"You said we'd be together soon." She whispered.
She was about to drive the blade deep into her heart when she saw Kevinutahn's eyes flicker. Dropping the dagger she fell to her knees. Tears ran down her face. Was this a trick from Anubis to stop her spilling blood in his temple? Her shaking hand reached out for the dagger just as Kevinutahn moaned softly. Tiy screamed. Not very loud, but a petrified one. Kevinutahn opened his eyes and tried to sit up but the pain to the right of his left shoulder made him lie back down. Tiy felt the breath catch at the back of her throat. He was alive! She shook him gently.
"Kevinutahn?" she whispered.
He opened his eyes again and looked straight at her, "Tiy."
She felt a fire roar into life in her heart and joyfully hugged him. He seemed in a lot of pain so Tiy went to fetch a man who could help him. Unknown to her he was a helper of the Nubian rebels and readily agreed to heal him in secret. His name was Itone and he was a messenger of Howylos. He knew who Kevinutahn was but didn't recognise Tiy.
"We must get him to my house. Only then will he be truly safe."
Tiy helped the old man to get Kevinutahn to his house and they laid him on a bed in an underground room. Itone stood back from the bed and stared thoughtfully at Kevinutahn. The old man stroked his greying beard. "I'll do what I can for him, young lady, but only his will to live can truly help him to recover."
Tiy nodded at Itone. As he looked at her he began to frown.
"I know you."
Tiy pulled her cloak tightly around her, "I don't think so."
She saw his dark eyes look straight through her disguise, "My lady! You should be preparing for the crowning tomorrow should you not?" Then his surprise was replaced by suspicion, "Come to think of it why are you with this man?"
Tiy bit her lip and explained that they had been lovers and how she had been forced to marry Brianahtan. Itone smiled. So she was unaware that Kevinutahn was in league with the rebels. He probably wanted it that way. He watched her standing over the young man. She was incredibly beautiful, very like Howylos's wife, Meritaten.
Tiy turned to him, "I must go before I am missed."
"Take care my lady! No-one must know that he is alive and more importantly that you are a friend."
Tiy thanked Itone for his advice and took leave of him and Kevinutahn. When she had gone Itone turned to Kevinutahn who had now sat up on the bed.
"You really go for these sadistic strains on my blood pressure don't you?" Itone chuckled.
"I try my best." Kevinutahn winced as he tried to get up.
"Oh no you don't!" Itone gently pushed him back down onto the bed, "You need to be 100% fit before you even consider taking on your brother."
"You're right, old man."
"Less of the old! I like to think of myself as wise."
Kevinutahn managed a small laugh at Itone's irrepressible humour.
"Sleep now and I will send word to Howylos that you are here. No doubt he believes you to be dead."
"I believed myself to be dead."
Itone left Kevinutahn to sleep and headed for Howylos's house.
* * * * *
Howylos was finally prepared to free Meritaten. He had learnt that she was being kept in the palace prison. The prison was row after row of damp, smelly and dirty cells where every type of known criminal was kept. Howylos and Kevinutahn had taken a copy of the blueprints to the prison a couple of years ago when Smenkhare had started arresting anyone he believed to be a Nubian rebel. In fact Itone had copied it for them.
Howylos looked around the house. He was ready to go. Suddenly he froze as he heard a knock at the door.
"Howylos?"
He relaxed. It was only Itone. Opening the door he saw the wise old man standing with a grin on his face.
"Well I'm glad someone has something to smile about!" Howylos grumbled.
"Maybe I can bring a half smile to you my friend."
Howylos was all ears now. He invited Itone in and they sat at his large wooden table.
"I've always thought you did a great job with this table." Itone ran his hand across the surface.
Howylos coughed impatiently. Itone looked up as if stirring himself from a trance. He looked at Howylos seriously.
"Kevinutahn is still alive."
Howylos frowned. Was Itone trying to fool him?
"What?"
Itone leant forwards and gripped his hands, "He's alive! The Queen came to see me saying she had found him still alive. I went to see and he was."
"Where is he now?" Howylos asked excitedly.
"At my house."
"I'll come to see him soon but right now I have to free Meritaten form prison."
Itone nodded seriously, "Yes. Who ordered her arrest?"
"Nickataten." Howylos practically spat the word out.
"Well go. Good luck."
* * * * *
Meritaten stared at the walls around her. No. They still looked the same as five minutes ago. She ran a hand through her long black hair. It felt dusty and dirty. Rubbing her already sore eyes she huddled further into her corner to try to get warm. She had been halfway across the Western Desert when she realised she was being persued. She had easily outriden them but had not expected Nickataten's men to be waiting for her at Kevinutahn's house. So here she was. The cell was cramped, cold, dark, damp and smelly. She was desperate for a drink and some food but as yet no one had come to see her or bring her anything. She had passed the time dreaming of her one true love. Unfortunately it wasn't her husband. She was very fond of Howylos and cared deeply for him. They were a perfect match, or at least she had thought so until she had met Kevinutahn. At the moment no one was aware of her feelings towards him.
Her thoughts were rudely interrupted by the sound of voices in the corridor. She looked up sharply as she heard a key in the door. Before she could get to her feet Nickataten came striding in with several men standing guard at the door.
"Well, what have we here?" He stood above her, menacingly.
Rudely, she tucked her head against her legs and wrapped her arms around her. He crouched down and roughly pulled her arms away. She stared at him. All the malice she felt towards him she tried to convey through this stare. He chuckled at her.
"You really are a little minx aren't you?"
"Why am I here?" Meritaten angrily said.
"So you have a voice." He looked at her. She was beautiful. He felt himself responding to these thoughts and allowed his eyes to follow the shape of her body.
Meritaten shivered under his gaze and full of rage she spat at him, "How dare you look at me like that!"
"Like what my dear? Am I not allowed to appreciate the..." he thought for a minute, "...finer points of a woman?"
Laughing cruelly with his men he stood up and roughly pulled her to her feet. She leant against the wall trying to be as far from him as she could. He put a hand on either side of her on the wall and whispered in her ear.
"I could guarantee your freedom...for a small favour."
Horrified Meritaten pushed him away, "Not even freedom would be worth something as totally undignified as that!"
Nickataten sneered at her, "Then you shall stay here until you change your mind."
"Easy enough." It was said with more confidence than Meritaten felt.
Nickataten, no longer able to contain his anger at her refusal, shouted at her, "No food and no water! If you still refuse then I shall come back when you are too weak to fight me!"
Meritaten watched him leave then collapsed in a heap on the floor. Tears ran down her face as she sobbed in the darkness. Suddenly Nickataten's face appeared at the window on the door.
"By the way," he snarled at her, "Kevinutahn is dead." With that he walked away leaving her to pour out her grief to the surrounding darkness.
* * * * *
Tiy quietly crept in through the garden. As she walked up the path she had the distinct feeling that she was being watched. Pulling the cloak around her she continued on her way.
"Tiy."
She turned at the voice behind her. Brianahtan stood on the path behind her. The breath caught in her throat. She had been discovered!
"Come here."
His voice sounded unusually calm. She slowly walked towards him. He took her hands and pulled her to him. She felt uncomfortable this close but knew better than to say so.
"I know we haven't started this marriage well but I want us to try and get on."
Tiy was stunned into silence. She had expected to be questioned as to where she had been. She wished it hadn't been so dark, then she might have been able to see his face and decide whether he was being honest.
"Sit with me."
He led her onto the grass and sat down. Tiy sat next to him, not wanting to ruin the calm mood he appeared to be in. She noticed that he had a bag with him. From this bag he took out an amphora of wine and two goblets. She began to feel the dread well up inside her. So far their marriage was unconsummated and she could not be crowned his great queen until it was. She watched him fill the goblets, then he handed her the silver one and took the gold one for himself. Too scared to ask why Tiy drained the goblet. She felt a funny after taste in her mouth. She looked across at Brianahtan in alarm. He was smiling at her.
"Are you feeling more relaxed my dear?"
Tiy couldn't focus properly, let alone control her actions. Brianahtan leant across her pushing her to the ground beneath him. She tried to say that she wanted him to go away but the words wouldn't form. She knew she had been drugged and the frustrating thing was that she could do nothing about it.
"I've waited for this moment for what seems like an eternity Tiy."
What moment, she thought. She felt his lips pressing kisses to her neck and his hands roaming her body. She was fully aware now what moment he meant. The drug prevented her from fighting back and all she could do was lay helplessly in his arms.
"I promise you it will be an experience you'll never forget."
* * * * *
Meritaten had finally calmed down. She tried to think through her situation carefully but wasn't having much luck. She banged her fist against the cold wall. He was dead. What did she care what Nickataten said to her anymore? She had no reason to live so felt she could quite happily die down in the cells. As she was coming to terms with this drastic decision she heard a noise at the small grill that passed for a window.
"Mayati?" This was Howylos's pet name for her.
"Howylos!" Meritaten put her hand up to the grill and felt her husband's breath on it.
"You are ok?"
"Yes. Tell me, is Kevinutahn really dead?"
Howylos was aware of his wife's fondness for his friend and reassured her.
"He is alive Meritaten! He's staying with Itone."
"How can this be? Nickataten said..."
"He doesn't know. Only you, I, Itone and Tiy know."
Meritaten smiled with relief.
"Meritaten, I shall come back for you. The security has changed so I must devise another plan."
"Ok."
"I love you."
Howylos was gone. His parting words to her hung on the air. She knew what she had to do. Kevinutahn was alive and therefore so would she be. Already the guilt at what she was about to do spread through her.
Going to her door she called through the grating. "Guards! Tell Nickataten that I've changed my mind!"
Half an hour passed and still no one had come to her. Meritaten angrily slumped in the corner. She felt the cold of the wall bite into her skin. Where was he? If he expected her to go through with this then the sooner the better!
Footsteps in the corridor announced his arrival. He marched into her cell and stood in the middle of it watching her. She stared at him. His hair flopped over one eye and his muscular chest rose and fell with his breathing. He looked at the floor before looking at her again. His dominating presence filled her with fear, yet, a strange excitement stirred within her.
Meritaten continued to stare at him. She didn't know why, but she had never before noticed how handsome he really was. She felt desire for him rush through her veins. He took a step nearer to her and held out a hand. She reached for his hand and he pulled her upright. She looked beyond him. The corridor was empty.
"You are alone."
"You are very observant!" But he said it without his usual sarcastic tone.
"Then you know why I called for you?"
"I felt it." His voice was barely a whisper as he said this to her.
She felt a strange feeling tear through her body as he said this. She had never known such desire and excitement for anyone - not even Kevinutahn. On an impulse she stepped forwards and pressed her lips to his. Although surprised at first Nickataten wrapped his arms around her and returned the kiss. They broke away and Meritaten saw him looking at her in a way she never thought possible. He no longer stared at her simple lust, there was more than that to it. She dared to hope it might be genuine feeling.
"Come with me." His voice was hoarse with desire.
It made her weak at the knees and she could hardly walk. Gently he picked her up in his arms and carried her out of her cell. He made his way to the palace entrance and set off down a corridor to his quarters. All the while Meritaten was imagining what he would do to her. When they reached his quarters he stood her up by his bed. She was so aroused that she couldn't stand and dropped onto the covers. He threw his cloak to the floor and gently lowered himself over her. The feeling of his body so close to hers caused her to moan slightly.
"Oh God, Meritaten!" He kissed her passionately until they were both breathless.
Meritaten began to undress him and he pulled her dress up over her head before discarding it on the floor. He laid himself across her and for the first time in his life understood the true meaning of love.
* * * * *
Tiy opened her eyes and stretched lazily. She looked at the blue and yellow wall. Panic seized her. Her room walls were not yellow and blue! She rolled over to confirm her fears. Lying beside her was Brianahtan. Memories of the previous night came flooding back to her. He had drugged her and then... She didn't want to remember it. Getting out of bed she felt sore and her legs ached. Typical after effects of rape she thought. She staggered over to the window and looked out across the city. The sun was rising, bringing with it another stifling hot day.
"Lovely day for a crowning."
Tiy grabbed at the bed sheet and wrapped it around her. Brianahtan laughed.
"I don't think that's necessary anymore, do you?"
He reached out and pulled the sheet from her.
"Where are my clothes?" she demanded.
"You look better without."
"Shut up! I want my clothes, now!"
Brianahtan got out of bed and walked round to stand in front of her, "They're in the garden if you want them."
"Give me the sheet!"
He stared thoughtfully at her for a minute before handing her the sheet, "Will you ever love me?"
"No! Never!" She hastily wrapped the sheet around her and headed for the door.
"Tiy, I had to do what was necessary. I have to..."
"Pronounce me your great Queen...yes, yes, I know all that!"
"Consummation is important."
Tiy turned to him, "I didn't consummate this marriage last night...you did...all on your own!"
The door slammed behind her. Brianahtan stood staring at the space she had been stood in only a second ago. He picked up a vase and threw it at the wall in a rage. Halfway down the corridor Tiy ran faster.
* * * * *
Nickataten opened his eyes and looked at the ceiling. Hearing breathing beside him, he turned to look at Meritaten. Last night had been the most amazing moment of his life. He stroked her hair and sighed. She worked for the people he was trying to kill. Life was about to get very complicated.
"Nickataten." She whispered in his ear.
He kissed her forehead, "Good morning my love."
She wrapped her arms around him and he held her tight. Meritaten began to sob quietly.
"Why do you cry?" He asked her with concern.
"I've fallen in love."
"And this is bad?" He put a hand under her chin so that she looked into his eyes.
"Yes...well, no and yes." She sat up, "Falling in love is good but it's with whom I've fallen in love."
"Hmm...not the best choice!"
Meritaten laughed. He was totally different to the mean, evil and perverted man she had always thought him to be. He was kind and loving, caring and sensitive. She would have to go back to Howylos, of course, but she still wanted to see Nickataten. She told him so.
"If that's how it is to be, then I shall meet you in secret." He looked at her, "I know you're with the rebels. This will make life more difficult."
"Not if you join too!"
He stared at Meritaten. He couldn't join them...could he? He was in a position of great power and could help them. She was looking at him pleadingly. His eyes drank in her soft face and the deep loveliness of her eyes. How could he not join when it meant the possibility of him seeing this face many more times?
"I...I can inform you of plans made by the Pharaoh?"
"Join or lose me." Meritaten had thrown their love to destiny and fate.
Nickataten was fighting a battle. A battle of hearts. Should he stay loyal to the Pharaoh or should he lose his lifestyle, his power...for the love of a woman. He desperately wanted to go with her and join her way of life but the rebels would never accept him. He had arrested and killed too many of their number already.
"I cannot go with you."
Meritaten was shocked. She had been sure he would join her.
"What? I thought you loved me!"
"I do!" He cried, "But I cannot join you. You know how many of your friends I have ordered dead. Your people would never accept me."
"I would! Is that not what matters?" Meritaten cupped his face in her hands, "I cannot do without you."
"You must for I cannot join you."
Meritaten wrapped her arms around him, "Then I shall most probably never see you again."
Outside the door Brianahtan smiled to himself.
Nickataten had finally become of some usefulness to him. It was about time that he tried a dose of his own medicine. Brianahtan walked away laughing quietly to himself.
* * * * *
Brianahtan strode purposely into the captive chamber. All around the walls were chains and manacles whilst in the centre of the room stood a torture rack and several barrels of various substances, such as wax and even snakes. The room smelt dreadful. This was probably due to the dried blood everywhere.
Brianahtan had captives brought here and tortured until they told him what he wanted to know.
Alexatros, Brianahtan's new torturer, looked up before going on his knees as Brianahtan came in.
"Get up!"
Alexatros scrambled to his feet, "What can I do for you Lord of the North and South?" He spread his arms wide, displaying all the equipment.
Brianahtan looked at his grinning face, "Jokes, jokes, eh?"
Alexatros chuckled.
"What I want," Brianahtan mused, "is something to loosen someone's tongue."
"Are we talking wimp or tough guy?"
Brianahtan pulled a face, "Does it matter?"
"Oh yes! It decides which tongue loosener I pick."
Alexatros looked at Brianahtan.
Brianahtan took a step away from Alexatros. The man was mad, but then you probably had to be to do this job. Brianahtan thought carefully, was Nickataten a wimp or a 'tough guy`, as Alexatros had said?
"A tough guy."
* * * * *
Nickataten held Meritaten tightly. They had agreed to meet in secret but it would be very rarely as it was dangerous.
"You can still change your mind."
Nickataten looked sorrowfully at Meritaten, "You know I can't join you."
"I know you won't!"
"Meritaten! That's not true."
She crawled off the bed and slipped into her dress. The sun came through the window and shone through the flimsy material of the dress. Nickataten stared at her silhouette under the fabric. He got out of bed and went to a box on his table. He opened it and took out a necklace. It was gold and the pendant hung on it was fashioned into the shape of a lily. He walked over to Meritaten. She stood still as he reached round her neck and fastened the necklace.
"I want you to wear this."
"It's beautiful." Meritaten whispered.
"Not as beautiful as you."
Meritaten hugged him tightly. Reluctantly she drew back from him and went over to the window. He watched as she climbed out and disappeared from view. They said no more to each other. They didn't need to. They both knew how much the other loved them.
Nickataten stirred himself and got dressed. He wrapped his skirt round him and was about to put his collar on when his door was bashed open. Ten guards came marching into his room.
"Hey!" He angrily shouted, "What do you think you're doing?"
Two of the guards grabbed his arms and began to drag him to the door. Nickataten pulled away from them and immediately all ten guards set on him. Together they dragged Nickataten through the door and down the corridor. Eventually Nickataten stopped struggling. What had he done? Soon he recognised where they going. The passage they were in only led to one place - the captive chamber! He felt the panic begin to set in. Had he been seen with Meritaten last night? Did they suspect him to be a rebel? Had he simply forgotten to call a meeting?
At the door to the room the guards shoved him through and he landed in a heap on the floor. He looked around him. This room had always given him the creeps. He felt Anubis's presence in it and this scared him. The God of the dead held say over who would die and who would live. Nickataten hoped the God was looking on him with favour that day. Brianahtan stood looking down at him.
"Good morning. I trust you slept well last night?"
Nickataten decided to play Brianahtan at his own game, "A bit restless but yes I did."
"A bit restless? A BIT restless!"
Nickataten watched Brianahtan as he paced up and down in front of him. He was terrified but had to remain calm.
"So who is she?"
"Who?" Nickataten felt is confidence fading.
"THE GIRL!" Brianahtan roared at Nickataten in a rage.
"She lives in the city."
"That's better, anything else?"
Nickataten stared back at Brianahtan. He had said all he was going to say on the matter.
"I'm waiting."
Nickataten sat and studied the floor. He could see Brianahtan's face getting redder. Finally Brianahtan lost his temper.
"TIE THE B*ST*RD TO THE WALL!"
Nickataten struggled against the ten soldiers as they dragged him to his feet and chained his arms and legs to the wall. When he had been manacled to the wall, Brianahtan came and stood infront of him.
"Tell me all about the rebel girl!"
Nickataten simply stared back. He was not about to betray Meritaten.
"Ok, have it your way." Brianahtan turned to Alexatros, "Now."
Alexatros walked over to a pot over a fire. He pulled out a lump of wax. Nickataten stared in fascinated horror. He had often talked to people who had had this treatment. They covered your armpit hairs in wax before laying papyrus paper onto it and pulling it, and the hairs, off very slowly. Nickataten felt himself begin to sweat as Alexatros stood before him with the wax.
"Well?"
Nickataten turned to look at Brianahtan and spat at him. The globule landed right on his forehead.
"Make him feel pain, now!" Brianahtan angrily yelled.
The wax was warm on his skin and it reminded him of holding Meritaten close. He concentrated his thoughts on her. As Alexatros laid the papyrus paper over the wax, Nickataten lost the concentration. All he could think of was the impending pain.
Brianahtan asked him one more time, "Will you tell me?"
"You'll still have to pull this stuff off so, no."
Brianahtan nodded to Alexatros who began to peel the strip off. Nickataten sucked in his breath sharply at the pain. It felt like he was being stabbed with ten thousand knives all over his armpit. Tears sprang to his eyes and he was positive it would be easier if he screamed but he wasn't about to give Brianahtan the pleasure. The tears that welled up behind his eyes came pouring out down his face. When the strip was finally off Nickataten felt the relief wash over him. Brianahtan was, on the other hand not very happy. He glared at Nickataten.
"Ok then. I'll kill the girl!"
"What?" All thoughts of the pain flew from Nickataten's head.
"Aha! Got your interest now!" Brianahtan brought his face close to Nickataten's, "You do what I say or I'll kill her. I had her followed when she left so I know where to find her."
Nickataten had no choice. He couldn't let them kill Meritaten.
"Ok."
* * * * *