The Gardener and the Assassin

by Mark Gajewski

  “Besides, Cousin, don’t ever forget Pen saved my life, pretending to be me. I’ll always be in his debt.”

  “Maybe you can pour his beer from now on,” Ahmes–Nefertari said.

  “All the way from Djeme?” Aya asked.

  Ahmes–Nefertari was crestfallen. She seemed to realize for the first time that her inseparable cousin was going to be separated from her.

  Aya sensed her sadness. “I’ll send for you as soon as I’m settled. You can be my chief attendant. But until then, take care of Pen. Help him adjust to Nekhen. Will you do that, for me?”

  Ahmes–Nefertari eyed him. “I will, Aya. For you.” She laughed. “Your Majesty.” She bowed deeply.

  Kanefer entered the hall with a flourish, attended by several minor functionaries. He made a beeline for me. He took my hand, kissed my fingers. “What a life–changing day for you, Neset!” he exclaimed.

  “For all of us,” I said evenly.

  Kanefer ignored Pen but looked Aya up and down. “Royalty now, ‘eh Girl? Boys will be buzzing around you like bees in clover after today.”

  Not everyone had heard of her marriage, apparently.

  “They have been for awhile,” Aya said coolly. “Back when they thought I was common.” She didn’t like Kanefer any more than I did.

  Itamun passed through the doorway, surveyed the room, headed for us.

  We all rose and bowed.

  “Majesty. All of us in Nekhen are honored by your presence,” Kanefer said obsequiously.

  Why did he feel compelled to horn in? “Majesty, have you met Governor Kanefer?” I asked, forcing the irritation from my voice. “He rules the Nekhen nome.”

  “I haven’t had the pleasure,” Itamun said graciously. He’d apparently been trained in diplomacy.

  “I was appointed by His Majesty six months ago. Never expected a day like today.”

  “None of us did,” Itamun agreed. He turned his back to Kanefer, faced Aya. “Will you sit with me at the front, My Lady? As befits my wife?”

  Kanefer was speechless.

  Aya glanced at Kanefer, somewhat triumphantly. “Certainly, Majesty.”

  “Itamun from now on, I suppose,” he said.

  She nodded. “Aya.”

  “This feels so bizarre, Aya,” Itamun admitted. “We don’t even know each other and now we’re married.” He took hold of her hand and led her towards the front of the hall. “Tell me about this dream of yours. You said we’re both going to be happy?”

  “Deliriously.”

  Pharaoh and Kairy entered, still conferring. Pharaoh invited Kairy to sit between him and Vizier Neferronpet. Pharaoh’s wife Nubkhesbed sat to his right. She was already chatting with Aya, who was seated between her and her son. Aya didn’t seem awed by the situation.

  As soon as Pharaoh was in place serving girls began to circulate, filling cups with wine and beer and passing platters of meat and fruits and vegetables and bread. A feast far less magnificent than those I recalled from Djeme, yet filling. Fan bearers stood behind the royals, cooling them. A cacophony of dozens of conversations and much laughter and banter filled the hall. I noted many couples looking Aya and Itamun’s way and whispering to each other. Kanefer monopolized me. I endured his inane banter as best as I could, a smile plastered to my face. The man would not shut up. Nor would he keep his distance. I pushed his hand off my thigh so many times I lost count. Beketaten could barely contain her laughter. Nor Iput. Nor Ani. Ahmes–Nefertari valiantly tried to engage Pen in conversation so he wouldn’t feel left out, though he rarely answered her questions with more than a word or two. After five minutes, I figured they’d either kill each other or marry each other. She constantly eyed the front of the room. Aya and Itamun were talking almost non–stop and laughing. They seemed to have hit it off. I was so glad for her. Ahmes–Nefertari could hardly hide her jealousy.

  “Tell me about your life,” Ahmes–Nefertari practically ordered Pen. She was tired, apparently, of his non–responses to her questions.

  “I’d like to know too,” I said encouragingly.

  “Me as well,” Beketaten chimed in.

  Pen acquiesced. “As far back as I can remember I lived in the Southern Oasis.”

  “What’s the oasis like?” Ahmes–Nefertari queried.

  “It’s a hundred miles long and a dozen or so wide, more than a hundred miles west of the river. There are trees everywhere, and plenty of water, and mountains in the distance. It’s completely surrounded by harsh desert, very isolated. It’s at the junction of several caravan routes, so traders are always coming and going. I lived in a small village of mud–brick huts, along with farmers and herdsmen and hunters and servants and such. And guards. And priests to drill me on my lessons. I truly hated those lessons. Kairy and Mother Maia were there, of course – though I never knew she was my mother.” He glanced at Kairy. “The scribes taught me to read and write. The priests taught me the sacred rituals. They taught me to be loyal to the priesthood and the gods.” He looked directly at Ahmes–Nefertari. “They all deferred to me and called me ‘Majesty.’”

  “That must have been extremely tiring for them.”

  “Were there any girls your age at the oasis?” I asked.

  “No. The only woman was Mother Maia. Until a year ago. Then my two wives came to stay with us. And their servants.”

  “Wives!” Ahmes–Nefertari exclaimed.

  Kanefer perked up.

  “Bek’s daughters. Nefertari and Meritaten. One’s seven years older than me and the other five.”

  “Your marriages were arranged by Bek so he could control you through them,” Ani guessed.

  “Do you love them?” Ahmes–Nefertari asked bluntly. “Do the three of you share a hut?”

  “By the gods, no! To tell the truth, I’m scared of them,” Pentawere admitted.

  “I’ll guarantee I’m scarier than either,” Ahmes–Nefertari said.

  “I don’t doubt it,” Pen muttered under his breath.

  “What did you say?” Ahmes–Nefertari asked sharply.

  “I hope Pharaoh sends them both home – they shouldn’t have to pay for their father’s sins,” he said.

  “Did you know what Bek had planned for you?” I asked.

  “I didn’t meet Bek until two days ago, Neset. Other priests lived in our village – first Debhen, then Sabestet. They didn’t use Bek’s name – they called him Chief.”

  “How did they explain you being in the oasis?” I asked.

  “They told me you’d been held captive, then burned by the fourth Ramesses to cover up his crime. They told me Kairy had delivered me to them so the fourth Ramesses wouldn’t kill me. They said my father, Pentawere, was the rightful pharaoh and I was going to someday reclaim the throne Ramesses had stolen from me.”

  “You believed them?” Ahmes–Nefertari asked.

  “How would Pen know different?” I replied. “Why would a child think priests were lying to him just so they could use him for their own purposes?”

  “The priests spent a lot of time teaching me how important priests are,” Pen said. “They promised to guide me once I was crowned. Until I was older and experienced. They said I’d spend most of my time outside the valley, leading my army and building an empire.”

  “That was the first Pentawere’s dream,” I said. “A dream that cost him his life.” And impacted so many others, including Aya and me and Kairy and his entire family.

  All at once Pentawere jumped from his chair and dashed to the back of the hall. Two soldiers were standing alongside a woman and a young girl. The woman was cradling an infant in her arms. It had to be Maia. Pentawere threw his arms around her. He said something. She started to sob. Kairy joined them and put his arms around her shoulders.

  “Can you imagine what Maia must have felt, not able to tell her own son he was her mother?” I asked Beketaten.

  “I’m glad this nightmare is finally over,” Beketaten replied.

  Kairy led his family across the hall to us
.

  I rose.

  Aya hurried from her seat among the royals to us.

  “Maia, this is Neset,” Kairy said. “And Aya. My sister Iput and her daughters and their husbands. My brother Ani and his wife Beketaten and their daughters. Everyone, this is my wife, Maia. And our daughters Semat and Aspelta.”

  Ahmes–Nefertari gleefully grabbed Aspelta from Maia’s arms. “A new cousin!” she exclaimed.

  Aya picked up Semat. “Two!”

  “Aya and I owe you our lives,” I told Maia, embracing her. “There are no words to express my gratitude.”

  “I’m glad it’s over,” Maia said sincerely. “Kairy’s told me so much about you.” She looked around. “About all of you. I can’t wait to get to know you.”

  We spent the next couple of hours getting acquainted as the banquet continued around us. Itamun eventually joined us. After a few awkward moments on everyone’s part, he seamlessly blended in to his new family.

  Eventually the banquet ended. The officials departed the hall. And all the royals except Pharaoh.

  “I’ve ordered Kairy to round up the rest of the conspirators,” he announced as he joined us.

  “I’m leaving at dawn, along with my soldiers,” Kairy informed us. “I’m going to arrest various army commanders in Waset and Pi–Ramesses. That’ll put an emphatic end to this rebellion.”

  “Do you really have to leave so soon, Brother?” Ani asked. “We haven’t seen you for so long.”

  “You should visit your estate for a few days and rest,” Iput urged.

  “Word about what happened today is probably spreading already. If I don’t strike swiftly the remaining traitors will scatter. That’ll make it a real chore to hunt them down.”

  “Almost a dozen more conspirators,” Pharaoh said, shaking his head. “Don’t leave a single viper alive, Kairy.”

  “I won’t return to Djeme until I’ve caught them all,” he promised.

  “You’ve saved my line, Kairy,” Pharaoh said gratefully. “You’ve devoted your life to my brother and nephew and me. When you return to Nekhen, you’ll be the new governor of this nome.”

  “I’m thrilled for you Kairy,” I told him. “No one deserves it more.” I only wished Kanefer had been with us to hear of his removal.

  Ani and Iput were equally happy.

  “I assume you’ll accompany Aya to Djeme, Neset?” Pharaoh asked.

  “Yes, Majesty.”

  “Good. If you want it, your old position as overseer of my gardens is waiting for you.”

  I was overcome. “Thank you, Majesty.”

  “You’re really leaving us?” Beketaten asked.

  “I hate to. But Aya’s going to need me. I’ll only be a few day’s sail away. We can visit each other often. You can finally see Wabhket and Nauny again too.”

  Kairy addressed Beketaten. “Will you watch over my family while I track down the conspirators? Get them used to life on the estate?”

  “Of course.”

  “I’ve already assigned Ahmes–Nefertari to show Pen around,” Aya said.

  Kairy addressed Pharaoh. “Farewell, Majesty. I need to get my mercenaries ready to sail at dawn.”

  “May the gods be with you, Kairy,” Pharaoh intoned.

  ***

  I sat at dawn on the riverbank at the east end of the estate, facing the dark plateau across the river and the lightening sky above. Already hints of old gold and rose were appearing. The stars were fading from the vault of heaven. The palm trees lining the bank swayed slightly, and patches of reeds rippled with each breeze. Birds were awakening, their isolated songs bringing life to the valley. It was hard to believe that after a decade this was the last morning I’d sit here at my favorite spot watching Re rise into the sky.

  I’d already bid Beketaten and Iput and their families a tearful goodbye. They weren’t coming into Nekhen to see the royal barque off; it would be too hard on all of us. We’d shared so much these past years. Together we’d turned this derelict farm into a fine estate. I’d helped bring Beketaten’s daughters into the world here, and Iput’s granddaughters, and they in turn had helped me raise Aya. I was going to miss them so much.

  Aya was still in the house, saying her goodbyes. As soon as she joined me we’d head for Nekhen. I wasn’t about to hurry her. The barque wasn’t going anywhere without us. I wondered if Bek had already been hung from the boat, or if that would wait until we pushed off.

  I heard swishing in the grass behind me. Kairy. He sat down beside me. He’d returned to the estate very late last night after organizing his men for their journey north. I hadn’t had a chance to speak with him.

  “Thank you for saving my life, and Aya’s,” I said.

  “Who would’ve guessed that night in the birth bower that she’d be a pharaoh’s great wife some day?”

  “Who would’ve guessed any of this would’ve happened?”

  “Not me.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me before that night that you were going to save us?”

  “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pull it off, Neset. I didn’t want you to get your hopes up and then fail and have you walk to your death. Besides, I hadn’t obtained Pharaoh’s permission. In fact, I’d lied to him about Aya being a boy. And if I’d suggested saving you Vizier Neferronpet would’ve taken matters into his own hands and sent men to kill you without Pharaoh’s knowledge. I assumed Ani and Iput and Beketaten would be better off not knowing, in case things fell apart and they were questioned.”

  “So you truly risked your life to save Aya and me.”

  “I’d already given my life away to try to catch the traitors.”

  “I have a confession to make, Kairy. I knew you were going to come to Nekhen with a priest and Pentawere and challenge Pharaoh for his throne.”

  “How?”

  “The night the traitors tried to kidnap me? The falcon god sent me a dream.”

  “I thought he only sent one dream to a talisman bearer.”

  “So did I. Nonetheless, I saw you and the priest and Pentawere approach the dais. I saw the priest issue his challenge. I saw him turn to you and say “tell them.” And then Bunakhtef clamped his hand over my mouth and woke me up.

  “You didn’t know what I was going to say all these years?”

  “Whether you’d support Pharaoh or betray him? No.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about your dream?”

  “I was so angry at you for using me as bait to catch Pentawere’s followers. And I didn’t know how you were going to answer the priest.”

  “You didn’t trust me.”

  “No.”

  “Rightfully so. To tell the truth, Neset, up until the night before the ceremony in the oval court I was afraid I would have to betray Pharaoh so I could save Pentawere’s life. It’s horrible to admit, but if I’d been forced to choose I’d have chosen Pentawere.”

  “Not horrible at all. Very understandable.”

  “Luckily, I was put in command of the mercenaries at the last minute. An interesting tale for another time. But when I ordered them to arrest Bek and the priests? I didn’t know if they’d obey me or not. It was fortunate you and Aya did what you did. Otherwise, I’m not sure they would have believed the sixth Ramesses was the rightful pharaoh and arrested the traitors at my command.”

  “Well, it all worked out, for everyone.”

  “What about you, Neset? Have you been happy these past years?”

  “I’ve had a very fine life on this estate, Kairy, thanks to you. An easier one than yours at the oasis, I think.”

  “Mine was good enough. Better than I’d hoped.”

  “Maia? And your daughters?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you truly love her? You didn’t marry her out of a sense of duty, because of what she sacrificed to save me and Aya?”

  “I can honestly say Maia’s the love of my life, Neset. Very unexpectedly. I’m a very lucky man.” Kairy gazed into the distance. “You’ve raised a fine girl, Neset.�
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  “I think Aya’s going to enjoy being a royal very much. I hope the power doesn’t go to her head.”

  “The same fear Maia and I had about Pentawere. I’m sure you’ll keep her humble.”

  “Ani and Beketaten and Iput helped us immensely these years. I hope Aya gets a chance to know you someday, Kairy.”

  “You’re really going to Djeme?”

  “I think it’s best for everyone.”

  “I suspect Kanefer would disagree, from the way I saw him pawing you at the banquet.”

  “Kanefer? I’m thrilled you’re going to take his job. He’s not really cut out for Nekhen, the way you are with your family’s legacy.”

  “But you were sitting so close to him in the oval court. And at dinner.”

  I laughed. “In the oval court I was trying not to let any of the royals or officials see me. I was using his body to shield me. Which he of course misinterpreted. He plopped down uninvited next to me at dinner. I was fighting him off so much I barely got to eat.”

  Kairy laughed, then stood. “I hope you find someone who’ll make you happy in Djeme, Neset. You deserve it, after what you’ve been through. Now I have to go get my men on their boat and round up the last of the traitors.”

  I stood. We embraced.

  “Goodbye, Neset.”

  “Goodbye, Kairy.”

  I watched him walk away.

  Not long afterwards Re rose above the rim of the eastern plateau and gold spilled into the valley.

  I heard steps and turned. Aya was behind me.

  “Ready, Mama?”

  At that very instant a falcon swooped majestically past us, diving low to nearly touch the water a few feet away, then soaring high into the rising sun. I watched until it was swallowed up in Re’s glare. I knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that I’d just been visited by the falcon god, as my ancestress Aya had been so many thousands of years ago. I touched the talisman with my fingertips. I sensed the god’s appearance meant my role in the valley’s affairs was over. I’d played my part and protected Pharaoh’s line. Now it was Aya’s turn.

  I slipped the talisman over my head, reverently kissed it, then placed it around Aya’s neck.