"Speak up!" "Noble heir to our divine pharaoh!" "I just saw 2 sacred scarabs pushing a ball of dung over our path." "Go on." "I worship the patron saints of the Sun." "I have stopped the convoy." "Even though you look like a Hittite, you are a pious Egyptian." "We'll turn the convoy around, to spare them." "Can we pass through that ravine, Pentuer?" "We can, it's no more than 2,000 paces." "But it means a big delay!" "You don't expect us to commit sacrilege?" "My soldiers are not afraid of beetles!" "You Libyans don't even fear the tombs of pharaohs, but nobody who entered made it back!" "Noble Herhor, you have to admit that a beetle wouldn't stop even a donkey." "Neither could a donkey ever be pharaoh." "Do as you like, but you have to lead the troops through the ravine yourself." "I don't get the military science of priests." "Come, Tutmosis!" "Venerable Herhor, the road is blocked by a canal!" "Have it filled up." "Fill up the canal!" "What are you doing?" "This canal is my life's work," "I've been digging day and night, while others were dancing and having fun!" "My master promised me my liberty if I'd make water run through it, you see?" "Freedom for me and my children!" "Don't fill up my canal!" "Light of the Sun, listen to me!" "May the Gods give you happiness!" "May bad luck be erased from your path!" "May the Nile's currents not take you when crossing!" "Noble Master, the best of men!" "Master!" "Earth, swallow me!" "Cursed be the day that saw me being born!" "O death!" "Reduce my body to ashes so that, in the fields of Osiris," "I will not be reborn a slave!" "I'm sure my father wouldn't let 2 beetles decide where the army should go, only because its commander is a priest!" "Herhor is not a bad general." "He's no a general, he's only a priest and a minister." "Nice army it is, where the best soldiers are mercenaries!" "My great-grandfather had 30,000 soldiers." "My father has scarcely half of that and he cannot even pay them." "My father's treasure houses are almost empty." "Those of the priests are bulging with gold." "Long may my father live!" "But when I'll be pharaoh," "I'll crumple these priests under a soldier's boot." "You're wrong!" "They'd turn the people against you." "And who would defend you?" "My soldiers." "Most would follow the priests." "The Libyan troops." "Just mercenaries..." "My officers..." "They're appointed by the priests." "O God!" "What are you doing here?" "I wanted to see the army." "Who are you?" "Sarah, the daughter of the scribe of this property." "You're a Jewess." "Do you think Jewesses are less sweet than Egyptian girls?" "I've had 3 Jewish concubines..." "You're lying!" "A Jewess would never be the concubine of anyone!" "Not even of the scribe of the flag-bearer of the governor?" "Never." "Not even of his master?" "No!" "And of the governor himself?" "Who are you?" "What do you want from me?" "Tell me first, do you find me handsome?" "If kindness would not be apparent on your face," "I might take you for a mercenary or a bandit." "He's not yet a bandit, but he could turn out to be the greatest bandit of all times." "And what if I were as great as the man who your father serves?" "You might well be." "They're calling us." "If I were the governor of Memphis?" "You could be as powerful as him." "They're sounding the alarm!" "What if I were the son and heir of the pharaoh?" "Jehovah!" "Ramses!" "Quick!" "I should take you into my household." "Look after her, Tutmosis!" "God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, have mercy on me!" "We're cut off from the main army." "Those are the enemies foot soldiers!" "Those of the invincible Nitager." "Forward!" "Let's show them who we are!" "You have won, Ramses!" "Only one born to command would have charged as you did." "You are the bravest of the brave, Nitager!" "Today, you've shown yourself the bravest warrior!" "Hail Herhor, greet a pharaoh's son who has carried the day." "He was the first to attack." "Ramses showed great courage, but if you had such a hothead in your ranks would you praise him so extravagantly?" "Tell me no wrong of this young warrior!" "He as already shown his stripes." "He will be a great commander." "He will attack the Assyrians, thanks to him, they will not reach the banks of the Nile." "Generals are there to win battles..." "Ministers are there to decide if a campaign should take place." "Look at this Assyrian horse." "It is trained to kill in combat." "Soldiers!" "By the Gods, we will crush Assyria, and our chariot wheels will pound the streets of Nineveh!" "The Gods have given me the joy of commanding men like you." "I want you to share my happiness." "I ordain that 5 talents be shared out among the soldiers," "5 talents among the officers, 5 talents" "among the ministers and my staff, and 10 talents among the generals..." "Tell me, Pentuer, where will the prince find that money?" "It's pure folly." "He offers lavish presents to the army while our pharaoh lacks the funds to pay the Libyan troops, when they return from the Assyrian frontier." "Tell me also." "Is it proper for a prince to talk to the army as if he were already pharaoh?" "Only a fool would act this way, or a traitor." "Eunano!" "Take the soldiers you need to dig the canal again" "and finish it." "Your will may be done, Lord." "My son and heir, I'm happy that you've returned from the manoeuvres in good health." "That your glory may rebound in both worlds forever!" "My advisors have told me your bravery and leadership." "I have decided to reward you." "You will get 10 gold talents, my ceremonial necklace and two Libyan battalions." "And the delta army that was promised to me?" "In one year, we'll hold manoeuvres again." "If you'll be less impulsive in your leadership, you'll have the delta army." "Why can I never be alone with you, father." "Must there always be others between us?" "I want to talk to you in private." "What do you want to tell me?" "Only this." "Clearly Herhor is my enemy." "He wilfully misleads you and speaks bad of me behind my back." "Herhor is my servant and your friend." "I've put you in command on his advice." "He has also made us circumvent the scarabs." "Should he neglect religion in front of the troops?" "Mighty father, but in order to respect the scarabs... they've destroyed a canal and killed a man!" "He killed himself." "Because of Herhor." "You forget that in the troops you so skilfully commanded, 30 men have died of exhaustion, and hundreds fell." "You don't talk like a dignitary of state worried about canals and workers, but like an angry, irritated man." "If I'm angry father, it's only because it's only because I'm constantly opposed by Herhor and the priests." "Herhor is commander and refuses to share his power." "I alone am master of state and the army." "From me come the orders and verdicts." "On earth, I am the counterpart of Osiris." "I weigh the actions of all my subjects, of the heir apparent, the ministers, and the priests." "You are unhappy, master." "The whole day I haven't seen your smile." "Sorrow is a treasure, given to us to take care of... when we guard it alone, we're unable to have peace of mind." "Our priesthood taught us that many a man has sacrificed all his possessions for the sake of a woman." "Yet with the most serious problems a woman is powerless." "That only means she doesn't love you as strong a I do!" "I know that you love me, but can you get me the supreme command of the army?" "Or of the delta army?" "True, I cannot do that." "I can do nothing." "You can distract me." "Dress up like a Phoenician dancer." "Dance, caress me like them?" "We daughter of Judah are not immoral like Phoenician girls." "Sing for me anyway." "Tears are the first cry of a man on earth, a sigh his last goodbye." "He moves through life burdened by sorrows and departs with regret to the last resting place." "No one asks where he would like to stay." "Who is the one who is without sorrows?" "Who is the one who can murmur before going to sleep:" "here's the end of a day that I've lived without bad feelings!" "How you have changed, my son!" "You are a man now..." "I see so little of you that I'd forget your traits if they weren't engraved in my heart." "Dear Ramses!" "You're so dear to me, that I hardly dare say what I came to ask." "I think it's about money." "I need 10 talents." "Is your Jewess that demanding?" "That's not it!" "I have to keep my promise to the soldiers." "Be prudent, Ramses." "Those girls choose death over the bed of a stranger." "When they give themselves to an enemy, it is to win him over to their cause of to kill him." "Those are tales spread by the priests." "So it's true that you're an enemy of the priests, you, their favourite disciple!" "I can still feel the blows they gave me in school." "But my grandfather was head priest." "My other grandfather was master of Egypt, like my father," "I have no reason to bow to Herhor." "I don't see the future ruler of Egypt in you." "If you weaken the priests, who will second you?" "You cannot rule upper and lower Egypt without advisors?" "The priests will be my servants, not my ministers." "Thanks to their prayers, your father rules since 33 years." "He has avoided getting into wars fatal to Egypt." "To the priesthood!" "To the pharaoh, to the state!" "Do you know the state of the treasury?" "Yes, but I also know that a victory against Assyria can flood our fields with gold as the Nile floods our fields." "I see you are still a child, and it would be wrong to reproach you for such foolish thoughts." "Send your Jewess away, perhaps then the priests will lend you money." "I'd rather ask the Phoenicians." "As you wish..." "But remember this:" "pharaohs have died after a few months of rule, and dynasties have fallen after conquering 9 nations." "Because they preferred incense over swords!" "Dagon the Phoenician, the most honest banker of Memphis." "I greet you, Sun of Egypt!" "May your glory reach all far off banks where Phoenician ships take off!" "When the noble Tutmosis told me that you wanted to see your loyal slave, my joy was such that on the road," "I prohibited my driver to beat his animals and I've given a ring to your slave who poured the water over my hands." "Can you tell me, Lord, where does the silver vase come from, from which it is served?" "I bought it from Azarias." "You do business with Jews?" "He is a merchant, like you." "By Baal!" "By Astoreth!" "A merchant like me?" "Why did my feet take me here?" "Kill me, cut off my hand if I have diluted gold, but don't tell me that he's a merchant like me!" "Alright, my honest Dagon, can you lend me 15 talents?" "15 talents?" "That's such an amount that I need to sit down to think about it." "One talent, that's already a big amount!" "For how long do you need that amount?" "For one year..." "Let's say right away 3 years." "Only the pharaoh could pay 15 talents in one year." "For a young prince who entertains his friends and pretty ladies." "Ah!" "The ladies!" "How much interest do you need?" "Just a little... not even worthy of your holy lips." "For 15 talents, Lord, you will give me 5 talents a year which will make me, after 3 years..." "You lend me 15 talents to take 30 from me in 3 years!" "Egyptian law authorises that kind of interest." "Isn't it too much?" "Too much?" "I'd be ashamed to take less from the prince!" "When will you have the money?" "I'll go one better." "I'll settle all your debts so that you will be free of the sordid worry of the soldiers' pay." "In return, you'll give me control for 3 years of your 3 properties in Lower Egypt." "I need to know first how much they bring in." "Don't you trust me, Lord?" "No, but..." "Then all is settled!" "We only need a scribe and 16 witnesses to attest what honour has befallen me." "These details are not interesting to His Highness." "Wise words!" "May you live eternally!" "You haven't come here since a long time!" "As the high priest of Chaldea I warn you all." "The state of Egypt is menaced with destruction which only the utmost shrewdness may avert." "Yet it would be disastrous if Egypt should wish to attack Assyria during the course of the next 10 years, for her armies would wipe out the culture centuries have built up." "The Assyrians are ferocious rulers." "You fill us with fear Beroes, but show us the way of deliverance!" "Treat with Assyria." "On what kind terms, Beroes?" "Assyria will cede you Israel." "And Phoenicia?" "If the pharaoh would get his hand on Phoenicia, within half a year our horses would be watered at the Nile." "Egypt cannot abandon Phoenicia!" "I she does not, it means immediate war." "And you need 10 years of peace to straighten out your internal problems." "Which problems?" "You know that better than me, a stranger." "The people are oppressed by the powerful." "Impiety is spreading." "Many are those dreaming of conquests." "A treaty with Assyria is necessary." "Amon knows how the mere idea fills me with horror." "But if you insist that luck is against us we have to forge that alliance." "If my anyone would dare to invade Assyria, he would die by my hand, even if he were my own son." "If I hit this one," "I'll crush Herhor!" "And if I hit this one," "I'll beat the Assyrians too." "And now if I hit this one," "I'll be as great as Ramses the second." "O Jehovah!" "I'm sure that boat's your mother's." "And if she wants to talk with you?" "My mother loves song." "You'll win her over by singing a Jewish melody." "Great and powerful is the Lord the God of Israel..." "Ramses is coming to show off his Jewess." "He wouldn't be the descendant of the pharaohs if he wouldn't at least rebel a bit." "Our laws are strict, and our customs are perhaps outdated." "If my son were not in that boat, I'd order it to be smashed to pieces!" "She is as pretty as she is foolish and she has no real influence on the prince." "May Amon, who knows all, be speaking though your mouth." "The prince was never much in love with that girl." "Now that she's pregnant, he'll be less so." "How do you know?" "And if it's a boy?" "Suppose it's a girl, we'll give her a dowry worthy of her rank." "And if it's a son, he will be a Jew." "My grandson, a Jew?" "Sooner or later Israel will want a king." "When they do, we'll have one for them." "You are like the eagle whose sight embraces the East and the West." "I am an old and tired man." "If I wouldn't worry about you and about the State" "I would die without regrets." "Power weighs more on me every day." "So from now on you will share power with me." "I'll teach you the difficult art of governing a country, of eluding the tricks of the enemies." "May you pound on them like the eagle on its prey!" "You merit the command of the Delta army." "As of today, you are its leader." "Father!" "Allow my, our prince, to be the first to congratulate you." "It was Herhor who insisted that I trust you with this duty." "My sincere gratitude, Herhor." "Don't forget this, prince:" "to govern wisely is a secret of the priests." "Only men devoted to the Gods may attain this wisdom." "In the name of the creator may peace invade your soul." "In the name of the creator..." "Follow me." "Here's prince Hiram, member of the Supreme Council of Phoenicia." "And Dagon, banker of the prince and heir." "I greet you, Lord Dagon, and wish you prosperity!" "I greet you, Lord Hiram and wish you whatever you're wishing me!" "You start arguing already?" "Does this sound like an argument?" "You'd better talk business." "Why are you angry?" "I always am, when they don't call me Your Lordship." "In that case, I should be called Highness." "I'm a prince!" "En Phoenicia perhaps, but in Assyria, you grovel like any Phoenician merchant." "What would you do in front of this barbarian, capable of impaling you?" "I don't know, but here" "I sit down at the side of the prince." "I have more than 100 ships!" "And His Holiness the pharaoh possesses at least 20,000 towns and villages." "Are you crazy?" "You're counting the pharaoh's possessions while Phoenicia is under threat!" "What's the menace, may I finally know?" "Beroes..." "The councillor of princes and the king of Assyria?" "He spent one night in the temple of Phtah." "According to our spies, Assyria wants to annex Phoenicia while leaving Israel to Egypt." "Was that the aim of Beroes' trip?" "You have good leverage in this affair, Dagon." "You should advice against this treaty at the court." "Alone, I don't pull sufficient weight." "I can help you." "Phoenicia will supply you with gold." "And how much will I get?" "Let's say... 10 ships?" "And what's in it for you?" "That's not enough for you?" "I'm asking how much you will get!" "Choke on it!" "You'll have 20 ships, to help you forget those that were burnt." "I'll try to forget..." "But I could've made enormous profit!" "Enough!" "Let's rather talk about Phoenicia." "The prince will soon ascend the throne..." "And if he wants war with Assyria, he'll wage it." "But if you are the only one to nudge him, that won't be enough." "I cannot slice myself in ten..." "It's necessary that each of his cooks wants war, each of his barbers, of his secretaries, officers, drivers, slaves... that they all want war with Assyria, and that he'll hear talk of nothing else all day long," "and even at night." "That can be done." "Do you know his concubines?" "The Jewess is an idiot." "We might find one more subtle for him..." "I've got it!" "Kama..." "A Phoenician high priestess?" "That'd be sacrilege." "Of course she'd have to be put to death." "By will of His Holiness the pharaoh, and with the consent of the priesthood, you've been initiated into secrets of government, known only to the Gods, the rulers and the temples." "Through my mouth the Gods have taught you that the treasury is in a bad state, and the army is getting smaller and that these sources of power are still diminishing." "In the old days, our treasury was full, our land was abundantly populated." "So the State was rich and powerful." "That was Egypt 400 years ago, before the 19th dynasty embarked on its policy of conquest." "Our armies conquered the enemies and pharaohs made their name immortal until the banks of the Euphrates." "But many peasants followed the army with provisions." "Many of them never made it back, and the sands invaded our soils." "The Gods speak through you mouth, Pentuer." "The victorious campaigns were the cause of our downfall." "Here's the result Ramses, today's Egypt." "Look at the state of our peasantry." "Come closer, noble heir!" "Come here!" "Observe!" "Skin and bones." "These wretched creatures will not contribute to the treasury." "Egypt carries poisonous serpents in her bosom which sap the people's lifeblood and devour the wealth of governors and pharaohs." "The snakes are the Phoenicians, the traders of gold." "This piece of land, and the work of 32 people is what a Phoenician now asks to lend one golden talent for 3 years." "All these slaves and a large field like this..." "Look at my hand." "This piece of gold is a talent..." "You seem preoccupied." "Forgive me, noble heir." "Your soldiers have not been paid for a month." "And there's bad news from Memphis about the health of the pharaoh." "The priests didn't tell me about it..." "But it's said that you want to expel the Phoenicians." "The priests told you that... so it is true..." "My poor Phoenicia, but also your poor Egypt!" "Why all these lamentations?" "You understand me, even though you don't want to answer me." "Still, I'll keep my promise." "You'll have 100 talents." "You're hiding something from me, Hiram." "Make yourself clear." "Assyria will soon invade our country." "Are you out of your mind?" "Assyria cannot take Phoenicia." "We won't let her." "Egypt has already agreed." "Such a decision cannot have been made without the consent of the pharaoh and me!" "That will come." "The priests have concluded the treaty." "Which priests?" "Minister Herhor," "Pentuer, Mefres, and the high priest Beroes from the Assyrian side." "Careful now, old man." "You're accusing the priesthood of high treason!" "You are wrong." "The high priests and the minister of war have the right to sign treaties with neighbouring powers." "I will not believe you without proof." "In a few days an Assyrian envoy will arrive to ratify the treaty of the priests." "What compensation will Egypt receive?" "Now those are the words of a king!" "Egypt has struck a bad bargain." "Assyria will incorporate all of Asia, leaving you nothing but Israel." "If the pharaoh'd declare war against a weakened Assyria, and would win, he would win the loyalty of a mighty army," "100,000 talents in unpaid tributes, et 100,000 in spoils of war." "Such fortune would allow him to buy back the mortgages held by the priests and to take power from them." "If it is true about that treaty, it's been drawn up with the highest secrecy." "One of the priests would have betrayed not only the pharaoh, but also his accomplices." "Or perhaps a fifth priest has heard them... and has sold the secret to you!" "You don't know yet the power of gold." "The priests would fear the wrath of the Gods." "I've seen many a temple, in many a country, filled with statues, big and small but never have I seen Gods there." "That's blasphemy!" "I myself have felt the hand of a God on my shoulder." "Where was that?" "In a temple." "You still lack experience, Prince, religions delight in secrets." "I'd like to do you a service, If I may." "Pay a visit to Aster's temple one night, but don't tell anybody about it." "That must remain between us." "The Gods often forgive us our indiscretions, but humans, never!" "Ramses!" "Who is there?" "I must know." "It's me," "Kama." "Was it you who touched me?" "Yes." "How did you do it?" "Like this." "You are Kama... who wakes over the holy flame?" "Yes." "Is your law so cruel, that it doesn't permit you to love?" "If I'd break the law," "Phoenicia would expel me, and our Gods would destroy me." "Your Gods won't care, I'm an Egyptian." "When did it happen?" "The birth of your son?" "The second day of the feast of Seti." "Herhor assisted to the birth." "Tutmosis?" "Yes, Lord?" "We must lead back the garrisons from the coast." "I want to take muster of all the army." "We have gotten a message from Memphis." "You have to receive Sargon, the envoy of Assar who accompanies the high priest Izdoubar." "They desire to pay homage to your father." "Very well." "I stand to gain by claiming the tribute that Assyria refuses us." "Would you do that?" "Before anything else!" "Our treasury needs that tribute." "In name of the venerable Herhor, I forbid you to talk about that tribute!" "With what right are you giving me an order?" "I have no orders to follow from Herhor!" "One more thing." "Could you explain to me why the Assyrians shouldn't pay us this money which would save our treasury?" "His army is 3 times as strong as ours." "I get the idea." "But if Egypt is that weak that I cannot even mention the tribute, if Egypt has sunk so low why are you so certain that Assyria will not attack us?" "That's exactly what treaties are for." "No treaty is strong enough for the weak." "Clay tablets will not protect our borders unless they are backed up by a strong army." "Bring Sarah." "I want to see my son." "My benign Lord, be good, don't harm a high priestess." "Several times I've waited in front of your house." "I wouldn't have hoped that my master was so near to me." "To what do I owe this honour?" "Kama, I want to know why your compatriots have shown me my look-alike in the temple." "Because they love you." "To show you that, in case of danger, if you need to trick your enemies, this man can be useful to you." "You think I can't take care of myself?" "Ramses the Great had 2 doubles, to fool the enemy." "They perished and he survived." "You are beautiful!" "You will cause my death!" "I'll take you to the palace!" "I will obey you, but not today," "not here..." "Who said that I no longer love you?" "I don't know!" "An evil prophet... and my heart!" "You cry so much, it seems the river Nile is inside of you." "I'll cry no more." "I'm sure some sorcerer has been telling you bad stories from Phoenicia." "I don't fear Phoenicia but the Phoenicians." "Those people have no scruples." "They try to provoke war between Egypt and Assyria." "How will they profit from war?" "How?" "They'll supply both sides with arms and supplies and they'll make sure they're paid." "They will strip and loot all your dead and they'll sell the captives and the loot." "Egypt and Assyria will ruin themselves while enriching Phoenicia." "Mistrust them like serpents!" "The Great Ramses has used lions... why shouldn't I use serpents against the enemies of Egypt?" "I, Sargon, cousin of the Assyrian king Assar," "I greet you, heir to the most powerful of pharaohs, and I bring you gifts as a sign of friendship." "Lord," "Sargon is waiting for your answer." "Ask him then with what right he talks to me like an equal." "But he's the cousin of king Assar!" "And I am the son of the pharaoh!" "Lord, where does this lead us?" "To war!" "Get up." "I want to count 100,000" "Assyrian hands cut off." "This letter was signed by your high priests." "You will not serve Astoreth any more: you are free!" "Do you think it's really gold?" "Is that how you receive me?" "I know my brothers too well..." "They fake gold, just like rubies and sapphires..." "This box contains your security!" "What for..." "I'm bored and afraid." "I feel like I'm in prison." "What's missing for you?" "I miss light, air, laughter, song, company." "Avenging Astoreth!" "How you punish me..." "Isn't it enough that I love you and that you have the honour of belonging to me?" "If you'd love me, you'd make me the first of your wives." "You'd install me in the palace, instead of that Sarah." "It's me who will watch over you." "Before the altar of Astoreth, I was the first!" "And now?" "All are bowing to that Jewess!" "No, to my son..." "who isn't a Jew." "He's a Jew!" "You are out of your mind!" "My son cannot be a Jew!" "I'll repeat that he's a Jew!" "He is, just like his grand-parents, like his uncles... and his name is Isaac!" "You want me to chase you away?" "Chase me away if a lie has fouled my mouth." "If I speak the truth, then chase the other one!" "Give me proof." "Ask her!" "Your first born's name is Isaac!" "Welcome, my Lord." "Sarah, what is the name of your son?" "Tell me the name of your son." "Seti, you know it." "Look me in the eye." "You're lying!" "The son of the prince and heir is named Isaac!" "He's a Jew, a filthy Jew!" "The priests have ordered me so." "Which priests?" "Herhor and Mefres." "They told me he would be the first king of Israel." "From now on she'll be slave to the one who will succeed her." "Lead her to the slaves' quarter." "God of Abraham, of Isaac and Jacob, have mercy on me!" "A month ago you've sworn to run away with me!" "If Ramses is your lover, I'll strangle you!" "Leave me alone!" "Priestesses are for priests, not for foreigners!" "You're not Phoenician but Greek." "I'm Greek no more, I'm a Phoenician priest." "Your priests taught me everything." "They taught me to walk, and to talk like him!" "Quiet!" "I hate you!" "You've never been so much like him as you are today!" "Look where the politics of the priests lead us!" "They've demobilized the Libyans who are pillaging the country right now!" "Hebron!" "Don't look at me like that..." "I am happy, my Lord." "You're marrying the most elegant man in Egypt." "You are wrong, it's not my engagement that makes me happy." "So why do you marry Tutmosis?" "To be closer to you, Lord, to be able to see you more often." "The venerable Mefres and Mentesufis want to see you." "I don't know if you're in a good state to listen to us." "Do you think I'm drunk?" "Go and find Tutmosis!" "Egypt is plunged in such folly that its drunks are its most lucid now." "You know that His Holiness and the Supreme Council have decided to send 5,000 Libyan soldiers home?" "No, I've not been told." "You haven't deigned to inform me." "You permit yourself to judge the orders of the pharaoh?" "No!" "Not those of the pharaoh, but those of traitors who take advantage of his illness by selling the Empire to the Assyrians!" "Let us reconvene in a couple of hours." "No!" "That's useless!" "I know what's happening on the Western border." "Or rather my cooks know it, my wranglers, my slaves." "Would you care to enlighten me too?" "The Libyans are summoning troops to attack Egypt." "I see." "By wish of His Holiness and of minister Herhor, you are in charge of reassembling the troops and of suppressing the revolt." "So I'm supreme commander of the army?" "Exactly." "Can I hold a council of war?" "As soon as possible." "Sit down." "Why did you dissolve the Libyan battalions?" "They will dissolve more, to save 4,000 talents per year to the treasury." "I thought they were dissolved to please the king of Assyria!" "You amaze me, Prince!" "The ghosts of the pharaohs will be amazed even more to know that in this rudderless country a Chaldean swindler sets the tune for the politics of the Empire." "What are you talking about?" "About Beroes." "These are the secrets of your temples!" "A spy of Assar imposes a treaty on you, more shameful than one we would sign after a defeat and a military disaster!" "O foolish devotees!" "Wake up..." "Ramses, the army is waiting for you!" "Eternal life to the commander!" "The army hails the commander who has lead it to victory." "I cannot even say how I brought it about..." "Do you know how Egypt punishes traitors?" "We Libyans know we deserve death." "I'll accept it if it comes from you." "A triumph like this may go to the head of young Ramses." "Shouldn't we interrupt the ceremony?" "No, don't interrupt." "Listen to me carefully." "Since you left, strange things have happened." "Your Phoenician, Kama, has fled with Lycon the Greek." "Don't move!" "Few criminals come close to that Greek." "He resembles me like my mirror image." "I'll tell you the worst." "But the enemy should not notice the pain on your face." "Your Jewess, Sarah, is dead" "and your son too, killed by Lycon." "Control your feelings as befits a conqueror!" "This place fills me with wonder and regret." "I wanted to make a monument more imposing than the pyramid of Khufu." "But where would I find money and men?" "Don't envy Khufu." "For 30 years he has constructed his tomb." "And who profited from it?" "Who was healed, nourished, clothed?" "That tomb is made of half a million corpses and how much blood, tears, suffering..." "Little does it matter that pyramids were necessary." "It matters that the will of the pharaoh is carried out." "Yes, Pentuer." "That pyramid isn't the tomb of Khufu, but his will." "Would you like to show your might that way?" "Where does your friendship towards me stem from, priest?" "The Gods tell me that you wish to liberate the Egyptian people of its misery." "What are the people to you?" "I myself come from the people." "My family fetched water from the Nile and received the whip." "How can I help the people?" "The people are overburdened with work." "Their taxes are too heavy." "They are starved and persecuted." "Always the peasants!" "Only the miserable will obtain mercy!" "Think of the pharaohs who have agonised in atrocious suffering." "You forget about them." "And my father?" "And me?" "Is death sweeter for us than for your peasant?" "Why do they pray at this hour?" "Rather say:" "why do they pray when nobody sees them or hears them?" "Greetings to you, Pharaoh, all powerful Master!" "What are you saying?" "That the only God may give you wisdom and force!" "May he give your people happiness!" "Greetings to you, Master of the world!" "May you live forever with the name of Men-Mat-Re-Setchep-En-Ptah," "Ramses the 13th!" "According to the wish of my father and the laws of Egypt," "I take power, for the greatest glory of my country." "I see the emblem of power on your hat." "Who authorised you to wear it?" "I'm asking you with what right you carry that emblem?" "During the night, Egypt lacked a legitimate leader." "The Supreme Council has ordered me to wear these relics, to avoid any delay to government and the service of the Gods." "Please listen to a humble prayer of the Supreme Council and its high priests." "Speak!" "A pharaoh who hasn't been consecrated high priest cannot carry out holy sacrifices." "We humbly ask Your Holiness to appoint a priest to take your place in those ceremonies." "It's good you remind me of this detail." "War and government leave me little time for religion." "So I will appoint my substitute." "Who are you?" "What functions do you have?" "I am Sem, high priest of the temple of Hator." "You will take my place in the holy ceremonies." "What are you doing to that sleeper, my brother Anubis?" "I'm washing the feet of my brother Osiris so that the dust of the earth will not soil the heavens!" "What are you doing now, Anubis?" "I'm taking off the earthly clothes of my brother Osiris so that he'll be more beautiful!" "This Nubian priest entered the Labyrinth in the time of my grandfather." "The last one who has seen this place was your father, Ramses XII." "Following customs, and according to your wish," "I have conducted you here, Lord." "Here's the principal treasury." "Are you keeping this treasury for difficult times?" "That's the truth, Lord." "Who could convince you that those times have come?" "When they come?" "We'd have to call for an extraordinary council composed of the pharaoh, 13 priests, 13 governors plus merchants, officers and peasants." "You'd hand over the treasury to such a council?" "We'd give the necessary funds, if the assembly decides unanimously that Egypt is in danger." "I want to improve the life of the people." "I'll give it right away one day of rest after six days of work." "The people will bless you, Lord." "But the State will lose 10,000 talents per year." "We've already calculated that in the temples." "You are right, Mefres." "That's why I need your help." "You cannot say anything?" "I don't know where we can find that amount." "And the treasury of the Labyrinth?" "It belongs to the Gods." "We can only draw from it in case of urgent need." "If it isn't Egypt, it's me who needs it." "In one year you can easily obtain well over 30,000 talents and double that amount for Egypt." "By what means?" "Ban the Phoenicians from Egypt and dissolve the Libyan battalions." "If that is your advice, I'll do without it!" "Your ancestors have engraved, not on papyrus, but in granite, that their gifts to the Gods will always belong to the Gods and to the temples." "And to you!" "Just like the kingdom belongs to you," "Lord." "Pentuer, stay with me." "Tell me, you who are the son of a peasant and who knows all the corruption of the priests, tell me, why do you refuse to be my ally against them?" "Since thousands of years, they've watched over Egypt and they have made it the country it is." "Why have they managed to do that, in spite of their lapses?" "Because the wear the banner of wisdom." "If you shatter that torch, you will extinguish wisdom that for centuries enlightens Egypt and the world." "I don't want to intervene in this battle." "I would disown you, or I'd disown the God who is the source of all wisdom." "Sit down, Lycon." "Lycon will do anything for the price we're offering." "Your police is pretty efficient." "Better than that of the Labyrinth." "Let me lead the guard of the Labyrinth and the treasury will be safer." "Do you know why I have convened you?" "Take are land and our women..." "We have no more money left." "Today, Phoenicia is gathering all its riches to pay tribute to the Assyrians, according to the treaty signed by the priests." "They continue to cheat, Lord." "They are secretly corresponding with Assar." "I'll be the one to deal with the priests." "Give me proof of what you're saying." "Turn around, the proof is there." "Here, the high priest Samentou of whom I've already spoken to you." "Is it you who has informed Hiram of the treaty signed by the priests?" "Yes." "There are secret air shafts in the temples and palaces." "At the top of a pillar, you can hear what is said on the ground." "Do you hate the other priests?" "I hate them as they hate me:" "I serve Seth, the God of evil." "Do you think it's possible to break their power?" "4 centuries ago, Amenhotep IV did it." "He took over the treasuries of the temples and nobody defended the priests." "Who helped him?" "A mere priest, Ay." "He succeeded Amenhotep after his death." "Which only proves that Amenhotep was a weak king." "What do you propose to get rid of the priests?" "You have to take over the treasuries of the Labyrinth." "And then?" "Bring Herhor and Mefres to trial for treason." "For secretly taking Assyria's side." "And the proof?" "Hiram will furnish their secret letters." "You impress me, Samentou." "The people love you." "It will be easy to rouse them against the priests." "The army is wholly devoted to you." "You have the help of the Phoenicians." "You can take over the Labyrinth." "Can you find the way inside the Labyrinth?" "I have already many clues, and I'll find the rest because I know where to look." "As you have ordered, the people convened in front of the palace." "Open the portal, according to ancient custom." "I permit you to rise." "I have given word to the guard of the Labyrinth." "Each delegate will have 2 stones, one black and one white." "If he wants the treasury to be used, throw the black stone." "If he doesn't want that, a white stone." "Start the vote." "One white stone will be enough to stop the Labyrinth from opening." "I have more battalions than there will be votes cast against me." "Open the Labyrinth!" "Give the gold of the Labyrinth!" "These are my orders." "The people will attack the temples the day after tomorrow." "Bring provisions to the innkeepers, so that the people can eat and drink." "Send 4 battalions of Libyans to the Labyrinth." "Protect it if the people become a threat." "Tutmosis, station 3 battalions near the temples." "If troubles break out, don't intervene." "Let the people be stirred up, as they are today." "It would be better to arrest Herhor and Mefres." "No." "I won't have Herhor's letters until the day after tomorrow." "With the proof of their treason, I'll have them arrested." "I want the Labyrinth and the temples, not them." "I've penetrated two times in the Labyrinth." "The treasury can be inundated at any time." "I have to go back one more time." "The army should not capture it before I tell them." "Did you understand everything?" "Yes, Lord." "Be merciless to Herhor and Mefres!" "While alive, they're a threat to you." "You can tame a lion, buy a Phoenician, but you cannot win an Egyptian priest when he's tasted the power of money." "Your calmness surprised me." "Almost all the people are against us." "People change like flour in the wind." "And the army?" "What army would resist Osiris?" "Sure, but I don't see Osiris, nor the wind that should bring back the people." "What could it be they fear?" "They will fear Osiris!" "Happy the person who will be blinded that day!" "The pharaoh will have the temples attacked." "We have to pre-empt the attack." "The people have to attack tomorrow." "Don't spare gold." "The attack must take place tomorrow at noon." "Remember: tomorrow at noon!" "Nobody has been able to enter here." "Look at Lycon." "Let's continue." "Who is there?" "Was my seer wrong?" "When you cannot betray, you are a liar, an imbecile, Mefres!" "And yes, you are both." "You lie when you want it believed that this bandit is a seer." "And you're stupid enough to think we will believe you!" "Admit that you know the outlay of the Labyrinth!" "You're lying!" "I've found these outlays in the temple of Seth, you have found the same in the temple of Phtah!" "Take away this traitor!" "Poor Mefres, you'll remain stupid until your death." "Let him stay here, just like the others." "Let's drink to the health of our Lord!" "The statue of Isis has been returned to the wall!" "The water of the palace has the colour of blood!" "So we have more traitors among us!" "The people fear an invasion of the army and the worst disasters for Egypt!" "The worst disaster is the arrogance of the priests!" "Be generous!" "En kicking them out, you will destroy the wisdom that raises our Empire above the others." "I don't wish the priests bad." "I respect their piety and their wisdom." "But I won't admit the misery of Egypt, nor the menace of Assyria." "Ramses, you are my preferred son and Lord." "Send away the advisors who incite you to violate the temples!" "Speak!" "Almighty Lord, the people have already attacked the temples." "Give these orders!" "Let the soldiers occupy the temples." "They have to take them before noon!" "Have Mefres and Herhor arrested." "Lord!" "Today there will be an eclipse of the sun!" "Whatever you are, pagans or pious Egyptians," "I beseech you in the name of the Gods not to violate the temples!" "Open up!" "We want to know what treason you're preparing against our master." "Give the gold of the Labyrinth." "Son, bow down in the dust and pray to the Gods to pardon your sacrilege!" "You need to pray to the Gods for protection!" "Down with the priests!" "Gods!" "I put this temple under your protection because impious traitors want to taint it!" "I turn away my face of these cursed people!" "May darkness cover the earth!" "You're saying that that dark circle is the Moon?" "That's what the wise men say." "And the darkness will soon end?" "Certainly." "I need to get in touch with wise men who study the stars." "My son!" "By the shadow of your father, by our Gods, I beseech you to bow down and to beg for the pardon of the Gods!" "Repent!" "Repent, you pagans!" "Osiris!" "May your name be praised!" "Many times over!" "Osiris, have mercy on us!" "Show your face to your unhappy people!" "For the last time," "I will fulfil the prayer of the priests because I am a merciful God!" "If you want to see Kama again, you have to do as I tell you." "Bear that in mind!" "Who are you?" "The guards of the Labyrinth." "You seem to know its outlay only too well." "Herhor has sent you!" "Now I know that I won't build a temple like Amon's, or a pyramid like Cheop's!" "I have found the country feeble and ill." "I want to give it back its power." "That will be my great monument which will surpass all the others!" "What will you do if Tutmosis fails to take over the temple?" "I will buckle on my sword, and take the temple myself!" "You don't know, Hebron, what you mean to me." "Do I mean less to you then your army?" "I'd like to have as many hands as there are leaves, as many lips as there are flowers, to be able to caress at the same time your eyes," "your feet, your breasts." "For a king whose throne is in danger, you remain strangely cool." "One instant of caress is worth more than a year of power!" "Open up for Tutmosis!" "Herhor, high priest of Amon, you stand accused of high treason, you have to appear before the pharaoh." "If our young Lord would like to inform himself about the politics of Ramses XII, he has to address himself to the Supreme Council of the priests!" "I order you to follow me to the palace." "Or else I will have to force you." "May the Gods spare you the punishment you deserve!" "Do you want to come with me?" "I'll wait here for Ramses." "OK, then stay here!"