Fall of a King ; Battle for Egypt Book 2

Chapter 8 A Game of Predators and Prey

     It has been one month since the twins were born. I have finally recovered and am able to walk freely around the palace. Ka has transformed into a doting father. Neferure has him wrapped around her little finger. He often holds her while he holds briefings with his many generals. He says that he does not want to be parted from his little emerald. The nickname he gave her soon after the twins were born. He could stare into her eyes for hours, his precious emerald. Narmer is already so strong, holding up his little head. Thutmose absolutely adores the twins. Thutmose has become a pudgy little thing, we have to work twice as hard to put him in clothes. He grows so fast. Thutmose and the twins have become renewed strength in our fight. We were not just fighting for ourselves now, but for our children as well. We wanted desperately for freedom, to know that our children will grow up not knowing the loss we had suffered. Our days became routine, and a sense of normalcy hovered over the palace. I kept my children close, they slept in cradles by my bed. The midwife kept insisting that I choose a wet nurse. But I refused, these were my children. I would feed them from my own breast. I would not be separated from my children. Not like I was all those years ago from my own mother.

    In the mornings, Ka would attend to briefings and royal duties. After about two weeks I was able to join him. Ever since Sutekh took Memphis, rumors spread of his cruelty toward his enemies and allies alike. Nobles loyal to us and who had survived the ambush, fled here to Hierakonpolis and to our cause. More and more nobles and their families fled from Memphis to escape from Sutekh and his cruelty. Some once loyal to Sutekh turned to us. The once empty royal nursery was now teeming with life. Most nobles brought news that Sutekh was planning something big. But they did not know what he was planning. We had heard only rumors. He would not tell anyone his plans. It was for him and Hasina's father to know, and for us to found out. This only angered Ka more. He felt the betrayal of Hasina and her father deeply. It was a betrayal he could never forgive or forget. Many were angry with Sutekh. He had broken the rules of battle, he brought dishonor onto himself and onto those who followed him. He would do anything to win, to unite Egypt under his tyrannical rule. Many would share the horrific torture that Sutekh would inflict on those who did not proclaim loyalty to him. He took young men from their families. Forced them to fight, to rebuild his army. Mothers were burying their sons, faster than they could have sons. Boys barely old enough to be called men. Many mothers spoke of Akhil. How he did his best to bury them, to allow them to go into the afterlife. To find peace, when so much of their lives were marred with blood and death. But even he could not keep up with all the death and destruction that Sutekh was causing. 

In the afternoon, I would spend time with Tiye and the children. We would sew, and read to them. As more and more children came, the stories became more prevalent. Some of my old ladies in waiting had survived. They welcomed the distraction. They needed the distraction. They helped me with the twins, praising them and myself. Their husbands were now generals, and learning how to be soldiers. Many were second sons, some just older than myself. Many had watched their older brothers, their fathers tortured and killed. They would not surrender to Sutekh. They wanted a leader like Ka, not someone tyrannical and cruel. We truly were growing up too fast. I hoped and prayed that our children would not suffer the same fate. Many of the women eyed Menes and Thutmose, both still so young but they were stealing hearts already. I felt content in the nursery. There I was just a mother and a friend. Not a queen, not a queen at war. All I wanted was peace, peace to be with my husband, and raise our children. But fate had other plans for us. 

In the evening. Ka and I would sit together. Talk about the day, and plans of the future. Often he held me in his arms. Talking sweet nothings in my ear. We wanted to spend time with each other. Spend time with our children. We became pregnant so quickly that we never really had a chance for a honeymoon. A chance to be us, before the twins came. But we only grew stronger, we loved each other so deeply and wholly. It often scared me. Thinking that something could happen, and Ka could be taken from me. But I knew that the gods smiled on us. And not even death could separate us. Love was rare, and we found it. And I would do anything to keep it. I would wade in blood, fight Anubis himself. If it meant I kept Ka by my side.