Akua’s voice grew shaky.
“Nefertet, Pamu was the name of my beautiful friend.”
Nefertet put her right hand on Akua’s chest and her other hand on the baby’s back.
“In our son, we will hold dear the memory of your friend. I wish I could have known him.”
Akua thought of his friend’s parents. He hoped they would be proud of the way their son was now being honored. Akua shed a tear or two as he thought about it. Softly, he kissed Nefertet on the lips.
“Thank you and thank Tyla for naming the child Pamu. Your mother told me that you have kept my house while I was away.”
“Yes. It helped me deal with you being away. But it also helped me hold on for your return.”
“Then lets gather your things, take little Pamu and go to our home.”
Walking into the house made them both ecstatic. Since Egyptian law did not require a formal marriage ceremony, moving into Akua’s house marked their marriage.
“I’m so glad to be home. It looks like it did when I left. Sit down on the couch and listen to what I have learned” Akua said to Nefertet.
Nefertet sat down, Pamu still in her arms, on the edge of the couch. Akua was acting in confidence and Nefertet hoped she would hear why.
“As you know, I traveled to Greece just recently. For most of that time, I studied in Athens. Although I was succumbing to voluntary exile, I made the most of the situation. Nefertet, not a day went by without thoughts of you.”
Nefertet’s jet-black hair glistened with the last rays of sunlight that day. Akua continued to count his blessings when he fully realized he could make the life he always wanted.
“The last few days of my stay in Athens were very enlightening. In what seems to be divine guidance, I met a humble Athenian named Lycan and his wife, Alexa. Their kindness towards me was very welcome.”
“Anyway, a quiet walk through the city streets with Alexa proved this enlightenment. Alexa’s sister, Ptolemais was my mother! Ptolemais traveled to Egypt with her military father, Chabrias. Nefertet, I found family amongst the Athenians!”
Nefertet was joyful. She had not seen Akua so happy in a long time.
“What are they like?” she asked.
“Lycan has curly brown hair that extends to his shoulders. He is a skilled stonemason. He tells great stories also. Alexa is the perfect complement to him. She is learned, pleasant and outgoing in spirit. Someday, we may have the pleasure to see them, as they are wealthy enough to travel to Egypt.”
“From Alexa I learned that Ptolemais was forcibly divorced from my father before I was a year old. Then she was given to King Nectanabo as a gift. And that is the key! I am the firstborn to the first wife of the king. Regarding the justice Ma’at has handed down to us, I am the first heir to the throne of Egypt.”
“I can’t believe it. That explains why you have been burdened with so much trouble. I never would have dreamed. But everyone knows the king’s son, Teos, is set to be the next king,” Nefertet said.
“Nefertet, I will stand up for justice. I have to. Meehi and the priesthood had no right to treat me and, even, you the way that they have.”
“But do you want to be king?” Nefertet asked.
“Of course. I have so much to give. I’ve learned many things and I know I can help our country in great ways. I also know that you would make a great queen and we could raise Pamu to be the finest king Egypt has ever seen.”
“Then you should challenge your adversary. And I will help where I can. Egypt will be a better place soon. The gods will favor you.”
“I have already started my challenge. And tomorrow I will go to the Per Atum temple and confront Meehi with all I have told you. Nefertet, it is high time that life be easier for me and my family.”
Pamu was already asleep. After a light supper, Akua and Nefertet tasted their second night together.
Chapter 13
Nefertet held Pamu to her shoulder the next morning as Akua prepared to go to the Per Atum temple.
“May the gods be with you,” Nefertet said as Akua kissed Pamu on the back of his head.
Akua walked out of the house and headed for the temple. It was also in Akua’s daily plan to go to the Nag Tamai temple and see his mentor, Armanahtep. Akua focused his mind the best he could in an effort to muster enough strength to confront Meehi.
Turn and face the day. Turn and face the day just like the mighty crocodile.
Today, Akua was confident enough to enter through the main doors of the temple. He immediately saw Meehi as he entered. Meehi could see the determination in Akua’s facial and physical gestures. Meehi spoke first.
“We should go out back to the House of Life to talk. It will be completely private.”
“Alright.”
Meehi closed the door behind him as they entered the House of Life. Akua and Meehi both chose to stand, although a half dozen seats were available. Akua was eager to say the first word.
“The latter part of my stay in Athens, Greece was quite educational where you, the priesthood and myself are concerned and I thank those in the heavens for bestowing so much on me.”
Meehi, standing just two feet from Akua, remained silent.
“Meehi, in short order, you will be powerless to control my life anymore. In Athens, I stayed with my mother’s sister. Her name is Alexa and her husband’s name is Lycan.”
Akua needed only to mention this to jar Meehi into fear. Fear for himself and his family. Meehi knew that when Akua’s knowledge got out the powers that be would declare him to be a traitor and an enemy of the state even though he was not responsible for Akua’s revelation.
“Do I need to continue?” Akua asked in a demanding tone.
“No. I assume you know your true identity now.”
“I do. And I want what is mine,” Akua said in the same demanding tone.
“Why did you cause me pain so?”
“Akua, hear me out. I deserve a chance to explain myself,” Meehi said softly.
“It’s fair, unlike what you have done to me,” Akua said.
“Over a decade ago when Nectanabo took the throne, I was asked to come to the royal palace to meet with the king and his advisors. The highest in the priesthood were present also. It was decided, in no uncertain terms, that you and your father would fall victim to the king’s assassin. This was their solution to a potential threat. This decision was intended to protect the king and his family.
“I had known your father since he first came to Heliopolis. I was the only one in the meeting that knew him personally. I knew you when you were a small child. My wife and I would, from time to time, invite you and Satni to our home as our guests. I always felt bad for Satni, for having his wife taken from him. It was grievous to us all to see a motherless child.”
Akua grabbed his chin. In a softer voice, Meehi continued,
“Satni offered to build tombs for me and my wife in the nearby necropolis. Eventually, he completed them. Anyway, I was the only one in the royal meeting that resisted the assassination plot. I labored in voice and finally I convinced them against it. Basically, I had to take responsibility for you and your father. Since I knew Satni was soon to participate in battle, I convinced him to ask the king for you to be entered into the priesthood when, after the fight, the king would offer rewards for service to the country. With you in the priesthood, I could give you a good life and keep your identity unknown. Although Satni did not know it, I had already secured a place for you. But what I did not expect were your natural gifts in this area.”
Akua was visibly humbled. Meehi spoke in a sincere voice with love in his eyes. Akua knew these events to be too fantastic to be a mere concoction. Akua believed Meehi. Meehi continued,
“Later, when you were older and Nefertet started asking questions about you, I knew something had to be done. Two of the other temple priests heard bits and pieces of my conversation with Nefertet, and it was not long until the vizier and the king himself knew of this. Until this blew
over and I could reason with Nefertet, my plan was to keep you and her apart by forbidding your marriage. It may have not been the best plan, but I thought it would buy us all more time to work this out.
“Unfortunately, others saw this new threat in a different light. Akua, they decided, once again, to take your life. I fought an uphill battle, but persuaded them to accept your exile and spare your life. And this is when I had to send you away. Akua, please know that it was hard for me to see you so hurt. For that I am deeply sorry. I have always loved you and I assure you, I speak the truth. Please don’t hate me. Please…please.”
Akua did not know what to think, what to feel or what to say. He remembered Armanahtep teaching him a lesson years ago.
Things may not always be what they seem Akua. Never forget this. It will help you throughout life.
Akua thought about this for a while. His good heart wanted to forgive Meehi. It was hard for him to come to grips with the forgiveness, but he knew it was the right thing to do.
“Akua, this is a moment of clarity. I am truly sorry for everything that was done. You have a good heart. Follow it.”
Akua decided to extend himself to Meehi.
“I had no idea. I do believe you and I am sorry for the way that I treated you. Meehi, I am sorry for that. Forgive me. Also, I let my anger towards you eat me up inside. And for that I forgive myself.”
Meehi opened his arms and embraced Akua tightly. He spoke softly into Akua’s ear.
“I am glad that you are here. I am glad that I got to explain myself to you. And I want you to have everything you want. I pledge to help you from here. Glory be to the gods for this divine moment.”
“Meehi, I have learned many things from my travels as you said I would.”
“Don’t give me much credit here. Your natural gifts, your intellect, have developed. Yes, I knew you would grow even wiser than you were previously.”
“It was a blessing in disguise. Thank you, Meehi.”
“Akua, remember how I said you could help all of Egypt?”
“Yes. But what do I do? How?”
“What is mightier than the sword?” Meehi asked.
Akua thought for a moment. He had no idea.
“I don’t know. What?” he asked.
“The pen, the written word. Write Akua. Write. Give to your country what only you can. We can all learn from your experiences, what you have learned.”
Immediately Akua saw images in his mind of him bringing into Heliopolis a herd of cattle. It was exactly like a dream he had so much earlier. Armanahtep told him this meant he would bring a spiritual gift to the people and now he knew what he was going to do.
“I am going to do it. I’ll write. I’ll lay out much of what I think is most important in life,” Akua said.
“Great,” Meehi responded.
Something still weighed on Akua. Meehi could sense it.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Meehi, do you think I have a chance to become king?”
“Yes. I’m not sure if it is a strong chance, but I will help you all I can. All we can do is try. Come by in the next day or two and we’ll formulate an action plan.”
“I will. You know, I never would have dreamed that this day would come. I guess that when I was born, the gods sent the right person to look over me.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Meehi, you and your family should come over to my place sometime soon. Nefertet and I have been blessed with a son, Pamu-Ak. I truly feel like a new man with a new life.”
Chapter 14
As Akua left the Per Atum temple, he headed over to the Nag Tamai temple. He had been away so long he was excited to see Armanahtep. Along the way, he stopped to see the newly erected obelisk in the center of the city.
Akua entered through the main temple doors just as he was used to. Menlee, Armanahtep’s loyal scribe was there to greet him. The Nag Tamai temple was both familiar and comfortable to Akua. He hugged Menlee out of joy.
“It is good to see you. How have you been?” Akua asked him.
“I have been well. Being a scribe is a good life.”
“I remember that too. Scribes don’t fight the heat like soldiers and they don’t wear-out their bones like masons. So, how is Armanahtep? Is he here? I have much to tell him.”
Menlee looked at Akua with a somber face.
“Armanahtep died during the last flood season from The Fever. I am sorry,” Menlee said.
Menlee’s words hit Akua hard.
“I frequently envisioned speaking to Armanahtep while I was away. His advice was always comforting. Menlee, he helped me through more than one difficult situation. I will forever miss him.”
“I miss him too. I know his grace will always fill this temple like the plerosis of the ennead. I cherish what he taught me. Two priestesses have recently come here from the Rotation. It has helped me immensely to work with them,” Menlee said.
Menlee was the only one in the temple that afternoon.
“I am going to walk around for a short while and then head home,” Akua said to Menlee.
“Okay. I won’t get in your way.”
Akua walked through the small Hypostyle Hall. It only sported four fully decorated columns. He remembered all the days Armanahtep deciphered the ancient writings and explained to Akua what they meant. Armanahtep was one of the few that still read the old language.
Soon these writings will be forgotten. So much intelligence, skill and beauty will come to mean very little to those that come after me.
Akua just stood there like a statue gazing at the columns. It seemed ironic to him that they were so well preserved, yet their wisdom was not preserved at all. He recalled what Meehi had just told him about writing. Now Akua fully realized the eloquent power in writing.
When Pamu is old enough, I will teach him what I can about the old language. We will pay homage to the ones that have walked before us. Those that have given us so much.
He suddenly felt an urge to go home and be with his wife and son. He left the temple and as he walked home he thought about what he would write about.
Once home, Akua wanted to tell Nefertet about his day. As they ate a meal together, he explained what Meehi had told him. Nefertet was not as quick as he had been to forgive Meehi. Akua saw more than once Nefertet’s over protective nature. Akua relished in it. But, in the end, she came to forgive and see Meehi in a new light.
After a satisfying meal, Akua kissed Nefertet and Pamu. Standing in the front room of his home, he spoke to his wife,
“Nefertet, I also found out today that Armanahtep has died.”
“Akua, I’m sorry. His life touched many and, as such, news of his death spread throughout Heliopolis quickly. I know he meant a lot to you,” Nefertet replied.
“Earlier, Meehi convinced me to write. He wants me to write about what I have learned and what I now believe. I am going to take this seriously. Tomorrow, I am going to begin.”
Akua thought all night about writing. He was a little scared as he did not know if he really could preserve his thoughts, but he finally fell asleep with a child-like eagerness to get started.
*
Though Akua was ready to start work as soon as he woke, he had to go into the eating area and play with Pamu first. After about an hour, Akua sat down with pen, ink and some pressed papyrus. He collected his thoughts for a while before he began to write.
Judgment
I was once told that there
are no paths to The Reed
Fields yet we can only get
there from here.
Legacies and dogmas left
to us by our forefathers
explain that in order for the
dead to enter The Reed Fields,
we must successfully find The
Hall of Judgment and then
successfully pass the judgment
doled out from there.
They then tell us the souls that
fail judg
ment are barred from
afterlife entry and doomed
to be destroyed.
Yet these same teachings and
traditions tell us all that we
have within us a Divine Seed
coming directly from the gods.
This is our link to them. They
continue to love us throughout
our lives. Within and without,
they love us all as if we were
their own.
The gods continually love us
much the same as we love
our own children. I have
seen this unconditional
love in a mother and a father
when their son left this life.
Our parents, the gods, have
that same unconditional love
for us, their children.
It just makes no sense to me
that when we leave this
world, our parents judge
us to decide if we are
allowed to enjoy the
wonders, the beauty
and the pleasures of
the afterlife.
Akua jumped up from where he sat. He was pleased with himself on what he had just written. He knew he was well on his way to preserving his beliefs exactly.
Nefertet and Pamu were still in the kitchen. Akua had been thinking about caressing Pamu all the time he was writing. He went to Pamu at once.
Holding Pamu, Akua looked into his green, sparkly eyes. He felt an overwhelming sense of love. This was indeed what he was trying to convey with words. According to custom, Pamu was gifted with a small rattle. Shaking the rattle, Akua was inspired to return to his literary work.
Reed plants symbolize life
and the wonders of living.
Like a child’s rattle, a clump
of reeds will rattle when
shaken. Rattle sounds
cleanse the soul. Even the
gods know this as evidenced
by the rattle of Hathor.
So it is that The Reed Fields
The Reed Fields Page 14