Mystery of the Temple

by Nathaniel Burns

  “You think it is a curse?” Moses asked.

  “I don’t know what to think, but I’m not willing to take any chances. You should go and be sure to scrub your bodies with natron tonight. You still have some?”

  Shabaka and Moses nodded.

  Neti then indicated for Hamez to take the two bags. “I will let you know if I learn anything useful.”

  Chapter Two

  The large, red sandstone, inscribed walls of the embalmers’ hall had always been a welcoming sight to Neti. The large pillars that led to the doorway was inscribed with the names of the embalmers, her own had been added not long ago. It was the one place in Thebes she knew she belonged. Yet she also knew there were several who thought her unfit, that she should not be an embalmer, that a woman could not do a man’s work. What she had brought with her would only serve as reason for her removal.

  They did not understand the things she saw. Things that not only challenged her mind but also the things she had learned from her father. Nor the things Shabaka and her investigated and had even uncovered in that very building.

  Too many were too set in their ways and often formed conclusions without sufficient information. She knew that her status as a prefect would not prevent their judgment. They cared not for the answers she found, they sought only to preserve the continuation of their customs and traditions. To alter these customs or to delay something for observation left one open to rebuke.

  It was that which made her hesitant to approach the hall, yet she also knew that if she delayed matters she would only look guilty of sinister things. While Neti considered herself an open-minded individual, she knew that others were not. Marlep would expect a body, not a bag of clean bones. And had she not been present when it had happened, she herself would not have believed it, would not have been able to explain how the bones had come to be in such a condition.

  Neti halted and looked up at the massive, engraved walls, her heart thudding in her chest. While Marlep had always been supportive of her and had possibly allowed her more freedom than the others considered appropriate, he also had the power to recall her papers if he considered her unfit. She had heard enough tales of embalmers who had gone mad, believing that they could bargain with dead, even barter it. She knew that in the minds of others she could easily enough join the ranks of the insane, and with that occurrence effectively lose any authority she had over the bodies of the victims they were to investigate.

  She closed her eyes and reached deep within, seeking the strength and courage to continue.

  She felt Hamez’s gaze on her and opened her eyes, turning to look at him. She had no idea what he saw or what he thought, only that he had always been loyal – first to her father and then to her. But even so, she had no desire to place anyone in the position of having to defend her, least of all Hamez.

  “If he does not believe you, I will tell him that no one moved the body,” Hamez said.

  Neti shook her head, “As one of my bearers, he would expect that kind of loyalty from you. I will see to this. I need you to return to the per-nefer and prepare for Dalva’s final anointing.”

  Hamez made no objection and only nodded.

  Neti turned her attention back towards the building and drew in a deep breath as she started towards the entranceway.

  The interior of the building was dimly lit and it took her eyes several moments to adjust to the surroundings. The familiar scent of burning myrrh and sage filled the hallways, masking any odors that may have been present.

  Sandals scraped on the floor and she turned in their direction, watching as one of the apprentices approach her.

  “Embalmer Neti,” he greeted, somewhat uncertain. He looked past her at Hamez. “I was told to expect a body from you, but it appears you did not bring it.”

  “I need to speak with Marlep.”

  The young man looked at her and frowned, “He is currently busy with the goods in storage. He instructed me to deal with the body…”

  Neti cut him short. “I appreciate your assistance, but it is the body, or something about the body, that requires that I speak with him.”

  “He will not be pleased if I disturb him. Can I not perhaps help you – do you need another bearer, perhaps? I could arrange one.”

  “No, I do not need another bearer. I need to speak with Marlep and would appreciate it if you went to call him.”

  The man’s gaze narrowed, but when it became evident that Neti was not going to back down, he nodded. “I shall then have to call him. Please wait here,” the man said, turning from them.

  “Please tell him that it’s urgent!” Neti stressed, causing the man to look back at her, but he said nothing.

  She looked about the area, well aware of the glances she was receiving from several of the onlookers. Several of them appeared to be family members, possibly making arrangements for loved ones. In general, though, the hall appeared quiet.

  Some time later Marlep arrived, appearing visibly agitated. His gaze narrowed when he saw her with only one bearer.

  “Feth said that you insist on seeing me,” he said angrily. “Since I have already made the arrangements for them to take the body from you, I cannot think of a reason why you would need to disturb me.”

  “Can we talk?” Neti asked, looking about her. “Perhaps somewhere less open?”

  Marlep frowned, “You know that that would be frowned upon by others. And if it is about the body, those who are to work with it should be informed.”

  “This is not a matter for open conversation,” Neti replied calmly, causing Marlep to look about them, noticing the onlookers. She continued, “I have something to show you.”

  He gestured to one of the anointing chambers, “We can discuss matters there.” He then led the way.

  Marlep held the fabric parting out of the way as they entered the chamber, allowing Neti and Hamez entry before dropping it back in place. Neti then indicated to Hamez to place the bags on the platform.

  “Where is the body you were to return?” Marlep demanded as he approached them.

  “This is it,” Neti said, pointing to the bags

  Marlep looked at her in disbelief. His stunned expression quickly altered to anger, “Yesterday you mentioned a man, an adult male! That is not enough to make up even half such a body.”

  “Marlep, I need you to keep an open mind,” Neti started. “That is the body…it is…well you should take a look first and then I will explain.”

  Angrily Marlep stepped closer to the platform. “What have you done this time?” he demanded while looking at the bags. “Natron bags?” he asked in disbelief as he reached to open the first. “You think it is cursed?” He opened the bag and took a moment to look at its contents before turning to Neti, his face held an expression of rage. “Is this some sort of a joke?” he demanded. “Do you think yourself so important that you could remove the flesh from a body, that you could condemn the Ba! And then still have the audacity to bring such a body before me! Do you disrespect our craft that much?”

  “Marlep, please, just listen to me first.” Neti started, only to be cut short.

  “We forbid the boiling of bodies! How could you?”

  “That is not what happened. Marlep, please just listen to me first. I cannot even make sense of what happened, that is why I have sought your council in this.”

  Marlep instead turned his gaze to Hamez, demanding, “Did she cook this body?”

  “No, Sir,” Hamez firmly answered. “Garah and myself took the body to the per-nefer yesterday evening and covered it with a cloth. Embalmer Neti only saw it this morning. She then called on me to summon the prefects. The body was already rotting.”

  Marlep turned his attention to Neti, who in turn dismissed Hamez with a gentle, “You can go now.”

  When the fabric again fell in place Neti looked at Marlep for several moments before firmly demanding, “What is the matter with you?”

  “What do you mean?” he demanded in return.

  “You have
never spoken to me in such a manner.”

  “Well, maybe I should have been harder on you, at least then I would not be accused of favoritism by the others.” Marlep’s shoulders dropped, along with his tone. “Then you would also not place me in the situations you do.”

  “What situations?” Neti demanded.

  “It does not matter,” Marlep quickly deflected, then pointed at the bag, “Should any other embalmer bring me a bag of bones, I would first send him to the healers to see if there was something wrong with him, before revoking his papers. But, with you? With you I have to listen.” His voice was filled with frustration.

  “Because you know I will not do such things.”

  “How? What assurance of that do I have? I do not work closely with you. Even embalmers here have swayed in the past.”

  Neti remained silent; she had no idea how to answer him.

  “For some time now, you have not finished any of the bodies you were responsible for. Asim has seen to your matters in your absence, or in your attendance to the Pharaoh’s demands. And while I may acknowledge that you may have been under considerable strain after your father’s death, your responsibilities as an embalmer should not be neglected.”

  “Where is this coming from?” Neti asked, confused.

  “There are too many who think you should not be allowed to work with the dead anymore.”

  “And you agree with that?”

  “I did not say that.”

  “You did not deny it either.”

  Marlep took a deep breath and released it as a heavy sigh. “The problem, Neti, is that what you do scares people. They don’t understand it and that is why they reject it. They feel you have too much authority. And to be honest with you, this plague has complicated things. Many of the embalmers do not have work, and it will be some time before all of them have bodies to process.” He gestured to the bag. “I now have to explain to them that the body you laid claim to yesterday is no longer a body. This, at a time when most of them come to the hall to collect provisions just in order to get by. I really don’t have the energy for this.”

  Neti nodded. “I understand. But I need your help in this, because something is not right here. A body should not rot down to the bones in a morning.”

  “And you are telling me that this is what happened?”

  Neti nodded and relayed the morning’s events, watching as his gaze shifted between her and the bags on the platform. When she had finished, Marlep shook his head. “I have never heard of anything like that. But I could ask the others.”

  “I do not think that would be a good thing,” Neti quickly cautioned. And when he looked at her in confusion she continued. “We have just recovered from the plague, they may just think another has started.”

  Marlep appeared to think it over for several moments before finally nodding. “It is possibly better, considering what you have told me. I will think of some other reason why the body is not available.”

  “Could there have been other instances like this before?” Neti asked.

  Marlep shrugged his shoulders. “We depend on others to report deaths.”

  “But if there were, they might have gone unnoticed because of the rapid decomposition.”

  “If that were true, then there is a far greater threat to our practices than we thought. It could also explain why we have not received notice of any new deaths. And even if it were so and this is another curse or plague, we will need to determine the best way to dispose of the bones.”

  “Would that not be a matter for the high priest of Amun?”

  “He is the last person I would want involved in this matter.”

  “Because of me?” Neti asked.

  Marlep shook his head, long before she had finished the sentence, saying in an irritable tone, “It’s because he has this need to intensify everything. He terrifies people in order to make them complacent, as with those rooftop murders you dealt with. As it is, the only benefit to be had from this one is that he was a common mason, so his body is unlikely to be claimed because of the burial expense.”

  Neti nodded. “I must go, I have a final anointment and bandaging to attend to.”

  Marlep nodded. “At least that would silence the others for a while.”

  Just as she was about to leave, Marlep called her back. “Neti, watch your back.”

  She turned to look at him, asking, “Why? Is someone out to harm me?”

  Marlep pointed to the platform, “Just be careful. Working as a prefect has exposed you to many dangerous situations. I would not want to see you hurt.”

  Neti nodded. “My apologies for disturbing your work plan.”

  Marlep waived his hand in a dismissive manner, “I would rather speak with you than listen to the complaints of the others.”

  “You have always been a good friend,” Neti said before leaving.

  “I would not call myself a friend,” Marlep murmured as he looked at the bags upon the platform.

  Chapter Three

  The following morning Neti and young Seota entered her per-nefer. The strong scent of mirrah and sage filled the air, rendering the rotting scent of the corpse no longer detectable. Neti breathed a sigh of relief before they made their way to the anointing chamber.

  Seota placed a large satchel on one platform, while Neti checked the earthenware pots, confirming that Hamez had prepared the oils and resin Suten-Anu had provided. She checked the lamp’s oil and then proceeded to light it.

  Seota looked about the room, her gaze only momentarily flirting over the sheet-covered body.

  “It is acceptable to be nervous,” Neti said as she looked into the anointing pitcher. “Most people are so around bodies.”

  When Seota said nothing, Neti turned to look at her, only to realize that it was not the body that was making Seota nervous. “But then you have seen bodies before, before you came here.”

  Seota nodded, avoiding eye contact with Neti.

  “A mummified body is not the same,” Neti said, moving a pitcher to the platform. She moved the sheet partially aside before placing the pitcher down on the surface. When the girl still did not respond, Neti looked at her again.

  “Why does only Hamez address you?” Seota asked.

  The girl’s unexpected question astonished Neti. At the same time, it confused her – she had no idea why it would matter to the girl.

  “Hamez is my senior bearer. And since his rank is higher than the others, only he may address me freely. Garah and Fari may only address me if I have addressed them first.”

  “But I freely speak to you.”

  “That is different.”

  “How?”

  “You are not beholden to their rules, you are…” Neti hesitated for a moment.

  “I am what?”

  “You…you are like Yani. You are considered direct…servants.” Neti hesitated on the last, not knowing how to tell the girl of their relation. “You may question me whenever you like.”

  Neti then returned to the platform containing the utensils, and collecting up a bowl, added several cloths.

  “But that will change when I do this. I will have to abide by their rules,” Seota said.

  Neti frowned at that. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because one day you will expect me to do this,” Seota answered, pointing to the bandages.

  Neti shook her head. “You may chose to do whatever you want to do, are capable of doing.”

  Seota looked at Neti in disbelief. “But you are my mistress. You have the right to make such decisions.”

  Neti shook her head, never having been comfortable with being called anyone’s mistress. “What I am to you is not as important as what you want to achieve in life. I wanted to be a mummifier, and that is what my father taught me to be.”

  “But the men do not like it,” Seota said.

  Neti smiled at that. “If we only were what men insisted us on being, then we would be confined to the house and the kitchen. I believe that women are as
capable of doing things as men are.”

  “But I am only one of your servants. I am supposed to do what you ask of me.”

  “And what have I asked of you?” Neti countered.

  “To make lengths of cloth. And that I fashion clothes for barter and bandages for your per-nefer from that cloth.”

  “And this is not what you want to be doing.”

  “No, I don’t want to work in a per-nefer. But you have told me to come, although I know not for what.”

  That is not what I meant,” Neti said. “I meant, is it not with cloth you wish to work?”

  Seota enthusiastically nodded, “I love fabrics.”

  “Then you will continue to do what I have given you to do until you have paid off your debt.”

  “My debt?”

  “Yes, three times your purchase price, with expenses,” Neti said, before again returning to the platform where Dalva lay. She placed the bowl on the platform. “As for your being here today, you are to hand me the bandages once I start binding the body. I thought it would be the most suitable manner for you to thank Dalva for her guidance while I was absent. Also, it prevents me from getting resin over everything.

  Seota did not respond and Neti turned to face her again, watching as the girl looked at the sheet-covered body. “She’s smaller,” Seota said hesitantly.

  “Most bodies become smaller when placed in natron.” She then reached for the end of the sheet and with a flick of her wrist, cast it from the body before bunching it together.

  A gasp from the behind her caused Neti to look towards Seota, asking, “What’s the matter?”

  “She’s so dark.”

  Neti looked at the body, flatly stating, “The natron does that.”

  “It is strange, almost if as if it isn’t really her,” Seota said.

  Neti refrained from saying anything as she returned the sheet to the implement platform. There she collected up a pitcher and poured some palm wine into the bowl. She returned to where Dalva lay and gathered up a cloth, soaking it in the wine.