Exodus: Gods & Kings

Opening + War Room

1300 BCE

For 400 years the Hebrews have been slaves to Kemet.

Building its statues, its cities, its glory.

In all that time they have not forgotten their homeland.

Or their God.

God has not forgotten them.

Pharaoh Seti I Palace, Memphis

The humid air of the season of Shemu embroiled in the tense and precarious dilemma of war as the council of Pharaoh Seti I, He of the god Sutekh, debated on the most effective strategy to meet the forces of King Muwattali II of Hattusa. Should the sons of Kemet draw them in, waterfowl snared in the fisherman's net?

The voice currently filling the chamber- that of High Commander Khyan. A burly man, strong of build, shaven head and dark in appearance with an authoritarian, introspective look.

"It is true, the Hittite army has 16,000 troops camped outside Kadesh. What is less clear  is why. 

"The Hittites  are trying to the border," interjected Seti's eldest son and heir apparent- the proud, confident and handsome Ramses. "Obviously." His military experience honed from the time he was ten years of age. "What else they be doing?"

"Anticipating an by us, according to our information," Khyan answered. "They we are... preparing an attack, which we are not."

The darkening fact no more sorely felt by two others, Pharaoh himself and Ramses younger brother, crown prince Moses.

At this crucial moment, Pharaoh's Seti's voice rose above those of any who would have followed Khyan. "What I do not want to do, and will not do, is sit here and wait until we are fighting Hittite armies outside  the palace walls." The mighty bull may not be in his prime, yet his strength of heart and mind on the intricacies of battle were far from declining. "Come."

Rising from his throne, the council did so around the table, eyes upon the map where they stared, plotted and considered the advantages and consequences of decisions that would save or cost the territories long lost to them. On a golden plate, the body of a sacred white Ibis laid, ready for the divine interpretation of Amun-Ra, to determine if victory or bitter defeat would fall on Kemet. The bowels read by the High Priestess Hetpet. Wife of Jannes, one of Seti's trustworthy members of the priesthood. Intelligent and non-cryptic in her readings, the alluring ebony-skinned woman studies the Ibis organs to tell Pharaoh what message Amun had to impart.

"What do the entrails  say?" Seti asked.

"They do not say anything. They imply," Hetpet responded, her tone as frigid as her en-capturing eyes unwavering, "and that is open to interpretation."

Moses and Ramses shared mocking criticizing grins from across the chamber. A habit they had from the time they studied in the House of Life.

"So, then. Will we win or we not in a  preemptive attack?" Seti was never one to wait long for circumstances to tip one balance over the other. "Is it a yes or a no?"

Examining the Ibis insides, Hetpet delivered Amun's words. " It is not clear." She cast them into a sacred brazier before a black granite statue of Sekhmet "The Powerful" lioness of war, and making an inaudible prayer.

"But something  else is. In the battle, a leader will be saved, and his savior  will someday lead."

Moses nearly chuckled yet had wise restraint to keep it low. "Then the entrails will   also say that we will abandon reason, and be guided  by omens." Being more learned than a pure devotee, he could not help but laugh at Hetpet's judgement.

Dipping a finger in the Ibis blood collected in a golden cup, Set raised his arms in worship, giving his prayer for glorious victory to the  "Lady of Slaughter."

"Great Sekhmet, Pharaoh drinks  in your name, and prays for victory over the Hittites at Kadesh," and then tasted the sacrifice's blood.