Blessed Lands Egypt Chapter Twenty Seven
Blessed Lands Egypt
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content
Chapter 27
Ivoniyut meet them at the rail. A long and impressive looking limousine awaited just outside the rail station. Pharaoh had sent word ahead of time and made the arrangements himself. The entire station had been cleared and Pharaoh’s personal guards had every entrance and exit guarded, blocked, and watched. He was determined that another attempt on Honute’s life was not going to happen again. When Ferruk approached Ivoniyut and looked into the guard’s eyes he knew this was a joyous day. One obstacle had been removed. Ferruk’s life got better. He was feeling particularly virile at that moment and decided that Ayruyi would enjoy this evening. During the ride Ferruk noticed that Ayruyi sat close to Honute and Akila. It perturbed him that she seemed so comfortable around them. She even talked endlessly of everyday things. She offered, with Master Ferruk’s permission of course, to show them the crystal carvings and the holy shrine of Ra – only a few may enter, but with Master Ferruk’s influence and being the guest of Pharaoh they could get in. She talked about cooking Greek food and wanting to learn how to bake Akila’s family’s fig cakes. On and on the woman talked. Ferruk had never known her to string more than a half dozen words together. And how did she know about the Crystal carvings and holy shrine? And he never remembered her knowing how to cook Greek food. Before the trip ended Ferruk realized two things. Ayruyi was something more than a servant, and maybe, just maybe he wasn’t a good master. In one week, Honute did what he could never have done, made Ayruyi talk openly. He watched as she laughed and smiled and just seemed at ease. He liked her smile and the way she laughed made him want to laugh. She actually knew some jokes! Then the old doubts entered his mind and he remembered why he treated her the way he did. He wouldn’t admit it but he cared about and loved her. As the feelings intensified he treated her worse and worse hoping that they would go away. They never did, so he keep his wall up and made the relationship strictly master and servant. He thought of the things he was going to do to her when they settled in. She’d be punished for her disloyalty. And as his thoughts got darker and darker his penis got harder and harder. He had plans for her, big plans, plans she’d would never forget or easily forgive.
The limo pulled onto the open road escorted by a dozen half-track tanks and a fighter aeroflight squadron. Pharaoh's complex was another twenty minutes away, but it was so large that even at this distance it could easily be seen silhouetting the bright day sky. The original complex had been located on the other side of the river. Pharaoh was displeased with how the sun rose over the east mountain. It created a misshapen shadow over the complex through out most of the day. He had the entire area moved to its new location. Now the peak of the mountain had been placed to the right as the sun rose. The complex would bask in yellow golden sunlight through the entire day and with the complex edged up the river bank it made for a spectacular sunset. The Sun and Moon would dance on the surface of the river when high in the sky, the light reflected over the land giving it a magical shimmering effect. Pharaoh would walk the edge singing praises to the gods and enjoying the evening. On special nights he would dance in the Moon light amidst joyous music and twisting swaying youthful dancer bodies. The entire complex would fill the open spaces just to glimpse the living embodied god thank the Blessed Lands and its people.
The last few miles of the trip had citizens lined up along the road. Most of them waved as the limo and escort vehicles passed. Honute looked out and was nearly floored by the mass of waving arms.
He asked, “Are they out there for us?”
Ferruk, dry-mouth and as unenthusiastic as he could muster said, “They want to see you. There are rumors that you can do things.”
Honute turned, blinking rapidly, said, “How’d they find out?”
Ferruk looked at the younger priest and noted he said ‘How’d they find out?’ He simply said, “Word travels. The Blessed Lands is not blessed for keeping secrets.”
Honute turned back and watched the endless mass of people. It was overwhelming. He lay back in the seat and thanked Thoth he was inside and they were outside.
Ferruk had received some satisfaction in Honute’s discomfort. He smirked.
The limo stopped in front of a grand arch. Huge statues of Anubis, the jackal headed god of the underworld, stood on either side on the arch opening. They were painted in bright earthy colors. Yellow and green for the clothing and olive-tan for the Anubis face. Pharaoh likened the entrance to the underworld because only the fateful and invited souls may enter in safety. All others have but to lose their hearts and be damned forever. The head honor guard opened the limo door. Ferruk stepped out first, because that was his honor, then came Honute, Theoris, Akila, Ayruyi and last her father. The hundred guards line snapped to attention and saluted – fist to heart. Honute squinted and saw that the line went all the way to the entrance to the main building. The Sun was high in the sky and it hit Honute full in the face. The warmth stung but felt good.
Inside the main entrance revealed a huge expanse of space and walls. Human body wide columns touched the roof nearly fifty feet high. The air was cool and the lighting low. The floor was polished to the extent that with the low lighting it seemed that one was walking on a glass covered lake. The walls seemed to dance from the reflected light from the floor. Honute nearly bumped into Ferruk twice. He kept staring at the ceiling, floor, and walls – not necessarily in that order and was impressed with Pharaoh’s wealth.
At the far edge of this expanse stood two guards in Anubis customs. Honute heard music play as he approached the guards. The music was deep and touched one at the core of the soul. The beat was at a slow pace. The down stroke seemed to hit every four seconds. The effect was like an amusement park E ticket ride.
Passed the guards a monorail waited. It was polished in gold metal with black silver midlines. It was the size of a large bus and was completely autonomous. Honute geeked and gawked at the marvelous splendor, wonder at the arrangement. Once on board the monorail and the doors shut the ride was smooth. The rail emerged outside and the windows darkened. Honute sat back already exhausted by the moments’ events. He looked around and noticed Ferruk and Ayruyi were the only two unimpressed. No doubt Ayruyi had seen this countless times and Ferruk was just putting up a front. He was still amazed how they could remain so poised in all this grandeur. Honute was thinking about that when the monorail turned sharply right, then sharply left - to get everyone’s attention, and glided to a halt. The door opened and the great palace filled his view. This was Pharaoh’s home. Legend, myth, rumor, and hearsay, all rolled up into one. This was where fantasy met sanity. The complex mix of the fantastic and the mundane and some never got enough. Honute followed everyone out and into the grand hallway, a spit and polish of brown wood panels on the wall and earth-color stone tiles on the floor. Ferruk lead the way in a smaller hallway that seemed to be more fitting for mortals and other lesser beings. The ceiling was still high, twenty feet, and the hallway was still wide, fifty feet, but Honute seemed to like those dimensions. It occurred to him that Pharaoh planned it this way – after being nearly overwhelmed by space and effect one was glad to step into this area.
Ferruk stopped. The group was met by Hydrulia, one of Pharaoh’s half sister-wife. She stood as tall as Akila but was leaner and her skin was a shade darker. Her skin was anointed in golden tinted oil and when she talked she seemed to sing the words instead of just saying them. “Welcome, friends, to Pharaoh’s house.
Once inside the actual palace Honute could breathe easier. It looked like a palace one would expect. The painted images of gods along the walls and on columns seemed decorative. Under each painting was the name, in hieroglyph – nearly a dead language, of each god and a description of that god’s job in the higher order of the universe. Fine woven cloths were hung along the wall with large windows and high vaulted ceilings in every room. The tiles on the floor were smooth and polished to mirror perfection. Guards had been placed at every entrance and only the most senior of officials were allowed in. Hydrulia walked everyone through the offices of Pharaoh, a long stretch way of the different departments of the Blessed Lands. Every single room was dedicated to the comfort of Pharaoh and the Royal family, the thousands of temples through out the Blessed Lands, the civil defense of the Lands, and the collection of money to keep the Pharaoh and his family in comfort. The whole country was here to obey the living embodiment of its gods, from sunrise to sunset and in between. Pharaoh sneezed – the Blessed Lands wiped his nose. Honute took all this in. Every room, every guard, every person and there seemed to be more and more of everything else. At the final stop, the group was met by Drethulia, Pharaoh’s first sister-wife. She looked very much like Hydrulia but different. She was older with barely noticeable wisdom lines at the corners of her eyes and lips, but the skin was still smooth and she too was covered in gold tinted oil.
Drethulia said in a very melodic voice, “Our family welcomes you. Please enter.” She turned to two tall doors. She spread her arms wide and hummed out a tome that only Honute, Ferruk, and possibly Ayruyi would know.
- Hail, O ye who make perfect souls to enter into the House of Osiris, make ye the well-instructed soul of the Osiris the scribe Ani, whose word is true, to enter in and to be with you in the House of Osiris. Let him hear even as ye hear; let him have sight even as ye have sight; let him stand up even as ye stand up; let him take his seat even as ye take your seats.
The great doors opened up to reveal a gang of servants waiting to serve the guest of Pharaoh. Drethulia turned and said that a servant was assigned to each person. She turned to Ayruyi and Arrutyi said, “It has been a long time.”
Ayruyi and her father bowed deeply, honored that Pharaoh’s first sister-wife acknowledge them. The servants behind Drethulia bowed back.
Ferruk watched intrigued. He had never known this to happen except when servants are being welcomed backed into a home, but since Pharaoh had not told him of this; it must be that Drethulia was being semi-formal. Ayruyi and her father have never been to the palace at the same time.
Drethulia walked up to Honute and bowed.
Honute immediately dropped to his knees and said, “O’mighty Queen Drethulia it is I that should bow to you. I am but a humble servant and priest in the Blessed Lands in service to Pharaoh and the Royal family.”
Drethulia lifted Honute up. “Priest Honute, welcome to our home, you have a special place in the palace. Ask any servant for anything as it will be yours.”
Honute, stunned, but not enough to forget his manners, bowed his head, “O’mighty Queen, thank you. I shall endeavor to not be a burden on such a magnificent home.”
She turned to Ferruk and smiled congenially. “Priest Ferruk, we our most thankful of your bringing Honute and his guest before our home. Pharaoh has heard of the mishap on the rail system. Pharaoh has instructed the BLIA to handle the case –“
Ferruk paled for a moment, but he recovered quickly. He had nothing to worry about, as nothing could or would be traced back to him.
Drethulia continued, “We think that the assassination of the Royal Oracle and attempt on Priest Honute are related. Be assured justice will be served.”
Ferruk swallowed hard and gracefully bowed, “O’mighty Queen, thank you for the welcomed news, with the BLIA on the case I can only imagine the case to be solved.” Ferruk thought quickly. His body guard was most efficient and he was positive that suspicion would not fall on him. The Blessed Land Investigative Agency was highly effective at catching criminals and law breakers, but they weren’t perfect, as he could attest to that personally.
Drethulia turned to Akila and Theoris. She bowed her head, “Welcome to our home. Pharaoh is grateful of your past deeds and your present results. It is most exciting. Tonight before dinner Pharaoh has granted you an audience.” Then she addressed the group. “Please make yourselves at home and allow the servants to help and instruct you wisely. Dinner will be served later tonight after Pharaoh performs the evening ceremony.