Orphan of the Sun (7 page)

Meryt scrutinised the faces before her as she listened. Nebnufer remained calm and dignified, his expression unreadable. She looked at the council. The police inspector and the draughtsman were listening with avid interest, clearly lapping up every word. Hori the scribe cast mistrustful looks in Userkaf's direction and had dislike written clearly on his features. Sennedjem and Paser the scribe both looked uncomfortable, and at the mention of his name, Sennedjem shifted uneasily.

‘I call upon the council to note our complaints, and to reprimand foreman Nebnufer,' finished Userkaf, bowing low before the members of the council.

A silence fell upon the crowd. It was evident to all that Userkaf had taken a big risk. Everyone knew that he was hot-headed and impulsive, but this took more than impulsiveness. Surely he would not make charges against his foreman publicly – with the backing of fellow workmen – unless there was some foundation to them? It was well known that Nebnufer and Sennedjem were good friends and respected each other, and that Sennedjem's son Neben-Maat would soon be marrying Dedi. The whole affair put Sennedjem in a difficult position.

Sennedjem stood. ‘We have heard you, Userkaf,' he said. ‘Now let us hear your colleagues.'

One after the other, the two other men stepped forward and stated that Userkaf's words were true. When they had finished, Sennedjem turned to Nebnufer.

‘Brother Nebnufer,' he said. ‘Is there anything you wish to say in your defence?'

A ripple of muted surprise ran through the crowd. Sennedjem would not use the term ‘brother' lightly in such circumstances. Was he siding with his fellow foreman already? Nebnufer got to his feet, and took Userkaf's place in the centre of the square. His aura of power and dignity was impressive, and a hush fell once more.

‘Friends,' said Nebnufer. ‘I have worked in the tombs for many years. I was appointed as foreman by the vizier eleven years ago. In that time, I have learnt what men can do in the course of one day, what is fair to ask of them, and what is beyond their powers of strength and concentration.'

Meryt could see that his brow was furrowed, and that he was choosing his words with great care. Sennedjem was watching him intently, anxiety etched on his face. It would be difficult for Nebnufer to defend himself without making Sennedjem look sloppy, and it suddenly occurred to her that this was the whole idea. Of course! Userkaf could not have chosen a better way to sow seeds of unrest in the village. But why?

She listened as Nebnufer laid out his case. He stated that his working practices had never changed in eleven years; that he had the greatest respect for Sennedjem; and that he would continue to carry out the king's work with whatever strength and wisdom the gods accorded him.

It was clear and simple. There was no personal reference to Userkaf or his friends. Nebnufer sat down once more, and the council huddled together to discuss the matter. The crowd waited impatiently for their judgement, chattering among themselves. Meryt slipped forward further, and reached Dedi's side. She squeezed her friend's arm.

‘It will be fine, Dedi,' she whispered. ‘It's obvious what the council will think. Userkaf is wasting his time.'

Dedi regarded her with big, anxious eyes. ‘Do you really think so, Meryt?' she asked. ‘How can you be sure?'

Meryt smiled gently. ‘It is simply a matter of justice,' she said. ‘It's easy to see what Userkaf is trying to achieve. The council cannot find in his favour.'

Dedi shook her head. ‘I don't see what you see, Meryt,' she said. ‘But I hope you are right.'

They fell silent as Sennedjem stood once more. ‘We have reached our conclusion,' he said. ‘Userkaf, stand before us.'

Userkaf stepped forward, with the three other men gathered around him.

‘We cannot accept the charges you have brought,'
said Sennedjem. A shout went up from the crowd – a mixed response of approval and surprise. It quietened quickly to allow Sennedjem to finish. ‘Nebnufer is a wise and conscientious foreman. He demands the best of his men, and your best is what you must give. Do not rail against it, but be proud that you are working in the Great Place under one of the king's best servants.'

Now, the crowd erupted in a babble of voices, and Sennedjem had to shout his final words. ‘Go quietly to your homes. And may the gods be with you …'

Chapter Four

Dedi grabbed hold of Meryt's arm in excitement. ‘You were right!' she cried.

She flung her arms around her friend's neck, and Meryt laughed, glad that the fate of Dedi's family was safe for the time being. Dedi kissed her cheek, then turned to look for her father, who was now surrounded by happy well-wishers. Meryt hung back to watch as Nebnufer made his way forward through the crowd with his sons close behind and Wab at his side once more.

As the people dispersed, Meryt followed slowly. Darkness was falling and the glow from lighted lamps could be seen inside the houses she passed. She didn't want to go home until she had to, so she took the turning that led to Kenna's house. At every street corner there were clusters of men deep in discussion about the council meeting and Meryt avoided them, hopping from shadow to shadow as she had done as a child. But from the snippets that she overheard, it was clear that Userkaf's accusation had caused a great stir.

‘Meryt!'

Kenna's voice behind her made her jump, and Meryt spun around. ‘I was coming to find you,' she said. ‘Were you at the meeting? I didn't see you.'

Kenna grinned. ‘Would I miss a spectacle like that?' he responded cheerfully as they approached his house. His father and some of his brothers were gathered outside with three or four neighbours, all stroking their chins and shaking their heads at the scandalous meeting.

‘Come. We'll go up on to the roof,' said Kenna. ‘I'll get a lamp and some beer.'

Meryt slipped past the men and into the house. There was no one in the front room, but a gaggle of women sat in the middle room and Meryt braced herself. Kenna's family was one of the largest in the village – three of his five brothers and all four sisters lived in the little house with his parents, as well as two widowed aunts, their young children and a grandmother. The women loved to gossip, and they stared at Meryt curiously as she walked past with her cheeks burning. It was dawning on her that Dedi might not be the only one to have drawn conclusions about her friendship with the fourth son of the family. She and Kenna were both of marriageable age; in the eyes of most people, such an association could have only one conclusion.

The light in the courtyard was dim, and Meryt was glad of a few moments in shadow. She watched Kenna preparing the wick and lighting it from the
bread oven while her embarrassment faded. When the lamp was burning brightly, he handed it to her and picked up a flagon of beer, a strainer and two cups. Then he beckoned, and they made their way up the steps to the rooftop. There, they could hear the murmur of voices from the street below, and it was evident that Userkaf was still the main topic of conversation.

‘He was lucky the council did not respond more harshly,' commented Meryt, as they settled themselves on the reed matting.

‘Yes. Father says he is tough to work for,' agreed Kenna.

Meryt frowned. ‘I meant Userkaf,' she said.

Kenna stared at her, surprised. ‘Userkaf?'

Meryt nodded, studying her fingernails as Kenna strained the beer into the cups. ‘I think he is lucky the council did not punish him for making such an accusation. Nebnufer hasn't done anything different from usual,' she said. ‘He has always pushed the men quite hard, hasn't he?'

‘Judging by Father's endless complaints, I'd say so,' said Kenna humorously, handing her a cup.

Meryt smiled, but her mood was serious. ‘The men are bound to grumble,' she commented, thinking of her uncle. ‘Working in the tombs isn't easy for either gang.'

‘True,' said Kenna. ‘So what are you getting at?'

Meryt took a sip of the beer. It was fresh, and still had a pleasant, bubbling tang as she rolled it over
her tongue. ‘I think Userkaf is up to something,' she said. ‘I don't think he has anything real to complain about. He is trying to make trouble.' She paused, wondering whether to mention Nofret's amulet, then decided against it. The power of such objects was not to be trifled with, and she would not want to unleash something that she could not control.

‘I can't see why,' said Kenna. ‘Surely he's just lazy. He was hoping that Nebnufer would be forced to make life easier for his gang.'

It seemed so simple, and for an instant Meryt latched on to Kenna's view with a lighter heart. But then she thought of the foreman Nebnufer walking solemnly through the crowd, his wife at his side, and how he had sat apart from his fellow council members. A different outcome would have rocked the whole village.

‘Think about what might have happened,' she said. ‘If the council had judged in Userkaf's favour, Nebnufer's authority would be greatly diminished among his men. A rift would have been sown between the two foremen. And that would have been the least of it. In the long run, who knows where it would lead? It could be disastrous for Nebnufer's family – all of them.' She thought of her friend's engagement to Neben-Maat. ‘Even Dedi.'

‘Dedi?' A smile flashed across Kenna's face at the mention of her name, and Meryt looked at him sharply.

‘Yes, Dedi,' she repeated, watching Kenna closely
in the flickering light of the lamp. ‘She is engaged to Neben-Maat. If Sennedjem and Nebnufer were pushed apart, such a marriage might not take place.'

A strange, soft look had come across Kenna's features, and Meryt stared at him in disbelief. Surely Kenna had not fallen for her friend's charms along with everyone else?

Kenna gazed into his beer cup. ‘I would not want any harm to come to Dedi,' he murmured, almost as though Meryt were not there.

Meryt felt a strange, unfamiliar twist of pain. ‘Well, Userkaf might yet make sure of it,' she snapped, springing to her feet.

Kenna looked up at her in astonishment as tears pricked at the back of her eyes. ‘What's wrong?' he demanded. ‘What did I say?'

Meryt glared down at him, full of dismay and rage. ‘Nothing,' she managed to respond. ‘I'm going home.'

By the time she had reached the first street corner, Meryt regretted behaving so impulsively. Kenna must have wondered what had come over her. She felt wretched and ashamed, but too proud to go back. It wasn't wise to roam the streets alone after darkness, and Tia would be worrying about her. She would have to go home.

The groups of gossiping men had begun to disperse. Meryt walked slowly, dragging her feet. Why on earth had she reacted to Kenna like that? What if he did admire Dedi's beauty? It would be strange if
he did not. There was no harm in it. Meryt kicked herself time and again, but could still not bring herself to turn back. The matter would have to be resolved some other time.

She reached home, and stepped quietly through the front door. Tia and Nauna were in the middle room, plucking feathers from two plump ducks in the lamplight. Meryt stared in surprise. Senmut must have done some trading during the council meeting. Of course – they were for Baki's ritual feast. Two ducks! There would be plenty of rich eating in the next few days – and plenty of work for the women of the household too.

Tia smiled up at Meryt as she stood in the doorway. ‘Did you go to the meeting?' she asked.

Meryt nodded, ignoring Nauna's disapproving frown. She squatted down next to Tia. ‘Userkaf is stirring up trouble in Nebnufer's gang,' she said. ‘But the council saw through him easily enough. Can I help?'

Tia gave Meryt a knowing smile and nodded discreetly in the direction of Nauna's duck. Meryt saw what she meant immediately. Thanks to the older woman's failing eyesight, tufts of feathers still remained untouched.

‘Take this one to the courtyard,' said Tia, handing Meryt her own bare-skinned duck. ‘Nauna, I'll finish yours off. Meryt will clear away the feathers.'

Meryt took the duck and padded through the house. The sound of Senmut's snores greeted her
from the back room, the usual effect of a flagon of beer after a week at the tombs. In the shadows, Meryt saw that Baki was asleep too. Relieved, she carried on into the courtyard and placed the duck in a copper pot, out of reach of the cats.

When she had taken the second duck from Tia's skilful fingers, Meryt stuffed the mound of feathers into a linen sack and carried it up to the roof. She rescued her ostracon from the corner and lay down, propping the sack behind her head. The smell of the duck feathers permeated it but it was soft and comfortable. Curling up on her side, Meryt thought once more of Kenna's expression as he spoke of Dedi. How lucky her friend was to be rich and beautiful, admired by so many of the men in the village. No one had ever thought of her in that way, she was sure. Except Ramose, perhaps, but that idea was not a pleasant one. With an ache in her heart, she managed to fall asleep.