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awakened to create the universe. A celestial cow gave birth
to the stars.
Then the young man was led to the threshold of the hall
of columns where two priests, wearing the masks of Thoth
the ibis and Horus the falcon, poured cool water over his
head and shoulders. The two gods dressed him in a white
kilt and led him to worship the divinities present on the
columns.
Ten priests with shaved heads surrounded Kha.The young
man had to answer a thousand questions on the hidden nature
of the god Amon, the elements of creation contained in the
egg of the world, the meaning of the major hieroglyphs, the
content of offering rituals, and many subjects that only a well-
versed scribe could discuss without error.
Ramses: The lady of abu simbel 275
His examiners made no remarks or comments. Kha
awaited their verdict at length in a silent chapel.
In the middle of the night, an aged priest took him by
the hand and led him to the roof of the temple, inviting
him to sit in contemplation of the starry sky, the body of
the goddess Nut, who alone could transform death into life.
Raised to the rank of bearer of the law, Kha thought
only of the glorious days he would soon be passing in the
temple, learning the rituals. Thus preoccupied, he left be-
hind his magical wristband and amulet.
forty-five
t Abu Simbel, Setau had grown passionate about the
Awork in progress, pouring all his energy into building a
peerless monument to the royal couple. In Thebes, Bakhen
was keeping the construction of Ramses Eternal Temple on
track. As for Pi-Ramses, the Turquoise City, it seemed to
increase in beauty day by day.
As soon as Pharaoh was back in Pi-Ramses, Ahmeni
began camping in his office. Unable to rest at the thought
that he might have committed some error, the king s private
secretary and sandal-bearer worked night and day. Nearly
bald and somewhat thinner (despite his hearty appetite),
276 Christian Jacq
the man who ran Egypt behind the scenes slept little, knew
everything that went on without ever taking part in court
activities, and stubbornly refused all official titles. Although
he complained about his bad back and aching bones,
Ahmeni personally carried the confidential documents re-
lating to matters he wished to discuss with Ramses, regard-
less of how heavy the stacks of papyrus and wooden tablets
were.
Equipped with the gilded writing kit the king had long
ago given him, the scribe felt a true devotion to Ramses,
with whom he shared an invisible but unbreakable bond.
Who could help but admire the Son of Light, whose deeds
already marked his reign as one of the most remarkable in
the long history of the pharaohs? Ahmeni gave thanks every
day for being born in the age of Ramses.
Have you run into any serious problems, Ahmeni?
Nothing insurmountable. Queen Mother Tuya helped a
great deal. When certain members of your government
balked, she intervened forcefully. Our Egypt is thriving,
Your Majesty, but we must take care. A few days delay in
routine canal maintenance, a lack of vigilance in the live-
stock tallies, failure to discipline ineffective scribes, and the
whole structure could easily come apart.
What s the latest from Ahsha?
Ahmeni s chest swelled. I can state in all confidence that
our old school friend is a true genius.
When is he coming back from Hatti?
For the moment, he s staying in the Hittite capital.
Ramses was astonished. His mission was supposed to
end when Hattusili took the throne.
He s been forced to extend it, but meanwhile he s pulled
off something amazing.
Ahmeni s high spirits told Ramses that he was in for a
Ramses: The lady of abu simbel 277
surprise. Ahsha must have executed their entire plan, despite
insurmountable odds.
Would Your Majesty allow me to introduce a distin-
guished guest?
Ramses gestured toward the door in agreement. A tri-
umph of Ahsha s would have to be spectacular.
Serramanna entered, pushing a tall, well-built man before
him, a man with long hair and a reddish fleece on his chest.
Offended by the Sard s brusqueness, Uri-Teshoop turned
around and shook a fist at him.
That s no way to treat the rightful Emperor of Hatti!
What about raising your voice to the Pharaoh? in-
quired Ramses.
Uri-Teshoop tried to hold Ramses gaze, but broke off
after only a few seconds. The Hittite warrior was feeling the
cruel weight of defeat. Appearing before Ramses this way,
like a common fugitive . . . Ramses, whose strength both
fascinated and subdued him.
I request political asylum, Your Majesty, and I know the
price. I ll answer all your questions about the strengths and
weaknesses of the Hittite army.
Then let s get started, said Ramses.
With the fire of humiliation coursing through his veins,
Uri-Teshoop obeyed.
The palace orchard was flourishing with juniper, pome-
granate, fig, and frankincense trees, each more beautiful
than the next. Iset the Fair loved to stroll here with her son
Merenptah. The nine-year-old s robust constitution sur-
prised his teachers. Ramses younger son liked playing with
278 Christian Jacq
Watcher, and the yellow-gold dog, despite his advancing
years, indulged the child s whims. Together they chased but-
terflies, then Watcher slowly stretched out and settled down
to a restorative nap. The dog s companion, the Nubian lion
Fighter, let Merenptah pet him, diffidently at first, then
with confidence.
Iset felt a pang of nostalgia for the already distant days
when Kha, Meritamon, and Merenptah were all carefree
children playing in this orchard and the adjoining gardens.
Today Kha was a temple novice and the lovely Meritamon
(who had already received proposals from several influential
men) was studying sacred music. Iset the Fair recalled the
serious little boy with his writing materials, the beautiful
little girl dragging the harp that was too big for her. All that
was yesterday, a happiness now beyond reach.
How many times had Iset met with Dolora, how many
hours had they spent discussing Nefertari, her ambition, her
hypocrisy? The thought made her head spin. Worn down by
Dolora s insistence, she had finally resolved to act.
On a low sycamore table painted with blue lotuses, Iset
had set two cups full of carob juice. The one she d hand to
Nefertari contained a slow-acting poison. In four or five
weeks, when the Great Royal Wife finally died, no one
would think of pointing a finger at Iset the Fair. Dolora had
provided the invisible weapon, insisting that divine justice
would be solely responsible for Nefertari s death.
Shortly before sunset, the queen appeared in the orchard.
She removed her headdress, kissing Merenptah and Iset.
An exhausting day, she confided.
Have you seen the king, Your Majesty?
Unfortunately not. Ahmeni is keeping him tied up, and
I have a thousand and one matters to attend to myself.
Don t you get tired of public life and all your official
duties?
Ramses: The lady of abu simbel 279
More than you could imagine, Iset. How happy I was in
Nubia! Ramses and I were together constantly, each second
was a joy.
I thought . . .
Iset s voice wavered; Nefertari was intrigued. Are you
feeling all right? she inquired.
Fine, it s just that . . .
Iset the Fair could no longer control herself. She asked
the question that burned on her lips, in her heart.
Your Majesty, do you really love Ramses?
Consternation flickered momentarily on Nefertari s face.
Then a radiant smile dispelled it.
How could you doubt it?
At court they ve been saying . . .
At court gossip is the only sport. No one knows who
they are, but they never find anything good to say. I m sure
this isn t news to you, though.
Of course not, but . . .
But I come from a modest background and I married
Ramses the Great. That s bound to feed the rumor mill.
Nefertari looked Iset straight in the eye.
I ve loved Ramses from the first moment we met,
though I didn t dare admit it to myself. My love for him
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