The Forgotten: Aten's Last Queen (15 page)

All this was to remind them of Pharaoh’s might. Akhenaten decided that he was the teacher, and they needed to be taught how truly strong Aten was.

To top off this humiliation, much of the general population of Waset was forced to move to Akhenaten City. Waset had one of the longest relationships with Amun, and this was another insult to the former priests. Now everyone could view the slave labor of their young men. Father could also subjugate more youth with this influx.

All the while, these young men and women stood under the whips of their brothers, the soldiers under Father’s command. No longer were our soldiers men of war, they now were overseers at quarries and building sites. Their valiant days of fighting for their country were over. The chances of their warring deeds being recorded in tombs and temples were dashed. Instead, they enforced labor with a heavy fist over their neighbors. The soldiers also collected taxes and enforced the payback of debts. Though their muscles became lax, their tempers grew and their tolerance became as thin as the blades they once wielded.

With so many new residents and no new homes built, the streets became crowded, shop owners struggled to keep up with demand, and animal defecation littered the streets. No system had yet been put in place for such large public cleanup. People struggled to claim a space to call their own. They had to quickly leave behind their established homes and businesses and move to the new capital in a single night. Akhenaten wanted everyone to see and feel his God’s power, so everyone was crammed into the new capital with nothing but images of Aten assaulting their eyes. Nothing representing an “old god” could be brought to the new capital. Many beloved family heirlooms were lost in the move or hidden from sight for fear of Pharaoh’s wrath.

For a while, the citizens were quiet. Father took this as a win, but others in the court knew better. They knew the people were gathering and talking and forming alliances against Akhenaten. It wasn’t until the boys began to die mysteriously in great numbers that the people began to plot Pharaoh’s death.

I knew my father wasn’t naïve. I guessed that instead of thinking he had won, maybe he just wanted the belief that he had.

*****

It was a night like any other as we returned from our evening offerings at the Great Temple. Aten had yet to retreat behind the earth’s edge. I had made a plan and was ready to take my leave. We stepped off the chariots, and our drivers rode them away to get the horses untethered and brushed. Everyone went through the palace entrance, but I went the opposite way. With more people to watch and no increase in bodyguards, it was easy to slip away.

I took the scarf I had dangling from my neck and wrapped it around my head and lower face. I wore no jewelry today so I would not look tempting to street robbers. Though I planned to walk as close to the royal buildings as long as possible, looters were talented at hiding anywhere in the city.

After passing between the Records Office, Clerk’s Office, and the Small Temple, I entered the section of the city filled with houses and workshops. This section of workmen’s homes was surrounded within a square perimeter wall. The shops closest to the temple side of the wall were less crowded, but traveling too far into this section would take you deep into the slums which overtook much of the once safe and comfortable establishment. Along the Royal Road lounged the richest citizens, but this area I now entered was mercantile workers with modest homes.

Most homes were also protected by their own walls. The better off you were, the more amenities you would find inside these walls. Some homes had a private garden and prayer area. Others had a pool. A few even had their own granary storage and press. The merchants would sell out of their homes as needed and then move when there was a celebration to where the majority was gathering.

I made a few inquiries at open home-based stalls and reached the jewelers’ workshops in no time. The houses here were stout. A few had a second story to them. Otherwise, the walls were long enough to encompass furnaces, storage, and a small home of three rooms. As there were a number of homes in this district, I decided to observe for a while to see if I could spot a boy with blond hair. I removed my scarf, which was making my face and neck sweat. The streets were fairly empty, which is probably why I was spotted so quickly.

“Princess! What a surprise to find you here!”

I turned and saw Amenemose, our new overseer of craftsmen. He was probably making his rounds and assessing work. I did not anticipate that someone would spot me once I had left the palace grounds.

I knew I could not hide, “Blessed evening to you, Overseer.”

“Are you lost?” He was clearly confused at seeing me here without an escort.

Thankfully, an idea filled me, “I wanted to get something for Queen Mother Tiya, a surprise. I heard there is a Canaanite seller and his son who are highly skilled.”

“Ah yes, I know of who you speak, of course. Their work
is
highly praised. I just moved them into a bigger home, but they still keep a workshop here. The streets of their new home are filling up with our new residents. It’s too bad, because it was a nice area with wide streets. But, it’s hard to keep gold stored when there are so many people surrounding your walls who are homeless and hungry. Would you like me to escort you to them?”

I nodded my head and then followed him closely through the streets. The ground was hard-packed dirt and had seen much traffic. This road was straight and led to a well, which also added excess street travel during the day. This was probably the best location for a seller as each day a majority of the residents would pass by on their way to fetch water.

“Where are your bodyguards, Princess?” he asked casually, clearly not wanting to upset me or make me angry. “These are not safe times to be alone.”

He was right. I may have been fortunate to run into Amenemose. The area had become packed with people all fighting for space. They were setting up tents and reeds mats in between buildings. It was like a sea of scorpions. Woe to those whose stingers were not poised and ready. Some houses were overrun with extended families. They would sleep in the dining areas, bedrooms, even bathrooms. Shacks and hovels were being built up in the street itself. Everywhere had become filthy. There was refuse along the house walls and lining the dirt paths. And I knew I was not seeing the worst of it.

“I have Aten’s blessing upon me. And rest assured, my mother knows I am here.” I hoped this lie would prevent him from actually asking my mother.

Amenemose finally stopped at a square mud-brick residence. Smoke was rising from the left side.

“Esam must be hard at work, but I’m sure his son is not too busy. He is still learning and not in the shop as much, usually fetching things for his father. Did you want me to walk you inside?”

“Thank you, but no. You may take your leave, and I will see that your family has extra rations tomorrow to compensate you for your time.”

“Many thanks, Princess. I will, however, wait out here for you. I would hate to leave you alone in the streets so far from the safety of the palace.”

So my time would be cut short. I nodded and opened the door. In my youthful boldness, I thought nothing of it at that time, walking unannounced into another person’s space. I was used to walking in on my sisters and going in any room I pleased, so did not think much of walking in any home uninvited. My family could go anywhere, so it was not a boundary I was familiar with unless it pertained to my father.

I was a little annoyed at being waited for, but he was just trying to keep me safe when no other protection could be seen. If something did happen to me and Amenemose was the last to see me, the punishment would be death. Someone like him did not deserve that. I knew he had a family with sons who depended on his position.

As I walked in, all I saw was an empty house. I knocked on the open door trying to catch someone’s attention. No one responded. As I walked in further and looked around, I saw that the space was small but clean. There were some benches on the edges of the room and a dining area to the right. There was another room to the left, which was probably where a furnace was in use. I could feel the heat pulsing. I decided to sit on the bench and wait. The back of the house was most likely where the bathroom and sleeping areas were, and I would hate to disturb anyone in either of those rooms.

Then from the room on the left, he walked out. His hair was tightly curled from sweat. His forehead and hands were stained with charcoal. He was carrying a bucket and ladle. He was about to step outside when I stood up.

“Greetings,” I said.

He spun around as fast as a cat. His breath released when he saw me, and he set down his wares. He bowed to me from the waist.

“Princess, welcome. How may I serve you?”

“That is not necessary. I came because I owe you an apology,” I continued.

“You do? I’m sorry, where are my manners, would you like some beer or bread?”

He stumbled into the dining area where a plate of snacks lay already. A few flies buzzed around the cheese. He coughed nervously and looked back at me, his cheeks pink.

I smiled at him. “No thank you. I’m not able to stay, but I wanted to apologize for my sister’s embarrassing behavior. I hope I did not offend you in any way.”

He could not quite look me in the eye. “You did not. But I am glad you came. I wanted to thank you for listening to me. I had no one to talk to when we first met. I have met some others my age now, so I no longer need to burden you, Princess.”

A pang of jealousy filled my stomach. I felt replaced. Here I had snuck out, far out of my way or comfort area, to apologize to him, and he was dismissing the entire meeting I spoke of. I had felt a connection stirring in me, like a tickle inside of my heart, and now he was acting as if our first encounter was just a
mistake
. Did my attention mean so little that he could just toss it away?

“That’s good to know,” I responded flatly.

I think he could sense my disappointment. “I am glad you are here, though. Thank you for your kindness. I will treasure it. I could not ask for better company.”

I smiled a little. It was a smooth comeback. I began to fan myself as the excess warmth began to trickle out from the side doorway. I remembered how his father looked when we met. “How does your father work with gold next to a furnace if he is bothered by heat? I can feel the fire’s heat from out here.”

“Well, that’s a heat he can escape from if it gets to be too much! Anywhere else he goes feels much cooler. Plus when he is focused on a new piece, nothing bothers him. Standing around is more tiring to him.”

That was good to know he was not lying to me. I was beginning to wonder. I stepped closer to him. “One more thing I would like to know. Well, actually, I
need
to know. It’s about the caravan that saved you.”

“Sure. Did you want to learn more about Adonai?”

“It is Aten. That is the only God allowed in this city.” I was anxious because he so freely spoke another god’s name, and my voice was harsh. I could not believe his carelessness with his words! Didn’t he know what was going on around him? When I noticed him shrink a little at my response, I instantly felt remorseful at my sharp retort. Didn’t I come here to apologize for such behavior?

“I’m sorry, but my father is very strict. He will send you to the labor camp if he finds any other gods in your house,” I apologized.

“I will remember that. Thank you again, Princess.”

“If I may, the leader of the group you camped with. The wanderers. What was the leader’s name? Was he Khemtu?”

He thought for a moment, “The people called him Moshe. In their language, it means savior. But he had another name. Some relationship with water. Does that make sense to you? His other name was also Hebrew.”

“Who would name their child something so silly? Was he a Hebrew?”

“Well, he did not look Khemtu, but I have very few memories of him. He was called to Adonai often.”

“Then he could not have been who I was thinking of.” I started tapping my foot in thought. Everything I learned seemed to move in a circle. Nothing was taking me forward to finding an answer.

“I do not mean to be rude, Princess, but my father requires more water from the well. He has been hard at work today.”

“Oh yes! I should be traveling back to the palace. Thank you for your time. I hope to see you again at the markets.”

“We will be there. May Adonai bless you,” he said with a bow.

“May Aten bless you. And… if you would like… you can call me Ankhesenpaaten, or An, instead of princess. It means Living for Aten.”

He smiled back at me. “Yes, I would, An. I am Amyntas. It means Defender.”

Then Amyntas picked up his bucket and ran out the door. I followed him out and found Amenemose patiently waiting.

We walked back to the palace in silence. The sun was beginning to dip as we arrived at the palace entrance. The doorkeepers nodded to me as I walked past. Everything was quiet, so I guessed everyone must be dining in the hall at this time.

I walked over to my room to change out of my dusty clothes before heading over to the meal. I felt as if there was dirt all over me from the long walk, but I did not have time for a bath at this moment. Not if I was to make dinner. As I began to wrap a clean linen sheath around myself, I heard a crash overhead. Startled, I finished tying it off as I ran up the stairs. The noises were coming from my mother’s room. When I emerged in the upstairs hallway, I could see that her door was closed, but the voices inside were loud.

She was yelling, “You cannot take her! She is too young. Wait until she ages a little more.”

“You have failed me. Kiya has failed me. And that little toy my mother brought is useless. I sent her home.”

“That is a very disgusting thing to say. This is not you. What is happening to you?”

“What is happening is that I will take what I want. I no longer need you.” It was my father shouting back.

“I promise I will give you another boy! Please, spare her for a few more years. Our daughters are smart and beautiful. They could lead the people. They could inspire just as you do. But this choice you are making, you will live to regret. Don’t do this.”