The Memory Painter

It often amazed Thoth to think that Hermese knew how to control such an incredible force, and yet he had never met anyone more humble or more giving.

It pained him that he now only saw her at night. In the mornings, she had started leaving papyrus scrolls on her writing table for him to look at so that he might have something to occupy his time. He had no idea where they came from, but he had the feeling that others in the House of Atum would not approve of her actions.

Hermese also began showing him the Sacred Symbols. Each one contained within it a mathematical equation that formed the fabric of the universe. She explained to him how all things were made of vibrations and particles of light, and that in the First Time, the Guardians had been able to direct both with the mind.

Thoth could not grasp everything she said, but then she had been trained extensively all her life. She could decipher the Sacred Symbols, and she could fine-tune the Great Pyramid’s harmonic oscillation and acoustic resonance much like a master musician would. The more Thoth learned, the more he was in awe of her mind. An entirely new world was unfolding before his eyes, and with it he began to understand just how much power the House of Atum wielded.

Hermese asked him not to discuss these lessons with anyone, including the scrolls he was studying that mapped out the entire pyramid complex, its expansive tunnel system, and the hidden vault underneath the Sphinx. Thoth committed everything to memory in the event that one day he might be called upon to use it.

Every day he began to look forward to discovering what Hermese had left for him, although he could not understand her motives. People on the outside would have killed to know these secrets. On his last visit home, Thoth had learned that Seth had publicly joined the Apophis, those who opposed the council’s allegiance to the Guardian. The public saw this as a personal blow to Ramses, whose presence was the only thing that kept the council from falling apart.

Thoth had heard Ramses praying to Re again for the child, and his guilt at his and Hermese’s deception grew. He knew his father needed him more than ever, and he swore that Ramses’ prayer would not be in vain.

When Thoth returned to the temple that night, he did not know how to broach the subject with Hermese, but to his relief, he didn’t have to. After they made love, Hermese took the secret vial and, without a word, scattered its contents into her garden. She came back to bed, and he held out his hand.

*

It took two weeks for Hermese to become pregnant, but they wanted to hide the news as long as possible. As soon as the child was announced, Thoth would have to leave the temple.

They spent many nights lying in bed, listening to the soft rain while they debated the name of the next Guardian.

Hermese stroked her stomach. “I think he is a boy.”

“Do you?” Thoth kissed her belly.

Hermese’s fingertip traced the circle of infinity on her stomach. “I want to name him Amyntas.”

Thoth considered it and tried not to feel desolate, knowing well that she could name the child whatever she wished. He would not be with her for the naming ceremony.

“It means defender of all that is sacred,” she explained. “If the baby is a girl, she will be Amynta.”