The Trader´s Pact

by Nathaniel Burns

  Shabaka slapped his friend on the back before lowering his head in acknowledgement to Ramesses. They quickly shifted to converse in their own language as the pharaoh turned to look towards Neti and Moses.

  “What is he doing?” asked Neti.

  “Who? Shabaka or the pharaoh?”

  “Shabaka I imagine is receiving news from home.” said Neti.

  “How do you know that?”

  “I recognize the person he is with. I meant Ramesses.”

  “I imagine he is looking for a new stallion for his mares. The mejay are known to have the best horses.”

  Neti watched as the various members pranced their horses past the pharaoh. Explaining at great length the animal’s speed, stamina or agility.

  “I gather from their appearance and enthusiasm it is a great honor.” Neti said.

  “It is prestigious just to claim that a horse used by the pharaoh comes from your stock, so you can imagine the bragging rights one obtains if Ramesses particularly chooses your stallion for his mares.” said Moses.

  “Does this take long?” asked Neti.

  “Ramesses never likes to be rushed, so he will look at the horses and will then later call back the ones he preferred.”

  “So how will he decide which one to choose if all the ones he likes are present?”

  “He will choose it the same way he chooses everyone, their performance.” Moses replied.

  “I don’t understand.” said Neti.

  “The horses have to prove their stamina and usefulness during a series of tests. He’s possibly planning it to be before he leaves.”

  Confused, Neti asked, “This is the reason he remained in Thebes?”

  “I don’t think so. But he will use the opportunity though.”

  “I know nothing of horses so why summon me here?” asked Neti, even more confused.

  “He wanted to speak with all of us, and seeing as the environment is more relaxed, I would say he only wants to discuss something.”

  Neti nodded and then turned to look at the men gathered with their horses and said, “I doubt I will ever understand the attraction they feel.”

  “It is not an attraction, it is the usefulness and mobility the animals offer.”

  Neti simply nodded.

  They watched as Ramesses made a selection of horses. The men whose horses were selected appeared exuberant and keenly nodded before departing. Even though Ramesses was old in body his mind was still as astute as ever. It was only once the courtyard had cleared that Shabaka and Ramesses joined them.

  Neti lowered to one knee as she addressed him “My lord.”

  “Rise child.” Ramesses said, almost impatiently, and then looked from her to Moses and then to Shabaka giving Neti just enough time to again stand, before stating. “Before me I see three of the most loyal servants in all of Thebes, possibly all of Egypt, and yet I am forced to make a difficult decision.”

  Shock chilled Neti like pitcher of cold water cast over her head. She looked at Moses and then Shabaka who both appeared a shocked as she was. A heavy sensation descended on her and a band tightened around her heart, especially since Ramesses had had the entire length of a day to come to a conclusion on the elders’ complaint. She knew that if changes were made they were most likely to involve her.

  “Come, walk with me. This is not something I want to discuss indoors, the walls of the palace have ears and runners seem to travel twice as fast when they convey gossip.”

  “Was that why you sent the younger ones?” Shabaka asked.

  “Yes, it gives them practice while at the same time preventing any suspicion as to the actual importance of our meeting.”

  With every word Ramesses said, Neti felt her heart sink lower.

  There was a length of silence until they entered the gardens, only then did Ramesses speak.

  “I fear that events yesterday has complicated a great number of things.” However before Neti could say anything Ramesses held up his hand, “It is not needed child, I have seen enough of your disposition to know that only the most ardent of tempers would evoke you to speak harshly to someone. Which was one of the reasons I was willing to call the court, since it was so unlike you. I wanted to see for myself to what lengths some elders would go, but instead it has highlighted something else, something far more concerning, which I fear is meddling with my own plans.”

  Ramesses moved to sit on a small pillar specifically placed for such a purpose and with a gesture invited them to settle on the grass, “This garden still remains my favorite, especially in the morning when the birds sing. But soon I will only hear the screeching of the scarabs and sun beetles.” Ramesses waited for them to settle before he continued. “I will be honest enough to state that when I formed this group of prefects, I had intended for you to learn each other’s skills. That way I would be able to break up the group and send you to the various cities; Shabaka to Memphis and Moses would return to Pi-Ramesses with me. But not only have I cone to realize the difficulty in doing that, especially after seeing how you interact and feed off each other’s opinions and ideas. I have come to realize that it would be foolish altogether.” Ramesses looked between them. “I take your shocked expressions as confirmation that you would not agree to such a thing.”

  Moses was the first to speak. “My Lord, not to be discourteous, but I am taking a wife and I am certain Neti would not want to be moved either.” Moses for a moment looked at Shabaka then to Neti and then finally at Ramesses.

  “And such personal ambitions I can understand. But as your pharaoh, I can say with great certainty that in the time I have charged you with investigations, I have come to learn that not even the most trusted of my advisors and viziers can be trusted. I have learned that the power their position bestowed them, all to often leads to them perusing their own greed filled interests. And that more often than not, those interest are in direct conflict with my interests and those of the kingdom or its people.”

  A silence fell over the group and no one knew how to respond or even continue. Neti’s throat was scratchy, rendering speech difficult, and it took several attempts to clear it enough to speak. “My Lord, you mentioned that events were in direct conflict with your plans.”

  Ramesses nodded, “Yes my child, they are. Especially given the events of yesterday. It has had me rethink my initial planning.”

  Shabaka turned to Ramesses and said, “We will accept whatever decision you make.” Although the words were meant to be encouraging, anyone who knew Shabaka could deduce the reluctance in his tone.

  “As I know you will,” said Ramesses, “However, I have learned that knowing who I can trust, utterly and completely, while knowing that they work together best as a unit, is of far greater importance than having them scattered and compromised. You not only check each other, you also protect each other. Which is why yesterday’s events has changed my mind.”

  Neti almost cheered with relief.

  “What changed it?” asked Moses.

  “There were several factors, not just that of the elders once again voicing their discord with me for having Neti as a prefect and an embalmer.” Ramesses looked at her and smiled, “I actually like knowing they don’t like her, because it means they cannot simply use gender to overrule an argument. Neti has a strong personality and a sharp mind, and they know it. It is that which frightens them and why they are as uncomfortable with her position. But I also know that if I did proceed with splitting up the group, not only would I have half functioning prefects, the elders in Thebes will overrule any objections made by Neti, and would possibly even subject her to a tribunal. She needs someone to support her possibly as much as I need her skills. This is especially important since Suten-Anu will not be around forever. Like me, he will also have to meet the Gods.”

  Neti was offended by the pharaoh’s words, not wanting to lose either of the men.

  “And as much as I wish that I could have ten more teams like this, I only have one. And one team I fear does not strike fear
into the hearts of thieves. Just as many in the kingdom no longer fear my rule, they consider me old. At times I think it would have been better if I had died younger, as my father had. At least then I would have had less worries and could watch as my sons fight for the right to the throne.” Ramesses laughed at that, “…it would be sport.”

  None of the prefects laughed, the idea simply too foreign to be viewed as nonchalantly. .

  “But I must remain serious,” Ramesses said, “For this needs an answer, and that answer involves the three of you.” He seriously looked at each of them.

  Again it was Moses who had the courage to address him. “What have you considered, my Lord?”

  “Well since your last visit to Pi-Ramesses, Ramesses looked at Neti and then Shabaka, “I have learned that even though I have taken youngsters into my home, educated them in the ways of Egypt. That it cannot install the loyalty I thought it would. Finding truly loyal subjects has proven far more difficult than I had initially thought. And while I already have a strong unit of three, I should look at developing more units. I know better than to disrupt something that obviously works, so I plan on having something that works generate me more.”

  Confused, Neti asked, “My Lord?”

  “If you want good horses breed your best.” Ramesses said, looking between them, “So I want you to select others and train them your skills. That way I will be able to have more teams when time comes to split the team.”

  Shock again shot through Neti’s body, the sudden chill causing her to shiver. Shabaka looked at her for a moment before speaking, “My Lord, I fear that preparing prefects is very unlike breeding horses, because even though we have already worked together for some time already, there are many things we are still learning.”

  “That may be so, however I feel having the three of you in one place, teaching others your skills while investigating matters here would be far more beneficial than having you move around Egypt to deal with individual concerns of mine. As it is I think this last matter with the children and the gems only occurred because I have constantly moved you throughout Egypt. You have said before that these thieves are becoming smarter and more cunning in their attempts, and I now realize we also need to change our manner of doing things. From now on, I want your trainees to escort any prisoners to Pi-Ramesses for their judgments. It does not help we catch only a few and the others get away. Their thievery will only attract the young and lazy who seek instant enrichment. Egypt cannot have such, Egypt will fail.”

  “What do you propose?” asked Moses.

  Ramesses shook his head, “There are so many things I still have to finalize. I so vividly remember my father once telling me that a pharaoh, a good pharaoh is judged by the way he allows others to treat his people, especially those who are old, weak and children. And yet here we are, with my own people willing to impose such harm on children. I shudder to think how many innocent lives were sacrificed as these men sought to enrich themselves.” Ramesses look between them and said, “But fear not, I feel that something good will come out of these children, that they will serve me well. Were it not for the fact that I needed Neti’s skill as a prefect I would have put her in charge of these children.”

  “My Lord!” Neti said, shocked.

  “I have seen the work you have done with others in your care. You have shown the ability to bring out the best in people. They utilize and nurture their skills to contribute not only to your home but also to those around them.”

  “My Lord,” Neti said somewhat overwhelmed by the praise. “I only encourage them.”

  “If I could find someone like you to guide them I will have a group of very loyal citizens.”

  “I could offer the old woman I have,” Neti said. “She is familiar with youngsters,”

  Moses also warmed to the subject, “It would not be as difficult if you have a tutor teach them to read and write. And the girls can always nurture their talents as well. It would be no different or difficult than the sons from the other royal families you have taken into your home.”

  “But even they have turned against me.” Ramesses reasoned.

  “Only one my Lord, and that was only because he believed you were robbing his kingdom,” said Shabaka. “These children do not have such privilege.”

  “That is also true. And after the conditions they suffered, with prefects such as you to aspire to, I feel they could possibly become good citizens, possibly evene prefects themselves.”

  Neti frowned at that. “My Lord?” she said, her voice uncertain, “You want us to train the children?”

  “No my dear child, well unless they want to be prefects. But I dare say your skills have left an impression with them for the rest of their lives. It may even act as motivation.”

  “If I may ask,” Shabaka started, “I have known you for many floods, and know that such a change is not without reason.”

  “And that is exactly why you are a prefect, “started Ramesses, “ I have for some time already been aware of the movement of people who oppose my continued rule. I consider myself wise enough not to simply think it is because of my age, but rather because I deny the priests the power they so greatly desire. They covet wealth and power even more than my sons do. But with yesterday’s events I saw something different, something the elders possibly thought I would not.”

  “And that is?” asked Moses.

  “In war, you target and take out the closest, strongest opponents first. That way you limit your losses later when your men become tired. I have come to think of these people as opponents in a war.” Ramesses looked towards Neti. “They see you as a threat. Whether it is because of those who have taken you into their confidence. Or whether it is your skill at reading bodies, I do not know. Originally the objection was that you were a woman. But given the effort even the elders have made in an attempt to breakup this group, I cannot be anything other than suspicious. And while I may have entertained their advice on your effectiveness in other cities, I now question their reason for wanting the unit split.”

  “You think they are up to something?” said Shabaka.

  “Yes, and if they are not up to something there is something they are trying very hard to hide. I have a feeling the gems still have something to do with it, but that may only be a motivation as well. So my plan for now is to keep you here, to tell the elders that I have decided against their advice and that you will instead be training more prefects for the other cities.”

  “Giving us the perfect opportunity under cover to investigate what the elders are involved with.” Shabaka said.

  “I have asked Khawy to go over all the papyri that indicate where any old gem mines are located. Keeping an eye on movement in the area will soon enough indicate if the men are again mining.”

  “We will have to take extra care with the children,” Neti said. Causing all three men to look at her.

  “If the same men are again mining, the children could identify them.”

  “I hadn’t thought of that.” Ramesses said. “Which also means that if we do catch someone they can act as witnesses.”

  “Provided we actually catch them this time.” Shabaka deadpanned

  “If we appear too busy with training the new mejay, these thieves might just become negligent.” Moses said, “And with my wedding and the dead girl,”

  “Gera!” Neti insisted.

  “With Gera and Amenia’s deaths still to be resolved, we will appear too busy to look into anything else.”

  Ramesses nodded and said, “Then that will be the announcement I make in the hall before I leave for Pi-Ramesses. Until then I will allow you to seek out potential prefects for training.”

  7

  Chapter Seven

  Moses took the proffered beer from Yani and smiled warmly before turning his attention back to the conversation. “As much as I love Yani’s beer, after this morning I really could use some of that fermented fruit wine they sold before the jubilee.”

  “You mean that stuff that ma
kes your head spin?” asked Shabaka.

  “I could use a head spin right now, I still find it difficult to believe Ramesses even considered splitting us up.”

  “Well, we both knew you were only going to be with us temporarily, or at least I expected it,” said Shabaka.

  Moses sat upright almost spilling his beer, as he countered, “You don’t mean that?”

  “When Ramesses said we were to bring you back with us and that Neti should teach you how to read bodies, I suspected he had plans for your return to Pi Ramesses afterwards. Even Neti for some time now has been concerned that the pharaoh will reassign us.”

  “Even so,” Moses said, “Where will we even start to look for potential prefects, It is not as though there’s an entire line of them standing outside the door and we can pick.”

  “That is actually a brilliant idea.” said Neti as she also settled on the mat.

  “What do you mean?” Shabaka asked.

  “Well each of us have unique talents and even though there is a whole building full of learners who want to become mummifies, there may not even be one suitable to learn the skills needed by a prefect.”

  “How did we get from a row outside to the state per nefer?” Moses asked and then took a sip of his beer.

  “You can be so literal at times.” Neti said, somewhat frustrated. “It is simple really. If you want to become a mummifier, and unlike me it’s not a family trade, you can apply to the state per-nefer. Marlep then does a small test to see if the person has the abilities to become a mummifier – Moses you would fail.”

  “Why would I fail?”

  “Because you would hurl at the first two bodies they show you.”

  “Let me guess, stinking and crawling with flies?”

  “Try rotting with fly larvae crawling all over it.” said Neti