Asenath (19 page)

"Yes, Majesty."

The king's face hardened. "In
my
court such dishonesty will not be tolerated. Your ancestor may have gotten away with it. But if
you
deceive me, dire consequences will befall you. Do you understand this, slave?"

"I understand, Majesty."

"Very well." Tuthmosis leaned forward. "I have had a series of recurring dreams. In the first dream, I am standing by the Nile, watching seven healthy cows grazing along the banks. Suddenly, seven sickly cows come out of the river and eat the healthy ones up. Then I wake up."

Pharaoh paused. His face darkened. "In the second dream, I see seven healthy heads of grain growing on a single stalk. Then seven sickly heads sprout up and swallow the healthy heads. Again, the dream ends. Might I add that the two dreams always occur in this order."

Joseph bowed his head and closed his eyes.

The throne hall was now very quiet. Not even a faint breath could be heard.

Joseph lifted his head. "These two dreams are one and the same. The seven healthy cows and seven healthy heads of grain mean that for seven years, the harvest will flourish like never before. But after that, there will be a famine of seven years, as symbolised by the sickly cows and heads of grain. The famine will be so severe that the seven years of plenty will be forgotten. Also, Majesty, the dream has come in two forms because this will be happening soon."

Concerned murmuring broke out among the audience. A famine was no light matter. I grew worried for Joseph, knowing how Pharaoh punished bearers of bad news.

"Silence!" a herald said. "Pharaoh speaks."

"Is there nothing that can be done?" Tuthmosis' voice was steady, but his face betrayed his emotions.

"There is, Majesty," Joseph said. "If I may suggest?"

"Speak."

"During the years of plenty, have commissioners gather one-fifth of the harvest from every nome and store it away. Then when the years of famine come this will be distributed back to the people."

Pharaoh slowly nodded. "Ah. I see. It seems a good plan. But it is such a weighty responsibility."

"It is, Majesty. Therefore, you must appoint someone for this task. He must be someone wise and discerning, someone who you are confident will ensure Egypt's survival."

Pharaoh's gloomy face broke into a smile. "Of course. Of
course
."

He leapt up from his throne.

Those in the royal inner circles, including the priests and magicians, stood up straighter.

Pharaoh descended the dais. "Out of all the interpretations I have heard, Joseph's is the one that has made the most sense. Especially as it was the
only
interpretation."

He paused in his steps to glare at the magicians. Their heads bowed in unison.

He continued, "Furthermore, he has been quick and adept to suggest a solution. No doubt none of you idiots would have been able to come up with something like that either."

The king stopped in front of Joseph. "I do not know anything about your God, but I have no doubt you are greatly favoured by him. I need not say more. Who could be better for the role than you, Joseph?"

The gasps and cries nearly lifted the roof off the hall.

I thought I was dreaming. But no. This miracle was just as real as the air I breathed.

Thank you, God of Joseph. Thank you.

"Lord Potiphar!" Pharaoh called.

Potiphar stepped forward. "Yes, Majesty?"

"What say you of your king's decision?"

Potiphar glanced at Joseph. The two men exchanged companionable smiles.

"There could not have been a better one made, your Majesty," Potiphar said.

"And you, my Queen?" Pharaoh asked.

"He will serve you well, husband," Queen Ahmose purred. "He is as wise as he is beautiful."

Pharaoh clapped his hands. A flurry of servants sprung out from behind the thrones. They fell on their knees before their royal master.

Tuthmosis grandly swept his hand toward Joseph. "I will be appointing this man Vizier of the Two Kingdoms. Servants, make him up. Messengers, send word to every corner in the land. The rest of you, gather outside tomorrow morning for the grand proclamation. The court is now finished."

I barely heard or saw anything as I filed out with the rest of the audience. I was only aware that while my body was still on the ground, my spirit danced and twirled to the music of the heavens.

My dear one was free.

Free at last.

The following morning I stood below the balcony where the royals made their public appearances. The crowd behind me stretched as far as the eye could see.

The day was brilliant. The sun beat down upon us, but I barely felt it. I barely even noticed those around me.

A chorus of golden horns blasted out. Pharaoh Tuthmosis, Queen Ahmose and Joseph appeared.

The crowd cheered.

My breath nearly deserted me.

Dressed in royal Egyptian attire, Joseph looked exhilaratingly handsome. A fine linen kilt was wrapped around his trim waist and secured by a tasselled golden apron. Ornaments of precious stones glittered on his muscular arms and across his chiselled bare chest. Upon his head, he wore a gleaming striped
nemes
, the royal Egyptian headdress. His magical hazel-olive eyes were lengthened with cunning kohl strokes.

Joseph glowed in the sunlight. He possessed much of the world's beauty, if not being beauty itself. He was gold that had gone through the fire and come out gleaming, precious and wondrous.

Pharaoh raised his crook and flail. The crowd fell silent.

"People of Egypt," Tuthmosis said. "I present to you His Excellency, Lord Zaphenath-Paneah, 'the God speaks and he lives.' He is a man of great wisdom and has seen Egypt's future as well as her prosperity."

Pharaoh handed his emblems to a page. He slipped a ring off his finger. "To you Lord Zaphenath-Paneah I bestow my signet ring, a symbol of the power I am giving you. Only the throne will set me above you. But without your word nobody shall lift hand and foot."

Pharaoh slipped the ring onto Joseph's finger. With that simple swift gesture, Joseph became the second most powerful person in Egypt.

"Lord Zaphenath-Paneah," Pharaoh said. "I proclaim you Vizier of Upper and Lower Egypt. Now my subjects, I command you—bow before him."

We dropped to our knees on the warm ground. Then we rose and burst into an ovation that nearly shook the sky.

"Zaphenath-Paneah! Zaphenath-Paneah!"

Joseph and the royal couple extended their hands to the crowd. Pharaoh took up his emblems once more. The imperial trio disappeared inside.

They shortly reappeared on the Palace steps. A team of gilded chariots drawn by white horses drove up to them. All the while, the cheers of the crowds never ceased.

Joseph was assisted onto the chariot behind that of the royal couple's. He would be driven around the city to have the people acknowledge him as their new beautiful leader.

The chariots darted off like shooting stars. Everyone dispersed to follow them. I made my way to an avenue I knew the chariots had yet to pass. No sooner had I arrived than the crowd filled the sidewalks to the brim.

The royal party appeared to nearly deafening cheers. Thousands of arms waved like flags.

"Zaphenath-Paneah! Zaphenath-Paneah!"

Joseph's chariot drew closer.

"Jo―Zaphenath-Paneah!" I shouted.

I did not expect him to see me since the streets were packed. But miraculously, he did.

Our eyes met. He gave me a tender smile.

Then he was gone in a flash.

That was all I needed for now.

I did not see Joseph after his appointment. Honestly though, I did not expect to as I knew Pharaoh would be bombarding him with tasks. Nevertheless, I now had hope.

The wait was no longer in vain. Each day brought a promise. Sooner or later, I would see him again.

And when he came, oh, I could not imagine how it would be. I would die of joy.

A few days after the grand event, I was having lunch in my room when Nafre informed me Khasekh had come over. Still in a dreamy mood, I waved for her to let him in.

"Can you believe this, Asenath?" he snarled. "Of all the ridiculous, asinine―Pharaoh has to appoint some sheepherder as
vizier
? What in Seth's damnable balls was he thinking?"

He spewed out a string of profanities which made my ears wilt.

I winced. "Khasekh, please. I'm eating. Would you like anything?"

He shook his head. "I wasn't even finished when Pharaoh interrupted me. He didn't give me a chance. It wasn't easy, but I am sure if he had just let me..."

Father also felt as Khasekh did. When the two men discovered their shared disdain for the new vizier, they met nearly every day at our house to rant. Mother and I were dismayed.

One night at dinner, Father said, "Pharaoh will be holding a feast in honour of the
Canaanite
." He made a face. "You know, I heard he began

work right after his appointment. All that effort for a famine that will never come."

"Asenath, how are your pupils?" Mother asked.

"Eh, the sheepherder is just making things up," Khasekh said. "He is trying to fool Pharaoh. He has some hidden agenda."

"Indeed," Father said. "You know how these desert dwellers are. Some years ago, a friend of mine was cheated when he bought something from this Canaanite trader."

Mother sighed loudly. "Asenath, why don't you and I have dinner in the garden? I want to
enjoy
my meal."

Later, when we were seated outside, Mother shook her head. "Those men."

"And what about you, Mother?" I asked. "What do you think of Joseph?"

"I honestly can't say since I barely know him." She smiled. "But I trust your judgement, Asenath."

"He is a good man, you know. I first met him when I went to get your shawl from Potiphar's house years ago." And I finally told her of how Lady Zalikha had attacked me and of how Joseph saved me.

"Asenath, I'm so sorry to hear that." Mother hugged me. "I am glad to hear that he helped you. But you should have also told me and Father. I am going to go over to Potiphar's house and tell that horrid woman myself."

I interrupted, "No that's all right. I haven't even seen Zalikha in a long time anyway. I see her occasionally at parties. But she doesn't bother me anymore. The important thing is, Joseph is now free."

Mother nodded slowly. "That is indeed good, isn't it? Yes, Asenath, I hope I can meet him soon."

"I hope so too, Mother. It's wonderful. From the moment we met, I felt like we had this, well,
connection
. I mean, it's like I've known him forever."

Mother smiled. "I know the feeling."

Later, we heard the gates bolt. Khasekh had gone for the night. Mother and I exchanged relieved looks.

"Shall we return inside?" she asked.

"Yes, indeed."

We returned to the dining hall to see Father picking at some fruits for dessert.

He looked up. "By the way, we are not going to the feast."

Mother gave him a mock shocked look. "Why, Pentephres, I am surprised at you. I thought we had an obligation to Pharaoh."

"Not if it involves that filthy barbarian." He met my gaze. "
No.
"

"Come now." Mother smiled slyly. "I am sure it wouldn't hurt for you to attend even a little while. You might end up enjoying yourself. You always like going to royal feasts."

"Not this time. End of discussion, wife."

"But, my dear―"

"End of discussion."

One day in class, I took up my sistrum to show my pupils. I handed it to Princess Hatshepsut, who always sat at the front.

"Now, Highness," I said, "have a look at this and pass it around so that your other classmates can see it as well."

Hatshepsut took it. She held it close to her, taking her time with it. Her classmates began to edge toward her. She moved away.

"Don't," she said. "I'm still looking at it."

"Lady Senat, Hatshepsut's not sharing," one of the children complained.

"I can look at it as long as I want," Hatshepsut said. "
I'm
Pharaoh's daughter."

"Hush, all of you," I said.

I had been prepared for something like this. While I liked Hatshepsut, she could be quite feisty at times.

I searched my mind for something that
everyone
could enjoy. "How about we learn some temple dances?"

"Yes!" the children cried.

I was relieved. "All right. Let's head out into the garden."

I herded them outside. I stood them in a row. "Now when the priestesses come before the gods and goddesses, they―"

"I get to watch temple dances with Papa," Hatshepsut said.

"That's nice, your Highness. But with all due respect, please do not interrupt when others are talking, thank you. So as I was saying when the priestesses come before the gods and goddesses they perform all kinds of sacred dances. If everyone could please follow me."

As I began to move and sway I remembered the "statue dance" game in the Feast of Hapi, those many years ago. I had been so vivacious back then. So carefree, full of life and laughter. I picked up my movements, much to the delight of the children.

"Lady Asenath."

I turned to see Queen Ahmose standing with one of her advisers.

I flushed. I dropped to my knees. "Life, health and prosperity to you, Great Royal Wife. Forgive me your Majesty."

"Arise. And you are forgiven."

Hatshepsut giggled.

Her mother silenced her with a look. "This is Rawosre, one of our chief advisers."

She motioned to the man beside her.

"Life, health and prosperity to you, Lady Asenath," he said.

He had an unusually high voice for a grown man. I knew it was because he had been rendered a eunuch at a young age. When I first heard about this practise among the Palace staff, I was shocked. Now I felt a surge of pity for poor Rawosre.

"Life, health and prosperity to you, Rawosre," I said.

"Rawosre is staging a play for the feast of Zaphenath-Paneah," Queen Ahmose said. "It will be about the murder of Osiris and the fight between Horus and Seth."