Colossal Legs of Stone

Chapter 12

Ozymandias glared from his golden throne. His brow was furrowed and his mouth twisted in a grimace of rage and resentment. His face was bruised and cut from his recent battle with the League of Kings. His eyes were bloodshot and his lips were curled in a snarl. He clenched his scepter so hard that his knuckles turned white, as if ready to strike anyone who crossed him. From the dais his throne was sitting on, he could see his loyal courtiers and behind them the walls, covered with hieroglyphs, paintings and tapestries. Amenhotep sat on the smaller throne next to the Pharaoh's. The air was heavy with smoke and incense.

Djet stood beside him, holding a cane, and looking old and frail. "My son do not be so hard on yourself. The consequences were unforeseeable. You fought bravely and honorably. You have nothing to be ashamed of."

"Nothing to be ashamed of? I lost everything! My army, my reputation, my glory! All because of that cursed Kelba and his allies! They humiliated me in front of the whole world!"

One of the courtiers, a young man with a limping gait, approached Ozymandias with a smile. He bowed respectfully and offered him a bunch of sugar cane. "My lord, please accept this humble gift from your loyal servant. It is a sweet and refreshing treat that will soothe your troubled mind. It is the latest craze in the city, thanks to your son's wisdom and generosity. He brought it back from the spice land, where he made many friends and allies for our kingdom. He a blessing to us all." He bent his knees and lowered his head in a gesture of deference as he offered him a bunch of sugar cane.

Ozymandias snatched the sugar cane from his hand and threw it on the floor. "This looks like nonsense from that sailor. I don't want your gifts! I want answers! Where did you get this from?

The courtier looked confused and nervous. He stammered and tried to explain. "My lord, this is not from the sailor. This is from your son, Amenhotep."

Djet sat down and began to explain. "When you left on the campaign to Kelba, you announced Amenhotep as regent in your stead. One day, I got a message from a courier saying that Amenhotep had left for Zalara to establish trade relations and that I was in charge. As regent, he had the right to do this, but I was furious. I sent guards to arrest him, but his ship had already left."

Ozymandias turned to Amenhotep. "Is this true, my son?"

"Yes, my father." Amenhotep bowed his head.

"Did you remember that I had already decided not to pursue trade with Zalara?"

"Yes, your majesty." Amenhotep continued bowing his head.

"Then you have committed treason! You disobeyed me and went behind my back. You have dishonored the dynasty." Ozymandias roared. "Guards!"

Two uniformed men with spears jogged forward. "Yes, Pharaoh!"

"Arrest him." Ozymandias pointed at his son. "By his own admission, he is guilty. He is to be executed for the crime of treason."

The court erupted in chaos. Some of the courtiers gasped and cried out in shock and horror. Others tried to plead with Ozymandias to spare his son's life. Djet rose from his seat and hobbled towards the Pharaoh. "My son, please give yourself time to reflect. Amenhotep is your only heir. He is the future of our kingdom."

Ozymandias glared at Djet with contempt. "You are a fool, old man. You have been blinded by his lies and charms. He is not my son. He is a snake in the grass. He defied my will and conspired with our enemies. He brought back nothing but trash and trinkets that corrupt our culture and weaken our spirit. He is a curse to us all." He turned to the guards and shouted. "Take him away!"

The guards grabbed Amenhotep by the arms and dragged him away. Amenhotep did not resist or protest. He looked at his father with sadness and pity in his eyes. He said softly, "Father, I love you. I only wanted to make you proud."

Ozymandias ignored him and waved his hand dismissively. "Enough of this nonsense. Take him to prison. Tomorrow he will see the executioner's block. Let his blood stain the sand as a warning to all who dare to disobey me."

The guards nodded and continued to pull Amenhotep out of the hall. As they passed by the courtiers, some of them bowed their heads in respect and sorrow for Amenhotep. Others spat on him and cursed him for his treason.

The young courtier who had presented the sugar cane whispered to Amenhotep as he walked by. "My lord, I am sorry for what has happened. You do not deserve this fate. You are a good and noble man. You have my love and loyalty."

Amenhotep looked at him with gratitude and recognition in his eyes.

Another courtier, a man with a scarred face and a missing eye, shouted at Amenhotep as he walked by. "You traitor! You worm! You have betrayed your father and your country! You have brought shame and ruin to us all! You deserve to die!"

Amenhotep again said nothing, he just looked at him with disdain and pity in his eyes.

Ozymandias then ordered his servants to bring all the goods that Amenhotep had brought back from Zalara and pile them up in front of the palace. He claimed they were cursed and tainted by foreigners and that they had to be destroyed to cleanse the land of their evil influence.

He shouted at his servants, "Hurry up! Bring me all the filth that my son brought from that accursed land! Do not touch them with your bare hands! They are poisoned and corrupted by foreigners! They will infect you with their diseases and their sins!"

The servants obeyed and carried the goods with fear and trembling. Their beauty and value were not in question. They had smelled them before and enjoyed their fragrance and flavor.

He commanded his soldiers, "Light the fire! Burn them all! Let them be consumed by the flames! Let them be reduced to ashes! Let them be erased from our memory! Let them be a sacrifice to our gods!"

The soldiers obeyed and lit the fire with torches. They did not question their Pharaoh's orders. They had been trained to follow him without hesitation or doubt. They had fought for him in many battles and wars. They had killed for him many enemies and rebels.

He watched as the flames consumed the goods, sending smoke and sparks into the air.

He turned to his courtiers and said aloud, "Behold the fate of those who disobey me! Behold the power of my wrath! Behold the glory of my kingdom!"

The courtiers clapped and cheered obediently.