by Overton, Max
The next two days passed slowly. Paramessu no longer talked to the boat master but sat staring at the eastern bank, fidgeting and muttering to himself. They camped on the river bank, no town being in sight at dusk. Then, at just after noon on the second day, he spotted a column of men trotting south along the river road ahead of them.
"There!" Paramessu yelled, pointing. "There they are. Put in boat master, quick as you can."
The boat master turned to shore, hauling in the sail and the craft grounded in the reeds a hundred paces in front of the column. Paramessu leapt out and trotted up the bank to intercept the column as it slowed then halted.
Paatenemheb stood at the front of his men, breathing hard, his face set, the muscles of his jaws jumping. "What in the name of all the poxed gods of the underworld are you doing here?" he roared. "Have you taken leave of your senses? You're supposed to be in Waset by now." He stared beyond his subordinate commander to the boat and the young girl walking up the bank carrying two bundles. "Gods, man, you've even brought your whore with you? Friend or no, Paramessu, I'll break you to the ranks."
Paramessu walked up to his commanding officer and saluted. "General, I believe my news will excuse my behavior," he said calmly. "If not, I will resign my position."
Paatenemheb glared at the commander, then nodded tersely. "Very well, I will listen to your explanation." He looked beyond him to the girl in a servant's kilt and headdress. His brow furrowed. "Who is she? She looks familiar."
"Scarab, sir...er, princess Beketaten."
"Beketaten? I don't know a Beketaten. Do you mean Meketaten?"
"No sir, Beketaten. The youngest daughter of Nebmaetre and Tiye, sister to Akhenaten. You might remember her from Nebmaetre's burial though she was only a young girl then."
"Ah, yes, I remember now." Paatenemheb ran his eyes over the princess. "She's not so young now, is she? I hope you have been behaving with propriety, Paramessu. She may well figure prominently in future dynastic arrangements."
Paramessu flushed slightly. "Yes sir."
"Well, what's this all about then?"
"Sir, Beketaten overheard a plot to overthrow the king."
"Please tell me you didn't jeopardize the defense of Kemet to come running to me with news of the latest rumor being peddled in the streets? Gods, man, if I reacted to every rumor I'd do nothing else."
"Sir, I believe this is more serious. Listen to Scarab...er, Beketaten. She heard the plot from the instigators."
"And they are?"
"Queen Nefertiti and Tjaty Ay."
Paatenemheb stared at Paramessu then at the girl. "Ay?" he asked softly. "Yes, I could almost believe that." He nodded and walked over to a stand of tamarind trees, beckoning the others to join him.
"So, princess Beketaten, you overheard Tjaty Ay saying something?"
Scarab put down her bundles and straightened, trying to remain calm in the face of one of the most powerful men in Kemet, one who also had the reputation of having the worst temper.
"Yes, sir. I heard Ay talking to his daughter Nefertiti. They were plotting to overthrow ..."
"You are saying Queen Nefertiti is plotting? The queen? Whatever faults the woman has, disloyalty is not one of them. She loves the king."
"She is no longer queen. The king is determined to have a son and means to marry his daughter Meryetaten. They may already be married. The queen has been put aside."
"What exactly did they say? Think carefully because I don't want misunderstandings here."
Scarab thought back over the last few days. Much had happened but the words were still fresh. "Ay said that Nefertiti would rule Kemet from the throne and he would rule from behind it with the army."
"He said that? Well, we shall see. I am General of all the armies. What else did he say?"
"He said he would disarm the Medjay and capture the palace, forcing my brother to abdicate, naming Nefertiti as successor."
"And when does this take place?
"Midnight on the evening of the next new moon."
"Five days from now," Paramessu said quietly.
Paatenemheb thought hard, searching the girl's face for even a trace of doubt or guile. He did not see it. "What I find hard to understand is why they should discuss their plans in front of you."
Scarab blushed. "I...I...they did not know I was there, sir. I was in the shrubbery underneath the queen's window. I know I should not have been listening but I was anxious to know what was going to happen."
"Did your mother ever tell you what happens to eavesdroppers, Beketaten?"
"Yes sir," she whispered.
Paatenemheb grinned. "Well, not this time. I pray we can intervene in this matter." He shook his head, his white shaggy hair flying. "Five days. We shall be lucky to get there." Abruptly he turned and ran back to the road calling for his Leader of Fifty, Ankhtify.
"Lighten the loads, Ankhtify. Weapons only. Leave the bed rolls, food, water jars, spare clothing. We travel light and fast. We have to be in Akhet-Aten within five days."
The general walked among the men as they started throwing everything aside, holding on to just their weapons. He talked as he walked, exhorting them and encouraging them. "We have an opportunity to serve Kemet, men. I'm calling on your greatest speed and if we succeed, men will talk about this march for years. But I don't want you to do this out of duty alone. A good soldier deserves his pay, and outstanding ones like you men of Ankhtify's Fifty deserve a reward. I'm offering a deben in fine gold to any man who is with me when we reach Akhet-Aten." A wave of cheering broke out. Paatenemheb nodded and walked back to the front of the column, the road and verges littered with baggage.
"Sir," Paramessu gestured at Scarab still standing under the tamarind trees. "You'll have to detail a squad to look after the princess."
"I wouldn't trust any of them," the general said with a grin. "No, you brought her this far. You can take her back." He turned and waved to Ankhtify. "Move out men, double time."
Paramessu watched the column break into a run and disappear within minutes into the dust cloud they generated. Gloomily he walked back to Scarab. "Come on, we'd better see whether our boat is still there. I think we're going to need it."
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Chapter Thirty-Six
The moon rose over Akhet-Aten an hour before dawn, a thin crescent of silver hanging in a night sky already readying itself for the rebirth of the sun. One more day and the moon would rise at dawn, almost invisible and new. The night before that dawn was dedicated to the marriage of Akhenaten and his young daughter Meryetaten.
To some it seemed incongruous that the marriage of the king ruling under the sun god should be tied to the phases of the moon, but as it was well known that women were ruled by the moon, it was accepted after some initial discussion. What was not discussed, or at least not in public, was the idea that this new queen-to-be, Meryetaten, would, through the influence of the moon, have some hold over Akhenaten and his sun god Aten.
The celebrations started at dawn on the day that would culminate with the night of the new moon. Though couriers had gone out to all the cities of Kemet, with others reaching as many towns and villages as possible with the news, few outside of the capital cared. The actions of king Akhenaten, locked away in his city of the sun, had less and less effect on people as the empire of Kemet crumbled and law and order fell into ruin. In Akhet-Aten though, the people celebrated. Their king, whom any man or woman could see on a daily basis in the temples or streets, meant something to them. He may be strange in his habits and beliefs, but his presence brought wealth to the city and free food and drink on the holy days--of which there were many. This marriage of the king to his eldest daughter was just another occasion on which to enjoy the king's largesse.
The king, as usual, greeted the dawn with a service in the Great Temple. When the hymns had died away, Akhenaten, as high priest, swung straight into the dedication of his marriage to the Aten. His previous marriages--even though only on
e had been consummated, such was his love for Nefertiti--had been complex affairs, involving many of the gods, notably Amun and Min. The king, working with Ay over the previous ten days, had come up with a streamlined service that eliminated the need for the complex rites in various temples dedicated to the old false gods, offering himself and his bride to Aten alone. Most of the day's activities involved the populace and the court, rather than the king and his daughter-bride. They also involved large amounts of strong beer and wine. Akhenaten had queried the need for this, especially as he would have to provide for the city, but Ay insisted.
"My lord, this is a day of great joy for your people. Let them eat and drink and dance and be riotous. How many times in a man's life does he see his king marry the woman who will be mother to Kemet's heir?"
"That is true, Divine Father." Akhenaten smiled smugly, stroking his long chin as if in considered thought. "But I would not have all about me drunk."
"Then I shall remain sober for you, great king. The knowledge that I have served you faithfully is my meat and drink."
Following the dawn services and the first rites of dedication, the citizens streamed south to the cattle yards where huge slaughter pens had been set up. Hundreds of oxen were killed and dressed, slabs of bloody meat handed out to all comers. Trestles on the street corners handed out huge conical barley bread loaves, radishes, onions, lettuces and huge jars of strong beer were broached. By noon, the festivities were in full swing, people feasting around fires that had been lit in the middle of the wider streets, and dancing to the sound of flute, lyre, drum and raucous voice. Within the palace, the celebrations were less boisterous, though amphorae of Syrian wine mingled with jars of beer and a wonderful array of baked goods and delicate meats and vegetables were available for the hundreds of court officials, servants and any relatives they could smuggle in. Even the slaves were allowed a portion, as long as their enjoyment did not interfere with their work. Sutau, overseer of the treasury, wandered the corridors of the palace with clenched fists and an agonized expression, computing the cost of the feasts and estimating the drain on the already diminished treasure rooms.
The king celebrated again at noon, leading a party of high officials, priests and city councilors in another long song of praise to Aten, before repairing to the city for rest and relaxation in the hottest part of the day.
The festivities continued in the city unabated. More and more people became drunk, fights broke out, and in the absence of the medjay--Mahu having led his men out of the city to capture the bandit Bennu--the local garrison had the pleasure of breaking a few heads and restoring a semblance of order. Ay smiled as he watched the soldiers at work. Neshi was under instructions not to let his men drink today. They would get their reward in the days to come.
Ay went over to the North Palace during the king's rest time and found Nefertiti in an almost empty palace. Only the most loyal of her ladies remained with her, the rest having vanished as the festivities started. Nefertiti received her father in her private suite.
"Are you sure you would not rather be drinking with the king, father?"
"Come, daughter, this bitterness does not become you. The king will do as he wants and it is up to the rest of us to obey his commands." Ay looked pointedly at the two ladies standing by the window with properly downcast eyes. "Bid your ladies depart. I need to talk to you."
When the ladies had left, closing the doors behind them, Ay cracked his knuckles and sighed heavily. "Gods, I'll be glad when this day is over. That new marriage service the king has devised must be the most boring one ever. There is not much you can say to the Aten once you have praised his shining face and his bounty. Nothing about marriage, that's for certain."
"Imagine how little I care." Nefertiti plucked at her gown, smoothing down the pleats and flicking imaginary dust from its pristine white surface. "I suppose that little bitch is lording it over everyone?"
"Meryetaten? No, she is being quite circumspect. She seems to be making an effort to be pleasant."
"I am surprised. Well, no matter. I wish her joy for her one night of wedded bliss." Nefertiti laughed, cruelty rather than mirth tingeing her voice. "I shall enjoy sentencing her tomorrow. What do you think it should be, exile or prison?"
"I'd leave it a few days, daughter. There are other more pressing matters to occupy us after tonight."
"Oh? What?"
"The army for one. Nobody can rule Kemet without the army."
"I thought you had the army in your wallet? Have you not got the loyalty of the garrison?"
"The local garrison is not the army. I'm referring to Paatenemheb, General of all the armies. I would not put it past him to refuse us and try and reinstate Akhenaten. He could do it too if he had his legions behind him."
"Can we bribe him?" Nefertiti sat down and looked out of the window to hide her sudden concern.
"Not exactly, he boasts high moral standards. However, he is primarily concerned with Kemet and the security of our borders. We can make him some offers that he might take, if not for himself, then for Kemet."
Nefertiti turned to her father, shaking her head. "I don't understand."
"Gold to build up the armies again, allowing the worship of the old gods to return--and a marriage that would tie him to the royal house with adamantine bonds."
"Who?" Nefertiti shifted uncomfortably on her chair. "You are not thinking of...I would refuse. I will marry royalty or nobody. You mean one of my daughters?"
"One of your daughters might be acceptable but they are too young for an old man. The answer is simple--Mutnodjme."
"My sister Mutnodjme? She would not agree. She values her solitude and chastity."
"She will agree. I will see to that. Anyway, I must look for suitable arguments to convince Paatenemheb not to act against our coup. We can be thankful he is on the northern borders and will not hear of tonight until weeks have passed. By then our position will be more certain."
Nefertiti got up and crossed to the table, pouring herself a cup of wine. She offered her father a cup but he refused.
"Water only, I stay sober until after tonight."
She handed him a gold cup of cool water, and sipped her own spiced wine. "Akhenaten will always be a danger, won't he father? As long as he remains alive he will act as a focus for disaffection."
"You've changed your mind? You want him killed now?"
"No. He is still my husband and...and may the gods preserve me, I still love him. I cannot kill him--or cause him to be killed," she added, seeing Ay's face. "Yet neither can I let him live."
"Well, leave it for now," Ay said smoothly. "Who knows what tomorrow will bring? We will imprison him until we decide."
Nefertiti nodded, putting the subject of her husband's fate to one side. "When is the actual marriage ceremony?"
"Two hours before midnight. He will take his bride to bed, consummate the act and be asleep by the time I strike at midnight."
Nefertiti laughed. "Five minutes would be enough time for that man. But what about his attendants?"
"They will not be in any state to interfere. I have made sure the wine and beer is flowing freely that all may toast the king's nuptials. I'm surprised you haven't heard the noise from the city."
"And your forces are sufficient?"
Ay smiled. "Tonight, ten men could take Akhet-Aten and capture the king. I shall have a hundred, less ten under the command of that dolt Neshi who thinks he will be coming to guard you against possible assassins. Be suitably grateful." He drained his water and put the cup back on the table. "I will leave now, daughter. Stay here quietly, gather your strength." Ay bowed, a mocking smile on his face. "Tomorrow I will greet the new ruler of all Kemet, Queen Nefertiti."
Nefertiti opened the door for her father and walked out through the deserted corridors to the front columned portico of the palace.
"One other thing, father. What of Smenkhkare? The king sent for him to come and be crowned co-regent."
"Leave him to me. For one thi
ng he cannot possibly be here for a day or two, for another he is young and inexperienced. I will bind him to my will."
"He is Akhenaten's brother."
"He will see reason." Ay shrugged. "Or I will remove him."
Ay left the North Palace and walked rapidly back to the main palace, threading his way through crowds of drunk revelers. As the alcohol intake increased, morals decreased, and on a day when everybody's minds were focused on the union of man and woman, a certain amount of licentious behavior was already becoming apparent. Ay saw at least three copulating couples out in the main street alone. Bonfires blazed and the smell of roasting beef filled the air.
The king was awake and waiting impatiently for his Tjaty.
"Where have you been, Divine Father? I have been thinking about tonight's ceremony. Originally the exchange of vows was to take place immediately after the sunset song of praise, then the feasting and entertainment delayed the bedding of my new bride until nearly midnight. I thought instead, I could bed her, then we could come out for the feast." The king grinned and winked at his Tjaty. "I am the king after all. Surely I can bed my wife when I please?"
"Of course, my lord, the king can do anything he pleases." Ay bowed. "Equally of course, I cannot guarantee a son will result from an earlier emission of the royal member."
Akhenaten frowned. "What difference can an hour or two make?"
"It does not seem reasonable, I agree, but I have spoken to Nebhotep the court physician and consulted three Syrian soothsayers. Nebhotep says Meryetaten will be most fertile just before midnight, and the soothsayers all agree a son is prognosticated should you impregnate her at this time. The feminine influence is stronger earlier in the night." He paused and tried to look bored. "Still, what is the certainty of a son compared to the king's instant gratification?"
"Hmm. I don't like you consulting soothsayers, Ay. They follow false gods."
"These ones are priests of their sun god. I have no doubt that in their own muddled way they are actually worshipping the Aten."
