by Max Overton
"You mean to be king. How long will Akhenre survive your elevation?"
Bay just smiled.
"What if I tell people of your ambitions? Of what you have already done?"
"Who would believe you? Accuse me and I will deny it and counter charge you with spreading dissension and treason. The king will support me, I assure you of that."
"Queen Tausret..."
"Will shortly be powerless. She has already lost her reason for living and will soon find her regency stripped from her. After that, she is nothing without the king's permission, and the king will do as I say."
Bay beckoned to Besenmut. "Keep Commander Ament under guard until I have left the city, and then release him. The Queen's dog is now toothless."
"He does still command the Set legion."
"Hmm." Bay thought for a moment. "Who is your most trusted officer here in Iunu?"
"Leader of Fifty Wenemef, my Lord."
Bay barked a short laugh. "It is his lucky day. I will write out an order raising him to the rank of legion commander. He will assume command of the Set legion. Satisfied?"
"If you say so, my Lord, but may I have Ament killed?"
"No, I want him to witness my final victory, but if it pleases you, you may kill him after that."
"Thank you, my Lord. I shall look forward to it."
***
Queen Tausret called informally on Siptah while he ate on a wide shaded veranda overlooking the Great River. A pleasantly cool north wind blew, ruffling the water and swaying the tops of the palm trees. Servants stood around the king's table attentive to his needs and a small group of entertainers played music and danced for the king's pleasure. Three young women plucked on stringed instruments or shook a sistrum, while two girls, nubile and naked save for a thin girdle round their waists, swayed and stepped in time with the music.
Siptah scowled when Tausret appeared, and threw down the duck leg he had been gnawing on. He wiped his hands on a crumpled linen cloth and stared at the approaching regent.
"What do you want?"
"I think we need to talk. In private."
"So talk. There's nothing of interest you cannot say in front of the servants."
"It concerns your Uncle Bay and certain actions he has taken recently that threaten to destabilise the Kingdoms. If you want to talk about that openly, we can do so, but the gossip will be all over the city by sunset and I dare say Bay will not be pleased."
"Oh, very well. Get out, all of you."
The servants bowed and left quickly, while the musicians ceased in a discordant flurry and the naked girls fled. Siptah waved a hand toward a chair and selected a ripe fig, inspecting the skin for blemishes.
"What do you want to say? Know that anything you say will be reported to Bay."
"You rely on him for everything, do you? It makes me wonder who really rules Kemet."
"You are impertinent, Lady. I am the king, and I rule Kemet."
"Or at least as much as I let you."
Siptah glared at Tausret and bit into the fig. "Have you come here just to insult me then? You will not always be regent, you know."
"Is that what Bay tells you? He drips poisoned words in your ear."
Siptah shifted in his chair and looked away, chewing on the piece of fruit.
"Speaking of poison," Tausret went on, "you want to be careful what you lend your name to."
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't you?" Tausret stared at the young king who refused to meet her gaze. "Your uncle and trusted adviser Bay had poison put into some honey cakes intended for Commander Ament and...and my son. It was only by great good fortune that the scheme did not succeed."
"I don't believe you."
"Shall I send for the physician who treated Ament? He tested the cakes on a dog. It quickly died in agony."
"Not that. I don't believe Bay had anything to do with it."
"Then there is the matter of the snake, the cobra in the basket that killed my only son." Tausret's voice quivered as she spoke but she forced down her emotions, determined to carry through her plans dispassionately.
"I...I don't know what you mean."
"No? I understood that Bay confided in you. Did he not discuss with you the need to remove me and my son before I could act to put my son on the throne?"
Siptah's lips quivered. "How...how dare you accuse me of that? I had nothing to do with it."
"My sources say differently." Tausret leaned forward and studied Siptah's face intently. "Not even a king can kill innocent children with impunity. When the army and nobles hear of this they will rise up and overthrow you. Even your supporters will disown you. You will go to prison at the very least and end your days in squalor and misery. Do you see now where Bay's advice has led you? You have become a child murderer and the gods will curse you."
"No. I had nothing to do with that, with the death of your son. Bay told me...but I didn't agree with it." Siptah shifted uncomfortably on his chair and averted his eyes from Tausret's face.
"Are you telling me that Bay acted alone in the killing of my son?"
"I didn't have anything to do with that, I swear."
"So Bay acted alone? Without your knowledge and permission?"
"Yes. Yes, he must have." Siptah's eyes glistened as he stared back at the Regent. "I didn't tell him to...to do that...to do anything. If he did anything it was without my knowledge."
"Do you regret the death of my son? Of my innocent child?"
"Yes, of course. It was Bay, I tell you, not me."
"Then Bay is guilty of murder. Do you accept that?"
"I...I suppose so."
"What is the penalty for murder?"
Siptah went pale. "No. He is my uncle and I love him. I won't allow it."
"If you do not, people will believe you had a hand in it. He must be punished."
"I will not execute him."
Tausret leaned back in her chair, her look now more one of curiosity than accusation. "What punishment then? He must be punished; you do realise that?"
"I suppose so, but I will not have him harmed. He is my mother's brother."
"It is your duty to uphold the law. I could have him arraigned before you and tried officially. You would have to exact some severe penalty then. Or there might be something else we could do."
Siptah looked up. "What?"
"Nothing will bring my son back from the dead, and such is my love for Kemet that I do not desire to see chaos descend on the land. Bay is the one responsible. He is the one offering malicious advice. Have him stripped of his offices and sent to one of his estates, never to take part in any aspect of government again. I would be satisfied with that."
"Never?" Siptah queried. "I could not ask him for advice?"
"Soon you will not need anyone's advice. In another month, I will step down as Regent and let you rule by yourself. You will need neither Bay nor me."
"Full king? Without you telling me what to do all the time?" Siptah's eyes gleamed with growing excitement.
"That's right. Exile Bay to one of his estates and strip him of any influence, and I will be content."
"I...I'll need to think on it."
"No. Bay will return from Iunu in a day or two, and once he hears of this, there is no telling what he might do. This happens now or not at all. In the event you do not agree to act immediately, I shall present Bay's guilt and your complicity to the full Council while I am still Regent and depose you. It is your choice...Son of Re."
Siptah struggled to control facial expressions of unease and fear. "I shall have a scribe draw up the document."
"No need. I have already had one drawn up. All it requires is your official seal. Send for the seal and Tjaty Mentu to witness it, and we can be done."
"What does your document say?"
"Just what we discussed." Tausret drew out a rolled up scroll from her robes and, pushing the dishes aside, unrolled it on the table. "You see?"
'Know this,' it read, 'that Ramesse
Kha'amen-teru Bay, Chancellor and Treasurer of all Kemet, has forfeited the love and trust of his king, Akhenre Siptah, Son of Re, Lord of the Two Lands, Life! Prosperity! Health! He is forthwith to be stripped of his offices, titles, and chattels, and be confined under guard in the only estate left to him, namely that one in the city of Per-Bast, there to await such fate as the king shall decide upon.
'Dated in the royal palace of Men-nefer, on this twenty-second day of Shemu III, Year Five of the reign of Akhenre Siptah, Life! Prosperity! Health!'
Tjaty Mentu arrived, with the royal seal and, having been prepared by Tausret for this eventuality, affixed the seal to the document and had the king add the symbols for his throne name just above the seal.
"There, that's done," Tausret said, rolling up the scroll and handing it to Mentu. "I shall enact this ruling as soon as Bay returns from Iunu. May I suggest, Son of Re, that you spare yourself any unpleasantness that might arise from the arrest by absenting yourself from the palace for a few days?"
Siptah nodded. "Yes, I shall go upriver and hunt wildfowl in the reed beds. Send word to me when everything is complete."
Chapter 35
Year 5 of Akhenre Siptah
Bay arrived back in Men-nefer the next day and was a little chagrined that his nephew had not awaited his return. He shrugged his shoulders when told the king had gone hunting wildfowl and would be back in a few days. Ament arrived the day after and went straight in to see the queen.
"He admitted everything to me, but defied me to prove any of it. On top of that, he signed an order stripping me of my command and handing it to Wenemef, some creature of Besenmut."
"That is easily overturned," Tausret said. "I shall send an official document north immediately, ordering that Wenemef be arrested and that the legion come down to Men-nefer with all speed."
"Has something happened, my Lady?"
"Indeed it has. Siptah as good as admitted he knew of the killing, but blamed it all on Bay. I bullied him a bit, pretending that we had proof and he signed Bay's arrest warrant."
"Death?"
"No, he would not agree to death, but that little fact will not stop me. Bay ordered my son to be killed and I will have my revenge."
"Unless he is killed he will find a way back into the king's favour. Siptah is weak and malleable."
"That is taken care of. There was room on the arrest document to add the death penalty," Tausret said. She went to a chest by a wall and opened it, taking out a scroll. "See for yourself."
Ament unrolled the scroll and looked at the cursive writing by the Queen's scribe. He disregarded the usual honorifics and read the main text carefully. "It says he is stripped of his titles and property and is to be confined on his estate awaiting the king's pleasure...then you have added the death penalty. It doesn't read well. As it stands it is fairly obvious the death part has been added. I mean, why stipulate confinement on his estate if he's going to be killed?"
"It won't matter. The Council will accept his death after the event. They won't be shown it until he's dead."
Ament grunted and turned his attention back to the document. After a few moments he nodded. "There might be a way to make it appear more legitimate," he said. "All you need is a conditional phrase inserted here...I think there might be room if your scribe is careful."
"Saying what?"
"Something like, 'If the prisoner resists arrest, he is to be executed immediately.' Then you have Bay stripped of his titles and property, confined on his estate unless he resists arrest, at which point he is to be executed. And, of course, he will resist arrest. It should work, and will certainly look more legitimate, though the king will know the difference immediately."
"By the time he sees it, it will be too late."
"He could still cause trouble."
"Bay is his main support. With him gone there is little he can do. I will still be regent and I can overrule any of his commands."
"Unless he calls upon Besenmut and the Ptah legion," Ament said. "Besenmut is Bay's man, bought and paid for. A single legion could take the city and have you killed."
"All the more reason for the loyal Set legion to be here then. Commander Ament, you will wait until the Set legion is here, at which time you will arrest Bay and execute him, and at the same time, neutralise Besenmut. How you do that is up to you. Agreed?"
"Your word is my command, my Lady." Ament grinned. "My pleasure too."
***
Two days later, the scout chariots of the Set legion appeared on the east bank of the river, and Ament took a ferry over to meet with them. He, and the chariots, raced off into the northeast where the main body of the legion was marching steadily toward the capital.
"Wenemef is under arrest?" were his first words to his deputy commander Mose.
"Yes sir, along with a squad of his men. As soon as orders came from the Regent."
"Good. Kill them at once."
Mose snapped off the necessary instructions and soldiers raced to carry out the orders. "What's happening, Commander?" he asked. "Even on the march, we hear rumours."
"Chancellor Bay had the young Prince assassinated, and plans to topple the regent. We're going to make sure he fails in that at least."
Mose looked worried. "Bay has the Ptah legion in his fist. Besenmut has been his dog for some time now...Emsaf of Heru too."
"Heru is in the north, and only Ptah is in the city. I'm counting on you to be able to neutralise them."
A slow grin spread over the deputy's face. "We'll go through them like shit through a goose, sir. I take it we can use force?"
"If necessary, but try to avoid undue bloodshed."
"And Bay?"
"Arrested, then executed, but only on my command."
The Set legion resumed its march and later that day arrived on the plains across the river from Men-nefer. Mose immediately started ferrying the legion across in small boats, while Ament took a squad across immediately and went in search of Bay. He found him in the Treasury offices, going through accounts with officials and scribes.
Bay looked up at Ament and then past him as the soldiers entered the room. "Couldn't stay away eh, Ament? What do you think you're doing now, with these soldiers?"
"Huni," Ament said to the squad leader, and pointing at the officials and scribes. "Clear these men from the room." To Bay he said, "You're under arrest."
Bay stared, and then laughed. "You're a fool. You have no power over me. When the king hears, he'll have your head."
"By the time the king hears, you'll have lost yours."
Bay went pale, but held out his hand. "No arrest warrant is legal without the king's seal. I demand to see it."
Ament took the scroll out and opened it so Bay could read the warrant. Bay peered at the script, relief flowing over his face as he read.
"This says you are to take me into custody. It says nothing about having my head unless I resist arrest." He bared his teeth in a humourless smile. "I have no intention of resisting arrest. I don't need to. The king will restore me when he returns from his hunting trip."
"Whatever you say, Chancellor...ah no, that's right, you are stripped of your titles, so you may no longer be addressed as Chancellor. So, Bay, please accompany Huni here, while I prepare your accommodations."
The squad marched Bay out into the hallways of the palace and set off in the direction of the main entrance. Servants stared and drew back as the soldiers tramped by and several ducked aside and ran. They were approaching the entrance when they heard the sounds of running feet, shouted commands and the clatter of arms. Fifty Ptah legion soldiers poured out in front of Ament's squad and blocked their way with spears levelled.
Commander Besenmut pushed to the front. "Surrender, Commander Ament. You have failed in your attempt to rebel against the legal authority of Kemet."
"Stand back, Besenmut," Ament replied. "I have here a warrant for the arrest of Bay. You would do well not to interfere. Now stand aside."
"Or what? You have a mere squa
d of men and we outnumber you."
"Huni," Ament said in a clear, calm voice. "Draw your sword and stand behind the prisoner. If he takes a single step or if Commander Besenmut and his men take a step forward, you are to kill the prisoner at once. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir." Huni drew his copper sword with a whisper of metal against leather and stepped behind Bay.
"Don't be a fool, Ament," Besenmut said. "Surrender now and you could still get out of this alive."
"And I repeat, stand aside, or Bay dies."
"You are bluffing. You would not dare kill the Chancellor."
"No longer Chancellor," Ament replied. "The arrest warrant strips him of all titles and allows me to kill him if he tries to escape. I would interpret an attempt to rescue him as an escape."
"I don't believe you. The king would never sanction the arrest of his uncle."
"Then come and see for yourself." When Besenmut stayed where he was, Ament laughed. "Don't you trust me, Besenmut? I swear by the gods you have safe passage to come and read the warrant."
"I'm not afraid of you," Besenmut growled. He stalked forward, pushing a couple of Ament's men aside. As he reached Bay, he stopped and spoke to the man. "You are well, my Lord? They have not ill-treated you?"
"I am well; Besenmut," Bay said, "but I have need of you and your men today."
"You may count on me, my Lord."
"I'm waiting," Ament said. "I gave you safe passage to read the warrant, not stand around gossiping with a traitor."
"You will pay for your insults," Besenmut replied. He nodded at Bay and stepped past him. "Show me this warrant."
Ament unrolled it and held it up for the Ptah commander to read.
"That is an obvious forgery."
"It has the king's seal on it," Ament pointed out. "A document with the king's seal attached can only be legal. You know that."
Besenmut looked closer at the seal and grunted. "Perhaps the king was unaware his seal was being used for this purpose."
