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PROLOGUE

NILE FLIGHT

MEMPHIS, EGYPT

1334 BCE

Wails of grief drifted over the city like a black aria The uish, as the sorroirled into the night desert But the winds ferried

They carried the stench of death

Aat nearly every household The young were rasped even the royal farip

Crouched in the shadows of the Te woman tried to block the din and odor As the low over the landscape, she rubbed a heavy gold amulet on her chest and listened for sounds of movement The rustle of leather soles on stone pricked her ears, and she turned to a figure running toward her across the temple’s front portico

Her husband, Gaythelos, was tall, with dark curly hair and broad shoulders His skin was darasped her hand and pulled her to her feet “The way to the river is clear,” he said in a low voice

She gazed beyond him “Where are the others?”

“Securing the boats Come, Meritaten, let us delay no further”

She turned to the shadows behind her and nodded Threethe temple wall, armed with spears and heavy khopesh swords As she followed her husband, they took up a triangular defensive position around her

Gaythelos led them away from the te up dust Despite the late hour, h cracks in their shutters The groupsilent as they crossed the former capital city

The road sloped gently toward the riverside, where rows of s the bank, two ray beards and were dressed in shabby linens

The escorts raised their spears and sprang forward

“Guards! Cease!” Meritaten cried

The armed men froze