by Overton, Max
The young man stood on the path below the bank. His spear transfixed one Assyrian and he grappled another with his bare hands. He died even as his king turned back to help him.
"It's too late, Djeser," Menkure yelled, dragging his king into the slight shelter of the scrub. "We must run if we are to live. Run, Djeser, run!" he screamed at Smenkhkare's hesitation.
"I will avenge him," the king muttered. "I will avenge them all."
Menkure slapped Smenkhkare across the face. "Forgive me, Djeser, but you will have to run now if you are to avenge them later." He turned and fled down the faint game trail. A moment later, Smenkhkare followed, only paces ahead of the pursuing soldiers.
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Chapter Eight
"You are sure he is dead?"
Baki hesitated for no more than a fraction of a second before nodding. "Yes, Tjaty. I am certain."
Ay sat back in his padded chair and looked at his servant with a sour expression. "Of what worth is your certainty? Very well, tell me again. Leave out nothing."
"They fled from the soldiers--Smenkhkare and Menkure. The others died. Our soldiers were hard on their heels when they entered the scrub but the fugitives were unencumbered and ran faster. Even so, when we emerged on the banks of the river over three hours later, we were no more than two or three hundred paces behind them. They ran south along the open ground until they reached a lagoon choked with weed and rushes."
"There were no people on the riverbank? No farmers? Nobody to see what happened?"
"None, Tjaty. The land is not farmed there. So, they look back and see us come out of the trees. Well, we are still inland of them so we angle across to cut them off."
"How could you cut them off? How could you intercept them at all if you were hundreds of paces behind?"
"The lagoon, sir. It meant they had to turn back inland to get around it. Well, they saw we would be very close by the time they got there, so they dived into the water to swim across. I cursed then, sir, as I knew the Assyrians would not swim after them. We ran to the shore and saw them nearly across when the water swirled behind them and one was pulled under. A moment later the other one disappeared too."
"You are certain it was a crocodile? They did not dive down out of sight?"
"We saw the tail, sir, and blood. I sent men around to the other side and they probed the rushes as best they could but they saw nothing. I saw nothing, sir, and I was watching the whole time. A crocodile took them and they are dead."
Ay nodded. "You have done well, Baki. Not perfectly, for then I would be gazing on the corpse of Smenkhkare, but well enough. Go and see my steward. He will see that you are suitably rewarded."
Baki bowed to Tjaty Ay, then quickly to the other man sitting half-seen in the shadowed corner, before turning and leaving the room.
"A man with dangerous knowledge, Ay," commented the man. "At least the Assyrian soldiers are incapable of being understood."
"All taken care of, Usermontju. My steward Mentopher has his orders." Ay smiled thinly. "And the Assyrian soldiers are even now on their way north under their original commanders, laden with gold. They will not be seen again, at least not in Kemet."
"A pity about the ring though."
"Yes," Ay agreed. "I needed the royal signet ring to help cement Tutankhaten in place as heir."
"There is no doubt there?" Usermontju asked. "The succession will be unbroken? It is very important for the Ma'at of Kemet."
"Psenamy will have secured the heretic by now and be bringing the boy back to Waset. Another week or two and we will have another king on the throne."
"What of the Councillors?"
"That is your next job. You have the resources to carry it out?"
The chief of the Medjay nodded. "I can detach a hundred men without compromising the security of the city." The big man grinned hugely, his full lips with sparkling white teeth splitting his bald melon-shaped head. "I have even arranged a meeting with the full Council for late this afternoon to discuss the king's triumphant return. By dusk they will all be in custody."
"For their own protection, of course. There is no telling what may happen now the king is dead. A crocodile took him in a tragic hunting accident, but who knows what unscrupulous people might take advantage of the turmoil." Ay regarded Usermontju calmly for several minutes before nodding suddenly and rising to his feet. "Go and carry out your instructions, Usermontju. I have other things that need to be set in motion. I shall announce the news at dusk."
The chief of the Medjay left Ay's palace and hurried through the city toward the king's palace, a troop of his men trotting behind. Citizens who saw them coming stepped aside hurriedly or suddenly decided they had business elsewhere. When the Medjay moved in force and with purpose, one did not want to find oneself in their way.
The palace guards saluted and let the force through, where they were joined by others previously stationed outside the council chamber.
Usermontju beckoned to his lieutenant. "They are in the chamber?"
"Six of them, sir. I couldn't find the others."
The chief swore. "Who is missing?"
"The lady Beketaten, Councilor Khu and Councilor Mahuhy."
"And Aanen, of course. He is in Iunu..."
"No, sir. He is here too."
Usermontju wiped his brow with a stained linen cloth, darting quick looks around him as he thought. "Well, no matter, we must do the best we can. The other councilors are probably just late. Wait out here and show them in when they arrive. The rest of you come with me." Usermontju threw open the great doors to the Council chamber and marched in at the head of twenty men.
The six Councilors present sat around a large table, talking quietly. Treasurer Sutau broke off his conversation as the doors crashed open and started to his feet, anger building in his face. "What is the meaning of this, Usermontju? How dare you bring armed men into the Council chamber, and so noisily too. Dismiss your men and explain yourself."
"Sit down, Treasurer. The rest of you also." Usermontju signaled to his men and they surrounded the table, weapons drawn. Kensthoth the scribe sat quietly but the others showed varying degrees of interest, concern or agitation at the events.
"I bring news of the utmost importance; and I would appreciate your co-operation. Smenkhkare is dead and there is a possibility of foul play. Until we know the circumstances surrounding the king's death, we must ensure the safety of the king's councilors. You will therefore be placed in protective custody. Please now accompany my men and..."
"On whose authority do you act, Usermontju? None of us gave the order."
"Physician Nebhotep." The chief of the Medjay bowed briefly. "Tjaty Ay gave the orders. In the absence of the king, his is the greatest authority."
"Actually, no." Aanen, a small man with more than a passing resemblance to his brother Ay, pushed himself to his feet, and stood clutching the table. "If my lord Smenkhkare is dead, then full authority reverts to our other king, Akhenaten."
"Would that were so, Aanen." Usermontju hesitated. "What are you doing here? You are supposed to be in Iunu finding out about the temple situation there."
"You seem remarkably well informed. Ah," Aanen snapped his fingers. "Of course, you are in my brother's confidence."
"I am privileged to be a servant of Lord Ay. But what are you doing here? Have you disobeyed the Tjaty?"
"Not at all. His request was that I ascertain the strength of the people's response to the return of the gods in the city of Iunu. I do not need to be there to do that. I have efficient priests to do my bidding. I judged it better to remain in Waset while the king was absent. It appears I was right. My brother seems to want more power than he should."
"With respect, Second Prophet Aanen, there are reports of fighting in Akhet-Aten, and no-one knows how serious the situation is. Until we hear the commands of the king, we must consider ourselves as the servants of the Divine Father, Tjaty Ay."
"There is a measure of trut
h in what he says," Kensthoth agreed calmly. "We must behave in a responsible manner. Do you not agree, Kenamun?" He turned toward the old man beside him, who nodded nervously, looking around at the others for reassurance.
"I think we are overlooking one serious aspect of this business," Nebhotep said. Usermontju flicked his eyes toward his men and they tensed, waiting for a signal to act. "The lady Beketaten is not only a Councilor, but also the king's sister. The news must be broken to her with tact and sensitivity."
"Where is lady Beketaten?" the chief asked. "And Mahuhy and the farm lad for that matter?"
"I do not know," Nebhotep said. "But I think it would be more important to secure her safety than the rest of us put together. If there is indeed a plot against the throne, then she is in real danger."
"Agreed." Usermontju nodded. "So if you gentlemen would accompany my troops without fuss, I will be free to take the rest of my men and search for the lady."
"I think I will accompany you, Usermontju. I have no desire to be locked up, even for my own safety, and I'd feel of more use searching for the lady."
"I too," added Sutau. "In a time of trouble and uncertainty I think it important that people see the King's Councilors still about their business as usual." He faced the others seated around the table. "Who else will be seen with Nebhotep and me?"
"I cannot stay here anyway." Aanen got to his feet, pushing back his chair. "As a priest of Amun I have a duty to be at the temple. People will need the comfort of the gods."
"That is already taken care of," Usermontju said, a note of agitation creeping into his voice. "Bakt is even now closing the temples and securing the granaries. There is really no need..."
"Bakt?" Aanen looked incredulous. "He does not have the authority. And besides that is the wrong thing to do. The temples must remain open." He pushed past the chief of the Medjay. "I am going to stop him."
"Arrest him," Usermontju snapped. "The others too." He smiled with satisfaction as the troops with him immediately restrained the six men. "I am truly sorry you will not do this willingly, but you are going to obey the orders of Tjaty Ay. He commands that you be taken into protective custody and that is what I will do. Now take them away." The chief watched them hustled from the chamber, and wiped more sweat from his face with his now damp cloth. Now to find the others. Where in Re's holy name can they be ?
***
Scarab was in her suite of rooms putting the final touches to her makeup. Earlier in the afternoon she had bathed, before spending nearly an hour selecting jewelry and perfume, sandals and wig, with a bevy of ladies-in-waiting attempting to accentuate her beauty. She nodded at a servant who brought a highly polished silver plate and held it up. The reflection left a lot to be desired, but at least she could see enough to fit her earrings--long tear-shaped red glass beads wound around with gold wire. Nodding to the servant, she turned away, adjusting the shoulder wings of her long sheer dress. The linen sheath, elegantly pleated, fell in a cascade from just beneath her full breasts, which were themselves almost concealed by the wings. She smiled to herself, feeling a touch of guilt at having so many people at her beck and call, but also feeling pleasantly pampered. Why not ? she thought. I like to look beautiful sometimes . She dismissed the servants and sat herself down by the balcony in her bed chamber, looking out over the palace gardens. The late afternoon sun mellowed the harsh angles of the buildings and the din of the city came muted to her ears.
A servant coughed discreetly from the doorway, then bare feet slapped gently across the tiled floor to her side. "Lady," whispered Tami, Keeper of the goose-down pillows. "There is a man here to see you. Shall I send him away?" The girl sounded vaguely shocked.
"Who is it?"
"Councilor Khu, my lady."
Scarab jumped to her feet in a most unladylike fashion. "And you kept him waiting? You bad girl." She grinned to take the sting out of her reprimand but then pinched her lightly on the arm. "Send him in." She smoothed down her dress as Tami hurried off.
"Khu! Welcome." Scarab smiled warmly as the tall lad walked painfully into the room, one hand pressed firmly against his side. The smile slipped, to be replaced by a tiny frown as she saw the shadow in his eyes. "Should you be up? You know the doctor said you should rest."
"Ah, lady, who can rest on a glorious day like today?" The young man glanced toward the balcony and frowned. "Strange. I thought the day most beautiful, but it becomes quite ordinary when compared to your presence."
"You are a liar and a blatant flatterer, Khu, and I shall send you back to your farm unless you start telling the truth." Scarab fought to hide how pleased she felt. "But tell me honestly, Khu, why are you here? The meeting does not start for another hour."
"Honestly, Lady Scarab? I hoped to enjoy your company for a while. I thought perhaps we could walk in the gardens or sit by the fish pond."
"That would be nice. Before we have to attend another meeting and talk for hours about all manner of dull subjects." Scarab took Khu's arm and half supporting him, walked to the door of her chamber and into the hallway. They turned toward the colonnade that lined one side of the palace gardens.
Gardeners were hard at work in the flowerbeds and among the scented shrubs that crowded the edges nearest the palace. A heady scent of blossoms filled the air and the drone of insects coupled with the perfume, thickened the air.
"I used to play out here all the time when I was a child, Khu, but it has been over a year since I was here. I had a place under the great tamarind tree which was..." Scarab looked around the garden with a frown. "Where is it? It overhung a large, almost-wild pool with fish and frogs and dragonflies. I cannot see it." She marched up to one of the gardeners.
"Where are the tamarind tree and the pond?"
The gardener cowered on his knees. "Please, great lady, I don't know. I think there was one over there." He pointed a shaking finger toward the corner of the palace. "It...it died, lady, and they replaced it with another."
Scarab started to walk away before remembering herself. "Thank you," she said. She resumed her journey, Khu falling into step beside her. "I do hope he's wrong. That tree held memories."
They rounded the corner of the palace and Scarab saw the man had not been mistaken. The giant tree was gone but the pool remained, now only partly shadowed by a mere sapling. They walked closer and Scarab scuffed the toes of her sandals in the fine sand. A large circle of bare ground almost surrounded by close-cropped grass revealed the site of the old tree. The young one, still straight of limb, was crowned by bright new growth. Scarab looked up into it and grimaced. "It is not the same at all. There are no pods, no bird nests, only..." she touched the bark gently. "Only a few ants. And there are no scarab beetles either."
Khu grinned. "Must feel funny having an insect named after you."
"It was the other way round. I was named after the scarab because I always played with them."
"Your father named you for a beetle?"
"Not just a beetle, Khu. The sacred scarab beetle, Khepri. And it wasn't my father, I never knew him. It was my brother Akhenaten who gave me that name." Scarab wandered over to a stone bench that lay beside the now manicured pool with its lilies and schools of tiny silver fish. She sat and contemplated the dark water.
The young man came and sat beside her, respecting her silence for several minutes before saying quietly, "Your brother returns tomorrow."
Scarab nodded. "Or the next day. He said he'd be back by the end of the month."
Khu sat and fidgeted. "Do...do you love him?" he blurted out.
Scarab turned, her eyes widening in surprise. "Of course I do, Khu, he's my brother."
"Th...that's not what I m...meant." Face burning with embarrassment, he looked down, unable to meet Scarab's eyes. "When the king returns he means to marry you and make you his queen. I...I just wondered if you loved him...like that."
Scarab regarded the young man for several long minutes before turning back to her contemplation of the pool. "That is a very imper
tinent question, Khu," she said quietly. "You must learn to guard your tongue. But because it is you who has asked, I will not think ill of you." She bent and picked up a handful of fine gravel from the path, opening it out in the palm of her hand. Picking out small stones, she flicked them into the pond, the tiny silver fish darting from one small splash to the next in the hope of food.
"When I was a young girl, I could not imagine anything I wanted more than to marry Smenkhkare. He was so bold and daring, so strong yet gentle. He was going to be king and I was going to be his queen. Together we would rule Kemet with justice and compassion, bringing in another golden age." Scarab smiled. "Of course, we were only children, playing at being grown up." She threw the rest of the stones into the water and watched as they sank through the clear liquid, the fish scattering in panic. "Then we grew up. He stayed in Waset and I went to live with the king in Akhet-Aten. It did not matter for we were promised in our hearts and we knew we would one day be together. Then came Ay's attempted rebellion and...and somehow everything changed."
"Smenkhkare became king," Khu said softly.
"And later married Meryetaten. Yet that did not matter. He did not love her and never slept with her. She lives alone in her rooms at the palace with only her little daughter Meryetaten-ta-sherit for company." Scarab shook her head. "No, she did not change things for me." She dusted her hands off and held them out in front of her, palms up. "They say you can tell a person's life by the lines in their hands--what they will do, whether they will marry, to whom even. Do you think that is true, Khu?"
"Honestly? No. I think they are just creases in the skin. We all have them in more or less the same places."
"There was an old nursemaid up in Akhet-Aten who used to sing to the young princesses, a Hittite slave called Hati, Hatia...something like that. She told me this line gave me a long life." Scarab pointed at the crease encircling the flesh of her thumb. "And this one a death in a foreign land...and here that I would marry but not for love, and here I would love but my heart would break with it."
