Fall of the House of Ramesses, Book 1: Merenptah

by Max Overton

  Blood spattered Seti, but he held his sword aloft and yelled in triumph as Huy circled the chariot back toward the stricken bird. The hen had got up again but still stood on shaky and trembling legs. As they approached she turned, her legs tangled and she fell, her two-toed feet moving for a few seconds longer before she lay still.

  Seti jumped from the chariot and, ignoring the two dead hen birds, ran back to the cock ostrich that was still alive and struggling to get to his feet. Ament called out a warning, running over to the prince, but Seti shrugged him aside, intent on killing the injured bird.

  "Beware the nail on his feet, my Lord. Finish him off with your bow."

  Seti laughed and sprang forward, avoiding the ostrich's kicking feet and delivering a blow to his neck. The bird leapt up and collapsed in a flurry of blood and feathers, his neck half severed.

  Ament scowled at his advice being ignored once again, but applauded warmly all the same. When the huntsmen and their dogs caught up, the Leader of Fifty set about telling the tale, magnifying his young Lord's exploits until it seemed as if the prince was a hero. Seti grinned and lapped up the praise, promising the head huntsman a reward for finding such magnificent game.

  Later, as evening drew in, they made a campfire and roasted cuts of the lean meat, washing it down with watered wine. Seti reverted from the heroic hunter to a small boy again, listening avidly to the tales the huntsmen told of lion hunts, of tackling the wild bull and braving the mighty pehe-mau in fragile boats. A Kushite hunter even told tales of the huge Abu with long tusks that hunted men and trampled them. When they started to describe the horrific injuries some of their number had received on these hunts, Seti cast a worried look at Ament and shifted closer, seeking comfort in the presence of his protector.

  The campfire died down to embers and the hunters curled up in skins or with the dogs for warmth as the desert, so hot during the day, turned shiveringly cold. Ament lay next to Seti, sharing the woollen blanket brought especially for the Prince, and looked up at the stars strewn across Nut's black body. The boy lay quietly beside him, eyes open, equally impressed by the vision of the goddess' splendour.

  "How many stars are there, Ament?"

  "I don't know, my Lord."

  "I'm going to count them." Seti set about his task, muttering under his breath, his finger slowly moving across the sky. After a bit, his hand dropped back down and he lay silent.

  "Did you count them all?" Ament asked.

  "No. I got up to a hundred and three and couldn't remember where I was."

  "At least you got that far. Perhaps men are not supposed to know things that are of the gods."

  Seti thought about this for a time. "When I am king, I'm going to have my scribes count every star and name them."

  "That will be something different to have carved on monuments."

  "Oh, I'll do all the usual things too. I'll fight the Hatti and the Sea Peoples; subjugate the Nine Bows and build lots of temples, but...what's that?"

  A thin streak of light crossed the sky from near the zenith, disappearing into the northeast.

  Ament raised himself on one arm and looked into the clear night in that direction. "I have heard them called falling stars," he said.

  "Could they be? Look, there's another."

  "If they are, then either the number of stars is getting fewer or the gods are making new ones all the time."

  "Or perhaps they are not stars at all."

  "Or that," Ament admitted. "Though I have never heard what else they might be."

  The man and boy, soldier and prince, watched a little longer but the streak of light was not repeated.

  "They could be an omen," Ament said. "Or a god could be guiding us, showing us something."

  "What? What lies to our northeast?"

  "The city of Men-nefer," Ament replied. "Beyond that Per-Ramesses and further still the land of Retenu."

  Seti pondered this information. "We know where Men-nefer and Per-Ramesses are, so the gods are unlikely to mean them. It must be Retenu. Maybe the gods are telling me my destiny lies in the northeast, in the land of Retenu. I will become a mighty conqueror, defeating my enemies in battle like my grandfather Usermaatre at Kadesh."

  "That could well be so, my Lord," Ament agreed.

  "Thousands of prisoners brought home as slaves, gold, silver, many precious things, the wealth of Hatti and their allies," Seti went on. "Their cities razed to the ground and my foot on the necks of their kings."

  "Undoubtedly, my Lord." Ament forced a yawn. "We should get some sleep. You will want to be fresh for your triumphal entry into Men-nefer tomorrow."

  "Triumph? Oh, you mean my ostriches. Well, that's good enough for now I suppose, but it's only hunting. I need to turn my eyes toward war with Kemet's enemies."

  "We're not at war, my Lord," Ament pointed out. "And even if we were, it's the king who will go to war."

  "He'll take me on campaign. I'm old enough."

  "You're only twelve."

  "Usermaatre was younger than that when he entered the city of Kadesh in triumph."

  "But he only accompanied his father Menmaatre."

  "That is my point, Ament. Usermaatre's father took him to war at an early age and he became a great conqueror. My father will take me to war, and I'll smite the nations too."

  "Yes, my Lord."

  * * *

  The next day, the hunting party returned to Men-nefer. Seti did not have much to show for a day or so in the field, but Ament and the huntsmen paraded the three slain ostriches and the townsfolk, always thirsting for entertainment, cheered the young prince. Seti grinned and waved from his chariot, and hurried up to the palace, eager to share his exploits with his father.

  "Where is the king?" Seti demanded of a chamberlain.

  "In the small audience chamber, my Lord, but he should not be disturbed. He has General Hotepnebi with him."

  Seti laughed. "He will see me," he said, already turning toward the audience hall. The chamberlain tried to remonstrate with the prince, but Seti ran, foregoing any attempt at dignity. He brushed aside the guards and threw open the doors of the chamber.

  "Father, I slew three ostriches, all by myself, and I chopped the head off one of them, leaning out of my chariot..."

  Merenptah was in earnest conversation with a grizzled older man. The king looked up in annoyance at the interruption.

  "Enough, Seti. Can't you see I'm busy?"

  "Yes, father, but it was so exciting. I..."

  "Later. I will talk to you later. Leave us now."

  Seti looked at old General Hotepnebi. "What's happening?"

  "Nothing that you need be concerned about. Go. I will talk to you later." Merenptah beckoned to one of the guards at the door. "Escort Prince Seti back to his quarters."

  "It's Retenu, isn't it? The tribes have rebelled. I saw it in the stars."

  Merenptah flicked his hand peremptorily, halting the guard as he crossed the chamber. "What did you say?"

  "Can I come, father? Please. I'm old enough for war and I need to learn."

  "How did you know it was Retenu? Who's been talking?"

  Seti grinned. "Hotepnebi..."

  "That's General Hotepnebi," the king growled. "Keep a civil tongue in your head or I'll confine you to your room."

  "Yes, father. My apologies, General Hotepnebi, but all I wanted to say is your station is the Northern Army, so if you're here, it must be something to do with the tribes there. They're a rebellious lot, so I'm told. Besides, the stars told me."

  The General glanced at his king and when Merenptah nodded said, "That is an astute observation, Prince Seti, but what is this about the stars telling you? Do you have some intelligence gathering method unavailable to my spies?"

  "I saw a falling star last night, two of them, and they fell to the northeast. Ament said..."

  "Ah, Ament again," Merenptah murmured. "A Leader of Fifty whose duties include looking after my son," he explained to the general." To Seti he said, "He is a farmer
turned soldier, my son, not a scribe or a priest. Leave the interpretation of the heavens to those who have made a study of such things."

  "He was a fisherman, father, not a farmer, but it doesn't matter. He was right wasn't he? The northern tribes have rebelled?"

  "Indeed they have, Prince Seti," Hotepnebi said. "I have just now brought the news to your father the king, and we were discussing the matter when you arrived."

  "Thank you, General. Father, I can go with you, can't I?"

  "Go where exactly?"

  "To war, father. You will take the legions and smash the rebels and I can help you. I am skilled with the bow and spear and can handle a sword and...and drive a chariot. I could drive your chariot. As son of the king, I should be there. Please father?"

  Merenptah smiled. "I'll think about it. Now leave us. General Hotepnebi and I have things to discuss."

  Seti grinned and bowed deeply to his father and somewhat less so to the general, before running off, unable to contain his excitement any longer. He raced through the halls and chambers of the palace, dodging servants and ducking around dignitaries, heading for the military barracks at the rear. When he ran into the courtyard where soldiers were practicing with sword and spear, Seti started shouting for Ament.

  "I'm here, young Lord. What is wrong?" Ament stepped out of a doorway, a hunk of barley bread in one hand and an onion in the other. He took a bite of each and chewed them while Seti chattered on.

  "We're going to war, Ament, it's official. I heard it from the king's lips. And he's taking me with him. I'm going to be driving his chariot and we'll kill thousands of rebels and..."

  "What?" Ament hurriedly swallowed his mouthful and looked sharply at the young prince. "The king said you could go to war?"

  "Well...not exactly, but he didn't say I couldn't. Oh, it'll be wonderful, Ament. To be there when my father routs the enemy and enters their cities. I'll be riding beside him and..."

  "Don't get too excited, young Lord, a lot can happen before the legions march. It's possible there might not even be a war. If the rebel tribes are sensible, they'll think better of it and hand over their ringleaders before there's any bloodshed."

  "There's going to be a war," Seti declared. "I feel it in my bones and besides, the stars spoke last night, didn't they? The gods don't lie."

  "No, they don't, but men sometimes interpret their messages wrongly. All I'm saying, young Lord, is don't get too excited. Wait and see what happens."

  Seti grinned, refusing to listen to the voice of reason. "I'm going to go and tell Tausret. She's going to be jealous."

  Chapter Sixteen

  Tausret speaks:

  Until the men of Retenu rebelled, I suppose I had become inured to my fate. I was born female, which in Kemetu society is hardly limiting; and royal, which should not be limiting at all, but I was both, and that was. A royal princess is bound about with strictures and limitations, and her life is mapped out for her. I had had a good education, thanks to my adoptive father, and had become moderately skilled in the use of arms, thanks to my cousin/brother; but it was my womanly skills that would count more in my future.

  I am nineteen years of age, and most royal princesses would be married off by now, to a relative most likely so as not to dilute the dynastic blood, but the king had promised me a measure of choice and so far, I had not encountered a man I wished to be joined to. I know; the longer I leave it, the narrower become my options. I want a husband and babies, most women do, but not yet. I feel as if I should do something important with my life. You will tell me now that nothing could be more important, my children will be royal after all and could be a king, or a governor of some province, a high priest of some god or other, but what of me? Am I worth so little that I must live only through my children?

  When I agreed to accompany Seti to Waset to petition the king, I had little thought beyond what an adventure it would be. Away from the palace with its constricting rooms and hallways, away from the multitude of servants that surround the nobility every day and night, away from expectations and pointless conversations with other ladies, away from men who think less of you just because you were born a woman. I was sick of it, and saw a way to escape. What followed was a double handful of days of freedom, with only Seti and Ament for company. I caught my own food and cooked it, spoke only when I wanted to, laughed at little jokes, sat in a boat scudding over the wide river with the sun in my face and the wind in my hair, my fingers trailing in the cool waters, and not a care in the world. I imagined myself an explorer, a sea captain, a general leading his troops to surprise an enemy and defeat them, anything but what I was.

  We reached Waset and Ament fled for his life while Seti confronted the king. He did not get what he wanted, to be confirmed as heir, but he still gained freedom. Even Ament was rewarded, if you can call playing nursemaid to a young boy a reward. What did I get out of it? Seti was praised for his initiative and Ament for looking after us, but all I got was a new dress and a few pieces of jewellery. Not as a reward, you understand, but to replace my tattered old dress and the bangles I had traded for food on the voyage south. No one reprimanded me, but I felt their silent disapproval all the same.

  I was returned to the palace at Per-Ramesses, given a suite in the Women's Quarter, and watched for a time, until the king and the Tjaty felt I was unlikely to wander again. When it was felt that I had settled down, I was brought to the royal court in Men-nefer, and allowed women companions as befits a daughter of the king. A little before the rebellion in Retenu, I once again came under pressure to marry, but I knelt before the king and told him I knew of no man I wanted.

  He was silent for a time and then asked, "What about my son Seti?"

  "Seti? He is only twelve years old, a child."

  "For now, daughter. I thought perhaps when he turns fifteen."

  "I...I will think on it."

  In truth, I was taken aback. Although the idea had been mooted from time to time, even by Seti and me, it was always in a light-hearted manner, never seriously. Now, when I considered the suggestion seriously (one should always consider one of the king's suggestions with utmost seriousness) I could see that there was merit in it. I was seven years the elder, but still capable of bearing children, and if Seti became heir, that would be important. My breeding would not hurt either, daughter of Sethi, elder brother to King Baenre.

  I did not want to commit myself to this union but a few days later I told the king, "I am not against the idea."

  He chuckled. "I am glad, daughter, and I think Seti will be too."

  "You won't tell him yet, will you? I might change my mind and I would not want to hurt him."

  "On the day he turns fifteen, I will ask you again, and if you still want to we will tell him together."

  So when Seti burst into my chambers in great excitement, scattering my women like so many ducklings, crying out that he had just heard the news, I thought that the king had told him after all. I snatched up a dress to cover my nakedness and slipped into it, beckoning to a servant to bring me a wig and the mirror.

  "What are you talking about, Seti? What news?"

  "The rebellion in Retenu, of course. Haven't you heard? No, of course not, why should women be interested in war?"

  "Tell me." I pointed at a chair and turned my attention to the wig, adjusting it and examining myself in the polished silver plate my servant held up.

  Seti plumped himself down but fidgeted and got up again. "General Hotepnebi is here. He brought news that the Kanaanites and Sea Peoples are in rebellion and...and I'm going to war with the king."

  I turned and stared. "Truly? The king said you could go?"

  "Sort of. He didn't say I couldn't though, and when I offered to drive his chariot for him he smiled and...and nodded. I'm going to war, Tausret. What do you think of that?"

  "I wish I was going with you."

  "To war? Women don't go to war."

  "I don't see why not. I'm easily as good as you with weapons, I'm daughter of the kin
g, and anyway, I wouldn't actually have to fight, that's what the army is for. I could direct the legions."

  "I'm better than you now," Seti said. "Not that it matters. Father won't let you go."

  I sent my women away, and drew my brother close, whispering in his ear. "Take me with you."

  "No."

  "Seti, remember two years ago when you wanted to go to Waset and I took you there? Now I want to go somewhere and you are going to take me."

  He scowled. "I don't even know if I'm going yet, and even if I am, how am I going to smuggle you along? In my bedroll?"

  "Ask Ament. He'll find a way."

  My brother Seti fought against the idea a while longer, but in the end he agreed to ask Ament if it turned out that he was going. He was, and Ament came to see me. Of course, a common soldier could not be alone with a noble lady, so I talked to him in the open. There is a beautiful park in Men-nefer, adjoining the palace and the huge and glorious temple of Ptah. Paths wind between flowerbeds and fruit trees, between ponds and close-cropped grass, and here I walked with my ladies and met Leader of Fifty Ament as if by accident.

  My ladies withdrew, though they remained vigilant and kept me in sight at all times, while I sat on a bench under the shade of a tree covered with sweet-smelling blossoms and Ament stood before me, suitably deferential.

  "You know why I told you to meet me here?" I asked.

  "So we could talk in plain sight, my Lady." Ament glanced across at my waiting ladies.

  "Of course, but you know the reason for the meeting?"

  "Prince Seti said something, but I think I must have misheard him."

  "You did not. The king is going to war and means to take Seti with him. I want to go too, and you are going to find a way."