Shadow of the Sun (The Shadow Saga) (27 page)

Meti heaved a bag of gold at him. “Consider yourself paid. Free them. In fact, escort them to the Gem-pa-Aten.”

“Who are you?” Pentu asked the boy in perfect Mycenaean.

The boy locked his arms with defiance. “Archollos from Mycenae.”

Archollos. What a beautiful name. He had to be at least eleven. The same age that Meti had chosen Father.

“Let us make a swift appearance then return to the Malkata Palace,” Meti ordered. “Tonight, we must gather the Council. Maybe we can salvage this.”

* * *

N
etri summoned his council of twelve advisors to his Reception Chamber within his personal palace, which showed no damage. At dusk, I joined Meti, Grand Djedti Ti-Yee, and Ay. In came Ra-Mesu, my father’s general council, Pentu-Aten Chief Physician to the court, Imhotep, the Master Architect, Horemheb, the new Army General, Ib-Ra, the General Counsel of the Lower Lands, Parrenefer, True Confidant to the Ruler, Nahkt, personal counsel, and Pa-Nesy, personal fan-bearer. They seated themselves in the circle of high-backed chairs before us, leaving one empty.

At that moment Amaret burst through the door. Her cool black skin contrasted with that kinky grey hair. And those eyes, those cloudy blue eyes, so alluring yet frightening. Her bare feet padded across the stone floor.

“Amaret-Aten, The Mistress of the Two Eyes, we are blessed by your presence,” said Father. He held her gaze, a bit too long. My mother shifted with discomfort. “I summoned you forth this seventy-third day of my first Regnal Year. My heart is saddened that the Hanuti broke Khemit with their ill-fated attempt to steal the Ben Ben stone.

“They damaged our energy grid, causing fire to fall from the skies, earthcracks to break our realm, and tremendous waves to wash away the foundations of all we have built. This should not be my inheritance from my father, nor from my Grand Elder, Tuthmosis IV. I prayed for an age of peace and prosperity. Yet within the first year of my reign, my beloved city lies in ruins.”

Horemheb with his fist raised said, “Let us make a stand, to right that which was wronged.”

Outside a distant choir of croaking frogs sang a disharmonious melody.

“Murder, deceit, corruption, rape of the innocent, greed, and thievery run rampant among the religious leaders who determine the destiny of Khemit,” agreed Ib-Ra.

“Today we rescued slaves bound for ritual sacrifice,” I said.

“They rounded up our citizens and then claimed them as slaves,” said Meti.

Ra-Mesu rose up like a tower of stone, his eyes cold and unemotional. Although he’d supported the Amun priests, he honored his pledge to Grand Djedti to protect the royal family. Everyone knew he shouldn’t be crossed.

“Your Majesty,” said Pentu as he laid both hands over his collar bone and bowed. “Women, men and children would have met certain death at the hands of the priests.” Our physician always presented the most disheartening news with composure.

“But those dark rituals were prohibited by even your own father, Pharaoh Amunhotep,” said Pa-Nesy, his black wooly hair now beaded with sweat.

Netri stroked his cheek and pondered the accusation. “I shall forbid the Hanuti from these acts. I will not tolerate the slaughter of the innocent while I am Pharaoh.” The violet golden lights glowed around the crown of his head, signifying his connection to the Aten.

“They will just hide it in the bowels of their secret chambers. It still would have been veiled but the flooding Nile forced the slave trader to change his usual route and get caught,” said Amaret. She, the secret inner eye, the treasured yet feared Mistress of the Unseen Knowings.

“I shall abolish them completely,” said Netri.

“Shemati, The Radiant One, could you speak up? The bullfrogs must be mating and I am having difficulty hearing. How do you propose we abolish that?” asked Pentu.

“How can we impose peaceful measures upon those who act with such vile heartedness?” asked Ib-Ra, who strained to speak over the croaking outside.

“I propose the abolishment of the worship of Amun. If we dismantle the priesthood and close their temples, they will no longer practice these black rites.” Netri said it with a graceful spread of his hands to imply the simplicity. A stunned silence spread among us.

If we got rid of the Amunites, then we would have peace. Everyone could worship the Aten. How perfect. Now all our problems were solved. “Shining One, corruption keeps the temples going,” said Pa-Nesy, raising his voice.

“Eliminating the Amunites means civil war,” said Nakht, who covered his ears to eliminate the nose of croaking frogs.

Horemheb pounded his chest. “Every soldier will be utilized during the coming unrest.”

“Order must be maintained. Careful planning will serve us well. The Sesh loyal to the Aten must be accountable to us,” said Ra-Mesu.

“Then we agree. I decree that as of this day I condemn the worship of Amun; further I abolish all temples. Verily, all mention, whether verbal or written in stone, of the name Amun will be abolished. The very vibration of that name carries chaos and darkness. We must cleanse the land of all impurity.” My father’s voice rang strong and true.

“Are you asking us to take chisel to stone and cut out the name Amun?” asked Pa-Nesy, shaking.

“Why do you tremble?” asked my father in his bottomless baritone voice.

“If we obliterate the name, then Amun will die in the Duat,” stated Parrenefer, who fell to his knees and clasped his hands.

Why did these two men of great strength cower before Father? Why would a name hold such power?

Netri smiled. “Ah, so the destruction of a superstition scares you?”

“How can you change a century-old tradition without causing a complete uprising among the followers?” asked Ra-Mesu, who glanced toward the courtyard and spoke louder.

Ti-Yee interjected, “Loyal subjects, I shall verify that no one can desecrate the spirit by obliterating the essence. We share this holy truth. Clear away the cobwebs of a superstition. By destroying a name, you do not destroy the spirit. Rest assured.”

“I do not believe in the power of Amun,” said Netri. “The Amun priesthood created the Duat so that the souls of the mummified remain bound to their bodies and cannot escape this earthly prison.”

As one, the council cried out, “No, how can this be?”

Pentu nodded.

“But I paid good money for my parents to be mummified in the tradition of Amun only five years ago. I paid extra to buy golden statues so they will be happy for eternity,” said Parrenefer. The group attempted to relax while the croaking intensified.

“I shall also outlaw the preposterous act of embalmment,” Netri added.

“No!” The Council erupted.

“Great Ruler of the Sun, these changes would enrage the Sesh,” Horemheb roared over the ribbiting frogs. “We honor our traditions and pay extra for embalmment.”

I covered my ears.
Be quiet
, I thought to those noisy frogs. No answer.

Why will these frogs not communicate with me? Were they as stubborn, or unhearing as crocodiles?

“Further, I proclaim there will be no more animal sacrifices or hunting animals for prize,” said Netri. “I further outlaw slavery and the penalty of death. Now I dismiss you.”

With that he drew himself up and exited the room. My Meti and I hastened to join him.

“Beloved!” Mother shouted over the cacophony in the hallway, “You set forth such a great number of proclamations. Perhaps you acted in haste?” She tugged her earring.

I covered my ears and grimaced. “Someone make the frogs stop croaking.”

A bit alarmed, my parents surveyed me.

“I wish you had discussed the new policies with me first. Did you confer with your mother ahead of time?” asked Meti in a voice cold as marble.

“I pondered these laws prior to the westing of my father. And the prophecy of Merit-Aten’s birth means it is the time for change. With your freeing of the slaves, it seemed auspicious timing.”

This would be the only way to save my family. A change must happen. By getting rid of Amun, we could restore harmony. Everyone would be happy.

“Our country’s peace and prosperity seems assured. What more could anyone ascending to rulership ask for? Why create disharmony now?” Meti said and blocked his path back to the palace.

The two who never raised their voices confronted each other. I edged my way between them, attempting to make peace.

“Can we play Senet tonight?” I asked as the croaking became unbearable. “Yes, Beloved,” said Netri. “My Heart, I have given you concern. I understand your dream of continuing in the peaceful footsteps of my mother’s rule. But it is time to usher in a golden age.”

“If we live that long to see it,” my Meti replied just as the frogs cascaded through the open portico and tumbled into the room. Their throats bulged in and out with desperation. Amphibians swathed our limestone floor with green slime. A plague had besieged Khemit.

“M
y city is in ruins. There will be nothing left to rule,” declared Sit-Amun as she marched into the Hanuti’s inner sanctum.

“Whose idea was it to steal the Ben Ben stone?”

“Mine!” said the Dark Lord hidden by the shadows. His voice had the eerie crispness of cracking dried branches.

Sit-Amun fell backward and blinked trying to adjust her eyes to the incense-filled gloom of the stuffy crypt. “My Lord, I am sorry, I did not know that you had authorized it.” She bowed with humility and knew she would have to address this delicate situation with a softer touch.

“No one advised me that the Ben Ben’s location had even been discovered, let alone that you planned to confiscate it.”

“Mery-Ptah stole a glimpse of Pharaoh’s secrets before he reached his death portal,” Ptah-Mose, placing his hands upon his girth. “Discovering the hidden whereabouts of the legendary Ben Ben stone was imperative.”