Khufu stood up on the makeshift podium in front of where Ahkmenrah had been buried. He had been here once before when his dear nephew Merenkahre was buried. Both times he could feel a revolution simmering in the air. A revolution he had created. He spoke:

"In the space of a year we have lost not one, but three kings. Though their bodies may turn black, their spirits will live on." He paused. "The line of succession falls to the son of Kahmunrah's body, Ramses, Shepsehret will be acting Queen Regent until he is of age."

All the pieces were falling together. Finally.

—————

Ahkmenrah knew he had been buried. There had been a sort of shift within him that told him that. He turned to his brother, but before he could speak he spotted a figure walking through the river of fire where they stood, he made out a Jackal head and a tall lean body. As the figure approached Ahkmenrah was able to make out more details. He first noted the figure's bronze almost mahogany colour, then the kilt lined with gold, then the bejewelled staff in his hands, and finally the eyes that spelt death.

"Ahkmenrah," the voice was low and sonorous, this could only be Anubis the guide of the dead. "The Field of Reeds have been opened for you, your father awaits."

"What of my brother?" Asked Ahkmenrah.

"Kahmunrah has made a promise and that promise has been fulfilled, he may join you in everlasting life."

—————

Shepsehret held Sabra's hand as they walked through the palace grounds. No words were spoken between the women, but there was an understanding between them, one of warmth and comfort. Words of condolence, spoken by many at the funeral only reminded them of their loss. Shepsehret looked upon the sky.

"It was a sky like this when Ahk was born." She told Sabra.

Sabra looked up at the stars and the moon glistening full in the sky and then looked back at the Queen regent. Shepsehret no longer held the semblances of youthful beauty. She had aged in the space of a year, the only thing left was a sorrowful grace that lined her face with an ethereal beauty. Sabra didn't know what to say to her.

"Go sleep my dear." Said the Queen. "It has been a long day for us all."

Unwillingly Sabra extricated her fingers from Shepsehret's and bid her goodnight. Before she could enter the palace she heard the voices of Khufu and Shepsehret engaged in a rough argument. Sensing danger Sabra hid in the shadows of the garden and made her way towards them. They stood beside a large pillar Khufu seemingly pleading to the Queen.

"The court is no place for a widow." Exclaimed Khufu.

"I've been a widow in this court for a whole year." Said the Queen haughtily. "I do not need you."

"Please Shepsehret, I love you." He took her face in his hands. "I've always had, from the moment Merenkahre had brought you here I knew you were mine."

Shepsehret violently jerked her head out of his hold and snarled at him.

"You have no right to speak my husband's name, you murdered him I know it." Her eyes narrowed. "You murdered my sons."

"All I've done is for the betterment of the throne, a better life for all of us."

"There it is." hissed Shepsehret. "You only want me for throne, and then you will murder my grandson."

"I swear..."

"Enough!" Roared the Queen. "Leave this place, I will not marry you."

Khufu grabbed her roughly by the hair "You will marry me."

"I will kill myself before that ever happened."

He violently pushed her to the ground and as she struggled to hoist herself off the floor he took her by the shoulders a pushed her back to the ground, his body pressed on top of hers and between her legs. Sabra rushed forward to help but she felt hands clutch her arms and a knife to her throat. They were Khufu's cronies, they would kill her if she stepped forward to help the Queen. Out of fear she stayed where she was.

Khufu hands battled with Shepsehret's as he tried to tear at her dress.

"You're mine, one way or another you will be mine." He forced his lips onto hers. "There is no point in fighting."

Shepsehret spat in his face "If you were even a tenth of the King Kahmunrah was..."

In rage Khufu slammed her head against the sandstone floor.

"I am a thousand times the King that brat of yours was!" He roared repeatedly bashing her head in.

Shepsehret had known how to strike him to fury. Kahmunrah had never officially ruled, it wounded Khufu's pride. But soon enough blood started to spurt from Shepsehret's head as Khufu kept slamming her head into the floor, harder and faster than before.

"Stop it!" Cried Sabra. "You'll kill her."

At first she thought he was too caught up in this act of passion to hear her. With a final sickening crack of her skull he stood and faced Sabra.

"Better her dead than belonging to another man." He whispered a malicious smile graced his features.

Suddenly his faced turned to that of horror as his pointed at Sabra.

"Queen Slayer!" He accused.

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Oh dear I wonder what will happen next! About fiveish more chapters to go! Don't miss out on the spectacular finale.