The General's Wife (Ancient Egypt) Read online

  The Generals Wife

  Sara R. Turnquist

  Contents

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  For my Lord, who has sustained me through much.

  And for my children, who give me a reason to laugh.

  Prologue

  Alexander III was a king of Macedon, a state in northern ancient Greece. After receiving the generalship of Greece, he used his authority to launch a military expansion plan. In 334 BC, he invaded Asia Minor and began a ten-year series of military campaigns that broke the power of Persia. He became known as Alexander the Great.

  When Alexander the Great died in 323 BC, Ptolemy, one of his generals, was appointed governor of Egypt. In 305 BC, he declared himself King Ptolemy I. He founded both the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the Ptolemaic Dynasty. The Ptolemies were soon accepted by the Egyptians as successors to the pharaohs and ruled for two hundred and seventy-five years.

  In 289 BC, Ptolemy I Soter made his son, Ptolemy II Philadelphus, his co-regent a few years before he died in 284 BC at the age of eighty-four. At the end of forty years of war, he had a well-ordered realm to pass down to his son. He also founded the Great Library of Alexandria.

  One

  A Journey Must Start Somewhere

  “Ismene, look!” Alonah said, pointing out the window of the carriage.

  Ismene leaned over to Alonah's side of the carriage and allowed her gaze to follow where her handmaiden pointed, but she couldn't get excited. Her eyes had been watching the sloping topography of the countryside for days now as the carriage drew them closer to her destiny. The noble chariot had long since passed the familiar sites of her native land, and this new world around her was harsh. There was no comfort to be found here for her despondent spirit. Suitable, since the life awaiting them at her final destination offered no consolation either. She had left Greece, her home, far behind. And for what? To become an Egyptian? A bitter taste filled her mouth at the thought of it.

  “Have you ever seen anything like it?” Alonah did not turn her gaze away from the window.

  The sand sparkled and shimmered as if a hundred-thousand tiny diamonds were hidden there. Still, she mused, the waters around her village were just as captivating. And the landscapes outside her bedroom window in Greece were lush, green, living.

  “No, I haven't,” Ismene admitted.

  She peered over at her handmaiden who was so captivated with everything around them. How she longed to share her fears with Alonah! But could she trust her with these secret thoughts? Dare she speak her true feelings about the life that lay ahead for her?

  It was not the life Ismene had planned or even wanted for herself. If only it were possible to command the caravan to turn around and return her home. She did not want what lay ahead: a wedding. Her wedding. Ismene's father had arranged for her to wed Pharaoh Ptolemy II's highest general. She had always known her noble station would require her marriage to be strategically made. It was always to be a political maneuvering for her family and an unavoidable reality for her.

  Even knowing this, she had done something quite senseless—she had fallen in love. Yes, this was the worst thing of all about her predicament. Bitter tears stung her eyes as she knew she could never be with him—her Thelopolis. Thelopolis had been her childhood playmate, her most trusted friend. And that caring friendship had grown into adolescent love. It was a comfortable love that she had found stability in. For just one moment, she allowed herself to remember the details of his face—details she could have traced blindfolded. His deep hazel eyes were full of life and happiness. They had darkened when she had told him she would be leaving for Egypt, for a new life, and a husband.

  “Please,” she had cried, unable to contain her overwhelming sadness. “Say something!” She desperately needed him to find the words to assuage her grief.

  He had remained silent. Wasn't his heart breaking too?

  Wrapping her arms around him, she had clung to him. “I need you to say something!”

  “I know, Ismene.” Thelopolis wouldn't even turn to look at her. He wouldn't move. “I am sorry, my beloved.” He had choked on the word. “I have nothing to say that could bring you comfort.”

  But she would not let him escape her. She had turned his face to look at her. That's when she saw the tears that were escaping his eyes. He had twisted away.

  “Tell me you love me. Tell me your heart is breaking as much as mine. Tell me we'll be all right!” she said, tears streaming down her face. She didn't even bother to wipe them away.

  He then moved so she could see his tears. “My heart is breaking, Ismene. No ocean has known the depths of my love for you. But I will not lie to you. I cannot say that we'll be all right.”

  Fresh tears poured out of her eyes and sobs racked her body. He had then pulled her into a firm embrace and held her so tightly she feared she couldn't breathe, but she didn't care.

  The carriage hit a bump in the road, and it pulled Ismene from her reverie. There was moisture on her face. Ismene raised a hand to her face and felt the tear that had escaped.

  Alonah was looking at her, an eyebrow raised. “Milady, are you unwell?”

  “I'm all right, Alonah. Perhaps a little sand in my eye.”

  Alonah seemed satisfied with her response and returned her attention toward the carriage window.

  Ismene, too, let her gaze wander across the waves of sand and tried to clear her mind. It wouldn't be right for her to be in tears for the first meeting with her husband-to-be. She had allowed herself much of this trip to mourn the loss of what was and what would never be. Today, she was to face her destiny.

  “It's all so fascinating!” Alonah was so taken with their surroundings.

  “Yes,” Ismene said, somewhat distracted. She was glad Alonah had a pleasant attitude about their venture.

  “And all so different!” Alonah took a deep breath. “It even smells different.”

  Ismene crinkled her nose, trying to draw in the scent of this new place. She couldn't discern what Alonah was talking about.

  Alonah was more of an adventurer than Ismene had thought. She had been Ismene's handmaiden for years, but they weren't as familiar with one another as one might assume. In general, Ismene preferred to do most things for herself. So Alonah had never been necessary, in Ismene's opinion, or, for that matter, utilized. Still, Ismene's mother had sent Alonah with her for good measure. Her mother had insisted that it was only proper of her station that she take at least a handful of servants, lest her future husband think his wife a pauper. An argument had ensued about the logistics of taking a small entourage with her on such a lengthy journey. To which Ismene's mother relented, only because Ismene would have more servants in the house she was to run than were in the one she was vacating.

  After the lengthy journey, Ismene was already quite glad to have Alonah with her. This would be the first time she had ever been thankful for her mother's advice. Alonah was a pleasant companion, and Ismene welcomed having a familiar face by her side.

  “Oh! I almost didn't believe they were real!” Alonah shrieked.

  Ismene's gaze was again directed to where Alonah's attention lay. There, in the distance, was one of the pyramids she had heard so much about. It was majestic and mys
terious at the same time. As chilling as the idea of mummifying a person for the afterlife was, a part of her wondered what lay behind those bricks, encased in that magnificent tomb. So captivated was she that she didn't even realize they were fast approaching Alexandria.

  This city would be her new home. It was as alluring as it was huge. Large brick buildings lined the streets of the marketplace. They were most likely the homes of the merchants and middle classes. Their close proximity, making the best use of space, reminded her of homes in Athens. However, these homes had converted the lower floor of the two- and three-story buildings into stores. The roofs were flat, too. Intriguing. It must be one of the idiosyncrasies of their architecture.

  As if reading her mind, Alonah leaned over. “I've heard tell that the Egyptians sometimes sleep on their roofs. Do you think that's true?”

  “I don't know,” Ismene's voice trailed off. That would make sense of the flat roofs and would, for certain, make for a more pleasant sleeping environment during the hotter months. Ismene pursed her lips. It was a smart idea.

  The streets were alive with people and vendors. Many things among the wares were novel to her. There were beautiful cloths, strange-looking fruits, baskets, art, jewelry, carvings, and much more. She did spot a few things she had seen before, but only as priceless souvenirs displayed in the wealthiest homes of Athens. Her thoughts drifted once more to the vistas of her homeland that she had left behind. That was where her heart lay...with Thelopolis. And again, her heart was sad.

  This will not do! She chided herself, This is your home now and Thelopolis is not to be your husband. These words had been her constant companion on this long journey. But she vowed to him and to herself that she would never love another. Her heart was his and his alone. Of this, she was determined.

  Passing out of the most clustered part of the city, they pulled through the outskirts where the houses were bigger and more dispersed. From the placement of the houses and the grander size and detailing, she guessed them to be upper-middle-class and wealthy homes. She was surprised, but pleased, to note that many had gardens. There wasn't much time, however, for her to muse over the prospect of visiting a garden in this desert as the carriage had halted in front of one of the more spacious structures. Would she truly be calling this small palace home? It was hard to imagine.

  Though she was the daughter of a nobleman who held an important station, her home in Athens was closer to the size of the middle-class homes she had seen in the city. There wasn't much difference in size between the homes of middle and wealthy classes in Greece. Wealth and station were determined by where your house was in relation to the marketplace and other conveniences, as well as what was in your house, such as gold inlaid in the furniture, precious gems, and so forth.

  Turning her attention back to the grand estate in front of her, she tried to take it in. A wall surrounded the entire exterior of the home with a large gateway to greet visitors. The sides of the gateway rose high above the wall and bore an intricate design with bright reds and greens. She couldn't see much beyond the wall, only making out the top of the massive structure that lay beyond. To her delight, she did see that there were, indeed, gardens within the safe confines of the walls. Nothing about this house or its appearance indicated that a native of her own land called this home. Was she to live as an Egyptian? To abandon all Grecian ways?

  Alonah’s hand touched her arm, pulling her from her distracted thoughts and drawing her attention to the kind face of a man. This strange man's hand was extended to help her out of the carriage. Almost as an instinct, she drew back. She had seen Egyptians before. As a child of privilege, she had accompanied her parents to gatherings that included political heads and other people of importance to the Greco-Roman Empire. Indeed, she had been in the same room with Egyptians, but never so close. In her younger years, she had been rather interested and quite curious about these people who looked so different. It had never occurred to her that, as a woman, she would not be able to contain that curiosity.

  The man's skin was dark, tanned and worn by the sun and harsh winds, and his hair was jet black and straight. His eyes were more almond shaped and set farther apart, and his features as a whole seemed quite smooth and angled toward the sun. Those eyes were deep brown and kind, his nose long, and his mouth small. She was surprised at her overwhelming temptation to just stare at this man. Shaking herself from her trance and gathering her wits, she took his hand and averted her eyes to the ground in order to step as securely as possible on the warm, brown sand.

  The Egyptian then turned to assist Alonah, who was more able to disguise any trepidation she might have had about these strange people. Once again, Ismene was thankful for another Grecian face in the midst of these foreign ones.

  The Egyptian gentleman led them through the gateway opening and onto the grounds. A few things took Ismene by surprise. One was a pool located to the right of the gateway entrance. Even from her vantage point, she could see that the pool was stocked with colorful fish. The other thing that struck her was the crowd of people between the entrance to the house and herself. They must be the household servants, come out to greet her. Her eyes scanned the area, looking for any sign of her husband-to-be. None among the group appeared the least bit Greek to her.

  Ismene gazed down the line of household servants who had come out to greet the woman who would become their mistress. They seemed just as intrigued by her as she was by them. Some of their faces were filled with anticipation, eager for her to say something. No one there seemed above the station of the man who helped her from the carriage, and he was neither Greek nor a general.

  Ismene was rather confused by the absence of her husband-to-be. Was he going to make a grand appearance once she was established properly? Was she to be escorted to him as a common guest? Was this a show of power—his way of letting her know who was in charge? Just as well, she thought with a sigh. She had no intention of making his life difficult with any semblance of a power struggle. It was her full intention to let him be and avoid any more contact with him than absolutely necessary.

  The man who had first offered her his hand was, to her understanding, a station above the other household servants. He stepped in front of her again to greet her in a more formal manner.

  “I am Neterka,” he offered, bowing. “My master, General Merenre, regrets that he cannot be here to greet you himself. He is appearing before Pharaoh as we speak. But he wishes that I extend apologies and see that you are settled in your accommodations.”

  Ismene was surprised by the man's Greek. She didn't know what she had expected. And, though it was a bit broken, she was pleased to know that she would be able to communicate with someone here.

  “I thank you, Neterka. This is my handmaiden, Alonah. I would like to greet the others of the household, if I may.” She indicated the line of servants.

  His face brightened. Ismene found that she was somewhat put to ease by his kind smile.

  “Yes, they would like to meet you also, but they do not know your language. They are learning well, but they do not know it much.” He gave her an apologetic look. His own grasp on Greek was still limited and full of pauses and altered patterns.

  “I see.” She had not considered what she would have to do in order to communicate. Would she need to learn their language? That hadn't occurred to her. She hadn't thought on much but her sadness on the journey and now wanted to kick herself for her lack of foresight. As she rolled it over in her mind, she decided that she was grateful for the challenge—something to look forward to.

  “I can translate for you, if you wish,” Neterka offered.

  She nodded, turning toward the line of eager faces. Trying to be mindful of Neterka, who was translating a sentence behind her, she kept her word choice simple and paused often, so he could keep up.

  “I am the Lady Ismene of Greece. I am honored by your warm welcome as I have entered this strange land to make it my home.” She moved to indicate Alonah. “This is my trusted maidserva
nt, Alonah. She, too, is excited about our new life here. I hope someday soon she and I can both speak to you ourselves and you to us.”

  When Neterka was finished, Ismene nodded to the small gathering of smiling faces. She lowered her voice, turning back toward Neterka. “What should I do now?”

  “May I escort you to your rooms, Lady Ismene? After your journey, you are certainly in need of rest.”

  Ismene nodded; she had to admit that she was tired.

  Neterka faced the congregation again and spoke. A couple of manservants came forward to assist in unloading their possessions. As they came near the carriage, the two Greek manservants in Ismene's party started pulling the chests free of the carriage. There were also three Egyptian female servants who made their way into the house while the rest remained as they were, heads bowed for Ismene to pass before them and into the house.

  Neterka nodded to Ismene and led both her and Alonah into the peculiar structure that would, from now on, be their home.

  * * *

  As Nassor moved down the busy streets of the marketplace of Alexandria, he had the distinct feeling that everyone's eyes were on him. But every time he glanced in the direction of the other patrons on the street, their eyes were on the vendor's carts, each other, or the path ahead of them. Was he so nervous that he was conjuring ghosts? Or was someone following him? He had been playing this game with himself for quite some time, and so, for the tenth time, he jerked his head around to look behind him. Nothing. There was nothing to be concerned about. No one knew of his errand, no one knew of their plans, no one knew...

  Nassor slowed as he approached his destination—one of a handful of jewelry shops on the strip. Sefu and his wife sold many kinds of jewelry here, from beads to metal, some simple and priced for a pauper, some fit for the queen herself. Sefu's wife made it all. Making his way through the familiar shop, Nassor dodged customers and counters, moving toward the stairs at the back of the structure. Sefu's wife glanced up from her current sale and nodded in his direction, indicating that it was clear for him to proceed up the stairs.