Qa'a (The First Dynasty Book 3) Page 15

  “What has happened is that the wealthy merchants in the Delta have been using their profits in ways that make us suspect something is amiss.”

  “What would that be?” I asked, incredulous, for although I knew of our long history of conflict with Lower Kem, I never had to concern myself with goings on beyond the Royal Court, and for that I had many spies within who informed me of everything I wanted to know.

  “We are not yet certain, Merkha,” Buikkhu continued. “They have been donating much gold, silver and jewels to certain Temples of Horus, which you well know is unusual for them, since they have their own gods they worship above Horus. That alone makes me suspicious as to what it is they think they will get in return.” I nodded my agreement. “But they are also forming business alliances which funnel contracts to each other, thereby quietly strengthening their positions, even to the detriment of our Upper Kemian businessmen I hear. They also donate to temples of other gods that are every day arising in Lower Kem.”

  “Yes, I can see how disturbing this all is,” I offered.

  “Do you, dear priest?” Khenemet said. “Do you realize how these acts may one day serve to weaken the Horus priesthood, not just in the Delta, but throughout the Two Lands? Already morality is in decline. People workshop strange gods, even gods from distant lands. Worldly goods have become too abundant, life too easy for our people. Children of the wealthy are spoiled and no longer know their proper roles. Women seek rights that are against ma’at. There is decay from within that must be stopped, Merkha. Do you see that?”

  I swallowed hard, for I was upset by Khenemet’s passionate words and knew not what it was he wanted me to say. I had long ago learned that in those situations it is best to stay silent.

  “It is up to us, Horus’ chosen, to protect ma’at, to strengthen it, to battle these demons that confront us! That is why we have asked you to this meeting, Merkha.” Now I was truly puzzled. I sat rigidly, moving my gaze from one to the other.

  “We have asked for the allegiance of certain trusted priests in the Delta, allegiance to an even higher purpose,” Khenemet continued. “We have instructed them to enlarge their local spy networks, and to uncover those priests who are now under the influence of the Delta businessmen. Buikkhu and I will begin to develop plans to undermine some of these Delta business arrangements and to create more opportunities for Upper Kemian businesses there. What we need from you is… more… delicate.”

  “I will do whatever it is you wish, my masters. Please just tell me what that is.” My skin bristled with anticipation.

  “Two things, Merkha,” Buikkhu said. “First, we know that you have cultivated a network of informers within the Royal Court. You must dig deeper into these issues with them without revealing that we suspect anything. We need to know whether these alliances have spread their poison to the Royal Court yet. We must find out who here maintains sympathies for these Delta usurpers.” I swallowed hard for what Khenemet and Buikkhu requested would surely compromise my position. The thought occurred to me that they already understood that.

  “Next, once we develop a plan to combat these evils, we will need you to use all your influence to bring Qa’a to see its rightness. Of course we will also give him counsel, but we have seen with our own eyes how he turns to you at times for advice.”

  Now I was frightened. “I… I cannot force the King to see things…”

  “We do not ask you to force him to do anything!” Khenemet said angrily. He took a breath and leaned forward in his chair. “Look, Merkha, we realize you have never been exposed to how Kem is truly ruled. Yes, you have been in the Royal Court for years, but as a tutor, not as an advisor on matters of law or policy. This is a delicate business that we are all engaged in, each with his role to play. We ask you to do nothing other than to keep Kem elevated above all nations. We ask you to use your influence with the King so that we all march to the same drumbeat.”

  Although what Khenemet said made sense to a loyal priest like me, questions swirled through my head, questions with no immediate answers. Is marching to the same drummer good or bad if led by a General with a faulty plan? Was Kem truly elevated above all nations, or did other nations believe the same about themselves? Was Lower Kem still to be viewed as the enemy of Upper Kem? I hardly knew what to think.

  Yet, Khenemet was entirely correct in that I knew little about the workings of the court, other than who was being unfaithful to his wife or her husband, what servants felt about their cruel or wonderful masters, or how parents raised their children. And I also believed that Kem’s greatness was due to Horus’ intervention in our daily affairs. As I had been taught from childhood when I was given to the priesthood, life in our land was a hierarchy, with the rekhi on the bottom, merchants and artisans next, and then the priesthood, the Royal family above them and the King at the very top. That is stability, that is ma’at. So it is with the Horus priesthood. We have a Chief Priest who knows best and we must follow his direction. My decision was made.

  “I will do whatever it is you ask of me,” I said, looking them both in the eye. They nodded and I noted the hint of a smile on Buikkhu’s lip. I knew then that my life would unalterably change, yet little did I know to what extent.

  But during the next few days I had not a moment to think about what had transpired, for I awoke at dawn and did not sleep until well past Ra’s setting. Finally, the wedding day dawned with a slight coolness in the air, but the skies were clear and bright blue. The priests at the temple greeted Ra with a ram’s horn and prayer and pronounced the day a good one for a Royal wedding.

  I was in charge of the King’s preparation and so had been up even before Ra’s rising. While it was still dark, I woke my two assistants assigned to me by Buikku and told them to make haste with their morning routines and a quick morning meal. Once back to my quarters we went over the plans for preparing Qa’a.

  Within half an hour I awoke Qa’a. I had lit a small brazier of myrrh in his room. Its smoky, acrid, clean smell aired the room and together we recited the Greeting of Ra prayers. Buikkhu then joined us for a special blessing from Horus, asking his protection for the King and Shemai. With me on the other side of the room, Buikkhu pulled out a small scroll from his robe and opened it so that only the King could see it. Qa’a shook his head in agreement, giving his final approval to the name they had chosen for Shemai’s ascension to Queen. Across Inabu-hedj, at the Temple of Isis, Irisi had already received Shemai’s approval.

  As soon as Buikkhu left, my assistants took the King for his bath and to shave him. Once done they applied a perfume, an entirely subtle but sensual scent that soon dissipated but could be detected by those close to him.

  Next, two cosmetic artisans crushed black kohl and green malachite on stone palettes, mixed them with oils and deftly applied them to Qa’a’s eyelids. They crushed iodine and a strange-looking purple underwater plant from Wadj-wer, along with a crushed red rock and some beeswax and heated it over a candle to create a dark shade of red lipstick which they applied to Qa’a’s lips. They painted his toenails in a similar color.

  My two assistants then took over. We had laid out all of Qa’a’s clothes on a table and they supervised his dressing. He wore a pleated white kilt made of the finest linen in the Two Lands. Around his waist he wore a leather belt from an Apis bull. On his chest they placed his gold chest plate with its intricately carved braided gold chain. His sandal bearer placed his woven leather sandals on his feet. The jewels that were sewn into the weaving shimmered in the sun, as did the gold braiding along its edges.

  Throughout his preparation, the crowds grew outside the palace, becoming more noisy as Ra rose higher in the sky. They screamed for their King to appear. General Nebibi suddenly appeared in the King’s quarters.

  “Unless you stop primping him and get on with this damned event, I cannot be held responsible for this crowd!” he barked, then turned and left as abruptly.

  Finally, the crown bearer appeared. Following my blessing, he placed the r
ed and white double crown of a united Kem on Qa’a’s head. When he stood, I observed the reactions of everyone in the room. Some smiled, but most were wide-eyed in admiration, for a more handsome King we had never laid eyes upon. Although Qa’a was short in stature, his body was still perfectly formed, muscular and his face glorious. My heart felt like bursting with pride and Qa’a turned to me, smiled and nodded.

  “Are you ready to go?” I asked. He came to me and placed his hands on my shoulders.

  “I am ready, my teacher. But please do not look so sad. I am going to my wedding.” We both laughed at that.

  Once upon his carry chair, I handed Qa’a his crook and flail, which he held crossed over his chest. With Qa’a looking like the god he was meant to be, the servants lifted their King and went out on the portico. The crowds erupted in sustained screaming and dancing, amidst the blaring of ram’s horns. They descended the steps and General Nebibi called his men to attention. Throughout the processional the soldiers crossed their spears to contain the crowd.

  People in the streets shrieked with joy at their king. Flower petals rained down upon the processional and more than once a dancer would slip on the trodden pulp, always to the cheers of the good-natured crowd. Rekhi held their children high to glimpse their King. Merchants who had bribed the officials ran to the carry chair and blessed Qa’a then asked for blessings themselves.

  When we reached the Temple, we noted that both Khenemet and Irisi waited on the steps to greet us, meaning that Shemai had arrived safely and awaited her betrothed within the sanctuary. At the top of the stairs, Qa’a turned toward the crowds and a huge, sustained cheer went up. People with children on their hips and shoulders pointed eagerly toward Qa’a, who stood impassively, eyeing them as he had been trained to do. In his royal dress he looked like the embodiment of Horus’ brother to his people. In a massive wave they bowed low to their King.

  Inside the temple, Qa’a’s sandal bearer removed his sandals and washed his feet. The procession walked down the corridor to the sanctuary. Dapples of light entered through the thatched roof, playing across Qa’a’s gold breastplate and jewels. At the entranceway to the sanctuary, Khenemet paused momentarily to allow all to breathe in for what was to come.

  We entered the sanctuary. Candles on sconces lit the room in a soft glow. Towering above us was Horus, his body erect, one foot forward, his arms straight, palms outward in blessing. His bejeweled eyes stared down upon all who entered his holy space. I felt gooseflesh raise along my body, for there was no doubt in my heart that his ka was present in that room.

  Khenemet, dressed in his flowing white robe, stood before the brazier that was to the side of Horus. Upon his head sat a white cloth hat with Horus’ symbol embroidered on it in blue. He raised his hand and blessed Qa’a in Horus’ name.

  “Horus, I bless your brother who stands before you. I ask you to bless his union with Shemai, so that together they may produce an heir to the throne in order that ma’at may lay as a peaceful blanket upon your beloved Kem.”

  Buikkhu drew pebbles of frankincense from a bowl and placed them in the brazier. Its sweet, altogether pleasant odor quickly filled the room. I breathed in deeply. Now a group of ten priests entered and formed two lines. They began to chant in an altogether beautiful harmony and in a few moments Irisi walked in, followed by the soon-to-be queen. Irisi was dressed in an unassuming gown, the better to focus everyone’s attention on Shemai, who was radiant in her white fine linen robe, tied simply at the waist. She wore gold bangles from her wrist to her elbow and a gold necklace, with orange carnelians embedded within it. Her oiled hair hung straight down her back, with a carved ivory comb contrasting pleasingly with her dark hair. The Isis priestesses had anointed her lips with a red lipstick that somehow shimmered and sparkled in the candlelight. I noted Qa’a sneaking a look at her lithesome figure.

  With Irisi standing beside Shemai, Khenemet turned to address those of us assembled in the room.

  “Shemai!” the Chief Priest spoke to her from behind the alter, in the time-honored words of wedding written for King Narmer. “Do you willingly sacrifice your ba to ascend to be King Qa’a’s wife?”

  “Yes, I do,” Shemai replied.

  “Do you promise to support your beloved, King Qa’a, through the good and the difficult times that will surely arise during his reign?”

  “I do,” she said.

  “And, do you love King Qa’a with your heart and ka?”

  Shemai looked into Qa’a’s eyes. “Yes,” she said.

  “Do you swear these things as an oath before Horus himself?” I saw Shemai glance toward the penetrating gaze of Horus.

  Her voice quivered as she responded, “I do.”

  “Then it is time for your transformation. What name have you two chosen for your role as Queen of all Kem, wife of King Qa’a, with whom you will share the throne throughout eternity?”

  I knew that Qa’a and Shemai had wrestled with her new name for several ten-days now. In the end she agreed to the name that Qa’a preferred. That much I, alone, knew. “Her new name shall be Amisi,” Qa’a volunteered.

  “Amisi,” Khenemet repeated. “Flower.” He seemed pleased, his stern appearance notwithstanding. As is our tradition, it was the first we had heard the name they had chosen, for our people fear the Evil Eye, which attract demons from the Underworld.

  “And you, King Qa’a, Ruler of all Kem, Wearer of the Crowns of Upper and Lower Kem, do you promise to love and care for your beloved, Queen Amisi, for all eternity?” the Chief Priest asked.

  “I do.”

  “Will you share with her your ka and plant within her the seeds of Kem’s future?”

  “I will.” I could detect a crack in Qa’a’s voice.

  Buikkhu handed Khenemet a living dove, wrapped in white linen so tightly only its head was visible. He held it high, then put it in front of Amisi’s face. She whispered her old name to it. Then Khenemet quickly twisted its neck and placed its limp body on the brazier.

  “Thus Shemai’s ka has departed us. We ask that you guard her ka in her journey to the Afterworld, mighty Horus. Unite her ka with her mother.” In a moment the bird’s body burst into flame and we watched Shemai’s ka float up past Horus’ face.

  “We now perform the Whispering of Names,” Khenemet pronounced. Qa’a and Amisi faced each other and four priest pole-bearers came forward carrying Horus’ blue banner, creating a protective tent over the couple.

  First Qa’a went, whispering his name softly into his beloved’s nostrils. She breathed in his name and in so doing part of his ka. Then he circled around her, brushing her with his palm as he went. Seven times the act was repeated. Qa’a appeared uncomfortable with the process, but he performed it with the bearing of a soldier.

  Next it was Amisi’s turn and I could see that the thought of what Qa’a had just done still resonated within. She trembled and cleared her throat before whispering her name into Qa’a’s mouth. She, too, circled him seven times. Amisi had her eyes closed for the first five circlings, obviously transported to the realm of the gods, so enthralled was she by the ceremony. But on the sixth circling, Qa’a whispered something lewd to his bride. Shemai’s reaction was evident. Her eyes opened in shock and she could barely say her seventh Whispering. By the time she had completed the final circling, tears streamed down her eyes. But, used to performing before crowds of people, Amisi quickly regained her bearing.

  With the ceremony over, Qa’a and Amisi were escorted to the rear of the temple. “Are you ready to meet your people?” Khenemet asked. Qa’a nodded, but Amisi looked nervous.

  “The crowds are excited to see the new Queen,” Khenemet added.

  “Take a sen-sen breath, my Queen, and remember your regal bearing,” Irisi whispered.

  In a moment, two priests opened the rear door to the temple and the Royal couple stepped out onto the portico. Below them and stretching to the nearby mountain was a throng of people such as none of us had yet seen. People near to the temple sh
oved to get a closer look at their Queen. A huge cheer rose up from the crowd and never abated. Woman ululated, men whistled and shouted. To her credit, Amisi played her part well, looking out over the crowd, turning this way and that, her left hand at her side and her right clasping Qa’a’s left. She stayed a half-step behind Qa’a, who stood erect, his right hand raised with palm outward as a greeting to his people. His gold breastplate shone brightly under Ra’s light. Resplendent in their makeup, they looked so much like Horus’ chosen, people near to the portico bowed low in obeisance.