Fall of a King ; Battle for Egypt Book 2

Chapter 6 Saying Goodbye

The next morning, I woke up with Ka sitting beside me. His eyes were serious. I knew what he was going to say. My heart clenched at the thought. I did not want this day to be here. It was too soon. I did not wish to say goodbye, not to her.

"Come my love. It is time," he said. I knew what he meant. This was it. Today was the day we were burying Neferure. We were saying goodbye to a friend. Saying goodbye to a wife and mother. I sat up and looked around for Tiye. But it was only Ka and I in the room. Ra was already in the sky. The curtains blowing in a soft breeze.

"Where is Tiye," I asked. I held my stomach, I had been up most of the night. The baby was getting heavier and heavier. It was not very much longer until our little prince or princess would be born. 

"She is preparing Thutmose. Bakari is saying his last goodbyes," Ka said. He got up, and I followed him. Just then two priestesses came in. 

"I will see you in the courtyard," he said. I nodded, he pulled me in and kissed me tenderly. But he pulled away too soon. He gave me a small smile and left the room. I turned to the priestesses. It was time to get ready. 

The priestesses began to bath me. They rubbed scented oils into my skin and hair. When they were done, they then braided turquoise beads into my hair. They dried my body and dressed me in a golden dress. The fabric strained over my large breasts. They had become so tender, and had already begun to leak milk. It was not long now. The fabric glided over my stomach, I was to be the vision of Isis herself today. They placed an ankh necklace around my neck, and then a woven crown of gold on my head. They applied kohl on my eyes. To protect them from the harsh rays of Ra. I stared at myself, today was one of the days that I had to be queen. I had to be there for my people. I felt the baby kick, I smiled and touched my stomach. The baby was just as anxious as I was. The priestesses bowed and left the room. I took a moment to compose myself. I had to be strong, not just for myself but for Tiye and Bakari. We had to be strong together. We all were saying goodbye. 

I made my way from my chambers to the main courtyard. We would proceed from the courtyard to her tomb. Ka and I would lead the procession on a chariot. With Tiye and Bakari following us. Then it would be the cart that would carry the sarcophagus of Neferure. This would be pulled by two large oxen. These oxen would later be sacrificed. Akhil and his priests would be behind that, chanting and calling for Anubis to help Neferure into the afterlife. It was all planned by Akhil and Bakari. Everyone was already there. As I entered, all eyes went to me and they bowed out of respect for their queen. Abydos and her inhabitants recognized us as their rulers. Sutekh and his men could not capture a sacred city. Therefore Abydos has become a sanctuary to most. Akhil had made sure of that. 

Ka greeted me at the base of the steps. Taking my hand, he planted a small kiss on it. He placed my hand in the crook of his arm. 

"You truly look like a vision, like Isis herself," he said in my ear. My cheeks turned red and I looked up. He looked down and gave me a small smile. He led me by the cart that held Neferure's sarcophagus. The lid carved in her likeness. It made my heart stop. Her eyes were made from the brightest emeralds. They shined just like her eyes. I held my tears at bay. I did not want anyone to see me cry or weep. Ka helped me onto the chariot. Our chariot would be pulled by two black steeds. To mark the occasion as a solemn one. They pawed at the ground nervously. As if they could feel the sadness in the air. As we made our way from the courtyard, I could feel the heat and the sun. But none of that mattered. All that mattered was saying goodbye. We had servants that would bring us water throughout the ceremony. Ka whistled and we began our journey to the land of the dead. 

The outskirts of Abydos were filled with tombs of the dead. Most nobles were buried here. Along with many of our poorer citizens. It was a sacred place. It is said that Osiris himself is buried here. Though to protect his body, no one knew where. Most of the tombs were simple, made of mudbrick. I wondered if they would stand the test of time. Or would they too become memories? Though the outside was simple, it was the inside that most spared no expense. The tombs were designed as an extension of life. Food, furniture, among others would be buried with the dead. So they would want for nothing in the afterlife. Neferure would join both her mother and baby brother in their tomb. It was her wish, and Bakari wanted that wish fulfilled. As we made our way to her tomb, I could hear the mourners. Their wailing mixed with the chanting of the priests gave the air a somber tone. The grief was palpable in the air.