Egypt -- History -- To 332 B.C. -- Fiction; Historical fiction
Enana’s early training had been behind the walls of Amen’s great temple
in the Apt. There for years had he served Amen, God of Thebes, as
chorister, incense-bearer, lector, _keri heb_ and, lastly, as Chief
Magician.
Enana was known as a devoted follower of Amen, as an ardent and
incorruptible believer in the power of the greatest of all gods, Amen
of Thebes. As such he knew well that he had incurred the undying hatred
of Thi the Syrian, whose one ambition in life, now that her son was
established on the throne, was the overthrow of Amen and the destruction
of all the other local gods of Egypt. If Thi could compass it, Aton, the
Syrian sun-god, should be the sole object of worship from Suan of the
north to Suan of the south.
At the present moment, however, Enana had pushed from his mind all
thoughts of Thi. All his present enjoyment was centered in the scheme
next his heart and in his anticipation of seeing Ramses, his grandson,
whom it mostly concerned.
At any moment the young soldier might dash through the gate in that
impetuous way so dear to the frail old man.
Enana sat with his wrinkled hands resting upon the squares of gold leaf
with which his tunic was faced. His beady black eyes were fixed upon the
open door, his ears alert to catch the first shout of Ramses’ bearers,
as they rounded the great Mortuary Temple near by. From time to time his
hand went to his bosom where rested the magic book.
But the sun-god began his descent into the realms of darkness, lights
broke out in the distant city, a line of chanting priests bearing torches
appeared upon the walls of Amenhotep’s temple, the light upon the high
stand at Enana’s elbow was lit. Yet Ramses did not come.
Ah, Enana, but a little patience! Magician though thou art, the Goddess
Hathor is more powerful than thou!
Even as Ramses had finished reading the royal command and set his hand to
the arm of his carrying-chair, Seneb the Usher advanced bowing and handed
him a second note.
Joy lit up the stern face of the young soldier as he read; a sudden
animation seemed to fill his whole being. Bidding his chairmen await him
in the outer court, he turned and followed Seneb, the Usher, through the
columned aisles of the Audience Hall.
Arrived before the line of granite sphinxes which fronted the Treasury of
Silver, Seneb bowed again, turned on his heel and left him.
Three women stood beneath a doorway which fronted the innermost court.
Eagerly Ramses advanced as the form of the Princess Sesen stepped out
from its shadows:
“Sesen, they told me thou wert with thy Father in Thinis! Had I known, in
truth, that the Palace held thee, I would have come to claim thy promised
reward.
“By Hathor! Thou are more radiantly beautiful than when I left thee last!
How often have I lain awake at night thinking of thee. The hot nights
upon the desert sand passed quickly, restfully, for dreams of thee!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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