Queen of the Heavens (37 page)

The next day, we played
senet
, but Sety lacked concentration and it pained me to see him compete so poorly.

I filled Sety with tonics prescribed by a physician, and chanted and prayed and cast spells before him. My healing skills brought him some relief from his ailments, but the respites were short-lived, and before long he would be just as weak as before.

Three days prior to our scheduled arrival in Thebes, I joined my husband on deck. A strong cool wind blew from the north, filling the sky with desert dust so thick a person could gaze directly at the sun disk in the midday sky. Sety, who had wrapped himself in linen to keep away the chill, looked like a mummy.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

Sety’s chin rested on his chest, for he lacked the strength to keep his head upright. He spoke softly, almost in a whisper. “I’ll be fine.”

“You avoid my question. You still seem so tired.”

Sety wheezed. “I carry many burdens, Tuya.”

“Perhaps you should shed some of them, and have Ramesses do more to help you rule. Or perhaps you should demand more from your Viziers.”

Sety opened his mouth to speak, but no words came forth. He stood up, clutching at his chest.

“What’s wrong?” I shouted.

To my horror, Sety toppled face forward to the deck, collapsing the small table in front of him. I dropped to my knees and strove to turn over his shaking body.

“Help me,” I shouted.

Soldiers rushed to us. Though frantic, I tried to maintain the composure and dignity of a Queen. “Take the Pharaoh to his quarters,” I ordered after the shaking had stopped and Sety lay motionless.

A sturdy guard at Sety’s head lifted the Pharaoh by his shoulders and two others of slighter build took him by each leg. I gathered up Sety’s
nems
and
uraeus
, which had fallen from his head.

“Be careful,” I said, as the three soldiers carried Sety to his cabin, where they laid him in his bed.

Sety’s breath was so shallow as to be hardly noticeable, but I thought I heard him speak. I placed my ear next to his lips. “What did you say?”

My husband’s voice was barely audible. “Abydos. Take me to Abydos, and the site of the resurrection.”

“Of course, my darling. What else would you have me do?”

To my dismay, Sety fell silent.

I had Nebet fetch the officer of the guard, who waited outside the door. “How far away is Abydos?” I asked.

“Quite close, My Lady.”

“We will stop there.”

“Would it not be better to proceed quickly to Thebes so the Pharaoh can rest in the palace?”

“My husband wishes to lie in Abydos. Have your soldiers carry the Pharaoh to the ancient temple adjacent to the new Temple of Osiris. Place him on a bed under the Flower of Life.”

“The Flower of Life, My Lady?”

“The priests will know of what I speak.”

I stayed at my husband’s side, holding his hand, chanting, and whispering loving words, though I do not know whether he heard them. Nebet stayed with me. While she could do little to help, her presence gave me comfort. When we reached the quay at Abydos, dusk had arrived. Soldiers entered the cabin with a litter fashioned from long wooden poles and woven reeds. With great care, they lifted the Pharaoh onto it and carried him from the boat.

I found a linen sack and placed in it Sety’s
nems
and
uraeus
and crook and flail, for I wanted his symbols of authority to be near to him when he recovered. I had Nebet bring from my quarters the
ankh
with the carnelian and several bottles of scented oil, which I put into the sack as well. The High Priest met me as I stepped onto the quay.

“My Lady, the collapse of the Pharaoh comes as such a shock. The last time I saw him he had such vitality, but I could not recognize him when the litter bearers carried him past me. I will assemble the priests to pray for the safe passage of his soul.”

“Have them pray instead for the Pharaoh’s recovery,” I said. “I have no intention of letting my husband die.”

At the temple, a guard stood at Sety’s feet and another at his head. The officer of the guard bowed as I approached. “My Lady, we have placed the bed where you requested, beneath the Flower of Life.”

“Yes, I see. Now I must be alone with my husband. Leave here, and allow no one to come near.”

A lamp on a nearby wooden stand cast a flickering light on Sety’s face. His color had turned gray and the pall of death hovered over him.

I took the items from the sack and placed them on the floor, then sat on a stool to meditate and prepare myself for the healing ritual to come. When I felt sufficiently composed, I removed my mantle, bared my breast and placed the
ankh
around my neck.

With the oils, I anointed the seven great centers on my husband’s body, lingering for some time over the heart, into which I rubbed lotus. As I had done with my son, I collapsed over Sety, with the
ankh
between our heart centers, and willed energy into him.

Sety quivered beneath me as my strength poured into him. Though weakened, I felt elation as my husband’s body seemed to come to life.

I slid to the floor, resting on my knees, expecting to see robust color in Sety’s cheeks, and perhaps even a grin. To my horror, his expression now contained great torment, as if he were being tortured.

This cannot be
, I thought.

Once more, I anointed my husband with oils and lay across his torso.

Take my strength, all of it, even unto my own death.

My heart center swirled with great speed and again I weakened. My consciousness left my body, and dwelled for a time in a dark place. I shuddered as small creatures with spindly arms and bat-like wings hovered about, and I screamed when a huge beast with fangs and sharp claws jumped before me. I ran away as fast as I could into a sea of blackness.

When my consciousness returned, I found myself lying on the stone floor, my elbow bruised from falling. I rose to see that my husband’s torment was even starker than before.

I sat down on the floor, my back to a wall opposite the Flower of Life.

What is wrong? What must I do to heal my husband?
I thought.

After some time, the room filled with a divine aroma even sweeter than lotus. To my amazement, the Flower of Life began spinning, its colors growing more and more radiant. From it poured indigo and before me appeared Thoth, his features muted, as if he were standing behind a veil.

“Have you come to help me heal the Pharaoh?” I asked the god of wisdom.

“I have come to answer your questions, Tuya.”

“Then tell me why my husband does not recover.”

“Death is a part of life.”

“Why must Sety die? Egypt needs him.”

“Why do you question the will of the Neters? It also needs your son.”

“Must my husband suffer so? Sety’s look of torment is more than I can bear.”

“Would you not look tormented if you knew bliss was near but were prevented from grasping it? You have the power to keep Sety’s body alive, Tuya, but do you have the wisdom to allow his soul to depart? Sety has met his demons and slain them. He will pass Osiris’ Judgment, if you allow him to.”

Before I could say more, the indigo dissolved and Thoth vanished in a burst of sparkling, golden light.

I sat for a time in perfect stillness, the divine aroma still lingering.

Though I am a part of the Divine Pageant, I did not create it,
I said to myself, feeling a bit ashamed for having been so vain as to think I could control destiny.

After some moments, I walked over to my husband and stroked his anguished face.

I placed the
nems
on his head and over his shoulders, smoothing out the wrinkles with my hands. I affixed the
uraeus
. The serpent emerged from the hidden eye, seeing all and protecting the ruler from those who would do him harm. In Sety’s left hand I placed the crook, in his right the flail, and crossed them before his heart center.

There, my darling. Now you look like a Pharaoh.

I knelt beside Sety and gently touched his arm with both my hands.

My husband, I love you, but you are not mine. I commend your soul to Osiris. Depart if you wish.

As I cried into the bed linens a cool breeze passed over me. My skin tingled, my body filled with the purest white light, and I knew only love.

When I looked up, I saw that Sety’s breathing had stopped. His face held not torment, but a look of contentment for the ages.

XXXVII

When we arrived in Thebes, I went into seclusion in the palace, praying and reciting the spells that would help guide Sety’s soul through the perils of the
duat
. I also made an offering of berries and wheat to Thoth to thank him for having told me Sety would pass The Judgment. The knowledge did not ease my grief, but at least I knew I would see my husband again after my soul entered the afterworld.

Three days later, Ramesses sent word his boat had arrived at the quay and that he would come soon to my chambers to see me.

While waiting, I meditated. An image of my son appeared in my consciousness as clearly as if he were in the room, but his youthful features soon changed into the aged ones of Lord Harenhab.

I smiled.
My beloved Pharaoh, how wonderful to see you again. Are you content, or are you still troubled because you were not able to fight your great battle?

Lord Harenhab remained silent, but a thought leapt into my mind.

The amulet.

I dug through the trunk of clothing where I had hidden the gold talisman of Sekhmet with wings mounted on lapis lazuli, which Lord Harenhab had given me on the night of his death to keep for my son until he reached maturity. It was still there, secure in its alabaster box. I polished the amulet with a cloth and placed it on my dressing table.

Nebet knocked on the door: “My Lady, the Prince has arrived. He is waiting on the terrace.”

Ramesses stood with his feet wide apart, hands clasped behind him, looking out at the garden where the irises were in full bloom. He turned when he heard the clap of my sandals against the floor.

“Mother. I came as quickly as I could. Is there anything I can do for you?”

“I might ask you the same question,” I said as we embraced. “You, not I, bear the responsibility of ruling Egypt.”

“I went to the embalmers with the hopes of seeing Father one last time, but could not. His organs already had been removed and his body placed in natron.” Ramesses and I sat down. “Before the great battle against the Hittites, Father was healthy and strong. What happened? Why did he die at the height of his power?”

“Perhaps Sety achieved all he could in the earthly realm, or all that he wanted to. I tried to heal him, but the time had come for his soul to depart.”

Ramesses looked grim. “I worry about the future, Mother. Am I ready to rule?”

“Sety asked me the same question when your grandfather died. He was more than ready, and so are you. Your father taught you well.”

“I have learned much from you, too,” Ramesses said as he leaned forward and took my hand. “I’ll need you with me as I govern.”

I held my words for a moment, and then spoke gently. “After your father’s mummy is entombed, I will leave for Abydos to lead my healing order.”

Shock registered in Ramesses’ voice. “What are you saying? You can’t disappear from my life, as Hint-mi-re did when she left for the Order of Sekhmet.”

“I won’t disappear. You’ll see me again.”

“That’s not enough. You must stay with me. I need your help and advice.”

“You will have it always, but often I have longed for life in a temple where I could do my healing work. I still desire this. Your father built me a healing temple and I must make use of it.”

“No, Mother. You have given me life not once, but twice. You can’t leave my side.”

“Nefertari and your other wives will lavish love upon you, and I… and Isis…will be with you constantly in spirit. You have become a man, Ramesses, and it’s time for you to make your own mark in the world.” I stood up. “Come with me. I have something for you.”

We walked together to my bed chamber. I picked up the talisman from the dressing table and held it before my son. “Sekhmet will be with you, too.”

Ramesses’ eyes opened wide. “My amulet. Where did you find it?”

“I didn’t find it. The amulet belonged to Lord Harenhab. On the night of his death, he gave it to me to keep for you until you were grown. At the time, you were still in my womb.”

Ramesses stared at the amulet. “How strange. I could have sworn I’d worn it before.”

I placed the cord over Ramesses’ head. “Years ago, in the Great Temple of Amun, Sekhmet assured me she would protect you when you became Pharaoh. The energy of the Cosmos flows through this image of the lion goddess. Promise me you will wear it whenever you need great power.”

“I will. I’ve always been close to Sekhmet. I’ll wear it now as I meet with Father’s ministers. I must show them I will be a strong leader.”

Ramesses and I embraced again. “I will visit you tomorrow, Mother. Perhaps we can take a meal together.”

I looked up and smiled. “I would like nothing more.”

Ramesses walked toward the door, but stopped and turned before he reached it.

“Father was a great Pharaoh. Will I be as great?”

“Your birth was a miracle, my son, and your life will be full of miracles. When you look back on your reign and tell your story, it will be of the greatest ruler who ever lived, or whoever will live.”

“Are you certain of this?”

“Of course I’m certain. I’m your mother. The Neters would have it no other way.”

After Ramesses left, I sat in the chair next to my bedside table with my eyes nearly shut. As dusk fell, Nebet lit lamps and burned myrrh, then left without disturbing my tranquility.

I thought back on the improbable journey that was my life, and people who had touched my soul. I did not see them, but I felt their presence.

Mother and Father came first to once again nurture and comfort me. Pentu the scribe visited as well. He was no longer angry with me. Instead, he was proud of my accomplishments.