Chapter 7
Preparations kicked into high gear as the military now felt confident in their leader and his abilities. Militias raised in the outlying provinces began filtering into the capital city and were quickly assigned camps and introduced to the rigorous training program established to ensure they were prepared to face the Nubians.
As Pharaoh, Lee made a point of visiting a different camp each day and participated in both the physical and battle training that occurred. Being aboard Seaview so much, he missed the ability to work out every day and relished the activity. He worked as hard as any of the recruits and also began teaching them tactics from the hand to hand combat learned in his training with the US Navy and ONI. They would be a force to be truly reckoned with.
The more he interacted with his troops and his subjects the greater their loyalty and devotion grew for their Pharaoh. His status was now equal that of the gods as he truly was their representative here on Earth. As his status grew so did their confidence that they would prevail in battle when the time came.
What was more important was that news of his resurrection had reached the Nubians. They began to feed news of his great deeds and communion with the gods to the opposing troops by means of their spies working as nomadic traders that passed through the Nubian camp. The Nubian spies likewise verified the information as they reported back to Kasmi and his generals further sowing the seeds of concern and uncertainty in facing a force led by a ruler anointed by the gods.
Also, as planned, they penned a false response to Kasmi's message to the Libyans, pledging support in a coordinated attack. They then placed it with the body of the dead Nubian runner and deposited him in the desert. As expected, the Nubians had sent another runner to find out what had happened to their first messenger. On his route, he encountered the body of the first runner at the bottom of a small ravine. It looked as though he had fallen and struck his head on a rock on the way down. The second man reluctantly checked out the dead man and found the sealed message from the Libyans beneath the body in his small satchel. He retrieved the message then beat a hasty return to Kasmi. Akhbar's spies observed the entire encounter and sent a runner back to Memphis to report their success.
Lee spent many hours with Akhbar and his strategists reviewing every bit of information they had about their enemy along with all the reconnaissance on the approaches to the city. Their favored approach would take the opposing army through a shallow canyon as opposed to the open desert. It was decided to increase the number of troops at Egyptian fortifications along the routes most likely preferred by the Nubians in hopes that they would attempt to hide their approach and skirt by them by going through the canyon. If the Nubians went for the bait, then those units stationed at the forts would move out once the Nubians had left their camp and come in behind them. They would stage troops hidden under camouflage along the canyon rims and then bring the remaining force in behind to close off any escape. Once the Nubians were fully into the canyon, their hidden troops would then rain down death from above.
To Lee, it seemed the three months of preparations and planning had passed in the wink of an eye. Their spies passing through the Nubian camp sent word that the Nubian forces were now on the move and beginning their march on Egypt. They also learned that the Nubians expected a smaller Egyptian force to engage them because of the threat from the Libyans to the west. They had no idea 20,000 strong would greet them once they arrived. The level of anxiety and anticipation began to grow as they awaited word on which route the Nubians had chosen. They felt that they would prevail regardless of their chosen route but hoped that the opposing forces had swallowed their bait and had selected the preferred passage.
They would mobilize in two weeks regardless the route taken to meet their foe on the field of battle. Final preparations were made as they readied themselves for the march across the desert to meet their destiny. Three days following the Nubian's departure a runner arrived in the city with an update. He was escorted immediately to the palace where Pharaoh and his generals were in conference firming up battle plans and providing updates on their readiness to depart.
As Pentu finished up his report on the state of logistics, the door to the chamber opened and the messenger was escorted in. He bowed low and walked immediately to General Akhbar to give him his report. Once he finished, a broad smile spread across the general's face. "Well done," he said the runner. "Go back to camp and take your rest. Say nothing to anyone." The young man nodded, then bowed and quickly left.
"What news Akhbar?" Lee inquired, anxious for the report after seeing Akhbar's reaction.
"The news is extremely good, My Pharaoh. The Nubians have chosen their approach and it takes them exactly where we wanted them to go. They are making their way to the canyon, no doubt hoping the walls will hide their approach," Akhbar reported as he smiled and slapped the table. "The gods favor us once again by guiding our enemy to their doom." Smiles took up residence on each man's face at the positive news.
"Have we confirmed that this is the Nubian's main force and not some expeditionary unit sent ahead to scout things out?" Lee asked.
"Yes, My Pharaoh. We have received reports from several sources that their camp is empty and they travel as a single unit," Akhbar confirmed.
"Excellent! Then I think it time to send word to our forces at the forts and have them start their move in two days' time. That should give them ample time to move into position, conceal themselves, and be rested for battle," Lee stated.
"Agreed," Akhbar replied. "I shall see to it personally once we have concluded our business here."
"This information is top secret," Lee ordered. "No one besides the runner and those of us in this room are privy to which route our enemy takes. This must not leak out or all our preparations will be for not. General Pentu, I want everything packed and ready to roll on a moment's notice, so those who may be watching grow weary waiting for us to leave. We depart in 14 days unless their pace quickens." Pentu nodded, acknowledging the order. "Very well, be about your duties, time draws short." They rose from the table, bowed then exited the chamber to carry out their orders.
(o1ooo
The 14th day had arrived and they would all be departing for war in a few short hours. Lee had found it impossible to sleep as his mind was whirling frantically between the upcoming battle and those he would be leaving behind forever once this was over. He sighed deeply and felt Djeseretnebti snuggle closer. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and pulled her close, waking her.
"What's wrong my love, you seem restless. I don't think you have slept a wink all night."
"Shhh, go back to sleep, I'm sorry I woke you," Lee said then kissed her forehead.
"You're leaving, soon aren't you?" she asked fearfully.
"Yes," he replied quietly. "We will be leaving once the sun rises."
Djeseretnebti suddenly sat up and stared down at her husband in horror. Tears began to flow down her cheeks at the thought of him leaving her again. "Please, my husband, can't you remain behind? Aren't your armies able to fight without you?" she whimpered, already knowing the answer.
"No my love, I must go. The gods returned me to lead my men into battle to ensure all that I hold dear remains safe. I am their Pharaoh, I must take lead if we are to be victorious," Lee replied softly as he wiped the tears from her cheeks.
She lay back down and buried her face in his chest, sobbing quietly. Lee gently rubbed her back then enveloped her in his arms holding her tight. After a moment, she turned her head to rest on his shoulder. "I fear that I will lose you once more. I don't think I could survive such a loss again."
"I will do my best to return to you, I promise," Lee lied. He knew one way or the other he would not be coming back in this time. "And if perhaps the gods call me back, we will be rejoined again in the afterlife. They have promised me as much."
"I would rather have you back now, my love. I need you more than you can imagine. Our children need you as will our new baby when he arrives," she said quietly.
Lee froze, not certain if he had heard what he thought he heard. His stomach clenched and his heart skipped a beat at the news. "Baby? You're pregnant?" he asked, barely able to get the words out.
"Yes my husband, the gods have seen to it that we will be blessed one more time. I thought myself barren after the birth of our girls, but life grows within me once again. Does this news please you?" she asked, looking at the curious expression on Lee's face.
Lee laughed and shook off his shock. "Yes of course, my love. I can think of no better gift or reason to return home to you than to partake in the beauty of my wife as she carries our child. You have made me very happy." Lee then kissed her ardently and held her close.
They made passionate love as though it would be the last time. Lee felt as if his heart had shattered as he realized this would be the last time he would see her and he would never see the child they had conceived. He had quickly grown to love Djeseretnebti and her children and the thought of leaving them behind nearly brought him to tears.
Their passion spent, she snuggled close resting her head on his chest and pulled his hand over to rest on her belly. She quickly fell asleep, but not so Lee. He continued to stroke her hair and gently rub her belly as he thought of what might have been. He sighed deeply, then whispered quietly in her ear. "I will love you always."
ooo1o)
With the coming of daylight, the palace became a flurry of activity as the order to depart had been given and all prepared to see off the Pharaoh and his army. Lee had been up at dawn and was now clad in his battle armor. He left his chamber, Djeseretnebti still asleep in their bed, and made his way down to the nursery. He stopped first in Kawab's chamber and gently woke him. He informed him that he was leaving and that until such time that he returned he was ruler of the house. The boy began crying immediately, almost inconsolable at the impending departure of his father.
"Hey Kawab," Lee chided gently. "You are the man of the house until my return. You must show your strength to those around you to let them know the palace and the city will be well protected under your watchful eye. Also, your mother is going to have a baby and you must be brave and strong so that she doesn't worry. Can you do that for me, son?"
Kawab sniffed deeply working hard to control his tears. He wiped his eyes and nodded. "Yes, Father I can do that for you. You will be coming back, won't you?" he asked quietly.
Lee drew him into a tight hug, which was readily returned and kissed him on the top of the head. "Yes son, I will do all in my power to return. Knowing you are here to take care of things allows me to concentrate on what's ahead instead of worrying about what I have left behind. I have all the confidence in the world in your ability to watch over our family," Lee replied earnestly, knowing full well he could never fulfil that promise. "Now get up and get ready so that you may send us off to victory." The young boy nodded, climbed out of bed and headed to his closet to pick out his best clothes for the event.
Lee made a similar announcement to the girls and they likewise dissolved into tears. He again promised he'd return then he enlisted their aid in taking care of their mother as she prepared for the birth of the newest member to their family. He hugged them tightly, kissed them on the forehead and then had them get up as well to see him off.
He fought hard to contain his own tears at his impending loss of this family he had come to love as his own. He truly wanted to stay, especially to experience the birth of his first child, but given what was ahead he knew it to be impossible. Upon his return to his chamber, Djeseretnebti was only now waking up. He crawled back in bed with her and held her close until it was time to meet his generals and depart.
Two hours later, Lee kissed his family goodbye for the last time and strode determinedly down the steps of the palace to his waiting chariot and war.
(o1ooo
