“Here, have some water, my dear,” the Queen offered, standing to serve her. Ti-Ameny was visibly embarrassed and rushed to take the mug from her superior.
“The difficulty is this, my master. Irisi was barely thirty years old and had not yet trained a replacement. Until her replacement is named, ma’at, especially for women and children throughout the Two Lands, is disturbed. Women will begin to whisper of their fear of miscarriages or marital difficulties. The priestess community must feel whole to intercede with Isis on behalf of women’s problems. The power of Isis flows through the High Priestess.” The Queen and I nodded in agreement.
“And so, what would you have the King do?” Wadjet asked.
“I suggest we do nothing right now. Once the mourning period is over, we… you, my King, will have to name a successor.”
“With your help, I hope,” Wadjet replied to Ti-Ameny.
“We will give you good counsel, as is always our intent,” Amka suddenly interjected, tapping his staff on the mud brick floor for emphasis.
And so it was that an extraordinary series of events took place over the next one hundred days, events that would shake the foundation of King Wadjet’s rule and would portend even greater changes in the years to come, changes that would eventually threaten the very existence of the Two Lands. Yet nearly all of those who participated directly in these events had no idea at that time of their import for our collective future. Nearly all, but not everyone I later learned, to my great and eternal pain.
Just one ten-day after Irisi’s mourning period ended, Nubiti visited me. Wadjet was involved in settling a judicial dispute that had been brought to his attention by the Horus priests and so I was alone with Zenty, playing with wooden toys and telling him stories of his grandfather.
I hugged Nubiti warmly and we exchanged pleasantries and then sat with a pitcher of weak beer to catch up on our lives, as was our custom. I looked upon Nubiti as a sister. I could talk to her freely about anything, no matter how personal, especially now that she was trained as an Isis priestess and steadily learned the skills and secrets shared with her by her sisterhood. We often discussed a troubling or embarrassing marital issue and, for my part, I could always count on Nubiti to give me wise counsel.
For her part, I had come to learn that Nubiti’s marriage was not an easy one. Sekhemkasedj was much devoted to his business ventures. Managing a complex agricultural estate for the King took a great deal of time. Crops needed to be planted according to a rigid schedule, harvests needed to be supervised lest workers steal some of it, crops had to be readied for export and supplies needed to be provided for the various Royal craft shops. The extended Royal family required constant supplies of fine barley beer and good wines, linen from the King’s flax fields, and all manner of fresh produce. The King’ estates controlled every part of the process, from planting crops and raising animals to manufacturing the clothing we wore. Sekhemkasedj traveled to Kush or Canaan and once even as far as Punt on trade missions. When all was said, poor Sekhemkasedj was away from the house for long periods of time, leaving Nubiti by herself, although she had the good fortune of a close relationship with her mother, a joy I envied but had never known.
“Zenty’s such a precious child,” Nubiti offered. He sat in her lap and they played, Zenty placing his hand in her mouth as she pretended to eat it. He giggled so hard he began to hiccup.
“Oh, yes. I think there is not a child in this land as loved as he is. Djet dotes on him. He takes him with him wherever he can, to the point that I sometimes worry about his safety. But I know that Djet is careful with him. And we are so blessed to have Abana caring for him.”
“Yes, dear old Abana. She’s raised many in the Royal family.”
“She certainly raised me, although I admit I was a handful for her. She is slower now, but until Zenty is able to run around she will be a good influence on him and will scold him when needed, for neither Djet nor I are good at that. Like I said, we are blessed.”
Nubiti paused her playing and turned Zenty around to face me. At once Zenty threw out his arms and I reached over to grab him. I smothered him in kisses and he squealed in delight. “And when shall we all be blessed with Sekhemkasedj’s progeny?” I asked, perhaps too boldly. In fact, Nubiti silently debated her response.
“Ahh, that question’s on many peoples’ minds, most especially Shepsit’s,” Nubiti said, laughing. “Poor Sekhem works too hard. He doesn’t appear to have time for, shall we say, life’s more enjoyable pursuits,” she winked. Together we laughed.
“There’s something I need to discuss with you, dear sister,” Nubiti said hesitantly. “Reluctantly, but if you… if you’ll take this as something I’m only sharing with my sister, then you’ll understand my intent.”
“You know there is nothing between us that should make you hesitate. We tell each other everything!”
“I know, but with your position now as wife of the King I don’t want anything we share to look like I’m asking for special favors.”
“Special favors? Nubiti, you know that I would do anything for you, absolutely anything and I would never consider it a favor.”
“Well, I’d never want it to appear that way. I couldn’t tolerate the court thinking that my status was affected by the special love between us.”
“Dear sister, tell me what is on your mind.”
“There is talk of my being named High Priestess of the Temple of Isis here in Inabu-hedj.”
I hesitated for a moment to absorb the news and probe it for political difficulties, as Wadjet had coached me to do, but nothing seemed obvious to me. Yet, I thought it odd that I had not yet heard my sister’s name mentioned on any of the lists for Irisi’s replacement that now circulated through the Court.
“Oh, Nubiti, that is wonderful news!” I replied.
“Not to some,” Nubiti responded.
“But, why not? How could anyone object?” By now Zenty was becoming restless, so I called for Abana to take him to join his playmates in the Court nursery.
“It’s complicated, Mery. You haven’t grown up as the daughter of a Second Queen. Every whisper carries danger, every action by the King could shift the foundation beneath your feet.”
Nubiti was right. Herneith’s and King Djer’s desire to protect me from the conflicts within the court had also served to keep me naïve to its inner workings. I knew that I would need to become more adept at these matters to be a good wife for Wadjet, but Djer’s death, my miscarriage and Zenty’s birth had all served to keep me from my vow to become a student of the court, let alone a serious player.
“There are objections to my appointment,” Nubiti continued. “While I’m well enough liked by my priestess sisters, I’ve not been there nearly as long as some others.”
“But, shouldn’t the appointment be based on skills rather than length of service?” I asked.
“You and I agree to that, but others don’t.” Nubiti stood and paced before me. “The real issue, Mery, is that I’m from Lower Kem, viewed as no more than a street dog to those who control this process.”
“Oh, no! Do not say this, Nubiti,” I pleaded. “The Two Lands are one people now, ever since King Narmer, may his memory be blessed. Wadjet seeks to make this ever more true during his rule. This I know.”
“More true? Perhaps, but not completely. The High Priestess is a powerful position and a Lower Kemian has never held it. People are upset at the possibility of my being appointed.”
“Such as who?” I demanded
“I can’t say, Mery. That’d be gossip and I don’t want to draw you into this mess.”
“How will I ever learn about this court… this… this intrigue, if you do not help me with it, Nubiti?” For a long time she stood where she was, staring at the mud brick floor. Finally, she sighed deeply and sat back down.
“You’re right, little sister. I’ll help you, as best I can. Your welfare is always my first concern. It’s the Horus priests of Nekhen who stand in my way. I imagine t
hey fear a Delta princess named to head the most important Temple of Isis would dilute the power they hold. Besides, it’s never been done before and we’re a people of unchanging tradition. Many within the Royal family share these views.”
For a long time I sat, pondering what would be the right thing to do. “I will do my best to help you secure this position,” I offered Nubiti. She leaned on the balcony, looking toward the mighty river, lost in thought. After a moment she spoke again.
“You know, the priestesses believe that fat Hapi, with his pendulous breasts, sends Inundation down Mother Nile, but it’s Isis who determines its duration and the amount of fertile silt it carries. Fertility is her essence.” She turned and smiled at me. “Mery, I don’t want you to fight my battles. Besides, you’re Djet’s wife, but even that power has its limits.”
I hesitated a long moment, hesitant about telling her the secret entrusted to me. “As his wife, yes, but perhaps not as Queen Consort.” Nubiti’s expression changed immediately and I saw her pale for an instant before she recovered.
“Is… is this true? You are to be named Queen Consort?”
“Yes, but you are now the only one to know, other than the King and Amka. They have discussed this with me ever since Den was born and I have been meaning to talk with you about it. Now I understand it is soon to happen, although I know not exactly when.”
“That… that’s wonderful news, Mery,” Nubiti said, smiling and coming over to hug me. “But, I’ve already taken too much of your time boring you with my petty problems. Anyway, we both have challenges that we’d do well to face together. We’ve got to confide in each other sister. Shall we make a secret pact to continue to do so?”
“Of course,” I replied eagerly. “I promise to tell you every juicy detail, just as I always have.” With that, Nubiti smiled and left.
In an hour, Wadjet came into our quarters and ordered that the mid-day meal be brought to the veranda. Within minutes, the servants began bringing in freshly baked bread, many varieties of cheeses, fresh fruits and nuts and even sliced duck. While they set up I nursed Zenty and gave him back to Abana for his nap.
“I swear in front of all the gods that there is nothing more that I hate than minding these endless disputes between the nomes,” Djet began as soon as we were seated. He took a long draft of beer. “In this nome the governor wants to raise taxes, in that he wants to lower them and put an end to tax rebellions. Somehow the King is supposed to solve all the problems they face, especially if it involves riches from the treasury. There are times when I feel I spend all my time on these petty disputes.”
“And what does Amka say of this?” I asked, knowing full well that Djet would have already spoken about the issue with his trusted advisor.
“We have already discussed this and have a plan in mind.”
“Which somehow involves me.”
“Why would you assume that?” Djet asked, a wry smile on his face.
“Mid-day meal on the veranda? That serious look on your face? Good barley beer in the middle of the day?” Djet sat there, just staring at me for a full minute.
“You are an evil mut spirit, my dear,” he said smiling broadly. “You know my thoughts even before I speak.” He placed my hand in his and with the other took another draft of beer before continuing.
“Amka believes that we have waited long enough and should move quickly to name you Queen Consort. However, power without responsibility would not be wise, so we have been debating for a month over what authority to invest in your title. Kem has now grown to nearly fifty nomes. The governors each want more of the King’s ear, but that is impossible due to the many demands our lands now face. So, we would like you to take on the role of an emissary to the nomes, sort of a… a Minister of Nomes.”
To say I was shocked would be to make light of my reaction. I put down my bread and sat back in my chair, wide eyed.
“You needn’t say yes right away,” Djet continued. “We… that is, Amka and I, would work with you first, train you, explain to you the personalities of each of the governors.”
“But, I have no experience with governing at all!” I objected. “I would be made a fool and compared to a donkey throughout the Lands.”
“You would not be expected to govern, my dear, but rather act as my ears, listening to the various complaints and requests and suggestions for strengthening the nomes and the Two Lands that come from the governors. Once gathered, you would distill these issues, these requests, into something that makes sense, so that the King’s Council could act on them.
“Since King Narmer’s time, the number of nomes has expanded greatly. Right now most of what we hear comes from rumor and gossip and frequent disputes. We need a Council just for the governors and our thought is to make you head of it. You are a wonderful listener, my love, and your heart is light.”
As I sat listening to my husband, I found the thought of being entrusted with such responsibility dizzying. Yet despite the joys I found in raising little Zenty, I also knew that my usefulness to my husband and to Kem demanded more of me. Uncle Djer had tried to explain this to me when he told me of King Narmer’s dream visit and that my destiny was to be Queen and to always be at my husband’s side, supporting him, aiding his rule, keeping ma’at strong for our people. It was true that I had become a good listener as I matured and, if anything, such a role would serve to immerse me quickly into the intricacies of the Royal Court.
“And you would train me, you and Amka, as you have suggested?”
“Absolutely!” Djet said, smiling.
“Well, I will think about it and get back to you,” I replied, echoing Djet’s very words when I made a request of him that might, for example, impact the treasury or require a traveling escort. Djet looked crushed.
“Will you share with me what your hesitation is?” he asked. “Perhaps if you tell me what it is, I can resolve the problem now and we shall all be happy.”
I hesitated for a long time, not being experienced in such negotiations, but having witnessed them performed by masters such as Amka. Finally, I stood and walked past Djet to the veranda wall. Surrounding the palace, the evidence of Mother Nile’s floods during Akhet abounded. The farmers’ plantings during Proyet was all around us. Lush crops of barley and flax carpeted the land as far as I could see. The rich smell of Mother Nile’s fertile mud rose to my nostrils.
“There is something that bothers me,” I said. “It concerns Nubiti.” Immediately, Djet shifted in his seat to face me fully and his smile disappeared from his face.
“If this is about her being named High Priestess, it will never happen,” Djet said sourly. “Besides, such decisions do not involve you, Mery. They are made by the priestesses themselves.”
“I… I did not mean to thrust myself into such powerful discussions,” I countered as meekly as I could. “But Nubiti is my sister and…”
“She is your half-cousin, Mery.”
“By birth, yes, but sisters by our connected bas,” I said firmly, for it was not the province of a man, not even the King of Kem, to intrude, or even to comment on sisterly bonds. Such was the tradition in Kem, written into our very laws.
To his credit, Djet immediately recognized this. “I did not mean that as it came out,” he backtracked. “But it does not change my position. This is a matter best left to those who are in the position to decide.”
“Has Amka, then, become a priestess of the beloved Isis?”
“What kind of silly question is that?” Djet shot back. “You say that it is up to the priestesses to decide. But I have heard it from good sources that the Horus priests of Nekhen, led in this instance by none other than Amka himself, are blocking her appointment.” Djet shifted uncomfortably in his seat. His silence spoke for him. After a moment he lifted his mug and drained it in one long gulp.
“And what are you suggesting?” he asked of me angrily.
“Please my dear, do not be angry with me. If this is what happens when one assumes power to help the
King, then I would rather be nothing but your wife and would continue to consider it the highest honor in all the land. You may keep your Queen Consort and all other titles.” By now my eyes watered and my voice became shaky, for never in our relationship had Djet and I argued.
Djet rose and came to me then, wrapping me in his arms. He leaned his head forward and whispered in my ear. “Mery, my lovely Mery. I am sorry if I have offended you. That’s not my intent. There have been many pressures on me lately. My father, may his name be praised, used to tell me that being selected by Horus to lead our people is as much a curse as a blessing. Since he has lived in the Afterworld I have found his words to be true, indeed.” He turned me around to face him.
“What you ask is not unreasonable. I will speak with Amka to determine why the Horus priests are so determined to prevent Nubiti from serving as High Priestess. If I deem it to be petty, I promise to do what I can to intercede. But I cannot promise you the result you want, for there may be issues involved that even I do not yet understand.”
“Thank you, my dear,” I said and reached up to hug him tightly. I felt light as a feather, for not only had the King respected my position, my husband had proved once again that he loved me. I smiled widely.
Djet then did a strange thing to me, something he had never before done. He reached around himself and unwrapped my arms and held them firmly as he pushed me away from him.
“Mery,” he began and I sensed immediately that his words would hang heavy on my heart. The wrinkles in his brow radiated the seriousness of his message. “The path we now embark on is not a stroll in our gardens. Far from it. It is bound to be like a treacherous rocky path in the mountains of the Eastern desert. By becoming Queen Consort and taking on these responsibilities, and I assume by your negotiating you have agreed to these things, you are taking on a far greater role.
“You now become my advisor. In your coronation as Queen Consort you will be commanded by Horus, who is a hard master, not merely blessed by sweet Isis. I will value your opinions in governing the Two Lands. But you will be witness to some of the worst parts of a man’s ba. You will take part in decisions that govern war and peace, life and death. Our very decisions may send hundreds of men to their deaths and we can only pray that Horus and the gods have guided our mortal actions. But it is a heavy load we must carry.”
The Dagger of Isis (The First Dynasty Book 2) Page 7
