Chapter Two
Nefret stood in the doorway of her brother Kevinkare’s bedroom. Squaring her shoulders, she knocked on the wall, announcing her presence.
“Come in,” Kevinkare replied.
Nefret entered.
Kevinkare eyed her expectantly.
“I want to go back to Thebes,” she stated.
“We need you here, Nefret. You know that.”
“I hate it here. It’s even worse when you bring me to court with you. This god of Akhenaten’s must have no respect to allow his follower’s to watch me like that!”
Kevinkare smiled as he watched his sister stand, rigid and defensive.
It wasn’t only Aten’s heresy that attracted men to her, but her lithe, slender body with wide, turquoise eyes--the same shade as Kevinkare’s. To top it all off, she had a mane of ravishing, black hair. It was extremely thick and fell down her back in torrents of glossy waves.
There was an edge to Kevinkare’s sister, however. She had the tendency to take charge of situations. She was very independent and stubborn. While her temper was like that of Sekhmet (goddess of destruction/violence/storms) herself, the clouds quickly cleared, and she was sunny once again.
Kevinkare thought a moment. “Would you prefer a job that allowed you to travel more often?”
“That would look suspicious to be a young woman traveling alone.”
“True.” He paused. “Then talk to Brianamun about it. He directs all of us.”
Nefret gave him a weary look. “Where can I find him?”
Kevinkare gave her directions and the password for their group.
As soon as she was about to leave, Kevinkare called, “Oh, Nefret. Remember, Brianamun doesn’t exist. You’re visiting Brianaten.”
Nefret smiled and left.
****
Boredom filled Alexhotep. Akhenaten left his army to wither away, only using the top officials as his personal bodyguard. To be that close to Pharaoh was Alexhotep’s goal and not an easy one to achieve.
As he was lounging in his private house, a soldier ran in, breathless.
“Pharaoh calls for you personally, Alexhotep.”
“Why me?” he replied coolly, fiddling with the date in his hand before popping it into his mouth.
“His Excellency summons you!” the loyal soldier cried in disbelief. Alexhotep had to go if it was Pharaoh’s wish.
“The I suppose I must go.”
Alexhotep followed the young soldier to the palace in his prize chariot.
Once having arrived, Alexhotep hurried through the many corridors of the palace towards Akhenaten’s suite.
A servant admitted him.
Akhenaten stood by the window staring toward the sun, the face of his god. His Great Royal Wife (or high queen), Nefertiti, stood beside her husband, her hand affectionately resting on his shoulder.
Alexhotep disguised his disgust of the two and cleared his throat to announce his presence.
The royal couple turned to him.
Alexhotep had seen the king before. His weak, slight frame was no surprise to him as it was to most who had the vision of him as the warrior king he was not. However, Alexhotep had never seen the queen. He had only heard of her legendary beauty. Nefertiti was elegant with a long, graceful neck and full lips. She had a small, slightly pointed chin and large, almond-shaped, brown eyes.
However, there was something about her that frightened Alexhotep: a coldness within her eyes and a commanding air about her.
Quickly, Alexhotep bowed, realizing Akhenaten would be an easy adversary, but that his wife would not be.
“How may I serve you, my king and queen?” Alexhotep asked.
“I am waiting for one more,” Akhenaten responded, sounding upset.
Alexhotep heard footsteps behind him.
Kevinkare appeared at his side, his parcel of equipment in hand.
Kevinkare gave Alexhotep a curious glance, as though they were mere strangers to one another. Akhenaten “introduced” them. “Alexhotep, this is my court physician, Kevinkare. Kevinkare, this is my new captain of the guard, Alexhotep.”
“Your Majesty!” Alexhotep exclaimed. “I am only a soldier in your army. You must be mistaken.”
“Does Pharaoh ever make a mistake?” Nefertiti asked icily.
“No, Majesty, of course not,” he answered, trying to appear humble though he was fuming with rage and indignation.
“You will become captain of my bodyguard and that of my family if you successfully complete the task I have called you here about.” Akhenaten paused for a moment of thought. “My eldest daughter is suffering from an unknown ailment. It looks like poison to the priests. Kevinkare, I need you to cure my Meritaten. Alexhotep, you must find out who did this to her.”
“Yes, Majesty,” both said simultaneously.
Kevinkare bowed and left for Meritaten’s quarters.
Alexhotep stared at Akhenaten. Being captain of his guard would put him in a better position than the one he was in now! Besides, it would be good for his professional reputation as well.
“They are sure it was poison, Majesty?”
“Unless they are wrong, but I doubt it. Aten tells me the same explanation.”
Oh, yes, Alexhotep thought sarcastically. The “great god” only talks to the royal family--never anyone lower than someone as divine as thou.
“Begin immediately,” Nefertiti ordered.
“May I interview the victim?”
“If necessary,” Akhenaten replied.
“It is, Majesty.”
“Then begin.”
Alexhotep bowed and followed Kevinkare’s footsteps toward Meritaten’s rooms.
*****
Kevinkare walked the familiar halls toward the young princess’s lodgings.
Several servants scurried to and from the entrance to Meritaten’s quarters.
Taking a deep breath, Kevinkare entered.
Meritaten lay on her sofa-bed, looking pale and near-death. Nurses and priestesses of Aten attended her.
Kevinkare dismissed them. “I am the doctor. I’ll take care of it from here.”
He felt the princess’s forehead. She was burning up with fever. Despite her pallor, there was a bluish-tint to her face.
Kevinkare’s mind raced. Who would poison Meritaten? The group you belong to, his mind replied. But she’s innocent! Akhenaten’s heresy has nothing to do with her! She is his daughter...
Kevinkare gave himself a mental shake. I’m going to have to discuss this with Brianamun.
He offered up a small prayer to Isis, goddess of magic and healing, for the poor girl.
Almost immediately, as he worked, he recalled a type of snake whose bite caused similar symptoms: the viper.
Abruptly, Kevinkare turned from his patient and retrieved the cure to the bite from his bag. It was a mixture of the snake’s venom and several healing herbs.
Pouring the substance into a cup, he brought it to Meritaten’s lips, forcing it in. Reluctantly, she choked the horrid-tasting potent down.
“Keep cooling her off,” Kevinkare told the servants. “She should begin improving immediately.” He remained another half-hour, and sure enough, there were visible signs of improvement in Meritaten’s physique.
As Kevinkare was packing up to leave, Alexhotep appeared at his side.
“Do you know what poison did this to the princess?” Alexhotep inquired.
“A viper, but how it got in her rooms is beyond me. That’s your job. Good day.”
“Will I be able to interview her?” he called.
“Not for a few days.”
The next step for Alexhotep was to interview Meritaten’s plethora of servants.