VS Note: In my ancient Egyptian romantasy HEIRESS OF THE NILE the Main Male Character is Pharaoh’s top general. He’s had all kinds of military success, received honors and awards but one thing eludes him – marriage to the right woman, love and family of his own.

General of Pharaoh’s Army Marnamaret was an early riser. He liked to watch Ra’s sunboat surface from the night and begin its daily journey across the sky. Everything was peaceful at dawn and he could pray to his own sworn Great One, Horus, and gather himself for the day ahead. Currently, with his boyhood friend installed as Pharaoh after a long and grueling war with the Usurper, life was fairly peaceful. Marnamaret was sure there’d be more action in his future, to complete the job of driving the Hyksos from Egypt and assuring the security of the Black Lands.

He varied his choice of secluded spots each day, depending on his mood. Today he chose the roof of the sprawling house a grateful Pharaoh had gifted him, along with a large estate, gold of valor and other tokens of appreciation. As the General of Pharaoh’s army, Marnamaret had vast responsibilities and nearly limitless power and he carried the attendant duties easily.

Yet this morning his thoughts wandered to the softer side of a man’s life—home, wife, children. He had the home of course, none finer save for the palace. But there was no one to share his life and no prospect of having the family he craved. Pharaoh was happily married and wished for all his companions to know similar bliss. He pushed subtly for Marnamaret to choose a worthy woman and settle the issue. His own mother, blessed be her ka and may she know only peace, prosperity and health, was much less subtle on the topic and had the habit of suggesting specific girls to him.

Sooner than later we’ll be on the campaign trail again against the Hyksos or another enemy. I need to stop waiting for the god of Fate to send the right woman for my heart into my path and take action before the wars resume.

The decision brought him no comfort. A loveless marriage sounded abhorrent to him. He wanted what his parents had enjoyed, the proof of which was painted all over his father’s tomb, in lively and happy vignettes depicting the best times the two shared. His mother had no fear of the Afterlife, because she was unshakable in her belief they’d be reunited.

Marnamaret shivered, fierce soldier that he was. If I pick the wrong woman now, will I be tied to her for all the millions of years of Afterlife? A more daunting prospect than facing a line of Hyksos chariots while on foot and unarmed. Seized by an unaccustomed whimsy, he went to the household altar, which was dedicated to the primary Great Ones worshipped by his family, made obeisance and whispered a name which rarely fell from his lips, although his mother and sister prayed to her often.

“Great One Hathor, Mother of us all, I beg your help in finding the love of my life, the woman to stand with me as partner, side by side, arm in arm, the way my own parents are depicted in their tomb carvings. Clearly I can’t accomplish this on my own since I’m still unmarried.” He grinned at the idea of himself praying to the goddess, which wasn’t something soldiers often did. Setting the sacrificial fruit, beer and bread on the altar, he bowed his head.

A breeze wafted across the roof and he caught the scent of the blue lotus, which was odd because his house was some distance from the Nile. Goosebumps rose annoyingly on his arms and he pulled his red cloak closer.

Today is the day.

Marnamaret was on his feet instantly, hand on his dagger but the roof was empty. Had the goddess truly whispered to him or was he beguiled by the breeze? Staring at the painted image of Hathor, he wondered if she’d given him a blessing. In Pharaoh’s company he’d certainly met Horus the Falcon and several other Great Ones, such as Sobek the Crocodile. Perhaps the goddess was less likely to reveal herself to a mere soldier?

Now the wind carried a distinct chuckle, followed by the faint sound of sistrums, her sacred musical instrument.

Slowly the sounds faded and he was alone. “If—if you have chosen to honor me by accepting my plea, Great One,” he said slowly, searching for the right words as carefully as if he was addressing a high born woman of the court, “Then I’m blessed indeed and I dare to hope it won’t be long before I meet the lady.”

A ray of sun struck the golden disk between the graceful horns of the statue and rebounded into his eyes, making him blink hard. There was no further sign from the goddess and he could no longer smell the lotus which heralded—perhaps—her divine presence.

VS: The goddess Hathor is going to be quite busy today as it happens…

Author’s own collection – Hathor

HEIRESS OF THE NILE

1550 BCE
Forced by a vengeful Pharaoh to flee for her life and hide in the poorest section of Thebes, Lady Pebatma has scraped and struggled to support her ailing mother and young brother for the past two years. Now, out of funds with the rent to pay and no possessions left to sell, she begs the goddess Hathor for help. With a new pharaoh taking the throne, surely something can be done…

A powerful general in command of the army and best friend to Pharaoh, Marnamaret has everything a nobleman in Egypt could desire…except for true love. He refuses to settle for less. On a whim, he prays to Hathor to send him the woman of his dreams.

Will the goddess answer these heartfelt petitions? And if she does, will Shai the god of Fate allow the course of two lives to be changed by love? For none can deny Fate.

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