Stories from their remote childhood village recount the powers the twin girls had. They could talk with each other across great distances without using words. The most controversial claim was their ability to swap powers. Was this true or just an embellishment of a good story to make it even better? Observations from the villagers suggested that one of the girls was mortal and one had special powers. Each girl seemed physically identical in everyway. It seemed that only one girl could have the special powers. Based upon need they seemed to have the ability to transfer the powers between them. The story starts to get interesting if you choose to believe the jealous elders of the village. They would observe the girls and occasionally test them. They were fearful they had Gods living among them. On a cool evening a group of men attacked one of the twins. She ran to a bowl of water submerging her hands rather than defending her self. As soon as her hands touched the water her attackers fell into large piles of sand.
The elders realized that water was the key. The Mother of the twins first encountered their Father while bathing in water. Water was the conduit required for the twins to exchange their powers. An angry mob from the village turned upon the Mother killing her in a brutal fashion. The twin girls flooded the valley in a fit of rage and revenge. The flood eradicated the village; killing most that lived there. The girls needed a new home and settled in a small village in southern Egypt. Through the delivery of good deeds the twins struck a happy balance with the village elders. The villagers were commissioned to build a palace upon the hill. The twins moved into the palace and were never seen in public again. Many believe their Father was a God. He would come to visit them and it is said that he enjoyed the palace greatly. Many villagers still believe he uses the palace today as his home in the mortal world. The latest musings from the secret societies describe the great Magician of the south as one of the old Gods. Over time the legend of the Magician known as En has grown. Today the Magician is known as the greatest Magician of the south.
The Nesu had never bothered En since his promise, so the request for help came as a surprise. He needed to keep up appearances and dispatched a group of guards to bring the Magician to the palace. Nesu Narmer informed Bes that his group would have different instructions. He would not be able to see the powerful Magician. En could turn them all to stone at will; so force was not an option. They would need to travel to the palace on the hill. They would have to go to the black tree stump and request a meeting by talking to the tree. The Magician would entrust Bes with a powerful and important gift. He must bring this gift back to the royal palace for the Nesu. It would be too dangerous for the Magician to travel back to the royal palace. Their task would be to simply bring the gift back to the palace.
Bes accepted his Nesu’s assignment. With fear bubbling in his heart, his group left under the cover of darkness. Two moons later, against the villagers’ recommendations, he found himself facing the black twisted tree stump. He had instructed his fellow guards to wait at the halfway point. He looked at the twisted tortured faces etched in the grain of the dark wood. He was aware of the legendary challenge from the Magician of the north.
“I’ve been sent by Nesu Narmer. I come in peace and request that you listen to my message.” Bes shouted at the tree. To his left was a large wooden door but his instructions were to talk to the tree. The door started to open and he was unsure of the best course of action. Bes fell to his knees with his head bowed. He lifted his eyes slightly and could see a figure walking towards him. In the few brief seconds allowed his eyes saw a small figure dressed in a long blue robe. A hood was hiding the figure’s head and face. “Keep your eyes down as a mark of respect,” he thought.
The figure approached quickly and bent to the floor. Raising his eyes slightly he could see an object in front of him. The figure turned without speaking and retreated back to the palace. Bes pushed his heavy frame from his knees and fell forwards towards the object. The object was a small Golden box, no bigger than his fist. A lid with a small clasp sealed it. Bes was curious and wanted to see what was inside. He knew he must not open it. He was petrified about the ramifications of opening the box. Perhaps he would turn into a black twisted tree stump? He decided not to betray his Nesu and the Magician’s trust. He grabbed the small heavy box and rejoined the guards at the halfway point. Curious, the guards asked for details of his encounter. They were disappointed with the description of events that Bes relayed. Fearing he was hiding the truth his fellow guards probed for details about their exchange. Throughout the journey back to the palace Bes guarded the Golden box with his life.
* * * * *
Chapter 7: The Jewelry Maker
Upper Egypt, 3150 B.C.
The Nesu had started his day early leaving his Queen sleeping. It was highly unusual for him to rise first. This was usually a sign of a restless night but he had slept soundly. He had risen to consult with an old sage and trusted advisor. The servants noticed he looked pensive and in no mood for delays. This message rippled through the ranks like an out of control wildfire. The Nesu was pleased that the steady rain was helping to lift the mood of the nation.
The Queen was now fully aware of the serious nature of her Nesu’s duties. She knew he would be tired and irritable. They had talked until late which may explain why she had not heard him leave. The Nesu had left Queen Nithotep detailed instructions for the day’s events. She recognized that he had trusted her completely. It was the first time that she was trusted with important details. He had given her information in the past but it was always vague and lacked specifics. She was unsure if he felt she would not understand. Perhaps knowledge of such information would place her in danger. Perhaps he did not trust her. She was always unsure and it was unsettling. Today she felt compelled to deliver upon the promises she had made. She needed to repay his faith in her. She would rather face death than let him down.
When Nithotep was a young girl her Mother called her into her quarters. She was always allowed to play games with the palace children. That day was unusual; she was called in far too early. She recalled feeling angry with her Mother for cutting short her playtime. She had earned this time by completing her daily studies. She ran into her Mother’s quarters. She saw three soldiers and a priest getting ready to leave. Nithotep’s Mother looked distraught and upset. What had these men done? Her Mother grabbed her and hugged her tight, sobbing uncontrollably. She learned later that her Father, Nesu of the north had fallen in a hunting accident. Nithotep’s life would change immediately. She was now Queen of the north, ruler of northern Egypt. Her Mother knew that she would be vulnerable. She surrounded Nithotep with advisors and aides. This tight knit group would serve her well and protect the palace of the north. As time passed the number of significant threats increased. The north looked vulnerable to a military invasion. Nithotep was no warrior and it would be difficult for her to inspire her country through war. The boat people were threatening and the south grew powerful under a young charismatic Nesu.
Nithotep’s Mother consulted with her advisors and they suggested a daring plan. Nithotep was now a beautiful young woman. She had been shielded from the advances of men. Her Mother knew that feelings were stirring deep within her Daughter. She had seen the fleeting glances towards some of the ruggedly handsome soldiers. Her crafty Mother arranged a royal visit to promote trade and commerce. She arranged a visit to the south of Egypt to meet the boy Nesu. A large contingent of politicians, generals and tradesmen accompanied the royal visit. This added to the air of officialdom. The hidden agenda was to flaunt Nithotep’s beauty in front of the boy Nesu. He would not be able to resist. A marriage of convenience would be a palatable solution to a growing threat.
Nithotep’s Mother stressed the importance of trading across territories. She talked about the sustainment of prosperity for the north. She did not mention an arranged marriage to Nithotep. She would just let human nature work through those details. It was the fateful morning that Nithotep was to meet the boy Nesu. Her Mother had primed her on the i
mportance of the trade mission. To make this a success she was not to talk trade. Her part of the mission was to complete a royal visit. A trade mission would be deemed more important if it involved royalty. Nithotep had to look her best; she would be representing the north of Egypt.
Nithotep was bathed in sweet smelling oils. She was adorned in the finest fabrics. She was conservatively dressed, leaving lots to the imagination. Her hair was brushed and decorated with brightly colored flowers. She wore decorated sandals and a gold belt. Her eyes were accentuated with black liner. She was covered in the finest jewelry. She was irresistible and the stage had been set. The boy Nesu and the Queen of the north were introduced and the energy flowed. They fell in love the moment they saw each other. They met many times after that and talked for hours sharing their life’s experiences and their dreams. Nithotep’s Mother smiled when they met. The boy Nesu could not keep his eyes away from Nithotep’s beautiful face. To have her Daughter fall in love was a welcome bonus. She glanced at the boy Nesu’s chief advisor. Amman knew the game being played. Amman watched the pair interact and slid his eyes towards Nithotep’s Mother. He smiled knowingly. He had to concede this one. He would be unable to advise his Nesu to move in a different direction. The more he thought through an alliance the more it made sense. He could see it, both north and south in a unified Egypt. He just smiled knowingly.
At first Nithotep was scared of the boy Nesu. He had so much power and was regarded as a God, placed here in the mortal realm. So many stories circulated about this young man. Many were propaganda; cleverly constructed to form an image. At every opportunity, the boy Nesu would sneak a look at Nithotep. Their union was simply a matter of time.
* * * * *
Upper Egypt, 3150 B.C.
Nithotep maintained an air of normalcy as that fateful morning unfolded. She followed her usual morning routine meticulously. She was determined not to raise the suspicion of the royal palace staff. When she dispatched the daily duties she made a point of assigning Bener-ib the lightest duties. Bener-ib looked confused and wondered if the Queen was trying to send a message. The palace resumed its normal activities. Nithotep asked Aya to come to her quarters.
Aya approached with a growing feeling of doubt swirling around in her stomach. She replayed the previous days in her head; she searched for mistakes or inappropriate comments. Looking for an explanation, she thought about her most recent conversations with the Queen. What had she done wrong? She thought she had a good relationship with Nithotep but this morning’s events did not feel right. Nithotep was always the Queen and she maintained a distance. She never really shared her feelings with her aides. She was a private person and never shared any information about the Nesu. She knew the dangers and took her position seriously. Occasionally when she was in a playful mood she would joke with Aya, but it was always on her terms and it would only go so far. That morning Nithotep appeared normal in every way. Aya had many occasions to observe Nithotep’s behavioral patterns. She would know if she were happy, sad, moody or hurt. Aya had years of observational history to formulate her opinion. She had learned to recognize subtle cues, giveaways that indicate stress, displeasure, joy and sadness. A woman of Aya’s standing is often expected to be present but not heard. Under these conditions observing the slightest nuance is a form of mental stimulation. Nithotep had been highly efficient in her morning routine but she had a cold air about her. This usually meant that she was plotting to do something. One significant change to the morning routine had not escaped the diligent Aya. When Nithotep dispatched the daily tasks, Aya had paid attention. Nithotep had allocated tasks to the staff efficiently loading them with a full day’s work schedule. Bener-ib had managed to leave with only a few desirable tasks. She had effectively given Bener-ib the day off. Why had the Queen decided to do this? This surprised Aya, especially after watching her struggle to contain her feelings of hatred the day before. Perhaps the Queen had planned an approached, to exact her revenge. Yes that had to be it. The cunning Queen had orchestrated a light day for Bener-ib so she could administer punishment, when it suited her most. Aya had concluded the imminent conversation must relate to the planning of revenge. She would get to hear specific details requiring her immediate attention to help the Queen. Aya smiled as she thought about the prospect of Bener-ib feeling the wrath of the Queen – she deserved it. No woman should disrespect the Queen that way, no matter how beautiful you are. Beauty in a woman always means power; in this situation the Queen will always win.
If Aya were truthful, she would have to admit a strong feeling of jealousy towards Bener-ib’s beauty. She saw the admiring glances received from the palace guards. Men always tried to be subtle and hide their stares, but they were so predictable. Even women would look at her, studying her features in a different way. Aya was looking forward to hearing what the Queen had planned. She would execute her part of this plan with extreme efficiency, discreetness and pleasure.
Aya walked through a large greeting room and entered the Queen’s quarters. She walked between two large male guards, stationed either side of a grand marble entrance. As predicted the guards moved their eyes and followed Aya’s swaying body. Aya smiled knowing men were truly the weaker of the sexes. Maintaining the forward direction of her cold stare, she scanned the room to find the Queen. Nithotep was outside on the balcony. Each morning a black bird with long skinny legs and a long feathered tail would appear on her balcony. He had wide feet and looked gangly. He had bright yellow eyes and black pupils. He was not like the rest; he was fearless. He would show caution but would approach further than the rest. He would always return to the balcony first after being spooked. Eventually he grew to trust Nithotep; he would come looking for bread and fruit. She would feed him and looked forward to his visit. Many felt this was a bad omen but Nithotep dismissed this as superstition. She gave him the last piece of bread and turned to go inside. Nithotep appeared from the balcony, her left arm extended as she brushed the sheers. The sheers provided a flimsy barrier between the balcony and her indoor quarters. She walked over to a small desk and pulled out a chair. The Queen was efficient and barely stopped to acknowledge Aya.
The desk supported a vase. It was made from brown pottery and held a vibrant bouquet of freshly gathered blue lotus flowers. The flower’s intense fragrance scented the room. The blue flowers had pointed petals, fanned like a wide saucer. Green stems with large disc-like leaves supported the beautiful flowers. Aya stood motionless, her head was down and her arms were at her side. Her palms were exposed, because she had positioned them to face forward. The Queen demanded her eyes face downwards and her arms were visible with palms open. With this approach, the Queen could assess the likelihood of any weapon carried by the hands. It was the known protocol for greeting the Queen. This protocol was only extended to her inner most trusted servants. Strangers had more severe measures. Aya felt awkward; something did not feel right. She assumed the Queen was still upset with Bener-ib.
The Queen held a delicate chair made from wood and reeds. She motioned for Aya to sit. “Sit, please. I need you to do something important for me.”
Aya moved towards the chair. She sat, allowing the corners of her mouth to curl upwards at the edges. “Here it comes, my clever Queen is about to give Bener-ib what she deserves,” thought Aya.
“You know I trust you Aya,” said Nithotep resting a hand on Aya’s left shoulder. “You’ve been a loyal servant and I appreciate that. Now I need to ask you to do something for me. You must follow my instructions but you must never talk about my request. It never occurred. You could leak this request through idle discussion or a momentary lapse in concentration. If this information escapes from your mouth, you will leave me with only one course of action. Do you understand what I’m saying or do I need to make my words clearer?” Nithotep did something that she had never done within the ten years Aya had served her. Nithotep circled the chair until she was standing in front of Aya. She reached forward and grabbed Aya’s chin, tilting her face upwards.
The Queen leaned inwards placing her pretty face inches from Aya’s. Her long black hair fell forwards providing a dark frame for her beautiful face. Her brown eyes widened as she watched Aya struggling to avoid direct eye contact. When Aya averted her eyes the Queen would adjust her chin. It made it impossible not to look straight into her piercing stare. Aya had to look directly into the Queen’s hypnotic brown eyes. Aya could see the determination etched in her Queen’s face.
She struggled to move her face. The Queen gripped her chin with her strong hand. Aya managed to signal her compliance by shaking her head. The Queen did not need to make it clearer to Aya. She would die if she betrayed her trust. The Queen broke her stare and released Aya’s chin.
The Skin of the Gods Page 9