Heart of the Lotus

by Mary R Woldering

  Everything’s changing now, as if the original thought to take the neter stones to the priests never really was the mission. Finding this wayward one, this thing that once called itself Ta-Te or whatever his real name was and placing him in a situation where he would relinquish his grip on earth and mankind has shown itself. Mortals couldn’t be expected to do this, nor could the Children because they cannot exist in our world, so they changed and strengthened me and others. What does that mean? Am I truly immortal? he lay against a sun-sheltering wall with his travel cloak under his head, wanting to rest and to put the events away for a few hours.

  If I am wounded or in some way damaged, I simply sleep until the elements in my physical form have made needed repairs. Injuries heal quickly; even while I watch, but the Sweet Horizon Hordjedtef gave me nearly finished me. I suffered almost as much as an ordinary man. Who is to say if sometime in the future… then he thought of Houra’s face, old and wrinkled as she lost her grip on life.

  There’ll be others; friends whose time is over. I’ll see Wserkaf become king and pretty Khentie rule beside him though I can’t let them know what I’ve seen or how soon it could be. As we take the steps away from the heart of the lotus, the pattern of our lives can change.

  Where will I be when their grieving subjects place their coffins on the boats and carry them to the holy places to launch them to the stars? The Akaru, Marai thought of the old lion master, birthed by Deka before she was a host, stalwartly refusing to become one of them. He seemed to yearn for the day when his body would rest. He thought of Hordjedtef, desperate to live forever.

  In the wilderness, people die and are forgotten. Their souls wander and exist on the dust that spawned us. It’s important to not mourn them long, even as I did mourn Ilara. Ilara.

  He flinched suddenly, knowing he was not alone and wondering if her spirit had ever left him. Once again, he saw her pallid face and felt her hands growing cold while he begged and blamed himself for not taking better care of her. The face shifted and became Naibe’s face.

  Happening again? As with Ilara? It will not! He leapt to his feet, shaking off any weariness. He held up his hands in an attitude of clearing the air.

  Naibe, are you well? he asked, feeling an unwelcome rush of uncertainty. Wake if you sleep and tell me, his thoughts rushed as he tightened his belt and shouldered his pack. There was no answer.

  Ari. I know I can reach you. Talk to my thoughts, he ordered and felt the answer he didn’t want.

  She’s fine, Marai. She had another bout of something but she’s fine now, but you should come back. She wants you here and so do the rest of us, whether Princey and Deka come back or not.

  Something about the urgency, though she made it seem flippant and sarcastic, caught him. In the distance, he sensed what he had thought was long dead Ilara’s spirit. He remembered it had come to him in his cave before the journey began. Her face had been obscured and she had been begging him not to leave or forsake the memory of her life. He learned, over time, that it had been the very entity the children sought, but he did not recognize that night. It had been hidden between worlds looking for a way to be born. He’d had enough.

  “You tried to stop me, as Ilara. You tried to own me and overtake me. I refused. You tried to confuse me through Wserkaf’s spell. You whispered to old Hordjedtef to destroy me, but I was stronger. You broke us apart… but you have not defeated me. I am a son of Ahu. Like him, I am a stubborn man. You have much to fear when I turn my sights on you, Ta-Te.

  Chapter 30: Under the Sesen

  It’s always like this in the evening, Khentie thought as she walked the plaza floor in the women’s quarters and waited for word of Wserkaf’s arrival. We never know how many will dine unless it’s a larger or formal repast. This close to the funeral so many are moving around with new duties and preparations. Perhaps I shouldn’t expect less respect for Our Father, but they could respect his Heru.

  The welcoming party was being set. It would be a quiet late afternoon meal arranged in the minor plaza downstairs from Shepseskaf’s bedroom. The only guests would be her son Kakai, his intended bride, and her parents. Musicians were assembling by the pool so they’d be ready play soothing music. The king would be able to have a fine dinner before settling down to a well-deserved sleep.

  Wse is late, though, she moved out to inspect the table settings and glanced at the position of the sun moving lower in the sky. Turning her attention to the servants who were freshening the flowers, Khentie thought about everything that had transpired since the adventures in Per-A-At.

  The extra days he and his father stayed to hurriedly copy and hide the translated texts, his secret meetings with the king when they returned.

  More hiding.

  Only a fool would think we were not hiding information, and Dede is no fool. And I am wondering why he is late? She meandered among the golden trays and highly polished plates, adjusting one or two to distract herself from how wrong his absence suddenly seemed.

  If I send a runner, I’ll end up having to invite Hordjedtef to dine. That would be disquieting… but he will be leaving us soon, so perhaps… She froze, stopping in her tracks around the table settings. Something felt wrong to her about the evening, about Wse staying too long at the Great One’s city estate. The sun was low in the sky. If it was to be a long meeting… she paused, wondering why she hadn’t been concerned earlier. Have I been under a spell? Have we all been under one?

  Khentie spied Lady Bunefer outside the king’s bedroom where the young consort-prophetess was overseeing the servants as they set out the king’s casual garments. She signaled, then beckoned for her to meet her on the balcony that overlooked the front of the estate. Quickly trotting up the steps, she gathered the young woman and shooed away the surprised attendants.

  “Buni,” she whispered once they were alone. “I have a bad feeling about Wse being late. Do your senses feel anything of concern?”

  The small woman frowned, as if sorting the clutter of daily goings on and thoughts from her mind, then concentrated to look for any overlooked messages.

  “Nothing on the surface, Khentie,” she admitted, then frowned: “But now that you mention it, I do feel something. Shall I trance? Go deeper?”

  “Just tell me if something has happened? Can you see that without a trance?” Khentie looked out over the horizon from the vantage point on the balcony. Below and far away, she saw the path leading from the palace, the guarded gates, and the paths between walls that ended in various noble houses. Movement approaching in the alleyways indicated Prince Kakai and his wife to be with her parents and their serving retinue moving to the gates. Beyond that, the king had not begun his approach and there was nothing to be seen of Wserkaf coming from the other direction.

  “I sense something watching over them. I can look to see who it is, if you like,” Bunefer had already removed one of her ever-present mittens and rubbed her brow for clarity.

  Khentie shook her head. “No. I don’t need you to put yourself through that yet, but I think I will send a runner – even if it means we must entertain old Dede tonight.” She walked down the steps with the prophetess who continued, concerned.

  “But this is to be private, and for your son and the family of his future consort,” Bunefer replaced her mitten. “How would he think of it being his concern? Neither the girl nor her parents are relatives.”

  “Because he has lurked in this house since he was a boy and often acts as if he had it built to his whim. But those days are ending, thank the gods.” Khentie moved toward the guardhouse where she found a young soldier to go to Count Hordjedtef’s house to fetch Wserkaf and to request the Count’s presence as well.

  Kakai and his future in-laws entered the gate just as the soldier left with his duty. Khentie, in welcoming everyone and seeing to their comfort temporarily, forgot about the messenger until everyone had reclined at the table. As they nibbled on tidbits of fruits and nuts and waited for the next guests to arrive, Khentie discussed the child
ren’s future and giggled inwardly at Kakai and Khenunu making flirt eyes at each other.

  It’s a good match, she told herself, remembering the shy and even giddy feeling of hers and Wse’s first dinner as an intended pair. Her father Prince Menkaure, King Khafre, her mother, her sister, and her brother. Not a one alive today but Wse, mother Khammie, and I, she reflected. Wse should be here to see how they glow with love. With that, her thoughts snapped back to her missing mate. That runner I sent should have returned. He hasn’t. It’s not that far to the elder’s estate: moments there and moments back with Wse.

  She rose and was about to mention the length of time to Bunefer when the gate guards announced Shepseskaf’s approach.

  On hearing it, the musicians began their gentle pieces.

  As soon as the king was borne through the gates, his guards, servants, and attendants busily prepared him for his evening meal with the things previously laid out. The guests reclined, but touched nothing and remained silent with heads bowed in an attitude of worship. Only Khentie and Bunefer moved: one to check when he came down the stairs fully refreshed, the other to suggest a more upbeat and announcing flurry of pipes and harp strings as he did.

  As he settled between Khentie and Bunefer, and the first course was brought out, Shepseskaf’s eyes drifted to the empty place beside young Kakai.

  Of course he’d notice that. I was about to send another runner, she shook her head, still hoping for a last-minute sound outside the gates. None came.

  “Our Great Seer was to sup with us tonight; to stay with us. Has something happened?”

  Khentie masked her feelings carefully but already guessed her half-brother understood something was out of order.

  “Speak freely, sister. Please,” he implored wearily, readying himself.

  Khentie was trying to devise her words carefully to give full information without alarming the guests but Bunefer’s eyes grew large. She gasped and bowed her head as if she had received a new thought.

  “You see something?” he remarked. “What is it?” the king’s brow wrinkled in annoyed concern that something was about to interrupt his evening meal.

  “Well, he’s late,” Khentie intervened while Bunefer attempted to read signs without lapsing into a trance. “You know we sent him to the Count’s estate to finalize the honors of the House of Djehuti before midday. He hasn’t returned. I sent a runner some time ago and was about to send a second one as the first has not returned.”

  “What?” Shepseskaf immediately put aside the linen napkin he was unfolding “And you did not greet me at the gate with this? I hope he…” and then silenced himself.

  Khentie had convinced herself earlier that Hordjedtef would never try to hurt Wse, but now, as if Bunefer’s reaction to another message had wakened her, she wondered. It is late? He told me how excited he was to welcome Kakai’s intended new family and how he wouldn’t miss it when he left this morning. He had also asked her to send someone with the king’s orders by mid-afternoon if he hadn’t returned.

  “And our esteemed Great One has defied us by retaining His Highness? And a runner has now gone late? I would like to consult your spirits Honored Lady Bunefer.”

  Bunefer quietly shut her eyes, then spoke: “I sense a greater darkness than before. There has been a great struggle of the spirit and the body among many. There was a divine light in this; foes and then devious ones. Perhaps gentle Majesty, another runner?”

  Khentie bowed her head, closing her own eyes in distress, but trying not to show it. When she opened them, the king was on his feet.

  “I think not,” Shepseskaf had pushed himself up from his couch. “If the light is divine, it calls to one divine as well… no ordinary man. Perhaps it is nothing so serious,” Shepseskaf signaled his guards. “I’ve often been held over at Our Father’s Pyr-Akh until dear Goddess Nut has blackened the sky and filled it with her stars. Our evening meal will wait until our brother sits with us. I’ll go. No one will defy me,” he marched up to his room and beckoned his attendants to garb him for “going forth”.

  “Buni…” Khentie started, her heart in her throat one again. “Did you sense the trouble was around Wse? Is he still there?” she pushed up from the table, but faced the other guests. As an afterthought, she sobered her expression.

  “You will forgive us, then,” she addressed the girl’s parents.

  “Great Majesty…” Khenunu’s father stood and pulled his wife and daughter to their feet. “We would also go on the search if we are allowed.”

  “Let me go too, Your Majesty,” Kakai started to get up.

  “Come, then,” the king answered, “but walk behind the armed ones. You live a distance. I will not send you away unfed.”

  Khentie gave a sharp nod, forcing her composure into coldness and motioned for her attendant get a cloak from her stateroom.

  Oh, this feels suddenly very bad, she thought. If he’s done something to Wse I will find him asleep and murder him myself. Her eyes sought Bunefer’s guarded expression amid the sudden scattering of guests.

  Kakai was already walking toward the entry with Khenunu’s family to order the folding sedans assembled.

  Khentie stepped back to tell the maids and musicians to cover the food with linens and if much time elapsed to store it where it could be easily re-prepared later.

  Bunefer shook her head, looking dismayed.

  “Is it Wse?” Khentie asked again but the question was once again unanswered in the hurry to get to the Great One’s city estate.

  Within moments, litters and bearers shuffled into readiness and the King’s personal guard of five men plus their captain had been mustered from their quarters. After King Shepseskaf gave the men a cursory inspection, he commanded them to the front and back of the entourage, placing the visiting family at the rear of the men.

  Bunefer and Khentie huddled together in the same sedan chair.

  “Buni… don’t dodge my question again. What did you actually see?” Khentie pleaded. “Do you sense Hordjedtef could have been stupid enough to hurt Wse?”

  “It’s bad, my sister,” the consort whispered back, her gloved hand touching Khentie’s cheek to comfort her. “I see much divine light shining between two dark places, like it’s two rooms with something between them. I feel there is pain and struggle. Helpless. I can sense it.”

  “Oh no, no, Buni. I know what that is. That’s when we found the box at Per-A-At. Remember I told you how I was on one side in the dark and Wse was on the other and a blast of white light destroyed the door between us.”

  The woman nodded solemnly, even more troubled.

  “If his thoughts are drawn back to that dark moment, then something has him struck silent. Still, I sense it is something else.”

  Bunefer bowed her head again to listen to her guides.

  “Thieves. Filthy thieves have foully stolen. He’s in the dark. I can’t read if he is hurt.”

  “Thieves? How? Wse? What else do you see?” Khentie gripped the prophetess, but looked past her for an instant to see if she could determine how close to the Count’s estate they were.

  “Our Father was there for a short while but no longer.”

  “What?” Khentie’s eyes widened. “His spirit? At Dede’s?”

  Bunefer nodded quickly.

  “For what reason?”

  “I don’t know. The spirit doesn’t say all of it. I think it has to do with the truth of some things coming to light… a symbolic light and not your terror at Per-A-At,” Bunefer paused as if trying to discern more. “The Spirit won’t tell me all of it, but it had to do with the night Our Father traveled into the West.”

  “The poison. But what does that have to do with…” Khentie’s voice trailed as she recalled the Great One’s attempts to control and weaken her father over his last years.

  Tried to control him with kind words and medicines, to go past the things the physicians prescribed: the so-called ‘flower of joy’ from Shinar lands that heals the broken heart. Made father pl
easant but then needful and fretful when he did not have it often enough. But Wse wouldn’t… couldn’t be fooled like that. Hurting Wse will accomplish nothing and it won’t make that murdering wretch of a grandson become king either, Khentie shook her head in silent lament. This is more about controlling the truth and how it is perceived. Who controls the truth, rules the world… and yet he is to defend the truth, not invent his own. Wse would stand for the truth. How long has this gone on?

  “I can’t think it was so easily known…” Bunefer whispered, her small voice becoming a whimper. “Oh, the feeling of the dark…” she nestled close to Khentie as the entourage approached Hordjedtef’s gate.

  Khentie didn’t ask any further questions and tried to calm her own raging inner thoughts.

  A scent distracted her as they approached, evidence of cooking from one of the many rooftop kitchens. It’s evening meal, she thought, I hope we can find him and nothing has happened. I smell roasting meats, reminding me of the hour. Not a good cut of meat either, rancid smell. Strong.

  They had arrived. Khentie peered out at the gates. The estate was quiet and dark, as if the old man had already packed up and headed for Nekhen for the last time.

  “No welcoming torches, Buni, look.” She pointed, straining her eyes for a sign of a light or any sign of life. There were no lights outside for anyone who might approach in the evening. The kitchen, barely visible from their raised chairs, appeared empty. No servants prepared an evening meal.

  “Looks as if no one’s here. If there were thieves they’ve gone now,” Khentie leaned out of the sedan. The gate they faced was closed. The meat smell was closer.

  Shepseskaf stood for a moment, as if he was thinking about the situation, then ordered one of his guards to rap on the huge cedar gates. When no answer came, the man banged on it with a fist, then took a war club to it once, then twice, splintering some of the wood.