THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 80

"We have to rule out the possibility of external harm,"Smenkhhare said as he looked at Baka's corpse.
" It looks like poisoning to me,"Seti said.
" From his personality, I don't think it could be suicide."
" Mmmh. I agree with you. I wonder what trouble he got himself into and with whom."
" The series of murders happening here in the palace is alarming. There are no clues left and no trail for us to follow."
" This time we have to find out everything. From my calculation, it looks like everything has been done by two people."
" What makes you think so my brother ?"
" One is careless while the other is more careful. The one who did this to Baka is the careless one. Look here,"Seti said as he pointed to the ground." There was a silver coin and I think it is the first lead in this case."
" How so ?"
" The coin could be poisoned and he died from complications arising from the poisoned  coin. That is the only thing that could harm him."
" He could have had a poisoned meal. He had many enemies so don't be sure of yourself," Smenkhhare said as he folded his arms proudly.
"He is right my lord," Khafirin said as he entered the room."I have found traces of poison on the coin. The poison will slowly enter the body through the skin and cause damage to the organs hence cause death."
"We have to find the person who gave him the coins then. He must have been too greedy to be finished off by only one so there must have been more and the killer took them to keep us from finding out."
" You are right Prince Smenkhhare."
" No one saw anyone else enter this room,"Thutmose said as he joined them.
" How so ? I know that there must have been someone bribed to keep their mouth shut," this from Smenkhhare.
"I'm afraid that nobody is safe in this palace after all these murders," Seti said.

Rashida sat at her dressing table looking at the mirror. Her eyes held no life to them as she combed her hair slowly.
Anippe entered the room cautiously and curtsied.
"I have come to serve you," she said.
Rashida handed her the comb and she began to comb Rashida's short hair. A few moments of silence passed by when Rashida took Anippe's hand in hers and turned to look at her.
"Anippe," she spoke in a low tone."I was harsh and heavy handed on you yesterday. I hit you and disregarded our friendship."
"I lied to you and you found out that I was with Baka."
"That doesn't excuse how I acted. I will make it up to you. I promise. You have bruises on your arm. I can see them through your shawl. Here is some body cream to remove the bruises."
She gave Anippe a small ceramic bowl with flower patterns drawn on it.
"Use it daily."
"Thank you."
"You need to still go find the priest for me."
"Of course," she said and stood up ready to go.
"Wait," Rashida said."Thutmose went out early to look into Baka's death. I still can't believe that he is dead."
" Me neither."
" I don't care much about him. I have no one to dine with me. Stay and eat with me."
"But that is not orderly."
"I don't care about what is orderly or not. Stay and eat."
She hesitantly sat by the dining table and Rashida joined her.
"Here. Have a bun," Rashida said as she placed one on Anippe's plate.
"And a honey cake for you," Anippe smiled as she also placed a cake on Rashida's plate.
After eating, Anippe set out to find the priest.

"You look like you are in a rush Anippe," Meritaten said once she met Anippe walking out of the palace.
"I have an errand to run for my mistress."
"Where to ?"
"To the marketplace,"she lied.
" I am going to the temple in the city. You can join me."
" I do not wish to trouble you."
" You won't be. I offered to. Follow me."

" She actually offered to take her to the market ?" Astrid said.
" Yes. I heard it clearly," Luciana said.
" I can't believe it," Asenath said as she shook her head." That witch would never do anything good for anyone other than Smenkhhare or her father."
" That is actually strange. I think that something is wrong. Go follow them in secret and report to me what you find."
" Yes my lady," Luciana said and left immediately.
" We are finally going to expose that woman for all her wrongdoings,"Asenath said as she turned to face Astrid.
" Yes. We will find justice."
" But Baka's death was something I cannot comprehend."
" Me neither but I wouldn't be surprised if Meritaten was behind it. She is the one who has dealings with him."
" Yes. We have little proof anyway."
" Not for long. I am sure that with everything going on now, we will find the truth."

" You look apprehensive. I won't bite," Meritaten teased as she rolled her eyes.
" I am not. I just don't want to disturb you my lady," Anippe said as she wiped the sweat from her forehead and began to wave her hand to cool herself as she walked beside Meritaten's palanquin.
" Disturb me ? You don't disturb me. Only Rashida does. You really are sweating. It's not even that hot."
"I don't know why. I just feel....," she said and blinked continuously and opened her mouth as she wiped her forehead with the back of her hand.
"What's wrong with you ?" Meritaten asked.
"I... I....my head. I.....am.....diz...z...y."
With that she passed out and Meritaten called out to her maid who was walking on the other side of the palanquin.
The palanquin bearers stopped and lowered it. One man ran towards Anippe and lifted her onto his arms.
"To the inn immediately!" Meritaten commanded and the palanquin was quickly lifted and rushed to the inn in the city.
Anippe was rushed inside and Meritaten called for a doctor who came in to examine Anippe.

" Anippe got sick and was rushed inside the inn by Meritaten and she summoned a doctor. I could not eavesdrop much but from the look of things, it was bad. I only heard the doctor mention the word poisoned,"Luciana reported.
"Wow! Rashida is really evil. She would dare get rid of her maidservant,"Asenath commented.
" This shouldn't get to Seti and Smenkhhare's ears. We know how defensive they are of Rashida and much more Thutmose," this from Astrid.
" I know that but she has done lots of terrible things. There are so many victims of her malice and if everyone living in this palace is to be safe, this has to be done no matter how difficult. It's for the best," Asenath said after a sigh and sat on a chair."How are you feeling right now ?"
" I am feeling much better," Astrid replied with a smile." I pray that this time, everything will go smoothly."
" Of course it will. We are dedicated to ensure your safety."

" My love,"Seti called as he sat on the bed beside Astrid.
" Yes."
" When do you think all this will be over ?"
" Very soon."
" I can't believe everything. From Meritaten's child to Baka. All in less than two years."
" It's heartbreaking for people in a family to do all this and for what ? For favour and power."
" I am sorry for not keeping the promise I made to you when you came here. I didn't protect you. You are now forced to live your life with fear of something bad happening."
" I wouldn't blame you. Life in the palace has always been dark. It's something a royal child grows up knowing and I know that. Let us sleep. It has been a very long week."
" Yes,"he smiled at her as he traced his fingers along her jaw and kissed her forehead. She placed her arm over his torso and lay her head on his bare chest as he wrapped his arms around her tiny frame." I promise to protect and love you with all my might."
"I know you will Seti."

Two weeks later......

" I still can't bring myself to understand why she would just leave. You were very close."
" I know that Thutmose but what can I do ? She just left and it has been close to two weeks."
" You should have tried to make amends after the argument you both had. She was a loyal maidservant and you know that loyal servants are hard to come by."
" Thutmose please," she sighed as she rubbed her temples." I know that and I am already uncomfortable as it is with my new maidservant so please do not bring Anippe up. She chose to run away after the argument in the guise of running an errand for me. Which master doesn't correct their servant ?"
" Don't be that harsh. You were a bit extreme though but I hope that your new maid will serve you well."
" Well finally you stop defending Anippe,"she rolled her eyes.
" I wasn't,"he chuckled."Are you jealous ?"
" Oh please!"
" You wouldn't admit it. I know you,"he said and gulped down a cup of water." I am off for my duties. See you soon."
With a swift kiss to her cheek, he took his headdress and left. Rashida sat back on the chair and shook her head.

" You look much better,"Meritaten said as she walked beside the bed.
" I owe my life to you," Anippe said in a low tone.
" Rashida actually tried to get rid of you and thinks that you are dead," she cackled." I would like to see the surprise on her face when she sees you."
" I was nothing but loyal towards her and she did this to me,"Anippe cried.
" You are after all a maidservant. Your life holds no worth for her. Your life is now mine and you know what I expect from you."
"I do."
"Good girl. Pharaoh has arranged a family banquet in two days and there I shall arrange a spectacular show for everyone. I have gone through each detail with you so I expect you to do as I say."
"I understood everything my lady."
"Good. I hate traitors. Any step out of line will lead to your permanent end,"she hissed in Anippe's ear." You shall stay hidden here. I have brought you food and a change of clothes to sustain you. On that day,I shall send in a person to fetch you."
" I can't wait to get even with Rashida for trying to kill me."
" I love the attitude,"Meritaten said slyly.