Tutankhamun: The Book of Shadows

‘Fear is a large and curious subject.’

‘In these years I have learned a great deal about it,’ she replied. ‘I have had a most accomplished teacher.’

They stared at each other for a long moment, like adversarial cats.

‘This nonsense must be denounced with the contempt it deserves, not given prominence in the minds of the weak and vulnerable.’

‘I could not agree more, which is why I have assigned Rahotep to investigate. I will go now to the King, and leave you all to discuss a plan of action to prevent any further such events.’

She left the chamber. I bowed to Ay and followed her. Outside, in the dark corridor, I showed her the ankh amulet I had found on the dead girl’s body.

‘Forgive me for showing you this. But, let me ask: do you recognize it?’

‘Recognize it? It is mine. My mother gave it to me. For my name and for my protection.’

The ankh-Ankhesenamun…My hunch about the connection had been right. And now, as I was actually delivering the object back to its owner, the act itself suddenly seemed part of the murderer’s plan.

‘Where did you get it?’ She was angry now, and snatched the amulet away from me.

I fumbled for an explanation that would not alarm her.

‘It was found. In the city.’

She turned to face me.

‘Do not disguise the truth from me. I want to know the truth. I am not a child.’

‘It was found on a body. A young woman, murdered.’

‘How was she murdered?’

I paused, reluctant.

‘She had been scalped. Her face was cut off. Her eyes were removed. In their place was a gold mask. And she was wearing this.’

She was suddenly breathless. She silently considered the jewel in her hand.

‘Who was she?’ she said, quietly.

‘Her name was Neferet. I think she worked in a brothel. She was your age. For what it’s worth, I don’t think she suffered. And I will find out why your amulet was found on her body.’

‘But somebody must have stolen it from my private chamber. Who could have done that? And why?’

She paced the corridor, anxiously. ‘I was right. Nowhere is safe. Look at this place. It is all shadows. Now do you believe me?’

She held up the amulet, which twisted, shining in the dark of the corridor. I saw tears gathering in her eyes.

‘I will never be able to wear this again,’ she said, and walked silently away.

As soon as I re-entered the chamber, Ay turned on me.

‘Don’t think this supports your presence here. This is nothing. It is mere nonsense.’

‘It may be nonsense, but it has worked in the way its creator intended.’

He snorted.

‘And that is?’

‘It has capitalized on the climate of fear.’

‘The climate of fear. How poetic.’

I wished I could swat him out of existence like a fly.

‘And once again, this “gift offering” has managed to reach the King himself. How did that happen?’ he continued.

All eyes now turned to the soldier.

‘It was discovered in the Queen’s apartments,’ he admitted, reluctantly.

Even Ay was taken aback.

‘How is that possible?’ he said intently. ‘What has happened to the security in the royal quarters?’

‘I am unable to offer an explanation,’ said the soldier, in shame.

Ay was about to shout back at him, but suddenly he scowled, and gripped his jaw, as a sudden spasm of toothache afflicted him.

‘And who discovered it?’ he continued, as the attack subsided.

‘Ankhesenamun herself,’ offered Khay.

Ay pondered the box for a moment.

‘This will not happen again. You understand the penalty of failure?’

The soldier saluted.

‘And I suggest you and the great Seeker of Mysteries acquaint yourselves. Perhaps two idiots are better than one, although experience suggests otherwise.’

He paused.

‘There can be no more disturbances in the security of the palace. You will both report to me before the Colonnade Hall opening ceremony with your proposals for the King’s security.’

And so he departed. A little of the tension in the room abated. The soldier introduced himself as Simut, Commander of the Palace Guard. We made dutiful gestures of respect, and said the right formulas, but he looked at me like a man who would relish my ruination. I was intruding on his territory.

‘Who has access to this chamber?’ I asked.

‘The Queen’s ladies…the King, those who serve him, those who serve here, and no others…’ said Khay.

‘There are guards stationed at every entrance to the royal quarters,’ said Simut. ‘Everyone must possess permissions to pass.’

‘Therefore it must have been delivered by someone with high-priority access who moves with ease within the royal quarters,’ I replied. ‘I imagine that, once past the security points, in order to allow the family some privacy, there are no guards and no searches within the royal quarters themselves?’

Khay nodded, uncomfortably.

‘The competence of the royal guards is absolutely not in question, but there is clearly a serious flaw somewhere that has allowed this object, and the carving, to appear here. I’m sure you’ll agree it is imperative we put in place more stringent security arrangements for the King and Queen, both within the quarters and in public. When is the Colonnade Hall to be commemorated?’ I asked.

‘In two days’ time,’ said Khay. ‘But tomorrow there is a gathering of the Council of Karnak which the King must attend.’

‘Tomorrow?’ I frowned. ‘That is unfortunate.’

Khay nodded.

‘What is “unfortunate” is that these “disturbances” could not have happened at a worse time,’ he replied.

‘It is no coincidence,’ intoned Simut in his humourless, military fashion. ‘If this were a conventional situation, such as a battle, I could see the enemy facing me. But this is different. This enemy is invisible. He could be one of us. He may be inside this palace now. He certainly seems to know everything about its layout, its protocols and hierarchies.’

‘So we have a problem, for I imagine you cannot simply question elite men high in the order of power, without the strongest evidence,’ I said.

‘Alas, that is true,’ Khay replied wearily, as if all his energy had suddenly departed.

‘Nevertheless, every one of them is now a suspect. A list of names would be a start. And some simple questions about their whereabouts and so on would help to clarify the situation. We need to know who was here in the quarters tonight, and who has no alibi,’ I offered.

‘But at the same time we must not reveal anything of these objects. It is imperative we maintain strict silence on this matter,’ said Khay nervously.

‘My assistant will gladly help you assemble the information, and make the preliminary enquiries,’ I replied.

Khay glanced at Khety, and was about to accept when Simut intervened.

‘The security of the royal quarters is my responsibility. I will have the information prepared