Magic of the Nile (23 page)

The priest who’d agreed with Tyema before put a restraining hand on his elder’s arm. “I don’t think anyone took her words as carrying intent to insult, sir. The lady is being prudent, cautious with the Great One’s living gift to us.”

“Sobek gave me the responsibility for his crocodile and I don’t take it lightly,” Tyema said. “I can’t.”

“Some little nobody from the country, trying to make a place for herself here, no doubt,” the High Priest blustered on.

“I’ve no desire to live here in Thebes. Running my own temple and managing my own concerns keeps me fully engaged,” Tyema answered, her voice sharp. She leaned toward him. “I speak directly to the god, to learn his will and desire. Surely you do the same?”

The priest blinked, opened and closed his mouth like a floundering Nile perch, and sat down in the nearest chair, guided by his underling.
 

“Does he require some water? Or more wine perhaps?” Edekh asked, leaning on his gold-and-lapis staff.

“Either will be helpful, sir,” the younger priest answered. He nodded at Tyema. “Since we didn’t have time for introductions before Pharaoh arrived, allow me to tell you now I’m Lemertet, second in the hierarchy at the temple. I’ll ensure we’re ready for your visit in the morning.”

“Perhaps it would be best if we withdraw and let them confer,” Edekh said tactfully, taking Tyema by the elbow.
 

“Gentlemen.” Tyema nodded at them all and swept out of the room on the Chief Scribe’s arm, her head held high. A servant bringing wine passed them, heading toward the chamber.

“Your last arrow was a direct hit, I believe, Lady Tyema,” Edekh said in a low voice as they proceeded back to her suite of rooms. ”Well done.”

“He seems so out of tune with what the Great One prefers,” she said.
 

“Perhaps it’s been some time since the god spoke directly to him,” Edekh suggested tactfully.
 

“I hope my crocodile will be properly cared for here.” Doubt made her slow her steps and she almost turned, as if to reenter the room they’d just left.

“I’m sure he will be. The temple is well run by all accounts, if not one of the most prominent in Thebes. Lemertet is a strong second in command. He’s more than ready to step into the leadership position. Perhaps this series of events will precipitate such an outcome.”

“Are you saying the temple here is run by the internal politics of men rather than by what Sobek commands?” Tyema stopped walking, placing her hand on Edekh’s arm in her agitation.

The scribe was grave, no trace of amusement on his face. He patted her hand. “I think, Lady Tyema, few priests or priestesses are blessed to have as personal a relationship with their god as you do. In the absence of direct contact, men—and women—can only do what they think best.”

“I never thought about it,” she said. “I’m so used to the Great One telling me his will.”

Edekh leaned even closer, practically speaking into her ear. “Rest assured Pharaoh communicates constantly with the Great Ones. I myself have seen a number of the gods when in Nat-re-Akhte’s presence, including your Sobek on one memorable occasion. But the gods can’t be everywhere, can’t constantly be issuing orders to mankind. We must do our best.”

She nodded, satisfied and comforted by his response. They resumed their leisurely stroll to her quarters.
 

“What will you do with your afternoon?” Edekh asked.

“I need to check on the crocodile but beyond that, I’ve no idea. Play with my son perhaps.” Tyema shrugged. “It’s rare for me to have so much time with no duties or responsibilities. Is there anything I should be doing, for Pharaoh or the queen?”

Edekh shook his head. “I was going to suggest you might take the baby to Pharaoh’s zoo. Currently we have a good selection of animals. Captain Sahure sent us several shipments while he was in command at the Southern Oasis, once he took control of the place and drove the invaders out. The oasis fort is a crossroads for many caravans and an excellent location for acquiring rare goods. Having been on expeditions to the far lands himself, Sahure knows what animals are best suited to enhance Pharaoh’s collection and thus his prestige.”

Unable to stop herself, Tyema said, “Is Captain Sahure well thought of by Pharaoh?”

Although plainly curious, Edekh gave a neutral answer rather than ask any questions. “I believe he stands in high regard, yes. But if you’d rather have another escort—”

Tyema laughed. “Thank you, the arrangements are fine. Pharaoh offered me the same alteration yesterday. Sahure and I have things we need to discuss, but there shouldn’t be any problems. What about this evening? Pharaoh excused me from attendance at the banquet yesterday, but should I be somewhere this evening? I dread giving offense, even inadvertently.”

“There will be a small dinner for some of the courtiers.” Edekh patted her hand. “I should warn you, small is a relative term here in Thebes.”

She braced herself. “How many guests?”

“Perhaps a hundred. Captain Sahure is expected to escort you to the banquet chamber. Dinner will begin at sunset.”

“I’ll be ready then, but will he be back in time?” Tyema was comforted by the thought of the pretty dresses the queen had given her. She realized she didn’t want to walk around the palace and attend dinners dressed like a person the Thebans would view as a country maid.

“Sahure meets his commitments, never fear.”

***

Many hours later, Tyema could see the sun setting through the archway to the small private garden attached to her quarters. Sahure, prompt as always, was standing by the door to the suite, waiting for her to finish refreshing her eye makeup and kiss the baby goodbye. After giving Renebti a quick hug and some last minute instructions about Seknehure’s bath, Tyema found Sahure staring with longing at their son.“Did you want to hold the baby for a little while before we go?”

“We can’t be late. It’s quite a breach of etiquette to enter after Pharaoh.”

Tyema picked the baby up and handed him to Sahure, ignoring the faint discomfort from the lotus bracelet, signaling Sahure’s exposure to black magic. “Just for a moment. He needs to get to know you.”

“True. And we still have to discuss matters.” He cast a glance at the niece, as he dandled the baby. Pressing a kiss on the child’s forehead, he handed him to Renebti. “We must go.”

Tyema allowed Sahure to escort her out of the room and through the confusing halls of the palace. An awkward silence fell between them. Tyema felt her small store of confidence seeping away, the closer they got to the banquet hall.
 

 
To distract herself, Tyema studied Sahure in quick, sidelong glances, noting new lines around his eyes. “You seem tired.”

“I’ve had bad dreams since returning from Kharga,” he admitted, rubbing a hand over his face.

She touched a curious amulet on his wrist. “I’ve never seen this before, so unusual. You weren’t wearing the token yesterday, were you?”

There was an awkward pause, as if he was deciding how much he wanted to share with her. “Someone gave it to me, while I was in Kharga. She said I needed protection. I inferred at the time I only needed protection at the Southern Oasis, and indeed when I drove my chariot into Thebes, the amulet came untied of its own accord. I barely kept it from being lost in the road.” Rubbing his forehead again, Sahure continued. “I put it on again this morning after a night of nightmares worse than any tale of the seven hells the scribes might write. I hope the amulet retains enough power to ward off whatever forces are building during the day to destroy my slumber.”

A woman.
“Was she beautiful? Did she drive your chariot as well?” Tyema knew her voice was full of sarcasm, but she couldn’t seem to stop herself. “Like I did? Do you routinely offer that treat to women you wish to bed?”

Sahure stopped in the middle of the hall, hands on his hips. “What does it matter to you? Why do you care? You rejected my proposal if you’ll recall. If I choose to take solace in the arms of a nomad beauty of the desert or the bed of a Theban lady, what business is it of yours?” His voice didn’t carry the force of anger, more a tone of curiosity.

Fearful of revealing too much of her intense feelings for him, Tyema retreated a step. “I’m sorry, you’re right, it’s none of my business.”

Footsteps sounded from ahead in the corridor. He took her elbow and urged her to start walking again as a servant bustled past them, carrying an armful of linens. “As it happens,” Sahure said as soon as the young servant had gone by, “I received this from the goddess Sekhmet herself.”

Shocked, Tyema stopped again. “What have you to do with Sekhmet?”

“Nothing, I would have said, other than the fact the people of Kharga claim to be descended from her. She appeared at the fort one evening, cloaked in disguise as the aged village headwoman till we were alone. She said her sister goddesses were engaged in combat on my behalf and she’d come to help me.” Sahure glanced sideways. “I have a feeling now, calculating the age of our child, it must have been the night Seknehure was born, although I don’t understand the reference to combat.”

I do. Combat with the black magic someone had sent to find me. Did the sorcerer also seek to kill Sahure? Or to influence him?
Chewing her lip, Tyema considered the ramifications of Sekhmet’s involvement. Yet nothing in his story released her from Sobek’s orders to keep her mission a secret. And there were still faint flickers of the magic around Sahure, amulet or no amulet.

“We’re nearly there and as I said before, we can’t arrive after Pharaoh.” Raising one eyebrow, Sahure grinned. “I don’t know what you’re thinking over with so much intensity, but we need to continue our walk.”

“Of course.” Hastily Tyema scurried past him, her thoughts whirling. This mission Sobek had sent her on grew more complicated by the hour.

When she walked into the dining hall, the biggest chamber she’d ever seen, already packed with people, Tyema’s heart sank.

Maids were stationed inside the door, to give each guest a flower garland. Sahure selected one for her, rejecting the offerings until he located one with red flowers, which he draped around her neck. Wondering what he was thinking, Tyema declined a perfume-scented wax cone for her wig, as did Sahure. The air in the room was close already and she could feel a headache coming on.

“Men and women don’t sit together in Thebes, unless married,” Sahure said in a low voice. “So I’ll escort you to the table you’ve been placed at, introduce you, and move on to my own companions.”

She nodded, trying to push away vertigo, reminding herself she was here for Sobek, to search for black magic, but the thoughts weren’t helping under the stress of facing a crowd full of strangers, compounded by the physical assault of the perfume and smoke from the oil lamps. She had to battle a strong desire to spin on her heel and make her way out of the room as fast as she could walk.
 

Greeting people as they went, always with a joke or a light hearted comment, introducing her to scores of individuals whose names she’d never remember, Sahure escorted her to a table far up the room, flatteringly close to the dais where Pharaoh and the queen would sit when they arrived. Fan bearers stood at intervals along the walls, keeping the air moving, which helped her breathe a bit more easily.

So far, no serious flickers of black magic, not even around Sahure, thank the gods.

The table seemed like her worst nightmare, sixteen laughing and chattering young women who were obviously all old friends and greeted Sahure with cries of pleasure and flirtatious teasing.

“Ladies, you put the stars to shame tonight,” he said, bowing. “Allow me to introduce Tyema, High Priestess of Sobek in the Ibis Nome. And these charming ones are numbered among the queen’s ladies-in-waiting.”

The women called out noisy greetings to her and, eyes locked on the centerpiece on the table to counter her vertigo, Tyema said, “I’m in Thebes to deliver a new crocodile to the temple here.”

“Yes, we know, it’s the talk of the city,” said one girl, who got up and came to Sahure, getting artfully between Tyema and him, pushing her aside with a subtle hip thrust, taking his arm. “So did you give your lady mother that special amulet I found for her?” she asked Sahure.

Smoothly Sahure maneuvered the woman to face Tyema, saying as he did so, “Meet Lady Baufratet. This minx and I grew up together, on neighboring estates.”

Tyema bowed her head and Baufratet did the same with a trill of laughter and then resumed her conversation with Sahure as if Tyema didn’t exist, telling him how she’d found the amulet in question at the market by the temple of Amun-Re and a number of other irrelevant details, all of which she appeared to find fascinating. Tyema stood awkwardly next to them, completely shut out of the conversation, unsure what to do next, feeling as if all eyes must be on her.

The woman sitting closest to her touched her hand. “I’m Nidiamhet, come sit beside me, Lady Tyema.” This girl slid over on the cushioned bench and patted the surface. “Once Baufratet has Sahure’s attention, she’s oblivious to anyone else. You’ll have to forgive her manners, but he was gone from Thebes for a year and they were quite close before he departed for Kharga. We all missed him.”

Grateful for any friendly gesture, Tyema did as she was told. Nidiamhet introduced her to the remaining ladies although Tyema knew she wasn’t going to remember which name went with which woman. One or two asked her some perfunctory questions about her journey from the regions of the Upper Nile and then the heralds announced the arrival of Pharaoh and the queen. The crowd of courtiers fell silent, rising to show respect.