Chapter One
A dark cloak shielded Brianamun from the cold, night air. It also protected him from the hidden, all-seeing eyes. If he was seen, it would mean death for treason.
He was the leader of a conspiracy against the king, Akhenaten. The man was barely even a king, but a heretic against the gods of Egypt! He’d denied the existence of the true deities and placed a god of his own creation above all others. The main god Amun’s name and image had been forsaken. Amun’s priesthood had been abandoned, angering all the god’s followers. Few supported the king and many opposed him.
Brianamun’s father had been the first to be begin the plot against the pharaoh. When his father had died, Brianamun had took over the position. Brianamun approached a large, airy mansion. He rapped on the door.
A young woman opened it. “How may I help you, my lord?”
“I am here to deliver my debt to his lordship,” Brianamun gave the secret code-phrase.
“How much do you owe?” came the other part of the code.
“Ten rolls of linen.” He brought forth his bundle.
“His lordship is in the garden with his other guests.”
“Thank you.”
Brianamun made his way through the house into the courtyard. Several figures were gathered around, sitting in chairs.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” Brianamun told the other four men.
“We were beginning to fear that you had been caught,” a medium-height man, by the name of Alexhotep said. His father was Egyptian, and his mother had been Libyan. Ruggedly handsome, Alexhotep held a prominent position as one of Pharaoh’s soldier. He was their link into the army, most of which supported Amun.
“You mean you were starting to worry,” Nickathor laughed. He was popular with people and surprisingly bright. He was the link to other, supporting countries, being a Greek living in Egypt.
Howymose sighed. He was Pharaoh’s personal scribe. Having to be ready to be received by Akhenaten or his family at any time, it was extremely dangerous for him to meet with his fellow, secret conspirators.
Kevinkare was their host. Tall and dignified, he was the court doctor--physician to unsuspecting Akhenaten himself!
Brianamun went by the name Brianaten, so he would not be watched by Pharaoh’s guard. He was one of the few priests of Amun who still carried out his duties to Amun in Thebes, the god’s holy city--what had once been the country’s religious capitol. He was on his four month leave and had been sent as a spy to Akhetaten, Akhenaten’s hastily built capitol dedicated to Aten.
“Who’s the new girl?” Brianamun inquired, referring to the one who’d admitted him.
“My sister,” Kevinkare replied. “Do not worry. She can be trusted.”
A servant entered, carrying a tray laden with beer.
The five men each took a cup.
“To victory,” Howymose cheered, raising his mug.
“I’ll drink to that,” Nickathor grinned.
“You’ll drink to anything, Nickathor,” Alexhotep teased.
“Naturally,” Nickathor replied.
“We’re here on business,” Brianamun reminded them.
Kevinkare watched the others silently and finally spoke. “Our time together is short. No one must know that we are aquatinted--”
“We’ve been over this, Kevinkare,” Brianamun told him. “We all the know the risks and the consequences for being discovered. Have any of you found anything useful?”
Howymose perked up. “Akhenaten recently received a letter from our northern protectorates. They’re in turmoil in the north because the Hittite emperor is slowly taking over their lands, and Akhenaten didn’t even allow me to respond. He doesn’t care what happens to the Egyptian empire!”
“Hurry!” Brianamun cried. “”We must take advantage of this. Nickathor, get up to Syria and travel to our forts. Talk to the commanders.”
“I’ll leave immediately.” Nickathor sped toward the door. After cloaking himself, he hid behind the cloth and made his way through the nearly deserted streets.
“Alexhotep, I want you to start finding out who truly supports us in the army,” Brianamun continued. “Kevinkare, Howymose, you know to keep your eyes and ears open in the palace.”
They nodded.
“What about you?” Kevinkare asked.
“I will do as much as I can do without attracting attention to myself, our group, or the priesthood of Amun.”
Then one by one, Brianamun, Howymose, and Alexhotep left the house.
They waited ten minutes between when each person left.