The Memory Painter

This was the first time she had mentioned his father. Thoth wanted to know more, but the guards were already sending him out. He heard the doors to Hermese’s quarters close behind him. It was done.

The forced march through the temple seemed endless. During the day, it always struck him how unkempt and old the fortress looked. Thoth wondered how many people even lived here. He had already discovered that the Atum guards, though they appeared formidable with Thutmose as their leader, barely numbered a few dozen. Thoth shuddered to think what would happen if the opposition ever found out how easy it would be to take the temple—they would crush it in an instant.

It was as if his fear had been whispered in his brother’s ear. Seth was outside the gate, waiting for him in an elaborate litter carried by six men.

Thoth hid his shock and hurried through the sheets of rain. He climbed inside and clasped hands with his brother. For the moment, they pretended that there was no strain between them.

Seth signaled to the litter-bearers to move on, then handed Thoth a small towel. “An even bigger storm is coming. The waters of the Nile are already rising.”

“So you came to keep me from getting wet?” Thoth jested.

His brother laughed. “No, I heard news the deed is done.”

Thoth knew the Guardian had not made a public announcement—his brother must have a spy inside the temple. His fears grew as he watched the temple grow smaller in the distance. “So you’ve left Father’s house for good?” Thoth asked.

Seth answered with a grim smile. “A great change is coming, and he can do nothing to prevent it. I am here to extend the hand of brotherhood and ask you to join me.”

Thoth sized up his brother, noting how the last year had altered him. Seth was dressed in an adorned tunic fine enough for any ruler, and he wore an emblem around his neck that Thoth could not identify. It must be the symbol of the Apophis. Thoth had heard rumors of their growing brutality, how they had tried to stage public riots, threatened Heliopolis’ peacekeepers, and supported any usurper of the law. It chilled him to think that his brother may now be one of their leaders. “You expect me to help you destroy the House of Atum? After I just sired their heir?”

“Which is precisely why you should. We can rewrite the laws so you and Hermese can be together and raise your child. I know you well, brother. Is that not your heart’s desire?”