Magic of the Nile Read online

  Heart pounding, half terrified at the idea of a Great One explaining his reasons for the unusual request to a mortal, high priestess or not, Tyema nodded.

  Sobek admired his half finished handiwork before glancing at her. “The situation is this. Pharaoh Nat-re-Akhte has ruled for nearly twenty years now and has brought peace to Egypt. He threw the Usurper off the throne, drove the Hyksos and their evil god out of Egypt, has kept them at bay ever since. Agreed?”

  She nodded, throat too parched to speak. Concentrating on his words helped her alleviate the formless terror assaulting her at the idea of a journey up the Nile. Maybe if I understand the stakes, the reasons, I can conquer the fear. She clenched one hand into a fist, nails digging into her palm, the small pain helping her concentrate on the god’s words rather than her dizziness.

  Tugging at the fibers he was braiding, to make the weave tight, Sobek continued. “The Hyksos haven’t given up. They roam just outside Egypt’s borders, still make raids from time to time, try to build alliances with other nations jealous of Egypt’s wealth and power. The Hyksos god Qemteshub desires to destroy Osiris, my king, in the world inhabited by the gods. The battle rages on.”

  “But Nat-re-Akhte holds Egypt,” Tyema said, not quite voicing a question.

  Sobek nodded. “He’s been an excellent champion, for the gods and for your people.”

  Struck by a new thought, Tyema felt a chill sweep over her, despite the hot sun. “Is he— is he voyaging to the Afterlife soon?”

  “A shrewd question, my little priestess.” Sobek was approving. “Such is not his destiny, not yet. And his son, the crown prince, will be a strong ruler when his time arrives. Egypt should remain secure. You know one of my major duties is to protect Pharaoh from black magic?”

  “Yes.” The assignment had always seemed odd to her, given his nature, given his primary concern being care of the Nile. But then Pharaoh is the heart and ka of Egypt, just as the Nile is the life giver. So who but a fierce, immortal warrior to defend him from sorcerers?

  “Ever since Nat-re-Akhte deposed the Usurper, the primary source of black magic in Thebes was removed. There have always been little hints and touches of sorcery. One cannot clean the world of negative magical influence entirely, but nothing threatening Pharaoh himself.” Sobek frowned and his golden eyes glowed. “In the past two years, the small trickles of black magic have strengthened, become more cohesive. They swirl around Pharaoh, yet so far don’t seem to be directed at him. This is where you come in.”

  She remembered the night of Seknehure’s birth and what had been said to her by the Great Ones, although at the time she’d hardly listened, being in the throes of labor. “Did Hathor tell you there was black magic striving to harm my son and me, the night he was born?”

  Sobek frowned. “She did, although I don’t understand what reason there could be, any more than I understand the patterns of black magic weaving a tapestry in Thebes at present.” He gazed across the crocodile pond. “I tried to get the goddess Nephthys interested in exploring the problem as she’s so good at schemes and plots, but she’s too grand for my concerns, wouldn’t listen, much less get involved. And I cannot act unless there’s a direct threat to Pharaoh.” He clenched one fist, the hand going scaled and clawed for a moment with his sheer frustration. “The other Great Ones tend to think as she does, saying I see a problem where none exists, but I remain worried. Sometimes a pattern only becomes clear in the instant before catastrophe strikes.”

  Still puzzled as to her role, Tyema asked, “What would my going to Thebes accomplish, Great One?”

  The scales and claws of his hand fading back to their human appearance, he tapped one finger on the lotus bracelet sitting on the bench between them. “This will enable you to see the glints and threads of the black magic whenever you encounter them in Thebes. The death of the bull crocodile there is fortuitous, provides an excuse to insert you into the court for a time without arousing the sorcerer’s suspicions. I’ve spoken in private with Pharaoh, after which he insisted publicly the replacement animal must come from this temple and no other. If you can find out who is wielding forbidden magic, then I can get Isis or Nephthys to intervene and crush the sorcerer.” He pointed at his massive chest and laughed. “I’ve no way to fit unobtrusively into the world of Pharaoh’s courtiers. No time for it either. The Nile is much troubled this year with sand bars where none should be.”

  “So I just have to spend some time there after I deliver the crocodile, after the ceremonies are complete? Watch people from the edges of the court and then let you know what I see?” Maybe I could handle merely observing, if Pharaoh knows what I’m about and smoothes the way for me to stay. With a shudder and rising nausea, Tyema remembered it would be at least a week’s sail up the Nile to Thebes and a week back, depending on the winds. She hadn’t been on a boat since the Hyksos incident in her childhood. Hand at her throat, she tried to control her breathing.

  Sobek was watching her closely, citrine eyes narrowed. “You can send the crocodile to Thebes with your head keeper and your second priestess if what I ask is too much for you. I’ve put Pharaoh on the alert, perhaps my warning will suffice.”

  Marriage to my sister has taught him a lot about the fragility of humans. Tyema left the bench and walked to the fence. The juvenile crocodile shifted lazily, keeping one half-open eye on her. Most of the trip would be in her official role. She never had problems when acting in Sobek’s name. And this task is clearly important. Pharaoh has enough on his shoulders without worrying about some dabbler in black magic. “All right,” she said. “I’ll do it.”

  Sobek came to stand beside her. Taking her by the hand, he slid the fragrant green circle over her outstretched fingers, to rest just above the wrist bones. Green light flared and Tyema watched in amazement as the living plant became shining gold, the flower highlighted with cobalt enamel. “I’m grateful,” he said as the green sparks winked out.

  “How do I get there? We usually send crocodiles to other temples on cargo vessels, and I can’t travel on such a ship.” She shivered, visualizing the tiny cabins and close quarters of a typical freighter on the Nile.

  Sobek shrugged. “Ask the nomarch to lend you his personal ship.”

  “And keep it at my command in Thebes for weeks?” He’s a pleasant person, but he isn’t going to like that idea.

  “The nomarch wishes a favor from me, albeit one I can’t grant. He’ll be here in two days to make his request,” Sobek said.

  “But if you’re not granting his petition—”

  “I can’t. Certain acts are forbidden to me and meddling with the decree of Shai, god of Fate, is one of them. Not on behalf of any human, not even Pharaoh himself. As it is written in the oldest texts, ‘there is no one who can ignore Shai, for every man there is his appointed time’. I’m sorry to burden you with providing this answer to the nomarch on my behalf.” Sobek looked her full in the face. “Tell Nomarch Ienhotep I’ll testify for him at the Judging of his heart. I’ll ease his way past Anubis and the other Judges and into the Afterlife. I owe him for his efforts in the past on behalf of my Merys, but I can only exert so much influence. Tell him he doesn’t have much time, he needs to get his affairs in order. His tomb must be ready to receive him before the next inundation of the Nile.”

  Tyema shivered. It seemed the sun went behind a cloud and the day grew gray for a moment as she realized the Great One was tasking her with the delivery of a hard message to a man she respected and liked. Today’s visit from Sobek was the most stressful she could ever recall. Tracing the design of the lotus flower on her new bracelet, she sighed. “I’ll deliver the message exactly, Great One.”

  Sobek rose and stretched. “I’ll keep an ear open for any summons from you, little sister, while you’re in Thebes.” He rested one hand on her shoulder for a moment. “I can’t lie, this trip will affect your life as well.”

  “It’ll be a temporary challenge, Great One, but then I can bring my son home and resume my norm
al life,” she said, trying to master her runaway pulse and wheezy breathing.

  “The Nile doesn’t always return to her accustomed river bed after the floods,” he answered. “You may find new twists and bends in your own path.”

  She couldn’t stop the gasp of dismay. “Are you warning me?”

  “Perhaps a reminder.”

  With those words, he strolled toward the Nile, disappearing in a flash of blinding green light, sizzling with the power Sobek exerted so easily. Tyema spun on her heel to gaze through the fence at the juvenile crocodile, now destined for a new home in Thebes. The animal stared back at her, opening his jaws and yawning.

  “Well, my friend, seems we’re going to take a trip together,” she said. Rotating the lotus bracelet on her wrist, she began her mental list of all the tasks she must accomplish before she could embark on this distasteful, frightening journey.

  ***

  The trip from her temple to the small port that was Ibis Nome’s only formal access to the Nile took three days by donkey cart. Tyema grew increasingly nauseous and short of breath the longer the journey went on, even though she was surrounded by her kinsmen, her temple workers and her niece Renebti and scribe Jemkhufu. All of them did their utmost to make her comfortable, especially Renebti, who was a gentle soul and obviously distressed to see her aunt in such turmoil. Usually Tyema did a good job of hiding her symptoms but in the close quarters of the cart, and the tent the two women shared at night, she feared her problems were all too obvious.

  Infant Seknehure was well behaved, watching the world go by from the safety of a sling Tyema wore. He was her solace. Taking care of his simple needs, snuggling him, breathing in his sweet baby scent all calmed her and enabled her to shut out the world. Even when he was fussy and she had to walk beside the cart, trying to soothe him, the activity relieved her symptoms as well.

  But her dread of the river voyage ahead came rushing back in a dizzying wave as her small caravan wound its way through the crowded, smelly harbor town. People stared at her since the High Priestess of Sobek was legendary in the province, rarely seen. Tyema held her head high, feeling her blushes staining her cheeks, and tried to smile. It didn’t help that she was wearing a simple traveling dress and cloak, not her ceremonial robes and crown. Nothing to hide behind.

  The nomarch’s private ship, the Swift, was much larger than any other vessel in the choked harbor. Comparing the tiny inlet to the sweeping peninsula she and Sahure had surveyed, Tyema could certainly see why Pharaoh had sent him to investigate the possibility of building a new port for the increased trade he was contemplating.

  Captain Djedefhor was waiting to greet her on the pier, dressed in a simple white shirt, dyed blue kilt and matching nemes. Around his neck he wore two amulets, one of Sobek and the other of Ra, the sun god who sailed the sky and the Underworld. Djedefhor bowed as she dismounted from the cart and shook out her skirts. “It’s my honor and pleasure to convey you to Thebes, Lady Tyema. I hope my poor ship will meet with your approval.”

  “I’m not used to traveling on ships at all, captain,” she answered honestly. “It’s very kind of the nomarch to lend me his vessel for the journey.”

  Djedefhor smiled broadly. “We’ll set a high standard for you to compare all other ships to in the future. The nomarch’s orders were to ensure your every comfort while conveying you to Thebes as fast as possible.” His easy manner toward Tyema bordered on flirtation, his glances at her appreciative. “Are you ready to board?”

  “I must see to the comfort of my crocodile before I can worry about myself,” Tyema answered. “This is my crocodile keeper, Hotepre.”

  As the grizzled older man came forward, the ship’s captain frowned. “Ah yes, the crocodile. I must confess I prefer taking you on as a passenger over inviting one of the Nile beasts onto my deck,” Djedefhor said with disarming honesty. Tyema liked him all the more for his candor. “I don’t suppose we can put it in the hold?”

  “Not before I’ve died and gone to the Afterlife,” Hotepre said, hands on his hips. His two underkeepers crowded behind him, ready to defend their crocodile.

  Djedefhor surveyed the crate on the last donkey cart. It was rocking side to side and much clawing and noise could be heard. The harnessed donkey was wide eyed, sidling nervously while the driver held the bridle tight.

  “I can order the animal to walk onto the ship,” Tyema said. “Our idea was to chain him by the hind leg to the mast, or perhaps the rail at the stern? One of my men will watch the crocodile at all times. We’ll have to catch fish to feed it periodically during the voyage.”

  Djedefhor had apparently not heard anything she said after the part about walking the crocodile onto his vessel. He swallowed hard. “For the sake of my crew, can you bring it aboard in the crate? I’ll agree to let it travel on deck, as long as I’m satisfied with the restraints, but I’d rather not risk having such a dangerous animal walk freely.” He glanced at the massive crate again. “I expected to treat the beast as cargo, not a passenger.”

  “This animal was personally selected by Sobek, to honor Pharaoh. I assure you Sobek has given me the power to command his creatures,” Tyema said. Deciding she didn’t want to push the point and incur the captain’s hostility before the voyage had even begun, she went on in a more positive tone, “But we can certainly load him onto the ship inside the crate and then allow him to have the fresh air. The box is constructed to come apart easily. Hotepre, can you take care of this for me?”

  “Well, then it’s settled,” Seeming pleased, Djedefhor offered her his hand to ascend the wooden gangplank. “It’s a bit tricky for nonsailors. And of course you have the baby to balance as well. “

  Trying to decide if the captain actually was trying to flirt with her, Tyema allowed him to escort her onto the Swift. Renebti and Jemkhufu brought up the rear. The deck was reassuringly wide but flashes of the day she’d been carried aboard a Hyksos vessel as a terrified prisoner came and went in her mind. Tyema froze, clutching the baby so tightly he cried. Her vision was narrowing and she knew she was going to faint. From a distance she heard Renebti’s voice asking if she was all right and the captain’s deeper tones as he said something, but she couldn’t stop the escalation of her terror. Someone tried to take Seknehure away from her and as she was resisting the attempt, backing away, she tripped.

  There was a flash of pain in the back of her skull and the world went black.

  *****

  Tyema woke feeling confused, unsure where she was. Lying still for a moment, she remembered the scene she’d made on deck. With a sinking feeling in her gut, she wondered how she was going to face any of her traveling companions again after embarrassing herself in public. She sat up, immediately putting a hand to the back of her head, which hurt a bit. Although the light was dim, she could see she was in a ship’s cabin, surprisingly large and well appointed. She was in a bunk, built into the side of the ship, and she could tell they were in motion. “Seknehure!” The baby wasn’t in the small basket at the foot of her bed. Feeling panicky, unsure if she’d fallen with him still in her arms, Tyema got out of the bed. Grabbing at the high side to steady herself, she tried to get her balance to match the movement of the deck.

  There was a knock on the sliding wooden door. “Aunt Tyema?” Renebti peeked into the cabin, advancing with a smile as she saw her aunt was awake.

  Tyema was relieved to see her child in his cousin’s arms and held out her own. “Is he all right? I didn’t drop him when I fainted, did I?”

  “No, no don’t worry, I managed to snatch him away as you went down. He’s fine, hungry maybe. Why don’t you get back into the bunk and I’ll hand him to you?”

  “Good idea.” Tyema still felt traces of the nausea and vertigo. The up and down motion of the ship as it plowed through the Nile’s waves wasn’t helping. As soon as she was settled, Renebti set the baby in her arms and Tyema checked every inch of his squirmy little body for bruises or bumps. Finding none, she allowed him to nurse and felt h
erself calming in the process.

  Moving the basket, Renebti sat down at the end of the bunk, studying Tyema’s face. “You look better now, Aunt. More yourself. Less pale.”

  “How long was I unconscious?”

  “Well, when you woke from your faint, you were disoriented.” Renebti looked down at the deck, drawing patterns in the blanket with one finger. “You seemed to think we were Hyksos, trying to kidnap you.”

  Tyema closed her eyes and slumped against the bulkhead, smelling the pleasant, if faint, tang of cedar. “My worst nightmare.” Opening her eyes again, she met her niece’s gaze. “You might as well tell me the rest.”

  “Really, it wasn’t much. The captain carried you here, to the cabin, and Jemkhufu suggested we give you some tincture of poppy, the stuff you use for your worst headaches. I fetched the vial from your baggage and we got you to drink a bit. Then you went to sleep. We’re underway,” Renebti added somewhat unnecessarily.

  “Which is a good thing, for that means we’re closer to Thebes and the end of this nightmare of a voyage,” Tyema said, wondering if maybe Jemkhufu had unwittingly hit on a solution to her bigger problem. Could she stay drugged on the syrup until they reached Thebes? Just sleep the voyage away?

  The baby frowned and stopped nursing. She adjusted Seknehure, putting him to her shoulder for a moment, patting his back, getting a good burp before putting him to the other side. Of course she couldn’t sleep away the trip, she had a child who needed her. She’d just have to manage. Holding out her free hand to her niece, she said, “Thank you for taking care of us. I’m so glad you agreed to come with me on this trip. Not just because of today’s incident, but it’ll be comforting for me and the baby to have you as company while dealing with all the strangers in Thebes.”

  Renebti smiled and came to give her a hug. “I’m the envy of everyone in Ta’sobeksef, going to Thebes. No one ever travels from our village to Pharaoh’s court! I’m grateful you asked me to be your companion and his nursemaid.”