Shabaka felt a cold bolt of fear shoot through him, for the man's words held a certain amount of truth to them. He knew his father would seek vengeance against such treatment. Although contrary to the man's thoughts, it would not be against Egypt or the pharaoh but against the people of Thebes. He was also not certain if Ramesses would do anything to counter such an event.
"Shut up, you old fool, before you incite the shutties to bring the whips again."
"They will only beat him for his foolishness," the malicious voice again spoke, "serves him right too."
"Where are we?" Shabaka asked, uncertain whether he was still in Thebes.
"Do your ears not work? We already told you," the malicious one again spoke up.
"No, I mean in what city are we?" Shabaka persisted.
"We are in a part of Thebes," the woman softly answered.
"What is your name?"
"I go by the name my owner gives me," she said.
"What is the name you were given at birth?" Shabaka pressed.
"Desa."
"How long have I been here?" Shabaka asked, wanting to determine how long he had been missing, wondering how long it would be before anyone noticed his absence.
"They brought you here earlier today."
Shabaka remained silent for some time, racking his mind in an attempt to remember what had happened between leaving Neti and waking up in this strange place. There was some relief to be had from the fact that he was still within the city, although it was of short duration, especially when snippets of Ma-Nefer's words the previous evening started to filter through his mind. They caused an even stronger sense of urgency to overcome him, his heart racing as his mind processed the possible implications the man's words held.
The man was bound for revenge and Shabaka knew that whatever he had planned would not bode well for Neti, if he managed to capture her. Even the thought of Moses being with her did little to soothe Shabaka's concerns, for he knew Ma-Nefer to be an opportunist. Moses would be wholly unprepared to deal with the man. Well, maybe not wholly unprepared, for he was a skilled fighter, but Ma-Nefer would have the advantage if he caught them off guard. Ma-Nefer would do evil to Neti if he was able to kidnap her.
It irked Shabaka that this had happened at a time when things had finally seemed to look positive for him and Neti. He wanted to curse the gods for the injustice, if only he could figure out which one would be responsible for such an event.
He had to get out of there and back to where he could protect her, although his body protested every move he attempted to make. "I have to get out of here," Shabaka avowed, not realizing he had said it aloud.
"Now he wants to escape! Settle down you fool, you'll only get another beating if you try," the malicious voice again chided him.
"No, you don't understand, I have to get out of here." A surge of adrenaline had kicked in and he sat upright grimacing in pain, as he again tried to look around him, not even wanting to think what he might look like. A small amount of light filtered through the slits in his eyelids, however not enough for him to clearly see his surroundings.
"You should stay down," the woman's voice sounded, her hand pushing into his shoulder, in an attempt to push him down. But he resisted.
"There are others who are in danger," Shabaka said, more firmly than he had meant. He felt her hand hesitate and then she removed it from his shoulder.
"You should concern yourself with your own welfare, looking out for others serves you no purpose," the woman said. She withdrew, leaving Shabaka uncertain whether the remark was aimed at herself or at him.
* * *
Back at the palace, Ramesses was pacing the assembly room, mumbling to himself, while Neti and Moses looked on.
"I'm going to have the entire city searched!" Ramesses finally processed, coming to an abrupt halt. "He has to be somewhere."
Neti and Moses looked at each other; however, Moses was the first to speak, "I do not think that would be such a good idea, my lord. This man will have warning of our approach, and he could move Shabaka, long before the search reached them."
"Well, I cannot just wait here until this Ma-Nefer decides what ransom he wants for my prefect!" Ramesses seethed, abruptly turning toward them.
"My lord, I understand your concern, but I fear that if we do something rash ill will befall Shabaka," Moses countered.
"And just what do I tell his family, his father? I do not need unrest with Nubia. Shabaka has been with me since he entered adulthood. I have always considered him as a son," Ramesses said, resuming his pacing.
"My lord, we do not yet know what Ma-Nefer wants. And until we do, we need to trust that Shabaka will be returned to us," Moses tried to reason.
Ramesses stopped and turned to look at Neti, "And you, my child, do you also believe this?"
Neti reluctantly nodded her head in reply.
"I sense that both of you are trying to convince me and also yourselves," Ramesses said, before again looking at Neti. "You know this man, be honest with me, what do you really think?"
Neti visibly swallowed before she spoke, "He is no longer as fat as he used to be. He holds his current living conditions against me and Shabaka—"
"That is not what I meant," Ramesses was quick to cut her off. "I want to know about the man, what he is like—not his circumstances and reasons."
Neti nodded and started. "Ma-Nefer has a temper, which he used to take out on his staff."
"You mean he used to whip them."
"Yes, my lord, often so badly that they could not stand or move. Everyone was scared of him. But he was a reliable trader; his goods were always on time. It was said that just the thought of his beating could make his men move faster. He brought in goods from the eastern regions, Nubia, and also brought natron from the northern areas."
"This is how your family had contact with him?"
"Yes, we used to secure cloth, natron, and at times palm wine and olive oil from him."
Ramesses nodded.
"My lord, I do not know of what importance it might be, but when he gripped my arm in the valley there was hatred in his eyes. I am under the impression that he is set on revenge, and I'm certain he would hurt Shabaka."
"That just presses the need for us to take action—we need to find him," Ramesses insisted.
"My lord," Neti again spoke up, "Ma-Nefer knows many of the traders and the vagrants in the city. As Moses said earlier, Ma-Nefer will be able to move and hide Shabaka without much effort."
"So you are siding with your friend and believe that we should wait until this . . . person" Ramesses spat out the word, as if it left a bad taste in his mouth, "comes to the fore with his demands?"
"I do not know, my lord. I have no experience in such matters."
Ramesses was about to reply when the doors opened, only this time the guard was accompanying a different messenger.
"What is it this time?" Ramesses demanded, while looking at the man, dressed in a light kandura.
The messenger hesitantly bowed on one knee before the pharaoh and extended a scroll toward him.
Ramesses agitatedly grasped the scroll from the messenger causing the man to flinch.
Unrolling the scroll, he started reading and several moments later swore loudly, "By Ra! Does the man take me for a fool?" He glared at the messenger, who cowered in response. Ramesses turned to look at Neti, his voice harsh as he spoke, "Do you have any idea what he is asking for?"
Neti shook her head, and faltering answered, "No, my lord."
Ramesses held the scroll in one hand, extending it toward her, as he answered, "He wants five times your weight in gems and gold."
Neti felt a shock rush up her spine and said, "My lord, that is a large amount—" but was cut off from continuing when Ramesses lifted his hand, demanding her silence.
Ramesses turned toward the messenger and inclined his head before he spoke, "Tell the sender that I received his request and agree to the terms."
At his words, Neti could feel h
er eyes widen.
"You can leave," Ramesses commanded harshly, and watched as the man left the room.
The gilded doors had hardly closed before Ramesses started ranting, "The man must think me a fool to give in to such ludicrous demands!" He turned to Neti and noticed her shock at his outburst. "Fear not, my child, for I have no problem in providing the gold and gems, for you do not weigh much, so it is not that great a fortune." Neti's brow furrowed at his words. "To be honest, the treasure is of little value when one considers Shabaka's worth to me and that of the peace with Nubia. I would not dare tell his father I refused to put up the treasure for his release. Besides, knowing his father, he would in all likelihood repay it. So rest your mind, my child, it is not the ransom that has enraged me. It is the principle and his other demands."
"What other demands?" Moses chanced to ask.
"I am loathe to even have to consider such demands," Ramesses said, as he again turned his attention toward Neti. "He wants the fortune loaded onto a dray, drawn by two oxen, along with all his servants. This is to be delivered to the Luxor Temple tonight, where he will exchange Shabaka."
"His servants?" Moses asked hesitantly. He looked at Neti while shaking his head. Neti knew that Moses would be against returning Yani to her previous owner, as he continued, "but they are no longer his, they have new owners."
Ramesses looked toward Moses and nodded as he spoke, "Yes, and that means I am either going to have to seize them or pay their new owners." Ramesses turned his attention to Neti as he continued, "Neti, my child, you will know who these servants are. Do you know where we can find them? I will pay for them. However, if their owners are unwilling, I will have them confiscated."
"No!" Moses loudly exclaimed, causing Ramesses and Neti to look at him, both shocked by the man's firm stance.
"What is the reason for your outburst?" Ramesses firmly demanded.
"I will not allow Yani to return to him—I promised her I would keep her safe."
Ramesses looked at him for a moment and then turned to Neti in confusion, "Who is Yani?"
"She is the woman who used to tend Ma-Nefer's kitchen. When Ma-Nefer's ill dealings became known and his property confiscated, she came to me as a settlement.
"And he has taken an interest in this woman?" Ramesses asked, indicating Moses, his tone somewhat disbelieving.
"She has a good heart and looks after my home and gardens, my lord." Neti replied.
"So she would make him a good wife?" Ramesses flatly asked.
"If that is his wish, then yes, my lord, she would."
"And you have no objection to this?"
"Why would I have, my lord? Moses is a good man and would make a good husband," Neti firmly replied.
Ramesses turned his attention toward Moses, looking pointedly at the young man as he asked, "And this is your intent?"
Moses nodded his head in response, "I have said as much to her."
Ramesses audibly sighed, "Well, that complicates matters even more."
"Even more?" Moses asked, confused.
Ramesses returned his attention to Neti, as he spoke. "Ma-Nefer has demanded that you deliver the treasure along with the servants."
"My lord, I do not mind," Neti quickly assured him.
"You might not, but I do. He must think me a fool if he supposes that I will allow my other prefect to deliver the treasure, when he already has one. I have no intention of losing you. I do not know if this treasure request is just a means of also capturing you."
"My lord, it is a risk I am willing to take," Neti replied.
"No! I will not chance it. Queen Maathorneferure would never forgive me if I even considered such an action. You are one of her people; this could end up in a war. If not Egypt, then the war would be in my household, and I have no desire for either. I have worked hard to establish peace."
"What are we going to do then, my lord?" Moses asked, "This man will expect his servants. You have agreed to his terms."
Ramesses remained silent for some time, causing Neti and Moses to glance at each other. "He will not permit the presence of guards," Ramesses spoke, before turning to look at Neti, "which is why I am reluctant to let you go. You will have no security."
"Then I will go in her place," Moses spoke up.
"He specifically asked for Shabaka's partner."
"I have trained with them; I am as much his partner as Neti is."
Ramesses looked at Moses and nodded, "Then you can go."
"But Yani does not go," Moses affirmed. "I will not hand her back to him."
"So be it," Ramesses said, inclining his head and then turning his attention to Neti. "Do you know of which servants he speaks, could you identify them?"
Neti nodded.
"And you know where to find them?" Ramesses asked.
"Suten-Anu kept records of where everyone went," Neti reassured.
"Then take the guards with you and go collect the servants. They are to be back here before sunset."
"Yes, my lord," Neti and Moses simultaneously replied.
* * *
Later that day, Ma-Nefer entered the holding area and strode over to where Shabaka sat, leaning heavily against the wall. The slaves nearby scurried out of the way as Ma-Nefer lifted his whip, sending it whizzing through the air to connect with Shabaka's thigh with a sickening thwack. Shabaka yelped at the unexpected contact and his entire body stiffened as he tried to fight the pain. "Get up, you excuse of a man!"
Shabaka struggled and again the whip whizzed through the air, this time connecting with his arm.
"I said, get up! You are soft."
Shabaka managed to stumble to his feet. Trying to see through the narrow slits of his eyelids, he had managed to see a little of the area, which had not been encouraging, but it afforded him some means of negotiating the larger obstacles.
"Follow me, and don't do anything inane," Ma-Nefer commanded. However, Shabaka remained where he stood, his head swirling after the change of position. He lifted his hands to his head, but winced at the pain in his wrists and on his face when he actually touched it.
Ma-Nefer, having moved a few paces away, turned to look at him, "You are defying me again!" He lifted his whip. With a flick of the wrist, he sent the whip whizzing, this time it connected with Shabaka's thighs, causing him to stumble and fall to his knees.
"Useless human being, I'll be glad to be rid of you," Ma-Nefer said. Turning to two nearby men, he commanded, "You," pointing at them. The two men jumped in response, "Yes, you two, bring him."
The men hastily moved, cowering as they stepped closer to Shabaka.
Shabaka felt the men grasp his arms and he fought against the need to cry out as they lugged him up, drawing his aching arms as far as his bonds would allow, and dragging him from the enclosure.
"Put him on there," Ma-Nefer said, pointing to a nearby dray. The men heaved Shabaka onto the dray, and he grunted from the pain as his body made contact with the wooden surface. "Where is that boy?" Ma-Nefer demanded, looking around, finally catching sight of the young slave boy with his hands bound, standing off to the side. He clasped the young boy's arm and roughly shoved him toward the dray, "Get up there, you useless child."
The boy's shoulder connected with the dray and he stumbled for a few paces but quickly regained his feet and clambered onto the dray. He settled in the farthest possible corner away from Ma-Nefer.
Ma-Nefer turned to the drayman, "Go, the sun will be setting soon. I will be in contact."
"Yes sir," he replied and turned to command the two oxen to move.
Chapter Three
Neti agitatedly paced the assembly room, as it was some time after sunset and her nerves would not relent. She had seen Ramesses sit through a series of discussions, regarding Thebian matters with the elders, and if it had not been for the intermittent glances they had shared, she would not have thought anything was out of place.
No one had been informed of Shabaka's disappearance, and Ramesses had not given a reason to the
others for his sudden desire to remain longer in Thebes. He had, however, promised to see them off to Pi-Ramesses in the morning, not expecting them to remain with him.
Ma-Nefer's servants had been gathered and Neti had requested that Yani remain with Suten-Anu for the evening. It was only after the pharaoh had looked over the group of men assembled and noticing their overall reluctance, that he suggested that some of the guards, of similar height and build, should replace them. The guards were instructed to only carry their daggers. Neti, within a short amount of time, came to realize what the pharaoh was doing and hoped that it would not result in unnecessary bloodshed. She could understand the pharaoh's reasoning that the men would be difficult to distinguish in the dark, so they would provide Moses with some protection, if needed.
However, as time passed, the sense of unease in Neti had grown, until she thought she would lose her mind if she did not move.
Ramesses looked at her and shook his head, "Be calm, my child, I have sent some of my best guards, they will bring back Shabaka.
"This I understand, my lord, but I cannot help being concerned for what might happen."
"Those involved deserve whatever they receive. Such people do not deserve your concern."
"It is not for them I am concerned," Neti firmly replied.
"He will come back safe, you will see."
Several moments later the gilded doors to the hall swung open with some commotion as a group of men shuffled into the assembly hall. Neti quickly scanned those present and felt her heart drop when she failed to recognize Shabaka. Moses came in after the others, having himself taken a beating, the swelling in one eye already evident.
"What is this?" Ramesses demanded angrily, after having looked over the group of men.
"These men were waiting for us when we arrived," Moses replied, gesturing to the group of men, several with wounds still weeping blood.
"Where is he?" Ramesses demanded, looking pointedly at Moses.
"We could not find him. I have sent guards to search the temple complex," Moses hesitantly replied. "He instead sent these men to collect the treasure," Moses again gestured to the men. "They put up quite a fight, but all the gems and gold are accounted for."
Secret of the 7th Scarab (The Mummifier's Daughter Series Book 4) Page 2
