Read Magic of the Nile for Free Online Page A

packed for our noonday meal?”
    “Go ahead—of course the work must take precedence. Can I help?”
    He assisted her from the chariot. “If you aren’t too tired you can pace out the area with me.”
    Tyema laughed. “All I’ve done is stand in the chariot and walk with you a few times when we rested the horses. My normal day’s activities are much more strenuous, inspecting the temple’s businesses, our farms, conducting ceremonies—”
    Sahure held up one hand. “I’m convinced.” As they strolled from one side to the other of the wide basin and he took notes and measurements on his clay tablet, she began asking questions about the need for a new harbor.  
    “We’ve done without one in Ibis province since the time of the earliest pharaohs. Even your uncle’s capital city is inland, on the caravan route, rather than the river,” she said. “What new condition has arisen to require a port here?”
    Sahure regarded her with respect, surprised by the incisive question. “It’s not to be known generally, you understand, but a new source of copper has been located deep inside Ibis Province. Pharaoh is anxious to establish mining and smelting operations there and have an easy way to ship the ore north.”
    “Copper is a valuable commodity,” Tyema said, fanning herself lazily.
    “Pharaoh has been doing much work for the past ten years rebuilding Egypt after driving out the Hyksos, to make us strong enough to withstand any new attempt at invasion. These efforts are a severe draw on his treasury. New mines could help refill the coffers. And in addition, his ambassadors are negotiating treaties with the nations to the east, for spices, principally. The most direct route would be to this general area and then north by boat. The Nile is a much faster way to travel than caravan. Cargo ships can carry greater loads.”
    Tyema nodded her agreement with his points. “I’ll have to make sure a suitable tithe is paid to Sobek then, when the new trade develops.”
    A bit startled at her matter of fact tone, Sahure stared. “Your temple will negotiate this with my uncle?”
    “Of course I’ll negotiate it with him,” Tyema said, her voice crisp. “The temple treasury always has need of funds. Don’t look so horrified, the deben is put to excellent use. We run several schools, maintain a medical clinic where the poor can come for treatment, an orphanage…”
    “I see.” Sahure had a mental image of his imposing uncle sitting at the negotiating table in full regalia with Tyema in her simple gown on the other side and the picture wasn’t as amusing as he might have thought a few hours earlier. This priestess had a level head and seemed able to accomplish what she set out to do. “Your god is well served, Lady Ema.”
    “I only do what’s required for Sobek’s honor, to make sure he receives his due and the temple can care for the people. I have my duties.” She shrugged. “So explain to me what makes this particular bend in the river a top choice for the harbor. I assume it has to do with the peninsula?”
    “Yes, we can enlarge upon what nature has already given us, creating a stable and long quay where numerous ships can load and unload. The terrain here is suitable for launching ships or loading ore directly onto barges. Pharaoh might even build ships here. The water appears quite deep, even close to shore, and of course we can dredge if necessary.” Sahure gestured at the group of trees where the chariot waited. “There must be a supply of underground water for so much vegetation to have grown. A port town could be built here fairly easily. And if your inundation records show the area isn’t prone to too much flooding, I see no reason why we couldn’t establish a bustling trade center in just a few years. And lastly, the contours of the terrain provide some shelter from storms.”
    “I can see it all clearly when you describe the scene,” she said with a smile. “All you need now is a name for