“What have you discovered?” Shabaka asked, after having exchanged greetings.
“Well, not much,” Moses replied, just as the medjay captain joined them, sending Neti a warm smile, which she returned.
“Let’s hear it then,” Shabaka spoke firmly, somewhat louder than necessary, which caused Neti to frown and look at him.
“Well, it seems that Rawler was indeed a good man. He had no outstanding debts, but had a few small ones owed for some stonework he had done. However, none so excessive that anyone would kill for them.
“How much?” the captain asked.
“A few hepar wheat, a shenkel of grain and four pots in total.”
Shabaka nodded absentmindedly at the young man’s words, “Did you question them?”
“Yes, the one paid the widow while I was there, and the other two are out in the fields at the moment, helping with the harvest, so I will speak with them when they return tonight.”
“We have also discovered some things in the way-camp that might point to a likely killer,” Shabaka said, before turning to Neti.
Neti nodded and opened her satchel, searching through its contents, finally extracting the chisel and holding it out to Moses, “You will need to make an impression of this.”
Moses took the tool from her, looking it over, before asking, “Where did you get it?”
“At the way-camp,” Neti replied, “It was wrapped in a rag.” She then turned to the captain, “We will need someone to collect some blue oil of vitriol from Deir-el-Bahari.”
“The blue oil of what?” the man asked, confused.
“Ask any of the priests for blue oil, they know what it is.”
“What do you need it for?” Moses asked.
“I need to test for blood.”
“Why don’t you go there then?” the captain asked.
Neti shifted her weight from one foot to the other, before answering, “We have been traveling all morning, I am tired. Besides, I will not be allowed to perform the test there.”
“Why not?” Moses was quick to question.
“You will understand when we do it,” Neti replied shortly, causing Moses to frown. “Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to go rest. Let me know when the oil has been collected.”
Moses turned his head to watch her move off, before shaking it and turning his gaze to Shabaka, “What in Ra’s name have you done?”
“What do you mean, what have I done?” Shabaka demanded.
“Yesterday, when you returned from the river, you were the one in a mood, and she was the quiet one. Now, you are the one scared to talk, while she . . . I actually don’t know what she is, and that is enough for me to know that you are somehow involved. I have never known her to be like this.”
“And because of that, you think I did something?”
“What else can it be? You two went off to the village together.”
“Well I didn’t do anything. If anything, she shocked me speechless.”
“Really?” Moses said, taking a sudden interest in Shabaka’s reluctance, “How?”
“Let’s just say she knows things, that yes, well, it’s not comfortable. And she said some stuff to Nameb and his men that would make you red.”
“In anger or embarrassment,” Moses challenged.
Shabaka simply glared at Moses.
“You really took her with you to question Nameb and his cohorts?” the captain asked.
“Why else did you think I’d take her?” Shabaka replied, more fervidly than he possibly should have, his voice a clear indication of his poorly contained frustration. “She saw the blood on one of the men’s clothes, while Nameb was rambling on about false accusations and female cohorts.”
“Well, there is answer enough as to her mood,” the captain replied.
“What do you mean?” Moses asked.
“Let’s just say Nameb has a reputation with women, and his men are less than restrained with their thoughts. I do not know of a single woman they would not accost, they’re like the pharaoh’s hunting dogs after a blooded antelope. I have seen many girls scamper off just at their approach.”
“And you took her there?” Moses demanded, “What’s wrong with you?”
“Hey, I didn’t know he’d come onto her like that, and, besides, she held her own. It’s not as if she went cowering in a corner or seemed intimidated by them. If anything, she put them in their place with some really scary truths.”
Well, then, if everything went as you claim, why is she like that?”
“Woman’s troubles,” the guard halfheartedly injected, causing both Moses and Shabaka to look at him, with Shabaka glaring at the man. “Hey, just a thought,” the man said, lifting his hands in defense.
Shabaka tried to prevent his thoughts from drifting to the events of the night before and her response to him. He had not for a moment considered that her reaction toward him could have been based on something so simple, something entirely different from the reason he had thought. And the more he thought about it, the more he came to realize that it could also be why she had not seemed weary of Nameb and his men. For if they discovered that she was on her menses, they would have left her alone. He still did not understand the separation and seclusion that was imposed on women during such times. His mother had once said that they go to ask the gods for a child, a strong son for her husband, so that his eye would not wander. It was only later that Shabaka learned what it meant and why women secluded themselves.
* * *
The following morning, the guard returned from Deir-el-Bahari with the oil and handed it to Shabaka, “They said to be careful with it—it burns skin—and to remain well clear, whatever that means,” the guard hesitantly said, as he handed over the vial.
Shabaka looked at the small vial of liquid he held and frowned, and then looked toward Moses, who was once again inspecting the chisel. He had made the impression on a clay mound, and it had appeared similar to the one Neti had drawn. “Come, we had best go find Neti,” Shabaka hesitantly said.
Moses looked at him, lifting a brow, “You scared she will bite you?”
“No, it’s just I’ve never considered the possibility, and . . .” Shabaka ran out of words.
“I’m sure she’ll forgive you, she has a good heart.”
“Sometimes I think too good,” Shabaka deadpanned, as he made for the doorway. Moses followed him.
At the elderly lady’s home, where Neti was staying, the woman looked them over at first, and then glared at Shabaka, “You realize she nearly fainted yesterday from the heat and exhaustion!”
Shabaka was taken aback, especially since Neti had not said anything to him, “We really need to see her.”
“I’ll see if she is up yet.”
The woman’s words concerned Shabaka, and he turned to look at Moses, “Do you think she is ill?”
Moses shrugged his shoulders in response, and both turned to look at the doorway as the cloth was drawn aside.
“Shabaka, Moses,” Neti said in greeting, somewhat demurely.
Her pale appearance took Shabaka aback as he made to speak, however, he was prevented. “You have the oil,” Neti said, pointing to the vial he held.
Shabaka nodded in response, before shaking his head, “It can wait.”
“It is not a problem,” Neti said, turning from them, “Let me just get my sandals and satchel, and then we can go.”
The elderly woman again appeared in the doorway, “You must rest. The sun is already strong.”
“I will be fine. I have water, and we are only going quickly outside the village.”
The woman turned to look at Shabaka and Moses, her gaze narrowing some.
Neti stepped from the home, and fell in step with Shabaka and Moses.
The silence drew on and finally became heavy as they approached the village gates, “What’s wrong?” Moses asked, as Neti checked her stride.
Shabaka’s hands clenched into fists, and he threw Moses a warning glare. However, the
young man’s attention was centered on Neti, who replied, “I had too much sun yesterday and not enough water.”
“You feel weak?” Moses asked.
Neti nodded.
“I must ask the guards if they have some salt, as it often helps,” Moses said, as they turned the corner of the village’s wall.
“I’ve already had salt, but thank you.”
“So, where are we going?”
“Over there, by those rocks, should be fine,” she said, pointing to a group of rocks not far from them.
Drawing the cloth from the satchel, she turned to Moses, “May I borrow your dagger?”
“Sure. What are you doing?” he asked, withdrawing the dagger from his sash.
Placing the cloth on the stone, she cut off a piece of cloth that had blood on it.
“What is that? Man, it stinks.”
“It’s from one of Nameb’s men,” Neti replied, stuffing the excess material back into the satchel.
“I don’t think any amount of washing will take away that stench,” Moses said.
Neti placed the piece of fabric on the stone and then turned toward Shabaka. Extending her hand, she asked, “vial, please?”
Shabaka handed her the vial, and Neti turned toward the stone. Carefully pulling the stopper from the vial, she tipped it, dispensing a few drops onto the cloth.
“But, that is not blue,” Shabaka stated, moments before smoke curled up from the fabric, followed by a pungent odor. Neti stepped back several steps, holding her breath.
“By Ra! That stinks!” Moses exclaimed, “Now I understand why you brought us outside the city, I cannot imagine what the response to this would be.”
“He was telling the truth,” Neti said, taking very slow breaths.
“Who?” Shabaka asked.
“The man to whom these clothes belong,” Neti said, turning to Shabaka, again extending her hand, indicating for him to take the vial, “The blood is animal.”
“How do you know?” Moses asked, turning his full attention to Neti.
“Animal blood smells different from human blood when the oil of vitriol is added,” Neti stated, moving to a different rock.
Moses hesitantly approached the charred remains of the fabric, “It’s burned the material, there’s nothing left of it.”
Neti cut a section from another piece of cloth, which Shabaka recognized as having been wrapped around the chisel they had found, and placed it on the stone. She again took the oil from him, giving him a shy smile, as she turned toward the rock.
This time, better prepared for the effects to follow, both Shabaka and Moses held their breath as Neti dripped some of the oil onto the fabric. She quickly stepped back, as smoke started to curl from the fabric.
“By Ra! That is ten times worse!” Moses exclaimed, even having held his breath, he choked. “It smells like burning flesh!”
“That is human blood, the meat the men eat makes for that smell,” Neti sat, putting the stopper back into the vial, ensuring that it was firmly closed.
Shabaka turned to her, “That proves that the blood on the cloth is human.”
“Yes, but it does not tell us if it is Rawler’s; it just verifies that this is a murder,” Neti turned to Moses, “Have you made the impression yet?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“It matches.”
“So, the murder weapon was moved after the crime,” Shabaka said, “But that still does not give us a reason, and if whatever Rawler was killed for was in his home, there is no way we could even started to search for anyone guilty.
“The bag of grain was the biggest of the debts owed him, and both the farmers were here when the murder occurred,” Moses added.
“It seems as though we have more questions than answers at the moment, and no one left to question,” Shabaka mused.
“What do we do now?” Moses asked.
“We can either remain here for a few more days to see if anything develops, or we return to Thebes. It is almost full moon, and Ramesses will be here soon. We have to assist with the festival.”
“What do you mean?” Moses questioned in confusion, “We cannot just let it go!”
“I’m not saying that we should. We are part of the official party who is to receive the pharaoh, and there are still a great number of things needing to be arranged before his arrival. Once the festival has passed, we will continue our search. Hopefully, by then, whoever is responsible will have grown careless, or while lightening his heart with wine will have spoken something of his deeds, possibly even during the festival.
“So, we will return to Thebes?” Moses asked.
“Yes, but first Neti must rest.”
“This should be returned to the priests,” Neti said, indicating the vial.
“We will take it to them during our return, I will arrange for chariots to take us to the landing tomorrow.”
11
ON THE DAY OF RAMESSES’ ARRIVAL, message came by footman that the royal bark had been spotted, and Neti made her way to the waterfront. A jubilant energy filled the city, as its inhabitants prepared for the festival. Women sang lively songs, as they ground flour for bread. Men bartered for wine and goods, while many young children spent hours in the fields, picking flowers that were carefully woven into reefs. However, once the message spread of the pharaoh’s impending arrival, the citizens of Thebes descended on the waterfront in droves, welcoming their god-king.
The palace guards cleared a path through the masses, allowing the official welcoming party through. Neti stood tall next to Shabaka, having not had any contact with him since their return. Moses had visited and kept her informed as to the festival arrangements, but never really spoke of Shabaka.
They were positioned behind the new mayor and the elders, with Moses and the chief guard behind them. Neti looked over the occupants of the royal bark, recognizing the senior officials she had met while at the palace, along with the newly elected vizier. The man was older than Neferronpet had been, and at the thought of him, Neti closed her eyes to counter the sense of dejection that filled her, which was quickly replaced with anger for her credulity at the time. The more contact she had with powerful people, the more twisted they seemed, so much so that she found it difficult to trust people—other than those in her immediate circle.
She bowed her head in acknowledgment as each of them passed, yet was taken aback when Homer appeared from the ship.
“That I did not expect,” Neti said, turning her head to her left.
“The pharaoh must have pardoned him because of his duty at the palace and his loyalty to the royal family,” Moses replied.
“I did not think of that,” Neti honestly replied, glancing back to the quay, just as Ri-Hanna appeared, “And from the looks of it they have been married—I don’t remember receiving any news of it.”
“It would not have been announced. It is not an allegiance marriage, and she would not be leaving the palace,” Shabaka deadpanned, causing Neti to turn to look at him, her brow marring at the distance in his voice, knowing that in all likelihood he might one day be called on to make such a match. She immediately shut down that train of thought, before it took hold, and turned her gaze toward the bark where a tall woman with almost hawkish features disembarked.
“Who is that?” Neti was quick to question, looking as a younger man appeared at her side.
“Oh, great,” Moses sarcastically replied, “That’s all we need.”
“Who is she?”
“Queen Istnofret and her son, Merenptah. He was recently crowned the crown prince,” Shabaka flatly answered.
Neti turned to look at him, “You do not like her.”
Shabaka made to answer, but then said nothing, causing Neti to turn toward Moses.
“Let’s just say, it is complicated,” Moses replied.
“And you think I will not understand,” Neti was quick to reply.
“It is too complex a matter to discuss here,” Shabaka hissed.
&
nbsp; Neti nodded in response and again turned toward the bark, “Where is Maathorneferure?”
Shabaka stiffened next to her, before flatly answering, “Maathorneferure does not attend the festivals.”
“Because she is Hittite?”
“No,” Moses quickly replied, “She has not produced a child, and most of the festivals are centered on fertility and the pharaoh’s virility.”
“It is best that way. She does not mind,” Shabaka replied.
His tone held a note of reprimand, which irked Neti some. “And is that how you think it should be? That because she has not given him a child, she should be excluded?”
“I said no such thing,” Shabaka quickly countered, turning his head to look at her, “But in his position, it is understandable. Besides, you were the one who said it could take some time before she recovered fully from the poisoning. I would think she would enjoy the peace of the palace with everyone gone.”
Neti somehow doubted it, and she turned to look at Ramesses as he disembarked from the bark. His limp seemed more pronounced to her, and he walked with the help of a cane. She watched, as he looked around him, waving at those gathered with his free hand. However, his expression seemed grim. “He does not seem happy.”
“Having traveled with Istnofret, I am not surprised,” Moses was quick to add.
Neti turned to look at Shabaka, “You accompanied him last year, so this marks a full year in Thebes. You are thinking of returning to the palace?”
Shabaka looked at her as he spoke, “Last year, Ramesses asked me to look into the matter of the missing gems, and also to see why the reports of increased vagrants and crimes were reaching the palace. I remained on his request. Back then, it was only supposed to be for a short period of time until the matter had been resolved.”
“Surely you will return to the palace now?” Neti asked, a tightening sensation wrapped around her heart as she awaited his reaction.
Shabaka visibly swallowed before answering, “The palace holds nothing for me. I have come to enjoy Thebes in the time I have been here, I feel . . . at ease here, as if I have found my place.” He then impishly added, “Besides, someone needs to maintain the peace in the pharaoh’s absence, and he’s too much of a weakling to do it.” Shabaka said, nudging his head toward Moses.
The Curse of Anubis - A Mystery in Ancient Egypt (The Mummifier's Daughter Series Book 3) Page 11
