Daham again made a small bow before stepping back with the others.
Ramesses then called in Inhapi to step forward.
Daham walked with a dramatic stride, causing his robes to wave and spread out. He stopped in the middle of the hall and barely inclined his head before stating, loudly. “The Gods are angry!” and then lowered his voice, “But you do not need me to tell you this. You have seen for yourselves. You have experienced the plagues, the poor harvests. You have felt the pain that comes with losing a loved one. The people of Thebes are no strangers to loss, hardship and grief. But for how long are you going to allow the Pharaoh to lead you on this path. He knows the Gods are angry yet he continues to defy them. He continues to support these prefects who do little more than flout the rules of our society. Prefects, who know not one religion but several. Their solidarity is blasphemous to the Gods and should not be allowed. This at a time when the pharaoh should be seeking solace with the Gods, for his time is approaching. Yet he continues to seek more people who will flout the rules and laws, who will bring our sophisticated society to its knees. The priests and protectors thus recommend that these prefects be stripped of both their titles and their privileges, as they are not worthy of them. Their positions should instead be filled by followers of the Gods, people who will work hard in ensuring that peace and fortune return to Thebes.”
Inhapi then glared at Neti and Shabaka before returning to the others.
Ramesses then looked at Meht, who stepped forward and inclined his head before starting. “Our discord with the prefects is not unknown to the people of Thebes. Their conduct for some time now has been scrutinized, but this recent action, this complete disregard for everything that has built this empire. Everything our society has been achieved before simply cannot be tolerated. We have endured enough punishment from the Gods, We have endured enough of their disrespect. They have abused their positions and their power and it cannot be tolerated any longer. We also call for the unit to be disbanded.” Meht then again inclined his head before returning to the others.
“Wouldn’t he just love that, “whispered Shabaka.
Ramesses appeared to think matters over before rising from his throne and speaking. “I have seen many things in my time as pharaoh. I have fought wars and lost sons. I have endured plagues and even lost my most beloved first wife. But I have never blamed the Gods for any of these. Yes, I decided to establish a group of prefects, a group of skilled people who was loyal to Egypt and me. For if there is one thing I have also learned it is that power corrupts the mind. Some of my most trusted people have turned against me. They have stolen from me, and I will even say that some have even tried to kill me. It was the reason why I needed a special group of people, people who could reason, unravel and solve the multitude of problems this empire and I face. But as with so many things, their success has become a threat in itself. Their unique approach has brought down the traitors amongst my bearers, those who only think about themselves. People consumed by greed and who seek power, fear them and want them removed at a time I decided that Egypt could use more of these individuals who have always acted under my instruction in and the best interests of Egypt.” Ramesses returned to his throne and pointed to Shabaka and said, “I am a fair pharaoh and will allow my prefects to speak for themselves without fear of censure, and then those present can decide for themselves if the complaints are warranted.”
Shabaka looked at Neti and quickly whispered, “What do I say?”
“Address one of the groups complaints and turn it against them.” said Neti, “I’ll step in if needed.”
Shabaka stepped forward and looked at the individuals, scrutinizing them, before turning to the rest of the hall, “As the guild masters and their representative Daham claims, we have not followed the usual procedures in seeking recruits.” The hall fell silent as Shabaka continued, “But this was not because we consider ourselves above the law, or above procedures, it is because we know that no one hall could produce an individual suitable.”
Immediately the hall’s occupants burst into protest and Ramesses firmly commanded “Silence! Or I will have the guards throw you out!”
The hall slowly stilled again before Shabaka continued, “If we were to approach the trading halls and request their finest apprentices, they would have refused.”
Daham stepped forward and quickly said, “But you should have allowed us to at least put candidates forward.”
Shabaka turned to him and said outright, “No one said that you could not, but it also means that we are under no obligation to accept them. Just as the Pharaoh does not consult hi elders or advisors on all his decisions, we need not consult the guilds.” A murmur started in the hall. “It is true that the guilds have contributed to the advancement of our society. But the guilds produce individuals who have been trained to excel in one field. Those skills are not necessary useful to a prefect and would then go to waste.” The occupants in the room fell silent. “We would be doing Egypt a disservice if we only took individuals from guilds. This is because a prefect requires many skills. They must be able to reason, they must understand our desire to survive, they must understand how those who contravene the laws think and reason. These skills are not developed within the guilds. I have seen a goat header who weaves better thongs than those woven in the craft houses. I have seen a young boy track better than some of the best trackers in the army. Yet they are overlooked because t is considered part of their duties.”
Meht stepped forward and said, “We should have been consulted on the suitability of any prospective prefects?”
Immediately Shabaka countered, “So that you could have an influence over a prefect? Or get information from them?” Meht appeared affronted however Shabaka continued. “It is not unknown to all of Thebes that the elders seek some control over the prefects, they have even made obvious in their attempts as have the guilds. We function independently and since we have no allegiance we have no prejudice.”
Meht pointed to Neti and said, “But she is aligned with the embalmers.”
Neti in turn stepped forward and said, “I may be an embalmer, but I am not answerable to the guild in anything other than my practice as an embalmer. The guild did not put me forward as a candidate, thus they hold no sway over me.”
Meht countered, “But they can revoke your license.”
“That they can, but what would they gain by it? I do not compete with the others for the bodies of the dead. I do their members no disrespect.”
Meht made to counter her but then shook his head.
“You have been the most verbal in your opposition of us, yet you do not actually know what we do. What our duties to the Pharaoh and Egypt are. You do not understand the need for us to function independently, without favor. If we were to function under constant censure of the guilds and the priests and the elders, we would not remove those individuals who seek to follow only their own needs, pleasures, or their own advancement, no matter the cost to others or Egypt. You oppose us because you see our freedom as a treat to your power and your influence. Yet you do not realize what we have already achieved in order to ensure the safety of the people of Thebes and Egypt.”
Shabaka again stepped forward and said, “The pharaoh has authorized us to seek new prefects to serve our pharaoh and all of Egypt. This was an instruction given to us, since we are the best capable of determining what skills a prefect needs. Our duties also overlap just as our opinions are often in direct conflict. But this allows us to view things from various perspectives. We work together because we have to but also because when everything has been done and those guilty caught, we still have to work together there is not returning to one’s guild afterwards.”
Daham stepped forward and demanded, “Why then put a papyrus up in the market to tell all of Thebes that you seek new prefects.”
“Did we tell all or did only those who could read learn about it?” Shabaka challenged. “As so many others you forget that only a very small number of people in
Thebes can read. But because you have read the papyrus, you think that everyone in all of Thebes has as well.”
Daham hesitated but countered, “Is that why you have allowed the trader’s son to join you.”
“Trader’s son?” Ramesses asked, concerned.
Shabaka shook his head and said, “He is not yet a prefect. But just because he is a desert nomad who happens to be able to read and speak in three languages does not make him unsuitable. His past and where he comes from does not define what he will become. And just like any other he will first have to undergo training to see if his skills are usable and if his intentions are real. No apprentice joins a craft hall and is immediately declared a master; they first have to learn the skill. Being a prefect is no different.”
“But no trader is honest,” Meht countered, “This last incident with the scales proves that.”
Neti stepped forward and said, “All it proves is that there are greedy people out there. Greedy people who will think of any means possible to take from you. But consider this, who would know such things better than the son of a trader?”
The hall remained silent for several moment before Inhapi stepped forward, he looked over Neti and Shabaka and then scoffed before turning the those gathered. “They make convincing arguments, but they do not care if their actions anger the Gods. An Egyptian a Nubian price and a Hebrew, they have no guidance form the Gods because there simply is no God they serve. We are the ones who suffer the wrath of the gods! We are the ones who have to live with poor harvest and the loss of loved ones. They flout their arrogance before the Gods and it is blasphemous.”
Neti felt her anger rise but Shabaka took hold of her arm for a moment, the unspoken warning had her nod, before stepping forward to answer. “There is a proverb that says, one should first kill the guard before robbing the Empire. Just as the Elders have fought for influence over the prefects, the priests are well known for coveting power and authority. We are not simply a mummifier, a scribe and a prince, neither are we simply a Hittite a Nubian or a Hebrew. We are representatives of our cultures within Egypt. It allows us to understand the motive behind the actions of criminals, be they Egyptian, Hittite, Hebrew or Nubian.”
Inhapi mockingly said in an attempt to rustle some support, “This is the problem with giving such a stupid girl authority, she thinks she knows best!” however the onlookers seemed unimpressed.
“You know nothing of our duties or the pledge we undertake.” Shabaka said stepping forward. Neti threw him a thankful glance. “We vow to serve the Pharaoh and Egypt first. There is no friend or family in our duties. we disclose nothing to others and take no others as our confidantes. We are duty bound to protect each other and the pharaoh. And in doing so one quickly develops a sense of intuitive. You learn quickly when someone is not telling the truth, just as you learn quickly who are the ones with something to hide. Those who commit crimes think of ingenious ways in order to get away with it. They hide things often in the most unforgiving places. No simpleton or mere craft person would be able to reason or consider the various means these people use or invent do things.”
Neti stood next to Shabaka and looked pointedly at the man as she said, “We are the best at determining who would make suitable prefects. We are the ones who hold others to account. There is not reason for concern about this matter, only combined attempts to remove something you perceive to be a threat.”
Inhapi looked at Neti in astonishment as Ramesses rose from his throne, “My prefects have spoken. Unless there are more substantial complaints…” Ramesses paused and looked about the room before concluding, “You are all dismissed.”
Neti and Shabaka had hardly returned to their quarters before a noise along the passage again drew their attention. Neti looked at Shabaka and shook her head before again rising. As she opened the gilded doors a young mejay officer leapt back in surprise.
“Yes,” Neti asked
“An officer of the mejay wished to speak with you.”
“Me?” Neti asked confused for a moment looking over her shoulder.
“He just said I should call whichever prefect was available.” The young man said.
Neti looked over her shoulder and asked, “Are you coming?”
Shabaka rose with a heavy sigh and said, “This had better not be some minor matter.”
They made their way back to the palace doors and even before descending the stairs the knew the reason for their summons, for there held between two members of the Mejay stood Juma.
Shabaka shook his head and asked? “What did he do?”
The officer looked at Shabaka, for a moment taken aback as he said, “He claimed to be one of your trainees, I just needed a confirmation.”
“Even so, why did you bring him in.” Shabaka asked.
The officer looked at Shabaka in confusion.
“he is in training, so knowing why you brought him in would act as training.”
The guard’s face immediately lit up in obvious understanding. “It is not that he did anything,” The man said, “We had a complaint that he was following someone. So we kept an eye on him. When the report was confirmed we caught him. Only neither I or the battalion master has ever seen him, If we had we would have left him to continue with his task.”
“I thank you, your actions shall serve as a great lesson.”
The officer indicated for the others to release Juma and bowed low before leaving.
Shabaka looked at Juma and asked, “Who did you upset?”
“Why do you think I upset anyone?” Juma asked.
“Because I know the people of Thebes well enough to know that simply noticing you would not have them call the mejay.
“I was just following this one servant while he was on errands. That is what Moses told us to do.”
“You did not speak with anyone?” asked Neti
“I would be no good if I was tracking someone and stopped to talk to every other person along the way.”
“Who were you following?”
“I think it was that high and mighty priest – what’s his name? In.. Ap..”
“Inhapi?” Shabaka asked,
“Yes that is him. Inhapi.” He was taking things to the place I think they use for worship.
Shabaka looked at Neti and said, “He was here so it could not have been him.” Causing Shabaka to turn to Juma, “You have not angered anyone lately.”
“No. Why would I do that?”
“I thought someone might try to extract so comeuppance from you.”
Juma shook his head.
13
Chapter Thirteen
An official runner appeared in the doorway just as Neti and Shabaka were preparing to assign duties to the new recruits. The runner for a moment seemed confused but then turned to Shabaka and said, The captain of the Mejay has requested your presence at a scene, he has also asked for your trainee Juma would be questioned about his whereabouts.
Frowning, Neti picked up her satchel and indicated for the others to follow.
On their arrival at the scene, Shabaka sent a runner to collect Moses and then turned to the recruits. Mipi was the first to ask, “Should I help with the body?”
Shabaka shook his head and said, “When Neti is on the scene the body is her responsibility.” He then gestured to all three of them, “Your task will be to keep the people away from here and report back anyone who does not want to leave.”
Shabaka spoke to the captain of the mejay before he returned to Neti who was already crouching next to the body. She looked the man over and then asked, “Why must Juma account for his whereabouts?”
Shabaka pointed to the body, “This was one of the men he was following. Or more specific, this was the man seen leaving the house next to Gilhk’s and going to Hanam.
“You mean the one who he was arrested for and brought to us for confirmation?”
“Yes,” Shabaka said, “Meaning he was up to something.”
“Who do you mean, Juma or this man?” Neti s
aid pointing to the body,
“Juma was onto something and this man was up to something.”
“As unbecoming as it is to say, his murder just acted as confirmation of your suspicion,” said Neti.
“You certain.?” Shabaka said taking renewed interest in the body.
Neti nodded but they were interrupted by Moses’ arrival.
“When you are not eating you are late.” Shabaka said teasingly, however both Neti and Moses could hear the restraint in Shabaka’s voice.
Moses tipped his head for a moment but shrugged and nonchalantly said, “Blame the runner.”
Shabaka pointed to the new recruits and said, “Take them around the surrounding, show them how to look for things,”
“You don’t want them here,”
“The less they know about this murder the better.” Shabaka said, and then held his hand up to Moses to still his questions, “They got close to something so their naivety will in all possibility keep them alive. Have them look for something that could have been used as a weapon.”
Moses nodded and turned from them.
Shabaka then turned his attention back to Neti and said, “Talk to me.”
“Since you don’t believe in coincidences I’ll put it to you straight, he was not killed and was tortured before his death.”
“How do you know?” Asked Shabaka.
“Blood does not flow once you are dead, it only settles.”
“Explain.” Demanded Shabaka.
Neti pointed to the man’s toenails. “His feet were calloused so he was used to walking around without knocking his toes. If you were inexperienced you would think it only an injury, but the blood has recently flowed from under them. See the dark crusts.” Neti said pointing to several.
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