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finding herself in the lowest forms of punishment cells to await a swift execution,
Pythia had been clothed as befitted a royal concubine and brought before Hati with
dignity, if not honor.
Queen-Regent Hatshepsut, as she had been announced, had dismissed all but a few
guards and had spoken to Pythia sister-to-sister. She had explained that the sisterhood
believed Pythia had killed the Pharaoh unintentionally and by neglect, but it was not
murder. Nevertheless, there must be a public trial, or assassins bent on  justice would
surely end Pythia s life. The public must see that she was innocent of deliberate murder,
and believe it. Hati made no promises, and Pythia expected none.
Pythia spent the entire month in that dark, silent room. Her guards or the servants
that brought her food and drink would not speak to her unless necessary. She thought
of her life in those long, lonely days and had not liked what she saw. If the Soul Eater
was to have her ka to eat, she had at least faced the truth about herself. It had not been a
pretty picture. Pythia hung her head in shame, and prayed with all her might to Lord
Horus that she might have a chance to prove herself worthy of walking among men
awhile longer.
This trial was no farce, but the real thing. Her very life hung on the words spoken
today, and even the Regent-Queen had no say in the way it would go.
Now Pythia knelt before the combined tribunal of priests, God s Wives and Royals,
who were the ones who had been  wronged . Pythia chanced a peep as a sister came
and knelt next to Pythia. She ll be my Voice this day, Pythia realized, and she blessed the
wisdom of giving a calm, learned voice to one who might be so terrified they could not
speak.
A priest s voice rang out.  Hear then the words that accuse Pythankamon of the
murder of our beloved Pharaoh, Tutmose II. He then read the accusation from a scroll.
 That Pythankamon did willfully use poison and give it to Pharaoh, that he might die.
The crowd roared, and would have surged forward to rip Pythia to shreds, had it
not been for the many guards who beat them back. All Pythia could do was put her face
in her hands and tremble so hard her chains clanked together.
A warm, soft hand came to rest on her shoulder.  Be at ease, sister. We know the
accusation is false, her Voice murmured in her ear.  You re innocent of all but
negligence. I am here to prove it, the Voice added firmly.
58
The God s Wife
With that, the Voice rose to her feet.  And I answer the charge is false! she
announced.  Hear then the words of those who were there, and saw for themselves
what took place, that the truth be known to all.
A parade of people followed. The guards who had guarded the door and ordered
the wine spoke of how Pythia had been nervous and frightened.
 Did this sound like a woman who contemplated murder? her Voice asked
rhetorically.
The guards further spoke of how Pythia s shrieks had alerted them that something
was wrong, and how they had burst in to find Pythia shaking the Pharaoh and trying to
aid him while she still cried for help. How they had forcibly removed her so that the
Queens Kara and Hatshepsut could try to aid the Pharaoh. How Pythia s breath had
smelled of the same substance in the wine as the Pharaoh.
The Voice turned to the crowd.  Would a murderer drink her own poison?
Bala was called forth, and introduced as maidservant to Queen Hatshepsut, and
one skilled in recognizing poisons and the deaths they caused. Pythia would have been
amused had she not been so terrified. How very plausible they made it sound to have a
maidservant who could recognize poisons to attend one of the royal household.
Bala s voice easily carried throughout the cavernous room, saying,  The Pharaoh
did not have signs of any poison I know of when I was permitted to examine his body.
In fact, he gave all the signs of one who is that rare individual who takes an herb then
chokes upon it when it normally causes no harm.
 Then it was not poison, you think? asked the Voice.
 I swear it before the gods. Bala s answer was firm and full of assurance. It gave
Pythia a small measure of comfort to hear Bala defend her.
 You call this a tragic accident of the Pharaoh as one of those who takes a certain
herb and chokes upon it? pressed the Voice.
 I do! [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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