“Um…something simple. How about a bunch of papyrus? I can collect some down by the Nile.”
“Sounds good to me.”
“You’d better bring me something to wrap it in. I don’t want anyone seeing it until the right moment.”
“Okay.”
“What time have you got to be at the palace?”
“Three o’clock. I’m being driven, in a chariot. Tamit’s father has a fleet of them. We’re going to leave from the Temple of Amun—he’s the main god. It’s on the other side of the town.”
“I’ll be there! All you’ve got to do is find out when you’re leaving.”
“I’ll do that tonight and tell you tomorrow.”
“Talking of telling,” said AP, “you haven’t told me how you demonstrated your magical device to the priesthood.”
“I put on a performance, like you did at Camelot.”
AP smiled.
“Tamit was taking part in the early morning ceremony and I went along, just to watch. So there was this great procession through the temple, led by a chanting priest, with all these others carrying offerings of food and drink for the god. People had been up for hours baking bread, and cutting up meat and stuff. I was following along with all the priests and we were heading for the alter room, the room with the golden door. It was a wild scene.
“While all this was going on, a high priest went inside the sanctuary—that’s the small room where the god’s statue lives—and he opened up its shrine, which is a special cabinet. He
then washed the statue, sprinkled it with oils and perfume, dressed it, and put on its jewelry. Can you believe that? Now the god was ready to receive the offerings.”
“How can they get all that food and drink into the sanctuary?” asked AP. “It’s so small.”
“They don’t. They just take in a selection on a tray. Once the god has ‘taken’ what he wants they share out all the rest.”
“You still haven’t said about your magical device.”
“I was just getting to that. Well, there I am at the heart of the temple, surrounded by all the priests, and I’m thinking, ‘I can’t do this.’ But I’ve got to. So I take a deep breath and start talking in this mystical voice about my dream of Hathor. I say I want to show them this wondrous device.”
“Did you have the camera with you?”
“No, I didn’t want to carry a heavy flowerpot through the temple.”
“Good point.”
“I left it in your workroom. I would have chosen somewhere special, like the Sacred Lake, except I was afraid someone might find it. So I told them they must follow me. It was amazing, having all those high-powered priests trailing behind me, like I was taking a bunch of kids to the zoo!”
“So what did you do when you got there?”
“I brought out the camera, all mysteriously, went up to the most senior priest, put the cloth over his head and pointed the camera at the temple. Fortunately, he saw the picture right away.”
“What did he say?”
“Nothing at first. But I could tell he was impressed.”
“Did the others try it?”
“They didn’t get a chance because he wouldn’t put it down! He just kept panning around, every so often letting out a great whoop. I eventually persuaded him to let somebody else have a go, but that was it.”
* * *
On the appointed day, AP went off to work the same as usual. Word of the new priestess and her celestial device had spread throughout the town—it was the sole topic of conversation on their walk to work.
“They say that when it’s held up to the night sky you can see all the gods in the universe,” Shedou announced solemnly. “Imagine that! And it can even see into the future.”
“You could use it to see how your seeds turn out!” joked his eldest son, but Shedou wasn’t amused.
Just to be safe, AP arrived at the Temple of Amun well before the rendezvous time. Choosing a spot in the shade, he sat down and waited.
The first indication something was about to happen was when six priests swept from the temple, looking very grand in their fresh white robes. Lining themselves up outside, they scanned the faces of the gathering crowd, like security guards. AP’s heart began to race.
Moments later Kate appeared, carrying a large bag made of linen and accompanied by a priest.
Holding the papyrus before him, AP strode up to his sister and placed it in her hand. The effect on the priests was electrifying. Unbeknown to AP, Hathor was often shown as a cow among the papyrus. He could not have chosen a more appropriate symbol.
For several seconds the priests just stood there, staring at him. Then a distinguished man in elegant robes stepped forward and escorted him, and Kate, to the first chariot—he was Tamit’s father. The chariot driver, bowing respectfully, helped them aboard and they set off at a gallop, followed by a fleet of chariots.
Arriving at the palace, Kate and AP, accompanied by Tamit’s father, were escorted to the chamber of the Pharaoh’s senior advisor.
“There are some important things I must explain before I take you to see His Majesty,” began the advisor pompously. Then, sneering down at AP, he asked, “Is this the wab Hathor spoke of in your vision?”
Kate nodded.
“First,” he said, pausing for emphasis, “when you enter His Majesty’s presence you will approach His throne with your eyes cast down. You will then fall on your knees, with your head touching the ground, and remain there until He bids you to rise.”
Kate and AP exchanged indignant looks.
“Second, you will not address His Majesty unless he first speaks to you.”
He paused to let the words sink in.
“Third, you will not presume to tell His Majesty anything. The Pharaoh is the living descendent of Amun, the supreme ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt, the knower of all things.
“Fourth, you will under no circumstances touch His Majesty, nor will you allow anything you are holding to touch Him.”
The advisor’s gaze shifted from Kate to her wab, and he gave him such a disapproving look that AP felt even more insignificant than before.
If Kate and AP had been free to gaze around the throne room, the gold ceiling and the vibrant battle scenes on the walls would have overwhelmed them. Instead, they had to study the highly polished stone floor.
Ramesses II was a striking man. He could have walked into any room, dressed in ordinary clothes, and everyone would have noticed him. Surrounded by servants and officials, he sat on an ornate gold throne, beneath a canopy of red and gold fabric Looking like a picture book illustration of a pharaoh, he wore the traditional striped cloth over his head and shoulders.` In the center of his forehead was a raised cobra’s head of gold, and he wore a heavy gold necklace. A long white gown of the finest linen covered his chest and most of his stiffly-pleated kilt. Kate judged him to be about the same age as their father.
Completely ignoring AP, he spoke only to Kate. “Have I the new priestess before me, the one with the celestial device?”
Kate had intended to sound mystical, but when she answered “Yes” her voice was barely a croak—she was so nervous.
“Bring it here so I may witness its powers,” he said, beckoning her to stand beside his throne.
Remembering AP’s dire warning to use it only outdoors, Kate took a deep breath.
“As your Royal Majesty knows in all his wisdom,” she began in a confident voice she hardly recognized as her own, “the celestial device only has eyes when it is outside, beneath the Pharaoh’s clear blue sky.”
“Way to go!” AP wanted to shout, but all he could do was slip her an approving glance.
Ramesses II, smiling regally, arose from his throne and led the way outdoors, closely followed by Kate and an army of adviser, scribes, officers, bodyguards and fan-bearers. AP tagged along behind, completely ignored by everyone.
To avoid contact with His Royal Majesty, Kate demonstrated how to use the device by example. The Pharaoh gave
her his full attention. He then resolved her dilemma of how to hand it over by taking it from her. Moments later Ramesses II, head and camera draped in black, scanned the nearby buildings. Everyone waited expectantly.
The Pharaoh remained ominously quiet. Then he uttered, “Nothing!”
Kate, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, moved to his side and immediately saw the problem. Because he was holding the device too close to his face, the black cloth had fallen in front of the screen. Without even thinking, she pulled the cloth taut, hoping this would do the trick.
The Pharaoh stood in silence for more than a minute, slowly scanning the buildings. Kate’s heart was pounding. AP shuffled nervously. Then the Pharaoh announced, “I can see! This is miraculous!”
His advisors cheered, along with his scribes, officers, bodyguards and fan-bearers. Kate and AP gave a silent sigh of relief.
From that moment on, Kate could do no wrong in the eyes of Ramesses II. After spending some time gazing at familiar landmarks, he invited her to accompany him to his chambers. AP was not sure whether the invitation extended to him, and nor was Kate. The two exchanged anxious glances, which the Pharaoh noticed.
“I suppose your wab should come too,” he said, sounding quite unconcerned whether he did or not.
Then, placing a hand on her shoulder, the Pharaoh led the way back, pointing out places of interest along the way. Kate, now entirely at ease, talked away as if she had known him for ages. AP tagged along behind, feeling completely unimportant. Meanwhile Tamit’s father was escorted into another room to await their return.
The Pharaoh’s favorite topic of conversation was himself, and it wasn’t long before he was reliving his heroism at the battle of Kadesh.
“The Hittites, that war-like rabble to the east, had been troubling Egypt since long before my father’s reign.” He settled down in a comfortable chair for what promised to be a long story. Kate sat opposite him. “Then, during the fifth year of my reign, they formed an alliance with our other enemies.” He leaned forward, bringing his face within inches of Kate’s. “It was time to march on the city of Kadesh and destroy them all!”
He explained how he had set off with 20,000 men, and how enemy spies along the way had convinced him the city had been abandoned. “So we camped on the outskirts of Kadesh, waiting for the rest of my army to catch up. But it was an ambush!” he said, raising his voice. “The hordes swept upon us like locusts.”
AP, who always enjoyed a good story, was listening to every word, though he knew his sister must be totally bored. But Kate—sitting on the edge of her chair looking enthralled—was doing a convincing job of hiding it.
“The Hittite king had twice as many men as me, and my soldiers, seeing them charging down in their chariots, turned and fled! They all deserted me, except my loyal bodyguards.”
“That’s terrible,” cried Kate, sounding genuinely shocked. “What happened?”
“The enemy’s chariots surrounded us. Then I saw one spot where they were fewer. So I charged at that weakness and my bodyguards followed. The sight of such outstanding courage rallied my men, and a glorious battle followed.”
From his account of events, Ramesses II was the bravest of them all, and it was entirely due to his great leadership, and to the support of his father, the God Amun, that they had defeated the enemy.
AP, unimpressed by such bragging, lost interest. But Kate sat spellbound, nodding and smiling at all the right times, asking the occasional question, and flattering the Pharaoh at every turn.
Ramesses II seemed as interested in her as she appeared to be in him. “You are a very special young lady,” he said, thoughtfully, “and a most powerful priestess. Such gifts as you possess must be treasured and protected. You will have one of my personal bodyguards to watch over you.”
Kate didn’t know what to say, so she just smiled and shyly lowered her eyes. Her brother had no idea whether she was intentionally leading the Pharaoh on, or whether she was the one being led.
“Your celestial device works in the light of the sun,” the Pharaoh mused. “Maybe you can summon an equally wondrous instrument to work in the darkness of the tomb.”
He went on to explain how Nehy, his loyal vizier, would soon be making his long journey to the afterlife. “It would give me great joy to send him on his way with a celestial guide in the darkness.”
Kate glanced desperately at her brother. AP just shrugged his shoulders, so she lowered her eyes demurely and said nothing.
Over the years, Tamit’s father had witnessed many remarkable things at the palace, but what took place that day was unique. Kate, a complete stranger, had been with the Pharaoh for more time than he spent with his most senior advisors. Even more extraordinary was the Pharaoh’s gift of a personal bodyguard. Therefore, when Kate apologized for keeping him waiting so long, he said it was nothing at all.
“It is a great honor and pleasure for me to help you in any way I can,” he said with a bow. “Me, my household, and my humble home, are at your complete disposal.”
After that, Kate knew he wouldn’t mind her spending a few minutes alone with her wab.
Kate and AP took a stroll around the palace gardens.
“I’m not sure what to call you now,” AP began with a grin. “I can’t call you Kate anymore. What should it be—Your Priestess, Your Eminence?”
“Okay, cut that out! It wasn’t my idea to become a high-powered priestess.”
“He’ll come in handy,” said AP, pointing back to Kate’s new bodyguard. Massive, muscular, and menacing, he was prowling behind at a respectful distance. “Snakebite will keep his distance now!”
“For sure,” said Kate. “So, what do you think of the Pharaoh’s request? Could you make a device to work in the dark?”
“I’ll have to think about.” AP shook his head. “Ideas don’t appear like magic.”
Chapter 31: Black Magnet
While Kate was being treated like a celebrity, AP’s life continued as before. Every morning he worked with Nekhti, and most afternoons he spent at the temple. Between the two, he was learning a great deal about Egyptian burial ceremonies and the priesthood. Sometimes he did odd jobs around the temple with his friend, and occasionally attended some of Nekhti’s classes. He also spent time alone, experimenting in his workshop. Aware that Snakebite could attack at any time, he kept a watchful eye out for him, but never caught a glimpse.
The idea for a device that would work in the dark came to AP from something Nekhti had mentioned. “One of the oldest beliefs,” Nekhti had explained, “is that the afterlife is spent in a special place, far off to the west.” Mummies were buried with all kinds of things to help them in the afterlife, so what better than a magnetic compass that pointed west? The idea was simple enough, though it could prove difficult to make.
AP’s first problem was finding a piece of iron to make into a magnet. [27] “There’s lots of copper and gold around,” Shedou said on the way to work one morning, “but iron…” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “That’s hard to find. There’s some about. It comes from the east—the Hittites use it for making swords.”
When Kate met AP that afternoon, she was bursting to tell him her latest news. “The Pharaoh’s invited me to his palace again!” she exclaimed. “This is so amazingly awesome. Just imagine.”
“Right now I’m imagining old Ramesses when you can’t come up with another magical device,” he said gloomily.
“You can’t think of anything to build?” she asked, feeling deflated.
“I’ve got an idea that might work, but you’ll have a hard time finding the things I need.”
“Fire away.”
“First I need some iron. Preferably small pieces, like needles or nails.”
“You’ve got it!” she said. “What’s next?”
“Finding iron will be difficult—but that’s your problem not mine.” AP sounded uncharacteristically cranky.
“What’s up?”
“Nothing.”
“Why do you always have to go on about my size?” he snapped.
Suddenly it occurred to Kate what the problem might be. “Listen, I know that guy, the Pharaoh’s advisor, was really snooty with you the other day. And the Pharaoh pretty well ignored you altogether.”
AP remained silent.
“I realize you’re doing all the work and I’m having all the fun, but I didn’t want it to be this way. You know that.”
AP nodded. “It’s not your fault, but I did have a bad time at the palace. They made me feel like I didn’t count.”
“I know,” she said, putting an arm around his shoulder. “They were horrible to you. And I didn’t help by sucking up to the Pharaoh like I did.”
“That’s okay,” he said, sounding more like his old self. “You obviously impressed him.” Then, smiling, he added, “Maybe he likes you!”
“No way!” Kate protested. “He’s old enough to be my father. Besides, he’s got such a big nose!”
They both laughed.
“So, getting back to your shopping list, what else do you need beside iron?”
“Just some thread and a hammer”
“What are you going to make?
“A compass.”
Kate looked puzzled, until he explained about the journey west. “How do you make a magnet?”
“There are two ways—hammering and using electricity. The second way’s easy and I’ve done it many times. The only snag is you need a battery. So I’ve got to use the hammering method, which I’ve never tried before.”
“How does it work?”
“It’s quite simple. You line up your piece of iron so it’s pointing north and south, then you start hitting it with a hammer. That lines up all the mini-magnets inside the iron, so they point the same way.”
“How hard do you have to hammer?”
“No idea. I’m not sure how long to hammer for either. I’ll have to experiment.”
After several days of searching, Kate managed to find some small pieces of iron. AP set to work.
Finding north and south was easy because the temple faced north. He also checked this for himself by watching the setting sun. Choosing a piece of iron the size of a small nail, he hammered away for several minutes. This flattened the rod slightly, but when he tried using it to pick up a small scrap of iron, nothing happened. AP was puzzled—he knew he had lined it up properly. Maybe he hadn’t hammered it long enough. He carried on hammering until his arm ached, yet the rod still didn’t act like a magnet. “What can I do?” he muttered in desperation.
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