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Unlike the other temples in the city, a great hush settled on people when they stepped into the black temple. Even the most grief-stricken would turn their cries inward and calm in the death god's quiet arms. Khan liked coming to the temple when his mind was too loud and always felt calmer. He had many discussions with Ameny, the high priest, and enjoyed his company.
He doubted today's visit would give him such succor.
Khan walked through the main temple and only lifted his hood back enough to show two temple guards his face. Their jackal-headed helmets and armor were made of a matte black metal that made them invisible in the shadowy alcoves. They nodded respectfully to Khan and opened the door behind them carved with a golden ankh.
Pushing all emotion from his face, Khan stepped through the doors and began the journey down into the royal crypt.
The walls were lined with delicate murals in black and gold. These journeys differed from those in the central part of the temple, with the Pharaoh being escorted to the Afterlife by the sun god Ra on his barge through the Duat.
Khan reached the bottom of the stairs and walked through the maze of carved stone sarcophagi of the pharaohs of the House of Ankh. He wished he felt more walking among them, that he was a part of them like he was when he walked in the temples and forests of Atrahasis. Like the man standing with his back to him, Khan's heart felt disconnected.
"You wanted to see me, my pharaoh," Khan said, standing beside him. He forced himself to look at the bejeweled sarcophagus in front of them.
His mother, Arkadia, had been one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. It hadn't only been physical. It had been her deep inner light and warmth that touched those around her. Khan still struggled to reconcile her image in his mind with the golden, stylized face in front of him.
I'm sorry you are still locked down here, he told her softly, hoping she could hear him.
His mother had always wanted to be sent home to Atrahasis, to have her body buried under the trees so it would produce new life. The Pharaoh had refused. She had been his queen and would stay where he put her. Like she was another bauble in his treasury.
"I still miss her, you know," the Pharaoh said, placing a ringed hand on the sarcophagus. He was shorter than Khan, his head shaved and eyes painted with gold and black. Khan had never been able to see himself in him. And neither had the Pharaoh. Khan took after Sargon, and his father resented it.
"I miss her too," Khan replied, his voice still catching after all this time.
"She would be glad to see that you are finally becoming more like the Ankharians, even if it has taken five years," the Pharaoh continued.
Khan stopped his teeth from grinding together to call him out on the lie. "I always do what I can to understand the city and its people."
The Pharaoh hummed. "I hear you have finally taken a concubine. It is about time."
"I see Hasina has been in your ear already." It didn't surprise Khan. She thrived on gossip and loved to mock Khan to their father any chance she got.
"She was as shocked and pleased as I was by the news. It's a shame you picked a Geb slave, but anything is better than nothing. The court was starting to whisper about you not having anyone to warm your bed."
Khan rolled his eyes. "The court needs to mind their own business."
"They never will, and you need to accept that." The Pharaoh looked him over. "You are doing well with the tasks I have allocated to you, and the advisors seemed pleased."
"Thank you," Khan replied, hiding his shock. His father never complimented him on anything. Ever.
"I have often regretted letting you be raised in Atrahasis, despite the traditions. At the time, I thought it would be good for you to be away from the court so that no one could try and use or shape you. It was a mistake. You became too Atrahasi."
His father saidAtrahasiwith a touch of distaste, like it was a rotten olive to be spat out. Khan bit his tongue until he tasted blood. Khan being too much like Arkadia's people was a sentiment that the Pharaoh had often voiced.
"But now time is correcting things like it usually does," his father continued and patted Khan on the shoulder. "This small step pleases me. The court and the houses will like you more for it. I want you to attend Sekhmet's feast in two days and take the concubine with you. Show them all that you can be like them and rule them. They need to know that you care about them and our traditions as much as Sargon's."
"If you wish it, I will attend," Khan replied.
The Pharaoh smiled. "Ever the dutiful son."
Subject, Khan mentally corrected.
The Pharaoh looked back at the sarcophagus. "I know you still want her to return to Atrahasis, but I can't part with her."
Khan did what he did best and said nothing. They had too many arguments in the past about the same subject. He had no energy to fight about it anymore. Khan already knew as soon as he was pharaoh, his first command would be to take his mother home.
Khan looked at the black statue of Anubis in the center of the room, watching over his ancestors.
He felt the god's gentle, strong presence move through him, and he hid his smile. Like the God of the Duat, all he needed to do was wait.
