Shadows of the Nile (12 page)

The woman came in just as she woke. She took the papyrus and the paints but didn't leave any more.

Alone once more, Tadinanefer began to fill her mind with stories from her life. There were the days in her childhood when she had been happy, and Ptah had played with her. She pictured him chasing her and picking her up and throwing her into the air, and then giving her rides as she sat on his shoulders. He'd single her out from the other children and she'd be the favoured one to sit on his knee. Sometimes they'd have a game of rough and tumble together and everyone would laugh. She had good memories.

But as she got older Ptah changed completely.

She returned to the present. The isolation was getting to her. What was the reason for it? Was the veiled woman playing games with her mind? She had to cope with it.

*

It was dusk. Suddenly the door opened a little. But no one came in. It was as if freedom beckoned her, but she knew that was a very slim chance. Someone, a guard, must be waiting outside. Curious, Tadinanefer went to the door and peered out. A muscular male slave, clad only in a brief skirt, motioned her to follow him. More than just a bit apprehensive, she obeyed. They went into a part of the building she'd never seen before. They came to a heavy wooden door and the slave unlocked and opened it. He held it for her to go through. And then he closed it on her and she heard him locking it again.

She'd come to the area Eboni had told her about. There was a huge rectangle, with buildings off, but in the middle were the many steps, which led to the pillared buildings at the top. Two more muscular slaves stood at the bottom, and one signalled her to approach them.

Trembling a little, Tadinanefer did as she was told. She stood in front of them, wondering what they were going to do to her. They merely stood aside and motioned her to go up. As she started to ascend, they followed her, a few paces behind.

She began to wonder if she would ever escape from whatever lay before her, and as she took each step she realised just how much her independence and freedom were gradually being eroded. The deeper she became ensnared in the veiled woman's clutches the worse it became. But she mustn't give up. Hopefully she'd meet Eboni. At least she'd be with a friend.

The steps seemed endless, as she slowly took each one at her own pace. The slaves didn't hurry her. They merely barred her way from turning back. Not that she had any intention of trying to escape, as she knew it was futile.

At long last she reached the top. There was an open door. Hesitantly she went through it and found herself in the most magnificently furnished room she'd ever seen. Silk was draped across the chairs, and gold ornaments glittered in the torch light.

“Tadinanefer. How nice.”

A woman stood waiting for her. “I've been looking forward to this moment.” Her voice was heavy with sarcasm.

Tadinanefer stared at her. She knew it was the veiled woman but she no longer hid anything of herself. Her dark hair was loose to her shoulders, and decorated with precious jewels. Her necklace was strings of thin gold, and her long white dress was see-through and hid nothing. She was some years older than Tadinanefer. Her beautiful face bore an expression of extreme cruelty which frightened her.

“Take your dress off. I want to have a good look at you.”

There wasn't any choice. If she didn't do as this woman demanded she'd probably call in the guards. So she meekly slipped the dress over her head.

“I've never seen your colour before. I've heard about it.” She came close to Tadinanefer and stared hard at her, prodding her body in various places with long fingernails, and scratching her with them in a way that didn't hurt but was very intimidating. She picked up a long piece of her hair and twisted it around her wrist, suddenly pulling it so tightly Tadinanefer gasped in pain.

“You're very dirty,” the woman hissed in her ear. “When did you last wash properly? And you smell. Oh, but I've had you locked up for days. Never mind. I'll have you scrubbed and cleaned, and then we'll get you ready for your task. You'll like that, Tadinanefer, won't you?”

Suddenly, as if she'd lost interest, she let go of her hair, and quickly left.

*

Immediately two female slaves came through another door, grabbed her arms, and marched her between them, deeper into the complex. They soon reached a room with a large pool, and they dragged her into it. She was washed vigorously and was pushed several times under, which made her come up gasping for air. Then they pulled her out and dried her. She was pushed onto a couch and massaged all over with oils for several minutes, before being wrapped tightly in cloth, with only her head and arms free.

“Tadinanefer?” A gentle voice was suddenly at her elbow, and she turned to see Eboni, kneeling next to her couch.

“Oh Eboni, I'm so pleased to see you.” Tears of happiness ran down her face. “When did you get here?”

“I've just arrived too. Just before you. That's why I'm wrapped in a cloth like you to let the oils seep in.”

“Were you locked up too?”

“Yes.”

“Do we know why?”

“There's been trouble, apparently. Don't worry, Chione is fine. The wall was repaired and the girls couldn't get out to the men. Some of the men attacked and killed the guards who'd taken their money. There's been fighting.” Tadinanefer gasped. “They say we were protected by being locked up – can you believe it?”

“No. They could have brought us up here. We'd have been safe. I think she did it because she gets pleasure from making us suffer.”

“I think you're right. I think she's a bitter and vindictive woman, and if she can have a go at us in any way then she will.”

“What's this woman called? She must have a name.”

“Oh yes, she has a name, but you must never use it to her face. Only her equals are allowed to address her as such. We have to lower our eyes and call her ‘Mistress'.”

“So what's this special name we mustn't use?”

Eboni hesitated, reluctant even to say it. Then she whispered quietly.

“She's called Nephthys.”

Nephthys… Nephthys… Nephthys.

The name crashed through Aline's head like a hammer. She stood quietly on the hilltop, as still as a statue, her shawl wrapped around her. She could feel and smell the intoxicating oils which were seeping into every part of her body. She could feel the softness of something like gauze bandaging tightly binding her. Although her eyes were wide open she wasn't seeing her surroundings – all she could see was the past, and that was rapidly beginning to disappear. Something inside her was screaming. ‘Too long! Too long! You must return to the present.'

“No,” she cried out loud. “I haven't found him yet and he is so near. Leave me. Please leave me.”

‘You must come back!' the voice inside her demanded.

“No.” This time it was a much more pitiful cry. She wouldn't leave what was.

Then she felt the most excruciating pain. Jolted into life, she looked down at her hand. The snake ring was becoming smaller and smaller on her finger, forcing her to obey.

She suddenly realised where she was and the danger she was in. She had overstayed. She'd return another day, but for now she must get back to what was real and return to the cruise ship and all her friends, or she'd die.

She could see the path by the ships, but they were a long way away, and everyone had returned. She'd have to run to get there on time. She must hurry. As she rushed off, the ring returned to its normal size and the pain subsided.

Surely someone would have missed her. They'd been counted out as they left the boat, but supposing they thought the count was wrong. She could be marooned in that part of the countryside, with no passport and very little money, and no one around to help. Oh, but surely Gerald would have missed her.

She raced past the tomb, hardly giving it a glance. The path downwards was uneven with loose stones. She mustn't fall.

She could see some of the cruise ships midstream, moving off, making way for the others to leave. It wasn't much further and then they'd be able to see her. She went down into a dip, turned a corner, and stared out into the river. They'd all gone! Not one cruise ship remained. The river was empty of any life. There was nothing.

She stopped. It couldn't be. They'd all been there a moment ago. There had been people on the paths, and the odd seller hoping to make a last minute sale. Something had happened to her. She must keep going. Though they were hidden from her, they must still be there. She mustn't trust her senses. They were misleading her. Gerald, Cheng, Peter, Achmed and the others were there, waiting. They had to be.

But she couldn't quell the panic she felt. She'd been gone too long, she now knew that. Was she stuck in limbo between the past and the future? If so, she had to use all her new-found powers – the ring and the shawl – to put things right, if she could.

When she got near the water she stopped. It was very quiet. No sound reached her ears. Almost in tears, she covered her head with her shawl, placed her left hand over her right, and lifted the ring to the heavens. “Help me, please,” she whispered, and closed her eyes.

She almost fell, but suddenly there was someone behind her. Strong muscular arms slid under her clothes, caressing her entire body. She didn't resist but gave herself up to him, allowing him to do whatever he wanted. She remained as she was, head bowed, eyes closed, with her ring glittering in the sunlight. Then the feeling passed. Whoever it was had helped her back, and now he was gone. She held her arms to her side, and stood listening and looking for signs of life.

Finally she heard a sound. She was no longer alone. The ships were still by the jetty. Peter stood on the quayside, his panama hat jauntily at an angle on his head. Mary was near him, drinking water from a bottle. They were chatting and laughing, and had obviously enjoyed the outing.

“Aline,” Peter called, noticing her. “Where did you spring from? You weren't there a moment ago. I must say you look very becoming, shrouded in your beautiful shawl. But don't just stand there like some sort of statue from yesteryear, come and join us. We've got something we want to ask you.”

Slowly she walked over to them, her legs trembling a little.

“Now,” Peter said conspiratorially, not noticing. “When we next dock we're going to be in Aswan and I think we should shake off the shackles of our tour leader and do our own thing. We're not doing the dam until tomorrow.”

“What's your plan?”

“Well,” he grinned, “I think we can slip onto shore for a couple of hours and go and explore on our own – things like the market – and get a bit of local flavour, meet the people who have families and shops. Now you must be up for that, Aline, being a writer, think of the opportunities for you.”

“Who else would go?”

“Mary and Jan. Be me and three ladies. What do you say?”

“Sounds good! Count me in.”

*

They didn't have to avoid anyone when they docked in Aswan and were leaving the ship. The tour leader was quite happy for any tourists to go ashore on their own, as long as they signed out.

“Typical,” Peter muttered grumpily as they walked up the road. “Think we can do a runner and our rebellion goes unnoticed. What is the world coming to when you can't break even the smallest of rules?”

“Well I'm pleased really,” said Jan. “I don't want to go missing. What would all my grandchildren do without me? Anyway I want to find a market and buy something nice.”

“Shopaholic!” teased Mary. “Still I know what you mean. It's nice to be looked after.”

Peter grunted. “What do you say about it all, Aline? Now as a youngster you'd have welcomed an adventure into the wildness of Egypt, maybe even rescued by a handsome Arab, after you've lost your way and strayed into the desert.”

Aline laughed. “You do have such an imagination.”

“Not at all. Not at all.”

“We don't know quite where we're heading,” Mary ventured.

“Maybe I can help?”

An Egyptian dressed in a white shirt and dark trousers caught up with them. “My name is Kini, and I'm from the cruise ship. I'm one of the chefs, and I'm on my way to pick up some herbs and spices from a cousin who owns a shop in the market. Perhaps you'd like to follow me?”

Aline looked at him suspiciously. He did have good English, and seemed very presentable, clean-shaven, dark-haired and youngish. Even so she felt a bit apprehensive.

“Market!” Jan said in a delighted tone. “Oh yes, you lead the way. I'd like to buy some more sandals.”

He led them through a maze of narrow streets away from the hustle and bustle. Once or twice Aline glanced at the others and could see that they, like her, were wondering if they'd been a bit too trusting with someone they'd never met.

Eventually he stopped outside a small shop which seemed to sell everything in the way of vegetables and fruit. He ushered them in, called to someone in the back, and put out four chairs in a narrow space.

“This is my cousin, and he'll let you smell some of the spices. If you want to, you can buy them and take them home with you. They are some of the finest examples you'll find anywhere.”

Several innocuous bottles were brought out; the others sniffed them and made polite comments, but Aline declined. She made an excuse of having a bit of a cold, but she knew the real reason was Nephthys and her tricks.

After a bit Jan and Mary decided to search out the shops and said they'd be back. Peter was busily drinking coffee and chatting non-stop to Kini. Aline sat listening.

Even though she hadn't inhaled any of the spices, she could smell them all around her. The space round the small table was confined as there were so many sacks of exotic fruits and vegetables on the floor. There was something she didn't like about the place. She wished she'd gone with the ladies but didn't want to leave Peter on his own.

Kini was talking about fruits and how to use spices in cooking. Then he suddenly changed tack.

“You like pictures?”

Peter stared at him, his cup poised mid-air. “Pictures?”

“Of pyramids and things.”

“Yes, sort of.”

“In the next street we have a small gallery of older paintings of our land. I can take you there. Maybe you'd like to buy something for your lady.”

“I could do with a walk. Shall we go, Aline?”

She was more than happy to leave the shop; she followed the men as they ambled along.

*

They came to a small house which didn't look as if it had anything to do with art. Aline was more than a little curious by this time. She wondered just what they'd let themselves in for.

As they went into the hall they faced two doors. Kini stopped and gave Aline a beautiful smile, showing his white teeth in all their glory.

“We have two different rooms for looking at pictures. One is for men and one for ladies.” He opened one of the doors. “This is for you.” He ushered her gently in and turned on a light. He then closed the door on her.

Aline didn't like being shut in, but she reasoned with herself that she could easily get out. She decided to find out what Kini was so keen for her to see.

There was one exhibit, in a niche. It was a painting on a bit of wall, evidently removed from somewhere else. It was nothing exciting. There was a fish, a bird and a snake, all drawn and painted with an amateurish hand, but really quite good. The colours had faded, but the actual drawings looked fresh and new.

She didn't hear Kini come into the room. She jumped as he stood very close to her.

“What do you think?”

“I'm not sure.”

“It's not very good, but it has a very interesting history.”

She could feel his hot breath on her cheek.

He continued. “It's probably about three thousand years old, not worth anything, even at that age. It was found in the rubble of a building which had been quite deliberately demolished, in ancient times.”

“Why was that?”

“It was a bad place. It was a place of prostitutes. It was pulled down. And all the women were beaten mercilessly; some of them died.”

Aline shivered. “How do you know all this, and who painted the stone?”

“I have my sources. One of the girls did the painting.”

“Did she die?”

Kini's voice became very husky.

“Who knows? I'd think so.”

His hand caressed the back of her neck. “Such a dark room,” he whispered. “Such an erotic painting.”

“Stop it! What do you think you're doing?”

Kini laughed. He gave her a smile as he went out, shutting and locking the door behind him.

She rushed to the door and hammered on it.

“Peter!”

*

After a moment or two she heard the key turn. Perfume wafted through and the door opened.

“Why, Aline. What on earth are you doing here?”

“Nephthys!” She might have known.

“Peter has gone, so I wouldn't bother to shout, and Kini is just outside. How nice to see you. I thought you'd appreciate a bit of art. Do let's have a good look at this painting, together, shall we? Kini will make sure no one comes in.”

Nephthys smiled as she drew Aline gently towards the drawing.

“Do you remember the fishes in the Nile – how they used to dart around and try to escape the harpoons? They were always caught, and then eaten. What about the birds flying so high in the sky, and yet so easily shot and killed with arrows, and their beauty gone in a moment. And what about the snake, held down by a foot, and its head cut off. All very tragic. Trace the drawings with your fingers. Go on, feel them.”

Aline swayed. She smelt something which wasn't just Nephthys's perfume. It was the bittersweet smell of a long-forgotten plant, probably extinct. Yet she recognised it. Her hands rested on the paintings.

“It wasn't like that,” she whispered. “I drew them because I was very lonely, and it was how I remembered beauty, with the river teeming with life, the birds filling the sky, and the snake protecting its own. It wasn't ugly.”

“Ah, so you were lonely. Where were you?”

“I… I don't know. In a room. There was no escape.”

She felt Kini behind her.

“You were with a man. Someone common, from the town.”

“No, that's not true. I was on my own.”

She could feel Nephthys's sudden anger. “You can't remember – so how do you know?”

“It's true I can't remember. But I know what's true and what's false, and how you're trying to distort things.”

Nephthys pushed her further into the niche. She felt Kini grab hold of her.

“Stop!” she cried.

Nephthys laughed.

“Now what do you think is going to happen? Guess? You always were my whore. How convenient you have a skirt on, so much easier.”

She started to struggle. But together they were too powerful for her, twisting her arms behind her and holding her wrists.

“You can't do this to me,” Aline hissed.

“Get on with it,” Nephthys said to Kini. She pushed Aline's head into the painting, and held it against the snake. “See the beauty now? Nothing can save you because you're weak and I'm powerful.”

She struggled, determined not to let them win. But her head ached as Nephthys pushed her cheek harder against the stone. She closed her eyes. She could feel the snake. But suddenly it was no longer cold. It was warm and alive, and started to make a strange noise.

Kini hesitated. “What's that?” he asked, apprehensively.

“Nothing,” Nephthys snapped.

“Sounds like a cobra or something. Is there something on the floor?”

“No.”

Aline could hear the fear in his voice.

“I can see something.” Kini stopped. “I think there's a snake in here. I don't like snakes – they can kill. I'm off.” He let go of Aline, and drew away.

“You coward,” Nephthys yelled. “Come back! There's nothing here. It's her tricks.”