Eve of the Pharaoh: Historical Adventure and Mystery

by R. M. Schultz

  Land whisked by in a blur, the rain subsiding beyond Elephantine. Akhenaten again ordered us to sail through the nights. We passed Thebes under the cover of darkness, which gave me some comfort.

  After about a week, the white walls of a grand city emerged on the horizon, as if rising out of the river itself. My heart burned with nostalgia. I missed Father, my home, and the comforts of the palace.

  Entering between guardian sphinx and the great walls, the vast emptiness of the outside world disappeared. A mob awaited us at the port.

  Journal Translation

  WORD OF OUR RETURN MUST’VE been sent upon swift wings. A troop of royal guard, the god-king himself, and his queen awaited us inside the walls of Memphis—the capital of Lower Egypt. Pharaoh’s blue and gold striped Nemes headdress flowed over his ears and godly shoulders.

  I stared with submissive awe. The golden beard of the god-king protruded from leather straps—the false beard—matching a massive gold necklace stretching across his chest. Much of Pharaoh’s exposed flesh shone gold, his skin transforming to that of God. Glinting under the light of the Aten, he appeared too magnificent to belong to this world. But despite all his power and godliness, his face and body sagged with age and exhaustion. His belly protruded beyond his thighs, not aided by his hunched spine. Even god-kings must grow old inside mortal bodies. Tiye, the great royal wife and mother of Akhenaten, stood beside Pharaoh. Her lustrous red hair blew freely in the wind, her white dress and gold adornments sparkling.

  Standing behind them was Father, his broad face taut. My stomach cramped with anxiety. He should be overjoyed—

  “Oh no,” Nefertiti whispered, digging her fingernails into my arm. “Father’s here.”

  Ay, a handsome man of middle age, stood at Pharaoh’s right and patted down a thick, black wig. I’d have to break my back trying to impress him if I ever wanted to marry his daughter. Towering beside Ay stood a more handsome, younger man whose muscles rippled—the crown prince of Egypt, Thutmose. My insides shriveled, growing weaker and becoming less of a man just beholding the prince. This wouldn’t turn out well for us, but what could I have done? I’d had no choice.

  Stopping their work, the people of Memphis hovered around the dock and watched. The racket of the port and wind faded to a whisper. We docked and stepped ashore, Akhenaten leading us with a tall posture and puffed chest. The soldiers and I fell into salutations, kneeling in the dirt and holding our palms out toward the god-king in adoration.

  Nodding to his family, Akhenaten said, “Father, Mother, Brother.”

  Pharaoh’s eyes narrowed with suspicion or anger, the tortuous veins on his hands popping out as he squeezed the crook and flail. “Welcome back, my son,” he said, his voice withered. “You never informed me you were going hunting. Did you know we will return to Thebes after I address a few last pressing affairs here? Probably within the month.”

  I held my breath in suspense. Was he going to strike Akhenaten down or let him pass? His insides must’ve been boiling, but the man retained diplomacy.

  “Come, we have much to discuss,” he said, sauntering away.

  After surrounding us, Pharaoh’s royal guard—who must’ve totaled fifty—prodded and steered us toward the heart of the city. Walking at Nefertiti’s side, my head hung with regret and worry as to what punishment may follow. Ay stomped between the soldiers, snatched his daughter’s hand, and yanked her away. My shoulders slumped, my own father not far ahead.

  “Did you see the countryside, Brother?” Thutmose asked, his fists clenched as he attempted to walk casually after Pharaoh.

  “I had business to attend to,” Akhenaten said, his gaze fixed ahead.

  The tense march concluded at the palace. Grabbing me by the back of the neck, Suty shoved me into the dirt. “Servant, ya not needed for this,” he said. “Prepare your master’s room and a hot meal.”

  The procession continued into the palace in a whirl of dust.

  Screams and shouts rang throughout the halls for hours, but no words were distinguishable inside Akhenaten’s quarters. I waited, nervously tapping my foot.

  Nefertiti appeared in the hallway, her hair reflecting the flickering lamps. The sandals of her inquisitive sister, Mutnedjmet, and Akhenaten’s sister, Beketaten, slapped along at her side. Tears cascaded down Nefertiti’s cheeks while little Mutnedjmet held her hand. They passed by without noticing me.

  Stepping out behind them, I watched. Mutnedjmet looked up at Nefertiti, smiling. “Don’t be sad, Nefertiti,” she said, “Akhenaten may be punished, but Pharaoh won’t flail him.”

  Beketaten’s long face displayed no emotion.

  “That’s not what I’m worried about,” Nefertiti said, sinking to her knees.

  “Did something happen?” Mutnedjmet asked, her soft face wrinkling with concern.

  “Akhenaten deserves everything he gets,” Nefertiti said, covering her head with her arms. “I never should’ve snuck onto that ship. I hope Father and Pharaoh don’t find out.”

  “They know you went,” Mutnedjmet said.

  “I know …” Nefertiti fell silent, her hands falling to the floor. “I mean …”

  “Did Akhenaten do something?” Beketaten asked as she stepped back and placed a hand on her chest, her voice more high-pitched and nasal than usual.

  “I …” Nefertiti’s mouth fell open, but no more words came out.

  Trying to think of something to say, I approached in hopes of comforting Nefertiti. Mutnedjmet noticed, brushing tangled hair out of her face.

  “Horemheb was there to protect you,” Mutnedjmet said. “He always looks after you.”

  Nefertiti glanced back with teary eyes, her dark green makeup smeared. All of her bruises had faded, but the glow behind her dark irises, the radiance I’d fallen in love with, had not returned.

  “But he has no power,” Nefertiti said. “He couldn’t help me or the priest.”

  My heart crumpled, as if being stomped on. She still thinks I’m weak! I couldn’t do anything else back there but grow angry and curse God for my miserable fate.

  “Horemheb’s desire to care for you should provide more comfort than any words I can offer,” Mutnedjmet said, patting her sister’s hand.

  My jaw dropped in surprise. The girl’s intelligent words clashed with her appearance, taking my speech away. A feeling of self-worth washed over me in a warm tingle. Did I hold some kind of power? Love? Would Nefertiti realize it? “Is there anything I can do?” I finally asked, kneeling and placing a hand on Nefertiti’s shoulder. Hoping for some simple or even great task, I yearned to make all of her cares and concerns vanish.

  Nefertiti shook her head. “There’s nothing a servant can do for me right now.”

  Smirking, Beketaten nodded.

  “I—” I tried to say.

  Emerging from the shadows at the end of the hallway, Akhenaten’s ever-present stick clacked on the tile. I removed my hand from Nefertiti.

  “Servant,” he said, his dark eyelids closing to complete his black mask. “If you have gathered a meal and tended to my room, leave us. Your father is anxious to see you.”

  My jaw tensed with suspicion. I didn’t want to leave Nefertiti; she needed protection. Glaring with slanted orbs, my master folded his arms. Perhaps she would be safe now that we were back inside the palace. Pharaoh gave the orders here, not his second son.

  “What did Pharaoh do to you?” Mutnedjmet asked her cousin.

  “Never question me!” Akhenaten’s face contorted like a beast’s as he lunged forward, reaching for her. But Mutnedjmet jumped behind Beketaten. Growling, he spun on me, his teeth flashing in the lamplight. “The expedition has not altered anything between us.” Poking a gangly finger into my ribs, his eyes locked on my chest. His hand snaked out, ripping the amulet of Bes from me. Twine bit into my neck before breaking and causing warm fluid to dribble down my back. I raised my hands in defense and cowered in fear as he flung the necklace against the wall. It issued a crack, and fragments clattered to
the floor. “Do not wear false idols! You witnessed my capabilities. You saw me take a man’s ka and swallow his ba! He is gone. Few have wielded such magic and they guarded it viciously. But I’ve been trained and have joined the ranks of the most powerful men in the world! I am second in line to be pharaoh and my dominion will not stop. Do not give me more reason to become angry.” He shoved me down the hall. “And never again go into the closet in my room,” he said, pointing to his doorway. “Is that clear?”

  “Like the afternoon sky,” I replied. I hadn’t cleaned his closet since before we left.

  “Fetch me a meal as well, servant,” Beketaten said, the tip of her nose twitching as she chuckled. “Before you see your father.”

  My chin collapsed onto my chest, a feeling of powerless resentment tightening my insides. Was Beketaten trying to get me into trouble, or should I obey her, too? Sauntering off, I glanced back and witnessed the four discussing something quietly. Akhenaten had arisen from the dead and swallowed a man’s soul. How could I ever hope to protect Nefertiti from such power? After everything I’d been through and accomplished on the river, my situation had turned even darker than before we left.

  I assembled a meal from the kitchen for Beketaten and myself, and raced off.

  “Horemheb, my boy!” Father said, his broad face brightening. He stood up, failing at blinking back his tears.

  “Father!” I ran into his open arms, so glad to see him.

  “I’m so happy you’re home,” he said, hugging me tight and tugging on my sidelock. His bronze bracelet sunk into my skin, and I felt safe for the first time since our adventure began. “You must’ve experienced so much. Come, tell me everything.”

  Sitting on the floor of his room, we chugged aromatic beer as I recounted my first tale. I showed him the jagged wound from the hippo, still red and tender. He coughed up a spray of chewed bread particles. Falling to a whisper, I described Akhenaten’s crimes at Thebes.

  Standing, father cringed and looked past the walls painted with vibrant floral designs, glancing out the open door into the hall. He turned his attention to the high window, peeking under the reed curtain before whispering, “There’s much you need to learn about this world before becoming a man or falling victim to its chaos. Things haven’t turned out as I had hoped. He is squeezing you in his fist, not letting you see the ways of Egypt. Only glimpses.”

  “Why?” I asked, my mind reeling in confusion.

  He rubbed a wrinkled hand over his short, graying hair. “You have a good idea about your role here. I serve Pharaoh as you serve his son. It’s a blessed life, but there’re more important affairs, things beyond this world. Matters of the west hold a deeper meaning and purpose. You must follow your own path if necessary,” he swallowed, “something I’ve always been afraid to do. Your mother—”

  “What?” Hundreds of questions began to cry out in my mind.

  Swinging the curtain aside, he glanced out the window again. The sky stretched like a blanket of darkness, spotted only with pale starlight.

  “What’s the big secret?” I asked.

  He held a finger to his lips. My hands shook with suspense, but his eyes bulged as his gaze fixated on something outside the doorway.

  Journal Translation

  FROM THE BLACKNESS, two slanted orbs reflected the flame of candlelight. My stomach knotted.

  “Hello,” Akhenaten said as he stepped inside, his walking stick tapping the floor. “Father and son together. So precious, especially when one’s wife and mother is gone. A traitor, I heard.”

  My insides lurched in surprise and fear, but I remained silent. My mother? She died when I was born. Was she not faithful to Egypt or to the Aten?

  “Akhenaten, Your Highness,” Father said, bowing low and placing his palms outward. “We were discussing my son’s adventures. The journey was a great life experience for him, and he is blessed to have you as his master.”

  “He is,” Akhenaten said, placing a long finger on his chin. “But it is time to sleep, and I will need his services early.” Spreading his slender arms, his lips twisted into a sinister grin.

  “Of course,” Father said, bowing lower. “I just missed him after being gone for so long.”

  Akhenaten grasped my palm, yanking me to my feet as if I were a child. Placing an arm around my shoulders, he guided me out.

  “Goodnight, Father,” I said as I waved; longing for my family pulled at my heartstrings. The last couple hours were not enough to make up for the weeks without him.

  Waving back, his bronze bracelet glinted in the lamplight like a beacon. “Goodnight, Horemheb, see you again tomorrow night …”

  We shuffled down dark hallways, the tension only broken by the flap of our sandals and the tap of my master’s stick. Exiting Pharaoh’s corridor, Akhenaten marched me to the wing for servants and guard of the royal family.

  I entered my room and spread the blanket I had kept from our sailing adventure over my reed bed. Croc dropped from the window. Sauntering over, the orange cat curled up beside me. The mattress felt luxurious. Closing my eyes, I focused on his soft purring.

  An hour passed as my curiosity amplified and consumed me. What did Father want to tell me? Did he know more about what had happened in Thebes, or about the mysterious disappearance of the mutilated soldier in my dream, or about the ba? Why was he being so secretive? But I had another problem. The hollow eyes of my love flashed in my mind, her spark lost. Sorrow, twisting like Akhenaten’s knife into my heart, caused me to wince. How could I restore the light, Nefertiti’s love of life, her hope, and happiness? I needed to be her hero again, like with the hippos, and prove to her I wielded power. But what could a servant do?

  I stroked the warm fur of my comrade, rising and falling with sleep. Rolling over, my hand settled onto my bare chest and sparked an idea. Perhaps the magic of Bes, the magic within the amulet I’d carried, could restore Nefertiti’s spirits. The idol seemed to have done his part in saving my life. I’d gather the pieces as soon as I could, and bring them to her.

  Waking early the following morning, I strode into the hall under dwindling oil lamps and pink dawn light. I arrived outside Akhenaten’s room, stooping to gather three large pieces of my amulet and hid them inside my kilt. Returning to the menial chores I’d averted during our voyage, hours faded into days. Akhenaten’s needs grew more urgent and extensive, his temper shorter. I found no opportunity to talk to Father or to wander to the royal female wing and Nefertiti’s chamber.

  I worked inside Akhenaten’s room, his lair, as I often thought. Stretching beyond several high windows, the chamber’s interior was decorated with beds, chairs, chests, tables, paintings, and potted art radiating yellows, reds, purples, and blues. I avoided the closet, recalling his odd request. Dusting off an ornate chair covered with images of men and the sun, a fine powder lifted into a swirling cloud. My nose tickled, causing me to sneeze.

  “She still doesn’t eat,” a heavy female servant said to a thin woman as they hustled through the hallway, their foreheads glistening with sweat. “Can’t sleep, either.”

  “Poor thing,” the other said, whisking by.

  My stomach churned with concern. Creeping over, I stepped out behind the pair.

  “Ay can find no way to comfort his daughter—” Their chatter faded around a corner.

  Nefertiti! I had to bring my amulet to her. But how could I get inside her quarters if only females were allowed? Akhenaten’s selfish needs filled my every waking moment while she suffered. Spinning back into the room with clenched fists, I bumped into a chair. The furniture slid away with a grating rattle, revealing a hidden figurine. Cast into the shape of a hippopotamus, the object glistened in blue, its surface as smooth as river rock. Horror sank into my heart as I recalled our encounter on the Nile.

  Leaning over to scrutinize the object, I kept my distance. Could this hippo be magical? I placed the chair back over the statuette and searched for secrets underneath other potential hiding places. Nothing. My gaze f
ell upon the closet. Peeking back out the doorway and down the hall, I saw no sign of anyone.

  Parting the hanging reeds over the recess in the wall, I reached into the darkness. My fingers brushed against an edge. Grabbing the object, I yanked it out. A stack of papyrus. Writings and bizarre images sprawled across the pages, but I couldn’t read any of it. I dug out other stacks of paper, amulets, and wands I’d never seen before. Similar blue statuettes of a lion and a crocodile sat tucked into the corners of the closet—

  “Boy!” a voice called from outside. I jolted with surprise. “Your master’s classes are nearly over. Fetch his dinner.” The stern face of a graying servant stared back at me.

  “Yes, sir,” I said, shaking in terror as I tucked my discoveries away. Would the lead servant think it was abnormal to be cleaning the closet? Hopefully he wouldn’t think of mentioning it to Akhenaten.

  I ran toward Pharaoh’s audience chamber, but six female servants in blinding white dresses turned down the corridor in front of me. Gossiping, the largest woman waved her flabby arms about. The others laughed. I lowered my gaze and followed close behind, stepping quietly. Two short men stood guard alongside the corridor ahead, but we didn’t even capture their attention. I entered the hall I wasn’t supposed to.

  The thick aroma of baking bread and fired vegetables billowed out from a room ahead, along with a chorus of high-pitches voices and laughter. The women bustled on, my breathing rapid and shallow. I feared I’d be caught. Could I say I got lost?

  “Hey,” a soft voice said. I froze, filled with dread. The women, still involved in a reenactment of someone’s conversation, continued into the dining area. Turning, a smiling face appeared, her almond eyes vibrating with energy. Mutnedjmet. She brushed a strand of dark hair away from her face. “How’s your leg?” She pointed to the hideous scar swallowing my ankle. “I heard all about the hippos and what you did. It was unbelievable. Wait, why are you here? You shouldn’t be in this hall.”