City of the Dead

face.
    ‘What you ask is much.’
    ‘The risks are great whether we stay or go. The rewards are greater if we go.’

    The morning was far advanced when he made his way across the palace compound to visit Ay. This was the first time he had come unannounced, and he was cautious in case Ineny was there. But if Kenamun’s body had not been discovered, Ineny would have no idea that Huy was aware of his treachery. Another risk that had to be taken.
    He made his way to a side entrance, displayed his badge of office to the guard, and was admitted; but the house servant who greeted him told him that Ay was meeting with Horemheb and the high dignitaries of the city, and put him in an airless antechamber to wait. There was nothing else for Huy to do.
    When he received him, Ay was in a contented mood. Huy had not had to wait long, though half an hour had been an age, and the sun beyond the window of the antechamber had seemed to hang without movement in the sky.
    ‘We meet sooner than I had expected,’ said the old man. is there trouble?’
    ‘Yes.’
    Ay was alert, but the smile did not leave his lips. ‘I imagine we can deal with it. What has happened?’
    ‘First of all, I must have your confidence.’
    Ay continued to smile. ‘That you already have. And my gratitude. We are alone. No one is hiding in the shadows. Speak freely.’
    ‘Ineny has betrayed you to Horemheb.’
    The Master of Horse did not look surprised, if he has, he is too late.’ He leant forward. ‘I thought about your threats to go to Horemheb yourself if I did not do as you requested. So I decided not to wait for that, but to tell him myself. Of course it was necessary to create certain... embellishments, but he sees how things are.’ He drew himself up. ‘You must be quick. I have little time. There is much to prepare.’
    ‘For what?’
    ‘For taking the Golden Chair. You are looking at the next pharaoh.’
    Huy was silent for a moment, then smiled. ‘You never believed in the force of my threat, did you?’
    ‘I knew you had given me enough to hang Horemheb, provided that I acted fast.’ Ay’s smile had faded.
    ‘So you stole a march on me.’
    ‘Yes. You are a clever man, Huy, as I have said more often than I care to remember. But even Horus has only one eye, so how can a mere man be blamed for a blind spot? I secured the king’s chariot and his horses; I sent men men to recover the tracker’s body; I sealed off the huntsmen’s quarters and interned the men themselves. I can strike fast when I need to. People think that because I am old, and proceed with care, that I cannot move when I want to; but no cobra was ever swifter than me. And you gave me all I needed.’
    ‘All power to you, Kheperkheprure Ay.’ Inwardly, Huy was congratulating himself that he had delayed telling Ay anything for so long.
    The old man smiled again, but his eyes were hooded. ‘Tell me about Ineny. How did you learn about him?’
    ‘Through Kenamun. Horemheb sent him to kill me last night.’
    The pharaoh-elect raised his eyebrows. ‘And where is Kenamun now.’
    ‘At my house.’
    ‘Dead?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘By the look of your face he almost got you.’
    ‘I saw the sail of the Boat of the Night.’
    Ay looked out of the window at the sun. ‘He must be moved soon.’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Don’t worry about Horemheb. He has too much to think about to worry about a lost senet piece like Kenamun. But he does not like loose ends.’
    ‘That is why I came here. For your help.’
    ‘What makes you think I will give it?’
    Huy spread his hands. ‘You have what you want.’
    Ay laughed drily. ‘Yes, I do. And something tells me to keep on the right side of you, Huy. Won’t you really join me?’ The old man paused. ‘You could be senior scribe, here in the palace compound. Would that appeal to you? Keeper of the royal archive, for example?’
    Huy’s heart ached, but the decision was no longer his to make. Certainly not now; and he did not foresee a long reign for the man who stood opposite him.
    ‘You are generous. But I have a job to finish.’
    Ay waved his hand. ‘Ah yes. Little Ankhsi. Well, take her away if you must. She will not be a danger to me, and we have had enough bloodshed. But do not forget Horemheb. I am not so naive as to think he is beaten for good. If you want my help, you must tell me what you are going to do.’
    ‘And Kenamun?’
    ‘Leave him to me. Do not go back to your house tonight. By morning only the memory of his