'No.' Karoya glanced at Zar and the two other servants who had attended Meren's dressing.
'Leave me,' Meren said.
When the servants had gone, Meren lifted a brow at Karoya. The Nubian planted his feet apart and lifted his gaze to the ceiling while he recited.
'Horus, Strong-Bull-Arisen-in-Thebes, Enduring-in-Kingship-like-Ra-in-Heaven, Mighty-in-Strength, Majestic- in-Appearance, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Lord of the Two Lands, Nebkheprure Tutankhamun, given life forever, saith thus: At the command of my majesty, the new houses of eternity have been prepared. All is in readiness. Lo, my majesty commands the attendance of the Lord Meren in Memphis that we may take counsel for the disposition of thy charge.'
'This is awfully soon,' Meren said.
'The son of Ra commanded speed, and it was done,' came the serene reply.
'Very well. I hear the command of pharaoh, may he live forever. His will is accomplished. Will you rest and take refreshment?'
'I am commanded to return at once.'
'Then may Amun protect you on your journey.'
Karoya left, and Zar reappeared, carrying a transparent overrobe, then proceeded to load Meren down with a broad collar of turquoise, ivory, and bronze beads, a heavy beaded belt, and a decorative dagger. Too weary to protest, Meren waited until the dagger had been shoved into his belt. Waving aside the inlaid bronze bracelets Zar proffered, he left his chambers, intent on making an official record of events. This he would present to Ay personally so that it could be lodged in the office of the vizier. He would have to be vigilant at court when Wah's death was announced, send out orders to his various agents and close friends to watch for any sign of interest. He was crossing the central hall on his way to the stairs that led to his office when he heard a familiar voice.
'There you are!' Ra called as he entered the hall, flanked by the charioteer Simut and another guard.
Behind him came Kysen, supporting an aged woman who took three steps for every one of her escort's. Ra marched over to Meren ahead of his guards. He planted himself with feet apart, arms folded across his chest, and gave Meren a contemptuous look that started at his carefully groomed head and ended at his gilded sandals.
'Where have you been?' Meren demanded.
'To Green Palm,' Ra said bitterly, 'to prove my innocence before you tried me for murder. But you won't be able to carry out your evil plan.' Ra stepped aside to make way for Kysen and the old woman. His arms swept out, indicating the two, and he glared at Meren as he burst out loudly, 'I'm innocent, and-'
'I know.'
'This is Sheftu's grandmother, who is a wise woman- What?'
'I said, I know you're innocent.'
'But you've kept me prisoner!'
'Forgive me,' Meren said, feeling heat creep up his neck to his face. 'I was mistaken. Sennefer killed himself in remorse.' He explained the accident that caused Anhai's death while Ra listened with a dazed expression.
'But how do you know?' Ra asked.
Not wanting to mention Bentanta without privacy, Meren fell to studying the design on one of his bracelets.
'Hepu has agreed that this is what happened. Now why have you brought this woman to me?'
'Nedjmet is a wise woman, Meren. Many villages consult her on matters of truth and controversy. She has given testimony of the manifestation of gods that has solved cases of theft, disappearance, and rape. I asked her to help. Tell the Lord Meren what you know, Nedjmet.'
Nedjmet had been listening with a hand cupped to her ear and her neck craning toward the speakers. She squinted at Ra, then tried to lower herself to the floor, but Kysen stopped her.
'Respected elder,' Meren said. 'What have you to tell me?'
Nedjmet held up a finger. Its joints were swollen, the skin cracked, but it was steady. 'Great lord, I am Nedjmet, a rekhet, a knowing one. Thy brother has come to me seeking testimony that he was in my house late on the night of the feast of rejoicing, and into the early morning. This I cannot do, for I slept without hearing anything that night. But a manifestation of the goddess Maat came to me when Lord Nakht entered my dwelling and asked for my help. Maat, goddess of truth, is with thy brother. His ka is untouched by the sin of murder.'
'There,' Ra said in triumph. 'You see?'
Meren clasped his hands behind his back, lowered his head, and walked back and forth. It was well known that the gods manifested themselves to people in situations of great import. Once he'd seen a man swear his innocence in the matter of a theft, only to recant when visited with a manifestation that struck him blind. Knowing ones in villages throughout Egypt served as intermediaries between humble Egyptians and the gods, dispensing wisdom and aiding in judgments. It was a comfort that he had this additional testament to Ra's honor.
'I am grateful for your help, knowing one. The wisdom of Amun already has revealed the truth of my cousin's death. However, this manifestation is a further sign of my brother's innocence. Kysen, have someone take the respected elder home, and tell Kasa that Nedjmet and her granddaughter are to be provided with a regular portion of grain and beer.'
The old woman bowed repeatedly as Kysen backed away from Meren and guided her out of the hall. The charioteers followed, leaving Meren alone with Ra. He met his brother's accusing gaze, feeling like a criminal watching his miserable heart weigh down the feather of truth on the celestial balance scales before the gods. Forcing himself to speak, he told Ra the official version of the murders.
'Damn you, Meren. You wanted me to be guilty.'
'I didn't. I know you, Ra. If you'd discovered that Anhai was using you… Don't you see? You could have wanted revenge against them both, and you made things worse for yourself by refusing to be clear and honest with me.'
'I should have known you would blame me for your mistakes.'
'No, no, I don't. I was wrong. I suspected the worst of you.' Meren drew closer to Ra, who maintained his rigid stance and scowled at him. 'But I never stopped trying to find another explanation for these deaths. Do you think I'd have done that if I hadn't wanted to absolve you?'
Ra's scowl faded a bit. 'I suppose not.'
'I have asked for forgiveness, brother. Will you bestow it?'
'The mighty Lord Meren, Friend of the King, is asking my forgiveness? I should sacrifice an ox in honor of this day. Oh, don't glower at me. I'll forgive you if you'll get me appointed captain of charioteers.'
'Gods, Ra, don't you ever learn?'
Ra turned on his heel with a smirk. 'I knew you didn't feel that guilty. I'm going home, brother. Don't invite me to your next feast of rejoicing.'
Retreating to his office, Meren tried not to think of the ruins into which his relationship with Ra had fallen. Since most of his men were busy elsewhere, he sent to Kasa for a scribe to take down his report for the vizier. To his surprise, the boy Nu arrived with a scribe's palette slung over his shoulder.
'What are you doing here? I need a scribe.'
Nu bowed low. 'Master Kasa sent me because I'm faster and more accurate than his sons, lord.'
'Is that so?' Meren said. 'We'll see.'
Nu sat on the floor and took out his writing supplies. Meren plunged into the formal address of the report without pausing. When he reached the end of the long salutation, he stopped. Nu kept writing for a moment, then dipped his rush pen in fresh black ink and waited. Frowning, Meren walked over to gaze down at the papyrus stretched over Nu's crossed legs. The address was perfect. The cursive hieroglyphs were clear, the words accurate.
'You're talented for one so young,' Meren said.
'The lord is generous.'
'I must find some post for you where your skills can be honed. You're wasted in a country house.'
Nu flushed with pleasure, and Meren gave him a slight smile. He intended to find a post that would keep him busy for a decade and in a place far away from his daughter. Perhaps he wouldn't care. Service to the viceroy of Kush, far to the south in Nubia, would be most appropriate for Nu.
A knock interrupted him as he began to dictate again. At his response, Bentanta came into the room alone. Meren stuttered over a phrase, then hesitated.
