Cleopatra's Secret: Keepers of the LIght

by LYDIA STORM

  The seagulls were circling above uneasy waves, calling out, their piercing cries ringing in the sea air as they dove into the water seeking their prey. Cleopatra watched them from the rocky shore.

  How soon before Octavian arrived to crush Alexandria?

  Cleopatra pressed her eyes shut. She felt sick, trapped. There must be a way out of this. Why couldn’t she see it? Clasping her hands at her heart she prayed silently.

  Isis save us! Please save us!

  But the sea whispered no words on the wind and the murmur of the waves intoned no portent.

  She opened her eyes. The birds had flown and the sun shone bright in a clear empty sky. Antony’s God had deserted him because of his behavior, but Isis could never desert her.

  Could she?

  It was an impossible thought.

  “Lady, have you abandoned us?” She barely dared to whisper it.

  There was no answer, only the vacant sky with its blazing light. She sensed nothing. Never in her life had she called out to the Gods in vain. Always there had been some answer, some vision or sign, even a feeling within herself, but now there was only a terrifying emptiness.

  Shaken to the core, her knees gave way and she found herself kneeling on the sharp rocks. A chill ran through her. It was the truth when she told Antony there were no Gods here. They had been abandoned to face Rome and its legions alone.

  ***

  When Cleopatra arrived home to Lochias Palace, Apollodorus was waiting in her chambers.

  “I know you are tired, Queen of Heaven, but I must have a word with you.”

  Cleopatra nodded and led him into her chamber. The lamps had yet to be lit and twilight shadows filled the room. Mechanically she sat down, her back straight as a sword from long habit. She motioned for the old priest to join her.

  He sank into a seat opposite her and exhaled a heavy sigh.

  “How has it come to this?” she asked. It was a comfort to know her grandfather saw everything in her heart without having to explain it all.

  “We have not been chosen to live in easy times.”

  “What are we to do, Grandfather?” She suddenly felt like the small child who once sat at his knee learning her lessons in the temple. “I look around me and I see no solutions. I feel Octavian’s army drawing closer all the time. I can raise the palace guard, but they’re no match for Roman legions and Antony….”

  “Antony may yet be the means of our survival.”

  She looked up surprised. “How?”

  “Octavian has led his troops into Upper Egypt. It will not be long before he reaches Alexandria, but he is willing to strike a bargain with us.”

  “I trust none of Octavian’s bargains.”

  “Nevertheless, it’s our only chance,” replied Apollodorus soberly.

  “What does he want?”

  Apollodorus’s wise old eyes met her gaze. “Antony.”

  Cleopatra pressed her hands before her brow, suddenly dizzy. She was not quite well yet, but taking a deep breath of the fresh sea air which filled her chamber, she steadied herself. “Antony’s head you mean?”

  The High Priest nodded. “In return, you will be allowed to keep your throne and Caesarion will rule after you.”

  She stood and paced nervously towards the balcony. The lighthouse at Pharos was just illuminating in the gathering darkness. “Tell Octavian we refuse.”

  Her grandfather’s face grew stern though his voice remained as gentle and calm as ever. “Cleopatra, I know this is difficult, but you must think of your son.”

  “Octavian’s lying!” she protested. “Can’t you feel that? Do you really believe he would allow my son, Caesar’s son, to sit on the throne of Egypt?”

  “Of course he wouldn’t, but we’re cornered,” said the old man, his voice finally trembling with emotion. “And if this can buy us time to make a better plan, it must be done. Antony, in his present condition, might as well be dead. Do not allow your love for him to cloud your judgment.”

  “Wouldn’t you?” she cried. “What if they asked for my head? To save Egypt, would you give it to them?”

  Apollodorus looked as if he had been struck but he answered with firm resolution. “I would.”

  They locked eyes for a moment but she turned away frustrated. Of course he was right. “You may go.”

  “As you wish.” Apollodorus rose to leave, but he paused in the doorway. “Do not waste too much time. Octavian will be here before the next full moon.”

  She did not look back as he closed the door quietly behind him, but stared out at the surf gently rolling into shore. The night was deepening and the pale slip of a moon rose above the waves.

  She gazed up at the bright pinpricks of emerging stars. “Caesar, what would you do?” Her fists clenched into balls nearly breaking the tender skin of her palms. “May the Gods damn you for making Octavian your heir!” she called out as anger overtook her again. “Where is your spirit now? He’ll murder our son! Why don’t you stop it?”

  Once again the terrifying feeling of abandonment swept over her. Caesar’s ka had traveled beyond the realms of this world. He would advise her no more.

  She turned back into her room but the hair on the back of her neck rose and snapping her head around, she looked in the far corner of the room where the shadows were the darkest.

  There stood the Jackal God, Anubis. His clever face with its luminescent eyes and canine fangs sent a shudder through her.

  “I haven’t summoned you. Why are you here? Are you here to guard us or…” she swallowed. “Who have you come for?”

  The Dark God hovered silently in the shadows, then faded away into nothing.

  She began to tremble, backing away from the gloomy corner as realization dawned on her.

  Her children.

  Why had they not yet been sent away to safety?

  Gathering up her linen skirts, she ran from her chamber out into the maze of halls to find them.

  Dear Gods, don’t let me be too late!

  CHAPTER TEN

  Cleopatra’s light robes billowed after her as she ran through the halls of Lochias Palace. But when she reached Caesarion’s door, she hesitated. She did not want to alarm him too much, but the thought of the jealous hatred she knew Octavian bore the true son of Caesar made her sick with fear.

  She raised her hand to tap the door, but Caesarion was already opening it for her. Their gaze met in perfect understanding. It was like staring into a mirror, his green eyes were so like hers and the fear in them matched her own.

  “Caesarion…” but the words died in her throat as love for her first-born son overwhelmed her and a memory flashed through her mind. A memory of a night so many years ago when she had stood alone with Caesar in the dark garden of his villa and said good bye.

  Blocking out the vision, she forced her eyes to go serenely blank.

  Caesarion stepped aside to allow her in. “You wish to speak to me, Mother?”

  She nodded and chose a seat, folding her hands in her lap, resolving to stay calm. “Caesarion…you must know that Octavian has entered Egypt?”

  “He will reach our palace in a few days.”

  “Yes.” Cleopatra pressed her palms together to steady herself. “That’s why I must entrust you with a very important task. You must take your brother and sister to India, where you will all be safe––”

  “And desert you?” interrupted Caesarian, his eyes wide with disbelief. “I would as soon fall upon my own sword!”

  “You will not be deserting me, dearest. It’s my wish for you to go.” She bit her lip and looked down at her rings. “Besides, I have Antony’s legions to protect me.”

  “Antony’s legions!” He spat the words out. “Antony has abandoned us, yet again, and leaves us to be conquered by Rome! Antony will not save you, Mother. But I will fight with my last breath!”

  She shook her head. “You mustn’t argue with me. You’re the son of Julius Caesar. Don’t you understand this puts you in greater peril from Oct
avian than anyone on this earth?”

  “Yes, I’m Julius Caesar’s son!” cried Caesarion, his face glowing. “The greatest general who ever lived! Would he have run away and left you in the hands of your enemies?”

  She couldn’t answer.

  “Would he?”

  Cleopatra felt her own irritation rising. This was indeed the son of the impossibly stubborn Caesar. “I warned your father of his impending death the night before his murder,” she reminded him, “and he wouldn’t listen. Learn from his mistakes! Do you think you can do anything to save me here in Alexandria? You cannot! But you can live Caesarion and you can protect your brother and sister and see that they live. Yes, the mighty Caesar’s blood flows in your veins, but it’s nothing compared to the lineage I have given you!”

  Caesarion stared angrily at the floor, but Cleopatra reached for his shoulders, which still felt so childish in her hands, and forced him to look her squarely in the face. “You turn away from your gifts, but you cannot deny divine blood flows through your veins. That secret knowledge lives in your heart. The scribes in the temple could not on a thousand scrolls contain the information which lives in one cell of your body. Do you still not understand what it is to be Pharaoh? It is your blood Caesarion––the living blood of the Gods.”

  He shook his head belligerently. “It’s too much! We may have their blood but we’re still mortal!”

  “We are The Keepers. It’s a sacred trust. If you and the twins die, the trust dies too.” She stared at him, frustrated at his unwillingness to hear her words. If only he would listen!

  “Caesarion, you know I speak the truth. You can’t block out your gifts that completely.”

  The boy looked shaken and tears sprung into his eyes. “No, I can’t. I’ve seen enough to know if I leave here, I’ll never see you again.”

  Her heart constricted and for a moment she couldn’t speak. Blinking back her own tears, Cleopatra tenderly took his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his forehead as she had done since he was a small boy. “My darling, you know that nothing ever can truly separate us. We will always be a part of one another…always.”

  He looked up, tears ran down his face and he embraced her, pressing his wet cheek on her shoulder. She cradled him against her, not knowing how she could bear to give up her first, her dearest, son.

  But Caesarion stepped back, rubbing his hand on his dusky face to wipe away the tears.

  “I’ll take care of the twins,” he promised, turning his back on her as he crossed the room and lifted his sword from its post by his bedside.

  “You must leave tonight,” said Cleopatra, unable to keep the urgency from her voice. “India is our friend and not afraid of Rome. You will be welcomed at their court. I’ll pack enough gold in your saddlebags to keep you indefinitely, but other than that, you must travel light. Selene has the gift of visions. She will guide you along the way. I’ll send a legion of the palace guards with you as well.”

  Caesarion, who had now dried his tears, shook his head. “They’ll only draw attention to us.”

  “You can’t go without men to protect you. You’re barely sixteen and the twins are still children. There are bandits on the roads and if anyone were to recognize you traveling on your own––”

  “They will hardly think myself and two children dressed in peasant’s clothes riding through the desert unattended are the Princes and Princess of Egypt,” he said. “And if it’s just the three of us on swift horses, we’ll be across the desert and onboard a ship for India before anyone has time to notice our disappearance.”

  An uneasy feeling stirred in her, but she was so tired she could hardly think straight. It was a daring plan, but perhaps her son was right. The palace guards would certainly draw attention, even in disguise, whereas a young peasant and the two children would slip by unnoticed by anyone.

  But to leave them totally unprotected…she did not like either plan.

  “Don’t be afraid, Mother,” he fingered his sword. “I know how to defend myself.”

  But she saw beneath his bravado a frightened boy.

  “You will bring Akil and Chigaru with you. They are also skilled swordsmen and will be good companions for you on your journey.”

  Caesarion looked somewhat reassured. “I would be glad of their company.”

  “Very well,” she rose reluctantly, not allowing herself to really think about what was happening, or she knew she could never do what was necessary. “I’ll go see the twins now. You must leave the palace in a few hours.”

  Caesarion looked her squarely in the eye. “I’ll be ready.”

  Feeling numb, she left quickly, softly closing the door behind her and made her way towards the nursery. But as she reached the corridor leading to the children’s rooms, Charmion appeared around the corner.

  “Queen of Heaven, you’re not yet well,” reprimanded Charmion. “You need your rest!”

  “I must send the children away…tonight.”

  “My Lady…” whispered Charmion, almost overcome at the reality of what was happening.

  “You’ll help me.” It was as much a plea as a command.

  Charmion nodded. “What can I do?”

  “Have three of the swiftest horsed in my stables prepared but don’t tell anyone who they’re for. Each horse must have two bags apiece, one with food and water, the other is to be filled with gold. You’ll have to go to my tomb. You know where the vault is. Go now. They must be on their way well before dawn.”

  Charmion bowed and was about to disappear down the dark hall when Cleopatra called her back.

  “Charmion, first bring my scarab. Bring it to the nursery straight away.”

  The priestess hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, Queen of Heaven.”

  Cleopatra took a breath and quietly entered the nursery where her sleeping children lay at rest. Their little faces snuggled against soft pillows, the warm glow of the nightlight illuminating their peaceful expressions. The horrifying image of Octavian’s cold blade running them through flashed into her brain. She covered her mouth to stop a cry from escaping, but this was only her own fear, not a true vision. She could feel that inside.

  Couldn’t she?

  Cleopatra advanced further into the room, not wanting to rouse them, but if she hadn’t the courage even to awaken her children, how would she ever have the strength to send them away from her––perhaps forever?

  She knelt by little Selene’s bed. The girl had shown promise when Charmion took her to the temple to begin her education. Though still so young, she had already surpassed Cleopatra when she was the girl’s age in many areas, especially divination. Surely Isis would protect her?

  If only Selene could have completed her training here at the temple and been anointed a full priestess. There was so much still for her to learn! thought Cleopatra as she watched her little girl dream peacefully in her bed.

  She turned to her son. He was the very model of Antony, already a favorite of her court with his silly jokes and charming ways. She hoped he would not become too much like his father.

  A little hand stroked her hennaed hair. It was Selene.

  Cleopatra turned to her daughter and found her looking up at her, the child’s dark blue eyes filled with questions.

  I can hide nothing from such children.

  “Are we going on a trip?” asked little Selene, a frown puckering her forehead.

  “Yes dearest.”

  “To Rome?”

  Cleopatra’s blood ran cold. What had her daughter seen in her dreams?

  “No, my baby.” Cleopatra pulled her little girl close and cradled her against her breast. “You are going to India for an adventure with your two brothers. You’ll see many wonderful things there, dancing elephants and a fabulous court with all the beautiful ladies.”

  “Will Iris be there?” asked the little girl.

  “No sweetheart, only your two brothers.” Cleopatra looked up as Charmion quietly slipped into the room. “But I have a gift for yo
u, dearest. A very special one.”

  Cleopatra nodded to her priestess and Charmion stepped forward holding out a small plain looking brass locket with the etching of a scarab, the Egyptian beetle, engraved on the front of it. Cleopatra took the necklace and gently placed it around her daughter’s neck.

  Selene looked down at the locket on her thin chest and frowned. “It doesn’t look very special.”

  “No darling, and for that reason, I hope no one will ever be tempted to take it from you.”

  Selene tried to pry it open but the invisible clasp was stuck. “I can’t open it.”

  Cleopatra pulled her daughter closer and spoke so softly Selene had to strain to hear. “The locket is sealed by magic. It will open one day when you are old and wise enough to use it.”

  “What’s inside?” whispered the little princess.

  Cleopatra paused, Selene was only a baby, but there was no time, no choice. “It holds the secret name of God. With that name, you will have the power to balance the forces of nature, even the rotation of the earth and stars. As pharaohs, our greatest task is to ensure the harmony in the heavens and earth from the forces of chaos. Even if we are very far away from Egypt and do not sit on a throne. You must keep it around your neck always and never tell anyone but your own daughters the secret it holds. Do you understand?”

  Selene looked frightened and confused. “But where will you be, Mother?”

  “I will be always near you,” reassured Cleopatra. “Always with you, but you may only see me in your dreams, or in visions, like you have in the temple. Do you understand?”

  Little Selene’s lip began to tremble and her mother buried her face in the girl’s hair blocking out the sight.

  This was too much. Of all the things she had been through, this was too much.