The Reed Fields

by Brandon Campbell

  “So, what do you think of this, ‘I am destined to return to Egypt to challenge my birthright and to face the consequences, when is the ideal time to return, expose myself and reap what is mine?’”

  “I think it is better. Although it is a complex question, I do not think it is too complex or confusing. But an advisor priestess will judge your question as you approach the oracle. So have a backup if that one will not work,” Lycan remarked.

  “Okay. My backup question will be the first one I told you.”

  Before the sun was fully set, they entered Delphi. At first glance, it appeared to Akua as similar looking to Athens.

  Walking through town, Akua compared the temples he saw to those in Athens. They were equally exquisite, only smaller. Lycan led Akua to the hill where the oracle was built. Even though it was dusk, a line of people still led up to the temple where the Pythia resided.

  “Is this oracle dedicated to Zeus or Athena?” Akua asked.

  “Oh no. It is for Apollo, our sun god. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

  “Well you and Alexa kept saying Apollo’s Oracle. I just did not make the connection.”

  The trail up the hill to the temple was lined with full, green trees. The stark white marble columns of the temple were illuminated by the stars that had just recently appeared.

  “In Egypt, our sun god is called Re. Perhaps Re and Apollo are one,” Akua said.

  “Perhaps. But Apollo exhibits truly Greek features.”

  Akua decided not to press it anymore, but he was comforted by the thought of Egypt and Greece worshipping the same sun god. At the base of the hill on the opposite side, was a small four sided building supported in the middle by two columns. It had a beautifully carved facade.

  “What is that structure?” Akua said pointing to it.

  “Oh…That is a gift to Apollo. We call it The Treasury of Athens, as it was erected by Athenians. Generations ago, Greece fought the Persian wars. The Battle of Marathon saw the Athenian army come face to face with the Persians. This great oracle, advised the generals to fortify and trust the wooden walls. This, of course, referred to the mighty navy. In the end, the Athenian Navy crushed the opponent. The army then commissioned The Treasury of Athens be built to perpetually give thanks to Apollo,” Lycan answered.

  “Wow! This oracle must be truly prophetic. Lycan, thank you for bringing me here. Tomorrow will be a good day for me.”

  “But tonight we need to rest. Let’s walk over to the tents. I’m sure we can find room there.”

  After eating some of the food Alexa prepared and some hot porridge from one of the other seekers, they both covered themselves with blankets and went to sleep.

  *

  As the sun began to rise the next morning, Akua woke to a feverish shake.

  “We must secure our place in line right now. Afterwards, we can carry out our morning tasks.”

  Akua jumped up. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

  To Akua’s dismay, Lycan spent a couple of minutes making bedrolls. And after that, he packed up the food they did not eat the evening before.

  “First, we have to go to the Castalian Spring to wash and pay the oracle’s fee,” Lycan said.

  After they paid the fee and washed, they ran over and entered the line at once. Still there were close to a dozen before them. Three ladies in white robes were busy talking to some of those ahead of them.

  “Those must be the priestesses who approve the questions,” Akua said to Lycan.

  “They are.”

  Akua was captivated when one of the priestesses came eye to eye. She put her hand on Akua’s bare shoulder gently and spoke softly.

  “When you get up to the temple, avoid looking her in the eye. Speak slowly and clearly. She cannot help you if she cannot understand your question. Be sure to remember each word in her answer. If you need it, an advisor priestess will help you understand her answer,” the priestess said to Akua.

  “Okay,” Akua replied.

  “Please tell me your one question,” the priestess asked.

  “It is as follows, ‘I am destined to return to Egypt to challenge my birthright and to face the consequences, I ask you, when is the ideal time to return, expose myself and reap what is mine?’”

  The priestess thought for a moment. She moved her lips but did not make a sound. Obvious to Akua, she was saying a prayer. This also impressed Lycan.

  “Your question is fine. Apollo will be good to you,” she said as she prepared to move to the next in line.

  “Akua, a prayer is not usual,” Lycan said.

  The line moved ahead by one person every two to three minutes. Akua was about thirty minutes away from the oracle’s answer. Akua decided to make a silent offering to Apollo in hopes for a truer answer. Akua was not familiar with offerings to Apollo, so he used one for Re that Armanahtep had taught him. He figured it was okay as Re and Apollo were one and the same to him.

  Re, I ask for your blessings

  today. I offer you Gazelle meat,

  cinnamon and myrrh in a glorious

  golden basket. Be with me and

  give me the wisdom and guidance

  I seek.

  “What are you doing?” Lycan asked.

  “I made an offering to the sun god. If this pleases him, I should get better information from the oracle.”

  “Did you pray to Apollo or to the Egyptian god?”

  “It was for Re. I believe there is only one sun god, so the name used is not important.”

  Akua and Lycan slowly climbed the hill and eventually stood before the temple. It was as beautiful in the day as it was at night.

  “You may now approach, but stop short when you come near the Pythian Barrier,” the priestess at the temple entrance said to Akua.

  Lycan stayed back as Akua approached. The Pythia sat upon an elegant wood tripod and slumped under a low ceiling. Akua stopped immediately before the stone barrier that separated the Pythia from him. She was surrounded by black walls.

  “Pronounce the inquiry,” the Pythia said.

  Akua was slightly intimidated when he heard this. But he quickly responded,

  “I am destined to return to Egypt to challenge my birthright and to face the consequences, I ask you, when is the ideal time to return, expose myself and reap what is mine?”

  She did not respond for a minute. She just made an effort to inhale the vapors arising from the fissure below where she sat. Then she began to speak in a monotone voice,

  “Nothing in excess. Hasten to the celestial house. Know thyself.”

  After she spoke, Akua bowed in thanks and walked back out to where Lycan stood.

  “What did she say?” Lycan asked.

  Part of Akua’s registration fee entitled him to an Interpreting Priestess.

  Lycan waved his arm to bring one of them over. Since the priestess had not heard Akua’s original question, he repeated it for her.

  “The Pythia answered with three short phrases. First, she said, ‘nothing in excess.’”

  The priestess was quick to jump in with her answer. Both Akua and Lycan listened intently.

  “I think that for you, this means not to take your challenge too far. Although I know nothing about you or what you want, you must not bring on an imbalance. An imbalance will most surely cloud your vision and allow greed and corruption to consume you.”

  “Next, she told to me to ‘hasten to the celestial house.’ I believe that celestial house was her way of referring to my place in the Egyptian temple in Heliopolis. This makes perfect sense to me, I will plan to go back to the temple quickly.”

  Though Akua’s interpretation seemed accurate, the priestess felt she too needed to offer an interpretation.

  “But celestial house could also allude to you taking a place amongst the stars in the heavens. Perhaps someone up there, even the gods, are calling to you.”

  Yes. Maybe the gods are calling me. It is true that the Egyptian King is an embodiment of Re. This may also tell
me I am to be the next king. Nefertet would be a great queen. What a great way for me to honor my mother.

  “Is there anything else?” Lycan asked.

  “Yes. Finally, she told me to ‘know thyself.’”

  The priestess also chose to interpret this for Akua.

  “With what lies ahead, you must never forget where you came from and who you are.”

  Akua turned to Lycan.

  “And to truly know myself, I have to assume my rightful place.”

  “Right, Akua, but remember everything you’ve been through and all that you have learned. All of your experiences are now a part of you. Use your knowledge with cunning and skill,” Lycan said.

  “Lycan, what you have just said is very insightful. Quite removed from working with stone,” Akua said with a prideful voice.

  “Maybe,” Lycan responded.

  After that, Akua and Lycan headed back down The Sacred Way towards Delphi.

  “Well, I am sure now. I have to return to Heliopolis now. Now is my time,” Akua said.

  “Apollo’s Oracle has served you well. Do you plan to sail straight through or to come back to Athens with me?”

  “Well Lycan, I would love to stop and say farewell to Alexa, but for fear of not getting another ship to Egypt I don’t think it is wise.”

  “I understand. It is fortunate that the cargo ship sailing tomorrow is destined for the Palestinian coast and then to the port cities of Egypt. Since it will stop near Athens, I’ll board it with you.”

  The remainder of the day was filled with sightseeing in and around Delphi. The next morning, Akua and Lycan boarded the cargo ship. Akua spent the last few coins Philon had given him to pay the fare. And the fare all the way back to Egypt was hefty.

  Chapter 12

  After three days of sailing, the ship prepared to stop at the seaport near Athens. Akua saw the land approaching. He knew that he had to say goodbye to the only living family he had. Before long, the ship was in the port moving slowly.

  “Lycan, I’m glad you came to Delphi with me. If I ever get another chance to travel to Athens, I will come to see you. I’m grateful for finding you and Alexa. You’ll be in my thoughts always.”

  “Akua, more and more Athenians are traveling to Egypt and one of these days Alexa and I will make the trip. I would love to meet Nefertet. I know you’ll do the best you can to clear your name and make things right. May the gods, both Greek and Egyptian, guide and protect you. Be assured, I will tell everybody I know about my nephew, the priest in Egypt.”

  “Give my best to Alexa when you get home,” Akua added.

  “I will. I hope you have a safe journey. Also, enjoy the stops the cargo ship makes along the Palestinian Coast.”

  Akua opened his arms to Lycan. They embraced briefly and then Lycan walked off of the ship. After he was gone, Akua just looked at the city. His view took in the entire city. He cherished his time in Greece, though he yearned to get back to Egypt and set things right, today he decided he would not trade his time in Greece for anything.

  Akua spent over four months at sea as the cargo ship spent considerable time up and down the Palestinian Coast, Akua had a chance to see a new world. When the sails were finally set for Egypt, Akua was overcome with an uneasy but joyful feeling. After arriving in the Egyptian port city, Akua immediately sought out a charter boat to travel the Nile to Heliopolis.

  *

  Akua woke after eight days on the Nile to the yells from the captain.

  “We will arrive in Heliopolis in two hours.”

  Mixed emotions fell heavy on Akua’s shoulders as soon as he heard those words. He was happy to return to his home and to see Nefertet, but scared to endure what he had to with the priesthood.

  I need to make my intentions known as soon as I get to the city. I can’t give the priesthood reason to hunt me down as soon as they find out I have returned. Then I will go to Nefertet. When I see her, I’ll tell her what I have learned. Next, I’ll go to the Per Atum temple and confront Meehi.

  That last thought made Akua’s stomach turn.

  Just think about Nefertet.

  Akua could not stop himself from perspiring abnormally as he sat on the floor of the riverboat.

  Once he departed from the boat, he headed straight for the Per Atum temple. Heliopolis had not changed much since he left. Akua was reassured to walk on the soil, but every step added to his anxiety of entering the temple and facing fear so real. Eventually, he stood before the rear entrance to the temple. When he mustered enough nerve, he entered. This day would not be the day he would confront Meehi. All that he wanted to do at the temple was to get the word out that he was back in hopes that the priesthood would not try to assassinate him. The inside of the temple seemed to be almost exactly the same as it was when Akua had last seen it.

  He marveled at the large decorated columns with all of their bright colors. Before long, an unfamiliar face approached.

  “I am Tutu, scribe to the high priest Meehi-Ahk,” the scribe said baffled from Akua’s priestly appearance.

  Akua could tell from the scribe’s body language that Tutu was humbled with his appearance. Akua chose not to introduce himself.

  “Is Meehi here? I will need a moment with him.”

  “He is. But right now he is meeting with the vizier and others out back in the House of Life. As soon as they are finished, he and the others will reenter the temple,” Tutu told Akua.

  “I’ll wait.”

  Although Tutu wanted to engage in dialogue, Akua would not make eye contact. Akua waited for about thirty minutes until the others came out of the House of Life and walked towards the temple.

  Seven people walked the sandstone path to the rear entrance. Akua was relieved somewhat to see two familiar faces. It was the priestess Reonet and the priestess from the Temple of Isis, Femi. Five others accompanied them; Akua could make out only Meehi. He figured the other four consisted of the royal vizier to the thirteenth Nome, known as The Undamaged Scepter, and three advisors or scribes.

  Upon entering, Reonet and Femi ran to Akua. First Femi hugged him without saying anything. Immediately afterwards, Reonet embraced him.

  “I’m overcome with joy to see you. I’m glad you are safe,” Reonet said.

  When Meehi entered and saw Akua standing there, he wavered from side to side.

  “I would not have expected to see you. Do you realize what your return means?” Meehi said strongly.

  Akua looked at Reonet briefly and then responded.

  “Meehi, I have learned. Now, I truly know myself.”

  Incredibly, Akua regurgitated part of what the Oracle at Delphi had told him. He had not planned on saying that, but he took note as soon as the words came out.

  Meehi opened his eyes wide and stood there in a state of shock. The vizier, who had been appointed since Akua’s departure, was visibly concerned.

  “Meehi, do you have history with this priest?” the vizier asked.

  “I do,” Meehi answered.

  Akua had now accomplished his objective. Everyone there, including Tutu, were intrigued. And enough of a stir had been made so Akua felt safe from some type of ambush or attack that would effectively eradicate the problem he posed.

  “I will be back tomorrow. Right now, I’m going to the woman I will marry.”

  With that, Akua left the temple promptly.

  *

  Akua felt great to be back in Heliopolis. And finally, he was able to create some positive momentum in his ordeal with the priesthood.

  As Akua came to the walkway of Nefertet’s house, Tyla, Nefertet’s mother, came out to greet him with a long embrace.

  “I didn’t know if ever I would see you again. Psamtek and I were upset when you and Nefertet suffered a fate you did not deserve. Now that you are here, I am happy,” Tyla said.

  Akua was pleasantly surprised. Up until now, he figured Meehi would have succeeded in turning Nefertet’s parents against him.

  “It truly is heartwarming to see
you. How are you and your husband?” Akua asked.

  “Akua, we have fared well. Life is not always easy, but we try to make the most of it. Nefertet has kept your house for you. She…”

  Akua interrupted her in an excited voice.

  “Is Nefertet home today?”

  “She is inside. She has had her hands full, so she did not see you approach. But go to her.”

  Tyla stayed outside to tend the flowers. Akua walked quickly to the entrance. As he entered, he saw Nefertet standing and cradling a newborn baby.

  She ran to him quickly, but couldn’t hug him as she was still holding the baby.

  “Have you returned to me?” Nefertet asked.

  “Yes. And I’m staying here forever.”

  Akua looked at the baby. He saw his father’s eyes looking at him. He knew it was his child.

  Without saying anything, he picked the child from Nefertet’s arms and held the baby to his shoulder. Gently, he kissed the child on top of his head. After the kiss, he looked up and smiled at Nefertet.

  “Meet your son, Pamu-Ak,” Nefertet said.

  Akua was overcome with joy, joy from the bottom of his heart. But at the same time the name shocked him.

  I never told Nefertet about my friend Pamu.

  “He is beautiful. He is a wonderful expression of our love. I’m so happy, now we have a family. But why did you choose Pamu for his name?”

  “As Mother and I considered Pamu for the name, we both felt a spine-tingling sensation. It’s hard to describe, but we both felt a peaceful moment following the sensation. Mother insisted that this was a sign from the gods and we were compelled to name the child Pamu. It is a lovely name and it fits our baby well.”

  Akua did not know how best to explain it, but he wanted Nefertet to know about Pamu, his best friend. As his eyes were locked with Nefertet’s, he began to speak.

  “In my travel south to the land of Kush, I made a special friend. He was about my age. He was going to Elephantine Island to fish and live with his family. But instead, our strong bond led him to continue on to Abu Simbel with me. In a tragic and unjust episode, the priesthood at Abu Simbel put him to death. I was crushed.”