Shadows of the Nile

by Jo Franklin

  “Drink these quickly,” she said, giving one to each.

  Tadinanefer sniffed it cautiously. She didn’t want to drink it. It had a very herby smell to it.

  Eboni did as she was told. Tadinanefer still hesitated.

  “If you don’t drink it,” Heddy threatened, “I’ll get the guards to take Eboni away, and make her stand out in the cold and dark, chained to a pillar. Is that what you want?”

  Tadinanefer drank quickly. It couldn’t be poison but she suspected something. She was right. Within a few minutes she began to feel drowsy, and soon both she and Eboni were sound asleep.

  A few hours later, in a drowsy state, she saw Nephthys creeping around examining and gloating over her two latest money-making acquisitions.

  *

  Tadinanefer finally woke before Eboni. At first she wasn’t certain where she was. It seemed a bit like her childhood home, with the exquisite drapes and furnishing, but as she collected her thoughts she realised with dread just what had happened to her. She was in the worst place possible – a whorehouse – and had already been subjected to something unpleasant. She’d been drugged, and she knew they’d do it again if she wasn’t alert enough. She glanced across at Eboni, who was still deeply asleep, with her arm thrown across her face. She looked so vulnerable and defenceless. Tadinanefer sighed. Somehow she had to get them both out of that vile and evil place, and right now she had only the vaguest ideas how to do it. She’d no intention of ever going with just any man, and certainly not for money. But everything was stacked against her – the power of the woman who ran the place; the intimidating bullying of the heavy who was ‘looking after’ her; and being imprisoned in the top of a guarded and impenetrable building.

  She sat up. Maybe it was time to explore; see how far she could get. Find out just who waited round the corner, and how soon they’d try to stop her.

  She swung her feet to the floor, feeling a bit giddy, but she ignored it. Her first faltering steps quickly became firm, and she was soon out into the pool room and at the top of the steps. There seemed to be no one around. It was maybe a bit too easy.

  She could make a dash for it, down the steps and out, but it was likely she wouldn’t get any further, so instead she leaned against one of the pillars and wrapped her arms backwards around it. With her white dress flowing round her shapely body, she looked very desirable.

  “What are you doing?”

  A male guard appeared in front of her, hand on dagger.

  “I’d like to see Chione. I’d like to know if she’s safe.”

  She stood without moving, like a goddess, her paleness offset by her brown hair, the curls reaching almost to her breasts, which she knew could be clearly seen through her thin gown. She moved slightly, so her thighs became visible through the transparent silk.

  “Not possible,” the man said huskily. “When did they bring you up here? Where did that colour come from?”

  “I’m Tadinanefer,” she replied, looking up at him with her deep brown eyes. “I’m from a distant country where all my people are this colour. I’ve been here a long time.”

  He drew back a little, not quite certain what to do. Tadinanefer noted there was still no one else around.

  “You must go back to your room before you’re missed. If she catches you she’ll punish you severely. Do what I say, Tadinanefer. Don’t make me drag you and raise the alarm.”

  She gave him a tiny smile, as she slowly brought her arms to her side. She had some sort of friend. He might be useful. She moved gently past him. She did as she was told and went straight back to her room. Eboni was still sleeping. She wasn’t surprised. If she herself had drunk all the liquid the woman Heddy had given her, she’d still be asleep. But she’d held some of it in her mouth, and spat it out as soon as she could. As a youngster she remembered finding out how her father’s female slaves had been fed drugs in drinks at some of the parties. She’d asked her mother at the time why this was being done. The reply had been that as a daughter of the house she didn’t question such things. But she’d guessed the answer.

  She felt pleased with herself. She’d found out two things. The guards were not very alert at that early hour. Maybe the girls were drugged, or with clients. That meant it could be a good time to plan an escape. And more important – she had an ally. She’d recognised the guard. He was certainly not one of Nephthys’s long-serving henchmen, or very loyal to her, otherwise she could now be in chains. She’d seen him before. He was the guard who’d been in the procession, protecting the Egyptian, and the one who’d whacked her. So what was he doing here? She couldn’t wait to find out.

  *

  They were left alone for much of the day. Eboni eventually awoke late morning, but she was very drowsy. Food was brought by a slave; both girls ate ravenously.

  “What do you think they’ll do with us next?” Eboni asked.

  “Prepare us for a sinful career, I imagine. We have to get out somehow.”

  “I can’t see how we can do it.”

  They were thinking of venturing out to the pool later in the afternoon when Heddy came bursting through the door.

  “We have a client for you, Tadinanefer,” she announced. “You’re to be oiled and prepared immediately.”

  “But… but,” Tadinanefer protested. “Don’t you have to instruct me in the art of seduction or something?”

  “I think with you it’ll come naturally,” Heddy replied sarcastically. “Follow me.”

  Tadinanefer’s heart sank. There’d be no escape the following morning. She gave Eboni a scared look, as she was bustled out of the room by the two women slaves who’d massaged her the day before.

  This time it was different. She was taken to a larger room, where there were a couple of other girls. The slaves were very professional, smoothing and stroking her skin, and adding additional herbal remedies as protection. They wrapped her loosely in cloth, and continued to brush her hair, adding different perfumes to it. They washed and dried her with soft cloths, and then left her with Heddy to dress her. Gold ornaments were put in her hair and a heavy necklace with semiprecious stones laced round her neck. Long gold armlets were placed on each arm from wrist to elbow, and long gold earrings put in her ears. A gold skirt was put on at her feet and pulled up to her waist. It was so tight she could hardly walk; it outlined her stomach and her bottom to their full advantage. She wore nothing else; her back and breasts were completely bare.

  “Good!” Heddy announced at last. “Come with me. You’re to be inspected.”

  Tadinanefer followed her as best she could.

  Nephthys waited for her. Seated, she was dressed in white, and half-veiled; she exuded innocence and charm, in contrast to Tadinanefer.

  “Well done!” Nephthys said, with great pleasure in her voice. “She’s perfect. A slave and a whore. She’ll do very well. It’s a pity we couldn’t put a heavy wig on her head, but I like her hair loose as it is. And the minimum amount of makeup is good, showing off her white skin. You have done well, Heddy. You may go. I will reward you.”

  Nephthys stood up. She walked round Tadinanefer.

  “You’ll do just as you’re told.” She brought out a small silk whip and gently hit her several times with it across her thighs. “You won’t be rewarded if you don’t behave yourself. It’s expected. If you’re awkward then you’ll be severely punished. Is that understood?”

  “Yes, mistress.”

  “Good. Now drink this.” She produced a small phial from within her clothes and thrust the contents into Tadinanefer’s mouth. “It’ll make you relax.”

  She didn’t wait for her to swallow it, but instead gave a triumphant laugh and went on to inspect the next girl. Somehow Tadinanefer managed to spit most of it into one of her hands. She wiped the liquid onto her back, hoping nobody had noticed.

  But she was worried. Whoever she was about to see could do whatever he liked with her and she couldn’t stop him.

  *

  Two guards accompanied her up more
stairs to an ornate door. One of them motioned her to open it and, standing behind her, put his hand round her neck and pushed her through. The door closed firmly behind her. She stood trembling, alone and afraid, and once more feeling abandoned by everyone who’d ever loved her.

  As her eyes became accustomed to the dimly lit room she realised it wasn’t very big. It had ornate furniture, and food set at the side, and flagons of wine, but it was dominated by a wide divan with silk drapes. And on the divan a large man was reclining, staring at her.

  “Come here, girl,” he muttered impatiently. “I can’t see you over there.”

  Timidly she took a step towards him.

  “Further, further,” he growled impatiently. “Stand in front of me.”

  She did. He got up.

  “No wonder you can’t walk in that skirt. It’s far too restrictive.”

  She kept her eyes to the floor. She thought if he sensed she was too inexperienced he might not want her. She had to hope she didn’t appeal to him.

  “I’ve never seen anyone your colour. I’ve heard of them, of course. I’ve seen drawings of white men but never of a white woman.”

  He pinched her skin, making her wince. “It feels the same as mine, no different. And your hair is like the other women but very brown. Fascinating. Your breasts are the same, but pale. You’re that colour all over, I suspect, but I’ll find out. What I want you to do for me, Tadinanefer, is to take off all your clothes, and all those junky ornaments. I want you to do it in the torch light over there, so I have a good view of you. And stop shaking, I don’t mean to hurt you.”

  “Please.”

  “Do as you’re told.”

  He resumed his reclining position and motioned her away with a flick of his hand.

  She thought about running out, but she knew the guards would be ready to stop her. As she stood away from him, very slowly taking off her ornaments, she looked at the man who’d bought her for the night. Wearing only a covering from the waist down, she could see he was portly, with rolls of fat over his stomach. He was middle-aged. His face was unattractive and his hands podgy. She could see him watching her. Her heart sank.

  “Hurry up,” he said impatiently.

  The armlets were off. The earrings had gone. Her hair was free. The necklace proved a bit difficult to remove, but finally it was off. He was probably enjoying her stripping for him, although she couldn’t really see his expression. It wasn’t fair. If she was to go through something which disgusted her, at least she could have had someone muscular and attractive. No wonder Nephthys had laughed. She’d known exactly what she was doing.

  She didn’t want to remove her skirt but there was no choice. It was easier to take off than it was to put on.

  She stood with her hands by her side, willing him to dislike what he saw.

  “Come here.”

  Again he stood up. “Stand where I can see you.”

  He walked round her. “Fascinating,” he reiterated. “Everything about you is as they said. You’re completely genuine. You really aren’t from this country. No one has painted you that colour.” He continued to look at her, picked up her hair and rubbed a strand through his fingers. He poured some wine onto a cloth and rubbed her back with it.

  “The colour doesn’t come off,” he said triumphantly. He threw her a covering from the divan. “Put this round you and tell me why you’re here.”

  She thankfully wrapped it around her. She told him how her parents had come from a far-off land; how her father had been killed; her mother had died in childbirth, and how her owner wanted to kill her and take her with him to the afterlife. She said how she escaped death, and mistakenly ended up here.

  He listened attentively, resting back on the divan and drinking wine.

  “Oh, please sir, I beg you, I shouldn’t be here. The Gods have been very cruel to me. I’m no prostitute and I don’t want to go that way. My body is my own, surely. I’ll do anything else for you, feed you, sing to you, draw pictures for you.”

  “Tadinanefer, Tadinanefer, stop!” He gave a riotous laugh. “It’s not my way either to go with a prostitute. In fact I’m not keen on women! I much prefer men. I don’t really like the female body, with its baby-producing pouches. I totally dislike women’s breasts, and the way they’re used to feed infants. Women do not excite me.”

  She stared at him. “Then what… what are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to see a white woman and her body. But don’t expect me to touch you. You’re quite beautiful for what you are, but it’s not for me. For goodness sake keep all that covered up. Bring me some food.”

  Obediently she did so.

  He grinned up at her. “One thing I do need, before the night is over, is a lock of your hair.”

  “Why?”

  “Don’t ask questions. Do as you’re told. Your previous owner should have disciplined you more. Ah, but maybe I’d never have met you if he had. Food, Tadinanefer, more food.”

  And that was all she did the whole night. He kept her running backwards and forwards, bringing small morsels, until she was quite worn out. Towards the morning he cut off a lock of her hair, and as he was dressing secreted it in his undergarments. On his way out he kissed her forehead.

  “I’ve given a false name by the way, so don’t bother to find it out. I don’t want anyone to know I was here with you. It wouldn’t bode well with my male friends. Mind you, they know me, and guess I wouldn’t bother with you.”

  Tadinanefer felt really tired after he’d gone. She didn’t have the inclination or the energy to put the things back on she’d worn the night before. She wrapped herself tightly in the silk drapes from the bed and waited to be collected. She felt totally bemused. When Heddy came in later, she’d sunk into an exhausted sleep.

  Eboni was waiting for her in their room, but they weren’t allowed to talk. Almost immediately Tadinanefer was taken away by the slaves who’d massaged her the evening before to the same large room, where she was washed and once more massaged with strange smelling lotions to protect her from disease and pregnancy. They left her there. She was so tired that when Heddy produced a sleeping draught she was too worn out to protest. She slept all day.

  *

  “Wake up, girl.” Heddy pulled Tadinanefer into a sitting position. “You’re to eat quickly. You were to have the night off but we’ve another customer for you. He booked in late. Eboni’s here. We have someone for her as well. That’ll keep you girls busy.”

  A slave brought food and Heddy bustled out to collect clothes and jewellery.

  Tadinanefer looked at Eboni. She was dressed just as Tadinanefer had been the night before and looked very frightened.

  “It was all right for you,” Eboni whispered. “Maybe it’ll be okay for me?”

  “He was very gentle. I’m sure yours will be the same.”

  Eboni gave her a faint smile. “They say he’s a bit rough.”

  “Who says?”

  “Nephthys.”

  “She doesn’t know. She wouldn’t have slept with any clients we’ll be given. She’s trying to scare you. Don’t let her upset you; you’re worth more than a hundred of her put together.”

  She watched as Eboni was taken away. She felt a great sadness. She should have done something to save her friend. One day, she vowed, she would wreak her vengeance on Nephthys, for all the things she’d done to them and the other women. One day…

  She ate and drank quickly. Not surprisingly she felt very hungry and consumed far more than she ever thought she’d be able to. She knew she had to keep up her strength. She was determined to survive.

  Heddy returned.

  “I see you have a good appetite; not too much food, though, we don’t want you to get fat, just enough to keep you active. So… I’m in charge of you tonight. Nephthys has gone to meet someone. She has an urgent tryst with, of course, a very noble and handsome man. Nothing like you’ll ever get. Stand up, and I’ll get you ready. The man you are to service has made some very int
eresting demands on how you’re to look. He wanted you all in black but I told him we didn’t have a black veil at the moment, so then he insisted on white. We’re to dress you in white, heavy silk, from your head down to your feet – a bit how Nephthys looks at times. Maybe he fancies her, but she’s way out of his league, so he’ll have to make do with you.”

  Tadinanefer stood very still as Heddy put one layer upon another of the finest material. A long veil was tied around her head so it hung down her back, leaving her hair free.

  “He doesn’t want any jewellery and I’m not sure if he wants the veil over your face, but that’s up to him. You’re ready and he’s here now. Just remember, I may not be Nephthys but I have her authority at this time. I warn you, Tadinanefer, once again to do exactly what he wants or you’ll regret it. Do you understand?”

  Tadinanefer nodded. “Yes, Heddy,” she said quietly.

  “Good.”

  Once again the guards accompanied her, and with a sinking heart she once more found herself in the same room.

  *

  She stared in horror at the man standing waiting for her. He couldn’t have been more different from the one the night before. She’d seen the likes of him when Ptah had defaulted on a payment. The debtor had come to visit and sat at dinner with Ptah. She’d watched through the door and seen how scared Ptah was. He’d behaved in a way she’d never seen before. He’d grovelled. She heard him say he’d repay more than he owed and then that he’d make a gift of his most attractive daughter. He’d been totally subservient. Later, when she was alone with Masika, her mother had described the man as a killing machine. And now the same sort of man was here in the room with her.

  She stared at him, forgetting to lower her eyes. He was of medium height and in his prime; his body was that of someone who had fought and won. The muscles rippled on his chest. His legs were stocky and powerful and his arms had bulging biceps. He wasn’t handsome – he had a long scar down one side of his face and a cruel curl to his lip. She realised there was no hope of appealing to his finer instincts.

  “So,” he said quietly. “You’re the white woman. Tadinanefer. I’ve never seen a white woman before. White men, yes. I’ve killed a few.”