House of Scorpion Read online

  “I’m confused. You said Sabu promised Nebetah to King Ny-Hor this afternoon.”

  “This was before.”

  “Before?”

  I’d wished a few hours ago that I could be as brave as Abar. I’d castigated myself for not telling Father about Hetshet’s murder. Now was the time to set that right by telling the man who could actually do something about it. “Right after Sabu murdered Hetshet.”

  “What!”

  “The day Hetshet died I stumbled across Sabu trying to convince him to create an alliance against Tjeni. Hetshet refused. Sabu slit his throat. He and Baki tossed Hetshet’s body into the river.”

  “Baki was there?”

  “He backed up Sabu’s story about a hunting accident, as you recall, in front of Father and his entire court. Nebetah was the price for Baki’s silence.”

  Pentu looked shaken, and why not? Sabu a murderer. His son an accomplice. Nubt in danger. “I won’t allow Sabu to sit your father’s throne, Majesty. Whatever it takes.”

  Exactly what I’d vowed to prevent. Good. Now I had an ally in the fight against Sabu. An ally with power and ability.

  “It’s clear Baki isn’t the man for you, Majesty.”

  “Yet I’m still pledged to him. By you.” I heard the bitter edge to my voice.

  “Pledges can be broken. Haven’t you ever wondered why I haven’t forced you to consummate your marriage yet?”

  “Frankly, yes.”

  “I knew before you were ten years old that I’d made a mistake matching you with Baki. You’re far smarter than him, or Sabu, or your father. Baki doesn’t deserve a woman like you.”

  “No, he doesn’t. I’m destined to marry a far greater man.”

  “You sound awfully sure of yourself, Majesty.”

  “After everything that’s happened today, I am. I may have reminded Iry that royal alliances are sealed with marriages. Iry may have jumped to the conclusion that I was suggesting him and me.”

  “A king’s daughter and a king’s third son?”

  Time to tell Pentu about Sety’s dream. “There’s more. As Iry and I were returning to Nekhen we encountered Sety.”

  “Scorpion’s advisor?”

  “He claims his family’s favored by Horus. He claims Horus sends dreams to family members who bear the talisman he wears around his neck. He claims he had a dream about me.”

  “Oh?”

  “It’s convoluted and subject to interpretation. It doesn’t even matter if it’s true. Though both Sety and Iry believe it is, which plays right into our hands. Sety believes I’m going to marry a royal from Tjeni and thereby mingle the blood of our two settlements, and that one of my descendants will marry a ruler from Nekhen and their son will be king of this entire valley.”

  Pentu stared at me for the longest time. “That means Sety has every reason to use his influence to persuade Scorpion to forge an alliance with Nubt so his dream will come true.”

  “Especially because Sety believes his line and mine will ultimately merge.”

  “Even better.”

  “Plus, Iry will advocate for the alliance because he wants me.”

  “I imagine the fact he’s a third son will be a complication for him,” Pentu said. “Lagus, the eldest, should seal such an important alliance.”

  “Luckily, Scorpion will get to sort it out. I feel somewhat bad for Iry if I’ve given him false hope.”

  Pentu gazed at me. “You had no choice when your father and I pledged you to Baki, Majesty. Are you willing to be pledged to one of Scorpion’s sons to create an alliance?”

  “One way or another, Nubt’s going to become a vassal of Scorpion, thanks to Sabu. Either Scorpion will conquer us, or we’ll arrange this alliance and live in peace. An alliance will deny Sabu the throne and gain Hetshet some measure of vengeance. If my marriage achieves that end I’ll be content. No matter who I have to marry.”

  “I understand. And I’m sorry, Majesty, that saving Nubt has fallen to you.”

  “Don’t be, Pentu. If King Scorpion accepts Sety’s dream as true he’ll no doubt pass over his three sons and name mine his successor. I’ll be the mother of the valley’s most powerful king. I’ll be able to shape and influence him, the same way you guide Father. I’ll be the most powerful woman in the valley.”

  “A position worthy of your talents.”

  “Since we’re being honest with each other, Pentu, you should know that Father isn’t happy about his obligation to you.”

  “I’ve known that for years, Majesty. And that Sabu feels no obligation at all. Another reason I can’t let him succeed your father.”

  A flock of ducks landed noisily at the edge of the marsh just beyond our willow. The sun was about to dip behind the rim of the plateau and plunge the valley into darkness.

  “We’ll talk again tomorrow morning, Majesty, right here, after I have a night to think over everything you’ve told me. We’ll work out a proposal for you to take to Iry.” He stood. “What you and I do in the next few days, Majesty, will determine the future of Nubt. Or the lack of a future.”

  ***

  Peret (Seed)

  Iry

  ***

  “I just had a very interesting meeting with Khab,” Sety told me after Matia hurried away. “I’m on my way to tell King Scorpion. You should come with me, given the plans your father has for you here in Nekhen.”

  “My marriage to Heket?” One I’d just positioned myself to avoid by arranging one with Matia instead. Thankfully.

  “Yes.”

  “Father told you about forming an alliance with Nekhen but he didn’t tell his elites. You’re closer to him than they are, aren’t you, Sety.”

  “I earned your father’s trust many years ago and I’ve worked hard to keep it.”

  “Doesn’t he trust his own elites? Minnefer and Perneb?”

  “He does. But he’s aware each backs one of your brothers for Tjeni’s throne. They’d both try to turn the potential alliance to their own advantage. Best not to tempt them.”

  I fell in beside Sety. So far, this visit to Nekhen was far more than I’d hoped for. All the stories Sety had told me about the settlement had come to life before my eyes. It was smaller and poorer than I’d expected, sections abandoned or fallen to ruin, the population much less than Tjeni’s. All fixable if it someday fell to me to rule it. But the oval court had been magnificent, given its history, and the craftsmen lining it the most talented I’d ever seen. The potential to restore Nekhen to prominence was real. But, given my discussion with Matia and the revelation by Sety of his dream, ruling Nekhen might not be my fate after all.

  A few days ago, Father had told me he intended to take control of the South and then turn his attention to the North. Long before that I’d hoped to follow him on his throne and rule Tjeni and the South. Once I’d learned about his greater ambition I’d changed mine – to succeed him and rule a unified valley. But moments ago, when Sety revealed his dream, it was immediately clear that Father was not going to unify the valley. A descendant of Matia’s would, a descendant in whose veins would flow the royal blood of both Tjeni and Nubt. Given my arrangement with Matia, I now expected that descendant would be mine too. Assuming we married and had a child, and assuming that Father believed in Sety’s dream, he’d name our child his heir. Our child would hold the combined thrones of Tjeni and Nubt. Instead of being king, my role would be to press forward the cause of unification on my child’s behalf. That was the god’s will. I had no choice but to accept it. So, most likely, once Matia and I were married and Matia’s father died I’d take his place on Nubt’s throne in fealty to Father, and eventually my own son. Nekhen would fall to either Mekatre or Lagus. That was my new reality.

  One I wouldn’t mind. I far preferred Matia to Heket. One of my brothers could have Heket. After spending several hours with her today I shared Matia’s opinion of her. Heket was undeniably beautiful, but beauty was all she had going for her. Matia, on the other hand, was smart and confident and i
nteresting and alluring. And interested in me. Interested enough to have kissed me several times. I’d never met a woman as bold as her.

  “I have news for Father too,” I told Sety. “Important news.”

  Ahead of us, Matia suddenly lifted her skirt above her knees and broke into a run on the path through the cultivation towards the river. I couldn’t help stare. She was graceful, willowy, her long dark hair streaming behind her. I couldn’t believe that moments ago I’d blurted out that Antef had been right to choose her over Nebetah. I’d fallen for Matia. In the course of a single afternoon. The whole time we’d been alone I’d had a hard time thinking straight. I could still feel her lips pressed against mine, the smooth skin of her lower back beneath my fingertips. I’d been attracted to her from the moment I’d first seen her. There was something compelling about her. That she’d taken an interest in me nearly as quickly was amazing. Girls had always orbited Lagus, knowing he’d be king someday. Even more had orbited Mekatre, for he was handsome and outgoing and charming. I’d always been ignored, the third brother, the one without prospects. Well, Matia had made up for years of frustration in one afternoon. In normal times I’d never see her again after the coronation festivities here ended. We’d go on with our separate lives, she in Nubt, married to the man who’d been chosen for her, me possibly here, married to Heket. But as of this afternoon there was no normal anymore. We’d overheard her brother plotting against Father, and I’d broached the idea of an alliance, and Matia had mentioned marriage, and then Sety had told us about his dream. How could I not let myself hope that I could marry Matia and seal an alliance between our settlements and fulfill Sety’s prophecy all at the same time?

  We reached Father’s boat after a half-mile walk along the same path Matia had taken and ascended the gangplank. Father was seated under his sunshade along with Minnefer and Perneb. Servants had lowered reed mats on the west side of the pavilion to keep out the slanting rays of the setting sun. I wasn’t surprised Mekatre was missing. He’d promised Father he’d drag information out of kings’ daughters about their fathers’ intentions and he was probably busy doing that. Mekatre had the enviable ability to get women and girls to do practically anything he asked. Though I’d been with the kings’ daughters most of the afternoon and he’d been nowhere to be seen.

  “Majesty, Khab summoned me to his audience hall and we had a very long and interesting talk just now,” Sety announced.

  “Tell me,” Father ordered.

  “Apparently, when Iry was touring Nekhen along with Khab’s daughter, Heket, Iry told her about my talisman and how one of my ancestors had used it to confirm one of Nekhen’s early rulers. Heket told Khab when she returned to his per’aa. That’s why Khab sent for me. Majesty, Khab wants me to give him Horus’ blessing during his confirmation ceremony.”

  “Interesting…”

  “There’s more, Majesty. Khab believes that since he’s to be king of the settlement most sacred to Horus, and because Nekhen’s king has interceded directly with Horus on the people’s behalf since the days of a ruler named Ma-ee, that he has as tight a bond with the god as my family does. Because of that he spoke frankly and with little discretion. He said Nekhen’s elites selected him as king after Khayu’s death over his brothers and cousins specifically because he promised to restore Nekhen to its former prominence. He intends to keep that promise.”

  “Heket told me the same thing several times, Father,” I interjected.

  “So did the messenger who brought me news of King Khayu’s death,” Father noted.

  “Just what we need, Majesty,” Minnefer said. “A militant wet-behind-the-ears king with delusions of grandeur.”

  “Khab said he’ll ally himself with any king or ruler who can guarantee Nekhen’s primacy,” Sety continued. “He’s willing to use the luxury products his craftsmen create for elites as leverage to get what he wants. He’s willing to use his wealth to buy mercenaries from south of the cataract, or from the desert, if he needs to wage war. He understands that Nubt controls access to the North by river, and that an adversarial Nubt could make life difficult for him. So, he plans to be especially accommodating to Nubt and win King Ika to his cause.”

  That, I knew, would bode well for Sabu when he approached Khab. Both King Ny-Hor and King Khab on his side? Sabu had the potential for a significant alliance that would flank Tjeni both north and south. Making my news and solution even more important.

  “I pointed out to Khab that he was wise to be accommodating,” Sety continued. “After all, I said, King Ika could cut off access to the North for your products, not only by river, but also by the caravan routes that reach from Nekhen to Hiw across the paw of land west of Nubt.”

  “How did he react?” Father asked.

  “I didn’t give him time to react,” Sety replied. “I pointed out that if he and you, Majesty, were to collaborate and take those caravan routes for yourselves, and if each of you blocked Nubt’s access to travel by river, that you could together isolate and weaken Nubt while growing stronger yourselves.”

  “In line with the potential alliance we discussed on the way here. Excellent.”

  “What alliance?” Minnefer asked.

  Perneb looked equally puzzled.

  “I could isolate Nubt if Khab and I were allies,” Father said. “I’ve empowered Sety to explore the topic with Khab.”

  Interesting that Father hadn’t revealed one particular detail of the alliance to his most important elites – my proposed marriage to Heket. Sety was right – Father was afraid each might try to claim Heket for their chosen son instead of me if they knew.

  “So far I’ve only mentioned collaboration to Khab, not an alliance,” Sety said. “A small first step instead of one big leap.”

  “What did Khab say?” Father asked.

  “Nothing. But he was intrigued,” Sety answered.

  Little did Sety know it, but he’d just handed Khab a powerful bargaining chip for when Sabu came calling. Khab would be able to play Father off against King Ika and swing a better deal for himself. Unless Matia and I made it impossible for Sabu to honor an offer.

  “Sety, do what Khab asked,” Father directed. “Participate in his coronation. Assure him you’ll make yourself available to participate anytime in the future when he honors Horus. Insinuate yourself with him. Pretend to be sympathetic to his goal – convince him you’d like to see Horus and thus Nekhen gain even more prominence in the valley. If Khab lets you come and go freely in his region you’ll be able to spy on my behalf and gain much valuable information, especially if we’re not able to arrange an alliance.”

  That’s why Father was a king – he quickly seized every opportunity to take advantage of an opponent. I wouldn’t have thought of using Khab’s belief in Sety’s god that way. I was going to have to start looking at everything differently if I hoped to succeed Father. Along the lines of what I’d done earlier this afternoon.

  “Very well, Majesty. I’ll speak with Khab tonight,” Sety promised.

  “Sety, you’ve served me well as eyes and ears today,” Father said benevolently.

  Sety smiled. “Thank you, Majesty.”

  “Father, I have news too,” I said confidently before anyone else could speak. I’d learned long ago that hesitation didn’t gain Father’s attention.

  “Have you spoken to Nekhen’s king too?” Minnefer chuckled.

  His attitude was irritating. I dared not show it. I’d need him on my side some day. “Of course not.”

  “Then don’t waste your father’s time.”

  “It’s important, Father,” I insisted. Now was not the time to be meek.

  “Go ahead, Iry.”

  “Father, I spent several hours alone this afternoon with Matia, youngest daughter of King Ika of Nubt. We were looking for a certain kiln located on the heights once operated by Sety’s ancestors, which doesn’t really matter. What’s important is that while we were searching we happened to overhear her brother, Sabu, Ika’s heir, arrange a
n alliance with Antef, heir of Pe and Dep’s king Ny-Hor.”

  Minnefer drew his breath in sharply.

  Father’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of alliance, Son?”

  “They discussed joining forces, with unnamed others, to conquer Tjeni.”

  “The nerve!” Perneb exclaimed.

  “Sabu hadn’t approached any other rulers yet. Antef was the first. Sabu told Antef he’s going to talk to many more. Sabu mentioned buying desert mercenaries with Nubt’s gold to supplement his men.”

  Father stiffened.

  “Once Sabu sits the combined thrones of Nubt and Tjeni…”

  “Don’t even suggest it!” Minnefer exclaimed.

  “Sabu’s exact words, My Lord, not mine.” I addressed Father. “Sabu intends to rule the South and let Antef rule the North. They promised each other their sisters in marriage to seal their alliance. Sabu also pledged one of his sisters to King Ny-Hor.”

  “I knew Ika was a snake!” Father snarled. “I’ll make him pay!”

  Matia had begged me to advocate with Father for restraint. I recalled her lips against mine, the grateful look in her eyes at my promise that I would, the hint of something more. “Father, King Ika has no idea what Sabu’s doing, any more than King Ny-Hor knows what Antef promised. Sabu and Antef both said their fathers are weak and complacent and would never challenge you. Matia confirmed that her father wants peace between us.”

  “You discussed this with her?” Perneb snapped angrily. “An alliance against us proposed by her brother! Are you out of your mind?”

  “Matia was hiding in the shadows beside me while her brother was conspiring with Antef. What choice did either of us have but to talk about it afterwards? She knew I’d tell you everything Sabu and Antef said, Father. Just as she’s going to tell her father.”

  “How would a girl know what King Ika intends?” Father asked. “My daughters don’t know my mind.”

  “Yet Heket knows Khab’s,” Sety pointed out.