THE SUMMONING OF AMEN
The years went by and the Princess Neter-Tua, who was called Morning Star of Amen, came at length to womanhood, and went through the ceremonies of Purification. In all Egypt there was no maiden so wise and spirited or so lovely. Tall and slender was her shape, blue as the sea were her eyes, rosy like the dawn were her cheeks, and when she did not wear it in a net of gold, her black and curling hair fell almost to her waist. Also she was very learned, for priests and priestesses taught her all things that she ought to know, together with the arts of playing on the harp and of singing and dancing, while her own excellent Spirit, that Ka which Amen had given her, instructed her in a deeper wisdom which she gathered unconsciously in sleep and waking dreams, as the slumbering earth gathers dew at night.
Moreover, her father, the wise old Pharaoh, opened to her the craft of statesmanship, by help of which she might govern men and overthrow her enemies. Indeed, he did more, for when her education was finished, he joined her with him in the government of Egypt, saying:
"I who always lacked bodily strength, grow aged and feeble. This mighty crown is too heavy for me to bear alone. Daughter, you must share its weight."
So the young Neter-Tua became a queen, and great was the ceremony of her coronation. The high priests and priestesses, clothed in the robes and symbols of their G.o.ds and G.o.ddesses, addressed speeches to her and blessed her in their names, giving her every good gift and promising to her eternal life. Princes and n.o.bles made her offerings; foreign chiefs and kings bowed before her by their amba.s.sadors. The Counts and headmen of the Two Lands swore allegiance to her, and, finally, in the presence of all the Court, Pharaoh himself set the double crown upon her brow and gave her her throne-names of "Glorious in Ra and Hathor Strong in Beauty."
So for a while Tua sat splendid on her golden seat while the people adored her, but in that triumphant hour her eyes searched for one face only, that of the tall and gallant captain, Rames, her foster-brother, and for a moment rested there content. Yes, their eyes met, those of the new-crowned Empress on her throne and of the youthful n.o.ble in the throng below. Short was the greeting, for next instant she looked away, yet more full of meaning than whole days of speech.
"The Queen does not forget what the child remembered, the G.o.ddess is still a woman," it seemed to say. And so sweet was that message that Rames staggered from the Court like one stricken by the sun.
Night came at last, and having dismissed her secretaries, scribes and tire-women the weary girl, now clad in simple white, sat in her chamber alone. She thought of all the splendours through which she had pa.s.sed; she thought of the glories of her imperial state, of the power that she wielded, and of the proud future which stretched before her feet.
But most of all she thought of the face of the young Count Rames, the playmate of her childhood, the man she loved, and wondered, ah! how she wondered, if with all her power she could ever draw him to her side.
If not, of what use was this rule over millions, this dominion of her world? They called her a G.o.ddess, and in truth, at times, she believed that she was half-divine, but if so, why did her heart ache like that of any common maid?
Moreover, was she really set above the misfortunes of her race? Could a throne, however bright with gold, lift her above the sorrows of human kind? She desired to learn the truth, the very truth. Her mind was urgent, it drove her on to search out things to come, to stand face to face with them, even if they were evil. Well, she believed she had the strength, although, as yet, she had never called it to her aid.
Also this thing could not be done alone. Tua thought a while, then going to the door of her chamber she bade a woman who waited without summon to her the Lady Asti, priestess of Amen, Interpreter of Heaven. Presently Asti came, for now, as always, she was in attendance upon the new-crowned queen, a tall and n.o.ble-looking woman with fine-cut features and black hair, that although she was fifty years of age, still showed no trace of grey.
"I was in the Sanctuary when your Majesty summoned me," she said, pointing to the sacred robe she wore. "Let your Majesty pardon me, therefore, if I have been long in coming," and she bowed low before her.
But the Queen lifted her up and kissed her, saying,
"I am weary of those high t.i.tles whereof I have heard more than enough to-day. Call me Tua, O my mother, for so you have ever been to me, from whose breast I drew the milk of life."
"What ails you, my child?" asked Asti. "Was the crown too heavy for this young head of yours?" she added, stretching out her delicate hand and stroking the black and curling hair.
"Aye, Mother, the weight of it seemed to crush me with its gems and gold. I am weary and yet I cannot sleep. Tell me, why did Pharaoh summon that Council after the feast? Mermes was one of them, so you must know.
And why was not I, who henceforth rule with Pharaoh, present with him?"
"Would you learn?" said Asti with a little smile. "Well, as Queen you have the right. It was because they discussed the matter of your marriage."
For a moment a light shone upon Tua"s face. Then she asked anxiously:
"My marriage, and with whom?"
"Oh! many names were mentioned, Child, since she who rules Egypt does not lack for suitors."
"Tell me them quick, Asti."
So she told them, there were seven in all, the Prince of Kesh, the sons of foreign kings, great n.o.bles, and a general of the army who claimed descent from a former Pharaoh.
As each name fell from Asti"s lips Tua waved her hand, saying scornful words, such as "I know him not," "Too old," "Fat and hideous," "A foreign dog who spits upon our G.o.ds," and so forth, adding at last:
"Go on."
"That is all, Lady, no other name was mentioned, and the Council adjourned to consider these."
"No other name?"
"Do you then miss one, perchance, Tua?"
She made no answer, only her lips seemed to shape themselves to a certain sound that they did not utter. The two women looked each other in the eyes, then Asti shook her head.
"It may not be," she whispered, "for many reasons, and amongst them that by the solemn decree of long ago whereof I have told you, our blood is barred for ever from the throne. None would dare to break it, not even the Pharaoh himself. You would bring my son to his death, Tua, which such another look as you gave him in yonder hall would surely do."
"No," she answered slowly, "I would not bring him to his death, but to life and honour and--love, and one day _I_ shall be Pharaoh. Only, Asti, if you betray me to him I swear that I will bring you to your death, although you are so dear."
"I shall not betray you," answered the priestess, smiling again. "In truth, most Beautiful, I do not think there is any need, even if I would. Say now, why did a certain captain turn faint and leave the hall to-day when your eyes chanced to fall on him?"
"The heat," suggested Tua, colouring.
"Yes, it was hot, but he is stronger than most men and had borne it long--like others. Still there are fires----"
"Because he was afraid of my majesty," broke in Tua hurriedly. "You know I looked very royal there, Mother."
"Yes, doubtless fear moved him--or some other pa.s.sion. Yet, Beloved, put that thought from your heart as I do. When you are Pharaoh you will learn that a monarch is a slave to the people and to the law. Breathe but his name in love, and never will you see him more till you meet before Osiris."
Tua hid her eyes in her hands for a moment, then she glanced up and there was another look upon her face, a strange, new look.
"When I am Pharaoh," she answered, "there are certain matters in which I will be my own law, and if the people do not like it, they may find another Pharaoh."
Asti started at her words, and a light of joy shone in her deep eyes.
"Truly your heart is high," she said; "but, oh! if you love me--and another--bury that thought, bury it deep, or he will never live to see you placed alone upon the golden seat. Know, Lady, that already from hour to hour I fear for him--lest he should drink a poisoned cup, lest at night he should chance to stumble against a spear, lest an arrow--shot in sport--should fall against his throat and none know whence it came."
Tua clenched her hands.
"If so, there should be such vengeance as Egypt has not heard of since Mena ruled."
"Of what use is vengeance, Child, when the heart is empty and the tomb is sealed?"
Again Tua thought. Then she said:
"There are other G.o.ds besides Osiris. Now what do men call me, Mother?
Nay, not my royal names."
"They call you Morning Star of Amen; they call you Daughter of Amen."
"Is that story true, Asti the Magician?"
"Aye, at least your mother dreamed the dream, for she told it to me and I have read its record, who am a priestess of Amen."
"Then this high G.o.d should love me, should he not? He should hear my prayers and give me power--he should protect those who are dear to me.
Mother, they say that you, the Mistress of secret things, can open the ears of the G.o.ds and cause their mouths to speak. Mother, I command you as your Queen, call up my father Amen before me, so that I may talk with him, for I have words to which he must listen."