The Reed Fields

by Brandon Campbell

  As King Nectanabo contemplated in the shrine, Vizier Ankhu informed the most high in the priesthood of the turmoil Akua was bringing on the nation, for the priesthood had now evolved to an equal and usually greater power than the Pharaoh.

  Chapter 17

  Vizier Ankhu returned to the palace as the sun set. As soon as he arrived, he was shown to one of the king’s meeting rooms. A few minutes later, King Nectanabo walked in. The king spoke upon entering.

  “I have given this matter much thought. The gods have guided my direction. The gods and I rely upon you to carry out my orders. Akua-Mat is to be given a special royal tribunal in Heliopolis. Ma’at will prevail and all of the gods will collectively decide Akua’s fate. Vizier Ankhu, return to Heliopolis at once and begin the process. When it is over, I expect you to return without delay and apprise me. If by the off chance that Akua finds a favorable ruling, we will develop the appropriate course of action at that time.”

  “Okay,” Vizier Ankhu said.

  Vizier Ankhu left the palace without delay, but before he caught a riverboat to Heliopolis he visited the royal temple in Sais that evening. He thought this was a good move. The highest order in the priesthood should know the kings’ wishes. Once at the temple, he convened alone with the high priest and the high priestess.

  “The king has decided for a royal tribunal to take place in Heliopolis. I’ll depart tomorrow for the city,” Ankhu said to the priest and priestess.

  The high priest looked angry. He began to speak in a powerful voice.

  “This afternoon, I researched both the royal records and those kept here for many of Egypt’s priests and priestesses. I read the records for Akua-Mat of Heliopolis. What I found is of grave concern.”

  With piercing eyes he continued,

  “When Akua was first learning under an apprentice, reports were made on his progress. His mentor priest, Armanahtep, was dutiful at this. Although I doubt the late Armanahtep ever saw anything of issue, I do. I examined the reports with three other priests, including the high priest Haccu and we all have the same concern.”

  “Please go on,” the vizier said anxiously.

  “Akua asked questions of an extraordinary nature while he was learning. The most alarming concerned the judgment of the dead. He questioned whether there really is a judgment before Osiris. Now there is nothing wrong with freethinking, but when it interferes with the truth as handed to us by the gods then nothing good can come from it. And a priest must always look out for the good of the nation,” the high priest said.

  “Exactly what are you saying?” Ankhu asked.

  “History tells it best. A long time ago, Egypt was beaten down by her own king. He was known as Akhenaten. He, like Akua, questioned the truths of religion. In short order, he committed blasphemy against the many beloved gods, elevated a god of his own invention, whom he called the Sun Disc, and tried to eradicate religious foundations as many knew them. His reign was awful. He definitely set Egypt on a dark, evil path. Thankfully, Egypt was able to recover from those awful times.”

  “And you two think Akua could do the same if he becomes king?” Ankhu asked.

  “It is possible. And maybe even probable. And this time, Egypt may not be strong enough to recover. What if this was to weaken our military and Egypt falls to Persian control? Akua could be terrible for Egypt.

  “What it really comes down to is that this is a risk we cannot take. Egypt has come so far in science, medicine, military and political might that we must not be set back by anything or anyone. This could breed a weakness that could destroy Egypt from the inside or the outside.”

  “So what would you do?” Ankhu asked.

  “Assassinate Akua and maybe even his family.”

  “No! It will make King Nectanabo look bad. People will think he ordered the death of Akua. An uprising could ensue. Not to mention how the gods might be against it.”

  Ankhu looked directly into the high priests’ eyes.

  “Now that would surely set Egypt back. No. That is not an option.”

  “Look around vizier. The people worship and make offerings to our temples. Their lives are dedicated to the gods. And for that they go through us-not you and not the king. The king’s administration runs around and levies taxes and conducts court in the name of Ma’at. You think that controls the people, but we can tell them to jump in the river to their death, all in the name of Re, Isis, Osiris or one of the others and, my friend, they will do it. This is our truth. This is our control. And if we want to assassinate some damn priest, we’ll do it. You can’t stop it and the king can’t stop it.”

  After the high priest spoke, the room was filled with a tension that could be cut with a knife. Finally, the vizier stormed out of the temple after saying,

  “Do not interfere with the king and the gods. If you do, you will not only hurt Egypt but you will not enjoy the afterlife. You will be tortured by the likes of Apophis.”

  *

  Two days later, the vizier arrived in Heliopolis. It was not long before he confronted Meehi at the Per Atum temple.

  “King Nectanabo has directed me to hold a royal tribunal here. At this tribunal, Akua can formally register his case. The gods will make the final decision and make it known. Tomorrow I will assemble an eight-member jury of landowners. Do you have a priest of Ma’at here in the temple?”

  “Yes. Two priestesses, Reonet and Femi,” Meehi answered.

  “Good. I’ll need them to attend the tribunal. In the end, they will interpret the truth handed down by Ma’at and I will then take it to the king. I plan to begin the day after tomorrow.”

  “Where is it to be held?” Meehi asked.

  “In the Per Atum House of Life.”

  As the vizier left, Meehi was close behind en route to tell Akua about the tribunal. Within twenty minutes, Meehi arrived at Akua’s place. He found Akua outside.

  “Akua, Vizier Ankhu has returned today. King Nectanabo has instructed him to setup a royal tribunal to hear your case. It is to begin the day after tomorrow in the Per Atum House of Life.”

  “Thank you for telling me. How long do you think it will last?”

  “Probably only one day. Basically, the vizier already knows your history. It’s just a matter of presenting your case to the jurors and also to let the priestesses of Ma’at seek the truth and interpret the just resolution.”

  Akua felt good the morning of the tribunal. He tarried around his house as usual eating breakfast and playing with Pamu. At the table he made plans for later that day.

  “We will recess for a meal around midday; will you and Pamu meet me at the market? I’ll buy us some really good food and we can relax as we eat.”

  “Of course. That sounds wonderful. Pamu and I will arrive early and wait for you at the Catfish and Crocodile Pool. Pamu will love watching the catfish swim around,” Nefertet said.

  “Great. I’ll see you then.”

  Akua kissed Nefertet and Pamu on the lips as he walked out of the house.

  “Wish me luck,” he said.

  *

  The main room in the House of Life was already setup for the tribunal. Femi and Reonet, the two priestesses of Ma’at, sat at the front of the room with Vizier Ankhu. Meehi and two scribes, Huya from the Per Atum temple and Menlee from the Nag Tamai temple, sat on the left side of the room. On the right side of the room, sat eight local landowners, four men and four women all sitting around a rectangular table.

  “Would you like to speak for yourself Akua or would you like one of the priestesses of Ma’at to speak for you?” Vizier Ankhu asked.

  “Vizier, it is my honor to see you again. In answer to your question, I’ll speak for myself,” Akua replied.

  The spokesman at the landowner table also chimed in.

  “It is also a great honor for us. We have all heard the rumors about Akua as it is the talk of the city and we look forward to hearing the truth. I speak for all of us when I say thank you. Thank you Vizier Ankhu for allowing us to be here.”<
br />
  Femi opened the proceeding.

  “The glorified goddess, Ma’at, is with us all today as we hear these matters. Today, we have all been endowed with the power to speak the truth, speak fairly, and to seek the most just resolution. Let us proceed.”

  Vizier Ankhu began.

  “Akua, I remember most of what was said at the last meeting, but for all of our benefit could you present it again?”

  The vizier respected Akua and he also liked him as a person. The atmosphere of the room was not one of anger and not one of spite, but one of calm. Judging by the sincerity of the words spoken so far, everyone just wanted to get to the heart of the matter and let justice be done.

  “My name is Akua-Mat. I am twenty two years old. I have been an active priest for about two years. Neither of my parents are alive today. My mother, Ptolemais, was originally from Athens. She came to Egypt and eventually to Heliopolis with her father, the Greek Mercenary Army General, Chabrias. Once in Heliopolis, she married a local tomb builder, Satni-Khaman. Satni was my father.

  “When I was a young child, an army general, Nectanabo, took Egypt’s throne by force with the help of Chabrias. Today, King Nectanabo still rules our great nation. Chabrias and Nectanabo fought battles together. When Nectanabo became king, Chabrias obliged him with a gift.

  “Although Ptolemais was married with a young child, Chabrias still saw it fit to present King Nectanabo with a gift of his daughter. My mother was beautiful, her exotic hair and her Greek complexion were not typical to Egypt. King Nectanabo married her at once. My mother was the king’s first wife. Sadly, my mother died ten months after the marriage from the fever.”

  The landowners all seemed surprised. Finally, they had heard the story from Akua’s mouth. Femi spoke next.

  “Under Ma’at, the firstborn to the king’s chief wife is to be the successor to the throne. This is a law of succession that we must adhere to.”

  “In my conversation with the king, he did not know Ptolemais had a son. In that case, Ma’at may have to be adjusted,” Vizier Ankhu said.

  Just then, Meehi stood up and asked the vizier if he could speak. The vizier invited his words.

  “It is not true that the king did not know Ptolemais had a son. He did know and the reason I know this is because I helped him conceal knowledge of Akua’s true identity. The king’s plan was to have Satni and his young son killed. I pleaded with him not to do this. I felt the gods did not want this. Finally, I convinced him to spare the lives of a father and son.”

  Meehi continued,

  “By championing the lives of Satni and his son, I was burdened with the responsibility to keep Satni from ever talking about Akua’s mother and to keep Akua from searching for his truest identity.”

  “Akua, how did you then come by this knowledge of who you are?” Vizier Ankhu asked.

  “I sent him away when he and his future wife began to search and ask questions,” Meehi said.

  Akua offered the next words.

  “I did not understand why, but Meehi made me leave. Eventually I traveled to Greece. I thought I was on a mission to learn about different philosophies and religion. And I did learn. When my travels led me to Athens, amazingly I was led to Ptolemais’ sister, Alexa. It was Alexa who helped me piece together my past. I owe Alexa and her husband, Lycan, a great deal. I love them both immensely. This all came together as if it fell out of the sky from Re himself.”

  “Well this is certainly an extraordinary story. Akua, it’s as if you are now standing naked in front of the gods, do you testify that this is the truth?” Ankhu said.

  “Yes. I know what is at stake. Everything I’ve said is the truth,” Akua replied.

  “Meehi, you have been a loyal priest for many years. Do you also testify to the truth of what you have said?” Ankhu asked.

  “Yes,” Meehi replied.

  Vizier Ankhu turned to Femi and asked her to speak from the perspective of Ma’at.

  “Akua, the goddess knows the last couple of years have been a great trial in your life. Vizier, Ma’at is pleased with Akua. He does have truth on his side. Not just Ma’at, but many of the gods favor Akua.”

  After her brief words, Femi sat back down.

  The jury spokesman also spoke.

  “It does seem to me, being a good judge of character, that Akua speaks the truth. Furthermore, Meehi’s words also seem to resonate to the truth.”

  The vizier asked the others at the table to speak also. Each of them said something similar to what the spokesman said.

  “I, too, believe what Akua and Meehi have said,” Ankhu added.

  “Is there anyone in this room that doubts what has been said?” Ankhu asked.

  Each person said no.

  “I guess the fundamental question now for you Akua is this, ‘Do you want to succeed the throne when either the king dies or he is ready to surrender it?’”

  “Yes,” Akua said without hesitation.

  “I’m inclined to recommend to King Nectanabo that he restore your right Akua. I think you would be good for the nation. It is a big responsibility and not to be taken lightly. But before I make the formal decision on what I will present to the king, let us break for a meal. We should all return here in two hours.”

  Chapter 18

  Everyone exited the House of Life at the same time. Outside, were four armed guards. They had arrived at the temple as the tribunal proceedings were taking place. They were each armed with a sheathed sword, shield and a four-foot long spear.

  “I don’t recall summoning you or the other guards,” Meehi said to one of the guards.

  “The king sent us to protect Vizier Ankhu and the tribunal he is to oversee. We’ll do our best and try not to get in the way,” the lead guard replied.

  “Vizier Ankhu, would you like to join me for a meal at the market? My wife, Nefertet, and my son, Pamu are waiting. I’m sure that they would love to meet you,” Akua asked.

  “That sounds fine Akua. It would be my pleasure,” Ankhu responded.

  Akua was feeling particularly good so he extended his invitation to Meehi, Huya, Menlee, Femi, Reonet and the jury members. They all accepted and the small troupe headed for the market.

  “Sir, we must go along to provide your security,” the same guard that spoke earlier said to Vizier Ankhu.

  “Okay. It’s nothing that I’m not already used to,” Ankhu replied.

  Akua led the way in the hot Egyptian sun. Approximately fifteen minutes later, they all entered the market. A few hundred feet further up the main market street, Nefertet stood holding Pamu near the Catfish and Crocodile pool. As Akua walked closer, he noticed that Pamu was indeed enthralled by the swimming catfish just as Nefertet had earlier surmised. Akua turned to his followers.

  “Up ahead are my wife and son!”

  Akua broke away from the group and ran to Nefertet. As he had done that same morning, he kissed Nefertet and Pamu on the lips. Although the group was only fifteen feet behind Akua and his family, Reonet, the mystical priestess, approached wearing a welcoming smile.

  “That is the priest Akua-Mat. Is it not?” the lead guard asked Vizier Ankhu.

  “Yes. And next to him is his wife and son,” Ankhu answered.

  As soon as Ankhu spoke, the guard drew his spear and thrust it towards Nefertet.

  “No!” Ankhu said loudly to the guard, but by then the spear was in flight.

  It entered Nefertet at the base of the rib cage. Slowly, she fell to her knees. Pamu rolled out of her arms to the ground. Akua embraced Nefertet while Reonet picked up the baby.

  “Please don’t leave. You are my only love,” Akua said to her.

  Blood was already flowing from her mouth. She tried again and again to speak, but she could not. Finally, she mustered enough.

  “Teach Pamu the old ways…the beautiful ways…I-W-ill…find you in the Fields.”

  “I promise,” Akua said as he hugged Nefertet for the last time.

  Another spear entered Akua through the
back. He raised his head slightly as he breathed his last. Meehi, Reonet, Femi and Pamu cried as the two lifeless bodies lay by the pool.

  The vizier turned to the lead guard. He knew now that they were not guards at all, but assassins.

  “The king would never do this. Haccu and the priesthood sent you.”

  The lead assassin just looked at Ankhu with an evil stare. And then he turned and walked away. The other three assassins followed.

  Chapter 19

  With Akua dead, Vizier Ankhu was forced to dismiss what Akua was fighting for. The others, especially Meehi and Reonet, were very saddened by Akua’s murder. Though funerary preparations were already beginning, Reonet chose to address the near defunct tribunal. She labored to hold back tears.

  “These last two years were extremely difficult for Akua. His inner strength was great. For most of those two years he was not happy, but he never gave up on life. I love Akua as much now as I ever did. And I will miss him greatly.”

  A female landowner and juror arose. Everyone in the room listened to what she had to say.

  “I did not know Akua well, but now I wish I did. I have had a large tomb built and I would like to donate it to Akua and his wife. I hope the afterlife now greets Akua with a hero’s welcome.”

  “Thank you for the tomb. I know Akua would be grateful. I’ve lost a great friend in Akua. I miss him already,” Meehi said.

  *

  That night, Reonet and Meehi stood by the Sacred Pond next to the temple looking up at the sky. To the east, Reonet noticed two bright stars. They appeared so close to each other they almost joined to form one bright star.

  “Meehi, look over there. At those two stars. They are so bright. It is really a spectacular site,” Reonet said pointing to the eastern sky.

  “I see those stars as Akua and Nefertet. I picture them dancing, enjoying the heavens. Reonet, we will always remember them in a glorious and magnificent sky dance with the gods.”

  Envisioning that Akua and Nefertet could hear, Reonet spoke.

  “We will care for and teach Pamu. He will learn the old ways. We will love him with all of our heart. Every time I look at him, I will remember…remember two of the finest people I have ever known.”