by Wend Petzler
Seeing an opportunity to remain close to Setti, Sabni inclined his head. “Master, I will do as you ask, but I wish to be responsible in caring for Setti's body. I trust not the Queen.” The priests gathered around Sabni gasped.
Looking at Sabni, shrewdly scrutinizing him, Imtep's eyes narrowed suspiciously. Why does Sabni make a stand against the woman whom he publicly aligned himself? Did the young priest have something to do with Pharaoh's death? Testing Sabni's loyalty, Imtep gave a small nod. “Yes, you must be the one to do it. If it were up to SobeKnefru, she'd throw him out in the desert for the vultures to feed upon. Take his body to the Cave of the Dead and see to his mummification personally. I will have a tomb readied but somewhere secret. SobeKnefru cannot defile his grave if she knows not the location."
When he made to rush from the Temple, Sabni stopped him and whispered his news urgently in his ear. Imtep's swarthy features paled. “Where is she?"
"She hides in your chambers."
His bald head bowed briefly in grief. Imtep suddenly squared his slumped shoulders. “Take special care of Setti.” Rushing off, Imtep's mind reeled, trying to think of a safe place to hide the future Pharaoh and his frightened mother who was barely more than a babe herself.
Sabni faced the others. “Hurry, we must wrap Pharaoh in canvas, protecting his body during the long journey ahead.” While the priests hurried to take care of Setti, Sabni rushed to the Temple treasury. Withdrawing several leather purses from one of the treasure chests, he hid them under his robes. Taking up a satchel, he stuffed a burial robe into it. Returning to help carry Setti out the back entrance of the Temple, they placed the body on the floorboard of the special chariot used for transporting the dead. Sabni climbed up into the chariot and held on to the rail bar as the driver drove the horses down the street and beyond the city's gates. The charioteer urged the horses into a fast gallop, racing across the desert, heading for the revered Caves of the Dead.
Reeling at what he'd done and seen, Sabni's mind whirled, trying to figure out what to do next. Several hours later, the driver drew the lathered team to a trembling halt before the high, wooden gates protecting the great cavern's opening. Covering his nose, the stench of decomposing bodies overpowering despite the cool breeze, Sabni tried not to gag. Oily, smoky torches illuminated the sandy area before the gate. Behind the wooden walls roared huge bonfires, bright beacons against the inky darkness of the cave's opening. Deep inside the network of caves, the embalmers worked night and day on the dead brought to be properly prepared for the journey to the next life. Sabni and the nervous charioteer struggled to unload Setti's body and set him down on the sand before the gate.
"Return to Thebes. I shall remain here.” Sabni took hold of the satchel and set it beside Setti.
Relieved to escape the awful smell, the man jumped back onto the chariot and raced back to civilization.
Sabni shouted, “Master Embalmer, I must speak with you.” He waited only a few minutes when the heavy gate swung open and a bald, heavily-muscled man wearing a leather apron exited.
"What can I do for a priest of Amun Ra?” Wiping sweat from his grimy face with a dirty scrap of cloth, the Master Embalmer balled his meaty fists and placed them on his broad hips.
"I bring you a man whose name must remain secret. If you comply, I shall make you rich beyond your wildest dreams."
A wary look came into the man's small, beady eyes. “What's the job?"
"I want the man to remain intact. He's not to be mummified."
Squatting down, the embalmer reached out and uncovered the wrapped figure's face. Scrambling backward, fear bulged his beady eyes. “What you ask is sacrilege."
Common practice, the Egyptian judicial system sentenced condemned criminals to work in the Caves of the Dead. The men embalmed the bodies, preparing the dead in hope forgiveness might be granted in their own passing someday. Today, Sabni counted on human greed rather than religious belief from the Master Embalmer. Withdrawing the leather pouches from the folds of his robes, Sabni tossed the hefty items to the surprised man. “Place animal organs in the sacred canopic jars. I have provided a burial robe for his attire before you wrap him in linen strips. Remember, he is to remain entirely intact and anonymous. Have I made myself clear?"
Greed won. “How do we accomplish his sarcophagus without a proper face print?"
"Use his brother's mold."
Taking a deep, unsteady breath at what sacrilege he was about to commit, the embalmer clapped his hands for his workers to come and take the body inside. When the priest failed to leave, he asked, “You plan on staying?"
"Yea, I will remain to ensure you do as I paid you to. Say not a word about his identity. If someone does recognize him, pay him well. Remember, I am guardian of the sacred Black Book, your soul depends upon the silence of your tongue,” Sabni warned, hoping to frighten the man.
The odd request for Setti not to be mummified made the Master Embalmer curious, but the gold he earned tonight kept him from becoming too interested. Shaking his head at the strange priest, he asked, “Where will we bury Ph—I mean the man over there?” Frowning when the priest gazed upon Pharaoh Amenemhet's sarcophagus, transfixed by the golden image, the embalmer nudged the pale man. “Priest?"
Getting a hold of himself, Sabni whispered, “Worry not. We, the priests of Amun Ra, will see to his burial.” Hands trembling, he felt the cold, clammy walls of the cave closing in on him. His mind grew disoriented, knowing deep in his soul Anubis would soon collect the debt owed him. Sabni had to work fast before he became unable to do anymore for Setti.
Two days later, the sarcophagus sat ready for its occupant to be placed inside. Taking great care, the workers carefully lowered the tightly wrapped body into it. The unusualness of using only one coffin made the embalmers question their master, but none dared mention it, having already received gold for their silence.
Five chariots, carrying priests of Amun Ra, arrived not long after sunset, the High Priest in the lead. Halting before the gates, the priests hurried inside and retrieved the golden coffin and sat it onto the specially designed chariot drawn by four black horses.
Imtep ordered, “Sabni, ride with me.” Stepping up onto his own chariot, he took hold of the leather reins. The horses reared, eager to go. “I brought the Black Book. Hold onto it. Our men have snuck out in various ways from the Temple and will meet up with us. We must hurry and complete our mission before SobeKnefru's men find us."
Sabni jumped onto the chariot and slipped the leather pouch over his shoulder. He barely had time to grab the rail when Imtep whipped the horses into a gallop. They followed the chariot carrying Setti and disappeared into the dark desert, the near full moon their guide.
"Master, where are we going?” Sabni shouted over the thunder of hooves.
"Hawara, in the Faiyum."
"Why Hawara?"
Grim, Imtep looked at Sabni long and hard. “SobeKnefru's spies are searching for Setti's body. A hefty reward is offered for his return. We must hide him where the bitch can never find him. The Great Labyrinth is the perfect place for a hidden tomb.” Faintly smiling, he glanced down at the young priest. “SobeKnefru thinks we plan to hide Setti in our temple. She knows not of the labyrinth's many hidden chambers. Hence, our Pharaoh will remain safe buried near his father."
"I ... I am truly sorry about the danger I have placed us all in.” Guilt assaulted him at what he'd reaped upon innocent men. Sabni felt his sanity slipping. Soon it will all be over, he thought dejectedly.
Knowing the boy guilty of harming Setti, Imtep refused to condemn him, knowing Sabni the only one who could reverse the curse. In a dream, Ra had revealed what transpired the night of Setti's death, or rather his curse. “We will do our best to fix what you have done. The Black Book has passed from generation to generation of those blessed with the Gift of Ra. Despite the fact you have defiled it by the sacrilege you've committed for that evil woman, Ra must still have a purpose for you. In time, the Sun God shall reveal his p
lan. Remember your oath when you became a priest of Amun Ra. You swore to live and die for Pharaoh. You are about to prove you are worthy by keeping Setti safe until the time comes to resurrect him."
Cradling the heavy book, Sabni wept. His actions had placed their lives in grave danger. If SobeKnefru were to find out what they were about, they were all dead men.
Six days passed when their journey finally reached its end. A full moon illuminated the pyramids rising from the sands. Past midnight, the exhausted horses stumbled to halt before Amenemhet III's pyramid. Beside it, the Mortuary Temple lay dark, the ceremonial fires unlit. The guards, assigned priests of Ra, held torches to guide their way. Shadows made the tired priests jumpy.
Leaping from the chariot, Imtep watched his men drag the flat cart next to the sarcophagus. An anxious priest rushed to his side, clearly upset. “What is wrong?"
"Master, SobeKnefru has declared to Egypt she claims the Double Crown as Queen Pharaoh since Amenemhet's heir has disappeared! Enraged, the Great Vizier assumed command of the army and took control of Thebes in Amenemhet the Fifth's name. He bids you return quickly and side with him against the Queen. Furthermore, SobeKnefru has declared Sobek her ruling god and cast Ra aside."
Reeling from the current events, his hatred grew at SobeKnefru's arrogance and ambition. The woman would tear apart the very fibers of Egypt's religion by her careless actions. “Come, we have our duty to Pharaoh. Let us move the coffin onto the cart."
Sabni took a good look around him. “Master, why do we not resurrect Setti tonight?"
"Do you still possess the Sight?” he bluntly asked the young priest.
"No,” Sabni replied anguished. He had been punished by Ra for abandoning him.
"Do not fret. Ra has spoken to me and ordered us to hide Pharaoh. When the time is right to awaken Setti, Ra will tell us."
The priests hurried to accomplish their goal. Hyenas cackled, their combined voices screeching in the night, sending chills up the nervous men's spines. Groaning, they gradually maneuvered the golden coffin upon the flat, wooden cart. Six priests took hold of the ropes attached to it while the others gathered behind and placed their hands on the sarcophagus. They strained, dragging and pushing it through the wide entrance of the Mortuary Temple. Sweat poured down their straining faces. The men glanced repeatedly over their shoulders, praying none of the Queen's personal guard suspected what they were doing.
A maze of corridors aboveground, the Mortuary Temple possessed even more underground. Meant to confuse thieves who dared to steal Pharaoh's treasure hidden deep in the maze, some corridors led to chambers, while others met dead ends. The maze continued until they reached a tunnel leading to the lowest level. The corridor took the priests directly under the pyramid next to the Temple. Two more hours passed until they reached the chamber where they planned to hide Setti's coffin. Wooden rollers were laid out, and the coffin was carefully pushed onto them. Repositioning the rollers every few feet, they struggled to maneuver the heavy sarcophagus through the doorway, stopping when they reached the grave dug into the dirt floor. Panting hard, the priests collapsed beside the coffin.
Passing a water gourd around, the men took a moment to gain their second wind. Weary, they climbed again to their feet. Thick ropes were tossed across the hole and the coffin was pushed onto them. Struggling, the priests lowered the heavy sarcophagus down into the darkness. Satisfied when the coffin settled on the bottom, the ropes were quickly brought up. The next set of men shoved a large slab of stone into place, covering the tomb with an ominous, gravelly ‘thud.’ Sealing it with a mud and straw mixture, a thick layer of sand was spread over the entire floor, giving the chamber an appearance of never being disturbed.
Imtep accepted the sacred Black Book from Sabni. The young man took his place beside his fellow priests, kneeling in a circle around Setti's grave. In a deep, resonating voice, Imtep summoned the Sun God, “Amun Ra, hear our plea! High Exalted One, Light of the Universe and Master of us all, we beseech you to protect Setti, your faithful son. We await the proper time to awaken him from his slumber. Amun Ra, we pledge our lives to protect Pharaoh and aid him when he seeks his vengeance upon SobeKnefru."
The kneeling priests chanted. Rocking back and forth, they summoned the great Ra. In the dimly lit chamber, an orb of blinding white light exploded, casting a warm, golden shower of falling stars over the hidden grave. A great and beautiful voice boomed boldly in the small chamber.
"I, Amun Ra, will keep Setti safe until he is summoned to rise and walk the sands again. Beware of the woman who declares she is Queen Pharaoh. She will destroy my faithful priests." With the ominous warning echoing in the chamber, Ra departed.
Earlier, Ra had placed his warning in Imtep's heart, urging him to make special provisions. Imtep glanced down at Sabni. The disoriented man rose to his feet, accepting the sacred book handed back to him. Heaving a deep, regretful sigh at the injustice reaped upon an innocent man as Setti, Imtep laid a hand upon the stricken Sabni's shoulder. “We must stand vigil until the time is right to resurrect our beloved Pharaoh."
"When, Master, shall the time be right?” Sabni slipped the heavy book back into its leather pouch.
"Amun Ra will show us. Have faith, my son. Have faith.” As they exited the chamber, the stone door drawn shut by two priests, the bottom dragged along the sandy floor. Imtep locked the door and handed the strange-looking key over to Sabni. “Seal the chamber.” A mud and straw mixture was spread completely over the door, making it appear as a wall, instead of an entrance to a king's tomb.
"Sabni, guard the key and our secret with your life. If SobeKnefru were ever to find out what we've done, our Pharaoh is truly a dead man. In my chambers, I've hidden a map of where Setti lies. If you should forget and lose your way to his tomb, you will have guidance."
Shaken at the High Priest's words, he said, “You know what I exchanged for Anubis’ help?” At Imtep's nod, he squared his shoulders. “SobeKnefru will never be given the opportunity to harm Setti as she had the young woman, Yoshabel. I promise, Master, the Queen will never find Setti."
Dragging the cart back to the entrance, the priests felt satisfied by their work done to protect the Pharaoh. They climbed into the awaiting chariots and headed back to Thebes.
Holding onto the rail bar, Sabni gazed at the full moon lowering in the sky, dawn not far off. Forgive me, Ra. Please do not abandon me! Show me what is to come.
Silence.
Sorrow rose up inside him. What had he expected? He should not have been surprised that Ra should turn a deaf ear to him while he tried to make amends to save Pharaoh.
Exhausted by their adventure, the weary priests and horses arrived at Thebes. Rousing the sleeping stable boys, the horses were left in their care. Entering the darkened Temple of Amun Ra, their torches the only light, they halted in a semi-circle, sensing something not right. Without warning, soldiers leapt from behind the pillars with their swords drawn and began slaughtering the defenseless priests. Screams of agony, combined with terror, deafening as the priests tried to flee the massacre. Imtep slammed a broad fist into his attacker's face, pausing when he saw the Queen, a smug smile curving her red lips. The conniving whore!
"Do not kill Imtep!” SobeKnefru ordered, wearing the Double Crown of Egypt upon her unshaved head, her long, black hair cascaded down her back, blatantly disregarding tradition. Dressed in a beautiful gown of the finest, white linen, threads of spun gold shimmered through the material. Paying no heed to the dead priests, she stepped daintily over the bodies. The long train of her dress trailed through the pooling blood of the murdered innocent.
"Dear High Priest, I shall spare your life, if you impart the location of where Nefari and her precious son are hiding."
Hate blazed in his dark eyes. “Never!” Imtep spat, knowing no matter what he said his death was certain. Searching for Sabni, relief flooded him at finding the man alive but held by a soldier clad in a blue loincloth. A Shedet! The Queen had sided with the Shedty! Sabn
i struggled to come to his aid. For Setti's curse to be broken, the Black Book must remain safe in Sabni's hands. The young man must live!
Springing into action, Imtep slammed his elbow in the nearest soldier's mouth. Wrestling away the sword held by another, Imtep roared and swung, beheading the man holding Sabni. “Run!” he bellowed before the guards swarmed around him, viciously stabbing him.
Clutching the heavy leather pouch desperately in his arms, Sabni fled from the temple and disappeared into the night.
Screaming her wrath at being thwarted by Imtep and Sabni, SobeKnefru stormed out of the temple of Ra, casting a dark look at the white alabaster building. “Burn the bodies, then take the priests’ ashes and spread them on the road where camels and donkeys will defecate on them forever."
Omar, the new captain of the Queen Pharaoh's bodyguards, shouted orders to his men. Denied a proper burial, the souls of the Ra priests would wander forever, unable to go on to the Afterlife without their bodies to meet them.
"What do you wish done to the Temple?” Omar asked, keeping his eyes downcast.
Glaring at the building, SobeKnefru spat, “Tear it down!"
* * * *
Empty nothingness.
Setti lay in the dark, unable to move. Before Imtep had closed his eyes, he could at least see what was happening around him. Was this the Hell he had always scoffed at? How had he angered the Gods to such a degree as to warrant such severe punishment? Would he ever see the sun again or feel its warmth on his face?
Endless hours passed until he heard stone scraping against stone. Blind, the damp smell of an earthy mixture of sand, straw, and water invaded his darkness. The slap of mud and the scrape of a metal against rock startled him. Panic assaulted his already chaotic mind when the realization hit him that no one would ever come for him. Unable to escape the black void of nothingness surrounding him, holding him hostage, he silently screamed, terrified beyond rational thought.