The Twelfth Transforming Read Free Page B

be a distant relative of mine. How strange! “Is there anything else?”
    Neb-Amun paused. “There is no official confirmation yet, Majesty, but it is rumored that a new prince has arisen in the land of the Khatti, who is pulling the people together. It seems that the Khatti will recover from the sacking of Boghaz-keuoi after all.”
    “Perhaps, although an enemy that can penetrate to the capital city of a country is not likely to be repulsed quickly. Particularly if it is being secretly armed and victualed.” Tiye turned her head and looked at Neb-Amun, but her gaze was unfocused. She frowned. “We know that Tushratta has been taking advantage of the chaos among the Khatti to strengthen his own position by aiding Khatti’s rebellious vassal states. The balance of power between Mitanni, Egypt, and the Khatti was delicate, and is now upset.”
    “Khatti is now very weak.”
    “And a weak Khatti means a much stronger Mitanni. We must watch the situation carefully. We cannot have Mitanni become too swollen, but neither can we allow the Khatti to grow too arrogant. We have treaties with the Khatti?”
    Neb-Amun nodded. “Yes, but they are old.”
    “We can dredge them out of storage if necessary. Is there word on the character of this prince? What is his name?”
    “The desert police are saying that he is young and vigorous, and ruthless enough to take the risks necessary to become ruler of the Khatti. He won a palace insurrection, Majesty. His name is Suppiluliumas.”
    Tiye laughed. “Barbarian! Egypt will deal with him easily if necessary. Diplomatically, of course. What next?”
    There was little else for the day. Cargo from Alashia, new oxen from Asia, gold from the Nubian mines, and a consignment of vases from Keftiu. “Send me one later. I want to see the quality,” Tiye said. “You can go now, Neb-Amun. Pharaoh will see to the sealing of any scroll that is necessary.” He gathered up his papers at once and bowed himself out.
    After being bathed and dressed in fresh linen, Tiye sent for a herald. “Summon my guard. We are going into the harem.”
    They emerged under the high roof of the palace terrace, Tiye with soldiers before and behind, her fanbearers and whisk carrier to either side. Although noon was hours away, the forecourt was already crowded with children leaping in and out of the fountains. Slaves and attendants, seeing her pass, went down on their faces. The wide paved square leading to Amunhotep’s public audience hall was likewise crowded with the staff of the foreign embassies whose quarters dotted the palace compound and who waited until such time as Pharaoh or his ministers might receive them. They, too, hearing the herald’s warning cry, bent in reverence as Tiye paced through their midst. Once the heavily guarded door between the public domain and the harem water steps was closed, the noise faded. As the little group turned left under the pillared entrance to the women’s quarters, Tiye’s chief steward and Keeper of the Harem Door, Kheruef, came forward, his short linens fluttering in the draught that blew through the open doors of the gardens at the rear of the buildings. Tiye held out a hand.
    “You will have another apartment to furnish and slaves to buy,” she told him as he kissed the tips of her fingers. “The foreign princess Tadukhipa arrives within days.”
    Kheruef smiled politely. “Princess Gilupkhipa will be overjoyed, Majesty. Since the murder of her father and the rise of her brother to power, she has been frantic for news from Mitanni. Tadukhipa is her niece and will bring a breath of familiarity into Gilupkhipa’s rooms.”
    “Considering that Gilupkhipa has been a royal wife for almost as long as I have, I find it hard to understand why she still pines for the discomforts and dangers of an uncivilized country,” Tiye remarked dryly. “But I do not want to discuss Pharaoh’s Mitanni women. I have come to see the prince.”
    “He has just risen and is in the