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conqueror of Troy, I have no right to pass through those
golden doors.
 Correct. Though on feast days, with Pharaoh s permis-
sion, you might be allowed in the outer courtyard.
 And what secret rites would I witness?
 The great offering to the god who resides in the temple
and enriches the earth with divine energy.
 Humph!
Shaanar showed infinite patience. Although Menelaus
was rather crude of manner and speech, he felt a certain bond
with this shrewd-eyed stranger. His intuition told him that
unfailing courtesy would wear down the Greek s defenses.
Menelaus returned again and again to his ten years of
warfare, ending in Troy s defeat. He deplored the cruel fate
300 Christian Jacq
of his allies who fell to the enemy, criticized Helen, hoped
that Homer soon would write of the Greeks high deeds
and be sure to show him in a good light.
Shaanar tried to learn exactly how Troy fell. Menelaus
described fierce engagements, feats of bravery from Achilles
and the other heroes, their firm resolve not to leave without
Helen.
 In such a long war, hinted Shaanar,  surely your
strategy must have included a trick or two.
Hesitant at first, Menelaus opened up to him.
 Odysseus hit on the idea of building a big wooden horse
and hiding our soldiers inside it. The Trojans were foolish
enough to let it through their gates, and we were able to
launch a surprise attack within their own walls.
 I m sure Odysseus didn t think of it all alone.
 We discussed it together, but . . .
 He was only interpreting your thoughts, I m sure of it.
Menelaus puffed with pride.  Yes, it s quite possible he
was.
Shaanar spent the greater part of his time cementing his
friendship with the Spartan king. He had a strategy in mind
as well a new way to eliminate Ramses and regain his
rightful place as sole heir to the throne of Egypt.
forty-four
n his garden, beneath the grape arbor, Shaanar enter-
Itained Menelaus in the manner befitting his royalty. The
Greek admired the dark green leaves and the laden vines,
feasting on the plump blue-black fruit before their meal was
served. Pigeon stew, roast beef, quails with honey, delicately
seasoned pork chops, and pork kidneys delighted his palate.
He never tired of watching the scantily clad young women
who played lovely tunes on their woodwinds and strings.
 Egypt is quite a country, he admitted.  Better than the
battlefield.
 Is the residence we chose for you acceptable?
 Acceptable? It s a palace! When I get home, I ll have my
architects build me one just like it.
 The servants?
 Very attentive.
At the Spartan s request, a granite tub had been installed
in the mansion. He had it filled with warm water and
soaked there endlessly. His steward judged the process
unhygienic and enervating; like his fellow Egyptians, he pre-
ferred showers. But he followed Shaanar s instructions, and
had a masseuse come daily to rub the Greek hero s scar-
covered body with oils.
 But those slave girls of yours aren t very cooperative, he
302 Christian Jacq
complained to Shaanar.  At home, they d never make such a
fuss. After I bathe, they pleasure me in whichever way I
choose.
 There are no slaves in Egypt, Shaanar explained.
 These women are paid workers.
 No slaves? We could teach you a thing or two, then.
 Yes, Egypt needs men of your stature.
Menelaus pushed aside his alabaster dish of honeyed
quail. Shaanar s remark had ruined his appetite.
 What are you insinuating?
 Egypt is a rich and powerful country, but we might ben-
efit from a more forward-looking government.
 The way I understand it, Pharaoh is the government,
and you re his son.
 That makes me proud, but not necessarily blind.
 Seti is an impressive figure. Not even Agamemnon had
as much authority. If you re plotting against him, give up.
You ll never win. He has supernatural powers. I m no
coward, but I m afraid to look him in the eye.
 Who said anything about a plot? The entire population
worships Seti, but he is also a man and no longer in the best
of health, apparently.
 Isn t that why he named a regent? He s grooming his
successor.
 If Ramses comes to power, Egypt is done for. My
brother is incompetent.
 But if you oppose him, it would mean going against
your father s wishes.
 Ramses has the Pharaoh fooled. If you side with me,
your future will be assured.
 My future is sailing home as fast as I can! Yes, Egypt is
richer than I ever thought possible, but I m a guest here, not
a ruler. Forget your crazy schemes, my friend.
Ramses: The Son of Light 303
Nefertari had taken Helen to see the harem at Merur;
the golden-haired beauty was enthralled with the splendors
of Egypt. Bruised and weary, she once again had moments
of joy, walking in gardens and listening to music. The
refined climate of Tuya s household had been a balm to her
spirit over the past few weeks. The latest news, however, had
plunged her into despair again: two Greek ships were
already seaworthy. She would soon be leaving.
Sitting by a pond where blue lotus flowers drifted, Helen
gave in to her tears.
 Forgive me, Nefertari.
 When you go home, won t you be a queen again?
 Menelaus will keep up appearances. The great warrior,
who destroyed a city, burned and slaughtered to win his
wife back and avenge the stain on his honor. For me, it will
be a living hell. Death would be easier.
Nefertari said no empty words of comfort. Instead, she
taught Helen to weave. Helen took to it immediately,
spending her days by the looms, picking the brains of more
experienced weavers. Soon she was designing her own luxury
fabrics. Her nimble touch won the admiration of the profes-
sionals.The craft took her mind off Troy, Menelaus, and the
inevitable return to Sparta, until the evening when Queen
Tuya s sedan chair was borne through the harem gates.
Helen ran to her room and threw herself, sobbing, onto
the bed. The fact that the Great Royal Wife had arrived
meant the end of a happy interlude that would be her last.
She regretted not having the strength to kill herself.
Gently, Nefertari tried to rouse her.
 The queen is asking for you.
304 Christian Jacq
 Don t make me go.
 Tuya must not be kept waiting.
Helen yielded. Once again, she was not mistress of her
destiny.
Menelaus was unprepared for the skill of the Egyptian
shipbuilders. The rumor that Pharaoh s boats could sail for
months at a time seemed plausible, given the speed with
which the Memphis naval yard had reconditioned the Greek
fleet. He had seen huge barges that could carry an entire
obelisk, clippers and warships he would not care to meet in
battle. Egyptian defense forces more than lived up to the
stories about them.
Well, no need to suffer by comparison. He was going
home! This stop in Egypt had allowed him to regain his
usual energy. His soldiers had received medical attention
and an improved diet. Now the boats were ready to sail.
Marching briskly, Menelaus headed to the Great Royal
Wife s residence, where Helen had been staying since her
return from Merur. Nefertari showed him in.
He found his wife wearing an Egyptian-style linen gown
with shoulder straps. She looked almost indecent.
Fortunately, no local Paris would think of kidnapping her. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]