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Hatshepsut read the message again, though its words were already engraved into her mind. Osorsen had suggested that she inform the council of Iahotep’s arrogant decisions. Unfortunately, she could not read between the lines, having only a limited knowledge of strategy and war tactics and not being there herself to access the situation. Her Oso, however, was famed in warfare and knew a bad call when he heard one.
She had summoned Sirdar Onuphrious H’Shiefa to the council chamber today to talk with him about several issues, including Iahotep’s performance on the battlefield. He was one of the highest-ranking Council members who had stayed in Egypt and the one she felt would be the least likely to listen to her. If she could win him over, the others would be easy. Maybe the note, which had received only yesterday, would sway him. Surely he must respect Osorsen.
Hatshepsut had to admit that she liked him. He had always been kind to her when they had spoken together. Never had he talked down to her simply because she was a child. She supposed it had been difficult for all members of the Council to accept a young girl as their ruler, but if Sirdar H’Shiefa had been displeased, he had borne it well. It was something the Queen greatly appreciated.
She believed she had done a good job of governing her kingdom in her husband’s absence, much better than he had done in his few months as Pharaoh. Hatshepsut met with any of her subjects who had a concern they wished to bring before her, and she handled disputes with fairness and compassion. She had rejected all bribes offered to her. The fact that some people tried to influence her with money her attested to the supposition that Iahotep’s judgments were always in favor of the highest bidders.
She had also been tested by those who thought they could take advantage of her. There had been riots, looting, and a few buildings had been burned down. Her guards were always dispatched to handle the trouble in the city, such as the fire that had swept through the temple and the death of the priest who had been found inside. That incident was still under investigation, but Hatshepsut was certain that the culprits would be found. She hoped that she would not have to decide their punishment, but if so, she would do what had to be done.
When she wasn’t dealing with the day to day ruling of Egypt, she was trying to turn her people against their Pharaoh. Her trusted servants were spreading rumors through the city that he was unfit to rule. The young Queen had done careful research into his doings before and after he had become Pharaoh, and had found many injustices that she could use to undermine him. If he returned, she prayed the people would rise up against him, dethroning him and elevating Osorsen in his place. Iahotep could go back to whatever slimy rock he had crawled from beneath.
Placing the note on the long table in front of the golden chair reserved for the Pharaoh, she began to pace the length of the room. Hatshepsut was early. She needed time to think and prepare what she wanted to say. As usual, she was nervous and didn’t look forward to voicing her views. Using her authority always made her anxious and brought out the insecurities she tried to hide. She had matured in the last couple of months, but she was still a shy, self-conscious girl of sixteen who wasn’t yet comfortable acting on her own in her capacity as Queen.
The baby fluttered furiously inside her, as if sensing his mother’s distress. She was nearly five months along now and much larger than most women at that stage of pregnancy. Perhaps she just looked bigger because she was so petite. Maybe she was carrying twins. Or perhaps it really was Osorsen’s. Hatshepsut had heard that it was unusual for babies to quicken so soon, lending credibility to her hope that her beloved General was the father of her child.
Footsteps outside the door interrupted her thoughts, A guard opened the door, entered, and bowed deeply. “Your Evening Radiance, Sirdar Onuphrious H’Shiefa is here to see you.”
Hatshepsut nodded. “Send him in.” The guard left to do her bidding and she crossed the room to the Pharaoh’s chair and sat down. She had thought it would feel weird to take that seat, but instead, she felt as if she belonged there. It was a strange and heady sensation.
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Hatshepsut read the message again, though its words were already engraved into her mind. Osorsen had suggested that she inform the council of Iahotep’s arrogant decisions. Unfortunately, she could not read between the lines, having only a limited knowledge of strategy and war tactics and not being there herself to access the situation. Her Oso, however, was famed in warfare and knew a bad call when he heard one.
She had summoned Sirdar Onuphrious H’Shiefa to the council chamber today to talk with him about several issues, including Iahotep’s performance on the battlefield. He was one of the highest-ranking Council members who had stayed in Egypt and the one she felt would be the least likely to listen to her. If she could win him over, the others would be easy. Maybe the note, which had received only yesterday, would sway him. Surely he must respect Osorsen.
Hatshepsut had to admit that she liked him. He had always been kind to her when they had spoken together. Never had he talked down to her simply because she was a child. She supposed it had been difficult for all members of the Council to accept a young girl as their ruler, but if Sirdar H’Shiefa had been displeased, he had borne it well. It was something the Queen greatly appreciated.
She believed she had done a good job of governing her kingdom in her husband’s absence, much better than he had done in his few months as Pharaoh. Hatshepsut met with any of her subjects who had a concern they wished to bring before her, and she handled disputes with fairness and compassion. She had rejected all bribes offered to her. The fact that some people tried to influence her with money her attested to the supposition that Iahotep’s judgments were always in favor of the highest bidders.
She had also been tested by those who thought they could take advantage of her. There had been riots, looting, and a few buildings had been burned down. Her guards were always dispatched to handle the trouble in the city, such as the fire that had swept through the temple and the death of the priest who had been found inside. That incident was still under investigation, but Hatshepsut was certain that the culprits would be found. She hoped that she would not have to decide their punishment, but if so, she would do what had to be done.
When she wasn’t dealing with the day to day ruling of Egypt, she was trying to turn her people against their Pharaoh. Her trusted servants were spreading rumors through the city that he was unfit to rule. The young Queen had done careful research into his doings before and after he had become Pharaoh, and had found many injustices that she could use to undermine him. If he returned, she prayed the people would rise up against him, dethroning him and elevating Osorsen in his place. Iahotep could go back to whatever slimy rock he had crawled from beneath.
Placing the note on the long table in front of the golden chair reserved for the Pharaoh, she began to pace the length of the room. Hatshepsut was early. She needed time to think and prepare what she wanted to say. As usual, she was nervous and didn’t look forward to voicing her views. Using her authority always made her anxious and brought out the insecurities she tried to hide. She had matured in the last couple of months, but she was still a shy, self-conscious girl of sixteen who wasn’t yet comfortable acting on her own in her capacity as Queen.
The baby fluttered furiously inside her, as if sensing his mother’s distress. She was nearly five months along now and much larger than most women at that stage of pregnancy. Perhaps she just looked bigger because she was so petite. Maybe she was carrying twins. Or perhaps it really was Osorsen’s. Hatshepsut had heard that it was unusual for babies to quicken so soon, lending credibility to her hope that her beloved General was the father of her child.
Footsteps outside the door interrupted her thoughts, A guard opened the door, entered, and bowed deeply. “Your Evening Radiance, Sirdar Onuphrious H’Shiefa is here to see you.”
Hatshepsut nodded. “Send him in.” The guard left to do her bidding and she crossed the room to the Pharaoh’s chair and sat down. She had thought it would feel weird to take that seat, but instead, she felt as if she belonged there. It was a strange and heady sensation.
Hatshepsut read the message again, though its words were already engraved into her mind. Osorsen had suggested that she inform the council of Iahotep’s arrogant decisions. Unfortunately, she could not read between the lines, having only a limited knowledge of strategy and war tactics and not being there herself to access the situation. Her Oso, however, was famed in warfare and knew a bad call when he heard one.
She had summoned Sirdar Onuphrious H’Shiefa to the council chamber today to talk with him about several issues, including Iahotep’s performance on the battlefield. He was one of the highest-ranking Council members who had stayed in Egypt and the one she felt would be the least likely to listen to her. If she could win him over, the others would be easy. Maybe the note, which had received only yesterday, would sway him. Surely he must respect Osorsen.
Hatshepsut had to admit that she liked him. He had always been kind to her when they had spoken together. Never had he talked down to her simply because she was a child. She supposed it had been difficult for all members of the Council to accept a young girl as their ruler, but if Sirdar H’Shiefa had been displeased, he had borne it well. It was something the Queen greatly appreciated.
She believed she had done a good job of governing her kingdom in her husband’s absence, much better than he had done in his few months as Pharaoh. Hatshepsut met with any of her subjects who had a concern they wished to bring before her, and she handled disputes with fairness and compassion. She had rejected all bribes offered to her. The fact that some people tried to influence her with money her attested to the supposition that Iahotep’s judgments were always in favor of the highest bidders.
She had also been tested by those who thought they could take advantage of her. There had been riots, looting, and a few buildings had been burned down. Her guards were always dispatched to handle the trouble in the city, such as the fire that had swept through the temple and the death of the priest who had been found inside. That incident was still under investigation, but Hatshepsut was certain that the culprits would be found. She hoped that she would not have to decide their punishment, but if so, she would do what had to be done.
When she wasn’t dealing with the day to day ruling of Egypt, she was trying to turn her people against their Pharaoh. Her trusted servants were spreading rumors through the city that he was unfit to rule. The young Queen had done careful research into his doings before and after he had become Pharaoh, and had found many injustices that she could use to undermine him. If he returned, she prayed the people would rise up against him, dethroning him and elevating Osorsen in his place. Iahotep could go back to whatever slimy rock he had crawled from beneath.
Placing the note on the long table in front of the golden chair reserved for the Pharaoh, she began to pace the length of the room. Hatshepsut was early. She needed time to think and prepare what she wanted to say. As usual, she was nervous and didn’t look forward to voicing her views. Using her authority always made her anxious and brought out the insecurities she tried to hide. She had matured in the last couple of months, but she was still a shy, self-conscious girl of sixteen who wasn’t yet comfortable acting on her own in her capacity as Queen.
The baby fluttered furiously inside her, as if sensing his mother’s distress. She was nearly five months along now and much larger than most women at that stage of pregnancy. Perhaps she just looked bigger because she was so petite. Maybe she was carrying twins. Or perhaps it really was Osorsen’s. Hatshepsut had heard that it was unusual for babies to quicken so soon, lending credibility to her hope that her beloved General was the father of her child.
Footsteps outside the door interrupted her thoughts, A guard opened the door, entered, and bowed deeply. “Your Evening Radiance, Sirdar Onuphrious H’Shiefa is here to see you.”
Hatshepsut nodded. “Send him in.” The guard left to do her bidding and she crossed the room to the Pharaoh’s chair and sat down. She had thought it would feel weird to take that seat, but instead, she felt as if she belonged there. It was a strange and heady sensation.
The summons from Queen Hatshepsut came later than it might have if the sirdar languished within Cairo, but nevertheless there was a certain amount of respect in the time given for him to prepare for it all. Far older than the Queen and somewhat so than her pharaoh, it was fitting that he was provided a buffer in which he could assemble himself and make the arrangements for a meeting of some degree of gravity. While a senior member of the council beneath the pharaoh Iahotep, the man did not overtly involve himself in the politics of the land. Preferring to weave his influence through philanthropy and commerce, he found it odd that Hatshepsut wanted to talk to him, specifically.
There is no mention of the other councilmembers, and formal arrangements are planned at least a week in advance.
With the meeting that called for war a special exemption to this rule, it brought the sirdar some degree of alarm to be summoned like this.
The riverboat ride from Thebes was, as always, his favoured part of this little charade. He'd not brought along a fishing rod, seeing to it that the vessel captain was apprised of the urgency of the meeting and the necessity in having as much time as possible to make further arrangements. While Iaheru languished within Cairo, he did not make an urgent effort to visit her home. Whether or not their children who favoured the capitol were visiting, Onuphrious had his duty and a healthy fear of the wicked ba that might surround her home in these perilous times for the Hei Sheifa.
Would Iaheru, after all, induct the spiritual practices to protect her property? Onuphrious dared not chance it, and stayed the night in relative discomfort, a handsome villa that held some degree of charm if the inhabitant was a layman.
"It is only for the time being," he assured himself, hands at the small of his own back as he pushed, the kinks in his spine cracked away before he dressed himself in the vestments fitting for such a summons. Gilded fabric covered over his upper body, wrapped and bound along the plane of his chest to just shy of his hips. A shendyt wrapped his hips and fell to just bellow knee height, luminous and reflective of the golden light of Ra. He kept his head unadorned and his beard neatly trim, paying the proper respects to an absent and very much undeserving pharaoh.
But, showing respect to the royalty was paying due respect to the Queen in turn, and as he marched towards the Evening Star palati, the senior council member held his head high. His arrival was announced by one of several servants that followed him, two a unit of personal bodyguards while the last was a newly hired and somewhat unprepared assistant.
The help is never adequate at first. he mused, rolling his eyes as he heard a stutter mid-sentence. With the Gods on his side, perhaps a similar embarrassment could be avoided when a similar announcement was made upon his entry. But, he dared not chance it. Onuphrious clasped at the man's shoulder, wide eyes staring back at him as a small smile cast upon the sirdar's lips.
"You may go, now. I will summon you if your services are required at any point."
Downtrodden, the servant followed guards out of the palace, and Onuphrious heard the unfortunate thud when he was thrown out onto the street. Nevermind the fuss, Onu felt more than prepared to listen to whatever it was Hatshepsut had to say. The queen, while not quite proving herself in the earlier years of her reign (could any of the child pharaohs do so?), she seemed to catch a streak for independent thought and righteous morality that garnered his respect. It was in stark contrast to the queen mother, Isetheperu, and the pharaoh himself. Iahotep seemed nothing short of trouble, if this senseless conflict with the Greeks was anything to go by.
Haven't there been enough wars in our lifetime? he'd wondered more than once, but let the thoughts simmer away once he was ushered in by the guard. Ushered directly into the all-too-familiar council chambers, Onuphrious offered the queen a suitable bow of respect before he took his seat. It was not, in the moment, his place to ask questions. Rather than press any sort of point, he simply greeted the Queen and offered... an icebreaker. In her position, speaking to a man nearly three times her age and of as-of-yet-determined standing... surely it was an intimidating prospect.
"Your majesty, I trust that all is being taken care of in preparation for..." he gestured to the woman herself and the heir to Egypt she bore in her womb.
"I appreciate your determination to handle these matters personally, given your state. It is a refreshing thing, to see our youth take the mantles they are destined for."
Bitterness settled in those words, for even now, his own heir, Akhenaten, was likely who knows where, snorting who-knows-what, in some Gods-forsaken addiction den.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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The summons from Queen Hatshepsut came later than it might have if the sirdar languished within Cairo, but nevertheless there was a certain amount of respect in the time given for him to prepare for it all. Far older than the Queen and somewhat so than her pharaoh, it was fitting that he was provided a buffer in which he could assemble himself and make the arrangements for a meeting of some degree of gravity. While a senior member of the council beneath the pharaoh Iahotep, the man did not overtly involve himself in the politics of the land. Preferring to weave his influence through philanthropy and commerce, he found it odd that Hatshepsut wanted to talk to him, specifically.
There is no mention of the other councilmembers, and formal arrangements are planned at least a week in advance.
With the meeting that called for war a special exemption to this rule, it brought the sirdar some degree of alarm to be summoned like this.
The riverboat ride from Thebes was, as always, his favoured part of this little charade. He'd not brought along a fishing rod, seeing to it that the vessel captain was apprised of the urgency of the meeting and the necessity in having as much time as possible to make further arrangements. While Iaheru languished within Cairo, he did not make an urgent effort to visit her home. Whether or not their children who favoured the capitol were visiting, Onuphrious had his duty and a healthy fear of the wicked ba that might surround her home in these perilous times for the Hei Sheifa.
Would Iaheru, after all, induct the spiritual practices to protect her property? Onuphrious dared not chance it, and stayed the night in relative discomfort, a handsome villa that held some degree of charm if the inhabitant was a layman.
"It is only for the time being," he assured himself, hands at the small of his own back as he pushed, the kinks in his spine cracked away before he dressed himself in the vestments fitting for such a summons. Gilded fabric covered over his upper body, wrapped and bound along the plane of his chest to just shy of his hips. A shendyt wrapped his hips and fell to just bellow knee height, luminous and reflective of the golden light of Ra. He kept his head unadorned and his beard neatly trim, paying the proper respects to an absent and very much undeserving pharaoh.
But, showing respect to the royalty was paying due respect to the Queen in turn, and as he marched towards the Evening Star palati, the senior council member held his head high. His arrival was announced by one of several servants that followed him, two a unit of personal bodyguards while the last was a newly hired and somewhat unprepared assistant.
The help is never adequate at first. he mused, rolling his eyes as he heard a stutter mid-sentence. With the Gods on his side, perhaps a similar embarrassment could be avoided when a similar announcement was made upon his entry. But, he dared not chance it. Onuphrious clasped at the man's shoulder, wide eyes staring back at him as a small smile cast upon the sirdar's lips.
"You may go, now. I will summon you if your services are required at any point."
Downtrodden, the servant followed guards out of the palace, and Onuphrious heard the unfortunate thud when he was thrown out onto the street. Nevermind the fuss, Onu felt more than prepared to listen to whatever it was Hatshepsut had to say. The queen, while not quite proving herself in the earlier years of her reign (could any of the child pharaohs do so?), she seemed to catch a streak for independent thought and righteous morality that garnered his respect. It was in stark contrast to the queen mother, Isetheperu, and the pharaoh himself. Iahotep seemed nothing short of trouble, if this senseless conflict with the Greeks was anything to go by.
Haven't there been enough wars in our lifetime? he'd wondered more than once, but let the thoughts simmer away once he was ushered in by the guard. Ushered directly into the all-too-familiar council chambers, Onuphrious offered the queen a suitable bow of respect before he took his seat. It was not, in the moment, his place to ask questions. Rather than press any sort of point, he simply greeted the Queen and offered... an icebreaker. In her position, speaking to a man nearly three times her age and of as-of-yet-determined standing... surely it was an intimidating prospect.
"Your majesty, I trust that all is being taken care of in preparation for..." he gestured to the woman herself and the heir to Egypt she bore in her womb.
"I appreciate your determination to handle these matters personally, given your state. It is a refreshing thing, to see our youth take the mantles they are destined for."
Bitterness settled in those words, for even now, his own heir, Akhenaten, was likely who knows where, snorting who-knows-what, in some Gods-forsaken addiction den.
The summons from Queen Hatshepsut came later than it might have if the sirdar languished within Cairo, but nevertheless there was a certain amount of respect in the time given for him to prepare for it all. Far older than the Queen and somewhat so than her pharaoh, it was fitting that he was provided a buffer in which he could assemble himself and make the arrangements for a meeting of some degree of gravity. While a senior member of the council beneath the pharaoh Iahotep, the man did not overtly involve himself in the politics of the land. Preferring to weave his influence through philanthropy and commerce, he found it odd that Hatshepsut wanted to talk to him, specifically.
There is no mention of the other councilmembers, and formal arrangements are planned at least a week in advance.
With the meeting that called for war a special exemption to this rule, it brought the sirdar some degree of alarm to be summoned like this.
The riverboat ride from Thebes was, as always, his favoured part of this little charade. He'd not brought along a fishing rod, seeing to it that the vessel captain was apprised of the urgency of the meeting and the necessity in having as much time as possible to make further arrangements. While Iaheru languished within Cairo, he did not make an urgent effort to visit her home. Whether or not their children who favoured the capitol were visiting, Onuphrious had his duty and a healthy fear of the wicked ba that might surround her home in these perilous times for the Hei Sheifa.
Would Iaheru, after all, induct the spiritual practices to protect her property? Onuphrious dared not chance it, and stayed the night in relative discomfort, a handsome villa that held some degree of charm if the inhabitant was a layman.
"It is only for the time being," he assured himself, hands at the small of his own back as he pushed, the kinks in his spine cracked away before he dressed himself in the vestments fitting for such a summons. Gilded fabric covered over his upper body, wrapped and bound along the plane of his chest to just shy of his hips. A shendyt wrapped his hips and fell to just bellow knee height, luminous and reflective of the golden light of Ra. He kept his head unadorned and his beard neatly trim, paying the proper respects to an absent and very much undeserving pharaoh.
But, showing respect to the royalty was paying due respect to the Queen in turn, and as he marched towards the Evening Star palati, the senior council member held his head high. His arrival was announced by one of several servants that followed him, two a unit of personal bodyguards while the last was a newly hired and somewhat unprepared assistant.
The help is never adequate at first. he mused, rolling his eyes as he heard a stutter mid-sentence. With the Gods on his side, perhaps a similar embarrassment could be avoided when a similar announcement was made upon his entry. But, he dared not chance it. Onuphrious clasped at the man's shoulder, wide eyes staring back at him as a small smile cast upon the sirdar's lips.
"You may go, now. I will summon you if your services are required at any point."
Downtrodden, the servant followed guards out of the palace, and Onuphrious heard the unfortunate thud when he was thrown out onto the street. Nevermind the fuss, Onu felt more than prepared to listen to whatever it was Hatshepsut had to say. The queen, while not quite proving herself in the earlier years of her reign (could any of the child pharaohs do so?), she seemed to catch a streak for independent thought and righteous morality that garnered his respect. It was in stark contrast to the queen mother, Isetheperu, and the pharaoh himself. Iahotep seemed nothing short of trouble, if this senseless conflict with the Greeks was anything to go by.
Haven't there been enough wars in our lifetime? he'd wondered more than once, but let the thoughts simmer away once he was ushered in by the guard. Ushered directly into the all-too-familiar council chambers, Onuphrious offered the queen a suitable bow of respect before he took his seat. It was not, in the moment, his place to ask questions. Rather than press any sort of point, he simply greeted the Queen and offered... an icebreaker. In her position, speaking to a man nearly three times her age and of as-of-yet-determined standing... surely it was an intimidating prospect.
"Your majesty, I trust that all is being taken care of in preparation for..." he gestured to the woman herself and the heir to Egypt she bore in her womb.
"I appreciate your determination to handle these matters personally, given your state. It is a refreshing thing, to see our youth take the mantles they are destined for."
Bitterness settled in those words, for even now, his own heir, Akhenaten, was likely who knows where, snorting who-knows-what, in some Gods-forsaken addiction den.
Hatshepsut stood when Sirdar H’Shiefa entered the room. Generally rulers remained seated when receiving their subjects, but she thought it important to show respect to those who were infinitely more knowledgeable than she. It was something that her mother had reprimanded her for, claiming that it diminished her authority. In the young Queen’s opinion, those views were old-fashioned and needed to be changed. This was her reign, not her mother’s or her late father’s, and her heart said that honoring older members of the council was the right thing to do. It also made Iahotep look bad, for he respected no one but himself.
The Sirdar bowed and then took his seat. Suddenly, her mind went blank and she forgot everything she wanted to say to him. Hatshepsut could feel herself trembling, as she usually did when she was anxious. It was so important that this meeting go well and that she got the point across that Iahotep was allowing his arrogance to color his actions on the battlefield. Could she do it, or would she wind up looking like the immature young girl the Pharaoh thought she was? I should have asked Zosie to be with me for moral support and to step in if I fail.
As if sensing her awkwardness, Sirdar H'Shiefa spoke of her child. Ever perceptive, she thought she heard a negative note in his voice. but didn’t think it applied to her. Was he noticing her resemblance to the son he had raised to manhood only to discover that he had been sired by her father?
Hatshepsut didn’t understand the Sirdar’s animosity toward her half-brother any more than she comprehended her mother’s hatred of him. It wasn’t Sutekh’s fault that the former Pharaoh had seduced Sirdsett H’Sheifa. Why should he suffer for simply being born? Though he had never spoken of it to her, she believed that he wished to be reconciled with the man he had loved as a father. Perhaps his support would help Sutekh settle into his new life. Whatever the case, it was not her place to judge the man sitting at the table with her.
She managed a shy smile as she sat back down. “Everything is well with our future Pharaoh. He is vigorous and active. By the way he kicks, he is very eager to see the kingdom he will rule someday.” It was less risky to refer to the child as a boy, but even if it was a girl, Hatshepsut was determined that her daughter would become Pharaoh in her own right. There had been several female Pharaohs already, including her namesake, though all of them had previously been Great Royal Wives.
More than anything, she wanted her daughter to avoid her own fate … married to a cruel and violent man who saw her as nothing but a means to an end and an heir factory. Rules of succession could be altered and she planned to change Egypt’s if all of her children were female.
Had Sirdar H’Sheifa voted to name Iahotep Pharaoh or had he objected? Hatshepsut had not been included in that meeting so she had no idea where each Council member stood on the matter. She wished she knew, for if the Sirdar had approved, then he might not be amenable to listening to his choice maligned. It could damage his pride to admit that he had been wrong, She certainly didn’t want to anger him.
“I appreciate your determination to handle these matters personally, given your state. It is a refreshing thing, to see our youth take the mantles they are destined for.”
Her smile brightened. “Thank you, Sirdar. Ruling Egypt is not just my destiny or my duty, it is also my desire. Bringing peace and prosperity to the kingdom is the most important thing in the world to me.”
It seemed easier to speak to him now. In her opinion, he had an innate talent for putting people at ease. “How are your wife and children, Sirdar? I trust they are happy and well.” Hatshepsut wished to move past the small talk, it was necessary and polite to ask about his family. His satisfaction or lack thereof would help her discern if he was in a mood to listen to what she had called him here to talk about.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Hatshepsut stood when Sirdar H’Shiefa entered the room. Generally rulers remained seated when receiving their subjects, but she thought it important to show respect to those who were infinitely more knowledgeable than she. It was something that her mother had reprimanded her for, claiming that it diminished her authority. In the young Queen’s opinion, those views were old-fashioned and needed to be changed. This was her reign, not her mother’s or her late father’s, and her heart said that honoring older members of the council was the right thing to do. It also made Iahotep look bad, for he respected no one but himself.
The Sirdar bowed and then took his seat. Suddenly, her mind went blank and she forgot everything she wanted to say to him. Hatshepsut could feel herself trembling, as she usually did when she was anxious. It was so important that this meeting go well and that she got the point across that Iahotep was allowing his arrogance to color his actions on the battlefield. Could she do it, or would she wind up looking like the immature young girl the Pharaoh thought she was? I should have asked Zosie to be with me for moral support and to step in if I fail.
As if sensing her awkwardness, Sirdar H'Shiefa spoke of her child. Ever perceptive, she thought she heard a negative note in his voice. but didn’t think it applied to her. Was he noticing her resemblance to the son he had raised to manhood only to discover that he had been sired by her father?
Hatshepsut didn’t understand the Sirdar’s animosity toward her half-brother any more than she comprehended her mother’s hatred of him. It wasn’t Sutekh’s fault that the former Pharaoh had seduced Sirdsett H’Sheifa. Why should he suffer for simply being born? Though he had never spoken of it to her, she believed that he wished to be reconciled with the man he had loved as a father. Perhaps his support would help Sutekh settle into his new life. Whatever the case, it was not her place to judge the man sitting at the table with her.
She managed a shy smile as she sat back down. “Everything is well with our future Pharaoh. He is vigorous and active. By the way he kicks, he is very eager to see the kingdom he will rule someday.” It was less risky to refer to the child as a boy, but even if it was a girl, Hatshepsut was determined that her daughter would become Pharaoh in her own right. There had been several female Pharaohs already, including her namesake, though all of them had previously been Great Royal Wives.
More than anything, she wanted her daughter to avoid her own fate … married to a cruel and violent man who saw her as nothing but a means to an end and an heir factory. Rules of succession could be altered and she planned to change Egypt’s if all of her children were female.
Had Sirdar H’Sheifa voted to name Iahotep Pharaoh or had he objected? Hatshepsut had not been included in that meeting so she had no idea where each Council member stood on the matter. She wished she knew, for if the Sirdar had approved, then he might not be amenable to listening to his choice maligned. It could damage his pride to admit that he had been wrong, She certainly didn’t want to anger him.
“I appreciate your determination to handle these matters personally, given your state. It is a refreshing thing, to see our youth take the mantles they are destined for.”
Her smile brightened. “Thank you, Sirdar. Ruling Egypt is not just my destiny or my duty, it is also my desire. Bringing peace and prosperity to the kingdom is the most important thing in the world to me.”
It seemed easier to speak to him now. In her opinion, he had an innate talent for putting people at ease. “How are your wife and children, Sirdar? I trust they are happy and well.” Hatshepsut wished to move past the small talk, it was necessary and polite to ask about his family. His satisfaction or lack thereof would help her discern if he was in a mood to listen to what she had called him here to talk about.
Hatshepsut stood when Sirdar H’Shiefa entered the room. Generally rulers remained seated when receiving their subjects, but she thought it important to show respect to those who were infinitely more knowledgeable than she. It was something that her mother had reprimanded her for, claiming that it diminished her authority. In the young Queen’s opinion, those views were old-fashioned and needed to be changed. This was her reign, not her mother’s or her late father’s, and her heart said that honoring older members of the council was the right thing to do. It also made Iahotep look bad, for he respected no one but himself.
The Sirdar bowed and then took his seat. Suddenly, her mind went blank and she forgot everything she wanted to say to him. Hatshepsut could feel herself trembling, as she usually did when she was anxious. It was so important that this meeting go well and that she got the point across that Iahotep was allowing his arrogance to color his actions on the battlefield. Could she do it, or would she wind up looking like the immature young girl the Pharaoh thought she was? I should have asked Zosie to be with me for moral support and to step in if I fail.
As if sensing her awkwardness, Sirdar H'Shiefa spoke of her child. Ever perceptive, she thought she heard a negative note in his voice. but didn’t think it applied to her. Was he noticing her resemblance to the son he had raised to manhood only to discover that he had been sired by her father?
Hatshepsut didn’t understand the Sirdar’s animosity toward her half-brother any more than she comprehended her mother’s hatred of him. It wasn’t Sutekh’s fault that the former Pharaoh had seduced Sirdsett H’Sheifa. Why should he suffer for simply being born? Though he had never spoken of it to her, she believed that he wished to be reconciled with the man he had loved as a father. Perhaps his support would help Sutekh settle into his new life. Whatever the case, it was not her place to judge the man sitting at the table with her.
She managed a shy smile as she sat back down. “Everything is well with our future Pharaoh. He is vigorous and active. By the way he kicks, he is very eager to see the kingdom he will rule someday.” It was less risky to refer to the child as a boy, but even if it was a girl, Hatshepsut was determined that her daughter would become Pharaoh in her own right. There had been several female Pharaohs already, including her namesake, though all of them had previously been Great Royal Wives.
More than anything, she wanted her daughter to avoid her own fate … married to a cruel and violent man who saw her as nothing but a means to an end and an heir factory. Rules of succession could be altered and she planned to change Egypt’s if all of her children were female.
Had Sirdar H’Sheifa voted to name Iahotep Pharaoh or had he objected? Hatshepsut had not been included in that meeting so she had no idea where each Council member stood on the matter. She wished she knew, for if the Sirdar had approved, then he might not be amenable to listening to his choice maligned. It could damage his pride to admit that he had been wrong, She certainly didn’t want to anger him.
“I appreciate your determination to handle these matters personally, given your state. It is a refreshing thing, to see our youth take the mantles they are destined for.”
Her smile brightened. “Thank you, Sirdar. Ruling Egypt is not just my destiny or my duty, it is also my desire. Bringing peace and prosperity to the kingdom is the most important thing in the world to me.”
It seemed easier to speak to him now. In her opinion, he had an innate talent for putting people at ease. “How are your wife and children, Sirdar? I trust they are happy and well.” Hatshepsut wished to move past the small talk, it was necessary and polite to ask about his family. His satisfaction or lack thereof would help her discern if he was in a mood to listen to what she had called him here to talk about.
