Colossal Legs of Stone

Chapter 2

"...and so we have successfully repelled the rebel attack on Memphis, Your Majesty. However, they have retreated to the south and regrouped." The general stood in front of Ozymandias with his head bowed low and his hands clasped behind his back. The sound of his armor clinking echoed in the vast throne room, where the air was heavy with incense and the walls were adorned with gold and hieroglyphs.

"How many?" demanded Ozymandias. His voice was loud and authoritative, like a lion's roar. He sat on a high throne made of ebony and ivory, wearing a double crown and a false beard. His eyes were piercing and cold, as he scanned the faces of his courtiers and generals.

"We estimate at least three thousand men, armed with spears and bows," he spoke in a confident clear voice, but didn't make eye contact with his lord. A bead of sweat trickled down his forehead.

"Three thousand? That's absurd! How can these peasants muster such numbers?"

"They have been joined by some of the local nobles and priests who are unhappy with your policies." He occasionally glanced at Djet and Amenhotep as if seeking approval. They nodded slightly at the general's words, but their expressions were inscrutable.

"Unhappy? What do they have to complain about? I have given them wealth and glory beyond their dreams! I have built temples and pyramids that will last for eternity! I have made Egypt the greatest nation in the world!" He leaned forward, gesturing wildly with his hands.

"They say you have neglected their needs and interests. They say you have imposed heavy taxes and corvee labor on them. They say you have ignored the signs of the gods' displeasure." He shifted his weight from one foot to another.

"Nonsense! These are lies spread by traitors and malcontents! They are jealous of my power and achievements! They are afraid of my vision and ambition!"

He stood up from his throne and raised his voice. "I will not tolerate this insolence any longer! I will crush this rebellion once and for all! I will show them who is the true ruler of Egypt!"

The courtiers applauded and cheered his words.

The old man in the seat next to the throne stood up, clearly with great effort. His joints were gnarled from the arthritis that had caused him to abdicate the throne to his son over a decade ago.

"My son, please calm yourself down. You are letting your emotions cloud your judgment."

Ozymandias spoke quietly: "Father, please sit down. This is not your concern anymore."

"I suggest you reconsider your strategy. The problem is not that you have too few troops in the south. The problem is that you have too many monuments in the north."

"What do you mean?"

"I've told you for years that redirecting our tax revenue to monument building from the military was a risky endeavor and you ignored my counsel."

"I know, father. We've been over this before. But I cannot redirect taxation from our great monuments to the military. They are a symbol of our power and our legacy. If more taxes are needed, that that's what we must do."

"No, my son. Rebellion is a direct consequence of over taxation. We cannot afford both an adequately strong military and extensive monument building."

"I am the son of Ra, the living god on earth! They should be grateful for my benevolence and generosity!"

"Father, may I speak?" asked a young man with a shaved head and a handsome face. He wore a simple white tunic and sandals but with a gold band on his head.