The Story Of Tetisheri
(As written by Tetisheri and later after the finding of the Roseta Stone to
French, much later to English)
Chapter 8
The intrigue begins, Tetisheri is sent to the court of the Hittites as a consort and spy, you'll have to read it to find out what happens to her.e picture of Tetisheri is thanks to Rick Smith and this chapter is dedicated to him for his generosity.
Father Pharaoh, put off our meeting for a period of time, for it was
necessary for him to take his best advisors to the spot of Prince
Amonhirwemif finding, to see if they could decern the cause of his death.
Also it was necessary to take what was left to properly prepare what the
jackals had left for the Princes trip into the Land of the Dead. Being one of
Fathers first sons by Nefetari, even thought the Prince was not one of his
favorites, was a chore most sad for him.
The weeks flew by in the company of Prince Khaemweset. Each day
brought more joy in our similarities and enjoyments. We have gotten along
so well that I want nothing to ever destroy this feeling. I am sure that he is
close to asking my to union with him and I know that Father Pharaoh
approves. But the day of the postponed meeting is fast coming upon us
and I dread it for my heart tells me that it is a request for something I do
not want to do, but will have to honor my Father for his request and the
love that I bear him.
The day has arrived, and to my surprise Father Pharaoh has requested the
presence of both Prince Khaemweset and myself in his private presence. I
fear that for some reason he has changed his mine about us coming to
union, but then who does not fear the worst when summoned by a beloved
parent.
The Great Hall is empty and our voices echo, it is a wonder that the
knocking of my knees cannot be heard by Father, and Prince
Khaemweset, it would belie the courage that all of us feel that I have, but
this is more important than anything I have ever felt or done and so my
courage has taken wing as the vulture in the sky or the jackal in the desert.
Father Pharaoh takes us lovingly to a small and lavishly appointed
anti-room off of the Great Hall and bids us to be seated, that he has a vital
request to make of both of us and wants to make sure that we fully
understand what is requested and the consequences of the request of us
both. Now I am terrified.
Father Pharaoh puts his arms around the two of us and starts by telling us
he fully approves and delights in our union, but requests that we wait for a
year. Then he begins his tale.
In the fifth year of my reign I was faced with a march out of the outpost on
the eastern desert. With me were my Regiment of Amon along with three
other regiments to follow. The army that I commanded were an army of
more than twenty thousand men, and we made our way to the Valley of
the Orontes River, which overlooked Kadesh. Kadesh was a troublesome
city-state the king of which had warred on Tuthmosis III, for more than a
decade.
The Hittite army was nowhere in sight, and I Ramesses, was anxious to
begin the siege of the city, I drew away from my main units and low and
behold I discovered myself facing the Hittite horde, which was under the
command of a King called Muwatallis. I Ramesses had mistakenly taken
the word of two Asiatics of the region found that Muwatallis had sent them
to lure me into a trap and to conquer me.
A series of ambushes where set up and the Hittite king stood in a position
to demolish my Egyptian forces. However I Ramesses also had an ace up
my sleeve and had taken two Hittites spies captive and had beaten word
out of them about the enemy forces. The regiment of Ptah, was scolded for
their laxity in assessing the situation. The Hittites while all of this was
happening were cutting a swath through the Regiment of Re, thereby
sealing the trap. Egyptians by the hundreds arrived at the camp that was
mine in headlong flight. the cavalry of the Hittites was at their heels, yet
followed by more cavalry amounting to more than twenty five hundred
chariots.
I Ramesses, being the leader that I was brought order, purpose and calm
to the units that I had and began to cut my own swath through the enemy
with only my household troops and a few officers. I then mounted my
chariot and unflinchingly discovered the great extent of the forces I was
against. I Ramesses charged the foe with such ferocity that they gave way
and allowed the Egyptians to except the ambush which Muwatallis had set
up for them. Muwatallis watched in dismay and anger as the cream of this
command fell before the lesser forces of my armies, and saw the death of
his own brother. The Hittites and all of their allies were driven into the
water where they all died of drowning. Although I Ramesses did not
capture Kadesh, an alliance between the two countries was created and
cemented by a marriage of one of Hattusili's daughter to the Egyptian
pharaoh
Father Pharaoh, said that he told us all of this so that we would understand
more fully his request of the two of us. The Egyptian name taken by the
daughter of Hattusili's daughter was Ma'at Hornefrure. She having fallen
unexpectedly in love with father and baring him children, had heard that
there was trouble again brewing with the Hittites, in spite of their alliance
and had warned him and told him of her plan to get a spy into the court,
that was not only one that would be unexpected, but was of high
intelligence and if handled properly would be able to find out what was
going on knowing the language and be sent back to Egypt along with a
great tribute.
I was so relieved to hear that Father Pharaoh was pleased to have us
create a union between Prince Khaemweset, that I was ambushed myself,
by the balance of his request. It was totally unexpected, and I didn't know
whether to be furious (for all of the good it would do) or to break down in
tears, which I so detest. But I did neither, for Father Pharaoh begged me
as his favorite daughter and the only one that could with his help carry out
the plan to first listen to him and to know that he would train and advise me
for what he was asking, and that upon my return Prince Khaemweset and I
would be married, not just a union. At that I readily agreed.
His plan was to send me as a consort for the Prince of the Hittites, where I
would live for a period of time in the court, not letting them know that I
spoke their language fluently because of my friendship with Ma'at
Hornefrure, thereby giving me the opportunity to gleam information that
they would have no idea that I was storing away for my Father. Father
would coach me in how to be so obnoxious that the Prince would not only
not want me, but send me packing home with great relish and a huge
tribute to keep the peace. Father Pharaoh laughed and said that I was the
only one of his children that could drive a man, any man to utter distraction,
both in a good and frustrating way. Also that by the time that he was
through with me, the Prince would be so relieved to be rid of me that he
would kiss all of his gods in gratitude to be rid of that Egyptian princess, no
matter how good she looked and would hopefully want to stay as far from
Egypt as was possible.
The training period would take several weeks and some of it would be
offensive to me, but to get out of the Hittite territory and be able to laugh at
culling the fools, let alone taking an enormous amount of treasure with me
as tribute to Father Pharaoh appealed to the mischievous side of me.
Besides I knew that I could pull this off with ease. It would also take some
time to prepare the wagons, and guards, let alone the clothes I would need
to take with me. It was a good thing that I love clothes and that would be
the most enjoyable part of my endeavors.
The time begins for learning and then I will leave. Prince Khaemweset has
agreed, knowing as a warrior it is necessary and that I am going at great
danger to myself, because he knows that when I return and return I will,
we will be married with Father Pharaohs' blessing. Also by that time the
funeral of Prince Amonhirwemif will be over and hopefully the mystery will
be solved and all will be well. So now we prepare.
© camille nelson. All rights reserved!
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Chapter 2 |
Chapter 3 |
Chapter 4 |
Chapter 5 |
Chapter 6 |
Chapter 7 |
Chapter 8 |
Chapter 9 |
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