The Trader´s Pact

by Nathaniel Burns

  The one trainee asked, pointing to Mipi, “If he has applied to be a prefect, does that mean others can as well?”

  “Yes,” said Neti, “Recently the amount of complaints and request for investigations we receive has grown to the point where we cannot attend to all the matters. So we are looking for trainees to help us. Those who pass will be accepted as prefects so that the pharaoh can establish other teams in other cities as well.”

  Shocked, Marlep looked at Neti, however Neti continued, “There are a series of tests and training the person undergoes before they are accepted.”

  “What tests,” The older trainee asked.

  Neti smiled as she answered, “I can’t tell you that. If I did, then you would have an advantage over others applying. I can however tell you that every person is tested on their skills since being a prefect does not require just one skill. It is also important that those who do become prefects can work together as a team.”

  As they left, Marlep drew Neti aside and said. “You know that the elders will oppose what you are doing?”

  Neti nodded, “They probably will, but they have no say in the matter. Ramesses authorized it.”

  You also know that as soon as the guild masters learn of this they will support the elders and I will have no choice but to stand with the others, when they lay a complaint with Ramesses, as I’m certain the will once they discover what you are doing.”

  “I understand the responsibility that comes with your position.”

  Marlep pointed to Mipi and asked, ‘Do you really think that a trader’s son would be suitable for such a position. You know that they are not seen as being honest.”

  “How did you know he was the son of a trader?”

  “He used to trade spices with the hall, often at a greatly reduced rate than any of the others.” Neti’s brow furrowed at that, causing Marlep to ask, “Did you not know that?”

  Neti shook her head before stating, “No, not the details of his activities, but it could have some relevance in a matter I’m dealing with.” She looked at Marlep and asked, “What types of herbs did he trade?”

  “Mostly the burning herbs like sage and marjoram or anointing herbs. Since we use so much of it, we are often forced to take what is available. He was more reliable with delivery than the others. In fact, we’ve recently had to look for another supply since his father does not claim to keep any herbs.”

  Neti looked towards the boy and said, “There are several things he apparently has not told us about. I thank you Marlep for your confidences. They are as always greatly appreciated.”

  “But you have not answered my question,” Marlep pressed.

  Neti thought over their conversation for several moments, and answered, “I have some understanding of how the guilds work and the pressure you will be placed under, I will not hold it against you.”

  Neti, dismissed Mipi for the day and told him to make notes on what he had learned the morning, before returning to the palace.

  Neti entered the prefects’ room and looked about. Only Shabaka was present and her actions had him look past her before asking, “Where is Mipi?”

  “I sent him home.” Said Neti.

  “Does he not meet the standards?” asked Shabaka.

  Neti shook her head but said, “It is not that. I learned something from Marlep that we cannot discuss in front of Marlep.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it involves him and Gera, Where is Moses?”

  “Possibly doing whatever his people does before getting married.” Shabaka answered, “Do you want to wait for him.”

  “I think it would be better if we discussed this at my home.”

  “Is he likely to be there again?” Shabaka asked.

  Neti shook her head but said, “He will however move faster if we are there.” She again looked about the room before continuing, “We also have no idea as to whom holds allegiance to which elders. Or whether they are present here in the palace. I fear that the walls may have ears.”

  “I will not argue with that,” said Shabaka. “We have had several people drop in this morning.”

  “For applications?” asked Neti.

  “No. I had some messengers from the elders, or runners who supposedly took a wrong turn.”

  “Something is up.” Stated Neti.

  “I fear that someone suspects we are getting close to something.”

  “Where I feel that we are not.” Said Neti.

  11

  Chapter Eleven

  Neti and Shabaka made their way to her home and sent Fae to seek out Moses. Seota fashioned various lengths of fabric and Yani excused herself to draw water from the river.

  Moses arrived some time later and appeared confused for being summoned directly to Neti’s home. On his arrival Fae first washed his hands and feet before ascending the short flight of steps to the kitchen. She reappeared as they settled on the cushions and handed each of them a mug of beer before saying, “I’m afraid there is no flatbread at the moment, we will make some as soon as Yani returns.”

  “Thank you Fae,” Neti said as she took the beer from the girl, then asking, “Where is Uli?”

  “She is with the children. She is teaching the girls how to weave grasses into wreaths for the wedding.”

  Yani returned to the kitchen as Neti turned towards Moses and Shabaka and said, “Marlep told me this morning that Mipi and Gera were working together, and that mipi was selling herbs to the per-nefer without his father knowing about it.”

  “That is not illegal, they already had a contract which means they could have been working together to pay the bride price.”

  Neti tipped her head but then shook it, “I think he would have mentioned something if they had been.”

  “Do you know what type of herbs?” asked Moses.

  “From what Marlep said, they were the same burning and embalming herbs I use in my per-nefer.”

  “Then it does not mean anything,” said Shabaka.

  Neti shook her head, and said, “I disagree. There has to be a reason why he would want to leave. One does not just simply one morning decide to change one’s life.”

  “Some men do,” Moses countered.

  “Then you look at what happened the day before,” challenged Neti. “I think his father had a motive, Gera was seen as a threat. Mipi and her could set out on their own, and a man who spent as much time on educating his son would feel threatened.”

  “But I don’t think it would be enough for him to actually have her removed,” said Moses. “That is a big leap and not really viable.”

  “From what he’s told us, his father did not show any consideration or concern when she went missing during the jubilee. And while she was one of the girls returned, she died later.”

  “Neti, I know your mind tends to try to make connections we sometimes fail to see, but I’m not convinced that those two matters are related.” Said Moses, “From a logical point of view, Gera was trading in herbs and that would have extended Mipi’s father’s business, there would be no reason why he would want her removed.”

  “Unless his father intended for him to take another wife,” said Shabaka.

  “If he were royalty I may entertain that thought,” said Moses, “But then he could have married both.”

  Neti countered, “That does not make sense, you heard how much he said he wants to leave. He told us himself that his father was oppressive and that he told him to get over her death.”

  “I don’t think it was meant that way.” countered Moses.

  “Well then how was it supposed to be taken?” challenged Neti, “Could you imagine the chaos we would have if any of the girls taken in the past, even those in our care, were even to think or get the impression that those who took them could come back, and that this time they might die.

  A loud crashing sound filled the room causing them all to turn and look in its direction. A pale visibly distressed Fae stared at the ground as the shattered bowl lay there.

&
nbsp; Within moments Neti was up and at her side and saying, “It’s okay Fae, I can easily replace it, we just need to clean up.”

  However, Neti’s words seemed to have little effect on the young woman who slowly started to shake her head and seemed incapable of talking.

  “Fae you have to talk to me.” Neti said with even more concern. “Seota!” neti called and within moments the girl appeared by her side.

  “What is the matter?” asked Seota.

  “Go call Uli. She’s the only one who will make any sense of her.”

  Seota sprinted from the room.

  “Come, sit,” invited Neti, however the Fae remained reluctant to even move. Her skin felt cold to the touch.

  “Have you eaten anything strange this morning? Asked Neti as she gently coaxed her to a cushion. Fae shook her head and then sat down.

  By the time Uli arrived with Seota, returned, Fae’s color had returned to some semblance of normal.

  Uli came to sit beside Fae and asked with a gentle voice, “What happened child?”

  However Fae would not answer, causing Uli to look at Neti

  Neti gestured to Moses and Shabaka and said, “We were talking about the girls who had disappeared during the jubilee, only to be returned when she just… I don’t know she seemed shocked. At first I thought it was because of the broken bowl.”

  The older woman then gently whispered to Fae. “You are safe here.”

  Fae shook her head and mumbled over and over again, “they can’t come back, they can’t come back.”

  “Who can’t come back?” asked Shabaka.

  Uli looked at Neti as she pulled Fae closer. “When we were discussing Fae’s history, I told you of the man she thought was her father, and how had her taken when he learned that she was not.”

  Aghast, Neti nodded.

  “She has always feared them coming back for her. She thought, or at least I made her believe that she would be safe there. That no one would hurt her if she lived with a prefect.”

  Shocked, Neti replied, “I’m so sorry. We would not have discussed it here if I had known it would upset her as much.”

  “Just a moment,” said Shabaka, “If she was taken, then she might be able to help us.”

  Fae vehemently shook her head, so much so that Neti thought it might come off. She then mumbled, “they will kill me if I told anyone. That is why all the others die. They don’t listen.”

  Uli gently countered, “No child, that is not so. Other things happen.”

  “We were warned, they said they will kill us.”

  Shabaka looked at Uli and asked, “You knew of this?

  There are many rumors that start between the women, but none are ever willing to confirm anything. Even now, and even with more of them willing to talk now that I have left, they will not chance angering their owners.”

  “But they talk?” asked Moses.

  “They feel they at least have the ear of a prefect.” Uli said.

  “But you have not told me anything,” Accused Neti.

  “That is because all of the rumors remain the same. Ther has not been anything new. Sometimes I think they are more willing to keep the secrets vague.” Uli gestured to Fae with her head and said, “She might be able to recognize one of them, but she has had the feat of Apep put into her. They all have. That is how the men control them.”

  “But you know things that could help us,” Said Shabaka

  “I know little more than what I told her,” Uli said pointing to Neti. Uli then looked at Seota and said, “Take her to your room, I will speak with them.”

  Seota quickly helped Fae up and escorted her to their room.

  Once inside their room the woman turned to Shabaka and said, “There are many things we choose not to speak about, because as a prostitute you are subjected and exposed to some of the most vile atrocities one can imagine. There are men who…the best manner to explain it is to say that they treat women worse than animals. Many like to beat the women, while others try to strangle you, while the owners of these women are often handsomely rewarded for allowing these men to do such things.”

  Both Shabaka and Moses appeared utterly shocked.

  Uli bitterly said, “Many men are not innocent or well mannered. They are downright sick!” Uli turned to Neti and said, “You have been to the river with the others. You have seen their behavior and the manner they are with each other.”

  Neti nodded.

  “When one is made a prostitute, those who share your fate become your family, your confidants. What many do not know is that there is even a darker side to it, a side even we are unwilling to talk about.”

  “Like?” Asked Moses.

  “Some time ago, there were instances when young girls would come to the river, the were as innocent as a babe, had no idea what was going on other than their fathers has sold them. Then some of them would be absent for days while their companions had to wash their clothes and carry water back to wash them. You instinctively knew what had happened, no one needed to tell you. By the time they returned to the river they were shadows of their former selves. They were also quickly sold on thereafter.”

  “They were taken to Apisite-Repiste, just as Dalva was.” Said Neti.

  “Dalva was spirited, she belonged to an owner who I believe fancied her, which was why I suspect he allowed her to carry Fae to term. But he also did not allow for such treatment. But there are others who care only for the gains to be made… or until they realized that acquiring and keeping young girls became expensive. That was when the girls started disappearing.”

  “But Fae was sold, she was not taken.” reasoned Moses.

  “So you actually know what happened to the one girl, Shabaka stated.

  “No, I don’t know what happened to her, I can only make assumptions based on what I know.”

  “Tell us more about this darker side,” Moses invited.

  Uli for a moment looked at him in uncertainty before shaking her head and saying, “If it had been any other asking me that question I would think them as evil.” She then fixed her gaze on a point on the floor and started. “It is known, although not as commonly, among the prostitutes that there is a man, perhaps even several, who particularly likes young girls. He rewards their owners well and the girls are never the same afterwards. Many are marked, and none of them will talk about what happened. No one knows his name or has even seen his face. It is believed that he uses messengers or servants to collect the girls, but it is known that he rewards their owners well. Or at least he used to until the owners started complaining about the costs of keeping such young girls, often for may moon turns.” Uli looked towards Seota and Fae’s room, before continuing, “That was when the girls started disappearing… Fae was amongst the first. I don’t know how they are chosen or any such details. But we have with time figured out what happens.”

  “And that is?” asked Neti.

  “The girls are paraded naked and blindfolded. Some have mentioned that they can hear several men but it is dark. Once the selection is made they are removed from there and returned to their owners. They are then violated and the fear of Apep put in them before being returned.”

  “And the one that is chosen?” asked Moses.

  “No one knows what happens to her or if she is ever returned.”

  “But the others will be able to identify their captors.” Said Moses.

  “They possibly could, but they won’t.”

  “How do you know that?” Asked Shabaka.

  “Because even though they never really see the others, their experience inevitable draws them to each other. Even Fae will tell you that she knows three of the other girls who were also taken. I know not if she still has contact with them.”

  “And when one dies or disappears again, they are reminded, and it keeps them quiet.” said Neti.

  “There are also many of them. So they will never chance it.”

  “What do you mean there are many?” Asked Moses.

  “How many
girls disappeared here? The woman asked, “…and how many were returned? This man rewards well, which means lazy men who like rewards will easily take a girl. Just as there are many who would bring girls from different cities. How do you think Seota came to be where she was?”

  “Seota was on a slave market when I bought her, unlike Dalva.” Neti countered.

  “She was not only lucky that you found her, she’s also lucky that the man who sold her was more into slave trade than prostitute trade.”

  “Seota was not bought here.” Neti firmly countered

  “You bought her in the city next to the water: where if she was not sold, they would have continued farther east. Do you have any idea how they are treated there?” Uli challenged, but did not wait for and answer before continuing. “She has told me as much. But then fate favors you, and those connected to you. Since unlike your sister, you have had a better life.”

  Angry Neti snapped, “Do not try to make me feel guilty for my circumstances in life. I did not choose them.”

  “No you did not, the Gods favored you. The for some reason they knew you could change matters for others.”

  “So why attack me?” demanded Neti.

  “It is difficult not to, because sometimes I feel as if you do not see things.” Uli retorted.

  “I cannot see things if I do not know what I should be looking for,” countered Neti.

  “No. You refuse to see! Because it is easier not to.”

  “Yes. I see a lot!” Neti angrily countered. “I see how greed taints the perception an humanity of others. I see how people are willing to sacrifice their own for gain. Everyday, I see hundreds of people struggling, hungry, living in conditions that are barely acceptable. I have seen families of up to twenty living in a small house, many confined to a small room, where the loss of even the smallest of earnings can result in hunger for an entire family. I see a lot in one day. But I have no idea what you are speaking of. From what I have seen, the prostitutes, even those who bathe alongside the river, they may not like what they do but they are fed and clothed. They, like many other slaves are discarded with age, and while they may live in fear, they do not suffer as the laborers of the land, or the blind men alongside the road, who are often thrown with stones and insulted by young boys. They are taunted that they are useless, and are often assaulted for fun by young men looking for a fight. Prostitutes have it no different from any other slave in Egypt, in fact they often have it better. So I have no idea what you want for me to see, because I have seen a great deal in my time both as a mummifier and as a prefect. And I cannot save or tend to everyone.” Uli looked at Neti with a stunned expression as Neti continued. “You have seen but a very small part of humanity’s indiscriminate and thoughtless behavior towards one another. There are many, many more instances far more damning than that of a prostitute. Yes, I understand that it at times are intolerable, that the women are treated with no consideration, that children like Dalva’s daughter will be discarded, or abused, or put into the same trade when she is of age.”