Shadow of the Sun (The Shadow Saga) (32 page)

Pentu put a sistra in my hand. I proceeded with the dance, shaking my cymbals and moving with the grace of my mother. I performed this ritual dance every day at the temple and felt thankful that this test had not been difficult.

“You have completed the
Liturgy to Aten
and the Ritual Dance. I approve this candidate. She may move to the next level of the first initiation.”

Feminine hands removed my blindfold. The priestess bowed. Through the next door awaited a faience tiled pool of crystalline blue water.

“Proceed with the awakening,” ordered another female, again dressed in the shimmery white robes of an Aten Priestess. I recognized her as Khephri-Aten from the night of scrying.

“Please close your eyes, Merit-Aten.”

I obeyed and felt a tingle up my spine like a warming sensation.

“Awaken, Merit-Aten. Enter the primordial waters of life. The ancients believe all life began from water. Begin your new life. Disrobe and immerse yourself.”

She pulled off my sheath. I stepped into the inviting bath. Beeswax candles floated in the reflective pool. I waded in up to my waist when the priestess disrobed and joined me. She signaled me to cross my arms as she pinched my nose closed. Then she guided me backward to be enveloped by the waters of life. Everything that was not harmonious with this higher alignment washed away to make me one with the earth and water. Purified.

After the Priestess dried and perfumed me, she replaced my sheath and presented me with a lamb’s skin to represent my purity.

“I approve this Neophyte. Merit-Aten may move to the next level.”

She bowed. Netri received me at the next door. I walked between Pentu and Father beneath the pylons. Above, the night slate was written in stars mirroring this new script of my life. Then an apparition appeared.

The ghost white cat, Asgat, sat with nonchalance, licking her paw. When startled by our footsteps, she looked up with those same blue watery eyes. Why did she haunt me? My heart sang to her. I yearned to lay my face against her hairless chest.

I couldn’t scamper away after just completing this moving ritual.

So I held back. My feline took a step closer, her knowing eyes locked upon mine.

I smiled and my heart quickened.
Oh, you little temptress, what trouble lies ahead when you are near?

I have come to protect you.

Engaged in muted conversation, Pentu and Netri discussed the contemplative truth of Aten apparently not noticing Asgat.

Come kitty. Come to the one who will love you
, I ordered.

I stepped forward. If I could catch her quickly perhaps she wouldn’t struggle to break free.

No! Stay back. Stay back.

Confused, I fell back. The cat lept up in front of me. Paws splayed.

Oh, does she want to be my cat?
I smiled.

Then something sped toward us with a swoosh.

“M
ove,” hollored Pentu, as he grabbed me by the sleeve and yanked hard forcing me to stumble backwards. A commotion ensued as people rushed and yelled. The struggle of voices razed our tranquil union. That wicked arrow struck hard, releasing an agonized cry. Someone dragged me away.

“Asgat, no!” I wailed.

My white ghost, pierced by the arrow, lay immersed in a pool of crimson blood. A gong sounded. A flurry of guards disbanded. A Priestess whisked us back to the room of my final initiation and barred the door. Heavy footsteps ran past. General Horemheb ordered the men to disperse. Out there lurked an assassin. Terrorist. Dissenter.

“Find him. Search Karnak,” the General commanded.

Father had scooped me up and rushed to safety. Since he regulated his life to one of moderation, any physical detour off that path made his heart race.

“Merit-Aten, you could have been killed,” he said in a tortured voice. I burst into sobs. “Asgat. I want my cat. We cannot leave her.”

“Beloved, it is not safe to go back,” said Netri.” There could be more assassins. It seems Sit-Amun nearly fulfilled her vile threats.”

Our physician remained composed. “Yes, Apuati, my Shining One, I feel her presence too.”

Netri sighed at Pentu’s understatement. “I could hear the arrow, Pentu, but mine is not the gift of speed. Indeed, you saved our lives this evening. For that kindness you shall be rewarded.” He rested his hand upon our doctor’s shoulder.

“Your life and your teachings reward me, Sire. I have no need for payment. Already I live in abundance and have ample food and clothing.”

A tear glistened in Pentu’s eye even though his manner remained unchanged. “Material wealth is of no interest to me. The teachings of the Aten are the only food I desire. Light of the Aten incarnate within your unique and precious soul, my Lord, must eternally sustain and reinvigorate the soul of Khemit.”

“Then your request will be fulfilled,” said my father.

“Why does Sit-Amun want to kill me?” I asked through my tears. Netri did not answer at first. My shoulders jerked and I cursed Sit-Amun for murdering my cat. I would never love again. First Hep-Mut, then Asgat.

What had we done? All I wanted to do was bring peace to Khemit. But the closing of the Amun Temples had created more violence, not peace. My dream seemed unreachable. I could not fulfill my promise to the Celestial Lords. This obligation weighed heavy as granite and seemed impossible to lift.

“You are the prophecy. The bringer of the dawn,” said Netri.

“Sire, these acts of terrorism will not stop,” said Pentu in an even tone, although he just delivered news that made my blood curdle.

“We have been spared by the will of Aten,” replied Netri.

“Ours is an open air temple,” Pentu said. “It will never be safe to worship in the House of Aten. It would be like slaughtering hatching chicks. We cannot put our temple priestesses in harm’s way.”

“What do you suggest? Aten must receive the offerings at the prescribed times of day. It is my duty to Aten and to the citizens of Khemit.” Netri sighed.

“Netri, we could move away from here and the assassins,” I said.

“We could move the rituals to the safety of the Malkata Palace,” suggested Pentu.

“It will imply that Aten is only for the elite or royalty who can afford to barricade themselves against anyone who intends harm. Do the commoners receive the same luxury? No, we will not segregate out of fear.”

“We could enclose the temple for greater protection,” suggested Khephri-Aten. “Overhead porticos could be added to shield us from future attacks.”

“It would block out the sun. We cannot retreat into the shadows,” said Netri.

“We could move. Move it all and just leave here,” I said with my voice rising in pitch.

“Move,” repeated my father with amusement. He hugged the shawl around him even though the mugginess of the night air lingered. “We could move.” This time he said it with more energy. “I had that same vision in my meditation tonight. Rebuild the Gem-pa-Aten and an entire city to our specifications dedicated solely to the worshipers of Aten.”

“Grand Djed moved his capitol from Memphis to Thebes,” I added.

“We would abandon Thebes? Abandon the Gem-pa-Aten?” asked Khephri-Aten. A worried look pained her face.

“A new city, a new life, and we could change all of Khemit. Nothing like this has ever been attempted. Do you understand the ramifications of breaking away from the Amun priesthood? They control Khemit financially, socially, politically, and religiously. It could all change,” said father as he bolted upright.

“This is far too hasty. It takes years of planning.” Pentu furiously scratched his head.

“I will need a star graph,” said Netri. “Summon the astronomer immediately to see if this is a propitious time to move. I request to have court with Amaret tonight. We must scan all of Khemit to find our new home.”

“Horemheb and Ra-Mesu must be advised, Your Majesty,” Pentu responded. “If you wish a discovery trip, then your military advisers must be forewarned. Perhaps in a month or two we shall consider this.”

“Five days. I expect that all be made ready. We shall tell the Amun Priests that I am going to Heliopolis for meditation.” My father used the tone that implied it would be futile to argue.

A
rriving back at the Malkata Palace, we hastened to the private chambers of my mother. Father rapped upon her door and someone stirred within.

“Come let us in,” said Netri; his urgent knocks increased.

When she finally answered, she cracked her door open revealing her smudged makeup. A shuffling sound came from behind her. Perhaps she’d fallen asleep upon her couch while reading papyrus scrolls.

“Yes?” she asked. “It is late. I have already retired.”

“I wish to seek your audience. It is imperative,” said Netri with a formal air moving toward her door.