Shadow of the Sun (The Shadow Saga) (39 page)

“Then so be it,” said Father. “Imhotep, I wish for the master masons, sculptors, and artists to be removed from all building projects in Thebes. Order them to Akhet-Aten for the creation of our new civilization. Horemheb, I require the acquisitions of all gold from the Amun Temples to be convoyed here. Move the best goldsmiths here with urgency.”

“Yes, My Lord,” replied Horemheb, his attention riveted back to the meeting.

“Imhotep, summon your draftsmen. We need to commemorate the resurrection of this birth of the holy city Akhet-Aten. Let us create a stelae of rock dedicated to the glory of this day.

“Pentu, depart with Ra-Mesu and mark the sacred borders of Akhet- Aten. Create a celestial grid map so that we can build our city according to the energetic matrices. We will structure the Holy of Holies within the open-air sanctuaries on those power points.”

“Yes, Lord Akhenaten, I have divined that we are in the cradle of the threshold of the sun as you have seen, but we are also under the rising of Vega, the cosmic sun. You have chosen our new capital well,” replied Pentu-Aten.

“I shall not claim even one rock more than I have decreed. I will reveal to you that this land was once a site sacred to an ancient solar temple that has long since fallen to dust. The Aten has asked that we restore this land of rubble.” Netri’s face glowed with the primordial light of the heavens. His intonation lifted us up to share the same dream of crafting this celestial abode consecrated to the Aten.

“Are you all mad?” asked my mother as she yanked back the tent flap to reveal the dull landscape of a baked beige cliffside overlooking the rocky lifeless dirt. “This land is as barren as a withered woman, and has clearly gone to ruination. There is no shade on the flat of this land and the desert has verily consumed all in its path. If it has not occurred to anyone, we are on the edge of summer and this hot land will be unbearable.” She scooped up a handful of chunky rocks and wind cracked earth and flung it at our feet. “Cast your eyes upon this inhospitable dust bowl! How do you plan to build the housing for the thousands of workers needed, let alone feed and clothe them?”

“All is in order,” said Netri, reaching for her, as if he hoped his vision would rub off on her.

“It is sheer insanity to attempt this,” said Meti. “You heard the Imhotep; there are no stone quarries or trees for wood. We would have to transport massive quantities. That would cost us the treasury. Let us then consider food. Do you see any vegetation growing? It would take years to cultivate enough produce to sustain the village. We would have to import livestock and fowl in order to stay alive.” She gestured in fury. Her eyes burned like hot coals.

“My Lord, Nefertiti does have a point,” said Pentu. “Perhaps we can postpone the immediacy of this massive building project until the land is ready for a project of this magnitude.”

“Absolutely not,” declared Netri. His smile froze. The dazzling light drained from his face. “I will not be denied the opportunity to begin dedicating this land to a new way of life. On the West bank of the Nile, right across from us, the land is fertile and lush. We can establish ways to irrigate, and we can use the Nile for transportation. First, offer the soldiers an opportunity to work. They need financial relief. Offer jobs to the Amun temple workers who no longer have the means to support themselves.

“If they desire to rededicate themselves to the worship of the Aten, we shall welcome them. We need agricultural labor, accountants, tax collectors, maintenance and temple workers. When we revitalize this land, we will astound the world.”

His council immersed themselves in the idea of this gargantuan undertaking, compelled by his zealous vision. It felt like we were birthing something out of the void reminiscent of an ancient myth. His conviction consumed us, making us fear that if we scrutinized it for even one speck of sand, we would lose our nerve. Maybe it was his all-empowering belief that we could accomplish this vision that started the barques sailing. Or maybe the anguish, we would feel over his disappointment forced us to overcome all adversity.

“I refuse to live in the middle of nowhere, far from civilization,” argued Meti. “Do you think that our family could survive in the high temperatures to come? Ra-Mesu, you are a buffoon. How do you plan to provide security?” The sting of her words felt like a scorpion.

Ra-Mesu narrowed his eyes and locked his jaw.

“Your Majesty, my legions follow me anywhere. The Eastern cliffs here enclose a bay of desolate desert wadi, giving us a preferential view to thwart off any attack. Encampments will be sustained up and down river to assure security. If we give jobs to the soldiers, they will take up arms if service calls.”

“Nefertiti, you see, all is well. We have the greatest of minds formulating this plan,” said Netri.

“Will you return to Thebes or stay here while the work is done?” asked Meti with her hands on her hips.

“There is nothing left for me in Thebes. My life and devotion remain here in Akhet-Aten. My duty will be to supervise the construction of the vision given to me,” he replied.

After a moment, Meti spoke again, more calmly. “We should at least consider traveling onward North of Fayyum, or near the Temple of Heliopolis? The shore at Memphis would lend to your health. We could avoid the torturous heat while the preliminary building commences. I would consider this compromise to be most affable.”

My father stood with noble grace. “This dream must come to fruition. I cannot return to Thebes. We will create a new civilization to last for eternity. My dearest, with great adoration I promise to build you the finest palace ever made. Your features will grace the plentitude of sculptures and art decorating our city. Every path you walk will be covered in gold and the gleam will not compare to your radiant beauty. Hundreds of pools of crystalline waters will reflect your charms every time you gaze into them. Trees will shelter you in the heat, and I shall command shaded temples of worship be built so that you are never subjected to the heat which you abhor.” A tear sprang to his eye as he offered this gift of devotion.

I clapped my hands with excitement.
We will be so happy here.

We turned, anticipating her joy.

“I have all of that back in the Malkata Palace,” she replied, stone-faced.

“Amun was disposed. Let us rededicate Karnak and Luxor to Aten Temples instead of moving the capital.”

Netri’s whitish skin flushed with emotion, making the divine emanation dissipate.

“You are the Per Aat. I will not hold you hostage. You are free to go back to Thebes.” He excused himself with a wave of his hand.

“A
khet-Aten is not the Horizon of the Aten,” they would say, “It is the city of the furnace.”

“We do not even need a kiln to dry our wares,” declared the protestors.

“Nay, the sun works faster than any kiln ever could,” another disparaged.

Browned bodies sank to their knees in the Nile, cursing the orange torturer in the sky as the relentless rays of summer scorched them. They tied soaked linen wraps about their heads to keep their skin moist, disappointed to be tortoise-dry not more than fifty bricks later.

Over the sand came camels, horses, and asses strapped with packs.

Charioteers raced down the concourse delivering goods to our tents. Soon, hundreds of workers heeded our call to build our city of light. Able-bodied Sesh scooped mud into the forms. At first, their sweaty skin glistened then blistered. I bore witness to their bitter complaints of grueling work in the wretched heat.

As fast as the bricks dried, tribes of Semite masons laid them in neat rows while others slathered on mortar with trowels. They worked at a frenzied pace before the adhesive dried, and rendered the bricks useless. Bit by bit, the palaces for the family and my father took shape, but the plight of the workers continued until constant squabbling broke out among them.

Day and night, barges arrived, filling the Nile and bringing in supplies. Or barges left to secure new requisitions back in Thebes filled with workers seeking medical attention. Navigators were trained to direct the barque captains from colliding. Slabs of Meketan granite and Turra limestone from the north and red granite from Aswan arrived daily. Sitting in my shaded chair, I counted the barques until I ran out of numbers. I knew I shouldn’t be out in this ugly heat, but I was bored without friends to play with.

Nearby, boys my age shot fish with slings. I squatted in the Nile to release my water while a boy next to me stood to release his.

“It would be wiser to use our hands when the sun has started its descent into the netherworld,” said a Nubian with high cheekbones.

“I would work harder at night knowing the sun was swallowed by Nut. Then I would beg her not to spit it out again,” said a toothless man with olive green eyes.

Mirages of watery pools appeared over the horizon at the apex of the sweltering noonday. Already covered in perspiration, I yearned to return to my shelter before the attendants worried. I trudged back up shore, unsure of the direction. Trying to find the stelae etched deep in the cliffs, I inched my way toward it, noting the vultures making hungry circles in the sky. The gritty wind pelted me with stinging sand. It stuck to my sweat-soaked body and razed my skin like fiery knives.

Ahead on the rocks lay a mangy corpse of a pariah dog being fought over by buzzards stripping flesh from the bone. Nausea seized me. I retched all over myself. A rush of anxiety clutched me. My stomach hurt. I couldn’t remember where to go. Both directions looked familiar. Perhaps the vultures sawme as a wild hare with nowhere to hide, maybe they smelled my fear. A buzzard swooped down.

Stop
, I thought, and shielded my eyes with my hand.
I am a friend.

Guide me back to the palace.

I have been waiting for you
, it screeched.

It plunged toward me. Running swiftly over the baked land, I waved my arms. Help was nowhere in sight. This time the vulture glided upon the wind and taunted me. Fear prickled up my spine. I couldn’t escape. This bird of prey would attack me like a surprised jerboa awakened from a drowsy day slumber. I jerked to the left.

Run fast, that will make my victory more pleasing
, thought the vulture.

You have not fulfilled Sit-Amun’s bargain. She is growing restless.

My legs ached. I grew dizzy from the oven heat. I lost my balance, and tripped over a cactus, splaying in a helpless heap, scraping my face and hands like a blood sacrifice being offered to Amun. I heard a terrible squawk.