Imphoteph: Who walks in peace

23. 01. 2018
6th international conference of exopolitics, history and spirituality

Story: I. There are things that can not reasonably be explained and yet exist 

"She's like them," she told him.

"But he also has our blood in him," he countered, "even though he looks like them. Maybe it's an advantage. Maybe not. ”He looked at her. "He should come back to us. We should give him a chance to decide. "

"And if he decides to stay with them?"

"It will be his choice. There is nothing we can do about it. But before he decides, there is hope. Hope for us, "he stressed.

"I'm not sure if it's a good idea ..."

"I'm not sure, either," he interrupted, "but the last child born here was born blind." Besides, and don't forget, it could be his son. It can be useful to us. "

"Okay, I'll fix it. I'll know about Sai, "she said after a moment of silence. Still, she was not sure she was doing well.

He descended. Slowly and with dignity, because today was the day of his initiation, the day he was given a name. The doorman slowly opened the door. Light fell through the narrow windows. In the middle stood a large bed, in front of him chairs twelve, and behind him a large statue of Nechentej in the form of a sacred falcon. He walked over to her, bowed, and said his prayers. He tried to match the sound of his heart to the rhythm of the drum and sister, whose sound bounced off the walls. He drank the prepared drink with blue salmon extract. He lay down on the bed, closed his eyes, and heard the windows close from the outside. The room plunged into darkness and began to fill with intoxicating smoke.

He awoke sharply with a gong. Twelve priests were already in their places. They were silent and waited for him to wake up. He sucked in clean air through his nose, opened his eyes, and sat down. The youngest of the priests handed him a bowl of water and a towel. He washed his face and wiped himself. Then he stood up and appeared before those who were to give him his name.

Chasechemvej looked at him. His hands, folded in his lap until then, he placed on the backs of the chairs, leaning slightly toward him. What did the gods reveal to you in the dream? ”

He closed his eyes for a moment to recall the scenes. The ease of flight on the dragon's back, the gate of the city, in front of which stood two sacred sycamores. He began to tell the story slowly. He described the great circular city full of light even at night. He described his journey on the back of a dragon and a long-haired old man who was waiting for him in the middle of the garden by the big house. He tried to describe fragments of activities that the dream revealed to him and the words he heard. Then he finished, but the feeling that he had forgotten something important remained in him. But he couldn't remember.

He looked at the twelve priests. There was embarrassment in their eyes, and he was afraid he had failed in his task. They were silent. They were silent and looked at him in astonishment.

Chasechemvey motioned for him to sit down. So he sat down on the ground with his legs crossed, his hands on his chest, and waited.

Twelve rose. He thought he would say his name now, or that he would learn that he had not completed the task and would have to wait another years for his initiation, but instead the door opened and they left the room. He was confused. He was scared and didn't know what to do, so he raised his hands and began to say his prayer softly. He closed his eyes and tried to remember what he had forgotten, but there was only pitch black darkness in front of him, and somewhere in the back, he sensed, rather than saw, a small spot of light whose light would intensify.

There was a gong. The door opened. The doorman remained standing in a deep bow. The priests entered. The sound of a drum and sister seemed to fade. Chasechemvey motioned for him to rise. He stood up, anxiously awaiting what would happen next. Then she, the black priestess Tehenut, came in.

Twelve lowered their heads and crossed their arms in a respectful greeting. He knelt. The thing had to be serious. Those from Saja seldom attended their ceremonies even before the fighting began.

She came to him. Her palm gently lifted his chin so she could see into his eyes. She studied him intently. A white veil covered her face, further underlining the blackness of their eyes.

"Get up," she told him. She didn't say a word. Her command sounded inside his head. He was startled but stood up. She reached out to him with her slender black hands and unbuttoned his cloak. He slumped to the ground. Then she took off his loincloth. He stood before her naked, flushed with shame and slightly trembling with cold. She walked slowly around him, examining his body intently. Suddenly he felt her hand on his right shoulder blade. She touched the sign in the form of a heron. "Achboin - the spirit of the heron," she said, looking into his eyes. She removed her hand from his body and stood in front of him. "It's time to go," he heard her voice in the middle of his head again. She turned to twelve and motioned for them to take their seats. She stood alone in the middle, as if to protect him with her own body.

"I'm sure now," she said aloud. Her voice was louder than the one he heard inside her. "Tomorrow," she said, pausing. "Tomorrow Sopdet and Re will be back together after Menopher after 1460. We only have one year. Year and day. "

"Will he return, lady?" Chasechem asked quietly.

"He's back," she said softly. "Oh - the divine essence of who we are waiting for is in him. But if he comes back… ”she didn't finish, she just sighed, and in the middle of his head he heard only“… it depends on him, too. ”Then she added aloud,“ Let's hope and please. Perhaps they will be more sympathetic to NeTeRu. ”She turned and walked out the door.

Twelve priests rose quickly, bowed his head, and crossed his arms. When they left, they sat again, looking at him, standing in the middle of their clothes without clothes, and silent. Chasechem waved the youngest hand, and he stood up, lifting the cloak from the ground and covering his body.

The silence became unbearable. The air in the room seemed to materialize, and despite the cold that was there, he could feel streams of sweat running down his back.

"Come on, boy," Chasechemvej said, ordering him to leave. They came out the door. The priests disengaged in the corridor, leaving him alone with the high priest.

"What's next?" He asked softly and with fear.

"I don't know," he said, continuing to walk. "Nobody knows it. The messages we have are very fragmentary and the old texts speak only in hints. Perhaps those from Saja know more. Their library was extensive and contained writings dating back to the past. Maybe he knows more than we do. ”He coughed. When he calmed down, he looked at him with sadness in his eyes and added, "Even if you come back, I won't live to see it."

Fear passed through them like a knife. Goosebumps sprang up on his hands. Then he saw her again. She was standing up the stairs. "Calm down, just calm down, Achboinue. There's nothing to be afraid of, "it said in his head. The restlessness disappeared, like a wand.

They were said to be powerful wizards, unbeatable healers, as well as brave warriors. He attached his peace of mind to his abilities.

"Everything will be ready for the morning, Reverend," Chasechem said. She turned and walked into her room. They continued silently on their way.

In the morning, before dawn, they woke him up. He went downstairs in front of the temple and began riding camels. The entourage consisted of ten men from the temple, large and strong, familiar with the fighting. He was checking supplies, and he wanted to check the harnesses once more when the usual noise stopped. She entered.

"No, not the escort," she said, turning to Chasechemvej, who was standing nearby.

"The roads are not safe ...", he tried to oppose the high priest, but she interrupted him.

"It's part of the journey. If we made a good choice, NeTeRu will be in favor of us, we will be safe. ”She added and mounted the camel.

Chasechemwei came to him and hugged him. "Don't forget," he said softly, hanging a sacred falcon amulet around his neck. "Don't forget."

She turned to him. The sight of their black eyes made him mount. Eyes as black as the deepest night. They left.

She was right, the road was safe. He did not attribute it so much to the merits of the Gods, but rather to the fact that everyone was afraid of the Tehenut priestesses. Fear of their possible spells, fear of their curses, was their greatest protection. They drove through the filthy streets of the city, nooks he had never seen that seemed dangerous at first glance. Alleys full of dirt, impoverished children and half-ruined houses. He did not know this part of town, even though he grew up in it. Another city appeared before his eyes. A city with stone paving, large stone houses with tall columns and wide streets. The city is interwoven with a network of canals, full of greenery and surrounded by a large white wall.

She stopped suddenly. She dismounted from the camel, picked up her backpack, and ordered him to sit and watch. She entered a half-ruined house, from which the child cried. When she came out after a long time, she was accompanied by a young woman with eyes full of tears. She had a child on her hands, a two-year-old girl with a necktie. The one from Saja turned to her and the woman nodded. The girl smiled and fell asleep in her mother's arms. They continued on their way.

They traveled through many cities, driving through uninhabited land, but for the longest journey through the desert. During the day they were plagued by heavy heat and hot fine sand fell into their eyes, at night it was cold. Here, there, they stopped in oases to replenish food and water. Everywhere they showed them respect for fear.

She was not afraid. She saw her stopping every time she could help. He saw how he used his power where it was perpetrated. No, she was not afraid of it, but she would not have wanted it for the enemy.

"Where are we going?" He asked her once. She looked at him and shrugged.

"I do not know," she said, laughing. "But do not worry when we're there, I'll know."

"How?" He asked in astonishment.

"I do not know. I only know I will know. There are things that can not reasonably be explained and yet exist. They think our steps are leading the Gods if it calms you. "She fell silent and sputtered the camel. He did not ask more.

"What do you see?" She asked a little blind girl.

They stood opposite each other in a strange cave with a granite table. The silence was broken only by the sound of a trickle of water flowing from a rock.

"She's fine," she told her, raising her head to her. She tried to feel her palm. "They made a good choice," she added, trying to get up. Suddenly, other scenes appeared. They weren't about him, so she kept quiet about them, but it upset her. He grabbed the granite table with his hands and tried to feel the structure of the stone. Here, save her here.

She wanted to ask a lot of things, but the baby stunned her.

"You're not sure. You all have doubts. But you know best what a hostile environment can do. Think about it. I would not underestimate him ... "

"But ..." she wanted to oppose.

The little girl stopped her, "Let's go, it's time." She reached for her sign to leave and waited for the woman to grab her hand to take her away. She would do it alone, but her mind tried to keep the boy's picture. A boy whose face never sees her eyes.

The longer they were on the road, the more he was plagued by dreams. He couldn't tell their meaning. He saw a desert full of greenery, huge buildings, paths lined with sphinxes. He saw fighting, cruel and meaningless. He saw those cities destroyed, ravaged by fire and disease. He saw the Earth in all its size. He saw it from above, like a colored ball of blue oceans, green earth, desert red, and brown mountain peaks. From that height, he saw the volcanoes open, spewing red lava, an incredible amount of ash and smoke. He saw the earth tremble and then turn. Instead of a green area, only a dirty place remained. In those dreams, he flew on the back of a dragon high above the whole Earth and close to the moon. The flight was beautiful, but it bothered him.

He awoke sweaty and with fear of the battles he had fought with the demons of the night, enemies so strong that they would not be overcome by Pharaoh's army. He woke up with cries of terror from the dream he had lived. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw her face. She was silent. She was silent and studied him. She never said a word about these moments. She never asked what he saw in his dream. It worried him. It worried him as much as the unknown destination.

He fell asleep in fear. Fearing what he would think, what would punish him to NeTeR tonight. It seemed unfair to him. He tried to find the meaning of those dreams, but he couldn't. The diversity of times, people and situations could not be combined in the morning.

He didn't wake up alone this time. She shook them and put her hand to his mouth - a sign of silence. He opened his eyes. She slowly removed her palm from his mouth and pointed in her hand. He sat down and noticed. There was sand in the air. The fine sand that the storm or a gang of riders brought with it. He listened. Silence. No, he didn't hear anything. Still, he noticed that she was alert. Body tense, right hand holding sword.

He looked at the sky. The stars shone like the flames of lamps in the darkness of the temple from which she had led him. He missed him. The moon was full. "That's good," he said to himself. Then he heard it. A faint breeze brought a low growl to his ears. The heart began to pound for an alarm, his eyes sharpened.

He touched her arm lightly. She turned her gaze to him. He motioned for her to split up. She nodded and moved slowly to the other side. He hid behind the overhang of the dune, trying to catch a glimpse of where the sound came from. He was waiting.

They appeared as ghosts. Tall - taller and slimmer than the people he knew. They had a dark blue cloak over them, their faces covered so that only their eyes could be seen. They were approaching the place where they were hiding at an incredible pace. He checked his eyes to see if she was in place and froze in amazement. She stood on top of a dune. Her right hand rested on the retracted sword, her legs spread slightly and she waited.

"She's crazy," he thought. There were many riders, she could not overcome them. He had long understood that she didn't believe in magic. She called the will of NeTeR much more often by chance than by intent. The distance between her and the riders decreased, and she stood there, illuminated by the light of the moon, like a statue of a Goddess. Black Tehenut. Then she raised her hands to the sky and tilted her head. He heard her voice. At first quiet, but gradually getting bigger. It sounded like a prayer. Prayer in a language he did not understand. The riders stopped at a respectful distance, dismounted, and knelt. She walked slowly down to them. In the moonlight, her body glowed a silvery color. He could clearly see her squirming in the gentle gusts of wind around her. He got up. Unable to speak from what he saw, she fell asleep, following down to the riders.

She reached them. She stood in front of him, as in the temple then - as if she wanted to protect him here with her body. She was silent. Only with her hand did she instruct them to get up. Then she stepped aside so they could look at him. The riders were silent. The horses did not make a sound and stood frozen in one place. The silence around was palpable.

One of them reached for the turban and loosened the veil that covered his face. His head was strangely shaped, elongated, the crown larger than the people he knew. He bowed his head and addressed her. He didn't know the language, but its melody was familiar to him. She listened intently to what the rider was telling her. She nodded and stared at him for a long moment. He already knew this. He knew that now the rider heard her voice in his head. Only he. She turned to him.

"Achboinue," she said softly, "prepare the camels, the storm is coming." She turned to the rider again, apparently saying something more to him in that wordless speech.

He hurried to the camels and tried to saddle them as quickly as possible. Two of the riders in blue appeared beside him, helping him to load everything he needed. Done. He mounted the camel, bridling the other in his hand, and approached the group. She was already waiting for him. They mounted. The riders took them among themselves to protect their bodies.

They left for the dark night. They were leaving, and he realized he didn't know the target again. The tension in the muscles eased. He realized this and was surprised. He glanced at her figure in front of him. She turned to him. Her face was covered like the riders around her, but her eyes were smiling. He also smiled at her and pushed the camel.

He knew well the basement of the temple where he had lived before, and it was not the smallest. But this surpassed all his ideas. This was an underground city. He watched in amazement as crowds of people streamed through the wide, illuminated streets of the underground, paintings and carvings on the walls, and fountains full of water. Although they were underground, there was plenty of light, even though he saw no lamps. He was surprised.

He was very tired a long way and didn't think so much about what he saw. They assigned him a room next to hers. The bed the girl his age showed him was high and wide. When he sat on it, he was startled - it was soft. He fell asleep before he could get dressed, so he didn't hear the girl's voice urging him to take a bath after a long journey. He had no dream that night. At least he didn't remember any.

"You have arrived," the little girl told her, and she instructed her to leave.

She wanted to ask her a few more questions, but she didn't dare. She has been worried about her behavior lately. The laughter faded from her face and she was often thoughtful. Something bothered her, but she didn't want to talk about it, and it bothered her more than the boy's arrival.

The girl waited for her footsteps to fall and lie down. The last scene she noticed was the face of the attacker. She shook with fear. Tears streamed from his blind eyes. They said it was a gift. They repeated it every time they asked for answers, but none of them saw the price they paid for their "gift." There is so little time left… But the scenes were still unclear and she did not want to panic unnecessarily. She wiped her tears with her hand and felt the cane.

His laughter awoke him. He opened his eyes and saw her face.

"Then get up," she told him, laughing again and leaning in. "Well, first of all, you need to take a bath. You smell like a sweaty horse, ”she added, walking out the door.

He got up and began undressing dusty clothes. An old woman stepped into the room and the tips of her fingers lifted her things carefully from the ground. "Where's the girl?" He thought.

"I'll take you to the bath, boy," the woman said, walking out the door. He followed her down the narrow corridor to the entrance to the bath, wrapped only in a sheet. The water in the pool was warm. The steam condensed on the walls of a small room, scented with the scent of floral essences. He dived into the water and closed his eyes. It was nice. So nice.

"Hurry up," he heard a voice above him. He kept his eyes closed for a moment and just nodded that he understood. He began to scrub his body, ridding it of dust from the paths it had passed. He poured fragrant water on his head and tried to wash his hair, which began to grow again as he left the temple.

Once again, he dived into the water, closed his eyes once more, and tried to enjoy this moment. She heard her laugh again.

"Come on, enough," she told him happily, handing her a towel. He blushed, but got up and left the bath. He dried himself. He could feel her gaze in his back. Then he felt her hand on his right shoulder blade. She touched his heron-shaped sign lightly. Then he heard her sigh in his head, "I hope you're the one." She left.

He wore the same clothing that the locals wore. Dark blue, shiny fabric, smooth as a baby's skin. He came out the door. The old woman was waiting for him. She led him through the streets of the city to a destination he did not know. She led him through the safety of the underground city as a sandstorm raged outside.

She was waiting for him in the hall. Her black skin was pale, but her eyes shone as usual. She didn't laugh. He felt fear. The fear that radiated from her. That surprised him. In the time he had known her, he had never noticed that she was afraid.

"But she had," she said out of nowhere and looked at him. "You just didn't know it."

He was scared. He can read his thoughts. That's not good. He wasn't sure now what he thought was acceptable to her, but he didn't get into his thoughts. The door opened. They entered.

They walked along the alabaster tiles to him. He knew the man. Did he know? He couldn't remember where he had seen him.

She bowed. And he bowed. Again he marveled. She never asked anyone. Priest Tehenut worshiped only his goddess and pharaohs.

"Thank you for your welcome," she said quietly to the men.

"No," he replied, "we thank him for his protection." He looked at her, smiled, and added, "Doubtful." He motioned for them to straighten up and slowly descend toward them.

He reached him. He lifted his chin with his hand so that he could see into his eyes - as she had done before. He looked at him and was silent. He felt her fear grow. He felt that the old man knew that he knew about her fear and that he knew that he knew, too.

"No, don't doubt it. He's the one, ”he told her, but he was still looking into his eyes. But he sensed Achboin's shadow of doubt from the tone of his voice. "Your journey was not in vain," he said, stopping her hand, "I know she would not be in vain." Every path is a way to improve oneself if one is attentive. ”He turned his gaze to her and smiled. He smiled too. The fear disappeared.

"Achboin?" He looked at him.

"Yes, sir," he said, somewhat embarrassed, for he was not sure. That's what she called him. It was not a name, it was not assigned to a ceremony.

"Okay ..." he said, "why not. Somehow you must say. "

"Where are we actually?" He asked, lonely.

"I'm not sure," she told him, looking at him. For the first time, he noticed the wrinkles around her black eyes. For the first time, he registered the fatigue in her voice. She looked at him intently. As attentive as when they first met. Then she smiled.

"Old texts speak of an underground temple. The temple, built before the great flood. He used to stand in the middle of a mighty lake. Once upon a time there was water instead of desert and the land around was green with lush vegetation. They are hidden in the temple by the knowledge of those who have been here before us, and the priestesses have protected it there for millennia. "She sighed and continued," I thought it was just a legend. And maybe it is. Maybe this city just looks like the temple. I don't know. Really do not know. I'm just glad I can relax here for a while. She closed her eyes and rested her head on the wall behind her.

He was silent. He did not want to disturb her now. He just wanted to take a breath. He took it as a matter of course, as a child takes his mother. It protected him all the time. He could only do it for her to let her relax. He stared at her for a moment. For a moment she let her feel relaxed, and then she got up and went to explore the city.

He didn't go far. He was stopped by a boy his age. His skin was white, as was his hair, his skull strangely elongated, like the skulls of most of those he had met here. He, too, was big, too big for his age. He didn't address him, didn't ask him to stop, but he did so without knowing why. Then he heard his voice in his head urging him to follow him. He went. He walked through streets as wide as the courtyard of the temple and through narrow streets. He didn't know where he was going. He didn't know the destination again, but he got used to it. They were silent.

He compared the city to the city of his dream. There was light here too. Other than he saw in the dream. It was slightly greenish and gave everyone around a strange color. At times he felt like he was under water. No, it wasn't a dream city. It was not like the temple that the priestess Tehenut spoke of.

The boy turned to him and heard in his head, "You'll know everything. Just be patient. ”

They turned sharply to the left. The scenery has changed. No more cities. Cave. A cave that sank down underground. They walked up the narrow stairs, their astonishment replaced by fear. He realized he didn't know where he was. The light dimmed here. His heart began to pound. The boy stopped in front of him and turned to him. "Don't worry, no one will hurt you here," he said in a normal voice that echoed off the cave walls. The sound of words calmed him. He himself did not know why.

They continued on their way. They sank for a while, rising for a while, but did not come to the surface. He asked himself if the storm was still raging upstairs. During his time here, he had lost track of time. He stopped perceiving the path, walked like in a dream. The boy in front of him stopped. He stopped too. A huge door towered in front of them. Door in the rock. They opened. They came in.

He had to blink his eyes as the light around him blinked. Sun. "Finally the sun," he thought. He was wrong.

She sat with her head against the wall. She was no longer resting. She saw in her mind a scene with a boy with white hair. She went with them for a while, then they got lost. She tried to relax as much as possible to break through the invisible barrier and find someone to protect, but she couldn't. She felt futile. They had come a long way together and suddenly lost him.

"Your effort is useless," they said above her. She opened her eyes and saw the old man. "You can't go where he went. This is his path, not yours. You rest. This is not a destination yet, just a stop, ”he said and left. She was left alone again. She closed her eyes. She didn't try to find him anymore. In her mind, she recited a prayer to her goddess to calm down.

"Get closer," came a voice in front of him. The figure was still unclear. The eyes were not yet accustomed to the brightness of the light. So he followed his voice. He looked back at the boy who had brought him here, but he had disappeared. He was in the great hall with only that voice. His legs were heavy with fear, but he walked. Then he saw her.

She was wearing riders' clothing - dark blue and shiny, her face hidden under a veil. Even Tehenut hid her face, he realized and remembered the words written in her temple: “I am all that has been, what is and what will be. And there was no mortal and he will not be able to uncover the veil that covers me. " He heard laughter and she released the veil that covered her face with her hand.

"Are you satisfied yet?" She asked. He felt himself blush, but nodded. "You're still a child," she told him, looking at him. She reached for him, and he put his palm in hers. She examined her carefully.

As she examined his palm, he examined her. She was much taller than the women he knew. Much higher than the priestess Tehenut. It radiated power. Strength of muscles and spirit. Her skin was red, as was her hair, but what caught her eye the most. Large, slightly sloping and bright green.

She looked at him and laughed. He realized that she too could have the ability to penetrate his head and read thoughts. He was scared. She released his hand and sighed, "You're still a child. I thought you'd be older. ”She turned her head. He looked in that direction and saw a small figure coming. Child. Little girl. Her gait was unusual. Then he understood. She was blind. The woman came out to meet her. She took her hand and slowly led her to him.

"Is that him?" The little one asked in a low voice. It froze him. He felt a cold sweat on the back of his neck. She motioned for him to lower himself. Then she put her hands on his temples. Her palms were warm. He looked into her eyes. Eyes she couldn't see. He wondered what it was like to move constantly in the dark, not to see colors, not to see shapes… She took her palms off his temple and motioned for the woman to leave.

"Sit down, please," she said. She said it very quietly and she sat down alone. He sat across from her. She was silent.

He was also silent and looking at her. He wondered what he was doing here. Why is he here? What do all of them want from him? Where does it go? And what is he waiting for?

"You know," she said in a low voice, "expect more than you can give them. But that's their problem. You should clarify what you expect from yourself, otherwise you will have nothing but fulfill the expectations of others. And you will never succeed. "

She stood up and called something to the woman in their language. He didn't understand. They left. He sat on the ground, thinking about the meaning of this meeting. Over what she told him. Then he fell asleep.

They were leaving and silent.

"You are disappointed," the little girl said, "he's still a boy, but he's going to grow up again."

"Will she stay?" She asked her.

"I do not know," she told her, and her fear flooded again.

"Why is he?"

"It has a task, and that task is about us. He still knows nothing about him, but he is able to fulfill it. I will not tell you more. I do not know much, "she replied, grabbing her hand firmly.

She tried to penetrate him in her thoughts, full of concern for his safety. It was her task, and she didn't want to run it out of sight until the task was over. Then she saw him. He lay on the white sand in the middle of a large cave and slept. The place was familiar to her. She had heard of those who worshiped the Great. About those whose roots lay far in the past. Their temples were simple, yet they still draw on their wisdom. It calmed her down. She got up and took a slow step to look for him.

He woke up with his head in her lap. Her eyes were closed and she was resting. There was darkness and silence around. She stroked his cheek. "Let's go," she said.

"When are we leaving?" He asked her.

"Soon, maybe tomorrow. Perhaps it's after the storm, "she said, adding to the step.

They walked silently beside each other. Fatigue fell on her. Huge fatigue. Suddenly she realized the weight of her task. Be constantly guarded, protect, bring this child to the end of the journey. She did not know the target either. She knew his thoughts, knew his doubts, and was troubled by her doubts. Doubts about the meaning of this journey, the choice of the child, and the prophecy to help fulfill it.

For a while she wanted to be a child. For a while she wanted to be in the company of that great woman she was telling her about. Perhaps she would give her answers to her questions. She or that little blind girl.

He looked at her. She was tired on her face, and her eyes, always so sparkling, darkened. He stopped. She also stopped. She did not fully notice him.

"Come on," he said. "We'll sit for a while."

He led her to the fountain in the middle of the square. They stood on her rim, her tired legs soaking in the water. They were silent. He suddenly realized that they could not go yet. Not yet. First, she must rest. Suddenly he was not worried about the destination of the journey, but about his health. Concerns about their lives that only she could protect.

Then he felt a palm on his shoulder. He turned.

She turned too. Her movement was sharp. The body was ready to fight. She was like a cat resting lazily at one point, but then capable of attack or defense.

"Calm down, just calm down," the old man said, placing a hand on her shoulder. He was smiling. He instructed them to follow him. They came to a high gate. They entered a strange garden full of glistening stones. There, in the middle of the garden, stood a man similar to the one who had led them here. That was the man of the dream. Long white hair, stout figure. He was scared.

They led them to a large house and led them into rooms so they could rest. This time he even had to wash before going to bed. The dream he had was like a dream he had at an initiation ceremony in a temple. "Maybe he's the old man," he said to himself when he woke up and went to see if Priestess Tehenut was still asleep.

Scarlet fever. Curled up in a ball, she looked like a black cat. She was breathing lightly, and he stood over her, wondering if this was the first time he'd been awake before she was. Then, quietly so as not to wake her, he left her room and went down to the garden. He went looking for the old man.

"Sit down," he told him. He wondered if the old man knew he was looking for him, or if he had planned the meeting himself. He looked up at him and waited for what would happen. The old man looked at him. He felt like an exotic animal. The feeling was uncomfortable, but his gaze lasted.

"Well," he said after a moment, and smiled, "I think it will go."

He didn't understand Achboin. He was angry, angry at the way everyone looked at him, the way he spoke in hints he didn't understand. He didn't understand what the old man meant, but he stopped wondering about the behavior of his surroundings, but he was upset about it. He waited patiently. He waited for things to develop and whether they would finally learn more about the meaning and purpose of their journey.

"Come," the old man told him, standing up. The size of the man Achboinua astonished. He looked bigger than a dream, and he seemed larger than last night. They walked back to the house. He walked beside the old man and felt small, very small. Still, he did not feel frightened.

"I see that Chasechemvey has prepared you well," he said suddenly, looking at him. He was astonished that he knew the name of his high priest. "How is he doing?" He asked.

"He's sick," he replied, his heart pounding with anxiety and longing. Chasechemvej was not only his great teacher, but also his father, whom he did not know. He reached for his chest and felt the amulet in the shape of a sacred falcon. He closed his eyes and tried to convey the image to the priests in the temple. An image of a falcon, an old man and the city in which he was located.

They entered the house. "Come on, we'll eat first, and then we'll talk about everything you want to know," the old man told him, leading him into the dining room. They ate in silence. He with his head bowed and in his thoughts in the temple he had just left.

He stood opposite her, and it seemed to him that the one from Saya had wet eyes. His heart clenched in fear of the unknown and of leaving him.

"Will I ever see you?" He asked quietly.

She smiled. But it was a sad smile. "I don't know," she said, raising her hand in greeting.

His heart sank. He ran to her and hugged her. There were tears in his eyes. She lifted his head with her hand so she could see into his eyes, then wiped away the tears with her fingertips.

"Come on," she whispered, "it's not over all the days. Who knows what NeTeRu has been doing to us in the future. "

He laughed. "Do you really believe they are?" He asked her, trying to wipe her tears.

"I am Priestess Tehenut, do not forget it," she said, gently smacking her face.

"No," he shook his head, "I really do. Do you believe they are? "

"So small and the little one?" She laughed. "Look, I don't know. First of all, I don't know who they are. What kind of creatures are they? But if they are, then I would like to know who they are. Ancestors? Those who survived the Great Cataclysm? I would like to uncover the Tehenut veil a little. "

"And they?" He pointed to the entrance to the underground city. "They are different, even if they are the same in something."

"I do not know. But we are two of us. I am black, unlike you, and yet you do not feel different. "

He thought.

"If you are not sure of your decision, you can go with me," she told him.

He shook his head. He didn't want to leave her, but something inside told him he had to stay. He didn't know how long, but he knew he couldn't leave now. He wasn't very smart from talking to the old man, but he wanted to learn. He wanted to know at least part of what he was telling him.

"No, I will not. Not yet. "He paused and looked at her." It also appeals to me to reveal the veil of your goddess and tells me there is no time to leave. "

She smiled and nodded. The sun rattled over the horizon. "I have to go, little friend," she said, kissing him on the cheek. She mounted.

He raised his head and looked into her eyes for the last time. Then he called out to her, "I'll see you!" And he was convinced at that moment. He remembered what she had said about the end of their journey, he remembered what the old man had said to her: "This is not the end, only a stop."

Then he realized he did not know her name.

II. It is possible to change tradition - to replace it with another one, but it takes time

He always felt bad about this lesson. He didn't like the science of stones. He felt like a fool. Stone in hand, cold and hard. He placed it in front of him and took another in his hand. He differed in color, size, and texture, but he didn't know what to do with it. Then he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around. He turned in fear, the teacher stern.

She walked slowly toward him, her staff watching the spot in front of her. She stepped softly, though her gait lacked the certainty of seeing. He got up and went to her. His heart began to pound, and he had a strange feeling around his stomach that made him uneasy - pleasant and unpleasant. He took her hand.

"Greetings, Imachet," he said, and she smiled. He wondered what he was doing here. The Place of the Venerables was in the temple, he thought.

"You too are glad, Achboinue," she said softly. "I came to help you," she answered the unanswered question.

"How ...?" He asked, not knowing. She was blind, she could not see the structure of stone, its color. How could she help him?

She took his palm and pressed it against the stone wall. The warmth of her palm troubled him, but he wished the touch to last for as long as possible.

"You can see other than with your eyes," she said. "Close your eyes and listen to the stone speak to you."

He reluctantly obeyed her command. He stood with his hand pressed against the wall, not knowing what to expect. She slowly slid his hand over the stone. He was beginning to feel the structure of the stone and the small cracks in it. He also took a second hand to help. He stroked the stone wall, and it suddenly seemed part of it. Time stood still. No, he didn't stop, he just slowed down, he slowed down a lot.

"Do you hear me?" She whispered.

"Yes." He replied so quietly that he did not overcome the silent whisper of the heart of seemingly dead matter.

She slowly pulled him away from the wall, searching with her cane for the stones he had set down. She sat down and motioned for him to sit next to her. He picked up the stone. White, glossy, almost translucent. He closed his eyes. His fingers began to run slowly over the stone. It had a different temperature, the structure was also different. He could feel the strength of the stone, the smoothness and the arrangement of its crystals. Then he put it down blindly and took another in his hand. This one was warmer and softer. In his mind he penetrated the structure of this stone and felt its fragility.

"That's amazing," he whispered, turning to her.

"I told you you could see differently," she laughed. Then she became serious and held out her hand to him. She was looking for a face. She ran her fingers slowly over her face, as if to memorize every detail. It was as if she wanted to recognize every crease and the slightest wrinkle on his face. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the gentle touch. His heart pounded and his head began to rustle. Then she left as quietly as she had come.

She came to say goodbye to him. She knew her time was up. She knew that the time to come would be his time. The time of a child who has no name and wishes him luck. She reached the altar. She placed her hands on the stone slab and sensed the structure of the stone. Granite. He'll store it here. Here he saves her body. Somehow it calmed her down. But then she saw other paintings. An image of her body moving from place to place until it ended up underground, in the corner of a maze. She didn't understand the scene. She pressed her small palms to her cheeks, trying to remember his face. The face of a child who has no name and whose task she did not know. But she knew he could fulfill him.

"Who are you behind the big gate?" The old man asked.

"You are too curious," he told him, smiling. "Everything needs its time. Now you can use it for your assigned tasks. Learn! That's most important now. "He looked at him and nodded. "Even if you think not," he added.

He left him in the garden. He didn't answer him again. He had to come up with everything himself. He was angry. He leaned his hands on the table and gritted his teeth. Curiosity broke them and he felt terrible. Then he relaxed and straightened. He took the papyrus and began to count on it.

He was torn from his sleep by a thud. He jumped out of bed and ran down the hall to the old man's door. He was already dressed, holding a weapon in his hand.

"Hurry up," he shouted at him, flipping over the board on the floor. He pushed him inside. "Hurry up! Run! ”He ordered, trying to climb down the rungs of the ladder as fast as he could. They ran down the hall, holding only a torch that was ready at the entrance to the underground. The light was dim and they could only see a few steps in front of them. He knew where he was running. His heart was pounding. Behind him, he heard the old man's wheezing breath. He slowed down.

"Go alone," he told him. "It's close. I have to rest. ”He was breathing loudly, his left hand pressed to his chest.

He ran. He ran out of his strength. Now he knew where he was. Behind the curve he will see the gate. He ran behind the corner and stopped. The gate was stamped. The huge door lay on the ground. Again he ran. He ran inside and saw her. The small body was lying on the ground, and the blind eyes were bloodshot. She did not breathe. He took her small body into her arms and carried him away where she had first seen coming from. From somewhere he seemed to hear a jarring of weapons, but it seemed more important to him, to find a place of worship where he would set it.

He walked into the room, inlaid with white stones. The stones whose structure he already knew. They were hard, smooth and cool. He placed it on a large plate under the statue of the Goddess, whose name he did not know. Then he went after the sound.

He crossed the dead bodies of the men, and he avoided scattered ceremonial objects. He hurried. He heard the sounds of fighting, he feared the fear of those who fought somewhere in the middle of the corridors. It was finally in place.

He grabbed a heavy silver bowl and used it as a shield. A woman handed him a sword. He joined the fight. He repelled the wounds of the raiders and tried to cover. He tried to feel the instructions of the other women, which showed him to retreat slowly. He didn't understand why, but he obeyed. He tried to get where they were pointing. He tried to find his teacher with his eyes, but he couldn't. It bothered him. He finally got out of the sanctuary. There were others waiting, armed with something he did not know. Something that radiated the rays that killed Sachmet's breath. The number of corpses that attacked them increased, and the rest fled. The battle was won. Won, but at the cost of many prematurely terminated lives on both sides. He felt the relief of those among whom he stayed, he also felt their pain over those who went to the other bank - to the Duat. The pain was so great that it gripped his heart so that he could not breathe.

He tried to find a teacher, but he didn't see him. He turned and ran back. Back to the temple premises to find her. He was scared. The women tried to prevent him from entering, but he didn't notice them. He pushed one of them away and ran like a race. He walked down the aisles until he reached where he had placed the blind girl's body. She was still lying on the altar, and women were leaning over her, accompanied by singing. He did not know this ritual. He ran up to them and leaned over his body. He wanted to say goodbye to her. He saw the astonishment of the women and the attempt to prevent him from approaching the altar, but the one in blue, the one who had called him when he arrived, stopped them. He leaned over the dead body. She looked like she was asleep. He placed a palm on her forehead and tears welled in his eyes. His head rustled and his heart seemed to stop beating. He grabbed her palm and ran it lightly over her face. But the softness and warmth of her palm was there.

The singing stopped and the women retreated. He took her in his arms. It seemed heavy. He didn't know where he was going, but something in him was pulling him inside the labyrinth of the cave. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the High Priestess's hand instructing others to stand. Then she joined him.

He walked slowly forward with tear-filled eyes. He barely noticed the path, he let his instincts guide him. Something in him showed him a path he didn't know. For a moment it seemed to him that the priestess Tehenut was walking beside him, he turned his head, but he saw only the big one in blue, watching him with his green eyes. The destination was approaching. He felt it. The heart pounded, his eyes sharpened.

The cave was almost circular, the stalactites hanging from above forming a strange decoration of the room and almost touching a square granite table. He laid it there. A small cold body for which the table was too big. Then he resigned. He took off everything he was wearing and kept only a loincloth and washed his body in a spring running down the rock. He dried himself and began to slowly undress the dead body of the blind girl. Blue presented him with a container of ceremonial water. Accompanied by sacred formulas, he then washed away from her body everything that would make her path to the Last Judgment difficult. He lit sacred fires and threw fragrant herbs into the flames. As the one in blue left, he stood behind Imachet's head and began chanting sacred words on the way to the dead. Words for Ba the little blind girl to find her way to Reo's barge. He was left alone. Time stood still.

"He broke our ritual, Meni," she said angrily.

"I don't think it's wise to insist on it at the moment," he said, frowning. "It doesn't bother me. Rather, you should be interested in finding a way where no one has stepped in except you, Venerable Hemut Neter. ”The familiar doubt crept into her mind as to whether he was the right one. Whether he is the one spoken of by the prophecy and whether he is the son of the descendants of Horus and Sutech. That doubt could not be suppressed. The death of a little blind girl, the seventh from Hemut Neter, the one who had the gift of vision, raised this doubt even more. But nothing was that simple. Those who invaded their city were Sanacht's people, and it is quite possible that they attacked them because they were hiding boys. Although it was more likely that the reason for the invasion was his hunger for old technology.

She did not think about it and scared her. She scared her more than the fact that they had attacked them finding their town. Then she remembered. She remembered how a little girl could not answer some of their questions. She realized she had to know. Why did not you say anything? Perhaps it could have been avoided.

"We are ridiculous in our disputes," she said, placing her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry," she added.

"We can not stay here," he said, looking at her. He did not want to risk any more incursions, and he did not have the certainty of his identity. What if the right thing is ...

"I know," she replied, thinking. Suddenly she realized her fatigue. Suddenly she realized what else awaited them. "I need to rest," she said softly. "We have to find a solution," she added emphatically.

"Let me prepare your room," he said, but she shook her head.

"I have to go back. I have to reassure them, "she added, leaving.

He suddenly realized that she was getting old. Even Meni is old. There were only a few left who remembered… He paced the room, wondering how Sanacht's people could get here. The situation seemed critical. They threatened the upper country more and more with their raids. Those from Iun didn't make it - or rather, it got out of hand. Instead of stability and protection, chaos and ruin took place. Sanacht's people were destroying everything they could. They destroyed the already destroyed Mennofer. They destroyed the Sayan Temple and records from before the Great Cataclysm. They destroyed everything that was left, including the temples of the ancestors. They hadn't attacked Iuna yet, but he knew it would only be a matter of time. Sanacht can't resist. The secret of Hut-Benben is too tempting for him.

He continued to work. He cut with a knife and removed the entrails, including the heart. Then he realized that the canopies were missing. He set the entrails on a plate, washed them, and covered them with soda. He washed his hands and body in the cold water of the spring. He kept only a loincloth around his body and covered the body of a dead blind girl with a white cloak. He came out of the cave.

He didn't think about the road. In his mind, he was making a list of things he would need. He walked to the room with the goddess. There he found all things - even the ones he had forgotten. They lay properly stored in a cart, covered with a blue cloth.

He pulled the cart behind him as fast as he could. You need to keep working. She needs to be prepared for the trip to the other shore. Then he realized that they were on the other side of the Itera.

His eyes were swollen with fatigue and hungry. Still, he did not want to leave jobs.

She appeared to him as a ghost. Startled.

"I did not want to scare you," she told him. The girl's body was covered. She also noticed the heron-shaped sign on his shoulder. She persuaded women that it was good to do what he considered necessary. It was not easy, but she finally convinced them. They did not balance the body. They had another ritual. But the little girl was not pure blood, so they eventually grew up. "I came to offer you help, but we can not know what you are and so we will not be angry if you refuse."

He thought. He acted automatically, as they had been taught in the temple, as he thought was right. He did not think that he could provoke them with his actions. Now it occurred to him, and he realized that the help offered must have cost them a lot of effort. Especially her.

He nodded at the sign of consent. Talking could not be tired anymore.

"Come, eat and rest. Then you choose your helper. Men are not allowed into this space, "she added.

Sleep helped him. He thought his head was clear again and able to think quickly. He went to the bath to wash his body and shave his head, he didn't have to worry with hair, he didn't have any yet. He didn't want anything on his body to catch dead bacteria. He started with cleansing. He was in a hurry because he didn't know when they would come for him. He hurried because the first stage of the work was not over.

He entered the cave. He looked around. There were no monuments after the fight. The dead bodies were removed. The door was in place. His heart ached when he remembered the little blind girl. He sat down where he had found her and recited a prayer for the dead in his mind. Then six women entered, from the youngest to the oldest.

He studied them carefully. It occurred to him that one was missing - the one lying on a square granite table, and his heart was again clenched.

"Is that him, Maatkar?" One asked, walking over to him.

It was annoying. They looked at him, and he felt he was missing precious time.

"Be more patient, Achboinue," the eldest scolded him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "We have agreed to help you, even if you have broken most of the laws of the Acacia Dwelling, even if you have entered Jezer Jezer, where only Imachet - the consecrated women - is allowed access.

He lifted his head and looked at her. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, "I did not want to violate your laws and rituals ..." he added.

"We know that," she told him, "but we don't know what you expect of us. What can we help you with? ”She sat cross-legged on the floor, urging the others to do the same.

He tried to explain to them the various procedures necessary to prepare the body of a blind girl for a pilgrimage to the other bank, so that her Ka would not be forgotten and Ba satisfied, so that her radiant soul could join the procession of the mighty Ra. He also tried to explain why it seemed so important to him, but he couldn't. They were silent and listening, but he felt more disapproval in the air than willingness to help him. He finished his speech by saying that he could not stand and was afraid that he would not be allowed to finish the job. He bowed his head and closed his eyes. He felt exhausted.

The women got up and left. He glanced once more at the place where he found her body. He got up and went to finish his task. He was only sixty-eight days old.

"It's ridiculous," Chentkaus said.

"It's unusual," he replied the eldest. "Do not condemn apriorine what you do not know even if it's unusual." It's important to the boy and we do not know why it does not mean it's bad. "

"Seventy days - that's a long time. Too long to get away from our tasks, "said the one who was the guardian of the blind girl. "We have to find a replacement for her. We must be seven, "she sighed. "We must, Nihepetmaat, start looking for a new, safer place," she said to the eldest.

"Yes, we have a lot of work to do. But you also forget that we must say goodbye with dignity to one of us, Maatkar. We cannot release you from office, you are our mouth and you know your task. So is Chentkaus - organizing everything to move is more important now than anything else. "

"And the seventh? You have to choose the seventh, "said Achnesmerire.

"It will wait," Nihepetmaat told her, "you know very well that we will not make it to the full moon. She was already a compromise. There was no pure blood, and yet only one of us had the gift of vision. She was our eyes, even though she was blind. She chose him and apparently knew why. "

"I agree," Achnesmerire said, "I will go."

"You will represent me, Neitokret," the oldest said.

Neitokret nodded, silently silencing any comments.

"Why the incantations?" Achnesmerire asked, handing him a container of oil.

He finished the formula and looked at it. "Time, ma'am. It measures time and recalls progress. The melody of the formula makes it easier to remember what to mix and in what proportion, how to proceed. Its length then determines the time to mix. A different procedure, a different time and our work would be useless. "

"It sounds like a prayer," Nihepetmaat said, handing him an oil additive.

"Aid," he laughed at their ignorance, at what seemed obvious to him. "And also a little protection against preventing our art from being misused by the unauthorized - that's why it's only passed on orally. Some ingredients could kill a person. It won't hurt a dead body, "he added and continued to work.

The two women began to grow hair, which he shaved when they came to help him. They stopped protesting when he explained to them the principles that must be followed in contact with a dead body. Now there was no danger. The work was coming to an end. The oil was mixed and so he started painting the body. He started from his feet. Achnesmerire watched him for a moment, then began to paint another. He watched her. She was doing well, so he left her legs and walked over to his hands. He showed Nihepetmaat what to do. He will rest for a while.

He sat down next to a trickle running down the rock face and closed his eyes. He found himself in the grounds of his temple. In his mind he went through all its nooks and crannies, searching for Chasechemvei. He tried to pass on all the paintings he could recall. The body of a dead girl, scenes from a fight, talking with stones…

"You must not," Nihepetmaat said quietly, interrupting his concentration.

"What?" He asked disapprovingly, opening his eyes.

"You must not reveal our location. He would endanger us with that. ”There was a shadow of fear in her voice in astonishment.

"I don't know where I am," he told her. He saw her fears and added, "I was looking for my teacher. He was sick when I left. Don't be afraid, Mrs. Nihepetmaat, I'm not doing anything wrong. ”He got up to check the work of the women and to continue working. Legs and arms began to turn color. He knew that when he finished his work, the blind girl would look alive. As if she was just falling asleep. He stood over her body every day, trying to remember every detail of her face. He drew her face in the sand and then erased the painting because it seemed to be untrue. After each failed attempt, he stood with his hands resting on the stone tabletop, his teeth clenched and his body tense like a bow. Anger over his incompetence broke through him. But then the granite stone began to speak. His quiet pulse calmed his troubled soul, and he could feel her small palms on his face as they examined his face. Tears welled in his eyes and he began to cry. For a moment, but only for a very short time, he was again just a little abandoned boy who felt so alone. He quickly suppressed the feeling.

"We're done," Achnesmerire told them.

"We're almost done," Chentkaus informed them, "and we've packed most of the things. We've found a place to place them, and we can start moving them. "

"And what's the problem?" Nihepetmaat asked them.

"In the place itself," Neitokret replied. "It is beyond what we wish. Far from ours and far from Sai. For some time we'll be cut off from their world. "

"And boy?" Asked Chentkaus.

"She will come with us. It would be very dangerous at the moment… ”she paused and did not answer the sentence. "She will come with us," Nihepetmaat added emphatically, and left the room.

The blind girl's body lay in a sarcophagus. He was sitting next to the spring, his eyes closed and he seemed to be asleep. But he did not sleep. All the time he had been working on her last journey, he had no time to think about what had happened here. Who they are, where they are and what is happening around. Now the thoughts began to reach with incredible force, and he was unable to sort them out. So he closed his eyes and began to count his breath. He recited prayers in his mind, thinking he would calm down so much. He touched the amulet on his chest with his hand. It didn't help either. He opened his eyes. He got up and climbed under the icy water of the spring. He let her run down her body. For the first time since her death, he let his grief flow freely. Tears welled up in his eyes and mingled with the spring water. Then he turned to the rock and placed his hands on it. He let his hands see. He sensed the structure of the stone. He sensed what the running water had done to the surface, how it smoothed the stone and how it dug it where it landed. Blindly, only with his hands pressed against the stone, he walked on and then on. He felt a gust of air. He felt a crack. Then he opened his eyes. The line was too straight for a crack, almost imperceptible. He pushed against the stone and it turned.

There was light inside. The light was dim and many things he had seen for the first time in his life and whose purpose was unknown to him. The space in front of him looked like a huge tunnel with smooth walls. The tunnel turned to the right in the distance, so he walked, wondering where the road would take him. The tunnel must have been here for a long time, according to the dust covering the walls and the floor of the large stone blocks. He walked for a long time, in a hurry. He knew rather than knew he had gotten somewhere he hadn't, so he hurried. Smaller tunnels were connected to the main tunnel. He didn't notice them now. He saw a line of footsteps on the ground in the dust. He noticed. He saw a light in the distance, there must have been an exit out there. Suddenly one of them stood in his way. She looked at him in astonishment and unable to speak. He, too, stopped abruptly, then took the locker from her hands and asked, "Where with her, ma'am?"

She remembered, "Come after me," she said, turning into the side corridor. She stopped in front of the door, took the cabinet and looked at him. "I'll go by myself." She disappeared behind the door.

He stood still for a moment, then continued out of the main tunnel. He longed to see the whole building from the outside. He wanted to know what it looked like and whether it resembled the buildings he knew or the buildings of his dream.

"How could he find his way?" Asked Neitokret. The question was more likely to be addressed to her than to the others who had come together.

The others looked at her as if waiting for the answer, or because Neitokret had rarely said anything. They were silent. Everyone was aware that times were changing. Everybody was tired.

"No, he couldn't know about the entrance. It must have been a coincidence, ”she added with some emphasis, but it sounded as if she wanted to convince herself.

"A little too much of a sudden," Meresanch said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" Maatkar said irritably.

Meresanch shook her head. She did not want to explain something that she did not sort. What had not been so clear yet. What was clear to her was that times had changed. That their time, though they were trying, could have been, is coming to an end. Maybe she knew it too - a little blind girl. If she knew more than she told them, she would not know it anymore.

There was silence. Heavy silence. The breath of each of them could be heard.

"It's not just our business now," Nihepetmaat said quietly, "I'll talk to Meni and then we'll see."

He was sitting in the garden wondering why the old man had called him. It was not entirely clear from the women's behavior whether he had done something wrong or not. Still, he was worried. He also had a lot of questions and was afraid that the old man would not answer them. He wanted to know something about what he saw. He wanted to know more about the stone town up there, he wanted to know what things were done inside the tunnel and inside the main building of the stone town. The tension inside rose and the old man did not walk.

He wondered how the city below had changed as he devoted himself to his task. Now it looked more like a depopulated fortress. Even the people who were still left here knew that they were vigilant and that they had not yet recovered from the attack they had experienced. When he came here, the city was an oasis of peace and tranquility. Not anymore. There was tension and fear. The fear that reached him from all sides and disturbed his concentration spread to him and he could not escape anywhere. He hated the feeling.

She walked around the room thinking. For a week after their conversation, she could not find her inner peace, no matter what she did. Maybe he was right. Maybe he was right about leaving the old and starting differently. The situation was unsustainable for a long time - she realized this even after they stopped the uprising of those from the land of Kush, but at that time she did not want to admit it. Just as she did not want to admit the growing number of fighting between the South and the North. Maybe it was really because Nebuithotpimef looked too much like them - just because of his size. Maybe it's really high time to change something and finally come to terms with the fact that their rule ended in the Great Cataclysm. Suddenly she realized they were dying out. Their life span has shortened, children are no longer born. The knowledge stored in temples and archives is largely destroyed so that it does not fall into the hands of Sanacht.

Fear was replaced by curiosity. He was sitting in the middle of a big bird, looking down at the ground. That flight was like a dream flight. He barely noticed the old man's words - but only almost. He will think about them only later. He saw the sun set and its rays begin to blush. The big bird began to approach the ground. His stomach clenched as he saw the ground approach. He was afraid of the impact, but it didn't happen. The big bird stopped and a huge beetle came to it, which dragged it somewhere inside the temple. Finally, he was somewhere he knew - or at least a little like what he knew. His legs shook slightly as he stepped onto the solid ground, but a stone fell from his heart.

"Do not talk and do not ask," the old man told him as they walked in. He nodded his approval, but he was not satisfied. He had so many questions and he was not ashamed to ask. Even though he realized that most of the questions he had asked him was still unanswered.

"You do not live among them, do not be so sorry!" The voice he heard was angry. He also heard a nervous break through the room.

"I do not," the old man said calmly. "I just wonder if it was necessary to kill 48 a thousand and whether it could not be avoided? That's all."

For a moment there was silence, and Achboin decided that now is the right time to enter. For the time being, he had not yet seen him, yet he was still hiding a high column.

"I'm sorry," said the one whose voice he didn't know. "You know, I've been thinking about it for a long time. I wondered where the mistake had been. At first I blamed those from the Sai, but I don't think they could have done more. "He paused. for a certain limit. Then no more. Destruction of ancient temples, tombs of ancestors - as if to erase our entire history. Preventing access to copper mines… Eventually, he turned against those from the Sai'a, resulting in the destruction of the entire library. All the records, knowledge still unsorted, reaching into the depths of time and into the future, ended up in flames. "He almost roared the last sentence, but then, after a short pause, he continued," Look, I have accomplished my task. Besides, it's not just internal contradictions. Attacks from the outside are also becoming more frequent and increasingly destructive. They were able to destroy everything that was left. They almost destroyed Iuna, too. They killed entire cities with those they still knew… "

The old man wanted to say something else, but he saw him in it. He gestured to interrupt the stranger's speech and called on Achboinu to come closer.

"Is that him?" The old man asked, and began to look at him. The man was injured. His right hand is wrapped, his scarred scar on his face.

Achboinu was not surprised to see him. You're used to it. He wondered how he knew the man. The man was almost as big as the old man as the people of the underground city, and yet he couldn't shake the impression that he had seen him somewhere. Then he remembered. He remembered the time he was still in his temple. He remembered the face and knelt before the one who ruled this country. The man laughed. He laughed until tears welled up in his eyes. Achboin was embarrassed, but then he felt the old man's hand on his shoulder. The man stopped laughing, bent down, and held out a good hand to help him get up.

"I'm sorry," he said apologetically to the old man, whose face remained serious, "I wasn't expecting a baby and I wasn't expecting this reaction." Then he became serious, looked once more at Achboinu, then at the old man. "No, it won't work. He wouldn't be safe here. He's still too young. It would be too dangerous in this situation. Maybe later. When he grows up. "

"She will not be safe with us either. Raids on the city began to escalate and we were forced to move some things to the mountains to the South. There are few of us and I don't know how long we will keep the city. "

"What's so special about him?" Pharaoh asked. "They look more like them."

"If he stayed here in the temple for a while," he paused. He could continue to learn, "he told him, suppressing any doubt about the boy's identity. For now, he told himself, I'll let things go.

"I do not recommend," he replied. "I do not recommend," he stressed once more. "I do not trust them. There's enough of the North here, too, and he stops being safe here. "Then he noticed a protective amulet at the boy's neck. He bent down and took it carefully into his hands. He looked silently at the falcon, then returned it to the boy's chest: "He was also my teacher," he said, looking into his eyes.

Achboin looked into the ruler's eyes and suddenly realized the words. A wave of fear swept over him. "Was he?" He asked timidly. "What's wrong with him?" His legs seemed to break beneath him.

"He was," said Nebuithotpimef. "She is on the other bank now. He was a big man. Great with his heart and his wisdom, "he added. "The destruction of the temple was also his work," he added angrily to the old man, realizing that Sanacht's people had intervened there as well.

"Let me go, sir." His throat tightened in pain, and the words were uttered almost inaudibly. Achboin left the room and cried. He wept over the death of the one who was almost his father. He wept that the last bond with those he knew had disappeared and that he did not belong anywhere. He was a stranger to the Great ones he was among. They looked at him as an exotic animal. Chasechemvej died, and a little blind girl is dead. He felt alone, desperately alone. He cried for a long time, until he fell asleep crying and sadly.

"What's so special about him?" The old man asked again.

"Options," he replied. Everyone realized that their time was over. Everyone knew they were the last. That when the Earth changed, only those who were able to adapt survived. But they paid their price. The age lived by his ancestors has shortened and continues to shorten, children are not born - mutations caused by violating the Maat Earth are larger from generation to generation. Old knowledge is slowly being forgotten, and what is left — what could still be saved is slowly but surely falling apart. Worst of all, they were already fighting among themselves. Each of them protected their territory. Everyone was aware of it, but they didn't talk about it. They were scared.

"Does he really have our blood?" He asked.

"Yes, about as much as you," the old man replied, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Then he looked up at him and saw fear.

"Did they choose him from Iun?" The old man asked.

"No!" He replied. There was a moment of silence. He watched the man's face in front of him. He did not look away, and the silence turned into a silent struggle. But Meni didn't want to fight. "It's more complicated than you can imagine. We are the ones to protect him from those of Iun, at least until we are clear. "

"What is clear?" There was dissatisfaction in his voice.

"In him and in them," he said vaguely, adding, "Do you know which one is reliable?"

"A boy or a priest from Iun?" He asked sarcastically.

He didn't answer him. He stared at him for a long time, wondering if they had made a good choice this time. Whether they prepared him well. He saw more than enough, maybe too much. But it is precisely the power that can change him as Sanacht did. In that case, what he knows would become a dangerous weapon in the hands of a child.

"He's been gone a long time," Pharaoh said, turning his face toward the door. He was exhausted from talking to him and the injuries he had sustained. He was looking for an excuse to end the call, so he went looking for the boy.

"Get up, boy," he told him, shaking him gently. The cloak slid off his shoulders, revealing a heron-shaped sign. Nebuithotpimef paled. Then a wave of resentment rose in him.

Achchina's eyes flashed openly.

"Come on, I want you to be present at our conversation," he told him sharply, sending him into the hall. He tried to calm down. Feelings of anger and love alternated at insane speeds. He leaned his forehead against a pillar and tried to breathe regularly.

He entered the hall. The men of the temple brought food and placed it on the prepared tables. Achboin realized he was hungry. He chewed meat and listened. He had never been present to such a conversation. He wondered what the art of governing entailed. So far, he had met only life in the temple and in the city. He could not imagine the size of the land that Pharaoh had to rule. He had heard of the fighting, but somehow it didn't affect him. Temples, especially those that stood away from cities, were seldom attacked. There were internal power struggles here and there, but the wars mostly went beyond them. But then he realized that his own was far from the north, and yet Sanacht's soldiers had looted him.

“What about moving north, closer to the delta? Restore the glory of Hutkaptah. ”The old man asked. "Perhaps it would be better to have your enemies within reach."

"And to release the border for invading aliens?" Opposed Nebuithotpimef. "Besides, you forget that we've been pushing you up from here in the north. The way back is not as simple as you think. "

"Venerable Nimaathap," he told Achboina, pausing. He expected punishment for jumping into the conversation between the two men, but they looked at him and waited for him to finish the sentence. "It's from Saja. He is the highest of the Venerable Hemut Neter. Maybe marriage is no longer enough. The fights are too exhausting and weakening. Then there is a lack of force against foreign invaders. Maybe it's time for women to help, "he paused. His throat went dry with fear and fear, so he drank. "Women from the delta and the south," he said, looking at Pharaoh in fear.

The two men looked at each other. They were silent. He sat and watched them. On their faces or distractions, so he calmed down. Thoughts seemed to be sharper and ran into a clear plan. There were still empty spaces there, but it could be filled. He did not know how, but he knew it was only a matter of time and information.

"As you imagine," Nebuithotpimef asked, "the women never joined the fighting. They have a different task. Breaking the barrier will not be easy. "

"He knows, or rather suspects, the tasks of women. He spent a lot of time in their temple. ”The old man interrupted. Nebuithotpimef looked at the boy in astonishment. He could see that he wanted to know more, but the old man stopped him:

"Until another time, let him know. His Ib is pure and unaffected by learning and fear of power or power. "

"Nothing will solve the fight. That is quite clear. The 48 men will now be missing elsewhere. There is no fast track, sir. But gradually, if the soil is ready, it is possible to sow a new beginning. Women could help. It is possible to change a tradition - to exchange it for another, but it takes time and it takes their cooperation. Temples need to work together and not compete. It is also necessary to choose those who are reliable, regardless of their status. Then construction can begin. Not in the middle of the delta - it would be dangerous, but near it. The city of the one who brought the two countries together for the first time is a convenient place. This gesture would be the beginning of hope. To restore Tameri to her former glory while having the Lower Earth under control. Only gradually, sir, can you gain what you did not gain by fighting. "

"And the Upper Land? She will not be protected from raids ... "

"No, there are too many temples and cities. It is just a matter of strengthening their responsibility for the entrusted territory. There are most of them. ”He paused, not knowing what to name. He did not belong to them, nor did he belong to the others. "Your people. Attacks from the south are less dangerous - so far we have managed the Nubians, but the riots down there are quite common. I judge from what you said here. "

He pondered his words. The truth is that he too was influenced by stereotypes. He never considered cooperating with Hemut Neter, for now they were just fighting with them. Not weapons, but they fought their orders from temples, with conditions that were not always favorable to them. Maybe it's because their roles have separated. They try to keep going, but they protect what was. They don't like to let anyone into their space. He fears that knowledge could be misused. Abused as many times. Mutual trimming. Defending your. It leads to nothing. The country is still divided, even though Sanacht's power claims have been repulsed for the time being, and there are so few of them. Maybe the child is right, it is necessary to find new methods and go a different way, otherwise there will be no chance of survival for them or for the others. Well, not for them anyway.

"Have you been to the temple?" He asked. "This is very unusual, and it amazes me that Nihepetmaat admitted it." It was clear to him why he was protecting him from the Ionians. Now yes. What he didn't know was what danger the boy posed to him. He was smart. Maybe too much for your age. They provide him with an education. And if, after protection, Hemut Neter could pose a serious danger to him. Fear and the desire to have a child of his blood fought in him. Fear won.

"No, sir, it's not like that. My stay there was more of a coincidence, "he replied, laughing inwardly. He remembered the priestess Tehenut. He may have preferred to say God's will, but he let it be. He didn't fix himself.

"He was chosen by Sai," the old man said, "those who can be trusted," he added as he saw Nebuithotpimef's astonished gaze and rise. "It's time for a rest. Tomorrow a tedious journey is waiting for us. Yet once again consider whether it would be better to give him protection. At least after moving. "

"No," he said forcefully, pointing to Achboin to leave. Then he looked angrily at Meni, "When did you want to tell me? I saw a sign. "

"Everything has its own time," he told him. "But if you already know, you should consider your decision once again."

"No, stay where it is. His time was not yet. "He looked at the old man and added," It's safer where it is, believe me. "He persuaded himself that he had to think once more, but he was afraid Meni would see his fear.

"You have to choose the seventh," Achnesmerire said. "It's time. Things are ready and we should start looking. "

"I'm aware of that," Nihepetmaat replied, sighing. She didn't want to be told what she had to. She sent messages and the answers were unsatisfactory. Very unsatisfactory. No child of pure blood was born. They are getting older. They grow old and no one is left behind.

"You have to tell them," Neitokret said quietly. She looked at her. She knew it wasn't easy at all. They quietly hoped they could find someone. They also connected with those from foreign countries, but the answer was always the same. Even the last of them was no longer of pure blood. Now the last hope fell.

They were silent. They knew that the number needed to be added. He proved himself. It was a symbol, but also a safeguard to keep them on duty. Three sides of a triangle and four sides of a square. Finding another girl among all those whose veins had at least some of their blood was a superhuman task. And it takes time. Lots of time - and everyone realized that.

"Maybe there would be a solution," Nihepetmaat said quietly. "It's not ideal, but it will give us time to choose." She paused. She was afraid of accepting her proposal.

"Speak," Maatkar said.

"There's the boy here," she said very quietly, yet her message was as if a blast had taken place next to them. She halted their protests with her palm gesture. "Let's get our head first and then we'll talk about it," she said emphatically. So strongly that she was all surprised. She got up and walked away. They also got up, but their departure was somewhat embarrassing. They could not believe her unusual suggestion.

He was in a big bird again. The smoke coming from the back of it writhed like a snake. He remembered his dream - the dragon he was flying. He was enjoying the flight now. He enjoyed watching the ground below. It was like his dream, but no country turned.

"Where are we going?" The old man asked. He did not expect the answer. He never responded to what he asked, and so his answer was surprised.

"Look at the new place."

"Why do not we rather do the measures for our defense? Why move right away? "He asked.

"It's safer. It's more laborious and a lot of effort will be made, but it's better for us not to know where we are. "

"We have better weapons," he said, pausing. He included the sentence among them, but he did not belong there. He did not belong anywhere.

"It has an advantage, but it also has a disadvantage," the old man told him, looking at him. "It gives you the choice to choose or to stay impartial."

He did not understand the meaning of those words, he did not know whether he was touching his unspoken thought or weapon, but he knew that sooner or later the meaning of those words would come to him, and he leaned back and closed his eyes.

"Wake up!" He heard after a moment.

He opened his eyes. "I'm not sleeping," he told him, looking down where the old man was pointing. They had to change direction. He looked at the three white pyramids towering like mountains in the middle of the desert. From a height, they looked like gems. The tips glowed in the setting sun and looked like three arrows showing direction. "What is it?" He asked.

"Pyramid," the old man replied.

"What are they made of?" He asked. He realized it had to be big. He couldn't imagine how, but even from a height they looked huge, similar to mountains.

"From stone," the old man replied, turning the bird back.

"What are they for?" He asked again, hoping the old man would share more.

Meni shook his head. "It's a symbol - the symbol of Tameri being forever connected with Saah and Sopdet. Their position is the same as that of the stars. They too stand on the same side of Iter as the pyramid, down here. "

"Who built them?" He asked the old man, looking down from the ground. He saw broken temples, ruined cities.

"Not now," the old man told him, making a flight.

They were silent. Achboin closed his eyes again. His thoughts were chasing his mind, anger raging inside. They look at him as a rarity, throwing it like a hot stone, and doubting - what they do not say, like they do not say what they want from him. Then he remembered the words of the blind girl: "... expect more than you can give them. But that's their problem. You should clarify what you expect from yourself, otherwise you will only have to fulfill the expectations of others. And you'll never be able to do it. "He reassured himself. Perhaps the old man was wrong. Maybe he just does not want to bind him with his expectations and wants to leave him a choice. He thought about it. Then he remembered the pyramids. "Are they elsewhere?" He asked.

"Yes," he told him.

"Where?"

"You'll find out later. You still know little ... "

"Why do not you ever answer me. You always say only a part, "Achboin said angrily.

The old man turned to him, "Is that how you feel? Strange. "He thought for a moment and added," But that's not the case. We'll talk about that later. I have to take care of the flight now. "

He wanted to ask him how old they were, but he left it behind. The old man had a job and promised to answer his questions later. It calmed him. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"How could you ..." she scowled angrily at her.

"Don't scream," she said softly, stopping her halfway through the sentence. "I have been thinking about it for a long time and I do not see any other way out. Plus, it wouldn't be forever. We get time to choose. It is useless to hope that we will find a new child. We need to look for at least those who have a part of our blood, and it won't be easy either. "

She said what neither of them wanted to admit. She could only say, "But he's a man."

"No, it's a boy - a child." She watched him at work for a long time. At first it seemed to her that what he was doing made no sense, that there was a lot of magic in it, but then she realized that everything he did made some sense, and he, if he knew it, tried to explain it to her. He brought a different way of thinking to their world. Thinking - perhaps masculine - perhaps, was different. It was different, but the time is different.

She sat up and pointed to sit down as well. She talked for a long time. She tried to explain her intention and she succeeded. Now it remains to defend his position before other women. She kept silent about the fact that he had revealed their intention with the traditions, with the migration of their gods. She wasn't sure yet.

 "We're in place," said the old man. It was already dark. They climbed out of the big bird and the men, who were already waiting for them with their horses ready, took them into the black darkness. He knew better than he saw mountains, rocks. "It doesn't matter," he said to himself, "I won't see it until morning."

He studied the basis of what had already been built. Instead of the city's grandeur and grandeur, it all seemed pitiful. The old man said it. He told him shamelessly, in fear that he would not be afraid.

"Gradually," he replied. "We have to move gradually and not all at once. We will not all be here either. Some of us will go to other places. "

"Why?" He asked.

"Necessity," he told him, sighing. "It simply came to our notice then. Also, what we knew is slowly but surely falling into oblivion, so we need to pass it on and exchange experiences. In addition, a smaller group will not attract as much attention as a large one. "

"And defense?"

The old man shook his head to disagree. "What defense then? In a moment we will not be able to. We're dying. "

"Who are we?" Asked Achboin with fear.

"Those who remained after the great cataclysm. We, pure blood. Descendants of those who knew another country. Another time. "He thought, then looked at him and stroked his hair. "There's still a lot to learn and I'm not a good teacher. I can not explain things to you to understand. I can not and I do not have enough time for that. I have another task now ... "

He tilted his head and looked into his eyes. He understood him. He saw the fatigue and worry on his face and didn't want to bother him anymore. He went to get a good look at the place they had chosen. The houses were no longer made of stone blocks, but mostly of clay bricks or something he couldn't name. It looked like mud, but when it hardened, it looked more like a stone - but it was not a stone, it was just dead matter without a heart. No, it wasn't a bad place. Hard to reach, protected all around by rocks, with plenty of water flowing through the canal from Itera. It didn't have the pomp of cities he knew. It was as if lost in the surrounding terrain. He thought about defense. He thought about how to make it harder for attackers to access and how to ensure that they learned about their progress in time. Timely enough to prepare for defense. He saw their weapons, he saw what they could do, but he was also aware of the number of potential raiders. But he hadn't seen everything yet, and that worried him. He was afraid of further incursions, he was afraid of killing and senseless destruction. He was afraid of the chaos that the fight brought. He needed order, a stable base - perhaps because he had nothing to capture himself. He did not know his roots, he did not know his origin, and he did not know the direction his father or mother would show him.

It was approaching evening. After a while it would be dark and he went looking for the old man. He needed to look at this place from above. He needed the old man to bring him naked in a big bird, where he would have the whole site in the palm of his hand. He hurried to find him before it was dark.

"No, not now," the old man told him. "And why do you really need it?"

"I, I don't know. I just need to see it. He can't imagine it from the ground. ”He tried to explain to him what he was thinking. He tried to tell him that what was around could be used for defense, but he had to see it first.

The old man listened. Some thoughts seemed too simple, but some had something to do with each other. Maybe the child intuitively comes up with what they missed. Perhaps the prophecy is something. He did not know his task, he doubted the prophecy, but for the sake of peace and for the peace of his own soul he decided not to defend him.

"No, not now," he said once more, adding, "Tomorrow morning to have enough time to see everything."

III. God - and whether it is or not, is a good means ...

He was not flying an old man, but a man whose skin was bronze. He was bigger than them and somehow more powerful. They did not fly in a large bird, but in something with blades that spun around. It made a noise, like a great scarab. They hovered over the valley and moved around the rocks. He shouted at the man when he needed them to get closer or lower. He was so preoccupied with his task that he lost track of time. He flew over and over again, trying to remember all the details.

"We have to go down," the man shouted at him, and smiled. "We have to go down, boy."

He tried to tell him that not yet he did not remember everything, but the man just laughed: "It does not matter. You can always get up if you need it. "It calmed him.

The man jumped out of the thing and threw it over his shoulder like a sack of wheat. He kept laughing. He laughed even when he put him in front of the old man. Then he shook his hand in farewell. Achboinu's palm was lost in his hand.

"So what did you find out?" The old man asked, turning to the table where he searched for something between the papyrus scrolls.

"I need to sort things out," he said, adding, "Do I really really want to go up if I need it?"

The old man nodded. He finally found what he was looking for and handed it to Achboin. "Consider this and then return it to me."

"What is it?" He asked.

"Plan - city plan," said the old man, bending over the papyrus.

"What if she does not accept it?" She asked her.

She didn't think about it. She was so focused on convincing them that she had forgotten about him. "I don't know," she said truthfully, thinking, "We'll have to keep looking." They'll have to keep looking, because he was a boy, and until now the place has been reserved for women only. Suddenly it didn't seem right to him, he's an interim solution. It was not fair to him, but nothing could be done at this point. Things went too far and time was short. If Nebuithotpimef refused to protect him, they would have to protect him themselves anyway.

He found him sleeping over the outstretched plan of the city, his head in its center. A narrow stream of saliva ran down the papyrus, leaving a spot on the map that looked like a lake. Other times he would have scolded him for handling documents that way, but during the day he just shook his shoulder carefully to wake him.

He opened his eyes and saw the old man. He straightened and spotted a spot on the map.

"I'll fix it," he told him, rubbing his eyes. "Excuse me," he added, "I fell asleep."

"It does not matter. Now, hurry up, we're leaving, "he told him.

"But ..." he pointed to the map. "My task ... I'm not finished yet."

"You can write it down. He will be taken into account, "he replied, gesturing to hurry.

Achboin was annoyed. He promised to see the city from above once again. He gave him a task and now he's taking him away again. It felt like their toy they were tossing around. Anger rose in him, and his neck tightened with regret.

"Why?" He asked in a strangled voice when they were in the air.

"You'll find out everything. Patience, ”he told him, looking at him. He saw the dissatisfaction on his face, so he added. "This is very important, believe me. Very important! And I myself am not entitled to tell you more, "he added.

"And my task?" He tried to break his silence, Achboin.

"It's harder for you now, but nowhere is it said that you can't finish what you started. As I said, write your comments so that they are understandable to others. They will be taken into account, I promise. "

It didn't calm him down. He held a stone in his hand, which he took before leaving the country. White stone, transparent as water. Beautiful crystal crystal. He cooled it in his palm. He spoke to him and listened to the language of the country from which he came.

He was bathed and dressed in clean clothes. No one told him what would happen next, so he waited in his room. He paced nervously here and there, sitting for a while, but he didn't last very long. The atmosphere around him also seemed nervous. "Maybe it's me," he thought, and went outside. Perhaps he will find inner peace in the streets of the old town.

"Are you back?" He heard a familiar voice behind him. He turned. Behind him stood the boy who had led him to the cave of women for the first time, a backpack in his hand.

"Yes, but I see you are leaving," he said, smiling, "Are you going to a new city?" He asked.

"No," said the boy. "I'm going east, that's better for me."

He looked at him in surprise. He did not understand.

"You know, the organism of some of us has not adapted to the new climatic conditions and the sun is harming us. Its rays can kill us. Our skin is irreversibly damaged, so we only move outside when the sun goes down or we spend time down here. Where I'm leaving is also an underground city. Not like this, but… ”he did not answer. He looked at the man, who gestured him to hurry. "I have to go. I wish you good luck, ”he told him, taking a backpack in his blue cloth, his hand, and hurrying to the exit. He could still see Achboin wrapping the man with his cloth over his face, including his eyes. The sun had not set yet.

What the boy told him upset him. He had never encountered anything like it. The sun was a deity who sang in many forms. Re had always been the bearer of life for him, and Achnesmerire had a name for him - Beloved Reem, the one who illuminated with divine light. For him, the sun was life and for the boy it was death.

"Where are you going?" Asked Achnesmerire. "I've been looking for you for a while now. Come on, let's not be too late. "

He followed her in silence, but his thoughts were still on the white-haired boy's.

"Hurry," she said, smiling, smiling.

"Where are we going?" He asked her.

"To the temple," she said, accelerating.

"It would be easier if she was here," he said, remembering a little blind girl.

"She didn't see everything either," Maatkare said, pausing as she remembered the day of her death. Something in her told her she knew about it. She knew and didn't say. "You know, she's not here anymore and there's nothing you can do about it. She chose you, and you have the means to accomplish your task, all you have to do is use them. ”She wanted to tell him that maybe he should do what their job was, and not care so much about what was going on around her, but she didn't tell him. it. His stay between them was only temporary and she did not know his task.

"Why did we destroy the old town?" He asked her suddenly and looked at her. He remembered the huge explosions that left only a trigger. In a few years, everything will be covered with desert sand.

"It's so much better, believe me," she told him, grinning at her. "It's so much better, at least I hope." She added softly and left.

He stared at her for a moment, then leaned over the papyri again, but he couldn't concentrate. Maybe it was fatigue, maybe because he was thinking elsewhere - more in the future than in the present. He closed his eyes and let his thoughts flow. Maybe he'll calm down in a moment.

The face of the priestess Tehenut appeared before his eyes. He remembered her attitude toward the gods and how people reacted to her. God - and it doesn't matter if he is or not, he is a good tool…

He got up and went for a walk. He tried to banish heretical thoughts and calm down. He went outside and came across a bronze-skinned man with whom he was flying over the landscape of the new city.

"Hello," he said, and gleefully picked him up. His smile was contagious, and Achboin began to laugh. For a moment he felt like a boy he was and not as a priest or function he held now and for which he was not a name. "You grew up," the man shouted, putting him on the floor. "Do you want to fly, my friend?"

"Where?" He asked.

"To Mennofer," said the man, laughing.

"What time do we get back?"

"I do not know," he replied. "They want to build a new royal palace there."

Achboin said, "What do you know?"

"Nothing," said the man, leaning over him and whispering in laughter, "but I know someone who knows more." He laughed and stroked him.

That caress was like a balm on his soul. His palm was warm and kind, and he felt like he was just a little boy who didn't have to worry about him.

"I'm flying," he decided. He did not know if curiosity had won, or the desire to prolong the moment when he could feel like a child. "When are we leaving?"

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow at dawn. "

He went to Menim. He entered his house and let himself be reported. He sat on the edge of a small fountain in the atrium of his house. He liked the fountain. He himself participated in its construction. He fought the stones and watched the stonemasons work them to get the right shape. The statue in the middle of the fountain had the face of a little blind girl. He made it himself out of white stone and breathed part of her soul into it. He made the last adjustments almost blindly. Her face lived in him, and he, with his eyes closed and full of tears, stroked the stone to preserve all her tender features. He was sad. He missed her. He placed his hand on the cold stone and closed his eyes. He listened to the voice of the stone. The quiet beating of his heart. Then someone put a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head quickly and opened his eyes. Men.

"It is good that you have come. I wanted to let you call, "he told him, indicating that he was going to follow him.

They entered the study. There, over a large table, a man he did not know was leaning on the papyri. He was not like them, he was the height of people, and according to his dress and hairstyle, he was from Cinevo. He bowed to Achboin, greeted the man, and glanced at the table. Maps.

"Allow me, Kanefer, to introduce Achboin," Meni said.

"I've heard of you," the man said, looking at him. His mouth did not smile, his face remained like stone. Achboinu was surrounded by cold. To cover his embarrassment, he leaned over the table and picked up the map. He saw the Itera bed, low mountains, a large enclosure wall around the city, and the placement of temples and houses, but he couldn't imagine it. The man handed him a second papyrus with a drawing of the palace. He watched him the whole time, and not a single muscle moved in his face.

"He said he worked together to build this city," the man told him. There was a slight mockery in his voice.

"No, sir," he replied to Achboin, looking at him. He looked him straight in the eye and did not look away. "No, I just gave my comments on the fortifications of the city and some of my proposals were accepted. That's all. ”The man looked down. "I'm not an architect," he added, returning a drawing of the palace. Then he understood. The man was scared.

"I thought you might be interested," Meni said, looking at him.

"He's interested," he replied. "I'm very interested. That's why I also came to ask you to fly ... "

"Is the flight or the city more interesting?" Meni asked with a laugh, releasing the tense atmosphere in the study.

"Both," Achbow answered, pausing. He was not sure he could speak openly to a man. He looked at Meni.

"Yes, Pharaoh wants to relocate the city of Tameri to Mennofer," Meni said, "and asked us to accompany his chief architect, who was in charge of work in the countries of the South and North." "I chose you if you agreed."

Achboin nodded in agreement and looked at Kanefer. He saw his disharmony, he also saw his astonishment: "Yes, I will go. And happy, "he added. Then he said goodbye to the architect and added, "I'll see you, sir, at dawn."

He went to himself. He knew that Meni could still call him. Much of what he was supposed to know had not yet been said. He didn't like the man. He was too proud and too scared. He would like to know what. He still had to talk to Nihepetmaat, so he set out to find her, but found only Neitokret. He interrupted her in the middle of work.

"I'm sorry," he said, "but I can not find it."

"She's gone, Achboinue." Nihepetmaat was looking for a girl. She did not give it up. She only believed she would find seven of their blood. "What do you need?" She asked, pointing to where she was supposed to sit.

"I need to go, too, and I do not know how long to stay," he thought in the middle of the sentence. The man was worried about him, the information had little, and he was afraid that his judgment would be influenced by his feelings.

Neitokret looked at him. She was silent and waiting. She was the most patient of them and also the quietest. She waited and was silent. He realized that she had achieved most of the victory not by fighting, but by the patience, silence, and knowledge of the people. It was as if she could penetrate their souls and reveal all their secrets, while no one knew hers, like the goddess she bore.

He began to tell her about his meeting with Nebuithotpimef, the new capital, but also about the need to involve women in the union of the Upper and Lower Lands. He also mentioned the architect whom Pharaoh had sent and his fear. He also mentioned his doubts as to whether it was reasonable at this time to return to where they had once been pushed out by those from the north. Neitokret was silent and listened. She let him finish, let his doubts flow. He finished and looked at her.

"You should have told us," she told him, feeling a chill in her back. Maybe the youngest of them knew much more than they did and didn't tell them. Perhaps the little blind girl knew that he would penetrate their intentions, closely guarded by the men and people of this country. Fear enveloped her. Fear that if this child came to their plan, others would come to him.

"Maybe, but I had my doubts. I still have them now. Maybe after talking to Meni, I'll be wiser to learn more. "

"You know, Achboinue, you move between two worlds and you are not at home in either. You want to combine something that was disconnected long before you was born, and you can't combine it within yourself. Maybe you should trust yourself more, clarify in yourself what you really want, otherwise you will bring even more confusion to everything. ”She did not scold him. She said it quietly, as always. "Look, take it as a new task and try to learn something new. Not only build, but also find a way to it men. You know nothing about his fear. You've known him for a few minutes and you're already drawing conclusions. Maybe you're right - maybe not. But everyone deserves a chance. ”She paused. She looked at him to see if she had hurt him with her words.

And he looked at her and saw that he was thinking about their words. He remembered the words of a small blind girl - the expectation of others who could never meet. He can only meet his own.

"Take your time," she told him after a moment. "Take your time, you're still a child, don't forget that. Your task now is to grow up and you are growing up by looking. You are looking not only for yourself, but also for what you were born for. So look, look closely and choose. That's a big job too. Know what you don't want, what you want and what you can. ”She sat down next to him and wrapped her arms around him. She stroked his hair and added, "I'll contact Nihepetmaat. Go get ready for the trip and don't forget that you have to be back by the next full moon. Here, too, you have a task to do. ”

"Are you giving me a baby ?!" Kanefer said angrily.

"You're too conceited!" Meni stopped his speech. "I'm giving you the best I have here, and I don't care what you think." He stood up. He forced Kanefer to tilt his head as he looked at him. He now had the upper hand over size. "You guarantee my safety. You guarantee that you will consider all the comments of the boy before deciding whether or not they are in favor, "he added with emphasis. He sat down, looked at him, and said more calmly, "The boy is under Pharaoh's protection, don't forget that." He knew this would work, though he wasn't so sure of Pharaoh's protection. But he knew that the boy would be safe under the supervision of Shai. His strength and balance can protect him from possible attacks.

He wasn't looking forward to the trip in the morning. Neitokret came to say goodbye to him. They walked side by side and remained silent. "Don't worry, it'll work out," she told him goodbye and pushed him forward. She smiled.

"Welcome, my little friend," the large, bronze-skinned man laughed, and dropped him inside to Kanefer. He nodded his greeting and was silent.

"What's your name?" He asked Achboin of the bronze-skinned man.

"Shay," laughed a man who had never left a good mood. "They call me Shai."

"Please tell me, sir, about the place where the palace is to stand," he said, asking Kanefer, who was watching the whole scene with a stone face. It seemed like a statue to him. A sculpture carved from hard cold stone.

"I do not know what you want to know," he told him in the most upbeat way.

"All you think is important," Achboin said calmly, and at the corner of his eye he noticed the strange Shay's expression.

"Now it's just a small town," he remembered the intentions of Pharaoh. "There was not much left of his former majesty, and the rest of it destroyed Sanacht's people, only a large white wall resisted, partly the Ptah Temple supported by Hapi bulls. According to Pharaoh, he is well suited for a new settlement city, "said Kanefer, somewhat embarrassed, adding," He saw maps. "

"Yes, he did, sir, but I can't imagine the place. I was not in the lower country, and to be honest, I spent most of my time in the temple, so my horizon is somewhat narrowed. I would like to know your idea and the ideas of those who will cooperate in the whole project, "he specified his question to Achboin. He expected Meni to call him again, but that didn't happen. Apparently he had a reason for that, but he wasn't looking for him. Maybe it's better if he learns everything from this man's mouth.

Kanefer began to speak. The exalted tone faded from his voice. He spoke of the former beauty of Mennofer during Meni's time, as well as of the beautiful white wall that protected the city, of his idea of ​​how to expand the city. He talked about what could be a problem, but also about what others are pushing for, especially priests. He spoke of them with a certain bitterness that could not be overlooked. He briefed him on the disputes between the priests of the temples of Ptah and the other temples that were to be built there.

"What are you afraid of?" Achboin asked unexpectedly.

Kanefer looked at him in astonishment, "I don't understand."

"You're afraid of something. You're circling around and I do not know what's going on. "

"It's not a good place," Kanefer said suddenly, ill-concealing anger. "It's too close ..."

"... distractions too far from what you know and too unprotected?" Achboin added.

"Yes, I think so," he said thoughtfully, and he felt even more afraid of Achboin than at the first meeting. Fear and disharmony. He realized that he had to be more careful about what he was saying and how he was saying it. The man hid his fear and thought the others didn't know about him.

"You know, sir, your concerns are very important, and I think justified. Maybe before we start concentrating on the palace itself, we will first have to make sure that it is built at all and then that it is safe in it. ”He said to put the matter right in order to alleviate its disharmony. He added: "I would also like to hear something about the priests. Your relationship with them… “he was thinking how to complete the sentence. He knew that Pharaoh did not trust them, he wanted to know why he did not trust them.

"I did not want to touch you," Kanefer said frightenedly as he looked at his priest's garment.

"No, you didn't offend me," he reassured him. "I just need to know what to expect. Above all, what obstacles or problems we will face - and these do not only concern the construction itself, but also what is happening around.

"How long before we're there?" He asked Shai.

"Not long ago, my little friend," he said, laughing, adding, "Will we turn around all day?"

"We'll see," he told him. "And it's not just me either." He looked at the architect, who watched their conversation in astonishment. Then he looked down. Little people worked to build a new canal to uproot another piece of land in the desert.

"Maybe…" Kanefer could be seen looking for an expression to address him, "… it would be better if you changed your clothes. Your office at your age could provoke a lot, "he added, looking at him.

Achchina nodded silently. Kanefer breaks his thoughts. He tried to get where he was breaking, but he did not. He knew that feeling.

They were returning to Cinevo. There were worries about Kanefer. He remembered well what Meni had told him. The boy was talented and had good ideas, but he didn't know how to say it, how to defend it. He would have to break the whole plan, and he was afraid it would upset Pharaoh. The boy laughed at something Shai said. The man was still in a good mood. Optimism radiated directly from him. How he envied him. He closed his eyes and tried not to think about anything, to rest for a while, but his fears lingered and he was afraid to get involved.

He studied the decoration of the palace. People bowed when they saw Kanefer, and he, head up, ignored them. He knew about Achboin's fear and understood that this was the mask behind which he was hiding, but he was silent. He tried to remember every detail of the palace. The structure to replace it seemed the same to him. Equally confusing and impractical in terms of security. Too many nooks and crannies, too many dangers. Inadvertently, he slipped his palm into Kanefer's palm. The child's fear of the unknown. Kanefer looked at him and smiled. The smile calmed him and he realized that his palm was warm. He let go of his hand. The guard opened the door and they entered.

"You?" Nebuithotpimef said in surprise, then laughed. He told them to get up. "So tell me."

Kanefer spoke. He presented new drawings and drew attention to points that could be key to the security of the city. He also talked about what the city might endanger.

Pharaoh listened and looked at Achboin. He was silent.

"And you?" He asked.

"I have nothing to add," he told him, bowing. The wide necklace around his neck cut him slightly, making him nervous. "If I could contribute an idea, I did it, sir. But there would be one thing. "

Kanefer looked at him with fear.

"It does not relate to the city itself, sir, but to your palace, and that's what I realized here." He paused and waited for permission to continue. "You know, this is internal division. It is unclear and in a way threatening, but perhaps I am influenced by the temple construction and I do not know all the needs of the palace. Maybe if I ... "

"No!" Nebuithotpimef said, and Achboin stepped back instinctively. "You know it's not possible. It's not safe, but all your questions can be answered by Kanefer or the one he's going to tell you. "He was angry on his face. Kanefer paled, and Achboin's heart began to alert.

"Leave us alone for a while," Pharaoh said to Kanefer, motioning for him to leave. Stood. He looked upset and noticed Achboin. "Don't try to change my mind," he told him angrily. "I've already said my point, and you know it."

"I know, sir," he replied to Achboin, trying to stay calm. "I did not want to go beyond your order or try to make your decision. I'm sorry if that sounded like it. I should have discussed my assumptions with Kanefer first. "

"What do you know?" He asked.

"What is it, sir?" He said calmly, waiting for Pharaoh to calm down. "Do you mean city or palace intrigues?"

"Both," he replied.

"Nothing much. It was not the time and your architect is not very much involved. "You know, after all, yourself," he added, scowling at the last sentence. He could punish him for this boldness.

"Can he be trusted?" He asked.

"He is doing his job well and responsibly," he told him, reflecting on the conditions in the palace. Obviously, even the pharaoh did not feel safe and did not trust anyone. "You must decide for yourself, sir. It's always a risk, but not trusting anyone is too exhausting, and exhaustion brings with it errors of judgment. ”He was afraid of what he had said.

"You are very daring, boy," Pharaoh told him, but there was no anger in his voice, so he relaxed to Achboin. "You may be right. It is necessary to rely primarily on one's own judgment rather than on the reports of others. Which reminds me to write me all the essentials, all the suggestions, all the comments. And as for the palace and its layout, talk to Kanefer about it first. "

Achboin bowed and waited for the order to leave, but it did not happen. Nebuithotpimef wanted to specify some more details about the layout of the city and the progress of the work. Then they finished.

Shai was waiting for him in the hall. "Are we leaving?" He asked.

"No, not until tomorrow," he said wearily. The palace was a maze, and he had a poor orientation, so he let himself be led to the rooms that were intended for the two of them. People watched Shay's figure in astonishment. He was huge, bigger than Pharaoh himself, and he was afraid of him. They got out of their way.

They went into the room. There were prepared meals on the table. Achboin was hungry and stretched out his hand for the fruit. Saj caught his hand.

"No, sir. Not so. "He searched the room and then called the maids. He let them taste food and drinks. Only when he let them go they could finally start eating.

"Is not that unnecessary?" Asked Achboin. "Who wants to get rid of us?"

"No, it's not," Shai replied, his mouth full. “The palace is a treacherous place, little friend, very treacherous. You have to be constantly alert here. It is not just men who want to assert their power. You forget about women. You're the only one who knows their secrets and some don't like it. Don't forget that. "

He laughed, "It's overstating. I do not know so much again. "

"It does not matter, but they do not mind what you know."

He never thought about it. He did not think that the possibility itself could be threatening. He is to meet Nimaathap tomorrow. This must be kept in mind. He was grateful for Shai's friendship and his openness. Fate itself sent him to him. The one whose name Shay bore.

IV. It is necessary to find a way to connect the gods from the south and the north

You called him in the morning. He was surprised, they were to meet at the temple. He stood in front of her, looking at her. His cloak was hot in the cloak Shay had made before he left, but he didn't take it off.

She was younger, younger than she supposed. She looked at him and did not look happy.

"So it's you?" She said, leaning over him. She ordered them to be left alone. Her servants left, but Shay remained standing. She turned to him and again to Achboinu, "I want to talk to you alone."

He nodded and released Shay.

"You are a boy," she told him. "You are too young to be taken seriously."

He was silent. He was used to pausing over his gender and age. "The one I represented, Mistress, was younger than me," he said quietly.

"Yes, but that's different," she said, wondering. "Look," she added after a moment, "I know this environment better than you do and I ask you to trust me. It will not be easy, it will not be easy at all, but the idea of ​​relocating the settlement town we liked. It could prevent further disarray. I hope. "

"So what's the problem, lady?" He asked her.

"In that you move between two worlds - simply in that you are a man. Still a minor, but a man. "

"And also in that I'm not of pure blood?"

"No, it doesn't play that role. At least not here. None of us are pure blood, but… ”she thought. "Maybe that's what we could start with, at least it's something that connects you to them. We also have to do something with your clothes. The first impression is sometimes very important. Sometimes too much, ”she added thoughtfully.

"I don't know what you expect of me," he told her, "I don't know, and I don't know if I want to know. I may have a task, but I guess more than I know. That's why I have to act the way I do, even with the risk that it won't fit into your plans, "he said very quietly, his head down. He was scared. Big fear. But something in him prompted him to finish what he had begun. "You said, madam, that I am still a child and you are right. Sometimes I am a more frightened child than part of the Venerable Hemut Neter. But I know one thing, it is necessary not only to unite the world of men and women, but to find a way to unite the gods from the south and the north, otherwise the new city will be just another city and nothing will solve it. "

She was silent and thinking. He had something in him, maybe they had chosen him correctly. He was far too sensible for the child, and what he said made sense. She remembered the message Neitokret had sent her. A message that their intention was expressed through his mouth. If she makes the same impression on them as on her, they have half won. And then - there's the prophecy. He can also use it if necessary. "I'll have you bring another dress. We'll meet at the temple, ”she added, dismissing him.

He walked beside Shai and was angry and tired. He was silent. He left without knowing the result. He felt abandoned and helpless. He took Shai's hand. He needed to touch something tangible, something human, something concrete, so that the feeling of bitterness and abandonment would not suffocate him. Shai looked at him. He saw the tears in his eyes and hugged him. He felt so humiliated and hurt. He had the despair at heart that he had not accomplished his task, that all his efforts and efforts to find an acceptable solution had dissipated in the women's dispute.

He sat in his room and was grateful that they were not asking questions. He was afraid of another meeting of the Council of the Reverend. He was afraid he had not met their expectations, but he did not meet Meni's expectations, but he was worried most about not meeting his expectations.

He walked down the street to the temple with his head down. He entered the spaces that copied Jesser Jezera in the cave of the old city. He sat down in a place that would rather belong to the one that is no longer between them and remained silent. He felt the eyes of the women, he felt their curiosity and he didn't know how to start. Nihepetmaat spoke. She talked about her failed attempt to find a girl to replace him. She suggested further action and waited for the suggestions of others. Her voice calmed him. She, too, acted in accordance with her Ka, and she also failed.

He knew how he felt, so he said, "Maybe it's not the purity of the blood that matters, but the purity of Ib, the purity of the heart. In Cinevo, not such a meaning is ascribed to the origin, and in the north it will probably be the same. ”He paused, searching for words to describe his thoughts, words to express the hidden concerns of Nihepetmaat. "You know, I don't know if it's good or not. I don't know, "he said, looking at her. "It simply came to our notice then. We have a task and we have to fulfill it. It doesn't matter if it is fulfilled by the one who is determined by origin, but by the one who fulfills it as best as possible, regardless of his own benefit, and can choose the best means for it. ”He thought, remembering the atmosphere in Pharaoh's palace and his hearing at the Temple of Cinevo. He remembered the words that came upon him everywhere that their race was dying out. "Perhaps we are going in the wrong direction in our endeavors," he told her quietly, "perhaps we must seek not a person but a heart that will not abuse knowledge but use it for the benefit of all who are left behind when we go to the other side." He paused and added, "Maybe." Then he took a breath, knowing that now he had to finish what was bothering him: "I failed, too, and I find it difficult." He described his conversation with Pharaoh's wife and his hearing before three. the highest Hemut Neter. He described to them, as best he could, the plan of the new capital and his concerns. He presented them with a plan to end the great divisions between the temples of the Upper and Lower Lands. He talked about the gods and their tasks, outlining how to transfer and modify the individual rituals so that they would gradually receive them in the delta and in the south. He was relieved. On the one hand, he was relieved, on the other, he expected their comments. But the women were silent.

"You say you haven't done your job," Neitokret said, "but you forgot it's not just your job. It's also our task and you don't have to do everything right away, "she said a little rebukingly, but with the kindness of her own. "Maybe it's time for you to be privy to what has been hidden from you so far." This sentence belonged more than to him, and they didn't protest.

You said the assignment, "Meresanch added," and you put tasks - not a small one. You have covered us with so much information that it will take us a while to sort them out and set a plan and procedure. Or rather than modify our plan according to what you told us. No, Achboinue, you did your job. Although it seems that your actions did not have the result you imagined. "She paused and continued," It is sometimes easier to build a house than to persuade people to build it. It takes time, sometimes a lot of time. You did not learn to walk. There are tasks that one human life is not enough for, and that is why we are here. We are a chain whose articles are changing, but its strength remains the same. "

"Sometimes it's easier to build a house than to persuade people to build it." It rang in his ears, and he saw the view from above in front of his eyes - the little people building the canals, then the picture changed and he saw the city from the same height. Scaled down city. He got an idea.

He tried to make small bricks out of clay, but that wasn't it. He sat, his head in his hands, trying to figure out how. The world around him ceased to exist, he was in his city, walking the streets, walking through the palace rooms and walking around the city in the spirit of the defensive wall.

"Is that Mennofer?" He stumbled. Behind him was Sha, with his steady smile on his face, looking at the scaled landscape on the table and the stack of small clay bricks scattered around.

"I do not think so," he said, and smiled at him. He took a small brick in his hand. I can not connect it the way I want it to.

"And why are you connecting them, little friend?" Shai laughed and walked over to the plastered wall in his room. Flowers grew against the wall where the birds were flying, from which they looked at NeTeRu. "Do you see the bricks?"

It happened to him. He chose the wrong course. He focused on the wrong means and not the target. He laughed.

"You have red ores from sleeplessness," Shay said carefully. "They should rest, not just them," he added.

"Why did you come?" Asked Achboin.

"Invite you to hunt," he laughed, squatting beside him. "What are you doing?" He asked.

"Small town. I want to build Mennofer the way it looks when it's done. It will be as if you are looking at him from above. "

"That's not a bad idea," Shai told him, standing up. "So how's the hunt going? Don't you think the rest will benefit you?"

"When?"

"Tomorrow, little friend. Tomorrow, "he laughed, adding," When your eyes are getting their usual color after a long sleep. "

"Who are you building a city for?" Shai asked him as they returned from the hunt.

The question surprised him. He built because he had to. He didn't know exactly why. At first he thought for Pharaoh. That maybe it would be better if they saw it with their own eyes, If he didn't insist that the city look the way it did in Meni's time, which no one knew exactly anyway. But it wasn't just that. The longer he thought about it, the more he was convinced he had to do it, so he didn't hesitate why. He just hoped it would come to that in time.

"I think more for myself," he replied. They walked side by side in silence for a moment, burdened by the caught game and silent. "It's a bit like a game. Children's play, "he added, continuing:" I feel that something else can be changed on this small scale. Move the building there or there. You won't do it with finished buildings. ”He paused in the dream city. About a city that the gods had seen him - a stone city that he would like to build one day.

"Yes," he thought, "It can save a lot of time. Eliminate mistakes. "He nodded. "And what about doing home made of wood? Not in reality, but as a model. To make them so weak that the idea is as truthful as possible. "

Achboin thought. Suddenly, he was afraid that his work was useless. He does not know anything about the construction of houses or temples. What if his ideas can not be realized? He walked beside the eternally smiling man, wondering. He wondered if this was his task. The task for which it was destined or whether it is just another way that does not lead anywhere. Finally, he confided with his fears to Shay.

He dropped his load from his back and stopped. The smile faded from his face. He looked menacing. Achboin was startled.

"I feel guilty," Shai told him without a smile, "guilty of having questioned your task. And also the feeling of disappointment that so little can raise doubts in you and discourage you from working. ”He sat up and reached for the water bag. He drank. "Look, my little friend, it's up to you to finish what you started. It doesn't matter if someone sees your work and uses it. But you can learn a lot yourself, and it's never useless. ”He paused and drank again, then handed the bag to Achboinu. He smiled at him and returned to a good mood. "None of us knows the paths that will take us to NeTeRu and what tasks they will face. None of us knows what we will sometimes benefit from what we learn along the way. If you decide to finish what you started, look for means to finish. If you want your improvements to be realized, look for ways to agree and convince others. If you need help, seek help. And if you're as hungry as I am, hurry to where they can eat you, ”he said with a laugh, getting to his feet.

The work was almost done. He tried to get the best of Kanefer's plans, but something made him make some adjustments. There was a tiny city in front of him, surrounded by a large white wall, only a place for the palace was empty. He searched for as much information as possible about the old Mennofer in the scrolls, but what he had read sounded incredibly incredible, and he kept his impressions still alive.

His worried face brightened when he saw him. The welcome was almost warm. Achboinu was a little surprised, even though he knew that for Kanefer, the visit was more of a rest - an escape from the palace's intrigues. They sat in the garden, protected by the shade of the trees, and drank the sweet juice of melons. Kanefer was silent, but there was relief on his face, so he didn't want to disturb Achboin with questions.

"I brought you something," he said after a moment, nodding at his assistant. "I hope it doesn't spoil your mood, but I haven't been idle either." The boy returned with the arms of the scrolls and placed them in front of Achboinu.

"What is it?" He asked, waited until he was instructed to unroll the scrolls.

"Drawings," Kanefer said laconically, waiting for the first scroll to unfold. The streets of the city were filled with people and animals. Unlike his model, there was a palace decorated with beautiful paintings.

"I think it's time to judge your work," Kanefer said, standing up.

Achboin's heart pounded with fear and anticipation. They entered a room where, in the center of it, on a huge table, lay a city interwoven with a network of canals and large temples grouped around a sacred lake.

"Beautiful," Kanefer complimented, leaning over the city. "I see you've made some changes, and I hope you'll explain the reason to me." There was neither arrogance nor reproach in her voice, only curiosity. He leaned over the mock-up of the city and looked at the details. He began with a wall that stretched around the city, followed by temples and houses, and continued on to the empty center, where the palace was to dominate. The empty space screamed when it was full. The wide path leading from Itera was lined with sphinxes and ended in emptiness. He was silent. He studied the city closely and compared it to his plans.

"All right, Reverend," he broke his silence and looked at Achboinu, "we'll get to the mistakes you make later, but don't strain me now."

Achboin motioned for him to go to the second room. There stood the palace. He was bigger than the city's mock-up and was proud of him. The individual floors could be separated, so they could see the entire building from within.

Kanefer did not spare his praise. The palace - or rather the complex of individual buildings connected to each other - formed a whole building that resembled a temple with its size. Its walls were white, the second and third floors were lined with columns. Even in a diminished form, he acted majestically, equal to the Ptah Temple.

"The walls of the second and third floors will not hold," Kanefer said.

"Yes, he will," he said to Achboina. "I asked Venerable Chentkaus, who masters the art of the Sixes, for help, and she helped me with the plans and calculations." "Look, sir, the walls are a combination of stone and brick, where there is stone, there are columns that cast shadow and cool the air flowing to the upper floors.

Kanefer leaned in, but could see better. However, he was not following the wall, but was fascinated by the stairs on the side of the building. It connected the upper floor with the first and stretched below the palace. But he did not see the East. The central staircase was spacious enough to reflect on the function of this narrow staircase, which was hidden behind a rough wall. He looked at Achboinu incomprehensibly.

"It's an escape," he told him, "and not just that." He turned the plate behind the throne of Pharaoh. "It gives him access to the hall so no one is being watched. It will appear and no one will know where it came from. A moment of surprise is sometimes very important, "he added, recalling the words of Nimaathap about the importance of the first impression.

"The gods have endowed you with great talent, boy," Kanefer told him, smiling at him. "And as I see, Sia fell in love with you and gave you more sense than others. Don't waste NeTeR's gifts. ”He paused. Then he went to the second floor of the palace and then to the third. He was silent and studied the individual rooms next door.

"Do you have any plans?" He asked, frowning.

"Yes," he said to Achboin, and began to worry that his work was in vain.

"Look, sometimes it's better to take it away so that the whole thing can be enforced, and sometimes you forget what's going on in each room. But these are the little things that can be fixed without leaving a scar on the overall impression. ”The boy could be dangerous to him, he thought, but he didn't feel danger. Maybe it's his age, maybe the innocent look he looked at him, maybe his fatigue. "It's my fault," he added after a moment, "I didn't give you the right time to explain the functions of the palace, but we can fix that. Come on, let's go back to the city first and I'll show you where you made your mistakes. First you need to rebuild and expand the dams - secure the city from floods. The original ones will not be enough… "

"Thank you for your kindness to the boy," Meresanch said.

"There was no need for leniency, Reverend, the boy has tremendous talent and would make him a great architect. Maybe you should consider my suggestion, ”he replied, bowing.

"Talk to the boy about it first. We do not dictate what to do. Only he knows that. And if it is his task, if it is his mission, then we will not hinder him. Sooner or later, he would still have to decide what to further his education in. ”She sighed. They began to take his presence for granted, but the boy grew, and they knew that there would be a time when he would spend more time out of their reach than with them. This increased the risk of losing him. Even Maatkare realized that his words outside would find more response than hers. She was their mouth, but he could successfully take over her role. Still, whatever he decides, there is still a lot of work to be done before he can prepare him for life in the outside world.

 "It won't work," he told Achboin. He remembered the upset of Pharaoh when he asked him to stay in the palace. The city of residence was not accessible to him and he asked again to be allowed to stay, albeit because of his studies with Kanefer - it would be like barefoot teasing a cobra.

"Why not?" Kanefer asked calmly. "It seems unreasonable to wipe out a talent like you. And besides, I'm not the youngest anymore, and I need a helper. "

"Do not you have children, sir?" Asked Achboin.

"No, the NeTers have been successful, but ..." his eyes wet. "They took my children and my wife ..."

Achboin felt the sadness with which Kanefer was filled. It surprised him. He did not suppose that the man was capable of such strong feeling, such great pain. He remembered Neitokret's words when she said she was judging him before she really knew him and that she knew nothing about his fear. Fear of losing the most expensive thing again. He shut himself off from his feelings, locked himself in a prison of his loneliness and fear. Now he lets him into the space of his soul and he has to refuse.

"Why not?" He repeated his question.

Achboin hesitated, "You know, sir, I can not go to Cineva for now. It is a command of Pharaoh. "

Kanefer nodded and thought. He did not ask for the reason for the ban, and Achboin was grateful for him.

"We'll think of something. I do not say that right now, but we will think. "He looked at him and smiled," I thought you were leaving with me, but fate decided differently. I have to wait. I'll let you know, "he added.

He didn't fly this time, but he was on a boat. He realized in Achboin that this gave him time to rethink everything and make the final adjustments so that they would be acceptable to both the priest and Pharaoh. He knew that he would take care of his model, and in his mind he hoped that Pharaoh would consent to his teaching.

"It is time to advance," she said in the silence of Nihepetmaat.

"It's a risk," Meresanch said. "It's a big risk, and do not forget he's a man."

"Maybe the problem is that we don't forget that he's a boy," Neitokret said softly. "He has done nothing wrong with our laws, and yet we are vigilant. Maybe it's that we cling more to gender and blood than to purity of heart. "

"You mean we forgot our task for the outside?" Chentkaus asked, stopping any objections with her hand. "There is always a risk and we forget about it! And it doesn't matter if it's a woman or a man! There is always a risk that knowledge may be misused, and that risk increases with initiation. We were no exception. ”She added in silence. "It simply came to our notice then. It is time to take the risk that our decision may not be the right one. We can't wait any longer. Sooner or later they would leave this place anyway. And if he leaves, he needs to be ready and know what he will have to face. "

"We don't know how much time we have," Maatkare said. "And we must not forget that he is still a child. Yes, he is smart and smart, but he is a child and some facts might not be acceptable to him. But I agree with you that we can't wait any longer, we could lose his trust. We also want him to come back and continue our task. "

"We have to make one decision," Achnesmerire said, looking at Maatcar. The women fell silent, their eyes fixed on Meresanch.

She was silent. She lowered her eyes and was silent. She knew they wouldn't press, but it hurt. She was the only one who objected again. Then she took a breath and looked at them, "Yes, I agree, and I agreed before that, but now I want you to listen to me. Yes, you are right that the risk increases with each level of initiation. But you forget that women have always had different conditions. Our temples stretch along the entire course of the Itera, and the entrance to them has always been open to us. He was also open because we are women - but he is a man. Will they be open to him? Will the temples of men be opened to him? His position is not easy at all. Neither women nor men will accept it without reservation, and if they do, they will try to use it for their purposes. That's what I see as the risk. The pressure on him will be much stronger than on any of us, and I don't know if he's ready for it. ”She paused, wondering if what she said was understandable to them. The words were not her strong point, and she had never tried to do that, but now she was trying to clarify her concerns about the child who had become part of them. "And I don't know," she continued, "I don't know how to prepare him for it."

They were silent and looked at her. They understood very well what she wanted to say.

"Well," said Achnesmerire, "at least we know we are united." She looked at all the women around, and continued, "But it does not solve the problem you met us, Meresanch.

"Perhaps it would be best," Neitokret said in silence, "for you to outline all the risks to him and look with him for ways to avoid them or face them."

"I can't do it with children." She shook her head and closed her eyes.

"Maybe it's time for you to start learning," Nihepetmaat said, standing up and putting her hand on her shoulder. She knew her pain, she knew her fear. Meresanch gave birth to three dead children, and one that was heavily deformed had lived for a while, but died when he was two years old. "Look," she said, changing the tone, "you yourself said something we missed. You can best foresee possible dangers, but you also need to know them better. Then you will determine the resources that are his own. "

"I have to think about it," Meresanch said after a moment, opening her eyes. "I'm not sure ..." she swallowed and added very quietly, "... if I can do it."

"Can I do it?" Chentkaus asked her. "You haven't started yet! Don't you know what to do and who? ”She waited for her words to reach the one she was intended for, adding,“ You're not alone and it's not just your job. Don't forget. "

The words struck her, but she was grateful for it. She was grateful that she had not mentioned her self-pity, in which she had fallen in recent years. She looked at her and nodded. She smiled. The smile was a little convulsive, smelled of sadness, but it was a smile. Then she thought. The idea was so relentless that she had to say it: "We are talking about unanimity, but there are only six of us. Isn't that unfair to him? We are talking about his future, about his life without him. I feel that we are sinning against Maat ourselves. "

He finished the papyrus and set it down beside him. His cheeks burned with shame and rage. They all knew it, the plan had already been given in advance, and his suggestions, his comments, were completely useless. Why didn't they tell him. He felt terribly stupid and lonely. He felt deceived, isolated from this community and isolated from the company of people he once knew. The feeling that it didn't belong anywhere was unbearable.

Meresanch stopped weaving and watched him. She waited for it to explode, but the explosion did not take place. He bowed his head as if to hide from the world. She got up and walked over to him. He didn't raise his head, so she sat down, legs crossed, across from him, and took his hand.

"Are you upset?"

He nodded, but did not look at her.

"Are you angry?" She watched the rosary on her cheeks grow stronger.

"Yes," he said through gritted teeth, looking up at her. She held his gaze, and he felt he couldn't take it anymore. He wanted to jump out, break something, tear something. But she sat across from him, silent, looking at him with eyes full of sadness. He yanked his hand from hers. She didn't fight back, she just seemed sad and the feeling of anger increased.

"You know, I feel helpless now. I do not know if I'm the one who should teach you. I can not use the words and dexterity of my own Maatkar and I miss the ability of Achnesmerire's immediateness. "She sighed and looked at him. "Try to tell me what your anger has caused."

He looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. Sadness and helplessness emanated from her. Fear, he felt fear and regret. "I, I can't. It's a lot and it hurts! ”He shouted and jumped up. He began to pace the room, as if trying to escape from his own rage, from the question he was asking, from himself.

"It does not matter, we have plenty of time," she said softly, standing up. "Let's start with something."

He stopped and shook his head. Tears streamed down his cheeks. She went to him and hugged him. Then he spoke. Between sobs, she heard bursts of self-pity and hurt, and she seemed to be standing in front of her own mirror. No, it wasn't pleasant at all, but now it was more important what to do next.

"What's next?" She asked herself, looking at the boy's shoulders, which slowly stopped shaking. She released him and knelt beside him. She wiped his eyes and led him to a state. She handed the shuttle to him. "Go on," she told him, and he thoughtlessly began to go where she left off. He didn't understand the point of the task, but he had to focus on what he was doing - he had never been good at weaving, so his anger and regret slowly drifted away with each new row. Thoughts began to form into a kind of outline. He stopped and looked at his work. The line between what Meresanch fought and what he fought was clear.

"I can not make it. I ruined your work, "he told her, looking at her.

She stood above him and smiled, "Neit taught us to weave to teach us the order of Maat. Look well what you did. Watch out well the warp and the escape, watch the strength and the regularity of the threading. Look at the different parts of your action. "

He leaned over the canvas and watched where he had made a mistake. He saw the stiffness, the error in the rhythm of the shed, but he also saw how gradually, as he calmed down, his work on quality gained. He did not reach her perfection, but in the end his work was better than in the beginning.

"You are a good teacher," he smiled at her.

"I'm done for today," she told him, handing him the scrolls he had previously put down. "Try to read them again. Again and more carefully. Try to find the differences between what is written and what you have come to. Then we'll talk about it-if you want to.

He nodded. He was tired and hungry, but most of all he needed to be alone for a while. He needed to sort out the confusion in his head, to arrange the individual thoughts as the individual threads of the canvas were arranged. He left her house and looked around. Then he headed for the temple. He still has time to eat and think for a while before performing the ceremonies.

"They'll cut you off soon," Shay laughed and laughed at him as a child's jerk.

Achboin thought. That moment came to nothing, and he was not sure if he was ready.

"Where did your Ka go, my little friend?" Shay asked, gesturing. Since the morning, the boy was not in his skin. He did not like it, but he did not want to ask.

"Yes," he said after a moment, "they cut off." I should also get a name. His first name, "he added, thinking. "You know, my friend, I do not know who I am. I do not have a name - I'm no one, I do not know where I come from, and the only one who might know it is dead. "

"That's what bothers you," he thought.

"I'm Nobody," he said to Achboin.

"But you have a name," opposed Shay.

"No, I have not. They always called me a boy - in the temple where I grew up, and when they wanted to give me a name, She - the priestess Tehenut, the one from Saja, came and took me away. She started calling me that, but it's not my name. I don't have the name my mother gave me, or I don't know it. I don't have a name to be called. I don't know who I am and if I am. You're asking where my Ka got lost. He's wandering because he can't find me. I don't have a name. ”He sighed. He told him something that had bothered him for a long time and came upon him more and more. The more he studied the gods, the more the question arose about who he really was and where he was going.

"Well, I wouldn't look at it, so tragically," Shai said after a moment, laughing. Achboin looked at him in astonishment. Doesn't he know how important the name is?

"Look at it from the other side, little friend," he continued. "Look, what can't be returned can't be returned, and there's no need to worry about it. Rather, think about what to do next. You say you're not - but tell me, who am I talking to? With whom do I go hunting and with whom do I fly above the ground, how crazy, all the time? ”He looked at him to see if he was listening and also if he had hurt him with his words. He continued: "There are mothers who give their children secret names, such as Beauty or Brave, and the child will grow into a woman, not exactly the most beautiful, or a man who is not brave. Then the mother is a little disappointed that her expectations have not been met, the child is unhappy because instead of walking on her own path, she is constantly pushed into the path that someone else is forcing on him. ”He checked Achboinu again. "Are you listening to me?"

"Yes," he said, "go on, please."

"Sometimes it is very difficult to resist others and go where your Ka pulls you, or what your Ah commands. You have an advantage in that. You determine where you go, even if you don't think so at the moment. You can determine who you are. You can determine in your own name the direction you will take and answer only to yourself whether you are the content of your renu - name has been promised or confirmed. Do not waste these possibilities. "

"But," he countered Achboina. "I do not know where I am going. It seems to me that I am moving in a maze and I cannot find a way out. One day it draws me there, the second time there, and when it seems to me that I have found what I am looking for, they take it as a toy for a naughty child. ”He said sadly, remembering his tasks and how he had been separated from them. .

Shai laughed and tugged at his braid. "You speak as if your life is about to end, and yet you still feel nursing milk on your tongue. Why should your life be without obstacles? Why shouldn't you learn from your own mistakes? Why should you know everything right now? You won't change what was, but look and try what is now and then determine what will happen. Your Ka will tell you where to go and Ba will help you choose ren - your name. But it takes time, open eyes and ears, and mainly open soul. You yourself can choose your Mother and your Father, or you can be your mother and father yourself, like Ptah or Neit. Besides, by not having a name - or you do not know him - you have nothing to misappropriate. You alone determine what you will fulfill your fate. "

Achchina was silent and listened. He thought of Shaah's name. What the great man said here denied the predestination of fate - the god whose name he wore. Has Shay taken his fate into his own hands, is he the creator of his own destiny? But then it occurred to him that he was his destiny, for his friendship had certainly given him Shay himself.

"Remember, my little friend, that you are everything that was, what is and what will be ... " the holy text hurt him. "You are the option yourself - you are what you are now and you can determine when you are. You are like Niau - who rules what is not yet, but where is it said he can not? That's why choose good, my little friend, because you'll be the one who gives you the name, "he added, patting him loosely on his back.

"I like it, "said Nebuithotpimef," the idea of ​​a side staircase is excellent. "

"It's not mine, sir," he replied, hesitating to mention his plan with the boy.

"Is he his?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

It seemed to Kanefer that a shadow of ill will appeared on his face and he only nodded and remained silent. He was silent and waited.

"He has talent," he said to himself, then turned to Kanefer. "Does he have talent?"

"Great, my lord. He has a sense for detail and the whole, and he already surpasses many adult men in this field with his skills. "

"It is strange," said Pharaoh, thinking, "perhaps the prophecies did not lie," he thought to himself.

"I have a great request, the greatest," Kanefer said, his voice shaking with fear. Nebuithotpimef nodded, but did not look at him. Kanefer insisted, but decided to continue. He wanted to use the chances if he offered himself and continued: "I would like to teach him ..."

"No!" He said angrily, looking at Kanefer. "He can not go to Cineva and he knows it."

Kanefer was afraid. He was so afraid that he was afraid that his knees would break under him, but he did not want to give up his fight: "Yes, sir, he knows, and for that reason he refused my offer. But he has talent - great talent and he could do many great things for you. I can teach him at Mennofer as soon as the city renewal work begins, and he can also help me complete your TaSetNefer (a place of beauty = an afterlife). He would be out of Cinev, sir. ”His heart was pounding, his ears pounding. He stood before Pharaoh, waiting for Ortel.

"Sit down," he told him. He saw his fear and the paleness of his face. He motioned to the servant, who moved his chair and gently seated Kanefer in it. Then he sent everyone out of the room. "I don't want to endanger his life, it's too valuable for me," he said softly, surprised by the sentence himself. "If his safety can be ensured, you have my permission."

"I'll try to find out as much as possible in Ptah's Ka House," Kanefer lowered.

Nebuithotpimef nodded, adding, "Tell me, but do not hurry. Rather, make sure twice to see if it's safe for him. If it is safe for him, it will be safe for you, and vice versa, do not forget it. "

"I do not know if I'm ready," he said after a moment.

"Do not you know, or did not you think about it?" Meresanch asked him.

"Maybe both," he said, standing up. "You know, I was busy with what you said last time. I am a man among women and a non-man among men. I don't know who I am and they don't know either. My position is a bit unusual. What we don't know raises concerns or a shadow of suspicion… No, otherwise, Meresanch. I am part of where men do not belong, and that is a breach of order. The order that ruled here for many years. The question is whether this is a violation and whether it is not a violation of the Maat order that has been established here before. Place of cooperation - separation, place of convergence - polarization. We talk all the time about establishing peace between Set and Horus, but we do not follow it ourselves. We are fighting. We fight for positions, we hide, we hide - not to pass on at the right time, but to hide and gain a stronger position. ”He spread his hands and shook his head. He didn't know what to do next. He was looking for words, but he couldn't find the right ones to bring her closer to what he wanted to say, so he just added: "That's what kept me busy. But I am afraid that at the moment I am not able to communicate my thoughts more clearly. I'm not clear on that yet. "

Meresanch was silent, waiting for him to calm down. She didn't know what to say, but she had a task and she knew she had to prepare it. "Look, there are questions we've been looking for answers all our lives. What you said is not meaningless and you are most likely right. But if you have it, then you must be able to communicate it in order to be accepted, it must have a comprehensible and convincing form, and it must be communicated at the right time. Sometimes it takes a lot of time, sometimes it is necessary to promote things gradually, in small doses as you dose the drug. "

"Yes, I'm aware of that," he interrupted. He did not want to return to this topic. He wasn't ready to discuss it with anyone but himself. "Yes, I know I should focus on my near future right now. I know you need to prepare for life outside this city. You ask if I'm ready. I don't know, but I know that one day I have to take that step. I can hardly predict everything that may happen in the future, but if you're wondering if I'm aware of the risks - I am. I'm not saying that everyone… ”he paused. "You know, I'm asking myself where I'm going. Which way is the one I am supposed to follow and if I follow it, or have I already left it? I don't know, but I know one thing, and I know for sure - I want to go to peace and not to fight - whether it's a struggle between regions, people or myself, and I know that before I do, I'll have to fight a lot, especially with myself. .

"That's enough," she stopped him halfway through the sentence and looked at him. "I think you're ready." She was surprised by what he said. She didn't want him to continue. His path is only his, and she knew the power of words and did not want him to confess to anyone other than himself for not fulfilling them. He was still too young and did not want to leave the burden of decisions to him, which could be influenced by the inexperience of youth, ignorance of their own resources and their own limitations. "Look, the day of your independence will come - even if in your case it's just a ritual, because you don't know your mother or father. Nevertheless, you should accept the name you choose. A name with which you would like to connect your destiny and which would also remind you of the moment of your next initiation.

"No, I don't know," he said, frowning. "Look, I've been thinking about this for a long time, and I don't know if I'm ready - or if I want to decide on my task at the moment. I don't know yet, I'm not sure, so I'll keep what I have. When the time is right… "

"Well, you have a right to it and we will respect that. Personally, I think you know you know your way, but it's up to you to decide to follow it. One must mature for every decision. Time is an important part of life - the right time. No one can order you to go there or there. It would not be your decision and it would not be your responsibility. It wouldn't be your whole life. ”She looked at him and realized it was the last time. Who knows how much time will pass before they see him again. Perhaps only on brief occasions of ceremonies and holidays, but these conversations with him will not be possible there. "Don't worry," she added quite unnecessarily. "We will respect that. But now is the time to prepare. ”She kissed his cheek and tears came to her eyes. She turned and left.

It's time to clean up. His head was hairless and eyebrows, he was chewing soda in his mouth, this time shaving his hair. He stood in the bathroom, looking in the mirror. There was no longer a little boy who came here accompanied by the priestess Tehenut. The face of another, thin, with too big a nose and gray eyes, looked at him in the mirror. He heard him coming and went out the door. Shai stood in the room with his eternal smile, holding a cloak in his hand to cover his cleansed body.

He went through the purgatory smoke to the sound of a drum and sister, accompanied by the singing of women. He smiled. He was eliminated from singing, at least until his voice unexpectedly jumped from key to key. He entered a dark room that was supposed to represent a cave of rebirth. No bed, no statues of gods to give him at least a semblance of protection - just bare ground and darkness. He sat down on the floor, trying to calm his breath. The sound of drums and the singing of women did not come here. Silence. The silence was so deep that both the sound of his breath and the rhythm of his heart were regular. Regular as the regularity of time, as the alternation of day and night, as the alternation of life and death. Thoughts rotated in his head in a wild roar that he could not stop.

Then he realized how tired he was. Tired of the events that had happened since he left the House of Nechenteje. Tired of constant contact with other people. He suddenly realized how little time he had on himself. To stay with him for a while is only for a while - not just the brief moments he has left between activities. So now she has it. He has plenty of time now. The thought calmed him. She calmed his breath, calmed his heartbeat and thoughts. He closed his eyes and let things flow. He has a time. Or rather, there is no time for him, his moment of birth has not yet come. He imagined a stairway leading down to the depths of the Earth. A long, spiral staircase, the end of which he could not see, and he set out in his mind. He knew he had to come back first. Go back to the beginning of your being, perhaps even earlier, perhaps to the very beginning of the creation of everything - to the idea that was expressed and that gave the beginning of creation. Only then can he go back, then he can climb up the stairs again to Reo's light or Nut's arms…

He winced, feeling stiff limbs and cold. His Ka is back. The moment of return was accompanied by a dazzling white light. It went blind, but his eyes were closed, so he had to withstand the blow of light. Slowly he began to feel the heartbeat of his heart. Each stroke was accompanied by a new scene. He sensed breath - quiet, regular, but necessary for life itself. There were tones from his mouth, and in the middle of those tones he saw his name. He saw, but only for a short time. For a moment so short that he wasn't sure of the scene. Suddenly, tones, characters, thoughts began to circle in a crazy rhythm, as if they were entering a whirlwind. He saw fragments of events long past and future. He revealed Tehenut's veil and was afraid he had gone mad. Then everything shrank into a single point of light that began to fade into the pitch black darkness.

V. The possibilities, the ones you know nothing about, cause fear. Fear of the unknown.

"Yes, I heard," Meni said, standing up. He paced the room nervously for a moment, then turned to him. "It's time for us to talk." He waited for Achboin to settle, sitting across from him. "Hutkaptah is very close to the north and the situation is still not consolidated, you know. Fighting led by Sanacht is constantly going on there. Ptah's House will provide you with security, but the risk is there. I would like one of ours to go with you. "

Shai attacked him, but he was silent. He didn't talk to him about it and didn't want to force him to do anything, but that would be the best solution. He was his friend, strong and foresighted enough. He was silent and thought.

"Why such measures? Why with me? It's not just that I belong to the Venerable Hemut Neter. ”He asked, looking at him.

She looked away.

"I want to know," he said firmly. "I want to know. It's my life and I have the right to make decisions about it. "

Meni smiled. "It's not that simple. The time has not yet come. And don't interrupt… ”he said sharply when he saw his protests. "It is a very short time since Sanacht was defeated, but it was only a partial victory and the country is only seemingly united. His supporters are still on alert, ready to harm. They are hidden and quiet, but waiting for their opportunity. Mennofer is too close to Ion, too close to where his power was strongest and where it came from. The Great House of Reu can hide many of our enemies, and they can threaten the fragile stability of Tameri. Even in Saja, where the Great MeritNeit had the archives of the Mighty Word transferred, their influence permeated. It wasn't a good choice, "he said to himself.

"And what does that have to do with me?" Achboin said angrily.

Meni thought. He didn't want to divulge more than he wanted, but at the same time he didn't want to leave his questions unanswered. "We are not quite sure of your origin, but if it is as we assume, then knowing who you are could endanger not only yourself but others as well. Trust me, I can't tell you more at this point, even if I wanted to. It would be very dangerous. I promise you'll know everything, but please be patient. The matter is too serious and a reckless decision could jeopardize the future of the whole country.

He didn't tell him anything again. He didn't understand a word of what he was suggesting. Its origin was shrouded in mystery. Okay, but which one? He knew Meni wouldn't say more. He knew there was no point in insisting, but the little he said worried him.

"You should accept the escort of one of ours," Meni broke the silence, breaking the thread of his thoughts.

"I'd like Shai by my side, if he agrees. Alone and voluntarily! ”He added emphatically. "If he doesn't agree, then I don't want anyone and I will rely on Kanefer's escort and my own judgment," he said, standing up. "I'll talk to him about it myself and let you know."

He left annoyed and confused. He needed to be alone for a while so he could think about everything again. An interview with Shai awaited him, and he was afraid he would refuse. He was afraid that he would remain alone again, without any clue, dependent only on himself. He entered the temple. He nodded to greet Nihepetmaat and headed for the shrine. He opened a secret door and descended to a sacred cave with a granite table - the table on which he placed the body of a dead little blind girl. He needed to hear her voice. A voice that calmed the storms in his soul. The cold of the stone penetrated his fingers. He sensed structure and strength. He sensed the strength of the worked rock and slowly, very slowly, began to calm down.

He felt a light touch on his shoulder. He turned. Nihepetmaat. He looked irritated, but that didn't deter her. She stood there, silent, looking at him, an unspoken question in her eyes. She waited for anger to pass, throwing a cloak over his shoulders so that his body wouldn't get too cold. He realized the motherhood of the gesture and his lovingness, and anger was replaced by regret as well as an understanding of the ritual. The gesture said more than words. It attacked something that is in every person and was therefore understandable to everyone. He smiled at her, grabbed her arm carefully, and slowly led her out.

"I was saying goodbye to her," he told her. "I miss. I haven't known her for a long time and I don't know if well, but she always appeared when I needed her advice. "

"Are you worried?" She asked.

"I do not want to talk about it now. I'm confused. All the time I ask who I really am, and when I feel that the light of knowledge is within my reach, it goes out. No, I don't want to talk about it now. "

"When are you leaving?"

"Three days," he answered, looking around the temple. He tried to memorize every detail, trying to recall every detail. Then he stared at her and began to scream. Even under the makeup, she saw her pale. He grabbed her hand and found it unnaturally wet and cold. "Are you ill?" He asked her.

"I'm old," she told him, smiling. Old age brings with it illness and exhaustion. Old age is preparation for the journey back.

He felt a chill in the back of his neck. The scene reminded him of him leaving Chasechemvey. He shook with fear and cold.

"Just calm, Achboinue, just calm," she said, caressing his face. "I only need more heat. The cave's cold is not good for my old bones. "They walked out into the courtyard, and she set her face against the rays of the setting sun.

"I will miss him," he told her, setting his face to the mild warmth as well.

"We will always be with you," she said, looking at him, "we will always be with you in thought. Don't forget that you are part of us. "

"He smiled. "Sometimes thoughts are not enough, Supreme."

"And sometimes you do not feel part of us," she replied, and waited until she looked at her.

He cheered. She said something she had sometimes hidden from herself. She was right, the feeling that they did not belong anywhere. He looked at her and she continued:

"Is there something in you that doesn't belong to anyone - only you, and that's why you keep your distance from others? Ahboinue, it was not to be remorse, but rather a concern for you. Please remember one thing. We are always here and we are here for you, just as you are here for us. None of us will ever abuse this privilege, but use it whenever necessary - not for us or for individuals, but for this country. You still feel like you have to deal with everything yourself. It is the influence of both your youth and your closedness. But it's also the easiest way to make mistakes, overestimate your strength, or make ill-considered decisions. Dialogue refines thoughts. You can always refuse a helping hand, even if it is offered to you. It's your right. But we will be here, we will be here for you, always ready to offer you help in times of need and not to bind you. "

"It's not easy with me," he said apologetically. "You know, Nihepetmaat, there is too much chaos, too much restlessness and anger in me, and I don't know what to do with it. That's why I sometimes withdraw - for fear of hurting. "

“Cities are a very tricky thing. If they get out of control, then they gain strength over who is to control them. They get their own lives and become a powerful tool of chaos. Remember Sutech, remember Sachmet when they left the power of their anger out of control. And it is a great force, huge and powerful, that can destroy everything around it in the blink of an eye. But it is a force that drives life forward. It's just a force and you have to learn to handle it like everything. Learn to recognize emotions and their origin and then use this energy not for uncontrolled destruction, but for creation. It is necessary to keep things and events in balance, otherwise they will fall into chaos or indifference. ”She paused, then laughed. Briefly and almost imperceptibly. She added apologetically, "I don't want to read you Levites here. No way. I also didn't want to say goodbye to you by repeating to you here what we have already told you and taught you. I'm sorry, but I had to tell you this - maybe for the peace of my Ka. "

He hugged her and longing flooded his heart. He hasn't left yet and is he missing? Or is it a fear of the unknown? On the one hand, he felt strong, on the other hand, he showed a child who begged for familiar safety, the protection of those he knew. He knew it was time to walk through the gate of adulthood, but the child in him revolted and looked back, holding out his hands and begging to be allowed to stay.

"Meresanch has offered to take over your duties so that you have enough time to prepare for the trip," she told him.

"She's kind," he replied. "But it will not be needed, I can handle it."

"It's not that you can do it, Achboinue. The point is that this manifestation of her kindness, as you say, is a manifestation of her feelings for you. She's losing the son you are to her, and that's her way of expressing her feelings for you. You should accept the offer, but whether you accept it is up to you. ”She left, leaving him alone.

"He thought about how, by looking at himself, he neglects the others. He changed may and headed for Meresanch's house. He walked to the door and stopped. He realized he knew nothing about her. He did not get further in his thoughts.

The door opened and a man stood inside. A cat ran out the door and began to crawl at Achboin's feet. The man stopped. "Who 'he wanted to ask, but then he saw the priests' robes and smiled. "Keep going, boy, he's in the garden." He nodded at the young maid to show him the way.

Meresanch squatted at the herb bed, busy. Achboin nodded his thanks to the maids and walked slowly over to her. She didn't notice him at all, so he stood there, watching her hands carefully examine each plant. He squatted beside her and took a bunch of herbs from her hands, which she tore from the ground.

"You scared me," she told him with a smile, taking the collected herbs from his hand.

"I didn't mean to," he told her, "but I was let in by a hulk that I must have been laughing at," he said, seemingly concerned. "You should eat more," he pointed to the greenery in their hands. It will benefit not only your nails, but also your blood, "he added.

She laughed and hugged him. "Come home, you're hungry," she told him, and Achboin realized it was the first time she'd seen her happily laugh.

"You know, I came to thank you for your offer, but ..."

"But ... do you refuse?" She said somewhat disappointedly.

"No, I will not refuse, on the contrary. I need advice, Meresanch, I need somebody to listen to me, scold me or fight me. "

"I can imagine your confusion and your doubts. Even your hopelessness, but you won't get more with Meni. She won't tell you anything at this point, even if they torture him, ”she told him as she listened. "One thing is for sure, if one has concerns, they are justified. He is not a man who says reckless words or does reckless actions. And if they're hiding something from you, he knows why. He didn't have to tell you anything, either, but he did, even though he knew it would raise a wave of your displeasure. ”She walked around the room and leaned against a pillar in the room. He seemed to need time.

He watched her. He watched her speak, her gestures, the look on her face, the look as she thought about something.

"I can't order you to trust him. No one will force you to do that if you don't want to, but he probably has reasons why he didn't tell you more, and I personally think he's strong. There is no point in thinking about this at this time. There's nothing you can do about it. Just take note. Don't speculate. You know too little for your thoughts to go in the right direction. You have a path ahead of you - a task you have to focus on. He's right about one thing. One of ours should go with you. "

It brought him back to the task at hand. She didn't alleviate his confusion, not yet, but in one thing Nihepetmaat was right — dialogue refines thoughts.

She went back to her place and sat beside him. She was silent. She was exhausted. Perhaps in words, in so many words ... He grabbed her hand. She looked at him and hesitated. Still, she continued, "There's one other thing. It's equally uncertain, but maybe you should know. "

He noticed. He saw that she was hesitant, but he didn't want to force her to do something she would regret.

"There is a prophecy. A prophecy that may apply to you. But the catch is that none of us know him. "

He looked at her in astonishment. He didn't believe much in prophecy. There are few who have been able to go through the web of time, and mostly it was just the right intuition, a good estimate of things to come, which will come out one day, not another. No, the prophecy somehow didn't suit her.

"Maybe you know more about Sai. I say maybe, because I do not know any more, and as you know yourself, all records, or almost all, were destroyed by Sanachta. "

He walked slowly home. He left the conversation with Shai for tomorrow. She has time, she still has time, and thanks to her. She took on his responsibilities, as if she knew what awaited him. He thought that after talking to her, he would be clear in his head, but everything got even worse. He had a mixture of thoughts in his head and a mixture of emotions in his body. He needed to calm down. He entered the house, but in its walls he felt like he was in prison, so he went out into the garden and sat on the ground. He turned his eyes to Sopdet. The light of the twinkling star calmed him. It was like a beacon in the midst of turbulent waves of his thoughts. His body ached, as if he were carrying heavy burdens all day - as if the meaning of what he had heard today materialized. He tried to relax, his gaze resting on the bright star, trying not to think of anything but a small flashing light in the dark. Then his Ka melted away, merging with the bright light, and he saw the fragments of events again, trying to remember a little more than on the day of his rebirth.

"Why did not you tell me anything about the prophecy?" He asked Meni.

"I think I told you more than was healthy. Besides, Meresanch is right. None of us know what this is all about. But if you want, maybe little could be found. We have our resources. "

"No, it doesn't matter. Not at the moment. I guess it would confuse me more. Also, it can only be an expectation of hope. Those from Saja came out with him after the destruction of the archive, and it might well have been their revenge. This is also a consequence of separation - you suddenly don't know what the other party is doing, what they know and what they can do. The possibilities, the very ones you know nothing about, are the ones that cause fear. Fear of the unknown. "

"Good tactics," Meni said.

"Good to use and easy to use," Achboin added.

"When are you leaving?" He asked, even in an effort to reverse the direction of the conversation.

"Tomorrow," he told him, continuing, "I have nothing to do here, I want to come earlier so I can see Mennofer myself. I want to know how the work has progressed since I was there with Kanefer.

"That's not reasonable. Too dangerous, "Meni replied, frowning.

"Maybe," he said to Achboina. "Listen, destroying the Powerful Word archive is a great loss for us. But there will definitely be copies, there are certainly those who still know and it is necessary to collect everything that is left, to supplement what is in human memory. Find a way to put the Powerful Word archive back together. In any case, I would not rely on just one place. This is, in my opinion, much more dangerous and short-sighted. Is there anything that can be done about it? ”

"It simply came to our notice then. Not all temples are willing to provide documents. Especially not those who prospered under Sanacht. He still has his supporters. "

"Will you provide me with information?" He asked with fear.

"Yes, it's not a problem, but it takes time." He thought. He had no idea why Achboin was so interested in that. He did not know his intention. He didn't know if it was just youthful curiosity or the intentions of the women from the Acacia House. "Don't overwhelm your tasks, boy," he said after a moment, "take on your shoulders only as much as you can carry."

He was still tired of the journey, but what Nebuithotpimef said to him had come to him.

"Take it with a grain of salt and do not hold any high hopes for it. Don't forget he has his blood. ”It wasn't easy for him, but he could imagine the confusion it would cause, especially at this time. How easily could those who stood on Sanacht's side use it and abuse it against them.

"It's your blood, and it's also my blood," he said angrily. "He's my son," he said, dropping his hand to the post.

"Keep in mind that this may not be true. No one knows where he came from. They've chosen him from Sai, and that's always suspicious. "

"But he came from the south, from the temple of Nechenteje, as far as I know."

"Yes," Nebuithotpimef sighed, "the more complicated." He walked to the table and poured himself wine. He needed to drink. He drank the cup at once, feeling the heat flowing through his body.

"Do not overdo it, son," he said with care, wondering if it was the right time to tell him. But the words were spoken and she did not give it back.

He leaned both hands on the table and bent his head. This Nebuithotpimef already knew. This has already done as a child. His teeth were pressed, his hands pressed against the desk, and he was angry. Then the calming came.

"What is it like?" Necerirchet asked. Still with his head bowed and his body tense.

"Strange. I'd say he has your eyes if I'm sure it's him. "

"I want to see him," he said, turning to face him.

"I have no doubt about that," Nebuithotpimef smiled, "but not here. To be sure, I banned Cinev. He wouldn't be safe here. ”He watched his son. His gray eyes narrowed, the tension easing. "That's good," he said to himself, trying to sit relaxed.

"Who knows?"

"I don't know, there won't be many. Chasechemvej is dead, Meni - he's reliable, I figured it out by accident - but then there are those from Sai. Then there is the prophecy. Is the prophecy a reason to move it, or was it created to protect it, or was it created for us to accept it? I do not know."

"Where is he now?"

"He's going to Hutkaptah. He will be a pupil of Kanefer. Maybe he'll be safe there, at least I hope so. "

"I have to think," he told him. "I have to think seriously. Anyway, I want to see him. If it's my son, I know that. My heart knows it. "

"Hopefully," Nebuithotpimef said to himself.

He looked at Shai's tense muscles. Their shape was further accentuated by the sweat that shone in the sun. He was joking with another man who was working on cleaning and strengthening the canal. His work went hand in hand - not like him.

Saj suddenly turned and looked at him, "Are not you too tired?"

He shook his head in disapproval and continued to scoop up the greasy clay. He felt cheated. The first day in the temple and they sent him to repair the canals and wade through the mud by the shore. Kanefer didn't stand up for him either. He picked up pieces of clay in his hand and tried to erase the joints between the stones and push smaller stones into them. Suddenly he realized that his hand was picking out exactly the dirt that was needed. Not the one that crumbles or is too firm - it automatically throws away, but his fingers picked out the clay, which was smooth enough and flexible enough. "It's like rocks," he thought, rubbing clay on his shoulders against which the sun rested. Suddenly he felt Shai's hand throw him ashore.

"Break. I'm hungry. ”He shouted at him, handing him a container of water so he could wash.

He washed his face and hands, but left his mud on his shoulders. Slowly he began to stiffen.

Shai scrambled ashore, looking out for the boy from the temple to bring them food. Then he looked at him and laughed, "You look like a bricklayer. What does the dirt on your shoulders mean? ”

"She shields her shoulders from the sun, and if she was wet, she chilled," he replied. He was also starving.

"Maybe they won't bring us anything," Shai said, fishing with his huge hand in his backpack. He pulled out a bag of water and a piece of honey bread. He broke it and gave half to Achboinu. They bit into the food. The children of the workers ran around and laughed happily. Here and there some ran up to Shai and made fun of his size, and he caught them and lifted them up. It was as if they knew instinctively that the hulk would not harm them. After a while, the children were around them like flies. The fathers of the children who worked to strengthen the canal at first looked at Shaw in disbelief and were also afraid of him, but their children convinced them that they did not have to be afraid of this man, so they eventually took him among themselves. The children shouted here and there to give the big man peace, but he laughed and continued to flirt with the children.

"The clay," he said to Achboin with his mouth full.

"Swallow first, you do not understand at all," Shay replied, sending the children to play away from the canal.

"The clay - each is different, did you notice?"

"Yes, everyone who works with her knows that. Others are suitable for dried bricks, others are those that will be burned, and others are suitable for making tiles and containers. ”He replied, hunting in a bag to pull out the figs. "It's because you've never worked with her."

"Why did they actually send me here the very first day?" That question belonged to him rather than to Shayah, but he spoke loudly.

"Our expectations are different from what life will prepare for us." Shay laughed and continued, "You are an adult, and therefore, just like everyone else, has a duty to work on what is common to all. It is the tax we pay to live here. Without sewers, it would have absorbed the sand here. That narrow strip of land left behind would not help us. It is therefore necessary to renew every year what enables us to live. This is true of all, and some pharaohs are not exempted. "He took a fig and chewed him slowly. They were silent. "You know, my little friend, this was a pretty good lesson. You learned a different job and met other material. If you want, I'll take you where the bricks are building. It's not a light job, and it's not a clean job, but maybe it would interest you. "

He nodded. He did not know this job, and the youth was curious.

"We have to get up early. Most of the work is done early when it's not so hot, "said Shay, standing up to his feet. "It needs to be continued. He grabbed his waist and threw him in the middle of the canal.

"At least he could have warned me," he told him accusingly as he swam to the shore.

"Well, he could," he said with a laugh, "but it would not be such fun," he added, pointing at the amused faces of the other workers.

He felt he had been sleeping at most for several hours. The whole body hurt for an unusual exertion.

"Then get up," Shai shook him gently. "It's time."

Reluctantly, he opened his eyes and looked at him. He stood over him, his eternal smile, which was a little annoying at the moment. He sat up carefully and groaned. He felt every muscle in his body, a large stone in his throat that prevented him from swallowing and breathing properly.

"Ajajaj." Shay laughed. "It hurts, is not it?"

He nodded reluctantly and went to the bathroom. Every step was suffering for him. He reluctantly washed himself and heard that Shai had left the room. He heard the sound of his footsteps echoing down the hall. He bent his head to wash his face. He felt his stomach turn and the world around him sank into darkness.

He woke up cold. His teeth clicked, and he shivered. Outside was the darkness, and he rather stiffened to see someone bend over him.

"It will be all right, my little friend, it will be all right," he heard Shai's voice full of fear.

"I'm thirsty," he whispered in his swollen lips.

His eyes slowly got used to the darkness in the room. Then someone turned on the lamp and he saw an old, small man preparing a drink.

"It will be bitter, but drink it. It will help, ”the man said, grabbing his wrist to feel his pulse. He saw Shai's worries in his eyes. He stared at the old man's lips, as if expecting an eagle.

Shai lifted his head gently with his hand and pushed the drink container to his lips. He was really bitter and did not quench his thirst. He obediently swallowed the liquid and had no strength to oppose it when Shai forced him to take another sip. Then he handed him the pomegranate juice so that he could quench his thirst and bitterness for the medicine.

"Shake his head more," the man said, placing a hand on his forehead. Then he looked into his eyes. "Well, you'll lie down for a few days, but it's not about dying." He felt his neck gently. He could feel himself touching the bumps in his throat from the outside, preventing him from swallowing. The man put a strip of cloth around his neck, soaked in something that pleasantly cooled and smelled of mint. He talked to Shai for a while, but Achboina no longer had the strength to watch the conversation and fell into a deep sleep.

He was awakened by a muffled conversation. He recognized the voices. One belonged to Shai, the other to Kanefer. They stood at the window and discussed something passionately. He felt better now and sat down on the bed. His clothes stuck to his body with sweat, his head spinning.

"Just slowly, boy, just slowly," he heard Shai run to him and take him in his arms. He took him to the bathroom. Slowly, with a damp cloth, he washed his body like a child. "You are terrifying us. I'll tell you that, "he said more cheerfully. "But it has one advantage - for you," he added, "you don't have to fix the ducts anymore." He laughed and wrapped him in a dry sheet and carried him back to bed.

Kanefer was still standing by the window, and he noticed Achboin that his hands were shaking slightly. He smiled at him and he returned the smile. Then he went to bed. He was silent. He looked at him and then hugged him, tears in his eyes. The expression of emotion was so unexpected and so sincere that it made Achboin cry. "I was worried about you," Kanefer told him, pushing a strand of sweaty hair from his forehead.

"Go away from him, architect," said the man who stepped into the door. "I do not want to have an extra patient here." He glanced at Kanefer and sat down on the edge of the bed. "Let's get a good wash and put it in the water," he ordered, and gestured him into the washroom. Achboinu's scene seemed ridiculous. Nobody ever told Kanefer anything, he usually gave orders, and now obediently, like a child, he was taken to the washroom without a single word of whispering.

"Let's take a look at you," Sun told the doctor, feeling his neck. "Open your mouth properly," he ordered as Shai removed the curtain from the window to let in more light. He inspected it properly, then went to the table, where he set down his bag. He began pulling out a series of bottles of liquids, boxes of herbs, and who knew what else. He noticed Achboin.

"Give him this," he said, handing the box to Shay. "It should be swallowed always three times a day."

Shaynalel put water in a glass and took a small ball from the box and handed it to Achboinu.

"Don't try it," he ordered Sun. "It's bitter inside," he added, mixing some ingredients in a bowl on the table.

Achboin obediently swallowed the cure and moved curiously to the other side of the bed so he could see what the sun was doing.

"I see you're really better," he said without looking at him. He just kept stirring something in a green stone jar. "You're really curious, aren't you?" He asked, not knowing if Achboin the question belonged to him or Shai.

"What are you doing, sir?" He asked.

"You see it, do not you?" He said, finally looking at him. "Are you really interested?"

"Yes."

"Healing oil on your body. At first I have to crush all the ingredients properly and then dilute them with oil and wine. You're going to paint your body. It helps with pain and acts antiseptically. The skin gets substances that will cure your illness. "

"Yes I know that. Oils were used by Anubis priests for embalming. I'm interested in the ingredients, "he told Achboin, alert.

Sunu ceased to crush the ingredients and looked at Achboinua: "Listen, you are really too inquisitive. If you want to learn more about our craft, Shay will tell you where to find me. Now let me work. You're not the only patient I'm in charge of. "He bent over the bowl again and began to measure oil and wine. Then he began to paint his body. He started from the back and showed Shayah how to proceed to massaging the oil in his muscles.

Kanefer came out of the bathroom. "I'll have to go, Ahboinue. He has a lot of work to do today. ”He was worried, though he tried to hide it with a smile.

"Don't rush so much, architect," he told Sunu sternly. "I'd like to look at you to make sure you're okay."

"Next time, I'm calling," Kanefer told him. "Do not worry, I'm fine."

"I think the best cure for your ailments is him. I haven't seen you in such good shape for a long time. "

Kanefer laughed. "I really have to go. Do what you can to get him to his feet as soon as possible. I need him to have him, "he said to Sunu, adding," Not just as a cure. "

"Just go your own way, ungrateful," he replied, laughing. "So, boy, we're done," he said to Achboinu. "You should stay in bed for a few more days and drink a lot. I'll stop by tomorrow - just in case, "he said and left.

"The guy was supposed to be a general, not a slut," Shai said to Achboinu. "So he has respect," he added, turning the mattress over. "When I'm done, I'll go to the kitchen and get something to eat. You must be hungry. "

He nodded. He was hungry and also thirsty. The body didn't hurt so much anymore, the oil was pleasantly cool, but he was tired. He walked over to the bed and lay down. He slept when Shai brought the food.

He was walking through the stables. It seemed to him that all the cows were the same. The same black color, the same white triangular spot on the forehead, a spot on the back in the form of an eagle with outstretched wings, two-colored hairs on the tail. They were the same as Hapi himself.

"What do you say?" Asked Merenptah, who was in charge of the stable.

"And calves?"

"Ibeb or Inen will provide the records."

"The results of the crossing ...?"

"Bad," Merenptah said, heading for the exit. "Ibeb will tell you more."

"Have you only tried one generation? What the descendants. Maybe the characters are transmitted in the second generation, "Achboin said.

"It simply came to our notice then. Also very uncertain, but we decided to continue. We will try to continue experimenting in other stables, in those that are built outside the city. "

Cats ran around, and one of them wiped Achboin's leg. He bent down and stroked her. She began to arrive, trying to hide her head in her palm. He scratched her ears once more, then caught up with Merenptah at the exit.

"Do you want to see the stables behind the city?" He asked.

"No, not today. I still have some work to do with Kanefer. But thank you for the offer. I'll see Mrs. Ibeb tomorrow to look at the records. Maybe I'll be wiser. "

For a moment they continued in silence to the sacred lake. Gardeners planted just imported trees around its banks.

"Will you please give me a visit to those behind the western gate of the Holy Stables?" Merenptaha asked.

"I'll try," he replied hesitantly, adding, "Do not be too much hope ..." he paused, searching for the most appropriate words.

"Nothing's happening," Achboin interrupted, "it's not so much hurry. I was just wondering. "

They said goodbye. Achboin continued toward the palace building. He was looking for Kanefer, who was overseeing first-degree work. The access road was almost complete, including the pedestals for a series of sphinxes that were to line it up.

He imagined a procession of dignitaries walking down this path. He was satisfied. It looked majestic, just as majestic will be the front of the palace to which it led. The sun was shining in his back. "Trees," he realized. "It still needs trees to give it shade and a scent," he thought, his eyes searching for Shai. Where Shay is, there will be Kanefer. A bricklayer with an empty cart passed him. He remembered Shai's offer before his illness. He has to look at them. It was a mystery to them how they would be able to produce so many bricks for the planned construction in the city and the extension of the wall around it, which was supposed to be 10 meters high. He looked around. There were craftsmen everywhere, they were built everywhere. The whole place was one big construction site full of dust. Children ran everywhere, shouting and laughing and tangling under the workers' feet to the great displeasure of the building inspectors. It seemed dangerous to him.

Both were nervous and were waiting impatiently for the arrival of the sun. They heard the door open, and it seemed that nothing could be held in one place.

"So what?" Asked Shay as I came into the door.

"Calm down," he said in a tone that did not resist. "Hello," he added, and sat down. Those moments seemed unbearably long.

Kanefer couldn't stand it now. He jumped off the bench and stood in front of the sunua, "So speak, please."

"All results are negative. No poison, nothing to suggest that anyone wanted to poison him. He's just not used to this climate and the hard work to do it. "

Relief was visible on both men's faces. Shai in particular calmed down and stopped walking around the room like a lion in a cage.

"But," he continued, "what is not can be. The measures you have taken are not, in my view, sufficient. He is alone and has no one with whom potential enemies would be afraid. The fact that he belongs to Hemut Neter does not mean that much if he does not belong to the top three. But that doesn't worry me. "

Shay shook his head and frowned, but before he could open his mouth, he added,

"You can't always be with him. It just doesn't work. Soon the needs of the body will begin, and you can't meet him with the girl. "Then he turned to Kanefer." Realize that the boy spent too much time with adults and only with a certain group. It's like stealing his childhood. He doesn't know life around well, he can't move between peers and he doesn't recognize any pitfalls at all. You have to catch up. You have to take it more among people and workers. He needs to look around. The sanctity of office will not help him here, only the ability to be able to orient himself in this environment. ”He paused. No one had the courage to intervene in this brief moment of silence. Then he turned to them, "Now leave, I still have work to do, and more patients are waiting for me."

They both got up to command and obediently left the room. After a while, the comity of the situation came to them, so they looked at each other and laughed at the wheel, even though they were not laughing.

He walked around the construction site and checked the work. He didn't see Kanefer anywhere. He seemed to hear a noise, so he headed in that direction. The warden took over the bricks and was not satisfied with their quality and size. He struggled with the bricklayer and refused to take over the cargo. A scribe stood next to him to confirm receipt of the material and was obviously bored. He got into an argument and stopped her. He explained the problem and examined the bricks. Then he took one in his hands and broke it. It didn't shatter, it broke in half and seemed firm, good. The shape did not suit. It was shorter and thicker than the other bricks they used. Then he realized that this shape of brick was to be made of burnt clay and was to be used for a journey around a sacred lake. Someone mistaken the whole thing. He ordered the guards to take over the bricks, but did not use them to build the palace. They will find application for them elsewhere. He explained to the bricklayer what a mistake had been made. They agreed that the next batch would be as required by the construction supervisor. The scribe came to life, wrote down the takeover, and walked away.

"What about them, sir?" The warden asked, looking at the pile of square bricks.

"Try using them on garden walls. The size doesn't matter so much there. Find out where the mistake was. ”He told Achboin, glancing to see if he could see Shai or Kanefer. He finally saw them, and with a nod of his head, said goodbye to the warden and hurried after them.

They stopped in the middle of the conversation as he ran up to them. He explained to Kanefer what had happened, and he nodded, but it was clear that his thoughts were elsewhere.

"When are they going to plant the trees?" Asked Achboin.

"When the floods fall. Then comes the time for the gardeners. In the meantime, we have to focus as much as possible on building work. When the sowing season begins, we will have little labor. "

They passed a group of children shouting in friendly at Shai. One child crashed into a pile of stacked bricks ready to be carried away, so unhappily that the whole board tilted and the bricks covered the child. He shouted at Achboin and they all ran to the child. All three, including the children, threw away the bricks and tried to free the child. He was alive because his screams came from the pile. They finally reached him. Shai took him in his arms and ran with him to the temple at the speed of a gazelle. Achboin and Kanefer hurried after him.

Breathing, they ran to the areas reserved for the sick and ran into the reception room. There, at the table on which the screaming child lay, Shay stood, stroking the child's cheek, and Mrs. Pesesh leaned over him. The child's left leg was strangely twisted, a wound was bleeding on his forehead, and bruises began to form on his body. Achboin approached the table slowly and studied the child. Mrs. Pesešet called the assistant and ordered him to prepare a painkiller. Shai gently wiped the baby's body. The wound on his forehead was bleeding a lot and the blood was running down the child's eyes, so Pesešet focused on her first.

They seemed to hear a familiar voice. Dissatisfied grumbling of the old sun. He walked in the door, looked at the room staff, leaned over the child, and said, "It's really hard to get rid of the three of you." He took a painkiller from the helper's hands and let the child drink it. "Don't shout. You should have paid more attention to what you were doing, "he said sternly. "Now try to calm down so I can do my job." The tone of his speech was sharp, but the child tried to obey. Only the tremors in his chest indicated that he was suffocating by crying.

"Take him and follow me," he told Shai and Achboinu. He pointed to the stretcher in which they were to carry the baby. The drink began to work and the baby slowly fell asleep. Mrs. Pesešet grabbed one side of the stretcher, Achboin the other, and Shai carefully carried the baby. Then he took Mrs. Pesseset's stretcher from his hands and they walked slowly to where she was pointing.

"It does not look like an internal injury, but the left leg is broken. I also do not like my hand, "she told old Sunu.

"Sew the wound on her head," he told her, walking over to her leg. "You two can go," he ordered.

Shai obediently walked out the door, but Achboin did not move. Staring at the baby and his leg. He had known fractures since he had helped the priests of Anubis in the temple of Nechenteje. He walked slowly to the table and wanted to touch his foot.

"Go wash first!" He shouted at the sun. The assistant dragged him to a container of water. He took off his blouse and quickly washed himself in half. Then he approached the child again. Pesses bandaged the baby's head. He carefully began to feel his leg. The bone was cracked along.

"Speak," he ordered, and Achboa caught the grinning smile on his face.

He pointed Achboin with his finger to where the bone had broken, then carefully felt the lower leg. Slowly, with his eyes closed, he tried to feel every bump in the bone. Yes, there was a broken bone as well. Parts of the bone were together, but it was broken. He opened his eyes and pointed where his finger. Sunu leaned over the boy, feeling the place of the second fracture. He nodded.

"Good. What now? ”He asked. It sounded more like an order than a question. Achboin stopped. He could compare bone, but had experience only with the dead, not the living. He shrugged.

"Don't bother him anymore," Pesseset told him. "We have to straighten it out." They tried to stretch their leg from knee to straighten the fracture. Achboin approached the table. He touched carefully with one hand the parts of the bone separated, the other trying to get the two parts together. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw sweat rising on the forehead of the sun. He already knew how to do it. He already knew where the muscles and tendons resisted and how to turn the legs so that the parts of the bone came together and joined. He grabbed his leg above and below the fracture, pulled away, and turned. Both Suns released the move. The old Sunu palpated the result. Then he let Achboinu examine his leg once more. He was satisfied, which he indicated by mumbling something, almost friendly.

"Where did you learn it?" He asked.

"As a child I helped Anubis's priests," he replied, and stepped back from the table. He watched what they were doing. They disinfected wounds with dried honey, strengthened their legs, and bandaged. The scabs on the body were squeezed with honey and lavender oil. The baby was still asleep.

"Now go," he ordered, continuing to work. He didn't protest. He put on his blouse and quietly left the room.

Outside of the temple, Shay stood and a group of children around him, unusually quiet. A five-year-old girl was holding Shay around his neck, and he gently stroked him and stroked his hair. When the children saw him, they were alert.

"It'll be all right," he told them, wanting to add that they would be more careful next time, but stopped. The girl released her grip and smiled at Achboinu. Shai carefully placed her on the ground.

"Can I go after him?" She asked, grasping Shai's hand firmly. Achboin knew that feeling. The feeling of having to catch something, a sense of security and support.

"He is asleep now," he said, and stroked her over the dirty, dirty face. "Come on, you have to wash, that way they would not let you in."

The little girl pulled Shai towards home. She didn't let go of his hand, but checked to see if Achboina was following them. The children scattered in the meantime. Shai picked her up and sat her on his shoulders. "You will show me the way," he told her, and she laughed, pointing in the direction they were going.

"How was it?" Asked Shay.

"Good," he replied, adding: "The construction site is not a place to play. It's dangerous for them. We should think of something to keep the workers under their feet. It could have been worse. "

"There, there," the girl pointed to the low house. Mother ran out. She looked for the boy. She turned pale. Shai set the girl on the ground and she ran to her mother.

"What happened?" She asked with fear in her voice.

Achboin explained the situation and calmed her. The woman wept.

"I was working in the temple," she sobbed.

Shai hugged her gently, "Calm down, just calm down, it's okay. He is in the best hands. She will take care of him. It's just a broken leg. "

The woman raised her head. She had to lean over to see Sai's eyes, "Will he walk?" The fear in her voice was palpable.

"He will," he said to Achboin. "If there are no complications. But it will take a while to get your leg up. "

The Mountain Eye

The girl watched the mother for a moment, but then she sat down on a bob and began to draw the dust in the dust. The lady sat next to her, watching what she was doing. Drawn Hor's eye. The image was not enough to perfection, but the shapes were already certain. His eye helped fix it in the right form.

The woman apologized and ran into the house to wash her face with blurred make-up. After a while, she called the girl. Then they came out the door, both neat, made up, and in clean clothes. They wanted to visit the boy. They said goodbye and walked towards the temple. They carried fruit, bread, and a jar of honey in their robes.

In the morning he was awakened by voices. He recognized Shai's, no other voice. Shai entered the room. He placed a tray of food on the table.

"Hurry up," said Shay, drinking some beer. "You have to be at Siptaha in an hour. He sent you a message. "He bitten a large piece of bread and chewed slowly.

"I need to take a bath, I'm all sweaty," he replied, taking out his holiday clothes and new sandals from the chest.

"Before or after meals?" Shay grinned amiably.

Achboin waved his hand and went out into the garden and jumped into the pool. The water awakened and refreshed him. He felt better now. The whole wet ran into the room and splashed Shay.

"Leave it," he said, throwing a towel.

"Bad morning?" He asked, looking at him.

"I do not know. I'm worried about the baby. Maybe you were right. We should figure something out. It will be even more dangerous when they work full, "he said, staring into the void, slowly chewing on the bread.

"Find out how he's doing, maybe it'll calm you down. I can go to Siptah myself, "he told him, thinking.

Sai was alive. "Do you think he's home now?" Asked Achboinua.

"I do not think so," he said with a laugh. "Do you want to see the child or the woman?" He asked, and fled in front of the sandal that Sha threw after him.

"Do you know she's a widow?" He said after a moment, and quite seriously.

"You've found out enough," Achboin replied, raising his eyebrows. This was serious. "I think, my friend, you have a chance. She could have left your eyes on you, "he said, too.

"But ..." he sighed and did not know.

"Then talk and don't strain me. You know I have to go in a minute, ”he told him with remorse in his voice, reaching for his figs.

"Well, even if it came out. How do I use them? I can only fly and you can not do it, you know. "

That's really serious, Achboina thought. "Listen, I think you're very modest. You can stand up to any job and you have one huge gift. The gift that the gods have given you, you can do it with children, and very well. Besides, you went too far into the future. "Invite her to a meeting first and then you'll see," he told him sternly. "I have to go," he added. "And you go find out what's wrong with the boy." He closed the door behind him and felt a strange distress around his stomach. "Am I jealous?" He thought, then smiled. He walked slowly down the hall to a large staircase.

"Welcome, Reverend," the man in a plain sleeveless blouse told him. The walls of his room were white and painted with carbon. Lots of sketches of characters, faces and patterns. He noticed his astonishment, then added to the explanation: "It's more comfortable and cheaper than papyrus. You can wipe or overwrap it at any time. "

"That's a good idea," Achboin replied.

"Sit down, please," he told him. "I'm sorry to welcome you like this, but we have a lot of work and few people. I try to use every moment. "He called the girl and asked her to bring them fruit.

He went to the large chest in the corner of the room and opened it, "You have received some letters." He handed him a bundle of papyri and stepped back so he could look at Achboin. One of them was from Nihepetmaat. He calmed down. Vein. That was essential. The fear that the same scene would be repeated as when he left the temple of Nechenteje has vanished. Others were from Meni. He informed him about the negotiations connected with the construction of new libraries. This report was not satisfactory. The sanacht was thorough in its destruction. He managed to rob most of the temples in the north and south, destroy and plunder most of the tombs and mortuary temples of the ancestors. The damage was unimaginable. He had some documents transferred to his palace, but they burned down when he was defeated. But one report pleased him. Even the priests of Ion were willing to cooperate. Eventually, Sanacht turned against them as well - against those who placed him on the throne. The price of cooperation was not so great, he thought, just the restoration of the temples in Ion. But this meant that two major projects would be worked on at the same time - Mennofer and Ion. The two cities were not far apart and both were under construction. They drained each other's labor. He raised his head to examine the walls of Siptah's room once more. On the wall he found what he was looking for - Atum, Eset, Re. It will not be easy to unite the religions of individual nomes. Strengthening Ion's power was a necessary price for cooperation and peace in Tameri, but it delayed the possibility of unifying the country religiously. That didn't please him.

"Bad news?" Siptah asked.

"Yes, no, Ver mauu," he replied, twisting his papyrus. Read them later. "I'm sorry I robbed you of the time, but I needed to know ..."

"It's okay," Siptah interrupted. He paused. He saw Achboin searching for words. He began to worry that the new pharaoh had decided to recall him from Mennofer. "I spoke to the Sunu superior," he said after a moment, pausing again. "She does not recommend working on channel restoration. He says that your body has not yet become accustomed to the conditions here and your body is still developing. Hard work could hurt you. "

"Yes, he talked about me after my illness." He answered, "I know there's a problem here, I have to pay my tax like everybody else. An exception could cause suspicion. I am, after all, only a disciple. I can work elsewhere - maybe in brick making. "He remembered Shay's offer.

"No, no bricks. It's far from the temple, "Siptah told him," and I'm responsible for your safety. "

"So?"

"There are a lot of people here. We need a lot of make-up and ointments. Containers are missing. You came to learn how to design and work with stone. So you should work with what you came for. I suggest that you help with the production of stone vessels and containers and then perhaps also ceremonial bowls. You will learn something there at the same time. ”He expected an answer. He had the power to order him, but he didn't, and he was grateful to Achboin for it.

"I agree with Ver mauu."

"When are you leaving, fulfilling your duties in the South?" He asked.

"Before the floods, but I won't stay long," he replied. "I have a request, Ver mauu," he addressed him with the title that rightfully belonged to him. "I hate to burden you with that, but I don't know who to turn to."

"Speak," he told him, alert.

He described Achboin's situation with the children. He pointed out the dangers of moving unattended on the construction site and described the incident with a boy on whom bricks fell. "It delays both workers and endangers children. The ban would meet with resistance, and it would not be valid anyway. You don't look after the children. But if we built a school in the temple premises, then at least some of the children would stop freely taking them outside. We need a scribe… ”. He also explained the difficulties with building new libraries. "We will need a lot of scribes and not only for copies of old texts, but also for administrative administration," he added.

"But Toth's craft was only for priests. And only those who carry at least part of the blood of the Great Ones can become priests, ”Siptah warned him.

"I know, I've been thinking about it. But take the Supreme, those great possibilities. Possibility to choose the best of the best. To be able to choose, but also to be able to communicate. Faster communication. Tameri is still shaken by the storms of Suchet's soldiers. Temples were destroyed, libraries looted, priests killed just to forget what was. It's like pruning a tree's roots. When you give them writing, you strengthen their self-esteem, you strengthen their pride, but also their gratitude. Yes, they are aware of the abuse, but the benefits seem greater to me. "

"I still have to think about it," Siptah said, thinking. "Besides, who would do this work? Typists are busy working on construction sites, in supplies. There are not a few of them, but even so, their number is insufficient. Everyone is busy to the maximum. "

"That would not be a problem. Priests and scribes are not the only ones who control the secret of scripture. But now I'm not going to delay you, and thank you for thinking about my suggestion. I'm going to agree now about my work. Who should I report to? "

"Cheruef is in charge of the work. And I'm afraid he won't spare you, "he said, saying goodbye. As he left, Siptah was back at his wall, correcting a sketch for her.

"That's not a bad idea," Achboin thought, and he went back.

He postponed his visit to Cheruef. First he needs to read what Meni sent him in the language of those pure blood and Nihepetmaat. "I need to talk to Kanefer, too," he thought. "He should have warned me that work was going on in He, too." He was upset that he had withheld this information from him, but then stopped. Kanefer was the superior of the work in the countries of the South and the North, and it is not his duty to confide in him. Suddenly he realized the weight of his task and the danger to which he was exposed. He would pay dearly for every mistake he made, not only by losing his position, but perhaps by his life.

VI. My name is …

"You will come here every other day for four hours until your departure," Cheruef told him, frowning. "Do you have any experience with that job yet?"

"I know the stones, sir, and I have worked with stonemasons and sculptors in the South. But I don't know much about this work, "he replied truthfully.

The look Cheruef gave him pierced him. He knew the exalted attitude, but this one was different from Kanefer's. This was pride, pure and unadulterated pride. He turned his back on him and showed him where to go.

"This man has forgotten to work with his hands," Achboin thought as he walked obediently behind him.

Most of the people inside the temple were wearing only light blouses or lumbar gowns, but Cheruef was upgraded. His rich wig was too adorable for men, and the bracelets on his hands testified to vanity. He groped cautiously in front of him, avoiding anything he could get dirty.

"Maybe he's a good organizer," Achboina thought, but there was something in him about not accepting the idea.

"I'm leading you who can't do anything," he said to a tall, muscular man working a piece of green stone. He knew the stone of Achboin. It was warm, but one had to be careful when working. He left Achboin to melt in front of the man, turned and left. As he left, he ran his hand over the statue at the exit of the room. It swayed, fell to the ground and broke. Cheruef came out of the room without looking at the work of his doom or the two of them.

"Give me the chisel, boy," the man told him, pointing to the table where his tools were spread out. He carefully began chopping the stone with a chisel and a wooden mallet. There was a fortel in those movements. It was a concert of hands, a ballet of fine power. He saw Achboin control each chipped piece with his strong fingers. It was as if he was caressing the stone, as if he were talking to the stone.

"So far, please remove the mess, and then look around, I'll leave it in a minute and explain what you're going to do," the man said, and continued to work.

Finished goods stood in the corner of the room. Beautiful limestone sculptures, canopies, vases, containers of all shapes and sizes. They were beautiful things, things that had a soul. He couldn't resist Achboin and picked up a small statue of a scribe. He sat down, closed his eyes, and felt with his hands the shape, smoothness and softness of the lines, and the quiet pulse of the stone.

"How do I call you?"

"Achboin," he replied, opening his eyes and leaning his head to see his eyes.

"My name is Merjebten," the man said, handing him a hand to help him stand.

Shai disappeared behind his widow. A mysterious smile on his face, groomed, satisfied. Happiness radiated from him. On the one hand, he shared with him the happiness that love had brought him, on the other hand, he crept intrusively into feeling alone. The fear of a child being abandoned by their mother. He laughed when he realized this and went to work.

He was in a hurry. The day of his departure was approaching and many tasks were waiting to be completed. He turned on the lamp, but could not concentrate on reading. So he took an unfinished wooden statue and a knife in his hands, but even this work failed. Merjebten advised him to first try to make things out of clay or wood. The statuette was as big as his palm, but he didn't like it. He was still not happy with what he had created. It still seemed to him that something was missing. He began to grind her, but after a while he put down his work. She didn't like him. Anger rose in him. He began pacing the room nervously, as if to escape.

"Pity," he said as he realized it.

The door opened and Kanefer entered. "Are you alone?" He asked in astonishment, his eyes searching for Shai.

"He's not here," answered Achboin, and there was anger in his voice.

"What are you?" He asked, sitting down.

On the ground and on the table were papyruses, pieces of wood, tools. Mimodek began to clean up things and level, then took a small statue of Tehenut and started looking at it. "Did you do that?"

He nodded and also began to collect scattered things from the ground. "How did you end up in Ion?" He asked.

Again, their anger raged. Again he seemed to want to take on the task they had assigned him. It's not wise to work on two such big projects. People are few, and then floods begin, then the sowing period, then the harvest - all of this drains other people. He stood up, leaned against the edge of the table, and clenched his teeth. Then the tension allowed. Kanefer looked at him and could not help feeling that he had seen this scene somewhere. But he could not remember.

"I'm tired and annoyed. It was a tedious act, "he said, frowning. "It was extortion," he added, closing his eyes. He counted his breath to calm down and start yelling.

Achboin watched him. The messages he carries are worse than he expected. "Please, please," he said almost quietly.

"Their demands are almost shameless. They know Nebuithotpimef needs them at the moment. He needs their support to keep the country peace. We will have to slow down our work in Mennofer and start focusing on Ion. Sanacht plundered as much as possible, buildings are damaged, statues broken, wealth stolen bohat “Achboin handed him water and he drank. He could feel the water running down his stomach, cooling. His mouth was still dry. "Their demands are shameless," he added after a moment, sighing, "I just don't know how to tell Pharaoh."

"Won't they deal with him directly?" He asked Achboin.

"No, not at the moment. They only want to talk to him when he accepts their demands. "

"And accept?"

"Will have to. He has nothing else to do at the moment. At this point, he will have to do what they want, otherwise Sanacht's followers risk making trouble. Tameri is already exhausted from the fight and the peace is very, very fragile. ”He rested his head on his palms and looked at Achboinu. He saw him thinking.

"And what about employing them?"

"What, please?" He said, standing up. "At the moment, they are not willing to engage in dialogue and certainly not to compromise. That is also the intention. It seems to me that Pharaoh's idea of ​​relocating Tameri's headquarters to Mennofer is a thorn in their side. "

"Yes, it's close. The restoration of Mennofer means not only a strengthening of Ptah's influence. Competition in the field of religious events. The influence of NeTeRu in the south and they are afraid of that. You need to give them something in return. And not only that… ”he paused at the last moment.

"But what?" Kanefer told him, turning sharply on him.

"I do not know. I do not know that right now, "he said, throwing his hands to sign of helplessness.

"When are you leaving?" He reversed the conversation and sat back again.

"In seven days," he replied to Achboin. "I won't be gone long, my service in the temple takes three times seven days, but you know that."

He nodded. Achboin felt the fear radiating from him. He knew something was coming, something — something Kanefer was worried about, so he noticed.

"As I told you, my wife and children died when Sanacht's followers swept through the land. I do not have anyone. I don't have a son to take care of my last trip… ”he swallowed, lowered his eyes and poured water from a jug. Achboin noticed that his hand was shaking. Kanefer drank. He set the cup on the table and added quietly, "I wanted to ask you something I've been thinking about for a long time. Do not ask - ask. Be my son. ”He said the last words almost inaudibly. His throat was constricted and the veins in his forehead protruded. He was scared, and he knew Achboin from what. He was afraid of his answer. He was afraid of rejection.

He approached him and grabbed his hands. He had to squat to see his eyes. Into teary eyes. "I will be your son," he told him, seeing the tension ease. "Come on, we're both tense and we need to wash away the traces of anger, helplessness and tension. When we purify ourselves in the sacred waters of the lake, when we calm down, we will talk about it more thoroughly. Do you agree? ”

Kanefer smiled. He helped him to his feet, and they walked slowly to the sacred lake beside the temple.

"I'm really hungry," Kanefer told him as they returned.

He laughed at Achboin, "Maybe Shai has returned, he can always extract something from the cooks. I'd like to know how he does it. But if he's with his widow, then I'll have to bring something. But don't have high hopes. It won't be anything extra. "

"Wives?" Kanefer's brow raised, and smiled.

"Yes, widows. The mother of the child who overturned the bricks, "he replied.

"But will he come with you?"

"Yes, do not worry. He's doing his duties properly, "Achboin replied, concealing himself spending most of the evening alone. "I would like to ask you something," he said to Kanefer, slowing.

Kanefer looked at him. He was scared again.

"No, don't worry. I will be your son if you want and I will be happy for them, "he added, smiling at him. "I don't have a name and it's hard to write an adoption document with someone who doesn't have one ren - name. You know, I've been thinking about it for a long time, I've been troubled for a long time, but I think I already know my name. I did not pick him up at the rebirth ceremony ... "He paused because he did not know how to explain to him:" ... this is a good opportunity, do not you think? "He asked.

Kanefer nodded.

"You know, I do not know my mother she would give me ren, but I will have my father and I would love if you were the one who would give it to me. I'm not sure if it's time to use it, but I want you to know him. "

"Is it serious?" Kanefer asked suddenly.

"What?" He asked Achboin in amazement.

"Sorry," he laughed at the wheel, "I thought of Shay."

"Yeah, I don't know. I would say yes, but the problem is that he doesn't want to talk about it. "

They went to the room to take a clean dress. "You know, he was always cheerful, but now he seems happy, really happy." Over the day, when he has time, she carries toys for her children. The boys made a crutch so that he could move with a broken leg. Are you asking if it's serious? I think he's more serious than he thinks. "

"Come on, I'll go to the kitchen with you, maybe my office will help us do something better than bread. We probably won't see the love in love again, ”Kanefer said with a smile and headed for the door.

A row of make-up containers stood side by side on the table. Merjebten studied them closely. All the lids of the jars had the face of a little blind girl in the form of Hathor. Then he walked over to the stone vessels. He stopped at the third and motioned for Achboinu to come closer. He didn't speak. He pointed to the mistakes he had left and then corrected one of them. Achboin watched him and began to repair the other vessel. Merjebten watched his work and nodded in agreement.

"You'll fix the rest yourself," he told him, walking over to the unusually shaped container. It was not made of stone, but of wood. A circular vessel with a lid on which stood a black Neit, a bow and arrows crossed, a round shield on the left shoulder. She stood there with dignity, her eyes fixed on Merjebten, and for a moment it seemed as if she wanted to walk toward him. He took the lid in his hand and began to examine it.

Achboin repaired stone vessels and watched Merjebten's reactions to his work. Cheruef entered the room. At first glance, it was clear that his mood was lousy. He scanned the entire room and stopped at Achboinu. He bowed respectfully to satisfy his decency, but did not let go of the tool used to repair the stone vessel.

"You haven't learned decency, young man," Cheruef shouted, running a hand over him. The tool fell on the zen, and the blow threw it to the wall, tripping over small make-up containers along the way and seeing them fall to the ground. Some of them shattered. He saw the lid with the face of a little blind girl break into five pieces. Cheruef's richly decorated bracelet wounded his face and he felt the warmth and smell of his blood. The blow was so strong that it darkened before his eyes. He felt pain. Pain in the back, face and heart. Anger entered him. Anger at the proud man who destroyed his work and wounded his pride.

Cheruef turned to Merjebten, "You must not only teach him, but also bring him up to decency," he shouted, snatching the black Neit lid from his hands and slamming it against the stone pedestal. It split. This infuriated him even more and he raised his hand against Merjebten. Achboin jumped up and hung on to her. He threw him away a second time and he ended up on the ground, hitting his head on one of the stone pots. Merjebten paled. He took the man around his waist, lifted him up, and threw him across the entrance to the other room. People began to gather around and guards came running.

"Close and crack!" Cheruef roared, trying to stand out. He put on his wig, which slid to the ground. The guards ran to Merjebten, who lifted a broken lid with black Neit from the ground. He stood and waited for them to run to him. They stood, unaccustomed to anyone resisting. They didn't tie him up. They just surrounded him and he, his head held high, walked between them.

He watched Achboin the whole scene as if in a dream. His head was spinning and his legs were refusing to obey. He felt someone's hands on his shoulder, felt them lift him, tie his hands and lead him somewhere. But the whole journey went somehow outside of him. Then he saw Shai approaching, standing in front of the warden. They backed away. The expression on his face and his massive figure did their part. He didn't notice the rest. His body slowly slid to the ground and was surrounded by pitch black darkness.

"Do not sleep!" He heard the sound of the Sunu, and he felt him cry on a healthy face. He reluctantly opened his eyes, but the image was blurry, unclear, so he closed it again.

"Don't sleep, I'm telling you." The old Sunu shook with him, trying to keep him seated. His head fell forward, but his eyes managed to open. He looked at the floating face in front of him and shook his head weakly.

"Do you see me?" He asked.

"No," he said weakly, "not much." His head ached terribly, his ears humming. He tried his best, but his mind began to sink into the darkness again.

"He has a right to court," Kanefer told him. "I have heard the laborers, and I have heard Meribeth. Their testimony agrees. "He was angry and afraid. The attack of the superiors could mean their death.

Siptah was silent. He waited for Kanefer to calm down. The whole affair was serious, and he and Kanefer knew that. In addition, Achboinu was still in the care of the Sunus, and that worried him far more than the upcoming trial. He was responsible for his safety. He was responsible not only to the superior of work in the countries of the South and the North, but also to Pharaoh, and he did not fulfill this task.

"The court wins," he said after a moment, and sat down. "Look. He broke down not only the vessels belonging to the temple, but also the ceremonial vessels, and he did not forgive. "He wondered if they really had a chance to win, but he believed that they would succeed in their testimony and testimony. "How is he?" Kanefer asked, looking at him.

"It's better, but it will be transferred to the South," he said, and sighed.

"Why? Don't you trust our Suns? ”He asked with concern in his voice.

"No it does not. He has to return because he has a job in the temple and also because it has become dangerous for him here. We do not know what this incident may cause. In any case, it will attract attention, and we can't afford it, "he replied.

"Yes, you are right," Siptah thought, and drank. "You wanted me to write an adoption treaty. It's furnished. If you want, we'll make a name assignment still here. We can also protect him. Another name ... "

He stopped him. "I thought about it too, but I want to talk to him about it. I want to know that he really agrees. "

"And pharaoh?" Siptah asked softly.

"She doesn't know anything yet and I hope she doesn't know anything. Let's just hope that the art of Sunua is what he says he is and that he will get it out of it. "

"What if he learns ...?" Siptah said, frowning.

"We'll only deal with it then," Kanefer said, standing up. "I want the man to be punished. In order to experience every wound he had given to Merjebten and the boys on his skin. My boy, "he added, and walked out the door.

Shai entered the room. The guilty look on his face didn't go away. Achboin stood by the whitewashed wall, drawing. The constant presence of Shai, who was afraid to leave him alone, made him nervous.

"You shouldn't get out of bed yet," he told him, setting the food on the table.

"Don't worry so much about me. When I'm tired, I'll lie down, ”he assured him and continued working. The thought of the court made him nervous, but his head no longer hurt so much, so he wanted to think it over in peace. "Don't you want to go see your widow?" He asked, but Shai shook his head. Achboin is finished. He stepped away from the wall and looked at the result. It wasn't that, but it would wait.

"Look, you can not keep watch over me. I told you once that your blame was not. You do not have any responsibility! "He told him sharply.

Saj was silent.

He did not like it at all. "Have you quarreled?" He asked after a moment, looking at him.

"No. No, but I'm really afraid to leave you here alone. We do not know how long Cheruef's fingers are. By the time we leave, I want to be sure that nothing happens to you. Already ... "

He stopped him halfway through the sentence. He knew he was right, but on the other hand, he realized it was time to begin to face danger alone. Besides, he needed to think about a lot of things. Tomorrow is the court and before that he will get a name and sign an adoption contract. He suppressed fears that Kanefer would not make it. "Look, Shai, I need to be alone for a while. You don't take your eyes off me all day and I'm getting nervous. That's the last thing I need now. I need to think things over in peace. Please go to your widow and her children, and if you are afraid, put a guard at my door, ”he said softly, trying not to touch Shai. He saw a faint smile as he stared at his face. He calmed down.

"Can I eat?" He asked laughingly. "They're not going to wait for me at dinner," he added cheerfully, chopping up food and swallowing them almost whole.

Siptah sat on an elevated spot watching what was happening. Merjebten spoke well. He refuted all of Cheruef's accusations and pointed out that he had caused him, in addition to destroying the temple property and breaking the ceremonial vessels. He emphasized that the other jurors felt as if Cheruef had committed sacrilege. Those present at the rift also did not support Cheruef's version, and complaints about his arrogance and disorder in the supply of materials did not make the situation easier for him. Maat's scales were on the right side, and he was pleased. Now it will only depend on the statement of Achboinu.

The door opened and he entered. He was wearing the best ceremonial dress, so there was no doubt about his function, although he performed it far from Mennofer. He had the sistrum and the Hathor copper mirror in his hands to emphasize his rank. He shaved his hair and emphasized his eyes with a green varva. He remembered Nimaathap's words of first impression, and he cared. There was a red scar on Cheruef's bracelet on his face. He entered slowly and with dignity. He stood in his place and waited for him to address him.

The hall slumped and Cheruef paled. Now he knew he had no chance. Against the word of the Reverend, no one will stand up. No one will doubt his words. The mask of pride and arrogance now replaced the expression of fear and hatred.

Achboin noticed the change in his face. Now he understood Shai's concerns. He had never encountered such concentrated resentment before.

"You realize you can not go back to Mennofer," Meni said angrily. He stood up against him and was angry. Very angry. Achboin tried to keep calm, but his heart pounded like a race.

"Why?" He asked, unconsciously lowering his voice. "Why? The judgment went well and I have not finished my work. "

Thats why. You would have won the court anyway and you did not have to show your office. It's all right now, "he said, slamming his hand over the table. "You should have a good understanding of what you are doing."

"I thought so," he said angrily. "I thought well. I did not know what chance we had against Cheruef's supporters. He was at liberty, Merjebten in jail, and I was locked at home. I did not want to lose. That person should never hold such an office. " He was slow to reveal his identity, but he did not regret what he had done.

"You can't stay here either. As soon as your service in the temple is over, you must leave. It would be dangerous to stay here longer than necessary, especially now that he knows where you have gone. ”

"Where are you going to send me?" He asked with fear.

"I do not know yet," he said truthfully, "I have to think about it."

He had often realized that his decision had to be influenced in some way. Not for yourself, but for Sha'ah. He can not be far away from Mennofer and his widow, and he also needed to have it with him. He was the only one, except Kanefer, whom he could lean on. He also did not want to leave the work he had done. This was almost the rule.

"Look," he said to Meni calmly, "you're probably right that I exaggerated. I admit it. The only excuse may be that I did not want to protect only myself, but especially Merjebten. If you want to send me somewhere, send me to Ion. It's not far from Mennofer, so no one will be looking for me there. "

He looked at him in astonishment. After all, it was like throwing a rabbit into a carpet basket. "Aren't you serious?" He asked.

"Let it go through your head. It doesn't seem like the worst solution to me, "he told him, walking to the door. Then he stopped and turned to him. He said emphatically in his voice, My name is Imhoteph - one who walks in peace (peacemaker).

Similar articles