The King's Man Read Online Free PDF Page B

around your garden.”
    “It’s good to see you,” Huy replied, pleased. “I presume your days of nurse to Amunhotep are over. Are you still a Royal Tutor?”
    “I am, but I spend most of my time at the harem in Mi-wer, seeing to the care of our late King’s lesser children. Menkhoper still teaches Amunhotep, of course, along with an army of experts in every field His Majesty must conquer. Oh, here comes Maani-nekhtef! I hope we may speak again and at length.”
    The Chief Herald had mounted a dais on which two thrones and a rather large cushioned stool were placed. His Staff of Office hit the wood three times and a hush began to settle over the crowd.
    “His Majesty Amunhotep, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, neb-maat-ra, Ka-nakht kha-em-maat …” He went on calling Amunhotep’s titles while every back was bowed. When he was at last bidden to stand, Huy saw that the chairs were occupied. Amunhotep, in a plain white kilt and a blue and white striped linen helmet, had crossed his legs and placed both arms along the golden lions’ spines making up the arms of the throne. Mutemwia, in a long yellow sheath belted in gold and with a coronet of red faience flowers on her head, was surveying the company. Catching Huy’s eye, she beckoned him. At once the assembly drew aside and Huy went forward. At the same time a man of about Huy’s own age came hurrying through the door behind the dais, bowed peremptorily, and settled himself cross-legged on the cushioned stool beside the King, setting a large box on the floor beside him and a palette across his thighs. That must be Seal Bearer and Royal Scribe Nebmerut , Huy thought as he halted at Amunhotep’s feet.
    “Come up and stand behind me, Huy,” the King said. “You slept badly, I see.” Then in a louder voice he addressed those present. “I have been pleased to appoint the Great Seer Huy Son of Hapu to the position of King’s Personal Scribe. I desire his wisdom and value the gift the gods have bestowed upon him. In token of his love for me he is now known as Amunhotep. Reverence him and then let us get on with the matters of the day.”
    Every head went down then lifted. Every eye was fixed on Huy. No response was necessary. Huy unrolled the scroll Mutemwia had given him and prepared to put faces to the daunting list of names and then try to remember them all.
    Afterwards, Amunhotep disappeared to his lessons and Mutemwia, her entourage behind, walked Huy and his escort out into a garden Huy recognized though he had once entered it from a different door. Mutemwia indicated one of the many buildings enclosing it. “The lesser audience hall,” she said. “Reserved for occasions less formal than those that take place in the reception hall but more official than the meeting of the King with his ministers. You have been inside it, I think.”
    Huy did not answer. He was revelling in the blue sky and bright sunlight of a spring day. A warm breeze pressed the Queen’s yellow linen against her legs and freed wisps of black hair from Huy’s one thick braid. The grass, watered earlier and now quickly drying, sparkled with moist droplets. Petals from the trees growing everywhere showered the ground with every gust of air and Huy, passing the spiny arms of a plum tree, caught the spicy scent of its little greenish-yellow flowers.
    Mutemwia pointed, ignoring the trio of gardeners now flat on their faces as she walked by. “That whole building continues into the next area of garden. You can see the path that cuts off the end of the wall. All the ministers have their offices there. No, Tekait, don’t bother with the sunshade—the wind is too strong. Huy, I am taking you to meet a few of them, and that will be enough for today. We eat the evening meal in private again tonight, the King, you, and I. Greetings, Ptahmose!”
    They had halted at the doorway of the first cell. At the sound of his name a man came out swiftly, bowing as he did so. “Majesty.”
    “I have brought