Warrior of the Nile (The Gods of Egypt) (4 page)

“Rise.” Pharaoh was brusque. He set the symbols of his kingship aside on the table and held out one hand. Edekh hurried to place a tightly rolled papyrus in his palm. A bird-footed table was brought to sit in front of Pharaoh, and he opened the scroll, reading it rapidly. Raising his kohl-rimmed eyes, he regarded the girl. “Lady Tiya-ami-kitara, this document is a contract of marriage between yourself and Lord Smenkhotep of the Viper Nome. It is my understanding you’ve agreed to the match?”

Curious how she’d answer, Khenet moved his head ever so slightly to get her in his peripheral vision. The woman who was to be his charge didn’t hesitate. “I am agreeable, Great One.” Her refined low and musical voice did not disappoint, but matched his first impression of her elegance. “It is the will of Nephthys, and I must carry out her wish.”

Pharaoh frowned as if the answer didn’t entirely please him. He motioned to Edekh, who spilled bubbling red wax onto the bottom of the document. Pressing his sigil ring into the scarlet puddle, Nat-re-Akhte intoned, “Let all men know my will by this seal. I command a marriage between the nomarch of Viper Mountain and my representative.”

Sitting back in the gilded chair, Nat scowled, his nostrils flaring and his chin jutting out. Edekh slid the papyrus off the table, blew on the wax to dry it, then rerolled the scroll carefully, inserting it in a leather tube, which he held out to Lady Tiya. Pharaoh rose and left the throne, walking toward them. Khenet drew himself to his full height, wanting the brother who was his best friend as well as the ruler of Egypt to see no fear in him of what lay ahead.
Nat has enough to worry about
.

As Pharaoh paused beside the girl, she raised her eyes from contemplation of the document tube. He leaned toward her, cradling her elbow for a moment. “I’ve given you my best man to guard your journey. This is Captain Khenet, son of Khenamir, of my personal guard.” He glanced at Khenet and nodded. “My blessings go with you both.” As if she were his sister, Pharaoh kissed Lady Tiya tenderly on the forehead.

He clapped Khenet on the shoulder, pausing for a heartbeat. There were no further words needed between them—Pharaoh counted on Khenet to carry out the task, and Khenet understood what it cost his brother to send him on the mission. Nat left the room, fan bearers, guards and assorted retainers trailing behind.

Chief Scribe Edekh lagged a moment to speak to Khenet. “The ship
River Horse
has been chartered and awaits you at Pier Three. Captain Taneb is reputed to be one of the best on the Nile, knows every sandbar and curve. I tried to find you the top man available on such short notice.”

Khenet nodded his thanks.

“As soon as you’ve boarded, Taneb will set sail. When you reach the city of Dendaret in the Charging Lion Nome after four or five days, go to the palace of Nomarch Ahotepre. I’m sending word ahead by carrier pigeon for him to have a chariot and team waiting to take you on the last stage of the journey into Viper Nome. Here are funds.” The Scribe handed Khenet a fat purse. “Should you require more, you have authority to draw upon Pharaoh’s treasury in any town or city along the way.” Edekh transferred a small clay tablet to Khenet’s other hand, then dug in his belt pouch, coming up with a tiny gold wafer on a thin gold chain, embossed with Nat-re-Akhte’s personal cartouche. “And lastly, Pharaoh’s insignia for his personal representative.”

Khenet bowed his head so Edekh could loop the chain around his neck. “Pharaoh is most generous. I’m sure this will be sufficient.”

“I didn’t order chariots for you, as the streets in the harbor are so twisted and crowded, but I can, if you wish?” Edekh asked. “The lady’s possessions have already been conveyed from her home to the ship.”

Khenet felt a ripple of surprise at the news.
Everyone must be very sure she won’t change her mind at the last second.

“Any other questions?” Edekh stared at him long and hard, as if there were more he wished to say but could not. They’d been battle companions in the final stages of the war to reclaim the throne for Nat-re-Akhte, the rightful occupant, and Khenet’s friendship with the scribe ran deep.

“None. I thank you, old comrade.”

Edekh stuck out his hand and they shook. “I am sorry this task fell to you, but may the gods go with you. We’ll miss you at the palace.” Nodding to Tiya, the scribe hastened out.

Khenet walked over to tuck the coins and tablet into his kitbag. “We must make haste to the docks, my lady. My orders are to sail by the second hour.”

Lady Tiya took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and wiped away a tear with one finger. A subtle tremor ran through her frame, and she closed her eyes.

Annoyance and foreboding settled into Khenet’s gut.
I’ve no desire to walk through the streets of the capital with a weeping woman.
He lifted his kitbag, shouldered the bow, then turned to find she hadn’t moved. He cleared his throat loudly.

Lady Tiya flinched at the sound, a muscle twitching in her eyelid as she opened her eyes to stare at him. She bit her lower lip.

He raised his bag to show her. “Where are your things, my lady?”

“Oh, of course.” Going quickly to the other wall, she plucked the embroidered sack from the floor.

What noblewoman travels the length of the Nile so unencumbered?
Standing aside, Khenet gestured with one hand for her to precede him. Together they left the palace. Glancing back once as they moved away down the wide thoroughfare, he felt a sense of loss like a punch to the gut.
Will I ever walk the palace halls again?
See my adopted family once more in this life?

Chapter Two

He’s so tall
,
and muscular
,
every inch a warrior.
So stern
,
yet handsome
,
in a rugged style.
Not a polished courtier
,
certainly
,
especially not with that unusual tattoo swirling around his biceps.
Tiya stole another glance at the man who strode beside her as they descended the long stairs to the street
.
I
barely reach his shoulder and he must outweigh me by a hundred pounds.
Those are impressive scars—he must have seen much combat.
Pharaoh gave me a strong champion
,
capable.
A
member of his own special guard.
They related to each other as friends
,
not soldier and commander
,
so this
must
be the adopted brother.
She clutched her bag more closely as someone brushed past her. Disastrous to have a thief grab her few possessions, much less Pharaoh’s proclamation.
Although
,
if one was fool enough to try
,
I’m sure this soldier would deal with him harshly.

All the activity on the streets they passed through on their way to the riverfront claimed her attention. The hustle and bustle of Thebes was a familiar rhythm to her, soothing, and she mourned to think of life here going on without her. Her family and friends, too.
This is the last time I’ll ever be here
. Tiya choked on a sob as the reality of her situation broke through the icy calm she had tried so hard to maintain.
I
volunteered to serve the Great One as her mortal embodiment
,
and I’m going to die in the process.
Best become accustomed to the idea
. Tears blinded her and she stumbled.

Instantly, a warm, callused hand settled under her elbow, keeping her upright and steering her over a rough patch in the road. He drew her to the side, out of the flow of pedestrians, shielding her from curious eyes with his broad shoulders. Raising his head, he glared at some of the people who showed a tendency to linger and the gawkers immediately scurried off. His deep voice sounded in her ear. “Are you all right?”

Embarrassed to have let her nerves come to the surface, she pulled away from Captain Khenet’s helping hand and made a little business of adjusting the coral-and-turquoise collar at the neckline of her best linen dress “Fine.”
Maintain your composure
,
stay calm until you get to the ship
,
foolish girl.
When you are alone you can fall apart and weep.
After all
,
once you begin crying you know you won’t be able to stop.

The captain watched her for another long moment, a small frown line between his eyebrows, perhaps distrusting her blithe assurances. Finally, he shrugged, then moved to tread a step or two in front of her, making a path for them through the crowd. Reluctantly, Tiya reached out to hook one hand into his leather sword belt so as to keep from being separated. He set a fast pace, as if he were doing a forced march
.
Does he go everywhere at this speed?
Or is he embarrassed to be walking with me?

The trip didn’t take long. They had to wait for a few moments while a religious procession danced and cavorted along the street. A large statue of Isis drifted past them, carried by four strong lads on her own litter, and a flutter of wistfulness washed over Tiya in the statue’s wake.
Nephthys is a hard mistress
.
I
wish I could appeal to Isis for help
.
My mother always said the queen of the Great Ones was her refuge in time of trouble.

Eventually, Khenet forced a way through the dissipating crowd and they emerged onto the long docks. Far fewer people lingered at this hour as most boats sailed with the dawn winds and put in to shore at twilight. Pointing to a lone ship, docked and flying Pharaoh’s golden hawk insignia with his cartouche, Khenet said, “There’s the vessel. Trim lines, fast on the water no doubt.”

Tiya swallowed hard. “Good.” She nodded as he stared at her from his greater height. “Nephthys doesn’t want this journey to take any longer than it has to.”

He leaned over, his words only for her hearing. Drawing in her breath with a hiss, Tiya tried not to be overwhelmed as all his force of personality was directed at her, although his voice was dangerously soft. “I am not in any rush to meet the fate your goddess has decreed for me.”

How can he be so calm in the face of her abominable plans?
“How much were you told?”
Who could have told him?
Did Pharaoh share the information?

He watched her for several moments, shifting his weight, adjusting his pack, his hand on the hilt of his sword as if she were the enemy. His brown eyes were narrowed, his attitude fierce. Tiya stifled the instinctive urge to retreat several steps when he spoke again. “I have no details, but am aware of the broad strokes of our mission. Be warned—I don’t go so tamely to my death as Nephthys may hope. I’ll fight to live.”

Tiya blinked, her stomach churning with tension.
What do I say?
I
can’t even
try
to fight for my life.
This morning when I arose I thought a forced marriage to my stepmother’s brother was the worst fate I could endure.
Little did I know.

Yet this captain’s fate is to be even worse than mine.

Not waiting for her answer, he had already begun striding across the quay toward the waiting ship
.
Tiya hurried to catch up and, by the time he reached the gangplank, they were side by side again. A man paced at the foot of the ramp, whistling an odd little tune over and over, apparently impatient for their arrival.

His pacing stopped as they approached, and the man whistled once more before bowing awkwardly to her, but he kept his eyes on Khenet. “I’m Taneb, captain of the
River Horse
. Welcome to my ship.” He assessed the sun over their shoulders, frowning a bit. “If we can cast off in the next few moments, we can catch the late afternoon wind and make good progress for you, my lady. By Pharaoh’s order, we’ve no other passengers, no cargo.”

“I’m ready.” Tiya ran her hand over her hair, smoothing it behind her ear as the river breeze sought to dislodge the stiff arrangement.

Taneb blinked and peered behind her. “But your things? Where are your household possessions? Your clothes?”

“Has nothing been delivered then?” Khenet was obviously impatient, eyebrows drawn together in a forbidding frown. His voice was clipped, harsh. “It isn’t like Pharaoh’s Chief Scribe to leave any detail undone, no matter how small. I want to be underway, not sitting at the stinking dock.”

“One small trunk was brought aboard an hour ago by a palace messenger,” Taneb told them, measuring the span of the item with his gnarled hands. “Nothing more since.”

Stop talking about how little I’m taking!
I
can almost measure the days left to me by the scantiness of my possessions.
Tiya held up the embroidered sack. “The trunk and what’s in here are all I’ve packed. There’s nothing else to wait for.” She brushed past the ship’s captain and walked awkwardly onto the steep gangplank, her fine leather sandals slipping on the wood.
If I don’t get somewhere private in the next moment or two I’m going to disgrace myself
,
the goddess and my family by succumbing to tears in public.
She didn’t regret saving her cousin, who had a happy marriage waiting for her, from this fate, but Tiya did wonder why the goddess demanded such a heavy burden.
How is this fair that we’re still cursed by what our ancestor did
,
so long ago?
Why do the other Great Ones allow it?

Behind her, Khenet swore under his breath. A moment later, he stood beside her. As soon as his hand clasped her elbow Tiya raised her head high, swallowed hard, and walked more easily onto the ship. Hastening after them the ship’s captain called out a series of orders to the sailors lounging about. The men stopped ogling Tiya and ran to do their captain’s bidding.

When she was safely on the deck Tiya breathed deep in relief, and Captain Khenet released her elbow.
Not long now and I can be alone to weep.
To try to think.
She swiveled her head a bit frantically, eying the open area. “Pharaoh’s Scribe said I’d be assigned a private cabin?”

“I’ll gladly escort you to it, my lady, if you’ll both follow me.” Taneb did his jerky bow again. The action managed to momentarily pierce the cloud of Tiya’s despair, and she had to hide a flicker of amusement. She walked a step or two behind him as he led her below decks to the passenger cabin, Captain Khenet pacing behind.

Looking back, Tiya saw him sweeping the ship with his gaze, assessing every detail from stem to stern as they progressed
.
He can’t be expecting any threat to me here
,
on the ship Pharaoh has chartered.
Perhaps a warrior like him leaves nothing to chance.
A small measure of relief came to her, slowing her racing heartbeat and calming her heaving stomach.
He’ll look out for my well-being
,
as he promised my brother
,
until the moment of his own death.
Then I’ll be on my own.

Thoughts of her brother sent tears prickling at the back of her eyes once more, and she shifted from foot to foot, angry, depressed, embarrassed and dying to just be
alone
with the flood of her emotions.

With a murmured apology, Khenet brushed past her to examine the interior of the cabin.

“Isn’t such caution a bit excessive?” Tiya asked tartly as he came out into the corridor again, moving aside to let him pass.

“My orders are to keep you safe.” He gave a half salute. “All part of the job.”

She paused on the threshold of the cabin and took a deep breath. “Thank you, both of you. I’ll be fine now, I’m sure.” She fled into the cramped space, shutting the flimsy door behind her as tears flowed.

* * *

Khenet frowned at the closed door for a moment. The lady had been pretty upset. Captain Taneb strolled on down the narrow passageway to the other cabin, speaking over his shoulder.

“One small bag? And her trunk can’t hold more than a dress or two and some combs. Most odd for a woman of her status. Her family is wealthy. I’ve carried tons of cargo for them.” Taneb raised an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t there be household goods? Clothing? To say nothing of a dowry.”

No dowry necessary for a woman going to certain death
. “It’s not my business,” Khenet answered, his voice curt.

The captain shrugged. “I’m sure Pharaoh has his reasons for insulting the groom-to-be by omitting a dowry.”

Taneb is being well paid to take this odd set of passengers down the Nile.
And it’s an honor to serve Pharaoh.
What does he care whether we have baggage or not?
Whether Lady Tiya has a dowry?
Still, Khenet let the comment pass.

Taneb adopted a more conversational tone. “My cook will have dinner ready after sundown once we have pulled into safe anchorage for the night. Nothing fancy—we’re a working cargo ship, not Pharaoh’s barge, flying his flag or not.”

* * *

Khenet climbed on deck after stowing his gear in the tiny cabin. He spent the afternoon watching the banks of the Nile slide by as the
River Horse
sailed south. A steady wind filled the sails and the rowers had no duties. Taneb kept their idle hands occupied with rubbing protective oils into the ship’s planks. Khenet approved of the captain’s attention to detail and discipline.

They passed other traffic on the water from time to time. Lady Tiya didn’t stir from her cabin, not even when the ship put in for the night at a small cove and the crew went ashore. As the cook was finishing the simple dinner preparations, Khenet ventured below to fetch her. Knocking gently on the door brought no response from the cabin’s occupant. “My lady? Dinner is ready on deck.”

“Go away.” Her muffled voice barely pierced the door panel.

Of course.
A
noble lady doesn’t want to eat with common sailors and a rough soldier
. Khenet gritted his teeth. The small flicker of sympathy fled.
So
,
she is as haughty as her peers at Court.
He was a warrior, not a servant, but he would adapt to the situation for now. His orders had been clear. The lady Tiya had to be taken care of. Until the time came for her to die.
Even if she did volunteer
,
this is a cruel fate for one so young
,
overproud or not.
The Great Ones can be heartless in pursuit of their goals.
Not much liking his part in all this either, he shook his head to clear the cobwebs of thought. Putting his mouth close to the lacquered panel, Khenet raised his voice. “I can bring you a plate.”

Her voice was still muffled, but louder and distinctly annoyed. “I don’t want anything. Leave me alone and go away.” A thump sounded through the door, as if she’d thrown something at it.

Eyes narrowed, temper flaring, he considered his options for a moment.
Spoiled
,
highborn female.
She can go hungry then
,
and see how she likes having an empty stomach
. He leaned close to the door and made his voice neutral. “As you wish. I’ll see you in the morning.”

There was some garbled answer. He spun on his heel and walked away.

* * *

Khenet slept lightly, his cabin door open, alert for movement from Lady Tiya or anyone trying to approach her cabin, but the night remained uneventful. Rising at dawn, he moved on deck in the cool mists as the
River Horse
nosed out into the Nile to continue their journey. Pulling the folds of his scarlet cloak close, he took a satisfying bite of meat wrapped in a roll, and washed it down with tangy juice.