The King's Man by Pauline Gedge Read Free Book Online

many of the common soldiers too. Being out under the sky is a great deal better than hurrying about the palace maze with a palette clutched to my chest.”
    “You look very well.” The man did indeed look healthy. His skin glowed a deep brown. Any courtier would regard the colour as proof of a loss of status, but plainly Amunhotep-Huy did not care for such niceties. His body was tight, his eyes, so like his father Heby’s in shape, were clear, the whites contrasting startlingly with the dark features in which they were set.
    “I am.” A smile came and went on the generous mouth. Generous in shape , Huy thought, like his mother’s, the placid Sapet, but not at all generous in the speech that issues from it .
    “I exercise every evening, I eat much the same food the soldiers eat, and I am moderate in my enjoyment of wines. I take no poppy even when I am in pain. I rely on more mundane remedies.”
    Unlike me , Huy finished the unspoken criticism. You arrogant man. What do you know of my pain?
    “Your rigorous way of life agrees with you, then.” Huy managed to swallow his annoyance. “I need your advice, Amunhotep-Huy.”
    The attractive sweep of the dark brows drew together in a frown. The muscular arms were unfolded and placed on the desk. “From me, Uncle? What can I possibly do for Egypt’s Great Seer?”
    Huy ignored the faint mockery in the words. “First of all, you can remember that you and I, your father and Ramose, are tied by blood and as such owe one another respect and loyalty,” he replied. “Next to the King, of course. Do you agree?”
    Amunhotep-Huy grimaced but inclined his head. “I agree. Even if we do not particularly like our kin. Respect, perhaps. Loyalty, definitely.”
    “Good. The captain of my household guard has retired and I need to replace him with someone who will answer to no one but me, someone who cannot be bribed or coerced.”
    “So you came to me rather than Wesersatet because his loyalty goes first to the King. You need an ambitious soldier who is prepared to gamble that you will continue to rise in the King’s favour and will therefore remain trustworthy to you. I applaud your reasoning.” The young man began to drum his fingers on the surface of the table. “You have also concluded that in this matter my allegiance goes to my family first. You are correct. Let me see.” He was staring unseeingly at the far wall. Huy waited. “Someone young enough to see an appointment with you as an opportunity to rise,” Amunhotep-Huy muttered. “Older officers only imagine promotion as rising within the ranks. Someone with the authority to command. You have set me a difficult task, Uncle.” He fell silent and his hands relaxed. Huy sipped his beer and waited.
    Presently Amunhotep-Huy sighed and sat back. “You’ll have to request him from Wesersatet, but I think I know who you need. He’s a Captain of Ten in the Division of Ra. A fine soldier, popular with the troops, and not too rough to rub shoulders with his betters.” Rising abruptly, he went to the doorway. “You!” he shouted. “Fetch Captain Perti and be quick about it!” Returning to his seat, he smiled at Huy. “If you don’t like my choice I’ll find someone else, but it’ll take time and you’ll have to wait. Speaking of choice, I’ve decided to sign a marriage contract with Henut-nofret. She’s the daughter of one of the King’s Naval Troop Commanders, Nebenkempt, but he’s a noble, so it’s an advantageous match for me. Father’s pleased. He’ll be giving me a wedding feast and of course you’ll be invited.”
    Do you like her? Huy wanted to ask. Is she more to you than a rung on the treacherous ladder of court preferments? Does Heby worry about her welfare under your thumb?
    “There’s no point in asking you to See for either of us,” Amunhotep-Huy went on. “I know you would, but I’m confident about my future as your nephew, and Henut-nofret is as healthy as one of old Yey’s