else to talk about, for this is a world unto itself. It is easy to believe that nothing and nowhere else exists. There is an enchantment to it, as if we live inside a beautiful mirror, gazing in at ourselves. But sometimes reality intrudes, doesn’t it?’
‘Does it?’ I asked. ‘It seems to have been kept at a helpful distance so far.’
‘We cannot afford instability at this time, just as we are about to confirm the new order of things. The Festival must be perfect.’ He opened his hands with a shrug, a kind of ‘innocent’ gesture that also managed somehow to be ironic.
‘Can you introduce me to a couple of people? I need to meet the men around the Queen. Ramose in particular.’
He nodded.
We followed Parennefer into the roar of the crowd. He approached a tall, elegant, impeccably dressed man who was holding forth at the centre of a circle of male acolytes and female admirers. As we stood awaiting his attention, their curious, cool gazes passed over me, and they fell silent. Jewellery and ornaments glittered in the light of the lamps. These people were wearing enough treasure to finance a small kingdom; the cost of each outfit would have fed a working family for a year.
His proud, angular face stood in odd juxtaposition to the soft and subtle art of his clothes. So here was the man closest to Akhenaten. Here was the man who controlled everything in his royal names: foreign affairs, agriculture, justice, tax collection, building projects, the Priesthood, the army…Ramose was at the centre of all aspects of the management and policy of the Great Estate. Therefore he too must be deeply implicated in the Great Changes. He acknowledged me with the slightest inclination of his vain head, then casually named the people standing in the circle: his senior ministers, chief lawyers and accountants and their careful, artificial career wives with their tight wigs and caged smiles. Then he took me to one side and began a little inquisition.
‘So, you are the seeker of mysteries?’
‘I have that honour.’
‘The Queen must be found and returned. Alive.’
‘I have just arrived. It is early in my investigation.’
‘Maybe so, but I imagine you know you don’t have much time. We hear there is already a body?’
‘It is not her.’
‘So I hear. That is excellent news. Nevertheless, you are presented with an enigma. And she still has not been found. I mean, still you have not found her.’
He looked at me coldly. What could I say?
‘You are reporting to our admirable chief of police?’
‘I am reporting to Akhenaten himself.’
‘Well, I am sure he is keeping a close eye on your progress, if that is not too positive a word.’
I could not resist. ‘Of course, if the royal security had been good enough she would never have been taken. The Queen’s Palace is hardly protected at night. Two guards and a couple of maids?’
He was angry now. ‘The royal security is second to none. You have no right to question it. Just do your job and return her in time for the Festival.’ And with that he turned away and rejoined his group of cronies.
Parennefer gathered up my elbow and steered me away. ‘How did that go?’
‘A charming man.’
‘He’s extremely important, and what’s more, he is of the right view of things.’
‘In what way?’
‘He is deeply concerned for the stability of the new order, both domestically and in our foreign territories. He has much at stake in his public commitment to the Great Changes.’
‘Then he must not be able to sleep at night.’
Parennefer was interrupted by an elegant man with an intelligent, open face who tapped him lightly on the shoulder.
‘Ah, the noble Nakht. Meet our seeker of mysteries, Rahotep.’
We nodded respectfully to each other.
‘Nakht has a wonderful garden here. It contains nineteen varieties of trees and shrubs.’
‘Well, I have made a start,’ the man said modestly. ‘Green leaves, shade, a little pool of water, some vines, a few caged birds-and then I feel the world is not after all such a disaster. For a few moments, at least.’
I liked his tone as much as his face.
‘I agree with you about the state of the world,’ I said. ‘But most people would say we are living in the best of times.’
‘Then they’re simply not thinking for themselves. In my opinion the great garden of this country is under threat from forces that are not being taken seriously, especially at the highest levels. There are powers within the court who are very focused on the making of this city and therefore the making of their own personal fortunes, and not at all concerned with the array of problems that face us in our time: a disaffected and confused population, an antagonized and disinherited ex-Priesthood, and then the little matter of the serious foreign troubles we are building up for ourselves along our borders to the north, and in our satellites and allied kingdoms. We have serious responsibilities there, and we neglect them at our peril. I’ve seen desperate letters from loyal vassals and garrison commanders describing assassinations of local leaders and vicious raids, and the crumbling of our authority. These leaders send us calls for urgent aid, support and renewed forces, but are they answered? No. We leave them to rot. Not only are innocent people suffering, not only is trade threatened, but the dominance of the King in these regions is being questioned and even tested. Our policy is one of non-intervention. But it is my belief that these little wars and skirmishes will not go away of their own accord. And a Festival is fine, if you want to hold a party, but it won’t mean much in a year’s time when the royal granaries are empty, the workers are unpaid and hungry, and the barbarians are knocking on the garden gate.’
We paused to absorb his words.
‘Barbarians at the garden gate indeed.’
I recognized the cold sarcastic voice at once. Mahu joined us.
Nakht acknowledged him with the barest nod. ‘Where’s your dog, Mahu? At home, waiting up for you?’
‘He doesn’t like parties. He’s happier in his own company.’
They were like mutually adversarial species: the elegant leopard of the noble intelligentsia and the lion of the lower ranks sharing the same habitat only by virtue of an agreement that could be terminated at any moment.
Parennefer, anxious to avoid confrontation, took the opportunity to announce his departure, effectively abandoning me to the charms of a man he must have known was not favourably disposed towards me. I would remember that.
‘I expect we will meet again,’ he said. ‘It’s a small world.’
‘But I wouldn’t want to have to paint it,’ I said.
That was something my ex-partner Pentu used to say. I don’t know why it came into my mind at that moment. Nakht laughed, but Parennefer just looked puzzled, shrugged, and then sailed off into the sea of conversation.
‘It is encouraging to know we have a smart man on our side in these strange times,’ Nakht said, turning to me. ‘I hope we will meet again. Call on me for anything you need. Your assistant knows where to find me.’ And then he too left us.
I was sorry to see him go. I felt I could trust him. And he could be a good friend on the inside.
Mahu stared balefully after Nakht’s figure, then turned to me. ‘You have a little fan.’
I shrugged. ‘He seems a good man.’
‘He is a noble. It is easy for them to be good. There is no effort in it. They inherit it, along with the power and the fortune.’
Neither of us spoke for a moment.
‘You didn’t come to see me with your news,’ he said.
Of course I had not. This was deliberate. Nevertheless, I had flouted protocol and annoyed him. Again.
‘I assumed Khety or Tjenry would report to you.’
‘Who’s the dead girl?’
‘I don’t know yet.’
I said nothing more, hoping he would go. But he just stared out at the people as if they were a herd of
