Using the cloth, she removed any residue from the body. “You can pack out the bandages and arrange the amulets in groups,” Neti said, as she continued to work.
Soon thereafter, she forgot about Seota as she slowly started the blessing chants. Sutten-Anu had requested specific ones, just as he had sourced the best wine, oil, and fabric for her anointment. The oil had been infused with herbs from his garden, herbs Dalva herself had nurtured.
The bandages were all made from soft linen fabric and neatly rolled. Neti had given Seota the correct width and number of bandages she’d needed for the wrapping. She had left Seota to fashion them the same way her mother used to, with little pockets for the amulets.
The amulets had been made by one of the best amulet craftsman, who had chanted only the spells Sutten had chosen while making them. The two heart scarabs had remained with Sutten after their completion. Neti had consented to Sutten’s placing them on the bodies before the sarcophagus was sealed.
The sarcophagus itself was a work of art. Neti’s eyes shifted to the coffin. It stood to the side of the doorway where the craftsmen had delivered it several days before. The craftsmanship and artwork was far better than any Neti had ever seen. She had spent a great deal of time reading over the coffin texts that covered the sides, astonished at the neatness of the work.
Her focus returned to the body, with her mind automatically returning to the chants. The work was methodic, captivating. It gave her surety. She turned the body onto its side and then proceeded to do the back.
Once done, she emptied out the bowl and reached for the anointing oil and poured some onto her palm. She rubbed the oil with her fingers to test its consistency. The scent of the infused herbs filled the room.
Neti poured more oil onto her hand, this time rubbing it over both hands before starting on the body. Her fingers slid over the darkened skin, her gaze following their progress. It was a moment of calm, of surety. It was as familiar to her as walking. Her fingers altered instinctively as she worked, lifting and dipping with the body’s contours.
She started to recite the first chapter of the Book of the Dead, the protections, spells, and instructions on how to reach the afterlife. Again she moved the body to anoint the back. She was about half way through the back when an insistent noise from outside the chamber drew her from her actions.
Several moments later a man barged into the chamber, breathing hard. It took a mere moment to identify the runner, however. Without thought, Neti said, “You will have the wrath of the dead descend upon you for disturbing me. What could be that important?”
“I bring a message from the Prefect Shabaka: Your presence is urgently required.”
Neti looked at the man in disbelief, “Can you not see that I am busy with burial preparations? Have my bearers not told you that I am not to be disturbed?”
“Yes, I see that. But the Prefect Shabaka made it very clear that you are to attend him. He said to tell you that they found another body.”
Neti looked at Dalva, then back at the messenger, uncertain. She shook her head as she called her senior bearer. “Hamez!”
Within moments the bearer entered the chamber, glaring at the messenger as he replied, “Yes, Embalmer Neti.”
“Go with the messenger here, take him to the embalmers’ hall and ask for Marlep. He is to go with this man and witness the events.”
“The prefect specifically asked for you,” the messenger bemoaned.
“I am in the middle of anointing. Marlep will understand and explain to Shabaka that I cannot leave here now.”
“Yes, Embalmer,” Hamez said, and then turned to the messenger, addressing him in a harsh tone, “Come!”
The messenger hesitantly stepped from the room, causing Neti to frown as she looked at the body.
“Why did he call you that?” Seota asked from behind her.
“What?” Neti asked confused.
“Embalmer. I have never heard him call you that before.”
“He was placing emphasis on my status to the messenger.”
“What does that mean?” Seota asked, her voice conveying her confusion.
Neti turned to look at her. “It means that I hold a higher rank than a mere messenger and that it should be respected.”
“Just what rank do you hold?”
“As a prefect, we answer to each other and to the Pharaoh, above all. As an embalmer, I have the same ranking as a priest.”
“Like a high priest?”
“No, just a normal priest,” Neti replied, turning her attention back to Dalva’s body. “Now where was I?”
“Something about the passage to the sun bark.”
“Oh, thank you,” Neti said and then continued, trying not to let the events – somewhere within the city – intrude. Once she had finished, she washed her hands and then pulled the heavy terracotta pot closer. She checked its contents before lifting it and placing it on elevating stones. She situated the lit lamp below it, increasing the wick length.
“What is in there?”
“It is the resin mixture I use for the binding,” Neti said and then pointed to the bandages. “I dip the bandages in it before wrapping the body.”
As the mixture warmed, the scent of herbs and a far more distinctive scent filled the chamber.
“That smells like her,” Seota said, looking about in alarm.
“Sutten must have had her favorite scent included in the mixture,” Neti said as she moved to check on the amulet grouping, ensuring Seota had grouped them in the proper order. Satisfied, she took the first grouping of amulets and placed them on the platform and moved to test the resin, ensuring it was the correct consistency.
Seota watched as Neti took one of the smallest bandages and dipped it into the warmed resin. She held it there for several moments before reaching down to shorten the wick just a little bit. Then she pulled the bandage out and squeezed the excess from it.
“Is that not hot?” Seota asked.
“No, it’s just warm,” Neti answered as she moved towards Dalva.
“You want me to do that?”
“No. You are only to pass me the bandages and keep your hands clean,” Neti said as she pulled the edge of the bandage free. She halted at the base of the platform and started on one of Dalva’s feet by first wrapping the little toe, incorporating another toe with every wrap until all had been covered. The excess fabric was folded and smoothed down, then covered with another layer before again being smoothed into position.
Neti returned to the platform for another bandage and repeated the process until she reached mid-calf,. Then she switched over to the other foot, carefully wrapping the bandages and ensuring they overlapped half of the bandage width with every turn.
She smoothed the resin over the bandage once the bandage length ended, all while slipping the amulets into position. Once the feet and ankles were done, she moved to the hands, separating the fingers with short lengths of cloth before wrapping the hands.
“Why shift?” Seota eventually asked.
“The resin mixture must first set before we can lift the body off the platform. Then the bearers will hold her in place as I bandage.”
“But why?”
“It is easier to bandage in a standing position. If I do not, I will have to lift and move the body a great deal.”
Seota nodded and continued to pass the bandages on as requested.
When Neti had finished both hands and lower arms she turned to Seota. “Go see if Hamez is back yet. They must come and hold her up now.”
The girl nodded and made for the cloth-covered doorway.
Neti turned her attention to the small box to the side, drawing in a deep breath. She would do it later, once she’d sent Seota home.
Several moments later Seota came in with Garah and Fari, saying, “Hamez has not yet returned.”
The two bearers, without instruction, moved to lift the body from the platform and carefully lowered it to a standing position. There they held it in place, al
lowing Neti to continue the process. About half way though the wrapping process, Neti instructed Seota to place the other resin pot over the lamp.
It took most of the day to bandage and smooth down Dalva’s body. The sun was already setting as the bearers returned her body to the platform.
Neti collected up the sheet and with practiced ease, cast it over the body, thanking her bearers before dismissing them.
“You should also be going home now,” Neti said as she started repositioning the bandages and remaining amulets.
Seota looked at the amulets, “But you were supposed to use all of them.”
“And I will,” Neti calmly stated.
“I should help you clear things away,” Seota said gesturing to the resin pots.
“I still have some things to do before I am finished.”
Seota looked at her, a confused expression on her face as she asked, “Like cast spells?”
“I have been chanting spells all afternoon.” The astonished expression on Seota’s face said it all, and Neti continued, “You should go help Yani prepare our meal. I’m certain Moses will visit tonight.”
“I don’t think so,” Seota flatly replied.
“Why not?” Neti asked, confused.
“They had an argument the other day, and Yani does not want to speak with him. She doesn’t even want to hear his name.”
Neti smiled. “I have arguments with Moses all the time, mostly about his eating, but it is something that is normal. People have differences of opinion and sometimes we need to argue to reaffirm that.”
“I don’t think it was a fight like that,” Seota said.
“Did you hear what they said?”
Seota shook her head, “No, but it was not like when you and Moses argue. Yani was really angry with him. And now she refuses to talk to him. I don’t know what to do most of the time.”
“Sometimes it is best if we do not interfere in such matters. The matter is between them and they need to sort it out.”
“Like that time when you and Shabaka were not getting along?”
Neti thought for a moment and tried to figure out what the girl was talking about, but could not remember. There had been several times that Shabaka and her had argued about something, but she could not remember any specific time or an argument that caused them to remain at loggerheads. “When was this?” she finally asked.
“With Dalva’s death, you were both very angry.”
Neti hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded, “I think that was different.”
“How?” Seota asked.
“Sometimes our heads and our hearts don’t agree on things. And, yes, it can be very, very confusing and difficult to make others understand why we feel we need to do things. But it is always best to follow your instincts. To follow what you feel is right. And if you do that, remain true to that, then matters tend to sort themselves out.”
“Is that why you want me to decide what I want to do, rather than forcing something on me?”
“Forcing something on you will not be right for you, even though I may think it is right. We all differ, and we all have an internal knowledge of what is right for us. If you fight that, you will only make yourself unhappy.”
“And you are happy doing this? I mean, what you do with Shabaka and Moses.”
Neti looked at Seota for several moments before finally nodding. “It was not something I would have though possible. One does not think one could be an embalmer and an important member of the Pharaoh’s most trusted prefects. And as you see, it is possible. But it has not come without its problems.”
“But you enjoy doing it?”
“Yes, I enjoy it. It makes me think in different ways.” Neti then lowered her voice, “But I will be honest with you, I don’t like leaving Thebes.”
“But we will be leaving tomorrow for Dalva’s burial.”
“Going to the West Bank hardly counts as leaving Thebes. To me it as much a part of Thebes as the city.”
“But we will be away for nearly two days.”
“Yes, and that is why you need to go and help Yani prepare everything we need for the journey.”
Seota nodded and then place the bandages back on the platform, “Should I bring you something later?”
“I will be home before it is fully dark.”
Neti allowed sufficient time to ensure that Seota was well on her way before turning to the smaller box. She’d forbidden her bearers from touching it. Most embalmers would cast an unborn out – saying they did not have a Ba and thus did not need preservation. But like her father, Neti believed that they too had to be preserved, since no one really knew when one’s Ba joined with the Haw.
She opened the smaller box and lifted out the rag-covered body. She placed it on the platform and shifted the box out of the way. She cleaned and anointed it as she had Dalva’s and carefully wrapped it, using only the narrower bandages, smoothing out the resin as she progressed.
Once done, she turned back to the platform where Dalva lay and pulled back the upper half of the sheet. Then Neti carefully placed the smaller body within its mother’s arms before dipping both her hands in the remaining resin and smoothing them over the bandages.
It was as she finished that a rustle from the doorway drew her attention. Expecting it to be Shabaka, she smiled and turned in greeting, only to halt halfway through the action, frowning as she identified her visitor.
“They allowed me through,” Marlep said pointing back at the doorway, although his voice appeared hesitant. He looked at the bandaged body on the platform. However, he said nothing.
Neti turned the remainder of the way, her voice held an alarmed tone as she spoke. “Marlep, whatever is the matter? You look as if you have seen a Ba.”
Marlep did not reply and made no effort to speak. He remained just within the doorway as if hesitant to enter farther into the chamber.
She reached for a rag and quickly cleaned the resin from her hands before moving towards him. She placed her hand on his shoulder, asking, “Are you unwell?”
At first he made no response and then finally shook his head.
“Come, I will get you some wine,” Neti said, pointing towards the doorway. “Perhaps then you would be in a better mind for talking.”
As she led Marlep from the chamber they passed Hamez. “Tell Garah and Fari that they can start to clear up.”
“I am disturbing you. I should go,” Marlep said as the entered the public room.
“I do not think you are in any condition to leave. In all likelihood you will walk before a donkey or dray and be injured. Come, we will have a glass of wine and then you can tell me what has caused your condition.”
Neti pointed him towards one of the seating cushions and then turned from him to fully wash her hands.
He looked about the area and said, “Your mother was always so involved with your father’s per-nefer. You have left that unchanged.”
Neti nodded, uncertain of his mood or even how she should answer him.
She poured them each a cup of wine, aware of his gaze. She approached, holding his cup out for him to take. He took it and pulled it to his lips, taking a large gulp of the liquid before swallowing.
Neti settled on another cushion and sipped from her cup. The wine was sweet. It was one she had discovered was better at stilling the nerves of distraught family members. “Why don’t you tell me what is the matter. What has upset you?” It was only once the question was out that Neti realized it was the very same one her mother had asked her so many times.
“How do you do it?” Marlep asked in return, and then gestured to the room. “How do you do all this and still remain so calm?”
“The same way you do it,” Neti flatly replied, but could not understand his confused expression, adding, “This remains our duty.”
Marlep shook his head and took another gulp of wine, “I did not mean this.”
“It is not so difficult.” Neti said shrugging. “I have Yani to run my home and S
eota to work the gardens. She also sees to the bandages. It is very much like things were with my father.”
Marlep shook his head. “I’m not talking about the per-nefer, I meant the matters with the Pharaoh.” He paused only momentarily before continuing, “I went this afternoon to assist Shabaka and Moses, as you had requested. But it was so different from what I expected, unworldly even.”
“You did not believe me?” Neti asked, affronted.
“I had more reasons not to,” Marlep honestly replied.
“What?” Neti exclaimed in disbelief.
Marlep looked at the wall, almost as if he could peer right through it. “It all seemed so unlikely, impossible really. Well, that was until I saw it for myself…By Ra! I don’t even know if what I saw was real! And it scared me.” Marlep then turned to look at Neti. “Yet you, you show no fear for such things. Shabaka told me that you always remain calm, that you have seen so many different things working with them.” Marlep then shook his head. “And they didn’t even flinch this afternoon, while I, a man familiar with death, wanted to run.” He shrugged before continuing. “Shabaka even told me that he often takes his lead from your assessment. That if something concerns you, he knows there is a problem.”
“We function as a team. We each have our strengths. I understand the dead. Shabaka understands and commands authority. And – other than eating a great deal – Moses understands people. It may not look like it, but he can detect a lie a faster than anybody else.”
Marlep shook his head. “But what you do is dangerous. It was only this afternoon that I realized the things you are exposed to, the things you see. And it gave me a far greater insight. I suddenly understood why it is that they will not say anything to anyone about what you do. And how it could be that you returned from Nubia so weak, and why the Pharaoh would be so enraged by it. And, yet, no one ever hears the true tales of what you experience. We only have to accept your authority and your position so close to the Pharaoh. Some even question the reason for your selection.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Neti said, confused.
“You know that there are many who question your selection, many who think they are better suited. At some stage even I took objection to it.” Neti made to speak, but he stilled her by shaking his head. “That was until I realized how often you traveled from Thebes, how disruptive it was to you and the things you witnessed and were…are entrusted with.”
Mystery of the Temple Page 3