The Forgotten Pharaoh

by David Adkins

  As we left I took Taduheppa by the arm. “I was concerned about you,” I said.

  “Why would that be?” She seemed surprised.

  “I know that since you came to the palace Nefertiti has been your greatest friend. I was concerned that you had argued with her.”

  She momentarily looked shocked but then gathered her composure. “I can assure you, Smenkhkare, that I have not argued with her. Whatever gave you that idea?”

  “I saw you,” I hesitated.

  “When we were on the balcony and you were in the garden. We were not arguing. Now, husband, I must return to my room.”

  “I will come tonight. Perhaps we can play senet again,” I suggested. “And I still have that gift to give you.”

  She nodded and hurried off. It seemed I would just have to ask Nefertiti.

  Nefertiti was not in her apartment and so I decided to walk in the gardens and see if the royal barque was finished. It was and so I could now invite Taduheppa to that trip on the lake I had hoped for. I smiled as I thought about us paddling across my father’s last great venture and did not notice that somebody had sat down next to me. The man moved with such stealth that I had not detected his presence.

  “Good morning, young lord,” said Akhenamun’s henchman, Metos.

  My skin crawled for I could not stand the man. He was above average height and of a wiry, athletic figure. He always carried a number of blades dangling from his belt which I had heard him refer to as his ‘little beauties’. It was not acceptable to carry such obvious weapons in the royal palace but with Akhenamun’s approval this obnoxious man defied etiquette. He was also a feared figure, for apart from his great skill with knives he was abnormally strong. I had once seen him easily disarm a man who was much larger than he was. He also had a reputation for being ruthless when it came to looking after his master’s interest. How much of this reputation was deserved I was not sure but he was obviously a man not to cross lightly.

  I edged away from him a little. “Good morning, Metos,” I replied.

  He moved closer and grinned at me like a palace cat eying a mouse, which made me feel even more uncomfortable. “I see you are admiring the royal barque.”

  “Yes, I was contemplating taking a trip out on the lake,” I replied.

  “You need to be careful, young master. Boats can easily capsize and the occupants drown. In fact it is so easy for accidents to happen.”

  My blood ran cold for I could not help but think this dangerous man was threatening me. “I know how to row a boat,” I assured him.

  “It has come to my notice that you have been asking indelicate questions and even making veiled accusations. In the present climate it is not wise to be doing such things or even to be talking to the wrong people.”

  He was trying to intimidate me. “It is not wise to be menacing a member of the royal family either,” I retorted.

  “By the gods, I would never do such a thing. You misunderstand. Your brother is concerned about your safety and wishes to protect you.”

  I saw Nefertiti walking in the gardens and I needed to get away from this foul man. “Is that Nefertiti I see, I wanted to have a word with her.” I stood up. “Thank my brother for his concern.” I walked away from this frightening man, feeling shaken and vulnerable.

  I quickly joined Nefertiti as she wandered through the flower beds. “I wanted a word with you, if I may,” I said. Nefertiti, like my wife, was a great beauty but what always struck me about her were her stunning hazel eyes. The way they seemed to switch from brown to green was quite bewitching. I almost felt that you could lose yourself in her matchless eyes.

  “Of course you may, Smenkhkare” She was always polite but at the same time distant. “Are you all right? You look as if you have had a shock.”

  “I have been talking to Metos and he always unsettles me.”

  She smiled. “He is rather frightening but do not worry for he is not as bad as he seems. It is just his nature to be scary for he is a sort of bodyguard to your brother.”

  “I am sure you are right,” I smiled back.

  “Now what did you wish to speak with me about?” she asked.

  “I am concerned about Taduheppa. You have been her greatest friend since she arrived at the palace. The argument you had with her has distressed her. Please tell me what it was about and I will do my best to make things right between you both.”

  “You are mistaken, Smenkhkare. We have had no argument.”

  This was very frustrating. “Then why is she distressed?” I asked.

  “I was not aware she was. Do not worry. I think it is all in your imagination for these are stressful times for all of us. I was just plucking up courage to visit your sick father. He was always kind to me and I think I should pay my respects. Would you like to accompany me?”

  I nodded. It had also been something that I had been meaning to do. I could not help remembering a rumour that my father had once been besotted with Nefertiti though whether it was any more than an old man’s fancy I did not know.

  We returned to the palace and we were walking along the corridors towards my father’s room when Nefertiti stopped. “I am puzzled, Smenkhkare. Why did you think I had argued with Taduheppa?”

  “I just had a feeling that something was wrong between you.” I avoided the question.

  “I was speaking yesterday with your sister Nebetah and she was concerned that you were making assumptions. Was this one of your assumptions?”

  “I suppose it was,” I agreed.

  “What were your other assumptions?” she asked casually.

  Now I was the one being questioned. I realised that she had asked me to accompany her to my father’s chamber to interrogate me. My family were unbelievable, and it was all so frustrating for I had made no progress with my investigations. Instead I just seemed to be placing myself in danger.

  “I am not aware I made any other assumptions.” I started walking once again towards my father’s chamber and Nefertiti followed close behind me. As we entered the chamber Magente, my father’s favourite minor wife from the harem, was coming out. I saw a tear glistening on her cheek and I wondered if she was distressed because she was fond of my father or because her privileged position in the harem was in jeopardy. I found it hard to believe that this beautiful woman had genuine feelings for my aged father.

  The great Pharaoh, Amenhotep, was at rest on his copious bed and I called to him as we both slowly approached him. We received no reaction though it was obvious from his laboured breathing he was still living. I kissed him on the forehead while Nefertiti took his hand and squeezed it gently. Was this really the man who not long ago had greeted Taduheppa on her arrival in Thebes? He now looked so much older as he fought for breath and his skin had taken on a yellowish tinge. He was insensible and totally unaware of his surroundings or his visitors. I knew my mother had been right and the end was very near. He would soon be joining his eldest son in the tomb that had been built for him on the other side of the great river. We did not stay long for we received no response to our words or gestures. We left in silence and went our separate ways.

  ****

  In the last few days I had begun to trust no-one. I was even having doubts as to whether I could believe everything that Nebetah and Coreb told me. Yet I never doubted that Thutmose had been murdered and that Akhenamun was implicated. After my chat at the lakeside with Metos I was also a little frightened for I was sure that he had threatened me. I was not making progress with my enquiries at Malkata and so I decided that I could not wait for Coreb to visit me. The next day I would get a boat across the river to the training grounds in the desert south of the valley of the dead and visit him. I needed to tell him my thoughts and fears. I needed him to confide in me his complete plans and not just tell me he wanted revenge. I had to convince myself that everything he had told me was true. My instinct told me it was but I had to be absolutely certain and I needed to question Hesu for myself.

  The next morning I got a boa
tman to take me across the Nile as planned. I left early for I was starting to get the feeling that, of late, I was being watched and I wanted to avoid prying eyes. The waters of the river sparkled in the dawn sun and the crocodiles lazed idly on the far bank. The world seemed at peace but I was in turmoil. The boatman despatched me on the other side and I made my way quickly to the camp where I hoped to find Coreb. I was met by a group of soldiers and one of them ran on ahead to inform Coreb that I was approaching and the others escorted me to my destination. By the time I reached the centre of the camp Coreb was standing outside his headquarters ready to greet me.

  He bowed. “Your majesty, you should not have come for I intended to visit you tomorrow in the safety of your chamber.”

  “Do you think I am in danger?” I asked.

  “Perhaps you are and perhaps I am too,” he offered. “But come in and have some refreshments for though the day is still young the temperature already rises.”

  I sipped at my beer. “Coreb, you said you wanted revenge. Please expand on that to me.”

  “I strongly suspect that Akhenamun had Thutmose murdered. I just need you to confirm that.”

  “And if I were able to confirm it, which I cannot at the moment though like you I have strong suspicions, then what would you do?” I asked.

  “That is a big question and could depend on what you have to tell me. I imagine you did not risk coming to me unless you had some important information for me.”

  “I just felt we needed to talk,” I responded.

  “We are actually very honoured,” he smiled. “To have two members of the royal family visit our humble camp in two days is an honour indeed.”

  “Who came yesterday?” I asked.

  “Vizier Ay. He said he wanted to view the camp and the military, but there was more to it than that.”

  “What do you mean?” I inquired.

  “He asked me many questions, discretely of course as is his manner. He has a way with words, the chief vizier. What he wanted to know was would I be loyal to Akhenamun if your brother was shortly declared to be the new pharaoh.”

  “How did you respond?”

  “I told him that I am the general in charge of the army and that I would be loyal to the next pharaoh whoever he might be as I am loyal to the present one.”

  “Did he accept that?”

  “Not entirely, for like all good politicians he wants to keep his options open. He went around the camp talking to some of my commanders. I think that by means of bribery and promises he wants to bring some over to his side in case I am not compliant.”

  “Would you be on his side?” I asked.

  “Not if he is working for the man that murdered Thutmose.”

  “That brings us back to my big question.”

  He sat back in his chair and studied me. “You are young, but we are allies and friends and we both want revenge. If Akhenamun had Thutmose murdered then I will assassinate him, and with the army behind me I will back you to be the next pharaoh.”

  I was staggered. “It would not be easy to have Akhenamun assassinated and there is always the powerful chief vizier.”

  “He would have a choice to either support the new, young pharaoh or go the way of Akhenamun,” he mused.

  “You are talking treason,” I gasped.

  “We are talking treason and we are also talking about what is best for Egypt. I have another reason for believing that Akhenamun was behind your brother’s murder.”

  “What is that?”

  “I will tell you, Smenkhkare, and then you can tell me any news that you have from the palace. There was a visitor to my camp the day before Thutmose died. I was unaware of it at the time because he did not make himself known to me. In fact he must have avoided me. I have found out from eyewitnesses that he was here but I have not found out what his business was, but that is hardly surprising.”

  “Who are you referring to?” I inquired.

  “Metos, the henchman of Akhenamun,” he answered. “To my knowledge that is the only time he has ever set foot in the military camp.”

  “It is a bit of a coincidence then,” I offered.

  “It certainly is. He lives at the palace, so I wondered if you would feel confident enough to question him as to why he was here.”

  “Metos is a man who inspires fear. He has a menacing nature and he has already threatened me. I would rather not make my suspicions known to him.”

  “He dared to threaten you!” gasped Coreb. “What did he say?”

  “It was along the lines that accidents happen to those who ask too many questions. They could end up in the Nile.”

  “Like Antosh,” he grimaced. “It is best you do not confront him then. I would like this man to fall into my hands.”

  “That would be very difficult,” I surmised. “He lives at the palace and is beyond your reach.”

  “There must be a way. We will both think on it. This man is the key to us making progress. A confession from him implicating his master is what we need.”

  “I know Metos. A confession would not be easy to come by. I would also like to speak with the man who saw Antosh fire the arrow that killed my brother.”

  Coreb looked surprised. “I will fetch him.”

  He left me to drink my beer. A few minutes later he returned with a nervous-looking individual. “I have kept him close by after what happened to Antosh,” explained Coreb. “It is for his protection. You understand?”

  I nodded. “So you are Hesu and you saw my brother murdered.”

  He fell to his knees. “Yes, your majesty, I saw it with my own disbelieving eyes.”

  “Tell me exactly what you saw,” I encouraged.

  He looked at Coreb. “Tell Smenkhkare what you told me.”

  He turned back to me. “The ranks of archers were firing arrows high into the air over the heads of our advancing soldiers at the bandits on the top of the hillock. We were providing cover for our troops, your majesty. Antosh was a few paces from me and I saw him take a strange arrow from his quiver. I noticed it because it was not one of our normal issue arrows used by our bowmen. I watched as he lowered his bow and took careful aim. He deliberately fired it at our men climbing the hill. I did not realise, at that moment, exactly who his target was. Antosh had seen me watching him and he warned me in no uncertain terms that I was a dead man if I said anything. I was shaken, for Antosh was not the sort of man you argued with. He had a fearsome reputation among the men and so I said nothing at the time. When we got back to the camp I came to my senses. He would, no doubt, kill me anyway and so I went to Coreb to tell my story and seek protection. When Coreb showed me the arrow that had killed Thutmose I knew for sure what I had already strongly suspected, that Antosh had murdered Thutmose.”

  “Did you see Antosh speaking with an unfamiliar, tall, wiry-looking man the day before?” I asked.

  “I did not for I always kept out of the way of Antosh when possible.”

  “Who were Antosh’s friends?”

  “He had no friends except possibly for Re,” he replied.

  “I questioned Re and he knew nothing,” interjected Coreb.

  “Thank you Hesu, you are dismissed,” I said thoughtfully. He bowed and left.

  “This is why I have come to a full stop at this end,” said Coreb looking at me quizzically.

  “Then you are right and we must both think on it,” I said.

  “Yes, I believe Metos may have the answers we seek. I will come to the palace in a couple of days when we have had time to ponder on how Metos might fall into my hands,” said Coreb.

  I stood up. “I will see you in a couple of days then.”

  “Does your father have long left?” he asked.

  “It might only be days or weeks,” I replied. “He is very weak.”

  “Then we have to act quickly. Once Akhenamun is installed as pharaoh he will be untouchable. I will see you in a couple of days, Smenkhkare.” He bowed and had me escorted back to the boat.

  As I
crossed the Nile back to Malkata I tried to think of a way to capture Metos, but this was Metos we were talking about – the man everybody, including myself, feared. However, there was one thing which I was now certain of and that was that I could trust Coreb. The man had been dedicated to the service of my brother and now that loyalty had been transferred to me.

  Chapter 6

  Night had fallen and I entered my inner chamber and climbed on to my bed deep in thought. I had heard rumours that Metos and Akhenamun made regular trips into the city at night and I needed to know their destination. It would be far easier to apprehend Metos in the city than at the palace. Once I had the information I could then pass it on to Coreb. I was sure that one of my sisters, either Iset or Nebetah, would know more of these clandestine trips than I did. I decided that the next day I would seek out Iset and ask her for she had been more forthcoming the last time I had questioned her.

  My inner chamber was quiet and my servants had been dismissed and I must have fallen asleep even though the hour was still early. Perhaps the day at the military camp and the fear relating to what I needed to do had got the better of me. I lay on the top of my bed covers for the night was warm and finally fatigue had overtaken me and I slept soundly.

  I had not slept for long when my eyes suddenly opened and I felt strangely nervous. Was there someone in my room? I felt the hairs on the back of my neck prickle and stand up. I ran my hand down the back of my neck flattening the bristling hairs and wiping away the sweat. I reached out for the flints by the side of my bed and lit my oil lamp. I looked around but my room was empty. I could see no one and nothing seemed amiss. Why did I still feel so nervous?

  I heard a faint rustling which seemed to come from the far end of the room. I lifted my lamp and held it in the direction of the sound. I saw nothing and it was such a small sound that I wondered if I had imagined it. I shivered though the night was warm. I sat up and then I heard a hiss and I was overwhelmed with terror. I looked down the bed at the frightening creature that had somehow entered my room. The cobra struck and buried its fangs in the bed covers just a thumb’s width from my bare left foot. Fear overtook me and I jumped up throwing my pillow at the deadly snake. It had freed its jaws and was lashing at me again but the pillow diverted it from its target.