Читать книгу Echoes Through Eternity - AJ Korvinus - Страница 4

My dreams were abruptly ended by an uncomfortable cool trickle of water on my face, and then the sudden startling outburst of laughter. My eyes sprung open to gaze upon an unpleasant bony figure with swarthy skin.

“Awake your highness or the rays of Ra will scorch your lazy hide!” It was Pasi, an infuriating, spindly peasant man whose annoying, shrieking voice would even send the hippopotamuses insane. During our seasons in Tjaru he would spend most of his free time playing imprudent jokes on the younger workers. His ill mannered nature earned him a reputation as a menace among the more respectful workers. I did not like him at all.

“To your feet, boy!” Men ordered. He had noticed the unpleasant expression on my wet face. Before long my tolerance for Pasi would shatter, releasing my aggression. Such retaliation was not in my nature although it was becoming inevitable. My anger would quickly turn to excitement. “We are at Thebes!” I scurried to my feet, nearly loosing balance, my searching eyes sharp as a hawk. There it was, more beautiful than ever - and how it had changed.

The warm glow of Ra dazzled the entire city with an array of bright colours. I could see the decorated majestic figures of Amun and Montu etched in the great temple pylons of Ipet-sut. There were so many people in festivity, dressed in their finest gowns and tunics. I wondered if the girl who remained in my dreams for so long, was among them?

I could have joined the rest of the crew on the edge of the barge admiring the grand Theban necropolis, but my heart strayed and gave me visions of my younger days, memories of that last kiss.

As we sailed past, the crowd gradually diminished and so did the quality of living. We were docking in the province of the lower class. A line of crudely worked mud brick walls enclosed the worker’s village. The barrier was slapped together with poor taste and decorated with rigid shadows and protruding strands of straw. We drifted in the direction of a flimsy fisherman’s dock that was littered with a clutter of suspending rags. We fought our way through an unorganised collection of poorly worked reed barges to find a secure pole. I was eager to place my feet on solid Theban grounds once again. Men threw the anchoring rope and leapt onto the dock. I was becoming impatient and for that reason Pasi took advantage and forcefully pushed my chest hard, sitting me down in an instant.

“Patience boy!” Again I was detecting sarcasm in his voice. “Give respect to your elders by letting them pass first!” He gave a cynical grin and turned his back. Even though I knew he was right, my blood still boiled with fury. Quite often I had dreamt of watching Pasi being gnawed to death by a river beast. It was one of the many things I wished to see in this life! But no matter how much I wished for his riddance, I would have given up all my obscene desires just to glimpse at Tawri once again. I had dreamt of that very moment so many times, our eyes meeting again. If I found that perfect moment, regardless of the circumstances, I knew it would last forever.

“Itef, is there something so stimulating in that water?” Men called out. I glanced up at him from my daze and smiled.

“Of course not, Uncle.” I sprung to my feet and jumped onto the dock next to him. He patted me affectionately on the back.

“I thought you were about to let me be.” He spoke with a strong friendly voice.

“Oh no, Uncle,” I said, enthused. “I can’t have you enjoying the festival by yourself.”

He paused for a moment. “You are glad to be back Itef, are you not?”

I looked towards the north of the city where the roar of many jubilant people echoed across the river.

“Yes Uncle, I am most glad to be back home.” The stirring dust around our feet seemed to follow Men and I up the narrow alleys of the workers’ village. The web of roughly assembled mud brick walls obstructed the commoners’ everyday lives from the nobles’ pristine view. Within the jagged enclosure nestled the labourers’ discreet and somewhat confined quarters, barely large enough to house their wives and children. The array of poorly designed mud brick huts gave such a sandy monotone impression that any new arrivals would surely go astray within the labyrinth of indistinguishable walls. Open space appeared to be defined by the gap required to complete a designated journey, thus animals and villagers alike seemed to improvise in the cramped environment. Further our feet carried us into the village. I could not help but notice the strengthening stench of animal odour. We courteously stepped aside to allow a herd of agitated goats and their impatient shepherd to pass. I covered my nose and mouth with my hand as we carried on through the cloud of dust and lingering foul air. It was said that a new workers’ village was being planned on the west bank. Such an under privileged society, I pitied them. Even though we had no quarters at Tjaru, our circumstances were far more favourable than for these unfortunate people.

Suddenly the scenery changed like night into day and the world of Thebes opened up to us displaying its prominence. I removed my hands and began to breathe again. My eyes grew with awe as we gazed out to a wide, open, stony kingdom. The flamboyancy of the festive crowd broke the gleam of the rising sun god Ra against the immense stone structures. His reflection would have otherwise been unbearable. The foundations of this great city stretched beyond the shores of the Nile. It made it possible for the upper class to stroll above the waters on a series of carefully worked stony platforms and admire the river inhabitants at their leisure. Along the northeast stood the forum, a rectangular collection of gigantic limestone pillars etched with inscriptions to our gods and our king Ahmose. An assembly of multiple-level terraces surrounded them - their walls rendered with white plaster and their stone slab roofs laid supine in total perfection. What a remarkable change in quality and lifestyle! A swarm of bystanders were amused by the performance of exotic dancers and sounds of elegant music. There were nobles and commoners dressed in their finest outfits. No matter how varied the crowd, workers and peasants were easily picked among the well-fed and wealthy upper class. The commoners’ swarthy completion was a result of the day-to-day exposure to the powerful might of Ra. They wore wrap around kilts and plain garments made of cheap fiber. Those slightly better off than others could afford more fancy clothing, like features of lotus lilies or colourful symmetrical arrangements. Most villagers, men, women and children alike were shaved to prevent lice infestation. The distinguished nobles on the other hand were dressed in the finest linen gold could buy. Most high class men wore lengthy, flared kilts with bagged tunics held in place by a sash. Their women, like fine jewels were to be admired. Their delicate, pale skins were clustered with precious stones and elaborate costumes - glamorous garments, sheath and diaphanous dresses with woven decorations of water flowers and exotic plants. Their artificial facial tones and sweet scent they carried made even the most unattractive women pleasant to gaze upon. The division between a single race was so apparent. Yet that day, our pitiful differences were set aside and for a finite moment everyone forgot their place within society.

Our feet no longer carried the loose particles of dust that surrounded the workers’ village. We were walking on a hard compacted surface coated with a fine layer of white gravel. For a moment I stared at the marble-like ground before me. Many great Theban rulers had once walked where I stood then. Our great ancestors, were they present in such a time of splendor? I closed my eyes and ignored the sounds of a thousand people. “Ha ur uru, di uj ankh, udia, seneb - Oh great ones, give me life, prosperity and health.” As my inner self uttered these words I knew that my voice had traveled beyond his world. Yes, they were indeed among us. I raised my head, feeling the most exhilarating sensation. Maybe it was the presence of our predecessors, or perhaps the wonderful vibrations radiating from the festive crowd that gave me such an ambitious sense of reason. It felt as if my life was about to change for the better.

Beyond the great forum rose the majestic pylons of Ipet-sut, the grand temple complex of Amun and Montu. It was where our feet were taking us.

The new king of Kemet had undertaken a grand building project. Thebes was growing by the day. As we gradually made our way through the crowd we could see the succession of towering builders’ platforms and scaffolds around the temple’s unfinished stone walls. It was king Ahmose’s contribution to the gods. In honour of our freedom from the Asiatic rule, no one was working. In fact for days Thebes was celebrating the rise of the new kingdom.

“It is nearly time, Itef!” Men shouted. The barque of Amun had been on its journey around Thebes giving blessing to the resurrection of Kemet and to its people. Men and I were eager to catch a glimpse of the divine vessel before the priests carried our lord Amun back into the heart of the great temple. I attempted to elevate myself by rising on my toes. Unfortunately my limited height served me no justice.

“Itef, you go ahead! The crowd is becoming impassable!” I looked at him with an uncertain expression. “Go boy!” he shouted sternly. “We shall meet at the forum tonight. Go and enjoy yourself.”

I gave him a quick smile and slipped between the congestion of Thebans like an Ibis through a blizzard of fish. After I crawled through the forest of legs, I emerged at the very edge of the crowd. Not far behind I could hear unpleasant voices call after me. Over time I had learnt to ignore such obnoxious remarks aimed at me. My gratitude went to Pasi for this ignorance I now possessed.

The great stone pylons of Ipet-sut now towered before me. They obscured most of the eastern sky. The sense of awe and wonder was overwhelming as their mighty shadow darkened the earth, covering everything like an eclipse. The grand monumental pylon entrance displayed the double-plumed figure of the god Amun and the falcon headed god Montu. The flamboyant artistry and superior handiwork put into the colossal figures gave them an incredible lifelike pose which demanded respect. Their commanding portraits interpreted the power they bestowed upon the people of Kemet. Both gods exposed their masculine torsos, portraying might and strength. Their solid arms were tightly draped beside their flared kilts, the left hand holding the symbol of life, the ankh. Beyond the boundaries of the divine entrance was a mystery to me. We were once told that the world of the gods consisted of a collection of chapels and shrines linked by a procession of pathways, creating the greatest religious complex the world had ever seen. It was quite evident that each succeeding ruler had attempted to outdo his predecessors in the scale of their own embellishments, to impress the deities. However, Kemetic temples were not public places: they served as the home of the gods. Made of Byblonian cedar, the great gates of the temples were thrown open only during the time of festivals. Priests and the king himself were permitted beyond the pylon entry, no one else. The remaining population was restricted to the first court before the great gates. I stared amazed at this grand achievement. Perhaps one day I shall learn to read and write the words of the gods. Perhaps things will change in this new world and even a commoner like me may be offered an opportunity to excel. But first I shall marry Tawri and she will bear many sons for me. I shall then join the priestly circle of Amun and impress those close to her. We will serve the gods well and carry our heads high. Their blessings will fall upon us from clouds of gold. All shall gaze upon us as we walk the streets of Thebes. Such a pleasant fiction. Just as my heart began to wander further away a sweet fragrance of burning incense caught my attention. Its divine taste cleansed me as it left a spicy but pure layer within my nostrils. It signaled the approach of the barque of Amun and his priests. From afar one could hear their deep murmur and chanting as they neared the mob of pilgrims. The resonation of prayers sent blessings to the god himself. I leant out to catch a glimpse of this long awaited moment.

Just then I heard a voice break the frequency of prayers.

“Itef!” It was a familiar voice but I could not place it. My eyes eagerly searched for its source.

“Itef … it is I, Peti!” I saw an arm waving out from the crowd. I gave a quick smile and without consideration I acted upon my instincts. My legs leapt onto the path and scurried towards him. Not only was I heading in the direction of my old friend, but also the forthcoming order of priests and offer bearers. Still I ignored the obstacles in my path for my attention was fixated on my old friend Peti and not on the high priest of Amun who at that point was right before me. I was only five paces away from Peti when a large shadow appeared in the corner of my eye. As I glimpsed ahead, the muscles in my legs froze stiff and I came to a grinding halt, falling hard on my back. My mouth dropped open as my lungs emptied in a gasping rush of air. I looked up, attempting to regain my breath through the cloud of dust. Thus my breath quickly filled with a combination of air and grains of sandstone, clogging the air route to my lungs. But my mouth could not issue a cough or another breath. An expression of horror crossed my face and paralysed my entire body. I had interrupted the sacred procession - Amun’s journey had come to a temporary standstill. The world around me grew silent as everyone awaited my fate. Blood began to pulsate hard in my temples and I slowly gazed up in fear. The high priest of Amun glared down at me like a vengeful demon. His stony complexion and scowling, thick eyebrows vividly showed his raging fury. He lowered the suspending thurible in his hand and cynically twisted his mouth as he spoke words of anger and curses at me. The tone of his words were powerful and enraged. I had never heard such a terrifying sound from any living thing. Just then a hand gripped my upper arm and hauled me to my feet, dragging me into the jungle of pilgrims and their disgraced faces. Their piercing eyes followed us until we vanished out of sight. The further into the crowd we scrambled, the less they knew about our mischief. Finally a clearing, and we stopped, hitching our breaths. We looked at each other for a moment, listening to any commotion that may be pursuing us. Finally we could hear the gradual rise of prayers again, signifying the continuation of the procession. I issued a sigh of relief and closed my eyes. Peti threw his arms around me, embracing me as a good friend would. He stood back and burst into laughter.

“Itef, the mischievous one! You have not changed, my good friend!” He was like a brother to me, I was truly glad to see him. We were attractive young men and very much alike with straight black hair down to our jawbones. Our frames were slim and tanned although Peti managed to obtain a much lighter tone to his skin than me. “May the gods give you life, prosperity and health,” he said.

“And you, my friend.”

I noticed his expression slightly alter. He gave me a curious look.

“Tell me, when did you arrive?” he asked.

“This morning. A barge carried us from Tjaru. It was a long and tiresome journey.”

“You must have been close to the war … did you see Hapu?” He sounded eager.

“No, I did not!”

Peti lowered his head, watching his sandaled feet brush over the white gravel. “He has betrayed his people, you know?”

I looked at him puzzled. What shameless act could have Hapu possibly performed to disrespect his people? After all, he was one of us. I waited, slightly impatient for Peti to continue. “He became a soldier for our king Ahmose and served his people well. When the Hyksos were driven out of Avaris, he was no longer Hapu son of Pa-anuket.”

I could not help my curiosity. “Why isn’t Hapu anymore the son of Pa-anuket?” He looked at me. I knew from his dark, troubled eyes that what Hapu had done was severe. After all, his own father had disowned him for it.

“He gave life to a satiety woman when it should have been otherwise taken from her. He asked a general for permission to wed her, and it was granted.” Foreigners had infected our land for many years and for that we despised them. I began to understand Peti and Pa-anuket ‘s anger. Hapu had taken a foreign woman as his bride and thus could not return to Thebes - he could not face the inevitable disgrace from his family.

“Let us speak of pleasantries now,” I suggested. There was a burning question in my heart. I spoke rapidly before any other subject came to be. “What of Tawri … have you seen her?”

Peti saw the enthusiasm in my eyes and nodded slowly, smirking. “I see you have not forgotten her, Itef.” He chuckled.

“Is she still as beautiful as she was?” I asked.

“Oh yes, very much so. In fact there is no man alive in Thebes who has not fallen under the spell of her beauty. They say she is the most beautiful woman here, in Thebes.”

“And you my good friend, have you ever fallen under her spell?”

Peti hesitated a moment, troubled by my question. “All right, all right!” He released a laugh. “I confess, her beauty did take the better of me, and yes I attempted to win her heart. But that was a long time ago.”

I felt partial relief. Obviously nothing serious had developed between them.

“Itef, tell me of your great journey.” I could not understand why he felt the need to deviate from Tawri and I stared at him. Peti looked back in a way my uncle did when I protested against his will.

“She walks with her guardian, Pawah. He protects her from the young Thebans who carry indecent desires in their hearts, like you Itef.”

I took offence at his callous remark but I remained silent for the sake of knowing more. He carried on. “The truth is, my friend, she has been watched like a hawk ever since Nakht son of Amunemhat laid eyes upon her. He is considered a great one of Kemet for he has joined a campaign with the king’s army.”

Amunemhat was a wealthy and influential bureaucrat in Thebes. His son Nakht had joined Ahmose’s legion to study the art of war. Like the naval officer Ahmose son of Ibana, Nakht was attempting to impress his majesty to secure a future for himself as a high-ranking military official. His timing could not have been better. The Theban army was faced with an internal uprising. A rebel named Tetian was gathering malcontents to himself. King Ahmose, ruler of the two lands led the Theban army on a merciless crusade to crush Tetian and his heinous rebels.

No one was a challenge against a powerful bureaucrat’s son, especially a young commoner like me. That however did not intimidate me, nor did it dissuade me. I had foreseen my future with Tawri. The gods had revealed my destiny through visions I had seen. No other mortal could possibly understand it.

“Before I left, she whispered words of passion into my ear,” I countered.

“We were children, Itef.” Peti smiled thinly. “She has changed much.”

“It matters not!”

“Itef, you cannot compete against such a man as Nakht… no one can. All you can achieve is humiliation, nothing more ... and you will be laughed at.”

There was silence. We stared at each other like jackals, Peti impassive and I sullenly. “Fine, do as you please! But do not say that I did not warn you!” His serious expression suddenly broke into laughter. “Come, let us be amused at the forum.” As long as I knew him, Peti always managed to break tension with his infantile behaviour. I could not reserve anger towards him - on the contrary, I admired his harsh yet considerate intentions even though it had little effect on me.

“Yes,” I agreed, “let us go then!”