Chapter Three
Brianamun sat within the recesses of his Akhetaten home’s chapel.
It was dangerous to keep images of Amun there, but the chapel was a sanctuary,
private and sacred.
As the second prophet (just under high priest) of Amun, Brianamun
was allowed into the sanctuary of Amun’s temple. He was one of the few
privileged to see Amun, “the Hidden One.”
A servant called him. “You have a guest.”
“Who?” he asked, emerging from the chapel.
“She says she is Kevinkare’s sister.”
“Ah.”
“She’s in the living room.”
Brianamun went to meet his visitor. He found her gazing around the
room.
“Hello,” Brianamun greeted her.
“Hi, my name is Nefret.”
“Brianaten, but I guess you already know that.”
“Oh, yes, ‘Brianaten.’ ‘Within every mighty wall
lies a weakness,’ Brianamun.”
He smiled. “Does Kevinkare tell his sister everything?”
“Nearly, but not everything.” A seed of suspicion crept
into her mind, but Nefret went on,
“I want an active role for the cause,” as their movement
was called.
Brianamun’s eyes lit up. “It’ll be good to have a woman
working with us.”
“How can I help?” she asked eagerly.
He thought a moment. “We already have people within the palace,
but what we need is someone who’s there day in and day out. Would you
consider becoming the mistress of Nefertiti’s household, a position
that would make you one of her closest confidants?”
Nefret watched him incredulously. “She’s smart and would
be on tome in a second.”
Brianamun took her in with his eyes.
She blushed under his scrutiny.
“I think you could handle the job,” he replied, “or
of course you could settle for Kiya or Meritaten.”
Nefret glared at him. “If you're trying to imply that I couldn't
handle Nefertiti--that some princess or lower wife is--"
"You're perfect," Brianamun smiled, pleased."
“But what about her present handmaiden?” she snapped.
“The girl quit earlier today.” He smiled. “See? We’re
one step ahead of the gossips of the court already.”
She returned the favor.
Nefret had to admit that his smile was heart-melting: both boyish
and mature, laughing and serious.
Her pride faded and she watched him, her head cocked to the side.
“How do I start?”
“How would you like a trip to the court?”
“Now? I’m not dressed properly for a possibility of meeting
the queen.”
“When will you be ready?”
“Give me an hour.”
Brianamun appeared amused. “A woman can be ready in under an
hour?!”
She smiled smugly at him. “This woman can. Be at our house then
or I’m going without you.”
Grinning, Brianamun watched her leave.
****
After dressing up himself, Brianamun made his way to the court
physician’s house.
A servant admitted him. “Whom shall I tell the mistress is
calling?”
“Brianaten.”
Brianamun waited, fiddling with his hands, impatient to be off.
The rustle of linen sounded behind him, and he spun around.
Nefret stood there, clad in a tight-fitting garment, showing off the
many curves of her shapely body. It was covered by a sheer, pleated robe,
falling down to her sandals. At her tiny waist, a red sash tied to the outfit.
She wore simple, yet elegant jewelry. Her wondrous hair needed no wig. Brianamun
was left speechless. Her beauty had been apparent before, but it was overwhelming
then. It was other-worldly, and he had to pinch himself to make sure he
wasn’t dreaming.
Nefret smiled, uncharacteristically shy. “Are you ready?”
“Uh... yeah,” he replied, trying to swallow the lump in
his throat.
He led her out to the busy street and gestured to his chariot. Two
strong horses pulled it. The male tossed his mane.
Brianamun stepped up and offered his hand down to Nefret, who ignored
it and jumped up herself.
Smiling to himself, Brianamun snapped the reigns and sent the horses
on their way.
****
Alexhotep paced in front of the nervous servants, who were lined up
in front of him.
“How would a snake come to be in the princess’s rooms? Let
me put that more bluntly... who would put it there?”
Their eyes shifted, but no one spoke up.
“If any one of you changes your mind, come and speak with me
in private. I’ll be in my new headquarters, courtesy of the... er, mighty
Pharaoh. You can tell me in confidence there.”
Alexhotep retreated to his office. It was only a matter of several
minutes before one of Meritaten’s servants knocked on the door.
Entering, she eyed him with a apprehensive expression.
“Sit down,” Alexhotep offered.
She slid onto the edge of a papyrus, straight-backed chair. Alexhotep
eyed her expectantly.
“I don’t know if this pertains to the poor princess, but
last night there was some commotion outside her room. No one knew what it
was, but we’d been ordered to stay in our rooms and not to leave--”
“By whom?”
“We all thought it had been our overseer, but now I’m not
so sure.”
“How did you receive this command?”
“By letter.”
Alexhotep sighed. No wonder... “Do you still have it?”
“Yes.” She pulled it out and handed it over to him.
Alexhotep scanned it. Gulping, he dismissed her and went to find
Brianamun.
*****
Brianamun and Nefret entered the palace courtyard in time for
Akhenaten’s announcement.
Taking a place in the back, a familiar voice hailed them. “What
are you two doing here... together?” Kevinkare asked, joining them.
“Hello to you too,” Nefret greeted him warmly. “I’m
to become the mistress of ‘Her Majesty’s’ household.”
Kevinkare arched an eyebrow. “Can you handle all that work,
Nefret?”
Her eyebrows lowered, and she glared at him. “You know I could,
Kevin--”
Brianamun cut the quarreling siblings off. “Hush. Akhenaten and
Nefertiti are about to come out.” His tone was dripping in mockery.
The Pharaoh and Great Royal Wife appeared in the Window of Appearance.
Akhenaten spoke, “An enemy of Aten has attacked our oldest daughter.
The new head of our bodyguard is on the case, and my physician is curing
her. All rumors about her dying are untrue, but should Aten call for
her...”
“He’s a fool,” Brianamun hissed. “If he would
address his people about something that the gossips call ‘old news’
by now, then he’s putting his life in danger for nothing.”
“Point for us,” Kevinkare whispered with a smile.
As Akhenaten rambled on about the glory of his god,with Nefertiti
standing supportively behind him, Brianamun ordered Nefret to make her way
to the front and make herself seen by the queen.
Nefret slipped through the crowds of people.
A harsh hand took Brianamun by the shoulder and spun him around to
face him.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Alexhotep spat at
him.