Shadow of the Sun (The Shadow Saga) (43 page)

“Ah, yes,” replied my father.

More attendants shot through the doors, chattering like peasants haggling in the market. They herded in a large group of adolescents. One angry woman wrapped in a green sheath pulled along a boy by his ear. He tilted his head down with respect. His halo of golden hair glistened. “What is that squawking about?” demanded Meti.

“Your Majesty, I am sorry, but this little
ichneumon
stole all my boiled eggs from the basket and ate them,” replied the enraged cook. I laughed at the cook, comparing the boy to a mongoose that crept up the papyrus stems to rob eggs from the nests.

The cook shoved the boy down at the feet of Meti. “Admit your thievery to your Per Aat.”

“Is this true, Archollos?” Meti asked.

Meti saved this boy with the sun-washed hair from execution so long ago. Now tall and strong, his well-groomed appearance meant he had been schooled in the palace harem.

My heart quickened. I sucked in my breath.

“Your Royal Highness.” This boy, stained dark by the sun, turned his dazzling smile with perfect white teeth toward her. His dark blue eyes twinkled, almost admitting his mischievous guilt. “I most humbly apologize for borrowing these eggs. My stomach roared like a ferocious beast and I never heard the cook deny me this treat.”

“My cunning little one, you are lucky. I too would not have heard the cook over the roaring crowd.” She stroked his golden curls like a little pet. A jealous asp coiled about my body. Her face softened. She threw back her head to laugh with a coquettish shrug. This little fiend delighted her. By their expressions, I knew this couldn’t be his first impish act. Meti possessed his heart, too.

I glared, then turned my gaze to the others, some of whom I recognized from my old class back in Thebes.
Why are they here?
I wondered. “Our first honored guests to Akhet-Aten,” said my father, extending his arms. “We have completed the two main palaces. Please relax and enjoy the refreshments in the reception area.”

Everyone entered the decorated room. A table was laden with imported delicacies, from roasted ducks stuffed with grains and hazelnuts, red mullet fish with lemon sauce, and fried broad bean balls. Eggs filled with spiced leeks, creamy chickpea and sesame dipping sauce, and vegetables were all arranged upon expensive platters. Everyone indulged in the delights and drank the heady wine to smooth the edges rough from travel.

My mother entertained us with stories from the Theban court life.

Ankhi climbed upon her lap and pushed Meket away.

“I brought a trunk load of new tablets Ti-Yee received from our emissaries,” Meti said. “They still send all communications to your wested father at the Malkata Palace.”

Political news didn’t interest my father. He preferred that Per-Aat Ti-Yee handle national affairs. His meti had listened to the wise counsel of her consort, Pharaoh Amunhotep III. She understood the long-held liaisons between neighboring countries. It was an art to maintain temperamental and tenuous relationships based more on the constant flow of riches and military might of Khemit than on allegiance.

“Who seeks gold now?” Netri asked, offering me a gold earring from one of the gifted boxes.

“The usual requests for treasures in exchange for loyalties,” Meti said. I tried to hook my new earring in my lobe.

“Indeed there is one thing more” Meti added. “I heard a small contingent of excommunicated Amunite priests plan to unite in some kind of uprising in protest of your rule.”

“That is news of interest,” replied my father, unalarmed.

“You have not been back to Thebes in awhile, but there are frequent rebellions against Atenists. Remember my favorite perfumery in town? The one owned by the man who supplied oils to the Gem-pa-Aten Temple? Someone broke in and smashed all his imported goods. Other stores owned by Aten worshipers are burned. In retribution, our peaceloving Atenists return the rotten deeds.”

“I banned the most dangerous Hanuti to Aswan,” replied Father.

“Netri, if we release those Hanuti, the ire and resentment of the Amunites might ease. It might bring peace to Thebes,” I said and edged to my seat.
Maybe I can keep my bargain with Sit-Amun and get Mery-Ptah released.

“Impossible,” he said.

I grimaced. Sit-Amun would be angry. Why did I ever make this deal with her? I know better. Everything that she says and does hurts me and the people I love. What is this hold she has on me? Why do I keep listening to her? My attention drifted from the court gossip to the assessment of these invaders in my palace. Why did Meti bring along so many young men and women? Perhaps she had replaced her affection for me with them.

Keeping my face still like a pool of water, I showed no emotion that this new act of her treason cut me to the quick. The constant pricks of her needling reminded me I must shield myself. A familiar-looking woman began to play the harp and sing.

“Enjoy the entertainment and, when weary, you will be shown to your quarters,” announced Netri. They departed, walking down the hallway toward the antechamber. With longing, the blonde young man’s eyes followed Meti.

“You there, what is your name?” I demanded of her forlorn little pet.

He snapped his attention to me. “Archollos.”

“Is that how you address the Per Aat in-waiting?” I stood up and arched my brows.

The music stopped. My protective attendants gathered about me. The guards stepped in, ever ready to display their loyalty to my father and me.

“Address her Majesty properly,” ordered the head guard.

The young man’s cheeks colored. He fell to his knees with his hands outstretched.

“Your Highness.”

All the attendants and the guests bowed in the same manner, startling me by this sudden turn of events. I had no intention of upsetting anyone. It thrilled me that this golden boy, who had stolen a piece of Meti, acknowledged me. If he believed the sun rose and set with my mother, then I would prove otherwise. Neither of us would forget this moment.

“You may rise,” I replied with the authority Meti displayed when she instilled fear and awe at court. His luminous blue eyes watched me with curiosity. I clapped “Carry on.”

The crowd parted like a field of sheep. I stomped down the hall to the antechamber, needing my father’s guidance to calm my swirling emotions. The voices of my parents squabbled behind the curtains to the private garden.

I pulled the heavy cream linen aside to peek.

“So build new quarters. You can order additional rooms to house all of them and the others who shall arrive soon,” said Meti with a haughty voice.

“But we already have the space for all your attendants,”Netri protested.

“Attendants? You think they are here just to serve me? I devised a careful plan pulling together the most promising candidates of the Theban aristocracy. Ra-Awab is the son of the largest importer in Khemit. Menkh is the son of a vast Theban landholder. His mother has royal blood in her veins, for she is a direct descendent of one of your grandfather’s consorts.

And, Sekheru-Ra is the son of a Mitannian princess, a fine young man well educated within our harem and of royal decent. Huha-Aten’s mother is the judge of the high court. He would be a prestigious choice for Merit- Aten. Her joining and a new heir would make news throughout Khemit.”

At the mention of my name and future joining I flattened against the wall beside the curtain and listened more intently.

Father sighed. “Dearest, you must be exhausted after your journey. Allow me to show you the palace.”

“We must speak of this now,” Meti argued. “We need more heirs to your throne to carry on this legacy.” She paused then said, “I fear we cannot survive without them.”

“Ah, my Heart, Merit-Aten will not join with these unworthy candidates. She is the first begotten daughter of the Sun. Neither their riches nor their titles interest me. A choosing in the court of Aten will no longer be based upon the acquisition of material goods. That long-held tradition from the Amun philosophy of greed is dead.”

“You do not wish for Merit-Aten to join with a prosperous mate of acceptable social standing?” asked Meti, her tone incredulous. “Any one of them would be worthy enough for a royal.”

“None of those boys have the dedication to Aten, nor the initiatic training.”

“Then train them yourself, but do not deny me,” Meti argued. “Besides, Merit-Aten needs to learn how to interact with Sesh her own age. How will she be able to choose a consort if she has not even been introduced to the proper candidates?”

“Our daughter is not old enough to be joined.”

“Now that she has had first blood, yes, she is. It would be advantageous for us to extend our lineage. This will ensure that your royal bloodline survives for generations. I cannot be the only one bearing heirs. These last births have drained me. I am not well. I honestly do not know how I get through the days, my nerves are so raw, and my moods are so dark.”

“Then allow Pentu to give you aid.”

“I do not need a doctor. I already have remedies. I need someone else to bear children, and Meket is too sickly to do it,” she said, her pitch rising. “I do not want our daughter to choose a mate,” said Netri more urgently. “Merit-Aten will continue on the path of initiation. I have deemed that she will be the first Sacred High Priestess of Aten. And the first female to obtain the high initiation of the Crown of Osiris. For this, she must remain chaste. Choosing a consort is impossible.”

I gasped and pulled the curtain over my mouth.
Chaste?
He’d never told me that. Part of me grew excited thinking about these initiations, and besides, that arrogant boy Archollos had made me angry. But did this mean I’d be alone all my life? I peeked again.

“Are you mad?” Meti demanded. “No female has ever taken that initiation. You cannot break a centuries-old tradition. Only males can assume the high ranks on the path of Osiris. Let her take the feminine path of Isis. At least that will not cause fury among the devotees. Or use me, for I am done giving birth.”

“Only males took the path of Osiris in the past. That is precisely why the Amun priesthood grew so powerful. Dearest Heart, if Merit-Aten becomes the first Initiate, precedent will allow other females into the order. After receiving the crown, she becomes the Sacred High Priestess of Aten. Do you understand? This plan restores the sacred feminine back to spirituality. We must anchor the feminine energies at the highest levels to balance the Amun masculine energy. When enough women become full Initiates, we will win back the light and power from the Amun patriarchy,” said Father, as he tried to stroke her cheek.

“You are crazy as a loon. You have destroyed the Amun priesthood and created a legion of enemies. Do you wish to turn all of Khemit against us? You know our country laughs at the Aten. The peasants complain about the worship of a being with no physical form and no statues to buy. You have erected a city in the sand, with a devotion to something the people will forget the moment you west. Then the wind will blow all this away.”

“You are wrong. The Aten will protect us.” Netri’s voice boomed with a resonance from deep within his belly.