Desert God (42 page)

As I watched the
Dove
sail away I wondered how much of this largesse I had promised Nakati I could retrieve from the treasury of Pharaoh, and how much I would have to meet from my own coffers. No doubt Pharaoh would be grateful, but as for expressing his gratitude in coin I was less sanguine. My Mem and his silver are not readily parted.

I
knew that Captain Hypatos had made this same voyage between Sumeria and Crete on a number of previous occasions. But when I asked him when we might expect to reach Knossos he became evasive.

‘Of course, it depends on the winds and the currents that we encounter, but I would wager that within sixteen days we will make our landfall on the sacred island of Crete.’

I was pleased to have this estimate. Our chariot horses had been confined to their stalls long enough. Their general condition was deteriorating. Their coats were staring and they were losing weight and becoming apathetic. Hui was as worried as I was.

At dinner on the fourteenth evening of the promised sixteen, I reminded Hypatos of his declaration and he backed his sails a little.

‘Lord Taita, you must understand that all mariners are subject to the will and whim of the great god Poseidon, who rules the seas. Sixteen days was my estimate, and a good one at that.’

One thing that both Hypatos and I were reasonably certain of was that we were no longer in danger of pirate attack. No corsair would risk operating so close to the main harbour of the most powerful fleet in all the seas. So I flew the recall signal for all my galleys. Long before sunset they had taken up a close escort formation around the
Sacred Bull
.

Long before dawn the next morning I left my cabin quietly, went on deck and climbed to the masthead. In the first misty grey light of pre-dawn I swept the horizon ahead of our bows and found it empty; devoid of any sign of land.

I was about to descend the mast and return to my cabin when an albatross appeared out of the mists and hovered above me on wide pinions, turning its head from side to side to peer down at me. I am fascinated by all birdlife and this was the first chance I had ever been given to study one of these most magnificent of all birds from such close range. He seemed equally interested in me, gliding almost close enough for me to touch while he studied me with glittering black eyes. But when I reached out my hand to him, he banked away steeply and disappeared back into the haze from which he had materialized.

I looked down at the deck before I started to descend and was surprised to see that while I had been absorbed by the great bird a couple had come up from below decks and were standing in the bows of the ship gazing out to the horizon just as intently as I had done a few minutes before. I could not be certain who they were, for they were swaddled in heavy clothing against the dawn chill and their faces were turned away from me.

When at last they turned to face each other I was able to recognize that they were Zaras and Tehuti. They glanced around the deck but they did not raise their eyes to the masthead. Satisfied that they were unobserved, Zaras took her in his arms and kissed her. She stood on tiptoe and clung to him with a desperation that was palpable. I felt like a voyeur, intruding on this intimate moment. But before I could avert my gaze Tehuti drew back a little to speak and I could read her lips.

‘As always, Taita was right. There is no sign of land. The gods have given us at least one more precious day to be together before they tear us apart forever.’ Her expression was tragic.

‘You are a princess,’ Zaras reminded her, ‘and I am a warrior. We both have a sacred duty to perform, no matter what the cost. We will endure.’

‘I know that what you say is the truth, but when you go you will take my heart and my will to live with you. You will leave me an empty husk.’ She reached up and kissed him again.

I turned my head away. I could not watch the depths of their despair for a moment longer. I also had a sacred duty to perform. We are all mere insects caught in the web that the gods spin for us. There is no way that we can escape it.

I waited until they had left the deck and gone below before I climbed down the mast and went to my cabin.

I had not wept since that long-ago day that Tehuti’s mother died. But I wept again now.

T
he next morning I climbed once again to the masthead, and this time I was not disappointed. In the early light the island of Crete lay low and blue on our starboard horizon. This was not where I had expected to find it, for rather than dead ahead it lay fifty leagues or more to the north of us.

In truth I was not unhappy with this minor setback. I was not in such a desperate hurry to make the acquaintance of the Supreme Minos that in order to do so I was willing to deprive my princesses of these few additional days of their happiness. I determined to make the most of this unexpected opportunity to see more of this kingdom of myths and legends. Already the romance and mystic might of it seemed to be reaching out to me across the waters.

I wanted to enjoy it to the full without the intrusion of others, but it was not to be. From the
Outrage
, which sailed ahead of us, there was sudden commotion and wild cries of ‘Land ho!’

Almost at once the deck below me seemed to be swarming with excited humanity. They crowded the starboard rail and climbed into the rigging for a better view of the land.

I was not left alone for long before Ambassador Toran climbed up to join me at the masthead. He was even more elated than I was, and like me he was unconcerned by the additional term of our voyage.

‘Hypatos’ error in navigation is forgivable, given the long period we had sailed without sight of land; given also the vagaries of wind and current. Navigation at sea is never an exact science. It is more a developed instinct. Indeed Hypatos’ miscalculation may be fortuitous.’

I looked at him askance. ‘Would you care to elaborate?’

‘I am sure you recall that before we sailed from Sidon I explained that by decree of the Supreme Minos, no foreign warships are allowed to enter the harbour of Knossos on the north shore of his kingdom. That is where our own battle galleys are based.’

‘Yes indeed, you told me that my ships would have to use the port of Krimad, on the southern coast. In fact, that location will be a great deal more convenient for my galleys. They will not have so far to travel to reach the Hyksos positions in the delta of the Nile.’

Toran directed my attention to the distant land. ‘Do you see those white buildings at the base of Mount Ida? Those are the boat yards of Krimad harbour. You should detach your squadron immediately and send them to take up their allotted moorings in the harbour. Captain Hypatos will send one of his officers to act as a pilot for your captains.’

‘Excellent!’ I approved. ‘Does the Supreme Minos wish me to remain with my flotilla in Krimad?’

‘No, no, Taita!’ he hurried to reassure me. ‘The Supreme Minos is fully aware that you are the representative of Pharaoh Tamose, and therefore deserving of the utmost respect. A mansion on the slopes of Mount Ida above the city of Knossos has been set aside for your exclusive use. However …’ He paused and drooped an eyelid at me in a conspiratorial manner. ‘… there are members of your entourage presently aboard this ship who might best be accommodated in Krimad rather than Knossos.’

‘Ah!’ I feigned ignorance. ‘And who might those persons be?’

‘I do not mean to imply improper behaviour by anyone, but there are those who seem rather too familiar with the future brides of the Supreme Minos.’

‘Surely you do not mean little Loxias, the royal handmaiden?’ Toran dropped his eyes. I had discreetly reminded him that both of us had secrets to hide.

‘I leave it to your impeccable judgement.’ Toran withdrew gracefully from the discussion.

W
hen we descended to the main deck Captain Hypatos was there to meet with me a smile.

‘Sixteen days it was, my Lord Taita.’

‘I must compliment you on a masterly display of navigation, Hypatos,’ I commended him. ‘Please signal the captains of my galleys to come on board immediately.’

Hypatos gave the order to back the sails of the flagship and hoist the signal ‘All Captains’.

The commanders of my galleys launched their skiffs and had their crews row them across to the
Sacred Bull
. In order of seniority, headed by Dilbar and Akemi, they came on board. I pointed out to them Krimad harbour and explained that it was to be their future base of operations.

Then Zaras and Hui formally resumed command of their own ships, and prepared to leave the flagship. Their servants had packed their luggage, and this was lowered into the skiffs to be taken across to the galleys.

I had deliberately given Zaras and Hui very short notice of their transfer; and I had refrained from informing Tehuti and Bekatha of their imminent departure. At all costs I wanted to avoid a public display of emotion.

However, my girls are not so easily duped. They had realized almost immediately that there was something odd afoot. They left their cabins and came up to the poop deck to investigate. They were in a light and relaxed mood which changed abruptly as they saw Zaras and Hui on the main deck below them, standing at the head of their men.

Surreptitiously I watched my two girls coming to terms with the hard cold fact that the dreaded moment had arrived and that the parting was imminent.

Tehuti’s features turned cold and pale as those of a corpse laid out on the slab for burial. Bekatha’s lower lip quivered and she blinked her eyelids to hold back her tears.

On the main deck Zaras called his officers to attention and they saluted the poop. I saw Bekatha grope for the hand of her older sister and grip it so fiercely that her knuckles turned frosty white.

Tehuti’s lips moved as she whispered to her, ‘Be brave, Bekatha. Everybody is watching us.’

Loxias was standing close behind the two of them, but now she stepped up beside Bekatha, and took her other hand.

Zaras addressed Captain Hypatos formally, ‘Permission to leave ship, Captain?’ And Hypatos replied just as formally.

‘Permission granted, Captain!’

Zaras turned to the ship’s side and led his contingent down the rope ladder to the waiting skiffs. Hui followed him. Neither was aware of the girls standing on the poop behind them. They did not look back.

As she watched Hui go Bekatha swayed slightly on her feet, and she made a soft choking sound. Then, still holding hands, the three girls turned to the companionway that led down to their cabins. Bekatha stumbled slightly on the first step, but Tehuti unobtrusively steadied her and prevented her from falling.

Toran was standing opposite me on the port side of the deck. As the three girls disappeared below he glanced in my direction and gave me an almost imperceptible nod of approval.

With that simple gesture we had become accomplices. I knew that in future we would be able to trust each other.

O
nce the skiffs had left the
Sacred Bull
and were heading back to the galleys, Hypatos tacked the flagship and reversed our course, heading back to round the eastern cape of the island.

I looked over the raked transom of the flagship and watched my galleys in line astern heading in directly for Krimad harbour. I was still saddened by witnessing the distress of my girls. I sought distraction by crossing to stand with Toran at the port rail and asking a trite question to which I already knew the answer.

‘What is the direct overland distance separating Knossos from Krimad?’

‘It is not so much the actual distance that is significant. That is a mere forty leagues or a trifle less,’ Toran explained. ‘The problem is that the road is steep and treacherous where it passes around the base of Mount Ida and heavy-going the rest of the way. Your horses might need as much as two days to complete the journey. You will kill them if you force them beyond that.’

I knew that I would need to travel that route regularly if I were to keep contact with my ship’s officers and also with my girls in the royal seraglio. On the other hand, I could not accept the delays that Toran was estimating. I decided that I would have to set up a chain of relays across the island. With fresh horses waiting at intervals of ten leagues along the route I would be able to drive them hard. I should be able to make the crossing of the island in seven hours or a little less. That would be my first concern just as soon as I had settled my girls in their new home.

I went below for a short while to entice them up on deck, hoping to distract them from their sorrows. But they refused to come with me. Their misery was so profound that they could barely open their mouths to reply to my solicitous questions. They sat on one bunk, clinging to each other for some small comfort. Loxias sat cross-legged on the deck at their feet. Not for the first time I was touched by the Minoan girl’s loyalty.

My girls needed time on their own to come to terms with the cruelty of fate and the heartlessness of the gods. The exigencies of life are magnified a hundredfold by youth, but are alleviated to the same extent by the leavening of age. We must all learn to endure.

I left them and returned to the deck. Toran had gone below so I climbed back into the rigging.

T
hese were Hypatos’ home waters, and he knew them intimately. At times he skirted the reefs and the headlands so closely that it seemed I could step ashore from the deck without wetting my feet.

I gazed across at the passing landscape with fascination. I had not expected it to be so mountainous, nor to be so lushly forested. I have spent so much of my life in the dry desert places that for me it was exotic and beautiful.

It was past noon when we rounded the most easterly point of the island and changed course to head back along the northern shore towards Knossos. The angle of the sunlight was so altered that the water under our keel was transmuted to a wondrous shade of blue.

The sea ahead of us was dotted with shipping: from tiny anchored fishing boats to the great trading triremes with their churning banks of long oars and their clouds of vivid sails.