Murder in the Palace: A Nikolas of Kydonia Mystery

by Iain Campbell

  Ramesses spoke in a thin and aristocratic voice. “Well Nikolas, you have arrived at last and seem to have made yourself comfortable!”

  “I apologize for my tardiness Sire, but I had to have some running repairs after the second attempt on my life for the day. They got closer this time,” he added wryly, briefly bringing his right hand to touch his sore ribs. Ramesses raised one eyebrow in query. Kahun and Lorentis looked shocked. “A knife attack in a crowded street this time,” explained Nikolas dryly.

  “Well, you do seem to make yourself unpopular in several circles,” said Ramesses, casting a quick glance at Zineb. “Now, your report!”

  Pharaoh moved past Nikolas and sat down on the recently vacated chair. The old man flexed his shoulders and upper back in an obvious attempt to alleviate stiffness. He then folded his hands and began to work the fingers in such a way as to massage his finger-joints. Clearly the old man, who Nikolas knew to be eighty years of age, was in some physical discomfort.

  “Sire, as you will have already been advised, Prince Ra-em hotep drank poisoned palm-date wine. This was presumably provided by servants unknown at the behest of others, also unknown. The death was definitely not natural. I can think of two or three poisons that could have been used. There may be others peculiar to this region that I could ascertain after I have the chance to consult with a Wise-Woman I know. I feel that the two attempts on my life today, one within the confines of the palace, are confirmation that this is murder.

  “Time of death was between the tenth hour and midnight – six to eight hours before he was found. The clinical examination of the body and the reports of those who saw it shortly after the death was discovered confirm that death took place shortly after the prince had retired for the evening. Death was probably within half an hour of ingesting the poison – perhaps less, depending on the precise poison used. None of his guards were affected, which means the poison was in something that the prince ate or drank which was not shared with the guests or his guards. He’d eaten his evening meal with several guests, who ate from the same common dishes and drank wine from the same hin wine-jugs, and most of whom report having had no ill-effects. One did feel dizzy and unwell but attributes this to the quantity of wine he drank. Again, the assumption of the poison being in the palm-date wine consumed shortly before retiring would fit the facts, as Prince Ra-em hotep would not have shared that with guards who were on duty.

  “Examination of the body showed consumption of the palm-date wine, together with some food and probably some grape wine. The lungs indicated he died of asphyxia. That is, the lungs show that he was unable to breathe and that is what killed him. There are several drugs or poisons that have that effect and show similar symptoms. Complicating factors are firstly that the concentration of poison in the wine was probably not fatal. Also, he was receiving treatment from your Court Physician with three substances that, if taken in more than very small amounts, are also deadly. Perhaps more men are poisoned by incorrect taking of medicines than by those who wish them ill. Unfortunately, those who take medicine usually believe ‘more is better’, which is not a good philosophy to adopt when dealing with therapeutic substances that are also poisonous.

  “However, exactly what substance killed him is probably of less importance to you than than who is responsible for the act.”

  Ramesses required clarification of several points and Lorentis briefly questioned Nikolas in Greek before she spoke in a flow of rapid Egyptian to Ramesses.

  “You will be aware that the secret-police have discovered no leads,” said Ramesses to Nikolas, speaking slowly and clearly. “A man’s body, or at least the part of one left by the crocodiles, has been found by the river. We presume this may have been one of the missing servants. Or maybe not, as the crocodiles take a number of people each week. But those are usually children or women working at the water’s edge, not men.”

  Nikolas tilted his head to the side in thought and gave a nod to indicate that this information was acknowledged. Ramesses went on, “Without a certain culprit, either I can accuse somebody, anybody who I want removed, or pretend the death was natural.”

  After a pause he added, “One of the dead servants was a slave given to me by Lord Horwebbefer, Nomarch of Nekheb in the Upper Kingdom. Horwebbefer also spent last evening with Ra-em hotep, along with others. He’s been plotting against my rule in his Nome, so he’ll do nicely. He also has large estates I can seize. Chamberlain Zineb, advise the secret-police accordingly. Don’t release the news just yet, until these three are more advanced in their investigations than they currently are. We don’t want the other rats associated with Horwebbefer to run down their holes.” Nikolas shuddered at this naked use of political will.

  Ramesses paused again before continuing “You three!” he said, pointing at Nikolas, Kahun and Lorentis. “We all know that it is most unlikely the man I have chosen is responsible. You will continue your investigations and discover the true culprits. Pharaoh will not accept the death of any of his family or loyal servants,” he added with emphasis. “Declaring Horwebbefer the culprit should make your task easier. When you discover the true culprit we can always announce Horwebbefer had accomplices. Kahun, I will have my Office provide a copy of my Seal as symbol of your authority to act.”

  Nikolas cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable. He’d had enough, and intended to return to his studies. Accepting a royal commission was too dangerous! “Sire, I have done what I had undertaken to Chamberlain Zineb and I have my own affairs to consider,” he said diffidently.

  Ramesses replied “You shall have 100 deben of silver for your efforts so far, and a further 500, again of silver, per month for the next twelve months – even if, as I am sure it will, the investigation takes less time. Further, Chamberlain Zineb will arrange to buy all the stock of wine, honey and oil that you import for the next twelve months, so you don’t need to attend to your business. Captain Kahun, you are now appointed idnw n mSa, ‘Best of One Thousand’ of the Royal Bodyguard. Chose whatever troops you feel you need to perform these duties. Lorentis, I settle on you 250 arura of land, to be held on your behalf by your father until your marriage, but with you to receive the income.” Ramesses clapped his hands, nodded and turned. As all made their obeisance he stalked from the room.

  Nikolas rubbed one hand over his eyes. It had been a long day.

  He turned to Zineb, Kahun and Lorentis. “It looks like we’re all in this together!” he exclaimed. “Zineb! I’ll leave you and Djedi to discuss prices of my stock, subject to my approval. As my stock is now your stock, I suggest you need to appoint some guards to look after it. I don’t see any reason to pay for that. Kahun and Lorentis, please meet me at the warehouse tomorrow morning to discuss what we do next.”

  T T T T

  It was near midnight when the palanquin deposited Nikolas back at the warehouse, guards surrounding him as he moved. He limped painfully up the stairs to the sleeping room where he disrobed.

  Because of the heat in the room he then climbed the ladder to the flat roof of the building where, like most of the city residents, he had a sleeping pallet located to catch the cooler night air. He pushed the insect-net aside, and settled down with a groan.

  The roof of the warehouse held not only a sleeping pallet under a mosquito net, but also many large pots growing fresh herbs, some under overhead covers that provided shade. Those herbs that Nikolas could not readily obtain in the market were cultivated by him in these pots. These were mainly plants he had imported from Eastern Europe, such as licorice, St John’s wort, lemon balm, hawthorn, yarrow and peppermint.

  After a few moments he heard a gentle call from near the top of ladder. “Master…I am frightened to be in this house with so many strange men. May I join you?”

  By this time all Nikolas wanted was sleep, so when he grunted consent he expected the girl to find her own place on the roof. The insect-net swirled as Kiya slipped into the bed and curled up beside Nikolas. A few heartbeats later her small hands gentl
y parted his loincloth.

  Not unexpectedly, Nikolas rose to the occasion, although with his injured chest he let Kiya take the upper hand. Satiated they both drifted off to sleep.

  T T T T

  Next morning as the sun rose to shine in his eyes Nikolas heard Djedi moving around the roof, tidying up and watering the herb-pots before the heat of the day. Kiya slipped out of bed, being careful to let Djedi see her. Soon the whole household would know that she was the Master’s woman and she’d be safe from other attentions. She sat naked at the foot of the bed, combing her long straight black hair with her fingers. Nikolas enjoyed the domesticity of the scene. His experience with women since coming to Egypt several years previously had largely been negotiated by the hour.

  Since Kiya had walked away from her father’s house with literally nothing but the dress on her back, Nikolas asked, “Why didn’t you bring your things with you? One of the men could have carried them.”

  “I wanted nothing from my father and nothing to remind me of my time there. The last few years have not been a happy time,” replied Kiya briefly without elaboration.

  Nikolas rose from the bed and descended the ladder to the workroom. Kiya helped him to again dress his wound with the antiseptic and anti-bacterial unguent. While red and painful, it had no proud or swollen flesh and the sugar in the honey dressing was drawing out the moisture from the wound. Nikolas was hopeful he’d escaped without infection.

  “You’ll need clothes and things for yourself. The strongbox is open, although somewhat depleted after yesterday. Take what you need,” said Nikolas.

  Kiya at first could not believe she was being given a free hand with Nikolas’ cash. She’d never handled more than a few scraps of trading-metal in her whole life and her own father had not trusted her with more than a few goods with which to barter food for the house or an occasional bolt of cheap cloth for her to make clothes for her father and brothers.

  Nikolas had no real concerns about giving Kiya free rein. He’d always lived a comfortable, Kiya would say luxurious, life where food and clothing was on hand and a handful of small change was neither here nor there. He thought himself a good judge of character and showing trust was important, as was finding out whether the trust was well-placed. Anyway, his wealth was in the goods sitting in the warehouse. The strongbox was just for loose change, or a place to store gold, silver and copper until it was turned into more tradable goods; and as he had said it was nearly empty at the moment.

  “While you’re at it, can you get some food? There are a couple of street vendors nearby who do a good take-away. I’ll get Nimlot to go with you; he can show you which ones to buy food from and also help carry things. We’ve some guests arriving shortly.”

  Kiya had looked around the living quarters and warehouse while Nikolas and the others had been at the palace the previous evening and had noticed the total lack of kitchen facilities. Despite his spare build, Nikolas appeared to have been living on take-away food and dining in beer-halls.

  Hesitantly she said, “Perhaps I can get some kitchen utensils and pots, so I can cook food here.”

  Nikolas nodded. “Good idea, although the men go home to eat, or bring their own food in.” He was still struggling with the idea of having a woman in the house and had no idea what to do with her, other than the obvious. Or what sort of relationship they should have, other than the one that Kiya seemed to wish. He certainly didn’t see her as a cook preparing meals for the other employees.

  “I may need as much as ten copper deben,” she said hesitantly.

  Nikolas was a merchant and knew about how much quality copper cookware cost. Two good pots would cost that much, with nothing left over for Kiya’s own needs. “Or I could take some of the bags of grain and trade them?” she suggested.

  Nikolas shook his head. She would need a couple of donkey-loads of grain to trade for what she wanted and he couldn’t be bothered. Maybe another time, to let her keep her hand in with bartering. “Take fifty deben. Get the best quality you can find; it’s cheaper in the long run to buy the best as they last longer. I don’t want any change. And don’t forget the food or your own things.”

  Kiya went to the strongbox and when she opened the lid was amased to see not just small bags of copper rings, but the glint of silver and gold and even the sight of small pieces of silver and gold from strange lands, with pictures and words she couldn’t read stamped on them – and this was when Nikolas said he was ‘strapped for cash’. However, she was sure that he was not a fool and knew to the deben how much the strongbox contained.

  The key was in the lock and after filling a small leather bag with fifty copper deben she locked the lid before she gravely handed the key back to Nikolas.

  It was not long after sunrise when Kiya and Nimlot reached the Grand Market. On the way they’d stopped at a small hawker’s stall near the warehouse to order a breakfast to be sent to Nikolas; Nimlot had indicated which one Nikolas tended to favour.

  In the market the first thing Kiya bought was a comfortable but stoutly-made pair of hemp sandals, and another lighter and more delicate pair made of tooled leather. After slipping the heavier pair onto her feet she was able to proceed much more comfortably. Next she examined several stalls with metal ware; two large pots; two fry-pans and three saucepans; a double brazier; ladles and spoons; knives, wooden plates and platters. Nimlot had begun to be burdened like a donkey, so they hired one and loaded that instead.

  Then on to the food market: vegetables and fruit, bread and cheese, fresh herbs. Meat was a problem as she didn’t know what Nikolas liked, so a fresh duck, half a kid goat and a fish. Each item was carefully examined for freshness and blemishes.

  Nimlot and the laden donkey returned to the warehouse while Kiya went shopping for herself. Never had she done so before and she hummed happily as she visited stall after stall, fingering the merchandise to feel the quality and trying on items from time to time. She ended up with three dresses in the shift-style, a shawl, a leather belt and personal grooming items such as hairbrush, comb and a few colourful baubles of ear-rings and bracelets of beads

  Feeling quite the well-turned-out lady she tucked her parcels under her arms and headed back ‘home’.

  Once back at the warehouse she set up the brazier and other items on two tables in an unused part of the warehouse, near to a window for ventilation, and then gravely counted into Nikolas’ hand the six deben in change still remaining. With a smile Nikolas accepted this, acknowledging her excellent housekeeping.

  He was rather startled when Kiya then stripped off her clothes, put on a brief loincloth and started to clean the workroom. Kiya sang happily to herself as she worked, barely able to believe her good fortune. In the space of a day she had gone from being the daughter of a poor merchant, living in poverty and abuse, unpaid for her labours and on the verge of being sold by her own father to a brothel to pay off his gambling debt, to being the bed-partner of a seemingly kind, considerate, generous and wealthy man, who by taking her to his bed and allowing her to take over the domestic conduct of his house had, in the eyes of Egyptian law, at a single stroke made her his common-law wife with legal protections and entitlements. ‘Not bad for a poor girl from the slums,’ she thought.

  ‘And Nikolas is kind of cute, even if a little old for me. Still, all in all, a good day’s work for a working girl!’

  Shortly before lunchtime Kahun and Lorentis slipped quietly into the warehouse and Nikolas led them into the workroom so the guards couldn’t overhear their conversation. Once they were seated around a small table in the cramped room Nikolas poured each a cup of fruit juice and indicated they should help themselves from the platter of fresh bread and cheese placed on the table, one result of Kiya’s shopping expedition that morning.

  Kiya worked tidying and cleaning the bench, before using a small step-ladder on which to stand to wipe accumulated filth from the shelves. Because of the heat in the small room and the traditional wish of the Egyptians not to spoil their clothe
s when doing dirty work, she was dressed only in the brief loincloth, barely covering her bottom when standing. Nikolas absently patted her bottom once when it passed nearby at eye-height, exposed as she reached up.

  Lorentis gave him a haughty stare, Kahun a knowing smile.

  “I hope you won’t be too distracted to talk business, given you’re being well paid,” said Kahun. “I’m surprised she has so many bruises. I wouldn’t have thought you were like that!”

  Nikolas smiled sheepishly. “No, she was in that condition when she arrived. And you’re right; 6,000 silver deben over a year is a princely sum and worthy of careful attention. I’ve been giving some thought to the poison. Several poisons meet the criteria for symptoms shown both by Ra-em hotep. Hemlock is one. If it wasn’t hemlock, then it was probably cyanide. But it must have been added to the food as the wine wasn’t poisonous enough to kill with certainty. From the symptoms the prisoner suffered, what was in the palm-date wine was almost certainly hemlock. Alternatively, the Royal Physician may have got his medicinal doses wrong and accidentally killed the prince, but that’s unlikely given the subsequent attempts to kill me. In fact one of the three doctors is the most likely suspect. It’s not easy to get these poisonous substances.

  “Kahun, I suggest that you visit the various herb-sellers and apothecaries who may have supplied the poison. Also, arrange to have a full check and report done on the palace doctors. Who they see, what they do and where they go. Particularly Pa-ra-em-hat, since he spent a couple of years with the Hittites. The two substances are used quite rarely, and used only in small amounts by doctors. If it wasn’t one of the doctors, if we find a recent sale of a reasonably large quantity to a person who isn’t a doctor we will most likely have a lead on our man! The next problem is where do we go from here? What else do we know of Ra-em hotep? Most of the princes have certain duties. What were his?”

  “He was responsible for the operation of the mines in the south, around Aswan, and also the temple additions at Karnak and Abu Simbel. In fact he was due to travel south next week for several months to resume his duties,” replied Kahun.