Chapter 10:
Duality of Man
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story from The Mummy (1999) except for my OCs.
Terms to Know:
Ka: The Ancient Egyptian concept of the soul.
**!WARNING!** This chapter contains material that may be triggering for some readers. The two scenes occur at the beginning of the chapter, which are marked as being NSFW. Read at your own discretion.
Evil as well as good, both operate to advance the Great Plan. ~Muata Ashby, Egyptian Book of Proverbs.
Stretching languidly, Seti's body settled into the silky sheets, and he kept his eyes closed against the morning's light. A soft, warm body was pressed against his own, and he stretched again, relishing in the warmth from the other body. It was supple and curvaceous, melding into his own. He groaned, feeling his morning desire beginning to take shape, and he rolled over and captured the girl's wrists in his own.
A soft gasp of surprise escaped from the girl's lips as her eyes shot open. "Pharaoh Seti! Good morning!" The girl moved to cover herself but soon realized her actions were futile. Stopping her movements, a look of embarrassment passed over her features.
"Good morning, my dear," Seti said, grinning at her. He had no idea what her name was, but it didn't matter. Roughly mashing his lips on hers, she moaned into his mouth, and he felt his desire swell.
Pushing back against him slightly, the girl giggled, a light musical sound, and she looked at him playfully. "Is there anything I can do for you this morning?" The girl whispered sensually as she lowered the soft silk sheets.
He groaned as the satiny texture brushed against him. Not bothering to reply, he kissed her neck. Nearing her heavy breasts, he suppressed a growl as he slid himself over top of the girl now, entering her.
Her quick intake of breath as he entered her was music to his ears, and he took out all his stress on her, all of his frustrations.
"You are so beautiful," he managed to grunt out. She smiled brightly and allowed him to use her body as his own. The overwhelming feeling of pleasure as he dominated her and her soft cries fueled him further. He spilled himself inside her, collapsing heavily onto her when he was done.
Taking a few moments to recover, he ignored the girl's obvious grunts of discomfort until he finally slid off of her and stood to dress. He was disgusted with how willingly she submitted to him. How boring! He almost rolled his eyes. Just then, one of his servants entered the room, bringing his breakfast. Finally! Seti thought, huffing.
The small, wiry servant carried a heavy gold tray adorned with exotic fruit, meats, bread, honey, fresh goat's milk, tea, and exotic spices. Setting down the tray, the servant hurried to leave as he was met with Seti's displeased stare, closing the heavy doors as quietly as he could on his way out.
Rolling his eyes once more, Seti finished dressing, made his way to the settee, and began to eat. Forgetting he had company, he heard a slight cough behind him and turned to look.
The girl lay on the bed, a slight look of sadness on her features, looking at the food and then back at him expectantly.
Crocking an eyebrow, he said, "Yes? What is it?" As he grabbed his tea and a piece of bread, he slathered it with honey and stuffed it in his mouth.
The girl momentarily looked disgusted before her face became a mask of cheerfulness. "My Pharaoh! That was wonderful! Thank you for allowing me into your bed…" She said, moving on the bed, exposing her naked body to him once more as the silky sheets slid away.
Looking at the girl's body, he sucked in a breath and felt his desire stir again. "It was my pleasure," Seti said before returning to his breakfast. "And you may come over here." He said, his back turned to her.
Light footsteps against the limestone floor padded towards him, and suddenly the girl came into view and sat on the floor beside the settee, her eyes expectantly looking at the spread of food.
Feeling annoyed at her apparent lack of manners, Seti scowled and said, "I didn't say you could sit, did I?"
Quickly scuttling up, the girl stood now, looking reticent. 'No, my Lord, you did not. What is it you desire?" She said, covering her chest and lowering her eyes. Her thick, long black hair covered her face and obscured her deep brown eyes from his view.
Scowling, he banged his fist against the tray and shouted, "If you are to be in my bed, I expect you to be on your knees when I am having breakfast, is that understood?" Seti all but bellowed.
The girl shook with fear and fell to her knees, "But I thought you said not to sit…" She said now.
"You do not sit here as an equal. You are here as a servant; don't you forget that." Seti said, shoveling food in his mouth again, "Now, service me!"
Looking confused, she did not move, and Seti felt his annoyance beginning to bubble over into anger.
"I don't understand what you mean, my King."
His eyes hard, he turned on the girl and grabbed her by the hair, yelling again. "I did not invite a dancer to share my bed to be treated equally. You will not be considered as such. You will do as I ask and not ask questions. Got it?"
Shaking her head up and down the best she could, she answered, "Yes, my Lord..."
"Good, now do as you were asked," Seti said carelessly as he released his hold on her.
The girl took her position and got to work, tears flowing down her face. Seti almost smiled as waves of pleasure washed over him, and he enjoyed his breakfast more that morning than any other.
Seti sat on his throne, boredom threatening to lull him to sleep. Imhotep sat beside him, his face an inscrutable mask. He was Seti's most trusted advisor and closest friend, but sometimes Seti did not know what went on inside his head.
"What do you think about my friend?" Seti asked, breaking the silence.
Imhotep jumped slightly as if coming back to his body. "What do you mean?" Imhotep asked, his face not betraying any of his thoughts.
"You seem to be off in another world. The look on your face is always so severe." Seti said, intrigued.
Chuckling nervously, Imhotep had the grace to appear nervous. "Severe? I'm not sure what you mean."
"You have often been disappearing as of late, and you have been incredibly quiet. What is it that troubles you, my friend? What do you think about?"
Shifting in his seat, Imhotep looked more and more nervous. "I have not been sleeping well, my Lord." Jumping at that last word, Imhotep chuckled, "Seti, I mean." His face was now a mask once again. Not even the slightest hint of emotion leached out of it.
Staring intently at Imhotep, he scrutinized his face, seeing the new wrinkles that had appeared there almost overnight. "Hmmm…yes, you look as if Osiris has been beckoning you to the grave recently."
Raising his eyebrows, Imhotep looked at Seti from the corner of his eyes and laughed. "Thank you, that is a compliment I shall cherish forever."
"No, truly, Imhotep, you look as if you have not slept in months! Tell me! What have you found out from the Gods! We have never spoken of it."
The nervousness was back in Imhotep's face, almost imperceptibly. The mirth that had been there seconds ago was gone. Had he not known the man for so many years, he would have never noticed.
"There was not much to learn. They were most unhelpful." Imhotep said, closing off his body language and turning away slightly.
"Come on! What do they have to say, Imhotep?"
Sighing, Imhotep spoke begrudgingly. "As I have said, the Gods were most unhelpful. All I know is this.…that you will likely produce a male heir." Feeling his excitement, Seti began to speak, but Imhotep cut him off.
His eyes shifty, Imhotep continued, "You will produce an heir, but it will come with a cost."
The relief Seti felt as he heard those words made Imhotep's warnings fall on deaf ears.
"I am to produce an heir?" Seti said excitedly. Finally! All his hard work would pay off!
Imhotep turned to look at him. His dark eyes were complex and intense. "Yes, Seti, you are to produce an heir. But you must be careful. Something about this does not bode well."
"Whatever, whatever! This is joyous news indeed!" Seti said, feeling almost fifteen years younger as he sprang from his throne. "Thank you, my friend!" Seti said, kissing Imhotep on the cheek, missing Imhotep's look of shock, too busy thinking of his wondrous future. He no longer felt the impending doom looming over his shoulder that haunted him every second.
"Thank you again, my friend!" Seti said, motioning for a servant to come. "Find my wife. I must speak with her at once." Seti said, waving his hand in dismissal. He sat back down and sighed contentedly. All was finally right in his kingdom
Seti was beaming with excitement as he finally laid eyes on his wife, Tua-re. The servant he had sent to fetch her had returned empty-handed and informed Seti that the Queen was in her chambers at this hour. Seti had set off at once to speak with her.
"My dear! This is a time to rejoice! As I am to produce an heir!" He burst through the heavy doors, panting with the exertion.
Tua-re looked up coldly from her vanity and then turned her back once more. "And I am to assume it is not with me?" She replied, her back stiff.
Seti was beside himself with excitement and did not heed her lack of enthusiasm. "Well, no, my dear, it seems you are a dead end for us. But I feel good about the new dancer I have taken under my wing." He beamed.
Tua-re's back stiffened up more at his casual blow. They had lost more children than they had barred. Nefertiri was the only benefit of their union. "That is great news, Seti."
Finally noticing his wife's lack of excitement, Seti went to touch her back. She spun around angrily and got up from her seat at once, stalking over to the window and sitting in the alcove. Her silhouette was one of pure abhorrence.
"That is wonderful news for you; indeed, Pharaoh," Tua-re said, turning away further. "But have you forgotten about your duties to the Princess? Your own daughter?"
Seti felt annoyance creeping in at Tua-re's rebuff. "Yes, yes, Nefertiri, what of her?" He said, waving his hand dismissively.
Tua-re crossed her arms over her chest and exhaled loudly. "What of her? She is the Princess! Just because she is not a boy does not mean you can ignore her!"
Seti laughed coldly, anger beginning to brew under the surface. How dare this woman speak to him this way! "I have many daughters, my dear, or have you not noticed?" He spun around and spat, "The palace is crawling with them!"
Tua-re stood then and faced him, her eyes blazing, "Yes, as a result of those whores you take to bed! None of them are as pure as Nefertiri!" The venom in her words seeped through.
Seti saw red, and the anger that had been bubbling just below the surface exploded. The sound of skin hitting skin reverberated throughout the room, making the silence all the more apparent. Tua-re fell to the floor, holding her cheek and glaring up at him. He looked down on her, and all he saw was a disappointment of a woman.
Looking up at him with narrowed eyes, Tua-re panted, her teeth gritted. "You coward! Any child you produce with a whore of impure breeding will bring a curse upon our land, and you know it!"
Ancksunamun clutched her shawl to her chest as she ran across the cold limestone. She had been down by the river most nights and was not getting much sleep. Her head was fuzzy, but her heart was full. The dreams of home flowed from her heart down the river and left the imaginary warmth of her family wrapped around her. The moon and the water were her closest friends in Thebes.
The garden had also become a place of refuge for her, and she had become friendly with the older man Kher-heb, whom she would see in passing most nights on her way through. They would not speak, but she had the feeling he knew something about her that he wasn't saying. It didn't make her uncomfortable; it mostly intrigued her to understand what the old man was thinking. But he usually left with a friendly wave before she could say anything.
Finally reaching her destination, she was lost in her thoughts. The throne room was still just as lavish and opulent as the first time she had seen it, but she had grown accustomed to it by now. Taking her spot in the line of dancers, Ancksunamun removed her shawl and stretched her neck, trying to wake herself up.
"Finally here, huh?" The girl next to her said. Ancksunamun opened her eyes and looked up. The girl who spoke was named Safiya, and she was one of the only other dancers who would speak to her. Sometimes Ancksunamun even confided her loneliness with her.
"Yes, I am just so tired!" Ancksunamun said, going back to stretching her neck.
"Well, maybe if you didn't sneak off every night to do Gods knows what, you wouldn't be so tired," Safiya said, a twinkle in her eye. "Perhaps you're even sneaking off with some handsome stranger."
Ancksunamun gave her an exasperated look and laughed. "Yes, perhaps I am!"
Safiya giggled at that and focused on her own morning stretches. "I never even see you at breakfast anymore! I wonder where you're going off to…."
Ancksunamun, with her own twinkle in her eyes, laughed in merriment and replied, "Well, just imagine I am off with some mysterious stranger!" Rolling her eyes at her own stupid joke, the two girls finished what they were doing and went to join the others in the line.
Each morning the head dancer rounded up the girls and went over what was expected of them. Some days they were informed that the Pharaoh was in a trying mood, and they needed to be extra careful of how they behaved. Other times, the Pharaoh was in a playful mood, and they could be more relaxed. This was one of those mornings, they were told. Though the Pharaoh was nowhere to be seen at this hour.
His Vizier was there this morning, though, and he sat there coldly. Ancksunamun looked him over with a cool appraisal and noted that he seemed to be an odious man with no personality. Suddenly, he looked over to her, and his eyes locked with hers, betraying no feeling. But the feeling in her body could only be described as electric as his haunting eyes connected with hers. Huffing, Ancksunamun turned her attention back to her job and began to dance but could not help but remember the feelings he had stirred in her days prior. Trying to ignore the searing white heat in her abdomen, she moved to the corner of the room, keeping him from sight.
Sighing in relief now that he was out of view, she relaxed but still could not forget the way he seemed to see into her soul. Shivering, she huffed again and tried to block him from her mind, but she could not seem to. The rest of the day passed painfully as she kept as far away from him as possible. Something about him deeply unsettled her.
After Seti had all but run from the throne room in glee at his news, Imhotep sat there contemplating the will of the Gods. If it was his duty to uphold the highest decorum and live life according to their wishes, why was he complicit in Seti's misdeeds? That could not be good for his ka or for his conscience. Before he had disappeared, Seti had made it apparent that he intended to try for a son with his newfound concubine and scampered off to tell the Queen.
Imhotep thought of the girl that Seti had taken to his chambers the night prior and grimaced. The girl was a young dancer with all the earmarks of being Seti's next victim. He and the girl had exchanged pleasantries, and Imhotep had the distinct feeling that the young dancer thought she was to be treated like a Princess, but Imhotep knew better than that.
Oh Anubis! He cursed internally. What hell awaits me for what I am doing at the hands of the Pharaoh? He momentarily put his head in his hands, remembered he was in public, and quickly regained his composure. Clearing his throat, he settled down in his seat once more.
Thinking of all the duties he had yet to get to that day, Imhotep sat anxiously awaiting Seti's return, for he was not allowed to leave until Seti told him of his meeting with the Queen.
Truth be told, there was more on Imhotep's mind than the Gods and the new concubine. Imhotep had laid awake many nights since the night at the river when he had seen the Goddess in the flesh. He still was not sure if he had envisioned her by the power of sheer will or if she had been real. The woman he had seen by the river was exquisitely beautiful and had radiated such a powerful aura that it had struck him in the heart and left him paralyzed.
So lost was he in thoughts of this woman; he felt as if he was hallucinating. A woman of small stature and a lithe, athletic build twirled and swirled her way around the room. Her movements were so fluid, almost as if she was of the Nile herself. Her raven-colored hair hung just below her ribs and flowed around her like wisps of the wind. Could it be her? He blinked his eyes several times to ensure the image did not disappear. His eyes widened, and he sat on the edge of his seat, watching this Goddess that had haunted his dreams right here in the flesh. Rubbing his tired eyes, he checked to see if that did the trick, but she was still there, twirling her way into his vision.
So enraptured by this beauty, Imhotep failed to take notice of the splitting headache that chiseled away at his skull. For all at once, dark eyes rimmed in gold connected with his, and the world stopped. All of the noises in the room faded away, all the sights, sounds, and colors muted. The pain in his head vanished, and all that was left was the vision of her.
Just as quickly as it had started, the eyes looked away, and the girl looked at him distastefully and moved across the room. He sat watching, puzzled and enthralled with what had just transpired. Was that really her? The Goddess in his dreams? The woman on the banks of the Nile? It couldn't be, no, he decided. He needed to meditate on this further. It couldn't be her…could it be? The thoughts tormented him, and he fought to keep his composure. He knew he was staring, but he couldn't tear his eyes away for fear she was to evaporate into thin air.
Sitting there in agony, Imhotep finally tore his eyes away when he felt a tap on his shoulder and saw that the Pharaoh had finally returned.
Later that night, in her chambers, Ancksunamun once again heard the whispers of gossip all around her. Looking around, Ancksunamun sought out Safiya and looked at her quizzically. Motioning for her to come over, Ancksunamun scurried across the floor and sat with the other girl.
"Well, what is it?" She asked.
Safiya grinned, but it was of slight chagrin. "Kesi has been promoted to head concubine, and it has only been one day!"
Ancksunamuns head was spinning. One day? A dancer promoted to head concubine? Shaking her head, she responded, "How is this possible? He barely knows her, and she is definitely not the prettiest girl in the palace." Ancksunamun believed that lay with her new friend.
Safiya was of average height, with a full bust, full backside, and large rounded hips. Her eyes were big and bright with thick, full lashes and plump lips, which outlined pearly white teeth. Ancksunamun did not think looks mattered, but she knew that someone as backward as Seti would have to be blind to not notice. Kesi was the most mean-spirited of the dancers, and it puzzled her to think that Kesi could have won over the Pharaoh that quickly.
My Gods, I am just as mean as Kesi for thinking such things!
Shaking her head to clear it, Ancksunamun strained her ears to hear what the other girls were talking about, but Safiya interrupted her. Whispering, Safiya said, "I don't get how it's possible either, but that's what is being said. Apparently, Pharaoh Seti and the Vizier were having an intense conversation this morning before you arrived. Seti jumped up and ran from the room. He came back hours later as jovial as a kitchen mouse!"
Ancksunamun looked back at Safiya and zoned out for a second, thinking of the Pharaoh's Vizier. His eyes and horrible face haunted her.
"Are you alright?" Safiya asked.
"Just thinking about the Vizier. What do you know about him?"
"Oh! Isn't he creepy? He just sits there and glares off into space all day! Apparently, the Pharaoh has been getting heated with him disappearing recently!"
"Disappearing? Where to?" Ancksunamun asked, intrigued.
"No one knows, but all I know about him is that he and his father basically worship Seti and that he is also the High Priest at the Temple of Osiris."
Ancksunamun sprang back into reality at that. "Did you say he's the High Priest? And what about his father?"
"Yes, he is! And from what I hear, his father is a nut. He has been working at the Temple for eons and refuses to leave even though his obligations have been filled. He goes off and wanders in the gardens at night. Strange little man."
Ancksunamun finally put two and two together. "Kher-heb!" She exclaimed.
"Huh?" Safiya asked, puzzled.
"The father, the nut! His name is Kher-heb! He is very nice…though a bit strange..."
Safiya looked at her now, "How do you know his name? How would you have met him?"
Looking down at her feet, Ancksunamun panicked, "Um… I've been to the Temple a few times and met him, you know, praying to Osiris and all."
Safiya did not look convinced but shrugged. "Anyways, his son is the High Priest, and he's apparently not very friendly."
Chuckling, Ancksunamun agreed. "Well, you can see that from looking at him!"
Safiya laughed with her, and the two girls sat silently for some time before she spoke again. "Imhotep!" Safiya said suddenly.
A strange feeling ran up her spine at those words, and Ancksunamun had to look away.
"What did you say?" She asked again, her eyes trained on the floor, unseeing.
"Oh, I remembered. The priest's name is Imhotep. It means He Who Comes in Peace or something like that."
Imhotep.
The word reverberated in her skull, making her feel nauseous. His dark eyes swirled in her vision again, and the heat returned to her abdomen. A warm hand on her shoulder jolted her from her spiral, and she found herself back in the cold room with her friend sitting next to her.
"You okay? You look pale. Perhaps you should lie down." Safiya said, worry in her tone. "Come, I'll take you to bed."
The two girls stood up, and Ancksunamun swallowed nausea in her throat as Safiya led her to her mat and helped her down to the floor.
"Goodnight, Ancksunamun…. I do not know what has upset you, but I am just over there if you need me," Her kind eyes looked down at her, and with that, Safiya turned away and laid down on her own mat.
Ancksunamun lay there for hours staring up at the ceiling, wondering what her body's strange visceral reaction was to this man. It wasn't the same disgust and anger she felt when looking at the Pharaoh. It was different; a primal fear that gripped her insides and sent her spiraling into the recesses of her mind. A part of her felt an incredible pull to him, a searing heat that burned her skin from underneath, and her mind would call out to him. But mostly, there was this underlying feeling of doom that she couldn't shake.
Rolling over onto her side, she drifted to sleep fitfully, his eyes piercing her soul and his name playing over in her mind. Imhotep…Imhotep…Imhotep…