The Women and the Boatman

by Mark Gajewski

  “That’s why every time I’ve seen you at a festival you’re surrounded by boys,” I said. And because you’re extraordinarily beautiful. Though I didn’t dare say that out loud. Abar’s cutting remark about fawning boys was too fresh.

  “I can’t go anywhere in Nekhen without being accosted,” Abar said. “In fact, I don’t remember ever sitting and talking with a boy who didn’t have an ulterior motive for being with me – before tonight.”

  “What kind of motive could a common boatman like me have?” I asked. “Besides, you dragged me here.”

  Abar laughed. “True. So far, Father’s turned down all elite proposals. There’s nothing he cares about as much as his enterprise and he’s not about to turn it over lightly to just anyone. He listens to the elites when they make their offers because he has no respect for Rawer. He sees how lazy my cousin is, and self–absorbed. He’s not convinced the elites will allow Rawer to succeed Grandfather. He suspects they may pick someone else – possibly even him, because of his wealth. And even if Rawer becomes our next ruler, Father has no idea if Rawer will wield the fleet in concert with his herd afterwards. Father’s also afraid of what Rawer will do to my family’s herd after he himself dies – Rawer will gain control of it through his joining to me. Anyway, Father’s reluctance to join me to anyone right now is fine with me. Unlike my friends, I’m not in a hurry to start making some man’s babies.”

  “That’s practically the only thing the boatmen’s daughters talk about around the fire,” I said.

  “I’m not a common boatman’s daughter,” Abar said huffily.

  “I didn’t mean to imply you were,” I said apologetically. “When Rawer succeeds Aby and you’re joined to him you’ll be a ruler’s woman. You’ll be the most important woman in Nekhen.”

  “I guarantee you, I’m not going to waste my life taking care of Rawer’s hut, cooking, cleaning, fetching wood and water, serving him,” Abar said decisively. “I intend to be involved in everything important that happens in Nekhen and the surrounding valley. I intend to leave my mark on my world. I’m not going to let Rawer hold me back. I’m more intelligent than he is. That goes for all the elite sons. I know far more about my father’s enterprise than they know about theirs. I probably even know more about their fathers’ enterprises than they do.”

  “Really?” I asked skeptically.

  “I visit Father’s donkeys daily to make sure they’re healthy and properly cared for. I help Father and his overseer schedule their use. Since our donkeys deliver goods to and from every enterprise, I have a good idea how every enterprise meshes with every other. Especially the donkeys and Grandfather’s boats. Does that surprise you?”

  “It does, actually. Rawer could care less about the fleet. He stays as uninvolved as possible, from what I’ve seen.”

  Abar shook her head. “Being a boatman is Rawer’s destiny, but he has no inclination to actually work on boats or master the myriad of details involved in operating the fleet and moving cargo about the valley. He’ll be content, once it’s his, to turn it over to overseers to operate while he spends the day hunting. It’s hard to believe we’re related. I spend my time actively engaged in Father’s enterprise…”

  “And Rawer spends his avoiding work and chasing girls and running around the countryside with a pack of elite boys and generally causing trouble,” I interjected.

  “He disappoints and frustrates Grandfather to no end,” Abar said confidentially. “Nothing’s more important to Grandfather than constructing boats and ranging the river. Rawer’s undeniably energetic when he’s engaged in something he cares about, like hunting or wrestling or any physical activity that requires a minimum of thought, but nothing in the boatyard interests him in the least. He’s spoiled and entitled and gets away with everything because Grandfather doesn’t have the heart to discipline him.”

  “Because of his mother. He coasts by while you work hard.”

  “I’ve decided once we’re joined I’m not going to yield control of my herd to Rawer, despite what he expects,” Abar said adamantly. “That’s a radical idea; no woman in Nekhen has ever operated an enterprise before. It would never occur to either Father or Grandfather or the elites one could. But not only am I fully capable, I’m absolutely determined to control the herd once it’s mine.”

  “And Aby’s fleet as well, I presume?”

  “Why not?” Abar demanded. “I have the same amount of Grandfather’s blood as Rawer. If I was a boy Grandfather would have already named me his heir. If Rawer keeps on as he has, I’m convinced Grandfather will leave me the fleet when he dies. He loves it. He doesn’t want it to fall apart once he’s gone. I’ll never let that happen.” She gazed into the distance, pondered for a moment. “A few weeks before he was murdered Uncle Shery actually apologized for promising me to Rawer. He said it was the only way to keep our family in power and pursue the family quest. He said he wished I could join with a man out of love, not duty, but because of who I was I didn’t have that choice.”

  I recalled Father’s devotion to Mother. I recalled neighbors who could barely tolerate each other. “Is power that important to you, to give up happiness?”

  “Happiness? No woman in Nekhen gets to pick who she joins with, Nykara. You know that. It’s up to her father. I’m stuck with Rawer no matter what happens.”

  “I feel sorry for you, Abar. My father and mother practically worshiped each other. That’s what I want some day. A woman I can be devoted to, who’ll be devoted to me. I won’t settle for anything less.”

  “No offense, but you’re a commoner, Nykara. We elites live under different rules because we’re more important than you. Since I’m destined to be unhappy – Rawer’s never going to treat me any differently than he does now, even after we’re joined – I intend to wield his power myself, as compensation. Not because I want to use it to enrich my family, the way elites have in the past. My family’s wanted to make Nekhen the mightiest settlement in the valley ever since Ankhmare’s time, but for centuries we were among the minor elites and had no true say in affairs. The elites who ruled focused inward, not outward, and so Ankhmare’s dream remained a dream – until Grandfather became Nekhen’s ruler. He got us back on track, at least while Uncle Shery was alive. Trade’s stopped since his death – only Grandfather’s qualified to lead expeditions and trade, and he can’t leave Nekhen for weeks or months at time because he’s our ruler and doesn’t dare turn over our settlement to any of the elites to oversee in his absence.”

  “You’re counting on Rawer carrying on in Aby’s footsteps once Aby dies?” I asked skeptically.

  “Of course not. Neither was Uncle Shery. He knew I was stronger than Rawer, and smarter. He told me I’m going to be responsible for guiding Rawer once he becomes ruler and ensuring Nekhen prospers. He told me I’m going to be responsible for making sure Grandfather’s fleet continues to remain integrated with our herd. He told me I’m going to be responsible for identifying a man who can be a successful trader and expand Nekhen’s influence in the valley, and keep Rawer from interfering with him. I loved Uncle Shery very much. I promised him I’d never let him down. That’s why I want to be a ruler’s woman – no – that’s why I have to be a ruler’s woman. To guide Rawer. To pursue my family’s quest without hindrance and set Nekhen on the path to dominance. It’s my destiny, just like Rawer’s is to be a ruler, and yours is to be a boatman.”

  “What about the elites? Won’t they object to you playing such an important role?”

  “Because I’m a woman? I don’t think so, thanks to Rawer,” Abar replied thoughtfully. “His antics with the elite daughters hasn’t endeared him to their fathers. They’d be furious if they ever found out how far Rawer’s gone with them. I’ve learned – thanks to gossiping elite girls – their fathers are questioning how a boy who can’t even operate an enterprise can rule Nekhen. If I was male, descended as I am directly from Grandfather, there’d be no question I’d be his heir and Nekhen’s next ruler. I think the elites w
ill only agree to Rawer succeeding Grandfather if they’re assured I’ll control the entire transportation network on his behalf. And him.”

  I shook my head. “I’m glad all I have to worry about is building boats. Which elite rules the others isn’t something we commoners worry about anyway. We worry about where our next meal’s coming from. So, Abar, I wish you luck.”

  “I make my own luck,” she said firmly.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” The enraged shout came from a distance. It was Rawer, hurrying towards us.

  I rose.

  So did Abar. “About time,” she said under her breath. Her eyes met mine. “I have absolutely no idea why I told you so much tonight, Nykara. You’ll keep what we talked about to yourself?”

  “Of course.” I’d never reveal what she’d said, but I’d never forget a single word either.

  “You’ll let me use you in the future to get under Rawer’s skin, if I have need?”

  I nodded. Apparently, I was now conspiring with the most beautiful girl in the valley against my arch–enemy. And it was his doing. If Abar hadn’t stumbled on Rawer at Aby’s fire tonight with those girls she never would have spoken to me.

  Abar waited until Rawer reached the riverbank, looked down at him from the bow, practically cooed. “Why, I’ve been spending a very pleasant evening with Nykara.” She linked her arm in mine possessively, put her free hand on my chest. “What’s the matter? Did Semat and Neith and Herneith get tired of you so quickly?”

  “Let go of that… that… boy!” Rawer spluttered.

  Abar tightened her grip, edged closer to me. Her hair brushed my arm. “Or what, Rawer? You’ll try to make me? Or Nykara? How do you think that’ll turn out?” She laughed at him.

  “You’ll pay for this, Nykara!” Rawer raged. He actually stamped his foot on the ground, impotently.

  Abar released me. I jumped from the boat to the ground, then lifted her off, my hands around her waist, her hands on my shoulders.

  “Let go of her!” Rawer insisted.

  Abar took a step towards him. “You brought this on yourself when you decided to fool around in front of me, Rawer,” Abar snapped, her voice hard. “I played your game tonight. I can do it any time I like if you don’t straighten up and give me the respect I deserve. After all, I won’t have to look any farther than Grandfather’s fire to find Nykara from now on.” A warning to Rawer. She turned to me. “I enjoyed our conversation. I look forward to many more,” she said sweetly. Then she pushed past Rawer and disappeared into the darkness in the direction of the boatyard.

  He stared at me for a moment, clenched his fists, thought better of it, spun around and followed Abar, frantically calling her name.

  As soon as Rawer was out of sight I climbed back on board the boat. I moved to the stern and lay on my back and stretched out wearily. It had been a long and momentous day. I watched the stars wheel across the sky, all the while replaying in my mind the evening’s events. My life just got a lot more interesting. Abar said she’s going to seek me out at Aby’s fire if Rawer doesn’t straighten up. Which he won’t. So I’m about to be part of a completely one–way relationship with the most beautiful girl in the valley. It’ll never go beyond a few random conversations – I’ll never be anything more to Abar than a tool to get back at Rawer. But it’s not as if a commoner like me could aspire to mean something to her anyway. Abar’s an elite, promised to a future ruler. Truthfully, I don’t mind her manipulating me. It’ll be good to see Rawer suffer a bit and know I had a hand in it.

  Sometime later Aby joined me. Wordlessly, he unrolled a thin pallet stored in a small pavilion amidships, then stretched out on it and promptly fell asleep.

  I lay awake until dawn colored the sky, remembering Father, staring at the river of stars flowing overhead and wondering which one now held his spirit. And thinking more than a little about Abar.

  3453 BC

  Abar

  “I’m going to step aside as Nekhen’s ruler,” Grandfather announced to the handful of us gathered inside his small hut near the riverbank.

  I was absolutely stunned. Had I heard him correctly? I didn’t know of any man who’d ruled Nekhen in the past half millennium who hadn’t served until death. Grandfather had never so much as hinted he’d ever do something so drastic. What was behind it? He was by far the oldest man in our settlement – fifty–six – but still healthy and energetic. What was he going to do? Spend the rest of his life sitting beside his fire, watching the world go by? Did he intend to stop operating his fleet and boatyard and craftsmen’s workshops too? How was his resignation going to affect me? My cousin Rawer and I were Grandfather’s only living descendants. We were directly in line to succeed him as ruler. Or, rather, Rawer was, simply because he was a boy, even though he was only fourteen years old. Like every girl in Nekhen, I’d been taught the highest position I could aspire to was ruler’s woman.

  And I would be someday, thanks to my promised joining to Rawer. He’d been Grandfather’s designated successor the past four years, ever since Uncle Shery’s death. But I wasn’t about to be meek and retiring like every other ruler’s woman had been once I assumed that role. I’d promised Uncle Shery before his death I’d guide Rawer from behind the scenes, essentially relegating him to be my figurehead. Father’s donkeys, which I was going to inherit, would enable me to control transportation on land. Assuming I could convince Grandfather to leave me his fleet, I’d be able to control transportation on water too. With the entire transportation network at my disposal I’d be able to force Rawer – and every elite – to do my bidding. As Nekhen’s ruler in all but name, I’d be able to pursue the family quest originally begun by my ancestor Ankhmare and restarted by Grandfather for a brief time – to unify the entire valley under Nekhen’s control.

  Currently, Rawer was slated to inherit the fleet, even though he showed no inclination or capacity to operate it. I, on the other hand, was both qualified and capable. I’d been working hard the past three years to make Grandfather see I was a better choice than my cousin, to look past the fact I was a woman, to trust I’d do a better job of advancing his legacy when he was gone. Rawer didn’t even care about the fleet; I did. He understood practically nothing of its workings. I knew them in detail. To me, Grandfather’s choice was simple. Or it had been, at least for the first six months after Nykara came to stay in Grandfather’s hut.

  I’d spent nearly every evening in his company. I’d conversed with him at Grandfather’s fire simply to get a rise out of Rawer. It hadn’t been a hardship, even though Nykara was a commoner – he was undeniably handsome and far better company than any elite son. He was interested in the same things I was, and, I’d learned, intelligent. As promised, Grandfather had taken Nykara under his wing and started training him to be a boatman. It was soon evident Nykara outshone Rawer in every way possible, and most of the older boatmen too – he was smart and hard–working and a natural leader. Everyone gravitated to him. The fact he, a commoner, was more competent and cared more than Rawer about Grandfather’s enterprise bolstered my argument I deserved to inherit it instead of my cousin.

  However, two and a half years ago my ambition to inherit the fleet had suffered a crippling setback. Grandfather had unexpectedly joined with Tai, Nykara’s mother, a commoner a quarter–century his junior. Technically, Nykara was now Grandfather’s stepson and Rawer’s and my uncle. His intrusion into my family, for so I considered it, cast my heretofore certain future into doubt. Before, I’d expected to rule Nekhen through Rawer, as his woman, with fleet and herd at my disposal to keep him and the elites in line. After, given the contrast between Rawer and Nykara, it wasn’t a stretch to assume Grandfather might give Nykara the fleet, maybe even name him heir and future ruler. If that happened, after Grandfather died I’d be merely the woman of an elite man in charge of my father’s herd. Without control of the fleet, the family quest to expand Nekhen’s influence would be out of my hands. I refused to accept that outcome. Nykara was not of Grandfathe
r’s blood and so, as far as I was concerned, he was absolutely unacceptable as either fleet operator or ruler.

  I scanned the faces of the others sitting in a loose circle inside the hut. Father appeared completely surprised by Grandfather’s announcement, Rawer shocked, Ipu – Nekhen’s healer and the falcon god’s priestess – inscrutable, her great–granddaughter Amenia baffled. Tai was serene – she’d obviously known about Grandfather’s announcement beforehand, as apparently had Nykara. That they were both calm was not a good sign.

  “Can I trust Amenia to keep confidential what she hears today?” Grandfather asked Ipu.

  Ipu was the oldest woman in Nekhen. She and Grandfather had grown up together. She lived in the house of her son, Khaemtir, the operator of a minor pottery works in Nekhen’s upper settlement, on the terrace at the base of the western plateau looming over the valley. While some enterprises, like herding and hunting, were the purview of one man, others, like pottery and brewing, were conducted by a number of individuals. Ipu celebrated alongside Grandfather when we honored the gods at the inundation and planting and harvest festivals. She was showing her age these days, walking with a shuffle, somewhat hunched over. In fact, she’d entered Grandfather’s hut today leaning heavily on Amenia for support, which explained the girl’s presence. Both of Ipu’s forearms were horribly twisted; her hands pointed in opposite directions. How Ipu managed to do the simplest tasks was beyond me; no doubt that’s why Amenia was always at her side. Still, Ipu had been Nekhen’s healer for several generations. She’d been present at my birth, according to Father; she’d been unable to save my mother, who’d died that day, just as Rawer’s had a scant week earlier. She’d tended to me for an entire week a year ago when I’d fallen extremely ill. Ipu’s only jewelry was a palm–sized falcon–shaped talisman dangling around her neck, the source of her authority. I’d never seen her without it or wearing anything else. Ipu’s hair was still dark, no doubt colored with henna, and someone had woven long extensions in today that brushed her shoulders. Likely they came from one of Amenia’s cousins, for their color did not match hers.