Page 120 of Conspirators' Kingdom

“Confine this fool to quarters. I will deal with him shortly. Serfka!”

Radjedef led a shell-shocked Inkaef off with a few soldiers at his side.

“Yes?” Serfka approached.

“Take over the duties of the overseer of king’s tribute and remove the seals. I shall dedicate this in the old way.”

Itet went a few shades paler than her usual lime green. She stepped aside as Serfka ordered the servants about, her fists trembling at her side as she watched Inkaef disappear into the crowds. The nobles present wisely kept their whispers and sidelong glances hidden from Khety’s furious gaze and sharp ears. Taisiya and Mereruka kept their expressions stony and grim.

The tainted seals were gathered and disposed of with alacrity. Khety approached the tribute once more, failing to hide the fury in his curt, sharp movements. In the light of day, he appeared radiant, dressed in glittering gold and bright blue to set off his bright orange skin and complement the warm brown of his feathers. Now, it only made him stand out all the more, his pique at the insult visible to all.

“To the gods, forgotten by foolish mortals, I beseech you, in the name of King Khety of Maat, to bestow your favour upon me. Grant me this as you granted our ancestors your boundless world, Oblivion, formed from your decaying souls, and rise from obscurity,” he pronounced.

The tribute sank into the ground and vanished between breaths, accepted by the gods below. Taisiya, Mereruka and the rest knelt before Khety and raised their hands up towards him.

“May the forgotten gods see fit to remember you,” they chanted in unison.

Khety and Betrest were the first to leave in their palanquin. The rest of the royal family left in accordance with their birth order. Itet was shaking, her blue eyes faraway as she was ushered into her conveyance. Mereruka and Taisiya were last.

Khety’s world was turning on its head. A formerly servile brother had conspired to publicly embarrass him. Once-adoring crowds whispered warily as he passed. His all-powerful façade was crumbling around his pointed, twitching ears. Basking in the confusion of the fearful, rumbling crowds, Taisiya squeezed Mereruka’s hand and suppressed a smile.

“I believe that was a success,” she whispered.

“Only time will tell, but I doubt we’ll wait long to find out.” Mereruka winked.

Chapter 46

Mererukacouldcountonone hand the number of feasts he’d attended that rivalled this awkward, stilted atmosphere. Everyone was simply waiting for Khety to stop stewing on his obvious fury and explode. Hemetre was gamely plying him with wine and whispering sweet nothings into his ears, much to everyone’s relief. Not even Betrest seemed to begrudge the woman her valiant attempts at fawning and flattery. Sadly, Her Most Treasured was simply delaying the inevitable.

As Itet eyed the armed guards mutinously, Queen Betrest was doing her level best to have a civilized conversation with Serfka seated nearby, discussing one project or another. But no amount of glamour could hide the strain in their voices, nor the thin veneer of good humour. Hot-headed Radjedef was uncharacteristically quiet, pushing food around on his plate in time to the tune being played by the musicians in the nearby courtyard.

Mereruka, for his part, was readying a few spells of his own under the table while Taisiya kept her lightning humming beneath her skin. If there were to be a fight this night, they planned to win. Mereruka only hoped Itet would be the one to kill Khety and distract the guards. It would make ascending the throne that much easier.

As Khety swallowed his wine, Hemetre whispered something in his ear and petted his arm to soothe him. But it seemed he’d had enough of her cooing. Khety shoved her to the ground as he stood, throwing his silver chalice in a rage, wine splattering the smooth, painted floors and Hemetre’s shocked face.

“Radjedef, bring him here! I’m ready to sentence that bastard!” Khety commanded.

Radjedef was gone in an instant, relief plain. Itet clutched the arms of her chair, eyes wide. Betrest and Serfka stopped mid-sentence, waiting with obvious trepidation.

It was a pleasing sight. Mereruka revelled in their discomfort. Let them marinate in their fear and uncertainty. For decades, they’d tolerated Khety’s petty indignities towards him with nary a word in his defence. And when Nefertnesu had needed them, they’d turned their backs on her as well as his pleas on her behalf. They deserved to feel as powerless as he had, forced to watch as he terrorized them all. It would soften them towards a change in leadership when the time finally came. Let Khety become a true tyrant in their minds, and not just his.

Radjedef returned with Inkaef in tow. Inkaef immediately went to grovel before the king.

“Please show mercy, brother! I have wronged you, but not out of malice or with intent. I shall swear upon my name that I had no knowledge of what happened to the tribute!” Inkaef pleaded, his amber eyes tearing up.

Khety set upon him, grabbing him by his horn and dragging him from the feasting room and into the nearby courtyard. The musicians scattered.

“Get out!” he snarled, waiting until only the sounds of Inkaef’s ragged breaths could be heard in the silence that followed. “Fear not, brother. I will show you all the mercy you deserve for this embarrassment.”

“Please, don’t hurt him!” Itet rushed to her twin’s side and fell to her knees to beg.

Khety turned on her, his furious blue gaze meeting her pleading one.

“You think Maat is governed by council, sister? When have I ever needed your input to rule my realm?” he hissed.

“Please, whatever punishment, I will share it,” she said, tears in her eyes. “It was I who goaded him into drinking with me last night. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t.”

“No!” Inkaef gasped. “No, the fault was mine, only mine. Itet had no part in it.”

---