Many centuries ago Cleopatra was deposed by Octavian and whilst she was trapped in her own Mauseleoum she died. All the world was told that it was the bite of an asp. What the world didn't know was that they were lied to. For an asp did not bite her she was killed by the hand of another and while she lay dieing she called on the gods and goddesses of her people for the revenge and justice that she was denied. And now form of a specter she will not hesitate to use anything or anyone at her disposal to get what she feels that both she and her people deserve.
That ladies and gentleman is the premise of my latest fascination. Below you will find the completed prologue to the latest world of my creation. Its current title is "Cleopatra's Revnege".
As always please read, review, and enjoy.
High above the realm of mortals and even beyond the world ruled by Anubis and Osiris there was palace of white alabaster and black marble. There were pillars that surrounded courtyards and porticos. There were even deep pools of crystal blue waters (which were fed by the waters of the Wadje-wer – these were the same waters that would help to feed Egypt for all of eternity) that were shaded by frothy palm trees. All over the pillars and even along the bottom of the crystal pools the engraved hieroglyphs that were filled with the gleaming metal electrum, and the shining sun seemed to make these characters glow with their own inner magic.
For magic is what was held within the carefully carved hieroglyphs – the magic of the ages and the gods. The magic of the very land that they lived in and depended upon. The tables in the dining rooms were filled with dates, pomegranates, and grapes as well as jars of beers and canters of wine and loaves of bread; all in all there was a feast on the tables fit for the gods themselves. And yet there was no one paying the slightest attention to the feast. Instead there were three people dressed in white linen wearing turquoise jewelry that were standing around a tall marble pool. It was the scene in the pool that held the captivations of those the feast was meant for.
The sun was beating heavily on the hot desert sands below – sands that were slowly but surely turning into the color of blood thanks to the occupiers that were taking over the birthright of the pharaohs. The All knowing and dispassionate eyes of Ra saw everything that was life for his mortal subjects. As he looked over the lands that had been blessed for thousands of years two of his fellow gods and goddess’ stood by him. Closest to him stood Ma’at – goddess of truth and justice, on the other side of Ra stood Sehkmet - vengeance and chaos were her traits. Both were here in the royal palace today concerning the affairs of mortals – more precisely one mortal. The pharaoh herself had called upon them with her last breath and with that breath the gods were sworn to do what was asked for of the woman who was one of them personified. She had held their ways in life and they were obliged to grant her wish in death. It had been like that since the first pharaoh all the way until now – the death of the last. A fact that angered Ra and now with the last of them gone from the mortal world he could do little about, for without direct representation on the earth below the gods were stuck. Yes they were a powerful and omnipotent bunch but without believers they could do very little to change what had happened.
The immortals watched the sands of Egypt shift as Octavian settled more and more into the land that had been the right of the pharaoh's for more than three thousand years. Ra watched in neutrality as the mortal world shifted before his eyes. The two goddesses with him on the other hand were anything but neutral. They were angry and irate. Their exotically tanned skin and dark eyes seemed to burn with the heat of Ra that He alone commanded.
The trio stood over the viewing pool silently watching the events unfold. The alabaster walls of their palace seemed to shake and tremble with the wrath that the two goddesses were vibrating and eventually Ra knew he had to face the two. With a shake of his regal and often hawk-like head Ra let out a soft sigh before replying, “By all, was it us that the Pharaoh called upon,” Ra questioned his companions. His tone was both commanding and horrified at once – it was a intricate combination to be pulled off but Ra did so. How a Roman general could stoop so low as to murder one of his own when the gods had protected the family of Caesar for so long was a mystery to the Sun God. Unfortunately it would remain a mystery for all time.
Both deities bowed their heads respectfully before the ire of Ra, but it was Ma’at who answered him in her soft voice, “Yes, Ra Neb. With her final mortal breaths Cleopatra Philopater called on the ancestors of her forbears for Vengeance and Justice against this wrong that has been done her.” The normally calm goddess’ voice was cold in tone and it did not reflect the concept of blind justice that she was known to stand for. This was not a good sign as far as Ra was concerned. He would prefer that she rest after her perilous mortal journey, she had been a good pharaoh and she deserved the rest that all pharaoh’s earned when they joined the gods.
With a bowing of his regal head Ra sighed once more. The pleas of the pharaoh had removed the decision from his hands and he had no choice but grant her what she wanted and desired. There wasn’t even a reason that Ra could give that wouldn’t allow him to grant the Pharaoh’s final.
Cleopatra Philopater had been a good pharaoh. Throughout her life she had bought the blessings of the holy back to the people – she had led by example. And the gods would do her bidding in this matter – for regardless of the time it took to grant the pharaoh her wish it would be granted, the gods would guarantee it.
Slowly Ra looked up once more and said, “And does she realize the far reaching consequences of her requests of us,” he asked to be sure. This was one thing he had to know – because he could grant what she wanted and do it very easily but for one such as she who had survived much one had to be sure.
This time it was Ma’at that answered the Sun God, “Indeed Re Neb. The Philopater knows much of what she asks even now she has asked Anubis to judge her heart in the spirit of what her people need not what would serve her best.” Ma’at’s tone seemed to be in awe of the pharaoh of whom she was speaking.
“Very well then. When Aken delivers her ka to the land watched over by Osiris and Anubis has judged that she passes the tests he gives then alone shall you two be allowed to aid her in the quest that she desires.” Ra’s tone was commanding and his bearing regal. Both goddesses noticed it and they were careful to abide his laws for no one was known to defy the sun and survive its scorching retribution.
As Ra walked away from the viewing pool the goddesses remained and continued to observe the actions of Octavian and his generals for knowing his actions would determine his fate.
Down below the hot sands of Egypt blew in the winds and always watching were the Gods. Even the newest one who was bent on regaining the glory of her nation, even if it took others to do her, bidding like never before. Whether she was granted revenge or justice she cared not so long as one was granted. Although these thoughts were prevalent in Cleopatra’s head she let not a one of them show on her face or in her eyes as she stood before Anubis in his Hall of Judgment.
Moments before Cleopatra had entered the throne room of the Hall of Judgment unaccompanied and carefully made her way up the center aisle to stand before the jackal-headed god and his daughter Kebechet the water bearer. Kebechet stood proudly at her father right in a simple white tunic style gown with several ostrich feathers hanging around her waist. Cleopatra looked closely at the woman and could also see a silver ladle behind one of the feathers as it gleamed in the light that was provided by the numerous torches on the walls.
Cleopatra was dressed in a plain white linen dress that befitted her station with a beaded turquoise necklace at her throat and solid sandals on her feet. Her eyes were heavily outlined in kohl and her hair was done in numerous braids with a trinket at the end of each braid. Other than that she was devoid of jewelry. The lack of adornments did nothing to detract from the beauty that mankind (and two of Rome’s greatest generals) had spoke so highly of.
Although Cleopatra’s head was held high and her back straight, her eyes were downcast in a show of respect for the jackal-headed god that sat in judgment of her earthly actions. With his dark eyes reflecting the fires of the torches from the walls Anubis gazed upon this the last pharaoh of Egypt, even now her mortal enemy (Octavian) had sent forth men to kill her son Cesarion, the only one of her children that the Philopater had seen fit to name as an heir to Egypt’s vast riches. There was little doubt in the god’s eyes that he would soon join his mother in the Land of Eternity.
After a few minutes of silence Anubis turned his head towards Kebechet and nodded. Once receiving the nod Kebechet walked towards the pharaoh. As Kebechet approached Cleopatra a fountain with clear water sprung up from the marble floor, when she reached the fountain Kebechet lifted the ladle from her waist and filled it with the clear water that it provided. She then brought the ladle to Cleopatra’s lips.
After drinking her fill of the cool, clear beverage Cleopatra nodded her thanks to the Water bearer who then returned to her place at Anubis’ right, never once had she uttered a word. Several more minutes of silence continued in the Hall before Anubis spoke in his low voice, “Cleopatra Philopater in your mortal life you have ruled fairly and justly, and yet you ask of the gods not to judge you on these actions but rather on the needs of your people. You are one of the few mortals that have requested such a judgment in the entire time of Our existence.
“For what purpose would you ask this of us?”
In a steady soprano voice Cleopatra Philopater answered, “My people, Lord Anubis, are far greater than myself and their needs will always be the needs of the pharaoh,” her reply rang true to the ears of the god and he nodded at her once more. At least she was honest with him – although he did wonder at the amount of altruism she professed; Anubis couldn’t begin to count the number of times that newly crossed mortals had thought to tell him a dishonest tale.
Cleopatra was no fool she knew Octavian and his practices well. In her youth Cleopatra had practiced the same. At least two of her siblings had gotten in her when way and had to be removed. Survival must be guaranteed. Of her younger children she was sure that they would be sent to Rome. They were still young enough that there was little doubt in her mind they could be molded into what the Roman Empire wanted. Cleopatra was sure that her daughter could well prove wily enough to save herself in that often treacherous land.
But of her heir, her beloved Cesarion, she knew what fate awaited him. Cleopatra knew that Octavian would have him hunted down. She knew that in Octavian’s eyes the only good enemy (especially one with Cesarion’s knowledge and position) was a dead enemy. And if the fact that the boy was already a co-ruler of his people wasn’t enough than the fact that he was Julius’ son was more than enough for him to prove troublesome to Octavian. It saddened her that she would see him so soon and all that they had planned for their nation would likely be for naught. But that was how the game was played and she did not want to see her great nation become no more than a simple province of Rome.
Anubis looked carefully at the woman that stood before him and let out a breath that flared his dark nostrils before beginning, “Cleopatra Philopater your soul is as light as the feather and in the Palace of the Gods shall you dwell until such time as your people have need of you.” After speaking he snapped two fingers on his right hand and the doors to the Hall of Judgment opened to admit two sleek black cats with ruby encrusted cold collars.
The two felines approached on either side of Cleopatra and upon reaching her they sat and gazed attentively upon Anubis. Once they were settled Anubis spoke to them, “You will be the Philopater’s guard and escort whilst she is with us. From here you shall escort her through the Land of Osiris and to the Palace as she sees fit,” with that command Anubis rose from his bone throne and along with his daughter strode from the hall. Cleopatra was not the only one to enter the Land of Eternity on this day (though she was the only one to be judged in the sacred Hall) and they still had much to do.
After the gods left the room another door to the right of the pale throne opened and Cleopatra turned towards it. She took slowly one step than another the entire time she never let slip the despair that was coursing through her body at the thought of having to now watch as her nation slipped into the hands of the Romans. This was not what she wanted. Cleopatra was the pharaoh and therefore she should have been granted her last mortal request immediately. She should not have to wait for the retribution and justice that she so deserved, but she knew that there was no way for her to go against the will of the gods.
With a sigh Cleopatra looked up as she began to walk and for the first time she noticed her surroundings. All around her she could see lush palm trees and porcelain fountains flowing with crystal clear waters. There were ponds with lily pads in them and brick lined roads, exotic flowers from far off lands could be seen. She even saw flowering gardens surrounding large estates the likes of which had been abundant in the houses of the Roman nobles when she had spent time there in her youth and unless she missed her guess she smelled a river in the distance. Above all this shined the burnished rays of Ra. If this was the place that she had to wait for her eternity to pass than it would indeed prove suitable.
The twin cats led their charge through several brick paths (all of which had been lined with low shrubs and tall trees to provide shade from the blistering sun). As they neared what Cleopatra hoped was their destination she knew that her earlier guess about a river had been accurate because now she could hear the waves upon the shore.
It wasn’t long before they were close enough to the water for Cleopatra to the calm river. Unlike the Nile the river wasn’t muddy but a clear blue and along its shore were several docks. Some docks had barges at them and others didn’t. There were people waiting at every dock for either their master to leave or return from the journey through one of the twelve lands of Osiris. Even from this distance Cleopatra could see that amongst the barges were several that were lavishly decorated.
The twin cats seemed to know where they were going and nudged the Pharaoh down the river towards the last dock. As they approached the dock Cleopatra could see that the sails were made of purple material and lined with gold stitching. She noted that by the dark color of the wood that it had to be made of Lebanese cedar and that the top row of the barge seemed to gleam in the sunlight.
The closer Cleopatra came to the barge the more details she could make out. Along the uppermost edge of wood there were carved hieroglyphs that had been filled with electrum and from here she could see the top of a pavilion that was a shade lighter than the sails. She could also see several statues that held ostrich feather fans (many of which had been dyed to an unnaturally bright variety of shades) and unless she was mistaken there were priests on board as well.
Cleopatra never noticed when they stopped in front of the plank (that was also covered in gold) that led to the barge. She had become far too entranced in her surroundings. When it appeared that she was going to stand there rather than move forward the cats rubbed against her legs letting out a soft purr that was just loud enough to catch her attention. With a shake of her braided head Cleopatra stepped onto the plank and boarded her ship.
When she was on the ship she noted that the statues were not statues but rather the servants that had followed her to this place. Carefully she made her way to the pavilion (covered with white silk and each pillar was capped in gold) that she had noted from shore and was delighted to find that it was full of brightly colored and overstuffed pillows awaiting her leisure. She also noted that there was a servant on either side of the pavilion with and ostrich feather fan in hand. Smiling at the servants Cleopatra slowly sank onto the cushions that had been provided for her. While Cleopatra wasn’t normally the type to notice which servants were at her side this time she did take notice and she was gladdened to see that they were the two who had been with her in the mausoleum. These two had served her well in her mortal life and would do so here in the Land of Eternity.
Once Cleopatra settled comfortably into the pillows the barge began to move gently down the river on what was to be its first trip of many in the years to come.