Book 4. Vulture againstSerpent, Soul Eater and Chaos (The Palace of the Dazzling Aten, #4) / The Palace of the Dazzling Aten (ePub)

Ancient Egypt.
Pharaoh Ramses III ascends the throne. He has three wives Isis, Tyti and Tije. Isis and Tyti belong to the royal family. Tije is the daughter of a court dignitary. Tije is the mother of Pentaweret, the pharaoh's firstborn. However, the Pharaoh appoints his son, born of Queen Tyti, as his successor. In addition, he alienates his third wife and moves her to the Northern Palace, intended for senior concubines. Tije conspires with the High Priest of the temple of the goddess Meretseger to overthrow Ramses III and place her son Pentaweret on the throne. The High Priest keeps an ancient papyrus in the secret vault of the temple, according to which Tije is the heiress of the ancient gods. Tije and the High Priest win over the Dark Gods to their side. According to their plan, Ramses III must die from the curse. However, Nekhbet and Wadjet, the vulture goddess and the cobra goddess, are called upon to protect the pharaoh and his power. But Tije and the High Priest do not give up, they find new helpers and followers. The Palace of the Dazzling Aten, the home of the pharaoh's family, becomes the center of intrigue, black magic, betrayal and hypocrisy.
"...After breakfast, the pharaoh usually engaged in state affairs. He retired to his office and received reports from the First and Second Counselors. If necessary, the pharaoh put his seal on the documents. Then he dictated his orders to the secretary. After that, he received ministers and other officials on various issues of national importance.
However, for the last eight years, he shared state duties with his co-ruler, erpator Ramses IV. The morning of Ramses IV began almost the same as the morning of his father. He also supervised many government affairs that his father entrusted to him. He had the right to seal state documents with his seal.
As soon as the affairs of state were finished, the pharaoh ordered to send for the Chief Court Judge Malach. The Palace of the Dazzling Aten had its own independent justice system separate from the city. Although offenses were rare in the palace, the pharaoh was careful not to publicly disclose such cases.
Malach was a hereditary court judge. His great-grandfather, a Libyan by origin, accepted the citizenship of Ta-Kemet under the pharaoh Ramses II and settled in Waset.
Soon Malach appeared before the gaze of the pharaoh. Malach was old. Over the years, he grew fat, but did not lose the clarity of mind and energy. He was dressed in a long white tunic, girded with a golden belt. On the neck of Malach hung a golden necklace in the image of the goddess of justice Maat. In his hands he clutched the Was-scepter, the scepter was wrapped around a snake-uraeus. Such a scepter was considered in Ta-Kemet as a sign of the highest judicial authority.
Malach respectfully knelt before the ruler of Ta-Kemet.
"Greetings, Sun-faced Ruler! Glad to see you in good health. May the gods Horus, Osiris, Wadjet and Nebekht protect you."
Malach noticed an ancient golden necklace with the image of the goddess Mafdet on the pharaoh. Malach had an excellent memory and he remembered this necklace. The necklace was worn from time to time by Ramses II and Setnakht, the father of Ramses III.
The pharaoh nodded to the judge. Ramses respected Malach and favored him. He motioned the Chief Court Judge to a chair. The pharaoh himself sat in an armchair opposite.
"How can I serve you, o, Divine descendant of Ra?"
Pharaoh smiled involuntarily. Malach knew how to choose the right words.
"I'm sure you already know what happened to me."
"Yes, my pharaoh. As part of my duties, I spoke to the Chief of the Court Guard and his assistants. I will not hide the fact that my faithful man has already visited Iunu Montu."
Pharaoh always admired the way Malach could thoroughly understand the essence of the problem.
"I want to hear your opinion, Malach." Pharaoh said evasively.
Malach understood this perfectl...