The Amarnan Kings, Book 4: Scarab - Ay

by Overton, Max

  Nebhotep paused and stared into the gloom. "Don't be a fool, lad. Those are priestesses, not ghosts." He grinned, and slapped Khu gently on the shoulder. "I sometimes forget you are a superstitious farmer at heart."

  "I am not," Khu hissed, "But everyone knows spirits exist. Are you telling me you don't believe?"

  "I believe in the evidence of my eyes and I have yet to see a ghost--or a god, for that matter."

  "You are a fool if you deny the goddess in her own temple," the young priestess said calmly. "Now follow, and keep silent."

  She led the two men to a chamber deep within the precinct and left them, bidding them wait for she who bade them come.

  "Y...you mean the goddess?" Khu asked, but the girl had already slipped away, leaving them alone. The chamber was narrow but long, and a shaft of light from an opening high above pierced the gloom, illuminating Khu and Nebhotep but leaving the far end of the chamber in inky blackness.

  Nebhotep slowly turned on his heel and examined the bare stone walls but made no move to investigate the bounds of the room. He craned his neck, staring up toward the opening in the ceiling. "Impressively done," he murmured. "It makes you feel small and insignificant in the eyes of the goddess."

  "I already felt that," Khu muttered. "Now I feel like a great foot is going to appear and squash us like ants."

  "Don't let it play on your nerves, lad. I have seen this done before. It is all just trickery performed by priests. Believe me; this is not of god, but of man." Nebhotep smiled wryly. "Or should I say--of woman?"

  "I don't think you should be saying such things in the temple. It is blasphemy."

  "Oh, I have the greatest respect for the gods," Nebhotep said mildly, "And for Auset especially, seeing we are in her house, but never confuse the deities with their servants. The gods are necessarily holy, whereas a priest or priestess may be just human."

  "You believe in the gods then?" Khu asked. "I thought you were a disbeliever. You are always telling me prayer is useless when healing the sick."

  "Not useless, Khu. I have never said that. It has a very useful function in comforting the patient and the family. What it cannot do is mend a broken bone, cure the plague or stem the bloody flux."

  "Other physicians use prayers. They write prayers on papyrus scraps that are bound over the wound."

  "Yes, and they charge their patients gold to do it. It benefits the physicians more than the patients."

  "So you do not pray to the gods?"

  "Yes, I do. I may never have seen a god but that does not mean I am certain they do not exist. Someone has to keep the sun moving across the sky, the river flowing and the plants growing. It's just that I don't think the gods are very concerned with our petty troubles."

  "That is where you are wrong, Nebhotep." A woman's voice floated out of the darkness at the end of the room, startling both men.

  "What? Who's there?" Nebhotep took several paces into the gloom as if he might catch sight of the speaker. Once beyond the shaft of light that fell from above, however, he could see nothing, and stopped. "Is...is that the young priestess?"

  "It's Scarab," Khu said. "Her voice is different but I'd know her anywhere."

  "Dear Khu," the voice said. "I have missed you...you too, Nebhotep."

  "If you are indeed Scarab, then show yourself. The Scarab I know would not play tricks on her friends."

  "In a moment. Who was that man that entered the temple with you?"

  Nebhotep shook his head. "I don't know. I didn't even know he was there until the priestess spoke."

  "That's the truth, Scarab," Khu added. "He's a stranger."

  "How did you know I would be here?"

  "We didn't. We overheard Nakhtmin talking to Ay and telling him that you were alive...how did you survive, lady? We...we heard...stories of your death."

  "Later. You were saying you overheard Nakhtmin? Saying what exactly?"

  "That you, or someone like you, were known to be living with the Shechites and visited the temple of Auset in Iunu from time to time. We don't know where the Shechites live so we came here looking."

  "So, it seems, did this other man. No doubt he is Nakhtmin's spy."

  Nebhotep nodded. "It's likely, but I don't think we were followed."

  "From what you tell me, he wouldn't need to. I must rethink my comings and goings."

  "Will you not show yourself, Scarab?"

  The darkened end of the chamber was palpably silent.

  "We are your friends. You have no need to hide from us."

  A deep sigh gusted from the gloom. "Because you are my friends it may be better if you don't see me. If you don't see me, you cannot betray me to Ay."

  "You think so little of us?" Nebhotep asked, his voice betraying his hurt.

  "Let us leave," Khu said. "That woman hiding in the shadows is not Scarab. She would not insult us so." He tugged at the physician's arm and turned away.

  "Wait. Please." Faint sounds emanated from the shadows and something moved at the limits of visibility. "Forgive me."

  Nebhotep glanced at his companion, who shrugged. "Come out then. Friends do not hide from each other."

  The movement in the shadows became clearer and a hooded, cloaked figure approached slowly. It stood in front of them with head bowed and hands clasped in front.

  "Are you so grievously hurt?" Nebhotep asked. "We are physicians. We are used to...to injury and mutilation."

  "We? Isn't this Khu the dirt farmer?"

  Nebhotep smiled. "He's training to be a physician. As soon as I work out how to get him admitted to a School of Life, he'll take his examinations."

  "Khu the physician. It has a nice sound. It is good that you are making a life for yourselves, for I have nothing to offer. Not even to friends."

  "We didn't come looking for favours," Khu growled. "We came because we were concerned for your well-being and we thought we might be able to help."

  The figure sighed again. "Once more I apologise. I've forgotten what it is like to have true friends."

  "Getting back to the matter of your clothing, Scarab," Nebhotep enquired gently. "Are you badly hurt? Scarred?"

  "I was, but the gods of Iunu healed me, blessed me." The figure lifted slim hands to the hood and pushed it back. The sun-darkened features of Scarab gazed down on them.

  "Scarab, by the gods, it is good to see you...but...I can see no injury. Has your healing been that complete?" Nebhotep stepped a pace closer, but Khu clutched at his arm, holding him back.

  "You are Scarab, but you are not Scarab," Khu said, sorrow tingeing his voice. "Something has changed."

  Nebhotep frowned and then he snapped his fingers as recollection swept over him. "Of course. Forgive me, lord king." He dropped to his knees in front of Scarab, and a moment later Khu joined him, unhappiness written over his face.

  "Health, Life, Prosperity. May you reign over the Two Lands for a million years, King Neferkheperu Khnumt-Atum Kheper."

  "Oh, get up, both of you. Since when have I ever asked you to bow before me? I'm not about to start now."

  The two men rose to their feet but stood awkwardly, unsure of how to behave. "Er...you are well, lady...lord king?" Nebhotep asked.

  Scarab scowled. "You can stop that for a start. My name is Scarab and you will call me by that name. I may be the anointed king of Kemet but I can scarcely claim the throne. At least not until I get rid of Ay."

  "Get rid of Ay and the people will flock to you, lord...Scarab. Have you...your eye...what's wrong with it?" Nebhotep moved closer and peered at her face. "Why do you keep it closed?"

  "Ay's steward blinded me in that eye, bursting it upon my cheek. I would have died in the desert had it not been for Geb."

  "Geb?" Khu asked. "You mean the god?"

  "Yes. He gave me a new eye."

  Nebhotep rubbed his chin with one hand, trying to choose his words carefully. "My lord...Scarab...if you say Geb healed you then of course he healed you...but...it's not unknown for people to claim a miracle when s
ome lucky circumstance...for instance, the dry desert air could have shrivelled your eye, preventing rot and death. If you want to say Geb healed you, then why not, but we should not..."

  "He healed it literally, Nebhotep, by a single touch of his hand."

  Khu gaped. "You saw the god?"

  "Yes, and the others of the Nine. They each blessed me."

  "Why? Forgive me, Scarab, but why?"

  "I'm not sure. It may have something to do with Atum appearing to me when I was first in Iunu. You were with me then, Khu."

  "Yes, but I saw no god."

  "He spoke to me. Later, in the desert, Auset told me I was to perform a service for her."

  "Well, the ways of the gods are mysterious at best and it's not given to man to understand them," Nebhotep commented. "Perhaps they appear to you because you're an anointed king."

  "You think they appear to Ay too?" Khu asked.

  "Perhaps Set does," Nebhotep said with a grin.

  "Not Set," Scarab said. "He is of the Nine and has given me his gift."

  Khu whistled. "What was his gift?"

  "That's between me and the god. Now, what am I to do with you? It would not be fair to drag you around the desert with me. I'm seldom in one place for two nights in a row."

  "I don't mind," Khu said. "I want to be with you and help you."

  Nebhotep nodded his agreement. "We could be useful. But first, let me see your injured eye."

  "There's no need. Geb healed me completely."

  "You can see with it?"

  Scarab hesitated. "No, but..."

  "Then you may still need a physician. Let me examine it." Hesitantly, Nebhotep laid his hands on her arm and drew her into the shaft of sunlight. He gently turned her face to the side and lifted her right eyelid with a fingertip. "Oh gods of Kemet, what have you done to her?"

  "What is it?" Khu asked from behind him. He peered over the physician's shoulder and gasped.

  The shaft of pure white sunlight from the temple roof struck down at the smooth glistening gem within Scarab's right eye socket, sending coruscations of gold, amber and yellow light across the walls of the chamber. For a moment, a golden nimbus seemed to play around the waves of reddish hair on Scarab's head. Nebhotep stepped back with a hoarse cry and fell to his knees.

  "King Khnumt-Atum Kheper, ruler of the Two Lands and beloved of the gods of Kemet," the physician croaked, his eyes wide with wonder. "Be merciful to your loyal subjects."

  Khu stepped back also, but the look on his face was one of delight. "It's beautiful," he cried. "Thus do I imagine the glory of the Queen of Heaven. We are blessed indeed to witness this sight."

  Scarab closed her eye and the golden glow shut off abruptly. She was left standing in the vertical beam of sunlight, an ordinary cloaked and robed young woman with a pleasant smile on her face. "Come, enough of this, dear friends," she said, stretching out her arms to the two men. "You're welcome to come with me, but we must leave immediately. Ay's men may try to follow and it is a day holy to Auset. I wouldn't like to have to spill their blood on her day."

  Scarab led Khu and Nebhotep out of the chamber into the cool recesses of the temple. The young priestess appeared immediately, bowing and clasping her hands together in respect. Scarab bade her delay the man who had sought to enter the temple, and then to hint that the other men had, in company with a hooded woman, set off for Zarw.

  "Have my companions' sandals brought to the eastern portal," Scarab added.

  "It will be done as you command, holy one," said the priestess. She bowed again and hurried off, calling for her servants.

  "I take it we are not going to Zarw?" Nebhotep asked.

  "No indeed. We are journeying to the land of the Shechites in the Peninsula of Sin. I must warn them that the eyes of Ay are upon them."

  "And then?"

  "And then we shall see."

  Return to Contents

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  Chapter Twenty-One

  The bouncing of the war-chariot over the stony ground brought cries of delight from the young boy standing on the platform. His head barely topped the bronze-edged surround and he gripped the rail tightly, his sandaled feet making only intermittent contact with the taut leather straps and wickerwork beneath him. Standing behind the boy and enclosing his body protectively in his arms, General Paramessu guided the chariot carefully over the desert, hurtling between the marching legions of the northern army. He smiled at the boy's cries and lifted his own voice in a great shout of exultation. The marching men answered, cheering their beloved commander and his young son.

  "Are you alright, Seti?" Paramessu asked, looking down at the small shaved head and auburn sidelock of his only son. The sight of the red-tinted hair made his stomach clench, as it always did, a constant reminder of the boy's mother. His wife Tia provided love and attention and was in all ways a true mother to Seti, but his looks spoke of the now extinct royal family. Who knows if she is still alive ? Do I even care ?

  "Go round again, father. Please. But faster this time."

  Paramessu grunted, his fingers reading the condition of the horses through the taut reins. "It's dangerous. A sharp turn can break a wheel."

  Set laughed, high and clear. "Not with you driving, father. Please?"

  "Hold on then." Paramessu urged the two horses towards the Heru legion. Over the tossing manes he could see the faces of the soldiers grow apprehensive and then alarmed as they closed on them. Abruptly, he reined back, dragging the high-spirited horses to the right, the chariot bucking and skidding behind them as they slewed around. He heard the wheels protesting, squealing, and a splintering crack as a spoke shattered under the strain. The chariot lurched and Seti yelled with excitement, pounding his fists on the railing. Then they were racing along the face of the column, showering the marching soldiers with dust, stones and foam from the sweating horses.

  "Again, father, again!"

  "That's enough for now, son." Paramessu slowed the team to a trot and then down to a walk. He caught the disappointed look in the boy's eyes and explained. "Never push horses or men past the point they can bear. We'll come out again later with a fresh team."

  Seti nodded, satisfied, and pointed to the rear of the column. "There's somebody else in a chariot." He shaded his eyes with a small hand. "He's not as skilled as you."

  "Flatterer," Paramessu said with a grin. "That'll be Nu and he's one of the best charioteers I have." He watched as the team raced toward them. "What's so urgent, I wonder."

  Nu raised a hand in salutation as he swept toward the other chariot. "General, Lord Paramessu!" he called. He swung wide and then brought his team around in a graceful curve, pulling alongside his commander's vehicle. He saluted Paramessu gravely before grinning and saluting the boy. "Lord Seti."

  "What is so urgent, Nu? Or do the men of my legions have so little to do that they can find the time to show off in their chariots?"

  "No sir. It is Lord Horemheb, sir. He is in base camp and demands your presence."

  Paramessu started to swear before remembering the presence of his son. "He wasn't supposed to be here for another two days. Alright, I will take your team and return to camp. Follow along with my son and take it slowly. We snapped a spoke on the left wheel."

  "Take me with you, father. I won't slow you down and I want to see Lord Horemheb."

  "You do? Why?"

  "I have heard you talk of him, and I listen to what the men say." Seti hesitated. "They say he is almost as good a general as you."

  "Flattery is one thing, Seti, lying is another. You know very well the men say Horemheb is the better general." Paramessu stared down at his young son. "It's time you met him, I think." He picked up the boy and stepped across between the chariots, handing Nu the reins with his other hand. The charioteer looked startled but recovered quickly, thrusting his own reins into his commander's hands before leaping across the gap between the now-diverging chariots.

  "See you back at camp, Nu, and remember what I said about the left wheel
." Paramessu shook the reins and the horses leapt forward, the chariot heading back along the marching column of men toward the base camp. He ignored the calls and cheers of the men, being engrossed in thought. Seti took it as the honour due to his position as son of the General and waved back, his face split with a great grin.

  Why is Horemheb early? He never does anything without a reason. Has something happened to Ay? What will he want me to do? Will I do it ? Paramessu weighed the possibilities as he did so often, but as usual came to no decision. I stand with Horemheb but do I stand with him if he opposes the king? That way is chaos, but can I refuse him ?

  A small guard had been left behind at the base camp while the legions were on exercises, and they were all on duty, looking very nervous, as Paramessu guided the chariot through the entry port. He threw the reins to a groom and jumped down, putting his hand out to help his young son to the ground.

  "I can do it, father." Seti brushed down his kilt and dodged his father's move to pick him up. "I want to walk. I should meet Lord Horemheb as a man, not a child."

  Paramessu, despite his apprehension, stifled a grin. "So you should, my boy." He led the way to his tent, where he could see one of Horemheb's men on guard. The soldier saluted the general and the boy and held open the tent flap for them.

  Horemheb sat at Paramessu's worktable. He had pushed several papyrus rolls to one side and drummed on the ivory-topped surface with the fingers of his right hand, while the fingers of his left curled around a wine cup. The old general looked up but made no move to rise as the man and boy entered.

  "Where have you been? And why is your army on the march? I gave no such orders."

  "Indeed, Lord Horemheb," Paramessu replied coolly. "I was given to understand that the command of the Northern Army allowed me certain freedoms of action, like actually training my men or combating the enemy."

  Horemheb grunted. "And which is this?"

  "A bit of both. A show of force to give the Amorites pause, and an exercise to keep the men's minds and bodies sharp."