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Then Naja veiled his fierce yellow eyes； smiled coolly and nodded in agreement and approval； but Taita knew that he was thinking furiously。 However； those thoughts were so swift and plex that even he could not follow them。
Taita turned his head and sought out the burly figure of Lord Trok in the Hyksosian ranks opposite。 Unlike the Regent； Trok was making no attempt to disguise his feelings。 He was in a black rage。 His beard seemed to bristle and his face was swollen with dark blood。 He opened his mouth as if to shout an insult or a protest； then closed it； and placed one hand on the hilt of his sword。 His knuckles glazed white with the pressure of his grip； and briefly Taita thought that he was about to draw his blade and rush across the courtyard to Nefer's slim figure。 With a huge effort he regained control of himself； smoothed down his beard then turned abruptly and pushed his way out of the courtyard。 The motion was such that almost no one noticed him go。 Only Apepi watched him with a cynical smile。
As Trok disappeared between the tall granite Hathor pillars； Apepi dropped his hand from Nefer's shoulder and crossed to Naja's throne。 He lifted the Regent easily off his cushions and embraced him with even more vigour than he had Pharaoh。 His lips were pressed to Naja's ear when he whispered softly； 'No more Egyptian tricks now； my sweet…smelling flower； or I shall ram them as far up your arse as my arm can reach。'
He dropped Naja back on his cushions； then took the throne that had been placed alongside for him。 Naja blanched and held a linen pad soaked in perfume to his nose while he gathered his wits。 Wave after wave of applause swept over the courtyard。 As it died away Apepi slammed his huge paws on the arms of his throne to encourage them to fresh efforts； and the cheering began all over again。 He was enjoying himself hugely and he kept them at it until they were almost exhausted。
With the deshret crown of lower Egypt on his head； his was the dominant figure。 Beside him Nefer； even under the authority of the tall hedjet crown； was a mere stripling。 At last； after a final burst of applause； Naja rose to his feet and held up both arms。 A grateful silence at last descended。
'Let the holy virgin e forward！' Led out in procession by her acolytes from behind the carved screen of the chancel； the high priestess of the temple advanced to the double throne。 Before her； two priestesses carried the pshent crowns of the double kingdom。 While the temple choir sang praises to the goddess the venerable old woman removed the single crowns from the heads of the co…rulers and replaced them with the double crowns； signifying the reunification of Egypt。 Then she pronounced her quavering blessing on the two pharaohs and the new land； and retired into the depths of the temple。 There was a short pause of indecision； for this was the first time in the long history of Egypt that a ceremony of reunification had been held and there were no established protocols to follow。
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