Chapter Two: Anukaya
"Anukaya. Queen Anukaya, wake."
The woman on the bed slowly opened her eyes and looked across the faces looking down on her. There were two young girls with cinnamon brown skin, their hair plaited down their backs and their eye makeup was thick and black. The third was a man with a look of concern on his pale features. His hair was dark and reached his shoulders, his chest was bare and the linen around his waist was as white as snow.
"Wh—what happened?" Anukaya asked, trying to sit up.
"Queen Anukaya," One of the young girls gently pushed Anukaya back down. "You are not well and you need your rest."
Anukaya let herself be pushed back into the scented sheets. It was warm in the room and the smell of exotic flowers drifted in through the window. Looking up she noticed that the two young girls were busy cleaning up red stained sheets that were on the floor. The man looked from the sheets, then to Anukaya as realization dawned on her face.
"My baby!" She began screaming. "Where's my baby? I want my baby!" Anukaya started to get out of bed but fell into the man's arms.
Her body was exhausted and taxed from the birthing. The two girls quickly left the room with the traces of the previous horrific scene. Anukaya was placed in bed again, visions of death dancing across her mind. She reached her hand up and grabbed the arm of the man.
"Kye, please tell me—tell me…I need to know." Anukaya looked up into Kye's unusual silver gray eyes.
Kye looked down at his Queen and frowned and Anukaya knew. She let go of Kye's arm and rolled over in her bed. She wanted to cry, wanted the tears to flow to show her sorrow but there was nothing left. She had cried at the death of her first two babies and it was beginning to feel like she was trapped in a nightmare.
"How is Pharaoh?" Anukaya whispered.
"He is down at the temple having the preparations begin."
Anukaya pictured her newest baby wrapped in linens and placed in her tomb along with her two other children. Her first child had lived a full week before his life seeped out and her second only lived a day. People were beginning to talk. She couldn't produce an heir and some thought Pharaoh should find a wife who could.
"How—how did he seem?" Anukaya asked.
"Pharaoh was saddened by the loss of his third son and is ready to begin again."
Anukaya gave a strangled whimper. She knew Pharaoh loved her and would never seek another wife. He even refused to take on concubines. She turned over and stared up into Kye's face again. She took his hand and grasped it.
"Thank you, Kye." Sleep overcame the Queen as her eyes shut out the room from site.
Kye bent down next to his Queen and brought her hand to his lips.
~*~*~
The marble floor sparkled in the sunlight and the air was thick with incense. Anukaya was walking down the long corridor, her sandals clicking on the floor. Her two servants were following closely behind and those who met her along her way bent slowly down, waiting for her to pass.
She came upon two closed doors guarded by two strong men with spears in their hands and swords in their belts. They opened the door for their Queen and she stepped inside a brightly lit room. Pharaoh was sitting on his throne and seated to his right was Kensung, his advisor. Before him were his generals and ambassadors.
"Ah, my Queen!" Pharaoh stood and outstretched his arms.
Anukaya motioned for her two servants to stay by the door, then she walked into her husbands arms.
"I'm glad to see you are feeling well." He whispered into her ear before sitting her to his left. "And now, men, where were we?"
"My Pharaoh," One of the men in front of him continued the previous conversation. "Our armies in the north are in need of defenses. Supplies are running short and lives are being paid for our foolish attempts at trying to take the northern countries by sea."
"Pharaoh, if I may." Another man interjected, waiting for the approval of his king to continue. "What Ajani says is true. Our defenses are falling but it is not too late, my lord, to send a reinforcement."
The Generals and Ambassadors felt that their point had been carried forth, and in silence awaited an answer to their troubles. Pharaoh leaned towards his right, giving his ear to Kensung. Anukaya sat tall and erect in her chair, not letting curiosity take over, but desperately wanting to know what her husband was being told. A few minutes of silent conversation between the two men, and Pharaoh arose from his seat.
"I have made a decision." He said, holding his hand up in the air. "It pleases me to take the countries that lie on the northern borders of our kingdom and we will not fall back." The group of men stirred in anxiety. "Our last report of their situation is a month old, and therefore I call for a runner to go directly to our armies and to return with word of how our forces fair. That is all."
Pharaoh sat back on his throne, dismissing the group with a wave of his hand. Anukaya could sense the frustration emitting forth from these men and wondered why her husband was not taking more immediate action. She watched as a servant appeared at Pharaoh's feet, announcing the priests that were scheduled to meet with him.
The day passed thus, Pharaoh being advised and in turn advising. He met with an array of people and classes and as soon as the sun reached its zenith in the sky, he dismissed his court and prepared to take an afternoon meal.
"My wife." Pharaoh smiled, taking Anukaya's hands in his own. "Come, let us rest."
Hand in hand, they journeyed from the throne room and down the long corridors to the royal chambers. Pharaoh deemed it a perfect day to eat outside, and had the food placed on a table in the courtyard that was adjacent to their sleeping chambers. There were plants and flowers that gave off perfumes, and two small girls fanned the Pharaoh and his Queen as they ate of sweet meats and fresh fruit.
"My lord, I ask leave to journey to the place of my birth." Anukaya said abruptly, not daring to look into his eyes.
"And why is that?" Pharaoh asked, as if he were talking to a child.
"I fear I have upset the gods in some way and must make amends. I will participate in the rituals of forgiveness and ask that I be able to give you a son."
"There are many temples here, why not stay?"
Anukaya hesitated before answering, "I believe that whatever offense I have done towards the gods, must have been while I was young, and therefore I need to seek out the reason for my punishment, in the city of my birth."
Anukaya watched her husband think over her request. She thought he almost looked as if he didn't know what to do, and saw that he leaned slowly to his right, then stopped suddenly.
"I must think this through." Pharaoh said, then begged leave from his wife, and left.
~*~*~
Anukaya paced the floor in front of her bed, glancing at the fresh linens where once there was so much blood. She was confused as to why she was cursed and blamed herself for all of it. She had been raised to become the wife of an important political figure, and instilled in her vulnerable mind were her many duties; obey without question, serve without guile, and provide heirs. She had obeyed her husband, which wasn't hard—he was so loving. She served him with all the tenderness a wife could and yet still there was no young child of hers running around, laughing as if he were the center of the world.
As of lately Anukaya had began to go through her life, wondering what she could have done to deserve this. She was chosen by Pharaoh at the tender age of fourteen to be his wife. He was ten years older than she, but that was the custom. He was twenty four and still held the strengths and charisma of his youth. He had been trained as a General in the army and had worked along side the men of his country. Anukaya had thought him attractive, and having no previous claims on her heart, was thrilled when Pharaoh chose her to be his wife.
But there was something wrong. Deep inside Anukaya knew she did not love Pharaoh. She thought of him as a dear friend whom she was bound to spend the rest of her life with, and perhaps the eternity to come. And recently she noticed great changes in her husband. He no longer thought for himself, but rather yielded to Kensung. There was something about her husbands advisor that disturbed her. His eyes leered and his teeth bared. She caught him on numerous occasions staring at her, sizing her up, but she was too afraid to let anyone know of her unfounded fear.
Now, at nineteen, Anukaya was determined to rid herself of this curse. She would go to her mother and confess she did not love her husband. The problem would be remedied, she'd pay homage to her gods, and hopefully within the next two years she would give birth to a healthy baby boy.
Anukaya's pacing was cut short as she heard the door open. A messenger came into the room, bowed, then, while eyes cast towards the floor, related the message he was sent to give her.
"Pharaoh says you are permitted to take leave of the palace for the space of two months, at which time you will return. You are to take your serving girls, a messenger boy, and your protector." The small boy, who could not be more than ten, exited, still hunched over, and left Anukaya in silence.
The many rich and costly things that belonged to the Queen were packed carefully in trunks made of rich wood. She would sail down the Nile, the lifeblood of the country, on a large barge. She would port in her home city and stay with her parents. She packed the things of her serving girls, thankful to take a few people with her that were from the palace. Kye had been acting strange as of late and being her protector was commanded by the Pharaoh to follow his Queen. Anukaya could tell by his jittering movements that he was always deep in thought and desperate to speak with someone, but dismissed the notion immediately.
Anukaya came up to him the evening before they were to leave and asked if there was anything wrong. They were in the large courtyard in the center of the palace where the royal court would often go to pass the time by playing games or talking amongst themselves. At the late hour it was deserted except for a few passing servants. Torches burned hot around them, giving just enough light for them to see where they were stepping. They were sitting at the edge of a garden and were presently staring up into the heavens.
"Kye, I know there is something wrong." Anukaya said, dismissing his previous attempts at reassuring his Queen that all was well.
Kye was silent, his eyes intent upon the heavenly orbs shining down on them.
Anukaya began again. "You do not wish to go."
Kye took his eyes off of the brilliant stars, but found them again in the eyes of his Queen. Their light reflecting in her liquid eyes was more than he could bare. He stood up, taking his gaze off of Anukaya.
"My Queen, I am commanded to protect you and I shall." He said in one quick breath.
Anukaya stared at the form in front of her. Kye was unusually pale next to the others of her country, which caused a surreal light to reflect off of his skin, coming from the moon. Kye could not have been more than a year or two older than herself, and he already positioned himself in the world as the Protector of the second most important person in the land. He had been with the Queen since he was sixteen, already having distinguished himself as the strongest and most up to the job. His body was well formed, muscles well tuned. Every inch of him screamed the hours and days and years he had spent training his body for fighting, and the Queen noticed this all at once.
Anukaya slowly stood up and brushed her hand down his back, starting from his left shoulder blade, ending at the small of his back. She could feel his muscles tighten and react to her touch, her own body calling out for more. Kye stood still and firm, hoping this moment would end, wishing it would last a lifetime. Anukaya removed her hand from his skin, seeing Kye jerk back a little in objection. She raised her hand to the black wig and slowly pulled it off of his head.
Anukaya gasped. Males, in tradition, shaved their head and donned perfectly formed black wigs, but Kye must not have shaved recently for there was a tuft of silvery blonde hair on his head. Anukaya rubbed her fingers in the soft hair, then realization hit her.
"You're from the north!" She meant it as a sort of scream, but it came out as a sharp exhale of breath.
Kye turned to explain, but before the words could exit his mouth Anukaya had fled from the scene, ashamed at what she had done.
~*~*~
The moment in the garden was not referenced to the whole entire day. Anukaya lounged in a makeshift bed, watching her people from her barge. The smell of fish filled the air, along with the waterweeds. The rhythmic paddling of the water would surely lull the Queen asleep, but she forced her eyes open.
The sun was blazing down on the waters, and the two servant girls fanning their Queen looked longingly at the children on the shore who splashed in the water. The sweat glistened on their skin and they occasionally swiped at the flies that were beginning to attract.
Kye stood silent a few feet away towards the front of the barge. His arms were crossed across his chest, his legs held a steady stance. Anukaya found her eyes wondering to his frame more than once.
"Bring me some wine." Anukaya ordered one of the servants.
She quickly obeyed and carefully poured a cup of wine and handed it to her Queen. Anukaya drank from the cup and handed it back.
"Kye, will you not take of the wine?" She asked.
"No, my Queen." Was the reply. He hadn't even turned.
"You will surely faint," She sat up. "Come, Kye, and take refuge in the shade."
Kye turned. "My duty is to watch over you. I will stand guard until we are safely in your parent's home."
Anukaya laid back down and welcomed the sleep that overcame her. When she awoke the sun was just setting, filling the sky with pinks and purples. The barge was emptied of its passengers and they were directed towards the home of Anukaya's parents. The Mother was tall and slender, her skin dark as ebony. The Father was just as tall, thought a little round in the middle, his skin was a light tan. Both parents received their daughter with cordiality, and retired before the dinner meal.
The room in which Anukaya would sleep was richly decorated in silks and gold, showing that the family was wealthy. She rubbed her skin with perfumed water before looking into the mirror. Her reflection showed that she was a very beautiful woman with large round eyes, and sumptuous lips. Her skin was a dark tan and her wig draped down to her shoulders in strait locks. Her headdress was gold with precious stones scattered across it and her necklace and bracelets were the same.
As she reflected on her beauty she compared herself with Kye. His skin was so much lighter, she wondered why she had never suspected him being from the north. As her thoughts wondered to the night in the garden she blushed deeply, then berated herself.
"You are Queen," She told her reflection. "You will command your feelings!"
After dinner Anukaya was taken aside to a private room so she could converse with her mother. The elegant woman was dressed in green silks and regarded her daughter from a lounging chair.
"What is it, my daughter, that has brought you back to us?" She asked in a stately voice, showing no personal feelings.
"I have given birth, Mother, and my child has died." Anukaya looked down at her hands, afraid to look into her mother's eyes.
"Three babies…" She trailed off.
"What have I done?" Anukaya looked up swiftly, tears filling her eyes. "The gods are punishing me, I know, but I know not the evil I have done them. Advise me, Mother, and save your people."
"You are aware of no evil?" Her mother raised an eyebrow.
"I—" Kye's skin felt so smooth under her touch. "I fear I was on the verge of treason."
Anukaya's thought of telling her mother about the scene in the garden with Kye, but it wasn't necessary. Her babies' death occurred before she committed that sin. She shook her head at her mother.
"Then we will make preparations tomorrow to go to the temple. I have just the thing that will fix this."
Anukaya eyed her mother, wondering what "thing" would fix all this. But she had come to her mother for an answer, and tomorrow she would hopefully be rid of this curse and produce the long awaited heir to the kingdom.
~*~*~
That night Anukaya's dreams were filled with terrors. She relived the birth of all three babies, their small bodies drifting off into oblivion. A dark shadow passed across her dreams as one by one each baby died. The shadow closed around her and threatened to take her life as well. This nameless shadow crept closer and closer until there was no more light.
Drenched in sweat, Anukaya screamed out into the night, awaking herself. Her eyes shot open and she saw that she was sitting up in her bed. Her eyes darted across the room, certain the shadow was close at hand, but she was alone. Shafts of moonlight illuminated the room. Anukaya wiped the sweat from her forehead and tried to control her breathing.
"What is wrong?" She asked aloud as she began to weep. Her weeping turned to painful crying and thus she passed the night.
~*~*~
"Did you sleep well, my daughter?"
Anukaya looked up at her mother, searching the eyes gazing at her. She nodded her head, then looked away.
They were on their way to the temple, both being carried in lavishly decorated carts by servants. The sun was blindingly bright and hot upon Anukaya's skin. The peasants from the village came out to see their Queen. She watched them smile up at her, shouting praises in her name. Along side her walked Kye, his eyes also searching the crowd for potential threats.
The temple rose in front of them in tall towers of alabaster. Paintings on the wall showed the elite worshiping the gods, offering sacrifices. They were let down in front of the temple doors and were escorted within by the priests. The cool air inside was a welcome to the Queen. The narrow passage was lit by torches, the sound of a dozen pairs of feet on the ground was the only noise. They stopped outside of a doorway that was draped in fabric.
"I will prepare the way, daughter, and you will enter when I call you."
Anukaya watched her mother pass through the doors and waited. The curtain was lifted up and she entered.
The room was stifling hot, their were half a dozen torches lighting every dark corner. Her mother stood in front of an alter, a knife in her hand. She handed the knife to Anukaya and placed her in front of the alter. Anukaya had given sacrifices before, but not sense she was married. Along being raised to marry a noble, she was also raised to become a priestess if the first plan did not pan out. She had spent months inside the temples, performing menial tasks, and had once offered a fatted calf.
Her mother exited the room, leaving Anukaya alone for a few minutes. She returned carrying a bundle in her arms. The bundle began to move and Anukaya wondered what animal she would be giving to the gods in order for her curse to be lifted but she was not prepared at what she did see.
Her mother took the cloth off of the bundle and a baby was left in her arms. Anukaya's eyes widened at the site. Did her mother expect her to sacrifice this baby? She watched as her mother placed the infant on the alter, then step back.
"Now repeat the prayers." Her mother said in a calm and steady voice.
Anukaya looked at her mother and then to the baby, her eyes finally resting on the knife in her hand. "What are you asking me to do?"
"Daughter, you must give freely to the gods, and they will give in return. Now sacrifice the child."
"Where did you find this baby?" She watched as the baby began to cry and kick out with its little legs.
"It's just the child of a slave, Anukaya."
The child of a slave, but still a child. A helpless infant who must have been wrenched from its grieving mothers hands. Anukaya had visions of her own three babies that had been taken from her. Her grip on the knife lessened as she felt the heat from the room overtake her.
"I can't…" She said, and the knife slipped from her hand and fell.
The blade caught her ankle and she could feel the warm blood seep from the open wound. All she remembered was sinking to the floor as the blackness overwhelmed her.
A heavy fever had taken her and in her sickness she was delusional. She held her arms out as if to receive a child and raged in bitter agony when none came to her. She screamed out in her sleep, her body convulsing, twisting the sheets. Kye stood by her side and refused to leave his Queen. He'd watch as physicians administered drugs to calm her and draw the fever away. On the third night it was decided she would return home and preparations were made for the departure.
The fever seemed to have lessened, leaving the young Queen weak and vulnerable. She would wake for an hour or so, then drift off into welcome sleep. By the time they reached the palace she was strong enough to stand and walk but she was immediately placed in bed, and instructed to rest.
As morning approached Anukaya awoke and the first thing she saw was Key sitting in a chair, his head in his hands. She slowly sat up and called out to him.
"My Queen, you are well?" He asked, quickly standing and moving towards her side.
"Yes, Kye, I am well." She paused. "Where is Pharaoh, I wish to speak with him."
"Pharaoh left yesterday to the north. He was advised to assess the needs of his army."
"And Kensung?"
"He has stayed, ordered to supervise in Pharaoh's stead."
A quick flash of fear showed in her eyes causing Kye to ask worried questions.
"I am alright, I believe." Anukaya bit her lower lip.
"My Queen, what has happened?" Kye persisted.
"Would you think less of me, Kye, if I admitted that I am weak? Too weak to save my people and my husband?"
"You are the strongest woman I have ever known." Kye took her hand in his and squeezed it gently.
"No…no I'm not." Her eyes began to fill with tears as she told her story. "I could not sacrifice that child. I looked into its eyes and saw my own babies looking back at me. I did not want to deprive a woman her child because I could not keep my own. I fear I have been cursed and I will admonish Pharaoh to banish me and seek another wife."
"You will give Pharaoh a child and you need not be banished." Kye said. "You will overcome your trials and prevail. I know you…I know you will."
Anukaya looked into Kye's eyes and saw them overfill with love. No one had ever looked at her thus, not her parents or even her husband. The warmth coming from his hand sent chills down her body. She needed Kye now, to console her and to love her. She moved closer to him, slowly, afraid he would be startled if she made a sudden movement. She brought her lips to his and that seemed to have broken the barrier that was between them.
As the two lovers shared each other, a dark shadow left its spying place, evil thoughts already forming in its mind.
~*~*~
It was evening and Anukaya was preparing to take her meal. She dressed luxuriously, spraying perfume on her bare arms, applying her makeup gracefully. She bent down to tie her sandals to her feet when she noticed something on her ankle. A small mark that looked like an arrow pointing downwards. She rubbed her finger across the embossed skin and then remembered how it had gotten there. The knife had cut her, and this was the mark. For a swift moment Anukaya's vision was blurred by blue smoke and she thought she saw a young girl in front of her, with long red hair. Just as quickly as the vision had come, it had ended.
"You look beautiful, my Queen." A dark voice startled her. She straightened up and saw Kensung enter her chamber.
"Thank you." She replied calmly.
"I would like to think you took your time on my behalf." He raised his eyebrows.
"I have not finished, now kindly wait outside my chambers." She said, although a little faulty.
"Well, I see my Queen only favors the lesser help." Kensung inched closer, enjoying the look of surprise on Anukaya's face. "I have longed for you ever since I entered this palace, only to lose to a mere boy."
"Leave now and I will forgive you your trespass." Anukaya pointed her hand towards the door but she didn't expect him to take it.
Her wrist firmly grasped in his fist, he tightened his squeeze enjoying the moan of pain. He brought her body close to his and inhaled her perfume.
"I will have you, my Queen." He stated, fear taking over Anukaya's body.
"All I have to do is scream and you will be killed." Anukaya threatened.
"I somehow doubt that." He sneered. "Come with me!"
Kensung roughly pulled Anukaya with him as he walked through the palace. The corridors were oddly quiet and empty. Anukaya wished someone, anyone, would show themselves so she could order them to apprehend her abductor, but no one came. They passed the royal living quarters, and into the servants. Anukaya had never been here before, as she noticed the passages were narrower. They stopped outside a wooden door and Kensung opened it, shoving Anukaya inside.
On the floor in front of her was Kye, laying still and silent. She bent down to his side, forgetting where she was or that Kensung was hovering over her. Kye was still alive, but he seemed to be in great agony. He tried to tell her something, but words failed him.
"What have you done to him?" Anukaya glared at Kensung from the floor.
"I gave him some poison that is slowly eating away his flesh from the inside out. He will be dead within the hour and I thought you might want to say goodbye." He smiled.
"I will have you killed!" Anukaya lashed out at Kensung, scratching his flesh, kicking at his legs.
"On the contrary, I will have you to myself. Once the country mourns the death of their beloved Pharaoh, I will be made ruler in his stead and you will sit besides me as my Queen."
"Never!" Anukaya spit in his face.
Kensung pushed her to the floor and she fell, bruising her thigh. Kye looked up into her eyes, still trying to speak but his mouth was oozing blood. Anukaya brought her hand to his face, mourning over their lost love. That was when Kensung pushed her away from Kye. She was brought to her feet then swung across a small bed. Kensung fell on top of her and his slimy hands roamed her body. Anukaya's salty tears fell into her mouth, and no matter how much she fought back, Kensung was too strong for her.
All of a sudden Kensung stopped. His body lay motionless on top of hers. She pushed him off of her and noticed the dagger sticking out of his back. Kye was standing over the body, his hand bloodied. Anukaya wasted no time and rushed to him before he fell to the ground.
"I love you!" She cried, cupping his face in her hands.
She didn't need to hear the words, for she saw the look in his eyes. His body began to shake and she lowered him onto the bed. She clasped his hands in her own and sat with him as slowly he began to drift away, the life leaving his eyes and limbs still. When she was certain he was dead she pulled the wig off of his head and ran her fingers through his hair one last time. She planted a gentle kiss on his forehead, then stood up.
The scene before her was too much for her to bare. Two dead bodies, and she was left. She was certain she was cursed, and wished to leave this mortal world behind, to follow Kye into the next. A sudden hope welled within her. She searched the room for anything she could write with and saw a sheet of papaya parchment and a quill. She knew the written language, had been taught by the priests. She wrote down what had happened and confessed her weaknesses. As soon as that was completed she took the knife from Kensungs' back and pointed it towards her heart.
"I will follow you, my love, to the ends of the earth." And with that she thrust the knife, aiming true, and fell.