Thursday, August 20, 2020

The Inventor's King, First Page

 

CHAPTER 1

Tut left his balcony with a sense of fear again for the city he was meant to rule Egypt from someday. It lacked the foul smells distant travelers joked other cities were in no short supply of. They had come in years past, bringing tribute to his father and telling tales of thriving and vibrant cities they’d visited in their travels. Color seemed popular everywhere but Akhenaten city, where mudbrick made up the hundreds of homes and not even a colored awning topped them. His father had named the city after himself and had always given special attention to its temple. Red banners lined the top of the Aten temple, taking up most of the city. The temple was tall enough that even the palace was no comparison.

With a final twist to his sidelock of youth, he slid the usual gold ringlets over it, hesitating with the last that displayed the Aten’s sun disk in gold and his name at the center. Stretching, he returned to his bed and wiped his eyes with a damp cloth. Squinting from the sun breathing itself into his room, he tossed the cloth now blackened with his eye makeup from yesterday on the bed. Time was short before he was due to join his father for the mid-morning offerings. He gave a clap, calling in his maidens to adorn him in a fresh kilt, jewelry, and new liner for his eyes. Three maidens bustled into his room carrying platters and jugs. He ignored the wine and bread offered to him, all his focus on the city. His ears listened for life from the market. It was close to the palace, but like most days, not even the bleating of cattle could be heard.

Once his tunic was blended into his kilt, he took his belt, preferring to apply it himself.

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