100 Things 2/100: So Let it be Written
Title: So Let it be Written
Fandom: Original Fic
Rating: Gen
Orientation: Gen
Word Count: 579
Prompt: for Dark Bingo fill: “Religion”
Notes: I took some liberties; this is how I imagined one little girl might have been affected by the sudden changes decreed by the Pharaoh. This story takes place in the brief period when Tutankhamen’s father abolished all religions and Egypt for a time was monotheistic.
One of the things Sagira loved to do each morning was walk to the temple. It was her habit to do this just before the sun reached the highest part of the sky and the air itself was too hot to breathe in. Inside the temple it was cooler and she could usually find some kittens to play with. Because her mother was held in good favor at the temple, the priestesses allowed Sagira to help put out the food for the temple cats.
Her father Tarik was a guard at the Pharaoh’s summer palace. It was a position of great honor, one held by the men of her family for many generations. Sagira’s brother Nizsm would one day go to train so that he too might follow the path of their ancestors.
One morning, when Sagira woke and joined the family in breaking their fast, her father looked at her and said gravely. “Sagira, you are not to go to the temple today.” He then looked around the table at his family and told them, “There are changes happening. Our Pharaoh Akhenaten has ordered the temples of Bast to close.”
“I don’t understand, father. Why?”
“Do not question your father!” her mother scolded sharply.
Her father held up a hand to stop any further scolding from her mother. “Mert, the child should know what is happening.”
This seemed to be something upsetting to her mother, who loved the temple and the goddess very much. Their family did not worship at any other temples, only the temple of Bast. And now their temple was to be closed?
“The priestesses refused to take down the statues of Bast. They refused to raise new statues to Aten and so this is the punishment, the Pharaoh has ordered the temple to be closed and the priestesses to leave,” her mother said angrily.
“But, how will we leave offerings?” Sagira wondered aloud.
Her father grasped her hand and squeezed it to get her attention. “We are not allowed to leave offerings for any god but Aten. It is forbidden to worship any but the one god, Aten, the light in our sky.”
“He is Amenhotep, and then he is Akhenaten. The sun is Ra and now he is Aten. The old gods must not be spoken of. The names are struck; you have said yourself that some temples have been destroyed. All these changes, how can you be so calm, Tarik?”
“I serve as my fathers served. I do as I am bid. The Pharaoh has decreed this is the way, and so it is the way now. Do not question so, wife. Do not let other ears hear such a tone in your voice. My position will only protect this family so far and no further.”
Sagira’s mother stood up and began to pace around the small room. Her brother’s eyes were very wide in his face as he watched their parents, not really understanding.
“This is a dangerous thing, husband. I fear that the gods will be displeased at being set aside. Their displeasure will bring suffering to our lands one day, mark my words,” Sagira’s mother said.
“It may well happen, Mert. But the Pharaoh has spoken and we must abide.” Her father had left his chair to catch her mother and hold her close.
Something about all of this was bothering Sagira greatly. “Father, if the temple is closed and the priestesses sent away, who will feed the cats?”
The End
Originally posted at http://rinkafic.dreamwidth.org/