Three Novels of Ancient Egypt

The mention of war rang strangely in her ears, awakening ancient memories in her heart. She remembered times like these when her husband would not know which way to turn in his distress and he would complain to her of his sorrow and anxiety, yearning to own a strong army with which to repel his enemy's covetousness. Now her son could speak of war with courage, resolution, and confidence, for times had changed and hope had revived. She stole a glance at the queen's face and found it drawn, and she realized that she was confused, the hope of a queen and the apprehension of a wife pulling her mercilessly back and forth. She too was a queen, and a mother, but she could not find it within herself to say anything other than what the teacher of the people and their Sacred Mother must say. She asked him, “Are you ready for war, my lord?”

Firmly he replied, “Yes, Mother. I have a valiant army.”

“Can this army free Egypt from its shackles?”

“At the least, it can drive back the aggression of the Herdsmen from the South.”

Then he shrugged his shoulders contemptuously and said furiously, “Mother, we have humored these Herdsmen year after year, but this has not succeeded in putting an end to their greed and still they eye our kingdom covetously. Now destiny has intervened and I believe that courage has a better claim on us than delaying tactics and appeasement. I shall take this step and see what follows.”

At this Tetisheri smiled and said proudly, “Amun bless this high and lofty-minded soul!”

“So what say you, Mother?”

“I say, my son, ‘Follow your chosen path, and may the Lord protect you and my prayers bring you blessing!’ That is our goal, and that is what the youth whom Amun has chosen to realize Thebes’ immortal hopes must do!”

Seqenenra was filled with joy and his face shone. He bent over the head of Tetisheri to kiss her brow and she kissed his left cheek and Ahotep's right and blessed them both and they returned, happy and rejoicing.

5

It was announced to the envoy Khayan that Seqenenra would receive him on the morning of the following day, and at the appointed time the king went to the reception hall followed by his senior chamberlains. There he found the chief minister, the high priest, and the commanders of the army and navy waiting for him about the throne. They rose to receive him and bowed before him and he took his seat upon the throne and gave them permission to sit. Then the chamberlain of the door shouted to announce the arrival of the envoy Khayan, who entered with his fat, short body and long beard, walking haughtily and asking himself, “What lies, I wonder, behind this council? Peace or war?” When he reached the throne, he bowed in greeting to the one seated there and the king returned the greeting and gave him permission to be seated, saying, “I hope you passed a pleasant night?”

“It was a pleasant night, thanks to your generous hospitality.” He glanced quickly at the king's head and, seeing upon it the White Crown of Egypt, his heart sank and he blazed with fury, feeling that it was intolerable for the governor of the South to challenge him thus. The king, for his part, went to no lengths to be polite to the envoy, for he was not unaware of what his refusal of the demands meant. Wishing to state his opinion baldly, decisively, and straightforwardly, he said, “Envoy Khayan, I have studied the demands that you have so faithfully conveyed to us and I have consulted the men of my kingdom about them. It is the opinion of us all that we should refuse them.”

Khayan had not been expecting this abrupt, frank refusal. He was struck dumb and overcome — with astonishment. He looked at Seqenenra in amazement and disbelief, and his face turned as red as coral. The king went on, “I find that these demands violate our beliefs and our honor, and we will permit no one to violate even a single belief of ours, or our honor.”

Khayan recovered from his astonishment and said quietly and haughtily, as though he had not heard what the king had said, “If my lord asks me, ‘Why does the governor of the South refuse to construct a temple to Seth?’ what shall I say to him?”

“Say to him that the people of the South worship Amun alone.”

“And if he asks me, ‘Why do they not kill the hippopotami that rob me of my sleep?’ “

“Tell him that the people of the South hold them sacred.”

“Amazing! Is not Pharaoh more sacred than the hippopotami?”

Seqenenra hung his head for a moment, as though thinking of a reply. Then he said in resolute tones, “Apophis is sacred to you. These hippopotami are sacred to us.”

A wave of relief passed through the courtiers at this vehement reply. Khayan, on the other hand, was furious, though he did not allow his anger to get the better of him and held himself back, saying quietly, “Respected Governor, your father was governor of the South and did not wear this crown. Do you think that you have greater rights than your father claimed for himself?”