'Father, how much danger is there?'
Meren sighed. 'A great deal. In the last years of Akhenaten's reign, many factions vied for power. There were those who tried to use the king by professing devotion to the Aten, and those who suffered because he wouldn't support our foreign allies and vassals. And there were some who decried Nefertiti's influence, either because she failed to stop him from casting out the old gods or because she refused to use her power to enrich them. She also protected and favored Tutankhamun, may he live forever.'
'And if we make inquiries about Wah?'
'If we're clumsy, we could be inviting death. I'll have to think about this carefully to decide upon a course.' Meren rose. 'Meanwhile, there seems to be no threat to the haunted temple, but we've still the family to deal with.'
'Shall I find out what happened to Ra?'
'Yes, and I'm going back to the house. I'll have to write letters accounting for these deaths and send the bodies to the families. Gods, Ky, I think I would have gotten more rest at pharaoh's side than I have in my own home.'
'I tried to warn you.'
Meren left Wings of Horus and walked slowly back to the villa. Although it was still morning, waves of heat rippled up at him from the baking earth. Zar would sulk when he beheld Meren's disheveled state. His kilt was splotched with blood, and his legs were splattered with mud. Meren trudged through the gate past an aged doorkeeper, intent on bathing before he faced Idut and the others.
Unfortunately, a phalanx of relatives waited for him on the loggia, barring the front door. Everyone except Ra seemed to be there. Meren paused to survey the group, then mounted the steps. A walking stick was thrust in his path, knocking against his shin.
'So, boy, you've returned at last,' Cherit said as she withdrew her stick and settled back in her carrying chair. 'Come here and explain all this absurd running about. Have you decided to accuse your own brother of murder?'
'No, Aunt.'
'Injustice!' Hepu loomed over Meren, his bulk expanding with righteous indignation. 'I know you've been to Green Palm and found those who implicate Ra in my son's death.'
Cherit whacked Hepu's arm with her stick. 'Shut your teeth and let Meren explain.'
Meren looked around the group. Idut was gazing at him, startled. Behind her Isis and Bener fidgeted. Isis looked eager, as if she expected to enjoy the impending confrontation, while Bener's avid expression was tempered by apprehension. Nebetta wore her now-habitual air of sorrow mixed with condemnation. Refusing to meet her accusatory stare, Meren faced Hepu instead.
'Uncle, I would have a word with you and Nebetta.'
He walked to the end of the loggia and stood beside a column. Looking injured and hostile, the two joined him.
'Not long ago,' Meren said to Hepu, 'you made a curious remark when I spoke of Sennefer's dealings with women. You said he didn't seduce them, and then you said that it wasn't possible for him. I remembered being confused by your choice of words.'
'My son was a man of honor-'
'Let me finish. Certain knowledge has come to me that makes plain your meaning. Sennefer was impotent, wasn't he?'
Nebetta gasped. 'What lie is this?'
Hepu's chest swelled, and he directed a furnacelike stare at Meren. 'Who speaks such calumny? Is it Ra? He has good reason to lie.'
The two began to yammer, causing Meren's head to pound. He'd had his fill of hypocrisy and blame. Filling his lungs, he let out a roar that rivaled any Hepu had ever emitted.
'Be silent!'
Nebetta squawked and clutched her husband's arm. Hepu worked his jaw, but no sound came out.
Meren continued in a lowered tone. 'I know the truth about Sennefer. Out of respect I refuse to speak of the- the misfortune from which he suffered, and I'll remain silent. This is what I've discovered.'
He told them of Anhai's accidental death, then called upon his skills in dissembling to create the tale of Sennefer's remorse and suicide. He hated lying, but could think of no other way to conceal the dangerous truth. As he spoke, he saw understanding wake in the faces of his aunt and uncle.
'This is terrible,' Nebetta said.
'Unendurable,' Hepu moaned.
'I know it's a tragedy,' Meren began.
Hepu reddened. 'What will people think?'
'The disgrace. Everyone we know will find out. What are we going to do, husband?'
Meren waited for a few moments, then left the two to plan their strategy. If he had to listen much longer, he would be tempted to shove a wad of Instructions down Hepu's throat. He returned to Aunt Cherit and gave the family the tale of Anhai's death and her husband's, without mentioning Sennefer's impotence. Then he announced Wah's mishap and dealt with Idut's confusion and sorrow. By the time he'd finished, he longed to bathe and obtain some draught for the ache in his head.
'But, Father,' Bener said. 'Wah was running away. I saw him.'
'You were mistaken.'
'But he…' Bener's words faded as she met the glare he turned on her.
'Bener, Isis, come with me to the hall. I want to speak to you.'
When they entered the central hall, serving women appeared bearing a jar of beer, cups, and strainers. He took a cup and dismissed the servants. Alone with his daughters, Meren drained his cup. Then he handed the empty vessel to Bener.
'He was running away, wasn't he?' she asked.
Isis sniffed. 'How do you know?'
'Because he climbed a tree and galloped over the fields as if a Hittite army was after him, Mistress Doubt- all.'
'Cease this chattering,' Meren snapped. 'Bener, never again will you chase after someone you think might be a killer, or anyone else for that matter. Am I understood?'
'But I was trying to help.'
'And could have gotten yourself killed!'
'I was right,' Bener said, beaming at him. 'He was the guilty one.'
'You're not to speak of matters that are none of your concern.'
'She thinks everything is her concern,' Isis said.
Meren fixed Bener with a stare that wilted her defiance.
'You're not going to explain?' she asked.
'I've already done that, just now.'
'Oh, that.' Bener and Isis exchanged glances. 'We know when you're performing like a player in a festival drama.'
For their own protection he had to silence them. Summoning the air of derisive authority he'd used on some impudent recruits, he said, 'If I wanted to deceive you, I assure you I would have done it without detection. However, I'm not accustomed to having my words doubted, and I'll hear no more, or I'll be forced to deal with your disobedience. Now go. I'm sure your aunt is in need of aid in conducting the affairs of the household.'
They left him, dissatisfied but compliant, although Meren was certain they wouldn't be for long. He took refuge in his chambers and tried to allow Zar's ministrations to ease the pain in his head and the disquiet within his ka. The mystery of a long-dead queen threatened his peace, but the prospect of facing Ra and Bentanta disturbed him almost as much. His misery reached new heights when Karoya suddenly appeared in his bedchamber as he was slipping on a pair of dyed leather sandals. He looked up at the royal bodyguard and cursed.
'By all the gods of Egypt, you had better have come alone.'
Karoya never changed his impassive expression. 'I have. I come as royal messenger.'
'Good. Then you bear a letter?'
