The Trader´s Pact

by Nathaniel Burns

  “Right, there goes my meal.”

  “Exactly. A mummifier cannot be sick over a body, it is disrespectful of the dead.”

  “And what does this have to do with being a prefect?”

  “We can do the same. We can let word out that we are looking for prefects and then let them come to us.”

  “And how do we test them. Not one of us have the same skills.” Moses countered.

  “We ask them for their strongest skills.”

  “We are going to have a bunch of wrestlers and fighters here, just as we have when the palace guards are selected.” Moses said. “It takes almost a full moon turn to consider everyone.”

  “You know what, I only realized now how much you can complain.” Shabaka said, adding, “Ramesses did not say we should have it done immediately, if he has had trouble finding others, he is not going to expect us to do it much faster. I think we should give Neti’s idea a chance. I am certain not many apply to the state per-nefer to become an embalmer. So if we put clear guidelines down, I am certain we will get some applications to consider.”

  “So how are we going to do this?” Moses asked, “Walk around and announce it?”

  “How does the state per-nefer do it?” asked Shabaka.

  Neti remained silent for several long moments before finally replying, “It is going to sound unfair, because in some way it is to those who cannot read, but what if we just put up a papyrus against one of the walls in the market place stating we are looking for new prefects.”

  “How would that help?” Moses demanded. “No one places a papyrus in the marketplace.”

  “The two strongest skill sets a prefect needs is the ability to read and the ability to notice things.”

  “That way we test them even before they apply.” Shabaka said, nodding.

  “We only need to then look at the other skill they have.” Said Neti.

  “We will have to ask Ramesses first.” Said Moses.

  “No,” Shabaka countered, “If we show that we are functioning without Ramesses, it will make the elders think we are focusing on this matter. Where if we converse too often with Ramesses they will suspect something.”

  Just then the mat before Neti’s door rustled, causing all of them to simultaneously look towards the door. Shabaka readied himself, even lowering his beaker in order to be ready to apprehend whoever could have been eavesdropping, but instead a very tired looking Suten-Anu stepped into the room.

  He looked up after his entry, his step immediately faltered, “My apologies Neti for not announcing myself.”

  Neti lowered her beaker and rose to greet her tutor. With concern in her voice she said, “You look deathly ill, you should not have walked as far. Why not send a runner?”

  “Do not fret young child I am perfectly fine.”

  “Quickly, Fae, bring Suten-Anu a beaker of wine, he looks as if he is about to collapse.” Neti said and then turned her attention back to Suten-Anu. “Come, sit on the stool, you must rest from this heat.”

  “Relax I am fine, there is nothing wrong with me other than…” Suten-Anu suddenly stopped and looked at Neti, asking, “Is it possible that we can speak in private?”

  Neti turned to look at the multitude of faces earnestly looking at them. “I do not think any of them would discuss my concerns, so you can speak freely.”

  Suten-Anu looked visibly uncomfortable as he moved his weight to take the proffered glass from Fae, stating, “You are a beautiful girl, I don’t know where Neti manages to find all of you.”

  Neti for a moment hesitated, looking from Fae to Suten-Anu before answering, “She is to be Yani’s replacement.”

  Suten-Anu made no reply and took a sip from his beaker. Neti watched as he savored the taste, knowing it would not be anywhere near as good as the wines he kept.

  “Light and fruity, more a juice than a wine, but good still the same.”

  Neti watched as he took another sip and then dismissed all the servants.

  “You are willing to talk with them here?” Suten-Anu asked gesturing to Moses and Shabaka.

  “Dear tutor, I doubt there is anything you could say to me in private that Shabaka and Moses cannot hear.” However from Suten-Anu’s reluctance she concluded an entirely different reason. “It is the elders again? Have they once again spoken with you?” asked Neti, looking for confirmation in Suten-Anu’s actions.

  “If only it were that, I could laugh at them.” Suten-Anu said, “But when the men arrived and voiced their request, I could not have known. I would also not feel as if Apar himself sought my heart right now.”

  “You have always had a way with words however I fail to understand their meaning?”

  Suten-Anu cleared his throat and visibly appeared to pull himself together. He for a moment glanced towards Shabaka and Moses before starting, “After your parents were murdered, I was placed in charge of your care and matters.” Neti made to object but Suten-Anu held up his hands to still her and continued. “I am well aware that you are intelligent enough to manage them on your own, which is why I have left matters to you to decide. While few have questioned this or even fully come to understand matters, I knew it would not long before someone does, and as the person charged with your welfare…”

  Neti cut him short by throwing up her hands, I was right wasn’t I the elders have demanded of you to impede my independence.” Neti walked a short distance before turning back to face Suten-Anu, “Have they not?” She demanded.

  Suten-Anu shook his head, “I think they have long since realized that I am the last person who would do such a thing.”

  “Then why?” Neti asked extending her arms outwards and turning her palms up.

  “As I was saying, as the person closest to you and entrusted by your parents with your welfare. It has, I would say taken longer than I anticipated for some to realize that.”

  Neti visibly became impatient as she said, “I do not understand how that could explain your appearance.”

  “I’ve had a request for your hand.”

  “What!” Neti, Shabaka and Moses simultaneously exclaimed.

  Neti looked at Suten-Anu in astonishment, for several moments incapable of saying anything. She looked at Shabaka then Moses before turning her attention back to Suten-Anu and opting for humor said, “I guess anyone would be a better husband than Ma-Nefer.”

  “Who’s that?” asked Moses.

  “Long story,” Shabaka replied, his tone abrupt.

  Neti more seriously said, “I hope you declined.”

  “Wait!” Moses said, “We don’t even know who it is.”

  “It was Dukh, the cloth trader’s son.”

  “I would rather be eaten by a crocodile.” Neti flatly stated, then angrily demanded, “You did decline?”

  “I have not said anything yet. I was far too shocked when he and his father arrived. Possibly even as much as you are right now.”

  “It explains why on you appeared distressed on arrival.” said Neti.

  Shabaka asked, almost insistently, “She does have the right to decline?”

  Suten-Anu nodded, “Yes, She is not obliged, but I’m starting to wonder if it would be wise.”

  “What!” Neti demanded, leaving both Moses and Shabaka shocked. “Why would I ever want to marry the son of a trader?”

  “I did not mean you had to marry him!” Suten-Anu angrily countered, causing Neti to step back, “I just mean that we should be looking for a husband for you.”

  “Why?” Neti demanded, “You think it would appease the elders more if I was married, they would probably hope I am soon with child and too busy to look into the pharaoh’s matters!”

  Suten-Anu shook his head, “That is not what I meant.”

  “Then what did you mean?” demanded Neti.

  Suten-Anu took a deep breath, releasing an exasperated sigh before he stated, “In some manner I think the elders are right, you have become even more headstrong while working for the pharaoh”

  “And what that
is supposed to mean?” demanded Neti.

  “It means that while I am still looking after your interests, you blindly ignore the obvious.”

  “And what is that?”

  “That you are getting older, and soon no man would want you because you are past childbearing age.” Suten-Anu flatly replied.

  “Who cares?” I don’t want any children. And I am definitely not marrying the cloth trader's son.”

  “But you have not even given him or anyone a thought?” Suten-Anu said.

  “And why should I?”

  “You do not even know whether he is a good-natured man who will build a good home.”

  “Good home?” Neti questioned, obviously exasperated, “Are we even talking of the same person. How will Dukh ever make a good husband? He is possibly the most lazy person I have ever met. He’s even too lazy to leave his father’s home. He will not be a husband, he will just be someone who lays about the house while the servants have to clean and care for his needs. I can only imagine him and his father plotting, that in marrying me he will have access to any garments Seota makes, he will have access to Yani’s flatbread….” Neti turned to Moses and said, “I doubt he knows that you are marrying her.” Before pursuing her rant. “No. In marrying me he does not have to work, since there is already a home with servants to do the work and with me working as a per-nefer and a prefect I will almost never be home. He will draw on the status. For all I know he may even try to seduce young Seota or Dal-Fae,” Neti quickly corrected herself, however knew that Suten-Anu had heard the almost slip. She quickly continued, “And given our current instructions from Ramesses and what we’ve been investigating and discussing, he could even…” however Neti cut herself short, instead saying, “You need not know that?”

  If Suten-Anu had heard the slip, he did not let on as he said, “I realize that you have many concerns, far more than many in Thebes, also because your sense of responsibility.

  “No!” Neti firmly stated. “I have seen and heard enough of the ways of men to know that he would be the last person I could marry. He is not intelligent, so he will bore me to death. Not all men are like you or my father, who encourage people. I will not marry a man who will not treat my children as equals be they boy or girl, just as I will not marry a man who considers it acceptable to beat a woman or take more than one wife. This is my parent’s home, it would be an insult to them.”

  “Your parents would want you to be happy.” Suten-Anu reasoned.

  “And I am not now?” Neti countered.

  Moses stepped between them, holding a hand towards each of them. “Since I’m about to be married I just wanted to ask, has any of this been finalized?”

  Suten-Anu looked at Neti before shaking his head. “I know Neti well enough not to make any arrangements without consulting her first.”

  “This one did not even need consulting.” Neti countered.

  “Even so, he and his father would want a reason for your refusal.” Said Suten-Anu.

  “Well that’s easy enough,” Moses said. “You can just tell them that she’s already married to Shabaka.” Moses pointed to Shabaka as he continued, “If you watch them for long enough, or even spend enough time with them, you could easily be convinced of it.”

  Shabaka’s expression was just as shocked as Neti’s, however she was the first to regain her voice and demand, “Are you raving mad? You cannot even begin to be serious! Shabaka could not possibly marry me.”

  “Why not?” challenged Moses, “…it would solve a whole string of problems for both of you.”

  “Shabaka is a prince! He has duties!” stressed Neti, “I do not even have a drop of royal blood in me.”

  Moses shook his head and said, “No, Shabaka’s brother has duties. Only when his brother dies will those duties pass onto Shabaka.”

  “Neti has a point.” Shabaka flatly stated,

  “Oh here we go again…” Moses said, with a heavy sigh. “Honor and duty… I don’t know which of you is worse.”

  “No.” Shabaka firmly said. “If we were even to go along with your crazy plan, no man worthy would come forward for Neti thinking she is married. You will be doing her a far greater disservice.”

  Moses looked at Shabaka in surprise although his voice suddenly fell flat, “I guess when you put it like that one could understand. But from where I stand, it remains a viable solution, since neither of you want to marry someone else. So you won’t be doing anyone else a disservice.”

  Neti shook her head, “No, I couldn’t. I know nothing about being a princess or royalty. And I am certain that Shabaka’s father already has someone in mind for him.”

  “Sometimes I wonder why we allow customs to reign.” Suten-Anu said and turned to address Neti, “Since you have made your stance clear on the matter, I will go, but I remind you Neti that time passes quickly.” He handed Neti back the beaker and left.

  8

  Chapter Eight

  The market was still serene as shutties went about setting up their various stalls. Many were already meticulously packing out various produce and goods on offer, while beggars and loiters remained in the corners, their actions scrutinized by the mejay moving about the market area. Here and there children ran in pursuit of a dog or cat even their friends, shouting loudly as they went.

  The breeze from the Nile was still cool, periodically catching on the ragged fabric ends of the various pergolas used to protect fruits and perishable foods from the relentless sun. Several shutties even grouped together in the middle of the market to share the shade. Their flatbread, beer and fruit a definite attraction.

  Neti, Shabaka and Moses moved between the drays, with Moses periodically stopping to peruse some merchandize.

  “How is the home coming along,” asked Shabaka in an attempt to draw the man’s attention back to their duties again.

  “I’m simply looking.” Said Moses, again rushing to catch up with them. “I want Yani to be comfortable.”

  “I fear that you are attempting to turn your home into a palace like Ramesses’” Shabaka teased. “She will be comfortable enough without all your indulgence in things opulent.”

  “I intend to care well for her.” Said Moses.

  “And I am certain you shall.” Said Neti, somewhat absentmindedly while looking about them.

  It caused Moses to look at her and ask, “What are you looking for

  Neti looked back at him and asked, “Why do I get the sensation we are not welcome here?”

  Moses and Shabaka looked about them, and noticed the manner in which the shutties kept looking at them, as if scrutinizing them.

  Unperturbed Shabaka said, “Possibly because of the removal of the unfair traders and their scales.”

  “I think it has more to do with the children.” Said Moses.

  Perhaps we should allow the children to the market some time. That way they can have contact with some of the family members not prosecuted by the pharaoh.” Said Neti.

  “Given the circumstances, one would think we would be welcomed.” Said Moses.

  “The people of Thebes tend to be weary for a long time after such events. They don’t know who else will be accused of dishonesty, so they think it is best to consider us as dishonest.” Said Neti and then came to a standstill. She looked about them and then finally pointed to the one wall, “I think there will be best, there are many people passing that area.”

  “I still don’t know if this is such a good idea.” Said Moses.

  Shabaka took the notice from Neti and said, “It will be far easier this way than us seeking out individuals who may not even want to be prefects.”

  Shabaka unrolled the papyrus scroll and pressed it against the wall, then said, “Come on Moses.

  Moses hoisted the pot a bit higher taking some of the brick mud from it he flicked it at the one end, it held. Carefully he continued the rest, until the upper and lower parts of the scroll was secured.

  “Now it only has to dry.” said Neti.

  “
I really did not think it would work.” said Moses.

  “Well it was either that or that sticky tree sap.” said Shabaka, stepping back.

  “That stuff will stick a fully-grown man to the wall.” Moses said lowering the almost empty pot. “I think it should suffice as a diversion.”

  “That is the plan,” Shabaka said.

  “And just who is going to test these aspirants when they arrive?” asked Moses.

  Neti turned to him and smiled, “Why you, of course.”

  “That is not fair!” Moses bemoaned, “Why must I do it?”

  “They will first have to prove that they can read and write.” Neti said, “I’m certain Suten-Anu could provide you with several simple scrolls to test their skills.”

  “Possibly even in more than one language.” Said Shabaka.

  “That could be very useful.” Said Neti.

  Several passers looked at them in obvious confusion, however Neti and Moses ignored them as Shabaka said, “I just hope it holds.”

  Moses looked at the notice and shook his head, flatly stating, “If all else fails, we can paint it on the wall with some mud.”

  “That would take too long to do.” Neti said. “Chances are that someone would overhear the wording when we paint it.”

  “And then we end up with people who cannot read or write.” Said Shabaka.

  “But this way, all they need to do is find someone to announce it for them.” Said Moses.

  “Just how long have you lived in Thebes?” asked Neti.

  “Two floods now.” said Moses.

  “And you have not learned that when one covers something that they will lie to others in order to secure it.” Stated Neti.

  “Yes, but this is different.” Said Moses.

  “Not to those who covet position and power, “ Shabaka said. “Two things the position of prefect will bestow.”

  “That is a really distorted view.” Moses said, adding, “So while I have to test these applicants, what will you and Neti be doing?”

  “Well Neti is going to make them sick by showing them all kinds of dead bodies and I get to train them to fight.” Said Shabaka.