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job only to inform the right general that there is a need.
Hati stood, fully the Regent-Queen in her pectoral, and held the crook and flail in
her right hand. With those implements, and knowing their symbols as the true might of
Egypt as are the shepherds and farmers who worked in the fields, she pointed at the
merchants and Queen Kara.
There, is the other claw on the foot of Egypt. There are those who represent the
wealth of Egypt. The art, the food and the trade that makes Egypt the richest land in the
world. Our people do not starve and know prosperity because of their work.
The merchants puffed up their chests and stood taller.
They know the business of Egypt. I only need know where there is a need. Again,
all I must do is tell them where the need is. Is there a food shortage in one place and
fattening calves in another? They will get it there, for the good of all Egypt.
She gestured again, pointing at the priests, who gave her their full attention. And
there is the third claw of Egypt the spirit of Egypt. They see to it that all remains in
balance and that Maat reigns. They feed the spirit of the people, and see to it that the
gods smile upon us. They provide us with hope for our immortal lives.
She turned to face the stunned Lord Akenmose, whose mouth moved, but no sound
emerged. All of these provide peace and prosperity to our people. They are the true
strength of Egypt. I am but the one central place they can go to see to it all that must be
done is done. She paused and caressed her swollen belly. I am the mother who sees
to Egypt as if it were my children. Do not tell me I cannot make war, for I will defend
my children like a lioness defends her cubs. Do not tell me I cannot feed Egypt for I will
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Lena Austin
work until I die to see to it my children are fed. Do not tell me I cannot provide peace
and hope to my children, for like a mother I love them all with the fullness of my being.
A woman cannot rule Egypt? Bah!
Haughtily, Hati returned to her throne. But tell me, Lord Akenmose. Has Egypt
fallen to pieces while you traveled here from your palace on the delta, and a woman
ruled? Is there chaos in the streets of Thebes?
Of course not. Undoubtedly, my brother had many long-range plans. You could
not have caused disorder that quickly no matter what your womanly whims might be.
The mild insult only served to amuse her.
What were my husband s plans, then? Do you know? No? I do. I was there when
his advisors sat in council with him. I was there and listened to the generals. I was there
when the plans were drawn for the new granaries. Where were you?
I was at my palace of course! Lord Akenmose replied hotly.
Ah, your lands in the delta. As I recall, your brother asked you to go there and
improve the delta. He told me this. What have you done? Without waiting for an
answer, she turned to the vizier. Keoset? What increase has arrived from the delta
district in the past few years?
Over Lord Akenmose s inarticulate protest, Keoset answered promptly. None,
Divine One. The taxes have remained the same.
Hati turned back to Lord Akenmose and said in a low, dangerous voice, So, you
cannot improve one of the richest farmlands in Egypt, yet you wish to rule over all of
the lands? Yet, you wish to overturn Pharaoh s wishes? You must give a better reason
than I am a woman. Come! Prove I am less fit to rule than you. I am interested to hear
it.
Lord Akenmose stammered, You& you could die in childbirth. Then who would
rule Egypt? Hati noted he ignored his own brothers sitting on the dais at her feet, who
were also sons of Tutmose I. Their births were not in doubt, as his was.
That is in the hands of the gods. I could live, too, you know. Most women survive
the process quite nicely.
You could birth a daughter.
This is possible. However, a concubine is pregnant as well. There is twice the
possibility of a male child. That, too, is in the hands of the gods, Hati remained
complacent. Stop living in a world of what-if, Lord Akenmose. The gods grant favor
where They will. Pharaoh Tutmose II made his wishes clear. That I should rule Egypt
until his son was old enough to rule. There are two chances for a son to be born within
the year. If both are daughters, then you have until that time to prove you can be a
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