The Gardener and the Assassin by Mark Gajewski

Author:Mark Gajewski [Gajewski, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-10-25T16:00:00+00:00

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Shemu (Harvest)

Neset

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I stalked back and forth in my hut after Pentawere left for half an hour, bereft, blinded by hot tears. I’d just given up the only man I’d ever loved, again, but this time for good. Then I threw myself on my pallet, thrashed about, rose, paced again, sat on a chair with my head in my hands, sobbed. I felt the walls closing in on me. I couldn’t stay inside, not in the hut where my world had just ended. I left, stumbled down the long dark dusty lane, still crying, made my way to Pharaoh’s garden. I took the nearest path, made a beeline for my favorite stone bench beneath a dark stand of acacia trees. In the darkness I ran headlong into a man standing on the path. I nearly tumbled to the ground. He caught me and steadied me and set me back on my feet.

His face was unmistakable in the moonlight. Ramesses, Pharaoh’s co–ruler. Could this night get any worse? I could be executed for touching a royal, much less slamming into one. I fell to my knees, still crying, lowered my head. “I’m sorry, Majesty,” I sobbed.

“What’s wrong?” he asked gently.

I tried to answer but couldn’t.

Ramesses raised me to my feet, took me in his arms, held me close to calm me.

I let him for a moment. Then I realized I was in the arms of the man who was going to murder Pharaoh and be burned alive for it a few paces away from this very garden. The most devious and awful person in the entire land. A man who, thanks to my dream, Pentawere had already taken steps to stop. Hastily, I moved back, brushed the tears from my face, dropped my eyes to the ground, totally embarrassed he’d taken me in his arms, appalled at his true nature that had been revealed to me by my god.

“You’re Neset, Meniufer’s granddaughter,” he said. “Your oversee all the gardens in this section of the valley.”

I raised my wet eyes. “Yes, Majesty.”

“I first saw you in my father’s garden at Pi–Ramesses. You were with my brother Pentawere at the banquet celebrating my return from my campaign.”

“You have an excellent memory, Majesty,” I snuffled.

“For some things.”

“I’m surprised you noticed me.”

“I command the army. I’m required to notice many things. It keeps my men alive.”

I nodded. That made sense.

“I assume your tears are related to my brother’s unexpected marriage this evening?”

I guess I wasn’t really surprised Ramesses was aware of my relationship with his brother. We hadn’t hidden it, at least not at the beginning when he’d have seen Pentawere and me together. No sense in denying it. If I was less than forthcoming who knew how he might react? “Majesty, a little while ago Pentawere told me he was married.” More tears spilled down my cheeks. “So I gave him up.”

He seemed satisfied with my explanation. “I’m sorry. Will you be alright?”

“Yes, Majesty. Tomorrow, perhaps. Or never.”

His face said he had no interest in getting involved in my situation, which was fine with me.

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