The beseeching of 'Apop that he may raise the Wekhemonkh

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

In the year 18 under the reign of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat, son of Tef-shutehh-imy-djuf, lord of C'tis, child of the ones who came before him, there being 66 among them. On this day came forth the first priest, and the greater priests, and the bearers of scripture, and the eyes of the serpent, and the pure ones, and the speakers of lore, and the eyes looking in Duat. They spoke before the image of the first one, the serpent on his mountain, the one who came before the eldest ones, the bearer of magic, the lord of C'tis as it became, the one who perished before time, the one who rose from Nun and brought Isfet, making life and death into the image of eternity, forever. He is one who was cast down by the God of the Land Unto Its End, the Lord of All That Became. And they spoke to the image of the primordial one, for the God of the Land Unto Its End, Lord of All That Became had gone forth from his abode, having set out on his ship which is the Bark of the Sky Above The Earth And All Between Them, having collected no crew, having spoken of no direction, and the one named Pantokrater sailed into the world beyond Nun. They spoke to the gods around their lord, and they chose one amongst them. They spoke to him of their lord, and they spoke as follows:

"O 'Apop, overflowing of mouth, lord of entropy, devourer of light, o Hemhemty, o golden of skin, lapis lazuli of eyebrows, unequaled of beard, black of eye, evil of face, endless of body. O one encircling the sun, who opens the earth, poisonous one, fiery one, whose coils are in Nun, whose voice is Isfet, whose breath is the repetition of life. So beseeches you Wenti, so beseeches you Djesertep, so beseeches you Wenunut, so beseeches you Mehen, so beseeches you Wamemty, so beseeches you Nehhbitka, so beseeches you Itenu, so beseeches you Webinuf, and Aned, and Bia, and Qebhut, and Emwehnef, and Asbet, and Ikher, and Imne, and 'Ankhit, and Heqer, and Achenirt, and Udjedj, and Henbaa, and Ikhtute, and Utet, and Nebses, and Neserher, and Hiu, and all Akeriu, sons of the earth, your children who are upon the black land, whose father is beyond the horizon, the fierce ones in the valley.

We beseech you, o great one in Duat, that you may make rise the wekhemonkh, the achem, the ra-heza, the nib'ashau, our lord, your servant, the king upon his throne unto forever and eternity, given life again by User and Shutehh; who makes his foes writhe upon the ground, who raises his head to spit in the eye of his enemy, who makes him see darkness by day, who makes him taste bread as ashes, whose command is what you desire, whose word is what makes you rise; his fingers are death, his hands hold eternity, his bones are ebony, his feet trod the road to Duat in going out, his eyes are emptyness, his nostrils are darkness. May you cause that he rises, so that he may cause that you rise. He is Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, He Who Raises 'Apop To Terrible Power, great god, lord of C'tis, ruler of 'Ashau, Adu of Tamere, Septeh-khentyuf, Wekhemonkh. We beseech you, o one who goes on his stomach, to make rise the pure one of jade, the lord of our forebears, he who came before. We shall stand before you and place our heads upon the ground, we shall sing your praise for your awe, we shall place our life before you so that you may weigh our souls before Ammit, who devours the feather upon the scale, and before Shutehh, lord of Isfet, who conquered the land of his enemy. So we beseech you, so we beseech you, so we beseech you."

 
And 'Apop spoke, ad his voice was Isfet, and his breath was the repetition of life.

eier sotemten i bakuy im pe ta kem - metuy sedjeb pe wekhemonkh pe achem pe ra-heza pe neb 'ashau payten neb payey bak pe nesu her payef khendju ti onkh user hena' shutehh septekh payef kheru ro pe ta esetjez tetef re pesog im her kheftyuf - entef se'ary re bau neru neter a'a neb qetyss neb 'ashau adu ni tamere - tuy sedjebef re se'ary - TUY SEDJEBEF - TUY SEDJEBEF - TUY SEDJEBEF -

And before Wenti, and Djesertep, and Wenunut, and Mehen, and Wamemty, and Nehhbitka, and Itenu, and Webinuf, and Aned, and Bia, and Qebhut, and Emwehnef, and Asbet, and Ikher, and Imne, and 'Ankhit, and Heqer, and Achenirt, and Udjedj, and Henbaa, and Ikhtute, and Utet, and Nebses, and Neserher, and Hiu, and all Akeriu, sons of the earth, the breath of 'Apop rose out of the earth, as he is the one who opens the earth. The image of the lord of C'tis, the one who came before, the one who became by himself, the king upon his throne, fell to the ground, and his servants cried out in fear, for it was he whom they served and his image that they loved. The breath of 'Apop came forth from Duat, and it was death. And his servants that knelt before the image of their lord perished, and they passed into Duat. Yet as 'Apop opened the earth they went forth from Duat and stood upon the earth, and they went forth with great joy. For behind them came forth Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, lord of C'tis before it was, one who became by himself, lord of all 'Ashau, and his gaze was upon his servants who were alive and his servants who were repeating life. And he spoke to them, saying:

"O children of the earth, my servants, as the God of the Land Unto Its End, Lord of All That Became, has gone forth from this place, I have heard your voice calling as one. Your voice has reached the ear of 'Apop who is as my being in Duat, and Shutehh, who is as my being in Tamere, and Shutehh went to 'Apop in Duat, and he called to him as one amongst you. And 'Apop spoke in Duat, and he spoke of you, my servants. I have heard his voice, being one before you, and the voice of Shutehh, being one amongst you, and I awoke. I have come forth from Duat, 'Apop having opened the earth, so that I will be your lord again unto eternity and forever! And I shall make 'Apop rise to terrible power, in his being as my form in Duat, and he shall make Duat come forth from itself, so that it may be as my strength in Tamere."

And his servants rejoiced, and they danced and sang for him, the ones who lived and the ones who repeated life, for their lord is Wekhemonkh, Who Repeats Life, having come forth from Duat unto Tamere, lord of C'tis, king of all 'Ashau, mighty of magic, great of darkness, lord of death and life, who causes that his servants repeat life in his service.And he went forth into Tamere to bring the glory of C'tis, and he became again.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 1 - Year 18, month 4 of winter under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

Thus the first priest, and the greater priests, and the bearers of scripture, and the eyes of the serpent, and the pure ones, and the speakers of lore, and the eyes looking in Duat went out from the City, so that they may cause that Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, Wekhemonkh, ruler of C'tis, God of Death and Rebirth, Adu of Tamere, One Who Gives Good Gifts, lord of 'Ashau, Great of Awe awakens. They went out from the city to the tomb of their lord, so that they may call out to him while he slept. And while the first priest went out with those who were in his following, he spoke to the ones remaining in the City. They were Tefset and Khausunhemhemty, being servants of the king, life health and prosperity to him. And he said to them: "We shall go out to the desert and to the tomb of our lord, great god, ra-heza, so that we may call out to him, so that he may rise, and it will be a year. I have come to you so that you may act in accordance to what our king, life health and prosperity to him, wishes while I am away with those who are in my following. The king, life health and prosperity to him, Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat, son of Tef-shutehh-imy-djuf, lord of C'tis, child of the ones who came before him, lord of C'tis, great of might, has decreed that you work so that C'tis may be made great, and that you cause that the lands are subjugated." And they answered: "It will be done." And after he spoke to them, the first priest went out with those in his following, so that they may call out the Wekhemonkh. And Tefset and Khausunhemhemty went forth and caused that the lands were known, so that they may be subjugated.

The lands that are around C'tis.

Our land is C'tis, which is within the heart of Tamere, within which is the City. It measures many leagues north to south and many leagues west to east. Its neighbours:
To the north: Iu-es-re-an, "It shall be beautiful";
To the west: Mennu-ni-ahhet, "Fortress of fields";
To the east: Shem-bau-rirek, "Heat of the hill of Rirek";
To the north and the east: Dju-dennet, "Mountain of the Skull", which is also called Djewu-ni-adj, "Mountains of the Edge";
To the south: Pe-adj-Tamere, "The Edge of Tamere".
Its neighbours, completely. The land is desert whose neighbour is mountains, and the harvest is poor. According to the decree of our king, life health and prosperity to him, we shall subjugate the lands, so that we may increase the harvest, so that we may cause C'tis to grow. We cannot know what foreigners are in these lands, and we shall act with care.

To the east: Shembarirek.

To the east is Shembarirek, and to the east of it is the seat of our lord, the Wekhemonkh, great god, great of awe. We shall go forth so that we may conquer this seat again. Beyond this land is the Mouth of 'Apop, he who opens the earth, the place in which the first priest has entered so that he may call to Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, king upon his throne forever unto eternity. We shall go forth from the City and from C'tis, so that we may follow the first priest and so that we may hail our lord, great god. But the vile foreigners know of this seat, and that it is power upon power. They will be there in great numbers, and they will not know that they are on a holy place. We shall drive them from it, so that it may be cleansed, and so that it may again be the seat of the god.

Within the land of C'tis: Chery-neter, the City of Tombs

Within the lands is the Cheryt-neter, the City of Tombs, being a divine place. It is a place of power, hewn from the mountain and the precious stone from it. May those who dwell within it be praised!

Within the land of C'tis: the Empoisoners' Guild

Within the land is also the Empoisoners' Guild, being... not a divine place. Khausunhemhemty says: "It is a place of what is in the mouth of 'Apop, he who encircles the sun, who rises from Duat. It is a divine place." Tefset says: "It is not a divine place." They made words at eachother.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 2 - Year 18, month 1 of summer under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

And thus it happened that Khausunhemhemty went forth to see the lands which were neighbours to C'tis, and he went forth from the gates in secret and veiled, that his foes might not see him. And he went into the fertile lands, and he reported: "The fertile land is taken by barbarians who do not know the great god, and they are upon the land as locusts. Your servant writes to report that I am going forth into the lands beyond these, and they are also taken by barbarians. They are an abomination upon C'tis, and they will be made to fall."

And his report arrived in the City, and Tefset said: "I have read the report of the servant Khausunhemhemty, and I shall go forth with my expedition to punish the barbarians in the fertile lands! O Inep and Shutehh, may I go forth in accordance with the wishes of Mezehh-imy-iteru, life, prosperity and health be upon him, the king of C'tis, ruler of the City, great god, who has decreed thusly. Your servant Shall go forth from the City and return with victory and give praise to you!" And thus Tefset went forth from the City, bringing with him the expedition of the City's soldiers to vanquish the barbarians in the fertile lands. The fertile lands were the lands of Tamere, the land unto its end, and thus they were under the domain of C'tis.

He left, leaving in his absence a reborn one who had come forth from the temple of 'Apop, great god, devourer of life, to study the ancient scrolls of magic, his name being Pesherinep, son of Peteanket, priest of 'Apop and keeper of the scrolls. And he said to Tefset, commander of the expedition: "Be greeted, O Tefset, son of Petusir, commander of the expedition. Go forth unto these lands, and vanquish these enemies of C'tis. I shall search within the scrolls, that we may know the magic of our ancestors who came before us, and who shall come again according to what Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, Wekhemonkh, lord of C'tis, ruler of 'Ashau, god of death and rebirth wishes. And I shall ask the priests in the temple to come forth with their scrolls, and the magicians in the palace to come forth with their scrolls, and we shall cause that the magic of our ancestors who came before us is known again." And Tefset said: "I shall go forth unto Mennunahet and vanquish these vile foes!" And he went forth from the City.

---

And beneath the Chery-neter the first priest of the temple domains spoke his words to 'Apop, great god, lord of Isfet, and he pleaded for the waking of the great one who was sleeping. And the ground trembled, and 'Apop said to them these words: TUY SEDJEBEF. And the world shook, and the ones who came before in their tombs heard the voice of 'Apop, and they heard that their lord would soon awaken. And they, too gathered at the gates of Duat in anticipation, and they were countless in number. "Let the 'Ashau rise," they said unto 'Apop. "Let our lord rise." And 'Apop said unto them: TUY SEDJEBEF.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 3 - Year 18, month 2 of summer under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

Commander of the expedition Tefset, son of Petusir, went forth from the city, and in his following was the expedition force at the head of which he was placed. And they went forth into Mennunahet in the fertile lands. They did battle against the foul barbarians, and they brought victory to the king, life, prosperity and health be unto him. They made the enemies fall, and made the lands of C'tis grow.

The land of Mennunahet and its neighbours.

And he reported to the city: "This land is Mennunahet, of the domain of Na-ashu-ni-Sakhmet-nekhet, its neighbours:
To the east: Niut, the City;
To the east and north: Iu-es-re-an;
To the north: Aned-re-yat, "Aned upon the hill";
To the north also: Heby-itjetj Imenty, the Western Ascending Ibis river branch;
Beyond it to the north: Reny-red-hor, "The roped calf of Horus";
To the west: Shenuy-tep, "Forest of the peak", also named Chenmet-ni-Duat, "Well of Duat".
Its neighbours, completely. The land is fertile land aside the river Hebitjetj, having eight kha dwellers who will fulfill the king's harvest taxes. The harvest is mediocre, but under the guidance of the great god, the harvest shall increase unto greatness. Your servant shall go forth into the land to make a census of the dwellers who shall fullfill the king's harvest taxes, so that order may be kept."

It was some days until the report of Tefset arrived in the City. Then, chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket, commanded a small expedition to go forth into the desert Shembarirek. She went forth from the city, with sacred serpents of the domain of 'Apop in her following. She said: "I shall go forth into the lands of Duat, where our ancestors who came before us rest in their tombs, and drive out the foul poachers. They shall be cast down upon the ground with my blade, and my fear shall be great in them!" And she went forth from the City into Shembarirek.

---

The king, life, prosperity and health be unto him, was in the great palace within the City. He was upon his throne, and said: "Bring to me the reports of the commanders who have gone forth," and they were brought to him. He said: "Bring to me the report of those who are in the following of the first priest of the domain of the great temple," and they were brought to him. He considered these documents, and his vizier was silent beside him. And then the king said: "My commanders who have gone forth are great of victory and knowledge, and it pleases my heart. But I wish that the work of the first priest and those in his following is done with increasing speed, it is slow." Yet his hand which held the documents was not still, and within him was fear for Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, the Wekhemonkh, for the god was being made to repeat life, and he was to rule the 'Ashau upon his return from Duat. And Mezehh-imy-iteru was filled with fear, because he would not be king upon the return of the one who came before him. He was upon his throne, and gathered his court. And he asked of them: "Who is your lord?" And they said unto him: "You are our lord, O king, life, health and prosperity be unto you, ruler of C'tis, lord of the City." And they went onto their knee for him, and he sent them away. Yet he was still fearing, because he knew they served the god who was coming too.  And he decreed that good soldiers were brought to him, and they they be made his troops, and that they be trained so that they might protect him. Yet he was still fearing, and he knew he could not do a thing.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 4 - Year 18, month 3 of summer under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

Commander of the expedition Tefset returned to the City in victory, having conquered Mennunahet. He entered into the City, seeing that it was well. He brought the harvest of Mennunahet, and the granaries of the City were filled for a time. And the king, life, health and prosperity unto him, Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat, lord of C'tis, child of the ones who came before him, ordered that new soldiers be called from the people. And he went into the granaries, and saw that they were filled. He called to Commander of the expedition Tefset, son of Petusir, and said: "My heart is satisfied with this harvest! You are excellent of plans and great of strength." And the king spoke to Tefset, and he was awed. And so Tefset answered: "I am greatly praised by my lord. I am your servant, truly." And the king was gladdened, for his commander of the expedition was indeed excellent.

The king said: "I have received a report from chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket, who went forth from the city with a small troupe into the plains of Shembarirek. My servant has said to me: "I have gone forth from the City, O king, life, health and prosperity be unto you, and proceeded into the plains of Shembarirek with my expedition." She has done according to my wishes." And Tefset bowed before the king, saying: "She is truly a great commander for going out from the city with a small force."  And another report arrived from chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket, who had gone forth from the City and proceeded into Shembarirek.

O king, life, health and prosperity be unto you, lord of C'tis, child of the ones who came before you, I greet you! May User bless you upon your throne, o majesty. I have acted according to your wishes, and gone forth from the City into Shembarirek. I have taken few troops into the plains that I may do battle with the barbarians in the hills. I have come upon them in the plains and done battle.

The enemy has appeared before us, and their forces are meagre! They shall fall before the power of C'tis.

"They came forth from their encampment, but their archers were weak. Their infantrymen came forth, and they came opun our forces, and they received the bite of the holy serpents of the temple.

The enemy fell onto the earth, and they fled from us. We gained voctiry in the name of your majesty, and gave chase to these miserable foes. We went forth after them and cast them down. It is done according to what you wish, my lord. We have come upon Shembarirek, having gone forth from the City, and having cast down your foes. Heat-of-the-hill-of-Rirek is under yur power, o majesty, o great god, o ruler of C'tis. Your servant awaits your decree at Shembarirek. Its neighbours:
To the north: Raq-den, "The enmity is cut off";
To the north and east: Is-kuenet, "Palace of the fig tree";
To the east: Fay-ni-rekehy-a'a, "Carrier of the great fiery one";
To the north and west: Djudennet, also called Djewunadj;
To the west: The City.
Its neighbours, completely. Shembarirek is a desert, it has no harvest and its people are poor. It has precious metals in great amounts, we shall cause that expeditions be sent to retrieve them for C'tis. They shall be sent to the city as tribute.

and

To the east, in the land of Faynrekhya'a is the seat of our lord, the Wekhemonkh, great god, great of awe. We cannot go forth into Faynirekhya'a, bcause there are foul enemies upon the land that have greater numbers than our forces. Your servant reports as such, and thus I request of your majesty that more forces are sent to Shembarirek, so that we may attack the foes in Faynrekhya'a. When I receive them, I shall go forth with them into the land so that we may conquer the seat of our lord.

- chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket

And the heart of the king was pleased because of his servant, chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitenket. And he said to Tefset: "My heart is satisfied with my servants. Go forth now, commander of the expedition Tefset, son of Petusir, with the forces in your following, and unite with chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket in the plains of Shembarirek. Go forth from there and into Faynrekhya'a, so that you may conquer the seat of our lord!" And Tefset said: "it will be as your majesty decrees." And he placed in his following every force in the City, and he went forth from the City into Shembarirek, so that he may unite with Tesnakhtenanket, and go forth into Faynrekhya'a.

---

The king was within the palace, and his heart was in turmoil. For the report from his servant, chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket, was great of excellence. She would go forth into Faynrekhya'a and make her foes fall, and conquer the seat of the Wekhemonkh. The Wekhemonkh would be made more powerful, and his majesty would grow. And the majesty of the king would wane. After several months, the Wekhemonkh, great god, would rise up and go forth from Duat, so that he might rule the 'Ashau and be king of C'tis. Mezehh-imy-iteru son of 'Apop-em-hat was afraid, for he was king: if the great god, god of death and rebirth awoke, he would not rule. Within the court of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, wekhemonkh, ra-heza, achem, Mezehh-imy-iteru would not be king. He would be a servant of the king who had risen. A vizier? A chief commander? His heart shook because of this, and he knew he could not have words about it.

Thus, the king, life, health and prosperity be unto him, said to his patrician: "I shall go forth and take my blade, and I shall place many powerful ones in my following, that I might go forth from the City myself to conquer the lands of C'tis. My majesty decrees that the strong ones within the City gather before the Palace, that I might place them in my following." His court heard his words, and they cried out, for their king would go forth into battle. And they said: "You majesty, our lord! The danger is great outside the City, and you know to place the powerful ones in your following. Your majesty is wise and great of plans, but is this plan truly great?" And he said unto them: "I am your lord, lord of C'tis, ruler of 'Ashau! You say that you will not act according to my majesty's decree?" And they fell upon the floor, quaking, placing their snout against the stone, and they said: "No! No, your majesty! We will act according to your decree."

And the king sat upon his throne, and caused that his word be brought to him, with his armour, and he caused that more powerful ones gathered before the palace. For he was full of fear, and he wished for many strong ones to surround him, like 'Apop encircles the sun. His heart was trembling, and he knew he could not have words about it. He counted the days and months before the Wekhemonkh would rise.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 5 - Year 18, month 4 of summer under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

Thus expedition commander Tefset, son of Petusir went forth from the City into Shembarirek, that he might unite with chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket therein. In his following were many powerful 'Ashau who went forth from the City. They marched into Shembarirek, and they met with the forces under chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, and they rejoiced. And Tefset said to Tesnakhtenanket: "I greet you, o chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket. I have come from the City with those in my following, that we might conquer the seat of the Wekhemonkh, our lord, great god, so that he may rise." Tesnakhtenanket answered: "His majesty is great of plans, truly. We shall divide our troops according to what is necessary. The foul enemies in Faynirekhya'a have seen our arrival, and they have gone forth from their camp in fear of our power. Few remain, and we do not need the entire expedition to conquer it." Tefset said: "You are wise, chief commander. I have seen that in the Djudennet too, the foes have left their camp, and few remain in it. His majesty has decreed that we conquer Faynirekhya'a with these forces, but is it not wise to conquer Djudennet too?" Tesnakhtenanket said: "His majesty has decreed it, and I shall act according to his decree. But you are cunning, Tefset. Here, we shall split the expedition in half, and I shall take one half to conquer Faynirekhya'a, and you shall take one half to conquer Djudennet. We shall bring the divine serpents of the temple amongst them, and they shall rejoice for their being there. We shall go forth from Shembarirek and conquer these lands in the name of our lord, Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat, king of C'tis, lord of 'Ashau; and C'tis shall be made great." And Tefset agreed with Tesnakhtenanket, and they split their expedition in half, and went forth from Shembarirek. And Tefset went into Djudennet, and Tesnakhtenankh went into Faynirekhya'a.

---

The king was within the palace, and he was walking in the corridor. He had taken his armour and his sword, and he had stood before the people, saying: "I have taken up my weapons to go to battle for the glory of C'tis! I shall gather many powerful 'Ashau and Akeriu under my command, and I shall go forth with them in my following." And the 'Ashau rejoiced, they jubilated, they sang, they danced, for their king was a great one with power. But the king was still full of fear, for the month of the rising of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, the Wekhemonkh, great god, would happen soon. And he stood in the corridor of the palace, which was on the terrace of splendour, being aside the beginning of Djudennet. He saw out of the palace, and he saw the City below. And before him, on the terrace of the northern wind, was the temple and its domain. He saw the black flags of Shutehh rising above the temple pylon, and he saw the priests on the roof who were doing rituals for the god.

The king said: "I shall be a powerful one even beyond the rising of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru. I shall not fall to the knee before him like the common 'Ashau. I shall be as a king before another king!" And he walked in the corridor, returning when he reached its end, and returning again. He stopped when he was doing the fifth returning, while he was seeing out of the palace. And he looked upon the temple, and he said: "I know what I shall do. I shall go into the temple, and I shall raise myself as the messenger of the god himself. And I shall be great of power before the people, for I shall be the sole companion of the god when he is awake. I shall be the one who repeats the voice of the great god!"

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 6 - Year 18, month 1 of the wet season under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

And thus, the king, life, prosperity and health be unto him, went forth from the palace towards the temple. He was equipped with his armour and his sword, adorned with all the regalia, with many strong ones in his following. His brow was gold, his beard was lapis lazuli, like a god come forth from the sky. He carried the was and the kherep,  and his robes were of royal linen. Aside him were the sacred serpents of the temple, having come to guide him, and keeper of the tombs, choachyte, keeper of the sacred flame, Setemhat, son of choachyte Iaertes, having come forth from the Chery-neter in the west. And he went to the temple, and said to the priests therein: "Be greeted, o servants of the temple, who do as the god commands. I have come to you that I may seek the blessing of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, our lord, who is in Duat, whose being on this land is Shutehh, whose being in Duat is 'Apop. While the first priest and those in his following are before the image of the god that he may come forth from Duat, I have heard his wish! I shall go forth from the City with many strong 'Ashau in my following, and I shall be the one who repeats the voice of the great god to the people who are in Tamere. Many barbarians are within the lands of Tamere, and they have not heard the wish of our lord, the great god, and they shall fall before the splendour of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, the Wekhemonkh. According to what the majesty of the god wishes, I shall go forth in his name and cause that they hear his words." And the king stood within the temple, and the priests went to their knee before him. They said: "O king, life, prosperity and health be unto you, truly you are the child of Shutehh upon this land." And they brought to him incense and myrrh, and fine linens and necklaces of gold, and they adorned him with them. And they poured oils for him, that he might be cleansed before the god. And he went before the image of the god within the temple, and he praised the god greatly. He went froth from the temple, and the sacred serpents lowered their head in his presence, and keeper of the tombs, choachyte, keeper of the sacred flame, Setemhat, son of choachyte Iaertes, said: "Be greeted, o king, life, prosperity and health be unto you, o he who repeats the voice of the great god."He went unto his knee, and the priests of the temple went to their knee. Ad the king went froth from the temple, and caused that it was proclaimed: "Praise be to Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, lord of 'Ashau, god of death and rebirth, ruler of C'tis, who rests within Duat! Praise be to Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat, the king, life, prosperity and health be unto him, the lord of the City, lord of 'Ashau, who repeats the voice of the great god!"

---

Expedition commander Tefset, son of Petusir, went forth from Shembarirek, having split the force in halves. In his following was one half of the expedition, the other half being in the following of chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket. And he went froth from Shembarirek into Djudennet, and he was wishing to please his majesty greatly. He came upon the enemies in the mountains, and he looked upon them. He said: "We are equal in number, yet the expedition of C'tis is powerful unlike any other troop! We shall go forth into the field and cause the enemy to fall before us!" And they went forth, and they did battle against the enemy.

Tefset returned to Shembarirek, four defenders of the city being in his following. And he cried out to the sky: "How terrible! How evil are these foes!" And he fell to the ground, and wept. For the enemy had many archers, who had slain his expedition, and magicians, who had made seshedu, great thunderbolts, come down from the sky unto his troops. And he was filled with shame, for he had fled from the mountains because of them. And he placed the four defenders of the city in his following, and he went forth from Shembarirek into the City, that he may return with shame to his lord, the king, life, prosperity and health be unto him, and report what had happened in Djudennet.

He did not know that two defenders of the city, one sacred serpent, and one infantrylizard had gone forth from Djudennet, and they had lived, having come into the City by themselves. And they went to the palace. They reported to the king what had happened in Djudennet, and the king was displeased, for he had decreed that Tefset go to Shembarirek that he might unite with Tesnakhtenanket, that they might conquer Faynirekhya'a with the two amongst them. But the king did not wait for the return of expedition commander Tefset, for he had gathered several strong 'Ashau, and he went forth from the City into the land named Iusrean to the north, that he might cause his enemies to fall, and that he might repeat the oice of the great god to those who dwelled within it.

Tesnakhtenanket went forth from Shembarirek, having placed half of the expedition in her following. She went into Faynirekhya'a, the land of the seat of the god, and she did battle with the foes that had beset the seat of the god. They had come unto the seat, and they had placed their own lord upon it, yet he did not receive magic from it, for he was not a servant of the god. And Tesnakhtenanket came upon them at the seat of the god, and she said: "O vile barbarians, fall before the force of C'tis! We are the followers of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, the Wekhemonkh, great god, lord of C'tis, ruler of 'Ashau! He shall rise from Duat to become seated upon the throne which is within this land, that he might become greater than any god. You, who are in this land, cannot sit upon the seat of the god, for you are not his servants. Go forth from this land, and do not return!" But they laughed at her words, and she was greatly angered. And she went forth into battle with these foes, that she might conquer the seat of the god.

And she did battle with them on the plains before the seat of the god, and she caused them to fall upon the ground before the power of the expedition of C'tis. While several of her ainfantrylizards and sacred serpents perished for the glory of C'tis, the enemy writhed upon the ground, and they slew all amongst them. And she sent a report to the City, declaring that she had conquered the seat of the god within Faynirekhya'a in the name of the king, life, prosperity and health be upon him, and in the name of the great god. And she commander that the expedition return to the City, that they might renew their strength and that she might place more 'Ashau in her following.

The land of Faynirekhya'a, in the domain of Shutehh-imy-djuf, its neighbours:
To the north: Iskuenet;
To the north and east: Pe-khopesh-ier-peresh-pe-ta, "The scimitar that split open the land", also called Kopesh, "The scimitar";
To the west: Shembarirek, of the same domain;
To the east: Ra-Duat, "Mouth of Duat", the great opening of the earth.
Its neighbours, completely. It is a desert land, with few who dwell within it, without harvest, with few minerals. It holds the seat of the god, being Neset-shemu.

Neset-shemu, the Throne of Summer, which is in Faynirekhya'a.

And the report of chief commander Tesnakhtenanket arrived within the City, and it was read before his majesty. And his majesty said: "Truly, chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket is excellent of insight. She has conquered the Neset-shemu, seat of the god, that he may be great upon it." And the court praised the king for his excellent commander, and they rejoiced, for the Neset-shemu was in the domain of C'tis. And his majesty said to keeper of the tombs, choachyte, keeper of the sacred flame, Setemhat, son of choachyte Iaertes: "O Setemhat, go forth from the City and go to Faynirekhya'a with swift pace, that you may cleanse the land and dedicate the Neset-shemu to our lord, great god, lord of 'Ashau." And Setemhat went upon his knee before his majesty, and said: "O my lord, I shall go according to what you have decreed. It shall be done!" And he went forth from the City, with no other Akeriu or 'Ashau in his following, that he might cleanse the Neset-shemu.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 7 - Year 18, month 2 of the wet season under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

So keeper of the tombs, choachyte, keeper of the sacred flame, Setemhat, son of choachyte Iaertes went forth from the city to the seat of the god, the holy place which rose above the desert. And he came into Faynirekhya'a and went to the seat of the god. It was high above the desert, and he beheld it and was filled with awe, for this place was the domain of the gods. He said: "O my lord, o great god, o wekhemonkh. I behold the glory of your throne, and it is truly great and holy. I place myself on my knee before it, and I kiss the ground in the splendour of your palace." And before him was the seat of the god, and it was the Throne of Summer. Rays came from it upon the land, causing that the desert burned. Yet beyond it was the opening of the earth, and the dark was within it. The throne stood atop the edge of the opening, but its rays did not enter that place.

Seeing the splendour of Set and the might of 'Apop, beholding the opening of the earth before the seat of the god.

And he said: "This is a holy place! Upon this red sand is the seat of the god, and I am not one who is permitted upon it. I am full of fear for the god's anger!" And he did not go onto the terrace of the seat of the god. He remained below the terrace, and placed his tent there. He knew that this place was a revered one, and that is was to be revered by the ones who dwelt in the land. So he gathered in his following the people of the land who had been freed from the foul barbarians who had come upon it, and he said to them that they would build a temple upon it, that they might revere the god's palace. And the people were joyful, and they said to Setemhat: "We shall build this temple for the god, that he may see our praise when he arrives at his seat."

And Setemhat made his report, and sent it to the City, saying: "Be greeted, o king! It is your servant, Setemhat son of Iaertes who is within Faynirekhya'a that he might cleanse the seat of the god therein. I am not one who is permitted unto the seat of the god. I dare not go inside it to cleanse the place for the return of the god! I beseech you, o king, o lord, that you send one who is permitted within this sacred place. This choachite is not one who is permitted." And the report came into the City while the king was not there, for he had gone forth into the lands of Iusrean. The vizier received the report, and when he read it, he sent it forth into Iusrean behind the expedition of the king, the one who repeats the speech of the god.

---

The king went forth from the City into the land of Iusrean, and in his following were thirty-one strong ones of C'tis, and seven sacred serants of the temple. And they went forth into Iusrean to do battle with the foreigners there. They knew that there were thirty foreigners there with weapons, and they knew they would bring vistory to their lord on this day. And they arrived in Iusrean, and they did battle with the foreigners. But they were not thirty! they were thirty-nine, and the expedition saw them with some worry. But then the king, the one who repeats the speech of the god, lord of the City, ruler of 'Ashau, said to them: "Be not full of fear, for we are the ones who are blessed by the god!" And as the foreigners came forth on their horses, the king called down the blessing of the god upon his men, and they were filled with strength and joy. And they went into battle with a great roar. And they did battle with the enemy, of whom many were on horses, and they slew them until they fled. Yet they had lost many men too, and the king was saddened because of it.

The king and those in his following went into the land of Iusrean, and they were weary of battle. They inspected the land and counted those who dwelled within it, and they saw that is was a good land.

The land of Iusrean in the domain of Pa-ihu-ni-heby-a'a, its neighbours:
To the north: Hebitjetj Imenty, the river;
Beyond it to the North: Renyredhor;
To its north and west: Anedryat;
To its west: Mennunahet;
To its south: The City;
To its east: Raqden;
To its east and north: Hebitjetj Iabety, the river;
Beyond it to the east and north: Ipet-resyt-qy-a'a, "The Southern Domain, great of form", which was the place of praising the gods when those who came before lived upon the land.
Its neighbours, completely. The land of Iusrean is a good land, and its harvests are great. Those who dwell within it number over ten kha, and it is a land of great fortune.

And they found within this land a great place of learning, which was hidden beyond the encampment of the foreigners. It was a great library, and within it were several precious stones of magic, which they took for the glory of C'tis. The king's heart was gladdened by this, and he praised the god for the finding of this library. Also within it was a band of seshedu-in-binding, and thunderbolts would not harm the one who carried it. And Mezehh-imy-iteru took it, so that he might not be struck down by the magic of any foreigners.

Then the report of Setemhat, son of Iaertes reached the king in his camp, and he caused that it was repeated for him. And he said to his men: "We shall go forth from this place, so that I may go to the seat of the god in Faynirekhya'a! keeper of the tombs Setemhat is not one who is permitted onto the seat of the god, that he might cleanse it. I shall go forth from Iusrean towards that place, that I might cleanse the seat of the god by myself. We shall go forth into Raqden, where we shall do battle with the enemies that reside in it. Do not fill your hearts with fear, for we shall unite with chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket therein, that we might do battle with the two of us together. We shall cast down our foes, and I shall march unto the seat of the god." And those in his following were lightened of heart, for they knew they would bring victory to their lord. They went forth from Iusrean into Raqden, for the glory of C'tis. And from the south came chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, and she went forth from Shembarirek so that she might unite with the expedition of the king in Raqden.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 8 - Year 18, month 3 of the wet season under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

His majesty went forth from Iusrean, in his following being the strong ones of C'tis who fought the foes therein. He went into Raqdan, having sent a messenger to his chief commander, Tesnakhtenanket daughter of Tinetanket, who was in Shembarirek. And she went forth too from Shembarirek into Raqdan, according to the command of her king Mezehh-imy-iteru son of 'Apop-em-hat, ruler of C'tis, great lord, who repeats the speech of the god. And they went forth into Raqdan and united their expeditions upon the battlefield. They were forty-six, being divine serpents of the temple, infantrylizards with twin khopeshes, infantrylizards with spear, ones who guard the house of their ancestors, and those who throw poison at their foes. And they were placed upon the field in one group, without distinction, for the king did not know of placing forces against the foe in good places.

 

The enemies who stood before them counted fifty-one, being bow-men, infantrymen with spears, and infantrymen with swords. They shot their arrows at his majesty's expedition, and he was angered greatly. He commanded that his troops go forwards to meet the cowardly enemy, who were hiding behind their bow-men.

And they went forth towards the foes who were on the field, and they brought down their khopeshes on their heads so that they might make them fall. And the king said to them great words, and their hearts were widened greatly by it. And he said to them words of victory, and by his words they achieved victory over the cowardly foes!

And they fled before the power of the one who repeats the speech of the god, and they were cast upon the earth. And the expedition of the king and the chief commander followed after the cowardly foes and slew them, leaving none behind.

Near a third of the expedition had fallen for the victory of the great ruler of 'Ashau, but they brought victory to his majesty. The blood of the enemies spilled on the earth, and the praising of the gods his majesty did caused that the land was fertile where it fell.

The land of Raqdan, in the domain of Pa-ihu-ni-heby-a'a, its neighbours:
To the north: Iperesyqya'a;
To the east: Iskuenet, of the same domain;
To the west: Iusrean, of the same domain;
To the south: Shembarirek, of the domain of Shutehh-imy-djuf.
Its neighbours, completely. The land is good land for harvests, and dwelling in it are over ten kha people. The harvest tax will be good from these lands.

And his majesty saw the victory which his expedition had brought in the name of the god. He said: "O 'Ashau! This victory is the victory of the great god, the wekhemonkh, the god of death and rebirth. For from the blood of the foes who have fallen before us grows the harvest of the next summer, and it shall be plentiful. Let us praise the gods who are behind us, that they may give us victory every day from this day on." And the 'Ashau cheered and sang, and they were joyful for his majesty's words. And his majesty said to them: "I shall go forth to Faynirekhya'a, that I may cleanse the seat of the god, the throne of summer, that our lord, the great god, might be made great beyond all gods." And he went forth into Shembarirek, with the expedition in his following, that they might divide therein.

---

Those who were within the City sent forth a messenger to his majesty, and they repeated what had happened therein. For a wondrous thing had happened in the City: an Akery had done magic upon one of the 'Ashau who dwelled within the City. He had caused the 'Asha to be as a frog!

The 'Asha's neighbours did not know the magic which they saw, and they became angry. In their anger, they slew the Akery for his power. The ones who guard the City did not come when it happened, and they reproached the 'Ashau for slaying the Akery, for there were few magicians within the City. The ones who guard the City went to his house, and they stopped the neighbours from taking from it, and they took the things within it to the Temple library.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 9 - Year 18, month 4 of the wet season under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

His majesty walked for many days, and those in his following went away from him in Shembarirek. His majesty went into Faynirekhya'a, that he might cleanse the seat of the god in year year 19, the first month of winter. And those in his following came under the heading of chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tinetanket, and they returnedinto the City, that she might unite with commander of the expedition Tefset, son of Petusir, so that they might go forth to the west into the domain of Na-ashu-ni-Sakhmet-nekhet. Their journey lasted many days, and they went through the desert which was cooled by the winds of the south, those that came while it was winter, and brought the cool breath of Nun.

(nothing happened. units moved.)

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 10 - Year 19, month 1 of winter under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

Year 19, month 1 of winter, the planting season: His majesty went forth into Faynirekhya'a, that he might cleanse the seat of the great god. And he traveled across the desert, to the edge of the mountains, which descend into the mouth of Duat. And he arrived at the temple of the great god, lord of C'tis therein, and the priests came forth. They said to him: "O majesty, O ruler of 'Ashau, O he who repeats the speech of the god, be welcome in this house of the great god. We shall bring to you all what it is you ask."

And his majesty said to the priests: "I have come to this place that I might cleanse the seat of the god. Bring me your sistrums, your rattles, your paraphernalia, ten priests from the house of the god; twenty cubits of royal linen with which to decorate the seat, six hin of morinaga oil, and a black bull. We shall go forth onto the mountain, that we might perform the rites of the god before his seat. We shall play our sustrums and rattles and his seat, that he might revel in the music of Ihy, and that the demons be driven out by our sound. We shall arrange the drapes and hangings upon his seat, that he might sit upon it in peace. We shall pour for him the morinaga oil, that the lands are made pleasant and that its scent be pleasing to his nostrils. And we shall slaughter for him a black bull, Apis who has come, so that he is welcomed with food, and that Apis becomes as Osiris in his place in Duat."

And the priests gave him these things, and ten priests, and they went into the mountains to perform the rites of the god at his seat.

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Within the Cith, the 'Ashau celebrated year 19 under the rule of Mezzehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat. They were on the streets singing and dancing. Yet, within the palace, there was no dancing. There were commander of the expedition Tefset, son of Petusir, and chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tanitanket. And in their following were eighty-two powerful ones of the 'Ashau, who had gathered there under the command of his majesty. And they said to eachother: "We shall go forth into Mennunahet on this day, and march towards Chenmenduat and Anedryat. We shall go into these lands to drive out the enemies within them, and to drive them away from the seat of the god within Anedryat. His majesty shall be pleased." And they went forth from the palace.

And at the temple, choachyte, keeper of the sacred flame, Setemhat son of choachyte Iaertes, with lector-priest Pesherinep, son of Peteanket, came forth and said to Tefset and Tesnakhtenanket: "We shall go forth with you, that we might bring the wisdom of the temple and the magic from its library with us. The lands are cold, and our troops will be slowed by it. Winter is a blessed season for planting the fields, but it is not for moving soldiers." And the commanders saw their wisdom, and they joined with the priests from the temple.

And within the temple, high priestess Tinetwertihekau, daughter of Shemty, came forth from the library, bearing many scrolls of magic. And she said unto the priests therein: "I shall go forth into the Chery-neter, that I might seek wisdom from those who came before us. I shall praise them within their tombs. May they give us the answer we seek."And the priests praised her for her insight, and she went into the Chery-neter that she might praise the ones who came before.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 11 - Year 19, month 2 of winter under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

And as the sun rose from the horizon, brightening the land with its countenance, his majesty stood before the seat of the god. He spoke the words of the rituals, and poured the oil around the seat of the god, that it might be made pleasant. The rays of the sun touched the top of the seat of the god, and it awoke in splendour! The king dressed the seat with royal linen, and it lit up red as the sand of the high land at dawn. The priests sang and played their sistrums and rattles, and the ones within the temple heard it. That divine sound rang from the mountaintop, and the light heard it and came to the seat of the god. And they brought forth the black bull, and slaughtered it before the throne. Its blood dyed the ground , and from it grew a young sycamore tree. His majesty carved from the bull a leg, and it was the finest of its kind. And he spoke to the seat of the god: "Behold, this is truly the finest cut of leg one has ever seen. Praise be Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, lord of C'tis, god of death and rebirth, wekhemonkh, whose form is Shutehh and whose form is 'Apop. I give to you this leg,that you may be delighted." And he placed the cut upon the seat of the god, and it burst into flame. It was the fire of the god, truly: for the royal linen did not burn, and the fire rose to the heavens. And this was the day of the festival of burning, its first day, when those within the city burnt an offering for the god. And the heat of the flame was as rays of light, springing from the seat of the god. And the land was warm beneath it, and the god as pleased greatly.

---

Within the City the reports from Faynirekhya'a arrived with great speed, and the people cheered and sang, for the warmth of the great god spread across the lands even in winter. And they cheered further, because good news arrived from the lands around the City. From the west, from Mennunahet, came several stones of magic:

And to the north, from Raqden, came a harvest of great measure:

Truly, year 19 under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat was a fortuitous year, blessed by the god, plentiful of things.

And with this news commander of the expedition Tefset son of Petusir and chief commander Tesnakhtenanket daughter of Tinetanket went forth from Mennunahet into Chenmenduat, and those in their following were warmed with the heat of the god within the lands within his domain.

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High priestess Tinetwertihekau, daughter of Shemty was within the Chery-neter, that she might pray for those who came before. And a whisper spoke to her, saying that she would come to a tomb within the Chery-neter. And she followed it, het legs pacing in its following. And it said to her "be greeted, high priestess." And she was filled with fear, for there were no Akeriu or 'Ashau within the Chery-neter besides her. Yet she followed, and she arrived at a very large tomb. She knew the tomb, and its chapel, and its courtyard, and its lower temple. The tomb was the tomb of his majesty, 'Apop-em-hat, true of voice, son of Tef-shutehh-imy-djuf, being the father of his majesty, Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat, ruler of C'tis. And she said: "I greet you, O majesty, O one true of voice, O he who came before." And she entered within the lower temple, and the courtyard, and the chapel. And she stood within the holy place within it, and before her was the closed tomb.

And from within it a voice spoke to her. And the sealed tomb opened, its doors being unbarred. And she gave praise to those who came before, and to those who dwelt within the Chery-neter, and she fell upon her knees. And she spilled from her robe many stones of magic, and they shattered upon the pavement. And they became as dust before her. And the voice spoke to her, saying: "O daughter of the children of the gods, O Akeryte, enter within this tomb of mine." And she enetered into the opened tomb, and she walked and walked down into the chamber. And she stood before the lord of life, carved of exquisite basalt, painted with bright dyes. And the voice said to her: "Open it." And she cried out, for the lord of life was sealed, and its cover weighed more than twenty 'Ashau together.

She pushed against the cover, and she cried out again! For it rose from its base, and it rose when she laid her hands upon it. And the voice spoke to her again, and it was not a whisper. "I greet you, high priestess, she who carries the fire into the tombs. You have come to the Chery-neter that you might be answered. I have come forth from Duat that I might answer." And the lid of the golden chest lifted, and then the lid of the silver chest lifted. And within them was his majesty 'Apop-em-hat, true of voice, wrapped in royal linen, laid out with all the amulets and necklaces of gold and lapis lazuli, wearing a head-cloth bleached white. And the outer wrapping unraveled, and his majesty, true of voice, rose from the silver chest, and the golden chest, and the lord of life. And high priestess Tinetwertihekau fell upon her knees, and she was full of fright.

And his majesty, true of voice, said: "I am the first."

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 12 - Year 19, month 3 of winter under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

And his majesty, true of voice, said: "I am the first."

High priestess Tinetwertihekau, daughter of Shemty, who was within the Chery-neter, was filled with awe. For to her spoke the father of his majesty, and she praised him greatly, for he was a great ruler, true of voice. But she could not ask him her questions, for a great shaking took place. She walked swiftly out of the tomb, and his majesty, true of voice, followed behind her at calm pace. The Chery-neter shook, and she heard whispers all around. They spoke of only one thing: "He has awakened! Our lord has awakened!" And she knew of what they spoke. She turned around, and said to his majesty, true of voice: "I must return to the temple, for our lord has awakened!" And he answered: "He has awakened beneath the temple. His awakening is what has awakened our spirits, that we might return to Tamere from Duat. Go forth from the Chery-neter, I shall follow. We shall praise the wekhemonkh, our lord, god of death and rebirth, great of awe, bringer of good gifts." And they went forth from the Chery-neter into the city, and those within it were filled with fear for the seeing of his majesty, true of voice. And the high priestess calmed them while praising his majesty, true of voice. They went into the temple, and isfet reigned within it. The floor was cracked and misaligned, and one of the pillars had fallen onto the ground like a defeated foe. She hurried into the inner chambers, and she did not find the priests. She went into the stairwell which led to the roof, and she saw in it a stair that went down into the earth. And she saw therein a light, and she heard many voices giving praise.

She descended into the earth atop the stairs, and below she found a great chamber. It was lit with many fires, and she saw its light, and it was red and gold and blue. They were the fires of the god, and they were tended by the keepers of the sacred flames. And she knew that they were here, for she had not seen one amongst them within the Chery-neter where they did the rituals for the ones true of voice. And she saw at the front the first priest, and in her following were the greater priests, and the bearers of scripture, and the eyes of the serpent, and the pure ones, and the speakers of lore, and the eyes looking in Duat. And they were before the image of the god, and they beseeched 'Apop, overflowing of mouth, lord of entropy, devourer of light, Hemhemty, golden of skin, lapis lazuli of eyebrows, unequaled of beard, black of eye, evil of face, endless of body. And 'Apop, great god within Duat, answered them, and he spoke in the speech of the ones who came before, and his voice was as thunder.

eier sotemten i bakuy im pe ta kem - metuy sedjeb pe wekhemonkh pe achem pe ra-heza pe neb 'ashau payten neb payey bak pe nesu her payef khendju ti onkh user hena' shutehh septekh payef kheru ro pe ta esetjez tetef re pesog im her kheftyuf - entef se'ary re bau neru neter a'a neb qetyss neb 'ashau adu ni tamere - tuy sedjebef re se'ary - TUY SEDJEBEF - TUY SEDJEBEF - TUY SEDJEBEF -

And the ground shook, the breath of 'Apop rose out of the earth, as he is the one who opens the earth. The image of the lord of C'tis fell to the ground, and his servants cried out in fear, for it was he whom they served and his image that they loved. The breath of 'Apop came forth from Duat, and it was death. And his servants that knelt before the image of their lord perished, and they passed into Duat. Yet as 'Apop opened the earth they went forth from Duat and stood upon the earth, and they went forth with great joy. For behind them came forth Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, lord of C'tis before it was, one who became by himself, lord of all 'Ashau, and his gaze was upon his servants who were alive and his servants who were repeating life. And he spoke to them, saying:

"O children of the earth, my servants, as the God of the Land Unto Its End, Lord of All That Became, has gone forth from this place, I have heard your voice calling as one. Your voice has reached the ear of 'Apop who is as my being in Duat, and Shutehh, who is as my being in Tamere, and Shutehh went to 'Apop in Duat, and he called to him as one amongst you. And 'Apop spoke in Duat, and he spoke of you, my servants. I have heard his voice, being one before you, and the voice of Shutehh, being one amongst you, and I awoke. I have come forth from Duat, 'Apop having opened the earth, so that I will be your lord again unto eternity and forever! And I shall make 'Apop rise to terrible power, in his being as my form in Duat, and he shall make Duat come forth from itself, so that it may be as my strength in Tamere."

And his servants rejoiced, and they danced and sang for him, the ones who lived and the ones who repeated life, for their lord was Wekhemonkh, Who Repeats Life, having come forth from Duat unto Tamere, lord of C'tis, king of all 'Ashau, mighty of magic, great of darkness, lord of death and life, who causes that his servants repeat life in his service.

And high priestess Tinetwertihekau, daughter of Shemty, together with his majesty 'Apop-em-hat, son of Tef-shutehh-imy-djuf, true of voice, descended into the inner chamber and placed their knee upon the ground before their lord. And they spoke: "We have come that we might greet you, O our lord." And his majesty, true of voice, said: "I am the first of your servants who have returned from Duat, O my lord, great god who resides in Duat. I shall act as you decree!"

And the great god, wekhemonkh, lord of C'tis, true of voice, beheld them. And he was wide of heart and filled with joy. For his servants had gathered before him, and they were many, and they held great power. And he went forth, and ascended the stairs into the temple, and he went forth from the temple. And he stood upon the threshold, and the land was brightened with his presence. And he said: tuy resy. And the ground shook, and the City shook, and those within it felt the touch of their lord and heard the voice of the great god. And they fell upon their knee a the hearing of it, and they praised and cheered, for their lord had awoken.

---

Within Chenmenduat were Tefset and Tesnakhtenanket, and they had made the enemy writhe upon their belly before the might of C'tis. And they beheld the land, and saw the well of Duat, and they went forth from their encampment. They looked into the well, and they saw below them a light rising from the bottom of the well, being very very far down below. And they saw within the well a staircase which turned around and around again, which reached all the way down. And the light was red and dark red, and it was not the fire of Duat which they beheld. And they knew this, and they sent report back to the City.

O majesty, O ruler of C'tis, may you live, be prosperous and healthy. We have gone forth from Mennunahet into Chenmenduat, and we have laid low the foes within it.

We have conquered this land, which is Chenmenduat, which is also named Shenuytep, in the domain of Na-ashu-ni-Sakhmet-nekhet, its neighbours:
To the north: Anedryat;
To the east: Mennunahet;
To the south: Padjtamere;
To the west: Pe-djewu-ni-Qemry, 'The mountains of Qemry'.
It has almost four kha dwellers, and its harvest is mediocre. It is a fruitful land, but it has too few people.

Within this land we have found the well of Duat, and we have looked within it. Below it we saw a great light, very very far down, and there is a stair which turns around and around again within it, and it leads down to the bottom. We cannot see what it is that casts the rays of this light, but it is red and dark red, and it is not the fire of Duat. We do not know what we shall do. We will not lead our forces into the well down the stairs which are in it. We shall go forth into Anedryat with those in our following, that me might lay low the foes who have taken the seat of the god that is within it. We shall bring glory to C'tis!

Written, commander of the expedition Tefset, son of Petusir, together with chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tinetanket.

And they sent report to the City, and they went forth from Chenmenduat into Anedryat, that they might lay low the foes who had taken the seat of the god within it. And their report was not received in the City until days had passed, for the City shook by the awakening of the great god. And when those within the City saw the report, they were filled with fear, for they did not know what was beneath Chenmendaut. And the great god, lord of C'tis, made them repeat it before him, and he was filled with wonder, for the Chenmenduat had always led to Duat, yet now it did not lead to Duat. And he planned what to do about it, and waited.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 13 - Year 1, month 4 of winter under the majesty of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, which is year 19, month 4 of winter under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

His majesty returned to the City on day 6, and he found it cheering, for Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, god of death and rebirth, lord of C'tis, great of awe, wekhemonkh, had risen from Duat that C'tis might be made great. And he cheered and danced and laughed with them, for he was the one who repeats the speech of the god, and he spoke of the joy in the heart of the god for having risen. Yet within his heart he was filled with fear of the god, for he reigned now as the lord of C'tis, ruler of 'Ashau. Mezzehh-imy-iteru did not rule now, for a greater king had risen from Duat in his place.

And he went into the palace, seeing his advisors there. All the patricians therein bent their knee for him, and they praised him as the one who repeats the speech of the god. And his heart shrank, for they did not praise him as their king. He hurried into the room of the seat of the lord, and he saw therein Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, wekhemonkh, as he sat upon the throne of C'tis and Tamere. And he placed his knee upon the ground before the great god, and gave praise to him.

And the great god said: "Be calm, oh herald of my voice, for I have risen from Duat that C'tis might be made great. You have served me and Tamere greatly for 19 years, and you have cleared the way upon Tamere for my returning. I am satisfied with your work as the king of the land. Empty your heart of fear, voice of mine, for you shall be my greatest general upon this land. I give you my blessing, O general of C'tis, lord of all armies, who goes forth in my name that he may repeat my speech."

And general Mezzehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat said: "I am blessed by your power, O great god, O he who shall be lord of the land until its end, O wekhemonkh, O one true of voice. I shall go forth in your name, that I might cleanse the barbaric foes from Tamere. For the glory of C'tis!" And he raised his hands in praising the god. Yet still his heart was full of fear.

And the great god said: "May you live, be prosperous, and healthy, my general. Did I not say, 'empty your heart of fear'? Why are you filled with fear, as I am the lord of awe, and you are my voice upon this land. I look upon your heart, and you are not filled with joy." And when he said this, the patricians within the chamber murmured in dismay. "You fear me, for I have risen from Duat, and I have taken the throne of C'tis. You are angered with my taking of this throne, for you are the king of C'tis!" And the great god laughed, and his laughter was as water pouring forth in a great cavern. "You live upon this land, my general, and you ave not seen what I have seen within Duat. I too have been as you are. I too have lived upon this land. I lived in this land, and I died in this land, a great great many years before this day. I have gone to Duat, and I became as Usir therein. I have seen those who came before you enter the gates of Duat, and their spirits went forth by day and returned by night from their houses in the Chery-neter, and they spoke unto me of their life upon the land. And I saw then that all 'Ashau and all Akeriu are of one form and of one mind. All amongst us are filled with fear of others, because they might take what is ours. And now I see you before me, O general of mine, O voice of mine, and you are filled with fear, for I have taken what was yours."

And the general placed his head upon the floor, for his heart was known before the great god. And the great god said: "Empty your heart of fear, my general. For you are my voice upon this land, and there is no greater one within my court. You shall go forth unto this land and repeat my speech before those who dwell within it, and you alone shall be my voice. You shall announce to them my joy and my power. You shall be my greatest general, O Mezzehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat." Mezzehh-imy-iteru thanked the great god greatly, for he was full of fear that he might be punished for his heart. And he praised the god greatly, for he was his voice upon the land.

General Mezzeh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat left the palace and went into the temple. Within it he found isfet in great measure. The priests within it were within the temple library, and they greeted him as the one who repeats the speech of the god. And his heart was filled with joy therein, for he saw amongst them his majesty 'Apop-em-hat, son of Tef-shutehh-imy-djuf, true of voice, his father! And he wept, for he loved his father greatly, and had commanded the completing of his dwelling within the Chery-neter 19 years before this day. And his father said to him that he was filled with joy for seeing his son. They spoke to each other for many hours, and his father praised him as the one who repeats the speech of the god, and he praised his father as the first to be in the following of the wekhemonkh as a wekhemonkh himself.

---

General and voice of the god Mezzehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat, returned to the palace, that he might gather in his following strong ones of C'tis. And he placed in his following thirty-eight warriors, they being swordslizards, guardians of the Chery-neter, throwers of poison, and divine serpents from the temple. And he received report from Chenmenduat from chief of the expedition Tefset, son of Petusir, and chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tinetanket, and choachyte and keeper of the sacred flame, Setemhat son of choachyte Iaertes, amd lector-priest Pesherinep, son of Peteanket. And he wrote their command for them, that they should write a letter for those within Chenmenduat, brearers of the crimson light that shone from below. And he went forth from the City with those in his following, for another report had arrived for him, and they had gone forth from Chenmenduat into Anedryat, and had driven off those who were within it!

O lord, O majesty, life, prosperity and health upon you. We have gone forth from Chenmenduat into Anedryat, and we have laid low those who were within it. And within it is another seat of the god, that he might be made great. Choachyte and keeper of the sacred flame, Setemhat son of choachyte Iaertes has remained within Chenmenduat, awaiting your command concerning the crimson light which radiates from below therein. Lector-priest Pesherinep, son of Peteanket has blessed this land for your coming, our lord, and we shall go forth from this land that me might lay low those who dwell in the lands which are besides Anedryat.

This land is Anedryat, of the domain of Na-ashu-ni-Sakhmet-nekhet, its neighbours:
To the north: Iaq-isten-em-her-khentyuf, "Iaq spits in the face of his foes", also named Iaq-isten, "Iaq who spits";
To the north and west: Wat-iqeru, "The road of the excellent ones";
To the west: Djewunqemry;
To the south: Chenmenduat, which is also called Shenuytep;
To the south and east: Mennunahet;
To the east: Iusrean;
To the east and north: Renyredhor.

Its neighbours, entirely. Within it are close to twelve kha people, and it is a land of great fortune. Its harvests are good. Also within this land is the seat of the god, being Neset-qesyu. We shall not go near this place, for it is a sacred place. We have chased out the vile unbelievers who had defiled the seat of the god, and cleansed the land that is around it.

Neset-qesyu, the Throne of Bones, which is in Anedryat.

This land is a blessed land, and we found within it several precious stones of magical power, which were within a great tree besides the seat of the god. We have sent them to the temple, that they might be a tribute of Sakhmet nekhet to Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, great god, that he might have victory over his foes.

We have gone forth from this land: commander of the expedition Tefset, son of Petusir, together with lector-priest Pesherinep, son of Peteanket shall go forth into Renyredhor, and chief commander Tesnakhtenanket, daughter of Tinetanket shall go forth into Wayqeru.

General Mezzehh-imy-iteru was overjoyed, for his commanders were excellent of power and great of insight. He went forth from the City with those within his following, that he might cleanse the seat of the god, that the wekhemonk might be made more powerful yet, and that his blessing might be upon all 'Ashau.

---

Choachyte and keeper of the sacred flame, Setemhat son of choachyte Iaertes was within Chenmenduat, and he recived there the command of the one who repeats the speech of the god, general Mezzehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat. And he praised him, for he commanded that he write a letter to those who bore the crimson light which radiated from below, and that he then proceed into Anedryat, that he might prepare the land for the arrival of the one who repeats the speech of the god. And he wrote a letter to those who dwelled below, bearers of the crimson light. He wrote it in C'tissian, the blessed language of Djehhuty, and wrote it a second time in Central Ermorian, for he did not know who was under the land of Chenmenduat, and they might not know C'tissian. Tamere held many peoples, truly. He wrapped the letter within a binding of leather, that it might be secure, and cast it into the well. He prayed to the gods that the letter might arrive in peace in the lands below Chenmenduat, and went out of Chenmenduat into Anedryat, that he might prepare the land there for the arrival of the one who repeats the speech of the god.

O dwellers of the world below, children of the earth, denizens of Duat, who carry the crimson flame. We greet you, as neighbours, that we might achieve diplomatic relations with you.
We have seen your lights from the lands above, rising from the Well of Duat, which is within the land of the Spire Woods, in the realm of The fir trees of Sakhmet victorious, and we do not know you. We are of the realm of C'tis, under the auspice of the god of death and rebirth, lord of C'tis, ruler of 'Ashau, great god, who repeats life, Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, true of voice, who has returned from Duat that C'tis might be made great.
In his name we have written to you this letter. We wish to begin an amicable relationship with you, in this year 19, month 4 of winter, day 26, under the majesty of Mezzehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat, ruler of C'tis, the prophet, which is year 1, month 4 of winter, day 26, under the majesty of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, true of voice, great god, fulfilled with awe, god of death and rebirth, who has returned from Duat; from this day onwards.
Written, keeper of the sacred flame, who pours water, Setemhat, son of Iaertes; in the name of his majesty the king of C'tis Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat; and in the name of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, the great god who is upon his throne, lord of life, whose being is 'Apop and Shutehh.

[Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru]

Turn 14 - Year 1, month 1 of summer under the majesty of Se'aref-'Apop-er-bau-neru, which is year 19, month 1 of summer under the majesty of Mezehh-imy-iteru, son of 'Apop-em-hat

And thus his majesty went forth from the City, that he might cleanse the seat of the god within Anedryat. Those in his following were wide of heart, for they walked with the blessing of the great god and in the following of the one who repeats the speech of the god. Thus they proceeded from the walls of the City, into Mennunahet.

Within the City, high priestess Tinetwertihekau, daughter of Shemty was seated in the temple library. To her came Khausunre, son of Perefemshemsukhons, and he was alike her, being a high priest of the temple. And she said to him: "Be greeted, Khausunre. May the great god live and be granted victory. I am sending you out, for there is a great work which must be done. Within the Chery-neter are the ones who came before. I have gone forth into the Chery-neter several months before this day, and spoke with his majesty 'Apop-em-hat, true of voice, son of Tef-shutehh-imy-djuf, first of those in the following of the great god. And he said to me that he was the first. Now, it is time that the second amongst them might rise." And he answered her: "You speak wisdom, truly. I shall take with me the precious stones of magic, that I might call the second one amongst them."

And he went forth into the Chery-neter, bearing with him twenty-three stones of great power, they being without division or impurity. And he went into the dwellings of those who came before, and they did not answer his prayer. And he went into another and another and another, and they did not answer his prayer. And he then went into the dwelling-place of the life-bearer within which was his majesty, Tef-shutehh-imy-djuf, true of voice, son of Setep-ni-user. And he went into the dwelling place, and into the courtyard, and there the stones of magic which were upon his hands shook and became dust. And he prayed and sang to the great god, for he did not know the reason for it. And then a voice spoke from within the inner chamber: "So rises the second amongst many."

---

Commander of the expedition Tefset son of Petusir together with lector priest Pesherinep son of Peteanket, and chief commander Tesnakhenanket daughter of Tinetanket went forth from Anedryat into the lands which were its neighbours, and trampled upon the bodies of their foes in the name of C'tis and the great god. And Tefset and Pesherinep went forth from Anedryat, and they went into the land of Renyredhor, in the domain of Hor-kes-kher-neter-a'a. Its neighbours:
To the north: Khat-mryon, "The marsh of the knight";
To the east: Hebytjetj a'a;
Beyond it to the east: Ipresyqya'a;
To the south: Hebytjetj Imenty;
Beyond it to the south: Iusrean;
To the west: Anedryat;
To the west and north: Iaqistenemherkhentyuf, also named Iaqisten.
Its neighbours, completely. It has close to five kha dwellers, and lies beside the joining of the Western and Eastern Hebytjetj into the Greater Hebytjetj. Its harvest is sufficient.

And Tesnakhtenanket went forth from Anedryat, and she went into the land of Waiqru, which is in the domain of Nebten-merut-qedut-em-ta. Its neighbours:
To the north: Tjeret-nedjes, "Small willow", also named Nebten-merut-qedut-em-ta, "Our lady of love, given form from the land";
To the north and east: Iaqistenemherkhentyuf, also named Iaqisten;
To the east: Anedryat;
To the south: Djewunqemry;
To the west: Mu-bin-arq-heh, "The cataract which embraces infinity".
Its neighbours, completely. It is a fertile land with over nine kha dwellers within it. It borders Tjetefti A'at, which flows off Padjtamere at Mubinarqheh. We shall be sharp here, for we cannot see across these great waters. The people speak of a strange divinity of whom we do not know the name. We request that a priest of the temple is sent to these lands that he might speak of the great god who is within the City, lord of C'tis, ruler of 'Ashau.

---

Within Chenmenduat, choachyte and keeper of the sacred flame, Setemhat son of choachyte Iaertes dropped the letter which he wrote in the name of the great god and in the name of the one who repeats the speech of the god, into the well. He prayed to the great god that he might have his blessing, and went forth from Chenmenduat. He proceeded into Anedryat, that he might prepare for the coming of the grand general, one who repeats the speech of the god, Mezzehh-imy-iteru son of 'Apop-em-hat, may life, prosperity, and health be upon him. With him was a large sum of silver, which was sent to him in the name of the great god, that he might go forth into Anedryat and do what is in the heart of the god. Thus he proceeded into Anedryat that he might gather those who dwelled within it into a great walled town, the likes of which are surpassed only by the City itself.