Chapter Ten
Alexhotep entered the audience chamber of Akhenaten. True to Howymose’s warning, Smenkhkare and Kiya were joining Pharaoh.
Alexhotep bowed low to the monarchs. “How may I serve you, Majesties?”
Akhenaten cleared his throat. “I have a particular mission for you, Alexhotep. I need you to guard Smenkhkare’s palace for the week after he and Meritaten are married. We have reason to believe that either he or my daughter will be in danger during that time.”
Alexhotep tried accept the idea of Smenkhkare and Meritaten’s wedding without emotion filtering out onto his face.
“When will that be, Majesty?”
“After the few days that it takes to get the princess’s dowry prepared,” Akhenaten replied. He stepped closer to Alexhotep and placed his hands on his shoulders. “I know you can handle this assignment, Alexhotep. I trust you.”
Alexhotep, being the talented actor that he was, appeared grateful. “Thank you, Majesty.”
“I will send for you when the time comes. Until then, continue with your duties here.”
“Yes, Majesty.” He bowed again and started out. What could Akhenaten possibly suspect? Alexhotep thought. Or could he possibly have been tipped off by Smenkhkare and/or Kiya?
“Excuse me, Captain,” a voice called after him.
Alexhotep paused in mid-step and turned around to see Smenkhkare.
“Yes, Your Highness?”
Smenkhkare raised his eyebrows. “I am nearly equal to Pharaoh, and you only address me as ‘Highness’?”
Through clenched teeth and narrowed eyes, Alexhotep bowed and said,
“Forgive me, Majesty.”
“Will you please come with me? I’d like a word with you.”
“As you wish, Majesty.”
Alexhotep followed Smenkhkare to his private audience chamber.
“Sit down,” Smenkhkare offered.
“No, thank you, Majesty. I’d prefer to stand.”
Smenkhkare shrugged. “I need you to gather information about someone.”
“Who?”
“The physician... um, Kevinkare I think is his name. He’s been in the harem section of the palace too much for a time when all of Akhenaten’s daughters and wives are healthy.”
“Perhaps a servant is ill in that section.”
“I doubt it. I want you to watch him.”
Alexhotep nodded. “Yes, Majesty.”
“Very well. Report back to me soon with every movement that Kevinkare has made.”
Alexhotep exited the audience room. He’d have to find a way to give Smenkhkare false, yet convincing information that didn’t make Kevinkare look more suspicious than he already was.
Sighing, Alexhotep thought, I think it’s about time that I had a talk with Kevinkare....
*******
Alexhotep went to Kevinkare’s home. It took him a while until he could persuade Kevinkare to see him. Finally, Alexhotep made it in.
Kevinkare was sitting behind his desk. Dark rings circled his blood-shot eyes. He was clearly tired and had been crying.
“I’m sorry, Kevinkare, but...”
“I know, I know,” Kevinkare sighed. “I should have known she’d be married off to some spoiled prince.”
“He’s not a prince; he’s much more powerful than that, my friend. And spoiled doesn’t even begin to describe Smenkhkare. He’s a jerk, and he’s smart too. He suspects you.”
Here he had attracted Kevinkare attention.
Alexhotep went on, “He doesn’t suspect you of The Cause... not yet at least, but he knows you’re having an affair with someone. He doesn’t know it’s his future wife, but he knows you’re seeing someone. I came here to warn you. You mustn’t go... visit with Meritaten any longer. Have her come to you or something, but even that could prove to be dangerous--”
“Alexhotep, you wouldn’t understand. You’ve never been in love.”
“I’m sorry, Kevinkare, but it’s true. Whatever in the world is going on between you and the princess may just be enough to get you both killed. I’m warning you: Smenkhkare will not be as easy to fool as Akhenaten. He’s already on to you and will be watching your every move in when you’re in the palace. He’s already assigned me to spy on you.”
Kevinkare frowned. “Can you deliver a message to Meritaten for me then?”
“Sure.”
Kevinkare took out a small scroll of papyrus and scribbled a quick note to her on it. He then sealed it and handed it over to Alexhotep.
“Thank you, my friend.”
“Anytime, and be careful. I think we now have a worthy adversary.”
“I prefer it when we’re one step ahead.”
“Me too, but what can you do?”
“Be careful,” Kevinkare warned him.
Alexhotep smiled remotely. “I will. I know how to take care of myself; don’t worry about me.”
********
A day or so later, Nefret was getting ready to leave the temple premises.
Brianamun hugged her and kissed her forehead.
“I’ll be back,” Nefret told him.
“You’d sneak back to see me?”
She shrugged. “Of course.”
Brianamun laughed and kissed her lightly. “Sennedjem is waiting for you.”
She leaned up and kissed him. Then she tore herself away and slipped through the window.
Nefret made it out of the temple without being seen. Several blocks away, she didn’t pretend that she was sneaking around anymore. Carefree, she walked happily toward the house Brianamun had directed her toward. She gazed up at the stars and thanked Hathor (goddess of love, magic, and the stars) that she’d found Brianamun.
She wasn’t paying attention to her surroundings much until she heard a voice cry, “There she is!”
Her head shot up to see a group of soldiers, who had clearly spotted and recognized her.
Her eyes widened. Dropping her bag, she turned and took to her heels. Nefret could hear the guards in back of her. They were too close. She pulled her skirts up to give her legs room to run. She thanked the gods that she’d worn a loose, plain dress.
Turning a sharp corner, she didn’t bother to take the time to look over her shoulder. She could hear them still behind her.
Turning down onto a street lined with house, she saw several people out and about. They were staring at her and her pursuers.
Suddenly, a man jumped out, grabbing her.
“Here’s your thief,” he told the soldiers.
“I’m no thief,” Nefret cried, trying to wriggle out of his firm grasp, but she was no match for him.
The soldiers looked greedily down at her.
“Pharaoh will reward us greatly for this,” one snarled.
Nefret closed her eyes and gave in while her captors hauling her toward the dock and their ship.