The Women and the Boatman

by Mark Gajewski

  Amenia sketched the figure of a man with a lion on each side, the lions standing on their hind legs.

  “Don’t forget the expedition to the oasis, when you avenged Shery’s death,” I said.

  “And your father’s. I brought three barbarians back to Nekhen and smote them with my mace in what is now the oval court, as you can all attest,” Dedi said.

  Amenia hurriedly sketched a man with an upraised mace, holding a rope attached to three bound, kneeling prisoners. She was working intently, unconsciously biting the tip of her tongue through her slightly parted lips. I wanted to kiss those lips in the worst way.

  “Why is my figure so much larger than the prisoners?” Dedi asked.

  “To portray your dominance. Greater size means greater importance. Everyone who sees the composition will understand. I’m showing the prisoners bound because you aren’t struggling with your enemies – you’ve already conquered them.”

  “The story told by the wall should be about more than mere events,” Abar interjected. “Grandfather, you once ruled Nekhen. You controlled chaos and assured order and kept us safe and made us prosperous. The wall should speak to anyone who sees it of a ruler’s power, why he’s important, why he has status.”

  “Not just the man. The office,” I said.

  “Add the animals I’ve hunted and trapped and slain, then,” Dedi suggested. “Nothing demonstrates more effectively controlling the world around us. Show bows and arrows, lassoes, hunting dogs. Show individual animals, herds. Show them in the desert, and on the plateau.”

  “And don’t forget to show Grandfather with a crook and a was scepter,” Abar said. “They’re symbols with a dual message – controlling chaos, and exercising a ruler’s power.”

  “I’ll show figures celebrating your success in the hunt, and gods watching over you and us,” Amenia added. She was sketching quickly, surely, filling the leather with rough images, her fingers, now black with charcoal, flying. After ten minutes she sat back. I counted twenty groups of figures scattered amidst and around the six boats, as well as numerous animals. “This is a good starting point,” she said. “I’ll use it to sketch a more detailed plan for the wall. Perhaps you can help me, Abar and Nykara. Once it’s to your liking, Dedi, you can have someone paint it in the tomb.”

  “As long as that someone is you,” Dedi told her.

  “I’m honored,” Amenia said humbly.

  “And favored by the falcon god,” Dedi rejoined. “If you do it, perhaps he’ll give the images his protection for eternity. Maybe even make them live.”

  Amenia looked at me, then addressed Dedi. “I shouldn’t be the only painter. I’ll paint the boats and some of the animals. But Abar should paint some, and Nykara. They should have the chance to honor you too.”

  “I don’t know how,” I protested.

  “Me either,” Abar said.

  “I’ll show you,” Amenia said. “You’ll have the master drawing to follow. It won’t matter if the styles are different, if some images are polished and some are rough. They’ll be a sign of how much each of us cares. Surely that will please our god.”

  “As always, an excellent idea. I agree,” Dedi said. He wiped his brow with his fingers. “And now, I’m hot and tired. I’m going to go rest along the riverbank. You three should go someplace quiet and get to work.”

  ***

  I obtained a clean strip of leather and several pieces of fresh charcoal and we moved to an isolated grove of palms along the riverbank a little north of the boatyard. The shade beneath them was cool after the brilliant hot sunshine. The wind clacked the palm fronds above our heads and the river flowed past powerfully and noisily. We had a clear view of all the approaches; no one would overhear us. This was the first opportunity for the three of us to talk since our secret meeting in the rulers’ cemetery.

  “I don’t suppose you’ve had a dream about our next ruler yet?” Abar asked Amenia once we settled in.

  “Sorry.”

  Abar sighed. “The elites have been busy,” she reported. “Nearly every one has been sneaking about, talking to Father. The other night I saw Pipi skulking in the shadows when I was visiting Grandfather by his fire, obviously waiting to see you, Nykara. Is there anything we should know?”

  “Quite a bit, actually,” I replied. “Things aren’t going the way Pipi hoped at all. We have Wenher to thank.”

  “Wenher?”

  “She pressed Pipi about the status of his deal when she learned I’d been named Dedi’s heir. He admitted he’d spoken to Aboo. She swept into the boatyard that very evening, threw herself into my arms beside the fire, boasted to several boatmen’s daughters we’re going to be joined. She announced you, Abar, are going to be joined to her brother. She told me she was trying to convince Pipi to give her to me right away, not wait until Dedi dies and the fleet is actually mine. As I later learned, she and I were the main topic of gossip when the boatmen’s girls went to the river to bathe that night along with all the others. By the next morning every elite man had figured out the components of Pipi’s alliance. By that afternoon three elites had forged an alliance, hoping to stop him.”

  “Who?” Abar asked.

  “Teti, Seni and Salitis.”

  “Beer, gold and cattle. Formidable,” Abar said. “Still not as powerful as Pipi and you and Father.”

  “Except Aboo’s already agreed he’ll join your half–sisters to their sons, once the girls come of age, according to Pipi. Your father’s hedging his bets, Abar. In seven years Weni, Teti’s son, will be able to claim descent from your father through your sister Hunur.”

  “He’s fifteen years older than her!” Abar exclaimed. “Disgusting!”

  “What’s Pipi going to do? Give up?” Amenia asked hopefully.

  I didn’t blame her for wishing. If he did my joining to Wenher would be off. One less obstacle to keep us from being together. “Afraid not,” I replied. “Pipi’s going to try to break Teti’s alliance by luring either Seni or Salitis or both into his.”

  “Really? Do you think he’ll succeed?” Abar asked.

  “I’d say it’s quite likely – not immediately, but eventually.”

  “Will Pipi do what Wenher asked – join her to you immediately?” Amenia asked with trepidation.

  “She should have kept her mouth shut,” I replied cheerfully. “By revealing Pipi’s alliance she made it necessary for her father to expand it. Who better for him to use for that purpose than her?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “Salitis’ son Khui has lusted after Wenher for years. I encouraged Pipi to bring Salitis into his alliance by proposing to join the two of them. I told Pipi I wouldn’t stand in his way, that I’d willingly sacrifice being with Wenher for the good of his deal. I reminded him it could be years before I actually had Dedi’s fleet, that he’d be wasting Wenher on me when he could use her to strengthen our alliance immediately.”

  “What did he say?” Amenia asked.

  “He’s seriously considering it, especially since I also proposed he bring Hemaka into the alliance as a minor member – with the caveat Hemaka lets you and I join.”

  “Truly?” There was wonder in Amenia’s voice.

  “The chance to have the falcon god’s priestess in his alliance? That’s more than Pipi ever imagined – overwhelming economic power, and the woman who’ll name the next ruler.”

  “Once Teti figures out what’s going on, won’t he try to pull Hemaka into his alliance to counteract Pipi?” Abar asked. “Teti’s not stupid. He knows your importance, Amenia, as do all the elites. They can’t have missed Rawer buzzing about you like a bee in clover since he lost the fleet to Nykara. Rawer’s only chance to be ruler now is for you to confirm him.”

  “Rawer’s truly desperate, though he tries to hide it from me,” Amenia replied. “The more he accosts me, the more I see why you don’t want to be joined to him. He’s absolutely two–faced. He lies about everyone and twists everything that happens in Nekhen to his ad
vantage. He’s relentless. He’s constantly trying to get me to promise I’ll confirm him. It takes every ounce of energy I have to be pleasant to him so he won’t guess I can’t stand him.”

  “He’d never approach you if you weren’t the falcon god’s priestess,” Abar said with assurance. “Frankly, you’re not the kind of woman Rawer usually dallies with.”

  “I know. Not pretty enough,” Amenia said self–deprecatingly.

  She’d been told that her whole life. I could see how much it hurt, though she wouldn’t admit it.

  “It’s not that at all,” Abar insisted, shaking her head. “You’re not submissive enough, Amenia. Or fawning enough. Or stupid enough.” Abar reached out and touched Amenia’s talisman with her fingertips. “As you said, because Rawer’s lost the fleet you’re his only chance to be Nekhen’s next ruler. He’ll do anything he has to so you’ll select him. Pressure, bribery… the circlet, for example.”

  “You’re aware he gave it to me?” Amenia asked.

  “Nykara told me. On the surface, it was an appropriate gift for the tomb complex dedication. Have no doubt Rawer was using it to impress you with his generosity and wealth, to make it seem like he’s your friend.”

  “The circlet’s the only thing I’ve ever accepted from him,” Amenia said.

  “Expect Teti to shower you with gifts too, Amenia,” I said. “As well as the elites who aren’t in Pipi’s or Teti’s alliances. Those who’ve been left out will see you as their path to rule. I’m guessing they’ll be pretty aggressive trying to get you to choose them. Bribes and such.”

  “And offers to join with them,” Amenia admitted. “It’s already happening. Has been for a while, actually. Weni and Khui and Mitri so far. Along with Itisen and Salitis. Though they’re far too old.”

  “Elites, not just sons,” Abar noted. “The same ones who’ve been after me.”

  “Aren’t we lucky,” Amenia said facetiously. She looked out over the river. “There’s one thing I’m afraid of if what you say is true, Nykara. Uncle.”

  “Why?” Abar asked. “With both Pipi and Teti approaching him, won’t he jump at the chance to increase his status?”

  “He’ll grab it with both hands,” Amenia said. “The thing is, Uncle may be greedy, but he’s also shrewd. The first offer will fill him with visions of wealth and being able to break free of Uncle Sanakht. The second will make him realize he’s in a bidding war. Once he does he won’t accept being a minor partner – he’ll want a major role in whichever alliance he joins.”

  “He’ll end up in Pipi’s alliance, and he will have a minor role,” I assured her.

  “How can you be certain?” Amenia asked.

  “Because if you’re part of Teti’s alliance Nykara won’t trade your pottery anymore, and Teti can’t possibly make up for Hemaka’s lost wealth,” Abar said. “Pure self interest.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Amenia sighed.

  “Hemaka’s greed will actually be good for us,” I said. “Negotiations between him and Pipi and Teti will slow the process. Until either Pipi or Teti has a solid alliance in place, neither will be able to make a final proposal to Aboo. And, no action will actually be triggered until Dedi dies. Until then the fleet won’t be mine. Officially, Rawer will remain Aboo’s heir, and you, Abar, will still be promised to him. Publicly at least.”

  “The real battle will come when Father dies,” Abar reflected. “That’s when you’ll come into play, Amenia, and make the choice that settles everything.”

  “If you select Abar,” I said, “and the three of us are part of Pipi’s alliance, then you’ll simply have to convince Pipi to accept her as ruler. He’ll have the might to force the rest of the elites to fall in line behind her. But if you somehow end up in Teti’s alliance, and still pick Abar, Pipi will never accept it and Pipi and Teti will fight it out for control.”

  “Or if you pick any elite who’s not in Pipi’s alliance,” Abar said.

  “I think the key to it all is whether the falcon god sends you a dream,” I said. “Both Pipi and Teti will be more likely to accept your choice if it’s the god’s. They’ll be less likely if you choose yourself.”

  Amenia closed her eyes for a moment, took a deep breath. “Enough speculation. I have a lot to consider. And now, I suppose we should get to work.”

  For the next several hours the three of us labored over the drawings – or rather, Abar and I made numerous and sometimes conflicting suggestions and Amenia patiently altered and re–altered her initial drawings to accommodate us. That phase done, she propped the rough drawing against the trunk of a palm tree and laid flat the clean leather and started sketching.

  “You’ve never told me how you invented the buff–colored pottery that brings so much value in trade at Nubt,” Abar said as she watched Amenia work.

  “That was a happy accident,” Amenia admitted. “I was planning to make some of the polished–red ware I paint with white images. I’d been busy with chores the prior week and hadn’t been able to walk all the way to the riverbank where I usually obtain my material, so I’d dug up clay I’d stumbled on up on the plateau and used it. When I fired my pottery a few days later it turned out buff–colored. I started experimenting, painting images in various colors. Reddish–brown stood out best.”

  “Purposeful or not, it was a remarkable achievement,” I said appreciatively.

  “The real innovator was my ancestress, Tiaa,” Amenia said. “More than five hundred years ago she invented the black–topped pottery, also by accident. She was just a girl at the time. The family story says she accidentally dropped a fired pot rim down into a bed of coals, creating the black top. She eventually mastered the technique.”

  “I remember your Great–grandmother talking about her the first time we met, in Grandfather’s hut,” Abar said. “She figures in some of the stories he tells, though she disappeared from them soon after she and Ankhmare convinced the patriarchs in this region to pledge fealty to the man they chose to rule Nekhen.”

  “That’s not surprising,” Amenia said. “They lived separate lives. You see, Tiaa fell in love with a man named Qen when she lived at Badari. He roamed the eastern wadis between the valley and the sea with his band. Neither his nor her patriarch would let them join. Qen was very special. He etched images of prey on the rock walls in the eastern wadis to ensure his band’s success in the hunt. After Tiaa settled at Nekhen she purposefully invented the polished–red ware. She painted on it the same images Qen had etched on the rock walls.”

  “And when Ankhmare traded the pottery to the north Qen saw it and traced it to Nekhen and found her?” Abar guessed.

  Amenia nodded. She started sketching the third boat.

  “How romantic,” Abar sighed. She studied Amenia for a moment. “Tiaa must have borne the talisman too.”

  “Yes. Would you like to hold it?” Amenia put down the charcoal, wiped her hands on her skirt, leaving black smudges, removed the talisman from around her neck, handed it to Abar.

  Abar took it, felt it. “It’s heavy. I’ve never encountered a substance like this.” She looked it over back and front, returned it.

  Amenia slipped it over her head again. “Ankhmare brought Tiaa to his home in the valley from hers in the South. He encountered her when he was on a trade expedition on the savannah. Why she came with him the story does not say.”

  “Neither does ours,” Abar said.

  “Ankhmare grew up in Badari,” Amenia said.

  “A shell now of what it once was,” I reminded them.

  “Together they traded the length of the valley, from the Wadjet Wer in the North to Nekhen in the South,” Amenia continued. “There’s probably never been a woman who saw more of our world than her. Maybe it’s why I feel drawn to travel.” She took up a new piece of charcoal, sketched the first sweeping line of the next boat. “Someday, I hope to see even more than she did.”

  “If everything works out for us, Amenia, you will,” I promised.

  3446 BCr />
  Amenia

  I awakened early this morning, hurried outside, baked bread, fed the animals. Nykara was coming soon after breakfast to pick up a load of pottery to take on his next trade expedition. Even though he’d completely taken over Dedi’s enterprise it was a task he refused to delegate to any of his workmen, for he got to see me. Today was going to be even more special than usual; I was going to accompany Nykara back to the lower settlement to place an order for Uncle Hemaka with the stone carvers. I carried my reed basket piled high with loaves of hot bread through the entrance into Uncle’s house.

  It was as fine as any of those belonging to the elites in the lower settlement, though much smaller. It consisted of mud–plastered reed walls and a roof of the same material supported by acacia posts set deep into postholes in the hard–packed dirt floor. There was a main room and three smaller opening off it – one where Auntie and Uncle slept, one for me and my cousins, one for food storage. A window at the end of the main room opposite the entrance allowed a cooling breeze to pass through. A few finely–woven reed mats hung on the walls as decorations, and more, much sturdier, were scattered about on the floor. Wood chests lined a side wall in my room, one for each of my cousins and me to store our clothing and jewelry and other belongings. Uncle was already seated cross–legged on the floor in the center of the main room where we always gathered to eat. A few bowls of fruit and jars of beer were laid out there. Uncle was pouring himself a cup. I continued to the far end of the room where Auntie and two of my cousins were on their knees, busily preparing the rest of our breakfast beside a stone–lined hearth. The wealthy families in Nekhen had household servants to cook and clean and weave and such, but Uncle saw no need for such an extravagance when he had two daughters and a woman and a niece to perform chores. My cousin Kapes was, at seventeen, four years younger than me; Nebet had just turned fifteen. That both were still not joined to anyone, to their frustration, was due to me; until my situation with Nykara was resolved Uncle wasn’t about to waste either of them on a man of little or no influence. He was clearly in no hurry to give me away, especially now that I was caught up in the bidding war between Pipi and Teti. But my cousins were anxious to start having babies and both blamed me they couldn’t.