Ancient Egypt more than 3000 years ago: In this historical murder mystery, the high priest of Aten is found dead in the temple - stabbed with a sickle sword. Was it murder, or did he turn the sword on himself, as is written on a papyrus. He was a supporter of the controversial Aten religion of the new Pharaoh. Mutnetjmet, the sister of Queen Nefertiti, is a clever and farsighted woman and instructed to investigate the death of the high priest. She uncovers inconsistencies, gets into palace intrigues and has a powerful opponent: the high priest of the ancient religion of Amun, who wants to disempower the new Pharaoh. And these are not the only problems of Mutnetjmet: The royal house also refuses her marriage to the ambitious commander Horemhab. But then the oracle of Amun is consulted and from now on Mutnetjmet is faced with the most important decision of her life...
Excerpt:
Ay’s face darkened a little, “Come on, let’s walk.”
Ay was Mutnedjmet’s adoptive father, whom she had taken completely into her heart. He and his wife Tey could not have children and had taken Mutnedjmet and Nefertiti in when their father, a high noble official from the northern Mitannian Empire, was probably killed by Hittite mercenaries. Mutnedjmet’s biological father had studied for a short time in Thebes and became Ay’s good friend at that time. Why her biological mother finally gave her two daughters, who were still kids at that time, into the care of Ay and his wife after the death of her husband, had never been completely comprehensible. Perhaps she thought that there were better future prospects for her children in the mighty Egypt. But perhaps there was also a lot of money involved. No one knew or wanted to know. But she was never seen again.
Ay and Tey raised the two girls like their own children, they were the sunshine of their lives. And they carefully planned their future.
The high point in Ay’s life was when Nefertiti was married to Amenhotep and thus became Queen. Through this move Ay became the closest advisor to the royal house.
He always tried to treat his two adopted daughters equally and so he was infinitely sorry that Mutnedjmet’s previous wishes had not yet been fulfilled. But Horemhab was his adversary, a competitor who wanted to gain influence by marrying his daughter. At least that was how Ay saw it.
Ay and Mutnedjmet walked a little further, along the holy pond, which was next to the school of scribes. The young woman’s face darkened, she suspected nothing good.
“Well, look, believe me, it’s hard for me to tell you ...,” Ay said hesitantly.
“She did not agree to the marriage contract.”
“The venerable Tiye is still not quite sure about Horemhab.”
“She just doesn’t like him. You don’t like him either.”
Ay fell silent. Mutnedjmet stopped. “...you don’t like him because he was promoted, because he became your competitor. That’s why you won’t allow me to be happy.”
“That’s not true. Believe me. It’s not right. But have you ever asked yourself what Horemhab’s real intentions are?”
