The Gardener and the Assassin

by Mark Gajewski

  “For now, Neset, you and Pentawere and I need to continue doing whatever we can to keep your dream from coming true – at least the part about Ramesses killing my husband. I assume in his message Pentawere told you he didn’t expect Ramesses to make his move until after he returns from campaign.”

  “Yes. That’s what he told me.”

  “That means Pentawere hasn’t heard the latest news. Pharaoh isn’t sending Ramesses on campaign this harvest season. He’s going to wait another year.”

  “Which means Ramesses will remain at Djeme indefinitely. He could try something at any time.” That was an ominous development.

  “I hope we can forestall him at least until the Beautiful Feast, when Pentawere will be here,” Tiye said. “I’m sailing for Pi–Ramesses in three days. I’ll let Pentawere know about the change in Ramesses’ plans when I get there.”

  “You’re going all that way just to talk to Pentawere face to face?” Was Ramesses’ assassination attempt more imminent than Tiye was letting on?

  “I was already scheduled to go for another reason, Neset. I’m going to arrange the transfer of Naqi’a’s retainers from Pi–Ramesses to my husband’s harem in the Faiyum. They can be of use there, making linen and growing foodstuffs and such. In Pi–Ramesses they’re simply a drain on Pharaoh’s resources.”

  I heard laughter from the corridor outside Tiye’s room. Royals and officials were beginning to move about the per’aa. “I should go, Majesty, before someone catches me coming out of your room and starts asking questions.” I rose.

  “Remember, Neset, Pentawere and I are counting on you to convict Ramesses at his trial if he manages to kill Pharaoh, despite our efforts.”

  “I understand my role, Majesty. I surely hope it doesn’t come to that.”

  “Me as well. If you have a message for Pentawere, Neset, get me a scroll before I leave and I’ll take it to him.”

  “Thank you, Majesty.” I opened the door a crack. No one was in the corridor. I slipped out and shut the door behind me.

  I headed for the audience hall to decorate it with my remaining flowers, already composing a message to Pentawere in my head. I still couldn’t get over how Tiye had changed from adversary to ally these past months. The falcon god was surely looking out for me.

  ***

  Peret (Seed)

  Pentawere

  ***

  I entered the cabin of one of the royal barques, arrived from Djeme less than an hour ago, moored now in Pi–Ramesses’ harbor. Mother and Heket and Binemwese and Mayernu were waiting for me. Mayernu was in charge of the men who guarded the corridor that led to my brother Ramesses’ rooms in Djeme’s per’aa. A man I’d compromised. That Mother had traveled all the way to Pi–Ramesses was alarming. She must have news too sensitive to write on papyrus or allow Binemwese to pass on in person.

  Six months had passed since Mother and I launched our coup in the lakebed at Malqata. I’d spent those months tirelessly approaching and cultivating key officers in Father’s army. Ramesses was currently in Djeme taking care of non–military duties, so for the time being at least he wasn’t around to get in my way. I anticipated he’d come north in a month to resume command of the army, spend another month preparing for his next campaign, then move against Setjet and Retenu. Soon after his departure from the valley I’d sail to Djeme, just in time for the Beautiful Feast. Then I’d launch my coup.

  I’d hosted parties beyond counting these past months, utilizing Sabestet’s villa as cover, managing at every one to turn the discussion to the glories of the past and my dreams for the future. There was scarcely an officer in the army who wasn’t now salivating at the thought of riches and booty and women, and grumbling about inactivity. I’d built a small but powerful following; I fully expected that the leaders of army divisions and cavalry and chariots would refuse to fight against me if my brother ordered them to after I took the throne. My nephew Amenherkoshef was nominally in command of the cavalry, assisted by my brother’s driver Kairy, but I was sure his horsemen wouldn’t obey his order to attack me if he gave it. My conspirators who’d remain behind when I left for Djeme were ready to execute my carefully prepared plan to seize the arms workshops and stables and chariot works and harbor and naval vessels the day I returned to Pi–Ramesses with Binemwese and his archers.

  Messages had passed between Djeme and Pi–Ramesses regularly via Binemwese and Heket as Mother and I kept each other apprised of what the other was doing. Like me, she’d won a select group of officials inside the per’aa and harem to our cause, prepared to do whatever was necessary to secure the throne for me. We’d convinced all of our fellow conspirators that Ramesses would take the blame for Father’s death, not us. We’d told them about Neset’s dream and what it foretold. All believed they were on the brink of wealth and power.

  Two of the army officers I trusted most filed into the cabin behind me – Peyes and Teynakhte. I’d invited them to join us.

  Mother and I embraced. “I received your summons. What are you doing here?”

  “Officially? I’m arranging, at your request, the transfer of your wife’s retainers to your father’s harem, Mer–wer, in the Fayum. Don’t you remember sending me a message that they’re too much of a drain on Pi–Ramesses’ resources and need to be put to work making royal linen?”

  “No. I don’t remember.”

  “I can show you the papyrus you sent me if you’d like.”

  “You’re a forger now, too?” I laughed.

  “Your father believed it.” Mother lowered her voice. “I’m actually here because we need to drastically change our plan for the coup and we need to work it out in person and we need to do it right now. We can’t waste time passing messages back and forth.”

  “Why? What’s changed?”

  “Your brother’s not leaving Djeme until well after the Beautiful Feast. Pharaoh isn’t sending him on campaign this year.”

  “By the gods!” I exclaimed. Our plan to seize the throne assumed Ramesses would be absent from the valley during the Beautiful Feast. His presence in Waset was going to ruin everything we’d set in motion.

  “Are these your conspirators?” Mother asked.

  “The key ones. Peyes and Teynakhte.”

  “What about Hori, your brother’s standard bearer?” Binemwese asked. “At Malqata you said he’d help us.”

  “I felt him out in general terms. He was uneasy, noncommittal. So I decided to exclude him, to be safe.”

  “I’ve brought Heket with me because of her key role,” Mother said. “Pharaoh won’t note her absence.”

  “That’s not all he’ll never note,” Heket interjected angrily.

  I’d never seen her so bitter. A good thing. Mother and I would be able to depend on her to carry out the key role in our plot. She wouldn’t back out.

  “We need to revise the military portion of our plan,” Mother said. “Let’s start there. Then I’ll fill you in on how I’ve altered the Djeme portion.”

  “Is this coup still feasible?” Peyes interrupted. “We expected the army to be on campaign when you launched it. Instead, the entire army will be encamped at Pi–Ramesses. A considerable force for Ramesses to summon south to use against us.”

  “Maybe the coup’s even more feasible now than before,” I said thoughtfully. “Once we pin the blame for Father’s murder on Ramesses and imprison him he’ll be hundreds of miles away from soldiers who might still be loyal to him. We’ll be able to block him from summoning the army. If he somehow does, ignore his orders, Peyes. You’ll be in command at Pi–Ramesses in his absence, as usual.”

  “You can count on me, Majesty. I guarantee the army will not move to the South.”

  “What if Ramesses contacts the Falcon in the Nest instead of Peyes?” Teynakhte asked.

  “I know for a fact that Ramesses expects his son to travel to Djeme to celebrate the Beautiful Feast with his family, as always,” Mother replied. “His chariot driver Kairy will travel with him. We won’t have to wo
rry about either one.”

  “After the army’s commanders learn of Ramesses’ execution they’ll pledge me enthusiastic fealty,” I assured everyone. “My constant talk of empire and booty has fired our soldiers up. There’ll be a seamless transition to me as Pharaoh. Yes, Peyes, this coup will work out better than we expected if Ramesses is in Djeme. It’ll be easier to frame him there.”

  “As far as assassinating Pharaoh, Peynok and I have worked it out,” Heket volunteered.

  “Peynok oversees Pharaoh’s harem,” Mother said. “He and half a dozen harem inspectors will be standing by to make sure Heket is summoned to Pharaoh’s room the night of the coup instead of the four wretches, and to ensure no witnesses are wandering around the per’aa.”

  “Can we trust so many?” I asked. “I thought we were going to keep the circle of conspirators small.”

  “Absolutely,” Mother replied firmly. “Pebekkamen, chief of the chamber, is my right hand man. He identified key overseers and staff. They’ve all pledged fealty to me. They all know what they stand to gain once you’re on the throne, Son.”

  “What about Ramesses?” Teynakhte asked. “We can’t let him roam freely. Will we arrest him after Pharaoh’s dead or before? How? Who’ll do it?”

  Mother swept her gaze around the cabin. “I think it’s best if we kill Ramesses too. It’ll be easier for us to pin Pharaoh’s murder on a dead man than a live one.”

  A major complication. “How?” I asked. “He never summons concubines, like Father. He’s absolutely faithful to Duatentopet. No guard will let a concubine enter his room if she just shows up.”

  “I guard his door at night along with another man, Majesty,” Mayernu said. “I’ll make sure my fellow guard falls ill the night of the coup – bad food or wine, probably. I’ll be alone in Ramesses’ corridor. I’ll slip into his room and kill him in his sleep.”

  “You’ll be a wealthy man afterwards,” I promised.

  “What if Duatentopet is with him?” Heket asked.

  “She’ll die second,” Mayernu replied.

  An innocent. My half–sister. It couldn’t be helped. With luck, she’d spend that night in her quarters in Khonsu’s temple instead of the per’aa. It was up to her god to protect her, not me.

  “As you said, Pentawere, Ramesses being in Djeme might actually work out better for us,” Mother added. “We’ll be able to claim that he personally assassinated your father. We’ll claim we learned of his planned attack too late and sent bodyguards to protect Pharaoh, but they arrived in Pharaoh’s room just as Ramesses killed him and they were forced to kill Ramesses when he resisted arrest and attacked them. After you kill Ramesses, Mayernu, I’ll arrange for Eshehebsed, Pebekkamen’s chief assistant, to help you carry Ramesses’ corpse into Pharaoh’s room. Ramesses’ body in Pharaoh’s room will lend credence to our claim that Ramesses was the assassin. I’ll direct Mesedsure and Yenini to clean up the blood in Ramesses’ room so no one will figure out where he really died.”

  “Why would anyone believe Ramesses would kill Pharaoh?” Teynakhte asked.

  “Because Horus revealed the truth to Neset,” I said. “We’ll make sure everyone hears about her dream. She’s going to provide all of us with cover.”

  “Is she part of our conspiracy?” Heket asked.

  “No. And she’s not to find out about it. Ever!” I said sharply. “We have to keep her hands blood–free. Do you all understand?”

  Everyone nodded.

  “Neset believes I’ve enlisted trusted allies to prevent Father’s murder. She has no idea we’re going to kill Father and blame Ramesses.”

  “You’re sure she won’t guess?” Peyes asked.

  “Not if we’re careful. That’s key, so she’ll support our version of events. She’ll very convincingly relate her dream to the Great Kenbet that will undoubtedly be called to convict my dead brother after the fact. She’ll tell the judges how I placed guards in Father’s corridor to head off the assassination. She’ll tell them we had to take action in secret because we had no idea who in the valley Ramesses was conspiring with and so we couldn’t tip our hand.” I swept the others with my eyes. “If anyone involved in this conspiracy tells Neset the truth – that I had Ramesses and Father killed – I’ll kill him or her myself. Understood?”

  More nods.

  “I’ve summoned Osiris’ high priest to Djeme for the Beautiful Feast,” Mother announced. “Harwa. He’ll support Neset’s claims about her family and Horus.”

  “Very good. So, how exactly are we going to pull these murders off, Mother?”

  “Penhuibin, the overseer of herds, has discretely consulted magicians and read dozens of magic scrolls. He’s created wax crocodiles and cast spells on them. The spells will confuse any guard in their vicinity and prevent them from taking action or even remembering what they saw. Pentawere, on the night of the coup you’ll trigger the spells by stabbing each crocodile with a knife.”

  “El–ram and Nebzefai and Pebekkamen have full run of the per’aa,” Heket added. “They’ll place crocodiles under Pharaoh’s and Ramesses’ beds and in the corridors leading to their rooms.”

  “Peynok will keep the rest of the servants in the per’aa busy elsewhere that night, far away from Pharaoh and Ramesses,” Mother said.

  “Make sure they place a crocodile in Father’s corridor,” I directed. “Even though the guards are mine, they’ll need to be stunned with magic to make it appear they weren’t involved.”

  “We’ll put a crocodile without a spell in Ramesses’ corridor,” Mother said. “Mayernu, after you kill Ramesses and carry his body to Pharaoh’s room, return to the corridor and pretend you’ve been overcome by magic. That’ll be your alibi.”

  “Very good, Majesty.”

  “Pentawere, spend the night of the coup in your room, along with Neset,” Mother ordered. “As soon as Ramesses and Pharaoh are dead I’ll send Weren there to tell you. He’s a harem butler. I’ll tell him to burst into your room unannounced. Be in bed with Neset. Make sure he finds the two of you in each other’s arms.”

  “Before Weren appears, you should tell Neset you’ve been having the same dream she had about Ramesses murdering your father, Majesty,” Heket added. “Tell her you’re afraid for Pharaoh’s life. Tell her you’ve changed your mind – that first thing in the morning the two of you should go to Pharaoh and warn him, no matter the consequences.”

  “Something she’s wanted to do for a long time,” I said.

  “It’ll make Weren’s announcement even more dramatic, for her,” Mother said.

  I glanced around the cabin. “That’s our new plan. Any questions?”

  “Oneney, the chief of police on the west bank, will have Medjay standing by in case we need to deal with any locals,” Mother said. “Four scribes are part of our conspiracy. Messui and Shedmeszer from the temple and Peluka and Pendua from the harem. They’ll make sure the news that you’re Pharaoh passes swiftly throughout the valley, Pentawere.”

  “Very good.”

  “While I’m here in Pi–Ramesses, Heket and I will arrange the movement of your wife’s retainers to the Fayum,” Mother said. “That way you won’t have to deal with them after Neset becomes your wife in place of that wretched girl.”

  “Good riddance,” I said sincerely.

  “Come to Djeme a few days before the Beautiful Feast, Pentawere.” Mother addressed the rest. “We’ll meet in the garden of the per’aa at midnight on the first night of the festival to officially launch our coup and gain my son his throne. We won’t speak again until then.”

  ***

  Shemu (Harvest)

  Neset

  ***

  I awakened. I reached for Pentawere and found only a linen sheet. I wondered if he’d gone into the garden. He usually did when he couldn’t fall sleep. He’d seemed nervous all day, preoccupied. And rightfully so. A couple of hours ago, after he’d returned to this room after making an appearance at the banquet celebrating the first night of the Beauti
ful Feast, he’d informed me that the dream the falcon god had sent to me had visited him too. I’d told him that in all my family stories that had never happened before. That had scared him. On the spot he’d decided we should go to Pharaoh first thing in the morning and warn him about Ramesses. He said he was prepared to face the consequences when Ramesses disputed us. He said he’d never forgive himself if Ramesses succeeded and we’d said nothing. I’d heartily agreed.

  Still, even with that hanging over our heads, falling asleep hadn’t been a problem for me. Pentawere had exhausted me this night. I wondered how long I’d been asleep.

  I’d spent every night with Pentawere since his arrival at Djeme a week before the beginning of the Beautiful Feast, creeping stealthily into his room after dark, slipping out before dawn, lying in his bed with him for a few precious hours, each of us wrapped in the other’s arms, lips meeting eagerly, fingers caressing quivering skin, hearts beating feverishly. We’d tried to make up in a few days what we’d missed the last eight months, for neither of us could get enough of the other. I hadn’t given a moment’s thought to Naqi’a. I’d been a fool to ever worry about that wretch’s feelings. Pentawere loved me and I loved him and the gods wanted me to be with him. The oracle had told me so during the Opet. And so we loved, and dreamed, and made plans for a future together.

  I pushed the tangled linen sheet aside, sat up, swung my legs over the side of the bed. I felt for my dress on the floor and put it on. Moonlight shone through a window high up in the wall and by its light I found my way to the door and opened it. The per’aa’s garden, surrounded on all four sides by rooms similar to Pentawere’s, lay before me. I looked to right and left but didn’t see him. I crossed into the garden, the work of my hands, and perched atop a stone bench to wait for him. The night was pleasant and the breeze cool after the brutal heat of day. A few birds chittered in a clump of tamarisk trees that hid me from prying eyes. Pentawere’s dark bedroom window and door were visible through openings between low leafy branches. I couldn’t possibly miss his return.