Sequal to New Horizon....
The Sunset On The Horizon

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Chapter Ten
Alexhotep’s life, though it seemed adventurous to be Chief of Palace Security, was dull. He searched endlessly for something exciting to occur within the palace walls, but it seemed that his fierce reputation proceeded him.
Sighing, Alexhotep collapsed into a comfy chair in his office. In an hour, he had to train new, potential recruits for the security team. Until then... Alexhotep leaned back in his chair, slowly closing his eyes. Just as he was beginning to dose off, the door to his office burst open and a young women stood there.
Startled beyond intelligent words, he mumbled incoherent curses as he struggled to regain his senses. “I have been abused by your soldiers!” she exclaimed.
Alexhotep raised his eyebrows in a rather sarcastic manner and took her in with his eyes. Immediately, he recalled the young woman who had been wandering through the palace halls months ago. If he remembered correctly, her name was Iset.
“And how have my soldiers ‘abused’ you, Iset?”
She started. “How do you know my name?”
“Wow. My memory is better than someone’s!” He chuckled at his own joke.
“Okay,” she murmured, more to herself than him. “Aren’t you going to listen to my complaint?”
“Of course, miss.”
“A few of your soldiers harassed me in the courtyard. Don’t any of your soldiers have any manners at all? It’s disgusting what men are coming to thesedays!” she huffed in a hurried voice. Actually, it sounded like she was babbling rather than reporting an official complaint. Alexhotep smiled patiently. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t pinpoint just one of my troops that that could be, Iset. So many would fit the description...”
That only seemed to upset her even more. “You’re the Chief of Palace Security!”
“Yes, I am aware of my position...” He grinned broadly, extremely entertained by her reaction to the situation.
“Oh, I can’t believe you!” She turned to stomp back out of his office.
“I’m sorry about my soldiers, but I hope the rest of your day is--” the door slammed “--pleasant,” Alexhotep finished, his face cracking into an amused smile once again.
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes once again, still grinning.
****
Ankhesenamun paced in her bedroom. She had dismissed her servants for the moment and was trying to make sense of the wild thoughts that plagued her head.
Ay’s words had sunk in. No matter how much she tried to bury herself in work and other things, as soon as she had a moment to herself, the reported gossip crept back. She had thought about them to such a point that she feared she was beginning to believe them.
“No, no!” she cried to herself. “Stop it! Get a hold of yourself, Ankhesenamun... You know it’s not true, you know it!”
“Know what?” Tutankhamun’s voice sliced through the air.
The Great Royal Wife jumped and spun around to confront her husband. “Nothing!”
He smiled wryly.
As Ankhesenamun watched her husband, she saw that he was indeed just a young boy. The weight of his crown could be overbearing; it could push him over the edge! He was only a boy of mere thirteen.
Many other Pharaohs were coronated at thirteen, the sensible half of her mind told her. Some have been crowned at an even younger age. The other part of her brain argued, Yes, but Tutankhamun had never been trained to be king as the others had been. He was not supposed to have been Pharaoh; it had been Smenkhkare’s destiny.
Ankhesenamun shook herself out of her mental battle and smiled at her husband. He cocked his head, fully taking in her icy, nervous smile. “Really, Ankhesenamun, what’s going on?”
“You’ve been acting so strange lately.”
“Maybe it’s the pregnancy, I don’t know.”
“Do you want me to send for Kevinkare?”
“No, that’s all right. It’s probably nothing, and we shouldn’t bother him for something so trivial.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Don’t worry about me, Tutankhamun.” She turned away from his inquiring gaze, unable to control her uncertainty and fear from filtering through into her eyes.
Tutankhamun felt his heart split in two. He felt sure that Ankhesenamun had fallen out of love with him, and that was the problem. Filled with alarm of her possible betrayal, he turned and left the room.
*****
Tutankhamun drove to Karnak in his royal chariot, his appointed charioteer driving for him. Bodyguards trailing behind, he made a splendid procession to the Temple of Amun.
When he arrived, Brianamun and the other higher prophets of Amun were waiting for him in the outer courtyard. As one, they bowed to Pharaoh.
Tutankhamun descended from his chariot, frowning. “This isn’t a damned ceremony.” His bitterness and suspicion toward the queen had caused his mood to become harsh for the rest of that day.
“Forgive us, Majesty,” Brianamun uttered.
“Yes, yes.” The Pharaoh cleared his throat. “It is a shame that Amun’s first servant has passed on into the Kingdom of Osiris where he, no doubt, he will bask in paradise after completing the journeys of the Underworld.
“But as Amun’s wishes declare, he demands a high priest at all possible times.” Tutankhamun’s eyes fell on Brianamun and the Third Prophet.
All knew the choice fell on those two, but it was obvious that it would be Brianamun, the Second Prophet, who would be chosen. Nefertiti had told him the wise decision. Tutankhamun only had to carry out her advice. Approaching the Third Prophet, Pharaoh laid his hand on his shoulder. “By Amun’s decree, you are the new High Priest of his clergy.”
The new First Prophet’s eyes widened considerably. “Thank you, Majesty. I will not let you down.”
Brianamun could not disguise his surprise.
Tutankhamun smiled at him. “You were my first choice originally, Brianamun, but I changed my mind.”
But why??!! Brianamun’s mind screamed. He bit his tongue to refrain from crying the words. “It is your will, Majesty.”
Tutankhamun broke into a grin. “I only denied you the position of high priest because I have another job in store for you. I wish you to become my personal advisor. I know this has never been done before, but I want you to become a joint Vizier with Ay. He will have the official roles of Vizier, but you shall be my confidante and advisor. Will you accept this new duty, Brianamun?”
Tutankhamun searched Brianamun’s face, silently trying to read into his emotions. Brianamun’s mouth dropped in his shock. “...Really?... I’m... I’m honored, Majesty!” he stuttered.
Tutankhamun grinned. He turned and addressed the others in the courtyard. “From this point on, Brianamun shall share the position of Vizier with Ay. He shall be my highest advisor, confidante... and friend.”

Chapters 11 & 12 soon to come...
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