Murder in the Palace: A Nikolas of Kydonia Mystery

by Iain Campbell

  As the women told of what had happened to them after their parting, Nikolas distributed half of the valuables to the others.

  The women’s story was quite straightforward. They’d been provided with grey shapeless slaves’ clothing and cloths to cover their heads to protect them from the sun. Neither the bandits at Kharga or anyone in the caravan had molested or interfered with them. They’d been well fed and well treated, no doubt to maintain their value for when they reached the slave market at Damascus. They had walked for eight hours a day, often proceeding in the cool of the night, as the caravan had plodded its way eastward.

  While the women had lost their fine clothing at Kharga, Kiya had a surprise for Nikolas. She’d managed to secrete her lapis jewellery close to her body and had never been searched. Nikolas beamed in relief at her shrewdness, pleased that he didn’t have the expense of replacing the jewellery.

  Remembering the other women in the caravan, Nikolas asked Pamose to return to the caravanserai to collect them. He returned shortly after with Ruia and Muttuy.

  They’d been fed at the caravanserai, but there had been no bathing facilities and they accepted the offer to refresh themselves with eagerness. When they returned an hour later they recounted their story once again, this time in more detail.

  As Nikolas had surmised, they were both girls of good family, being sent as acolytes to serve at the shrine of Mut in the temple at Karnak. They were both from villages south of Thebes and had set off from their families with a small escort of retainers. Their small parties had each been ambushed by bandits, the retainers massacred and the girls seized. Again, they’d been reasonably well treated. The small offerings of gold and gems being given by their families to the temple were gone. As it was late Nikolas arranged another room in the inn for Ruia and Muttuy, promising to take them to the temple in the morning.

  T T T T

  The next morning the sun again rose into a cloudless sky over the hills to the east, promising another day of baking heat. Nikolas thought to himself that such consistency was boring and briefly longed for the changeable climate of his homeland.

  Bright and early, while Pamose sought out the tattooist to follow Nikolas’ example, Nikolas dressed carefully in some of the better clothes he’d bought the day before and went to the caravanserai. There he inventoried the items ‘requisitioned’ from the Assyrian merchant. After reserving several bolts of fine and colourful cloth for Lorentis and Kiya and some other items for himself, with Umtau’s assistance he loaded four donkeys and then they proceeded to the marketplace. Once there he first went to a cloth merchant to sell the less-fine bolts of cloth. After looking at similar merchandise in the store Nikolas recognized that this was a buyer’s market and that the Assyrian had presumably purchased the cloth from this very market several days previously.

  Nikolas managed to cajole from the merchant a price less than half of what he was charging for similar goods. Part of his difficulty was that he was bargaining to receive metal in return for the goods, rather than to receive other goods in return; metal was always at a premium in any financial negotiations.

  Copper deben rings and some items of clothing changed hands and Nikolas took Umtau to a nearby stall for some refreshments and a quick snack. They sat on stools under a cloth that the store-holder had erected overhead to provide protection for his customers from the sun, and ate spiced meat cut into small chunks and wrapped in a piece of flat-bread. The meat was supposedly marinated roasted pork, but from its grey colour, texture and toughness Nikolas doubted that provenance. He spat a piece of gristle onto the dirt floor at his side and washed the unappetizing repast down with a cup of barely-drinkable beer, making a mental note to chose a different food purveyor in future. Although most of the stalls were open, the market lacked its usual bustle and noise, as the presence of armed soldiers on the streets made the more cautious residents stay at home.

  After the little disappointment of the cloth sale Nikolas approached the main business of the trip to the market. The Assyrian had been transporting a number of exquisitely-crafted ornaments, mainly carved from ebony wood or ivory and either beautifully-painted or covered with beaten gold. Other items were of fine filigree of wire made of gold, silver and electrum. The statues included strange and fantastic animals, and figurines with black faces and thick features. Clearly these were not of Egyptian manufacture and Nikolas assumed that they must be from Nubia, or more likely the even more remote lands of Punt further to the south. Again, Nikolas had left the best of these at the caravanserai for himself.

  Nikolas approached one of the substantial shops which sold jewellery and similar items and was located in a street adjoining the market. The shop was empty and a young lad of about ten years, clean and well-dressed, politely greeted them. Nikolas asked to see the proprietor and after a few moments a small, thin and elderly man dressed in a well-made robe of good linen came through the bead curtain which separated the shop from the living quarters at the rear.

  A table and chairs were placed and cooled drinks of fruit juice were served. The storeowner introduced himself as Djehutymose. Nikolas carefully drew from a bag two of the better figurines, the craftsmanship of which was outstanding and the materials costly.

  Djehutymose’s eyes gleamed with delight as he carefully inspected first one and then the other.

  “They’re from Punt,” claimed Nikolas. “As you can see the workmanship and quality of the pieces is exceptional. I have twenty-four pieces, which would make a truly unique collection for a rich connoisseur of such items, or could be sold individually. You have a reputation as a seller of unique and quality items,” flattered Nikolas, who had chosen the shop simply by its relatively affluent appearance. “I’m sure that you would have a customer in mind who would purchase these items.”

  Djehutymose rubbed his clean-shaven chin thoughtfully. “What provenance do these pieces have and what price would you be asking?”

  “I obtained them from an Assyrian merchant who had been to the far south. As for price, 200 silver deben each.”

  Djehutymose winced visibly. 4,800 silver deben was a vast amount.

  “I’ll tell you plainly, my friend,” said Djehutymose, “I would greatly desire to have and to sell these items, if all the pieces are as you say. Firstly, I would need to inspect all the pieces. But, my friend, I don’t have that amount to put the items into stock and wait for a buyer.”

  “As for an inspection, I can return with the other pieces within the hour,” replied Nikolas. “Payment…perhaps we can work something out. I had considered returning with the items to Memphis and seeing Hequaib, with whom I’ve done business in the past,” Nikolas continued, mentioning the name of a famous jeweller in the North, a craftsman in his own right with whom Nikolas had indeed in the past had some dealings. Djehutymose smiled briefly, recognizing the name of his competitor.

  Nikolas returned an hour later, accompanied by Pamose and Umtau, both doing a poor job of concealing weapons. Djehutymose closed the shop to other customers while his servants carried the boxes into the shop after off-loading the donkey outside. The figurines were packed in wooden boxes, six to a box, with each figurine nestled in straw packaging. The boxes were placed on the long counter and the top of each box was carefully prised off.

  Djehutymose removed the figurines one by one from their packing material, treating each with careful tenderness. Soon twenty-four figurines, each slightly larger than a man’s spread hand, were placed along the counter. Pieces of straw littered the floor, blowing to and fro in the hot wind coming through an open window.

  Djehutymose carefully inspected each figurine, acquisitiveness gleaming in his eyes. Eventually he sat back, sighed and said, “The price you ask is reasonable, given the quality of the pieces. But I don’t have 4,800 silver deben, nor can I raise that amount in less than several weeks.”

  “Do you have a buyer in mind?” asked Nikolas.

  Djehutymose nodded, chewing his lip.

  Nikolas then said, “
What if I sell you one box, six pieces, for 1,200 deben? You can show these to your customer. If he’s interested in the full set I can return with the other boxes and he can inspect them. Payment need not all be in silver. I’m happy to take quality gems for at least part of the price.”

  Djehutymose brightened considerably as he would be able to use part of his gem stock as payment, improving his cash situation.

  Agreement was reached with the parties smacking palms together to seal the deal. Nikolas began a close inspection of the gems as Pamose and Umtau carefully repacked three of the crates.

  T T T T

  Later that day Nikolas and Umtau escorted Ruia and Muttuy the short distance to the Karnak temple. At the gate Nikolas requested an audience with the High Priestess of Mut, stressing to the guards it was a matter of urgency. They were shown to a small waiting-room and after a delay of about an hour they were taken to a small audience-room where a petite middle-aged woman carefully dressed in the formal robes and jewellery used by a High Priestess sat on a stool in the middle of the room. Four female acolytes stood behind her and two guards positioned themselves near the door behind Nikolas.

  Ruia and Muttuy prostrated themselves in a ritual genuflection and Nikolas bowed politely; Umtau stood impassively. With a wave of her hand the High Priestess indicated that Nikolas should speak.

  “Your Holiness, I bring to you two acolytes from the South, who were travelling to join your temple when they were set upon by bandits, their companions killed and these girls seized as slaves. They are Ruia and Muttuy by name.”

  The High Priestess tilted her head to one side in acknowledgement of what Nikolas had said. “We were expecting these girls several weeks ago and when a message arrived for them from their families last week we were concerned for their safety,” she said in a quiet but cultured voice. “We are truly glad to see you now arrive safely. But we cannot accept these girls into the temple without first resolving two issues. The first is, when you were taken were you violated or does your maidenhead remain intact?”

  Ruia and Muttuy assured her that they had been well treated and they remained virgins.

  “Secondly, your families had made arrangement to provide the temple with funds to cover the cost of your training. Do you still have those funds, for we cannot receive you without them?”

  With stricken faces and trembling voices Ruia and Muttuy told the priestess that the silver from their families had been stolen by the bandits when they were seized and their servants killed. The High Priestess spread her hands and started to express her regrets that she was unable to accept the girls when Nikolas interrupted abruptly.

  “These girls, through no fault of their own or their families have suffered terribly; they saw their friends killed and have undergone the degradation of becoming slaves, and all you’re concerned about is the payment that’s been lost? Have you no understanding or charity? Rather than rejoicing in their rescue and their safety, you quibble about a sum so small that it’s insignificant to your temple. What a small-minded goddess you must serve! This confirms my opinion of the temples as being blood-sucking leeches. Anybody would think you were merchants,” he said insultingly. The priestess’ head jerked back as if she had been struck. With eyes blazing she was about to reply when Nikolas continued. “How much is this payment on which you place such weight?” he said with distain.

  “Fifty silver deben each,” replied the priestess.

  Nikolas shook his head at such pettiness. “The payment will be here in the morning; I’ll pay it myself. The girls will stay here and enter your temple this day.” Before Ruia and Muttuy could make comment, Nikolas turned and stalked from the room.

  T T T T

  The next morning Nikolas. Pamose and Umtau returned to the jewellery shop with the additional figurines by agreement with Djehutymose.

  The shop was closed for general business. Djehutymose greeted them at the door and then ushered them into a side room. Shortly afterwards the customer arrived, a big fat man wearing gold rings on his fingers and the thick necklace of ‘Gold of Praise’ presented by Pharaoh himself. Djehutymose encouraged the customer to begin a careful inspection. Nikolas and his friends remained in sight but out of earshot of the whispered comments. Finger-food and wine were offered and consumed by the guest. As negotiations proceeded the voices raised somewhat and Nikolas was able to make out the gist of the conversation. The buyer was interested but the price, some fifty percent more than Nikolas’ asking price, was a problem. Djehutymose waxed eloquent about the quality of the goods, their uniqueness and the magnificent collection they would make.

  The buyer leaned closely to Djehutymose and spoke into his ear.

  Djehutymose paused and then nodded. A price had been agreed.

  Djehutymose gestured to his staff to repack the figurines and the buyer called out to his factor to come forward. After brief instructions the factor hurried out and returned shortly afterwards with a small but heavy wooden box.

  Nikolas was waved over by Djehutymose and sat at the table as the gold and silver rings were counted. When the agreed figure was reached Djehutymose pushed the pile across the table to Nikolas, nodded and offered his hand. Nikolas smiled, shook the offered hand and rose to leave, slipping the heavy pile of rings back into the box as he did so.

  T T T T

  Nikolas spent the next morning at the Grand Market. First he met with his men and paid each their wages plus a substantial bonus; then a round of the stalls, turning some of the gold and silver into goods that he could sell in Memphis when he returned; next to the quays to arrange transport of the goods and the six figurines that Nikolas had retained for himself; finally to the army headquarters, now located in the town at the barracks, to arrange a royal messenger to carry a heavy bag now filled with gold, silver and gems safely to Memphis.

  The market was abuzz. Rumour was that Ramesses was almost at the city gates with a mighty host, travelling by boat.

  Nikolas had passed onto the newly-appointed secret-police chief the names he had obtained at Kharga. While some had fled when the city was taken, a few remained. These were taken and questioned at length, after which Nikolas mused at the paucity of information.

  Clearly there was a conspiracy afoot, but its aims, let alone the methods, still remained unclear.

  T T T T

  The sour smell of blood and the stench of excrement hung heavy in the air as Nikolas and Pamose entered the interrogation room. The suspect lay tied to a bench in the middle of the room. A brazier burned nearby, with several metal tongs and pokers already placed and glowing red hot. The prisoner had not yet been questioned but was clearly terrified. Arms and legs strained at the bonds and anxious eyes were cast at the brazier and its contents. The victim was a young minor noble in Lord Osorkon’s Theban retinue. Nikolas carefully picked up a pair of tongs, glowing a dull red, and moved to the bench.

  “Nesmont,” he said “You’ll tell us what we want to hear eventually. Make it easy on yourself and speak now, before you are put to torment.”

  Nesmont shook his head, terror showing in his eyes but unwilling to betray his master and comrades.

  Nikolas, despite his acting so far, had no stomach for this kind of thing and he turned to beckon the torturer. A few moments later Nikolas quietly left the room with the smell of burning flesh in his nostrils, and screams in his ears, before vomiting in the dark hallway. Pamose stayed within.

  About half an hour later Nikolas was recalled by Pamose.

  Nesmont hung limply from chains on the wall semi-delirious with pain. Bruises coloured his face and body and bright red wheals showed where the heated bars had been applied.

  “He’s ready now,” said Pamose.

  Nikolas began to question Nesmont carefully. “Nesmont, you’ve been taken in open rebellion to Pharaoh. Why did you do this?”

  “Because of my lord.”

  “And who is your lord?”

  “Osorkon.”

  “And what did he instruct you to do?�
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  “Follow the orders of General Iymeru. The General instructed that the army was to stand by and allow the riots of a week or so ago without acting to put them down. Then when General Minnakht arrived we were ordered to resist him. Nobody could understand why, particularly when Pharaoh’s own troops appeared at the gates. The troops wouldn’t fight but weren’t allowed to open the gates and accept Minnakht’s authority.”

  “Who has been to see Iymeru in the last few weeks?”

  “There have been many from the South. Lord Osorkon came here and instructed us himself. Sennedjem and Bakenmut. Lord Horwebbefer and General Padiamun. Many others, less noteworthy.”

  Nikolas thought that perhaps after all Ramesses had not been unfair to Lord Horwebbefer when he condemned him to a death sentence without evidence. Clearly Ramesses had a good grasp of the identity of both his friends and opponents.

  Nesmont also gave the names of several middle-ranking officers and merchants who had been frequently in and out of Iymeru’s headquarters with no apparent excuse. Other than this he was able to add little and Nikolas had him released from his chains to be confined in a solitary cell in the local gaol.

  T T T T

  Word reached the city early next morning that Ramesses and his entourage would arrive the following day. Two squadrons of chariots had arrived from the north during the day, dirty and travel-stained. Messengers galloped into and out of the city through the North Gate. There was a buzz of excitement in the air, although the city was still locked down under martial law.