Tut's Queen

The beautiful Queen Ankh schemes for the crown of the frail Tut. Desperate for a viable son, she toys with the infatuated Carver, an inventive apprentice who spins dreams of becoming great beyond words. Intoxicated, he spies on the royal couple, and becomes embroiled in the intrigues of the court. Ankh learns the chariot-driving technique of warrior pharaohs to prove her legitimacy, but she also drugs and even kills people to suit her aims. Carver plays a crucial role when Tut dies in a reckless attempt to bolster his image. The widowed Ankh sees her dreams crash, but Carver finds fresh beauty under her tears. The story is founded in history, includes important but little known characters, and offers notions of ancient erotica. The narrative has subtle humor and much fantasy such as the pretend-precursor to a passage in the Iliad, or Carver breaking into Tut's tomb to suffer the Pharaoh's revenge.