Free The King's Man by Pauline Gedge Page B

temple at Ipet-isut. He wants to make a new barque for the god, raise and finish an obelisk that his grandfather the Osiris-one Amunhotep the Second apparently left lying in the granite quarries at Assuan—”
    “He speaks of gold, lapis, malachite,” Nakht-sobek broke in. “He does not understand the extent of the Treasury’s holdings. They are vast, but …”
    Huy tossed the scroll back on the desk. “His Majesty has agreed to meet with you so that he may learn exactly how rich he is,” he said crisply. “I have asked him to do this before there is any more talk of opening the Treasury. I’m neither stupid nor craven, Nakht-sobek. Both the King and his mother know that I have not been summoned to court to place a seal of compliance on every royal desire. No decision is required until you and he have spoken.” He turned to Kha. “Are these ventures laudable and feasible?”
    “Yes, indeed.” Kha tapped his scroll against his thigh. “Depending on the details of the designs, of course.”
    Huy got up. He had not drunk his beer. “Then we may delay any further discussion for the present.” He bowed to the Treasurer. “Are you reassured, noble one?”
    He received the ghost of a smile in return. Nakht-sobek also rose. “Completely, Great Seer. I look forward to consulting with you again in the future.”
    It was a capitulation that Huy accepted with good grace. Taking his leave, he went out into the passage that ran the length of the administrative offices and began the long walk to his own quarters. Before long Kha caught up with him.
    “His Majesty has already warned me that he intends to arrive at my office one day soon to lay out the details and dimensions of his plans,” he told Huy, coming abreast and falling into step with him. “From what he has already said, he understands the rudiments of an architect’s task and can speak quite knowledgeably regarding the qualities and weaknesses of various kinds of building materials. He has you to thank for such knowledge, does he not?”
    “In some part, yes.”
    “Then I trust you will be included in the work. I find it very exciting. His father cared little for any such major endeavours.”
    “How is it that you came to study architecture?” Huy wanted to know.
    Kha laughed. “I appreciate your tact, Great Seer. You have already noted my common status. My ancestors belonged to a desert tribe inhabiting the wastes of Tjehenu to the west of the Delta. That’s where my blue eyes come from. My grandfather began a trade in desert glass with the Governor of Weset’s sepat during the reign of Osiris Thothmes the Third of that name. He was ambitious and enterprising. He earned enough to build a small house within the city of Weset itself, and opened a beer house in the room fronting our street. My father sent me to school. I have prospered, for a peasant. My daughters have made good marriages in Weset and my two younger sons have followed me into architecture. They are both with me here, where we live in a palace apartment. Would you be willing to come and share a meal with us sometime?” Huy found his liking growing for this unpretentious man.
    “I’d be honoured, Kha. Thank you.” They had come to a halt where the passage branched. “In the meantime, we must be about our duties.” They took an easy farewell of one another, Kha to disappear to somewhere in the bowels of the labyrinthine complex and Huy to return to his own quarters.
    Amunmose met him as he walked in. “I’ve hired an under steward named Paroi, Master,” he announced, “and I’ve been talking to Nubti about more staff. Now that you’re back, I’ll go and fetch your noon meal. The King has sent a message for you. You are to have your litter-bearers ready to take you to the house of God’s Father Yey after the sleep. His Majesty will meet you on the main concourse of the palace.”
    He left. Tetiankh appeared with hot scented water to remove Huy’s sandals and wash his hands and