After the Priestess dried and perfumed me, she replaced my sheath and presented me with a lamb’s skin to represent my purity.
“I approve this Neophyte. Merit-Aten may move to the next level.”
She bowed. Netri received me at the next door. I walked between Pentu and Father beneath the pylons. Above, the night slate was written in stars mirroring this new script of my life. Then an apparition appeared.
The ghost white cat, Asgat, sat with nonchalance, licking her paw. When startled by our footsteps, she looked up with those same blue watery eyes. Why did she haunt me? My heart sang to her. I yearned to lay my face against her hairless chest.
I couldn’t scamper away after just completing this moving ritual.
So I held back. My feline took a step closer, her knowing eyes locked upon mine.
I smiled and my heart quickened. Oh, you little temptress, what trouble lies ahead when you are near?
I have come to protect you.
Engaged in muted conversation, Pentu and Netri discussed the contemplative truth of Aten apparently not noticing Asgat.
Come kitty. Come to the one who will love you, I ordered.
I stepped forward. If I could catch her quickly perhaps she wouldn’t struggle to break free.
No! Stay back. Stay back.
Confused, I fell back. The cat lept up in front of me. Paws splayed.
Oh, does she want to be my cat? I smiled.
Then something sped toward us with a swoosh.
“Move,” hollored Pentu, as he grabbed me by the sleeve and yanked hard forcing me to stumble backwards. A commotion ensued as people rushed and yelled. The struggle of voices razed our tranquil union. That wicked arrow struck hard, releasing an agonized cry. Someone dragged me away.
“Asgat, no!” I wailed.
My white ghost, pierced by the arrow, lay immersed in a pool of crimson blood. A gong sounded. A flurry of guards disbanded. A Priestess whisked us back to the room of my final initiation and barred the door. Heavy footsteps ran past. General Horemheb ordered the men to disperse. Out there lurked an assassin. Terrorist. Dissenter.
“Find him. Search Karnak,” the General commanded.
Father had scooped me up and rushed to safety. Since he regulated his life to one of moderation, any physical detour off that path made his heart race.
“Merit-Aten, you could have been killed,” he said in a tortured voice. I burst into sobs. “Asgat. I want my cat. We cannot leave her.”
“Beloved, it is not safe to go back,” said Netri.” There could be more assassins. It seems Sit-Amun nearly fulfilled her vile threats.”
Our physician remained composed. “Yes, Apuati, my Shining One, I feel her presence too.”
Netri sighed at Pentu’s understatement. “I could hear the arrow, Pentu, but mine is not the gift of speed. Indeed, you saved our lives this evening. For that kindness you shall be rewarded.” He rested his hand upon our doctor’s shoulder.
“Your life and your teachings reward me, Sire. I have no need for payment. Already I live in abundance and have ample food and clothing.”
A tear glistened in Pentu’s eye even though his manner remained unchanged. “Material wealth is of no interest to me. The teachings of the Aten are the only food I desire. Light of the Aten incarnate within your unique and precious soul, my Lord, must eternally sustain and reinvigorate the soul of Khemit.”
“Then your request will be fulfilled,” said my father.
“Why does Sit-Amun want to kill me?” I asked through my tears. Netri did not answer at first. My shoulders jerked and I cursed Sit-Amun for murdering my cat. I would never love again. First Hep-Mut, then Asgat.
What had we done? All I wanted to do was bring peace to Khemit. But the closing of the Amun Temples had created more violence, not peace. My dream seemed unreachable. I could not fulfill my promise to the Celestial Lords. This obligation weighed heavy as granite and seemed impossible to lift.
“You are the prophecy. The bringer of the dawn,” said Netri.
“Sire, these acts of terrorism will not stop,” said Pentu in an even tone, although he just delivered news that made my blood curdle.
“We have been spared by the will of Aten,” replied Netri.
“Ours is an open air temple,” Pentu said. “It will never be safe to worship in the House of Aten. It would be like slaughtering hatching chicks. We cannot put our temple priestesses in harm’s way.”
“What do you suggest? Aten must receive the offerings at the prescribed times of day. It is my duty to Aten and to the citizens of Khemit.” Netri sighed.
“Netri, we could move away from here and the assassins,” I said.
“We could move the rituals to the safety of the Malkata Palace,” suggested Pentu.
“It will imply that Aten is only for the elite or royalty who can afford to barricade themselves against anyone who intends harm. Do the commoners receive the same luxury? No, we will not segregate out of fear.”
“We could enclose the temple for greater protection,” suggested Khephri-Aten. “Overhead porticos could be added to shield us from future attacks.”
“It would block out the sun. We cannot retreat into the shadows,” said Netri.
“We could move. Move it all and just leave here,” I said with my voice rising in pitch.
“Move,” repeated my father with amusement. He hugged the shawl around him even though the mugginess of the night air lingered. “We could move.” This time he said it with more energy. “I had that same vision in my meditation tonight. Rebuild the Gem-pa-Aten and an entire city to our specifications dedicated solely to the worshipers of Aten.”
“Grand Djed moved his capitol from Memphis to Thebes,” I added.
“We would abandon Thebes? Abandon the Gem-pa-Aten?” asked Khephri-Aten. A worried look pained her face.
“A new city, a new life, and we could change all of Khemit. Nothing like this has ever been attempted. Do you understand the ramifications of breaking away from the Amun priesthood? They control Khemit financially, socially, politically, and religiously. It could all change,” said father as he bolted upright.
“This is far too hasty. It takes years of planning.” Pentu furiously scratched his head.
“I will need a star graph,” said Netri. “Summon the astronomer immediately to see if this is a propitious time to move. I request to have court with Amaret tonight. We must scan all of Khemit to find our new home.”
“Horemheb and Ra-Mesu must be advised, Your Majesty,” Pentu responded. “If you wish a discovery trip, then your military advisers must be forewarned. Perhaps in a month or two we shall consider this.”
“Five days. I expect that all be made ready. We shall tell the Amun Priests that I am going to Heliopolis for meditation.” My father used the tone that implied it would be futile to argue.
Arriving back at the Malkata Palace, we hastened to the private chambers of my mother. Father rapped upon her door and someone stirred within.
“Come let us in,” said Netri; his urgent knocks increased.
When she finally answered, she cracked her door open revealing her smudged makeup. A shuffling sound came from behind her. Perhaps she’d fallen asleep upon her couch while reading papyrus scrolls.
“Yes?” she asked. “It is late. I have already retired.”
“I wish to seek your audience. It is imperative,” said Netri with a formal air moving toward her door.
“Tonight?” Mother asked, perturbed. She looked down at my tearstained face but didn’t greet me.
“Yes, my Heart.”
“She glanced behind her. I shall have my attendant dress me and I shall meet you in the reception chamber.”
She closed the door. Netri and I glanced at each other; with the uncomfortable feeling we interrupted something. We averted our eyes.
“Let us go to the reception chamber and receive our guests,” said Netri. One by one the Council of Twelve arrived. The limestone floor had just been washed. Candl
es glistened in the orange-hued alabaster holders placed around the room. We sat upon our gilded thrones, ready for Father to proclaim his news.
“Merit-Aten passed her initiation at the Gem-pa-Aten tonight. She is our first candidate of our Aten Mystery School. Tonight we have begun to break the patriarchal Amun lineage. She will be the first feminine energy introduced into this male-dominated pattern.”
Everyone extended their blessings to me. Everyone present, except my own mother who sat with her jaw clenched.
My father continued, “It is my utmost regret that we also encountered an assassination attempt upon our lives tonight.”
The room broke into a chorus of shouts and questions. I glanced at my mother and it seemed that the coldness in her expression, changed to alarm.
“This is outrageous!” she exclaimed. “What happened?”
“An archer who perched upon the Karnak pylon almost earned his commission tonight. Fortunately, Pentu aborted the crime. No one was hurt. A life was taken though; Merit-Aten’s cat deliberately intercepted the arrow that was meant for my daughter.”
I felt my heart was drowning in sorrow. I waited all this time. My cat loved me. She wanted me. And now she is dead because of me. Was everyone doomed because of my love for them?
Ra-Mesu stood and grabbed the hilt of his sword.” I shall find the perpetrator and have him whipped and hung upside down from the pylon. That will send a message to any others who dare attempt these vile acts in the future.”
“This is very disturbing,” said Parrenefer.
“Next time you may not be as fortunate,” said Grand Djedti Ti-Yee.
“Precisely why I summoned you. I have had a vision that a new city dedicated entirely to the Aten will blossom. I decree that the Aten worshipers will leave Thebes. Everyone who wishes to live in harmony and peace shall join us.” His voice rose with optimism. We couldn’t help but share his dream.
“Where do you propose we go? Upper Khemit already has an established government and territories. We would be unwise to be too close to any bordering countries, because our enemies could outnumber us,” said Ra-Mesu. “After all, Sire, you have not yet established a standing army to protect Khemit’s frontiers. And while I honored your request, this has weakened our boundaries, making us susceptible to invasion.”
“Our astronomer will draw a star graph to assist in choosing this new land. It must be upon a positive energy matrix to allow us the best possible outcome,” Netri stated.
“I see a site like no other yet established,” said Amaret, who stared trance-like into the distance. “A central location, yet we will have the protection of the Aten who will watch over us like a radiant beacon of light.”
“How will we find this promised land?” asked Ra-Mesu. “Should I send my best scavengers out to search for it? We could send an envoy to ensure that the land and passage will be safe.”
“No, we shall set sail and it will be shown to us,” replied Netri.
“Do you wish to take the royal barge,” asked Meti, “after the near-fatal attempt upon your lives? Would you risk having your daughter knock on death’s door by sailing in full view of all we pass?”
Netri paled. “Of course not. I would not jeopardize Merit’s life or anyone else’s. My advisors are rebuilding the ship to keep us safe.”
Meti sniffed.
The icy chill of her voice froze all warmth in my heart. She had shut the window to her soul and left me standing outside. Oh, Mother forgive me. I wanted to throw myself at her feet and pound my chest with closed fists. I’d beg for her to look at me. If given the choice between an initiation and the love of my mother, then of course I would prostrate myself to regain her adoration.
* * *
Five nights later, barges laden with supplies anchored in the Thebes harbor.
First, the guards escorted Meti to a plain barge strapped with food. Elaborate special cabins built in the lower deck housed Meti, Meket-Aten, Ankh-es-en-pa-Aten and attendants. I was assigned to the servant’s boat along with Parrenefer and Amaret. My beautiful cabin was painted in turquoise, the color now dearest to my heart. In order to offer the greatest protection for my father, the craftsmen designed his barque with an interior skin of metal. This would ensure that long range military archers would be unable to penetrate his boat. He had a custom-made bed built within another metal casing in the lower deck.
Our disguised flotilla journeyed upstream. Paddles sliced the water, and only a lone stork flying overhead sent us off under the grace of the ebony sky. Perhaps because Amaret saw the pain locked within the prison of my heart, she took pity.
“Merit-Aten, come look upon this land with another type of vision.” With hesitation, I rose and heeded the warning of not gazing directly into her eyes. I sat at her dirty feet on deck beneath the canopy of stars. “Your Majesty,” she said, “May I lay my hands upon your head?” Her hands were outstretched, ready to perform the deed. “You may.” She laid the warmth of her hands upon my temples and made soft grunting noises as she assessed my abilities. Occasionally she peppered the unintelligible sounds with ‘good.’ I could sense that energy poured in through the top of my head, as if some unseen hand watered a parched flower. Then she tapped my forehead three times.
“What do you see?” she asked.
Did she want me to tell her about the barques surrounding ours?
I told her about the stars in their configuration above us in the filament, and the color of the waves as they slapped upside the boats.
“No,” said Amaret with a sudden harshness. “You sound like you have an empty naos,” she said referring to the dockhouse on the top deck of a barque.
“You think I’m not intelligent?” I said clenching my jaw and thrusting my hands upon my hips.
“Do not bore me with the obvious. What surrounds me has no interest to me. Tell me the unseen. The way we earn our living is to perceive what others cannot.” She popped a pistachio nut in her mouth and spit out the shell.
Oh, this would be too difficult. The unseen, the veiled, the disguised. I stammered, fearing her judgment of my rudimentary skills. Amaret would be a difficult teacher to please; my intellect wouldn’t impress this wizened elder as it had my teachers in the Harem school.
I tried to find something that would shine from the light of the stars above. Shadows showered the shoreline. Unremarkable fishing boats passed us. Desperate to find something to offer her, I looked for a perch wagging about under the water; or a hunched black bird atop a clutch of papyrus umbels.
“If you find it difficult then close your eyes,” said Amaret as she spit out another shell, which whizzed past my ear.
“Close my eyes? If I shut my eyes then it will be impossible to see anything at all,” I argued, even as I averted my eyes like Grand Djedti taught me.
Amaret stiffened upon the stool. “Merit-Aten, you make me weary.”
“I closed them,” I said, not wanting to displease the only friend amenable to me.
Pictures formed in my mind. Movement. Yes, a clatter of feet behind the trees on the shore. “Feet,” I said. “Our soldiers. I can see our insignia upon their shields. Counselor Ra-Mesu rides in a shining chariot pulled by two thundering horses. And General Horemheb and his scouts scour the opposite shore.” I peeked to see her reaction.
“Good. Continue,” she said, as she rotated three balls in her hand and turned them over and over. “Ra-Mesu, such a master of deception, devised the plan of traveling in our barges disguised as fishing boats.”
Shadow of the Sun (The Shadow Saga) Page 21