Shadows of the Nile (11 page)

She found Chione sitting quietly in her room, with a bowl in front of her, mixing herbs.

“Are you all right, Tadinanefer? You seem worried – and look, your skirt is torn.”

“No, no, Chione. I'm fine.” She must have damaged her dress on the way down.

Chione glanced quizzically at her. “If something's wrong you must tell me.”

“I thought I saw someone climbing the women's wall. I tried to follow and slipped.”

“Someone climbing the wall?” She paused. “The girls have been told not to do that. It's dangerous. They do it as a laugh, I think. Sometimes they get hurt. You mustn't do it again. Promise me.”

Tadinanefer nodded. “Have any of them been really hurt?”

“Sometimes. But let's not talk about it. Change your dress, and then I'll take you to meet a very sweet girl who I think you'll like more than the others. Her name is Eboni.”

*

Once again Tadinanefer followed Chione, as she led the way between a maze of corridors on the lower level of the buildings and into another small room, where a girl was seated on a chair.

As the other girl stood up Chione smiled at them both. “How pretty you are together. You're both so slim, and you have perfect proportions in the right places. And how you contrast! Tadinanefer, you have the most beautiful white skin and are like the day, and Eboni, your skin is black, like the night. And your hair. Tadinanefer's is brown, with a hint of the sun, and Eboni, your hair is like the black sky just before morning. Embrace each other because you're going to be the best of friends.” She watched like a mother as the two did as they were told.

“Now I must go, and you must talk. I'll see you later, Tadinanefer. Someone will come to lead you back.”

The two sat down side by side.

“You have such a lovely name, Tadinanefer. I believe it means someone who is given beauty.”

Tadinanefer smiled. “I think that's right.”

Eboni laid her arm next to Tadinanefer's pale one.

“Why are you so white?”

“It's a long story. My folk came from another country, and both sadly died.”

“That happened to my people as well. I was left in the street to die, but this place took me in and saved me. They've always looked after me and now I'm ready to repay my debt.”

“I don't understand.”

Eboni smiled. “Do you know what this place is?”

Tadinanefer hesitated. She was beginning to suspect it was not as she'd been led to believe.

“Some sort of temple? Chione has taught me prayers and how to write in hieroglyphics.”

“She's a very good person. She lives in her own little world. She believes what she wants to believe. Everything about her is noble. She knows what the place is, but she still helps out in her own valuable way. No one will ever question what she does because she has powers to help us, and is essential to the institution.”

Tadinanefer started thinking. She remembered the man's words, ‘so-called temple,' and now Eboni was calling it an institution.

“There are a lot of girls here,” Tadinanefer said quietly. “Young girls like us. Some of them climb the wall.”

“Yes, and do you know why they do that?”

“No.”

“They get expensive presents from the men outside. The guards turn a blind eye because they take the best of the pickings.”

“You mean the girls pay the guards so they can visit the men?”

“Yes.”

“But aren't the women being schooled in the ways of the temple?”

“It isn't a temple,” Eboni said gently. “It's a whorehouse. We're all being trained to please, not the Gods, but man.”

Tadinanefer drew in a short, sharp breath. “That's terrible! What on earth have I come to? This isn't for me!” She paused. “But what do the girls think – do they mind?”

“No. If they didn't do this they'd perish on the streets. This way we all have a chance to live.”

“But why did Chione bring me here? I was in disguise as a man in rags, running away from my master, and she thought I was some dirty old tramp from the gutter.”

Eboni laughed gently. “Did she? Sometimes she brings in disreputable characters, because she learns from them. Some of the secrets of our potions come from these funny old folk, who know plants and trees and the old ways. She's learnt a lot. She must have thought you might have a wealth of knowledge. Wow! She must have been so surprised when she found out you were a female!”

Despite the gravity of the situation Tadinanefer laughed too.

“But,” Eboni continued, “because you were white she must have thought you were something special.”

“Maybe. So what's going to happen to us – to me?”

“Chione will try to protect you and make out you are valuable to her, but I think you've already been noticed. That's why you're talking to me. Because I'm black I too am special. I think, but I don't know, that they may have plans for us together. Don't be frightened. We'll survive. I've never been with a man, and I don't suppose you have?”

“No. I don't want to do this. I was brought up as a daughter of a rich and influential family. Ah, but then it all went wrong; they turned against me, and if they catch me they'll kill me. I suppose I haven't a choice either.”

“I'm sorry. However there is one hope,” Eboni said, brightly.

“Yes?”

“We're still both pure in body. I've never been asked to go with a man. That means they've other plans for me, and I think now you've come along they'll plan for both of us.”

“In what way?”

“They'll use us together maybe, black and white. Have you seen the many steps up to the great building at the top?”

“No.”

“You will. Sometimes a favoured female will be taken up those steps away from here. They're introduced to very wealthy men, and I mean seriously wealthy. If we're lucky we could go that way rather than serve the men of the town.”

The memory of the procession came back to Tadinanefer. “I saw a very wealthy man on a horse in the street. Could he be one of them?” In a way she hoped he wouldn't be using a brothel.

“It's possible. Who knows?”

“So what happens now?”

“We wait. You must work hard with Chione. Learn the artistry she teaches. A lot of noble men like their females to have more than just a body. Learn the ways of mixing potions and using herbs, learn drawing and writing. Your body is perfect, so now improve your mind.”

“And you. What do you do?”

“I can sing. I can charm the birds out of the sky when I play the lyre. I can paint – only trees and flowers, but it's something. It's important we learn, and that'll help us survive. If we can go up those steps and meet influential clientele maybe someone will buy us out of here for a better purpose.”

“Yes,” murmured Tadinanefer.

They talked more, before a guard came to collect her. Tadinanefer was very impressed by all the good advice Eboni had given her. For someone who could only have been about her age, and maybe even a bit younger, she was much more worldly-wise, and could be very important to her if she was ever to be thrown into the world of debauchery.

*

“I was going for my walk.” It was the next afternoon and Tadinanefer was heading for the women's exercise area when a guard barred her way.

“Not today.”

“Why?” She murmured the question in a quiet and respectful way. She was beginning to realise the dreadful truth of everything, and knew she had to pretend to be subservient if nothing else.

“They're mending the wall. The stones are falling out. We don't want anyone hurt, do we? I suggest you go back to Chione and see what she's got for you.”

So someone had found out about what was happening. Someone had been quietly watching the wall and probably noting who'd done what. She must look as guilty as the rest. She'd been outside. Suddenly she felt frightened. Chione wouldn't be able to protect her against the fury of the hierarchy. She'd be questioned.

*

She was right. Chione wasn't alone when she got back. She stood waiting for her, with two guards on either side, both with daggers. She too looked frightened. Seated at her bench was a heavily-veiled woman in white. She was not dressed in the thin fabric Tadinanefer was wearing. Her dress was of the best and purest silk, and gold glittered on her arms, and her veil was encrusted with tiny gold jewels.

“So,” she drawled slowly. “This is the white girl. This is the first time I've seen you close up. I've watched you bathe, of course, and I know you are almost without blemish. The one flaw you have is that you're spirited. But we can remedy that. A few floggings will soon alter your ways.”

Tadinanefer shivered inwardly. She'd occasionally seen Ptah take his whip to a defenceless servant and not stop until blood oozed from the wounds.

“Ah, good. You lower your eyes. Now tell me, my dear Tadinanefer, what happened when you climbed the wall to the outside.” Tadinanefer began to mumble. “Speak up, girl. I can't hear you.”

“I'm sorry. I thought it would be easy to get outside to look at the countryside. I didn't realise it was breaking the rules. I… I met a man outside who seemed to think I'd gone to see him, or someone like him, which wasn't so. Nothing happened. I managed to get away from him and back into safety as soon as possible.”

“She's a bit of an innocent,” Chione intervened. “I haven't told her anything of what her duties might be here.”

“Quiet!” the woman stormed. “Talk when you're spoken to or I'll cut off your tongue.”

Chione paled and her body shook.

“So, my sweet Tadinanefer, you expect me to believe your story?”

“It's the truth.”

“Really? So what shall we do with you? Shall we turn you over to Ptah, who will immediately have you sacrificed? That would be such a waste. Shall we turn you over to the guards to see whether you're still as pure as you make yourself out to be? That could be very interesting to watch. Or shall we just this once believe you? What do you think I should do, Tadinanefer?”

“Believe me, please. I can make a lot of money for you. I'm different. I'm foreign. Many of your wealthy men would be interested in me. If the first man I went with for you said I wasn't pure, then punish me. Please believe me.” To add to the drama of the situation, she sank to her knees and lowered her head. She must survive.

The woman stood up. She took one of the daggers from the guards and held Tadinanefer's dress at the neck. She slit the dress with great precision down to the waist, and then ripped it apart. She then held the dagger under her chin. “You'll do as you're told in future. Do you understand?”

Tadinanefer nodded dumbly. She kept her eyes on the ground until the woman and the guards had left the room.

*

Chione pulled her to her feet. Tadinanefer began to tremble, realising how she might just have talked herself out of a terrible punishment.

“I'm glad you told the truth,” Chione said. “She knew nothing had happened. She's had you followed ever since Ptah turned up here a couple of days ago, wanting you.”

“Ptah?”

“He found out you were here. She asked such a lot of money for you that even he couldn't afford to pay it. Oh, Tadinanefer. Again, thank the Gods you were truthful. We're safe. But promise me you won't ever cross her.”

“I'll try not to cross her.” Tadinanefer paused. “You sent me to Eboni to find out the truth, didn't you? This place isn't a temple, is it?”

“No, I'm sorry. I so much wanted it to be when they took me in to look after everyone with my potions. It's a lie, I tell myself, so I don't have to accept things as they are. Oh, we won't be together much longer. They'll take you away from me and there's so much more I wanted to teach you. Here, let me hug you. You must always remember me and the love I have for you.” She held Tadinanefer tightly in her arms.

Tadinanefer nestled up to her. ‘This is the second woman,' she thought wryly, ‘I've loved and had to say goodbye to in just a few brief weeks.' She didn't suppose she'd ever see very much of her again when the guards came for her. Life was very cruel.

*

They came for her that evening. She wasn't allowed to say anything to Chione, so she was glad they'd said their farewells earlier. They hurried her through the building and into a large room, where they pushed her in and left her, locking the door as they went. She didn't sleep well, afraid of what might happen to her. She could hear the movement of the guards outside and in the next rooms, and guessed she'd been put in the men's quarters. There was no means of escape. The ceiling was very high with a small opening at the top but there was no way of reaching it, even standing on the bench, and where would she go anyway? Ptah was, no doubt, waiting for her outside somewhere, his sacrificial dagger slung low on his hip. She hoped he hadn't paid someone on the inside to release her to him. She was beginning to realise just how corrupt the world was and just what gold could buy.

The early morning light had just begun to creep through the gap in the ceiling when she heard the sound of keys jangling in the door. She was immediately alert. If it was Ptah she'd fight for her life. She wouldn't meekly kneel for him to kill her. She waited. But it was merely a woman servant bringing her food and water. She didn't say anything but simply laid them down on the bench.

*

She was left on her own all day, once again lonely and deserted by everyone. It wasn't until evening that the woman returned with more food and this time some wine, and also something else. She brought papyrus, pots of paint and brushes, and put them on the bench alongside the victuals. She withdrew quietly.

Tadinanefer stared at the paints and the brushes. They'd given her something to do! Had this come from Chione? Eboni? The veiled woman? She didn't care. She started to carefully mix the paints, and then to draw, guided by not only how Chione had taught her but by what she'd learned from watching the painters in Ptah's tomb. She remembered how the blue sky was drawn on the ceiling with the stars. She remembered the snake coiled and ready to protect her. She worked for as long as she could using the fading daylight from the hole in the ceiling. Then when there was no papyrus left she found a patch on the wall and drew a fish with dots and scales, and a duck with feathers, and the snake. She used the remainder of the paint on other little drawings. Finally, exhausted, she sank onto the bed and slept.