18
THE FOLLOWING AFTERNOON, Neti summoned Moses and had him relay to Ramesses that she had come to a conclusion.
The young man eagerly relayed the message to the pharaoh and returned to inform her that the pharaoh had called a general assembly, where she was to give her conclusion.
Neti carefully selected the papyrus scrolls she intended to use and sent Moses to collect one of the wine urns she had instructed to be kept aside.
Everything was moved to the assembly hall, and when Ramesses saw the magnitude of documents, he instructed for a series of wooden tables to be brought in. Neti carefully arranged everything and watched as the room started to fill with dignitaries. She watched as Neferronpet looked her over indifferently, though she did not flinch.
Her heart hammered in her throat as the room continued to fill. She swallowed hard when Shabaka and his brother took up their positions with the others. Shabaka appeared taken aback to find her in the center of the room, which was indication enough to Neti that Ramesses had not disclosed the purpose of the gathering beforehand.
Moses stood calmly next to her as the palace guards brought in a shackled Ghazeb. He looked around him and then glared at Neti.
Ramesses, Maathorneferure, and Princess Ri-Hanna were the last to enter the hall, with everyone falling to one knee as they continued to their thrones.
“You may rise,” Ramesses commanded as they took their seats. Moments later, the great gilded doors closed with a resounding thud, causing everyone in the room to look among themselves.
Ramesses rose from his throne. “My esteemed citizens of Pi-Ramesses, the palace has in recent weeks had a number of injustices imposed upon it. These injustices were handed to my prefect, Shabaka,” Ramesses gestured to where Shabaka sat, “and his cohort, Neti-Kerty.” Ramesses indicated Neti, who blanched a little under the gaze of the others. “I will now allow her to disclose their findings.”
Neti swallowed as she looked about the room, taking a deep breath before she spoke. Though she had prepared to brief Ramesses on her findings, she had not thought it would happen before a gathered assembly. She took a deep, calming breath before addressing Ramesses. “Six crimes, my Lord, as you know: the death of Nebty; the murder of Vizier Khay; the poisoning of our queen; the murder of your healer, Nakhtpaaten; an attack on your prefect, Shabaka; and the attempted poisoning of the dignitaries on the royal bark.”
Various exclamations of disbelief went up throughout the hall as Neti listed the incidents, growing especially strong at the mention of the queen’s poisoning.
Ramesses lifted his hand to call for silence, and everyone complied.
“At first glance, they appear to be a series of random crimes, random acts inflicted on various people for unknown reasons. It is only on closer scrutiny that it became evident to me that a number of them were related, as did the realization of the repercussions they would have for Egypt if the person involved was to succeed. The unrest the loss of a queen and a prince would create in our neighbors was my first concern, for it could throw us back into war with the Hittites and Nubians.”
A low murmur began, and Ramesses once again lifted his hand, though it took a little longer for the hall to fall silent.
“However, the person behind the original attack was forced to improvise. These improvisations indicate that, unlike my first deduction, these were not calculated attacks against the palace or you, my Lord, but rather related to a personal vendetta.”
“Explain!” Ramesses demanded.
“All of the crimes are related, except two: Shay’s and Nebty’s murders.” Another murmur began, but Neti continued, indicating Ghazeb. “Though Ghazeb appears to be responsible for the men who attacked Prince Shabaka,” Ghazeb glared at her, “he was simply following an instruction issued from the palace, as he has many times before.” The murmurs in the hall rose markedly, and Ramesses lifted his hand for silence. Neti reached for the scrolls and held them up for everyone to see. “All of his previous orders were authorized by Vizier Khay and sealed with the royal seal. The handwriting in all the scrolls matches Khay’s—all except one.” Neti placed the sheaf of opened scrolls on the table and lifted up another. “This one does not match, nor was it sealed with the royal seal. It was, however, borne by one of the palace messengers, confirming its origin as the palace. Its seal indicated that whoever sent it had contact with the healer Nakhtpaaten, for it was Nakhtpaaten’s seal that was used—after his death.” Neti took a deep breath before continuing. “It is this fact that connects this person to Nakhtpaaten’s murder and the poisoning of our queen.”
The room buzzed as everyone speculated about who she could be implying.
“You have proof of this?”
“Yes,” Neti was quick to reply. She reached for another sheaf of paper. “This is a recipe for fiery poison, the same poison that was used to poison the queen’s wine. It was found in the healer’s home.”
“That proves noting!” someone from the back said.
“The hieroglyph formations on this recipe match those on the note authorizing Shabaka’s attack.”
“How do you know it was not the healer?” the same voice from the back challenged, this time causing several to turn and look in its direction.
“The healer was already dead for several days before the message left the message hall.”
“He still could have written it.”
“That would imply that my messengers take days to deliver official messages in the city!” the manager of the messenger hall, Hateth, said angrily. “I will have no such thing said of my runners!”
“But if this is so, why kill the healer only to use his seal?” Ramesses asked.
“As I said before, some of the events were improvised. The death of the healer was one such event. Maathorneferure was steadily poisoned over a long period of time; a large dose would only have made her ill and therefore alerted her to what was happening. The execution was well planned, with the person knowing that Maathorneferure preferred the wines of her homeland and that they were specially acquired for her. What this person did not know was that there is a means to test for poison, which is what the healer did and the reason he was murdered.”
Neti lifted her bag of slivers from the table and held it up for everyone to see. “What the murderer did not realize was that more of those slivers could be acquired, and that those he took were not the only ones. This is also why he thought it safe to poison the wine intended for use on the royal bark.”
“That would imply that whoever did this has free access to everywhere in the palace,” Sahure challenged. “There are only a few with such access.”
Neti looked at the treasury advisor. “Yes, and you are one of them.”
The man glared at her before lashing out, “So you say I did this?”
“No. The person who did this has had full access for some time and planned it meticulously without drawing any attention to himself.” Neti turned to the table, this time picking up a hefty scroll. “The hieroglyph formations on both of the notes match those of Vizier Neferronpet.”
The entire hall turned to look at Neferronpet, who looked bemusedly at Neti before he spoke. “I imagine this elaborate display is some form of retaliation for my rejection of you yesterday.”
Everyone looked at Neti, who visibly braced herself at the words. “Just what did you hope to accomplish by implying that I would go to such elaborate means as poisoning our queen? I find it a bitter act of spite for my refusal to be associated with someone who thinks nothing of cheating on her potential partner.”
Neti saw out of the corner of her eye how Shabaka stiffened at the man’s words, but she did not flinch in her response. “I have no ill intent. What I speak I know to be the truth.”
“And how is that?” he challenged snidely.
“By your own admission and actions.”
“My actions? I think everyone here can account for my past actions and loyalty; yours, however, is questionable.”
&n
bsp; Neti took a deep breath to steady her nerves and squared her shoulders, unwilling to show even the slightest sign of weakness. She shifted her gaze away from him and returned the scroll to the table. “Yes, your actions have been commendable, your dedication and loyalty to your superior, Khay, well commended and spoken of. Your position as his assistant allowed you unchallenged access to anywhere in the palace. You had access to his contacts,” she said, gesturing toward Ghazeb, “and you understood the procedures. Your undivided loyalty would not cause suspicion when the queen became ill. But then Khay was murdered.”
“Oh, so now you are going to claim I killed him as well.”
“No. Your plan would have worked better with him alive. His murder only placed suspicion on you at first, for you were the most likely successor but did not need to be rid of him to execute your plan.”
“And just why would I want to harm our queen?”
“Your father.” Neti saw him flinch. “I was drawn to the tale of your father, how he held a position similar to Shabaka’s and died in the battle of Kadesh while serving his pharaoh. What I failed to note then was the restrained anger in your voice as you relayed the story. It was only yesterday when you addressed Shabaka and I that I noticed your underlying scorn for Shabaka’s holding the position your father once did.”
Neferronpet’s eyes narrowed, his fists clenching.
“You wanted to take from Ramesses the one person he is closest to, you wanted to hurt our pharaoh in revenge for the death of your father.”
“And why not?” Neferronpet lashed back harshly, shocking everyone in the hall. “All he gained from that battle is a peace treaty and a barren wife! She has never in all these years produced an heir. And for that I lost my father, an honorable man—for that! Egypt would be better off without the pharaoh and his barren queen!” he spat. Neferronpet cried out as two of the palace guards took hold of him, Neti only belatedly realizing that Ramesses had instructed them to approach. He continued to hurl insults at Ramesses, the queen, and Neti as they hauled him from the room, the others looking on in astonished disbelief.
Neti shrank visibly as he left the room. Ramesses spoke. “Do not fret over his words, my child, for one with such intentions is not worth the trouble.”
Neti nodded in response. “My Lord, if you have the guards search his home they will find the spearhead he used to kill Nakhtpaaten, and probably his seal as well.”
Ramesses indicated two guards to go.
“Is that all you have for us, my child?” Ramesses asked, turning his attention back to Neti. “Or can I hope that you have found the ones responsible for the other murders as well?”
Neti nodded.
“Then let us hear it.”
“As we know, the vizier died as a result of a scorpion sting, an event that was actually an act of chance that would not have occurred in such a manner had Shabaka and I not arrived from Thebes with the jewels that had been stolen.”
“I do not follow,” Ramesses replied. “You are telling me that you and Shabaka have something to do with this?”
“No, only our arrival. As Sahure can confirm, our arrival necessitated the opening of the gem store. The scorpions inside required capture and were readily available enough to anyone who wanted to use them.”
“But who would want to harm my vizier? As you said, Neferronpet’s plan would have worked without the murder of Khay.”
“Someone who was forced into something,” Neti replied. “Someone who, for her own reputation and that of her family, did not want it known. Someone who reached out to the only person she knew she could trust.” Neti turned toward Ramesses and indicated one of the people sitting next to him. “Princess Ri-Hanna.”
Everyone in the hall gasped in shock as Ramesses turned to his daughter, noting her distended eyes and retracted appearance.
“Is it true?” Ramesses demanded firmly.
The princess swallowed and nodded hesitantly.
“You lay with the vizier?”
“He made me. He said if I didn’t he would make sure you sent Homer away. He made me do all these…these things. He said that until I conceived his child he would make me do whatever he wanted.”
“And you did not think to come and tell me?”
“Why would you believe me? You think I’m just a silly girl! You have no idea what it’s like, having a man like that touch you, stick his thing in you when you don’t want it, when you hate it, all the while knowing that your father thinks so highly of him, that he is your father’s right-hand man. Why would you listen to me? The only ones who helped me were Nebty, who made sure I did not conceive his blasted offspring, and Homer!” Ri-Hanna said, leaping from her seat.
“Homer helped you in this?” Ramesses demanded.
Ri-Hanna suddenly drew back, swallowing hard.
“Yes, my Lord, and if you punish her, you may as well punish me, too,” Homer said, stepping away from the others.
Ramesses looked at the young man, tilting his head. “I have long known of your attraction to my daughter, and hers to you. What I did not realize was the foundation of it. Just what part did you play in all this?”
“I took two of the scorpions from the storage chamber, and Ri-Hanna let me into his home when he was asleep.”
“I see,” Ramesses said, indicating for the guards to take Homer away.
“No, Father!’ Ri-Hanna exclaimed, but he indicated for guards to take her away as well.
“You will remain in custody until I come up with a suitable punishment for both of you.”
Ramesses then turned his attention back to Neti as Homer and Ri-Hanna were led out of the hall. “I suspect you can tell me about Nebty, as well.”
Neti shook her head. “Other than the instruction to Ghazeb to supply a jackal, there is nothing. I suspect Khay found out about the tea Nebty was giving the princess, and that that was the reason for the disagreements the servants witnessed. But I have not found any application for leave among Khay’s documents, and I can only suppose he might have had something to do with her death. I have nothing to back up such a claim, however.”
“You have done well enough, my child, to make sense of all this.”
“Thank you, my Lord,” Neti said, inclining her head.
“As a reward, you may ask for anything you wish.”
Neti looked up at him and then at everyone in the hall, her gaze lingering on Shabaka for several moments before she spoke. “I would like to go home.”
Ramesses looked at her in disbelief. “I offer you anything within my power, and you ask to return home?”
“Yes, my Lord. There are people there who care about me, and I about them. I miss them.”
“I see. Then so it shall be, but on my conditions.”
Neti stiffened at the words, her heart heavy. “Yes, my Lord.”
“I will arrange for your return. However, you have a skill that has proven useful to me on several occasions,” Ramesses began, indicating Moses. “It is something that has captivated his interests as well. I will arrange for you return home provided you remain in my service as a secondary prefect in Thebes. You will return with Shabaka, who will be your partner. You work well together and I have no desire to separate you.” Neti nodded, her heart pounding in her throat. “Moses will also accompany you. He has taken a keen interest in what you do and would be of better service to me with you than here as a messenger.”
“Thank you, my Lord!” Moses’ excited response came as he looked at Neti.
“I will have the appointment made official, but for now I need to consider the proper recourse for those offenders.”
Ramesses indicated that the session was over by tapping his staff on the floor. The occupants rose from their seats, a buzz starting among them as they discussed the proceedings while making for the door.
Ghazeb looked at Neti as the guards led him past her, and then inclined his head in acknowledgment. Neti did the same.
It was an action that did not go unnoticed by the
pharaoh, who instructed the guards to halt. Turning to Neti, he asked, “What of him?”
Neti looked at Ghazeb before turning to the pharaoh. “He has served the palace, my Lord. Not in the most honorable way, but he has followed instructions from your men.”
Ramesses looked at the man and nodded. “Yes, he has. Let him go.”
Ghazeb looked from one to the other in astonishment, but cringed as Ramesses said in a harsh tone, “But if you or any of your men ever attack one of my officials, even by order, I will not be as lenient.”
“Yes, my Lord. Thank you, my Lord.” the man said, bowing.
Shabaka stood next to Neti and Moses as the hall cleared.
THE END
19
Truth and fiction
I hope you have enjoyed reading the latest adventures of our heroes Neti-Kerty and Shabaka as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Because of the multitude of characters and locations where the action takes place in this book, I have decided to unpack what is historically accurate and what simply sprang from my wild imagination:
The city of Pi-Ramesses was a real city built by Ramesses II. Unfortunately, not much is known about it today. For a long time it was even suspected that the city of Tanis, situated a few kilometers to the north, actually was the legend-shrouded old capital Pi-Ramesses. This error came about primarily because columns and other building elements discovered in Tanis were categorized with certainty as belonging to the Pharaoh’s palace in Pi-Ramesses.
It was only later that more was learned about the sad fate of Pi-Ramesses. Shortly after the death of Ramesses II, the arm of the Nile Delta on whose banks the city had been raised already began to silt up; because of this, the city’s important trade routes to the interior of the country gradually dried up and along with it the life-giving water source without which a city of this size could not survive. During this time, many of the buildings, columns and altars in Pi-Ramesses were taken down and transported to near-by Tanis for use there as building material.
Princess of Egypt (The Mummifier's Daughter) (Volume 2) Page 18
