The Pharaoh's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page B

daughter’s marriage. What assurance can you give, General, that Anippe’s marriage isn’t simply a distraction to conceal news of defeat?”
    Vizier Ay was the first to gather his courage and lift penitent hands. “Perhaps the general didn’t want to alarm our king prematurely.” He stood then,taking on a conciliatory tone. “You see, mighty king, every nation the Hittites conquer adds to their military strength because they force the opposing troops to serve them to build their army. They defeated the Mitanni kingdom, then swept into Syria, captured the Phoenician coastline, and are now pressing into our Canaanite vassal states. Our general undoubtedly has a plan to stop the Hittite war machine.” Ay stood, towering over Horemheb, who remained on his knees before Pharaoh. “Tell us, General, can you stop the Hittite war machine, or is Amqa the first of many defeats?”
    Anippe held her breath, waiting for Abbi Horem’s anger to erupt. Instead, he rose slowly and met the vizier nose to nose. “Do you think you can counsel me on the Hittites? Are you a war-torn general who mixes blood with beer after a battle? No, Vizier. You play with wooden soldiers and clay swords. I refuse to discuss military strategy with you.”
    â€œGeneral.” Tut’s voice intruded on the advisors’ private war. “You will discuss your plan to re-conquer Amqa with both Vizier Ay and me. How can I trust either of you when you won’t trust each other?”
    The Throne Hall grew deafeningly still, the silence trumpeting Tut’s authority. Finally, he spoke to the newlyweds. “Anippe and Commander Sebak, you may rise.”
    Sebak helped Anippe stand, his callused hands somehow gentle on her oiled and scented skin.
    â€œCommander Sebak, you will escort my sister to her chamber. After this short meeting with my advisors, we begin the Fayum hunt. I’m tired of talking. I want to kill something—something with four legs, preferably, not two.”
    Anippe cast a worried glance at Abbi Horem and back at her brother.
    Tut winked at her. “I’ll return the general safely to Amenia if your new husband promises he’ll ride in my chariot for the hunt. I get to chase lions and wild oxen once a year, and I think Sebak can improve my luck. If I miss the beast with my arrow, perhaps Sebak can snare it with his bare hands.”
    Sebak smiled and bowed. “Anything my king commands.” He gently touched the hollow of Anippe’s back, nudging her toward the door.
    â€œSnare it with his bare hands?”
The same hand so tenderly placed on her back? With each step, Anippe’s panic grew. She’d only just met her husband,and they expected her to leave Gurob forever to live in his Delta estate? That meant only a few days left at Gurob. Her family would accompany her to Avaris for a feast and then leave her alone. Alone—in the Delta—with Hebrews and goats and Ramessid soldiers who snared beasts with their bare hands?
    â€œWait!” Anippe fled back to the throne and clutched Tut’s feet. “Please, son of Horus, mighty of birth, good god and just ruler of the Two Lands, please let Ummi Amenia and Ankhe come with me to Avaris. Please don’t exile me to the Delta without my family.”
    Tut’s fingers strummed the spirals of her wig, and she looked up to see his tender smile. “Would you feel better if I sent Ankhe with you?”
    Relief washed over her like a wave. “Yes, brother, and Ummi too.”
    His smile died, and he slid from his throne and lifted her to meet his gaze. In a whisper, he confided, “Amenia must return to the Gurob Harem. Horemheb needs her here to—” His words seemed to drown in whatever worries lay behind his eyes. “We must trust the general’s judgment on this.” He brushed her cheek and resumed his throne and his regal bearing. “Ankhe will remain in Avaris