The Season of the Hyaena (Ancient Egyptian Mysteries) by Paul Doherty Page A

Gods of Egypt. Afterwards we took the sacred oath: to serve our Prince loyally and win the munificence of the Gods for the well-being of Tomery, the Kingdom of the Two Lands.
    Once we were in the council chamber, however, the mood changed. The gravity of the situation was brought home to us by Anen, who, instead of the introductory prayer, gave full vent to a litany of lamentations.
    Wild beasts of the desert drink at

the rivers of Egypt,

The land is in mourning and woe,

Things happen now which have

never happened before!

Men take up arms to battle because

the land is in disorder.

Each kills the other and hate reigns amongst the

people of the towns.

The gods turn away from us men,

The country is in distress and misery.

    He paused and stared around the Royal Circle. My gaze never left Ay, his cunning face all concerned and anxious. I idly speculated whether the dirge was his idea or that of Horemheb and Rameses, who were nodding in agreement at every word. Anen continued:
    Death is never idle .

Men are growing poor and our women are barren .

The people of the desert take the place of Egyptians .

Our officials are slain .

The food of Egypt has no taste .

The children of the great are thrown into the street .

The House of the King has no more revenues.

We are marching to ruin.

The great are hungry and in distress .

The poor of the land have become rich whilst its

owners have nothing left.

He who once had not a yoke of oxen now owns

herds .

He who had not a loaf of bread now owns a barn ,

His granaries are filled with the goods of another .

Even a bald man who never used pomade owns jars

of scented oils .

    Anen paused once more. At any other time I would have guffawed with laughter, but Anen’s harsh sermon was reminding the members of the Royal Circle that we faced revolution where the first would be last and the last first.
    He who went on messages for others now has

messengers in his service .

The ladies who rested in their husbands’ beds now

sleep on the ground .

Slaves are the mistresses and adorn their necks with

gold and malachite ,

Whilst noble ladies go hungry and

prostitute themselves .

Butchers glut themselves on meat which they used

to prepare for the ladies .

He who was once too poor to sleep with a woman

Has nobles for his mistresses.

Laughter has perished.

Affliction runs through the land mingled with

lamentations.

    Anen knelt down. The scribes sitting in the middle of the circle had taken down every word, but once Anen had finished, Ay made a sign for them to cease their writing. I noticed how each of these scribes was a high-ranking member of Ay’s retinue.
    ‘Things are bad,’ Maya drawled in a futile attempt to provoke laughter, ‘but not that bad.’
    ‘Aren’t they!’ Meryre shouted back. ‘Yesterday evening General Rahmose was assassinated, and I understand,’ he turned his black kohl-ringed eyes towards me, ‘that a similar attempt was made on the lord Mahu, Chief of Police, Protector of our Prince.’
    ‘True. We face disorder and revolution,’ Ay murmured, ‘but these dangers will pass.’
    ‘Will the lord Mahu come with us to the Delta?’ Meryre asked with a wave of his hand. ‘Lord Mahu, your presence is vital to determine how this – how can I put it – new crisis is resolved.’
    ‘I will accompany you,’ I replied.
    ‘Ah, yes.’ Meryre plucked at his robes. ‘But should I go?’
    He let his words hang in the air. Huy clicked his tongue in annoyance.
    ‘The Shabtis of Akenhaten,’ Meryre continued, ‘have carried out attacks on all those who once served in the City of the Aten. Now they strike higher: General Rahmose, Lord Mahu.’
    ‘What do you want?’ Horemheb’s voice cut across the room. ‘My lord Meryre, you know your presence is needed in the Delta. We all agreed to this yesterday. This usurper would never dream of attacking a high priest, particularly one of the Aten. Nor would they lift their