La librairie des livres interdits

Marc Levy

Description

Ancient Egypt.
Pharaoh Ramses III ascends the throne. He has three wives Isis, Tyti and Tije. Isis and Tyti belong to the royal family. Tije is the daughter of a court dignitary. Tije is the mother of Pentaweret, the pharaoh's firstborn. However, the Pharaoh appoints his son, born of Queen Tyti, as his successor. In addition, he alienates his third wife and moves her to the Northern Palace, intended for senior concubines. Tije conspires with the High Priest of the temple of the goddess Meretseger to overthrow Ramses III and place her son Pentaweret on the throne. The High Priest keeps an ancient papyrus in the secret vault of the temple, according to which Tije is the heiress of the ancient gods. Tije and the High Priest win over the Dark Gods to their side. According to their plan, Ramses III must die from the curse. However, Nekhbet and Wadjet, the vulture goddess and the cobra goddess, are called upon to protect the pharaoh and his power. But Tije and the High Priest do not give up, they find new helpers and followers. The Palace of the Dazzling Aten, the home of the pharaoh's family, becomes the center of intrigue, black magic, betrayal and hypocrisy.
"...As soon as Tije entered her chambers, Sitra immediately ordered the slaves to bring scented water for washing the mistress, supper and cold drinks. One of the slaves helped Tije to take off her golden collar-necklace and tunic. She then began to wipe Tije's body with a piece of cotton cloth soaked in scented water. Sitra went to the servants' quarters and also bathed. For this, two wide, low barrels stood in the servants' room. Sitra also changed her tunic and put on cane sandals. For she could not be in the Northern Palace and serve the mistress in an inappropriate manner.
After supper, Tije decided to go down to the courtyard of the Northern Palace. There, under the shade of trees, there were two small pools, which were used by the concubines and their daughters. The sons of the concubines who lived in the Northern Palace used another small pool.
Tije took off her tunic and happily plunged into the cool scented water of the pool. The daughters of the concubines splashed in the nearby pool. They were talking animatedly about something and laughing. Tije smiled involuntarily. For these girls, time did not matter, because they have their whole lives ahead of them. Surely they are discussing jewelry, suitors, the latest palace gossip, the upcoming Opet festival and a military expedition to Ta-Netjer. Surely the suitors of these young twelve or thirteen-year-old princess girls promised them to bring the rare treasures of the Land of the Gods.
Sitra appeared near the pool. She brought Tije cold beer and a fresh tunic. Tije took a ceramic goblet filled with barley beer and took a deep sip with pleasure. Beer life-giving moisture spilled over her tired body. Tije needed more than just physical rest. After all, she did most of the journey while sitting in a stretcher. And Sitra at that time was walking beside her. Tije was in need of moral support.
The words of Pazer and the ancient papyrus, which she saw in the secret temple vault, made an indelible impression on her and stirred up in her all the insults that the pharaoh had inflicted on her. Tije would love to dethrone him and put him on the throne of Pentaweret. But this is a risky undertaking. Before plotting against the pharaoh, she needs to be well prepared. So decided Tije. She finished her beer and plunged headlong into the pool. The woman held her breath in order to stay under water longer. Suddenly, the image of the goddess Werethekau appeared before her.
"Be careful, Tije…" the ancient goddess said softly and disappeared.
Tije immediately emerged from the water and caught her breath.
"What was it? Is this a warning to keep me from doing anything rash? What is Werethekau wanting? I have not prayed to her for a long time and did not make sacrifices. I need to do this soon." ...

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