Apotheosis #2

Through the coronas of fire torches on both sides of the hallway, I saw the attacker.

At first, it was only the contour that was visible. As the attacker slowly approached me, light began to shower on its body.

"Father," I exhaled in relief. "Why... the guards."

Father wore a solemn mask on his face. He approached crisply and pulled my hand as we ran down the hallway. Kiya followed behind.

I struggled to keep up with him. I never knew Father could move that fast.

"Father, where are we going?" I asked.

He turned around, pressing a finger to his lips, "Hush, Meka. I will tell you later."

I could only obey him.

We reached the Main Entrance of the palace. General Anuk was waiting, behind him were two great horses. I recognised Lilu, the horse that grew up with me.

General Anuk knelt down.

"Anuk, I place the Great Princess' safety in your hands. Go to the resting place of my Fathers. Never return, do you understand?" Father whispered in a pulsating tone.

"Yes, Pharoah."

"Father, what is happening, tell me!" I shook Father's hand, there is something serious happening and he is keeping it from me.

For the first time of my life, he looked at me with gentle eyes, ambivalence and sorrow fraught his eyes. "Meka, follow General Anuk. From now on he is your Father."

I shook my head, tears burst from my eyes, "No, Father. Your blood is in my body, not his. Father, tell me what is happening!"

"Child, time is seeping away! You must reach the west of the Nile before sunrise. Now go with General Anuk." He hands tightened on my shoulders, I felt a scant of pain.

General Anuk grabbed my hand and helped me to mount Lilu. Reluctantly, I sat still, my eyes still fixed on Father, tearing.

"Mekataten, you are no longer a daughter of mine. These gates will no longer open for you!" Father pointed at the pillars, shouting stridently. "Anuk son of Dekamun, I banish your family from the holy lands of Egypt forever!"

We rode off into the night. The last glance I stole of Father, he was leaning on a pillar helplessly. My heart was torn like shards of glass as the vista of my home was blurred by the sands.

Apotheosis #1

My vision was blurred by the miasma of smoke, languidly reaching to the heavens from the bonfire.

Father sat beside me silently as he watched Mother's body turned into ashes. I could hear Viatra suppressed clandestine cackles, although she was sitting on the other side of Father.

Part of me wanted to leave; the other part wanted to die.

But I told myself to stay put. Tears continued to slide down from my eyes, leaving a wet trail on my cheeks.

When they started to burn Mother's body, I could feel the sweltering heat searing my skin. They are burning my Mother, they are burning another part of me.

Viatra rose from her throne and walked to me, "Meka, you should retire to your chambers, you look pale." I pushed her hand away as it touched my cheeks.

"I will stay until Mother's ashes were brought forth."

"Kiya, bring the Princess back to her chambers, she is tired."

"NO!! I said I will stay!"

Father stood up abruptly and shoved Viatra away, "Let her do as she pleases. Remember she is the Great Princess."

Viatra's face turned purple, creases formed on her forehead and she argued, "She is my daughter--"

"Ankhesenamun is my Mother. Not you," I marched forth and spit that in her face. She trembled, frightened.

I smugged.

Then a fiery sensation conquered an expanse of my left cheek. I slowly turned my head to face Viatra with her right hand frozen in mid air.

Guards surrounded Viatra and her maids, forming a human wall between us. She did not protest when they hauled her into the palace. I continue standing watching Mother, lying so still in the flames.

"Meka, should rest. I will follow the Priest to the Nile," Father laid a hand on my shoulder, "I will make sure her ashes go in peace to Osiris."

I nodded. Kiya supported my frail body as we walked back to my chambers. Father sent two guards to guide us back.

The four of us were alone in the huge hallway when suddenly both the guards fell to the ground. Kiya shivered and held me tight. When the undulating of their chests were visible, both of us exhaled in relief.

"Meka."

A voice rang through the empty hallway from behind us.