The Forgotten: Aten's Last Queen (13 page)

On her way out, Tiya stopped and let the others pass her. She looked up at the wall, carved and colored with precision, and spoke at nothing. Yet it was obvious her speech was directed at Mother. “I do miss my daughter. And I will never see her in the palace again. I hope no one else has to suffer such pain, losing a child along with their memory. Or perhaps there is understanding now… perhaps deeds have caught up with those who act without thinking. Those who act with selfishness. Alas, mothers can be quite fickle when it comes to their children, can’t they?”

And she left.

Mother sat down on a bench near the pool. Her sister sat down at her feet, rested her head on mother’s lap, and embraced her around her belly. Mutbenret buried her head in her sister’s dress. There was a mixture of sadness and frustration upon my mother’s face as she began to thoughtlessly play with Mutbenret’s youth lock.

She could not interfere with the word of Pharaoh, and clearly she was not a part of his counsel any longer. Something flashed across her eyes, was it fear? Fear of her husband? Or perhaps, more precisely, fear of the woman now standing behind Pharaoh.

She had another reason to worry, though. Tiya had brought a young woman with her when she had come to live at Akhenaten. This young woman was a beautiful daughter of one of the noble families, and Pharaoh had invited her to a private dinner in his sleeping quarters the past couple of nights. Tiya had also brought a husband for Merytaten, but that had been expected.

All of my mother’s plans were falling down around her. Her actions had only delayed what seemed destined to come to pass. Her life was being overshadowed. Even I could see it, and I was only 7.

“You will not repeat what is heard here,” Mother said, slowly looking over to Tutankhaten and me.

With that, her and her sister got up and walked past us to the family quarters. Her room was above ours on the second floor.

As before, it was quiet by the pool, but I soon learned that quietness could be just as disturbing as sound.

*****

The largest banquet I had ever seen was held in honor of my grandmother that night. We were all dressed in our finest textures and colors.

As I looked into the Great Hall, servants quickly moved about servicing the early guests at the grand feast. They swirled around me like the thoughts buzzing about my heart. Places were being claimed at the tables, and the wine was being poured freely. I was already stuck in a line of people making their way in. I felt no need to draw attention to myself and cut to the front. This would also give me some extra time to observe the guests. I should be entering at the back of the hall, but I hated all the stares I got just because I was of Pharaoh’s blood. Everything I did was analyzed and discussed.

The hall was magnificent. There were large square pillars that held up a beautifully painted ceiling, which was taller in the middle and lower near the side walls. The ceiling was brightly colored with the images of vine leaves and plump grapes resting atop a yellow-painted field. The square pillars around us, which reached down and dipped into the water-colored floor tiles, were plastered in white with rolling moldings at their tops. The walls were adored with many images. Some were of chariot scenes. Some were of the annual flooding. Others were filled with plant and animal life. There was such an attention to detail that some scenes seemed frozen in motion, cornflowers suspended in an eternal breeze neither straight nor entirely tipped over.

There were many portions of the walls decorated with birds and fat fish in action, respectively above and below rotund waves. When I looked at these images I imagined that I was the fish and above the waves lay the heavens with all our ancestors watching over us. Sometimes there was a need to dip down and grab one of us to accompany them on their eternal journey. Death’s journey was so unpredictable that it was not for us to question such things. What may seem cruel may actually be saving a soul too pure for the world we live in. At least, that was the idea that had sprung up in me after looking down at my stillborn brother’s face. Why else would he have to die? His soul must have been too good for this world…

Following the line further into the hall, I stepped up to the water basin, washed any excess dirt from my hands and arms, and spread some of the perfumed cone around my neck and wrists. It smelled of water lilies. Feeling ready for the heat of so many packed bodies in merriment and drunkenness, I walked over to my table. While making my way, I searched the faces of those around us. I was hoping that the merchant and his son would be invited. The entire city had to be here! Surely he would come to an invitation from the palace. Or maybe he did not want to see me again after my sister’s outburst. I held out hope that maybe, just maybe, he would arrive later on.

I sat down next to my sisters still with their youth locks. Tadukhipa and her daughter had seats at our table as well, but they had yet to rest upon them. Meketaten was sitting with Father, Grandmother, Mother, and Merytaten. Her wig was very beautiful and full. In fact, I could not recall seeing such a thick wig before. She seemed to turn her head often when I caught glimpses of her, obviously enjoying her new appearance. A part of me was envious. Maybe it was for my own good, but right now, Meketaten seemed the reason for the banquet instead of Grandmother.

I could smell honey cakes and roast ox being brought out. There were also dates, beans, peas, lettuce, pomegranates, and cucumbers (one of my favorites) to pick from. As dinner was being served, I noticed something odd. Tutankhaten and his nurse Maia were not present. I was about to go over and ask Mother where they might be, but Tadukhipa’s daughter came and took the open place next to mine. I thought it rude to rush away when they had just joined the table. Such actions might spread gossip and make-believe motivations.

At first she did not say anything. I could tell she wanted to by her body language, but she was hesitating. Then, ever so slowly, she slowly raised her eyes, “Greetings, honored princess.” Her voice was thin and soft. I imagined that if a cloud had a voice, if it had something to tell Aten above, this would be what it would sound like.

“Marahkaten, you do not need to call me such names. Please, call me Ankhesenpaaten, or An if you feel comfortable.”

She smiled meekly, reaching for some of the dates and pomegranates. “I noticed you talking to the prince today, Ankhesenpaaten. You were very kind.”

I did not know I was being watched, but if she was with her mother in the upstairs apartments, she would have had a view of the water courtyard.

“He is nothing to be feared, if that’s what you are getting at.”

“No. It’s just that sometimes I watch him during the day. We’re both, well, outcasts. It’s like we don’t belong. I never see Pharaoh anymore. He never visits.”

“I’m sorry,” I answered, adding some lettuce and cucumbers to my plate. “He has been too busy for us as well, if it helps.”

Marahkaten smiled a little more, “Thank you. You are much nicer than your sister.”

I could think of only one she was referring to. “Merytaten has been very busy preparing for the life of a ruler. I’m not sure if she remembers how to have fun anymore.”

“Then I am thankful I am not her.”

“Me too,” I agreed, filling my plate with some honey bread. “Do you know where the prince is today?”

Marahkaten seemed to choke on her food for a second. When she finally swallowed, she answered me in a whisper, “He is not allowed at court functions anymore. Haven’t you noticed?”

“Why? I’ve seen him here when he was younger!”

Marahkaten stuttered for a moment, “His foot was not bent then.”

“No… I had not noticed before.” I paused for a moment to digest this. After a moment, and with hope Aten would protect my actions from wretched rumors, I grabbed some extra cakes and left my seat. It was the busiest time of the meal with tables surrounded by musicians and servers bringing out food along with constantly refilling cups. Though a challenge, I managed to escape the dining hall and over the bridge back to our house. I was stopped once by a guard, who quickly recognized me and permitted my passing. I was not exactly sure where Tutankhaten’s room was, but I found him easier than I expected. I rounded the corner into the gardens, and he was sitting with his feet in the pool.

When he heard my feet approach, he looked up and smiled. I sat down next to him and handed him some bread.

“Here, I thought the prince of Kemet could use some fresh bread.”

“Thank you!” He eagerly bit into it and had two more honey cakes finished in no time. It was then that Maia stood up behind us. I had not seen her sitting silently on a bench when I stormed in, still angry about the situation he was placed in. Snubbed by his only parent, my heart had beat angrily at the thought. I looked up and noticed Maia’s face was damp, her kohl smeared gently.

“Thank you, princess. That was very kind,” she said softly.

“I wish it could be more,” I answered her, getting back on my feet.

“Can you stay and play? Maia got me a ball from the market!”

I smiled brightly. “I’m sorry, but I should get back. I will bring back more if I can, but I don’t want anyone to notice my absence.”

Brother looked quite sad, but Maia thanked me a second time and carried the young boy inside the apartments.

As I walked back, I thought of others absent today. I made up my mind to try to find the merchant, but I knew I could not go alone. As I ran to find Tia, I could see that the day had not yet been completely swallowed by the horizon. That meant she might be collecting my linens from the slaves who washed and pleated them. She could also be feasting with her family in the Great Hall. I decided to check back in the hall as I was unsure of where the slaves did our washing.

It was with that realization that I knew I was too sheltered and needed to pay more attention to what was going on around the palace. There seemed to be an endless amount of things to do and learn. I could not imagine becoming ruler. I prayed that Merytaten would provide strong direction and keep our society balanced. Right now it was poised precariously on a thin edge.

Though I did not know it then, the people were becoming discontent. Not only had my father not accomplished anything militarily by gaining new territories, but our borders were receding. This new conquest against Nubia would do little to pacify Father’s biggest criticizers. After all, it was a conquest based on hearsay. We were not gaining anything but punishing people for speaking out against Pharaoh.

Father also did not do any business outside his city. The population outside of our walls was neglected, and it was obvious in their crumbling fortifications and lowered farming production. The kingdom’s revenue was used solely in the City of Akhenaten. Times became more dangerous, even though tonight you would not guess it as the people gathered to celebrate and share in the riches of the city. It was hard to complain about a full belly.

I could feel the heat pulsing from the banquet hall as I came nearer. It was a sticky heat emanating from the bodies of too many people reveling indoors. It smelled salty from all the sweat soaking into clothing, hair, and chair cushions.

The more prominent families sat on pillowed chairs. Less well-known men and women sat on stools. The lower stations in society sat on the bare floor. This way, most of the city could celebrate, but the noble families were also shown respect for their standing. Men and women generally sat at separate tables unless they were married. Father usually placed his soldiers in the most honored spots, but they were not at this celebration.

I walked the area where people were seated on the floor, looking for my nurse. Finally I found her and her husband seated together finishing a plate of goose and onions. I rushed over and took Tia’s hand.

“Could I ask a favor of you?”

Tia gestured for me to wait a moment. She spoke with her husband, then got up and led me out of the hall.

“What can I help you with, An?” I could smell beer on her breath.

“I wanted to go visit a merchant. I was hoping you could take me. His father is a jeweler. They live somewhere--”

I got no further as Tia held up her hand to stop me. “Princess, I know what you ask. Your mother informed me of your encounter. She told me not to indulge you in this regard.”

Tia always used my more formal title when she had to tell me no. Of course Mother would do her best to keep me away from him. She was trying to keep me safe as well as trying to suppress any trouble that I might stir up, but my heart felt a need to see him again. It was more than an attraction; there was something else I needed to know. As I thought of the story he told me, I knew there was something more he could tell me about my family that no one else could.

My desperation was probably evident in my voice, “Tia, he was wronged by my sister and me. He was yelled at and embarrassed because of my actions. I owe him an apology. Please, I’m asking you to come with me!”

“An, you ask me to go against Great Wife of Pharaoh. Do you know what might become of me if she found out? I need this job to provide bread for my family. Our family farm is not doing well this season.”

“I will provide you bread!”

“And how will you do that? You think you can sneak in and steal from the food stores without Pharaoh finding out? He is in a temper since the Mitanni visitors. You should fear his wrath.” She was practically in tears. I could tell she was terrified of my father. She had never acted so frightened before. “Why is this one boy so important to you?”

“I’m sorry, Tia, I do not mean to scare you so much, but I believe he could help me answer some questions about our family.”

“I do not understand. What do you wish to know?”

“About father’s brother, the one who left. I think this boy might have met him in the desert.”

Tia took in a sharp intake of breath. Again, I was upsetting the comfortable balance of our lives. How dangerous could he be?

“Why do you ask these questions?”

“I want to know how the mention of one man causes such fear in my family. He is just a man. Surely Aten’s power is much greater than me finding out his name!”