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to obey him. Brute force alone would never govern Egypt; Shaanar was smug in the knowledge that no ruler could take power without the consent of the court and the high priests, whose support the smooth-tongued Shaanar con- tinued to enlist. It was becoming increasingly clear that Ramses was an intrepid and dangerous warrior. As long as Seti held the reins of power, his aggressive nature would remain in check. But afterward, who knew what would happen? Ramses might ini- tiate impulsive attacks that would put the country in peril . . . Shaanar further stressed how Seti had reached a truce with the Hittites rather than pressing on and laying siege to their fortress at Kadesh. Could they expect Ramses to be so prudent? Shaanar s influential friends all hated war. Generals with dreams of glory threatened to upset their comfortable existence. Egypt had no need of a conquering hero who might put the Near East to the fire and the sword. Ambassadors and returning couriers reported that the Hittites were pursuing peaceful goals and had given up their designs on Egypt. Ramses: The Son of Light 351 Consequently, a warrior prince like Ramses was unneces- sary, if not downright harmful. If he kept posturing as a commander, he might have to be removed from the scene. Shaanar s arguments were persuasive. He seemed so level- headed and realistic, and the facts backed him up. During a boat trip to the Delta to clinch the future sup- port of two provincial governors, Shaanar found time to meet with Ahsha. His well-appointed cabin was a perfect setting. His cook had prepared them delicacies, his steward had produced an exceptionally fruity vintage white wine. As usual, the young diplomat was elegant, if a trifle haughty. His lively eyes were occasionally unsettling, but his smooth voice and calm, even manner were reassuring. If Ahsha proved trustworthy after they overthrew Ramses, he would make an excellent secretary of state. Today, however, he toyed with his food. Is anything wrong with your lunch? Shaanar inquired. Forgive me. I m rather preoccupied. Personal problems? Heavens, no. Trouble at work? Quite the contrary. Ramses, then! Ramses is on to us. I m sure he isn t. Then what has you so worried? The Hittites. Reports reaching us in Memphis show them quite thor- oughly pacified. That s the official story, yes. And what do you think is wrong with it? Too naive, unless my superiors are simply trying not to trouble Seti with pessimistic forecasts. Your version of the facts, then? 352 Christian Jacq The Hittites are no simpleminded savages. They tried to achieve their goals through open confrontation; it didn t work, so they re switching strategies. They ll buy up more disgruntled princelings and incite them to revolt, in other words. That s what the experts on Asia think, yes. But you don t? Not anymore. What are you afraid of ? That they re working from within to turn our own pro- tectorates against us. It s highly unlikely. Seti would crush any serious sedi- tion in a flash. Seti doesn t know about it. Given Ahsha s record for accuracy, Shaanar did not take the young diplomat s warnings lightly. This time the Hittites want to move carefully. In four or five years, they ll be ready to spring the trap. Keep a close watch on the situation and don t breathe a word to anyone but me. That s asking a lot. Don t worry. You ll be getting plenty in return. fifty-one ife was slow in the seaside fishing village. A naval police Ldetachment of fewer than a dozen regulated shipping; it was fairly easy work, with only the occasional northbound Egyptian boat requiring the commander (potbellied and well past sixty) to log its passage. Ships returning from abroad used another branch of the Delta. The shore patrol helped the fishermen pull in their nets and keep their boats in trim. They had all the fish they wanted, and on feast days the villagers would share the patrolmen s biweekly wine ration. Dolphin watching was the little community s favorite entertainment. They never tired of the graceful leaps and excited chases. In the evenings, an old fisherman might recount the legend that told of how the goddess Isis hid her newborn son, Horus, in the rushes of the nearby marsh- lands, to keep him safe from the avenging Set. A boat, sir. The commander was taking his afternoon nap and did not want to leave the comfort of his reed mat. Have them sign and record the name. It s coming from the sea. You must not have seen right. Look again. It s coming this way, for sure. 354 Christian Jacq Intrigued, the commander got up. It wasn t a wine day. Their usual weak beer would never produce such a wild hal- lucination. From the beach, they clearly spied a large ship making straight for the village. It s not Egyptian . . . No Greek boat was permitted to land here. Pharaoh s orders were strict: intercept intruders and order them to head west for escort by the royal navy. Suit up, the commander told his men, who had nearly forgotten how to handle spear, sword, bow, and shield. Aboard the strange vessel were swarthy men with curling mustaches, real horns set in their helmets, metal breast- plates, pointed swords, and round shields. In the bow stood a giant. The Egyptian patrolmen recoiled. A monster, one of them whispered. Only a man, replied the commander. Fire! Two arrows flew through the air. One went wide. The other was about to hit the giant s chest when he slashed it in half with his sword. Overthere! anotherpatrolmanshouted. Anotherboat! An invasion, the commander agreed. Retreat, men. Ramses was happy. It was a daily happiness, strong as the south wind, gentle as the north. Nefertari brought a fullness to each moment, eased his cares, guided his thoughts toward the light. With her at his side, the days were softly radiant. This woman knew how to soothe him without denying the fire that Ramses: The Son of Light 355 burned in him. She seemed to herald a strange, almost unsettling future a new order. Nefertari surprised him. Her new life could have spoiled her; instead, she assumed the stately elegance of a queen. What destiny would she rule or serve? Nefertari was a mys- tery. A mystery with an enchanting smile like the goddess Hathor s in the tomb of his grandfather, the first Ramses. Iset the Fair was the earth, Nefertari the heavens. Ramses needed them both, though for Iset he felt only passion and desire. Nefertari was his beloved. Seti contemplated the setting sun. When Ramses came in, the palace was growing dark. The king had not lit a single lamp. An alarming report from the Delta, he told his son. My advisers think it s a minor incident, but I m convinced they re wrong. What happened? Some pirates attacked a fishing village on the Mediterranean coast. The shore patrol had to retreat, but insist the situation is under control. Could they be lying? That s for you to find out. Why the suspicion? These pirates are well-known pillagers. If they make their way inland, terror will follow in their wake. Ramses was indignant. Is that the kind of security our shore patrol provides? [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |