Chapter Ten: The Magic Donkey
“Stop, please.” Dennu sounded distressed and she felt his arm around her shoulders. “I am sorry I upset you. Look there is a way.”
Through a haze of tears she watched him reach into his belt pouch and pull out a lump of wax. With nimble fingers, he fashioned it into a toy donkey, so small that it stood on the palm of his hand. Kiya, who had seen Massui’s magic, stared in disbelief. Surely this youngster did not think he could animate such a crude model?
He put the donkey on the ground and murmured an incantation too softly for her to hear. To Kiya’s amazement, the replica grew to life size. It became flesh and blood and stood, its head bowed, in the patient manner of its kind. Kiya reached out and felt it warm and rough, just like a real animal. It even had a nose ring to which were attached reins.
“What wonderful magic,” she breathed.
The youth was pleased. “I have learnt much by observing my father. Now, ride home quickly. The creature will become wax again in due course. Destroy the model. On no account let anyone see it, or my father will know that I helped you.”
“I promise,” she said.
She had never ridden a donkey before and tried unsuccessfully to mount the animal, without hitching her shift beyond the heights of modesty. He watched her struggle, then put his hands around her waist to lift her high enough to sit sideways on its back. When safely mounted, she leant over and gave him a kiss. He blushed and lowered his eyes. His thick, black lashes shadowed his cheeks, and Kiya reckoned he was a good-looking boy, indeed.
“I hope you are not punished for helping me,” she said and smiled her gratitude.
“Just make sure the model is destroyed.” He sounded abrupt, and gave no answering smile, but climbed back into the passage without a backward look. The trap door shut behind him and became invisible among the long grasses that surrounded and covered it.
Kiya sat on the donkey, half expecting its legs to buckle beneath her weight like the wax that had made them. It stood firm, so she gathered up the reins and turned her mount’s head towards the road. In her desire to get moving, she kicked its sides so vigorously that she almost unbalanced. The beast flickered its ears, like any normal donkey, and set off.
They crossed the lawn and turned onto the road. Kiya kicked the donkey again to urge it into a trot. The animal did not flinch but continued to walk, as if its pace was set by the magic that had created it. The slow progress of the donkey frustrated Kiya. If they were pursued by Massui’s horsemen there would be no hope of escape. She kicked the donkey once more, wishing it would hasten. Laylos would have discovered she was missing by now. What would her aunt think when she came back to an empty house? The sooner she was home and the donkey safely hidden in the compound, the better.
The journey continued at a sedate pace and more worries besieged Kiya. What if she met the fishermen on the road - would they try to capture her once more? Lengthening shadows heralded the approach of night and she feared she might not reach Ankhis before dark. The donkey plodded on, oblivious to the frustration of its rider. As they neared the village, it slowed down and came to a stop.
Kiya dismounted and pulled at the donkey’s reins. “Come on,” she urged. The animal stared at her with blank eyes and stayed still.
Ra’s chariot had almost descended to the Underworld, soon it would be night. Kiya looked around and saw that they had just passed a clump of palms that might hide a tethered donkey.
She wrapped her arms around the animal’s chest and lifted its front legs from the ground. The creature was heavy and its rear legs dug shallow grooves in the road as she dragged it towards the trees. They had gone but a few cubits when the donkey coughed. Kiya released it and the beast stood looking at her, the spark of animation once more in its eyes.
"We must get home," she urged and tried to lead it towards the village. But after a few steps, the donkey again halted, blocked by an invisible barrier. Kiya stared in silent entreaty at the unresponsive animal then decided she could waste no more time. With a strength fuelled by desperation she dragged the donkey away from the village.
When it reanimated, she took the reins and led it down into the dry irrigation ditch that bordered the road. It showed no resistance but seemed half asleep as she tied it to the trunk of one of the trees.
"Stay there. I will be back in the morning."
The first stars were appearing in the sky by the time Kiya returned to Ankhis. The square was deserted, so Kiya hitched her shift above her knees and ran down the path and along the riverbank until she reached her aunt’s house.
The stockade door was bolted, but Laylos opened it at once to her knocking. “Where have you been, Kiya?” She was as angry as Kiya had feared. “How dare you put me through so much worry?"
"I was kidnapped by fishermen."
"Kidnapped by fishermen?" Laylos's annoyance changed to concern. “The rascals, why would they do such a thing? How did you escape?” She put an arm around Kiya and led her to the rolled mattress to sit down. “What happened, my dear?”
Kiya told her aunt of the journey to the Nome Lord's palace and how she had been set free. Laylos was horrified. "You have made an enemy of Massui. Oh, my dear child. You are no longer safe in Gesem, we must get you back to Thebes as soon as possible.”
Kiya agreed, but her concerns were also for her aunt. “What about you, Laylos? Will Massui know I am your niece?”
“If he doesn’t know already, he will discover it soon enough - he has spies everywhere. I will have to come with you.”
“That would be wonderful, Laylos. But what about your home? What about your business? Oh dear, I fear I have brought great trouble upon you.”
“What is there for me in Ankhis? All those I loved have died or gone elsewhere. Having you come and stay with me was a joy. It made me realise how lonely I have become.”
Kiya embraced her aunt. “I love you, Laylos. If we could flee now I would. But the donkey must be destroyed before we go.”
“So be it,” said Laylos. “It would have been foolhardy for us to travel at night, anyway. Two women on their own would be a target for thieves and vagabonds.”
“Even in daylight we may not be safe,” said Kiya.
“Safer than staying here. Let us hope your donkey has turned back to wax by morning. In the meantime, we must eat. I prepared supper long ago but your disappearance ruined my appetite.” Laylos gazed ruefully at Kiya, then went into the house and came out with a tray on which were plates of salted fish and bread plus two goblets of beer.
“I have been thinking that Dennu took a big risk to rescue you,” said Laylos as she placed the tray on the mattress between them. “His father is merciless if he suspects disloyalty.” She took a sip of beer and her eyes became dreamy as she recalled the past. “When I worked at the palace he was a sweet boy with a mop of dark hair and big, round eyes. After his mother died he spent much time in the kitchens, always lurking in the shadows. We did our best to show the boy affection, but we were just servants and powerless to help.”
Gratitude to Dennu filled Kiya’s heart. “He has turned out to be a hero, Laylos. He has become a man of compassion, despite everything. I must make sure Massui never discovers that he has helped me."
“He must also never discover his powers as a magician,” said Laylos.
“Why not?” asked Kiya. “Surely he would be proud of his son.”
Laylos shook her head. “I fear not. He is a cruel and jealous man. He would see Dennu as a threat to his position. There is only room for one magician in Gesem.”
“Oh dear.” Kiya was dismayed. “That makes it doubly important to destroy the donkey.” She finished her supper and rose to her feet. “I wish I had never left it tied to a tree. Shall I go and try to retrieve it?”
“No. Night has fallen, it is too dangerous to be out. Besides, if it will not move, how can you bring it home?” Laylos rose to her feet and picked up the tray. “We’ll wash the dishes and then you can help
me pack my medicines. There is much to be done if we wish to make an early start.”
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 10