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Episode may contain the following warnings:
“All incidents and dialogue, and all characters with the exception of some well-known historical figures, are products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Where real-life historical figures appear, the situations, incidents, and dialogues concerning those persons are entirely fictional and are not intended to depict actual events or to change the entirely fictional nature of the work. In all other respects, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Author’s notes about this episode:
[1] A little extra warning: This episode contains strong sexual references and a description of a sexual assault.
[2] The original Title for this episode was: ‘THE DARK PHARAOH.’
[3] A ‘Jericho Tibbs’ original story.
[4] "PHARAOH AMENHOTEP V AND THE MIRROR OF TIME.” This episode, was conceived and written by the author. Copyright © 2011-2025 Stephen Williams. No reproduction of any part without written permission. The episode ILLUSTRATION is an original drawing created by the author. It is copyright ©2011 - 2025 Stephen Williams. No reproduction of any part without written permission.
[5] This episode is one of the author’s personal favourites!
[6] There is an 'ALEXANDRA' series adult extended version currently available entitled:
"ALEXANDRA AND THE DARK PHARAOH."
[7] For background information into what and why the term 'PHARAOH' was used can be found in this 'WIKIPEDIA' entry HERE.
Concept date: 3rd February 2017
First published: 20th June 2018
Status: COMPLETED & PUBLISHED.
Location: BOOK SERIES 1 – EPISODE 9.
Revisions: 3 [last revised March 2019]
Version: Final.
Published Episode No. 09
Previous episode: “Cordless, Cordless & Fraser (Solicitors.)”
Next episode: “The Devil’s circus.”
Age recommendation: 15+
Average reading time: Approximately 75 Minutes.
Angel-in-charge: Margret
Team Assigned: Team 74
Mission: 6 - 116590 - 2 - 1320BC
Human time:
Episode Preview:
1. ROYAL COURT OF PHARAOH at THEBES [LUXOR] during Peret [Growing Season] around 1320BC.
Simhenta-Kara carefully placed the brightly painted chest upon the stone floor and looked about the room that he and his master; Sentus-Kasim had been provided by the Royal Chamberlain. He walked to the large open window, covered by two embroidered curtains and stared out. The city was sprawled out below the window; "Typical, we're at the back of the palace with no view of the river." He sighed and watched, as his master's two household slaves, started to unpack the personal luggage and set the room up.
He quickly adverted his eyes, when Sentus appeared and slumped in a newly placed chair and pulled the thick plaid wig from his head and cursed. He waved at Simhenta and groaned; "Some bloody emissaries have arrived from the Kadesh King and will receive audience with Pharaoh tonight - which means my performance will now be tomorrow night." Ghusan, the old magician's personal body slave, took the wig and placed it upon its stand and checked for new lice.
Lulha handed her master a cup of wine and said nothing. The old man ran his free hand up her thigh until it rested against her taught belly. "Still, it gives me more time to enjoy my new young bed slave." The old man grinned and sipped his wine, running a hand over the girls bum and between her legs; she didn't smile or react.
His groping's were ended by the arrival of the Pharaoh's personal secretary, who informed Sentus that the Pharaoh demanded his presence now. "It is not for performance, but council." The secretary reassured the near panicked magician.
Thus, Sentus and Simhenta, suitably dressed to greet Pharaoh, made their way to the King's personal apartments; both were impressed by the King's bodyguard - Nubian soldiers dressed in silver and gold tunic's with vicious looking curved swords - they were known to be totally loyal to the King.
They knew something was up, when they were shown into the King's inner sanctuary and were greeted by two naked young girls, bearing cups of wine. Simhenta smiled broadly at the pair and received quite a smile back; they were wearing nothing, but thick decorated collars and lotus flowers entwined in their long dark hair. "The King will be here in minutes." Dushan, the King's secretary announced and took a cup from the girls, then shooed them away; with a wave of his hand.
Dushan looked about and pulled the pair close to him; "What the King is about to impart could get you both killed, if you unwisely speak of it, to the wrong person." He then bowed quite low, as a dark curtain was pulled aside by a particularly fierce looking Nubian. Simhenta whispered to his master; "That's Talin, the Pharaoh's personal bodyguard, he never leaves the King's side, he never speaks; except with his sword."
Old Sentus-Kasim gulped and nervously smiled as Pharaoh Amenhotep stood before them; every one bowed quite low. Simhentra immediately noticed the physical difference between the new King and his late predecessor; Pharaoh Tutankhamen who had lain in his tomb, these past three years. Amenhotep was a powerfully build man with cold, cruel eyes of black. He was not known for his mercy. He had taken the throne of Egypt by marriage to the young kings widow and none defied him; he had commanded the Egyptian Army [at the time] and was a great warrior. He was also pious to the old Gods and had overthrown Tutankhamen's father's change, to a single God; the Aten, reverting the Kingdom to the religion of the ancient Gods.
The 'heritic' Pharaoh Akhenaten's name and very existence in Egyptian History had been obliterated from monuments and court records. Even his new capital had been deserted and was turning to ruins in the Armana desert.
Simhentra knew one fact, well known to every Egyptian; you didn't fuck with this Pharaoh. The Pharaoh pointed directly at Simhentra and spoke to Sentus; "Can this young man be trusted with Pharaoh's secrets?" The old Magician bowed even lower, well. as much as his age and back allowed him; "Yes my Lord, Simhentra is my trusted assistant and apprentice. He only speaks of matters that I allow him - I would trust him with my life."
The Pharoah smiled and grunted; "If your wrong in your trust Setus, then it will be your life." Simhentra saw the look of sheer fear upon his old master's face, but said nothing. The King folded his arms adding; "And your life as well." He indicated to Simhentra with another evil smile.
A young naked girl brought a tray with cups of wine and Simhentra noticed that the King's goblet was solid gold, encrusted with jewels, while they received plain silver cups. The Pharaoh gripped old Sentus's shoulder and spoke quietly; "My Captain, who guards the old tombs upon the Giza, discovered that a local family had indulged in some grave robbing. He had them all thrown to the God Hapi and the good God's servants [Nile crocodiles] devoured them. No afterlife for such villains." He grinned broadly and clapped his hands. The young girl disappeared with some haste - like her very life depended upon it.
"If any one here speaks, writes or even whispers about what they see; the God Hapi will have more tasty morsels for his children." Pharaoh nodded to Talin, who walked to the dark curtain and pulled it aside.
Two large Nubian servants carried in a heavy chest and placed it before Pharaoh, standing to one side, when indicated to do so, by Talin. Pharaoh patted the box gently and Talin carefully unlocked the chest, which was entirely painted black with no writing or symbols. "A funeral chest." Sentus muttered and wiped his face with a very nervous hand.
The big Nubian slowly opened the chest which contained bundles of black cloth and Pharaoh pushed his hands inside and slowly lifted a small, square shaped object that easily fitted into one hand. It glinted and sparkled in the light of the rooms lamps; Setus and Simhentra gasped as they could clearly see their reflections upon its strange surface, which also contained hieroglyphs they did not recognise or understand.
"This was robbed from the tomb of a long dead Magician, who served a great Pharaoh some thousand years before." He turned the object in his hands slowly, almost with reverence. He smiled a little, adding; "I've had several of my best and most educated servants and priests examine it. Four are dead and two simply vanished - gone, no trace of them found. Now I want you to discover how the thing works and what purpose it serves."
He placed the object into Setus's trembling hands and patted the old man; "It's our little secret my new friend, after all, no Pharaoh wants to be accused of receiving goods that were robbed from a tomb - now does he?"
Sentus nodded and whispered; "Of course not my Lord." He carefully wrapped the strange, and apparently deadly, object up in the cloth. Pharaoh pointed to the exit; "Go now and see what you discover. But remember, you cannot leave the palace without my express permission - on pain of death. Everything you require will be provided by my secretary Dushan; food, wine, gold and silver, girls, just ask and it will be done."
Sentus and Simhentra bowed and backed slowly towards the door, they were almost outside the chamber when Pharaoh called after them; "Oh, and please don't fail me, as that could have quite unpleasant consequences - for you." The King smiled broadly and walked away with Talin just steps behind him.
They both knew what Pharaoh meant by that - death; thrown to the crocodiles - if they were lucky and if Pharaoh was merciful that day!
And that's if the strange device didn't kill them first.
