War of the Crowns

by Christian Jacq

  Kamose drew it back and opened the door. Sitting on a low chair with ebony arm-rests was a beautiful young woman with blue eyes.

  ‘Has my husband sent you to kill me?’ she asked.

  ‘If you are the wife of Tita, son of Pepi, I must tell you that he will give no more orders to anyone.’

  Anat stood up. ‘So he is dead. Then justice does exist! Whoever you are, you have given me wonderful news. Now I can die in peace.’

  ‘Why did you marry him?’

  Her eyes filled with sadness. ‘I made the mistake of thinking he loved me. But he thought so little of me that he had decided to kill me.’

  ‘Nefrusy has been utterly destroyed, and those who fought against me have been punished. Do you also wish to fight me?’

  Anat stared at him in astonishment. ‘Do you mean … ? Are you the pharaon, come from Thebes?’

  ‘Either you become my loyal subject, or you will share the fate of my enemies.’

  44

  Being a trade-control official at Khmun was a coveted privilege. Only Hyksos soldiers with excellent service records and good connections in Avaris could gain appointment to the largest control-post in occupied Egypt.

  The Hyksos imposed a toll upon everything and everyone that passed through Khmun: men, women, children, animals, boats, goods … Only the emperor’s soldiers were exempt and could move around freely. An official tariff decreed the maximum rate that could be levied from prostitutes who entertained the military, but trade-control officials were free to alter other people’s conditions of passage according to their own whims, and could swindle travellers as much as they liked.

  Always aggressive, they would take exception to even the most innocent remark. The offender was instantly stripped of his clothes and possessions, abused and sentenced. If he continued to protest his good faith or, even worse, his innocence, he was sent to prison where he would be forgotten for as long as the government pleased.

  En-Ilusa, the Libyan who ruled the Khmun control-post, had a small moustache and sly eyes. Appointed by his friend Khamudi, to whom he paid a portion of his illicit earnings, he ruled his domain with a rod of iron. He never needed even to raise his voice. All he had to do was issue his orders, which no one dared question.

  En-Ilusa behaved like a little emperor, and dreamt of one day leaving Khmun to take up a more important post in Avaris. He specialized in playing a double game, and ruthlessly betrayed anyone who made the mistake of confiding in him, as soon as they were no longer useful. Through Khamudi’s good offices, he hoped to obtain promotion in the coming months. Then he would really show what he could do.

  He was not worried about the Theban rebellion. The front would remain fixed at Qis until the moment when the emperor decided to kill Ahhotep.

  As he did every morning, En-Ilusa inspected the main trade-control building. A pernickety man, he demanded that everything be in its proper place and that nothing ever changed. He was also strict about the cleanliness of uniforms, and anyone who fell short of his standards was fined several days’ pay. Above all, En-Ilusa liked to stir up discord among the officers by encouraging informers and the spread of malicious gossip.

  One thing was annoying him: in recent weeks business had fallen slightly, indicating that some of his underlings were being lax. As soon as he had identified them, the miscreants would be transferred to some miserable small town.

  En-Ilusa was just beginning to read the previous day’s reports when a grain inspector entered his office.

  ‘Sir, we’re going to have a great deal of work. Three cargoboats are approaching from the south.’

  En-Ilusa smiled avariciously. ‘They’re going to pay a high price.’

  Ahhotep’s plan had been enthusiastically received by Pharaoh Kamose and his council of war: the battle for Khmun would take place in three stages. First, three supply-boats would arrive at the control-post; they would be made to look like ordinary trading-vessels, and so would be allowed through the floating barricade of boats that protected Khmun.

  Next, a raiding-party would attack from the riverbank, taking the troops by surprise. Finally, the war-fleet would come as quickly as possible to join the fight. Co-ordination would be vital: any confusion would lead to a disaster from which the Thebans could never recover.

  The three heavy cargo-boats advanced with prudent slowness towards the floating barricade. Many soldiers were hidden aboard, lying flat on the decks, ready to leap into action the moment the order was given.

  When Emheb appeared at the prow of the leading ship, EnIlusa took him for what he seemed to be: a good-hearted, round-bellied fellow with an open smile. Ideal prey.

  As soon as the boats were moored, Emheb would send Rascal back to the war-fleet, which was commanded by Moon. Moon would know that the fight was beginning and that he must set off, urging the oarsmen to row with all possible speed.

  The first wave of the Egyptian attack would necessarily entail heavy losses, and Emheb himself might be killed. But what about Queen Ahhotep, who was leading the raiding-party on land? No soldier would let himself show less courage than she did.

  The boats nudged gently against the bank, watched covetously by En-Ilusa and his men, who were already mentally sharing out the booty they would obtain legally, by levying their myriad taxes. In accordance with instructions, they arranged themselves in a line along the quay.

  En-Ilusa stepped forward and spoke the usual words: ‘Have you anything to declare?’

  ‘Not very much,’ replied Emheb affably. ‘You will soon be finished with my cargo.’

  A greedy smile lit up En-Ilusa’s cold face. ‘That would surprise me. I am very scrupulous and I believe that these three boats are crammed full of both authorized and unauthorized goods.’

  Emheb scratched his chin. To be frank, you are not entirely wrong.’

  ‘So you admit it already? That’s very sensible of you. It’s always better to cooperate.’

  The governor nodded.

  ‘Continue to be sensible,’ recommended En-Ilusa. ‘What is your most illicit merchandise?’

  ‘I will gladly tell you, but you won’t profit from it.’

  ‘Come on, tell me!’

  ‘Be sure to listen carefully. You won’t have much time to appreciate its song.’

  Unsheathing his dagger, Emheb threw it with force and accuracy. It hissed viciously through the air, and plunged into En-Ilusa’s chest. His eyes filled with astonishment, the man died without even understanding what was happening.

  At Emheb’s signal, all the Egyptian archers stood up and fired on the trade-control officials, who, lined up as they were, made excellent targets.

  Although thrown into confusion by the unexpected attack and by their leader’s death, the survivors attempted to fight back. But they were caught between the Egyptians firing on them from the decks of the three boats, and the footsoldiers charging at them along the riverbank, led by Pharaoh Kamose.

  Emheb and his men exploited the situation expertly. Khmun’s soldiers could have prevented the crushing defeat of the trade-control men, but they had to contain the assault by the raiding-party, which had taken them by surprise.

  Moustache and the Afghan were particularly skilled at this sort of fighting, and when they had Queen Ahhotep at their side nothing could stop them.

  The Hyksos forces made the mistake of dividing, some rushing to the aid of the remaining trade-control officials, the others confronting the enemy footsoldiers. Before long, the survivors realized that the day was lost. They took refuge on some boats in the floating barricade, hoping to be able to cut them free and escape northwards. At that moment, they saw the Theban war-fleet appear. As soon the fleet closed with the barricade, Moon’s sailors rushed to the attack. As in the previous battles, no prisoners were taken.

  Kamose was greatly surprised by how easily his army had broken through at Khmun, which many had thought was indestructible. Ahhotep’s plan had succeeded, as if the Wife of God could see beyond outward appearances. />
  On a sign from Emheb, the troops raised an enthusiastic cheer for the pharaoh and the queen. Yet Ahhotep seemed anxious.

  ‘What is it, Mother?’ asked Kamose. ‘Nothing can halt our progress.’

  ‘From Thebes to Khmun, Egypt has been liberated. But this reconquest may only be temporary.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘The troops we have defeated did not have the heavy weapons that enabled the Hyksos to conquer our country. The emperor must be sneering at our offensive. He is simply luring us deeper and deeper into a trap, and eventually we shall have to face his real army.’

  Once again, the queen’s clear thinking convinced the young pharaoh. ‘But we cannot be content just to establish a new front.’

  ‘Before we go any further, I must decipher the message of Khmun, and find the Jar of Predictions.’

  45

  At first, the people of Khmun refused to believe it. And then they saw that the news was true: there were no Hyksos guards on the streets, and everyone could express their hatred of the emperor without fear of reprisals. Eventually, even the most sceptical allowed themselves to show their joy when Pharaoh Kamose, wearing the White Crown, and Queen Ahhotep, crowned with a fine gold diadem, appeared before the great Temple of Thoth, which stood in the Valley of the Tamarisks.

  ‘People of Khmun,’ proclaimed the young king, ‘you are free. The Hyksos have been wiped out, and the control-post destroyed. Pharaoh rules once again, as before and for ever. The darkness has been driven back; the righteousness and harmony of Ma’at are our only law. A great feast, to which you are all summoned, shall seal the return of happiness.’

  Emheb, Moon, the Afghan and Moustache were borne aloft in triumph. The prettiest girls in the city had eyes only for the archers, particularly Ahmes. The only person who was not happy was Neshi, who, instead of enjoying the feast, was responsible for organizing it and ensuring that it was a success.

  While the city was preparing to celebrate its liberation, the queen went to the temple.

  When she arrived there, a young man knelt before her. ‘I beg you, Majesty, do not go any further.’

  ‘Stand up, my boy, and explain yourself.’

  He dared not look at this gloriously beautiful woman, whom everyone called the Queen of Freedom. Already, storytellers were spreading her legend from village to village. To find himself here, so close to her … He had never hoped for such an honour.

  ‘Do not enter this temple, Majesty.’

  ‘Is it filled with dangerous creatures?’

  ‘The Hyksos killed the priests, stole the precious objects and turned the shrine into a storehouse. They took stones and filled up the well that led down to the primordial ocean. The gods have departed, and all that remains is the spirit of evil. Do not challenge it, Majesty. We need you too much.’ Surprised by his own boldness, the young man prostrated himself again.

  ‘What work did you do under the occupation?’

  ‘I looked after the temple garden, Majesty. It was not easy alone, but I avoided the worst.’

  ‘I appoint you head gardener of the Temple of Thoth. Employ assistants immediately, to return this place to its past splendour, and begin by clearing out the sacred well.’

  Ahhotep turned towards the door of the shrine.

  ‘Majesty, you … you aren’t going to enter that den of curses, are you?’

  Ahhotep knew Khmun was not yet truly free. The military victory had been won, but the emperor fought with other weapons, too. Once the well was emptied, the energy that came from the primordial ocean would again fill the temple. But she believed Apophis would not have been content with this simple measure. Inside there must be a device capable of preventing the Thebans from making further progress. He would probably have chosen the most famous place: the library where the writings of the god Thoth were kept, his divine words inspired by the Word of Light.

  As she walked through the great open-air courtyard, the queen felt an ache in her heart. The Hyksos had stored swords, armour and sacks of wheat there. The first covered hall was an even more distressing sight: the soldiers of darkness had turned it into latrines, and the stench of excrement was unbearable.

  Suddenly, she heard a low growl. She headed towards the sound and came to the door of the library. All around were engraved effigies of ibis-headed Thoth and of Seshat, Queen of the House of Books, crowned with a seven-pointed star.

  The growling became threatening. On the temple roof stood a she-leopard, the incarnation of the goddess Mafdet. Her role was to tear apart anyone who tried to violate the secrets of Thoth. On the ground lay bones covered in bloody Hyksos uniforms. After trying in vain to kill the divine animal, which no weapon could harm, the invaders had withdrawn, abandoning Mafdet’s victims where they lay. Surely the sacred books must be inaccessible for ever.

  Moving forward would make the animal attack, but going back was out of the question. Ahhotep absolutely had to go into the library, where the Jar of Predictions was kept. She had only one chance of pacifying the leopardess: to give her the menat-necklace of Hathor, in the hope that its power would turn her ferocity into gentleness.

  Keeping her eyes fixed on Mafdet, Ahhotep lifted the symbol of love towards her.

  At first, the leopard roared with rage, as if her prey were escaping, then she gave a howl of doubt and frustration, and then an incongruous mewling sound. Her terrifying deep voice had been reduced to the shrill sound of an irritated cat.

  Holding the magical necklace high, Ahhotep advanced to the threshold of the library. The leopard turned and walked calmly and elegantly away. The queen’s way was clear.

  She drew back the copper bolt and entered the ancient hall of archives, where rolls of papyrus were carefully arranged on shelves and in wooden chests. Thanks to Mafdet’s leopard, the writings of Thoth had escaped the barbarians.

  Calm now, the queen examined the treasures of the ancient library, but could not find any jars. She lingered over a text which evoked the creative powers of the universe: the invisible, darkness, infinite space and limitless waters, each of them possessing a masculine and feminine aspect. Contained within the primordial egg, these eight things were the principal secret of the priests of Thoth, through which it was possible to perceive the ultimate reality of life.

  For several hours, the queen forgot the war and devoted herself to the study of these inexhaustibly rich texts. While initiating herself into their mysteries and imbuing herself with their words of light, Ahhotep was still fighting. Overcoming Apophis required more than warlike qualities; she must also be the bearer of a spirituality which was powerful enough to dispel the night of tyranny and injustice.

  When she left the library, the town was celebrating, under the protection of the moon.

  Ten gardeners were working, supervised by their young overseer.

  ‘Majesty, you are alive!’ he cried. Thoth has guided your feet.’

  ‘Have you ever heard of the Jar of Predictions?’

  ‘Before he died, one of the priests told me that the Hyksos had taken it away to hide it in a tomb at Beni Hasan, from which it would never be recovered. But rumour has it that it was destroyed in the first days of the invasion.’

  ‘Don’t you want to join in the rejoicing?’

  ‘My life is here, Majesty, and I shan’t rejoice until the temple is as beautiful as it used to be. It will take months to clean everything, but I already have good assistants and we shall work every hour of the day.’

  ‘Can you read?’

  ‘Yes, Majesty. A priest taught me. I can write a little, too.’

  Ahhotep was thinking of another gardener, Seqen, who had become her husband and a great pharaoh, and who had died in the name of freedom.

  ‘Appoint one of your assistants to replace you,’ she ordered.

  The young man trembled. ‘Majesty, have I done something wrong?’

  ‘Shut yourself away in the library for as long as you need, in order to assimilate the message of Thoth. Then you
shall assume the office of High Priest at the temple of Khmun.’

  46

  Houses of eternity had been excavated in the cliff-face for the dignitaries of Beni Hasan, not far to the north of Khmun. This grand and lofty site looked out over a vast plain filled with palm-groves and villages served by canals. The majestic Nile flowed through it, forming elegant curves.

  Despite their fears, the Egyptian army had encountered no resistance. According to the local inhabitants, who were all overjoyed to welcome their liberators, the emperor’s soldiers had retreated from their positions two days earlier.

  This serenely beautiful place seemed peaceful, far removed from the war. The countryside’s tranquil charms were conducive to meditation. Nevertheless, though much preoccupied, Pharaoh Kamose deployed his troops as if they were about to face an immediate counter-offensive, both on land and from the river. No one, from Moon down to the simplest soldier, relaxed their guard for even a moment.

  ‘This is where the emperor has erected a barrier of curses,’ said Ahhotep. ‘No one must try to cross it.’

  ‘How can we destroy it?’ asked Kamose.

  ‘I must examine each tomb and find the one in which the Jar of Predictions has been placed.’

  ‘But supposing the Hyksos have destroyed it?’

  ‘Then we shall be blind and deaf.’

  ‘Let me come with you.’

  Ahhotep shook her head. ‘Stay here and lead your army. If the enemy attacks, you must be able to respond instantly.’

  She began to climb, watched by the soldiers. Some said that she was preparing to challenge a desert demon; others that she would combat evil spirits controlled by the emperor. The best-informed said that the continuation of the war depended on the confrontation between the Queen of Freedom and a dark force which was capable of eating away at the Thebans’ souls.

  As soon as she reached the rocky platform along which the tombs lay, Ahhotep knew that she had found the place where Apophis’s would-be barrier of curses had been erected. Her head felt as though it were caught in a vice, her legs were leaden and her breathing difficult. It was as if she had been plunged into hell, even though a gentle sun was making the green fields and the white limestone shine magnificently.