Chapter 24: Reasoning at the Foot of Kadesh
As Hikigaya said, continuing the attack on Kadesh was not a good idea.
After the retreating Hittite army entered Kadesh, the fortress's defensive capabilities were fully activated. The Hittites had previously stockpiled enough provisions and fresh water to withstand a siege by the Egyptians.
For Ramesses, who had nearly suffered total annihilation, Hikigaya's words were harsh but made sense. His mind was clearer than before, and he quickly understood the situation.
Thus, reasoning and stating facts may sound morally uplifting, but throughout history, the effectiveness of reasoning has always depended on the relative strength between the speaker and the listener.
Strength here doesn't necessarily mean absolute social status.
If Hikigaya were merely a subject of Ramesses, and Ramesses had briefly received Set's protection, ordering executions while he was still "hot-headed" could be considered an act of benevolent leadership.
So reasoning itself wasn't the point. What mattered was that Hikigaya was talking to him; right from the start, there was no strict right or wrong.
Ramesses, long ago, had already ceased considering the boy before him as merely human. He quickly decided he would summon Muwatalli for a direct confrontation.
The Egyptians fired arrows carrying parchment invitations into Kadesh. The arrows went in the morning, and by that afternoon, the Hittites had replied.
The Hittites set up a large tent outside Kadesh. Here, neither side dared to attack deceitfully—unless a legendary schemer within their own ranks tried to take advantage and betray their leader.
But since Ramesses had come accompanied by Hikigaya, and Muwatalli had brought along his "close" uncle, Hattusili, such a possibility was very low.
By agreement, each side brought only fifty guards. Compared to their slightly composed rulers, the guards were simple and straightforward—chests high, hands on weapons, exchanging glares that screamed: "What are you looking at? I'll kill you!"
Inside the tent, facing each other, were two royal thrones. Between them was a low table with cups and a small jug of cool water. These were prepared for the era's two most powerful monarchs and those authorized to accompany them.
Once inside, the two rulers sat down and stared unblinkingly at each other.
"Pharaoh of Egypt, you are formidable," Muwatalli spoke first.
"Hittite King, your reputation is also great among nations," Ramesses replied, showing the courtesy due to a ruler of a fellow great power, despite his true feelings.
Muwatalli, however, was not convinced.
By all fairness, he was frustrated—he should have been the victor.
"Ramesses, you need not flatter me insincerely!" Muwatalli cut him off, directly asking, "What divine assistance did you receive to defeat me?"
At that, he glanced at Hikigaya, who responded with a look that said, "I believe in you."
This left both Hattusili and Muwatalli, the powerful uncle-nephew duo, momentarily stunned.
Which side was this guy on?
After some thought, Muwatalli decided to set aside the question, noticing that Ramesses seemed to enjoy self-praise.
"My father manifested as Set on Earth. Set aided me."
"Really?" Muwatalli sneered. "How extraordinary! Such divine power residing in a human—unprecedented!"
This guy dared claim his father was the God of War! Shameless!
Even Muwatalli's own temper was calmer now; in the past, he would have struck him half to death.
"Better than your use of lies and schemes."
"Have the Egyptians never used such tactics? Without supernatural aid, you would have lost."
"True, but I won. Now, are you prepared to yield?"
"You are truly bold in speech and action, Ramesses! Just as the legends say!"
"Speech? Because of your country's greed, thousands have died. Now is not the time for empty words. I'll ask again—are you prepared to yield?"
"Yield? Kadesh is still in our hands."
"It will be taken eventually!"
"Bold words—then come and take it!"
Clearly, neither side truly intended a calm negotiation; both showed signs of escalating to a real duel if words failed.
At that moment, a hand pressed down on the table between the two rulers.
In an instant, the table and all on it were reduced to ashes by flames.
"Gentlemen, calm down," Hikigaya said, retracting his right hand, half-smiling at the two kings. "I believe you need each other's support."
Muwatalli stared at Hikigaya's previously flaming hand and swallowed hard.
During the battle, they had been distant; now, seeing it up close, he recalled how Hikigaya had nullified his own divine power with a single glance.
"Don't act recklessly," he said stiffly. "I am protected by the Storm God. Whoever harms me will be struck dead by him."
Hikigaya laughed inwardly.
"At night, I seized Hattusa. I planted wild grass in the ruins. Whoever becomes king afterward and establishes settlements there, may the Storm God strike them down."
Ramesses looked puzzled. Muwatalli and Hattusili, however, looked embarrassed.
Seeing Ramesses' questioning gaze, Hikigaya explained, "These words were spoken by Anitta."
Ramesses suddenly understood, casting a teasing glance at his opponent.
Hattusa had not originally belonged to the Hittites. A Hittite king named Anitta conquered it, and this statement was left after he plundered and burned the city.
Later Hittites ignored the curse. Over a century after Anitta's conquest, King Hattusili I rebuilt the city as the new capital. No one was struck by lightning despite ancestral wrath.
At this moment, Hikigaya's reiteration rendered Muwatalli's so-called Storm God curse impotent and comical.
"Trust me, the Storm God's power won't stop the Assyrians from harassing you. I personally suggest you reach an agreement quickly—don't waste time on empty talk."
Hearing the name "Assyrians," both Muwatalli and Hattusili became serious.
Why negotiate? Simple—they had received reports that Assyrians were active. The Hittites never underestimated this neighbor.
Though ethnically related to Babylonia, the Assyrians felt very different—more like family.
After exchanging a glance, Muwatalli gritted his teeth and stomped.
"Ramesses, you Egyptians are far from your homeland, without allies here. Your days will grow harder. We have ample water and provisions, but if you are willing to yield and retreat to Egypt, I may consider letting Egypt control Canaan."
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