Fall of the House of Ramesses, Book 1: Merenptah

by Max Overton

I am the only Tausret though.

  Chapter Two

  Year 55 of Usermaatre Ramesses

  The barge put out from the docks of Per-Ramesses amidst subdued rejoicing. People's spirits were low, knowing that not only was the king in poor health, but also that his heir, Crown Prince Khaemwaset had taken to his bed and it was whispered he would never rise from it. There was much discussion as to who would become heir next, for Prince Merenptah was already an old man. Some said one of the younger sons of Usermaatre would rise in status, but nobody could decide which one would be favoured.

  In the meantime, news had arrived that the Viceroy of Kush, Setau, was sick and that his military adviser, Mernudjem, had assumed control until the Viceroy recovered or the king could appoint a new one. Now the king had made his decision, and Prince Merenptah's eldest son Messuwy had been given the signal honour of becoming a Royal Son of Kush, though still subordinate to Setau should he recover.

  Messuwy had left the palace that morning by the main gate, accompanied by a small group of his hand-picked advisers, mostly companions of his youth who now looked for swift advancement in his wake. An honour guard of palace troops marched behind them, and a group of priests of all the major gods, and a sprinkling of minor ones, to offer up praises and supplications on behalf of the new Viceroy. The commotion attracted the populace of Per-Ramesses, and crowds gathered, almost preventing the passage of the viceregal procession by the time it reached the docks.

  Men cheered and women, or at least the most sophisticated ones, fluttered eyelashes at the young nobles, and not a few opened their tunics to display firm pale breasts with hennaed nipples in an open invitation. Commoner women copied their actions with the soldiers, and a few prostitutes went so far as to display everything they had. Although the soldiers were disciplined enough not to break ranks, the women found custom enough from the city men. Through and around the procession and crowds raced small children, their shrill voices raised in laughter and excitement. Finally, the soldiers had to clear a way through to the docks, where the royal barge 'Wisdom of Ptah' stood waiting to conduct the Deputy Viceroy to his post far to the south.

  Trumpets blew and drums beat out a staccato rhythm as the gangplank was hauled in and the rowers strained, the barge slowly moving down the canal toward the river. The soldiers of the guard maintained their position of readiness more for show than in any real likelihood of action. Not even the most daring bandit or Sea People raider would dare to attack a royal barge this close to the seat of Kemet's power. The young noblemen stood around under a sail that had been erected to keep the worst of the sun's heat off them, laughing and chattering with the excitement of their new positions.

  "Did you see the women in the crowd? If we'd had more time..."

  "You already have a wife and son, Pinehesy."

  Braying laughter. "Why should that stop me?"

  "How far are we going today?"

  "Doesn't matter. We can keep going through the night or put into shore wherever we are."

  "Men-nefer perhaps."

  "We'll get to see Waset. I've never been there."

  "You've never been anywhere."

  "Well, we're going now. Imagine it, Kush, land of gold."

  "We'll be rich..."

  "...and powerful. We can do whatever we like in Aniba."

  "Where?"

  "Aniba. It's the administrative capital of Lower Kush," Sethi said. "On the western bank, about halfway between the first and second cataract. The capital is Napata, further south, where Sutau rules as King's Son."

  "Been there before have you?"

  "No, but I bothered to ask the scribes and people who have."

  "You should have been a scribe yourself," jeered Huy. "Too much writing and not enough doing."

  "Are you calling me a coward?"

  Within moments the two young men were faced off, chest to chest and glaring at each other.

  "Enough." Messuwy's voice, though not loud, cut through the hubbub like a hardened bronze knife. When the antagonists parted, he addressed the group of his friends and companions in a firm but quiet voice.

  "You are acting like children being taken to see the animals in the palace menagerie, rather than responsible young men being handed a great honour by the king. If any of you feel you cannot measure up to the standard I, as King's Son of Kush, expect of you, it is not too late to turn back. We have not yet reached the river and the barge captain will let you off if I command it."

  "None of us want to turn back, Messuwy," Sethi said.

  Most of the other young men shook their heads and murmured agreement.

  "Good, because I want you to be aware of something." Messuwy waited to make sure he had their full attention. "I take my appointment seriously. I am the son of Prince Merenptah and grandson of Usermaatre Ramesses, and I have been named King's Son of Kush, Viceroy of the Gold Lands. It is a position of great responsibility and I intend to acquit myself well. Any of you who do not meet my exacting standards will be sent home in disgrace."

  "We won't disappoint you, Messuwy," Ramose declared.

  "Just tell us what you want and we'll do it," Nebamen added.

  "Very well. Here is my first command. I am King's Son of Kush, you are my companions. That means that when we are alone together where none can overhear us, you may call me Messuwy, but when others are present, like these soldiers and sailors, you will address me fittingly. 'My Lord Viceroy' will do, or 'King's Son of Kush', or even 'Overseer of the Gold Lands of the Lord of the Two Lands'."

  "Bit of a mouthful," Merymose muttered.

  A smile tugged at Messuwy's lips. 'King's Son' will do."

  "But, er, that's not right, is it?" Ahmose said with a grin. "'King's Son of Kush', but...perhaps 'King's Grandson of Kush'?"

  "'King's Son' and I'll tell you why, though you should know this. First of all, 'King's Son' is an honorific and the actual viceroy may even be a commoner, unrelated to the king. Secondly, you all know Prince Khaemwaset is dying, but who do you think will be heir after him? Almost certainly my father, Merenptah. When that happens, it is likely I will be recalled to Per-Ramesses, but even if I'm not, I will be all but the king's son. When Usermaatre dies..."

  "May that day be long delayed," Siese said piously.

  "Indeed, but when that day arrives, my father will be king and I will be heir to the throne." Messuwy shrugged. "My father is an old man himself. How long do you think it will be before I become king?" He smiled at the expressions of his companions. "It would be well if you all remembered that."

  Messuwy's companions looked at each other and vied with one another to declare their loyalty and friendship.

  The 'Wisdom of Ptah' reached the end of the canal and plunged into the river, turning into the current, the oarsmen redoubling their efforts. After an hour, a light northerly wind picked up, so the captain ordered the sail set, and though the barge did not run ahead of the wind, but rather at an angle, the craft maintained sufficient forward motion against the current to allow the oarsmen to rest.

  The captain ordered a meal prepared for his men, coarse bread, onions and light beer, and a somewhat more sumptuous feast for his important passengers. Messuwy and his companions sat down to cold roast goose, fine bread, fruits and river chilled wine. After the meal, they sat around on the deck, under an awning, and continued to drink, some of them playing Senet, others rolling dice or sitting with their legs over the side spitting date stones into the water and talking.

  Messuwy played Senet with fierce concentration, believing that success at this game of chance reflected success in the greater game of life. Most of his companions were careful to lose to the Viceroy, but not Sethi. He played to win, and by the time the wind changed, backing to the west, Messuwy was down five games to three.

  "The dust demons take you, Sethi." Messuwy scowled and knocked the Senet box over, scattering the pieces. "None of the others are near as good as you, and Siese lost every game, even against others."

  Sethi looked around a
t the other young men disporting themselves nearby and smiled. "That is because they try not to win against you. They hope instead to win your favour by losing the game."

  "And you do not?"

  "Not by deliberately losing a game of Senet. I hope to win your favour by being your strong right arm in Kush."

  "What makes you think I need one? I am quite capable of managing my own destiny."

  "I do not doubt it, King's Son of Kush, but there may arise circumstances when you cannot be seen to act openly because of your position. I can, however, act for you in secret."

  Messuwy looked calculatingly at Sethi. "Can I trust you, Sethi? It is said that the gods turn their faces from a man who loses at Senet and favour a man who wins. Such a man may seek to further his own destiny rather than mine."

  "You are a king's grandson, and probably soon to be a king's son and maybe even king, whereas I am a commoner, a son of a grain factor. A commoner can only rise so far by his own efforts, but if he finds favour in the eyes of a powerful man, he can rise much higher. I hope to prove myself loyal and useful, King's Son of Kush, so that I might find favour in your eyes. If the gods do indeed favour me, it will be because they also favour you."

  "I will test your loyalty and usefulness, Sethi."

  "Tell me what I must do and it is done, my lord Viceroy."

  "I will let you know." He gestured in dismissal.

  Sethi rose and started to walk away, but hesitated. "Siese is unlucky, My Lord Viceroy. I would get rid of him."

  He walked over to join the other young men, while Messuwy sipped at his wine and contemplated the uses that might be made of a man prepared to do anything to win favour.

  The barge pulled ashore that night where the easternmost branch of the river met its neighbour. There were extensive reed beds nearby, and while the sailors and soldiers set up camp, a number of the young men took bows and went hunting wildfowl. They returned within the hour, subdued and shaken, for while they had caught a number of ducks, one of their number, Siese, was carried from the reed beds and laid upon the soft grass beside one of the camp fires.

  "What happened?" the captain asked.

  "The goddess Wadjet struck him down," Huy replied.

  "What?"

  "He leaned down to retrieve a spent arrow and a cobra, hidden in the reeds, bit him in the neck," Ahmose said. "He cried out to the gods, but they turned their face from him..."

  Messuwy looked across the fire at Sethi, recalling his words.

  "...and he was dead before we could carry him out," Ahmose finished.

  "What should we do with his body?" Pinehesy asked.

  Messuwy looked again at Sethi and inclined his head slightly.

  "We will take him to Men-nefer tomorrow, that he may rest in the Place of Beauty as befits his station as Companion of the King's Son of Kush," Sethi said.

  The captain looked enquiringly at Messuwy. "My lord Viceroy?"

  "Let it be as Lord Sethi says. He speaks for me."

  Nobody said anything, but the young men edged away from Sethi, knowing he had been favoured by the new Viceroy. They looked at one another, recognising the first step in the building of a hierarchy, and each man wondered what he could do to secure a high position for himself.

  The mood was subdued on the barge the next day, with the body of Siese stowed below. Already the body showed signs of bloating and anyone close by could detect the first stench of decay. It was not far upriver to Men-nefer however, and the sailors bent their backs willingly to the task of bringing the young man's body swiftly to the embalmers.

  At Men-nefer, Sethi took charge of the body, and had it transported quickly to the House of the Dead, also arranging for a messenger to carry word of Siese's death to his family in Per-Ramesses. The rest of the companions accompanied Messuwy to the Governor's palace, where the Governor himself, Ptahhotep, greeted the King's Son of Kush and ordered a banquet to be given in his honour. The revels occupied most of the night, and the next day most of the young men were in no state to continue their voyage. Messuwy had drunk wine sparingly and the next day, while his companions sought the ministrations of the palace physician and the barge loaded up with extra stores, he and Sethi sought out men who had returned from Kush and questioned them on every aspect of the district.

  There was a map of Kush too, though it showed little more than the great loop of the river, the principal towns, and the roads that led off into the wilderness where the gold mines were. Sethi tapped the map near the fourth cataract.

  "What's this?"

  "The southern city of Napata," Messuwy said, after peering closely at the map.

  "No, Lord Viceroy, I meant this notation here, near the city."

  Messuwy shook his head and called over the scribe who had supplied the map. He tapped the papyrus.

  "That is the site of a great battle many years ago, King's Son of Kush," the scribe said. "General Horemheb defeated some rebels there."

  "Horemheb? The same Horemheb who became King Djeserkheperure?"

  "Yes, King's Son of Kush."

  "Interesting," Messuwy mused. "Perhaps we shall get an opportunity to do some fighting."

  "Who would dare rebel against Usermaatre, or his grandson?" Sethi smiled. "I dare say there will always be bandits though."

  Messuwy nodded. "The gold mines would always be a temptation."

  "We must guard them well, Lord Viceroy, and if a bandit was successful in stealing gold, we must ensure he is brought to justice and the gold returned to the king's coffers." Sethi touched the tip of his tongue to his upper lip and caught Messuwy's gaze. "Of course, if the bandit had hidden his stolen gold and died before revealing its hiding place, there would be nothing we could do."

  Messuwy nodded slowly. "I think I shall make you my military Lieutenant in Kush, Lord Sethi. You seem to know what needs doing."

  "Thank you, My Lord Viceroy. I will endeavour to live up to your expectations."

  "There is one other thing you should know, Lord Sethi. I have indeed been made Royal Son of Kush, but in a subordinate role to Setau, the present Viceroy. I have the king's promise that he will make me full Viceroy."

  "Let that day be soon, King's Son." Sethi smiled. "And it may well be soon for Setau is an old man."

  Three days later, the 'Wisdom of Ptah' sailed upriver once more, taking advantage of a following wind to hoist the sail. The captain kept his men busy scrubbing down the decks and making rope, while the soldiers lounged and Messuwy's young men relaxed and watched the riverbanks slide past.

  For a day south of Men-nefer, the river was busy with craft, small fishing boats plying their trade in the green waters, or loaded with produce from riverside farms supplying the great city. When the last of the small boats had been left behind, their only companions on the swirling river were the occasional long-distance trader and the teeming wildlife.

  Reed beds harboured wildfowl in abundance, and the passing barge disturbed the tranquillity, sending flocks exploding into the air. Sometimes, the young men would loose arrows into the flocks for sport, but when the captain refused to turn aside to retrieve the downed birds, they grumbled a bit and then desisted. Other times, a large fish would break the surface, or ripples spread from the scaly back of a crocodile as it sank into the waters ahead of them. Pehe-mau snorted and blew in the shallows and great-tusked bulls faced the oncoming barge before submerging as it grew closer. On the banks, herons stalked the water's edge, alert for frogs or little fish. A long beak would stab downward and jerk upward, silver scales gleaming momentarily before disappearing down a feathered gullet.

  Other times, the barge passed through farmlands, and the passengers would see herds of cattle grazing on the lush grass, small boys keeping control of them, or fields of crops, lettuce, onions, melons and cucumbers, sun-darkened men and women toiling in the heat with hoes and digging-sticks. If the wind backed suddenly, the odours of farm life carried across the waters, manure and rich black earth, sweat and the aroma of growing things. Between f
arms and fields were rows of trees, date palms and tamarisk, sant and willow, sycamore and acacia. Occasionally they would pass an orchard of pomegranate, olive, fig, and persea, with men toiling to prune limbs or water the soil.

  Days passed, and when the wind dropped, the captain ordered the oarsmen into position, and the barge would beat the water into a froth as it forced its way against the current. At these times, he would steer the barge closer to one bank or other to take advantage of the slower current in the shallower water.

  It was during one such time that they came across an area where the cliffs drew back on the eastern side in a great crescent, the cliff top marked by a great notch. Mud brick buildings, falling into disrepair, were scattered through the crescent and as the young men lined the side of the barge, staring at what seemed an almost deserted city, one pointed out a large ruined building.

  "Look at that building," Ahmose exclaimed. "It looks big enough to be a palace, but who would build one out here in the desert?"

  "A king built it," the captain said. "The Heretic. Do you not know the story?"

  "I think I have," Nebamen said. "My father is a priest of Amun and he says that many years ago someone tried to supplant Amun with the Aten."

  "How can you supplant a god?" Merymose asked. "It sounds like nonsense to me."

  "Yet that is what the Heretic tried to do," the barge captain said. "The son of Nebmaatre Amenhotep worshipped only the Aten, and moved his whole court from Waset to this new city here. He called it Akhet-Aten, because he saw the disc of the sun rise through that notch there." He pointed as the barge crept slowly past.

  "But what happened to it? It's in ruins. And to the Heretic?"

  The captain shrugged. "He offended the gods, as you might expect, and disappeared. The kings that came after him restored the old faiths, but they didn't last long. I think the gods had turned their faces from the whole family. They fell into death and our present glorious Usermaatre took control of the Double Kingdom."

  "Life, Health, Prosperity!" Sethi and Ahmose cried out together.

  "Indeed, young sirs," the captain went on. "The city fell into disrepair when the people left. Most returned to Waset and took up the worship of Amun again in his holy city."