[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

enjoys it here. He s gradually forgetting his past. Thanks to
our marriage, he s become one of Pharaoh s subjects, just as
you and I are.
 Uri-Teshoop is a criminal, Serramanna said firmly.
 He s threatened and terrorized you. If you tell me the
truth, I ll put you under my protection, and the justice
system will take care of him.
For a second, Tanit was tempted to run into the garden.
Serramanna would follow her, she d warn him about the
Libyans, and she could be her own woman again . . . But
that would be the last she d ever see of Uri-Teshoop, and
she wasn t ready to give him up. While he was away, she d
fallen ill. She d never had such a lover; she needed him like
a drug.
 Even if you drag me into court, Serramanna, I won t say
anything different.
 Uri-Teshoop will destroy you, Dame Tanit.
She smiled, thinking of the feverish lovemaking that had
ended only minutes before the Sard s arrival.
 If you ve finished making your unfounded accusations,
you may go.
 I d like to save you, Dame Tanit.
 I m not in danger.
 If you change your mind, get in touch.
She teasingly ran a soft hand over the Sard s enormous
forearm.
 You re a good-looking man . . . Too bad I ve already met
my match.
Ramses: UNDER THE WESTERN ACACIA 117
Decked out in a golden collar with a lapis lazuli scarab,
turquoise bracelets at her wrists and ankles, tall feathers in
her queenly headdress, and wearing a tucked dress of royal
linen and rose-colored cape, the Great Royal Wife Iset the
Fair slowly rode through Pi-Ramses in her chariot. The
driver had chosen two steady horses outfitted with a
brightly colored caparison and sporting blue, red, and
yellow ostrich plumes.
The spectacle was magnificent. News of the queen s pas-
sage spread quickly, and soon a crowd gathered to admire
her. Children scattered lotus petals in front of the horses as
cheers rose. Seeing the Great Royal Wife so close would
bring good luck. Rumors of war were forgotten in the
groundswell of approval for Ramses decision. He must
never repudiate Iset the Fair, no matter what the repercus-
sions.
Raised in an aristocratic milieu, Iset the Fair savored this
contact with her people, where social classes and cultures
mixed. All the inhabitants of Pi-Ramses cheered in support
of her. Despite the chariot driver s reluctance, the queen
demanded to visit the humblest neighborhoods, where she
was given a warm welcome. How good it felt to be loved!
Back at the palace, Iset the Fair collapsed on her bed as
if intoxicated. There was nothing more moving than being
the repository of the people s trust, their hope of a rosy
future. Emerging from her cocoon, Iset the Fair had discov-
ered the country of which she was queen.
That evening, at a dinner for the provincial governors,
Ramses had announced that conflict was imminent.
Everyone noted that Iset the Fair was radiant. Though
unable to equal Nefertari, she was growing into her title and
inspired respect from veteran courtiers. For all and sundry
118 Christian Jacq
she had a word of reassurance. Egypt had nothing to fear
from Hatti; all would be well, thanks to Ramses. The gov-
ernors were touched by the queen s conviction.
When Ramses and Iset were alone on the terrace over-
looking the city, he held her tenderly to him.
 You did beautifully tonight, Iset.
 Are you proud of me at last?
 I chose you as Great Royal Wife and was right to do so.
 Have negotiations with Hatti broken down for good?
 We re ready for battle.
Iset the Fair laid her head on Ramses shoulder.
 No matter what happens, you ll be the winner.
Twenty
ha was obviously distressed.
K War . . . but why?
 To save Egypt and permit you to find Thoth s book of
knowledge, answered Ramses.
 Is it really impossible to mend relations with Hatti?
 Their troops are closing in on our northern protec-
torates. It s time to deploy our contingent; I m going with
Merenptah and leaving you in charge while I m gone.
 Father! I can t replace you, even temporarily.
Ramses: UNDER THE WESTERN ACACIA 119
 You re wrong, Kha. With Ahmeni s help, you ll be able
to do as I ask.
 What if I make mistakes?
 Concentrate on the people s happiness and you ll know
what to do.
Ramses climbed into his chariot, which he would drive
himself at the head of the regiments he planned to post at
strategic points in the Delta and along the northeastern
frontier. Behind him would come Merenptah and the gen-
erals with the four main battalions.
Just as the king prepared to give the departure signal, a
rider burst into the barracks courtyard.
Serramanna jumped off his horse and ran up to Ramses
chariot.
 Your Majesty, I must speak to you!
Pharaoh had ordered his security chief to watch over the
palace. He knew it was a disappointment to the Sard, who
for years had longed to see action with the Hittites; but who
else would take better care of Kha and Iset the Fair?
 I won t reconsider, Serramanna. You re staying in Pi-
Ramses.
 It s not about me, Your Majesty. Come, I beg you.
The Sard looked stricken.
 What s happened?
 Come, Your Majesty, come with me . . .
Ramses asked Merenptah to let the generals know their
departure would be delayed.
Pharaoh s chariot followed Serramanna s horse as they
sped toward the palace.
120 Christian Jacq
The chambermaid, the lady-in-waiting, and the servant
girls were huddled in the hallways, weeping.
Serramanna stopped at the doorway to Iset the Fair s
bedchamber. The Sard s face was a mixture of misery and
confusion.
Ramses went in.
A heady smell of lilies filled the room, bright with the
noonday sun. Iset the Fair, clothed in a white ceremonial
robe and a turquoise tiara, lay on her bed, arms at her side
and eyes wide open.
On the sycamore night table was an antelope-skin
tunic Setau s old standby, stolen from his workshop.
 Iset . . .
Iset the Fair, Ramses first lover, the mother of Kha and
Merenptah, the Great Royal Wife for whom he was fully
prepared to do battle . . . Iset the Fair was looking into the
next world.
 The queen chose death to keep us out of war,
explained Serramanna.  She poisoned herself with the
venom from Setau s tunic so that she d no longer stand in
the way of peace.
 You re not making sense, Serramanna! [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]