Lauren Haney: Curse of Silence

“Oh, very well.” Amonked’s face was blank, revealing nothing, but Bak had the uncomfortable feeling that he not only knew he had been manipulated but had allowed it to happen.

A twitch at the corners of the light-haired man’s mouth drew Bak’s attention. Pale hair and greenish eyes betrayed an ancestry far to the north of Kemet, from Keftiu perhaps or from the mainland north of that island kingdom. Bur nished skin indicated a life spent outdoors. Muscles rippled each time he moved his arms and legs, speaking of an active life. He looked older than his companions, around forty years of age.

Amonked’s glance shifted to Thuty. “I’ve served as storekeeper of Amon for a number of years, sir, and I’m proud to hold the title. However, our sovereign, Maatkare

Hatshepsut, has deemed me worthy of a new title, one more fitting to my present task. I’m now inspector of the for tresses of Wawat.”

Bak caught his breath, startled. Nebwa muttered a few quick words, impossible to understand but the meaning easy to guess. Thuty sat quite still, as if unable to move.

The title was ominous, indicating an uncommon power over the fortresses for which the commandant and the viceroy were responsible. A power to make decisions no man with out military experience should ever be allowed to make.

Amonked seemed not to notice how shocked they were.

The light-haired man shifted his feet, looking uncomfort able with the disclosure. The nobleman watched closely the officers on the dais, his face expressing interest but no in volvement.

Thuty cleared his throat, pulling himself together. He should have praised the queen for her discernment in ap pointing so talented a man to so responsible a position.

Instead, avoiding the issue altogether, he let his eyes settle on the light-haired man in an uncompromising stare. “Cap tain Minkheper. You know, I assume, that no ships can journey through the Belly of Stones when the river’s as low as it is at present.”

Minkheper smiled, letting the commandant know he took no offense. “I’ve sailed the waters of Kemet for many years, sir, and I’ve vast experience on the Great Green Sea.

I’d never dare challenge the lord Hapi or any other god great or small without first learning of the many hazards

I’m likely to face.”

“We’re fully aware,” Amonked said, “that we’ll have to transfer to donkey caravan and march through the desert along the Belly of Stones. A long, tedious journey, I’ve been told, with none of the comforts of sailing, but we’ll manage.”

Thuty stared hard at Amonked for some moments, as if measuring the man. Suddenly his eyes leaped toward Min kheper. “Our harbor here is small, as you’ve seen. The for tress of Kor has only one quay, always in full use. Where do you intend to moor the vessels under your command while the inspection party travels upstream?” He left no room for doubt: so many ships would not be welcome for an extended period of time.

“The presence of our vessels may cause some inconven ience,” Amonked stated before the captain could respond,

“but they must remain here. Here in Buhen where their crews can be maintained in a reasonably comfortable man ner.”

“Let me get this straight,” Thuty said, acting his most obtuse. “Not only will your vessels take up much-needed space at the harbor, but your sailors must be provided with perishable foodstuffs and furnished with supplies, most of which have been shipped from afar specifically for the use of the troops in this garrison.”

“Those men will need close supervision, sir,” Bak said, aiding and abetting his superior. “Idleness will breed bore dom, causing them to drink too much and to carouse and fight. I can see no end to the trouble they’ll cause.”

Nebwa opened his mouth to offer additional support, but

Amonked cut in, “We’ll be away no more than a month and a half. If you can’t manage so few men for so short a time, what would you do if the whole army of Kemet came marching through, heading south to do battle with the kings of Kush?”

Thuty’s face flamed. Bak feared for his health.

The tall nobleman stepped forward. “I sailed south from

Kemet in my personal traveling ship. I’d have no objection to mooring the vessel against the riverbank, preferably across the water from Buhen. The oasis there appears to be large and fertile, a place where my crew could exchange their labor for fruit, vegetables, and fresh meat.”

Amonked scowled. “That won’t be necessary, Sennefer.”

“I insist.” The nobleman’s smile grew self-deprecating.

“I’ve come to Wawat not as an official member of Amon ked’s inspection party, but as his friend and brother-in-law.

For much of my life, I’ve divided my time between our southern capital of Waset and my estate in the province of

Sheresy. I’m here on sufferance, satisfying a yearning to travel beyond the borders of Kemet. If my ship must be moved, so be it.”

“Excellent!” Anger sharpened Thuty’s voice; a need to regain the upper hand drew his eyes from Sennefer to

Amonked. “Sir? Any other suggestions as to how our load can be lightened?”

Amonked stiffened but otherwise remained unruffled.

“I’ll talk the matter over with Captain Minkheper. You’ll have my answer before we march south from Kor.”

Minkheper stared straight ahead, looking none too happy.

“Must I go with you, sir? I’d be of more value if I remained behind. After resolving this problem of too many ships in too small a harbor, I could hire a local man with a skiff and experience close-up the obstacles that currently prevent trading vessels traveling through the Belly of Stones. By doing so, I could make a more knowledgeable recommen dation to our sovereign as to how we can ease their pas sage.”

“Recommendation?” Bak asked, the word slipping out unbidden. Did Maatkare Hatshepsut hope to tame the Belly of Stones? Only a god could influence the rise and fall of the water, the shifting of boulders along the riverbed, the changing and hazardous currents.

“You’ll come with us as she commanded.” Amonked’s voice was firm, the look he gave Minkheper allowing no argument. “As a candidate for admiral of her fleet, you’ve no choice but to obey.” His eyes darted toward the dais and

Thuty. “Maatkare Hatshepsut has ordered the captain to as sess the possibility of cutting a canal through the rapids, enhancing the movement of trade goods between here and the fortress of Semna.”

Thuty frowned. “The task would be formidable.”

“Impossible,” Bak said, shaking his head. “Too many men would lose their lives in the effort.”

Nebwa barked out a humorless laugh. “A canal in such troubled waters could never be kept open and navigable.

The channel through the rapids above Abu is constantly clogged with boulders. The river here is much faster, more powerful by far.”

“We’ll see.” The words hung heavy in the air, a dismissal of objections. Amonked’s voice grew curt. “I plan to in spect Buhen tomorrow. The following day, we’ll sail to

Kor, and I’d like to begin our march south the next morn ing.”

“I shall accompany your inspection party upriver.”

Thuty’s expression was hard, his tone at its most autocratic.

“No!” Evidently recalling the commandant’s status,

Amonked formed a stiff smile, tempering the rudeness. “As much as I’d enjoy your company, sir, you cannot travel with us. Maatkare Hatshepsut has ordered that no man be allowed to influence my final decision. That command I mean to obey.”

Color flooded Thuty’s face. His mouth snapped shut, suppressing fury. He took a deep breath, controlling him self, and leaned forward toward Amonked to accent his words. “Our sovereign knows nothing about the frontier, sir, nor do you. With luck, you and all who came with you from Waset will survive your journey unscathed.”