The Word in Focus with Dr Larry Taylor

For five centuries the Kingdom of Kerma flourished in peace. The Nile faithfully overflowed its banks, leaving behind rich soil in which an abundance of crops thrived. The gods, if not gentle, were calm, satiated, apparently, with the daily sacrifices of meat and vegetables. 

There was little interaction with, or even knowledge of, empires beyond the sea to the east until a bedraggled herald was taken into custody. Emaciated, starving, sunburnt, he had collapsed on some sort of raft and drifted to shore. It took weeks to revive him, to nourish him back to health, and weeks more to understand his strange tongue.

When at last the sorcerers of Kerma could discern his speech, they brought him to King Teriahi, son of Kaa. 

Across the great sea where no one had ventured, where it was assumed that there was only the dark realm of chaos and death, Herald claimed there was another kingdom ruled by Medjay, King of Irtjet. Surely the messenger was exaggerating. By his account, Irtjet united a massive area and was exalted above all other kingdoms. Yet, Irtjet was under siege. Their gods had been stirred to rage. No one knew why.

A dark red serpent with multiple heads, 130 meters long, breathing fire from seven mouths, blood dripping from long fangs, eyes aflame, with six sets of coal-black wings, threatened the annihilation of Irtjet. The only thing that appeased the beast were animal sacrifices, but Irtjet, after many years, had run out of animals to sacrifice. The dragon gobbled them insatiably, faster than they could reproduce, and now demanded human sacrifice. The slaves were the first to be sacrificed. Then lots were drawn to decide who would be ceremonially thrown into the pit of no return. Alas, at last the lot fell on the princess, Medjay, King of Irtjet’s only daughter. The whole empire sunk into gloom. Weeping. Gnashing of teeth. Wailing. Sackcloth. 

Without a word, Teriahi, son of Kaa rose from his royal throne, donned his armor, strapped on his sword, lifted his spear, and ordered his chariot. On a large sailing raft, with Herald navigating, they crossed the great sea. There, over the objections of his warriors, Teriahi, son of Kaa and Herald set off alone towards Irtjet.

Teriahi, son of Kaa found things just as Herald had described – a great wealthy kingdom draped in black despair, the sounds of weeping and sorrow echoing down empty streets.

Just as they arrived, the princess in her maiden wedding gown was being escorted from the palace. Teriahi, son of Kaa had never imagined a maiden so beautiful, so tender, so innocent. Medjay, King of Irtjet was a widow. He sobbed convulsively as he stumbled along behind his daughter. The procession was making its way to the pit. Utter hopelessness.

Teriahi, son of Kaa snapped the reins; his steeds sprang into action and charged toward the procession.

Stop! He yelled in his native tongue of Kerma. Herald loudly translated. The procession halted. Medjay, King of Irtjet stared with sad, dazed skepticism. Through Herald, the kings conversed briefly. Teriahi, son of Kaa charged off in his chariot alone, leaving Herald with his sovereign.

At the edge of the great pit, he looked down at the stirring monster – it’s seven heads were bobbing up and down, wisps of smoke and short flames burst from its nostrils. Its wings stretched. The earth shook when it roared. It rose to its feet, powerful claws gripping, ripping into the ground like ploughshares. The sun hid in fear. Suddenly, with a hop and a flutter it stood before Teriahi, son of Kaa. His sword and spear were at the ready.

The dragon lunged. Teriahi, son of Kaa stabbed. Again, and again. Hour after hour. 

The people of Irtjet grew close enough to watch; far enough away to flee when the dragon gobbled Teriahi, son of Kaa. Weak and wounded, burnt and weary, he did not give in or back down. Night and day for three days they battled. Dust, smoke and fire filled the air. 

No one could see what was happening until at last, the smoke and dust settled, and much to the awe and amazement of all, out of the darkness Teriahi, son of Kaa emerged as if a mirage, leading a bound and subdued beast, alive, but defeated, limping, captured.

A massive cheer arose from the crowd. The dragon’s wings and legs were cut off. Its seven necks bound together with chains; its fourteen eyes poked out. Blind and lame, the beast lay in a massive cage surrounded by speared warriors.

Teriahi, son of Kaa feasted with Medjay, King of Irtjet at the king’s table. Seven days of dancing, feasting, celebrating, drinking and singing were proclaimed. But on the seventh day, the feast came to an abrupt halt when the news arrived that the dragon’s legs, feet, claws, eyes, and wings were growing back. It was gaining strength and rapidly doubling, then tripling in size. Not only was it not subdued or eliminated, but it was also bigger and stronger than ever. Dread descended like a sudden downpour over the kingdom. Doom seemed certain.

Suddenly, a massive figure stood in their midst. Four meters tall, skin as black as the night, hair like pure white wool, fiery eyes, feet of molten bronze. Its voice thundered like a massive cataract. Strange creatures flew around it proclaiming it/him/her king of all kings.

Teriahi, son of Kaa and Medjay, King of Irtjet fell on their faces trembling. No one had ever imagined such a sight or such a being. The figure spoke in multiple languages at once. Its voice intelligible to all:

“Fear not! I have come to do what you could not. By my strength, Teriahi, son of Kaa, you temporarily subdued the dragon, but no matter what you did to it, it would not die. Now it is reviving, regaining even greater strength, growing new wings and feet; even now it is breaking the fetters and overcoming your armies. Have courage. I am here to deliver you.”

With those words, the figure grew before their wonder-struck eyes until its head was lost in the clouds, and with one massive foot, crushed the life out of the dragon as one might step on a small scorpion. The figure’s foot bled from the monster’s bite. With a victory shout, it vanished as the beast’s body melted into the earth, fertilizer for a fruit orchard that spontaneously sprang up.

A wave of soft light swept over Irtjet. Tombs opened. Lids rolled off sarcophagi. Mummies revived. Birds sang. Lions grazed with antelope. The people danced. Medjay, King of Irtjet wept with joy as he embraced his daughter. Children played with asps. Peace and wholeness, truth and justice, swept across the fields and through the cities. Every person was robed like Medjay. All were Kings of Irtjet.

Teriahi, son of Kaa found himself unexplainably home in Kerma, dressed as an everyday plebeian. All was different. All was new. The dead lived. Harmony, peace, and joy everywhere. Soldiers gathered around bonfires and anvils to forge their weapons into agricultural implements. Poverty and injustice ceased to exist. Everyone seemed to love everyone else. All of nature seemed to sing. Colors were brighter, more intense. 

A warm, soft, gentle breeze kissed the Nile Valley. 

And all manner of things were well.