Tut and Suhad: Family and Fears
Before the rise of the new sun in Thebes, Suhad's father, Ha'drem is busy penning a message to his twin brother, General Ha'rem, leader of the Mitanni Army. His stirring has woken Suhad's mother, Suria. "Husband? Why are you awake this early? Is something wrong?" Ha'drem continues writing as he addresses his wife. "Return to your rest. I am writing Ha'rem." Suria climbed out of their bed and walks over to him. "Writing your brother? What are you not telling me?" Ha'drem stopped and turned his eyes to her. "The boy-king is ill in Karnak. The Nubians are threatening the gates. I talked with the Pharaoh's messanger. I could tell the situation in his eyes. He is a man of war. His eyes were filled with worry." He returned to his writing. "Now, go back to bed my wife. And don't say anything to Suhad. Our daughter has the Prince to attend. I fear tomarrow will bring dire news. We must be strong for Suhad." Suria laid down but she did not sleep.
Ha'drem's words (translated from the Mitanni)
"I bid you greetings from Thebes, my dear brother Ha'rem.
"As you are well aware, my daughter, Suhad married the Egyptian Prince who is now Pharaoh. You have met him on the field of battle. His army is formable but I fear that this time, the Boy-King will have made a grave error. A messanger from Karnak as sent word that the Nubian army have new allies with the Hittites in the South. They threaten Karnak as you read this letter."
"My brother, I ask that you send your army to Karnak and assist the Pharaoh in his campaign. With the birth of their son, Sek'met, you are now an uncle and I a grandfather. The laws of our people are clear. He is family. I once believed that King Tutankhamun was an arrogant pup. I was wrong. He treats Suhad as a man should. She is his Queen and he gives her everything and ask for nothing. He is a boy no longer. He doesn't deserve to be left to the jackels that reside outside Karnak."
"You know the man that is bringing you this message. He is a trusted servant of Tutankhamun. He is a honorable man. I believe that Tut trust him with this life as I trust him to get this request to you. I just ask the gods that we are not too late to save the Pharaoh. Your Brother, Ha'drem."
Ha'drem ties the piece of papyrus with a piece of hemp cord and left his room in hopes that Lagus has not left to return to his King.
Lagus has not slept as the new sun peaks over the dunes. He does not trust the Great Wife Ankhe. He knows that Ka will try to prevent her from doing anything but even he has limits when it comes to her. Lagus has a bad feeling that something has happened at Karnak. He must hurry to return to his Pharaoh. As he approaches Suhads room, a house servant walks up to him. "You are the one called Lagus?" The young girl said. The older man knodded. "Suhad's father wishes to speak with you before you leave." Lagus walked past her. "I do not have time for pleasentries. Tell Suhad's father I am sorry. I need to speak with Queen Suhad." The servant steps in front of him. "He says what he needs to say is most urgent and I am not to let you speak with the Queen until you have spoken to him." Lagus tried again to walk past the servant.
This time he is stopped by Suhad's father whom has caught up to them. He thanks the servant girl, gives her some gold and sends her on her way. Lagus is angry that he is being delayed. He puts a finger in Ha'drem's face. "I can not stay here and talk right now. I have to get back to Karnak." Ha'drem tries to calm the soldier. "I understand. Please all I ask is one thing and you can be on your way." He hands Lagus the small papyrus. Lagus looks down at the scroll, confused. "What's this?" Suhad's father turns to walk away. "I am repaying a debt. I treated the Pharaoh poorly and I wish to make it up to him. Please take this to my people. They will know what to do. I just hope we are not too late to help your King." Lagus could tell by the tone that this was urgent and worth his time. He did not speak. He turned and walked quickly out of the palace. A chariot with a fresh horse waited him outside the gates. The High Priest Amun watched Lagus' departure with great interest from the steps of the Temple. Meanwhile Suhad is being woken by the sounds of Sekmet cooing beside her. Her mother, Suria, has brought the little one in to be fed. Lagus never told her King Tutankhamun's message. Noone told her that he was even in the Palace. As she breast feeds the baby, Suhad stares outside the window wondering when her husband will return to her.
