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

horses.”
    “I wish you both long life and prosperity,” Huy said politely. “Will you be building a house for her?”
    “Well, I certainly won’t expect her to live in this cell!” Amunhotep-Huy got up again and moved restlessly to the doorway. “I’ve already commissioned an architect to oversee the work. The Regent has given me a piece of land at Ta-she. Henutnofret loves the lake. She’ll be happy there while I pursue my duties here.”
    You remind me a little of Sennefer , Huy thought sadly, although you are more handsome than my unhappy attacker. Already at twenty you have a furrow of discontent between your eyebrows. Dissatisfaction has driven you from the time you were born .
    There was nothing else to say. They waited, Huy with his hands in his lap and Amunhotep-Huy pacing from wall to wall. But at last a shadow fell across the floor and a young man entered. His blue-edged kilt was grey with dust. So was his crumpled linen helmet. In one grubby hand he clutched a bow and two arrows. He was panting lightly. As he executed a short bow to Amunhotep-Huy, a few specks of dirt sifted slowly to his equally grimy feet. A pair of bright brown eyes slid to Huy, then widened. The obeisance that followed was deep and reverential.
    “Yes, you are in the presence of the Great Seer Huy, my uncle,” Amunhotep-Huy said crisply. “He wishes to speak to you. Are you thirsty? Help yourself to beer.”
    The young man nodded his thanks, showering yet more dust onto the floor, went to a shelf, took down a cup, and poured, first laying his weapon carefully by the lintel. But he did not drink. He stood still, his gaze going from Huy to Amunhotep-Huy and back again without anxiety. Huy looked him over. He was undeniably striking, with a bronzed, lithe body and even features holding an open expression of calm anticipation.
    “You are Captain Perti?” Huy said at length. He’s little more than a boy , he thought. The last thing I want to do is waste my time worrying about whether or not he’s keeping order with my guards. What is Amunhotep-Huy thinking?
    “Yes, Master.” There was confidence in the voice. “It is my privilege to command ten of His Majesty’s soldiers in the Division of Ra.”
    “Indeed. And where are you from?”
    “I was born at Het-nefer-Apu in the Anpur sepat.”
    “Do drink your beer, Perti. If there’s as much grit in your throat as you’re leaving on my nephew’s floor, you must be extremely thirsty.”
    The boy flashed a smile that lit up his face. Quickly he emptied the cup. Amunhotep-Huy indicated that he might fill it again. Perti shook his head with a word of thanks. His attention returned to Huy.
    “What military action have you seen?” Huy pressed him.
    Pride infused the answer. “When the Osiris-one King Thothmes went south to subdue the troglodytes of Kush, I marched with the division. I took five hands. His Majesty praised me and promoted me to Captain of Ten, and so I remain.”
    “How old are you?”
    A moment of hesitancy darkened the pleasant face. “I am sixteen, Master. I joined the army when I was twelve and fought the men of Kush at fourteen. My father is very poor.” He offered no other explanation for his early entry into Pharaoh’s fighting ranks. None was needed. A silence fell, broken only by Amunhotep-Huy’s loud breathing and a shouted order echoing across the empty parade ground from somewhere far beyond it. Do I offer a post to this stripling? Huy wondered. Would my nephew recommend him to me for a personal reason having nothing to do with my need? Can Amunhotep-Huy be trusted in this matter?
    “Perti, I need a captain for my household guard,” he said at length. “The King has given me permission to appoint whom I will, and my nephew the Scribe of Recruits has recommended you. Would you be willing to take up this post, and also allow me a window into your future?”
    Now Perti looked startled. “I’m not sure, Master. Your request comes to me as a blow