The Mummifier´s Daughter - A Novel in Ancient Egypt

by Nathaniel Burns

  As they approached her parents’ home, Neti spoke up. “I should invite you in for dinner, for I am certain you have not eaten.”

  Shabaka smiled sheepishly at that. “Your parents will not mind having me in their home?” he carefully asked.

  “My parents are not like many of the others. To us all men are the same. The color of your skin does not determine the person you are, or how you should be treated.”

  “This from the only other person in Thebes who knows what it is like to be discriminated against,” Shabaka quietly replied.

  “I try not to let it bother me,” Neti sincerely responded.

  “It will not help you with finding a husband one day,” Shabaka uncertainly returned.

  “If he cannot accept me for who I am, then I do not want him,” she firmly replied as they arrived at the house. “So you will break bread with us?” she asked as they halted at the door.

  “If your parents will allow, then yes, I would like to break bread with you,” he replied, indicating for her to proceed.

  Neti loosened her shawl as she opened the door, immediately coming to a standstill on recognizing the copper tang of fresh blood in the air.

  —There is no reason for there to be blood in the house, and so much that I can smell it so strongly — Neti thought as she stepped into the room. “Shabaka,” she called quietly and heard the door creak behind her. “Something is wrong,” she stated as she moved into the house. “Mother? Father? Where are you?” she called as she made her way to their room. Shabaka followed not far behind her.

  She halted with a gasp as she came to her parents’ door, the smell overwhelmingly strong. Her hands flew to cover her mouth as she gaped at the sight before her. Her heart pounded in her chest, her chest constricting, limiting her ability to breathe freely. She repeatedly gasped for air, at first unable to make a sound, as the tears started streaming down her cheeks. “No!” She finally managed to get the bewildering wail out.

  Her wail brought Shabaka to the room, as Neti moved toward her parents lying in their blood-soaked bed. Noting the cruel and crude way their hearts had been cut from their bodies, she grasped her mother’s shoulders, pulling her closer. “No, Mamma, no! You can’t go!” she cried, shaking her head and swaying back and forth while holding her mother. As the sobs escaped her she looked around the room, noticing the blood patterns all over the walls.

  “I will find those who did this to you,” she gasped between her sobs, “the ones who condemned you. I will find them.” Looking toward her father, she promised, more calmly, “I will make sure you receive your Akh.”

  Shabaka stood in the doorway, stunned, bearing witness to the scene before him, the young woman he had come to know so well over the past two seasons, holding on to her mother, tears streaming down her cheeks, as she vowed to find the ones who had done this to her parents.

  In all his time as a prefect, he had never seen as much blood, never seen two bodies emptied of their hearts. Just then, he turned from the room, heading for the door, barely making it to the street before gagging dryly, thankful that he had not yet eaten. —I will help her fulfill that promise to her parents— he told himself. —The ones responsible will be found.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Her parents were talking to her, smiling, beckoning her to come towards them. The afternoon sun shone brightly, a gentle warm breeze filled the air. She was walking, walking, walking toward them. Why did they seem so far away? Why did she have to walk so far? They were closer now, she could almost touch them. Their eyes suddenly seemed lifeless, the light in them gone. She knew that look. She spent many days a year looking at eyes like those. They were not those of her parents. Her parents had vivid, expressive eyes, filled with love. These were dead. They held nothing, only a void. Then there was blood, so much blood. Its coppery scent filled the air, leaving an aftertaste in her mouth. It seemed to be everywhere, covering everything. She looked at her parents, their chests hacked open, their hearts gone, their bodies lying lifeless before her...

  Neti jolted upright in her bed, a gut-wrenching scream emanating from her lips, robbing her of what little breath she had left. Her lungs burned in need of oxygen as she dropped her face into her palms, breathing harshly, shallowly, drawing much needed air into her oxygen deprived lungs. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her sweat drenched slip was twisted and clung irritably to her overheated skin, causing her hastily to tug it back into place.

  A lingering smell of drying blood still permeated the air in the house. A reminder that it was not just a dream, a vivid and unwanted nightmare, but that her parents had been murdered, with their still-beating hearts ripped from their bodies.

  Swallowing repeatedly against the sobs wanting to escape, she fought to contain her tears. Her eyes were swollen, tender, the saltiness of her tears burning her skin as they slipped past her closed lids, rendering her struggle futile. — Murdered, but why? With their hearts cut out. Who could have done such a ghastly, gruesome act? Who would wish such evil on them?

  The light from the full moon slipped through the narrow windows, situated close to the roof, illuminating her room with a pale glow. The quietness of the evening air and the unfamiliar solitude she found herself in, combined with the uncertainty of what daylight was likely to bring, left her body feeling sore, even numb.

  In the wake of her grisly dreams and a rapidly escalating headache, Neti gave up on the idea of getting any rest and cast aside the light bed covers. She rose from the bed and made for the basin, drawing some water from the tall clay water jar before splashing it on her face, wanting to alleviate the burning sensation around her eyes. Sighing audibly, she dried her face and made for the main living area, heading straight for the small table where she knew the lamp would be. She lit it and looked about the room. The low glow from the lamp was barely sufficient to light the far corners. It seemed barely sufficient to cast away the darkness that seemed to be encroaching on her. She debated whether to start a fire and make herself some tea, but decided against it.

  Instead, she sat down next to the little table, bracing her elbows on her knees as she lowered her skull into her palms, groaning slightly as she applied pressure to its sides, hoping to relieve the pulsing ache that was starting to build.

  She thought back to the previous evening, her arrival, the discovery, and the multitude of events that had followed since then. Shabaka had been kind and supportive, notifying the required authorities and getting one of the town guards to help him move her parents’ bodies to the Per-Nefer for preparation. He had eventually left the house after trying, unsuccessfully, to console her.

  In the gray light of predawn, a tall elderly man in long flowing robes made his way through the deserted streets and across the city. Suten Anu was the local tax scribe, and known and respected for his wisdom. Word had reached him of Neti-Kerty’s parents’ brutal slaughter, and he hastened towards their home, wanting to check up on their daughter. However, the visit was not for personal reasons alone, for tucked under his robes was the rolled up papyrus scroll containing her father’s will.

  He had on several occasions pressed his friend to alter the will, never having been happy with its contents, and if he could have, he would have altered it himself, to ensure that she was better taken care of.

  He arrived at Neti’s home just after sunrise and knocked on the door, patiently waiting for her to open it. He glanced down the road, knowing that it would not be long before the city stirred and news of Neti’s parents’ murder started spreading, along with the usual slander that was associated with her name.

  He heard the scraping of the door brace and watched as the door slowly receded inwards. Her face peered around it. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, but she put on a brave face, just as she had so often in her youth.

  “Neti, you poor child,” he gently said, opening his arms.

  Neti slipped into them without hesitation and his arms closed round her, allowing her to bury her face in his chest. It was something she h
ad done numerous times in her youth, especially when the other children had been merciless in their mockery. Even back then, it had been difficult to maintain a distance from her. She had crawled into his heart. She had been so willing, so eager to lean. Absorbing every bit of information she came across.

  She had learnt to read and write faster than any of the boys in his tuition, owning an abstract mind that could distinguish interaction between objects and their effects on one another. Her spontaneity and willingness to help had set her apart from the other children, who had been more concerned with their social standing. And as he stood there holding her, with her shoulders shaking and her tears dampening his robe, his own heart wept, knowing that the tides were not in her favor.

  He held her until she managed to regain her composure, allowing her to draw back when she was ready. She had never been one for making scenes, and looking about he noticed some of the citizens looking at them. Well, they will hear the news soon enough, he thought as she finally pulled back.

  “Come in, come in,” Neti hiccupped, stepping back to allow his entry into her home, and was about to close the door when she heard a familiar voice call her name from down the street. She turned her head in the direction of the sound and saw Thoth, limping slightly, coming toward her as fast as he could. They had been friends since childhood, with Thoth being a few years older than her. Their worlds were opposite in every possible aspect, with Thoth having been sold as a child slave and Neti being the daughter of an embalmer. His owner, Ma-Nefer, was a wealthy trader who owned many slaves.

  “Neti!” Thoth urgently repeated when she turned in the doorway to look at Suten Anu, who was patiently waiting. The elderly man nodded his head, and Neti turned to gaze at Thoth as he came to a standstill in the doorway.

  “Thoth!” she gasped, taking in the sight of Thoth’s black eye and split lip. “He has beaten you again, hasn’t he?” Thoth sheepishly nodded his head and lowered his gaze.

  Neti closed her hands, forming fists, as a bolt of anger shot through her. “Come in, Suten Anu has just arrived,” she said, stepping back to allow him in, adding, “I’ll see to your wounds.”

  “Greetings, Thoth,” Suten Anu said with a tone of heaviness.

  “Good morning, Sir,” Thoth answered, lowering his head.

  “I see your master has once again taken his petulance out on you,” Suten Anu remarked, looking at the young man following Neti-Kerty toward the grass mat.

  “Yes, Sir,” Thoth replied with his gaze lowered.

  “Sit down Thoth,” Neti instructed, pointing to a chair, and the bruised man was eager to obey her, taking the seat she had indicated.

  Suten Anu also took a seat, watching as Neti drew water from the water-jar, seemingly having forgotten her own distress in the face of her friend’s injuries. She returned to them and carefully applied the folded rag to his face, removing some of the blood while focusing her attention on the young man.

  Once done, she lifted his hand and started clearing some blood from between his fingers. She rinsed the cloth in the bowl, her gaze remaining on the blood seeping from the cloth. But Suten Anu knew she was not as unperturbed as she seemed. He watched as her eyes closed and her body shuddered. Dropping the cloth, she stepped back from Thoth, breathing harshly.

  “Neti!” Thoth called, getting up to follow her, his expression hurt.

  “It’s all right, Thoth, I’ve just seen too much blood,” Neti said holding her hands up, signaling to him to stop his advance on her.

  Thoth looked at his hands, turning them over, before replying, “I should have washed them better before coming.”

  Thoth then looked at Neti before returning to his seat as she spoke up. “I can’t help thinking that I’ll wake up at any moment and find that this is all a nightmare – that the senselessness, the horror of it all will go away.” She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, before slowly asking, “Why would anyone do this?” Then she turned to look at Suten Anu. “They were honest people, humble people, you knew them,” she insisted, before heatedly continuing, “They had no enemies, wished no one harm. Why them?”

  Thoth’s head lowered at that, his shoulders drooping. He then got up from his seat and walked over to Neti, opening his arms, intent on comforting her, but she immediately raised her hands to halt him and began irritably pacing the room.

  “Have you noticed if anything has gone missing?” Suten Anu asked as he watched her clasping and unclasping her hands, her lips moving slightly but no sound coming from them.

  Neti stopped and looked toward him, before replying, “I haven’t gone through anything yet.” She then glanced about the room, before saying, “Even if killing my parents was a part of a burglary, why would they have needed to cut out...” her voice hitched at that and she once again took a deep breath, slowly releasing it. Once she appeared to have gathered herself she firmly decreed, “I swear by all that is sacred, I will find out those who murdered my parents and I will avenge their deaths. Nothing will stop me.”

  “Child, come and sit down beside me,” Suten Anu calmly beckoned, drawing her over to where he was sitting. Neti took the seat next to him, sighing deeply while dropping her face into her palms.

  Suten Anu reached out and took her hand in his while Thoth sat down across from them, his hands clasped together, his gaze fixed on the ground. He slowly started rocking back and forth slightly. His actions puzzled Suten Anu, but the scribe’s concerns right now lay with Neti. “Your mother and father both loved you very much,” Suten Anu began, causing Neti to look up at him.

  “Yes,” Neti answered, nodding her head slightly.

  “What would they want you to do now, Neti? Certainly not spend all of your energy on seeking revenge. They would want you to do what is necessary in order to move forward with your life,” he calmly stressed, watching as Neti lifted her head, the persistent spark of her nature once again coming to the fore, as she spoke up. “But I have to find out who did this, and why they did this! My parents will be condemned to the underworld if their hearts are not found and returned to them.”

  “This I understand, my dear child. All in good time. There are many things that need to be addressed at times like these, and therefore you will require patience. But for now, you must think about today, and the things that need to be done today.”

  Neti thought things over, giving Suten Anu the opportunity to look toward Thoth. He could feel the frown forming on his forehead as the young man continued to rock backwards and forwards. —Does he know? Is that the reason for his strange behavior? He has always been partial to Neti. She and her parents were the only people who treated him well. Could that Ma-Nefer be as cruel as to taunt him with it? — the scribe thought, before speaking up. “Thoth, you should get going, Ma-Nefer is certain to whip you until you bleed if you are not on your post.” He watched as the slave continued to rock, shaking his head.

  “I should start cleaning up the blood inside the bedroom,” Neti said, causing Suten Anu to turn towards her.

  “In good time my dear. There are more pressing matters,” he advised, patting her hand softly.

  “More pressing?’ Neti asked, her brow furrowing slightly.

  “Yes there is the matter of your parents’ will,” Suten Anu said, reaching under his cloak and extracting the papyrus scroll. “My footman will have gone to inform all those mentioned of its reading. They will be here shortly.”

  Neti looked at him pointedly, tilting her head faintly, “There is something you are not telling me,” she stated, before adding, “and it is not good news.”

  “I am afraid it is not, but whatever happens, know that I will help you wherever I can.” Suten Anu watched as she withdrew slightly, then added, “Now go get ready. The others will be here soon. I will let them in.”

  Neti got up from her seat, her movement caused Thoth to look up and also start to rise. “No Thoth, you stay here,” Suten Anu said reaching for the man’s arm. Thoth wailed as the scribe’s hand curved round his arm,.


  Suten Anu held up his hands, palms forward, to calm the man, “Relax Thoth, she is just going to change. Neti will be back soon.” The young slave looked at him and then moved away.

  —What has that man done to you? — Suten Anu thought. —How much have you endured under his cruel hand to react like this?—

  Just then a knock sounded at the door and Suten Anu looked towards it, before glancing back at Thoth, holding up his hand as he spoke. “Stay there, I’m going to go open the door.”

  He then stepped from the mat to open the door, nodding his head in greeting as Asim, Neti’s father’s long time friend and fellow embalmer made to enter the house. “Asim, it is good of you to come on such short notice,” the scribe spoke, beckoning for the man to enter.

  “It is indeed sad times,” the elderly man professed as he stepped past the scribe, nervously glancing about, before asking, “How’s Neti?”

  “She is as well as to be expected,” Suten Anu answered, making to close the door when a firm voice stopped him.

  “Just a moment.”

  The scribe turned to look at the tall Nubian, and nodded his head in greeting, “Shabaka, I am glad you could make it.”

  “It is the least I can do, considering the aid she has given me,” Shabaka calmly said.

  “You will act as a witness for the reading?” Suten Anu asked, stepping out of the way to allow the Prefect through.

  “Yes,” Shabaka affirmed, slipping past him and into the room.

  A few others arrived, before Neti appeared from her room. She greeted all those present and took a seat. Suten Anu watched as Shabaka approached her, and then sat down next to her. There had been rumors of the man’s partiality toward her, and although he had never before seen the two of them together, Shabaka’s attentions, although not obvious, were encouraging. He wondered if there was any chance that Neti returned them. He watched as Thoth came to stand behind Neti, his dislike of Shabaka’s attentions and proximity to the young woman strongly evident.