Chapter 16.
Once again the temple plaza was filled with people. But this time the throng was silent.
For days before the battle, citizens had been making ready. Pharaoh’s elite guard had gone from house to house, warning of the coming danger, encouraging people to prepare themselves.
They were naturally afraid, unsure whether or not their pharaoh would be able, or even willing to protect them. Historically, the reigns of pharaohs had been marked by greed, self-aggrandisement, abuse of power. Citizens were treated as slaves, forced to do the will of their betters.
But this pharaoh was different. Early in his reign he had been as they expected; aloof, seemingly uncaring about their lives or their welfare. But as time went on they began to see a change.
Even before the construction began on his pyramid, he was frequently seen mixing with the citizens, bestowing gifts, helping the less fortunate. It was not uncommon for him to be seen toiling in the fields, helping with the harvest. Some said they had actually seen him down in the quarries, driving wedges into the stones which would eventually become part of his monument.
People started becoming comfortable in his presence. Their affection for him had grown, especially after his announcement that those who labored in his behalf would be better compensated. Even lowly hod carriers, the lowest of the low, had begun to trust his word.
Then when the battle began, it was Pharaoh’s elite guard who had taken the front lines of defense along the southern ramparts. Khufu was seen riding back and forth behind the lines, shouting orders, offering encouragement. His mere presence buoyed everyone’s spirits.
When the battle was over, it was their Pharaoh who rode victorious, not at the head of the army, but in it’s midst, surrounded by battle-weary but joyous warriors, filled with elation that he and they had won the day.
Now, gathered here in the plaza, before the temple of Amon-Ra, they waited and watched, anxious to see what their Pharaoh would do to the defeated survivors of the battle against their city.
Palace guards once again formed a perimeter around the inside wall, preventing citizens from advancing toward the center where the prisoners were being held.
At the top of the steps, the portico, usually filled with bureaucrats and other officials, was empty, save for three lone figures.
The Pharaoh once again sat on his throne at the top of the steps. Standing to his left, the high priest, hands clasped in front of him, head slightly bowed. To his right, Shehat stood rigidly still.
“I must remain calm. (His thoughts raced through his head in quiet desperation).
“No one must suspect! I must maintain my composure. I must prepare myself.
“I have done it! I have escaped detection. My plan has failed, but I have survived, so long as Hakim remains silent. But, should he speak against me, I have but to assert my authority and proclaim my undying loyalty to Pharaoh. I have left no trace of my dealings with this man. Who will believe the word of this Nubian traitor over ME, the Chief Priest of the Pharaoh? Surely no one.”
Shehat looked down at the clutch of prisoners. Very few had survived the battle, a hundred or so infantry and horsemen, a handful of low and mid-level commanders, and the two remaining moguls. All had been stripped naked but had been left unbound, except for the two figures kneeling in front.
Hakim’s hands were bound behind him. His knees were bound close together, making it difficult for him to balance. To his left, Kushkamin was bound in like manner, but owing to his obesity, he had tipped over and was laying on his side.
For a brief moment Shehat and Hakim locked eyes. The silent confrontation ended abruptly when the chief priest looked away, a smug expression on his face. Still, Hakim glared at him.
There was not a sound, not even a murmur as Amon stepped forward to speak.
“Our beloved Pharaoh will address you!” he said, and backed away, head bowed. The Pharaoh stood, then stepped forward to the edge of the portico. All eyes locked on him. Was the Pharaoh really going to speak?
“Citizens!” Khufu bowed ever-so slightly.
The crowd was silent, stunned. Speak directly to his subjects? Humble himself before them? This had NEVER been done in all the history of the kingdoms.
The Pharaoh stood and stepped forward to the edge of the portico.
“My people! Brothers in arms!” He took a few steps down and stopped.
Behind him, Amon watched in gratified pleasure as his friend humbled himself before his people.
Shehat, on the other hand, was beyond shocked. This just was not done! A pharaoh lowering himself before the masses? This was blasphemous! How could he do such a thing?
Khufu continued.
“My dear people! My brothers AND sisters! You have labored long and diligently in my behalf. You have sacrificed. You have given freely, for all this time, that this temple,and the magnificent monument rising beyond have come to be!
“Behold their beauty! Behold the wonder of the labor of YOUR hands!
The throng stood in awed silence as their leader spoke.
“You have demonstrated your faith in me, your king. You have labored diligently, and fought bravely. For this and much more I am grateful.
“Many of you have lost loved ones, as have these few remaining warriors before you. At today’s dawn there were many more of them than there are now. Their families will mourn tonight just as will we all.
“Through your bravery and sacrifice our city has been saved. You fought not so much for your Pharaoh, but for your families, for your wives and children, for your right to be free. For this and much more, I honor you.”
The Pharaoh bowed again, this time more deeply.
A murmur began, faint at first, then grew, until it was a roar. Khufu raised his hands. Silence once again fell over the crowd.
“Now. To the task at hand.”
He addressed the prisoners.
“You! Who have fought against us. You! Who have been vanquished! NOW is the time of your reckoning.”
The Pharaoh took a few more steps down. Pointing toward the two bound prisoners, he commanded:
“Remove these two from between us! I will speak with these warriors!”
Guards immediately pulled Hakim to his feet and pulled him to the side. The fat Kushkamin they dragged bodily out of the way.
The Pharaoh descended to ground level and walked forward until he was within only a few yards of the prisoners.
“Yes! You ARE warriors. No man who takes up the sword should be called less. You have sacrificed. Many of you have died. And for what? For the vain flatterings of a misguided few? For the promised reward from evil men who would use you for their own selfish ends?
“For them, there will be no mercy, in this life or the next. They soon will receive their reward. They will go naked before the people. They will wear their shame like a crown for all to see. They will grovel before those whom they chose to destroy. They will remain captive within the city walls, where their deeds will be made known to all. Their lives will be spared, but their deeds will follow them always, until in despair they will lay themselves down.”
The Pharaoh took another step forward.
“Know you of justice and mercy? The line is thin which separates the two, and it is a rare man who knows the difference. A man who rules others has power to mete out the one or the other.”
Khufu turned ever so slightly to his left without looking back. Amon saw the movement but didn’t react. Pharaoh turned back toward the prisoners.
“I tell you what in your heart you already know. The men who ruled over you were malevolent. They allowed greed to overshadow their judgement, and so they purposely misled you. Perhaps you too felt that greed in some part. But you are not the same as them. YOU did not wilfully conspire. YOU did not order men to their death.
“With leadership comes responsibility. They turned their backs on that responsibility and now must live with the consequences. For you there is another way.
“A
s your Pharaoh I hold sway over your fate. I hold the power of life or death in my hand. And, I take responsibility for my decisions.
“You have fought bravely, even under the hand of tyrants. And for that you are not in need of mercy. Instead, I offer justice.
“If you will swear allegiance to the Pharaoh, and turn away from avarice, I will grant this boon. You will earn the right to citizenship in this kingdom by the sweat of your brow as recompense. You will not be treated as slaves, but as equals. You will receive wages commensurate with your diligence, sufficient to care for the needs of your families. Through your own effort you will earn respect, from me, from the people, and for yourselves.
“If you agree, raise a hand above you head.”
As one, all the men did so.
Khufu turned and walked back up the steps. Upon reaching the portico, he glanced briefly at Amon. Their eyes met, but no words were exchanged.
The Pharaoh turned to face the prisoners.
“Now, place that hand over your heart and repeat . . . ’I so swear’“.
In unison, they all swore.
“Never forget this day! Today you are free men!”
As one, the throng erupted in a continuous cheer. Khufu raised his hands, but the cheering didn’t diminish. A few began chanting his name.
“Khu-fu . . . Khu-fu . . . Khu-fu. . . .” But soon another chant overpowered it.
“Che-ops . . . Che-ops . . . CHE-OPS!!!”
Amon stepped closer to the Pharaoh, shouting above the din:
“CHEOPS they call you! Before this day they respected you. Now? NOW they LOVE you!”