Page 14 of Over the Emerald Valley
The heatof the day beat down upon the well-worn path to the mines by the time Solon found someone to take him for a tour. Nebamun, his guide, led the way.
Abasi was nowhere to be seen, and his men said he rarely came out before sunset. What did he do all day, then? Apparently not take part in running the business he so obviously benefited from. The viceroy had men in place seeing to production, so Solon sought to locate them.
“This way.” Nebamun took a left at the fork in the trail.
Beneath their feet, the ground rose steadily. The palace stood in a small valley between hills, and the mines were located not far beyond. The site was immense. The upper ground had been carved into steps, each along a natural vein of mineral long since excavated for the fragments of emeralds contained within.
At the base of the biggest mount, the black mouths of caves yawned their displeasure at the disturbance. Solon didn’t look forward to venturing within the earth—he’d always been claustrophobic in small spaces—but he wouldn’t shirk his duty. The pharaoh relied on him, and this mission was no different from any other. If the viceroy was the thief Horemheb expected him to be, Solon would expose him and claim for the pharaoh what rightfully belonged to Egypt.
“There’s Irsu, up ahead. He’s in charge. See him?” Nebamun pointed to a man bent over a full wagon, inspecting its contents.
“Yes, thank you. I’ve got it from here.” Solon nodded good-bye to his guide and jogged toward the foreman.
Irsu glanced his way, and Solon waved.
“General.” Irsu inclined his head. If he suspected Solon’s motives, he didn’t show it.
“Irsu.” Solon offered his wrist. “Call me Solon. Has the viceroy informed you of my arrival?”
Irsu clasped his wrist in a strong grip, his leathery hand hardened from work. “Didn’t need to. Saw your men camped in the courtyard. That and the entire palace has been buzzing with news of your visit since the messenger arrived last week.”
“I see.” Solon half wished a messenger hadn’t been sent. The element of surprise might have done him good. “I have some questions. Do you have a moment?”
Irsu nodded toward the workingmen in the distance like a boss who didn’t actually have a spare moment. Solon would make every effort to be quick.
“How often do you report to the viceroy?”
“I report to Abasi’s adviser, Khu, weekly. And Khu reports to Abasi.”
Great. Another person Solon would have to track down. “I was told you’re the man to give me a tour. Is that so?”
“Suppose it is. We’re behind.” Irsu arched a brow. “You too good to push a wagon?”
“Certainly not.” Solon grabbed an empty one. “Lead on.”
Irsu took another wagon and shoved it forward. “We’ve got four underground sites in production today along with what you see here.” He motioned to the dozens of men working the lowest terrace and the trenches beyond.
“How many of these wagons do you fill in a day?”
“Hundreds.”
“Hundreds? That’s a lot of emeralds.”
Irsu huffed. “Wouldn’t that be nice? But no, it’s mostly worthless rock and earth that needs to be hauled out of the way to follow the vein.”
“I see. And what happens to the debris?”
Irsu pointed back toward the valley. “It gets hauled through the pass and dumped. Men sift through to make sure no gems were missed. We’re steadily building a new mountain,” he said with a chuckle.
“And the men? What are their schedules like? Where are they housed?”
Irsu indicated the opposite direction. “The worker’s camp is in the next valley over. Rows of mudbrick huts. Nothing fancy, but comfortable. Most men stay four or five weeks before returning to their homes and families. New men arrive to replace them. The pay attracts the workers. Beer and grain by the bucketful, delivered by ship to their villages when their service is complete.”
Solon knew most of these details already, but hearing confirmation from Irsu was useful. “And you?”
“Ah, I’m a permanent resident here in Sikait. I have a modest room in the palace.”
“No family?”
