The Trader´s Pact

by Nathaniel Burns

  The Trader’s Pact

  The Mummifier´s Daughter - Book 10

  Nathaniel Burns

  Copyright © 2018 by Nathaniel Burns

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  1. Chapter One

  2. Chapter Two

  3. Chapter Three

  4. Chapter Four

  5. Chapter Five

  6. Chapter Six

  7. Chapter Seven

  8. Chapter Eight

  9. Chapter Nine

  10. Chapter Ten

  11. Chapter Eleven

  12. Chapter Twelve

  13. Chapter Thirteen

  14. Chapter Fourteen

  15. Chapter Fifteen

  16. Chapter Sixteen

  Epilogue

  1

  Chapter One

  Neti, Shabaka and Moses gathered in the prefect’s room. The jubilee over the morning had been uneventful with the daily routine returning to normal. However, as they settled the captain of the mejay entered their quarters and addressed Shabaka. Instantly, Neti knew that things would not remain serene for much longer, especially since the captain rarely approached them himself, he usually sent one of the commanders or a runner to call them.

  He was a formidable man, solid muscle, with authority pouring from every pore. Were it not for the fact that he and Shabaka were good friends, his appearance would have felt more intimidating. Neti was too far to hear the exchange between the captain and Shabaka, but from the manner Shabaka reacted she knew that whatever it was it was upsetting. She ran through the numerous cases and events, thinking to the most unordinary ones, even the most gruesome ones, in order to prepare herself for what might greet them.

  Once the man had finished, Shabaka turned to look at her. The frown marring his forehead was all the confirmation she needed for her mind to race anew, especially when she recognized his reluctance to convey what he’d been told. Shabaka then looked at the captain and nodded his head in dismissal. Shabaka watched as the captain left before turning his attention back to Neti and Moses.

  Even before Shabaka said anything, Neti asked, “Bad news?”

  Shabaka appeared hesitant to speak, he took a deep, fortifying breath before he said, “It seems that another young girl has been found dead, possibly killed, although no one could find any cause or reason.” Shabaka looked between Neti and Moses before gesturing to the latter as he addressed Neti, “If you would prefer, Moses and I will go first and call for you if it needs investigation. I know how you feel about these matters.”

  Neti frowned before replying, “Why do that? It will only waste time.”

  Shabaka released a heavy sigh and said, “It may just be another girl subjected to some or another traditional ritual – heaven alone knows there are enough of them.”

  “I hardly believe that,” Neti flatly stated.

  “Why?” Demanded Shabaka.

  “Because the captain of the mejay will not personally come to tell us if it were something they had seen before.”

  “All he told me was that she appeared to be from a prosperous family and that her clothes were of good quality. Or if you want, less subtlety implying that it may be something we should look into. Besides, I still vividly remember how you reacted last time.”

  Aghast Neti looked at him, before countering, “I only reacted that way because it would have been simple enough for even one of my bearers to come to the same conclusion at that scene. The girl did not need to be moved, nor the assembly disrupted in order for me to determine the cause of death. Besides which, determining the reason of death is not the only reason why I accompany you to a scene. You know as well as I do that there are many things on the scene that help with the investigation.”

  Shabaka shifted uncomfortably, while his facial expression failed to conceal his uncertainty.

  Neti breathed a heavy sigh before she continued, “All I am saying is that if it is another death due to some ritual, it would be simple enough to classify there and then, and we won’t waste anyone’s time. So let’s go.”

  “I’m with her,” said Moses preparing to leave.

  “But you don’t have anything with you.” Shabaka countered.

  Neti lifted a satchel from the floor. “I have learned to carry the most important and necessary equipment with me at all times.”

  Shabaka looked from her to the satchel before reluctantly nodding, “Well then we should go.”

  The location itself confused Neti. Unlike any other possible murder or even natural death scene they had investigated, this one was in a public area out in the open. Neti looked about, confused, even before they reached the body. The mid-morning heat and buzzing flies did little to ease anyone’s irritation, while the sour overpowering stench that filled the air hid the smell of decomposing flesh. Neti stood for several long moments simply looked at the body, before flatly stating, “She died here, and recently.”

  Both Moses and Shabaka turned to look at her, however it was Shabaka who demanded, “How do you know? You haven’t even looked up close at the body.”

  Neti gestured to the area and said, “Unless her killer intended to draw attention to the fact that he had killed her, he would have moved her.”

  “So revenge even jealousy could be a reason,” said Moses.

  Neti shook her head. “It is too public. Even with revenge killings, they are usually concealed. Some are even buried. She is also too young… I mean who would want to seek revenge against her?”

  Shabaka looked around, causing Moses to ask, “What are you looking for?”

  “For something that seems off.” said Shabaka.

  “Whatever for?” Moses asked, “Everything always seems off at a murder scene.”

  Shabaka looked towards Neti then at Moses and said, “I have learnt to follow my or at least Neti’s instinct. Mine, tells me not to trust appearances, and Neti mentioned something about the killer possibly wanting it known...”

  “Which means if he did this to draw attention to himself, he would be here, somewhere, to witness what happens.” said Neti, also turning to look over those gathered.

  Moses asked, “You mean it is a trap, to get us out here?”

  Neti shook her head and said, “No. Whoever did this could not have known who would attend to the matter. And since it is but a child, it would most likely have been the mejay and the state per-nefer... nothing noteworthy.”

  Two mejay members stood a short distance from them and Shabaka called them over and instructed, “Clear everyone away and report anyone who appears reluctant to leave.”

  The men nodded and then left.

  Neti lowered to her haunches next to the girl. Reaching down, she drew the strands of braded horsehair from the girl’s face and then felt the girl’s skin along her neck. It was still warm. She rose and stood several paces back before calling to Moses. “Moses, come tell me what you see.”

  Moses came to stand beside her and looked at the body, “It looks as if she has fallen sideways.”

  Neti looked at the ground paced forward and backwards before finally coming to a standstill. “If she came from this direction… It doesn’t make any sense.” Neti said stepping closer to the girl’s body. “Why here? It is the wrong day for a market and she has nothing near her that appears to be of any worth.”

  “Her killer could have taken it.” Moses said.

  “And then there is that sour, rank scent of someone being ill.”

  “It is rather
sharp,” Moses confirmed.

  Neti moved closer to the girl’s head, waved her hand to dispel the flies, and then tested the wig before lifting it from the girl’s head. She felt the back of the scull before shaking her head.

  “What is it?” asked Shabaka.

  “The simplest cause of death would be a blow to the back of the head, but nothing feels tender here. The stench could be because the person who did this was so overcome with nerves that they vomited afterwards. Since it is more off to the side.” Neti said pointing to a splattered puddle. “But even so, she is lying wrong. Unless she was protecting something in front of her.” Neti looked up at Shabaka and said, “I’m going to have to roll her over.”

  Shabaka nodded.

  Neti rose slightly and taking hold of the upper arm and hip pulled the girl over.”

  “She’s about twelve floods old, very pretty, and I think we can rule out that the attacker was sick.”

  “How so?” Moses asked stepping closer.”

  “There is some of the vomit on her slip.”

  “So she was ill.”

  Neti nodded and said, “She apparently died on her way somewhere.”

  “Young women do not simply die in the middle of a road.” said Shabaka.

  Neti checked over the girl, she carefully worked open one of the girl’s hands that still clenched tightly. There was nothing in it, but the manner in which the girl lay, even turned over, caused Neti to say, “She was sick just before she died, which means she has either eaten something or her stomach was giving her problems.”

  Moses just looked at Neti and with a note of disbelief asked, “How could you know that?”

  “Because I don’t see any other obvious reason why she could have died. There is no wounds, no blood. The most common cause of a death like this is a blow to the head, which she does not have, so it has to be inside.”

  “So what could cause that?” asked Shabaka.

  “She’s…” Neti hesitated “She might be of age.” Neti said moving closer.

  “Might be of age for what?” Moses asked as Neti neared the pool of vomit and sniffed it. “Ugh! I can’t believe you just did that.” Moses exclaimed, “I think I’m about to be sick.”

  “I doubt it will deter your appetite.” Shabaka bit back however also pulled a face.

  “It’s not my appetite so much as my desire to keep my last meal in my stomach,” Moses countered before turning to Neti and asking, “So was she murdered?”

  Neti looked towards the girl and said. “Died or murdered, either remains a matter of opinion.”

  “Meaning that you either know what killed her or who killed her.” said Shabaka.

  Neti released a heavy, loaded sigh before nodding her head. “It just depends on whether the person who administered the cocktail of herbs intended to kill her or cure her.”

  Surprised Shabaka asked, “She was given something?”

  Neti looked at the girl as she said, “Yes, you can smell it in the vomit.”

  “That is not something I plan on trying,” said Moses.

  Shabaka’s brows furrowed as he tentatively asked, watching Neti’s reaction. “Is this another of those things embalmers often see?”

  Neti shook her head and said, “No, not often, or at least not in young girls. There have been several women though.”

  “Do you want me to take notes?” asked Moses.

  Neti shook her head and said, “No, but we will have to find her husband or parents.”

  Shocked, Moses exclaimed, “Husband! But she is far too young to be married already.”

  “She’s also far too young to be with child, but she was.” countered Neti.

  “How do you know that?” demanded Moses.

  “The strong acidic stench you smell…” Neti trailed off and saw Moses nod, “Well that is caused by a herb that is used to end pregnancies.”

  “Which is why you said that her death or her murder is a matter of opinion.” said Shabaka.

  “Well yes and no.” said Neti, rising to her feet again. “If she took the herbs herself, it would be suicide. If someone gave her the herbs or made her drink a concoction, they could be guilty of murder.”

  “What do you mean could be?” Moses asked, “To me it would be a clear case of murder.”

  “Many of the herbs used in healing can be deadly if taken wrong,” said Shabaka. “Which is really why it does boil down to whether the person intended to kill her or cure her.”

  “And you are certain that this could have caused her death?” Moses asked.

  Neti nodded as she spoke, “Those herbs are strong enough to make a fully-grown woman sick for almost a week, she did not stand much of a chance.”

  “So how do we know which it is?” asked Moses.

  “Well firstly, she will have to be taken to my per-nefer, a day or so will be enough to determine whether she willingly took the concoction or was made to drink it. Then we will have to find her parents or husband.”

  “What about fining the person who mixed the herbs?” asked Moses.

  “There are only a few who would know of such remedies. And even so, they know how dangerous they are. I don’t think any of them would have helped a girl.”

  “Then how could she have gotten hold of the herbs?” Shabaka asked.

  “Most of the herbs grow naturally along the river’s edge, which means finding the herbs is not difficult, especially not during the flood cycle. I don’t know if she knew which ones to look for or whether she understood the risks of taking them.”

  “That’s a big risk.” said Shabaka.

  “And not one she would have taken without reason, especially had she known the risks.” said Neti.

  Neither Shabaka nor Moses said anything in reply.

  “Many women also talk along the river’s edge, but it is not a common remedy that is only whispered.”

  “You have some experience?” asked Moses.

  Neti looked at him in shock and exclaimed, “No! but I am also not a fool. Such remedies will only be discussed by… I need to speak with Uli, she will know.”

  “Know what?” Moses asked.

  “She will know where or even possibly who knows and provides this remedy.”

  “You mean healers will not?” asked Shabaka.

  Neti hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. “Healers, like most men, want women to birth sons, as many as they can.”

  “You make us sounds so, so… primitive.” Moses countered.

  Neti simply looked at him then said, “I’m not even going to respond to that.”

  “And her?” Shabaka asked, pointing to the body.

  “We will first need to find out more about her. She does appear to be from one of the prominent families, which leaves one to wonder how she got to be in this situation in the first place. Discovering how will go a long way to establishing whether she was killed or wrongfully dosed herself.”

  “You’re suspecting something.” said Shabaka.

  Neti nodded.

  “Care to share?” Moses asked.

  “I first want some space to confirm my suspicions before I profess anything.” said Neti.

  2

  Chapter Two

  The sun was well past its zenith when Neti returned home. On entering her house she could hear the chattering from the kitchen above and made her way up the small flight of stairs.

  Yani, Fae and Seota were in the process of preparing the evening meal. Their conversation was light as they bantered with each other or, more particularly, Yani about her upcoming nuptials. Neti could not help the sense of envy that overcame her, not about Yani’s nuptials, but that the three of them seemed to get along so effortlessly. Especially since whenever she was around they seemed more reserved and discreet.

  It was Fae who turned and noticed her first. The girl’s small jolt of surprise had the others look around. Yani made to speak however Neti held her hand up to silence her, asking instead, “Where is Uli?”

  The three
women looked at each other with some hesitation before Yani answered, “We were not expecting you back so soon, we were still…” Neti again rose her hand to silence the woman before turning a pointed gaze at Seota.

  Seota hesitantly answered, “She goes down to the river in the afternoons, well when she thinks you won’t notice… We really did not think you would be back, not with the rumors of the girl in the city.”

  “What rumors?” demanded Neti.

  Seota hesitantly looked at Yani and Fae before answering. “Only that a girl was found dead and that you, Moses and Shabaka had attended the scene.”

  “Anything else?” demanded Neti.

  Seota shook her head.

  Neti thought it over for several moments, She tried to find a reason as to why Uli would go down to the river the same time as the prostitutes would. Not that Neti minded the fact that the woman maintained her contact with the other women, it was that very contact she sought to use. It was the timing that bewildered her causing Neti to ask, “Have the women been malevolent towards her at the river in the mornings?”

  Yani outright answered, “They are not very friendly… but then they feel threatened by her.”

  “Is there a problem?” Asked Seota, “One of us could run down to fetch her.”

  “No, I think it is best if it were me.” said Neti.

  The women again looked at each other, only this time with concern as Neti turned away from them.

  Neti moved to stand at the last of the houses situated on the path leading towards the river’s edge. She did not want to call any alarm to her presence there, especially with the men still on lookout. However, it was not long before the women slowly started to make their way back up the path. Most kept their gazes lowered. Even though their numbers kept them safe at the river, they knew what treatment they would receive if they were found on their own. Some of them glanced up at her for a moment but made no effort to engage with her, merely lowering their heads and moving on.