“Weakling!” Moses exclaimed in disbelief.
“There have been fewer problems in Thebes since our return from the palace, that is good,” Shabaka avowed.
They watched as Ramesses approached them, his cane tapping on the wooden pier. Neti felt her brow furrow before she whispered, “His pace has slowed since we took leave of him last time.”
“He has not been following the healer’s instructions, again,” Moses was quick to reply. “He eats too much meat, and it pains his bones. He knows that it is bad, but argues with anyone who reprimands him for it. He says it is no good being pharaoh, if he does not get to enjoy the food his people take such care to produce.”
“That sounds surprisingly like him,” Neti said smiling, moments before Ramesses came to stand before them.
“My trusted prefects,” Ramesses addressed them.
Neti, Moses and Shabaka lowered to their knees. “My lord,” they spoke in unison.
“Rise, my children, for we have much to see to.”
They rose from their respectful positions.
“Welcome to Thebes, my Lord, you will find that everything has been arranged, as you instructed,” the man next to them said, causing Ramesses to look at his newly appointed mayor.
“As I expect it to be,” Ramesses replied, his voice distantly cold, one Neti had long since come to realize was the one he used with people he did not fully trust.
“Yes, my Lord,” the man hastily replied, reminding Neti of her earlier reflection, and that many did not know the pharaoh as she did.
“We will talk tonight,” Ramesses said, before moving on.
“Tonight?” Neti thought, “I do not know of any arrangements.” She was just about to turn to Shabaka, when the queen came to stand before them. Neti felt her spine stiffen at the woman’s perusal of them—especially her—and quickly tried to remember if she had any stains on her slip, but knew it was one of the slips Maathorneferure had given her.
The woman looked her up and down, lifting her brow some, before scoffing and continuing along.
“Is she always so . . . so . . .” Neti was not certain as to what she should call her and visibly shuddered once the woman had passed.
“Bumptious,” Moses inserted.
Neti made to answer, but was cut off by a familiar voice, “Yes,” causing them to look at the young princess and the court scribe.
“Don’t even bother yourself with her,” Ri-Hanna said, “She has always been like that. As a matter of fact, she has been at my father for most of the trip that he should step down.”
“I can just imagine how he reacted to that,” Shabaka deadpanned.
“He has flatly refused to speak with her about it,” Homer added.
Neti smiled, noticing the glow in Ri-Hanna’s face as she spoke, “She’s livid, of course. She never got over the fact that Ramesses will never hold her in as high regard as he does my mother.”
Neti nodded in understanding, “You have come to celebrate with her.”
“Yes, although knowing my father, we won’t be permitted in her tomb. But he kept his last promise to her,” Ri-Hanna said, her eyes shining as she looked at Homer.
“Yes, I noticed you two were together,” Neti replied, smiling.
“Yes. My father insisted, in the hearing, that a man who would risk the pharaoh’s wrath and death by stoning is worthy of my hand. For he has shown that he truly cares about me and my needs, and he could not ask for more.”
“I am happy to hear that. You have since been married?” Neti asked.
Ri-Hanna nodded, smiling warmly, “I never thought he would allow it!”
Ri-Hanna looked between Neti and Shabaka, “Although I see little has changed between you two. Maathorneferure would be saddened to hear such news.”
Neti shook her head, thinking back over the last few days, and replied, “Sometimes it is not meant to be.”
“I will not ask for any more details,” Ri-Hanna said, as one of the officials behind her cleared his throat, adding, “But we can talk at the meal tonight. I will ask my father to place you next to me.” Then lowering her voice, “You don’t want to be anywhere near that old witch.”
Homer nodded in approval, “We have a lot to thank you for.”
* * *
The following morning, a long procession of joyful Thebians weaved their way to the Karnak temple, bearing large reefs of flowers and baskets filled to the brim with foodstuffs. Musicians, acrobats and jugglers were scattered among the crowd, singing and dancing, and many fought for a better position.
Women played their sistrum rattles, the distinctive sound mimicked that of the wind blowing through the papyrus reeds, while men beat on their drums in anticipation. Musicians pushed through the crowd, gathering before the first pylon on either side of the avenue of sphinxes, eagerly awaiting the appearance of the sacred shrine of Amun.
On the opposite side of the pillar, the royal party was gathered along with Neti and Shabaka. Neti shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she looked about her. Ever since that evening with Ma-Nefer she became wary whenever she entered the Karnak.
The group of priests appeared through the second pylon, bearing the heavy golden statuette of Amun, draped with flowers, with plumes of incense surrounding it as they slowly inched through the courtyard toward the waiting masses.
Neti fell in line with the others, glancing about her several times. For as long as she could remember, she had completed the procession with her parents and the other embalmers, who would follow some distance behind them. It seemed strange, starting the procession that close to the statue.
A loud cheer went up as Ramesses stepped through the first pylon, signaling the official start of the festival, and Neti swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, missing her parents even more, as the musicians struck up to lead the procession toward the river and the bark that would carry it to the west bank.
Her breath caught as she stepped through the first pylon, looking down at the multitude of people gathered to celebrate this day with their departed, and she stalled for a moment, causing the man behind her to hiss under his breath at her, and Shabaka to turn and look at her.
“Just pretend they are not there, it is what I do,” Shabaka said, focusing on some distant object.
She looked at him and then toward Queen Istnofret and her son, walking some distance ahead of her, and then back at him. The crown prince was attractive, much as she expected Ramesses had been in his youth. He had his father’s bowed nose and brow, with his mother’s eyes, although not as shrewd an expression as the queen. Yet, if she were to compare the two, she would still prefer Shabaka, for he had a certain humbleness to him that the young prince lacked.
Neti again turned her gaze to the queen and her son and noticed that Merenptah regularly glanced back, possibly toward them, only to look forward again at his mother’s instruction. They had not been introduced the night before. Ri-Hanna had filled her ears with chatter from Pi-Ramesses, until her ears had hurt. However, it was welcoming to hear that everyone was well, and wished her well.
“He seems nervous.”
“I would not trade places with him for all the grain and gold in Egypt,” Shabaka deadpanned.
Neti had limited contact with the queen the night before, but it was obvious that the woman made a point of looking down on others and reminding them that her son would be the next pharaoh.
“Does she always parade him around like that?”
“Whenever there is an official gathering.”
“I don’t remember seeing her at the palace when we were there.”
“Merenptah was campaigning at the time, and she remained with the harem.”
The statues of Emut and Khonsu also joined the procession, as they continued toward the river. The waiting bark was festooned with flowers. The guards, tasked with drawing it across the river, stood at attention as the statues were carefully loaded. Ramesses, along with the priests, also boarded the bark. The guar
ds lifted the heavy hessian woven rope from the water and systematically started to pull the bark toward the opposite side. Another bark appeared, also festooned with flowers and heavily laden with foodstuff, on which the remainder of the royal party and officials boarded.
Neti, Shabaka and Moses boarded the third bark, on which Neti settled to look out over the lake. Once full, the guards picked up the rope and started to draw the bark across. Their grunts and the rhythmic beating of the drum, along with the splash of water against the bark’s side was soothing, as Neti closed her eyes, simply soaking in the sensation of the sun on her skin. Drawing in a deep breath, the scent of the flowers filled her senses, reminding her of so many summer days, picking flowers as a child.
When she opened her eyes, she found Shabaka looking at her, as if confused, so she smiled at him, to which he responded with one of his own.
The disembarkment on the opposite bank took longer, with all the wine and foodstuffs needing to be offloaded and then loaded onto the provided drays.
A great number of people had crossed the river the day before in preparation for the festival, and they eagerly cheered and danced as the bark carrying the statues was maneuvered into the channel that would allow the guards to draw it along to the temple of Seti II.
A new group of acrobats and musicians took up their positions, as they sang, danced and juggled next to the bark, as it steadily progressed.
The participants were greeted by the priests, and Ramesses moved with them into the inner chambers, where prayers and chants were said. Those remaining within the hall festooned the statues with flower reefs, while the women played their rattles, humming lowly as they progressed along.
Again, a jubilant cheer rang out, indicating Ramesses’ reappearance, and he returned to the bark, which would be pulled along to the Deir-el-Bahari.
Ri-Hanna and Homer joined Neti and Shabaka, visibly relaxing as they steadily progressed along the road. “I never thought I’d get away from her,” Ri-Hanna said, when Merenptah once again looked over his shoulder at them, this time frowning.
“Is he like his mother?” Neti asked, indicating Merenptah.
Ri-Hanna looked from Neti to her half-brother and back, grinning some, as she replied, “You want to meet him?”
“That is not what I asked,” Neti replied.
“He’s not yet married,” Ri-Hanna added.
Neti shook her head in response, “I have no interest in becoming the queen of Egypt.”
“Strange, Maatie said you’d make quite a good queen.”
“She is biased,” Neti dismissed.
“She must have had someone else in mind,” Ri-Hanna dismissed, and then caught Neti’s eye, and nudged her head toward Shabaka.
Neti was, for a moment, taken aback, but then turned to look at him, noticing his strained expression and how he pinched his lips. Turning back to Ri-Hanna, she saw the twinkle in the girl’s eye, followed moments later by her stepping close to Neti and whispering, “It sometimes helps to get them jealous, let them know you have other options.”
Neti shook her head at the girl’s insistence, but then pointed toward Merenptah, “Are they the reason Maathorneferure does not accompany him?”
Ri-Hanna looked at the queen and shook her head, “Maathorneferure is not threatened by her. I told you that my mother and Maathorneferure were good friends before she died. Well, Istnofret has always wanted to be the great royal wife, and she is, but in title only. Besides, it’s only by fate that her son is crown prince, as he has outlived his brothers. Maathorneferure is not threatened by them. Were it not for her condition, she would not have hesitated to come this time.”
Neti frowned at that, not understanding.
“Maathorneferure is with child?” Shabaka hesitantly questioned.
“Yes, well, we think she is. She should know by the time we return to the palace.”
“Your father must be happy,” Neti replied, “I know Maathorneferure would be.”
“She’s uncertain still, but over the moon at the idea. Only those close to her know.”
They approached Deir-el-Bahari, and Neti started to look around her again.
“Who are you looking for?”
“Asim and Tea-Ka. They said they would join me here,” Neti replied.
Again, Ramesses accompanied the priests into the inner chambers, where they chanted and prayed. Because of the number of ancestors buried within the area, several of the participants wandered off to place reefs on the tombs and shrines of loved ones, placing fresh rations in their tombs to ensure their welfare in the afterlife.
Once completed, they returned to the festival, and soon joyous accounts of shared experiences with loved ones filled the air. The participants’ hearts and heads lightened with wine, as they joyously engaged and consumed the spiced bread provided by the temple, while the air was filled with the scent of flowers, laughter and exuberant moods.
Neti once again returned to the temple of Hator, where she would celebrate with her own parents. She removed her shoes, washing her hands and feet before entering. Incense burned in the room, its sweet scent tickling her nose, as she knelt before the altar and whispered her prayer.
An intense sense of calmness surrounded her, followed with deep sadness. The sudden rush of emotion caught her unawares and caused her to sigh in dejection. Uncertain as to where it had come from, she remained still in her position, seeking the solace that had so long been denied her—and also some guidance to the uncertainty that filled her. She had found herself doubtful of herself, her choices and the things she was doing, and very often her reason for doing them. Mostly she questioned her attraction to Shabaka, and somehow wished she had her mother with her.
Like so many before her, she had consumed too much wine. Her mind filled of images, many of them of her childhood, and the things she had done or moments spent with her parents. Soon enough, the disturbing sensation that had taken hold of her evolved, rendering her thankful for the time they spent together, even though they had never seen her fulfill their wishes for her.
Neti sought out her companions and found them in the garden of Amun. She joined Suten-Anu, Tea-Ka and Asim in celebration. Theirs was some distance from the others, and they engaged in lively conversation in reminiscence of events that had occurred, memories shared, which lightened her heart, as much as the wine they consumed lessened her concerns.
However, even with her heart lightened somewhat, and also her mood, she found it difficult to maintain the jubilant atmosphere. Her loss was still too close in memory, and she missed her parents, especially her mother.
“It gets easier with time,” Tea-Ka said, coming to sit with her, “The first few festivals, it is best to drink lots of wine.”
“I have already drunk too much. I still have to move on with the pharaoh later.”
“Then let us remember the good times,” Asim said, moving closer.
Shabaka later appeared and seemed somewhat hesitant to interfere. Neti turned to look at him tipping her head some, while the others heartily welcomed him and invited him to join them.
“I am going to have to decline,” Shabaka said, turning to Suten-Anu, “We are to move onto the Valley of the Kings, I have come to collect Neti.”
Neti looked at her friends, shaking her head, which felt overly light compared to the rest of her body, and sluggishly got to her feet.
“Have this for the road,” Asim said, passing a roughly honed, earthenware cup to her. Shabaka made to object, but relaxed when he realized it was water. Neti turned toward Shabaka and stumbled, grasping his arm to maintain her balance and leaned heavily on it, as they made their way to the lower levels of the temple.
They retook their position in the procession, and, not long after, the musicians again struck up, with everyone dancing and singing as they set off. The procession wound its way along the old footpath, the statue of Amun having been transferred onto a flower-draped dray that was drawn along by two oxen, with Ramesses traveling by chariot.
The beating of the drums soon filled the air, the musicians exchanging places to allow others to take a break, as the shadows drew closer, and the sun reached its zenith.
Neti once again became aware of Shabaka’s sideways glances and finally asked, “Why do you keep looking at me?”
Shabaka seemed taken aback by her frankness, but replied, “The last time you traveled in the heat of the day you became unwell. You have had much wine, and wine along with the sun does not make for a good companion.”
Neti shifted her head to look up at the sky and stumbled some, mumbling, “I have had too much, but I feel at ease somehow.”
“That is the wine talking,” Shabaka said, “We must get water into you, or you will have a heavy head tomorrow.”
“Can’t be worse than my heart,” Neti said, this time turning to look at those around them, failing to see Shabaka’s concerned expression. The procession’s formation was not as set as it had been earlier, the ranks mingling, with some parts drawing out in front of others, especially on the descent into the valley, where it properly regrouped, once it reached the valley floor.
The first tomb was adorned with flowers, loaves of bread and wine placed for the king’s pleasure in the afterlife, while the participants consumed even more wine.
The heat and the sun had long since burned off the most obvious effects of the wine, and Neti found herself increasingly thirsty.
“We will fill your water-skin at the valley’s well,” Shabaka said, as the procession started to narrow in order to pass through one of the tapered passages.
A cold shudder ran up Neti’s back, causing her to hesitate, and the man behind her to walk right into her, almost causing her to fall. Shabaka was quick to right her and drew her from the procession, “You want to stop?” he asked, but she barely heard him.
She shook her head. The eerie sensation that filled it caused her to press her face into her palms, yet it would not dissipate, as a cold sensation enveloped her.
The Curse of Anubis - A Mystery in Ancient Egypt (The Mummifier's Daughter Series Book 3) Page 12
