the young men."

  Elias and Japhed conferred, and at last nodded. "Let it be so," Japhed said. "Elder Ahaziah, you will work with this woman and organise the young men in any way you see fit. Meanwhile, Elder Elias and I will hear Yahweh's commands for us from Prophet Mose."

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  * * *

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Jesua and his followers had nearly reached Per-Wadjet when they were overtaken by Scarab's messenger bearing the release orders for the cities on his route. He exulted, seeing the outworking of his new, martial god Yahweh. He had been prepared to use force to prise the Khabiru free, but was thankful that he did not have to throw away the lives of his men battling garrison troops. He met with the garrison commander immediately upon his arrival in Per-Wadjet and the commander reluctantly agreed to abide by the king's instructions.

  The Khabiru were uncertain about actually leaving Kemet, but were eager to rejoin the rest of their people after being separated these many years, so they packed up their goods on their camels and asses, rounded up their herds of goats and sheep, and set off in a south-easterly direction toward the city of Zau. The procession was orderly for the most part, some thousand Khabiru men, women and children in a straggling line with the herds spread out on either side.

  Jesua's men led the column, and ranged on either side, keeping the peace and hurrying stragglers. Before long, they ran into trouble with local Kemetu land owners who objected to flocks of someone else's goats and sheep stripping the pasture on their lands. The land owners complained to the army garrisons, but the commanders only shrugged--they had Horemheb's orders. The Kemetu people took matters into their own hands and fought to keep the Khabiru out, denying them passage. Jesua marshalled his men and struck back, killing many Kemetu and forcing a way through.

  The garrison commander at Zau was less inclined to help, but he too acceded to Horemheb's letter. However, he sent a messenger to Ineb Hedj to verify the king's instructions. The Zau camp swelled the Khabiru migration by half as much again and doubled its impact on the surrounding population. Unrest grew, both at the damage caused by the herds, and at the flagrant flaunting of the tribe's wealth. Jesua was forced to recruit young men from among the Khabiru to help protect the column as they advanced toward Djedu.

  They had to cross a branch of the river to get to the city of Djedu, and the fishermen on the banks refused to carry them. Jesua led a raid on several villages and commandeered everything that would float. He started ferrying his great army across. The fishermen complained to the Djedu garrison commander, who found himself in a quandary.

  "I have a direct command from King Horemheb to release the Khabiru workers and to offer such assistance is necessary," the commander explained to a delegation of fishermen and farmers.

  "That is all very well," said a fisherman, "But we have lost our boats and we depend on them for our livelihood. They must be returned to us, with compensation."

  "Our land is stripped bare by the passage of their flocks, and crops are trampled by thousands of feet. We demand you do something."

  "Leave it with me," said the commander. "I will talk to them."

  "Do more," said the fisherman, "Or we shall carry our complaint to the king."

  The commander sent for Jesua and outlined the complaints he had received. The Shechite leader snorted and pointed out the king's commands.

  "How are we to obey the king and move the Khabiru from three cities right across Ta Mehu if we cannot cross the river outlets?"

  The commander sighed. "The fishermen and farmers have legitimate concerns. They must make a living. Will you at least compensate them for their losses?"

  "The people of Kemet have fed off the sweat of the Khabiru for generations," Jesua replied. "Let them suffer deprivation instead."

  "I must insist on compensation."

  Jesua weighed up the delays and aggravation that would be caused by the army harassing the Khabiru, and shrugged. "The boats will be returned anyway in a few days. We will pay a total of a hundred goats by way of compensation."

  The commander took the Shechite's offer to the delegation in hopes that they would quietly accept the terms, but both the fishermen and farmers refused.

  "That will not go halfway toward compensating us for what we have lost. Get more or we appeal directly to the king."

  "We will both appeal to the king," the commander said. "The command from the king is genuine, for it bears his royal seal, but I am convinced the actions of the Khabiru are not legitimate."

  He and the delegation sent off messages to the king at Ineb Hedj that same day, but the Khabiru marched on from Djedu, their numbers swelled even more by the local community. Now it was a veritable army that swarmed across Ta Mehu, too large to oppose by any of the local garrisons. The destruction to the pastures and crops left starvation in its wake. The Khabiru of Djanet joined the migration and the masses headed toward Zarw where the communities from Per-Bast, Hut-waret, and Sena waited. Far to the south, the messengers from Per-Wadjet, Zau and Djedu reached the capital city.

  * * *

  King Ramesses was in a towering rage. Servants and courtiers fled from before him as he strode through the palace toward Horemheb's suite. The guards outside the king's rooms hesitated to stop his progress and he thrust them aside, throwing open the doors and walking in. Horemheb had just stepped out of his bath and was being towelled dry with linen cloths. The old king's body was no longer lean and muscled, but had lost its tone, sagging and wrinkling. Spindly limbs supported a belly that had grown at the expense of the rest of the body and though the king's eyes were still bright, his hands shook as he held them out for a clean kilt.

  "I told you it would come to this," Ramesses snarled. "That damn bitch is making a fool of us." He turned on the servants. "Get out. Now!" The servants scurried from the room.

  Horemheb sighed and fastened the kilt about his waist. "What are you talking about?"

  "Ta Mehu is awash in a tide of anarchy. Messengers are coming in from every city with complaints. I told you this would happen."

  "And just what was it that you said would happen? What exactly are you talking about?" Horemheb selected a pair of sandals and slipped his feet into them.

  "The decision to let the Khabiru go..."

  "Which you agreed to."

  "...and to take all their wealth with them. Thousands of men are marching across Ta Mehu with a horde of animals, destroying crops and pastures. When men try to stop them, they are killed. She is making fools of us."

  "By 'she' I take it you mean Scarab. That is not the sort of thing I would expect of her. She always thought more of the common peopl
e than of her own class. Are you sure she is responsible?"

  "The Khabiru are her people. Of course she is responsible."

  Horemheb noticed some paper in his co-rulers hand. "Are those the messages?"

  Ramesses smoothed the scraps out and passed them across. "Two of them. I must have dropped the other one."

  Horemheb read the messages carefully. "I wish these army commanders would use a scribe. This is hardly legible. There is no mention of Scarab though, just this wild-haired Shechite."

  "He is her man, though. And the damage is real whoever is causing it. What are we going to do?"

  "What do you want to do?"

  "Take the legions and stamp them into the ground."

  "What of her gods...or this god of her brother? We have seen what he can do. Do you want to risk their anger?"

  Ramesses ground his teeth in anger and paced the floor. "Can we afford to do nothing?" he asked after a few minutes. "How will it look to our neighbours the Hittites if we just stand back and let slaves walk out of Kemet with all their wealth? How will it look if these Khabiru slaves wreak havoc and we do nothing? I tell you, the next thing we know we will have rebellion on our hands when some noble decides his kings are toothless."

  Horemheb grunted. "It is not a good situation," he admitted. "What do you want to do?"

  "I told you. Kill the lot of them, including that witch."

  "Life would be a lot easier without her, I admit, but as long as she and her brother live, there is little we can do. We cannot just send in the legions and kill them all. The violence would turn back on us. And remember who they are."

  "If you are talking about our relationship that is dead already. And with you too, I imagine."

  "I wasn't. This man Mose was once Akhenaten and Scarab was anointed by that fool uncle of hers, Aanen. We cannot just kill them; we must devise another fate."

  "Such as?"

  "I don't know. I have not really thought about it."

  "Then in the absence of a plan to finally rid ourselves of the last of Nebmaetre's family, we need to think of some way of stopping the Khabiru exodus."