Literature / A Legacy of Light

A Legacy of Light is a trilogy of historical novels, published by Kyah Merritt in 2020-21. Set in the Eighteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, the trilogy follows Pharaoh Tutankhamun, his wife and sister Ankhesenamun, and their royal court through political twists and turns as the young Pharaoh steps into his authority as king. See the character sheet A Legacy of Light for a full discussion of characters.

Books in this trilogy include

• To Claim What Is Ours
• The Things We Can Change
• Searching For The Truth

This series of books provides examples of:

Tropes A-C

• Anti-Villain: In his moral ambiguity, Horemheb dances with the role of antivillain.
• Arranged Marriage: Upon Tutankhamun's ascent to the throne, he and Ankhesenamun were married to one another to preserve the royal bloodline.
• After-Action Healing Drama: In The Things We Can Change, after Tutankhamun is badly wounded in Kadesh, Semerkhet rushes to his side, comforting him as the other soldiers rush to lift the fallen chariot off his broken legs, then solicitously overseeing his return home by horse-drawn cart, feeding him porridge and offering him water, giving him painkillers to keep him as comfortable as possible, and doing everything in his power to keep the Pharaoh calm until they get home.
• After-Action Patch-Up: In The Things We Can Change, after Tutankhamun's return from Kadesh Ankhesenamun lovingly joins his medical team, wholeheartedly participating in facilitating his recovery by bathing his face, applying the doctor's bruise salve, and monitoring his bandages.
• Altar Diplomacy: In The Things We Can Change, Ankhesenamun reaches out to the Hittites, requesting to marry Prince Zannanza, in a heroic effort to keep their country stable and keep the Vizier off the throne. Truth in Television: her letters to Zannanza's father Suppiluliuma are well known.
• Appeal to Tradition: Those who disagree with the Pharaoh and the Queen usually justify their perspective "because it's traditional."
• Battle Butler: In The Things We Can Change, when called upon by the Pharaoh to go into battle alongside him as his charioteer, Semerkhet is more than able to serve in combat at Kadesh.
• Bittersweet Ending: The ending of the trilogy is one of peace, but those left behind have a hard road ahead of them.
• Big Brother Instinct: As the friendship between Tutankhamun and Semerkhet deepens, Sem becomes increasingly protective of the Pharaoh, zealously guarding him and his schedule from anyone who might try to take up any of the Pharaoh's time between meetings. Later, Semerkhet is responsible for bringing the wounded Pharaoh home safely, and is ashamed that his "little brother" was injured on his watch. He faithfully tends his Master and friend during his recovery, quickly becoming a nurse as well as a valet. Semerkhet has the capacity to develop into a Knight Templar Big Brother.
• Brother–Sister Team: Tut and Ankh function as a nearly-seamless team, brother and sister united against the world.
• The Bully: Nakhtmin is an incorrigible bully.
• Catchphrase: As the Pharaoh's food-taster, Semerkhet checks each meal for poison with the same ritual phrasing. Also, other characters from fellow politicians to palace servants end every conversation they have with the Pharaoh with the words "all life, prosperity, and health."
• The Chessmaster: Characters on both sides of the conflict must view the political decisions with which they are faced as moves within a larger game.
• Comfort the Dying: As Tutankhamun reaches the end of his road, Ankhesenamun and Semerkhet stay increasingly close, offering physical reassurance during his final days.
• Condescending Compassion: Other politicians speak patronizingly to Tutankhamun about needing to be careful not to trip, and how he is not physically cut out to be a soldier.
• The Confidant: Various pairs of characters serve as faithful listening ears for their friends and loved ones— both Ankhesenamun and Semerkhet serve as confidants for Tutankhamun, and both Ankhesenamun and Semerkhet confide in Meresankh, who is supported by her Granny Merneith.
• Cool Old Lady: The wise old healer Merneith can treat practically any known illness, and her timeless wisdom offers a lifeline of peace and stability as things get more and more iffy.
• Crisis of Faith: Tutankhamun, Ankhesenamun, and Semerkhet suffer emotional pain as they struggle through the slow realization that the gods of Egypt are not real. However, their trust in "something greater" remains, and they continue searching for the identity of the Creator.
• Cuddle Bug: Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun frequently cuddle up together, share hugs, and sit with their arms around one another, or with one resting their head on their sibling's shoulder, and as the pain of his unhealed wounds worsens, Tut deeply appreciates Semerkhet's skills as a massage therapist.

Tropes D-F

• Dark and Troubled Past: Various characters in this trilogy have been shaped by challenging, and in some cases, tragic, events in their pasts.
• Darkest Hour: When Granny announces that Tutankhamun's condition is no longer treatable, both Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun fall into despair, the latter running to the temple to confront the gods, only to realize that they do not exist. The Queen, in particular, comes dangerously close to Despair Event Horizon.
• Died Happily Ever After: When Tutankhamun departs at the end of the trilogy, he finds himself reunited with his parents, sisters, daughters, and grandmother in the City of Light. Those left behind are blessed with a sense of peace that his suffering is finally over.
• Distressed Dude: After returning from battle badly wounded, Tutankhamun spends the majority of The Things We Can Change and the entirety of Searching For The Truth confined to bed.
• The Ditz: Amenia and Mutnedjmet, wives of Horemheb, begin the trilogy as naive, silly, upper-class snobs.
• Enigmatic Minion: Throughout the trilogy, Horemheb's motives are in flux, their ultimate destination unknown either to himself or others, leaving him frequently in the category of Ambiguously Evil.
• Even Evil Has Loved Ones: Although he makes regrettable decisions, Horemheb's wives always come first in his life, and he will give up any rank or abandon any opportunity if their safety is threatened. Utterly selfish though he is, Ay does care about the safety and well-being of his son Nakhtmin. Maya justifies his dismissal of the less-fortunate and open reliance on an economy based on the enslavement of others as looking out for his own family.
• Even Evil Has Standards: Risking the safety of his wives is a line Horemheb absolutely will not cross.
• Evil Chancellor: Grand Vizier Ay's priorities do not always line up with those of the benevolent, altruistic Pharaoh and Queen.
• Family-Values Villain: In their own ways, Ay, Horemheb, and Maya justify their propensity toward murdering political rivals, warlike behavior, betrayal of the Pharaoh and reliance on Egypt's slavery-based economy as means of protecting their own families, their families' legacies, and the future good of Egypt.
• Female Misogynist: Meryt, the wife of Treasurer Maya, believes that the pinnacle of womanhood is found in marrying a big, strong man and giving him sons, and that it is improper for women to seek secondary education or careers.

Tropes G-I

• The Good Chancellor: Pentu and Usermontu serve Tutankhamun willingly, seeing that despite his youthful inexperience, he truly has the good of the kingdom at heart, and do everything they can to begin moving national policies prudently but steadily toward these noble goals.
• Good Feels Good: Although his life doesn't turn out the way he might have expected, Horemheb learns that doing the right thing is rewarding in and of itself.
• Go Out with a Smile: In his final moments, Tutankhamun encourages his loved ones with a gentle smile, reassuring them that he will be all right.
• Handicapped Badass: Tutankhamun has a clubfoot and uses a cane, but learns that being a powerful politician has nothing to do with one's physical strength or agility.
• Heel–Face Turn: Although his trumpet heralds the Pharaoh's ultimate demise, Horemheb is seized with remorse, and not only abandons Ay and his evil plans but, in Searching For The Truth, aids the Queen in her escape, overseeing her flight from the palace and protecting her as she evacuates to Sais, throwing the Vizier off her trail by claiming to have murdered her and her child.
• Heir Club for Men: In Searching For The Truth, Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun know that if the baby is a girl, they will not be able to make her Tutankhamun's heir, so the only hope for their dynasty to continue lies in the Queen having a son.
• Her Heart Will Go On: (Searching For The Truth) Though his days may be few, Tutankhamun will live on in the hearts of his loved ones.
• Heroic Sacrifice: In Searching For The Truth, Tutankhamun faces death with a sense of satisfaction in the life he has lived, knowing that through initiating the military campaign in which he had been wounded, he had ultimately given his life to save the Mitanni from the Hittites.
• Heterosexual Life-Partners: Tutankhamun and his valet Semerkhet.
• The High Queen: Wise and poised, Queen Ankhesenamun teaches, guides, and supports her young brother/husband as he continues to grow as a leader.
• Holding Hands: Siblings Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun frequently hold hands, and as their friendships deepen, Tutankhamun and Semerkhet and Ankhesenamun and Meresankh comfort and encourage one another with friendly hand-clasps. As his condition worsens and boundaries fall away, Tutankhamun holds hands with his loved ones more than ever.
• Honest Advisor: Both kind and eloquent though she is, Ankhesenamun is ready and willing to straightforwardly explain to her brother what course of action he should take and why, and to strip away the trappings of any deceptive phrasing the Vizier has selected in an attempt to misguide Tut.
• Hunk As the biggest, most strapping soldier in the Pharaoh's army, Horemheb's strength lies in his physical prowess, and initially, his relationship with his wives is based primarily on mutual appreciation of one another's physical attractiveness.
• I Am What I Am: After accepting the Light of Aten at the end of Searching For The Truth, Tut finally understands the purpose for which he was created with a physical disability: it has given him the opportunity to become a king of peace. He is able to appreciate the life he has lived, and look back with pride at how hard he had always "fought," even during day-to-day activities.
• Innocently Insensitive: Both Semerkhet and Meresankh innocently discuss babies in front of the Pharaoh and the Queen, not realizing how sad it will make them. Other politicians also speak patronizingly to the Pharaoh about needing to be careful not to trip, and how he is not physically cut out to be a soldier.
• Interclass Friendship: Over the course of the trilogy, Pharaoh Tutankhamun and his faithful valet Semerkhet become best friends, eventually coming to look upon one another as brothers, and Queen Ankhesenamun and her handmaiden Meresankh share a similar journey.
• Introverted Cat Person: Tutankhamun loves his pet cat Bastet, and is often content to spend a quiet afternoon reading with her at his side.
• Iron Woobie: Tut's parents, grandmother, and five of his sisters died before he'd turned nine, and before he was nineteen, he and his wife had lost two infant daughters. Furthermore, the Pharaoh has mobility issues requiring the use of a cane, and deals with daily pain in his foot. As the trilogy progresses, he rides into battle, comes home with two broken legs, and later develops malaria.

Tropes J-O

• Last Kiss: At the end of Searching For The Truth, during the vigil Ankhesenamun and Semerkhet keep on Tutankhamun's last night, Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun share their last kiss.
• Make It Look Like an Accident: both Pentu and Usermontu die by the orders of Ay under circumstances that are engineered to be as little suspicious as possible— both their deaths are explained as uncommonly bad cases of severe ague. to get rid of the plucky kid whose big heart threatens the continuation of the slavery-based economy, Grand Vizier Ay convinces Tutankhamun to personally ride into battle on behalf of the victimized Mitanni, intending for him to be killed in battle when the rest of the army retreats, leaving the Pharaoh exposed. When that doesn't work, but Tut does develop malaria, Ay manipulates the Chief Physician into dosing Tutankhamun with cyanide-based "painkillers" in the hopes that they will prevent his recovery and hasten his death in a way that is realistic enough to remain beyond suspicion. In both cases, the Vizier manages to dredge up just enough Plausible Deniability to cling to.
• Manly Tears: As Tut's condition worsens in Searching For The Truth, he and Semerkhet initially hide their tears from one another, but finally both decide that as they are family, and this is a "family matter," there is no reason not to share their grief with one another. As their hearts break, these tenderhearted young men frequently find themselves fighting back, or not fighting back, Tender Tears.
• Massage of Love: Tutankhamun is very grateful for his valet Semerkhet's skills as a massage therapist. Wistfully remembering times past when he had looked after his own younger brother, Semerkhet is sincerely glad to be able to bring his friend comfort, and, at times, help him fall asleep at all. As the trilogy progresses, Tut's sister Queen Ankhesenamun often rubs his back to help him sleep.
• Matriarchy: Queen Ankhesenamun looks to her powerful female lineage for inspiration and strength.
• Never Mess with Granny: Yes, she may be as old as the pyramids, but Granny Merneith's many decades of experience as a midwife and doctor allow her to both support Tutankhamun as he strives to recover from his wounds and deal out well-deserved punishment to Nakhtmin by smiting him with digestive distress to distract his father the Vizier.
• Nice Guy: Tutankhamun's deepest goals as Pharaoh spring from his fundamental kindness.
• Non-Action Big Bad: The battles Tutankhamun fights with his political adversaries take place in the form of boardroom conversations.
• Non-Action Guy: Even with his physical mobility even more limited than before, Tutankhamun continues to operate as an increasingly wise politician in The Things We Can Change, demonstrating that leadership has nothing to do with one's physical strength or agility.
• Overlord Jr.: Cruel and selfish, Nakhtmin is proud to follow in his father's footsteps.

Tropes P-R

• Politically Incorrect Villain: The Vizier, as well as a number of other members of the royal court, justify continuing to rely on slavery because "that's the way things have always been." They also disrespect and belittle the Queen, or simply encourage her to remain within the traditional feminine sphere, and look down on Tut, as a person with a disability, as someone who will never become a strong Pharaoh. Treasurer Maya and his wife Meryt, in particular, determined to cling to the luxuries that give their lives meaning, are willing to close their eyes to the suffering of the less-fortunate and support the age-old systems that surround them, justifying Egypt's continued reliance on an economy based on slave labor.
• The Power of Friendship: The ways in which true friends can rely on one another is a major theme of the trilogy.
• Pregnancy Test Plot: In Searching For The Truth, Ankhesenamun and Merneith prepare a faked pregnancy test to present to the Vizier, using the genuine possibility that the Queen is pregnant as a political move.
• Promotion to Parent: Since the deaths of their parents, Ankhesenamun has functioned more like a mother to Tutankhamun than his sister.
• Prone to Tears: Over the course of Searching For The Truth, Tutankhamun, Ankhesenamun, and Semerkhet are all prone to tears, willingly pouring out their grief in tears. Sometimes devolves into Inelegant Blubbering.
• Rage Against the Heavens: When, in Searching For The Truth, the Queen learns from Granny that Tut's life cannot be saved, she runs to the temple to confront the gods and goddesses, shaking her fist at the ones who had let her family die before finally realizing that the reason that the gods and goddesses had never answered her prayers... was that they had never existed.
• Redemption Demotion: As he prepares to do the right thing at the end of Searching For The Truth, Horemheb accepts the loss of his status as Crown Prince, giving up his right to succeed Tut as Pharaoh to protect his wives from the wrath of Ay.
• Regent for Life: Grand Vizier Ay has been regent since Tutankhamun was nine, and he has no intention of granting real control of the nation to the goodhearted young king and queen.
• The Reliable One: As the Pharaoh's valet, Semerkhet capably handles the tasks of manservant, secretary, and CNA.
• Royal Favorite: In honor of his heroism in Kadesh and afterward Tutankhamun confers many new titles upon Semerkhet, including Royal Favorite and Sole Companion.
• Royal Inbreeding: Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun were married as children to maintain the royal bloodline.
• Ruling Couple: Although Ankhesenamun is technically the Queen Consort, she is Tutankhamun's most trusted advisor and the source of many of his most important political decisions. Perhaps the society of Ancient Egypt will not look back on "the reign of Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun," but they serve their country together as true partners, the Queen offering her wisdom and the Pharaoh putting her plans into motion with his authority.
• Run or Die: To save her baby's life at the end of Searching For The Truth, Ankhesenamun's only choice is to abandon the throne that should be hers and flee into exile in Sais. The Queen will live as a commoner with her child, becoming a Noble Fugitive. Although this child will grow up knowing that s/he is a prince or princess, sadly, there is little chance of Rightful King Returns or Really Royalty Reveal. Similar to King Incognito.

Tropes S-U

• Scars Are Forever: In Searching For The Truth, as Semerkhet prepares himself for the death of his best friend, he ponders the scar on his knee, a trophy of his wound at Kadesh, and his heart warms at the thought that this scar will help him always remember their time together.
• Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: All of Nakhtmin's privilege and high status comes from his family connections— none of it was earned.
• Sheltered Aristocrat: Both Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun must have their eyes opened to the fact that they and their staff are all human, and respond in shocked horror when they discover the poverty and suffering in the city.
• Smug Snake: disdainful Nakhtmin is intolerably smug and a Deadpan Snarker.
• Someone to Remember Him By: As she goes on to raise her child after Searching For The Truth, Ankhesenamun knows that she will see her beloved brother every time she looks into her child's eyes.
• Speech Impediment: Tutankhamun has a lisp, which becomes more obvious when he's tired or not feeling well.
• Spirited Young Lady: Queen Ankhesenamun, while embracing her femininity, is not afraid to make decisions on a level not traditionally associated with Queen Consorts.
• Spoiled Brat: Nakhtmin, the son of Grand Vizier Ay, is an entitled spoiled brat incapable of respecting others.
• Stay with Me Until I Die: During the final night of Tutankhamun's earthly life, Ankhesenamun and Semerkhet keep a faithful vigil, staying at his side and reassuring him that he is not alone.
• Succession Crisis: As Tutankhamun's health fails, the Queen writes to the Hittites, proposing her marriage to Prince Zannanza. Should this fail, Tutankhamun and Ankhesenamun know that the Vizier will stop the Queen from taking the throne herself, even if he has to hurt her and the baby to do so.
• Sudden Principled Stand: In To Claim What Is Ours, Tutankhamun loses his temper upon discovering how the selfish Vizier has taken no action to combat poverty in the royal city; he also flies into a rage when his friend and valet Semerkhet is bullied by the son of the Vizier.
• Supporting Protagonist: Multiple characters serve as point-of-view characters.
• Tearful Smile: Later in the trilogy, as things go from bad to worse, Tutankhamun, Ankhesenamun, and Semerkhet manage to keep smiling... even if it is often through tears.
• Tell Me About My Father: Both Ankhesenamun and Tutankhamun know that their child will only ever know its biological father through the stories its mother will tell.
• Together in Death: As they sit together, keeping the vigil on Tutankhamun's final night, Ankhesenamun speaks of one day being buried beside him herself.
• Trademark Favorite Food: Tutankhamun's favorite food is honey-cakes, and Ankhesenamun's is watermelon.
• Tragic Stillbirth: Ankhesenamun and Tutankhamun have endured the losses of two infant daughters.
• True Companions: Tutankhamun and his valet Semerkhet, and Ankhesenamun and her handmaiden Meresankh, go from employers and employees to increasingly close friends over the course of the trilogy.
• Turn to Religion: Tutankhamun, Ankhesenamun, and Semerkhet search for the elusive "missing" part of their faith through the book, all three eventually concluding that the gods of Egypt are not real, finally finding peace in accepting the love of I-AM, the God of the Hebrews.
• Undying Loyalty: Semerkhet's faithfulness to his Pharaoh is unwavering.
• Uriah Gambit: Precisely in the manner of King David offing Uriah, Ay commands Horemheb to summon the troops to retreat just as the Pharaoh has entered the thick of the battle, intending for him to be immediately killed but leaving room for Plausible Deniability.
• The Usurper: Through a combination of subtle scheming and brute force, Grand Vizier Ay ensures the Pharaoh's early death without a son, prevents the Queen from succeeding her brother, eliminates the Hittite Prince invited by Ankhesenamun to stand beside her in leadership of Egypt, and steals the throne from the previously designated heir, General Horemheb.

Tropes V-Z

• Villain with Good Publicity: As a well-established elder statesman outwardly devoted to the "greater good of Egypt," Grand Vizier Ay gains favor among the royal court and the palace staff, manipulating Horemheb and the Chief Physician to betray Tutankhamun, and eventually creating fault lines between staff members loyal to him and those loyal to the ideals of the Pharaoh and the Queen.
• Wide-Eyed Idealist: The naive, big-hearted Pharaoh must play catch-up as he learns, sometimes the hard way, to play Egypt's game of thrones.
• Women Are Wiser: Throughout the trilogy, the young male characters gratefully rely on the wisdom of the more mature women in their lives.
• Worthy Opponent: Even as he repeatedly takes violent action to keep the Pharaoh from recovering, Ay shows an ironic respect for him.
• Written by the Winners: In the historical works that Tutankhamun studies in To Claim What Is Ours, he finds few references to the strange events that surrounded the sudden disappearance of his grandfather's Hebrew slaves.
• Your Makeup Is Running: As Tutankhamun prepares for death and his loved ones attempt to prepare themselves to let him go, many tears are shed by all, and in Ancient Egypt, that means messy eyeliner.