Chapter 31 Chapter Twenty Nine

In the eighth year of Seti's reign, on the twenty-fourth day of the second month of winter, the Egyptian army set out from Memphis and marched rapidly southward.At Aswan, the troops landed and set off again, crossing the first turbulent banks.At this time of year, the water level of the Nile is high enough to allow ships to pass through the most dangerous waterways, but the pharaoh prefers sailboats that can go upstream in the direction of Nubia. Ramesses rejoiced that he was appointed army clerk to lead the voyage's army under the direct command of his father, who also lived on the same ship.The ship is crescent-shaped, with both ends raised high above the water. There are two rudders on the ship, one on the starboard side and one on the port side, which makes the operation of the ship easy and fast.A long independent mast propped up a huge canvas, filled with a strong north wind, and the team on board checked the pressure of the cable from time to time.

In the middle of the ship, there was a large cabin divided into several rooms, and near the bow and stern, there were other smaller cabins, reserved for the captain and the two helmsmen. On board the HM, as on other ships of war, there was an air of merriment, and sailors and soldiers alike felt that a safe voyage was being made, and no officer reminded them of their mistake.Everyone knew the king's rules: no attack on the people, no recruiting by force, good conduct, no arbitrary arrests.Those who do not abide by these regulations will be severely punished. Nubia fascinated Ramses, and he never left the bow of the ship during the journey: desert hills, granite islands, long and narrow green grass growing in the desert, a perfect landscape emerging from the blue sky; Sleep on the steep banks, hippos swim in the water, crowned cranes, flamingos and swallows fly past the palm groves where baboons play.Ramesses took an immediate liking to this primordial place, which was as natural as he was, burning with the same untamable enthusiasm.

After crossing a calm area from Aswan to the second waterfall, the Egyptian troops rested near a peaceful town where they were offered some food and furniture.Stretching three hundred and fifty kilometres, the Vawawat (blazing hot province) has long been peaceful.Ramses lived a dream of joy and happiness, as if the land spoke to his soul. When he woke up, he saw an indescribable building. The huge fortress of Buheng was composed of brick walls ten meters high and five meters wide.On the long pinnacles, regularly ringed by circular walks, Egyptian sentries watched over the third waterfall and its surroundings.To prevent Nubia's sneak attack from passing through any fortress, Buheng is the most important one.There were 3,000 soldiers permanently stationed there, and they used mail trucks to communicate with Egypt.

Seti and Ramses entered the castle fortress through the main entrance facing the desert. A wooden bridge separated the fortress from the outside world. to die.The window opening with three shooting holes is to let the enemy die under the cross fire from which there is no escape. Part of the army was stationed in small villages and towns located below the fortress.A barracks, several beautiful houses, several warehouses and factories, a market, and some sanitary facilities make life here extremely comfortable.The expeditionary force enjoyed a few hours of rest before entering Kush, Nubia's second province, and so far discipline has been excellent.

The commander entertained the king and Ramses in the luxurious hall of Buheng, and the prime minister approved him to conduct judicial work there.Draft beer and dates were offered to the distinguished guests. "Isn't the king of Nubia coming?" Sai asked. "He will not be late, Your Majesty." "Has he gone elsewhere?" "Impossible, Your Majesty. He wishes to know for himself the situation in Elayne, south of the Third Falls." "The situation... you mean a riot?" The commander avoided Seti's gaze. "That term may be a bit exaggerated."

"Send a king so far just to catch a few thieves?" "No, Your Majesty. We have a good grip on the area. And..." "Why have you kept the danger to a minimum in your reports for months?" "I'm trying to keep the narrative objective. It's true that the Nubians in Ilan are a little bit restless, but..." "Two desert caravans were attacked, a well was taken by thieves, a herald was killed...is this a small commotion?" "We have seen worse things, Your Majesty." "Indeed, but punishment is still necessary, not to mention actually pronouncing and enforcing such punishment. This time, you failed to catch the murderers, who thought they could get away with it, and were ready to start a real riot, you know Is there such a thing?"

"My role is purely defensive," the commander argued, "no Nubian mob has ever crossed our fortress lines." Seti bristles. "You mean we can ignore the Kush and Ilan state riots?" "Not for a moment, Your Majesty!" "Then tell the truth." The cowardice of this high-ranking official disgusted Ramses, and such a coward did not deserve allegiance to Egypt.If he had the right to do so, he would demote the weakling and send him to the front line. "I see no need to alarm our troops, even if some commotion disturbs our peace." "How many casualties did we have?"

"I hope not. The Lord has led an experienced patrol. If he appears, the Nubians will drop their armor." "I'll wait for three days, not more than one day. After that, I'll come back." "There is no need to go to such lengths, Your Majesty. I am honored to be able to receive you all. Tonight, I have arranged a small welcome party..." "I will not attend, take good care of the food and accommodation of the soldiers." Could this situation be more sinister than the sight of the second waterfall?Surrounded by towering cliffs, the Nile cuts some passages in narrow channels, and it tries to resist the huge basalt and granite stones and breaks into a foamy spray.The river rushes and surges, lapping so furiously and leaping over obstacles and rushing forward again.In the distance, streams of ochre-red sand rest on the steep banks of azure stones.There are Egyptian ginger palm trees with split trunks everywhere, which bring a greenness to the earth.

Ramesses lives in every rich surge of the Nile, he accompanies it against the stones, shares its victory with it, and the river and he have become one. Ramses ran all over the camp, and none of the soldiers realized the possibility of war.They sleep, they feast, they make love to lovely Nubian women, they play dice, they talk of returning to Egypt, but they don't polish their weapons. However, the Nubian king has not yet returned from the province of Ilan. Ramesses noticed that people have a tendency to avoid reality and indulge in illusions. They feel that reality cannot bear it, and they beautify the status quo with mirages, convinced that this will relieve them of their shackles.

At the left end of the barracks, beyond the desert, there was a man squatting on the ground digging sand, as if he were burying a treasure. Ramses stepped forward in horror, dagger in hand. "What are u doing?" "Shut up and be quiet!" the man demanded in a barely audible voice. "answer." The man stood up. "Oh, how stupid! You let it slip away." "Sai Dawu! Are you enlisted?" "Of course not...I found a black cobra hiding in this hole." Sai Dawu, dressed in his strange pocket jacket, slovenly, with dull skin and dark hair gleaming in the moonlight, looks nothing like a soldier.

"According to some wise wizards, the quality of the Nubian poisonous snake liquid is the most special. Participating in such a long journey will definitely bring some unexpected gains!" "Aren't you afraid of danger? This is war!" "I don't care about killing on the battlefield. These stupid soldiers eat and do nothing when their job is the least dangerous." "The calm won't last long." "Is this true or a prophecy?" "Do you think Pharaoh would use so many people for a simple trip?" "It doesn't matter, as long as people let me catch snakes. They are beautiful in size and color! Instead of foolishly risking your life, you should go to the desert with me, and we will make a lot of money." "I obey my father's command." "I am completely free to do so." Sai Dawu lay on the ground and immediately fell asleep. He was really the only Egyptian who was not afraid of snakes crawling out of the cave in the dark. Ramses gazes into the rapids, sharing in the never-ending power of the Nile.The morning light had pierced the night sky, and he felt a person appearing behind him. "You forgot to sleep, son?" "I was taking care of Sai Dawu, and I saw several snakes approaching him, standing still, and then leaving again. Even while he was sleeping, he was still developing his abilities. Shouldn't a king be like this?" "The king of Nubia is back," said Seti. Ramses looked at his father.Did he quell the Islamic State riots? "Five killed, ten badly wounded, and one retreated quickly. Your friend Yaxia's predictions were spot on. The boy is an excellent observer, and he knows how to draw accurate conclusions from the evidence he has gathered." "Sometimes, he made me feel uncomfortable, but he did have extraordinary intelligence and intelligence." "Unfortunately, he was justified in opposing the opinion of the majority of advisers." "Is it war?" "Yes, Ramesses. That is the war I hate the most. But the pharaoh should not condone the provocateurs of riots and disturbances, otherwise it will cause chaos and bring misfortune to everyone. To the north, Egypt has control of Canaan and Syria, enough to guard against foreign aggression; to the south, only a weak Nubian king, like Akhenaten, will bring the country into trouble." "Are we going to fight?" "I hope the Nubians are sensible. Your brother urged me to grant your request, and he seems to believe in your abilities. But our enemies are terrible, and if they go mad, they will fight to the death, and they will be indifferent to pain. " "You think I'm not fit to fight?" "You don't need to take such a big risk." "You give me a job and I'll do it." "Isn't your life more precious?" "Of course not. A man who betrays his oath does not deserve to live." "Fight, then, if the rebels disobey. Fight like a buffalo, a lion, and an eagle. Fight like a storm. Otherwise, you will be defeated."