Mystery of the Temple

by Nathaniel Burns

  They proceeded up the last of the walkways in formation, slowly and carefully navigating the numerous stairs, before finally halting within the hall.

  The high priest lowered his head for several moments before accepting the funeri papari from Sutten. The priest then turned and led the way into one of the preparation chambers, where the bearers carefully placed the sarcophagus upon the altar.

  Neti also approached, placing the wooden crate containing the canopic jars besides the sarcophagus before stepping back.

  One of the younger priests handed the high priest his staff, after which he started with the first of the chants that would allow the mummy the ability to breathe and speak. On completion, he tapped the lid of the sarcophagus and proceeded with the remainder of the animation chants, each time tapping the lid before continuing with the next.

  Several of the chants were familiar to Neti; others she found strange. They were not commonly placed in the Book of the Dead, or at least not the ones prepared for standard burials. She chanced a glance at Sutten and noticed how much strain the passage had placed on him. He looked weak, yet at the same time stood tall.

  She listened to the spells of protection, something she had not given much thought to in the past, much less paid any close attention to their wording. And without needing confirmation, she knew Sutten had written the funeri papari, the wording and the flow of the document spoke of a master.

  Just then, Sutten gasped and Neti again looked in his direction. She tried to reach out to him but found herself incapable of movement. A heavy sensation descended upon her again, and although she knew it would not harm her, she had no way of warning Sutten. But as she watched him, a serene look crossed his face and she knew it was Dalva.

  A buzzing then started in her ears, a sensation she was entirely unfamiliar with. Her head felt heavy. A thought then entered her mind. It was all-consuming, almost as if the thought had been placed there. It was like a voice she could hear; yet no one was addressing her. “The answers you seek are outside Memphis.”

  She wanted to ask, “What answers? What questions?” However, the sensation dissipated as quickly as it had appeared. Neti again turned to look at Sutten, immediately thankful for the tranquility she could sense from him. He turned to look at Neti, smiling – possibly for the first time since Dalva’s passing – and stated, “She said they would be waiting for me.”

  The bearers moved forward and lifted the lid of the sarcophagus high enough for the priest to place the funeri papari inside before lowering it again.

  Neti nodded and stepped forward when the high priest indicated her to. She then collected up the wooden crate containing the canopic jars and stepped back.

  The bearers then moved into position and lifted the sarcophagus for the final length of its journey. The priests led the way to the burial chambers with Neti and Sutten falling into step directly behind it. The burial chamber was of a modest size, with only one half of the wall inscribed.

  “You are going share it?” Neti asked Sutten, who nodded.

  The bearers carefully lowered the sarcophagus and bearing platform to the ground before lifting the sarcophagus from the platform and carefully placing it on its final resting place.

  They then lifted the bearing platform again before leaving the chamber.

  Neti stepped forward and carefully placed the crate on the ground before lifting the canopic jars from it and placing them next to the sarcophagus in the correct order. She then stepped back and allowed her bearers and Sutten to approach. Carefully they lowered another crate they had been carrying to the ground and opened it.

  Sutten then reached inside and lifted the first of the shabaties from its confines. He placed them with meticulous care, leaving space for the remaining artifacts. He then finished by placing a bowl, a comb, a dress shift, and wig next to each other.

  Seota then stepped forward and placed the fabric bound parcel of bread upon the bowl before extracting a length of fabric from her satchel, placing with it some thread and needles. Sutten smiled and placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder, “A love you both shared.”

  Seota nodded and rose from her knees.

  The priests together recited the final chant and they moved from the chamber.

  Chapter Five

  The sun rose to its zenith the following day as the funeral bark moored back in Thebes. The extra bearers gathered up their goods and hurriedly made their way along the pier, possibly in search of another commission.

  Moses and Shabaka approached the walkway just as Neti, Seota, and Sutten disembarked. The strangeness of the evening air at the Deir, combined with the events during the ceremony, had made sleep difficult for Neti. Something that was obvious as she carefully made her way down the walkway.

  Shabaka glared at Zar as he followed Neti down, and on noticing the expression Neti said, “It is not his fault I could not sleep.”

  Shabaka dismissed him and the man bowed towards Neti before taking his leave.

  “Problems?” Shabaka asked as they made their way along the pier.

  Neti shook her head.

  “Then everything went well?”

  Neti nodded. “The priests at Dier-el-Bahari are always well organized.” When they came to the end of the pier they stepped out of the way of the others and Neti turned to Shabaka and Moses. “Have you learned anything about the two men?”

  Moses nodded. “They were brothers, named Kaliph and Xaron.”

  “Brothers?” Neti asked, surprised.

  “Yes, although they had not recently had any contact with each other,” Moses said.

  “I find that hard to believe, considering the similarities in their deaths,” Neti said.

  Shabaka nodded.

  Neti turned to Seota, “Why don’t you escort Sutten home? I’m certain one of his servants will have a sweetmeat for you.”

  The girl nodded and turned from them, taking Sutten by the arm.

  “He seems better,” Shabaka said, to which Neti nodded, her gaze following Seota and Sutten.

  “He has come to accept the circumstances, but also knows that it is not the final farewell for them.” Neti then turned her attention back to them. “Anything else?”

  “The brothers were laborers. The first an artisan, the second a mason. Neither have wives or family and their friends know very little about them,” Moses answered.

  “We checked with their foremen but neither have had corresponding days off for some time already.”

  “Could the foremen tell you anything else?” Neti asked.

  “Well, neither were surprised to learn of the men’s deaths, Is that what you mean?” Shabaka asked.

  “The first actually seemed relieved,” Moses added.

  “So we can draw the conclusion that they weren’t the hardest working laborers, possibly trouble,” Neti said. “And it will take a few days for news of their death to spread and any creditors to appear. That will make it easier for us to access their routines or find a reason why anyone would want them dead.”

  Both Moses and Shabaka nodded.

  “And the first man’s companions – have they developed any illnesses or dropped dead?”

  Shabaka shook his head. “They all reported for work this morning. The foreman also said that they were not clever enough to think up any elaborate murder plans.”

  “He said all they are good at doing is making mud bricks and drinking beer,” Moses added.

  “Well, if there is one lesson I have learned in my life, it is never to underestimate someone.”

  “Meaning?” Moses asked, confused.

  “That people you expect things from least are often the most capable.”

  Moses nodded.

  “Anything else?” she asked.

  “We learned that they also have a sister, who is married to a farmer here in Thebes,” Shabaka said.

  “Have you gone to see her?” Neti asked.

  “We only learned of it a short time before your return. I thought you would want to
go with us.”

  Neti shook her head. “I cannot.” Shabaka looked affronted, however she continued, “While we were in the burial chamber a sensation overcame me.”

  “You are not also falling ill?” Shabaka asked, skeptically looking her over. “You were the longest with the body.”

  “No, it was nothing like that. The sensation I am somewhat familiar with, it is one my father used to explain as the presence of Ba.”

  Both men looked at her in astonishment, however Shabaka was the one to speak. “The cold sensation you once mentioned?”

  “No. A cold sensation is when the Ba has intentions of hurting someone. Calm, peaceful Ba just have this – it’s almost like a heavy sensation that overcomes you in their presence.”

  “So nothing like the dark swirling shapes we encountered that evening?” Mosses asked.

  Neti shook her head.

  “So Dalva was there? It was her?” Shabaka asked, concerned.

  “It was not Dalva who spoke to me.”

  “How do you know?” Shabaka asked, concern still lacing his voice.

  “Because she was with Sutten. The Ba that visited me would not allow me to go to him.”

  “Did it hurt you?”

  “No, but it did put a thought in my mind.”

  “A thought?” Moses asked uncertainly.

  “What was this thought?” Shabaka demanded. “And where was Zar while this was happening?”

  “Zar was standing right behind me. Honestly I don’t know what you threatened him with, but he would not let me out of his sight.”

  “What was the thought?” Moses asked.

  “That all the answers I seek are outside Memphis.”

  “What answers?” Shabaka demanded.

  “That, I do not know. Which is why I want to go see the Keeper of Truth. He may know of something.”

  “You mean there may be another papyrus?” Shabaka asked.

  “I don’t know, but it is worth a try,” Neti answered.

  “So until your return, we are idle?” Moses said hopefully.

  “No, you could go see the sister and confirm whether she is alive. If she is, she might know something. When you are done, we can meet up at the beerhouse for something to eat.”

  Moses said nothing about Yani or her cooking, which concerned Neti. However, it had to wait.

  They parted ways and Shabaka and Moses set off for the far side of Thebes’ farmland.

  “Why would anyone want to live this far out of the city?” Moses asked.

  “We should have brought the chariot. It would have been much faster,” Shabaka said.

  “Oddly enough, I don’t think we would have been welcomed,” Moses said, pointing to the side of the road.

  The head of an ox was mounted on a stick, its scull marked with the symbols warning intruders that they were not welcome.

  “Well, there is something you don’t see everyday in Thebes,” Shabaka said.

  “You’re kidding, right?”

  “No, I am speaking in honesty. When last have you seen an ox head mounted on a stick?”

  “Personally, never.”

  “I’ve seen these before,” Shabaka said. “The herders in upper Egypt. They use it to claim grazing territory.”

  “ I don’t think this one is claiming herding territory.”

  “No, but at least we know that the head of the household is a herder.”

  “You don’t think it could mean anything else?”

  “As long as you do not try to steal any of their animals, herders are generally peaceful men.”

  “But aren’t they travelers?”

  “Some,” Shabaka said and continued along the path.

  “You are really not afraid?”

  Shabaka stooped suddenly and turned towards Moses. “Honestly, yes, I’m afraid. I’m petrified that we will find that everyone in the household has rotted into piles of bones. Herders, even angry herders, can be made to see sense. But this…this thing, we don’t even know what it is.”

  Moses remained silent at that and Shabaka turned towards the house, still some distance away.

  “The ground seems worked,” Moses said, hoping to ease Shabaka’s discomfort.

  “Let us not get ahead of ourselves.”

  They traveled the rest of the way in silence, approaching the house with a sense of trepidation and hesitating as they approached the doorway. It was only when the sound of playfully screeching children came within hearing range that Shabaka breathed a sigh of relief.

  They approached the doorway and called inside. The children fell silent and a young girl poked her head out in front of the reed mat covering the doorway. She looked at them for some time and tilted her head, but said nothing.

  Moses steeped closer to the door, causing her to withdraw some. He stopped and held up his hands. “I won’t hurt you. We are looking for your mother.”

  Still the girl did not say anything. She simply looked at them.

  Moses turned to Shabaka, “You think she is mute?”

  “Mute doesn’t mean deaf. Ask her to go fetch her mother,” Shabaka said.

  Moses turned back to the girl, but she had already disappeared inside.

  “Do you think they are alone?” Moses asked with a note of concern in his voice.

  “Hard to say,” Shabaka said, coming to stand next to him.

  “Should we go in?” Moses asked.

  “If there was one thing I learned very quickly after arriving in Thebes, it is you do not enter a house unless you’ve been invited inside by the head of the house.”

  A boy then appeared in the doorway. He was slightly older than the girl and his hair was shorn short. Moses turned towards him, but before he could ask anything the boy demanded, “What do you want?”

  “We would like to speak with your mother,” Moses said, “Could you go call her for us?”

  The boy did the best possible impersonation of a glare and his voice was firm as he spoke, “The women of this house do not talk to outsiders, especially men.”

  Shabaka stepped forward and patted Moses on the shoulder before he spoke, “We are the Pharaoh’s prefects and need to speak with your mother. We only want to ask her some questions.”

  “My father will answer your questions when he returns.”

  “Where can we find him?” Shabaka calmly asked.

  But before the boy could answer, a hand landed on his shoulder and pulled him back indoors. The action was followed by a soft but firm voice. “You are not welcome here. Leave.”

  “Please, we need to ask Tara some questions about her brothers Kaliph and Xaron,” Moses said.

  “Those names are not to be spoken here. Their debts are their own. I no longer answer for the actions.”

  “We only want to ask you some questions on their whereabouts.”

  A woman then filled the doorway. She was small but stood tall when she spoke. “I told my brothers I want nothing to do with their dealings. I don’t know where they are and I do not want to know.” She made to add something but hesitated. She then firmly said, “Leave here,” before retreating behind the reed mat.

  Shabaka and Moses turned from the house. “Well at least we know she is alive,” Moses said.

  “Yes, but for how long? And why do they act so strange?” He shook his head. “I hope Neti had better luck.”

  Chapter Six

  Several scribes were situated throughout assembly hall when Neti entered, most of them meticulously copying old documents to preserve the information. It always astounded her how peaceful the hall was. In many ways it reminded her of the hall where Sutten had taught her to read and write, only it was much larger.

  A whisper went through the room. It was as audile as a shout and within moments of it starting she heard the Keeper’s familiar voice. “Neti! Dear child, what brings you here?”

  He made his way over from the far side of the hall, the sudden silence ensuring that his voice carried across the distance. She waited for him to approac
h her before answering, “I seek your counsel.”

  “You have another question for me, then?”

  Neti nodded.

  The Keeper came to a halt and looked her over before saying, “From your expression, I imagine it to be similar to the last time you visited.”

  Neti inclined her head only briefly before replying, “Possibly. Is there somewhere we can talk without interference?”

  The elder nodded and pointed towards his working chamber. They entered it and he gestured to one of the stools. “I dare say they are more comfortable.”

  She settled on her stool and waited for him to do the same before she spoke. “I still have to thank you for your assistance last time I was here.”

  “Dear child, I think it is Thebes that needs to thank you instead. Many citizens do not even know what happened that evening, or what could have happened. Besides, it is I who should thank you.”

  “Thank me for what?” Neti asked, confused.

  “For keeping the existence of the forbidden papyri to yourself.”

  “To be honest, most of it is still hazy.”

  The elder nodded. “There are times that everything is hazy to me as well.” He smiled. “Do not concern yourself about it. Some things are best forgotten.”

  “And that is why we need someone like you to protect the records,” Neti said, smiling as well.

  “Yes, it is needed – if you don’t mind the dust. Now tell me dear child, what is it you need my assistance with this time?”

  Neti took a deep breath before starting. “There have been two strange deaths recently, where both of the victims – well the one at least we are certain of – simply fell down dead.”

  “Fell down dead?” the elder asked, obviously confused.

  “No one knows why and I cannot examine the bodies.”

  “Why ever not? Of anyone in Thebes you know and understand the dead the best.”

  “It is not their deaths that concern me as much – well their deaths are concerning but it is what happened to the bodies afterwards that confounds us the most.”