THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 84

Pharaoh was brought into the room as he leaned on two physicians. He was very weak and the news of the death of his daughter did nothing to help him.
There on the bed she lay. Cold and dead. Thutmose had wiped the dry blood off of her body and dressed her up in a blue dress with thin straps. He had tied her string of golden beads on her waist as a belt and put bangles on her wrists. He had also chosen a clean wig for her. She looked as if she was only sleeping with her hands put together on her thighs but the deep cuts on her face, arms and legs told another story.
Astrid leaned on the wall beside Asenath feeling sorrow. She had never gotten along with Rashida but her death was just sad. Asenath looked at Thutmose who just kept quiet.
Pharaoh stumbled in grief but was steadied by the physicians and Thutmose sat beside the bed staring at the body before him.
"My daughter," he wept as he walked towards her."What happened to you ?"
He openly broke into tears and he took her hands in his.
"What happened to you my child ?"
He began to rub her palms as his tears fell on them.
"Why did you leave just like that ? You were fine some moments ago. Why leave me ? Oh my baby. My small girl. Why ?"
"Father," Seti spoke and placed his arms around his father's shoulders and the physicians moved away."Father, Rashida's death saddens us all but you need to be mindful of your health," he said and his voice cracked at the end and his eyes welled in tears.
"My child. You always promised to stay with me and to never leave me. You promised to take care of me till we got grey hair. You promised me."
"We need to rush him back to his room to rest. I fear that things will get worse if he is here," Khafirin whispered to Seti.
"Father, let's go," Seti said and helped lift his father and walk him to his room.
Once inside, Pharaoh stumbled and fell to the floor and everyone with him rushed to help him up. His breathing was now much faster and his body trembling as he slipped into unconsciousness.
He was placed on the bed and Khafirin began to examine him.
"How is he ?" Seti asked and Khafirin shook his head.
"His condition has been aggravated by the princess's death and we have not found the antidote to the poison. I fear that.."
"Fear what ?" Seti asked as he took a step forward.
"If you have anything to say, say it now. He is dying."
"What do you mean dying ? You must cure him Khafirin,"Seti yelled.
"I and my team have tried but we are powerless against the force of nature. We have never seen anything like this."
"Ssssseeeettti," Pharaoh slurred with his eyes still closed and Seti knelt beside him taking his hand.
"I am here."
"Smeeenkkhhare, Aassstrrid and Thuuutttmose. Gggeet theeem."
"Get Smenkhhare, Astrid and Thutmose,"he roared." Father, you will be alright. You can overcome this."
A little while later, the three entered the room and bowed before Pharaoh.
"They are here," Seti told him.
" You're here,"he said as he opened his eyes to look at all in the room.
" Yes father,"Smenkhhare spoke in a clipped voice. His now red eyes looked at his father.
" I am glad,"Pharaoh replied." I am about to join my ancestors. There are things I have to say,"he said and swallowed." For many years, I have ruled Egypt. I built it with my hands, my sweat and my blood. I had my queen who bore me my son. I also got you Smenkhhare and Rashida from my lesser wife. The three of you were the only ones who survived to adulthood from my numerous wives and concubines. I am so proud to have been with you till this far. Thutmose, your mother, my sister left you under my care and I will be proud to report to her when I enter the land of the dead that you grew into a wonderful man. I do not regret anything in this life but not protecting my Great Wife and for letting Rashida end up choosing the wrong path over and over."
"Father, we are also proud to have you,"Seti said.
" You raised us up into great people and for that we owe you our lives,"Smenkhhare said.
" It is good to hear that. Thutmose, I know that you are grieving for Rashida but you need to move on and be happy. Asenath is a wonderful woman. I want you to still hold your position in the kingdom and ensure the growth of agriculture and keep the people from hunger. Smenkhhare, you shall still be in charge of the military. Seti,"he said as he lifted the sceptre beside him and gave it to him." You shall be made Pharaoh by morning."
Smenkhhare looked at Seti then at his father.
" But father,"he spoke.
" Do not defy me Smenkhhare. You shall help him build the nation and the city. Astrid."
" Yes,"she said as she stepped forward.
" You shall be the Great Wife. The queen of Egypt and you will help Seti build a strong nation. You will be the leader of the harem and manage the palace well. I am sure that you are capable."
" I will do it but I think you will still be around. You only need a while to recover. Seti and I are expecting a child. I am in my fourth moon,"she said.
" A grandchild ?"
" Yes father. A grandchild for you,"Seti said as he wrapped his arm around her waist.
"I am pleased to hear that. May you be blessed with more children and have many descendants. With Astrid by your side, I will be assured that you will make a good king....."
With that, he smiled then shut his eyes never to open them again. Pharaoh was dead.

The news of his death were spread out in the kingdom by heralds and the seventy days of mourning and mummification began.
Seti, the new Pharaoh made his father's funeral a grand affair and many followed the procession to the pyramids outside the city.
His sarcophagus was sealed and in a room adjacent to his, lay Rashida in her own coffin.
The tombs were sealed and all returned to their homes.
In the beginning of the new season, Seti would have his coronation ceremony.