Kevinkare was enjoying one of the rare moments when he had some time off to spend with his family. He was the proud father of two children: his and Meritaten’s toddler daughter Meritaten-tasherit (which means, Meritaten-the-younger, but she was called her Meryt) and their newborn son, Kha. Both were named after their parents.
Meryt was waddling around the garden, becoming absorbed with the flowers and plants. Often times, she’d tear off leaves and sit on the ground and amused herself with it for minutes at time. Then she was up again and wandering around. Being very inquisitive, ever since she had learned to walk, Meritaten had had to keep her eyes on her at all times. At the moment though, Meritaten gave up watching her daughter since Meryt’s every move was being watched by her all-seeing father. Meritaten was relaxing with Kevinkare in lounge chairs. Kha was cradled in Kevinkare’s strong arms, and all were content. Only twenty years old, Meritaten was the eldest of six daughters produced by Nefertiti and the late Pharaoh, Akhenaten.
She was the spitting image of Nefertiti when the Queen Mother had been twenty. Fit to be Great Royal Wife, she had given that up to marry the love of her life, Kevinkare. However, it had all been worth it in her eyes. Now, the young beauty was content to live out the rest of her days with the man she loved at her side along with her children, other family, and friends. She was tired of the attention that came with being a princess of the royal court. When Tutankhamun had been crowned as king, she had hoped to have the spotlight would slowly fade, but it hadn’t in two years. At that point in her life, however, she had given up hope that the people would loose interest in her and had decided just to live out her life.
Kevinkare sighed, content with his life.
“I don’t remember Thebes,” Meritaten stated.
“I’m sure you’ll love it.” He smiled lovingly at her. “The servants are nearly done packing up the house. My family estate in Thebes is one of the grandest in the city. It has a reputation for it.”
Humoring her husband, Meritaten smiled. “I will miss this garden though.”
“There are plenty of flowers in Thebes as well.”
“You sure are in a rush to leave! This house will always hold memories for me. Our children were born here, and this is where we used to meet for our secret... meetings when my father ruled. Can you forget about that in an instant?”
“No, you know I’ll never forget any of that, Merit. But it is time to move on. Forget Aten, Love; it’s time to return to what is right.”
********
Brianamun had made it back to Thebes. It had taken slightly longer to return to Thebes than it had to get to Denderah, but, in the end, he had made it. Upon arrival at the Temple of Karnak, Nofretke had been ushered off to join the other musicians.
Over the journey, Brianamun had not had the time nor the opportunity to get to know Nofretke at all. She had remained in a corner of the ship where she’d practiced her lute. For those few days, she had remained in her own little world rarely emerging. When she did, however, she was subjected to crude remarks from the sailors since she was the only woman onboard. At first, she had ignored them and their provocation’s. Finally, she didn’t put up with it any longer, and she gave it right back to them--which was bad if not worse than what they had said to her. That had shut them up indefinitely. Brianamun smiled at the memory. Nefret may have been feisty, but she’d never say something that indecent.
Eventually, the day of Tutankhamun’s arrival came.
Brianamun was extremely relieved. He’d worked too hard. If anything, he was looking forward to when the holidays were over, and he could rest a little bit and enjoy whatever was left of his “vacation” off from the temple. While the other men were out getting drunk and sleeping around, Brianamun would be asleep in his bunk---if he had anything to say about it, that is.
Dressed in his most elegant ensemble, Brianamun was waiting at the port as the royal ship docked. The king and queen’s bodyguards descended first. In between them were the Pharaoh and Great Royal Wife themselves. Brianamun bowed low.
Tutankhamun grinned like the schoolboy he was. “I trust everything is ready since I have not heard anything from you in these past weeks?”
“It is, Majesty.”
“Very good! You shall be rewarded greatly, but first, we must begin the New Year’s festivities. We are just in time, are we not lucky, my dear?” he asked his wife.
“Of course, my lord.” Ankhesenamun smiled happily.
To Brianamun’s eyes, she looked like a young, infatuated girl. (He felt she was too young to be in love at fourteen. What do men know?) The king and queen proceeded on their way.
Brianamun stepped back to allow their guards to follow. Then he made his own way to his chariot and rode at a discreet distance behind the monarchs. After all the ceremonies had been performed, partying started. During this time, Brianamun disappeared. He went home and collapsed in his bed.
****
Howymose and his wife, Wia, celebrated with their own private garden party consisting of themselves, Kevinkare, Meritaten, Alexhotep, Nickathor, and Aneski. (Brianamun had declined naturally.) Mutemwia was a girl from the Delta, whom Howymose had met on vacation. Most people would not think her to be Howymose’s type--many hadn’t thought that their marriage would work out. She was feisty and the total opposite of her husband. She wanted all she could get out of life while doing as little as possible. Words simply cannot describe Wia. The only way to understand her is really if you knew her.
Not incredibly beautiful, she was attractive. She did not look typically Egyptian. Being from the Delta, she had been born in Avaris (the capitol the Hittite invaders had made hundreds of years ago. Now, Avaris was the city dedicated to Set, god of chaos and destruction. He was a god with a full head of red hair.) Ironically, Wia also had a head of orange-red hair. She was tall with legs that went on forever. Her eyes were mischievous pools of an indeterminable shade of grayish-blue.
As hostess, she was receiving something she loved: attention. She adored having all eyes on her. Even though it was a small gathering, Wia would make the best of it.
They celebrated late into the night with Nickathor, Alexhotep, and even Aneski getting themselves drunk. With them passed out inside the house, Howymose, Kevinkare, Meritaten, and Wia were left to talk as dawn spread across the horizon.
“How is everything with you?” Kevinkare inquired of them.
“Fine.” Howymose grinned.
Their chit-chat was interrupted by a breathless messenger. “Pharaoh requests all of you to be present at this next announcement of his. He hasn’t given the reason, but all must be there.” To Meritaten, he said, “He requested his step-sister especially.”
“We will be there,” Meritaten replied with a gracious smile.
Attempting to wake the three who had passed out, they all parted to prepare for the social event of a lifetime.
Chapter Five

Brianamun slept peacefully and deeply throughout the night. Come morning, he was woken by his household steward: “My lord, my lord! Pharaoh’s messenger just came by saying that His Majesty requests your presence particularly at the court this morning. There shall be some sort of ceremony!” With that, the steward flew out once more. Brianamun groaned. He knew his presence hadn’t been “requested.” Because when Pharaoh “requested” something to be done, it was automatically an order which must be obeyed, or else you were punished for treason. He had no choice but to go.
After dressing, he drove his chariot toward the reinstated Theban palace. The chamberlain was waiting to admit him to the magnificent garden. Brianamun found the garden was already packed. He slipped through the crowd toward Kevinkare, Meritaten, Howymose, and Wia.
“What’s going on?” Brianamun inquired.
“I’m not sure,” Howymose answered.
“Tutankhamun should be coming out shortly--at the Window of Appearance with Ankhesenamun of course,” Kevinkare stated. “And perhaps even with Nefertiti.”
“Why would he want me here?” Meritaten mused aloud.
“Your his sister,” Wia said with a smile.
“Half sister,” Meritaten corrected.
“Well, however it is you two are related... princess of the Two Lands...”
She broke off, still grumbling to herself.
Howymose sighed and shrugged, turning away from his wife.
Slightly amused, Brianamun smiled to himself.
The courtyard quieted immediately as Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun appeared on the balcony overlooking their subjects.
“Today,” Tutankhamun declared, trying not to allow his young voice to crack, “I have called you all here to reward my humble, devoted servant and associate who arranged the festivities which you all enjoyed yesterday. Some of you, I’m sure, still have not recovered completely from it.”
Laughter and chuckles ensued--proved Tutankhamun’s point.
Pleased by the intended reaction, Tutankhamun continued, “I’d like to award this man who arranged official ceremonies. He who has greatly pleased the gods.”
By then Brianamun was as red as a bright gem. He didn’t want to be acknowledged in front of all those people. In fact, he didn’t wish for any praise whatsoever. He only wanted to stay out of the spotlight.
“My good and advisor... Brianamun, please come forward to accept your rewarded.”
Blushing deeply, Brianamun strode up to the Window of Appearance.
*****
Nofretke sat alone in the strange surroundings. Anger had replaced her fear. She should have known the old lute player would return. The pathetic priest hadn’t even had the nerve to tell her that! The elderly high priest of Hathor had already replaced her. She’d had nowhere to go...
And yet the third Prophet of Amun had taken it into his thick, brilliant head that she would love to become another anonymous member of Pharaoh’s court---particularly Pharaoh’s royal harem. Her parents hadn’t been any help. Nofretke’s father was too busy mummifying his dead mother, who had recently passed on into the Kingdom of Osiris. Besides, putting his daughter in a royal harem would be a great way to get her out of the picture--and out of his treasury. Though her mother hadn’t given her consent, her father’s had been enough. She couldn’t resist the guards, and her fate had already been (unfairly) decided.
Kicking and screaming, Nofretke had been offered into Pharaoh’s harem. To say she was happy about it was nowhere near the truth. Nofretke knew she wouldn’t be “visited” by the king. She’d heard of how infatuated he was with his queen--just give him a few years though... Meanwhile, she’d waste away of boredom. Suicide seemed a better solution than what was offered to her.
She was sitting inside one of her small rooms, gazing out the window. A servant entered. “Mistress, we must prepare you...”
“For what?”
“The Pharaoh’s request.”
Had what Nofretke heard been all false? Well, most rumors are, she thought. She was led to hair dressers, make up artists, and other beauticians who tried to make her as perfect as possible. Not as that it would ever work, she thought bitterly.
*****
Tutankhamun positively beamed at his idea as how to reward his trusted counselor.
“I was up all night trying to think of a way I could honor you, Brianamun,” Tutankhamun said proudly. “I know you have all the wealth--and more--of what is deserved by a Second Prophet of Amun and a member of Pharaoh’s royal council... but there is one thing a man of twenty-six does not have...”
“What is that, Majesty?” Brianamun asked, humoring his sovereign.
“Brianamun... do you have a wife?” Tutankhamun asked, his tone as low and deep as he could possibly make it.
Brianamun’s face took on a registered expression of shock. “Majesty! I... uh, well... no... I...” His small blue eyes widened considerably.
Tutankhamun’s beam faded slightly. “What? You do not wish for a wife? I’ve found one whom I think would suit your nicely. She’s stubborn, independent, and a little shy... as far as I can tell. I’ve always thought that is what you looked for in your women?”
“I, uh...” How would he possibly know that?
Brianamun raised his head to look at the crowd. At the entry to the garden, surrounded by palace servants, stood Nofretke, blushing to a point she could blush no more.
Chapter Six

Brianamun stared at Nofretke. He could feel that he himself was flushing... He was fully aware of that.
What had Tutankhamun been thinking??!! A forced marriage--arranged by a thirteen year old!! It was madness, sheer madness! And yet this thirteen year old was Pharaoh whose wish was everyone’s command at all times, no matter how irrational. Brianamun turned his blank expression back to Tutankhamun. “But I’m a priest,” he began, trying to think of any lame old excuse.
“So? You have only one month of service within the temple, and besides, I can changed that in an instant.” It still hadn’t sunken in that neither the groom nor the bride (who was still only trying to put the pieces together) were not happy about his arrangements.
“Now, I’ve arranged for a celebration in honor of your union--one in which Her Majesty Ankhesenamun and I will personally attend.”
*****
Alexhotep had just arrived. After Kevinkare had explained Brianamun’s “prize,”Alexhotep had been overcome with laughter.
“I wouldn’t complain!” he cried.
Someone groaned behind them.
It was followed by a tired, feminine voice inquiring: “Wouldn’t complain about what?” Kevinkare and Alexhotep turned around to see that Nickathor and Aneski had just arrived.
“I have a killer headache,” Aneski complained.
“So do I,” Nickathor mumbled, massaging his pounding temples. Alexhotep shrugged and then proceeded to answer their question.
“Brianamun is getting married.”
“To who?!” Nickathor exclaimed.
“That girl.” Alexhotep motioned toward the bride.
Nickathor squinted in her direction. “I think I’ve seen her before. Maybe at the temple... but I can’t really place it.”
“When were you ever at Karnak?” Aneski asked, giving him a suspicious look.
“Yesterday.”
“Oh... yeah.”
Wia grinned. “Another party? And one with the whole royal family... We’re there, Howymose!” She dragged her husband closer to the sovereigns.
*****
The party ended ultimately as all things must. Before Brianamun knew it, he was driving home in his chariot with his new wife at his side.
During the entire day, they had barely said one word to each other. When they were forced to, they always spoke to the other in extremely polite tones--as one would address a stranger which they truly were to one another.
Breaking the awkward and tense silence, Brianamun asked, “Have your belongings been brought over?”
“I don’t know,” she replied shortly, mumbling a little bit.
Only the clopping of the horses’ hooves sounded as they trotted through the deserted, dark streets. Eventually, they arrived at Brianamun’s mansion.
Just as he had once done to the love of his life, he offered this strange girl assistance descending, and just as Nefret had done years earlier, Nofretke ignored the helped and jumped off herself.
After that though, she looked at him with big, innocent eyes waiting to follow him inside. She looked years younger than her actual age and much more innocent than any girl of twenty-one could look.
Brianamun led her inside. The whole house was calm and quiet. “So what do we do now?” she asked quietly, averting her eyes from his face. He blushed. “We could...”
“I guess.”
It was their wedding night, and both knew no matter what, they were going to have to tough it out for a little while.
*****
After the celebration, Ay had retired to his office. He wasn’t forced to wait for too long. Horemheb was prompt on responding to the Vizier’s request.
“You called for me,” Horemheb practically growled.
“I did.”
“What is it now?”
“Have you come to your senses?”
“Have you come to yours?”
“I have always been perfectly sane, thank you, Horemheb.”
The general rolled his eyes.
“Will you help puppeteer Tut, or will you force me to do it myself? Remember though, my boy, we will hold all the power of the Two Lands in our hands! You’re as ambitious as I am, Horemheb, I know you want to do this. Come on...”
“What will we be doing exactly?”
“Worm our way into the king’s good graces.”
“We already have them.”
“We want to be intimate friends with the king. As of right now, the darned priest and the doctor are his two firsthand men. We need to replace them.”
“And how do we do that?”
“Tutankhamun is only a young boy. He’s fickle. Time will change his mind about Kevinkare and Brianamun.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“As sure as I could ever be.” Ay smiled.
Horemheb watched him skeptically. The old man did have a point somewhere. “All right,” Horemheb sighed. “I’m in.”

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