Mara stifled a little smile. “I will.”
“And be sure you tell Zahouri to wash after he distributes the poison.”
I leaned over to give Kyky a kiss on his furry little head. Kyky screeched at Mara’s retreating back, and I offered him a palm date. He leapt to my shoulder and his little paws snatched the fruit from my fingers. It was good to be home.
I rested that night with a clear conscience and awoke in the morning feeling at peace. Today I would go and visit the temples, and see for myself if my resources were being put to good use. And rumors stated Amasis would sail back to Sais within the week. I’d passed the test of his curiosity and now I would be free to continue my life in Naukratis.
Still, I couldn’t help but feel the tiniest bit unloved, that I’d failed to seduce his interest, for he had certainly drawn mine. For Amasis was an extraordinary man. He gave credence to my words, as much as my fine figure—perhaps, even in spite of it. This made him most exceptional. I felt aglow with how much I wanted to draw his particular interest, an emotion I had not experienced in many long years, since before I returned to Naukratis. I drew an ivory comb through my hair, watching the red-gold strands shimmer in the morning light, wondering if Amasis wanted to touch me as much I desired him.
Sudden footsteps interrupted my grooming.
“There is a messenger at the door for you, Dori.” Mara’s eyes were wide. “One of Pharaoh’s men.”
I tried to quell the descent of my heart into my stomach, but failed. “What does he want?”
“He would not say. Shall I tell him you are out? You could sneak into the courtyard.”
“No, if it is important, he will most likely search for me. How many were there, did you say?”
“Just the one.” She worried her lip with her teeth. “What say you? Is it trouble for us?”
“One is not trouble. I will see him.” I rose and dressed hastily. Mara trailed behind me, like a shade.
A royal messenger waited with stoic patience at the front gate. “You are Rhodopis of Naukratis?” he asked, through the bars of my outer gate.
“I am.” I nodded.
“This is for you.” And he passed me a missive through the scrolled bars.
I unrolled the papyrus scroll and read it. The paper trembled beneath my fingers.
“What is it?” Mara moved to peer over my shoulder. I did not mind; she could not read Egyptian.
“An invitation from the Pharaoh. He wishes me to accompany the court on the trip from Naukratis to Sais.” I sighed heavily. I had not been back to Sais since Charaxus freed me.
“For how long” Mara asked.
“It does not specify. I think we must be prepared to be gone for some weeks.”
“The Great Nesu also sends you this gift,” stated the courier. He dug inside a leather satchel and removed a fine silken peplos of pure white linen, embroidered with gold thread. It was so thin and sheer it fit easily between the bars. The peplos settled as light as a bird’s wing over my arm.
“Oh!” I caught my breath. “It’s lovely!” I turned to show it to Mara.
She frowned at my new shawl. “Will you go?” she asked.
“I suppose I must,” I replied. Mara’s shoulders slumped. “When does the barge sail?”
“At dawn, two days hence.” The messenger bowed and marched away.
I pretended to watch him depart, though in truth I wished to avoid facing Mara’s displeasure. I could tell she did not approve. No doubt she would attempt to talk me out of going. When I could stall no longer, I turned and opened my mouth to speak.
“Mara, I…”
“I’m going with you,” she blurted. Her lips compressed into an unyielding line.
I sighed. “It will not be a pleasant journey for you. Who knows how long he means for me to stay in Sais?”
“Precisely why I should come with you. You do not think to leave me behind?”
“Mara!” I felt my cheeks color. “I did not ask for this invitation! He is Pharaoh. I cannot deny him.” I also could not deny that my heart trilled within my breast. What a glorious trip it might be, to finally have the chance to see him again. I was less excited to return to Sais, but who would refuse the god-king?
“Why not? You have not held to decorum so far!” Her cheeks flushed. “Who ever heard of a courtesan that defeated Pharaoh at senet? Why could you not just lie with him and be done with it?”
I saw Zahouri give us a curious glance from the courtyard. A wave of cold anger washed over me. I could ill afford to have such rumors as that bandied about the city.
“Do not make me sorry that I have confided in you, near-sister.” I murmured. “I have been betrayed before.”
Mara burst out crying and threw her arms around me, crumpling my new peplos against my body. “Ah, Dori! I am sorry. It is only my jealousy that makes me speak so, for I would have you all to myself. I love you. Please do not be angry. Don’t send me away.”
“I have no intention of sending you anywhere.” I tossed my hair over my shoulder. “You are welcome to come with me, but only if you promise to voice no more objections. He is in a difficult position. Some of the nobility does not support his rule. My actions as a hetaera must be neutral and above reproach. One word spoken in jealousy could mean trouble for me. I will not have my name discussed in such a manner.”
“Dori! I would never seek to harm you!” Mara’s watery eyes grew wide.
It was true enough. Mara was not overly blessed with a clever mind, but I did not believe she would intentionally set out to hurt me.
“I know you mean me no harm, dear heart.” I patted her shoulder and let my arm linger on her soft, warm skin. “Come, let us prepare. We have much to do and not a great deal of time to accomplish it.”
*** ***
The journey to Sais was not at all what I expected. After I set up Zahouri to watch over my house and stables and hired extra men to guard my gates in my absence, Mara and I climbed into the hired litter that would bear us to the docks. I was grateful for her support and company. We held hands behind the canopy of fine linen as the litter traversed the winding narrow streets to the docks.
“Look!” Mara gasped and pointed through the curtains towards the quay.
Pharaoh’s immense barge was indeed gilded. It shone like the bright morning sun, gleaming on the desert sand. I looked around for Amasis but did not see him amongst the royalty, servants and dock hands milling about.
“Stop here,” I called to the bearers when we’d drawn as near as we could. The litter was lowered, and the bearers helped Mara and I to stand.
A number of royal princes and princesses, nomarchs, and priests crowded the docks awaiting the signal to board, along with some of the finest aristocrats of Naukratis. I was the only courtesan and the only one without the stamp of Egypt on my features. Murmurs broke out as I passed, jeweled hands raised to cover whispers and speculative smiles, but I ignored them. I kept my chin high as a priestess would and my eyes sharp for Amasis, grateful for his fine gift draped over my shoulders. It made an impression on some of the court, at least.
We were herded onto the barge like cattle. I could feel Mara pressed up against my backside like a frightened calf.
“Mara,” I whispered, as I almost tripped over her foot. “Step back.” But she did not get off my heels until I bade her to straighten my attire.
Once we boarded the vessel, I saw that Amasis was already seated underneath a canopy of linen that fluttered in the river breeze. He nodded as the noble families made their obeisance, but scarcely looked at me. The procession of nobility and guests broke into small knots of conversation on the barge foredeck. Once or twice, I tried to edge in, but backs were turned or the conversation died as soon as I drew near. A few guilty glances shot in my direction and the groups reformed to new groups. Of Amasis, I scarcely saw him, closeted as he was under his own pavilion with the highest of Egyptian nobility, and, in which I was not invited.
The trip was an utter failur
e, save to rouse my ire.
So, I stood alone, save for Mara at my back. Well, I could withstand a little humiliation. I had survived much worse than the scorn of nobility, so I plastered a smile on my face and nodded pleasantly to anyone who passed. Once again, Amasis sat unmoving upon his gilded throne. I felt his eyes on me, though, even when I deliberately turned away from his stare.
I knew few of the other passengers, most by reputation. Most were from Sais and not my patrons, but I recognized Princess Therawejt, some ten paces away. Therawejt was a famous beauty, and Amasis’ sister-cousin several times removed. She was the daughter of the wealthiest nomarch in Egypt, and indeed quite pretty with her lustrous skin and beaded braids. She stood next to her intended husband Snesuankh, Master of the Harvest, kin to Neferenatu the Grand Vizier. Snesuankh looked me up and down slowly before turning to glare at the Nubian dwarf attending Amasis, with his lips pursed in distaste.
“So,” said Neferenatu, appearing suddenly at my elbow. “You have joined us. I’d heard rumors.”
I gave him my most polite smile. “As you can see, Grand Wise One.” Mara trembled beside me like a broken leaf. “Mara, fetch me some wine.” Mara skittered away and I wished I could follow her.
Princess Therawejt glided next to the Grand Vizier and narrowed her black eyes at me. “Perhaps you can settle a dispute for us, Rhodopis. You are reported to be clever, for a Greek.” She laughed a little too loudly.
I ignored her intended slight. “As always, I will do what I can for the royal families of Egypt, O Shining Star of the Morning.” I inclined my head.
Princess Therawejt looked mollified by my flowering epitaph. She preened, tossing her braids over an elegant shoulder. Snesuankh smirked, and I sensed nearby guests turning their attention to our little group.
“They say that this Kourosh of Persia is unstoppable. That his hand is mighty and merciful.” Princess Therawejt eyed my long locks blowing in the breeze as the barge sailed down the Nile.
“I heard he conquered Croesus with little trouble,” Snesuankh replied. “Now he controls Lycia and Caria both.”
“Did not Nesu secure forces from Caria to defend us?” someone asked from behind me.
Princess Therawejt waived her hand airily. “So he has said.” Therawejt smirked. “But they say this Kourosh enjoys the company of Greeks in his household. They are treated like royalty. Tell me is that a common habit among rulers? To lift up the company of Greeks over one’s own kin?”
My shoulders stiffened. It was well known that Amasis’ predecessor Apries had promised too much to the Greek troops secured for protection in Egypt. But Amasis? I did not believe Therawejt felt any discomfort in attributing the sins of the former Pharaoh to Amasis to suit her own purposes.
“A ruler should be loyal to his subjects, of course.” I placed a definite emphasis on that word--subjects. “Be they of like blood or not.”
“And what if he should be betrayed with false promises to the detriment of his people? What say you then? Should he have remained loyal to the nation that birthed him?” Therawejt’s eyes gleamed like polished ebony. “I have heard the Greeks are useful for little other than filling their own coffers.”
Ah! She meant to embarrass me and rout Amasis as well. Well, I would not give her the satisfaction. But how to answer without offending the royalty present, nor inciting the Princess to further discourse?
“It is my experience that loyalty must be earned rather than bought.” I glanced at Neferenatu, whose arms were crossed over his chest. “Or such loyalty is misplaced.”
Snesuankh snorted. “How can loyalty be misplaced? It is either given or not. If a man buys you, you are bound to him.”
“Are you saying that no amount of money could sway your loyalty, Great Master?” I asked.
Snesuankh glared at me. “Not I! I am a true man of Egypt.”
“Take comfort in your own words, then. For if you check any city, even here in Naukratis, there are half or more who can boast the same. Does that make them any less a subject of Ra?” I gave him a small bow. “Perhaps they would not care to pay your taxes and work your land, then?”
Neferenatu frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. “Do you presume to gainsay the Master of Harvests? You are merely a talented harlot, not a court advisor.”
“As you say. I am only a simple courtesan. What could I know of such things?” I moved away from them, feeling very much like a funeral barge gliding through crocodile infested waters.
It was a tortuous day.
After that, I was neither welcomed nor shunned outright. I spent most of my time standing silently on the fringes of conversation, scarcely tolerated for now. It was quite a blow after the many long months of adoration from citizens of Naukratis. Well, the royal houses would come to know me, to know that I stood for more than just empty beauty and grace. Still, I took care to avoid Neferenatu, Snesuankh, and Princess Therawejt as best I could.
And short of my brief welcoming nod, Amasis did not so much as glance my way, which only exasperated me further. I struggled to maintain an even demeanor. For all that I’d plastered a tight smile on my lips, my mood grew so sour that even Mara fled from me under pretense of airing out my peplos and I had to carry my own wine cup.
After the sun slid across the wide expanse of the skies, it was announced that we would reach Sais within the hour, though it could not be soon enough for me. I could not be more glad to get off this cursed barge. Mara was right; I should never have come.
I glanced at Amasis, who appeared hot and restless on his throne. He stared at me for a long moment. I could not read his expression. Then he inclined his head toward the side of the ship and stood up.
He wanted to speak with me!
I cursed my heart for soaring whenever he was near and strolled across the deck, past the laden feast tables and knots of curious or hostile glances. We moved in symmetry from opposite ends of the barge, Amasis and I, winding around the far side of the canopy where our conversation would be stolen away from eavesdroppers by the wind.
“Great Nesu.” I made my obeisance.
Amasis drew nearer. We stared out at the river, the boats passing by, the young boys running along the banks, and the bundled papyrus skiffs that darted from island to shore like insects. The high chanting voices of priests echoed across the green water. We were very near Sais, by now. The bow of the barge dipped and water sloshed from the oars.
“You are a very skilled player of games.” Amasis glanced at me.
Despite the throngs of people who surrounded the daily trappings of Pharaoh’s court, Amasis projected an aura of solitude against the masses.
My head ached. “A game amuses only if one is aware of the rules.”
He shifted his weight and the fine linen of his headdress brushed against my bare shoulder. “I am glad you are here, I think.” The corners of his mouth deepened.
I meant to make a smart retort about how he could have shown me a little more welcome, but he turned and smiled at me--a genuine smile that turned his eyes to snapping brown sparks--and I forgot everything I was to say.
“Mistress!” Mara interrupted, pointing off the bow. A puff of white fluttered in the wind and was gone. My peplos!
I ran towards her, knowing it was already too late. Nothing could be done. I heard Princess Therawejt titter behind me.
“I’m so sorry.” Mara stared at the deck. “The wind caught hold and it slipped away before I knew it was gone.” Her face was reddened.
She was always a terrible liar.
“It is nothing,” I feigned indifference. I could not help but mourn the loss of Amasis’ gift. “Sometimes the wind will have its way, no matter what.” I moved to the feasting tables without looking at her again.
Chapter Twenty Six
I did not speak to Mara until we landed in Sais, and then it was only to order her to stay close to me as we exited into a throng of citizens cheering the return of Pharaoh. My near sister was skittish in the crowds, and
the order unnecessary save to express my anger.
Amasis had declared that I should stay until the Festival of Homecoming, which would take place in a little over a month’s time. Mara meekly offered to stay behind on the docks and oversee the unloading of my things from the barge, while I hired a litter and inspected the few homes for rent near the palace, for I refused to lodge with that nest of vipers. The homes were outrageously expensive, but I contented myself with the thought of the wealth I would acquire as Pharaoh’s favorite.
Mara sulked all the way to our new abode. I’d had enough rude behavior from the nobles on the ship, so I was not prepared to accept more from one of my own household.
“It was your choice to come to Sais, Mara. I warned you that the trip would not be enjoyable for you. Cease this childish behavior! It does not endear you to me.”
“Why must you go to him tonight?” She slammed the lid of my carved wooden chest.
“Because he wishes it.”
“We’ve sailed all day!” she complained. “You could use your charm to forestall him. You’ve done it before. Tell him you’re tired and don’t wish to go.”
“Then it is because I wish it! I have scarcely spoken to him since we left Naukratis. You swore to stand by me, once. Will you help me dress or not?”
Mara gave me a mutinous glare and stomped from the room.
I sighed. I suppose she had every right to be jealous of my time with Amasis, but I had every right to enjoy such luxuries as were offered me. I told myself that I went because I was a dutiful citizen of Egypt and not because my heart fluttered like bird’s wings when he was near. It was my job as a courtesan. Besides, I did not wish to insult Pharaoh by refusing his offer, for that offer could just as easily become an order.
I downed a cup of wine and soaked for a long time in the courtyard pool. A pair of languorous Egyptian girls rubbed my body with scented unguents until my skin was supple and fragrant. Mara entered my chamber with my best gown freshly pressed. She offered it to me with a silent, guilty face.
HETAERA: Daughter of the Gods Page 31