It had not been Shabaka’s injuries so much that had kept her tossing and turning for most of the evening; it was the discovery that things were not as she had thought them to be. She also realized that things between her and Neferronpet were about to become very complicated.
She was uncertain of herself and what she wanted. Shabaka’s brother had confused her, while at the same time giving her a glimmer of hope, hope that she might indeed mean as much to Shabaka as he did to her. On the other hand, she was livid with Shabaka, and it caused her to question whether she really meant anything to him at all. If he had withheld such important information from her, who knew what else he could be hiding? She no longer knew who to trust or whether she could trust even her own judgment. As it was, it had brought them nothing so far, leaving them only with further questions.
She reached for the basket containing the flatbread, extracted a piece, looking over the overly darkened bread, and placed it on her plate before turning to select one of the figs. One of the servants handed her a cup of beer, after which Neti turned her attention to her meal.
The conversation between Maathorneferure and Ri-Hanna flowed over her head as she focused on her own thoughts. The only thing she was certain of was that she did not want to live in this strange world. She liked her home, where things were simple and she could move around freely. It was familiar, safe, and uncomplicated. Granted, the sometimes veiled glances and glares thrown her way were disconcerting, but she had a freedom which had been taken from her during her stay at the palace.
Her thoughts returned to the previous evening. The healer had been unwilling to disclose to her the severity of Shabaka’s injuries—or even to his brother. She had, however, deduced that they had to be somewhat serious, otherwise they would have allowed him to return to the palace with Moses. Yet she also knew his condition was not life threatening, otherwise they would have informed his brother, who had in the end encouraged her to return to the palace so that she could rest and keep up her strength.
Her attention was drawn away from her contemplation when Homer entered the hall. She looked at him expectantly but felt her heart sink when he asked for Princess Ri-Hanna.
She watched for several moments as he and the princess exchanged whispers. At some point in the conversation Homer turned to look at her before heatedly answering Rihanna. They were too far away for her to hear what they were saying, but Homer appeared uptight, and for a moment she thought it could be bad news he was conveying.
“I can imagine that it is difficult for you, having two such virile men fighting for your attention,” Maathorneferure said, drawing Neti’s attention away from the princess and Homer. “I can understand how you could be drawn to Neferronpet; he is a virile man with a good position and will therefore be capable of providing for you and your children. But I also see that your heart is not in it.”
Neti looked at the queen and released a deep sigh. “How can that be?”
“Why, my dear, it is as obvious as the sun that you are drawn to Shabaka, and he to you,” Maathorneferure replied before tilting her head to the side. “Or are you fighting your desires because he is a Nubian?”
Neti felt her brow furrow in response to the queen’s words, then shook her head in response, fighting to contain the forlorn sigh that wanted to escape.
“Then what is it?”
Neti looked at her and then lowered her gaze to her plate. “It is complicated.”
“As are all matters of the heart,” Maathorneferure countered.
Neti looked up, wanting to counter the queen, for her marriage had been arranged as part of a peace treaty. She could not possibly understand what it was like to be drawn to someone and not to be certain of their affections in return. But as she made to speak, Maathorneferure halted her by lifting her hand. “I do not doubt your affection for him. You complement one another. However, each of you seems to doubt the other.”
Neti’s gaze once again dropped to her plate before she replied, “He has kept secrets from me.”
“About his origins,” Maathorneferure was quick to reply, her voice calm but firm.
Neti nodded, pinching her lips together.
“It is not easy being of royal origin. People treat you differently, and you have no real friends. You don’t know who you can trust or who might want to be rid of you. Not everyone is as sincere as you, Neti, and that is what he saw—no, sees—in you. That is what we all see in you.”
Neti shook her head and allowed the long-contained sigh to escape. “It is not the same.”
“Do you think it is easy being Ramesses’ primary wife, knowing that his other wives begrudge me the position? That they would not hesitate to have me removed from such a position given the opportunity? For I have considered that it could be one of them who is trying to poison me, but I cannot determine which one.” Maathorneferure stopped there and took a deep breath, shaking her head somewhat before calmly continuing. “It was not easy to come here from my home to a man I hardly knew, knowing I would be but one of many wives. I may joke about it, but I know I am replaceable. Yet even with all that, we have found common ground. I will never be Nefertari, but he and I trust one another, we talk about things. You all see Ramesses the god-king, whereas I know the man, the one faced with doubts. The man I have come to love. It was not easy, but it happened. Every day I know that someone could try to take that away or that some young woman could catch his eye. But I have to trust in what we share, what we know of one another.” Maathorneferure’s voice softened as she continued. “I am also the only wife who has not produced a child for him. Do you think that is not reason enough for him to cast me aside? It would have been had he not already had enough sons. In this I have failed him, and it is the only reason why the others do not see me as a threat. Their offspring stand in line for the throne, and they will have their renown as the mother of the king. I will be cast out the moment Ramesses dies.”
Neti made to reply but withheld her response as Ramesses and Neferronpet entered the hall. Their appearance also saw Homer move away from Ri-Hanna. Neti looked at the two youngsters, noticing their discomfort, before turning her attention to Ramesses, whose body was rigid.
“Come, my love, sit down and calm yourself.” Maathorneferure spoke gently, indicating for Ramesses to join her.
“Calm myself!” Ramesses angrily replied, causing everyone in the room to lurch in response. Neti felt her heart race as he continued, “How am I supposed to calm myself when my prefect cannot even walk through the city without being mugged! This was supposed to be a safe city, yet the most important of my palace officials has been attacked like a common criminal.”
“Come, my dear, your rant will not alter the past,” Maathorneferure said calmly and soothingly. “It is best if we focus on what can be done to correct the matter.”
“I have already ordered the palace guard to round up every man who works on the docks. They will all be questioned, and those found guilty will be thrown to the lions. I will not tolerate such actions. We have to leave for Memphis to meet with the Libyan princes. I am very tempted to cancel the trip altogether and request them to come here instead, but until this matter is resolved, how am I supposed to guarantee their safety?”
Neti chanced a glance at Ri-Hanna and noticed the girl’s discomfort. Maathorneferure calmly replied, “We can still go.”
“And what of Shabaka? I cannot leave him here like this.” Ramesses looked at Maathorneferure in a way that conveyed more than just his concern. His expression caused a heavy sensation to settle around Neti’s heart, for without being told, she knew there was a far greater reason for the pharaoh’s concern.
“He can come with us, as can Neti. That will allow a few days for things to settle.”
Ramesses turned to look at Neferronpet, and nodded as he spoke. “You are also to accompany us. I will require your presence. Arrange for one of the advisors to travel with us as well.” Ramesses looked at Ri-Hanna. “My daughter is to be restricted to her rooms a
nd the harem, and guards are to be stationed at her door. No one but her servants may enter,” he added pointedly. Just as she was about to object, he said, “I will not take any further chances.”
Ri-Hanna’s shoulders sagged as she answered, “Yes, Father.”
Neti could feel Neferronpet’s gaze upon her and swallowed at the lump that had suddenly formed in her throat before shifting her gaze to meet his. She smiled shyly, and he inclined his head in acknowledgement before she dropped her gaze, her heart racing.
“You will accompany us then, Neti,” Ramesses said, drawing her attention to him. “You will tell Shabaka when you see him?”
Neti saw Neferronpet’s uneasy shifting but nodded in reply.
“Good. Now eat, girl. I want you to be present when they question those men.” He turned toward Neferronpet. “Have the royal barge prepared. We will leave after sunrise two days from now. Have a messenger sent to inform the princes of our delay.”
“Yes, my Lord,” Neferronpet replied, taking his leave, his back held up stiffly.
Neti stepped out of the hall, her mind still drifting to her conversation with Maathorneferure, when one of the servants caught her by the arm. The young woman looked around before dragging her into one of the alcoves created by one of the supporting pillars. Neti felt a frown form on her forehead at the woman’s actions. The action accentuated the mild pounding that had steadily started along her temple.
The young girl looked at her tentatively, then asked uncertainly, “Is it true?”
Neti felt her frown deepen at the question, not understanding it. “Is what true?” Neti asked bemusedly.
The young servant girl lowered her voice as she spoke. “The rumor about the curse.”
“Which curse?”
“The one cast on the nursemaid,” the young woman whispered, almost as if fearing that if she spoke it aloud the curse would be brought down upon her, too.
Neti’s gaze dropped to the ground as she thought back to the previous afternoon. It felt like a lifetime ago, and she remembered that she and Shabaka had contemplated using the curse to their advantage. Still half in thought, she nodded. Suddenly the young woman gasped, and Neti looked up at her.
“I knew it! I just knew it! I told her, but she would not believe me. Said it was her own carelessness that caused the flatbread to burn this morning. She never burns flatbread!”
Neti looked at her, feeling utterly confused, and shook her head before asking, “Who are you talking about?”
“Iaret, she bakes all the bread, and this morning she burned the flatbreads. They were the nursemaid’s favorite,” The young woman exclaimed.
Neti just looked at the woman, asking, “And you are?”
“Kheti,” the woman quickly replied.
Neti looked at the girl for a moment, not in the mood to humor questions regarding curses of the dead and actions that could be taken for protection from them, and made to pass her, when the woman gripped her arm again. “No, wait,” the girl said, reaching for her hand. “I do not want to be cursed for this. Neither does any of the kitchen staff.”
“For what?”
The young woman looked about again before whispering, “It’s about the nursemaid.”
Neti turned toward the woman, fighting hard to contain the frustration she felt, and indicated for the girl to continue.
“Just before Nebty went missing, she and Khay had an argument.”
Neti took a deep breath and nodded before asking, “When was this?”
“A few days before you arrived,” Kheti replied quickly.
Neti thought matters over, trying to arrange her thoughts. “Do you know what they were arguing about?”
Kheti shook her head. “I was too far from them to hear all the details, but I do remember Nebty saying something about having made certain that he would not get what he wanted until he had given her what she wanted.”
“And you have no idea what they were talking about?”
Kheti shook her head again. “No. But they often argued. Some of the others have also seen them. Heneith says she once heard him tell Nebty that she would be sorry if she tried to stop him.”
“And Heneith is?’
“One of the serving girls.”
“I see,” Neti replied. “And you have no idea what he meant?”
“No, but will it help, just in case we are cursed?” Kheti asked earnestly.
“Yes, thank you,” Neti replied calmly. Then, just as Kheti made to leave, Neti grabbed her by the arm. “Do you know if Chay and Neferronpet ever crossed words?”
“The new vizier?” the girl asked in disbelief before shaking her head. “No, not that I know of. Neferronpet was always asking questions and was keen on learning. They worked well together. But I could ask the others if you like.”
“No, that’s fine.”
Neti moved down the passage, her gaze lowered toward the ground as she walked. She was so deep in thought that she nearly walked right into Neferronpet. “Oh! Sorry, I did not see you there,” she said quickly when he caught her by the shoulders.
“You appear to be deep in thought.”
“I am. Sorry, there is just so much that has happened lately, and I was trying to make sense of it all.”
“Come, I will walk with you to your chamber. I assume that is where you are going?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Neferronpet gestured for her to move off and then fell into step next to her, keeping some distance between them.
“Are you looking forward to the trip to Memphis? It must be exciting for you, your first trip as the new vizier,” Neti said fretfully, swallowing at the lump in her throat.
“I have seen the city,” Neferronpet calmly replied. “Have you seen the city?”
“Only the dockside, on our way here.”
“I should show you around then when we get there,” Neferronpet suggested calmly.
“I would not want to keep you from your duties.”
“We will not always be in negotiations; there will be time for me to show you around.”
Neti looked at him, her heart pounding in her throat, as she replied, “I must first speak with Shabaka before I can make any plans. If he is unable to go then I will remain here with him.”
“I see,” Neferronpet replied, his jaw tightening. “You take a vested interest in his health.”
“As he does mine. It is strange when he is not about. I feel kind of like I am hanging.”
“Are you certain that is all it is?”
Neti took a deep breath, her gaze dropping to the ground, before she slowly shook her head. “I don’t know anymore. So much has happened, and I’m so confused. I need him to help me make sense of everything.”
“Everything as in the murders, or everything as in everything?” Neferronpet pushed.
“I don’t know. Everything is a mess. I need to find out how injured he is…”
“But you were at the house of life last night.”
“His healer would not tell me anything, and then I met his brother, and now Ramesses wants me to be present when the guards question the men from the docks, and I have absolutely no idea what they should be asking or looking for. I really need to find out from Shabaka if there is anything he remembers.”
“I see,” Neferronpet replied, but Neti could hear the restraint in his voice. “You need some time. I will be patient and let you go to him so that you can be certain about what you want.”
Neti looked at him in confusion. “Neferronpet, please understand, I have no desire to hurt anyone.”
“What is there to understand?” Neferronpet replied, his voice firm as they came to a stop before her chamber. “You have told me he is like a friend to you, someone you help, and I understand that. I, too, had a demanding mentor. It is just difficult to accept that you care for him and to see your indecision. This should not demand as much from you.”
“It seems fairly unavoidable at the moment,” Neti countered. “He is the one who put
s everything together. I cannot do this on my own. I never meant for you to get caught up in this.”
“Coming from you, I believe it. You were the first one not to look at me for my position and see me as a good catch. It was nice to have to pursue a lady for once, not have her shamelessly throw herself at me to procure my attentions.”
“I don’t know what to say to that.”
“Just know that I’ll still be here once you have sorted things out.”
Neti nodded. “Thank you for understanding.”
“You should go,” Neferronpet said, indicating her chamber’s door.
Neti nodded and stepped toward the door, only to halt and turn back to him. “Neferronpet.”
“Yes?”
“Can I ask you something about Khay?”
“Does it have to do with his death?”
“Possibly.”
“Sure, whatever I can do to help.”
“Do you know whether Khay and the princess’ nursemaid often argued?”
Neferronpet dropped his gaze and remained silent for a while before answering, “No, not that I know of. He did mention that he had a problem with her wanting to go off somewhere just before you arrived. She wanted to go see her family for some reason, and he denied her. She left anyway. He was going to see to it when she got back.”
“I see,” Neti replied calmly.
“Why do you ask? You don’t think she has something to do with his death, do you?”
“I considered it,” Neti confessed, nodding and pinching her lips. “But since we have discovered her body, it’s no longer possible.”
“I think I understand why you feel like this. I too am confused by it, but unlike you, I do not need to make sense of it.”
Neti sighed in response. “I just tell Shabaka my thoughts and findings.”
“So he really needs you to do this?”
Neti shrugged her shoulders. “I’m certain he could do it just as well with someone else.”
“But unlike you, they would not be as vested in discovering the truth. You seek the truth. It’s what I like most about you.”
Princess of Egypt (The Mummifier's Daughter) (Volume 2) Page 11
