Tutankhamun: The Book of Shadows by Nick Drake Page B

thinking.
    â€˜I was married to my husband when we were both very young. I was older by a few years. But we were children, united by the state for the purposes of alliances of power. No one asked us if we wished it. Now we are brought out like statues for state occasions. We perform the rites. We make the gestures. We repeat the prayers. And then we are put back inside this palace. In return for this obedience, we are given luxuries and indulgences and privileges. I do not complain. It is all I know. This beautiful shrine is as much of a home as I have known for many years. It is a prison, and yet it has felt like home. Is it strange that I should think of it that way?’
    I shook my head.
    Again she paused, thinking ahead.
    â€˜But lately–I do not feel safe, even here.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜For many reasons! Partly, perhaps, because I sense something changing in the atmosphere. This palace is a very restrained, highly disciplined world. So when things change, I notice at once: objects that are not where they ought to be, or that appear out of nowhere. Things that could mean nothing, and yet seen another way might imply something mysterious, something…And then, today…’
    She ran out of words. Shrugged. I waited for more.
    â€˜You mean the events at the festival? The blood…?’
    She shook her head. ‘No. Something different.’
    â€˜Can you show me?’
    â€˜Yes. But first, there is something more I must tell you.’
    She drew me down on to a long bench in the shadows, and spoke in a more cautiously hushed voice, like a conspirator.
    â€˜What I am about to tell you is a secret known only to myself and a very few trusted men. You must give me your word you will keepsilence. Words are powers, and silence too has its great power. Those powers are mine, to be respected and obeyed. If you do not, I will know it, and I will not spare your punishment.’
    She looked at me gravely.
    â€˜You have my word.’
    She nodded, satisfied, and took a deep breath.
    â€˜Tutankhamun will announce his coronation and his ascendancy to the kingship shortly. It would have happened today, after he had communed with the Gods. But that could not happen. Obviously. We were thwarted, on this occasion. But we will not be stopped. The future of the kingdom is at stake.’
    She watched for my reaction.
    â€˜He is already King,’ I commented, carefully.
    â€˜But in name only, for Ay is Regent, and he holds all power, in reality. His government is the ruling authority of the kingdom. It remains invisible, and under that cloak he does as he wishes, while we are merely his puppets. So we must grasp power now. While there is still time.’
    â€˜That will be very difficult. And very dangerous.’
    â€˜Obviously. So now you understand better why I have called for you.’
    I felt the shadows of the palace darkening around me with every word she spoke.
    â€˜May I ask a question?’
    She nodded.
    â€˜Can you be sure Ay would not support him in this?’
    Ankhesenamun suddenly looked as lonely as any woman I had ever seen. It was as if the door into her heart had been blown open by a gust of wind. In that moment, I knew there was no way back from this strange night, or escape from the dismal labyrinth of this palace.
    â€˜He would destroy us both if he knew.’
    There was both determination and fear in her eyes.
    â€˜And can you be certain he does not know?’
    â€˜I cannot be certain of it,’ she said. ‘But he has shown no sign. Hetreats the King with contempt, and maintains him in a dependent childhood he should have outgrown. His authority depends upon our subservience. But he has made the most dangerous assumption: he underestimates us. He underestimates me . But I will not endure it any longer. We are the children of our father. I am my mother’s daughter. I have her inside me, calling to me, encouraging me, persuading me against my