Secret of the 7th Scarab (The Mummifier's Daughter Series Book 4) Page 3

  "And Shabaka?"

  Moses shook his head in reply, "One of the men claims to have a message for you from Ma-Nefer."

  "Well, what is it?!" Ramesses angrily demanded.

  "He said he was to deliver it to you in person."

  "Then where is he?"

  One of the guards hastily shoved a man forward, who stumbled for a few steps before regaining his balance. He drew himself upright and raised his chin in a challenging pose. The man was lean and darkly tan, with several scars covering his arms.

  "Well?" Ramesses demanded.

  "The man who sent us said that I should tell you this: if you were to capture us, that you did not keep your end of the arrangement and therefore your cargo will be traded elsewhere."

  "Elsewhere?" Ramesses asked in disbelief.

  "That is what he told me," the man said, lifting his chin.

  "What does that mean?" one of the guards asked, still unaware of the real objective of the mission.

  "He also said that you should let us go," the lean man arrogantly continued. "We have done no wrong."

  "Done no wrong?" Moses asked in astonishment, turning toward the man.

  "We were sent to collect a payment," the man firmly countered. "Nothing more, nothing less."

  Ramesses silenced everyone by lifting his hand, "This might be so, but it is the condition surrounding the payment that taints you by association. That, and your manner, is enough to see me put you with the lepers."

  "If you do not let us go," the man challenged, "then the cargo will be damaged." The look on the man's face left no doubt as to what he meant.

  "And you have seen this cargo?" Ramesses calmly asked, too calmly.

  "No, I was only told that it was of some worth to you."

  Ramesses looked at the men, and then firmly commanded, "Take them away to the holding chambers. I will decide what to do with them in the morning. A good flogging might loosen their tongues."

  Ramesses watched the men stiffen in response, with a shorter man proclaiming, "We were told that we would not be harmed."

  "By whom?" Ramesses harshly demanded, fixing the smaller man with a stern glare.

  "We were only to collect the goods; there was no talk of trouble."

  "Maybe you should have first seen what type of person you were working for. For the man has taken something of considerable worth from me, thus you are considered as fellow thieves and I can do whatever I like with you. I should have all of you stoned at the city gates."

  Neti felt a cold dread shoot through her, well aware that Ma-Nefer would follow through on his threat if that happened. "My lord—" she quickly exclaimed, but was cut short by Ramesses as he lifted his hand in dismissal, issuing a stern, "Later."

  Neti, shocked by the action, pulled back immediately. Ramesses had never before treated her in such a manner.

  "Guards, see to them. Moses, you are to remain. I want to speak with you."

  "Yes, my lord."

  They watched as the men were led from the room. The moment the door closed behind them Ramesses turned to Moses and demanded, "What happened?"

  "Everything went well until the lanky one demanded that the witch . . ." Moses nudged his head at Neti as he spoke, "step forward. He said that she was to accompany them."

  "So I was right in assuming he also wanted her," Ramesses mused.

  "When I said that it would not be allowed and that she was to remain with men, one of the men grabbed at the woman, only to announce to everyone that she was not Neti."

  "What happened then?" Neti asked.

  Moses turned toward her, "He said that the conditions had not been met and that they would not release the cargo. Then a screech filled the air and the next thing we knew a whole group of men descended on us. Were it not for the guards, we would not have made it back alive."

  "So he had planned to slaughter his own servants," Ramesses returned in disbelief.

  "I do not think they would have killed the servants, because it only turned into a battle when the soldiers started fighting back."

  "And there was no sign of Shabaka?" Neti wearily asked.

  Moses shook his head, "I have sent a group of soldiers to search the temple. If he is there, they will find him."

  "Or he never intended to exchange Shabaka," Ramesses seethed, and then looked toward Neti, "I am sorry, my child."

  Neti pursed her lips and swallowed before nodding her head.

  Drawing in a deep breath, Ramesses continued, "But you are the only one who really knows this person. I have to ask—do you have any idea where he would take Shabaka?"

  Neti shook her head, "I do not know anything about his business, my lord, or the people he is associated with. He was merely a merchant my father secured goods from."

  "A father who promised you in marriage to secure such goods," Ramesses added.

  "Where did you learn that?" Neti was quick to demand.

  "I spoke with your scribe friend this afternoon. He is an insightful man with praise for both you and your father, and he warned me against this man—said he was not to be trusted."

  Neti inclined her head in acquiescence.

  "Even so, you and Shabaka have dealt with him before, thus you could have some idea as to where he might take Shabaka."

  Neti thought for a while, trying hard to forget the time she had spent in the secret chamber in Karnak and shook her head, knowing that that area was closed to citizens. "No, my lord, but I think there is someone who would know."

  "Who?" Ramesses and Moses simultaneously asked.

  "Khabo, Ma-Nefer's Nubian scribe."

  "He had a scribe?" Ramesses unbelievingly asked.

  "Yes, my lord. He had an old scribe who was captured during the wars."

  "He is among the slaves you collected earlier?" Ramesses asked.

  "Yes, my lord. I am certain that he was one of the men Ma-Nefer wanted. Khabo kept record of all his goods and the transactions. He also traveled with Ma-Nefer whenever he left Thebes."

  "Then send for him," Ramesses instructed, turning to Moses.

  Moses nodded and left the room.

  * * *

  Sometime later, an aged, dark-skinned Nubian entered the hall with his head lowered as he approached them, walking stiffly, reluctantly.

  Ramesses looked toward Neti and asked, "Is this the man?"

  "Yes, my lord. This is Khabo."

  Khabo raised his head to look at Neti, anger evident in his glare, even as Ramesses addressed him. "You acted as the scribe for a man named Ma-Nefer?"

  Khabo looked toward the pharaoh and nodded his head.

  "You have traveled with him in the past?"

  Again the Nubian nodded.

  "Then you will help us," Ramesses decreed.

  "No," Khabo firmly replied.

  "What!" Ramesses demanded, glaring at the man.

  "When we were taken from him, I was assured that I would never again be returned to him," Khabo started, looking directly toward Neti, accusingly adding, "Yet today you wanted to trade us, gathered all of us, except for the one she has."

  "You were one of the men who accompanied the dray?" Neti softly asked.

  "Yes," Khabo nodded, angrily adding, "The palace guards considered me a suitable exchange."

  "I never had any intention of trading you," Ramesses replied, "and you having been there would know that."

  "Then why gather us in such a manner. We all still talk among ourselves, except the one with her," Khabo said, the latter in a spiteful tone, indicating Neti with his head. "It could only mean that he has demanded our return. You asking me about him only confirms this. I would rather die than return to him. My new owner is better."

  Ramesses looked at Neti, asking, "Can he be trusted?"

  Neti looked at Khabo, and finally nodded, "Yes, my lord. I have known him all my life, he is trustful."

  Khabo looked from one to the other in confusion, before Ramesses spoke, "We have reason to believe that this man Ma-Nefer has captured my prefect and is
holding him for payment."

  To this Khabo looked at the pharaoh in disbelief, "He has captured the Nubian prince?"

  "Yes, and he called for a sizable treasure in order to secure his return. You were requested as part of that payment, which was the reason why you were brought to the palace earlier."

  "Only you changed your mind and instead captured the men involved," Khabo replied.

  "Yes, however the prefect is still missing and we have no idea where to look for him or Ma-Nefer," Neti said."I was hoping that your familiarity with Ma-Nefer and those whom he dealt with could help me—us locate him."

  The Nubian looked from Neti to the pharaoh, "Then you are not going to trade us?"

  "We think that Ma-Nefer might already have left, or has possibly traded Shabaka."

  The Nubian looked at them, disbelievingly stating, "That would be crazy. The prince's father would have him skinned for such an action."

  "And I would let him," Ramesses replied.

  "Do you know if there is a way that Ma-Nefer could have done this?" Neti asked.

  The Nubian looked toward her, as if trying to determine whether she was serious, but finally nodded his head, his eyes softening as he spoke, "It is true then that you care for him."

  Neti nodded her head.

  The man turned to Ramesses, "There is an area in Thebes known to some as Apisit Ripisit. It is where no one has any identity, least of all those who are considered slaves and the people who trade them. No one asks any question as to where the goods they trade originates, and no one speaks thereof. If Ma-Nefer traded the Nubian prince, it would have been there."

  "I want the location of this place. I will send the guards."

  "That will not work," the Nubian quickly countered.

  "Why not?" Ramesses demanded.

  "Apisit Ripisit is a group of old houses built next to one another. There are numerous passages and trading areas with secret exits. If you were to enter, most people would escape through the other exits."

  "I will have the place surrounded," Ramesses asserted.

  "Even if you were to capture some of them, no one will talk. Many people living in the area do not even know of its existence, and those who do will not speak, for they know they will be killed."

  "How do you know about this place?"

  "Because there is an allegiance pact. You have to know someone to be able to get into it."

  "So we can send you with the guards," Moses reasoned.

  "It does not work that way. Most consider my allegiance to Ma-Nefer and would question my appearance there without him."

  "And if we sent you on your own?"

  "I would not be able to get in—but she could," Khabo said, pointing to Neti, "given the right information."

  "What!" Moses exclaimed.

  "No, absolutely not!" Ramesses exclaimed. "If this place is what you claim it to be, then there is no way I will send my other prefect in there. Most people in Thebes already know her as such."

  "I did not mean send her there as a prefect," Khabo countered.

  "Then what did you mean?" Moses demanded.

  "Send her as a madam, looking for girls."

  "A what?" Neti exclaimed in disbelief.

  "They visit there often and are considered the least threatening. In most instances their talk is disregarded by others as a means to draw attention to themselves."

  "And you think this would be possible?" Ramesses asked, hesitantly looking toward Neti, "She does not look like a madam."

  "I can help you with the preparation."

  "I cannot do such a thing. I have no idea how to act in such a situation," Neti quickly objected.

  "You wish to find the prefect?" Khabo asked.

  "Yes."

  "Then this is the only way," Khabo insisted.

  "But how? I'm certain they all know one another."

  "Madams often seek girls outside their own areas. It prevents the local woman from overly disliking them or seeing them as a threat to their daughters, although they are all the same. That is a way that it will be easy to get you into Apisit Ripisit. You only need to know how to answer certain questions, which will determine where they take you and who you will get to see."

  "You mean they keep people in different areas?"

  "Yes, these sections are marked by importance. You would be looking for Shabaka among the nameless—many consider them crazy but strong workers. Many of the older prostitutes also end up there. Most established madams prefer the younger girls, who are kept separate. They will only allow you to view the older women until they have established your intent and business. You only want to see if Shabaka is there. Do not make any offer if he is—Ma-Nefer would have placed conditions on him. First, look over the available women, as it is part of your reason for being there. Only afterward can you request to view any possible guards for your business. Keep your requirements vague. Do not lead them to think you are seeking someone in particular," Khabo said, adding, "With some help from the pharaoh, we could arrange suitable attire for you and possibly some means with which to barter a trade."

  "Whatever she needs," Ramesses agreed.

  "Gold nuggets are best, as they will be wary of coins from a newcomer. We will prepare you and I will tell you how to get there."

  "What if they don't believe me?" Neti hesitantly asked.

  "Then you will be stripped of your clothes and traded."

  The room immediately fell silent

  "They will not find it strange that a woman approaches them?" Moses was quick to question.

  "No, in their trade," Khabo said, nodding at Neti, "it does not matter; as long as you appear to be what you claim to be."

  "You cannot go in there alone," Moses professed, turning toward Neti. "Shabaka would murder me if I allowed you to partake in such a foolish action."

  "Shabaka is not here, and it is because he is not here that this is needed," Neti countered.

  "I still don't agree. It is too dangerous. How would we know if you are in any danger?"

  "Then you can go with her," Ramesses said, causing everyone to look at him.

  "My lord?—" Neti started, only to be cut short.

  "It is not uncommon for these madams of pleasure to have a guard or a companion accompany them when they move around," Ramesses said, looking pointedly at Khabo.

  The Nubian nodded in response, "Yes, my lord, many of them have a companion to act as a deterrent to other men, or other women who might have a problem with her business."

  "Then you can go as her companion," Ramesses said, pointing at Moses, "and Khabo can also train you." Ramesses then turned his attention to Khabo, "And if this fails or they are captured, I will have you killed after raiding the area."

  Khabo looked in shock at the pharaoh, before Ramesses continued, "I saw your discontent with Neti when you entered. If you are trying to harm her, you will lose your life for such an action."

  The Nubian nodded in understanding.

  Chapter Four

  Neti held her head high as she walked down the street, the fourth one since they had set out to find Apisit Ripisit. Her heart pounded in her chest, and with every step she took it felt as if the streets were closing in on her. She kept going, forcing one foot in front of the other. She kept her head up and tried to maintain the haughty air that Khabo had instructed her to portray, even though she felt that she was not achieving the desired results.

  In the back of her mind she recited everything she needed to remember, because it was all foreign to her. It was only Moses' presence a step behind her that prevented her from turning around and returning to the parts of the city she was familiar with.

  She looked around her. There was a sadness that lingered here. The children did not play like those closer to the river, and they looked at her with either suspicion or fear, she could not tell which.

  They turned down yet another narrow pathway, as Khabo had instructed, with Neti following a series of hieroglyphs that were oddly carved on the houses. Had she
not been told of their meaning, she would have thought them a distorted attempt at writing. It was only when they were pointed out that their similarity and meaning became clear, so much so that they actually stood out from the others at some distance. There were two more they had to pass, before reaching the last one, which she had been told would be a doorway to Apisit Ripisit and where the whole charade would begin.

  Her heart pounded, in what felt like her throat, as she approached the doorway, next to which the final mark of Apisit Ripisit was carved into the wall. The door was grey with age and cracked from heat and dryness, however, it afforded more privacy than a cloth cover. Khabo had pre-warned them that there was no grandeur about the area, and nothing outside it to draw any attention to the dealings within.

  Well aware of the fact that she would be watched and her actions assessed even before they allowed her into the place, she glanced at Moses, in hope of garnishing some courage; however, he looked around as nervous as she did. They came to a halt before the door and she tilted her head while looking at Moses. The silent question was not unheard as he held up his chin and pulled himself to his full height. His actions were indication enough to Neti that he would see this through, whatever the outcome.

  Neti lifted her hand and knocked on the door—three steady beats as Khabo had instructed her and then waited. There was a shuffle from within and a scrape of something across the floor, before the door swung open. Within moments, a man blocked the entrance. His expression was harsh and had Neti not been forewarned, she would have stepped back. There was a long slash above his right eye, extending almost to his lip, and his upper body and arms were covered with similar welts. He was darkly tanned, cleanly shaven, with the kandura he wore in good repair.

  "Yes?" he demanded, looking her over.

  Neti fought her instinctive reflex to cower under his hard gaze and instead pulled herself to her full height, demanding, "Is that how you speak to your clients?"

  The man lifted a brow in response, flatly replying, "I don't know you."

  "Well, then, I must be at the wrong address, because Kaliph said you could help me with securing some merchandise."

  "Kaliph sent you?" the man asked, moving to look her over.