City of the Dead

bare. The sandy floor had been swept, but not a plant grew to relieve the severity of the high walls which surrounded them. The only decoration was a massive statue of Ay. As always, he was shown young, an expression of impenetrable blandness on his face, to which the sculptor had given some of the features of Tutankhamun, in a further attempt to bolster Ay’s claim to the throne. They crossed the gash of sunshine that slanted down in a precise rectangle defined by the building, and entered a doorway on the other side of the yard, at the entrance to which stood two Nubian guards in the white kilts and dark blue headdresses of Ay’s livery.
    Ay received them in the same room as before, but his manner was agitated and he did not sit at the low table by the balcony.
    ‘You have been slower than I anticipated,’ he said to Huy. it is not always possible to produce quick results, especially when they are of such importance.’ indeed. But you lag behind the official inquiry. No doubt you and Kenamun have been treading on each other’s toes?’
    ‘On the contrary, I have not seen him.’
    Ay seemed to be weighing something in his heart. ‘No, of course you would not. His inquiry did have a start on yours.’
    ‘I have seen no evidence of his inquiry.’
    ‘What have you found out for me?’
    Huy had decided what to say, but framing the words took a moment.
    Come on,’ said Ay, impatiently, ‘I needn’t tell you what rewards will be yours if you prove yourself useful to me.’
    ‘What is your plan?’ asked Huy.
    Ay looked at him angrily. ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Before I tell you what I know, I must see how you will use it.’
    ‘What business is it of yours how I use it? I am interested in finding out the truth. The king was like a son to me.’
    ‘And you mistrust Horemheb’s inquiry?’
    ‘We have been over this before. I told you, if you accepted the job, you had to accept my terms with it.’
    ‘What I have found out may be too important for that.’
    Ay narrowed his eyes. ‘Then it wasn’t an accident?’
    ‘No.’
    Ay looked away. ‘Can you prove it?’
    ‘Yes. But I must have time. There are still pieces missing.’
    ‘If you can’t find them we can manufacture them. What have you got so far?’
    ‘I will not tell you.’
    Ay looked at him. ‘Be careful, Huy. You are playing a very dangerous game. What are you after? Do you intend to sell to the highest bidder? If that is so, let me tell you that you will not even leave here to make your sale.’
    ‘I cannot tell you my plan; but you will not kill me either. You need what I can give you because it will bring Horemheb under your power.’
    ‘You are very confident. Does it not strike you that you cannot leave this house without my permission? Why don’t I give orders now to have the information tortured out of you?’
    ‘Because I have no doubt that Horemheb knows where I am, and he will be intrigued. He is waiting for you to make your play. Keep me here, torture me, and you will alarm him into action before you are ready to defend yourself.’
    Ay turned to look out over the river. It was beginning to fill with the red sand that heralded the flood.
    ‘I can weave you a net strong enough to catch the general, continued Huy. ‘But if you want it to be strong enough, you must wait.’
    ‘Of course you realise that you are speaking treason one regent to another? Why don’t I just turn you over to Kenamun now?’
    ‘I have thought of what I would say to you, Ay. I would not have said as much as I have if I did not know that I am not in your power.
    The old man’s lip quivered and he turned away again. After a moment he had mastered himself, and now the glittering eyes turned in on themselves again, coldly weighing, as the heart within reached its decision.
    ‘Very well,’ he said at last, it seems that I must trust you -or give you what passes for trust. You are a very clever man; cleverer than I thought. But you are in a light boat, not on firm land; and there are rapids ahead.’
    ‘Then I must keep a tight grip on my paddle.’
    Ay almost smiled. ‘Be sure that you do,’ he said.

    Huy was not allowed to leave until night had fallen. Ineny wanted to escort him home, but it was an easy matter to persuade him not to. As for remaining alone in the palace compound, he still had his badge of office, and he intended to put it to use.
    He waited until the shadows were at their deepest before setting out, hugging the walls, for