Shadow of the Sun (The Shadow Saga) (38 page)

I would create my own magic and become powerful like Sit-Amun. I needed to find my own path. But I also needed to figure out a way to get Mery-Ptah released. I unwrapped the moonstone.

Give me magic
. I sat cross legged and put my fingers in moodra position of my pointer finger touching my thumb.
Make me levitate
. I concentrated with all my might. Nothing. I bounced up and tried to lift but still nothing. Then I got angry.
Levitate! I command you. You must do as I say!
I tried and tried. Soon I grew bored and so many thoughts rushed into my mind of all the things I should be doing instead of this. So I lay down and took a nap. After I awoke, I left the dockhouse.

“Amaret, you need rest. Allow me to take your place.”

“I hoped you would see the light. This is a good omen. Use all your eyes to see that which may be unseen. Hear with your ears that which may be unspoken. Feel that which may be sensed.” Her wise words planted confidence in me. I felt like a seed ready to break open, emerging to be first warmed by the sun.

The cook set a tray before me of spelt gruel drizzled with honey and sprinkled with dried dates.

“Your first time up the Nile?”

“Second,” I replied.

“The world renews itself every morning,” she said, wiping her hands on her apron.

Being so far from Thebes, the Nile water appeared crystalline blue and the sparkling waves made me recall the blue-eyed boy with the straw-colored hair. Archollos. I grinned. Khemit had arisen long before I did. Never having traveled, I wanted to see it all.

Barefoot boys clad in loincloths herded water buffalo to draw their morning drink. Men carried baskets of produce upon their heads. Skinny donkeys pulled carts overflowing with alfalfa driven by women wearing colorful sheaths. Farmers tended their fields, sparrows protested; startled starlings gave flight, cattle grazed uncaring, while oxen dragged the wooden ploughs over the life giving land. I sensed no danger.

My mind became like the breeze, enveloping all. The sun of my heart shone down on everyone and everything. Nothing escaped my eternal devotion. I loved every bird that flew, and every fish that swam. Through the fields, moving feet caught my eye. Behind the shoreline, hidden by high crops, marched a battalion of royal soldiers. Counselor Ra-Mesu brought down the lash and berated one then signaled the group to split.

One troop took the higher road, while others raced ahead. I descended from the heavens and landed upon the deck of my prison. Upholding my duty, I scanned for assassins. On the opposite shoreline, Horemheb led his battalion.

If guards protected us on both sides, then why did I need to watch? I sensed no evil, so I turned my inner sight upon my family. Netri slept fitfully. Pentu and the Imhotep browsed star maps and gestured. An attendant shaved Meti’s head, her breakfast untouched. Ankhi endlessly annoyed Meket-Aten, who pouted in the corner. I could feel her despair; she did not like change.

I practiced this inner vision until I could see, feel, hear, taste, and touch this other world without leaving the space assigned to me. If Meti allowed me no consolation, then I would lay my lips upon her cheek unbeknownst to her. I whispered secrets to Meket and a nod confirmed she heard my words upon the wind. I could have the greatest independence ever known without even moving. I soared with the vultures, making lazy circles in the sky, and pastured with the lambs bleating for their ewe’s milk. Like the sun, I touched everything. Expansive. Penetrating. Permeating. In confinement, I learned to be free. With the power of the moonstone, I could be invincible.

“Prepare to dock,” exclaimed the Bow officer.

“Lower the sail,” ordered another.

Why did we stop? They guided the vessels close to the shoreline without grounding. The helmsman tested the depth of the water with a long sounding pole. I climbed down into a little skiff and rowed to where the land looked barren, even though the attendants unloaded our parcels.

Shortly thereafter they pitched large white linen tents, one for our supplies and the others for resting. Inside, rugs covered the dirt of the earth. Lit candles filled the alabaster holders. My sisters and I reunited in one tent. Our parents moved into a grander tent with bright colored flags.

In a smaller tent designated as the dining room, a wooden table and stools were positioned in the corner so the cook could lay out bowls of cold roast duck, boiled potatoes, cooked spelt and a basket of figs. After dinner, the Imhotep, Pentu-Aten, Amaret, and my parents sat at the large table to consult a map.

“By my calculations, we have arrived at the exact center of Khemit,” said the Imhotep, Master Architect.

“Yes, according to our star map this would be a most auspicious location to erect our city to the Aten,” said Pentu, scratching his head.

“This land has good energy,” said Amaret, running her palm across the map. “How could we know until we have seen it?” asked my mother, always pragmatic. “There is nothing here. There might be better spots up river.”

“We shall know tomorrow. Let us retire tonight and see what the light of day brings. Big decisions require a well-rested mind,” said Netri.

As the others filed out, I munched some figs.

Meti stroked my father’s face, “Would you care for a game of Senet? That calms you.”

He sighed, the stroke of her perfume-scented hand soothing him. “Yes, I would love to play a round in your delightful company, my Heart.”

She arranged the pieces. “I warn you, I plan to win.”

He laughed and kissed her upon the cheek, “Well, you can always try.”

“Oh, you sly fox,” she said and tossed the throwsticks. “Aha.” She moved her lion-headed token first. “See if you can do better.”

Hearing my parents laugh, once again united in joy, made me happy. It felt most favorable being far away from the fear of Thebes. We could build a new and shining city and live in peace. When the game finished, Father offered his hand to Mother.

“I have missed you these long arduous days. In your presence, I feel satisfied. Come to me, my Heart,” he said, embracing her.

Meti flushed, perhaps from the humidity of the night. “Would you prefer to meditate or walk the land on your own tonight?” she asked with a flutter of her lashes.

“No, my Heart. My only desire is you.” He placed his arm about her delicate shoulders, their eyes joined as later their lips would be. They turned, holding hands and exited the tent.

* * *

E
arly the next morning the banging gong broke through the sheer fabric of our tent. Alarmed, we all rushed to see the cause of the clamor. Ankhi cried and I picked her up.

My father stared transfixed into the distance. He held out his arms and his lips parted in silent greeting. Who had arrived? A Friend or foe? The tents impaired our view, and Meti, clothed in a sheer linen wrap, ran out barefoot.

“Is it a wild animal? I thought I heard a lion sniffing around last night?”

“Your Majesty, how may we be of service?” said Pentu, brandishing his staff.

My father trembled, beguiled by what he saw. We steeled ourselves for a fright, and soldiers unsheathed their weapons, only to behold the sunrise.

Carved into the jagged cliffs, between a deep notch, a fiery orange globe rippled in the newborn desert heat like it had been pushed out of the earth’s womb. We gazed at divinity exemplified by the rising of the Aten over the horizon of our new world. The Pharaoh fell to his knees, immersed in gratitude that we all gave testament to this divine moment. It looked like ‘where the earth gives birth to the sun.’ We had found the site of our new capital.

“Akhet-Aten,” he proclaimed in ecstasy. “Truly, the power of Aten has come.” He bent in submission and kissed the ground. His eyes lit up as he raised his hands to the sun.

“The Horizon of Aten,” we chorused, and fell to our knees in worship of the absolute devotion and adornment of the new home that the Aten had decreed. All of us, except Meti.

M
eti paced the perimeter of the dining tent. Her drapings, held together with only the clench of her fist, revealed the length of her right leg and buttocks with every step.

“We must mark this moment,” declared my father as he sauntered around the tent with renewed vigor. “Celebration is in order. Let it be known that we have discovered what the ancients called the birthplace of the Aten.”

The Imhotep, Pentu, Amaret, Ra-Mesu and Horemheb seated themselves around the table. The others busied themselves with conversation of how to erect a new city on this inhospitable stretch of land. Horemheb’s face flushed. His lustful gaze desired my Meti. It was clear he felt unable to contain his yearning for the flesh exposed with her furious strides.

My protective anger swelled. I desired to shelter her against his covetous eyes. That tawdry brute wished my mother bare and on her back. Nefertiti, the one blessed with the shimmer of a star that all men hoped would guide them.
Oh, why General Horemheb? You, the master of men, you who control legions, can you not control your own desires?

As my HeMeti, the one who had the last word, I knew she would be horrified at the unabashed way he dishonored her in front of her subordinates. She would order the General’s head to be cut clear of his shoulders if she noticed his stolen glance.

“How long will it take to build a glorious palace?” asked Netri, oblivious to the insult.

“Years if you wish it to be built of granite, Your Majesty,” replied Imhotep. “We have not surveyed the surrounding land to see what resources are available.”

“I refuse to wait that long. How could you hasten the project? I desire to worship the Aten immediately,” said Netri. “And I shall need a majestic temple to do so.”

“If haste is your preference, we could build a suitable palace and temple out of mudbrick.”

“Mudbrick lasts the lifetime of a Pharaoh and that is adequate for a mortal man. But, the temple must last for eternity. Use granite, marble and limestone of the finest color and textures. I will not accept anything less,” directed Netri.

“Akhenaten, my Lord,” said the Imhotep with a quaver. “According to my maps, the nearest quarries are all the way up river in Aswan. If we use granite and marble, we must commission barques especially constructed to transport the heavy loads. Those will take months to finish. But, we could begin this mudbrick palace tomorrow if we bring in the local people to work.”