Scepter of Flint by N.L. Holmes

Author:N.L. Holmes [Holmes, N.L.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: N.L. Holmes
Published: 2020-07-14T06:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

HANI BEGAN TO HAMMER wildly on the gate, furious as a jay defending its nest. “Open up! A’a! Open to me now!” he roared.

The gate opened a slit, and Hani burst his way in. “What’s the meaning of this?” His face was burning, his heart ready to explode. He rushed to Nub-nefer’s side, and she put her arms around him and hid her face against his chest.

Mahu and four of his men and their leashed baboon stood in the gravel path. The chief of police was scowling like a thundercloud. At Hani’s precipitous entry, his angry expression turned to a snide smile. “Well, well. Look who’s here.”

“I told you he wasn’t home,” Nub-nefer shouted in a raw, accusing voice.

“What do you want?” Hani demanded, stepping between his wife and the policemen.

“You’re under arrest for interfering with the king’s justice,” said Mahu, looking almost delighted.

Hani said haughtily, “I’m sorry your intelligence hasn’t given you the rest of the story, Mahu. I was acting as the agent of the vizier of the Lower Kingdom and of the high commissioner. You’ll have to take your grievance up with them.” He was breathing hard through his nose, trying to restrain himself from the quivering violence he felt creeping along his body. His hands clenched in defiance. Stay cool. Don’t give in to a shouting match or worse. “Go bully women somewhere else.”

Mahu swaggered up to Hani, and the two men glared at one another, almost nose to nose. Do not strike him. Do not strike him, no matter how much he deserves it.

“I think we’ll just take you in while we find out whether you’re telling the truth or not,” Mahu said through gritted teeth. His face had grown as crimson as a pomegranate.

“I have letters of mission, signed with the vizier’s seal. You can read them for yourself.”

Over Mahu’s shoulder, Hani was aware of his father standing in the doorway of the house, his bristling eyebrows murderous. “Here, what’s this?” Mery-ra cried as he surged into the garden. “My son has a royal commission. You have no right to apprehend him.” He extended the packet of papyrus and unfolded it, holding it out toward Mahu but not relinquishing it.

Mahu ran a quick eye over the document but seemed reluctant to back down even in the face of evidence. However, his bravado had slipped a notch.

Hani said contemptuously, “Inquire of the vizier whether or not my actions are on his behalf. I had proof the Mitannians were innocent, and there was no longer any excuse to hold them. Their king has already made a complaint to Nefer-khepru-ra, and you’d better not aggravate the situation.”

Mahu hung there, quivering with impotent rage, but he seemed to have doubts about crossing Aper-el. “We’ll see whose commission will prevail, Hani. But I advise you to stay out of my way. You’re making yourself very obnoxious.”

“To whom, Mahu? To you?” Hani couldn’t resist saying. “I’m trying to find out the identity of a criminal. To restore ma’at. To

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