Lynda Robinson: Murder at the Feast of Rejoicing

"Do you know what a scandal you're creating?"

"It's not my fault Sennefer accidentally killed his wife. Now go away. I've business to attend."

Idut quickened her pace when he did. "Oh no, Meren. You're not running away this time. Why can't you see that Sennefer killed himself because of remorse at Anhai's death? Why must you keep the family and Wah like prisoners? All the intrigue at court has twisted your wits. Everyone wants to go home. Nebetta and Hepu wish to be free to mourn their son, and Wah grows more anxious with each hour that passes."

As they neared the dock, Meren lengthened his stride, but Idut only walked faster. "Sennefer didn't kill himself, Idut. Only you would think of such a tale, because only you, and possibly his parents, are capable of ignoring how little Sennefer cared for Anhai. He wasn't greatly disturbed because she was dead, he was disturbed because he'd been the unwitting cause."

"Then it must have been Bentanta who poisoned him," Idut said as they stepped onto the dock, "but you're too delighted at having an excuse to blame Ra to admit it."

Meren stopped suddenly and stared at his sister. "You believe that I-" Idut wasn't looking at him. She gazed over his shoulder, her mouth falling open, and pointed.

"By the mercy of Amun, what is happening?" she asked.

Coming toward them with the current, a small freighter zig-zagged back and forth on an erratic course that threatened the early traffic on the river. Fishing boats and skiffs scattered before the careening vessel. On its deck, a bald-headed man screeched at the two men manning the oars. As he did so, he gripped the steering oar and dragged it with him as he danced across the deck in his agitation.

Meren cursed as he heard a low, steady thud accompanied by the watery slap of many oars cutting through the water. Wings of Horus rounded a bend in the river and aimed at the freighter. The steersman on the smaller craft looked over his shoulder at the sleek black vessel and screamed. He jumped and scurried back and forth in his fright, then lost his grip on the steering oar. The boat spun around, then settled sideways in the current as Wings of Horus gained on it. A sailor at the bow of Meren's craft yelled a warning. Long lines of oars lifted up out of the water.

Standing on the dock beside Meren, Idut cried out as well. "Look, it's Paser! Paser, make way, make way!"

Paser was too busy scrambling about the deck of his freighter in terror. Kysen appeared at the bow of Wings of Horus to shout at Paser, to no avail. Meren watched in irritation as the prow of his ship smacked into the freighter amidship. There was a loud crack of wood against wood, and the sound of bodies hitting the water as men dove for their lives.

"If he's damaged my ship, I'll take payment out of his hide," Meren said.

"What is Paser doing on a freighter?" Idut asked as they watched Kysen's men throw ropes to those in the water. "And why was he trying to sail it himself?"

Rolling his eyes, Meren said, "Go home, Idut."

"And where has Kysen been this early in the morning?"

"He said he was going to Green Palm. Now will you go home while I see what's happened to that fool Paser?"

"You're not making sense, Meren. Kysen wouldn't take Wings of Horus for so short a sail."

"Damnation, Idut! Perhaps he wanted to impress a woman. I know not, and it isn't important. Are you going to go home, or do I have to take you there myself?"

"I'm going, I'm going. But don't think I'll let you get away with this high-handedness much longer. The whole family is going to revolt against you if you don't release them from this half-imprisonment." Idut glanced at the men pulling Paser on board Wings of Horns. "Bring Paser to the house. I'll find some clothes for him."

Meren's head was beginning to ache, and he rubbed his neck. "Just go home, Idut."

Once his sister was out of sight and his ship docked, Meren walked across a plank and hopped onto the deck of Wings of Horus beside Kysen, his face set, his jaw tense. "Where is he?"

"In the deckhouse. I shoved him in there to contemplate what we might do to him."

"Good." Meren walked toward the deckhouse and paused under its awning. He glanced over his shoulder. The pomegranate colors of sunrise lit the horizon. "I don't want to bring him to the house. You saw Idut, and she's already curious. The whole family is furious with me, except for your sisters."

Kysen nodded in the direction of a group of men squatting around a brazier full of coals. "I thought you wouldn't want any delay in getting the truth out of our simple-witted spy." One of the men held a long bronze rod, the end of which was embedded in the white embers.

Meren touched the wristguard over the sun-disk scar. Three deaths. Three deaths on what was to have been a respite from murder and treachery. "You're certain you've captured everyone on that freighter?"

"I still have men out searching, but the villagers said there were only three in the crew, and we have them all if you count the dead one."

"I don't like this, Ky. I know Sennefer's killing Anhai had nothing to do with our sacred charge across the river, but still, I don't like it that these deaths have happened so close together. Oh, I know what you're going to say. My ka is riddled with distrust from being raised at court. I'm trying to control my suspicions. Let's get on with it."

Kysen picked up an alabaster lamp that had been resting near another brazier and preceded Meren. Inside, Paser sat hunched on a stool between two charioteers. He blinked at them as lamplight filled the antechamber. The charioteers saluted Meren, and Paser, who had been staring at Kysen, widened his eyes. Meren walked over to him and surveyed his shaven skull and face.

"What were you doing spying on my men?"

"Spying? Spying?" Paser croaked. "I know naught of spying. I was but taking a pleasure sail in my new boat when your son pounced on me as if I were some nomad bandit."

Kysen set the alabaster lamp on a stand. Meren picked up the stand and placed it nearer Paser.

"I'm not going to spar with you," Meren said. "That was a freighter you were on, Paser, not a yacht. And you've shaved your face and head. Tell me what you were doing."

Paser tried to stand up, but the charioteers shoved him back down on the stool. "My friends at court will hear of this abomination. I'm a free man. I may sail the Nile as any nobleman might."

Listening to Paser's ranting for a few moments, Meren abruptly picked up the lamp and tipped it. A thin stream of oil poured down on Paser's head. Paser yelped and jumped from the stool. The charioteers moved with him, but stayed at a distance while he howled and rubbed his head.

"Curse you, Meren, that was hot!"

Meren set the lamp down and folded his arms. "I shall explain your situation only once. One of your men was found skulking around a deserted temple that happens to be near my ancestors' tombs. There have been two murders at my house, and I find you sneaking around. I want to know why. You're in trouble, Paser."

"Murders!" Paser was still rubbing his red scalp. "I know nothing of murder."

"You've been following me for days," Meren said. "Why?"

Paser gave him a sly, sidelong glance. "I was traveling in the same direction as you, not following."

"I've no patience for your clumsy lies," Meren said. "Kysen, tell them to bring in the brand."

As he finished speaking, Paser's eyes grew round. He gave a squeak, sprang past Meren, and was outside before his guards could move. Kysen ran after him, and Meren was close behind. As he left the deckhouse, Paser sprinted across the deck. He saw the men around the brazier, swerved, and ran for the railing. He might have jumped overboard if his foot hadn't tangled in a coiled rope. Paser tripped, fell forward, and banged his head on the railing.