Kha bowed low to this being who was so much more than his father.
“Why did you have us meet here?” asked Setau.
“Because you and my son are going to help me wage a battle. We need to set our sights.”
Kha responded forthrightly: “I’m afraid I’m not much of a fighter.”
“Don’t worry, son; I’m asking you to fight with your mind and your magic.”
“I’m attached to the temple of Amon and . . .”
“And the priests have unanimously chosen you as the new superior of their community.”
“But I’m not even twenty!”
“Age makes no difference. However, I rejected the nomination.”
Kha was relieved.
“I’ve had bad news,” revealed Ramses. “The high priest of Ptah has just passed away in Memphis. You’re my choice to succeed him, Kha.”
“The high priest of Ptah? But I’m . . .”
“It’s my wish. In your new role, you’ll be among the notables to whom Moses brings his appeal.”
“What is he up to now?” asked Setau.
“Since I’ve refused to let the Hebrews go forth into the desert, Moses is threatening to have his god visit plagues on Egypt. I’m counting on the new high priest of Ptah and the best magician I know to deal with him.”
FORTY-EIGHT
Accompanied by Aaron, Moses appeared at the door to the palace audience chamber in Pi-Ramses, under the surveillance of Serramanna and the royal bodyguard. The Sard cast an angry glance at the passing Hebrew. If he were king, he would have thrown this rebel into the deepest dungeon, or better yet exiled him to the desert. The old pirate trusted his instincts, and his instincts told him that Moses intended nothing but harm to Ramses.
Walking down the center of the room, between the two rows of columns, the leader and spokesman of the Hebrew people noted, not without pleasure, that the audience chamber was packed.
At the king’s right was his son Kha, wearing a panther skin decked with gold stars. Despite his young age, Kha had just been elevated to a very high office. Given his intellect and achievements, no priest had protested the decision. Now it was up to Pharaoh’s older son to prove himself, capturing godly messages in hieroglyphs. Everyone would be watching him closely, since he would be responsible for preserving traditions from the time of the pyramids, that golden age when the core values of Egyptian civilization had been formulated.
Kha’s appointment had astonished Moses, but seeing the prince up close, he could tell that the young man’s maturity and determination were exceptional. There was no doubt that he would make a tough opponent.
And what of the character to Pharaoh’s left? Setau, the snake charmer, the kingdom’s de facto chief magician? Setau was his old classmate from the royal academy, just like Ramses and Ahmeni (who sat in the background prepared to take notes on the meeting).
Moses no longer wished to think of those days, when he had worked for the glory of Egypt. His past had died the day Yahweh had assigned him this mission, and he had no right to sigh over his lost youth.
Moses and Aaron stopped at the foot of the steps leading to the platform where Pharaoh and his dignitaries sat.
“What subject do you wish to debate before this assembly?” inquired Ahmeni.
“I do not intend to debate,” replied Moses, “but rather to demand what is due me, in accordance with the will of Yahweh: Pharaoh’s permission to lead my people out of Egypt.”
“Permission denied, in the interests of national security.”
“This refusal constitutes an offense to Yahweh.”
“Yahweh does not rule Egypt, as far as I know.”
“Yet His wrath will be terrible! God protects me, and He will accomplish wonders to show His power.”
“I once knew you well, Moses; we were even friends. In your younger days you weren’t so full of delusions.”
“You’re an Egyptian scribe, Ahmeni; I’m the leader of the Hebrew people. Yahweh spoke to me on the mountain, and I can prove it!”
Aaron threw his walking stick to the ground. Moses fixed his gaze on it intensely. The knots of wood began to move as the stick turned into a writhing snake.
Several courtiers recoiled in horror. The snake slithered toward Ramses, who showed no fear. Setau leapt up and grabbed the serpent by the tail.
Exclamations broke out as he reached for it, growing louder as the snake turned back into a stick in Setau’s hand.
“It’s an old trick,” announced the magician. “I taught it to Moses myself, years ago at the harem of Merur. It would take more than this to impress our Pharaoh.”
Moses and Setau locked eyes. All traces of friendship between the two men had vanished.
“Wait a week,” said the prophet, “and you’ll see something that will strike terror into your people’s hearts.”
Guarded by Watcher, who dozed in the shade of a tamarisk, Nefertari swam nude in the garden pool nearest the palace. It was always crystal clear, thanks to copper plates attached to the stones, bacteria-eating plants, and a system of canals that kept the water circulating, not to mention a copper sulfate powder the staff regularly sprinkled on the surface.
As the inundation approached, the heat grew stifling. Before beginning her day, the queen enjoyed this delightful interval when her body, relaxed and happy, gave free rein to her thought, light as an egret. As she swam, Nefertari thought of the words she would say, some comforting, some stern, as each petitioner approached her, more eager than the last.
In a dress with shoulder straps that left her breasts bare, her hair undone, Iset silently approached the garden pool. They called her “Fair,” yet she felt almost plain as she admired Nefertari. Each gesture of the queen’s was perfect, each pose seemed to come from some brilliant painter who captured ideal beauty in the body of a woman.
After much more thought and one last session with Dolora, insistent as ever, Iset had finally come to a decision.
This time she’d do it.
Emptying her mind of any fear that might hinder her, Iset went one step closer to the pool. She’d do what must be done.
Nefertari caught her eye. “Come in with me!”
“I’m not feeling well, Your Majesty.”
The queen swam smoothly to the edge of the pool and climbed up the stone steps.
“What’s wrong, Iset?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Having problems with Merenptah?”
“No, he’s fine. I can’t believe how big he’s getting.”
“Stretch out here beside me. The stones are warm.”
“I’m sorry, the sun is too hot for me.”
Nefertari’s body was an enchantment. She was like the goddess of the West, whose smile lit this world as well as the next. Lying on her back, her arms along her body, eyes closed, she was at once present and inaccessible.
“Why are you so upset?” she asked again.
Again, doubts assailed Iset. Should she stick with her decision or run, at the risk of seeming crazy? Fortunately, Nefertari had looked away from her. No, the chance was too good to miss. This time Iset must not let it pass.
“Your Majesty, I—I’d like . . .”
Iset the Fair knelt near Nefertari’s face. The queen lay still, clothed in light.
“Your Majesty, I wanted to kill you.”
“I don’t believe you, Iset.”
“Yes, I’ve needed to confess. It’s been hard to keep it inside. Now you know.”
The queen opened her eyes, sat up, and took Iset by the hand.
“Who tried to make a murderer of you?”
“I was convinced that you had no love for Ramses, only ambition. I was blind and stupid! How could I pay any mind to such slander?”
“Everyone has moments of weakness, Iset, moments when our hearts are prey to evil. You resisted it in the end, isn’t that what’s important?”
“I’m so ashamed of myself . . . when you bring charges against me, I won’t contest my s
entence.”
“Who told you these lies about me?”
“I wanted to confess my own guilt, Your Majesty, not act as an informer.”
“In any attempt on me, the real target is Ramses. You owe me the truth, Iset, if you love the king.”
“You don’t hate me?”
“You’re not a schemer, and you’re brave enough to admit your mistakes. Not only do I not hate you, I respect you.”
Iset unleashed a flood of tears and told Nefertari everything.
On the banks of the Nile, Moses had gathered thousands of Hebrews, accompanied by a crowd of curious onlookers from all over the capital. According to the rumors, the Hebrew’s angry god was about to do something spectacular, proving he was more powerful than all the gods of Egypt put together. Perhaps Pharaoh ought to meet the prophet’s demands after all!
Against the advice of Ahmeni and Serramanna, Ramses had decided not to intervene. Sending the army and the police to break up the gathering would have been overreacting. Moses and his people were hardly disturbing the peace, and the street vendors were delighted with the milling crowds.
From his palace balcony, Ramses looked out at the river and the expectant throng on the banks, but his mind was occupied with the frightful revelations he had just heard from Nefertari.
“Is there any room for doubt?”
“No, Ramses. Iset was telling the truth.”
“I ought to punish her harshly.”
“I beg your indulgence. It was love that led her to the brink of a horrible crime. She stopped herself in time, and now thanks to her we’ve learned your sister’s true intentions.”
“I hoped that Dolora had finally overcome the demons eating away at her all these years. But I was wrong. She’ll never change.”
“Will you put Dolora on trial?”
“She’ll deny the charges and point her finger at Iset the Fair. It would probably be a farce.”
“You’ll let her crime go unpunished?”
“No, Nefertari. Dolora used Iset, so we’ll use Dolora.”
From the riverbank came the sounds of a commotion.
Moses threw his rod into the Nile, turning the water around it red. The prophet scooped up a cupful of water and poured it on the ground.
“Witness this miracle! Yahweh has changed the water of the Nile into blood. Unless Yahweh’s will is done, this blood will flow through the country. The fish will die. This is the first plague visited upon Egypt.”
Now Kha scooped up some of the strange, bitter-smelling water.
“Nothing of the sort will happen, Moses. What we have here is only the red water that comes with the flood stage. For a few days hence no one must drink the water or eat any fish from the Nile. If this is a miracle, we owe it to nature, and hers is the law we must obey.”
The frail young Kha was composed as he faced the towering Hebrew. Moses suppressed his anger.
“Fine words, young man, but how do you explain the fact that my rod brought forth the bloody water?”
“No one challenges your gifts as a prophet. You sensed the change in the water, the rise coming from the south, and the day the red tinge would appear. You know this country as well as I do. It holds no secrets for you.”
“Until today,” boomed Moses, “Yahweh has been content with warnings. Since Egypt refuses to listen, He will surely inflict other plagues, far more terrible.”
FORTY-NINE
Ahsha personally delivered the letter to the Great Royal Wife as she conferred with Ramses about the state of the grain stores.
“Here’s the reply you’ve been waiting for, Your Majesty, a personal letter from the Empress Puduhepa. I hope the contents won’t disappoint you.”
The tablet, wrapped in precious cloth, bore Puduhepa’s seal.
“Would you open it, Ahsha? For one thing, you’re better than we are at reading Hittite. For another, any information from Hattusa directly concerns you.”
The head of Egyptian diplomacy obeyed.
To my sister, Queen Nefertari, spouse of the Sun, Ramses the Great,
I hope this finds my sister well, her family in good health, her horses strong. Good weather has finally come to Hatti. For Egypt I wish a favorable inundation.
I received my sister Nefertari’s long letter and read it with interest. Emperor Hattusili is very cross to have learned that the vile Uri-Teshoop resides in Pi-Ramses. Uri-Teshoop is an evil man, violent and craven. He should be extradited and returned to Hattusa for trial. Emperor Hattusili will not give in on this point.
Yet since peace between our two countries is our highest goal, we must be prepared to make certain sacrifices. No compromise is possible regarding Uri-Teshoop; the king is within his rights to demand extradition. Yet I have helped him understand the moral grounds for Pharaoh’s position; the emperor respects your husband for honoring his word. Indeed, we could never trust a sovereign who did not do so.
Therefore, while the issue of Uri-Teshoop is nonnegotiable, why not move beyond it and work toward establishing a pact of mutual nonaggression? Drawing up such a document will take a long time. It would thus be expedient to begin discussions at once.
Does the Queen of Egypt, my sister, share my thoughts? If such were the case, it would be wise to send us at once a trusted and high-ranking diplomat. I put forth the name of Ahsha.
I close with my friendship, dear queen and sister.
“We’re forced to turn down her proposal,” said Ramses dejectedly.
“But why?” objected Ahsha.
“Because it’s a trap. The emperor can’t forgive you for smuggling Uri-Teshoop out of Hatti. If you go back there, you won’t come home again.”
“I analyze this letter somewhat differently, Your Majesty. Queen Nefertari made some convincing arguments; Empress Puduhepa is affirming her desire for peace. Given the influence she exerts over the emperor, it’s a step in the right direction.”
“Ahsha is right,” said Nefertari. “My sister Puduhepa clearly understood my message. Let’s set aside the issue of Uri-Teshoop and begin negotiations in good faith.”
“Uri-Teshoop is no illusion!” objected Ramses.
“Must I clarify the position I share with Puduhepa? Hattusili demands Uri-Teshoop’s extradition; Ramses refuses. The issue remains at a stalemate while you pursue negotiations for a peace treaty. Isn’t that what you call diplomacy?”
“I trust Puduhepa,” added Ahsha.
“If you and the queen are in league against me, how can I resist? We’ll send a diplomat, then, but not you.”
“Impossible, Your Majesty. The empress’s wish is clearly a command. And who knows Hatti and the Hittites better than I do?”
“Are you prepared to take such great risks, Ahsha?”
“Failing to jump at this chance for peace negotiations would be criminal. We must focus all our energies on the task. Accomplishing the impossible—isn’t that what you’re famous for?”
“I’ve rarely seen you show such enthusiasm.”
“I love life. And love. War interferes with them.”
“I won’t sign just any treaty. Egypt must not be the loser on any score.”
“I expect a few sticking points, but they come with the job. We’re going to work several days straight to put together an acceptable proposal. I’ll say my goodbyes to a few lady friends, then I’ll leave for Hatti. And I’ll come back with a treaty you’ll be proud to sign.”
First came a surprising jump. Then the creature stopped just an arm’s length in front of Setau where he sat on the riverbank, studying the Nile with satisfaction as the waters cleared.
Now another jumped, and another, healthy and playful, in varying shades of green: magnificent frogs emerging from the river silt that overflowed the banks to fertilize the land and feed Pharaoh’s people.
At the head of an imposing procession, Aaron raised his staff above the Nile and spoke in a strong voice.
“Since Pharaoh refuses to deliver the Hebrew people from bondage in Egypt,
here is the next plague that Yahweh is visiting upon the oppressor: frogs, thousands of frogs, millions of frogs that will overrun the country, filling workshops, houses, rich men’s bedchambers!”
Setau headed calmly back to his laboratory, where Lotus was mixing new remedies from the excellent cobra venom they had harvested around Abu Simbel. There was good news from that quarter: the temple was going up on schedule. The snake charmer and his wife looked forward to returning to Nubia as soon as Ramses permitted.
Setau smiled. Neither he nor Kha would have to take any measures against Aaron and his latest plague. Moses’ lieutenant should have consulted with his chief before announcing a curse that no Egyptian would take seriously.
At this time of year, there was nothing unusual about an abundance of frogs. In fact, the people took it as a good sign. In hieroglyphic writing, the frog formed the figure 100,000, a nearly incalculable multiplicity in tune with their proliferation during the flood stage.
Observing the creature’s metamorphosis, the priests of the earliest dynasties saw life’s incessant mutations. The frog had come to symbolize both successful childbirth (after all the stages of growth inside the womb) and eternity (which continues through time and beyond time).
The following day, Kha arranged a giveaway of frog amulets. Thrilled with this unexpected present, the people of Pi-Ramses praised the name of Pharaoh and felt grateful toward Aaron and the Hebrews. Thanks to their so-called plague, many humble folk became the proud possessors of a precious object.
Ahsha put the finishing touches on the proposed treaty he had written in concert with the royal couple. It had required more than a month of intensive work to weigh each term, and Nefertari’s editing had been most valuable. As the secretary of state had supposed, Pharaoh’s demands would make the negotiations difficult. Still, Ramses was not treating Hatti as a conquered nation, but rather as a partner that would find the agreement to their advantage. If Puduhepa truly wanted peace, Ramses just might bring it off.
Ramses, Volume IV Page 25
