Death of a Pharaoh (36 page)

The same trumpeters as earlier waited at the main entrance to the room.
The guests had taken their seats. When the door opened, they all stood. The men
dropped to one knee and the women curtsied. The newly crowned Pharaoh entered
followed by Herbert Lewis. He was dressed in a western style suit and tie.
Herbert had to help him with the knot before he came down. Zach escorted Mariam
who wore a stunning traditional gown from Senegal with a matching headpiece.
The Ambassador of Egypt to the United States and his wife entered next followed
by a beaming Mustafa with his spouse. Among the dignitaries in the crowd were
the King and Queen of Jordan and HRH the Duke of Cambridge with his beautiful
wife, pregnant with their second child.

As it was already
eleven in the evening, the dinner began as soon as the guests of honor took
their places. The menu featured Egyptian specialties with one plate from
Senegal and a typical American dessert, apple crumble and vanilla ice cream.
With so many auspicious omens from the coronation, the conversation was lively
and the buzz in the room electric.

Herbert was on the
right of the Pharaoh and although the seat on his left corresponded to the
Ambassador, he graciously switched with Mariam so the couple would be closer
together. They smiled and chatted like two young people in love and Herbert
facilitated their conversation by engaging the Ambassador’s wife in a long
discussion on their experiences in America. The hour passed quickly and after
the waiters served dessert, Herbert turned to the Pharaoh and asked permission
to make the introduction. Ryan nodded in agreement.

Herbert made his
way to a lectern on a dais to their right. As soon as he stepped up to the
microphone a silence fell over the crowd.

“Ladies and
Gentlemen it is my distinct pleasure to introduce the man of the hour, His
Majesty Nkosona I, True Pharaoh of Egypt and Defender of Ma’at.”

Nkosana sensed that some were
disappointed by Herbert’s
brevity. Nevertheless, a round of thunderous applause followed his words.
Nkosana made his way to the podium and embraced Herbert as he passed. He
whispered in his ear, “Without you I would not even be here,” he reminded his
Vizier. “Thank you, my friend.”

Every eye was on
the young man as he stepped up to the lectern and placed his notes in front of
him.

“Your Majesties,
Your Graces, Excellencies, My Lords and dear friends, I quickly discovered that
it is a great to be Pharaoh and even lucrative,” he broke into a smile before
explaining, “His Majesty, the King of Jordan just offered me a very interesting
sum of money to sell him the falcon.”

He paused for all
the laughter. “I turned him down.”

“His Royal
Highness, the Duke of Cambridge warned me earlier that everyone will soon start
dropping hints about the importance of producing an heir and a spare, as he
lovingly refers to his younger brother, and we can see that he has become
rather an expert. Ladies and Gentlemen please raise your glasses with me in a
toast to the health of Their Graces and their new child.”

The Royal couple
stood to acknowledge the kind wishes of the crowd.

“That being said,
all I have to do is find a wife,” he joked.

Mariam blushed as
all eyes turned to her.

“My grandmother
would be very proud of the results of the commission she gave to our dear
Servant Mustafa so many years ago,” he mentioned. “Both this hotel and the
complex I had the honor of inaugurating are testaments to her vision and to his
unlimited devotion.”

The Pharaoh
pointed to a beaming Mustafa who stood to receive the accolades of his peers.

“He has even
agreed to pay for it!” he joked.

Mustafa fell back
into his seat feigning a heart attack.

“The decoration
this evening is wonderful, my thanks to the committee for all their hard work.”

“These photographs
remind me of all the marvelous people who sacrificed so much to make certain
that I could be here to accept this great responsibility,”

“Starting with the
two women you see here behind me.”

He hesitated for a
moment trying to swallow a sudden lump in his throat. The applause of his
guests encouraged him to continue.

“All of you know
the supreme sacrifice made by my mother and my grandmother. Some among our
enemies, think they took them from me. Nothing could be further from the
truth.”

“The absence of
Chief Mbaye is keenly felt by all of us.” He stopped to honor his memory. “No
one did more to ensure my coronation took place, he would have been proud.”

“Without the
swimming skills of Herbert Lewis, I would not be here today. Twice he saved me
from drowning. I am forever in his debt.”

Herbert half rose
to acknowledge the cheers.

“I would be remiss
if I didn’t thank my dear friend Zach who had my back in prison and my adoptive
parents who as I later learned were doing their duty as dedicated Servants of
Ma’at yet they still managed to make me feel loved and secure as their son.
They could not be here today while they care for two other children, who don’t
know how lucky they are.”

“Ethan actually
had a promising career before him as a prison guard but I count my lucky stars
that he is here now, watching over me as he has done since we first met.”

“My high school
buddy Tony, came to a baseball game and somehow ended up in Africa. He’ll be
the first to tell you that the subway system in New York is confusing.”

The Americans in
the audience clapped the loudest.

“There are so many
people to thank and forgive me if I forget anyone. However, there is one
presence that is not here.”

He paused to let
the audience consider whom he meant.

“My father,” he
continued, “and that is because my mother died taking his identity with her to
the grave.”

“Still, there is
one thing he gave me and that is a name.”

“He chose to call
me Nkosana. It means prince in Zulu and perhaps that is a clue. For most of my
life I have been known as Ryan, which coincidently means ‘little king’ in
Gaellic. It is my wish that from this moment forward you shall all call me
Nkosana. The name my father used when he first presented me to the Gods. Some
will have difficulty; it took me hours to learn how to pronounce it properly
myself. I only ask that you make an effort.”

“It was my destiny
to be Pharaoh and Nkosana is the name that has followed me in whispers since
the day I was born. Ryan no longer exists and like a winged chrysalis emerging
from a cocoon, I have been reborn.”

“I am Nkosana,” he
declared firmly.

“I am the True
Pharaoh,”

“I am destiny
fulfilled,” he thundered.

His words echoed
over the heads of the rapt audience.

“My friends, there
is much to do. Our enemies are implacable and I cannot win alone!”

He pointed to
everyone before him, “Together we will ensure that good triumphs. With your
help, we will keep Ma’at strong.”

“The Gods have
blessed my coronation,” he reminded them. “They honor me and I will earn their
confidence. Thank you for your affection and support. May Horus guide my hand.”

He stuck out his
right arm and waited. From the back of the ballroom, the falcon soared into
view and landed on the offered perch as if they had practiced for years. The
impact was amazing. The crowd leapt to their feet cheering.

“May the enemies
of good hear your roar,” he shouted, “for it is our battle cry. I, Nkosana,
hereby declare war on evil. Its time on earth is over!”

Even for those who
knew him well, the seventeen year old seemed much taller standing on the podium
with the falcon by his side. He looked every inch a king.

Nkosana presided over a breakfast meeting for the members
of his Royal Council early the next morning, despite suffering from a slight
hangover. Although technically off duty until noon, he obligated Zach and Tony
to attend since they were responsible for the fact that he had barely slept.

With
the patient assistance of Herbert Lewis, he announced several senior
appointments in the structure of the Royal Council and posthumously named Chief
Mbaye a Knight Commander of the Golden Ankh. Mariam accepted the regalia of the
office on her uncle’s behalf followed by an emotional embrace from her Pharaoh.
At the end of the meeting, the members of the Royal Council reaffirmed their
oath of obedience and loyalty to the new Pharaoh. He personally bid each of
them farewell at the door and thanked them for his or her support.

When
the last of the eighty-two had left, Herbert Lewis congratulated him on the
successful completion of his first official act as Pharaoh. Ethan waited to
escort him to the Throne Room to take his leave of Their Majesties, the King
and Queen of Jordan and Their Royal Highnesses, the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge. They too reaffirmed their oath of obedience as Servants of Ma’at and
the Duke of Cambridge delivered a letter from his mother, the Queen, expressing
her loyalty to the Pharaoh and inviting him to London for a private visit.

Nkosana
turned to Ethan, “Are Alex and Susan waiting?” He had scheduled a coffee
meeting with his high-school friends.

“My
Lord, there is one last thing,” Herbert interrupted, “you have an audience with
the Swiss man who was captured two weeks ago by the Guardians. He has been
forthcoming with information that proved valuable in our struggle against
Sanctus Verum. We are considering sending him to the United States to work on a
special team dedicated exclusively to this particular menace. We would be
grateful if your Majesty could use your powers to determine if he is pure of
heart.”

“Of
course, I am curious if he has ever met this Father Marco.”

Herbert
motioned to the guard at the door to bring in their guest.

Nkosana’s
first impression was that he had a friendly face but looked quite nervous.
Perhaps he knew that this conversation would decide his immediate future,
although there was never any question that the Servants of Ma’at would send him
back to Switzerland. No one believed he would survive the trip. Still it was
another thing to invite him to join their cause.

“Your
Majesty. May I present Herr Franz Glauser,” Herbert began.

“Mr.
Glauser, this is His Majesty Nkosana I, True Pharaoh and Defender of Ma’at.”

Nkosana
smiled, “A pleasure to meet you at last.”

“I am
not certain what I should do in your presence,” the Swiss announced shyly.

“A
handshake would be a good way to begin,” Nkosana suggested as he stepped
forward to greet him.

They
clasped hands and Nkosana noticed that he had remarkable eyes; deep blue with a
penetrating gaze. He sensed immediately that he was a good man. He was worried
about his younger brother who worked in Lausanne and was now alone in the
world. Most of all he missed Hassan. Almost everything Nkosana picked up
overflowed with concern about the welfare of the Guardian who captured him in
the desert. They had seen each other only twice in the interim and judging by
the memory of their last encounter that flashed through his mind, the deep
affection was mutual. He was certain there was much more to the official
account of his apprehension than what he had already read. Nkosana knew they
could trust this man.

“Have
you been treated well?” he asked.

“Yes
my Lord. Everyone has been very kind. I do not feel like a prisoner.”

“It is
for your own good, I can assure you. Our intelligence suggests that Father
Marco does not easily forgive those who disappoint him. Have you ever met him?”

“Yes,
several times when I was a Swiss Guard in the Vatican. He is a very ambitious
man and answers to no one. If he is your enemy then you have every right to be
cautious.”

Nkosana
received an image of the priest from Franz. It was the first time he had seen
the face of his mother’s assassin.

“He
murdered my Mother and almost got me at the same time. He feels that I am a
threat to his Church and it appears he will stop at nothing to destroy my
organization.”

“I
think I can help.”

“That
is my Vizier’s suggestion and I am inclined to agree. There is just one
problem.”

“What
is that?”

“I
know this may be uncomfortable for you, but I think it would be valuable for
you to work closely with our Servant Hassan. I am aware that he arrested you
and I sincerely hope there is no animosity between you. Do you think you can
collaborate with him?”

Franz
looked as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Of
course, my Lord.”

“Then
so be it. Mr. Lewis will make all the arrangements.”

Nkosana
addressed Herbert. “In addition, please see if we can find a role for his
brother.”

He
turned back to Franz and continued, “I presume being Swiss, he has already done
his military service?”

“That
is correct, your Majesty.”

“Good,
I look forward to reading about the progress in our battle against Sanctus
Verum. Have you ever been to America?”

“No,
my Lord.”

“Don’t
worry, Hassan can show you around. I suspect your brother will be along
shortly, as well. Do you like dogs?”

“I beg
your pardon.”

“Do
you like dogs, Mr. Glauser?”

“Yes,
I had a German shepherd as a boy.”

“Perfect.
Then you might look for a puppy in the States. You could always name him
Marzuq. I like the sound of it.”

Nkosana
reached out and patted him on the shoulder. His newest recruit beamed with
gratitude and his eyes glistened with emotion.

“Thank
you Mr. Glauser for your honesty. Welcome aboard and please give Hassan my best
when you see him.”

Franz
made an awkward bow with his head then turned to leave. Nkosana felt pleased
with himself. It was nice to put aside the grave dangers facing the world for
even just a moment and be able to make two people happy.

“That
was a very kind gesture, my Lord,” Ethan acknowledged.

“We
owe them both a great deal,” he responded. “They deserve to be happy.”

“I am
certain they will be.”

“I
only worry how others might accept their relationship,” the Pharaoh commented.

“They
will have no problems with their colleagues among the Servants of Ma’at,”
Herbert assured him.

“How
can you be so sure?”

“My
Lord, the organization you preside is the most inclusive in the world. We
celebrated same sex marriages centuries before the phrase entered the modern lexicon.
There have even been gay Pharaohs.”

“I
thought this was a hereditary dynasty?” Ethan asked.

Herbert
chuckled, “It is but duty always prevailed; even if they didn’t enjoy it!”

“Would
you say the same for the Guardians, his tribe?”

“Perhaps
to a lesser degree since they are not obligated to take the oath to defend our
Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

“I
didn’t know we had one,” Nkosana admitted.

“As
Pharaoh you didn’t have to swear.”

“Who
wrote it?”

“No
one,” he replied

His
answer puzzled Nkosana.

“It
simply appeared one day in the mid-nineteenth century on the Pharaoh’s papyrus
in Timbuktu,” he explained. “We later confirmed that Lord Thoth sent it but we
are not privy as to the authors.”

“Presumably
it was the Gods themselves,” Ethan said.

“Without
question,” he agreed. “What we do know is that Lord Thoth assured us the
document accurately reflected their views on such questions as racial and
sexual equality. The Gods see homosexuality as a natural and joyous part of the
human condition.”

“How
come the major religions have gotten it so wrong?” Ethan asked.

“Because
their Holy Books were written by men,” he offered, “and they are fatally
burdened with the ignorance, prejudice and cultural norms of the time.”

“Couldn’t
the Gods have intervened, like with Moses and the Ten Commandments?” Nkosana
suggested.

“You
overestimate the power of the Gods over the minds of men. None of the
scriptures purported to be the divine word, really are.”

“Millions
believe otherwise.” Ethan played devil’s advocate.

“Faith
is a different subject altogether,” Herbert answered, “I do not deny, that the
Bible is great literature and deeply inspirational, but the real problem comes
with the interpretations of self-appointed arbiters of the will of the Gods. We
know that our beliefs came directly from heaven. There are no bearded men
blindly applying ancient texts to a modern context, no uneducated, misogynistic
mullahs condemning young girls to genital mutilation or radical far-right
churches teeming with inbred false prophets picketing the funerals of fallen
heroes to advance their hate-filled agendas. We are the lucky ones.”

Nkosana
had no words to respond to the
passion his Vizier just expressed.

“Forgive
me for my strong opinions, my Lord.”

“Don’t
even think it!” the Pharaoh responded. “I have worn the crown less than a day
and I have so much to learn. Promise me that you will never hesitate to tell me
the truth.”

“I
swear.”

Nkosana
felt a strange flicker in his mind; almost imperceptible but it was there. He
had no idea what it meant and continued with the conversation,
“If only we lived in a world free of ignorance and
prejudice, a paradise of tolerance and brotherly love,” Nkosana sighed. “Do you
think we will ever see such a place?”

“Who
knows what destiny will bring, my Lord,” the Vizier answered.

With the acts of protocol out of the way, Nkosana chaired a
meeting of his personal staff, including Mariam. In an emotional speech, he
thanked each of them for their sacrifice and loyalty. Visibly moved, he assured
them that he could have never made it so far without their friendship.

“The
coronation was an important milestone and the fact that we were able to
celebrate it, a defiant blow to the tyranny of evil,” he proclaimed. “The real
question is where do we go from here?”

“My
Lord, if I may,” Herbert interjected, “I believe I have the answer.”

Nkosana
signaled for him to continue.

“Now
that you wear the crown, the Gods will soon command your presence before the
Supreme Council, as so many of your predecessors, including your grandmother,
have done before you.”

“It is
my sacred duty,” Nkosana confirmed.

“Throughout
our history, it was always the Gods who called upon the True Pharaoh; often
after a period when Lord Seth unleashed their divine wrath on thousands of
innocent people.”

No one
spoke, waiting for him to continue.

“I
believe that the grave threat to Ma’at and to the future of humanity presented
by the evil plans of the Consortium, provide you with the moral obligation to
request a meeting with the Gods to avoid the loss of millions of lives.”

“Is
that allowed?” Nkosana asked.

“No
one has ever dared before.”

“What
if they say no?”

“You
must believe so completely in your petition that it would never occur to them
to deny you,” Herbert responded.

“If I
should agree, how would I make my request?”

“You
must go to our secret archives in Timbuktu, Mali. As True Pharaoh, you have
access to the papyrus where you can send a message straight to Lord Thoth. He
will bring your request to the Supreme Council then inform you of the decision.”

“I
guess there’s no honeymoon period for new Pharaohs,” Nkosana joked. “What do
you guys think?”