“That’s very hard to believe,” Sanakht said, eyeing me suspiciously. “Craftsmen here rarely have more than a few chunks found by travelers to work with.”
“There are mines in the desert, at the head of an arm of the eastern sea, several months’ journey from Maadi. Desert nomads smelt the ore and haul ingots by donkey to the settlement. More nomads, from the western desert, pasture their flocks in the delta each summer and bring leather, skins, spices, dates, wine and grapes with them. They exchange them for Maadi’s goods. There are two storage areas at opposite ends of the settlement where all the traders store their products in common.”
An amazed look passed between Hemaka and Sanakht.
“The storage huts hold emmer, barley, cooked mutton, fish bones, and linen and beads and stone cosmetic palettes and shells of freshwater mussels, as well as stone vases. Vase making is Maadi’s main enterprise.”
Hemaka straightened. “Instead of pottery?”
“Each household makes its own cooking pots as needed. There’s no pottery works like yours at all, Hemaka. For storage and tableware they make vases and bowls and other vessels of black basalt and granite and gneiss and diorite and limestone and alabaster. The finest items are elongated cylinders with flat rims, small handles and flaring, ring–like bases. They make their domestic dishes and bowls and cups and lamps of limestone. They reuse the large earthenware jars in which products are transported from the lands bordering the Wadjet Wer – almonds, wool, goat cheese, olives, wine.” I addressed Amenia. “The Maadians lack the type of clay you use and the skill and the inclination to make objects out of pottery. Because of their quality and scarcity, yours bring great value.”
Hemaka looked at Amenia thoughtfully. He struck me as an intelligent man – he had to be, to have successfully operated along with his brother the largest pottery works in the upper settlement. Now that he knew a bit about the environment at Maadi he was gauging possibilities. I suspected he was going to find a way to divert Amenia’s chores to her cousins so she could spend most of her time at her kiln, since that would be of great benefit to him personally.
“What’s the delta like?” Amenia pressed.
“From what I was told, Ta–mehu is nothing at all like the valley here at Nekhen,” I replied. I held my hand up and spread my fingers. “The river splits into branches, just like my fingers, and each reaches all the way to the Wadjet Wer. When you’re standing in the midst of the delta you don’t see desert at all, just flat green land all the way to the horizon. It’s swampy, thick with feathery papyrus and reeds taller than a man, teeming with birds and animals. Many rhinoceroses and hippopotamuses live in the marshes. The domestic animals are all larger than here at Nekhen. Farmers grow barley mostly – it survives the wet conditions better than emmer – and they also harvest wild grasses. The hamlets are very small and far between – perhaps only a dozen exist – and all are on raised hillocks high enough not to be submerged by the inundation. They’re scattered like knots on a fishing net, not like gemstones on a string as they are here on the upper river.”
Then I told everyone in explicit detail about the expedition to Badari, my decision to go on to Maadi, meeting with Setau and Khaba and Haran and Nabaru and the rest, the exchange of goods, the trip back. I didn’t mention Bakist. Hemaka and Sanakht would both consider me weak for having let a girl assist me. By the time I finished my tale the sun was about to dip below the lip of the plateau to the west and shadows were lengthening across the valley and the verandah was in shade.
“Nykara will return to your pottery works in two weeks to get however many jars and pots and bowls Amenia has produced, Hemaka,” Dedi concluded. “He’ll come every two weeks after that. I’ll keep them in my storage hut at my boatyard. That will lessen my preparation time when I set out on my next expedition.” Dedi addressed Amenia. “Concentrate first on your decorated styles. My next trip will be to Nubt, where those styles are highly prized. After that, I’ll need many black–topped. As soon as Nykara builds me a boat that will stand up to a long journey we’ll be carrying them north to Maadi.”
“I’ll get to work first thing in the morning,” Amenia promised.
“I do have one request,” Dedi said. “Many of your decorated objects portray the conflict between man and nature. In the future, I’d like you to explore themes that portray our ruler dominating nature and maintaining order. Illustrate Aboo’s power.”
Dedi and I had discussed the night before using Amenia’s pottery as part of his plan to bring Nubt and Tjeni into union with us.
Hemaka nodded. “I assure you, my niece will. Her pottery will be ready for your boy when he returns.”
“Not my boy,” Dedi informed Hemaka. “Nykara has overseen my fleet for several years. What he accomplished leading the expedition to Maadi has earned him greater opportunity. As of yesterday I’ve put him in charge of my entire enterprise.”
An unexpected reward. I’d promised Dedi I’d make sure what he and his family had built would continue to flourish as long as I lived.
Hemaka was clearly taken aback by my new status. So was Sanakht. “What about Rawer?” Hemaka asked. “Isn’t he your heir?”
“Yes. But he doesn’t have the skill or inclination to operate my enterprise. We need competence in transportation, not chaos,” Dedi said. “So, while Rawer will succeed Aboo as ruler, unless something changes drastically he’ll never be directly involved in transportation by water. Though, to be frank, he hasn’t given up hope he will.”
I was amazed Dedi had spoken so highly of me. I could tell I’d risen considerably in Hemaka’s estimation. Fact was, my status was now at least equivalent to his. Hemaka was the kind of man who could make that calculation.
Dedi addressed Amenia and me. “You two go work out the details. I have more business to discuss with Hemaka that doesn’t concern either of you.”
Was Dedi purposefully giving Amenia and me a chance to talk in private? Had he guessed I was interested in her? We crossed the yard to the covered work area and sat on the ground facing each other. Hemaka’s and Sanakht’s eyes were on us. I wasn’t going to do anything that would give either of them a reason to chastise Amenia. Though I definitely wanted to.
“In charge of Dedi’s entire operation!” Amenia exclaimed. “Congratulations, Nykara! That means you’ll be an elite some day!”
“Don’t count on it,” I said frankly. “Once Dedi’s dead Rawer will figure out a way to put me back in my rightful place.”
“Well, I think you’re in your rightful place,” she said loyally.
“I’m glad you think so.”
“This was your doing, wasn’t it Nykara? Getting Dedi to commission me to make more pottery.”
“They’re valuable commodities for exchange. Didn’t take much convincing.”
“But you did.”
“Profit persuaded him.”
“With a nudge from you.”
“Yes,” I admitted.
“Getting Dedi to come here today was your idea too.”
“Hemaka wouldn’t have treated Dedi’s message seriously if it had come from me. But he can’t turn Dedi down. I wanted to make sure you could keep your dream to be a full–time potter alive.”
“I can’t tell you how much that means to me, Nykara, how incredibly happy I am right now,” she said, her eyes sparkling.
“I guess I’ll be seeing you fairly regularly from now on,” I said lightly.
Amenia’s cheeks colored. “I’ll like that,” she said shyly. “A lot.”
I thrilled to her admission. “Nekauba won’t be happy.”
She stiffened, almost as if she’d been jolted back to reality. “Especially after he and I are joined. He’ll make you deal directly with him for my pottery. He won’t let you anywhere near me.”
The pit of my stomach tightened. Whatever illusion I’d built a relationship with Amenia might be possible had just vanished like smoke driven before a strong wind. I had indeed rejected Abar for a woman I cou
ldn’t have. “Is this going to happen soon, do you think? Your joining?”
“Great–grandmother’s health is getting worse rapidly. We talked before about what that means.”
“A great deal of uncertainty for you and your cousins and uncles.”
“Compounded by Dedi commissioning my pottery just now,” Amenia said thoughtfully. “Couldn’t you see my uncles’ minds whirring, calculating my suddenly increased value to them? Did you see the greed on their faces when Dedi gave Uncle Hemaka the wine?”
“I did.”
“In one way, that’s actually good for me. Uncle Hemaka will be inclined not to join me to Nekauba or anyone else for as long as possible so he can continue to control me and the pottery I produce. My pottery will make him wealthy enough he’ll be able to get out from under Uncle Sanakht’s thumb. But it’s bad for me because Uncle Sanakht will surely pressure Uncle Hemaka to honor his agreement and join me to Nekauba as soon as possible so he can control me and my pottery and become Dedi’s supplier and increase his wealth. If there’s one thing Uncle Sanakht wants above all else it’s to be rich.”
“So you’ll remain free only if Hemaka can stand up to Sanakht. Otherwise, you’ll become Nekauba’s property.”
“Uncle Sanakht’s more wily and cunning and… savage than Uncle Hemaka. Plus, he controls the pottery works. Uncle Hemaka always gives in to him.”
“I wish there was something I could do.”
“You have, Nykara,” Amenia said earnestly. “Whatever happens, at least now I’ll get to keep making pottery. Nekauba would have put a stop to that otherwise. Uncle Sanakht has enough sense to let me continue working. He’ll set Nekauba straight.”
Amenia looked so sad, so resigned. My heart went out to her. Then something occurred to me. It was an outrageous idea. But I was desperate. I didn’t want to lose Amenia before I even had a chance to get to know her. “Maybe I can help you keep Sanakht at bay.”
“How?”
“Above all else, Hemaka wants to join you to someone in an elite family instead of Nekauba. Am I right?”
“It’s his fondest wish. And, frankly, it may be a very real possibility fairly soon, though he doesn’t know it yet.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s something I didn’t tell you the last time we were together.” Amenia’s eyes searched mine. “If I tell you now you can’t breathe a word of it to anyone – aside from me, only Abar knows.”
“Your secret is safe,” I said, intrigued, wondering how Abar had come to know it, and how Amenia was apparently involved enough with her to share a secret.
“Great–grandmother’s going to name me her heir. When she dies I’m going to take her place as priestess.”
That wasn’t particularly surprising, not after seeing how close the two of them were and how Amenia helped Ipu in the oval court. “Hemaka and Sanakht don’t know?”
“They strongly suspect. But they’re not sure.”
“Why not?”
“Great–grandmother wants to keep them guessing as long as possible so they won’t be able to manipulate me. She’s been dropping hints all my cousins, including Nekauba, are possibilities.”
“Otherwise, your uncles would know how to use the pieces in the game they’re playing to become wealthy and influential, instead of merely knowing what pieces they have to play with.”
“Exactly.”
“But Ipu told Abar. Why?”
“I can’t speak for her. But I think, with all the uncertainty over Aboo’s heir, Great–grandmother didn’t want her intention for me to be doubted. I wouldn’t put it past either of my uncles to lie about Great–grandmother’s choice.”
“So, back to the matter at hand – if we can figure out a way to keep Hemaka from yielding to Sanakht until your selection as priestess is announced you won’t have to join with Nekauba in the near term. After the announcement, the elites will beat a path to your door and Nekauba will be eliminated for good.”
“Yes to the first part. But I’m not sure anyone will ‘beat a path to my door,’ as you say.”
“Don’t underestimate yourself, Amenia, or your position. You’re a remarkably talented woman. Just look at your pottery. And you’ll have a considerable amount of influence once you’re the falcon god’s priestess. You’ll be treated as reverently as Ipu. The elites won’t ignore you then.”
“Even if that’s true, how can we keep Uncle Hemaka from giving in to Uncle Sanakht now? It could be a while before Great–grandmother is dead. Which I sincerely hope.”
“What if we convince Hemaka an elite is already interested in you? Would he choose Nekauba over him? Or would he use that as an excuse to keep Sanakht at bay?”
“The latter. But, Nykara, no elite even knows I exist, much less has an interest in me. I’ve been in their homes when they were sick, helping Great–grandmother. No elite boy ever took notice of me. Not even once.”
“What about me, Amenia? Hemaka believes I’m eventually going to become an elite based on what Dedi told him tonight.”
Amenia was suddenly pale. She stiffened. “Are you suggesting I join with you, Nykara?”
I couldn’t tell if she was merely shocked or simply appalled. It wasn’t my intention to chase her off before she even got to know me. I shook my head no. “I’m simply suggesting you can use me to buy yourself time, to stave off Sanakht,” I replied. “All we need to do is make Hemaka think I’m interested in you.”
“But what if Dedi dies soon and Rawer takes the fleet away, as you said he will? Dedi’s the same age as Great–grandmother. Then you’ll be a boatman again, a commoner.”
“There’s something you don’t know about me yet either, Amenia. Remember when I was talking earlier about how plentiful copper is in Maadi?”
“Yes.”
“I brought a great number of copper ingots and a metalsmith to work them back from Maadi. I’m going to operate a copper smithy here in Nekhen. In half a year most of the elites will be dependent on me to supply tools for their workmen. My smithy is going to make me an elite eventually, no matter what Rawer does to me. So, if Hemaka thinks I’m interested in you it might keep you free of Nekauba for now. Who knows? That might be long enough for an elite to become interested in you for real.”
Amenia’s eyes rose to mine again, seemed to plumb their very depths. She grew even more pale, if that was possible. “But what if I want you to be interested in me for real?” she whispered.
My heart was suddenly singing. I hadn’t misjudged Amenia’s glances under the verandah. I wouldn’t let her misjudge mine. “I’d jump at the chance to win your heart, Amenia. You’re wonderful and talented and I’ve never met anyone like you.” I surreptitiously took hold of her hand. “I thought about you all the way to Maadi and back.”
“That’s settled, then,” she said decisively. There was color in her cheeks once more. She’d never looked more captivating. “We’ll convince my uncles you’re the man for me.”
I liked the sound of that. I could scarcely believe things were moving so fast.
Amenia and I both glanced at the verandah. Nekauba had finished unloading the wine and was now sitting at one corner, staring at us. I almost wished he’d try to pick a fight with me tonight. I’d enjoy humiliating him in front of Amenia.
“Uncle Hemaka and Uncle Sanakht and Nekauba are watching us. We should give them a show,” Amenia said matter–of–factly.
“A show?”
“I can’t approach Uncle Hemaka and tell him you’re interested in me. He wouldn’t believe me. He doesn’t think any man could ever care for me because I’m so plain.”
“You’re not,” I insisted.
“That’s very sweet of you,” Amenia said. “But Uncle Hemaka needs to decide for himself you’re interested in me – right now, before Uncle Sanakht gets the chance to work on him.” She sidled closer, smiled brightly. “Kiss me, Nykara. Make it convincing. Make sure they see.”
Amenia was far bolder than I’d suspe
cted. I liked her even more for that. I recalled the kiss Abar had given me in the brewery to make Rawer jealous. It had worked on him. He’d made my life miserable for months afterwards. “Will they take it out on you?” I asked, hesitating.
“They won’t protest in front of Dedi. After you and he leave I’ll claim you caught me off guard, that you insisted I was going to be yours someday and you wanted a taste. If Uncle Hemaka doesn’t believe me – well, he’s broken enough sticks on my back over the years. But if he does…”
“We’ll stop Sanakht in his tracks.” I smiled. “I’ll willingly participate in your nefarious plot, Amenia. But before I do, I have something for you. Perhaps it’ll make a kiss even more convincing.” I opened the leather pouch attached to my belt, fished out the copper boat amulet, handed it to her. “Heth – my metalsmith – made it. It’s little enough thanks for the pottery I took north.”
She held it, stared at it, looked up. There were tears in her eyes. “No one’s ever given me anything before. I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life, Nykara.”
I took it from her and she bent her head and I slipped it over. It dangled against her chest. I took her long hair in both hands and lifted it free of the twine holding the amulet, let it go. Her hair cascaded over her shoulders.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, taking the boat in her fingers and studying it once more.
“Not as beautiful as you.”
She let the amulet drop. “No one’s ever called me that before,” she said.
“Get used to it.” I gently took Amenia by the shoulders, pulled her close, bent my head, soundly kissed her. Her lips were soft and yielding and her hair brushed my face and her shoulders felt incredibly smooth and I wished we’d never have to stop.
After a moment we moved slightly apart. I kept my hands on her shoulders.
The Women and the Boatman Page 31
