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progress was stalled. The king s brother put on a sympathetic
face and promised he d pray for the tide to turn in Egypt s
favor.
Shaanar had much less to do at the State Department than
he claimed. He also avoided any overt contact with the Syrian
merchant Raia. In these troubled times, it would be unseemly
for a figure of Shaanar s stature to focus on his collection of
rare imported vases. He therefore had to make do with cryptic
messages from Raia, the contents of which were encouraging.
94 Christian Jacq
According to Syrian observers in Canaan, the rebels trap
had worked to perfection. Headstrong as ever, Ramses had
forged eagerly ahead, forgetting that his enemies might have a
surprise or two in store.
In his spare time, Shaanar had solved the mystery on
everyone s mind at court the theft of Nefertari s shawl and
the dried fish from the House of Life in Heliopolis. It had to
be Romay, the chief steward of the royal household. Shaanar
had summoned the fat man on some lame pretext, and they
were to meet that very morning, before his regular briefing
with Ahmeni.
Romay looked like the former chef he was, with his big
belly, round cheeks, and multiple chins. His performance as
chief steward had been flawless. Handpicked by the Pharaoh,
he had quickly silenced his critics. While admittedly slow
moving, he was a stickler for cleanliness and for detail. He
tasted every dish served to the royal family and maintained
strict discipline among his staff. Failure to follow his orders
resulted in instant dismissal.
How may I be of service, Your Highness? Romay asked
Shaanar.
Didn t my steward explain the problem to you?
He mentioned a scheduling conflict for an upcoming ban-
quet, but I m not aware
What if we discussed the theft from the House of Life in
Heliopolis instead? I m sure you ve heard about the missing
vessel of fish.
Fish? I know nothing about it.
And Queen Nefertari s shawl?
I ve been informed of that, of course, and I was appalled,
but
Did you look into it?
It s not my place to conduct investigations,Your Highness!
Ramses: The battle of kadesh 95
You d be in the ideal position, though.
No, I don t think
Just think about it you re the key man in the palace.
Nothing gets by you, I hear!
You overestimate me.
Why did you do it, Romay?
Me? You aren t insinuating
No, I m not insinuating. I m positive. What did you do
with the queen s shawl and the missing fish?
Your accusations are completely unfounded!
I know what men are like, Romay. And I have proof.
No!
Why would you take such a risk?
Romay s flustered expression, the unhealthy flush spreading
upward from his neck, the way his whole body suddenly
sagged, were proof enough. Shaanar was right again.
Was it a bribe, or do you simply hate the Pharaoh? Either
way, it s a serious offense.
Your Highness, I The fat man s distress was almost
touching.
Considering your record, I m inclined to overlook this
incident. But if I need your help in the future, you d better be
prepared to do as I ask.
Ahmeni was composing his daily report to Ramses in his
quick, sure hand.
Can you spare a moment? Shaanar asked affably.
You know I always have time for you. We re meeting at the
king s request, after all. He set down his writing kit.
You look exhausted, Ahmeni.
96 Christian Jacq
Only outwardly.
Shouldn t you be taking better care of your health?
The health of our nation is my sole concern.
Don t tell me you have bad news!
Quite the contrary.
Could you be more specific?
I ve wanted to tell you about Ramses triumphs in Canaan,
but I thought it was best to wait until the information was
confirmed. Since we were fed some false reports recently via
carrier pigeon, I ve learned to be more careful.
A Hittite scheme, I suppose?
Yes, and it almost cost us dearly! Our garrisons in Canaan
had fallen into rebel hands without our even knowing. If
Ramses had split up the forces, our losses would have been
disastrous.
But fortunately that didn t happen.
The province of Canaan is once again under our control,
with free access to the coast. The governor has sworn his loy-
alty to Ramses.
In such a short time! Quite an accomplishment for my
brother. Since he s answered the Hittite challenge, I suppose
they re marching home now.
That s classified information.
What do you mean, classified? I m secretary of state,
remember?
I have no further information.
Impossible!
But true.
Shaanar stormed out.
Ahmeni was alone again with his regrets not over his atti-
tude toward Shaanar, but because he d been so hasty in
detaining Serramanna. The evidence had certainly been
stacked against the bodyguard, but perhaps it had deserved
Ramses: The battle of kadesh 97
closer attention. With the pressure of impending war, Ahmeni
had been a bit more lax than usual. He d feel better if he
double-checked all the evidence, as was his habit.
Irritated with himself, he got up to locate Serramanna s file.
Seventeen
uarding the main point of entry to Syria, the fortress of
GMegiddo sat on a hilltop above a lush plain. It looked
forbidding with its stone walls, battlements, high square
towers, wooden hoardings, and thick gates.
The garrison included both Egyptians and Syrians loyal to
the Pharaoh, but who could trust the official messages
asserting that the fort had not fallen into rebel hands?
Ramses found the scenery unsettling: high wooded hills,
gnarled oak trees, muddy rivers, dank wetlands, sandy soil . . .
a hard land, hostile and closed, so very different from the
beauty of the Nile and the sweeping vistas of Egypt.
Twice his scouts had been attacked by wild boars intent
on protecting their sows and young. His horsemen had
trouble negotiating the overgrown forest trails and tight pas-
sages between tree trunks. On the other hand, the easy avail-
ability of water and the abundance of game were distinct
advantages.
98 Christian Jacq
Ramses gave the order to halt, but not to pitch the tents.
Eyes fixed on the fortress in the distance, he waited for the
scouts return.
Setau was glad of the extra time in his infirmary. The seri-
ously wounded had been sent home, so the remaining troops
were able-bodied except for men suffering from colds and
stomach complaints. A little byrony, cumin, or castor oil
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