Queen of the Heavens by Kingsley Guy Page B

and I can finish our transaction. I have the final part of the dowry for you to look at.”
    “I’m certain all is in order,” Ramesses said as he signaled the servant who had brought Sety’s gift. “Give the box to him, and Ruia, give him Tuya’s old necklace as well. It will be safe. Now, please, join me for refreshments.”
    Ramesses led Mother and Father toward the far side of the garden. Sety took my hand and led me to a table and stools nearby.
    “We await the Pharaoh,” he said. “Harenhab will be passing by here soon. We’ll join the procession to the Great Temple of Amun. From there we’ll go to the palace and a feast.”
    “I’m honored to have been invited.”
    “You’ll receive many such honors now that you’re my wife, but frankly, I’d rather forgo the celebration and make love with you right now,” he said as we sat down.
    With this remark, I realized time had not tempered Sety’s brashness. This concerned yet excited me. I also admitted to myself that while part of me feared having my first passionate encounter, another part longed for the lovemaking that would consummate my marriage. This would have to wait, of course. When invited by the Pharaoh to the Great Temple of Amun and then to a feast, even passion had to be postponed.
    A young servant girl placed on the table a tray of sweets and two chalices of wine.
    “Drink and eat, Tuya. For the moment we can at least enjoy these pleasures of the senses. We’ll enjoy others later.”
    “I’ve learned quickly, my husband, that you’re not afraid to speak your mind,” I said with a hint of sternness in my voice.
    Sety laughed. “Why shouldn’t I say what I think? Audacity, Tuya. Audacity. Always be audacious and the world will be yours.”
    “Audacity must be tempered with humility,” I cautioned.
    “Why?”
    “Because the gods demand it. The world will be worth nothing to you if it means failing Osiris’ Judgment and sacrificing your soul.”
    “The Neters will support me in whatever I do. For what other reason would Isis have brought you to me than to help me to achieve great things?”
    “I don’t know,” I said. “Perhaps there’s another reason. I don’t question Isis. I follow her.”
    Sety took some wine and food, as did I.
    “Isis expects much from our marriage. I’m certain of that,” he continued. “Ramesses is Harenhab’s favorite. If I outlive my father, and I most certainly will, I’ll be Pharaoh someday, the greatest Egypt has ever known. The gods have ordained it. I’ll need a son to carry on my work. It is your duty to provide me with one, but not just any son. He must be fit and intelligent, much more so than other boys. He must grow up being capable of ruling our land.”
    I looked directly at Sety and spoke slowly and deliberately: “You will have what you desire, my husband. I can assure you of that.”
    The moment I finished speaking, trumpets sounded in the distance as if to seal my promise.
    “The Pharaoh approaches,” Sety declared. He escorted me into a chariot, then climbed in himself and took the reins. Father drove another chariot with Mother beside him. Ramesses, alone in a third, led us to the entrance of his estate.
    Lord Harenhab drew near, escorted by a host of trumpeters, drummers and spear carrying soldiers all marching in perfect step. Twelve powerfully built men in loin cloths, dust clinging to their sweating skins, carried the Pharaoh on a litter with lions carved into its sides.
    Isis. What am I doing here? I thought, overwhelmed by the spectacle. A voice inside me answered: “You are performing your role in the Divine Pageant, Tuya. You’re exactly where you belong.”
    After the Pharaoh’s entourage passed, we joined the procession. Periodically, the trumpeters announced the Pharaoh’s approach with blares of their instruments. As we traveled through the streets of Thebes, goats, chickens and dogs scurried away as the people cleared a path and bowed to the god-man who