Lynda Robinson - Murder at the Feast of Rejoicing

The captain and his crew hadn't been happy, especially when Paser shoved the three oxen that comprised their most valuable cargo onto the riverbank and sailed off with their feed. Now he was headed south. Surveying the baked fields, Paser estimated that Meren's estate wasn't far off. He rose and went to the prow where the pilot was pulling his pole from the water.

"We will lower the sail," Paser said. "What is that village, the one in the midst of those palms?"

"It is called Green Palm, my lord."

"Ah, yes. Not far from Baht. There will be a shore market near the village. We'll beach there."

Paser walked back to the awning, rubbing his bare upper lip. He'd made a great sacrifice, all in order to concoct a clever disguise. No one was going to accuse him of not being quick-witted. Still, it was hard to accustom himself to having no mustache or sophisticated pointed beard. He ran his palm over his skull. He'd even shaved his head. But what he missed the most was his fly whisk, the mark of a man of rank.

What he went through for advancement! He prayed to Amun, Osiris, and Ra that all these discomforts would be rewarded. Once ashore, he would send a sailor to the village to make discreet inquiries, to listen to the news of the great feast of rejoicing held for Count Meren. It would be one of the signal events of the year for those lesser beings.

No one was going to tell him to go home. No insufferable know-all was going to tell him that Kysen would leave pharaoh's side for a mere feast. He knew deep in his bones that Meren would only leave court to spin plots in secret. Something was going on in that peaceful country estate. And he was going to find out what it was.

All he had to do was be patient. Sooner or later Meren would make a mistake, one Paser could use against him at court. After all, the path to power lay over the bodies of one's enemies. And Paser's path to the favor of

Tutankhamun, may he have life, health, and prosperity lay in the rise of Prince Hunefer and the fall of Lord Meren.

The door to Sennefer's room opened to reveal Nebetta and Hepu huddled over their son's body. Nebamun stood beside the table with the flagon of pomegranate wine. Meren stepped into the corridor and closed the door. With his back to it, he appraised the sea of startled and agonized faces. Everyone was crowded into the narrow corridor-servants, his sister, his daughters, even Wah.

Great-Aunt Cherit occupied the threshold to the hall in her carrying chair. And Kysen stood near Bentanta. Meren gave him a wordless signal and glanced at Bentanta. Kysen nodded in response.

"Well?" Idut asked, her eyes shining with tears. "His ka has flown to the netherworld?"

"Yes. We'll have to send him to Abydos with Anhai tomorrow morning."

As Nebamun had predicted, Sennefer had died before dusk. Long before this Meren had given confidential orders to his men that the entire estate be searched and all the pomegranate wine confiscated. Their task had been made easier since all the family except Ra, who was still asleep, were keeping vigil in the guest house.

The family began to talk together in that quiet way people employed at a death. As at Anhai's death, none of the women fell to wailing and moaning. The only noise of that kind came from Nebetta. The others were too frightened to think of the proprieties.

A hand slipped into his. He glanced down at Isis and saw fear in his daughter's eyes. He pulled her against him, and Bener slipped beneath his free arm.

She pressed against his side and whispered, "This is terrible. There's some evil loose among us."

"I'm scared," Isis said.

Meren frowned at Bener. "You mustn't frighten your sister. Both of you take heart. I won't let evil come near you. I'm here. Your brother is here, and we have a dozen charioteers to protect us."

"They haven't done Anhai and Sennefer any good," Bener said. She seemed to have lost her enthusiasm for mystery.

"I didn't tell them to protect Anhai or Sennefer, but I am going to order them to protect you. You will be safe."

Wah thrust his way past a couple of serving women to approach Meren. "Perhaps I should leave."

"No," Meren said.

"Oh, of course," Wah said smoothly. "You need my assistance in this time of difficulty. I am honored to be of aid to my future brother. You have only to tell me what I may do for you. Anything-"

"Wah, not now." As he spoke, Meren glanced at Reia, who squeezed past Cherit and saluted him.

"Idut," Meren said. "Will you take everyone back to the garden? There's nothing to be done here."

"There's much to be done," she said. "I have to look after Aunt Nebetta and Uncle Hepu. They'll want mourners and ashes, and Sennefer must be prepared for the journey to Abydos. I must summon priests."

"Not now, Idut."

"Meren, you've grown callous, and I won't-"

"No!"

Idut jumped and scowled at him. Before either of them could speak, Cherit held up a wrinkled hand for silence.

"Idut, you're a fool. There's evil rampant in this house, and you're worried about conventions."

Wah sidled over to Idut. "The venerable Lady Cherit speaks with wisdom, my dear. Two people have died suddenly. This is no longer an ordinary matter. Let us all retire to the garden as Lord Meren requested."

The family complied, but as Bentanta tried to follow them, Kysen delayed her. Meren joined them.

"Lady, where is the pomegranate wine you brought with you?"

"Most of it has been drunk. Why?"

"You gave some to Sennefer?"

"Yes, this morning. He was distraught over Anhai. What's wrong?"

"But there's some in his chamber."

Bentanta glanced at Sennefer's door. "At the feast he asked for some. I had two jars sent to his chamber."

"When was this?"

"Early, not long after the feast began. He tasted it and couldn't stop praising it."

"So you instructed a servant to bring jars to his chamber. And the jars were sealed."

"Of course they were sealed." Bentanta looked at him closely. "My pomegranate wine couldn't have killed him."

"Not the wine, no."

"I'm not lackwitted, Meren. You think his wine was poisoned, so you suspect me of killing him. Use your own wits, will you? Why would I want to kill Sennefer?"

Meren glanced at Reia. "Escort Lady Bentanta to her chamber."

"I do not allow anyone to send me to my room, Meren."

"Then allow me to explain something," he said. "My cousin is dead from drinking tainted wine that you provided. His wife is already dead after quarreling with you.

She held something of yours that you wanted back, which you refuse to explain. You deny any evil-doing, but can't prove your innocence. This is no longer a matter between friends, Bentanta. It's an official inquiry into two deaths by the Eyes of Pharaoh, not a plea for help by your playfellow. Go to your chamber."

He signaled to Reia, who bowed to Bentanta and indicated the way to her room, which lay on the opposite side of the house. Bentanta pressed her lips together, but said nothing. Turning her back on Meren, she marched out ahead of the charioteer.

When she was gone, Meren opened the door to Sennefer's room and summoned Nebamun. Nebetta was rocking back and forth on her knees beside Sennefer's body while Hepu stood over her. The physician came out holding the cup and flagon of wine. Kysen went in and retrieved the opened jar. Then Meren shut the door on the grieving parents.

He led the way to the hall, took a chair on the dais, and waited while Kysen set the round-bottomed jar in a stand. "Now, tell me again what's in the wine."

"I'm not certain, lord, but I think it's been tainted with a poisonous plant, the tekau. It has long, deep-green leaves and purple-black berries. My physician's book lists the signs that come upon one poisoned with it, and states that it is an illness one cannot treat if too much has been eaten or drunk."