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Adroitly Naja seized his opportunity。 Once again he rose and stepped in front of Apepi。 'On this auspicious and joyous day； we rejoice not only in the joining of the two kingdoms； but also in the betrothal of Pharaoh Nefer Seti and the beautiful Princess Mintaka。 Therefore； be it known throughout the two kingdoms that the marriage will take place in this temple on the day that Pharaoh Nefer Seti celebrates his majority； or fulfils one of the conditions to ratify his claim to the crown and rules in his own right without a regent to protect and advise him。'
Apepi frowned and Nefer made a small gesture of dismay； but it was too late。 It had been announced in full session and； as regent； Naja spoke with the authority of both crowned heads。 Unless Nefer captured his own godbird； or succeeded in running the Red Road； thereby ratifying his claim to the throne； Naja had effectively prevented the marriage taking place for a number of years。
That was a masterly stroke； Taita thought bitterly； but he admired the political acumen behind it。 Naja had averted disaster for himself by his quick thinking and timely intervention。 Now； while his opposition was off…balance； he went even further。 'On an equally happy note； I invite Pharaoh Apepi and Pharaoh Nefer Seti to celebrate my own marriage to the princesses Heseret and Merykara。 This joyous ceremony will take place ten days from now； on the first day of the festival of Isis Ascending at the temple of Isis in the city of Thebes。'
So； in ten days' time Lord Naja will be a member of the Tamosian royal family； and will stand next in succession to Pharaoh Nefer Seti； Taita thought grimly。 Now we know； past all doubt； who was the cobra in the nest of the royal falcon on the cliffs of Bir Umm Masara。
* * *
By the terms of the treaty of Hathor； Apepi's seat would remain at Avaris and Nefer Seti's at Thebes。 Each would govern his former kingdom； but in the name of the biumvirate。 Twice every year； at the beginning and the end of the inundation of the Nile； the two kings would hold a bined royal assize at Memphis where all matters concerning the two kingdoms would be dealt with； new laws enacted and legal appeals considered。
However； before the two pharaohs parted； each to take up his seat in his respective capital； Apepi and his train would sail upriver in pany with Nefer Seti's fleet to Thebes。 There they would attend Lord Naja's double wedding。
The simultaneous embarkation of both trains from the wharf below the temple was a chaotic affair that took up most of the morning。 Taita mingled with the throng of boatmen and dockers； slaves and important passengers。 Even he was amazed by the mountains of luggage and equipment piled upon the beach； waiting to be loaded on the lighters； feluccas and galleys。 Rather than drive the long； rough road back downriver； the regiments of both Thebes and Avaris had broken down their chariots and were loading them and the horses on to the lighters。 This contributed greatly to the confusion on the riverbank。
For once Taita was not the centre of attraction： there was work to keep everyone fully occupied。 Occasionally a man would look up from what he was doing； recognize him and ask for his blessing； or a woman would bring him a sick child to tend。 However； he was able to work his way gradually along the beach； casually looking out for the chariots and equipment of Lord Trok's regiment。 He recognized them by their green and red pennants； and as he approached he made out the unmistakable figure of Trok among his men。 Taita edged closer and saw him standing over a pile of equipment and weapons； haranguing his lance…bearer： 'You brainless baboon； how have you packed my kit？ That is my favourite bow lying there unprotected。 Some oaf is sure to drive the horses over it。' His mood of the previous day had not improved； and he stamped away down the wharf； lashing out with his chariot whip at any unfortunate who stood in his way。 Taita watched him pause to talk to another of his sergeants； then take the path up to the temple。
As soon as he had disappeared Taita approached the lance…bearer。 The trooper was stripped to breech…clout and sandals； and as he stooped over one of the chests of Trok's equipment and staggered with it to the waiting lighter； Taita saw the distinctive circular rash of the ring…worm on his naked back。 The lance…bearer handed up the chest to a boatman on the deck of the galley then came back。 For the first time he noticed Taita standing nearby and touched his own breast with a clenched fist； saluting respectfully。 'e here； soldier。' Taita called him across。 'How long have you had the itch on your back？'
Instinctively the fellow twisted up one arm between his shoulder…blades； and scratched himself so vigorously that he drew blood。 'Cursed thing has been bothering me ever since we captured Abnub。 I think it's a gift from one of those dirty Egyptian whores…' He broke off guiltily。 Taita knew that he was speaking about a woman he had raped during the capture of the city。 'Forgive me； Warlock； we are allies and fellow countrymen now。'
'That is why I will attend to your affliction； soldier。 Go up to the temple； ask at the kitchens for a jar of lard and bring it to me。 I will mix an ointment for you。' Taita sat down on the pile of Trok's luggage and equipment； and the lance…bearer hurried away down the beach。 Among the luggage were three war bows…Trok had been unfair in his accusations for each of the bows was unstrung and carefully wrapped in its leather cover。
Taita's seat was a stack of wooden chests。 This was not by chance for he had seen that the top chest bore the seal of Grippa； the Avaris fletcher who made arrows for all the high…ranking Hyksosian officers。 Taita remembered that he had discussed Grippa's work with Mintaka。 He slipped the little dagger from the sheath under his chiton； cut the cord that secured the lid； and lifted it。 A layer of dry straw protected the arrows； and under it they were packed alternately； flint head to gaudy red and green feathers。 Taita picked one out and turned it in his fingers。
The carved signet leaped out at him； the stylized head of the leopard with the hieratic letter T held in its snarling jaws。 The arrow was identical to the ones he had found in the quiver at the scene of Pharaoh's murder。 It was the last thread in the fabric of treason and treachery。 Naja and Trok were linked inextricably in the bloody plot； whose whole shape as yet he could only guess at。
Taita slipped the incriminating arrow under the folds of his chiton and closed the lid of the chest。 Deftly he retied the cord； and waited for the lance…bearer to return。
The old soldier was volubly grateful for Taita's ministrations； then went on to plead for a further favour： 'A friend of mine has the Egyptian pox； Magus。 What should he do about it？' It always amused Taita how the Hyksos called it the Egyptian pox； and the Egyptians returned the pliment。 It seemed that no man ever contracted it himself but always had a friend suffering from the disease。
* * *
The wedding ceremony and feast to celebrate the marriage of Lord Naja to the two Tamosian princesses was the most lavish ever recorded。 Taita recalled that it far exceeded in splendour any of those of either Pharaoh Tamose or his father Pharaoh Mamose； both divine sons of Ra； may they live for ever。
To the mon citizens of Thebes； Lord Naja gave five hundred head of prime oxen； two lighters of millet from the state granaries； and five thousand large clay pots of the best beer。 The feasting continued for a week but even the hungry mouths of Thebes could not devour such quantities of food in so short a time。 The remains of the millet and the meat； which they smoked to preserve it； fed the city for months thereafter。 However； the beer was another matter： they drank it in the first week。
The wedding was celebrated in the temple of Isis before both pharaohs； six hundred priests and four thousand invited guests。 As they entered the temple each guest was presented with a memorative carved jewel； ivory； ameth