Chapter Two
It was only a month after Anck-su-namun and her fathers return from Thebes that one afternoon there was an unexpected visitor.
Akila had just finished her weaving when there was a knock on the door. Outside was a middle aged woman dressed in garments of someone with a high position in society accompanied by two officials.
"Hello?" Akila asked, confused..
"Are you the wife of Hapu and mother to Anck-su-namun?" asked the woman.
"yes.. yes I am mame, how can I help you?"
"I would like to discuss matters about your daughter"
"What do you want with her!" Akila cried out, now protective of her daughters wellbeing.
"Your daughter is very beautiful, perhaps one of the most exquisite in the upper and lower lands, and I find her appropriate to serve the Pharaoh himself, become one of his maidens."
Tears began to swell in Akila's eyes. The fears of corrupting the child were becoming true. If she was to serve as the Pharaohs bed slave, she would lose her spirit.
"Please do not take my favourite child" she sobbed, for hope that the woman would take pity on her, a naïve thought.
"Wife of Hapu, we have chosen your daughter and she is to come with us tonight." Eshe, the woman who was the head mistress of the Pharaohs concubines and was in charge of looking for new maidens and looked after their wellbeing, felt sorry for the mother. She did not like the fact that she was taking away a loved child, however the Pharaoh was growing irritable and was pressing for a new mistress to be found.
Anck-su-namun overheard the conversation and revealed herself to the visitors.
"Do not worry mama, I have overheard the conversation. It is ok, I will go. Its an honour to our family to be chosen……. Please stop crying" Although her body filled with remorse, she could not stop the feeling of excitement. She was being given the opportunity to change her life, to live in Thebes… be closer to Isis, everything she dreamed of. However, through her innocence and purity of heart she did not know how she was to serve the Pharaoh.
Anck-su-namun left that night. She prayed to Isis the whole trip to Thebes, asking the goddess to look after her. The party traveled night and day to their destination which they reached a few nights later. The city centre was desolate, except for the few still roaming around. Once inside the palace, Eshe led her to the chambers in which she would be living. Exhausted by the trip, Anck-su-namun collapsed into the soft silken sheets of the queen size bed. Overcome with comfort she dropped off to sleep.
The poor girl, she does not know what ordeals lie ahead of her, thought Eshe as she closed the gold adorned door behind her.
The sun began to stream through the open windows of the room as Anck-su-namun began to stir. Unfamiliar with her new surroundings, she began to look around in awe. The room was enormous, bigger than her previous home! Her queen sized bed was situated in the centre of the room against a wall and was covered in the softest and purist white silk, fit for a queen, she thought. To the left of the bed was an open archway which led to a balcony, overlooking lotus gardens and the city centre. Within the room itself was a large bath, the water warmed from the sun and surfaced with lotus petals. She noticed everything seemed to be adorned with the finest golds and stones.
As she walked around in disbelief two women, a little older than herself walked into the room carrying garments for her to wear.
"mistress.." they each bowed their heads in a formal greeting. This was unexpected as Anck-su-namun had never been treated like this before.
"we are hear to prepare you for a viewing with Eshe head mistress of the maidens of the Pharaoh,"
"oh ok, uh… what is a viewing?" Anck-su-namun questioned.
"Eshe will inform you how you will be living you life here," and with that the servants bathed Anck-su-namun and dressed her in a simple white garment, and decorated her delicate features with make-up.
Anck-su-namun gazed at herself in the reflection of the mirror. She had been completely transformed. Her large almond eyes were now lined heavily with the black kohl, her lips painted with a shimmery bronze. Her golden skin now glowed with such intensity, it was as if Re had embodied inside her. As she walked down the corridor she could not help notice the stares she received from passer-bys.
Eshe was overjoyed at the transformation; her appearance was now that of a goddess. The Pharaoh will be very pleased indeed, she thought to herself. She informed Acnk-su-namun of her daily duties; to take part in a dance class, to become a master in Sai and to visit the temple of their patron god/goddess daily. Then she went on to describing Anck's duties with the Pharaoh. When she was to turn 18years, she would become one of Seti's personal mistresses. She was to please him in every way and obey each of his commands. And finally, "You are not to touch or be touched by any other man. Anck-su-namun, you are now the possession of Seti, do you understand?"
Anck-su-namun suddenly was fearful. She did not expect to be serving the Pharaoh in such a way, she did not want to…. However she had no choice.
After the briefing, Anck-su-namun was allowed to visit the temple of Isis. She had always felt a special connection with the goddess, as if Isis herself was taking care of her. This is why she devoted herself to prayer.
Due to her promotion on the social hierarchy, Anck-su-namun was allowed past the public prayer room and into the chamber dedicated for priestesses and high officals. She entered the dark room lit by candles and filled with the sweet sent of lotus incense and knelt in front of the large statue of her deity. She prayed to Isis to look after her throughout the ordeal yet to come and to give her courage and strength. While she prayed a soft and soothing, yet authoritive voice spoke to her in her mind…
"My child, you are on your path of destiny, embrace it. I will always be here, watching over you and will be with you in great times of need." And just like that the voice was gone. Anck-su-namun was overcome with peace and as she rose from her meditative position she caught the eye of the High Priestess who was watching her intently. Anck-su-namun bowed her head in respect and turned to walk out of the temple. What she did not see was the High Priestess return the gesture…..
sorry if this gets corny or boring. Im just trying to set the scene and background story before she meets Imhotep.
Plz review