I wait for the darkness, the deafening rumble as the last stone is rolled into place. Although my eyes are wide with fear they see no more. I hear the beating in my chest pounding through my ears. I taste the dust. I am with my Lord I will await my deliverance.
I am Pyay the eldest son of Habib and Siri of the fifth dynasty. In my twelfth year I was chosen to work on my Lords tomb. My tools were crafted for me by my father. I grease them and wrap them in muslin each night.
I am well cared for, feasting on the flesh of oxen, pig and gazelle and further nourished with beans and lentils. Baskets of figs, dates and carobs are brought daily by camel to the mouth of the tomb, and milk from the goats, water from the river and wine from the vineyards are in abundance. So you see how privileged I am.
I am strong and sinews bulge in my arms. They are as powerful as the eagles, as it takes its prey into the sky. I carve the figures of soldiers into the limestone wall of the inner chamber of the tomb, from the sun God rising, until he dies across the river on the dry lands of the west. I lay on reeds beneath the stars and slumber into a world where the Gods look down on me and praise me.
My family visit me. I miss my mother, she weeps when she leaves. My father stands tall and bows to me, but when he leaves he never looks back, not like my mother who turns and turns until she is a speck on the horizon.
I am now in my thirty fourth year and my work is complete. I will pay the greatest homage to my Lord by accompanying him to the after-life. The tomb is dark and cheerless, the air putrid and dank. Here, I have carved by the light from my candle since a boy and now it is time. I wrap my chisels and knives and put them beside me and await the darkness.
(c) 2024 Susan Mansfield.
“The Sculptor” is a haunting tale that transports us to ancient Egypt, where we meet Pyay, a young artisan chosen to work on his Lord’s tomb. From the age of twelve, Pyay dedicates his life to carving intricate figures into the limestone walls of the inner chamber. The story vividly depicts the privileged yet isolated life of a tomb artist, feasting on exotic meats and fruits while separated from his family.
As Pyay reaches his thirty-fourth year, his masterpiece is complete. The tale takes a poignant turn as we realize the ultimate sacrifice expected of this gifted sculptor – to accompany his Lord into the afterlife. Lillian Bradbury’s evocative prose brings to life the dark, dank atmosphere of the tomb and the bittersweet emotions of an artist facing his final moments, wrapping his cherished tools one last time as he awaits the sealing of the tomb.
Lillian Bradbury, a talented writer from Pickering, North Yorkshire, brings history to life with her vivid imagination and keen eye for detail. As a member of the ‘Wordbotherers’ writing group, Bradbury crafts stories that transport readers across time and space, blending historical accuracy with emotional depth.
If you’ve been moved by “The Sculptor,” you’ll find more of Bradbury’s captivating tales in her collection “Welcome to my World.” Each story offers a unique glimpse into different times and places, making this book a perfect companion for those who love to explore the human experience through the ages.
