War of the Crowns

by Christian Jacq

  Holding the menat-necklace tightly, Ahhotep managed to breathe almost normally and approached the tombs.

  But a stele barred her way. On it were written these terrifying words: ‘A curse upon anyone who crosses the threshold of this dwelling. All-consuming fire upon the profaner, everlasting damnation!’

  These words would never normally have been found in a place of profound peace, linked to eternity. Without any doubt, they had been engraved on the orders of Apophis, in order to create an impenetrable barrier. The Emperor of Darkness had corrupted an akh, a ‘radiant spirit’, distorting it and turning it into an aggressive, fearsome ghost.

  Ahhotep addressed it, making the offering of the necklace.

  A strong wind began to blow. The queen thought she could hear cries of pain, as if a lost soul were in unbearable agony.

  Ahhotep tore the bodice of her dress into four strips, which she laid side by side between the stele and the entrance to the tomb.

  The wind grew fiercer, and the moaning became louder.

  Ahhotep laid her serpent-shaped staff upon the ground. The cornelian quivered and came to life, and a royal cobra reared up. Writhing on the linen strips, it set them alight.

  Picking up these torches, the queen used them to make a path of fire. ‘May the goddesses hidden in the flames stand guard by day and ensure protection by night,’ she prayed. ‘May they drive away visible and invisible enemies. May they cause light to enter the darkness.’

  The wind dropped, and little by little the fire grew less intense. When Ahhotep looked around, the menacing stele had disappeared, as if it had sunk into the cliff-face.

  Staff in hand, Ahhotep entered the house of eternity of a noble called Amenemhat. She crossed a forecourt, passed beneath a pillared portico and meditated on the floor of the huge shrine, whose door stood open.

  Had the emperor laid other traps?

  Trusting in her own instincts, Ahhotep spoke the name of ‘Amenemhat, of Just Voice’, asking him to welcome her into his earthly paradise.

  The paintings were extraordinarily fresh, and the queen allowed herself to be soothed by the charming depictions of birds, symbols of the metamorphoses of the soul. Suddenly, she sensed danger. Her eyes fixed upon unexpected scenes, devoted to wrestlers who were engaged in unarmed combat. They were using a great number of different holds, each movement clearly broken down to serve as an example.

  The wrestlers’ faces turned towards the queen, their eyes filled with the will to attack her. Soon, the seemingly immobile figures would come to life, step down from the walls and assail the intruder.

  ‘I am the Queen of Egypt and the Wife of God. You are soldiers in the service of Pharaoh. May the emperor’s enchantments leave your bodies and may your fighting skills enter the service of Kamose.’ Defiantly, she held up the serpent-shaped staff in her left hand and the menat-necklace in her right. ‘Obey me, or your images will be deprived of life. May each movement you make favour the light, not the darkness.’

  For a few moments, the wrestlers seemed to confer. Then they returned to their original positions. The sense of danger was gone.

  Ahhotep made her way to the alcove containing the statues of the tomb’s owner and his wife. At their feet lay a jar.

  In the jar was a papyrus on which were written the good and bad days of the current year, in accordance with the myths revealed in the different temples of Egypt. Any important action must respect this sacred calendar.

  ‘Try again,’ Moustache ordered a strong, thickset man who was most unhappy at having twice bitten the dust.

  On the third attempt, the stocky man feinted at Moustache’s head but, at the last moment, tried to hit him in the stomach. Not realizing what was happening to him, the fellow lost his balance, was lifted off his feet sideways, and fell heavily on to his back.

  ‘This hold is truly amazing!’ exclaimed Moustache delightedly.

  Several scribes had made exact copies of the paintings of the wrestlers in Amenemhat’s tomb, and the pictures were being used to teach the old techniques to the Theban soldiers. Moustache and the Afghan had proved best at this game. And they made sure that the training was intensive, so as to increase their men’s chances of survival. Although the Hyksos had not counter-attacked, the troops were still on permanent alert.

  Kamose was pawing the ground with impatience, but the Jar of Predictions had delivered its verdict: the coming days were unsuitable for military action. Obliged to respect the words of the Invisible, he feared that time was against the Thebans.

  ‘You look worried, Majesty,’ said beautiful Anat, who had been placed under confinement in the royal tent.

  ‘That would that please you, no doubt.’

  ‘On the contrary, since you freed me from my chains I wish only for your success.’

  ‘You are very seductive, and you know it.’

  Is that a crime which merits punishment?’

  ‘I have more important concerns than a woman’s beauty.’

  ‘But surely the war doesn’t prevent you from loving? If it does, you will lack a strength which will be essential to your victory. What violence destroys, only love can successfully rebuild.’

  ‘Do you really want to be loved, Anat?’

  ‘By you, yes, provided you are sincere.’

  Kamose took the blue-eyed Syrian into his arms and kissed her passionately.

  47

  Jannas had crushed the Anatolian rebellion, but at what a price! Half the Hyksos war-fleet had been wiped out, many of his best soldiers were dead, and an enormous number of wounded men would not be fit to rejoin the army for a long time, if ever. And hostilities would break out again some day, for the mountain-men of Anatolia would never accept Hyksos domination.

  Despite these grim facts, when he returned to Avaris Jannas was celebrated as a hero by a huge crowd of officers and men, who had total confidence in the empire’s most highly renowned warrior.

  As a sign of honour, High Treasurer Khamudi himself greeted Jannas at the entrance to the citadel. ‘The emperor has been awaiting your return with impatience, Commander.’

  ‘I acted as fast as I could.’

  ‘Of course, of course. No one doubts that. Are you satisfied with the results?’

  ‘That information is for the emperor’s ears alone.’

  ‘Of course. I shall take you to the audience chamber.’

  Apophis was in an indescribable rage. That morning, he had secretly tried to put on the Red Crown of Lower Egypt for an appearance before the Temple of Set. But he was immediately attacked by such severe pain that he had had to remove the accursed crown and return it to its hiding-place. No one must ever know that it had rejected him.

  From his spy’s reports and by consulting his blue flask with its map of Egypt, Apophis knew that the Thebans had reconquered Qis, Nefrusy and Khmun, and were drawn up north of Beni Hasan. So Queen Ahhotep had succeeded in shattering the magic barrier. She was undoubtedly a formidable enemy, who had escaped trap after trap.

  This war would be decisive. The queen and her son had thrown all the rebel forces into the battle, and Egypt would be drained dry after their defeat. It was an ideal opportunity to destroy the ancient spirituality of the pharaohs for ever.

  Jannas bowed before Apophis.

  ‘You have arrived at the right time, Commander. You are no doubt tired after that long campaign, but unfortunately I cannot let you rest.’

  ‘I am yours to command, Majesty.’

  ‘Are we at last done with the Anatolians?’

  Jannas hesitated.

  ‘You may speak freely in front of Khamudi.’

  The commander could not disobey an order from the emperor. ‘I have killed enough rebels to ensure that Anatolia will cause you no concern for several months. But it is impossible to wipe them out completely. In a year, or perhaps two, we shall have to strike at them again.’

  Apophis did not seem angry. Our army is not made for sleep, Commander. The greatness of the empire will always deman
d this sort of action. For the moment, you are to deal with Egypt.’

  ‘Egypt? Do you not think a simple frontal operation—’

  ‘The situation has changed. It was necessary that Queen Ahhotep became bold and that her son Kamose, the puppet king, believed in victory. The further north they advance, the closer they come to the terrain which we know best and on which we shall use our heavy weapons. The rebels are overconfident, and will throw all their forces into a head-on clash which they think they can win. Also, I wanted to reorganize the trade-control post at Khmun and rid myself of the petty tyrant at Nefrusy. By killing a few useless individuals, Ahhotep has done me a service.’

  ‘Is our information about the enemy’s movements accurate?’

  ‘It could not be more accurate. The spy who enabled me to kill Seqen continues to serve me efficiently.’

  ‘Then I can attack the Thebans at once.’

  Apophis gave one of his icy smiles. ‘There is something else more urgent, and we shall use another strategy, beginning with Lisht and Per-shaq.’

  Jannas was a soldier and a Hyksos, so he would obey his emperor’s orders to the letter. However, he considered them beneath his dignity as leader of the empire’s forces. Khamudi and his men would have been quite good enough to carry out this task. But the commander forced himself to believe that Apophis saw further than he did, and that these orders were necessary.

  As he made his way to his official residence, Jannas saw fifty old men, women and children pass by, laden with bundles and chained together. They were surrounded by a detachment of Hyksos guards, commanded by Aberia.

  ‘My lady, where are you taking these people?’ asked Jannas.

  ‘That is a secret matter of state,’ replied Aberia.

  ‘It is your duty to tell me.’

  ‘They are convicted criminals - nothing but dangerous criminals.’

  ‘Dangerous, those miserable wretches? Do you take me for a fool?’

  ‘I am merely obeying orders.’

  The pitiful procession continued on its way, and Jannas went to Khamudi’s house, where the High Treasurer was totting up his receipts from the last sales of drugs to the notables of Avaris.

  ‘I would like to know,’ said Jannas coldly, ‘how many matters of state are kept secret from the commander of the Hyksos armies.’

  Seeing the commander’s anger, Khamudi realized that he must tread carefully if he was to avert an explosion of anger.

  ‘How many? Why, none, Commander.’

  ‘That is not the lady Aberia’s view.’

  ‘I’m sure it is only a misunderstanding.’

  ‘In that case, tell me where she is taking old men, children and women whom she describes as dangerous.’

  Khamudi looked rather uncomfortable. ‘The lady Aberia is not entirely wrong. These people may look harmless, but in fact they are a real threat because they spread dangerous ideas. That is why it is necessary to expel them.’

  ‘Only expel them?’

  ‘We intern them in a place where they cannot cause any more trouble.’

  ‘You mean a prison camp. Where is it?’

  ‘At Sharuhen.’

  ‘But Sharuhen’s in Palestine. Why there?’

  ‘It is far enough from Avaris, and the rebels receive just punishment there.’

  ‘In that harsh land, many of them must die very quickly.’

  ‘Surely you don’t regret the deaths of the emperor’s enemies?’ said Khamudi. ‘He approves both of the camp, which he considers essential, and also of the deportation of troublemakers. By expelling them, we rid Avaris of all undesirable elements. Isn’t it a good idea?’

  ‘Very good. Now, what else is there that I ought to know?’

  ‘Nothing, I assure you.’

  ‘I am glad to hear it, High Treasurer.’

  Khamudi smiled. ‘My wife and I are holding a reception this evening, with a few young girls who are to be deported tomorrow. It should be amusing, so won’t you join us?’

  ‘I have already told you I am not interested in amusements like that. Good night, High Treasurer.’

  48

  Minos was as ardent as ever when he made love to Windswept, and she still found matchless happiness in her lover’s arms. But she could not forget his secret meeting with an official suspected of conspiring against Apophis.

  If Minos really was guilty of that crime, she ought to denounce him to the emperor, who would delight in sending a new victim to the bull or the labyrinth. But Windswept would not let herself believe in his treason, and kept her suspicions to herself.

  She caressed the Minoan’s chest with her long, slender hands. ‘I have the feeling you’re hiding something from me, my love.’

  ‘Don’t you think you know everything about me?’

  ‘Sometimes I wonder.’

  ‘You’re right.’

  At last, he was going to confess. ‘You can tell me everything, Minos.’

  ‘It’s very intimate, very serious …’

  ‘Trust me.’

  The artist swallowed hard. Tm having doubts about my talent. My early paintings seem colourless to me now, but I can’t help wondering if they aren’t more accomplished than the new ones. I worry about it so much that I can’t sleep. My hand should be my only guide, but I’m afraid it’s losing its precision. Is this a new stage, which will improve my work, or is my inspiration running dry?’

  Windswept kissed him passionately. ‘As long as you love me, you’ll have all the inspiration you could want.’

  After the midday meal, when most people were asleep, Minos left the fortress, bidding good day to the guards. They regarded him with contempt: this dauber was no use to anyone—he couldn’t even handle a weapon.

  He walked along with no apparent goal in mind, and turned into a street lined with officers’ houses. Several times, he halted and looked around. Then he suddenly dived into a blind alley where grain-stores stood. Since they were not due to be filled for another week, there were no guards there.

  In fact, there was no one at all there. And yet his accomplice had agreed to meet him here. His absence must mean that he had been arrested and that Minos would soon be caught, too.

  ‘Come closer,’ whispered an anxious voice.

  Nervously, Minos did so.

  The man was there, crouching between two grain-stores.

  ‘Have you made any more contacts?’ asked Minos.

  ‘Jannas’s return made it impossible—there are guards everywhere.’

  ‘At the palace, people are whispering that Jannas hates Khamudi. Some say that the commander would make a good emperor.’

  ‘He has the army’s trust, certainly, but he’s absolutely loyal to Apophis and would never support a conspiracy against him.’

  ‘Then is it impossible for us to do what we must?’

  ‘For the moment, yes. But Jannas is leaving to fight the Theban rebels. When he returns, the enmity between him and Khamudi is bound to take a new turn. Perhaps we can profit from it. Until then, we must wait and stay calm.’

  Disappointed, Minos set off back to the palace. The man seemed too afraid to do anything, even in favourable circumstances. It was up to Minos to act, together with the other Minoans who were forced to live in this sinister town. Only the emperor’s death would give them back their freedom.

  Taking ample precautions so that she would not be spotted, Windswept had almost lost Minos. Choosing the right direction, she had finally found him again and had hidden in the corner of the blind alley where, it was clear, the Minoan was making contact with someone.

  By climbing on to the roof of a grain-store, she could have eavesdropped on their conversation, but the stores’ convex shape would have made that too dangerous. She had had to be content with watching her lover leave, lost in thought and visibly dejected.

  The man who mattered was the other one. When she saw that he was the weapons official who was already under suspicion, the terrible reality hit her full in the face.

&n
bsp; Minos was indeed a conspirator. He had lied to her, and she must denounce him.

  In Jannas’s eyes, there could be no exceptions to the rule of obedience. But he had never to carry out a strange mission as strange as the one to Per-shaq, and he felt that it lay well outside the duties of a soldier with his experience. He had therefore not gone himself, delegating one of his subordinates to execute the emperor’s orders.

  When the officer returned, Jannas summoned him at once, and asked, ‘Is it done?

  ‘Yes, Commander.’

  ‘Any problems?’

  ‘No, sir.’

  ‘What is the latest information on the enemy army?’

  ‘According to our scouts, it’s moving slowly towards Per-shaq. They say it’s a real army, sir, and surprisingly well organized, and the fleet is big. But the Theban scouts are not unskilled, so ours could not observe at close quarters.’

  ‘Ensure that our operation is thoroughly prepared. I will not tolerate any laxity.’

  The site of Lisht,*abandoned since the Hyksos invasion, included pyramids built by illustrious pharaons of ancient times and the tombs of their senior officials. A profound peace reigned there, as if the kings of that bygone age were still passing on their wisdom.

  It was precisely that wisdom which Apophis wanted to see disappear.

  ‘Find me the entrances to these monuments,’ Jannas ordered his engineers, ‘and unblock the ways to the treasure-chambers.’

  The pyramid of Amenemhat I, the most northerly, was as tall as thirty men; that of Sesostris I, which was surrounded by ten small pyramids, was even taller. Despite the precautions taken by the builders, the Hyksos succeeded in breaking into them. The mummies were removed from their sarcophagi, their bandages ripped off, their protective amulets scattered. Precious papyri, covered with texts describing the never-ending metamorphoses of the royal soul in the universe, were burnt.