Shadow of the Sun (The Shadow Saga) (46 page)

Finally, Pharaoh Akhenaten entered in full ritual raiment, wearing his white Atef crown. Blue and red lappet tassels hung behind a long dalmatic tunic over his golden pectoral and starched white linen kilt. His apron, tied in back with the symbolic braided linen cord, represented that he was the bull of his mother.

The Pharaoh held his scepter with the elongated crystal attached to a silver handle. On the bottom, an engraved lotus symbolized primordial light. We stood within a magnificent crafted crystal chamber. The sun glinted off the polished slabs.

“Blessings to you. It is my honor that you have returned.” Netri leaned forward with earnest. “This is the first ritual test before your induction into the Aten School Of Mystery. After your night of inner contemplation, who amongst you who feels that he or she has already earned their spot in this school? Is there one amongst you who is sure he or she will be the next High Priest or Priestess of Aten? If so, I would ask that you show yourself. Who is ready to receive the Glory of the Aten?”

Menkh stepped forward with a swagger. “Your Highness, I am worthy to be an Aten High Priest. My father served in your father, Pharaoh Amunhotep III’s, armies and fought for the glory of Khemit. I shall also fight against the Amunites for you. I am brave,” he bragged.

Two young women, one with dark Nubian skin and the other with skin of the color of milk, pushed each other to get to the front.

“Your Highness, I am Astuat,” said the tall Nubian girl, thin as a reed.

“I was educated within your harem at Malkata. My father is your Vassal and your most dedicated servant. I am educated and pious and have attended many rituals in the Gem-pa-Aten at Thebes. I could do those rituals with my eyes blindfolded.”

“And you?” asked my father, of the other girl.

“I am Ma’at Sherit,” she answered. She was beautiful, with creamy skin and hair the color of honey. “My mother is the owner of a bountiful goldmine, and she said if she could be guaranteed my future within your temple is assured, then she would offer her treasures to your coffers upon her death, my Lord of Light.”

“Ah, a noble and most generous offer,” said my father, showing those white teeth.

“You are quite welcome,” replied the girl.

“How fortunate that her mother’s riches afford her such an opportunity,” whispered the meek girl next to me.

“Does anyone else feel confident that they could fulfill a position in the Atenic Temple?”

No one else stepped forward. Even I did not consider myself able to fill the role of Priestess without a great deal of guidance and devotion. I expected Archollos to shove them out of the way and announce that only he could fill my father’s sandals.

“Ah, so the three of you are bold enough to have already envisioned yourself as the High Priest and Priestesses of this Temple?” Netri asked.

“Yes, Your Highness,” they agreed, in unison, as if sensing that the competition had begun.

“Menkh, I am dismissing you from continuing in the School of Aten. Better to serve the Aten in the military, as your calling is in complete opposition to the humble life in the temple.”

Menkh gasped.

“Astuat, your boldness and arrogance are perfect examples of egoic self-promotion. Although your interest in the
Rituals of the Aten
is admirable, your vessel would crack if I filled you with only one drop of Atenic light. I am sorry. I assign you to work as an attendant in my palace kitchens to teach you humility.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” she said, trembling.

“Ma’at Sherit, yes, I am aware that the blood of my forefather is within you. You have great potential.”

“Thank you, my Lord,” she said, smiling, expectant.

“But when monies are exchanged for spiritual positions, it could lead to distortion within the holy sanctum. These positions can only be earned with the acquisition of Light, not wealth. No money will ever be exchanged within this temple.”

Ma’at Sherit looked indignant.

Guards entered the temple doors and escorted out the three candidates. The surprise of this action sent waves of confusion through the remaining group, so unexpected that I, too, quaked. Little trickles of sweat drenched my garment. Those around me suffered the same way. The pungent smell of body odor permeated the air, proving no certainty that any of us would make it past today’s testing.

My father returned his attention to us. “Are there questions as to why such judgment was passed upon the three who wished to acquire these positions?” This time his manner was gentle.

A few nodded in wonderment.

“Yes, Your Highness,” I said, transfixed by his luminous quality yet confused. Hadn’t he told us last night that he wouldn’t be the one to pass judgment that only the Aten would?

“Very well. Allow me to teach you this most important lesson. These three came before the Aten with their egoic sense of self-intention, and that cannot exist in the presence of the most glorious One. I am asking each of you to empty the vessel of ego and self-importance for the plenipotence of Aten. I will be your greatest teacher if you can let go and trust.” He paused, then asked, “Do you understand what just transpired?”

All in my class, including me, nodded and murmured their acknowledgment. “Excellent. Then it is time for your next test, and trust me, this will be arduous. I do not offer this sacred knowledge without a constant test of your devotion and willingness to give yourself fully to the Aten. But there will be great rewards, and I do not mean material rewards.

“Material wealth ebbs and flows like the Nile, never truly belonging to anyone. What I give you will last an eternity and is worth more than mountains of gold. Please move to the center of this room and leave space between you. We are here within this crystalline chamber for a reason.”

The translucent walls were free of inclusions and even the crystalline floor dazzled beneath our feet. I had never seen a room this magnificent, made of the most perfect giant slabs of crystal. I wondered how something so splendid could have ever been crafted by the hands of a human.

“Prepare for your first blessing of the Aten which some of you will receive with grace.” The Pharaoh Akhenaten raised his scepter heavenward and a donkey’s bray later a brilliant scintillating white stream with a corona of rainbow light descended until the crystal walls pulsated with color. The entire chamber throbbed and lit up, vibrating with the sound of a deep cosmic Om. I could have lived forever in this essence. I played with the swirling colors and felt jubilant. Others swayed with joy. The dense rainbows of light jiggled like soap bubbles when touched.

Quickly, the luminescence dimmed. Netri silently evaluated each of us, showing no expression. Then he signaled to Pa-Nesy and Pentu to beckon us to follow.

Pentu walked by me without acknowledgement. My heart ached.

Perhaps my father had spoken the truth and my actions last night were cause for dismissal. All the jubilation I felt only a moment ago had dissipated into a feeling that I wouldn’t be allowed to continue. I had brought shame upon my father.

P
a-Nesy tapped Archollos upon the shoulder and pointed to the far wall next to the harpist’s son. Because of my dislike of Archollos, I hoped Pentu would ask me to join the other group. But which group would be asked to continue and which would be assigned other duties couldn’t be predicted.

The group with Archollos grew as Pa-Nesy directed more of the invitees there. It seemed as if an eternity passed until only two of us remained. Finally, Pentu walked toward me with his head down, avoiding my eyes. My stomach soured. I stood still. Could he have plodded toward me at any duller pace? When only a duck’s bill length away, he tapped the dark girl with the short curls to my right. How dare he pass me by?

Without warning, Pa-Nesy came up behind me. Last? How could Pa-Nesy do this to me? My father’s most trusted counselors humiliated me by sending me to the group with Archollos to be dismissed. And having failed, I now desired to move up to an Adept more than ever. I wanted to sob, but if I showed my great disappointment and did not accept my defeat with grace, Netri would know and chastise me yet again. I couldn’t tolerate his discontent two days in a row.

I cast my eyes to the floor and took my place at the back of the line. We stood in the hot sun while the twelve proud Neophytes glowed as they followed Pentu into the shaded portico to receive blessings in the company of the Pharaoh.

Pa-Nesy turned to us and spoke without emotion. “I wish to thank you for attending today. You have been put through the
Heraqhet
test to measure your merit and your aptitude for holding the Atenic light.

Although it has been our most fervent hope you all would rise up to meet the high expectations of pure body, mind, and spirit, unfortunately this journey is not for everyone.

“The life of a Neophyte is strict, and most humans cannot abide by it.

By that I mean no imbibing in the strong beer or wine, no fornication, no substances that would alter the mind, no worship of any idols, no stealing, no lying, no harboring ill will toward another in the house of the Aten.”

I knew he meant the last one for me. He denounced me in front of everyone because I broke the code without realizing it. The others looked down too, apparently having also disobeyed these codes. Beads of sweat appeared upon our foreheads; the pungent smell of body odor spiked the stale desert air.

“Do you all understand the severity of these codes?” asked Pa-Nesy.

“Yes,” we said in unison, like timid lambs, shuffling our feet. Pa-Nesy nodded. “Please follow me.”

The heat had caused the Mitannian boy’s eyes to redden and the short girl behind me seemed ready to faint, yet Archollos seemed unfazed. Didn’t he understand we were just dismissed? There would be no Aten Temple assignments, no life of education into the subtle mysteries. I would have to choose a consort. We entered a darkened room, and it took a moment for our eyes to adjust. Pitchers of honey water, and a platter of fruit and date cakes were set out.

“Sweets to soothe the sour moment ahead,” said Rennutet behind me. Our eyes became accustomed to the dark. There upon the silky cushions sat my father. Why did I have to face him now? Couldn’t I have snuck out the side door and run home crying?

“Before you leave today,” he said in his baritone voice, which vibrated within each of us, forcing us out of our self-loathing and back to the present moment, “I wish to congratulate you upon your acceptance into the First Aten Mystery School. Classes begin in the morning.” We stared at him in stunned silence. “Please accept a copy of the
The Great Aten Invocation, The Ritual Texts,
and
The Hymnal Texts of Aten
, which I just completed. They have been laid out for you by the door. We have a large amount of studies to complete, so please be prompt tomorrow morning. Now, enjoy the refreshments and Pentu and Pa-Nesy will answer any questions.” He departed, but before he left he looked directly into my eyes.