Death Comes As the End (17 page)

‘Henet too is an evil woman,’ went on Renisenb.

‘Henet–yes. We have never liked her. In fact, but for my father’s protection–’

‘Our father is deceived in her,’ said Renisenb.

‘That may well be.’ Yahmose added in a matter-of-fact tone, ‘She flatters him.’

Renisenb looked at him for a moment in surprise. It was the first time she had ever heard Yahmose utter
a sentence containing criticism of Imhotep. He had always seemed overawed by his father.

But now, she realized, Yahmose was gradually taking the lead. Imhotep had aged by years in the last few weeks. He was incapable now of giving orders, of taking decisions. Even his physical activity seemed impaired. He spent long hours staring in front of him, his eyes filmed and abstracted. Sometimes he seemed not to understand what was said to him.

‘Do you think that she–’ Renisenb stopped. She looked round and began, ‘Is it she, do you think, who has–who is–?’

Yahmose caught her by the arm.

‘Be quiet, Renisenb, these things are better not said–not even whispered.’

‘Then you too think–’

Yahmose said softly and urgently:

‘Say nothing now. We have plans.’

The following day was the festival of the new moon. Imhotep was forced to go up to the Tomb, to make the offerings. Yahmose begged his father to leave it to him on this occasion, but Imhotep was obdurate. With what seemed now a feeble parody of his old manner, he murmured, ‘Unless I see to things myself, how can I be sure they are properly done? Have I ever shirked my duties? Have I not provided for all of you, supported you all–’

His voice stopped. ‘All?
All
–? Ah, I forget–my two brave sons–my handsome Sobek–my clever and beloved Ipy. Gone from me. Yahmose and Renisenb–my dear son and daughter–you are still with me–but for how long–how long…’

‘Many long years, we hope,’ said Yahmose.

He spoke rather loudly as to a deaf man.

‘Eh? What?’ Imhotep seemed to have fallen into a coma.

He said suddenly and surprisingly:

‘It depends on Henet, does it not? Yes, it depends on Henet.’

Yahmose and Renisenb exchanged glances.

Renisenb said gently and clearly:

‘I do not understand you, father?’

Imhotep muttered something they did not catch. Then, raising his voice, a little, but with dull and vacant eyes, he said:

‘Henet understands me. She always has. She knows how great my responsibilities are–how great…Yes, how great…And always ingratitude…Therefore there must be retribution. That, I think, is practice well established. Presumption must be punished. Henet has always been modest, humble and devoted. She shall be rewarded…’

He drew himself up and said pompously:

‘You understand, Yahmose. Henet is to have all she wants. Her commands are to be obeyed!’

‘But why is this, father?’

‘Because I say so. Because, if what Henet wants is done, there will be no more deaths…’

He nodded his head sagely and went away–leaving
Yahmose and Renisenb staring at each other in wonder and alarm.

‘What does this mean, Yahmose?’

‘I do not know, Renisenb. Sometimes I think my father no longer knows what he does or says…’

‘No–perhaps not. But I think, Yahmose, that
Henet
knows very well what she is saying and doing. She said to me, only the other day, that it would soon be
she
who would crack the whip in this house.’

They looked at each other. Then Yahmose put his hand on Renisenb’s arm.

‘Do not anger her. You show your feelings too plainly, Renisenb. You heard what my father said? If what Henet wants is done–
there will be no more deaths
…’

II

Henet was crouching down on her haunches in one of the store rooms counting out piles of sheets. They were old sheets and she held the mark on the corner of one close up to her eyes.

‘Ashayet,’ she murmured. ‘Ashayet’s sheets. Marked with the year she came here–she and I together…That’s a long time ago. Do you know, I wonder, what your sheets are being used for now, Ashayet?’

She broke off in the midst of a chuckle, and gave a start as a sound made her glance over her shoulder.

It was Yahmose.

‘What are you doing, Henet?’

‘The embalmers need more sheets. Piles and piles of sheets they’ve used. Four hundred cubits they used yesterday alone. It’s terrible the way these funerals use up the sheeting! We’ll have to use these old ones. They’re good quality and not much worn. Your mother’s sheets, Yahmose–yes, your mother’s sheets…’

‘Who said you might take those?’

Henet laughed.

‘Imhotep’s given everything into my charge. I don’t have to ask leave. He trusts poor old Henet. He knows she’ll see to everything in the right way. I’ve seen to most things in this house for a long time. I think–now–I’m going to have my reward!’

‘It looks like it, Henet.’ Yahmose’s tone was mild. ‘My father said,’ he paused, ‘
everything depends on you
.’

‘Did he now? Well that’s nice hearing–but perhaps
you
don’t think so, Yahmose.’

‘Well–I’m not quite sure.’ Yahmose’s tone was still mild, but he watched her closely.

‘I think you’d better agree with your father, Yahmose. We don’t want any more–
trouble
, do we?’

‘I don’t quite understand. You mean–we don’t want any more deaths?’

‘There are going to be more deaths, Yahmose. Oh yes–’

‘Who is going to die next, Henet?’

‘Why do you think I should know that?’

‘Because I think you know a great deal. You knew the other day, for instance, that Ipy was going to die…You are very clever, aren’t you, Henet.’

Henet bridled.

‘So you’re beginning to realize that now! I’m not poor, stupid Henet any longer. I’m the one who
knows
.’

‘What do you know, Henet?’

Henet’s voice changed. It was low and sharp.

‘I know that
at last
I can do as I choose in this house. There will be no one to stop me. Imhotep leans upon me already. And
you
will do the same, eh, Yahmose?’

‘And Renisenb?’

Henet laughed, a malicious, happy chuckle.

‘
Renisenb will not be here
.’

‘You think it is Renisenb who will die next?’

‘What do
you
think, Yahmose?’

‘I am waiting to hear what
you
say.’

‘Perhaps I only meant that Renisenb will marry–and go away.’

‘What
do
you mean, Henet?’

Henet chuckled.

‘Esa once said my tongue was dangerous. Perhaps it is!’

She laughed shrilly, swaying to and fro on her heels.

‘Well, Yahmose, what do you say? Am I at last to do as I choose in this house?’

Yahmose studied her for a moment before saying:

‘Yes, Henet. You are so clever. You shall do as you choose.’

He turned to meet Hori who was coming from the main hall and who said: ‘There you are, Yahmose. Imhotep is awaiting you. It is time to go up to the Tomb.’

Yahmose nodded.

‘I am coming.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Hori–I think Henet is mad–she is definitely afflicted by the devils. I begin to believe that
she
has been responsible for all these happenings.’

Hori paused a moment before saying in his quiet, detached voice:

‘She is a strange woman–and an evil one, I think.’

Yahmose lowered his voice still more:

‘Hori, I think Renisenb is in danger.’

‘From Henet?’

‘Yes. She has just hinted that Renisenb may be the next to–go.’

Imhotep’s voice came fretfully:

‘Am I to wait all day? What conduct is this? No one considers me any more. No one knows what I suffer. Where is Henet? Henet understands.’

From within the storeroom Henet’s chuckle of triumph came shrilly.

‘Do you hear that, Yahmose? Henet! Henet is the one!’

Yahmose said quietly:

‘Yes, Henet–I understand. You are the powerful one. You and my father and I–we three together…’

Hori went off to find Imhotep. Yahmose spoke a few more words to Henet who nodded, her face sparkling with malicious triumph.

Then Yahmose joined Hori and Imhotep, apologizing for his delay, and the three men went up to the Tomb together.

III

The day passed slowly for Renisenb.

She was restless, passing to and fro from the house to the porch, then to the lake and then back again to the house.

At midday Imhotep returned, and after a meal had
been served to him, he came out upon the porch and Renisenb joined him.

She sat with her hands clasped round her knees, occasionally looking up at her father’s face. It still wore that absent, bewildered expression. Imhotep spoke little. Once or twice he sighed deeply.

Once he roused himself and asked for Henet. But just at that time Henet had gone with linen to the embalmers.

Renisenb asked her father where Hori and Yahmose were.

‘Hori has gone out to the flax fields. There is a tally to be taken there. Yahmose is on the cultivation. It all falls on him now…Alas for Sobek and Ipy! My boys–my handsome boys…’

Renisenb tried quickly to distract him.

‘Cannot Kameni oversee the workers?’

‘Kameni? Who is Kameni? I have no son of that name.’

‘Kameni the scribe. Kameni who is to be my husband.’

He stared at her.

‘You, Renisenb? But you are to marry Khay.’

She sighed, but said no more. It seemed cruel to try and bring him back to the present. After a little while, however, he roused himself and exclaimed suddenly:

‘Of course. Kameni! He has gone to give some instructions to the overseer at the brewery. I must go and join him.’

He strode away, muttering to himself, but with resumption of his old manner, so that Renisenb felt a little cheered.

Perhaps this clouding of his brain was only temporary.

She looked round her. There seemed something sinister about the silence of the house and court today. The children were at the far side of the lake. Kait was not with them and Renisenb wondered where she was.

Then Henet came out on to the porch. She looked round her and then came sidling up to Renisenb. She had resumed her old wheedling, humble manner.

‘I’ve been waiting till I could get you alone, Renisenb.’

‘Why, Henet?’

Henet lowered her voice.

‘I’ve got a message for you–from Hori.’

‘What does he say?’ Renisenb’s voice was eager.

‘He asks that you should go up to the Tomb.’

‘Now?’

‘No. Be there an hour before sunset. That was the message. If he is not there then, he asks that you will wait until he comes. It is important, he says.’

Henet paused–and then added:

‘I was to wait until I got you alone to say this–and no one was to overhear.’

Henet glided away.

Renisenb felt her spirits lightened. She felt glad at the prospect of going up to the peace and quietness of the Tomb. Glad that she would see Hori and be able to talk to him freely. The only thing that surprised her a little was that he should have entrusted his message to Henet.

Nevertheless, malicious though Henet was, she had delivered the message faithfully.

‘And why should I fear Henet at any time?’ thought Renisenb. ‘I am stronger than she is.’

She drew herself up proudly. She felt young and confident and very much alive…

IV

After giving the message to Renisenb, Henet went once more into the linen storeroom. She was laughing quietly to herself.

She bent over the disordered piles of sheets.

‘We’ll be needing more of you soon,’ she said to them gleefully. ‘Do you hear, Ashayet? I’m the mistress here now and I’m telling you that your linen will bandage yet
another body. And whose body is that, do you think? Hee hee! You’ve not been able to do much about things, have you? You and your mother’s brother, the Nomarch! Justice? What justice can you do in
this
world? Answer me that!’

There was a movement behind the bales of linen. Henet half-turned her head.

Then a great width of linen was thrown over her, stifling her mouth and nose. An inexorable hand wound the fabric round and round her body, swathing her like a corpse until her struggles ceased…

V

Renisenb sat in the entrance of the rock chamber, staring out at the Nile and lost in a queer dream fantasy of her own.

It seemed to her a very long time since the day when she had first sat here, soon after her return to her father’s house. That had been the day when she had declared so gaily that everything was unchanged, that all in the home was exactly as it had been when she left it eight years before.

She remembered now how Hori had told her that she herself was not the same Renisenb who had gone away
with Khay and how she had answered confidently that she soon would be.

Then Hori had gone on to speak of changes that came from within, of a rottenness that left no outward sign.

She knew now something of what had been in his mind when he said those things. He had been trying to prepare her. She had been so assured, so blind–accepting so easily the outward values of her family.

It had taken Nofret’s coming to open her eyes…

Yes, Nofret’s coming. It had all hinged on that.

With Nofret had come death…

Whether Nofret had been evil or not, she had certainly brought evil…

And the evil was still in their midst.

For the last time, Renisenb played with the belief that Nofret’s spirit was the cause of everything…

Nofret, malicious and dead…

Or Henet, malicious and living…Henet the despised, the sycophantic, fawning Henet…

Renisenb shivered, stirred, and then slowly rose to her feet.

She could wait for Hori no longer. The sun was on the point of setting. Why, she wondered, had he not come?

She got up, glanced round her and started to descend the path to the valley below.

It was very quiet at this evening hour. Quiet and beautiful, she thought. What had delayed Hori? If he had come, they would at least have had this hour together…

There would not be many such hours. In the near future, when she was Kameni’s wife–

Was she really going to marry Kameni?
With a kind of shock Renisenb shook herself free from the mood of dull acquiescence that had held her so long. She felt like a sleeper awakening from a feverish dream. Caught in that stupor of fear and uncertainty she had assented to whatever had been proposed to her.

But now she was Renisenb again, and if she married Kameni it would be because she wanted to marry him, and not because her family arranged it. Kameni with his handsome, laughing face! She loved him, didn’t she? That was why she was going to marry him.

In this evening hour up here, there was clarity and truth. No confusion. She was Renisenb, walking here above the world, serene and unafraid, herself at last.

Had she not once said to Hori that she must walk down this path alone at the hour of Nofret’s death? That whether fear went with her or not, she must still go alone.

Well, she was doing it now. This was just about the hour when she and Satipy had bent over Nofret’s body. And it was about this same hour when Satipy in her turn had walked down the path and had suddenly looked back–to see doom overtaking her.