AEGYPTUS AND QUEEN TIYE

18th Dynasty Egypt.

--Including Queen Tiye's love poem.


By Ivan D. Alexander




As adapted from a translation of the original hieratic
manuscripts by Dr. Edouard Bialek, Egyptologist.*


Author's Note:
The story of "Aegyptus" is based on hieratic manuscripts from the 18th Dynasty allegedly found in the archives of the British Museum, London, by Dr. Edouard Bialek, Czech Egyptologist.* Based on Dr. Bialek's translations, the story unfolds for us with good continuity, though two of the papyrus scrolls are missing. The author endeavored to remain true to these translations, with minor changes, by adding dialogue where it was felt appropriate, in quotes. These scrolls should be treated entirely as works of fiction. The original scrolls were reputedly found in ancient archives of a monastery in what is now the Czech Republic.
(signed) Ivan Alexander

* By request, the real name had been changed to an alias.


AEGYPTUS, a love story:

Papyrus One, I Aegyptus
Papyrus Two, Slave
Papyrus Three, Queen Tiye
Papyrus Four, Pharaoh
Papyrus Five, War
Papyrus Six, Aiye
Papyrus Seven, Pyramid
Papyrus Eight, Boy King
Papyrus Nine, Iskra
Papyrus Ten, Royal Tomb
Papyrus Eleven, 'O
Papyrii Twelve, Thirteen, (untitled-lost)
Papyrus Fourteen, Son of the Sun
Tiye's Letter (a love poem)

Papyrus 1, I Aegyptus

Mayat, write my preamble.
I am Aegyptus. My rank is that of Chief Architect for the living God, may He live forever, Pharaoh, Son of the Sun Aten, King of the upper and lower Nile, the great Prophet King Amen'Hoetep (IV)*, Akh?aan?Aten, son of Amen'Hoetep the elder (III, 18th Dynasty, also Amenhopis, commonly Amen'het), most beloved of Amen, whom we reverently adore and honor in his eternal rest. He builder of great temples, and of the Greatest of the Pyramids, King of all Egypt and all the lands of Byblos and Can?aan, and beyond the last cataracts, Kush and Nubia, great grandson of Thut'moses (III) and his chief wife, the great and powerful Hats'hepsut. Oh Great King, Pharaoh Amen'Hoetep, devoted husband to your beautiful Queen Tiye, great King and Queen, may you live forever in the beauty of the gods. To you I, Aegyptus, your humble servant, dedicate these scrolls.

May Maat and Ptah, gods of truth and scripture, make me say only what is just as I dictate these scrolls to my faithful young scribe, Mayat, for my eyes are now dim, and I can see this script only in the bright light of day. The tale I am about to tell is of the unspeakable sacrilege and destruction by the most High Priest, Aiye,(Ay), a great man fallen from grace, may the tomb robbers and desert jackals
*(Author's notes)

scatter his remains. As we write this, the two Egypts are now ruled by our beloved Sun King (Akh'aan'Aten) and his very beautiful wife Nefar'titi, may they live in happiness together forever in this
world and in the afterlife. I will keep secret what may injure the living, but I will tell all to right the wrongs committed upon the dead. Though I am forced to keep the highest secret of the Temple, of our heavenly Visitors, I shall have to tell their part played in this story. Oh Great Queen Tiye, may you enjoy life in the beauty of the Gods forever, bathed in their love, and laid to rest by your great King. It was all long ago, but I am obliged to tell all, to right the wrongs done, for those who can read or listen. In these scrolls I leave testimony of works done, and works undone. May Isis be my witness and Ptah my judge. Amen.

* * * * * *

In the 8th year of the rule of the son of Amen'Ra, the great Pharaoh Amen'Hoetep, third month of rise of the Nile, when the moon was beginning anew, I was called into the temple of Amen to receive my final benediction. I had been studying the art of temple building for these past eight years, already in the year of maturity. This was to be the ultimate blessing, for to be accepted into the fraternity of temple builders was to secure for myself, as for my father, my life's work. I had already mastered geometry, the mystery of numbers, the art of cutting stone, which I learned while still young, and the science of reading the heavens for propitious omens. My father, Hapu the builder, had early set me on a course that would bring me to this ultimate test. Let me begin by telling of the time I had first embarked on this venture. I was still but a boy of twelve then, but already in me were the signs of a builder. It was as if only yesterday... be patient, allow me to remember...

..."Aggy! What are you doing all by yourself so early in the dawn?" It was one of my village friends, Naume, daughter to our temple's high priest, Yuh. She had that early morning happiness about her, her eyes dancing in her self assured face. I felt myself flush, not having expected to find anyone down by the canal at this time.
"Nothing," I answered a bit flustered. "I'm only attaching this large stone with these ropes."
She looked at me with amusement, saying nothing for a time.
"Don't you have to make breakfast for your family?" I asked her at long last. I was hoping she would go away. I wanted to finish my secret project without witnesses, and deliver the large stone to the temple builders without anyone being the wiser for it. But she did not go away. Her smooth alabaster face and fine nose just kept looking at me. She had thrown back her shawl so her shoulder was showing, and I could not miss eyeing her fine legs beneath her tunic. She was my age but already wiser in the ways boys and girls talk. I was still awkward in such things.
"Look, Naume. I have work to do. This is sacred work, and the presence of a woman may anger the gods, and the work spoiled." I looked up a her to see if she caught my meaning. She was standing above me on a small rise. I was down by the water's edge, fastening large ropes onto the stakes the bargemen use to tie up their boats. In fact I had been busy with my project since before dawn and had hoped to have accomplished my task by now, but there were complications.
"If you're trying to move that big stone onto the barge below, you had better be careful. Once a stone moves, there is no stopping it." I gave her an angry look. But anger was not easy with Naume. She just smiled at me. "Well, when you're finished, come by my house. I'll have breakfast left over for you." With those words, she skipped merely away and was gone over the ridge. I was glad to be alone again.
We lived in the village of Medu then, which was only a short walk from the great city of Thea'bes. Ours was the largest house. My father was an important temple builder, and we had lived at this village nearly all my life, since the temple construction began. The stone cutters cottages were further upstream, closer to the quarries. Our house was by the canal to the lake of the second great temple of Amen, the one still being built (at Luxor). There were other temples already built, but the King wanted one that was still greater, so he hired my father to add a new hall colonnade.
I went back to my work and really put my back into it. I had seen the quarrymen move large stones before, so I knew how to tie them so gravity could pull them down without losing control. The post higher up served as my relief pulley, the one that slowed the stone down, whereas the posts below were harnessed to pull the stone forward, into the barge. Darn that Naume, she knew exactly what I was up to. But I quickly forgot her and went down to the canal with two earthen jars to collect water. When filled, I laboriously carried them back up, careful not to slip, to where lay the large stone tied up. I poured out the Nile water, whispering incantations to myself as I did so, and covered a part of the path needed. I repeated this a number of times until the soil was wet with mud. Stones slide easier on wet surfaces. I pulled up the large barge to the bank and laid down sleds to connect its topside to the bank, careful to dig their ends into the soft soil. The other ends were propped against a rail on the vessel. Then, looking up at the sky for divine help, I took control of the ropes, using my body as a counterweight.
After a few tugs on the ropes, nothing happened. I stopped to catch my breath and then tried again, this time pulling with my whole weight. The sun now felt hot on my back as I pulled with all my strength. It moved only a little and stopped. After walking all around it again, to make sure all the ropes were securely in place, I again tugged, but this time with the cadence I had heard the quarrymen use: "Pull up, pull up, haul it out, haul it out.." This seemed to do the trick, and the massive squared off block, nearly as tall as myself, began to move down the short causeway in earnest. I quickly turned the other way and planted my feet into the ground, pulling with all my weight against it. Everything worked as planned, until I stepped on a wet spot and lost my footing. Then the whole world seemed upside down. The stone slid down with a hiss, pulling me up the hill, but I would not let go. Then it rattled over the heavy sledge poles, and settled itself with a loud groan onto the barge. I was afraid to look, half expecting to see it list over the side. But the railing held, and she sat quietly on her designated spot. I let go the hot ropes and ran down to look at her. She was beautiful, all clean and sharp cornered, gleaming in the strong morning light. Hunger suddenly clawed at me, and I ran up the hill to Naume's house.

...I had forgotten... Oh yes, I was telling of my final benediction...
Incense filled the temple. I had been to many temples while growing up, praying many times to the gods who guard our lands, to Isis especially, and to Ra and Amen, to Ptah, god of the arts. This one was the highest temple, dedicated to the God Amen, the one built by my father. The priests had already gathered about the throne of the high priest, though he still was absent. The bright colors on the columns supporting the roof seemed to jump out at me. Written on each column was a story of great deeds of the living and the dead, of the mortal and the immortal. The gold leaf over the writings reflected the soft light from the temple's sacred oil lamps. Deeper in the temple was the hidden shrine, a place of darkness and mystery allowed only to the higher priests. I looked in that direction with dread. A low murmur floated to me from there, where priests and priestesses chanted their special incantations for this solemn occasion. The thin ringing of a temple bell told us the high priest was approaching. We straightened, eyes cast down, and stood still to show our respect for his Highness. The high priest's deacon announced his entrance:
"Praise be to his Highness, our Father Aiye, the mighty god of the wise, the most beloved of Amen, through whom flows heaven and Earth, the unity of river and sky, the two lands of Egypt. May you, Aiye, protector of ancient wisdom, oh beloved eternal living god, enter in the pleasure of the most revered, Amen." To which all in attendance responded: "Amen."
The high priest, still a young man but already of great fame and power, strode into the hall and, attended by a retinue of young men and women, novice priests and priestesses, ascended the throne. His Highness Aiye stopped in front of the throne and bowed reverently to the statue of Amen standing directly behind it, and then very ceremoniously, with his attendants helping him with arranging his robes, took his seat before the great god. The deacon priest continued:
"Blessings on the Living God, on the Pharaoh, may he live forever in the heavens for the pleasure of the gods for eternity. Blessings on the great land of Egypt, favored of all the lands, who grants us our mighty river of life, the blessed Nile. Blessings on the bounty of our great harvest, on the fruits of the river, on the people... blessings on our daily bread..." and so on. As the blessings were being read, I managed a stealthy look at the high priest, which is forbidden. We all had our heads bowed, but I raised my eyes slightly to steal a look, and that for only the briefest moment. In a few glimpses, I could see that Aiye was tall, even sitting, and imposing of figure. His eyes looked straight out over the congregation, unflinchingly sharp and powerful. Within him was the presence of God, and any who would have looked at him directly for too long would have felt overpowered with awe and fear, feeling themselves suddenly very small and insignificant. We kept our eyes down to protect ourselves from the god's powerful gaze. But in those stolen moments, I could tell the high priest's face was handsome, his nose fine, of high forehead, his lips thin and slightly arrogant, as if he knew who he was with regal certainty. The priests and priestesses in attendance likewise had their eyes cast down. The deacon finished his blessings and a silence returned to the great hall.
Then Aiye spoke: "Bring to me the anointed ones." Two of the priests by his side immediately came down to where we were standing, and ushered us before the god, as we had rehearsed. When each of us arrived at our designated spot, we kneeled, still keeping our heads down. When all thirty attendants were assembled thus, Aiye rose. His great presence now loomed over us and I could feel his power. I knew I was in the presence of a god. I could hear the breathing of the others beside me grow shallow and short. We were about to be initiated into the fraternities of our chosen work, dedicating our lives to serve our King and masters. My own breath grew short as I waited for the benediction to follow. My hands suddenly felt weak. A priestess brought to Aiye the painted alabaster bowl decorated with symbols. She held it for him as he stepped down to the kneeling initiates.
"In the name of the most Great God, I bless you with this sacred oil. Amen." Holding the golden ankh raised in his left hand, he reached into the bowl with his right and then placed his forefinger on the forehead of the first initiate, a woman. She repeated weakly "Amen", and then Aiye moved to the next supplicant. He did this until he reached me. My eyes focussed on his sandalled feet of gold, so well formed that they mirrored divinity. It was as if the ground on which he stood on was bathed in light. I moved my head up, eyes cast down, to receive the sacred oil. His finger touched my forehead just above the eyes and I felt a warm liquid pressed against my skin. It was as if from inside my head exploded a light, a power I cannot describe, which suddenly gave me vision and clarity as I had never felt before. I looked up involuntarily and saw into the face of the great high priest. He looked down at me a moment, unexpecting this, and then he smiled. "In the name of the most Great God..." He did not finish. I realized then that we were of almost the same age, he older, born into a world far higher than mine, but we were kith in some strange way. I then spoke a soft "Amen", and Aiye spoke the same "Amen", and then turned his eyes away from me to bless the next anointed one. In my heart, I felt fulfilled somehow. I had kneeled in the presence of a great god and received from his hand a benediction that now accepted me into a great fraternity of temple builders, like my father, Hapu. And yet, in that moment, I knew that somehow our destinies, mine and that of Aiye's, were sealed.

My work took me soon after up towards Edfu and Yebu (now Aswan) where the royal rock quarries are. There I spent more than two years in the company of rock cutters and quarrymen where I learned to direct them in their work. We moved two very large red granite blocks down the Nile to Thea'bes. The statue bodies were already carved into them by some of our finest stone cutters. At The City, facial images of the King, and the Queen Mother, would be shaped into Them by our best sculptors. The Nile was still low, but the blocks had to be shipped by the time of the annual Jubilee, and my men worked hard to make it so. Soon, I had a commission of my own. My father came up from his work at Thea'bes to personally deliver me the news.
"Aggy, you have earned your right to be your own man now. The King has auditioned me and authorized me to deliver this sealed message. I think you will be pleased with what it says."
"You know what Amen'het wrote in it?" I asked, amazed.
"I was in his Highness' presence when he had his scribe pen it." He looked at me with a smile. "Go on, open it."
With great care I untied the knot that held it together and broke the seal in a way that left it still largely intact. I hated to see the image likeness of Amen'Ra broken. Slowly I unrolled it, letting the words scribed there reveal themselves to me. The words formed themselves in my mouth:
"To Aegyptus, I Pharaoh, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, and of all the dominions abroad of our fair land, grant onto him the title of Royal Architect, minor, to be guided by my Person and the representatives of My court, as is the Pleasure of our God. As his first act in duty for Our Royal Pleasure, Aegyptus is hereby commissioned to build the sacred shrine to the most beloved god, Mon'thu (sometimes also Horus), protector of Thea'bes, and Lord of the desert. He will retain My best craftsmen for his works. I decree this on the eve of Our Royal Feast." It was then pressed with His personal seal. It was hard to understand. I was still but above an apprentice, only master of a quarry. My father said nothing, only looked on at me, a twinkle in his eye.
"I think you have been noticed, Aggy," he said, still smiling.
"But the King doesn't know me."
"Word is carried down the river, by secretaries, scribes, spies. Word always gets to Thea'bes. And I had nothing to do with it. I swear." He spoke this last shaking his head. Hapu was a man who valued his integrity. To peddle influence was not my father's way. He was renown for this and loved because of it. This is why the King would often seek his counsel and invite him into the Palace. He even dined privately with the Royal Couple, His Majesty Pharaoh and Her Royal Mother, which is very rare.
"What do I do next?"
"I've been instructed to invite you to appear at the Royal Jubilee. You will be given further instructions there."
"But that's in how many days?"
"The Nile will begin its flood soon, maybe ten, twelve days. So said the priests. I guess you better make ready and finalize your affairs here." Father gave me a serious look, though his eyes of joy were still upon him. "It will be full moon in ten days, so the time is auspicious."
"There's still so much to finish here."
"They will send a new Master of the Works for your men. Do not worry."
So it was decreed, that I was to be a Royal Architect for the new shrine at the Great Temple, to be dedicated to Mon'thu. I watched my father put on his night shawl. Though the days were hot, the nights were still cool. He had the sturdy build of a worker, yet the fine mind and soul of a man of grace. His clothes were the same, simple but rich, of a fine linen cloth. We embraced again and he turned to leave. On the table lay the Royal Decree. I picked it up and felt both joy and pain. What gods had spoken into whose heart to make this be mine? On the seventh day, I sailed for The City.

When I arrived in three days, the celebration was already in full force. We pulled into the royal docks, where manservants took my travel gear. I stepped off and strode towards the great pylons festooned with royal flags. The sweet sounds of musicians, lutes and harps and windpipes were playing, and chanters were singing time honored songs. Throngs of royal subjects were in attendance, standing or sitting on divans beneath the large white linen sails that served as windbreaks and shade. Food was passed around by an army of servants who bowed before each guest in presenting their richly heaped platters. The court had a magnificent view of the Nile as it bent along its shores bordered with palms and trees. From the ramparts stood well dressed guards whose weapons caught the rays of the sun cast down on us like so many beacons. I was glad to have arrived.
"Aegyptus!"
I turned to see my old friend Mosu. We had been students together at the Academy, where we puzzled over numbers, figuring the geometry of temple building. He stood beaming at me, as I returned his smile.
"In the name of God, how long has it been? Two years?"
"More it seems. So much has happened!" was his happy reply.
Mosu was an outlander, his great grandparents having come here from the far lands beyond the sea. He stood taller than me by a head, his eyes blue and merry, and his skin a golden bronze not common in our people. He was Egyptian in every way, but his golden curls made him especially dear to all who knew him. I loved him like a brother, as he loved me. We were long friends. Mosu made a slight gesture with his hand and two servants came running to him with trays of food and wine.
"Please take some food. The Court's chefs are especially good this year."
I took one of the cakes offered, filled with meat. The other servant poured me a goblet of wine. Mosu took the same.
"Are you building?" I asked. We ate slowly, enjoying each other's company more than the food.
"No. It was never meant to be, by Amen. I now work at the Court's treasury, so spend some time here, and some traveling the river to take count. And you?"
"I've been sent here by His Majesty."
"The King? May the gods preserve Him forever. He sent for you?"
"Yes. I am to be commissioned by Him to build a wing of the Temple."
"Ah! Aggy, you are a lucky man." Mosu looked deep into my eyes. "Then there is much that you must learn around the Court. All is not as simple as it seems."
"My father comes here often, but he said nothing of unusual worth to me."
"It is not common knowledge. But the Queen Mother, bless Her, is not happy that Amen'het, her beloved son, is still without a queen. It is not good for the Family line, if you know what I mean. Adoption had been mentioned."
"He has been busy, too busy with His projects I understand, to care much for family concerns."
"Exactly so. He has been a beehive of activity with His buildings. Some think He is possessed, err... meant in a good way, of course. In fact, His works are held in great esteem. And your father is a man well known around the City."
"I've been away in the rock quarries, so feel out of touch with events here. But it is good to be here. I must announce my arrival, since I am to seek an audience with His Majesty to accept my commission."
"Well, when you meet Him, He'll surprise you. His Majesty is very charming, if a little naive, for Pharaoh, but well loved. His High Priest, however..." Mosu lowered his voice, "is someone you should watch closely. He is not as well liked at Court."
"I will get my commission and leave the Court gossip to others. Really, I am an engineer, and my passion is to build, to see things done. But you, my dear friend, seem especially at home here."
We both gave each other a great smile in recognition of the truth spoken, and hugged touchingly.
"I missed you Aggy. It's so good to see you again. You've always had a quiet way about you that saw through everything quickly."
We enjoyed ourselves walking about the pavilion, seeing the other guests and courtiers taking pleasure in the gathering. Mosu introduced me to some of his new friends here. When the minstrels stopped their song, all voices stilled in anticipation of what was to happen. His Majesty Amen'hotep, and Her Royal Highness, were about to enter.
"Who is the High Priest?" I asked.
Mosu looked at me puzzled. "Why, it is Aiye. It was just announced."
"Oh? I met him once. He seems like a fine man, a god." Somehow, the news did not surprise me. I had seen on Aiye the mark of greatness on him, even in the brief moment my eyes saw him. Now he had become in a short time the High Palace Priest, voice of God, Amen.
"He is. A man of many depths. And his family very powerful." Mosu turned his attention to the main event.
The great embroidered tapestries that hid the way into the Royal chambers were drawn back, followed by a retinue of Palace priests clad in leopard skins who processed into the pavilion carrying incense burners of jasmine and myrrh. They filed to the two sides of the great thrones were the Royal Couple would sit. Behind them, walking with deliberate slowness, followed Pharaoh and His Mother, Mut'Heptset, Queen of all the lands. They appeared as the sun at dawn, radiant in all their splendor, and all who stood dropped to their knee in reverence for the living gods. Mosu and I did the same, with eyes downcast in observance of Their deity. All the servants present had disappeared as if on a signal, since they were not of a rank allowed in the presence of such high persons. All who remained were equals, subjects of their Living Masters, the great Gods of Egypt.
In silence, the Royal Couple ascended Their thrones, turned to face the congregation below Them, and then seated Themselves. Two priests came before Them and bowed deeply, then reached the miter-feathered crowns of the two Egypts held by other priests and approached the thrones. With great reverence, they placed the crowns on the holy heads of the Royal Couple. All waited in silence. Then another procession entered, this with the High Priest at its head, Aiye. A gong sounded and all stood. Aiye was dressed in gold embroidered white linens, similar to that of the Pharaohs. His tall figure walked to the throne and bowed deeply, then turned and faced us. We all bowed in return. The ceremony ended, and the minstrels once again took up their harmonious instruments and began to play a soft loving tune to welcome our Majesties. The silence now broken, we all resumed our more natural pose. When the music stopped, Aiye spoke.
"Blessings to the Living Gods, may they live in eternity in Their presence. To the good people gathered here today, loyal subjects, royal families, friends of the Court, welcome. We start today the first day of the Nile's journey to On (Memphis). The gods will be placed on their sacred barks, and in that journey will travel all of Heaven with us. We unite the lands of Upper and Lower Egypt in this Royal benediction to bring forth the fruits of all our labors as it pleases the gods. May this year favor us with their heavenly host to bring forth great bounty upon our great lands. May Horus protect us, and Hathor bless us with her beauty. Amen."
"Amen," we answered as was required.
Aiye then turned and bowed again to the Royal Couple and withdrew to the side. Now our Pharaoh Amen'Hoetep spoke.
"The people of Egypt, blessed is your land. Thea'bes is the seat of all the glory our predecessors had delivered us. Our ancestors build our kingdom for eternity, and for eternity we build the temples dedicated to them. Our pyramids stand as they have for eons, and they will stand for eons more. Our shrines in adoration of the Living Gods are built with our hands, but blessed with our hearts. As we take our Divine Gods down the River of Life, remember that it is with their help that our land prospers for all. We have smitten our enemies, and rewarded our friends. We must never forget that Amen, the bringer of all life, is our Father. So today, I will dedicate a new wing of colonnades at our most Holy Temple of Amen at Thea'bes. And in this dedication, I wish to present to you a young man who has shown promise with integrity in all he does. He is to be my right hand man in this new construction, son of my Chief Builder..."
As I heard these words, my heart jumped. Mosu took my hand and squeezed it. It was a much greater honor than I had anticipated to be publicly announced in this manner. I was not prepared. My father had said nothing to me.
"...Hapu, his son Aegyptus. To him We entrust the works of constructing this new wing dedicated to Holy Mon'thu, keeper of the fruits of the desert. May the gods favor our good Aegyptus with good works. And may they last forever. Amen."
Mosu looked at me and smiled. And I suddenly realized that all eyes were on me, as if they knew who I was in advance. I looked up at Pharaoh and Her Royal Highness, and they both smiled at me. From the corner of my eye I caught the eyes of Aiye on me, looking intently into mine. I returned the gaze but quickly turned away, for his eyes are too powerful for mine, and returned them to the King and Queen, who were softer to look at. A spontaneous clapping manifest itself and I stood erect and proud before everyone present. When the clapping subsided, it was my turn to speak.
"I can only thank my father, my family, my teachers, my gods, and my King and Queen. I am unworthy of your high praise, but hope to earn that worth with my works. I very happily accept your commission. May the gods bless me in my work. Amen."
The guests laughed and then clapped again. It was a welcome relief for me after having spoken to hear so much noise. Suddenly I felt very young. I was then asked by one of the priests to approach the Royal Couple. Mosu let go my hand and I stepped before the throne and kneeled. Amen'Hoetep placed his hand upon my head, as did Her Majesty. His Highness then looked at me with a twinkle in his eye.
"Your father asked me to say nothing in advance. I hope you were surprised."
"I was, your Highness. Thank you." The Queen Mother, still pretty at her age, gave me a wizened smile and nodded at me. I did not see Aiye present then.
Other proclamations were read and the Jubilee continued late into the night, as the statues of the gods, Horus and Hathor, were readied for their journey down the Nile by the strong light of the moon to the temples at On. There a similar bark was being readied for a procession up the Nile to Thea'bes. This exchange of gods was an annual event and the cause of much celebration, since the gods had to be satisfied and allowed to visit each other. The tradition goes back to antiquity, too far back for anyone to remember. When I returned to where I stood next to Mosu, I spotted my father standing in the shadows. He smiled at me.

The next day I made an offering at the Temple. It was a shrine to Mut, wife to Amen, Mother to us all. Her sanctuary was hidden deep within the great halls at Karnak, a lone priest presiding over her deity in an alcove chamber. Our family animal is the goose, so I brought with me a gander for sacrifice, which the priest took to the altar and quietly and quickly slit its throat. The blood flowed down the stone table into a shallow groove that split into two, the blood filling the bowls placed such as to receive the offering. The priest then chanted a simple prayer and slit open the gizzard and intestines. He turned to me.
"What do your request, my son?"
"I am entrusted with a great responsibility. May the gods favor my works and bless me with their good fortune. May they see to it that I never fail in my love for them."
The priest then looked at the contents spilled from inside the gander scattered over the large stone table. He contemplated a moment, closed his eyes, and then lifted his hands bent at the elbows, receiving a divine blessing from the gods. His voice was slow and steady, as if reading from some distant text visible only to his eyes.
"You are blessed, my son. The Goddess accepts your gift. The gods will visit you in the night, when the moon shines through the clouds, and touch you with their love. You will have great success, if you remain humble, in all your works. You will find love, like the powerful pull of the moon, in your sixth month of birth, from which you cannot escape. It will be returned in kind, but a great fortress stands between you. The eye of Horus will cast its shadow on you, like rays of the sun that touch only one side, the other is dark. She will suffer the same, but united you will fill the world with a light brilliant as the sun. Do not despair."
The priest then lowered his arms and returned into the world. He moved slowly over to one of the bowls filled with blood and sprinkled herbs into it. This he then threw into the flames of the sacred fire before the deity. It hissed and gave off a strong odor of burned flesh mixed with the smell of burning herbs. When the fire returned to its normal flame, he again looked at me.
"Your name?"
"Aegyptus."
"Blessings on you, Aegyptus. Stand before our divine Mother." I did as he asked. "Great divine Mother Mut, bless this young man with your power and love to give him strength in the ordeals he will face. He will turn to you in his times of need, do not turn away, for he will need you most then. Remember his name, Aegyptus."
I looked up at the deity who stared off into some distant void beyond my horizons, and trembled at the priest's mysterious words. What was this shadow he spoke of? But the priest had already turned away, taking with him the other cup of blood. My time with him was done, and I exited into the broad courtyard surrounded by the high papyri crowned colonnade of the main temple. After the cool darkness of the shrine, the sun felt warm again on my face. Other supplicants and priests walked the grounds, either leisurely or in a hurry. Vendors crowded the great pylon entrance, hawking their wares, amulets and charms, incense and scarabaei. I thought of my sixth month of birth, only three months away, and wondered what it all meant.

I was again summoned to the Palace for an audience with Amen'het. The Queen Mother, was not present, only the King and his entourage of courtiers and advisors. A vizier, named Ran'mose, showed me into the Royal chamber.
"Ah, Aegyptus, you are here."
Pharaoh did not seem so regal without his royal crown, wearing only a decorous wig. Otherwise, Amen'het was dressed simply as any man. He seemed smaller, more approachable. I suddenly felt comfortable in his Highnesses' presence. He was almost my father's age.
"I come as summoned, you Highness."
"Rightly so, my dear boy. Rightly so. I have so much to tell you." Amen'het then reached over to a table covered with scrolls and drawings. It was his work table. He picked out a drawing from amongst the pile. He continued.
"This is how I envision the new temple of Mon'thu. As you can see from the dimensions," He opened up the papyrus scroll, "it is a small temple, enclosed thus." His hand moved over the paper. "I drew it myself." Amen'het looked up at me and smiled. He seemed genuinely pleased with his work. "I want it on the edge of the great temple here, and it's sanctuary will have a special alcove for the deity's statue, over there." He pointed on the well defined drawing. Many hours of painstaking work had gone into this manuscript. There were notes in the margins which I scanned quickly. It had to do with the number of laborer and artisans the project called for, nearly a thousand it seemed.
"How do I procure the workers needed? Should I hire the ones I know from the quarry? There are very fine stone cutters there I would like to promote to this project."
"Yes, yes. You may bring some of your men for the detail work. I will appoint others to oversee them." Pharaoh then put a finger in his mouth, thinking. He then held it up as if to make a decree. "Ah. There are new slaves from the Hyksos (foreigners) whom you can use for work overseers. They are fine men, well educated and heeled, so I think you can trust them. But for the heavy work, I want you to use the war slaves from Kush. They are very strong men, black men, and can work long days without fatigue. I will give you five hundred from our stables. But they are rebellious, and think constantly of escape, so you must be weary. The Hyksos are not fond of them, so they will work them well. But give them small whips. The large whips are only for punishment."
"I understand, your Highness. And for supplies?"
"The Royal storehouse is at your disposal. I know you are your father's son, so I am sure you will not abuse the privilege. Take tool makers to the site so they can constantly upgraded the ones used up. Also, I want stone from the red granite quarries, the ones at Yebu up river, for the finer stone finish. Statues too."
"Of you and the Queen Mother?"
"Of me and..." Amen'het did not finish his words, lost in thought. "We will see." He turned to me in his joyful way. This was what Pharaoh loved more than anything, to build. With the two Egypts at peace, He could dedicate nearly all his time to indulge his passion. "We are expanding the canal to the temple, so it should be easy for you to transport the stone there. New pathways are being laid to allow four men abreast at the ropes. The barges will be pulled up to the small sacred lake at the site, and then offloaded onto the causeway to the temple. You will see how well laid out it all is."
"Then I will go and study the site presently. I can see in my mind's eye what needs doing."
"I know you can. This is well known of you, that your vision is quick, as is your understanding. That is why I chose you."
Amen'het again gave me his smile. A man talking to a man, even if He was a god.
"Does your Highness have an inventory of stone blocks to begin work?"
"Why of course, quite so. You may have noticed the large store of piled blocks on your trip down river. They are largely yours."
I did pass long rows of square off stones, still being worked, on my sail to the City. Villages grew around these storehouses of stone, with the smoke from their cooking fires curling about them. I remember seeing on the banks naked children running at play, thinking that they were the future workers of that same stone. The store piles were only a short distance up river from the temple.
"So, my dear Aegyptus, take this drawing with you. Study it well. I will have the soft brick makers stand at the ready for your builders. They are mixing the clay and straw as we speak. You know how to do the rest."
"This is my first temple, your Highness, but I can depend on my father for consultation."
"Hapu is one of the finest builders of the land. The newly finished colonnade at Karnak is the envy of all the kingdoms. They will stand forever. And I am sure your temple will too. May the gods guide you in your visions. Amen."
"Amen. I will report to Your Grace on my progress every ten days. May I use cuneiform tablets?"
"That is the usual way, though they are so crude, alas. But I will come by and visit whenever I can get away from matters of state. Ah, they can be so tedious, but the priests demand it of me, and Aiye is a hard master."
"May I beg your pardon, your Highness, but must you answer to Him?"
"We all answer to Him. He is the voice of the gods, so why should it be otherwise? Of course, he also answers to me."
"You are Pharaoh of all the lands."
"Yes, We are. The gods so decreed it, Me and Her Holy Mother."
I could tell from the silence that followed that I was being dismissed. I bowed to my Pharaoh and retreated facing him until I reached the entrance, then turned and exited. After resting and eating a light meal, I called on my servant to accompany me to the new temple site across the river.

So ends the first papyrus scroll of the words of Aegyptus, spoken in the name of Amen-Ra. (signed) Mayat


Papyrus 2, Slave

Wet your palette (of ink cakes), my good Mayat, I would like to give dictation. I examined your earlier hieratics, and they look very good.

Each time I crossed the Nile, I was reminded how beautiful our blessed Egypt is, with the sun shining from behind the Temple, reflecting its golden light on the river. The canopy of blue sky framed our land with a crisp brightness that tied together as one the desert and river and sky. My schedule had me rise at dawn and work until mid day, when I took rest and some food. Then we worked until nightfall, when our gang stopped for dinner and free time into the evening hours. The venerable Temple of Karnak had stood since great antiquity, and in our time was only being added to. On entering, I always felt the power of all the Kings from long ago who worshipped here. It was an honor and privilege ordained by the gods to work on such hallowed ground, so I was blessed to do so. In the past few weeks, we had cleared the land of the workers' earthen huts that had stood there and leveled it, marking out the perimeter for the new temple. Then we began digging for footholds. The men hired worked well, and there was a general feeling of enthusiasm shared by all for our great royal project. They seemed happy with their rations of bread and beer, and each one tended to their own gardens at home for vegetables and fruit. They fished or hunted by the river to supply their families with meat, when they had the time. As royal workers, they were also exempt from taxes. Usually, I gave them a free day every eight days, though ten days was the norm. They also had free time during festivals. But my excitement was soon given to frustration as I realized that my supplies and workers requested from Yebu had not arrived as promised.
"Bring me the overseer." I gave an order to a scribe, Apu, who doubled as my messenger. "You will find him by the barges at the docks."
"Yes, my Lord. I will bring him presently."
The young man jumped to his feet and ran down the path to the river. I had sent tablets twelve days ago to Yebu to bring down the skilled rock cutters for dressing the initial stones of the foundation, and expected them today, but they were not yet here. The slaves from Kush were already penned behind the temple, and I despaired to make them wait for too long, as the Hyksos in charge were grumbling that the new master of works was ineffective. I could not let this continue.
"Your overseer, my Lord." Apu returned to his work counting the knotted strings brought over by the bargemen.
"The Nile is high. Why are my stonemasons not here? " I asked of the overseer who arrived breathless. His name is Lazar, a Hebrew who came to me with the other Hyksos. He was a very capable man, personally selected by Amen'het, wise in the ways of construction.
"I had just this morning received word from up river that they are now at the stone stores loading barges, my Lord."
He gave me a submissive look, yet his eyes were keen with intelligence.
"Do you have word of when the barges will arrive here?"
"They should be here in three, four days, my Lord."
I looked at him again and could not keep my impatience. There was something about the confidence in the man that made me feel calm. As overseer, his work was most important for this project, so we had to establish our personal frontiers quickly.
"You may drop the 'my Lord', if you wish. At work, we are like equals."
"Yes, as you wish..." I could see he was about to say "my Lord" out of habit, but stopped himself. "May I make a suggestion?"
Lazar had a quizzical look in his eyes with a twist of humor on his lips.
"Yes. What is it?" I asked.
"I can have the men punished who were responsible for the delay. I have names."
"Pharaoh said that we use only the small whips, and the large for punishment," I replied.
He again returned that look that smiled from inside.
"The crime was not that great, Sire."
"Tell the men that if their work does not please the gods, and Pharaoh, and me, then by Amen their beer rations will be cut, and women allowed to the camp only on every other free day."
This had the effect I thought, and Lazar turned serious.
"You word is our command. We will have the stones here in two days."
The post holes were dug to test for footings, but there was unfortunate news. As the stone blocks were being offloaded by the Kushite slaves, we had to stop transport to the site because of our new discovery. Also, the god Mon'thu had spoken through a priest that He did not like the position we had selected for His temple. Pharaoh came immediately to the temple grounds.
"Tell me of what I hear, Aegyptus. Why is the god not pleased?"
Pharaoh had just returned from hunting down the river towards Kom. He was still dressed in his battle gear, and presently removed his helmet.
"You Highness. We encountered water seeping into the rock below the selected site. Only a part is affected."
"Can we backfill and reinforce it with extra footings?"
Just then, Lazar came into the work area. He prostrated himself before the King, who motioned for him to rise.
"Lazar, you know of these things. Can we backfill?"
"I defer to Aegyptus, your Highness. But it seems, in my opinion, that we cannot." He stood in silence for me to speak.
"Lazar and I had consulted. It seems that we need to angle the temple away from the water, if it would please your Majesty."
"Ah. We do it for the god. What are the priests suggesting? Have they spoken?"
"Yes, they have. They support our plan, if it pleases Amen," I answered.
Pharaoh thought about it for a moment. Then he paced over to the door to look out over the slaves sitting on the ground, waiting for our instructions. He turned back.
"I think we should remove the neck rings from the Kushites. They will work better without them, but increase the guards, and threaten them with the gold mines if they don't behave." He then paced the earthen floor, thinking, and then spoke. "I also think that moving it to the right, away from the water, will not displease Amen, or the friends of Horus. We will be pleased to build on solid footings. It must stand for eternity. Let it be so. We will come back next week (ten days) to see our progress." He looked around at us. "Well done."
Having spoken, Amen'het seemed pleased with himself and left without ceremony, but stopped to look at the post holes again, and shook His head, then looked up at the sky as if beseeching the gods. Then His entourage surrounded Him and they returned to their royal bark at the river.

My father came to visit from time to time, more to just spend time with me. Mother had been ill, and he looked worried.
"She is past child bearing, but I do love her company."
"Mother will recover," I said. She will yet see you appointed Chief Architect for the Royal Court."
My father smiled at this thought.
"Were it to be so. So much work, and sometimes one wonders if all this work is enough to gain just a small tomb at the Royal Valley of Beauty."
"Strange, Father, that such things are of such importance while we live. What does it matter when we are dead? And yet, they are important, if we live forever. I make a promise to you. That if you do get a royal burial, then no matter where Mother is, she will be with you."
"Unless I die first. Then she can follow."
Hapu and I watched the moon rise over the hills of the Valley, slowly spreading its white light on the temples and palaces below. Activity had already ceased as it was late, and we had ferried over from the Temple complex some hours ago. We both preferred resting for the night on this side of the Nile, though at times we were too busy to return and had to spend the night there. Father was building the pylon addition at the new great temple to Amen (Luxor). His work went well and Pharaoh had praised him publicly at the Opet festival of the gods.
On one such late night, I stopped over the slave pens to check on the status of the war slaves. It was a hot night. I was accompanied by a slave quarter master, a hairy thick set man with small eyes and a cruel mouth. I found him an unattractive Hyksos, with strong arms used to wielding the whip, which he carried lightly in his hand. He wore a leather helmet that covered his ears, not unlike those worn by soldiers, and hair came pouring out of his chest where a thick vest was crossed with two leather straps. His stocky legs carried his bulk well as he opened the cell doors to the small rooms where the Kushites were kept, three men chained together for each cell. As we came in, they looked up tired, their well muscled dark skin still glistening in the warm night by the light of our oil lantern. I spoke to one group of three.
"Do you speak Egyptian?"
"Yes Lord," answered the full lips of one of them. He seemed younger then the other two.
"Where did you learn?"
"I had schooling," was his simple answer.
"Do you have enough to eat?"
"We do, Lord. But an occasional piece of meat would be good for us."
"I will see what can be done. And the work? Is it hard work?"
"It is, Lord." He then said something in his own language, which I gathered was a translation of what was being said. They then quickly exchanged words. "They say the work is hard, Lord, and that meat would be very good."
The Hyksos looked at them with indifference. He spoke their language, somewhat.
"Are they complaining, my Lord?" he asked.
"No more than would any man in their condition." I then spoke to the black man with whom I had exchanged words.
"Which war did you fight in?"
"Last year, at Amada," was his guarded answer. He then added, "I was the son of a chief, who was killed in battle. I wish I had joined him."
"You were brave, no doubt. But the fortunes of war are in the hands of the gods, and you lost." This brought no response from him. He looked down glumly. "I will see to it that we put an extra man on each stone. Also, in a few days, more oxen will be brought to pull the sledges from the river. This will move stone faster, since we can put an extra stone per sledge. Do you understand this? Tell it to the others." He did, and they looked up, with almost a trace of smiles on their faces. "Be sure to tell others tomorrow and pass the word."
"You are gracious, Lord."
When we closed the door behind us, the Hyksos asked me.
"What do you hope to gain with your leniency, my Lord?"
"I need to get back on schedule, since we lost time. They will work harder now, by Amen."
"May it please the gods that you are right, my Lord, or the whip will make them faster." He tapped his whip in his hand as he said this. I nodded, but did not reply, and was glad to come out into the fresh air of the night again.

Three months had passed, and the temple foundation was laid. All work progressed well, after the initial obstacles were met. Pharaoh was pleased, and stopped by less often, though He came immediately if any of my tablets expressed difficulties. He was always eager to offer His help in resolving problems, as was His way. When the limestone proved too wet to lay down for a foundation wall, though it was easier to cut as such, He called on another quarry to supply us with better stone. It came cut and properly dried within days. The workers seemed to keep up their spirits, and I never had to exercise my threats to them. As time passed, they became more familiar with me and began calling me Father, though this appellation is usually reserved for the priests. But the spirit of the temple takes on its own life as it takes shape. And Mon'thu's temple was beginning to show the elegant lines Amen'het had designed into them. I was busy one evening bent over the scribe's records of the work done when I heard a voice behind me.
"Aggy. I have news for you. It is sad news."
I turned and to my surprise, saw a fine familiar face I had not seen in many years. My surprise changed to joy instantly as I recognized who it was. She had grown, and blossomed as a woman.
"Naume! Sorry if I seem vacant, but I had been working very hard of late, and it is past my sleep time."
"I know you have. I've had you watched since I learned of your work here. Has the new foundation proven stable? The new stones harder?"
"You know of this too? Yes, it has, by the gods. But how do you know about the construction?"
""I study all about architecture when I can. It has become an interest of mine almost as long as it has for you. So I keep up with what happens here."
"Ah. But it is so good to see you. Have you been assigned to a temple yet?"
"Did you know of my preparations for the temple?"
"I keep up with news also, so I knew you were down river at On for a year, studying."
I looked at her face by the firelight, and it had that soft familiarity I had long known and loved, but also a weariness I had not seen before. Naume had grown into a beautiful woman, shapely and elegant, and yet comfortable to be with. Her fine nose and lips spoke in silence with her eyes. I was happy to see her.
"Yes. I will tend the shrine to Hathor, here at Karnak."
"Wonderful news! And a well chosen place for you." She returned my smile. "But you said you have sad news?"
"Nerit died."
"Mother? The priest said she had gotten better..."
Naume took my hand and pressed me close to her. My tired weariness grew heavier on me. I felt myself sob quietly in her bosom, as she patted me on the head and stroked my back. She let me cry quietly for a time. When I looked up at her, her sad face looked blurred to me.
"...Has father been told?"
She nodded quietly.
"He has made preparations at the tombs. Your family's high position will ensure she has a fine burial in one of the larger tombs."
I knew there was always a ready inventory of pre-cut tombs ready for prominent families, though they were separate from where royalty was buried.
"May she live happily with the gods forever."
"We will join her with our love in time," she added.

I became a regular visitor to Hathor's temple after Naume became priestess there. Work was going well, and the colonnade for Mon'thu's shrine was going up on schedule. The brick makers were adept at mixing the Nile mud mixed with straw and then sun dried. These held up well the weight our workers placed on them. The ramps were just steep enough, when wetted with water, to haul the stone progressively higher, so each new tier could be placed easily onto the one below with the help of a simple shaluf at the top. When the work is done, the soft bricks will be chipped away, to return into the soil, and the columns will stand tall and straight, capped by their covering stones forever. But this is still to come. The columns were not even half way up at this time.
My mother was buried with full ceremony attended by both villagers and courtiers. Her bark and coffin atop the catafalque were drawn by prominent nobles up the canal to the area of the tombs. All wore headbands of respect and women were hired to perform the morning rites. Priests read prayers over her coffin, as did my father and I. Naume also attended. When the final cap stone was placed over her burial chamber, the women wailed with full force, and tears showed on many eyes. Hapu then dismissed the ceremony and stayed behind at her tomb. She had been well wrapped with all the necessary sacred rites for her safe passage into the Western World, where she will be received by Isis and Osiris. Father wanted to spend his last moments with Mother before she began her journey, until he too will take that same road into the afterlife. It is a fact of life that we must all pass that way, so it is best to do it right.
Whenever Naume saw me bring offerings to the Temple, she would always be the one to attend to me. That first night we had spent together had left a permanent mark on us, and we sought each other's company whenever possible.
"I want to see you tonight, if you stay behind at the temple," she whispered under her breath as she performed her rites for me before the Goddess. I had begun spending much less time across the river, aching for the night to arrive. Hathor looked down at us both, though her eyes were fixed on a distant world closed to us. "I will ask the Goddess for her help."
"I fear that we will be discovered, which could be bad for both of us. We are not yet promised to be married."
"I know," she whispered, "but her Holy Mother of the temple does not discourage me. Are your men safe from the knowledge?"
"I suspect some know, but they dare not talk of it to me. But they may talk of it to each other."
We spent many weeks like this, courting each other in secret, and enjoying each other's company through the night. Then she did not come. I waited night after night, and still she did not come. So I went to the temple. When I finally was allowed to see Naume, she seemed frightened. We stole away from the others into the dark inner sanctum of the chapel and talked in whispers. Even here walls have ears. A small statue of Hathor, goddess of love, sitting on her throne inside her heavenly ark, and the stars on the ceiling illumined by a small oil lamp were our only witnesses.
"Oh, Aggy. I cannot see you anymore. I am forbidden."
"Why? By whom?"
I could see by the oil lamp at the goddess' feet that Naume had been crying. She still had tears in her eyes. I kissed them gently.
"First by her Holy Mother. Then I was called in to see the High Priest."
"Aiye?" I asked in shocked disbelief.
"It is worse, my love. He had me perform a sacred rite..." She stopped and caught her breath. I could feel she was tortured inside. "...He took me to the temple of Amen. I could not resist His Holy Father... and he commanded me to have sex with him, in the name of God."
Naume then sighed deeply and sobbed silently, her body convulsed with her inner grief. I held her close to me.
"Then you may be with child..." I whispered.
"No! I do not want his child. Oh, Aggy. Take me now, so it could be our child and not his." She grasped me with all her strength and held me. After a long silence, when shock slowly dissipated into a resigned calm of acceptance, I spoke to her.
"Yes. Let them not have their way. That cursed Priest has abused his power, but the gods will help us."
Naume covered me with kisses, and I her. We knew we were safe in the inner sanctum, since those who were allowed here were away at a festival at the palace. All my men of worth were in attendance there, so none would come looking for me. We were safe to steal this precious moment together.
"I love you, my Naume."
"I love you, Aegyptus."

While we were in each other's arms oblivious to the world outside the sanctum, a great feast was being celebrated by all in attendance at the palace grounds across the river. The Nile was coming off its flood, and the nights had begun turning cool. When I stepped outside, I shivered more from the grief inside then the night air. Though I was not dressed for the night, I wandered aimlessly into the village by the Temple, more to find human company than for any other reason. The aura and touch and smell of Naume stayed with me, but now I found no solace in it. The common people were not invited to the celebration, so they held their own at the village. Fires were lit and much merriment was heard over the wine and beer. I stumbled into a tavern and joined the revelers inside. They stopped a moment, seeing a noble amongst them and not sure what to do, but quickly forgot me and then resumed their village songs. Food was brought to me out of courtesy, but I was in no mood to eat and swallowed the wine instead. After some hours passed, and the festivities were in full force, women came into the tavern to solicit their favors amongst the men there. I was approached numerous times but did not have the heart to go with them, and pushed them away drunkenly. When I woke the next morning, I was in someone's house, in their best bed, with dark faced children looking down at me. The villagers had taken pity on me and took me in as one of their own. When I tried to rise, the children ran away. I must have looked terrible, because this was how I felt inside.
The men returned to work more quiet than usual the next day, and I could tell from their activity that they felt no better than me. The brick layers had already built the scaffolding necessary to raise the column stones to the next level. Sledges loaded with stone were dragged up the slippery slopes by thick ropes pulled by Kushite men. They appeared stronger now, and seemed to throw their weight into the work. Today they were less listless than the other men. The meat helped, though they too were allowed a small ration of beer during festivals.
"Lazar, how is our progress?"
"Very well, Sir. We have risen another tier from last week all around. There is much soft clay in the fields, so the straw bricks are coming quickly now. I've sent for the stone carvers to begin work on the top capitals."
"Good. Have the priest come for the next blessing."
It was the custom to consecrate a temple at each stage of its construction, and now we needed a blessing. A young priest came the same day and sprinkled water on all the works of the site, chanting prayers as he did so. I did not dare go to Naume that night, since I knew now we were watched. This made the nights long, and the days more crowded with work than before. When I fell exhausted in my bed late into the night, I found sleep hard to come by, thinking of what our fate would be now. But soon there was word from the Palace. I was summoned to appear before Pharaoh.

Amen'Hoetep spoke to me directly when he received me into his chambers.
"Aegyptus, I am your King, Pharaoh, son of God, keeper of order in the universe. So you understand that I must know of all things that happen here."
I did not answer, as I felt it would be discourteous and let Him continue. He was dressed in the royal attire of state, and was very formal with me. He continued.
"I know you had been seeing one of our young priestesses. You violated her virginity, now restored by our High Priest, and this was a serious offense. But We are willing to overlook that. I like you, Aegyptus, and you are a faithful servant in all things you do. We are pleased. So I have decided to deal with you in the following manner. But first, I will call Naume in audience with us."
He called to a vizier who exited the chamber and returned presently with Naume. She looked straight ahead, afraid to look at me, and bowed deeply before Pharaoh. When He bid her to rise, Amen'Hoetep continued.
"Please be seated my children." When we took our places next to each other on pillows provided for us, Pharaoh resumed. "I have a very difficult matter of state to resolve. My High Priest, Father Aiye, and I have consulted. You may know that Her Queen Mother is ill, possibly seriously ill. We fear for her life, and the tomb carvers have been summoned to complete their work at the Valley. You may understand what this means?"
Naume and I looked straight ahead, not daring to look at each other, but Pharaoh seemed less preoccupied with us than with some internal matter.
"You children may play an important part in Our future plans." He looked at us both with sympathy in his eyes. "I am not so young. The women who are my wives, and concubines, have failed to produce Me an Heir. I believe, from what the priests tell me, that you Naume are with child. So there is only one course open to me that the priests can see, blessed be the gods. When Her Queen Mother dies, I must have a Queen to sit by Me at the throne. Do you understand where this is leading?"
Neither Naume nor I spoke, though we finally did steal a look at each other. There was relief and fear in both our eyes. Pharaoh spoke again.
"The High Priest recommends the following. We will change all the records from the beginning of My reign. You, Naume, will have been my wife throughout that time. And you, Aegyptus, her lover. This is not so uncommon a practice, and it dates back to the beginning of time. So I will not interfere with you if you see each other, but only on one condition. That it is absolutely secret."
He stopped to let us understand what was being said to us. Neither looked at the other and stared straight ahead, as if eyes fixed on some distant point on the horizon, where the gods look.
"If you are caught, Aegyptus, and mind you, I love you like a son, there will be terrible punishment for you. You will be publicly tortured for the enjoyment of the common people, humiliated and exiled. I am totally serious in this. We cannot have my position compromised in any way. That was decreed by all the High Priests. Now you may speak."
Amen'het stopped to wipe his brow. I could tell that this was as difficult for Him to say as it was for us to hear.
"You are most lenient, my Grace, for we have wronged You. We did not know Naume was with child." I looked at my love, and she raised her eyebrows and shook her head to signify she did not know either. "But the word of God is our command, and we will obey."
Naume then cleared her throat and spoke.
"My child, if there is to be a child, will be your child, my King. The condition you place on us is difficult but most just. I pledge my life and my duty to you."
"I love you my children." Pharaoh looked with true compassion at us.
"And we love You, my Lord," we both answered in unison.
"Then it is understood and agreed. Amen. I will instruct Aiye to change all the records from this day back. And you, Naume, will become my wife. I will now leave you in private to discuss things, as I am sure you will need to."
Pharaoh motioned to his vizier and attendants to clear the chambers, and all exited on command. Ameh'Hoetep was last to leave and He gave us one last look. When they left, neither Naume nor I spoke for a long time, only our breathing spoke between us.
"What do you think it means?" Naume asked at long last.
"I don't know. It sounds like we are in the middle of affairs of state."
"I am to be Queen!"
"And me only your lover, and secret at that!"
"Does anyone else know? Your father, my father. Thuya, my mother?"
"None spoke of it. I think they made this decision recently."
"Oh, Aggy. What will our lives be like? Everywhere there are ears, even here as we speak."
"I know. We must be careful. But does this mean that Aiye is consolidating his power?"
"He is a powerful man."
Her words made me wince, knowing that he ritually deflowered her as an act of cleansing her, a not uncommon practice for new priestesses. What was it like to have sex with a High Priest, I thought for a brief moment, but pushed it aside quickly. I was grateful for the moment Amen'het gave us together, even if it was to be brief. The vizier reentered the chamber and we were signaled it was time to leave.

Public announcements were made by heralds throughout the land. Amen'Hoetep, King of the two Egypts, Lord of the Universe, son of God Amen, was to take an obscure wife to be Queen, as his Chief Wife. She was to be called after her mother's mother, Tiye, Queen of all the lands, daughter of Mut, sister to Khon'su, and Mother to all the people. The coronation was called for in two weeks, at the rising of the first lunar crescent. I returned to my work at the Temple.
"When this work is finished, Lazar," I sighed, "I think I will take a commission at the gold fields of Nubia, beyond the second cataract."
"You will not, my Lord. You will become consort to the Court. We have already heard."
I looked at my trusted Hebrew who was so wise in the ways of our world, and felt an inner confusion as I had never felt before. I wanted to go and find my father.

So ends the second papyrus of Aegyptus, Chief Architect for the Living God. (signed) Mayat


Papyrus 3, Queen Tiye

My heart is heavy, Mayat, but let us try to remember the good things. Please take dictation.

The great boulevard between the two Temples of Amen were lined with throngs of people. Word had gone out and the heralds gathered celebrants from all the land. In the two weeks (twenty days) that preceded, preparations went full force, gathering speed as the great day approached. Food and drink was readied. The royal stores were opened for all supplies needed for the great feast. Animal trainers were pressed into service, as were dancer and acrobats. Priests polished their temples, washers were seen beating white linen by the river, and sweepers sprayed water and made spotless the great temple road. Musicians were placed on the boulevard at a hundred paces to play their part as the procession passed by. The smell of incense mixed with cooking fires filled the air. The world was ready for the great merging of Isis and Osiris, Horus and Hathor. The great coronation day of Pharaoh and His Queen had arrived.
In the time preceding, I had not seen Naume again, and spent more time with my father. Hapu was my support for my grief with his love and understanding. His grief was shared by me over the passing of his beloved wife, my mother. Nerit had always been a strong pillar for us to lean on, but now we only had each other. My sisters were married and lived with their families. They shared little with what troubled us. Father and I share not our grief with the world beyond each other.
"By now Mother must be in the western land of the gods, I imagine."
"No doubt, Father, her soul is lavished over in the afterworld. She was a good woman, pious in all the things she did in her everyday life."
"We were blessed to be in her circle. She was fine, wasn't she?"
I nodded in silence as we sat by the fire after our evening meal. Father passed me a morsel of opium I put in my lip and held it there to dissolve. He did the same, to help us with digestion. Our servants had been dismissed for the night and we were alone.
"How is it the gods take the good and leave the bad ones behind?"
"They want them for their company. We mortals are left with the sheaf," I answered. We both watched the flames dance, casting their light about the dark room. The cool night outside was dark with the new moon. Dogs barked in the distance and we could hear a child cry. By the river the roar of hippos rose up in waves from time to time, lost again in the light breeze that came up from the north. On the terrace outside overlooking the Nile in the distance, a bird landed, and then flew away again.
"A spirit to see us," my father said quietly. "It is always sad at new moon. That is why new beginnings start there. They can only get better."
"Tomorrow is the coronation." I answered. "We will walk in the procession, behind the King, though my heart is not in it."
"Don't be so glum, Aggy. You are a favored of the court now. Don't you think Naume will not influence events? You will see her again, when it is time."
This idea cheered me a little, thinking Father was right. My beloved, as Queen Tiye, will have the power to direct events at the Court. This raised my spirits somewhat, but the heaviness of the night was still upon me.
"We'd better make ready for the morrow. We will meet again early at the new Temple where the procession begins."
"I wish she would come to me in a dream," was my father's sleepy answer..
With that, Father left me and returned to his chamber at the other end of the terrace. I made ready for bed and prayed to my gods to lift the heavy weight from my heart.

The next day rose warm and bright with sunshine. Before noon, a large gathering of priests and courtiers assembled at the new Temple to Amen. A phalanx of priests stood at the entrance to the temple ready to launch the procession down the boulevard. Flags were flown from the great poles outside the pylons, others carried by the celebrants. The people outside had already gathered from the day before and were waiting in anticipation. By noon, the majordomo gave his signal, and the priests stepped out past the great pylon into the world outside. A great cheer rose from beyond the walls, and the first musicians breathed life into their instruments. The great coronation procession had begun.
I was not to join in until the Royal litters arrived, and my father was to walk behind the Queen's litter, while I behind the King, just before the Queen's. She could see me, but I could not see her. The Royal Couple did not arrive until later in the afternoon, followed by the litter of Her Queen Mother. Her litter was covered with curtains so we could not see inside, and all knew She was not well. Amen'Hoetep's litter was the grandest of all and it took forty men to carry it. He stood in it smiling at the crowds below, waving when His eye caught that of a friend or important guest. The Queen's was also great, though smaller, and her light sheer curtains were partly drawn back, so I could see her sitting upright on her throne. Naume looked beautiful, her dark curled hair drawn back, her face radiant but serious as she looked out over the crowd beyond. On her shoulders was a fine cape rimmed with gold and white furs, and on her neck was a bright gold winged disc framed by a profusion of bright colored beads. Already she looked as regal as a queen. When the High Priest's litter arrived, carried by thirty-eight men, the final stage of the procession was to begin.
The royal procession had already begun and proceeded at a steady pace for hours. Following the priests were parades of prominent generals and their captives, of which there were many. Men in chains followed phalanxes of brightly clad soldiers, these themselves also from many lands. Some carried the flags of their regiments. The greatest awe was caused by Asiatics we had never seen before, three men with very thin slanted eyes. They were not chained and only walked impassively behind their keeper. They were said to have been acquired in trade and announced by the royal herald as men from Khitai, a land so far away that none had ever seen it, not even our well traveled traders. At a distance behind them were the royal giraffes led on very long leashes held by their trainers. The sight of these created a great stir amongst the people, as they had not seen giraffes before, nor the tame camels that followed, except wild ones in the desert. The giraffes came from the land of Punt. Then came a long procession of dwarfs from all the known lands, some were very dark Negroes from far beyond the fifth cataract, so it was said. Behind them were the elephants, which made the dwarfs quicken their short step, and behind them a pair of tame lions, which prompted the elephants. As each group passed the musicians, they would raise up their instruments and play as loud as they could to announce this new segment of the parade. All these would end about two hours away at the other end of the boulevard, at the great Temple of Karnak, where the coronation was to be held. Then it was our turn.
The Royal Bark was first in our file, it being raised on great wheels and pulled by a hundred men. Atop were the stone statues of Amen, Horus, and Hathor. The wheels were sheathed in thick leather so there was no grinding sound as they passed. Behind Them was the litter of Pharaoh, followed by His vizier and other important courtiers. Then came the litter of the Queen Mother, followed by her attendants. At the last moment, the parade master requested that I join other courtiers behind the litter of the Queen, which was being moved into position by the litter carriers now. I joined in with the courtiers there and her Majesty's future attendants. Behind me was the litter of Aiye, a very great litter gilded in gold. He sat tall and erect in His throne, looking seriously at the world below Him. Behind Him was an army of scribes and lesser courtiers. Father was ahead of me, just behind the King's. I did not expect to see Lazar, as he was not invited. He would be most likely with the audience beyond the gates. Nor did I see my friend Mosu, though he may already be at Karnak. At a signal, when all was ready, the great portals of the pylons were swung open on their heavy bronze hinges, and the Royal Bark rolled out onto the boulevard. A great roar sounded from ahead as the people's cheering drowned out the sweet sounds of the musicians. As each portion of our segment filed past the great entrance, priests sprinkled holy water on us, and we stepped out into the world beyond.

Our procession moved slowly through the City, to the cheers of jubilation and loud music at each block of houses we passed, so that to our ears it never ceased. As I processed with the moving column of the King, I thought of something Hapu had once said to me.
"The Royal processions are most important. They not only amuse the populace, but let them feel that they can be close to their King, and a part of the Living God. Something so simple as a parade can hold together an empire."
Now, looking at all the faces of the people lining the boulevard, I could see the meaning of his words. They were eager to glimpse at their Pharaoh and all the possessions that were His. In a way, it was all theirs too. The great lands of the two Egypts were made flesh and real before them as our procession passed by. Suddenly, I felt proud to be part of it all. I too was part of the grand plan given to us by the gods to rule the most beautiful and plentiful land in creation. The soon to be new Queen sat regally aloft above the crowds before me, and I was happy to be so close to her, though She could not see me. But behind me I was painfully aware of the eyes of the High Priest burrowed into the back of my neck. This I tried to consciously dismiss, but could not. His eyes were too powerful for me.
When our procession arrived at the Old Temple, preparations were already underway for the great coronation ceremony. The royal litters were lowered and Pharaoh dismounted. All kneeled, as they did for when the to be Queen descended, and for Aiye. The Queen Mother had Her curtains drawn back and waved weakly to the people assembled, while they kneeled again, but then was taken away. She would not join today's Royal Feast. When the vizier dismissed us, we were given recess until the time to assemble was announced. Pharaoh and the others of the Royal Family retreated to their private chapels until sunset.
"Aggy!"
It was the familiar voice of my dear friend, Mosu. I was happy to see his golden head again.
"Mosu! So you are here too. What a beautiful procession we had. The last time I attended coronation, I was but a child."
"Me too. When Amen'Hoetep, our Father, was crowned. I was only six then, same as you. But tell, me. What is happening to you? I hear stories around the Court that somehow you got tangled up in this whole affair with the new Queen. Is it true?"
"I have heard stories also, and they are truly exaggerated. You may know that I knew Naume from childhood, so this creates speculations of all kinds. I assure you, my respect for the King and His new Queen is sacred."
Mosu gave me a sly sidewards glance. Then he smiled.
"I never believe half of what I hear around here, and will encourage others to do the same. If there is a secret to be kept by me, then you can count on it. I will not ask further."
"I would be the first to tell you, my friend. The weariness you see on my face is that I have been exceptionally busy with the new temple to Mon'thu."
"Is it working well?"
"Actually, it being my first, I must admit that it is going better than I expected. The scaffolding is now half way, and the brick makers are about to add another tier. So it is going well."
"Your name is already legend around here, with the way you treat your workers. Even other slaves talk about it. They don't know you but call you Father Aegyptus, out of respect. How do you do it?"
"I treat them like human beings. They then do the rest for me. It works. I've only had to use the punishment whip once."
As we talked into the afternoon, we could sense that the most important part of the celebration was being readied by servants and courtiers. Large new flags were hoisted on the poles beyond the pylons. Tables from the royal stores heaped with wonderful foods of all kinds were carried out of the hypostyle halls into the great court of the Temple. Three great thrones were brought in by the men who are retained for such duties. They stood tall and beautiful in the fading light. When the sun was low into the horizon, a herald announced that all be gathered in the great court, and we all took our places in front of the thrones. Mosu stayed by my side and we were positioned near the very front with high courtiers, as we had been bidden. Away from the throne was reserved for lesser nobles and guests from foreign lands. At the very back were the wives and concubines of Pharaoh. Priest and priestesses of lesser order were there also. Hapu was with us in the front rows. He looked at us and smiled. Mosu acknowledged him in return, and then our attention was directed to the entrance of the High Priest. He called out in a clear voice.
"All kneel before His radiant Majesty the King, Amen'Hoetep, Pharaoh of all the lands of Egypt. Amen."
We all kneeled as we were bidden. The priests in attendance took their places, and the maids of honor stood behind the Queen's throne. Musicians stood at the ready to one side, and dancing maidens clad in only thin girdles of modesty, covered with near transparent capes, kneeled on the other. They were otherwise nude, beautiful women with full breasts and shapely legs, and with lovely faces framed by thick black curly hair. Just then Pharaoh entered followed by His vizier and other high priests, and stood before His throne, facing us. Then Aiye spoke again.
""Blessings to the Living God, may He live in eternity in the presence of all the gods. Blessings To His Holy Majesty, King of the North and the South, Father of our sacred land, who liveth in Truth, keeper of order in the Universe, and most beloved son of Ra, Amen. We are gathered here today, loyal subjects, royal families, friends of the Court, all welcome to a most joyous occasion between the King and his wife, Tiye. As many of you already know, they were married at the time of Amen'Hoetep's ascension to the Throne of His Father, Thut'Moses. He has selected from all his wives and concubines the most beautiful and most suited to reign by His side. Today, on this joyous occasion, the Chief Wife will become Queen of all our land. Amen."
To which we all answered "Amen."
A thin bell rang, and the maidens behind the Queen's throne filed out into a chapel where the new Queen waited. After a moment, another bell rang, and priests came forward carrying incense and chanting prayers. They assembled before the King and waited. The bell rang again, and the maidens of honor came out of the chapel casting flower petals before them, as the new Queen stepped majestically behind them. She was all covered with flowers as well, her hair black and thick, covered by a diadem heavy with precious stones. Naume looked more beautiful than I had ever seen her before, and I felt true joy in my heart for her. She already looked like the Queen. Attendants helped her take her seat on the throne, and she looked down on us with regal composure. Aiye continued standing, with us kneeling before the Royal Couple.
"Before divine Horus and Hathor, Maat and Ptah, Sekh'met and Thoth, We call upon you and all the Heavenly Host..." Aiye then recited a whole litany of gods, "...and Khon'su, to make most complete and Holy the joyful union gathered here before Us. Amen." After we made our response, Aiye said "You may rise," which we did. He continued. "Re'Herakhty, fly down from your Heavenly Mansions and cover with your Love our Royal Couple, Amen'Hoetep, Pharaoh, and his lovely wife, Queen, Tiye."
Pharaoh looked stately and joyous at the same time, staring ahead over the congregation. But when this was said, He looked over to His Queen and took her hand for a moment. She too looked over at Him and I detected a slight trace of a smile on her lips. Both dressed in their royal robes looked as splendid as the sun, which was setting behind the mountains of the Valley of Beauty on the horizon. The High Priest then motioned to his attendants to bring the two crowns of Kind and Queen. They stood motionless before them, holding the red and white crowns of the two Egypts before their eyes. Aiye spoke again.
"We call upon Isis and Osiris, the Harmony of this Divine King and Queen, to preserve for all of Eternity the natural order of our fair Egypt and the Universe, as they have for all Time. As the Sun sets into the West, so the Sun will rise with the Love for the beloved Royal Majesties before us, to produce an Heir as is the pleasure of the gods. They are the flood of the Nile, the bounty of its rich harvests. They are protectors of our land, blessed be its people, and they are Father and Mother to us all. Amen. Attendants, you may place the crowns."
The attendants behind the Throne came forth and removed the diadems from the heads of the King and Queen. Then the two attendants holding the crowns took two steps forward and gently placed the Royal Crowns of Egypt on their Heads. A loud applause rose from everyone present, and the attendants stepped back from the throne. Then Amen'Hoetep stood and looked over at His new Queen, and offered Her His hand. She took it and rose also, They now both standing before us in all their Regal Glory as Man and Wife, King and Queen. A great cheeir rose. Now, the celebration could begin.
Musicians instantly broke into a spirited song, accompanied by lutes and harps and reed flutes. The dancers rose from their positions, droped their thin capes, and fluttered over to the King and Queen and danced in sensual rhythms, with such grace as I had never seen before. They were skillful and beautiful, their dancing filled us all with desire. Servants came out from the chapels where they had been waiting to bring great platters of refreshments, and all present knew that the Festivities had begun in earnest. Fires were lit all around the great court to give us light, and a thin trace of a moon began its appearance low in the purple sky. Egypt had a new Queen.
When the coronation was finished, and the feast begun, Aiye walked over to His throne and seated himself with the help of His priest attendants. He sat there before us, impassive, looking down at the celebration. He looked older now. I wondered what went through His head at that moment, seeing the King and Queen smiling at all who smiled at Them from below, acknowledging friends and strangers alike. Here, in His Person, sat the one man who could rule all Egypt, and yet it was not ordained for Him to do so. The gods had favored Pharaoh and Tiye, and now they were the center of everyone's attention. Next time They went out into the world, They would share Their throne side by side, and all the people would see their King and Queen as One.
Mosu came over and said to me "Come on! Dance with me!" The celebration lasted well into the night, as it did on the outside. The populace cheered and drank and ate until they could no more, all supplied by Pharaoh. By morning, the fires had died, and quiet once again returned to the City. My men had a free day, as was customary after such a great Royal Feast. And now that my Naume was Queen, I had to wait for orders from Her, if I was to appear at Court, same as if the King called me. To think of this made me happy and afraid. As time passed, I thought of it less and less, and again became committed to my work. By the time of the first harvest of Spring, my men were sliding the cap stones onto the tops of the columns, ahead of schedule. The sheaf of the columns beneath the capitals were still undecorated, as this would be done later, when the brick scaffolding was removed. I got lost in my work, and was happy to be doing what I liked best. The men worked well. My personal life would have to wait. I, like my father, was a builder.

Pharaoh came by to inspect His temple from time to time, but this time, when the roof stones were in, He came with His Queen. Tiye wore a head diadem with the double ureaus of the two Egypts. Amen'het had the simple wig of Pharaoh, also with a thin diadem. They came in good spirits, accompanied by Their courtiers. Lazar announced them.
"His Highness the King, and His Chief Wife, Her Majesty, Tiye."
All bowed when they entered our work area. I rose to greet them and likewise bowed, but my work clothes were soiled and I felt that I presented a poor image to their Majesties. But Amen'het came directly to me and clasped me on the shoulder like to a familiar.
"Aegyptus, you have Our compliments. My inspectors had just returned and could not have been more praiseworthy of the progress at Our Temple. The roof is in place. You are well Loved."
"I am unworthy of Your high praise, Your Grace, but I humbly accept it in the spirit it is given. Thank you."
Tiye stepped up to me, which made me instantly respond to Her presence like to a musk fragrance. My body became weak in Her presence.
"I like what you are doing, Aggy. Pharaoh and I have been following with great care on your works. He has allowed me to learn as much as I can about temple building, so now I am in charge of affairs, in His absence."
I gave Her a look that tried not to betray to others that I understood full well what She meant, but only for her to know. Her eyes spoke back that she understood, and my heart felt glad inside.
"Blessed be the gods, but you are Queen in the footsteps of your great Grandmother, the Queen Hats'hepsut, who also was greatly famed for Her knowledge of building. It was a passion of Hers."
"As it has become mine."
Amen'het gave us a knowing look, but said nothing.
"By your leave, My Lord, may I show the Queen the works done thus far?"
"You may, Aegyptus, but protect Her well from all danger."
"Yes, my Lord."
It is a great paradox of life that what we cannot have, we want most of all. And at the moment, I desired Naume more than anything in the world. Careful not to touch Her Highness, I showed Her the way to climb up the steps to the top of the soft brick scaffolding to view the work from above. She had strong leather sandals on and, as it was dry, had no difficulty climbing. I, in my muddied work shoes, climbed behind Her, watching Her every step. She moved with grace accentuated even more by the coarseness of the work area around us. It was like watching the sun rise in the freshness of an early dawn.
"Careful around the tools left by the workers," I said as we reached capitals of the top tier. The stone masons had stopped to watch their Queen and fell prostrate to the ground when She arrived. Naume motioned them to rise. They stood like geese huddled together, not saying a word.
"You men may take recess while the Queen inspects your work." With those words, they bowed and hurried down for their well deserved rest.
"Aggy, you are master here, and the stones respond to your command as if they were made of clay."
"It takes a lot more cutting hard stone," I responded, amused.
She smiled and looked around, admiring the work with understanding. She examined the cap stones and ran Her hand over their seams, which fit without margin. Her face glowed from the climb, and this made Naume prettier than before. I dared to speak, now that we were alone.
"How is life with Pharaoh? You are turly with child?"
Naume did not respond right away, but continued to appraise the work that still needed doing. She did not show, though her health looked vibrant.
"You will have your carvers tell our story in this stone?" she asked at last. Her eyes turned to me, serious but amused. It was in her power to make me weak. The fact she did not answer me meant nothing to me.
"I will speak through the stones in any language would please your Highness," I responded, teasing.
"Then tell our story, but make it so that only we can understand." Her eyes danced as they looked at me.
"Your wish is my command. I will write it myself." Naume came very close to me, but dared not touch me, for fear of what could happen to me. I respected her caution and also was careful not to touch her body, though we did touch by accident upon descending, since I had to take her hand when her footing was uncertain. She squeezed my hand, and then quickly let go.
When we got back down, we then entered the temple under the new stone roof. Already, there was a small shrine built at its center, where the statue of the god Mon'thu would stand. Since the workers had been dismissed from this area, we were alone. I could feel her breathing in the dark interior, made especially dark by the black clay brick that surrounded the work. The area of the temple here was cool and moist, since the brick retained water, and much water was used above to slide the stone. There was a savory dampness about the place, and we both felt its suggestion. Naume's lips parted as she looked up at the small openings in the roof cap stones which let in air and light. I could see the soft muscles of her neck. She looked at me, and then around us, and when it was certain there was no one present to see, Naume, my Queen, reached over to me and kissed me hard on the lips. Then She turned abruptly as if nothing had happened.
"I had wanted to come to see this temple for a long time," She said at long last, a bit breathless, as we turned to walk back into the light.
"And I've been waiting for a long time for you to do so," I answered weakly. My lips still burned from her kiss, and my heart was pumping with inner joy. So is the power of being loved, even if it is impossible.
When we came back, Pharaoh was glad to see us again.
"Well? Did I not tell you of how good his work is? This is the man who will built our tombs for us, now that I will have an Heir." Amen'het seemed very pleased with having said so. "If We are not talking prematurely, not having asked the Queen, that is." Naume did not respond.
"If it would please your Majesties," I answered. "Your words are my command. I would be honored to do so, as long as I could have my trusted Lazar as my assistant."
Pharaoh looked at Lazar.
"He is the El Lazar, is he not? A king in his own right," was Amen'het's quick response. "I would be pleased to make an announcement at Opet. You will have finished here by then, and I could appoint others for the finishing works and inscriptions."
At this, the Queen gave me a quick look.
"I will have the text prepared myself, my Lord," I quickly answered, "as befits the God, Appearing in Truth."
"Very well. Well said. This is a Temple of Truth."
Naume relaxed visibly upon hearing this. She then gave me a quick look and took Her Lord by the arm, as they turned to exit the temple area. When their entourage had gone, Lazar spoke first.
"Did you hear that, Sire? I am the El Lazar! And we will be builders of the Royal Tombs!"
"I wouldn't think of doing it without you, my Hebrew friend. I am glad Pharaoh honored you."
"And you, my Master."
"Your friend."

I could not sleep that night, and tossed in my bed thinking of Naume. Her taste, her feel, her hand, her lips, all spoke to me continuously. So I rose up and gave up on sleep. Instead, I gathered my ink palette and papyrus, and began composing the story I wanted told on the columns of Mon'thu. With the god's permission, I began drawing the hieroglyphs that told of unattainable love, since the evil Seth would not let the lovers have one another. Mon'thu would come to the rescue and, with the help of Horus, banish the evil. But it was not to be, and the force of evil again good rose up against them, and became more powerful than before. The lovers did not back down to this, and renewed their love for each other with still greater force. I stopped my text there, uncertain where else to go with it. The lovers needed a strong ally. Finally sleep, or the god, conquered me, for I remembered nothing until I woke the next day.
The heaviest of the work done, we progressed quickly to remove the brick structures around the stone temple and erected wood scaffolding instead. This was easy work and the men seemed happy to be at this stage of construction. Priests to Mon'thu came at each stage of completion and blessed the work done. Stone carvers were called in and began the work on carving story scenes dedicated to the god on the columns and walls of the temple. I also authorized the Hyksos to lighten the work loads for the war slaves, for the Kushite had proven to be good men, and I wanted to reward them in the only way allowed to me. The only one who had tried to escape was the intelligent young war chief I had spoken to so many months ago. He was punished severely, but not broken of body. Though I regretted to see the scars on his back, I was glad to know he was recovered and alive. I promised myself that when the work was done, I would find a way to free him from servitude, and find a place for him in the way of joining my other workers. His name was Tahar, and I would find a way.
Once again, I became a favored visitor to the Royal Palace. My heart had become lighter. I could see the Queen on these frequent visits, but we were never left alone for more than a moment. There was never time to talk, or even to steal a kiss or touch. We were always under the tension that held us close but never could touch in the way a man and woman touched. My love for Her grew, as I know did Hers. But we did not suffer, since we could at least have each other's company, even if not in private. I cherished our stolen moments together.
When I came back from a visit to the Palace, Lazar was waiting for me. He had a small boy with him.
"Aegyptus, I would like you to meet my son."
The boy stepped up to me and bowed and kissed my hand. I placed my hand on his head.
"What is your name."
"Bek," was his simple response. The he added, "I am honored to meet you, my lord."
"You are a fine boy." In fact he was, with dark eyes and his father's intelligent expression. "How old are you, Bek?"
"I am eight, my Lord."
"A very grown up eight, I may add." Bek smiled and returned to his father's side. "Lazar, you and your wife must be very proud."
"He is a joy to us, it is true. I brought him here to see what we do. He says he will be a temple builder someday, like me."
"May the gods make it so." Lazar held his son in his arms. "Do you think you may someday change your religion? It would be easier for him if you did."
Lazar gave me a hurt look, for which I was instantly sorry. It was the wrong thing to ask him, I realized.
"There is only one God, my lord, and He is the God of Abraham."
"Yes, I know how you Hebrews believe, Lazar. But we have only one God also, Whom we call Amen."
"But, with respect, my Lord, you do worship many gods."
"That is so. But only One is God, the others only His messengers. You see, if we did not have all the gods, then One God would overpower all the others, and our freedom to believe in Him would be dominated by the priests."
"I do not understand. Why would the priests dominate?"
"It is a difficult thing to explain, but I will try." I thought about it a moment. "Because if there were not priests to balance out the power between them with numerous gods, then the priests of Amen would have total control."
"To believe in what you believe?"
"That is so. What a man believes is his own conscience, and none should dominate this, if man is to be free."
"Slaves are not free," was Lazar's quick reply. His mind always saw clearly. "Does that mean that they are free to believe as they will?"
"You believe as you will, though you are not free under the law."
Lazar gave me one of his looks that bordered on a smile.
"But I believe in one God. And in Him, I am free."
"Then may your faith and God's Love sustain you in an unjust world."
As Bek went back out to play, Lazar and I returned to our work. When some time passed, he looked up at me, thinking. Then he spoke to me.
"Your High Priest, Aiye, is the priest of Amen. Doesn't He dictate to all what you do?"
His remark caught me by surprise. I had to stop and think to answer him.
"What we do, yes. But not what we believe."
Nevertheless, his remark troubled me for a long time. Aiye was the one responsible for how things became for me and Naume, and our King. Did He then control how we believed, if our acceptance of his conditions made us do what we accepted to do? I could not form an answer, but the idea bothered me somehow. When our love is frustrated through the actions of one man, a man of God, then were we being manipulated by man, or God? Were we subjects, or victims? Was our acceptance of Him then sacred or profane? My mind's eye turned to a vision of the High Priest, and at that moment I hated him. I spoke to no one of my new troubling doubts.

So ends the third scroll of the dictates of Aegyptus, Royal Architect for His most high Majesty, King Amen'Hoetep, and His Queen, Tiye.
(signed) Mayat


Papyrus 4, Pharaoh

My heart is not so heavy now, Mayat. I will continue to tell my story. Make ready your palette to take dictation.

The next few months were joyfully dedicated to seeing Naume grow heavy with child. As Queen Tiye, she was very well attended to by all of the subjects at the Royal Court. Messages of congratulations were sent to Pharaoh by Kings from kingdoms in far away lands, with presents and suggestions for a name for the new child. The priests at council already decreed that it will be a male child, and this made Ameh'Hoetep extremely pleased. I visited at Court as frequently as I wished, was always welcome, and was happy to go and see my beautiful Naume surrounded by so many caring and devoted maids. Visiting Pharaoh was like attending a continuous celebration. He was in high spirits.
"What do you think, my good Aegyptus? Should We build him a temple now, so that it would be ready by the time he could walk?"
"Well, your Highness, we're still completing the temple at Karnak. I will be sending stonecutters for the quarries at Yebu to begin work on the main statue."
"Aren't you going yourself?"
"Yes, I will, your Grace, after Your child, the King, is born. I want to be here for the most important event of our land."
"Quite right. Quite rightly so. What do you think We should name him? I've been thinking of calling him after my great grandfather, Thut'moses, but it doesn't roll off the tongue well. Maybe..."
"Why not after Your own Self, your Majesty?"
"Amen'Hoetep again? Well, why not? It has served Me well. Tiye had the same idea. I think We like that. Ah, it is good to have you around, my friend. How is your father? I have not seen him much of late. You seem to be here more often than him."
"He is fine, your Grace. I saw him only yesterday, and he sends you his love." Pharaoh was always pleased to hear from Father. "I will be seeing him again tomorrow. Should I deliver word to him?"
"Only that the Queen Mother is more ill than before. We hope She can see the new King before She is called by the gods." Pharaoh turned sad at the thought. "I may need him to ready a tomb in the Valley."
"It grieves me to hear this, my Lord. But I will tell him to call on you."
"Yes. I will need to see him soon, I'm afraid. Ah! Here comes my beautiful Tiye now."
Queen Tiye was surrounded by a dozen maidens who walked before Her and after Her, solicitous of Her every need. It had been eight months since the coronation, and midwives had been sent for, as there were signs.
"Aegyptus! It is always good to have your company with us," Tiye said upon entering.
"Isn't She radiant?" added Amen'het. "The midwives think She may be early, but no matter. We will have a healthy child, by Amen, I am sure."
"Good morning my Husband. Your baby boy will be as radiant as the sun."
"See? She had a vision too! I had a dream that Our son was looking down at us with the gods, and they called Him the Radiance of the Sun. Is that not so, my love?"
"I have asked for the same dream, my dear. May the gods deliver it to me in my sleep," Naume responded.
"He will be heir to the greatest kingdom in the whole world," I added. "His name will be legend for eternity."
Pharaoh and I retired to discuss matters of importance regarding the selection of the stone for the new statue of Mon'thu. Later, when we were done, and Amen'Hoetep was called away on other matters of state, I sought out Naume's company. It was a warm summer day, and Naume was out on the Palace terrace sitting under an arbor overlooking the Nile below. The sun was on her face, and she leaned back to catch its early morning rays. When she saw me approaching, she dismissed her maids. The sentries stood at a distance, on the ramparts, looking out over the land.
"How is the baby? Is he kicking?"
"You want to hear him? Here, put your ear down on my belly."
I sat next to Naume and gently placed my head on her stomach. I could hear the rumblings and felt a jolt against my ear."
"He kicked me!" We both laughed.
"He is animated, ready to run with other children." Naume gave me a loving look. "I think he will be very intelligent, and beautiful."
"Yes, my Queen. Coming from your body, there is no doubt."
She sat up straight to make herself more comfortable. The maids returned with her morning tea, which was offered to me also. We sat at the terrace watching the small boats in the distance, the sun shining on their white sails.
"I am sorry to hear of the sad news on the Queen Mother," I said to break the silence. "I hope She can see our child before She dies."
"It would please Amen'het very much to do so. I've asked the best doctors to come and tend to her. But She is ill, and it is hard for her. I've already ordered the preparations for her burial, though He does not know of this."
"Life is born, and life dies. This is the heavenly cycle we must all go through." I looked at Naume's calm and radiant face. "I am happy you are with child."
"It is more than just our happiness, Aggy. It is a matter of state." A weariness came over her face. "But I am happy too."

The inscriptions Naume and I had talked about were begun on the top tier of the roof stones of the Temple. Isis and Osiris were depicted in hieroglyphs as frustrated by Seth, Osiris locked in mortal combat with Him. When Osiris fell in battle, She came to rescue Him, to retrieve Him from the underworld into which He had fallen. I left the next space purposefully blank to add to it at a later time, when the struggle was finally resolved. Amen'Hoetep found my explanation acceptable, after I told Him I would finish it when His son reached manhood, since I would then depict the new King as redeemer. He thought it was very clever of me to leave it so.
My duties occupied me such in the next two weeks that I had little time to visit the Palace. Father had been summoned by the King to begin excavating the new Royal Tomb in the Valley of Beauty, as it was felt that Mut'Heptsut, the Queen Mother, was not going to recover. She had stopped eating and could no longer care for Herself. It became a daily vigil to see if She still breathed in each new dawn. But She held. Word came that the Queen was to deliver the new King.
Father and I rushed to the Palace to be in attendance when the baby was introduced into the world. Courtiers from far and wide had assembled there, all eager in anticipation of seeing the new Pharaoh when he would be brought out. They had been staying near the City for some weeks in anticipation of this. Emissaries from foreign kingdoms were also waiting, with their gifts held on barges, which were tied at the sacred lake that led to the river Nile. We all looked up from the great court below to see if there was news from either the right wing, where the Queen was to be with Her child, or the left wing, where the Queen Mother was near death. The hours passed slowly as we all waited in silence. Palace servants circulated with trays of food and drink. Then a cry was heard, and immediately a red and white flag was flown from the right wing, to which we all responded with a hearty roar of approval and clapping. The new Royal Heir was born! Within a short time, Pharaoh came to the balcony of the Queen's chamber and held aloft his Son for all to see. Again the air filled with loud cheering as all beheld the new Boy King held by his Father. Tears filled the eyes of many, as they did mine. All cried "Long live the King!" By what strange fate the gods decreed that I should be only a spectator from below, but mine was not to ask of favor, but only to be grateful to see Him born.
My father and I were invited with a handful of guests to be the first to see the newborn. But we had to wait while the Child was first shown to the Queen Mother. When She had seen Him, Pharaoh came dressed in full Royal colors to show off His new Son. His face was the sun itself.
"You are the first to see your newborn King."
We all dropped on one knee and responded "Amen."
Then we rose and all crowded around Father and His Child. Indeed, He was a beautiful child, healthy and with good color. Nor did he appear premature in any way as some had feared. The new Pharaoh was a healthy baby boy for all to see. And His father was a most happy man.
"May it be ordained by the gods that your new King will rule with wisdom and glory and justice, that He will be remembered for all time. We will hold a Feast, and I will have scarabs prepared for this Special Day."
These words were spoken by the High Priest who just then came into the chamber with His retinue. All responded "Amen," and made space for Him to approach His Royal Majesties.
Aiye stood tall and proud as he took from the arms of Pharaoh the baby. He looked down on Him lovingly, and played with the baby's tiny hand with one finger. They made a beautiful image in contrast, a very tall man dressed regally with a very small child swaddled in white linens embroidered with gold. I too wanted to hold him then, but my turn did not come until others, more important than myself, were allowed first. Then it was my turn, and I gently took him in my arms and looked down into His lovely face. I looked at the way the hand was shaped and wondered if my father had already noticed the same. I looked at Father, and he smiled at me in a knowing way. I smiled back. Then I smiled into His face, and He yawned at me. His little mouth made a sound that sounded like suckling, and I looked up at Pharaoh.
"I think He needs His mother, my Lord. He may be ready for suckling."
"Yes. Ah, yes. It is time for His first feeding." For a moment Pharaoh seemed at a loss, surrounded by so many congratulatory courtiers, and then looked up at me. "Would you take Him back to His mother? Tell Her I'll be in presently."
"Yes, your Highness. I am most grateful for the privilege."
Amen'Hoetep then turned and answered questions from the courtiers. Aiye followed me into Her Majesty's chamber.
Queen Tiye looked tired, but then looked up and smiled at us, looking both puzzled and amused. When we approached her, Aiye put his hands in mine and we both gave her back her baby. The midwives on seeing us approach immediately dropped to one knee. Naume dismissed them.
"So many hands have taken part in His birth," She said. I detected an irony in her voice. "Thank you, Aiye. Thank you, Aegyptus, for bringing me my baby. I was getting worried, knowing He was being passed around."
"He may be in need of suckling, my Queen," Aiye added with sincerity.
Queen Tiye then pulled back her gown and exposed a full breast, to which She placed the little mouth of the baby King. He immediately found what was wanted and began suckling quietly. Naume smiled at us.
"He is in command already."
We both smiled at the silliness of her remark. I looked at Aiye, and He looked at me, and our smiles would not fade. Suddenly, He seemed no longer the High Priest, Aiye, but merely a man, like myself, and I was glad to be in his company.
Shortly, wailing was heard from down the corridors of the great Palace, and we all knew instantly what it meant. Pharaoh came into the Queen's chamber with His vizier. On his face was written deepest grief.
"Mut'het did not live to see another day. May She live with the gods forever. The Queen Mother is dead." We all bowed our heads. It was all He said.

There was trouble in the South, up by the first cataract. I had earlier sent my Kushite slaves to the quarry to help the stone cutters make ready the rough cuts of red granite for the new statues for the Temple. Their presence had attracted members of their own clans who would try to free them, or so it was believed. I was of mixed heart on the matter, having grown fond of Tahar, my chief slave, and secretly would not have minded if they did escape. But this would have been treason, so I had to join the others in supervising defense of the works. Pharaoh readied an army to put down the rebellion..
There had been skirmishes in the past of little note up at the third and second cataracts, but these were dismissed as local events without consequence. Many of the Kushites in the revolts were caught and killed, or if of higher rank, were taken into slavery. But this revolt, it was felt, was of graver matter, since it came so close to the temples and quarries of the Kingdom, and threatened the possessions of the state. The war councils were called and generals came from all the lands of the two Egypts. From down North came generals experienced in the Hyksos wars, and they were most capable in handling the chariot and horse cavalry regiments. From the South came generals and officers who knew the enemy and the terrain of Kush. They all gathered in war councils, to which I had been invited as a witness so to remain informed of events that may affect my quarries. A general from the South, Werel, spoke to us.
"Your Highness, members of the council, priests and courtiers in attendance, I want to bring to your attention that the host force of our enemy in the South is assembled in the great plain beyond the first cataract, near the keep city of Amada, which is now under siege, it's water supplies cut off, and surrounded by an estimated four thousand troops. Amada will not stand more than a month under present conditions, and I move that we position our forces to the north of the city, and place reinforcements to the east and south. These could then advance, with the chariots leading the charge, down the dry wadi and push the enemy into the Nile. Our troops from Amada, if they are able, will then advance on the retreating Kushite dogs, and finish them, or take prisoners, as they see fit."
Another general spoke up at this moment, since there was a pause.
"May Your Lord suggest the size of the host needed for this campaign?"
An immediate answer followed.
"Ten thousand is enough. But scouts and spies estimate that there will be an additional thirty thousand troops raised from the hostile Nubian villages to join in sympathy with Kush. Therefore, I move that we raise a host of fifty thousand, if it would please Pharaoh."
This last part of the speech, invoking Pharaoh, was spoken with a softer voice. I did not participate in these debates of the war council, since I was not a soldier, and made a point of avoiding many of them. But Mosu, as did many others, was most eager to attend all the sessions. The hot blood of war was in their veins, and they were ready to sign up as officers for the new regiments being raised. I could see him sitting tall in the galleries of the chamber. Then Pharaoh answered the war council.
"Soldiers of the Realm, My men, the matter at hand is most grave. The sanctity of our Kingdom is being threatened by the barbarian jackals of the South. Their unwashed, uncultured kings would aspire to greatness at the expense of Our people. They would plunder the bounty the gods have shown to Our lands. This cannot be allowed. They will have no booty. We had been entrusted in Our Egypt by our forefathers to carry out the will of the gods, for which they favor us. Your destiny, and that of all the people, is tied to history to ensure the protection of our country, our loved ones, our wives, our children, our possessions, our fields, and the sacred temples dedicated to our gods. I, your Pharaoh, therefore commit to you, that the treasury stands ready to finance whatever campaign is necessary to put down this heinous revolt. I will order my scribes to spare no expense in raising the armor and troops needed to carry out the success of this war to its completion. My vizier, and you of the war council, will work together to raise all the necessary supplies in the next two (decan) weeks. Troops will be raised from the able bodied men of the surrounding cities and villages, under the command of our skilled officer corps, and trained in the arts of weapons and war. Standards will be drawn and delivered to the fort at Yebu (Aswan), under the command of our able generals, where they will march into position. I want them at Amada in three weeks time. We commit to you the full force of the horse and cavalry of our Kingdom in the South to destroying this barbaric threat. May Amen and Horus be our protectors as We march into the victory that is Ours."
A loud roar of approval rose hoarsely from all the throats around us and, with the blessing of Pharaoh, the campaign of the South was begun. Immediately, now that Pharaoh had spoken, scribes and couriers were sent throughout the land to raise the army.
In the days that followed, the response was like a fever that would not pass. All young men were eager to join in the forces of their Pharaoh and fight for His Majesty in this most just cause. I was assigned to the campaign as well, as were all able administrators and scribes. Lazar was left with overseeing the Temple works while I joined the others at Yebu as Master of Supplies. Father had been working on a commission to erect two great statues of Pharaoh and His Queen Tiye at the entrance to the Valley of Beauty. The Queen Mother had been buried there quickly, as other pressing demands fell upon the tomb workers. She had been well wrapped with great care for Her journey into the Western World, but her tomb was hastily finished Now Hapu was called upon to administer the new recruits for the campaign in the South. Mosu became a cavalry officer in command of his own chariot, and a squad of men who would support him as he rode into battle. The news put fear in my heart, but then fear is what drives men to war.

As old men and young women brought in the grain harvest from the fields, our troops assembled to march south to the staging grounds beyond the first cataract. From there, it was a four day forced march to the battle areas of Amada. I was to bring up the rear with supply barges and wagons, so my detachment would not leave Thea'bes for a few days more. Already, men were seen proudly parading the streets of the City with their shiny new helmets and body armor, given to them upon completion of war training. Their weapons would be given to them at the fort at Yebu on their way to the staging areas.
Preparations at the Palace were likewise torrid and engaged. Messengers were seen running, courtiers petitioning the war council to serve at better posts in the ranks, generals waited their turn for audience with Pharaoh, and wives and concubines who were summoned for the protection of the Palace vied for attention. Even war drums were heard late into the night. I busied with my duties assigned and put the Temple's works on hold until my return. The land took on the appearance of swarming bees with columns of soldiers marching at parade as their instructors barked orders at them.
While I was inspecting the barges that would carry supplies of firewood and wheat flour to the South, a messenger delivered me a tablet. It was from my Queen. On it was written a message for my eyes only.
"Meet me at the temple of Sekh'met, tonight when the moon sets. I will be at the holy shrine praying."
I lay awake until the late hours, until the moon was low on the horizon, and then quickly walked alone to the temple. It was not far from my residence, near the river. The streets were deserted at this late time, and only posted guards challenged me. I gave them my name and they responded as expected to let me pass. When I got to the temple, I could see the faint lights coming from the interior. An old priestess greeted me at the gate and took me in. Sekh'met, the lioness goddess, was fond of having Her temple crowded with cats. All believed they carried the messages of the supplicants to the gods. They scurried beneath my feet as we walked to the offering shrine. The Queen's attendants were posted at an adjacent chapel. Upon entering, I could see the form of Naume, bare headed, kneeling before the tall statue of the lioness god. The old priestess then turned and left us. We were alone, except for the cats.
I walked up to her quietly and kneeled next to her, as was expected upon entering the shrine. She did not look at me, but continued her prayer, eyes closed. I did the same. Naume, when finished with her prayer, looked up at the Goddess and raised the palms of her hands to Her. The temple lantern cast a faint glow on her cheeks. When she had finished, she lowered them and put one hand into mine.
"Are you in charge of the supply detachments?" she asked me quietly.
"Yes. I will be in the rear of the engagements."
"Good. They were going to put you on the front, in charge of the trench excavators." She took in her breath as she said this. "I intercepted the order and had it reversed, to put you at the rear."
"I am grateful, my love. I would not want to be in the front."
"You