Kadesh - Coming Soon
Now that Mourningtide is completed, I am turning my attention to its sequel, Kadesh. The plot itself is set (it is based on history, so there is not a lot of what we all 'wiggle room' for flights of fancy). I have about 2/3 of the battle itself written. The prelude, if you will - the events leading up to it - are underway. And it is a good thing that I have had this time to work on other things, since it has given me time to look into the characters.
I would like to have it ready by the end of 2016 but I will update this post as we go along I have The Orphan's Tale, book 2 to put out, with the final volume coming at some time after. However The Memphis Cycle has been neglected. In addition to Kadesh I have a collection of short pieces and a novella about the Crown Prince Amunhorkhepechef (Hori) and his second wife. I also have the fable about The Thirty Cubit Crocodile. One of those will comie out before the third volume of The Orphan's Tale.
I would like to have it ready by the end of 2016 but I will update this post as we go along I have The Orphan's Tale, book 2 to put out, with the final volume coming at some time after. However The Memphis Cycle has been neglected. In addition to Kadesh I have a collection of short pieces and a novella about the Crown Prince Amunhorkhepechef (Hori) and his second wife. I also have the fable about The Thirty Cubit Crocodile. One of those will comie out before the third volume of The Orphan's Tale.
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Ramesses seemed to view Kadesh as the high point of his military career. I have an inkling that his ability as a battlefield strategist was somewhat wanting, but that he was a determined fighter. Even viewing things with a jaundiced eye, I have to admit that his survival of Kadesh was due in part to his own personal valor and, perhaps, his ability to listen to his commanders. The big mistake he made was to seize what appeared to be good news - the Hittites being far to the north, giving him a clear way to capturing the city of Kadesh, which had high strategic value - and outrun his own army only to discover the hard way that he had been duped. But mistakes were made on both sides.
The importance of this clash is the fact that it led to an international accord that was, quite possibly, the first in history. I am more concerned with the campaign and its effect on various participants, from superbly confident Ramesses through his overconfident, arrogant son Rai. It has been enjoyable racing to put together a story with these features. I was able to succeed, even with a great deal going on right now. |
The first part of the story takes place in Egypt. Ramesses has wanted to 'retake' Kadesh which, being essentially on the doorstep of the Hittite empire, as opposed to about 500 miles from the northernmost reaches of Egypt, had fallen back under Hittite control after Seti's death. There is some indication that Seti had realized the extent of Hittite influence and had reached an agreement with Hatti. Ramesses has ruled for several years now, and it is time...
Plans are made, people are tapped, logistics are considered, the family is mobilizing - and Ramesses' two queens have a few things to say. Characters are emerging, ones I had not considered, and the female contingent is a fascinating one. |
Kadesh has a lot of conflicts (aside from the obvious political one), involving four brothers, their father, and their memories. I have been going from one focus to the next, and it's coming together. I have some complete chapters written, and completed notes on the outlines of other chapters. There is one in particular that I think I should enjoy filling in. It involves a sort of post-mortem on a treacherous attack. He who is conducting the post-mortem is not one to waste words, and his delivery of his findings is shaping up (in my fevered brain) as most enjoyable.
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