Chapter 6: Chamber of the Fallen Pharaohs
Princess Sobek went to the chamber of her brother. Pharaoh's servants were draping him in gold jewelry and fine fabric. Sobek cleared her throat. Pharaoh waved his hand, and the serving girls walked out.
Now in private, Sobek addressed him, "brother, I implore you to give up this obsession with having sons. Name one of your many capable daughters to be your successor, and release my friend, Gwen, from the bonds of this obligatory union."
He laughed at the sheer absurdity of her suggestion. "Egypt will fall without a man on its throne. There has never been a woman Pharaoh."
"One of my nieces could be the first. Our sister Ruptah is the person you admire most in the world. She is wise, just, and forthright. Ruptah is everything you admire in a leader, and she is not a man. What makes you certain your daughters won't be the same."
"You judge me because you haven't any idea the burdens I face as a ruler. Even Ruptah, whom I value above all others, is aware of her place. She rules at the side of a man, as it was intended by the gods. It is my duty to ensure the future of Egypt by placing a son on its throne. Thus far, all of my wives have failed me in this regard. I must marry your friend for the good of the empire."
"She does not love you."
"If she loved me once, she can love me again."
Sobek sighed, "but can you love her? If you will not free Gwen of this forced marriage, all I ask is that you give her a chance."
He huffed in frustration, "why do you think I'm putting on my best garb? I'm trying to impress your friend. I know how important this is to you."
Sobek shook her head at his naivety and removed his flashy gold necklace. "Allow her to get to know the real you, not your riches and power, but you."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"Thank Gods you're pretty." Sobek laughed. "Gwen is cut from a different cloth than the rest of the ambitious opportunists you call wives. Stop trying to bait Gwen with your snobbery and allow her to know you the way Ruptah and I do."
Pharaoh mulled over her suggestion and eventually nodded. "Agreed"
Gwen would only have one shot to make a positive impression before her wedding. She had to know if she had a chance of building something genuine with Pharaoh.
Gwen sought advice from the one who knew him best. Ruptah told her about his favorite foods, the places he most loved to visit, and many of his interests. Ruptah even allowed Gwen to choose from her vast perfume collection.
Gwen pointed to a vial with a peculiar twisting shape. "How about that one."
Ruptah's upper lip curled in disgust. "Not one of my favorites."
Gwen laughed and chose another, a pink container with a heart shaped cap.
It got an immediate nod of approval from the queen. "Now that's an excellent choice." Ruptah splashed Gwen with a fragrance so lovely it mirrored a spring day.
"Thank you for everything," Gwen said with a thoughtful smile.
Ruptah grinned at the young idealistic version of herself. "You are most welcome. Now run along. You're going to be late."
That evening, Gwen drew in a deep breath as Pharaoh extended an arm to her. Gwen's heart leapt as she hooked her arm around his mighty bicep. If nothing else, Pharaoh was handsome, with the poise of a true king. He had eyes so black they shone silver in the light, like two enchanted mirrors.
He smirked slightly with a muffled, "mmmm," as her fragrance enveloped him, and Gwen grinned at the small triumph. His smile was like a blessing from the gods: pristine white teeth, framed by full lips, and gorgeous dimples.
Gwen was lauded the most fortunate woman in the land for her betrothal to Pharaoh. She felt selfish to ask for more, but she needed more than wealth and power. She yearned to meet the man beneath the crown, in order to have any chance at a loving marriage. At Sobek's request, Pharaoh wore no headdress nor jewelry, revealing a shaved head that suited him beautifully.
Gwen and Pharaoh walked arm in arm, through the high-ceilinged corridors of the palace. Bowing servants stared curiously, as they saw their Pharaoh dressed so plainly. Nobles were aghast. Pharaoh sighed and shook his head. Gwen chuckled with amusement.
"Well are you going to tell me what you want," Pharaoh snapped with irritation.
"Only to know you, my lord," Gwen spoke humbly. "I would love to hear of your interests, your travels, the things that make you happiest."
After her conversation with Ruptah, it was clear that there was another side to Pharaoh, but would he be willing to share the depths of himself?
"That is a conversation for another time," Pharaoh informed her. "We have more important matters to discuss. How many sons did your father sire?"
"None my lord."
"That does not bode well."
She assured him, "my grandfather sired seven sons and each of my uncles, brought forth at least two."
"I am relieved to hear this. I need sons."
The conversation drifted in a disappointing direction for Gwen. It seems all Pharaoh yearns to talk about is my dowered lands and my fertility. Does he even care who I truly am?
They stopped before enormous double doors. Two guards stepped aside, in a synchronized formation. Pharaoh unlocked the doors to a vault of treasure. Every wall and table surface was dripping with diamonds, gold, and precious gems.
Pharaoh assured her, "choose anything you desire. Just walk up and take it for yourself."
Gwen carefully examined each dazzling piece, until she had toured the entire chamber. She returned to Pharaoh and placed an empty hand over his heart. "This is all I want, the most valuable treasure in this vault: your heart."
"You're being absurd," Pharaoh laughed and picked out a necklace. "Try this one. It's worth a fortune."
"I'm not for sale, my lord," frustration was evident in her voice. It seems highborn men are all the same: arrogant swine that lack respect for women. I promised Arthur I would give Pharaoh a chance, but Pharaoh isn't giving me a chance.
"Apologies, my lord," she spoke modestly. "I was merely hoping that with time we could see this marriage as more than a union of political expediency. I hoped that one day I will have greater value to you than a potential breeder of sons."
"What greater purpose can a woman have than bearing sons for the grandest empire in the world? You should feel honored."
"I do your majesty," Gwen assured him. "I was merely hoping to be blessed with a fraction of the happiness my parents had when they were alive."
"Your father was a disgrace, who married a lowly peasant incapable of bearing sons." Pharaoh stiffened his shoulders in pride. "Love doesn't win wars, and it doesn't build empires. If I were to choose a wife to love, it would be one of pure royal blood, a woman worthy of a Pharaoh of Egypt, not the offspring of a weak king and his common whore."
Gwen felt like the wind had been knocked out of her. Her eyes filled with tears. "Am I to understand that I will be an ornamental wife and you will never love me?"
"You should understand that love has never been on my list of priorities, and it shouldn't be on yours. You are a princess and a ruler. Grow up!" Pharaoh slammed the necklace in her chest and stormed out.
He returned to his harem of scantily clad women to commit unspeakable acts of debauchery. Gwen ran back to her chamber, flung open the doors, and collided with Arthur.
"What happened?!" Arthur demanded.
Gwen adamantly shook her head no. "I don't want to talk about it."
Arthur gingerly wiped her tears with his thumbs and held her close. In his embrace, all felt right with the world.
Gwen and Arthur disguised themselves, packed a few provisions, and embarked on their quest. It was the dead of night. All of Egypt was at rest, except for Pharaoh's guards.
"Follow me," Arthur whispered in the darkness.
"Over a cliff," Gwen vowed, with the utmost faith in him.
The princess and the slave gazed into each other's eyes. His hand flinched to caress her cheek, but he retreated out of duty.
"We should be going," he whispered.
"Yes of course." Gwen nodded with an unconvincing smile.
Arthur crept stealthily through the tombs with Gwen at his heels. It seemed every wall was covered in pictographs and petroglyphs. Each wall told a different story than the last, and yet they were all connected: an entire history of Egypt written in stone.
The air was cool and musty. Flickering torches cast an eerie orange glow in the vast labyrinth. If not for the map Gwen had stolen from Pharaoh's architect, they would've been incapable of navigating the endless winding pathways.
They hid in the shadows as armed guards made their rounds. Arthur and Gwen remained as still as the dead. They didn't even breathe. If caught trespassing in such a sacred place the penalty would be severe. They drew breath at last as the guards ventured out of range.
Gwen and Arthur journeyed to an enormous room known as the Chamber of the Fallen Pharaohs. It was overflowing with gold and precious gems, even grander than the palace treasure vault. This gleaming treasure was intended to provide riches in the afterlife.
An armed sentinel paced the floor of the chamber, while the others made rounds. Gwen removed the lid from a jar and slid it through the entrance to the chamber. A pungent fog barreled out of the container.
The guard whipped around and unsheathed his sword. "Halt!"
Arthur drew his blade, ready to engage in battle. The giant man stomped toward them; he began to stagger as the fumes overwhelmed him. The guard collapsed at Gwen's feet. Arthur and Gwen covered their faces as they entered the foggy chamber. They cautiously tiptoed around the unconscious guard.
One gold plated sarcophagus after another lined the tomb like dominoes. These ornate caskets held the remains of Egypt's late rulers, but Arthur knew the eyes weren't in them. Organs were removed during mummification, one of several rituals performed to ensure immortality. The gaseous cloud burned their eyes as they rummaged through a collection of jars.
Arthur at last found a container with the proper markings. "I've got it."
"You're incredible," Gwen exclaimed. "I owe you my life."
They whipped around at the deafening sound of a gong. The fallen guard had regained consciousness. He was alerting the others. Arthur and Gwen bolted from the chamber. They skid to a stop as a troop of sentinels rounded the corner. Gwen and Arthur ran the other way only to face a greater number of watchmen. They were trapped. With razor-sharp swords and an earth-shaking battle cry, the temple guards ran straight for them.
Arthur traded steel, kicks, and elbows with the sentinels. He'd lay one flat just for two more to charge him. Gwen pressed the panels of the wall behind them, trying to remember the sequence to open it. The grinding sound of stone scraping over stone resonated as the wall began to open.
Gwen and Arthur fled down the corridor, leaping, rolling, and ducking from the path of boobytraps. Projectiles shot at them as they ran. Giant blades nearly took their heads off.
Gwen cried out as a poisoned dart shot from the wall and pierced her side. Her movements became slow and sluggish. The walls began to spin, and she collided with the cold stone floor. Arthur could see her struggling to speak, but muscle paralysis was a symptom of the poison she had been stricken with. Gwen became as still and silent as a corpse.
Arthur swept her unconscious body into his arms. He continued to escape with her. They had lost the map while fighting the guards and every corridor looked exactly like the last. He had lost his way.
Poison was coursing through Gwen's veins, as Arthur wandered through the labyrinth. Her breaths were becoming shallow, and he could barely detect life.
A tear rolled down his cheek. We must escape this place! I'll lose Guinevere if I don't find a physician…