Shadows of the Nile

by Jo Franklin

  Then, without warning, she was pulled up; she took involuntary breaths as her head was yanked out of its watery prison. She couldn’t see what was happening as the water still blinded her eyes. She coughed, taking gulp after gulp of sweet air.

  She came to. It was Thoth who had pulled her out. He cut her bonds and stood holding her, brandishing his dagger.

  “Enough,” he shouted. “You’ve gone too far. You left her submerged too long. Get out of our way. You’re murderers, not priests. If anyone tries to stop us they’ll be sorry.”

  No one did. She was still shivering from the cold when they got back to their room. He tore off her wet clothes and dried her briskly, rubbing her all over and holding her with his warm body.

  “You saved me. I couldn’t have lasted much longer.”

  “I’d like to annihilate the lot of them. They did it deliberately.”

  “Why? They’re good men.”

  “Huh! You shouldn’t have been in the water for more than a moment. By their action they made me violate the religious law.”

  She thought hard. “They’ve discredited you. And made you take up arms against them. Why?”

  “I have enemies.”

  “Was it that or something else? I’m dry, Thoth.” She had to do something, and fast. She wasn’t cold any more. She was thinking hard. She was certain they wanted her to prove something.

  “You must do something for me, Thoth. Promise me on your love for me you’ll help me put things right.”

  “How?”

  “I need your promise.”

  She could see him battling with himself. He didn’t want to put her in danger again.

  “Only if it’s reasonable.”

  “Please go back to the priests and tell them I’ll show them a different test of my innocence. Tell them I’ll take on the most vicious cobra they keep here, and if I’m guilty it’ll kill me.”

  “No.”

  “Please, Thoth. Trust me.”

  He still hesitated.

  “Very well,” he said at last. “But I’ll have my sword ready.”

  “No sword.”

  “Yes, my sword, Tadinanefer. That’s the deal.”

  She sighed and nodded.

  As Thoth went to the priests she called her servants once more and made them dress her in another white shift.

  *

  She didn’t wait for Thoth to return. She reached the lakeside and could see the priests. Thoth was there, too, arguing with one of the men who’d taken her into the water, but he drew back when he saw her. There was a pot set at a safe distance from the priests; she guessed it held the snake.

  She stood next to it, where everyone could see her. Her ring glistened. Her desirable body showed through her shift and her luxurious hair curled down onto her shoulders. Thoth swallowed and gripped his sword. Everyone waited expectantly.

  The cobra came out very slowly. It paused, looking as if it might strike.

  Tadinanefer raised a finger to Thoth, warning him not to move.

  She looked into the snake’s eyes, commanding it to obey her. It slid over to her, its head still ready to strike. She showed it her ring. The snake stared at it for a second then wound itself tightly round her legs. It slid round her waist and over her chest, and then coiled itself loosely round her neck, its head resting between her breasts. It stared arrogantly at Thoth and the priests. It took all of Tadinanefer’s strength to hold the heavy snake, but she knew she must bear its weight until it was ready to leave her. Its tight hold exposed her every feminine part. The snake didn’t move. It could have killed her, either by biting or merely throttling her, and Thoth would have been powerless to help. She stood for some minutes. No one dared approach her.

  One by one the priests lowered their eyes and clasped their hands in supplication. Thoth stared at her, and as she smiled at him, he dropped his sword.

  The snake, seemingly satisfied by the turn of events, slid quietly down her front and disappeared.

  Tadinanefer went to Thoth and knelt. “Sire, I am nothing. The snake protects you, and those you want protected. The power of the cobra comes through me, but isn’t inside me. I’ve now proved my innocence to the priests, have shown them I’m a servant of the great Goddess, and that I’m worthy of you.”

  She now knew why the priests goaded Thoth into rescuing her from the water. It was only partly to do with the question of her innocence. Her reputation as being a servant of the great and mighty Snake Goddess had been made public. The snakes were her allies. She’d shown she was protected for a good reason – that she was meant for Thoth. The priests wanted evidence. As they were cleansing her, they had kept her under for longer than necessary to try to force the Snake Goddess to help her, but Thoth had intervened. She realised she needed to take the snake test directly. Now they were satisfied. She’d be allowed to stay with Thoth.

  The priests began to disperse. Tadinanefer still knelt.

  “I am nothing, Sire,” she murmured. She needed him to use her as an ordinary human. She picked up his sword and held it up to him. “If you can’t treat me like a desirable female and bed me in any mood you wish, rough or gentle, then my life is finished and you must kill me now.”

  She swept her hair aside and bared her neck.

  “I could never hurt you.” Thoth’s voice was thick with emotion. “I’ve known all along that you were sent to me by Wadjet. I found the ring and the shawl in her temple, and she told me they were meant for a woman from far away, who’d be in her mother’s womb when she came to these lands. Your mother was a priestess. She married your father, and Wadjet sent them here. They were brought by the Gods for a purpose. She knew they would die, and that her baby would become the woman of one of the noblest men in Egypt.”

  He took the sword from her.

  “The ring will never leave my finger. It has embedded itself into my skin. It shows I’m part of you. The shawl also tells me I’m your woman, or whatever you wish. I beg you, Sire, treat me how you want. I’ll follow you on my knees if I have to.”

  Throwing the sword to one side Thoth picked her up.

  “Knees! I doubt it. But I’ll have you any way I can. You come from a race of women more spirited than most, and I admire that. But I am no ordinary person. I am a cousin to our Pharaoh and I dearly wish I could make you my equal. At this time it’s impossible. Do you understand that, Tadinanefer?”

  “Yes, Sire. That’s how I want it to be. I’ll always follow you and be in your shadow, because I love you.”

  He carried her all the way back, not letting go of her, as he swiftly undressed her and imprisoned her in his arms for the rest of the day and the entire night, only letting her go when he departed in the early morning light.

  *

  Tadinanefer lay contented and happy, whilst Thoth had departed once more to attend to domestic or state affairs. He didn’t say where he was going and she didn’t ask. He was now her master, and she didn’t question him. She was pleased to hear more about her mother and why she’d come to Egypt, such a dangerous thing for a person like her to do. She imagined her mother in a white robe, her long golden hair reaching to her waist, caged inside a stone circle, for life possibly. But then she was swept off her feet by her father, who desired her as his wife, and she probably had to renounce her holy orders. They wouldn’t have been allowed to stay in the circle, but instead had been sent far across the sea on an important mission. A daughter had already been conceived and put under the protection of the great Snake Goddess long before her parents reached Egypt. Wadjet had smiled on this daughter. Tadinanefer was beautiful and foreign, and destined to serve Thoth.

  She dressed and, putting her shawl over her head, wandered out. It was still very early but several priests were up and about, going to prayer. They didn’t look at her when she passed them. She’d proved herself and was accepted. The lake looked peaceful in the morning light. Soon it would be very hot and everyone would seek the shade, but at that moment it was still comparatively cool, and w
alking was a pleasure. She thought of Eboni, gone so soon. Tears ran down her cheeks. She wished she could have done more for her. She hoped she hadn’t suffered any pain. The guards were usually quite professional in what they did. Surely the one who did the dreadful deed would have been compassionate?

  “Good morning, young lady.”

  Glancing up in surprise, having been so deeply in thought, she saw that one of the many priests had joined her. She didn’t recognise him from the day before but guessed he’d been present at her cleansing and the cobra rite. He was a kindly looking man, quite tall, with a little beard, and quite old.

  “Sir.”

  “May I walk with you for a bit?”

  “I’d like that.”

  They sauntered along quietly, not speaking for a while. Then the priest smiled at her.

  “You are very young. Yet I feel you’ve been through a lot in your short life. I have heard the terrible tales of how your adopted father, who had looked after you and who you must have trusted, turned on you and then tried to kill you. Then you got caught up in that sinful brothel. That must have been devastating for you.” He laid a kindly hand on her arm.

  “Not as devastating, sir, as the loss of my friend, Eboni, in the brothel. She was murdered, and I feel responsible.”

  “But how is that?”

  “She was killed because I escaped.”

  “No, that doesn’t make you responsible. She died because of the times we live in. It was nothing to do with you. It’s quite possible they would have got rid of her as soon as she lost her appeal. You are not to blame. You had the right to get out of there when someone offered you a helping hand. Eboni would have done the same in the circumstances, and she would have had the same thoughts as you, that she should go back and rescue a good friend. She is still here in your thoughts, and alive in your memory, as in life. There is an Egyptian belief that to speak the name of the dead is to make that person live again. You will never forget her, and that means she will live and comfort you for as long as you want.”

  Tadinanefer smiled. “You have great wisdom, sir.”

  He threw up his hands. “I say what comes from my heart. You, Tadinanefer, are not of our race and yet you have such a great love for Thoth. It is so gratifying to see you two together. I think he loves you above all other women.”

  “I hope so, sir. I feel as if I’ve always known him, although I only met him a short while ago. Do you… do you think I could have met him before, somewhere else, another time?”

  “In a previous life? That is a deep question, Tadinanefer, and one we can’t answer. However there are many strange things in this world and the next, and who can say? If you think it’s so then maybe it’s possible. One thing is certain – your love for him will last for eternity, and his for you.”

  “I’d always want to be with him whatever happened.”

  The priest looked suddenly very serious.

  “Would you give your life for him?”

  “Yes.” There was no hesitation in her answer.

  “We should go and pray. Will you come with me?”

  “Am I allowed to?”

  “I know that a servant of Wadjet, and Thoth’s lady, would be allowed to enter one of our temples. We’ll go to one of the smaller ones. Follow me.”

  She bent her head and respectfully kept a small distance behind. He led her to a small room which had drawings of gods on the walls and a large one of the Snake Goddess.

  The priest stood with his head bowed, and Tadinanefer did the same. She watched him closely. He didn’t kneel at all but was deep in thought, his eyes closed. He looked so distant, as if his spirit had gone on a journey.

  After a few minutes he opened his eyes and gently led her outside.

  “I’m so pleased to have spoken to you, Tadinanefer.” His kindly eyes looked seriously at her. “You must take care in everything you do.”

  “I will.”

  “I must say goodbye, then.”

  “Sir, will I see you again?”

  “I expect so.”

  “May I know your name?”

  “I have a strange name, which I think you will always remember.” He took her hands in his.

  “I am called Achmed.”

  Chapter 10

  Achmed. Eboni. Eboni had died young and violently. It wasn’t surprising Ebony today wouldn’t open her mind to the past, even if she wanted to. It was best she never remembered. Achmed seemed to instinctively know that Nephthys was out to cause trouble and had stopped her.

  Achmed was an intriguing person. Aline was sure he was helping her to go back in time in his own inimitable way. She guessed he knew about the Egyptian…

  Thoth, yes, that was his name! She could now speak the name of the man she loved so much! Maybe she could make him live by repeating his name over and over. She must try, oh she must try!

  Some things were slowly becoming clearer, but much of it was still very dim, like shadows of the Nile. The times she went back to were slightly unreal, as if she was in a film; it was so authentic when she was there, but some things were lost to her when she returned. The one thing she was totally certain of was her love for Thoth and his love for her. It was all coming together but for the moment the outcome was still hidden. She’d go back again soon. But first of all she had to visit the Valley of the Kings. Maybe that royal site would reveal a few secrets.

  It was a free day. Nephthys had gone off to Cairo. The Americans had departed. There was only Aline’s party left on board the ship. The sun shone and the river was calm. It was the sort of day to relax after all the exploring, but not for Aline. She worked hard on her magazine articles.

  Not for long! There was a loud knock on her cabin door.

  Peter stood outside, a big grin on his face.

  “I know you’re probably trying to write. But do leave it till later, my lovely Aline. A group of us – Mary, Jan, Gerald, Cheng, and I – have decided to hire a big taxi and go to a most delicious fish restaurant for lunch, entirely my treat. It’s on the Nile, and has the most amazing reputation for good food. You must come with us. You can’t stay imprisoned in your little cabin all day when Egypt calls you. Drop everything!”

  She laughed. “Oh Peter, I really should work. If I don’t get these articles written I could get thrown out.”

  “No, not you. They wouldn’t do that. Write them later, when the sun has gone down. They do say fish is very good for the brain. Do come, Aline. We need your youth and beauty.”

  She didn’t need much urging. She quickly changed into a silky top and trousers, and tied her shawl round her waist.

  They were waiting for her. Jan was all in pink, cut-off pink trousers, pink shirt and even her hat was pink. Pink and white beads hung round her neck and glittered in the sunlight. She waved energetically at Aline.

  “I got all this in the market early this morning,” she said.

  “Very nice! You look great.”

  Peter wore his usual white suit and panama hat and was smoking a large cigar. Mary held his arm.

  Gerald and Cheng were already in the taxi.

  The taxi driver beamed when he saw Aline, and his eyes twinkled.

  “So, the young one of the party. Now we are ready to go.”

  They were all a bit squashed. Peter sat in the front and the rest in the back, with Aline sitting on a pulled out seat, which was more than a little uncomfortable as they drove at hair-raising speed along the dusty road. She didn’t mind. She could see out and enjoyed looking at the countryside and the river in the distance. She could hear Peter chatting merrily to the driver, and the driver coping as well as he could with his limited knowledge of the language. It was like an oasis for her, a moment of peace, even though she still felt uneasy. She wished she could talk to someone about what was happening to her, but who’d believe her? Achmed would listen, but he’d warn her not to play with fire.

  At the restaurant they were guided to a long table and sat together at one end, overlooking the river. Ja
n was in her element.

  “I do love fish,” she said. “Do you know when I was young I used to go fishing with my brother. We went to the nearby lake and took our fishing rods and caught all sorts of little fish, some of which we threw back in. But shall I tell you the most exciting adventure we had?”

  Five amused faces looked her way.

  “You caught a whale?” Peter suggested.

  “No, don’t be silly.” Jan laughed. “One day we put on our wellies and paddled down the shallow river and we caught eels. Can you imagine it? We took them home and our mother cooked them for our tea. They were delicious.”

  “How do you kill eels?” Cheng asked.

  “I don’t know. I didn’t get involved in that sort of thing.”

  “I don’t think you’ll get eels here,” Peter teased.

  “Oh, well, I don’t want them here. I want something expensive.”

  “A nice piece of steak.” It was Mary’s turn to joke.

  “No, fish.” Jan smiled, then carefully studied the menu.

  “I like crabs,” ventured Aline. “I used to eat a lot of freshly caught ones when I went on holiday in Norfolk as a child. I like shellfish but I did get put off cockles as a kid because I ate too many of them and was very sick.”

  “Too much of a good thing is bad for you,” warned Peter. “Remember that, my young Aline. I tell you what would be nice to have with our fish – a very good white wine. I’m sure we could get one.”

  “Wine isn’t good for you in this climate,” Mary grinned. “Too dehydrating.”

  “Nonsense,” chuckled Peter.

  *

  A little later, after they’d finished eating, Aline got up. “I think I might go and have a look round. Does anyone want to come with me?”

  “Ah,” Peter mused. “Our writer is off to draw pictures in her mind. Shall we all feature in your article on a fish restaurant, my dear Aline?”

  “Take no notice of him.” Jan jumped up. “I’ll come with you.”

  “I think we all will,” Mary said. “I need to stand up and walk a bit after all that food, which I did enjoy, I might add.”