“Who’s going to help you persuade the army, Majesty?” Pere asked.
“I’m going to approach Hori, my brother’s standard bearer. And Teynakhte, one of the top commanders in the Re Division. And Peyes, my brother’s deputy. Once I bring them on board there’s no doubt we’ll have the army in our hands nine months from now.”
“What about Nehi?” Binemwese asked. “His father commands the Amen Division. He’s deputy commander, and ambitious.”
“From what I’ve heard he’s lazy and unfit to command. He’s not reliable enough to help us pull this off.”
“Do you expect your brother to yield his crown to you gracefully?” Peynok asked.
“Who in their right mind will support Ramesses after I arrest him for Father’s murder.”
“Arrest Ramesses for murder?” asked Pere skeptically. “You said we’re going to kill Pharaoh. How are you going to convince his soldiers he did it, especially if he’s with them in the desert when Pharaoh dies?”
“You’ve all met Neset, overseer of Pharaoh’s gardens,” Mother said.
Everyone nodded.
“Have you noticed the talisman around her neck?”
More nods.
“According to Neset, that talisman was given to one of her ancestors more than four thousand years ago by the falcon god – Horus – himself.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Heket exclaimed.
“Yet the success of our coup rests on everyone in the valley believing it,” Mother said.
“Why?”
“Father sent Neset and me to Abdju for the Wag Festival,” I said. “Neset told me a story about one of her ancestors who’d helped deposit a statue of King Khufu, builder of the great pyramid, in his ka chapel there. She described that statue in great detail. I was skeptical, as you all are, as was Osiris’ high priest Harwa. Yet, when we entered the ka chapel, we found the statue exactly as described, even though Neset had never visited Abdju before.”
“Why is that even slightly relevant?” Pere asked.
“Neset claims that Horus sends dreams to whoever bears the talisman, and they always come true,” Mother said. “She had a dream the night she wore it for the first time. In her dream she saw Ramesses standing trial for murdering Pharaoh before a Great Kenbet in the courtyard at Djeme. She saw the Kenbet pass judgment on him. She saw Ramesses being burned alive.”
A log popped in the fire, sending sparks flying. Heket jumped and let out a squeal.
I leaned forward. “Horus has spoken. Through Neset, he’s already revealed that Ramesses is going to be executed for killing Father. So, not only are we going to pull off this coup, Ramesses is going to take the blame.”
“Harwa will confirm what happened at Abdju, giving credence to whatever Neset says,” Mother said. “We’ll inform Usermarenakht and the other high priests about Neset’s dream. They all believe in the power of dreams. They’ll believe hers. We’ll convince them that Ramesses ordered the assassination. Even though he’ll be out of the valley when Pharaoh dies, he’ll be executed.”
“How will we kill Pharaoh and make it look like Ramesses’ underlings did it?” asked Peynok.
“That’s what we need to figure out,” I admitted. “It’ll be tricky, especially making it appear Ramesses was behind it.”
“We’ll probably need magic to neutralize Pharaoh’s guards the night of the coup,” Penhuibin opined. “I know a man who owns many papyri containing spells. I’ll look for some that paralyze and confuse.”
“An excellent start.”
“I’ll bring more of the per’aa staff into the conspiracy,” Mother said. “Men who have full run of the per’aa, who can move about without being challenged.”
“Start with El–ram, Mother.”
“Your childhood friend?”
“He’s proven adept at smuggling women out of the harem for my parties.” I glanced at Heket.
She smiled slightly.
“Just so you know, as soon as Neset told me about her dream I began replacing Father’s bodyguards with men loyal to me,” I told everyone. “Even if our spells fail they’ll step aside and let us into his room.”
“We’ll have to recruit someone to actually kill Pharaoh,” Mother said cold–bloodedly. “I can’t, for obvious reasons. Nor can Pentawere. Both of us are going to need very good alibis that night to avoid suspicion.”
“I’ll do it,” Heket volunteered eagerly.
“A concubine?” Pere scoffed.
“I can enter Pharaoh’s room unchallenged,” Heket said. “Can you or any other man, Pere?”
He shook his head no.
“I’ll tell the guards – Pentawere’s guards – that Pharaoh’s grown tired of his barbarian concubines and wants me again.” She snorted. “He’s going to pay with his life for discarding me to be with them.”
Mother smiled at Heket approvingly, glanced around the fire. “We seem to have the beginnings of a plan,” she said.
“And a lot of work to do in the next nine months. In absolute secrecy,” I added.
“Heket, Binemwese – Pentawere and I will continue to communicate through you, as before,” Mother said.
They nodded.
“Many of Pharaoh’s concubines and women who serve in the per’aa have fathers or brothers who are commanders in the army or officials in the bureaucracy,” Mother added. “I’ll convince those women to send letters to their relatives, expressing dissatisfaction with Pharaoh and Ramesses, arguing Pentawere should sit the throne. After we launch the coup we’ll have supporters throughout the valley.”
“You’ll have to recruit a trusted scribe or two to actually write the letters, Mother. I doubt those women are literate.”
She nodded. “That’s it, then.” She eyed each person separately. “We won’t gather like this again until the night of the coup to avoid being discovered. Pentawere and I will fill each of you in personally on what you’ll need to do once we fully flesh out the plan. For now, expect to act on the first night of the Beautiful Feast. Then, once Pentawere is confirmed as Pharaoh and his half–brother is executed, you’ll all be suitably and richly rewarded.”
Our fellow conspirators drifted off one by one at intervals so they wouldn’t arouse suspicion when they returned to Djeme or their own homes. Eventually, only Mother and I were left beside a fire that had burned to coals.
“The day I’m crowned I’m making Neset my Great Wife,” I said firmly. “She better not ever find out about this coup from you or any one else. She’d be devastated. I’d lose her.”
“Why should Neset suspect us?” Mother asked. “She knows you’ve put guards in place to protect your father. She’s already foreseen his death and Ramesses’ execution. She told me her family’s dreams always come exactly true. Deep down, she fears there’s nothing we can do to keep your father alive. So spend the night of the coup with her in your bed. Make Neset your alibi, Son. I’ll have someone burst into your room to tell you your father’s been murdered. She’ll assume Ramesses was behind it because that’s what she expects.”
“I hope you’re right, Mother,” I said uneasily. To pull off Father’s murder and become Pharaoh I was going to have to deceive Neset. I didn’t want to lie to her. But I had to if she was to be my wife. There was no other way.
“What’ll you do if Neset finds out about the coup before we launch it?” Mother asked. “What if she gives you a choice – her or the throne?”
Father had taken so much from me. I’d gone too far down this path to back away now. I didn’t hesitate. “I’ll choose the throne. And then I’ll be Pharaoh and I’ll order Neset to marry me. She’ll have to. She’ll forgive me eventually.”
Mother smiled. “Spoken like a true pharaoh.”
***
Peret (Seed)
Neset
***
“Majesty! You startled me!” I fell to my knees in the per’aa corridor, spilling flowers from my reed basket.
“I didn’t mean to sneak up on you, Neset,�
� Tiye said. “We need to talk.” She lowered her voice. “I have a message for you from Pentawere. Come with me.”
My heart was suddenly pounding. I hadn’t heard from him in the five months since he’d returned to Pi–Ramesses after the Opet. I’d spent every blessed night of that festival in Pentawere’s arms. I’d never thought I could ever be so deeply in love, but I’d surprised myself at the intensity of what I felt for Pentawere. He’d made my heart sing. I hadn’t been able to get enough of him, nor him me. Not once in our time together had I felt any guilt about Naqi’a, as I’d expected I would before taking up with Pentawere. I didn’t know if that made me a horrible person or not. I’d hated being cheated on by Mesedptah, then I’d turned around and done it to Naqi’a. But unlike Mesedptah’s conquests, Naqi’a had stolen Pentawere from me. I was the one who’d been wronged by her marriage – a marriage she didn’t even want. One I did. I wanted to be at Pentawere’s side forever. The months since his return to Pi–Ramesses had been sheer agony, being separated from him, knowing he was with Naqi’a. I couldn’t help be jealous. I’d been counting the days to the Beautiful Feast of the Valley, when he’d return to Djeme and I’d get to share his bed again. I’d accepted this is how our lives were going to be until Pentawere was able to marry me – months apart, followed by a few intense days together. My only guilt concerned Pharaoh. It was hard for me to face him every morning on the tower stairs. I was engaged in a relationship with Pentawere in defiance of his express command to both of us. Only the gods knew what he’d do to me if he ever found out. I justified defying him because I was trying to save his life. If not for me, no one would even know Ramesses was planning to assassinate him and he’d be doomed. I thought it a fair trade–off – Pharaoh’s life for a marriage of my choice. He owed me that.
I hastily scooped up my fallen flowers and rose and followed Tiye into her nearby quarters. As usual, I’d been placing garlands and bouquets in the corridors and public spaces of the per’aa. Normally the royals, except for Pharaoh, weren’t awake and moving about until well after I’d finished. I’d come to the per’aa immediately after speaking with him on the tower stairs a quarter of an hour earlier. I’d never seen Tiye abroad at this hour before, though I’d encountered her numerous times since her visit to my estate. She’d never failed to stop and speak with me. She no longer intimidated me as she once had. She’d accepted that Pentawere wanted to marry me. It was a fairly amazing transformation.
Tiye closed her door behind me. The magnificence of her room was overwhelming – rooms, actually. Her quarters contained a bedroom and bathroom and sitting area and a small room where her attendants probably slept, though it was currently empty. She’d apparently sent everyone away so we could be alone. I’d never seen such furniture – an ebony bed, its posts with feet like lions’ paws. Ebony chairs and chests and tables and footrests, all inlaid with faience and precious stones and jewels, their fittings gold and copper. The costliest jewels I’d ever seen carelessly sprawled across a table littered with colored glass jars full of kohl and perfumes and ointments, beside them copper see–faces with ebony handles and a variety of ivory combs decorated with animals. Sheer and opaque and blindingly white dresses and skirts and mantles peeking from an open chest. Several stands holding elaborate wigs in different styles. A headrest with beads of gold atop amazingly smooth linen sheets. A table covered with crowns, some solid gold, some with tall white plumes. Gold cups and platters atop a third table, along with jars of wine. Several ostrich feather fans propped in a corner, the feathers set into gold bases. Plants in earthenware pots. Every inch of the walls brightly painted with images of gods, and Pharaoh and Tiye engaged in courtly activities. Even the ceiling was beautiful, blue, with a galaxy of yellow stars.
“Please, sit,” Tiye invited.
I set down my basket and took the proffered chair.
She handed me a scroll. “From Pentawere. Go ahead. Read it.”
I broke the clay seal, unrolled the sheet of papyrus.
Beloved – I miss you more each day. I think about you constantly. I dream about you at night. I can’t stop thinking about the time we spent together during the Opet. I’ve never experienced anyone like you. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you. I long for a future when I can share every single moment of your life. I wish I was holding you in my arms right now, smothering you with my kisses, feeling your body warm against mine. The months since our parting have been the longest of my life.
Naqi’a remains my wife in name only. As you know, I told her she’ll never share my bed until she’s fluent in our language. Since she has no desire to share my bed she’s taking her time learning it. I’ve recruited spies among her retainers; they’ve informed me she sometimes goes a week or longer between lessons. Not once have I tried to hurry her up. I expect Ramesses to make his move against Father long before she’s fluent. After he strikes and I’m named co–ruler I’ll end our marriage and give her to my half–brother.
I’m doing everything I can think of to protect Father from Ramesses. I’ve replaced all of Father’s guards with men loyal to me. I’ve recruited high–ranking army officers to keep an eye on him wherever he goes in the valley. I doubt he’ll try to attack Father until he returns from his next campaign – he’ll march into Setjet and Retenu at the conclusion of the harvest season there, shortly before the Beautiful Feast at Waset. I expect him to try to kill Father sometime around the Epagomenal Days, after he returns to the valley in “triumph.”
Rest assured, Mother is doing her share to protect Father too. Select individuals in the per’aa and the harem are keeping their eyes open for anything unusual. If you have need of anything, ask her, and she’ll provide it.
I cannot wait until the Beautiful Feast, when I’ll see you again. Until then, you have all my love.
I rolled up the precious scroll. “Thank you, Majesty.”
“I received a message too, Neset,” Tiye said. “Things seem to be going well in the North.”
“Pentawere said you’ve had luck persuading officials to protect Pharaoh here in the South, Majesty.”
“I have. Pebekkamen, the chief of the chamber. Nebzefai and Mesedsure, two butlers. Pere, overseer of the treasury. Heket, the concubine. El–ram…”
“A harem inspector. Pentawere’s friend. I know him, Majesty.”
“A dozen more,” Tiye continued. “I have eyes throughout Djeme now. Ramesses won’t be able to make a move without me knowing.”
“How much have you told these men?” I asked.
“Only that Pharaoh’s life is in danger, and that if they hear anything unusual they’re to report to me. None knows about the others.” Tiye leaned back in her chair. “I’m confident Ramesses and his accomplices won’t slip past them.”
“Do you have any idea who his accomplices might be, or how many he has?” I asked.
“Not really. You?”
“The one person who comes to mind is Kairy, Ramesses’ chariot driver. Ramesses entrusted Kairy with training his son to be a soldier. Before that they were inseparable for nearly a decade, here in the valley and on campaign. If anyone is completely devoted to Ramesses and knows what’s in his mind and will carry out anything he orders, it’s Kairy.”
“I’ll let my people know to watch him particularly,” Tiye said.
“Assuming we stop Ramesses, what’ll happen afterwards?”
“He’ll burn, as you’ve foreseen in your dream. My husband will then name Pentawere co–ruler. I’ll convince Pharaoh to let you and Pentawere marry, and to give Naqi’a to one of his other sons.”
“You’ll really advocate for me, Majesty?”
“I promise I will, Neset. Pharaoh will be so grateful for you and Pentawere and me saving his life he’ll agree to anything we ask. I’m sure of it. He’ll likely name you Khonsu’s chantress in Duatentopet’s place too.”
“That means I’ll lose my position as overseer of Pharaoh’s gardens. I never considered that. But I’ve never let myself dream of
actually being married to Pentawere either. It’s always seemed so far–fetched.”
“You’ll be raising children in the future, not flowers,” Tiye smiled. “Many, many children. Including a pharaoh.”
My face grew hot. “I desire that more than anything, Majesty, to give Pentawere a son.”
“You’ll have significant duties to attend to once you’re married, Neset, especially when Pentawere begins to rule alone. You’ll be Pharaoh’s Great Wife then, and God’s Wife of Amen. God’s Wife is the most important role you’ll ever play.”
“Why is that, Majesty.”
“It’ll be up to you to control the Amen priesthood. They cannot be allowed to continue riding roughshod over this valley, unchecked.”
“Because Amen’s cult has become so wealthy?”
“It’s outrageous how much of the valley they control,” Tiye said, her brow furrowed. “As God’s Wife you’ll control significant wealth of your own – estates, farms, towns. With it, you may need to finance mercenaries to support Pentawere as he takes back some of what the priests have been given.” She reached over and touched my talisman. “Amen is far too powerful, more powerful than the royal house. Pentawere will have to rein that god in if our house is to survive. The best way to do that, I believe, is to restore Horus to primacy.”
“Like the heretic tried to do with the Aten?”
“The heretic failed because he tried to name a brand new god the valley’s sole god. But Horus is our oldest god, omnipresent in the valley, believed in by everyone. With you at Pentawere’s side, with the favor bestowed on you and your family by Horus, Pentawere will be able to justify taking wealth and holdings from Amen to fund a much larger cult for Horus. He’ll be able to put the valley’s most dangerous god in his place without risking an uprising of priests.”
My ancestors had brought the falcon god to the valley in the first place. For a very long time he’d been its most important god. That I might play a part in restoring him to primacy was both fearful and exciting.
The Gardener and the Assassin Page 53
