Kiya and the God of Chaos

by Philippa Bower

  Chapter Twenty Four: A Declaration

  Laylos looked up with a frown. “What back already? It’s not like Huy to give up so early.”

  “He does not look dejected,” said Kiya. “He is walking swiftly and will be here soon.”

  “No matter, the treatment is done,” said Laylos. "Now, put this spell on your stomach, Ramala, and stay in bed for a while.”

  They heard the front door open and Huy enter the house. “Hello?” he called. Laylos and Kiya hurried downstairs. “Congratulate me,” he said. “I have found a job.”

  “Already?” exclaimed Kiya.

  “What job?” asked Laylos.

  “I’m on the temple guard and I start work tonight,” he said. “I’ve come to collect my things. Is my tunic ready, Kiya?”

  As Kiya ran into the yard, hoping the garment had dried, she heard Laylos say. “You wasted no time in abandoning us.”

  “I cannot hang around here, I’m a soldier, not a farmer.” Kiya pulled the tunic from the rope. It seemed dry enough and she took it into the house. Huy inspected it. “A bit grubby still, but no matter. I can give you back the one I borrowed from Teos.” He pulled the tunic off over his head and stood in just his loincloth while he put on the newly-washed one. Kiya felt embarrassed by his lack of modesty, but could not help noticing that he had a fine body for a man of his age - well muscled and with a flat stomach.

  “I can’t believe you found work so quickly!” said Laylos.

  “I had a bit of luck,” said Huy. “When you all went to the market I followed the crowd back to the temple. There, in charge of the guard, was my old comrade-in-arms, Mahu. He recognised me, and when the people had dispersed we were able to have a few words. It seems that they need extra security to guard the King’s body and he gave me the job straight away.”

  “Oh! It’s just a temporary job then.”

  Huy grinned at her. “We shall see, but I have a good friend in Captain Mahu. He has already allowed me to billet in married quarters, rather than in the barracks.”

  “Married quarters?" exclaimed Laylos. "Why would you want to do that?”

  “They are more spacious, for a start,” said Huy. “And they are in the heart of the city, instead of within the temple walls. Besides, I intend to get married.”

  Kiya looked at Laylos and saw that her aunt had gone white. “W-Who are you getting married to?” Laylos asked.

  Huy did not reply, but gave Kiya a meaningful look. “I must go and check on my mother,” Kiya said. She ran up the stairs and lingered out of sight so she could eavesdrop.

  “Do you remember the old days, Laylos, when we worked at Massui’s palace?” Huy’s voice was deep and gentle.

  “That was a long time ago,” said Laylos.

  “There was one day in particular. You were in the kitchen making cinnamon biscuits and little Dennu entered in tears. I was filling the beer barrels and watched while you comforted the child. I knew then you were the woman I wanted to marry and would have declared myself but Bai arrived and my chance had gone.”

  “You had plenty of other chances,” said Laylos.

  “Not so,” said Huy. “You were a high-spirited woman, Laylos and rarely in such a gentle mood. Besides, Bai also had feelings for you and I feared you might reject me in favour of him.”

  “Coward,” said Laylos.

  “Only in matters of love,” said Huy. “Look at me now, my knees are shaking. Please put me out of my misery, Laylos. Say you will marry me.”

  “And become the wife of a soldier?”

  Hidden behind the wall, Kiya ground her teeth in exasperation. For the gods’ sake, Laylos, accept him. He is brave, handsome and will make a fine husband. She had to put her hand over her mouth to stop herself calling out.

  “Yes, indeed,” said Huy, “and I can assure you that with my experience and contacts it will not be long before I am once more an officer.”

  “Oh, very well, Huy,” said Laylos. “I would be honoured to be your wife.”

  Kiya gave a sigh of relief and peered around the corner of the staircase. She watched Huy take Laylos into his arms and kiss her with such passion that Kiya felt her body tingle in sympathy. She withdrew back behind the wall.

  After a pause, Huy said, “Will you repeat the sacred words that will bind us together?”

  “I will.”

  “With these words you are my wife, to cherish until the afterlife. At the end of a lifetime spent with you, Thoth will find that my heart is true.”

  “With these words I am your spouse to bear your seed and share your house. At the end of a lifetime spent with you, Thoth will find that my heart is true.”

  Kiya peered round corner of the stairs again and looked straight into the eyes of Huy. He laughed. “I thought I saw your shadow, Kiya. There is no need to tell you the good news but perhaps you could summon the others.”

  “What’s going on?” called out Ramala.

  “Huy and Laylos have got married,” Kiya told her.

  “That’s wonderful! I’m coming down.”

  “You should rest a little longer,” Laylos commanded. But she was too late, Ramala came running down the stairs and embraced her and then Huy.

  “Go and tell your father,” Ramala said to Kiya. “This calls for a proper celebration.”

  Kiya opened the door to the cowshed and saw Dennu and her father standing at the entrance, gazing out at the floodwater. They were deep in conversation but stopped when they realised that she was there.

  “I have great news,” she said. “Huy and Laylos are married.” She led the two men back into the house where Ramala was already pouring goblets of beer.

  There was much kissing and hugging and drinking to happiness.

  “My dear sister,” said Ramala, “we have only just become reunited and now you are leaving.”

  “I will not be far away,” said Laylos. “I will return daily to replace the poultice, and you must come and visit us often.”

  “What a pleasure it will be to live near each other,” said Ramala.

  “Now we must leave,” said Huy. “I take first watch tonight and all the joy in the world must not make a soldier late on duty.”

  “What about all my things?” wailed Laylos, indicating the pile of packages still stacked beside the loom.”

  “We will bring them tomorrow,” Teos assured her. And with more kisses and promises of eternal friendship, the happy couple left.

  Kiya stood in the doorway and watched Huy and Laylos walk away along the path. They looked back and waved. She returned the greeting and kept smiling although, after so many adventures together, she felt a wrench upon their leaving.

  "I hope they will be very happy," said her mother, who stood at her side. "Now, come in quickly, my dear, before you are seen."

  Dennu and Teos were waiting for them in the house. “We have solved the problem of what to do with Kiya," said Teos. "Dennu has kindly offered to take her with him to Helwan.”

  “What?” Kiya stared at her father in shock.