Holding Court

Who knew they had such nice brushes, baths, and perfumes in Set Ma’at? Not that I’m a big fan of baths normally, but there’s a time and a place for everything, especially if I’m being fed snacks. We went through the Scribe’s most expensive toiletries, and I made quite a mess in his bathing area, but two hours later, as sunlight poured over Set Ma’at, I was back to my old self again.

“Wow, Ra. ” Khepri climbed back onto my head. “You are squeaky clean. ”

“Watch the feet, ” I said sternly. “Is that dung I smell? ”

“The very best dung, ” Khepri reassured me with a happy sigh. “I went to

Menwi’s for breakfast. ”

I sat up, horrified. “Khepri! I’ve just bathed. ”

“Don’t worry, ” Khepri said. “I wiped my feet. Er…and the rest of me. ”

“I should have made them pour on an extra bottle of perfume, ” I moaned.

“You smell fine, ” Miu told me. “More like a rose garden than a cat, to be honest, but—”

“As long as I don’t smell like dung. ” I stretched out on the Scribe’s steps to take in the sun. “Hey, do you see those cats over there, across the street? I think they’re staring at me. ”

Miu checked them out. “The one on the left is your double, Ra. It must be the imposter. ”

I rolled over and squinted. “Impossible! You could hardly call him goodlooking, could you? ”

“No, but he does resemble you, ” Khepri said. “I wonder if he’s hoping to take your place again. ”

I flexed my claws. “Just let him try. ”

“I don’t think that’s what he’s saying. ” Miu tilted her head. “Listen. ” I swiveled my ears and caught a few words.

“…and then they put perfume on me, would you believe it? ” the cat was saying to his friend. “It smelled even worse than those disgusting sauces they kept feeding me. I tell you, I’ve never been so glad to get back home.

This is the good life here in Set Ma’at, no doubt about it…”

“You have got to be kidding me, ” I said as Miu and Khepri giggled.

“Tastes differ, ” Miu said.

“They certainly do. ” But that was just as well. I stretched back out on the step, content. “To each his own. ”

“Is Pharaoh still holding court in the Scribe’s house? ” Khepri asked Miu.

“He must be nearly done, ” Miu said. “While Ra was getting his bath, I went to listen. The Scribe and the Vizier had already confessed. They’ve been keeping back some of the workers’ wages for themselves and blaming Pharaoh for the cuts. They accused each other of being the ringleader. ”

“But why didn’t they investigate the tomb robbery properly? ” I asked. “They weren’t involved. ”

“No, but each one thought the other was up to something, and they were hoping for a share of the profits. ”

“I bet they also worried that a full investigation would involve Pharaoh, ” Khepri said. “And they didn’t want Pharaoh taking a closer look at Set Ma’at. ”

“Pharaoh’s dismissed them from their posts now, ” Miu said. “They’re in disgrace. They have to pay the villagers back double what they owe, plus heavy fines to Pharaoh. Huya’s been dismissed, too. He was helping the

Scribe cheat the other villagers. ”

“What about Bek? ” I wanted to know.

“The punishment for tomb robbing is death, ” Miu said, “but Bek broke down completely and pleaded for forgiveness. Pharaoh says he’ll spare Bek’s life because of his family’s long service, but Bek will still pay for his crimes. Pharaoh is sending him to one of the royal quarries. ”

“So he’ll spend the rest of his life under guard, chipping away at a rock face? ” Khepri said. “Yikes! ”

“He disturbed the eternal rest of a pharaoh and his cat, ” I reminded

Khepri. “And he was going to kill Kenamon. ”

“Yes, he was willing to sacrifice the boy just so he could have a glorious afterlife. ” Miu sighed. “Honestly, why do people get so obsessed with their tombs? ”

“Not just people. ” Khepri glanced at me. “Hey, ” I said, stung. “I’m not obsessed. ” They exchanged a look.

“Okay, maybe I am, a little, ” I admitted. “But I know when to step back.

I’m not like Bek or Sabu. ”

“Speaking of which, ” Khepri said, “there they go now. ”

The guards were marching Bek down the street, arms tied behind his back. Seeing him pass by with his head bent low, it was hard to believe he’d been the mighty figure in the Anubis mask who had terrorized Kenamon.

Trailing behind Bek and the guards, Sabu wailed, “It’s not fair! ” When he passed us, he hissed and leaped for me. “I’ll make you pay for this, Fancypaws! ”

I jumped up to fight, but Pharaoh had come to my side. Seeing him, Sabu slinked away and followed Bek out of the village.

Pharaoh looked down at me fondly. “A friend of yours, Ra? ”

He’s a very clever man, Pharaoh. But sometimes he completely misses the point.

Oh, well. He’s still my Pharaoh. I curled my tail and sat in the perfect Bastet position at his feet.

“It’s good to see you looking like yourself again, ” he told me. “Well, almost yourself. ”

Almost? I was taken aback. Had someone missed a spot in my grooming?

As I made a discreet inspection of my paws and rear, Pharaoh gestured to the doorway behind us, where Kenamon stood with his father. Aside from some grazes from the ropes, the boy looked strong and well. Even better, he looked happy.

As he came forward, Pharaoh put something sparkling in his hand.

“Kenamon, perhaps you would put this on Ra? ”

“With pleasure, Great Ruler of Rulers. ”

It was my collar! My own, golden collar. I stood proudly at attention while Kenamon fastened it.

“I’m going to give you the best tomb portrait any Pharaoh’s Cat ever had, ” Kenamon whispered. When I nuzzled his fingers, he smiled. “Come back soon, Ra the Mighty. ”

I brushed my whiskers against his hand. I will.

“Time to go home, Ra, ” Pharaoh said.

In the midst of dusty Set Ma’at, our splendid litter shone like a small sun. As Pharaoh held back the shimmering curtains, I leaped up onto it. Khepri was on my head, with Miu close behind.

“Your reward shall be paid in gold, ” Pharaoh said to Kenamon. “And perhaps you will come to the palace one day, and paint these three together. ” He gestured to the pillows where Khepri, Miu, and I had settled down.

“O Ruler of Rulers, I would be honored, ” Kenamon said, beaming.

“Did you hear that, Miu? ” Khepri hopped off my head and bounced on the pillow. “We’re going to have our portrait painted, too. ”

“And we’ll get to see the boy again. ” Miu sounded pleased.

As Pharaoh spoke with the boy and his father, Khepri said, “You know,

Ra, we never did get to see your tomb. ”

“That’s okay. ” I sprawled back on the pillows. “If you ask me, tombs are overrated. ”

Miu and Khepri looked startled.

“True, ” Miu said, “but I never thought I’d hear you say that, Ra. ” “No, never, ” Khepri agreed.

“A cat can change his mind, ” I told them as Pharaoh climbed in beside us. “Especially Pharaoh’s Cat. Life is for living, that’s what I say. ” “And for being Great Detectives, ” Khepri said eagerly.

“And making friends, ” Miu added, looking fondly at Khepri and me.

“That’s right! ” I dug into the bowls that Pharaoh offered us. “And don’t forget the snacks. ”

Beneath us, the magnificent litter swayed, and we headed back to Thebes.

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