Kiya and the God of Chaos

by Philippa Bower

  Chapter Forty Four: Dennu

  Kiya stared at the scene before her, trying to make sense of the chaos. The foundations of the city covered a circular plain that was bounded by curving cliffs on one side and the Nile on the other.

  “It is amazing how much has been done,” said Sabu. “A few weeks ago this was nothing more than an empty area of sand and scrub. Look!” He pointed to a notch in the cliff. “That is where King Ikhnaton saw the sun’s rays shining through at dawn, like a finger pointing at him.”

  “What was he doing here so early?” asked Kiya.

  “He was on a hunting trip and the unknowable god led him to this place,” said Sabu in an awed voice. “As the sun rose, the shadow of the cliff drew back from the plain so he knew that the Aten was telling him that the new city should be built here.”

  Kiya was distracted from further questions by the sight of obelisks standing on the cliff top. So that’s where the Ipet-Isut obelisks had gone! She was half appalled and half impressed by the effort it must have taken to transport and erect them.

  “I was posted here from the beginning,” said Sabu. “We constructed the barracks first.” He indicated a long, low, building, almost invisible at the base of the cliffs. “Then we a built a small palace so the King and Queen could come and supervise the work. Later it will be used as a sacristy, which is why we positioned it at one end of the processional route.”

  “What is a sacristy?” asked Kiya.

  “It is where priests prepare themselves for the ceremonies. Both Ikhnaton and Nefertiti are high priests of the Aten.”

  “Really? That is unusual.” Kiya glanced at Sabu and wondered what he thought of the extraordinary power Nefertiti had over her husband. “Surely such a position is for the King alone?”

  “This is a new religion in which all are equal,” Sabu assured her.

  In that case, thought Kiya, we should all be high priests. She did not give voice to her scepticism but changed the subject to one of more immediate concern. “I expect my aunt and uncle will be living in the barracks,” she said. “We must get there and start looking for them.”

  Sabu agreed and led the way through the building site that was the new city. As she jumped ditches and circumvented piles of bricks, Kiya saw a large, open-sided tent. A man was working inside, studying a sheet of papyrus paper, unrolled upon a table. With a surge of excitement, Kiya recognised Dennu.

  She stopped and stared, uncertain whether it really was him. Dennu looked so different. Gone was the floppy dark hair, instead he was shaven bald, as is the way with priests. He no longer wore a tunic but was bare chested, wearing just a fine, pleated skirt with a jewelled belt.

  “Dennu?” she called.

  He looked up, startled, then smiled and beckoned her into his tent. She ran towards him and, for a moment it seemed as if he might embrace her, but he raised his hand in a more formal greeting. “Kiya! I never expected to see you here. Why have you come?”

  She couldn’t tell him she was a mission for Anubis and so she said. “I have come to see you all, to find out how you are getting on.”

  “We are doing well and, I am sure, we all appreciate your concern. How are Ramala and Teos? I hope your parents are in good health.”

  “Yes, thank you,” she said. “They send their love.”

  He smiled. “That is nice of them. I miss those peaceful days on the farm. We are all so busy here. I am helping to design the main buildings.” He pointed to the paper and Kiya stared at what she realised must be the layout of the temple.

  “Where is the sacristy?” she asked.

  “There,” he indicated a small square to the edge of the paper, then turned his attention to the large building that took up most of the page. “The temple has two courtyards which are open to the blessed rays of the Aten. Without a roof, there is no need for pillars so a thousand people and more can be accommodated for the ceremonies.”

  “Does it not get hot?” asked Kiya, who was only listening with half an ear while she studied the plan of the sacristy.

  There was a pause, as if Dennu had been expecting a different response, and then he said, “Yes, to be honest, it does. The King and his wife conduct the ceremonies beneath a sacred awning but people have already suffered from heat stroke.”

  “Have you managed to avoid such a fate?” asked Kiya, glancing up at him in concern.

  Dennu nodded. “I am fine. At the moment I am playing the role of architect. I seem to have a talent for turning King Ikhnaton’s dreams into reality.” He picked a second roll of papyrus from the table and opened it out. “Look this is the main palace. It will be surrounded by a walled garden with an artificial boating lake, pavilions and raised terraces. The King will live in a palace in the garden, with his favoured courtiers. All around, within the walls, is a hidden corridor, where servants can minister to their needs without being seen.”

  “It sounds wonderful,” said Kiya in an attempt to echo his enthusiasm.

  “The grand audience room will be here, open to the gardens. The King and Queen have interconnecting apartments. Then there is the harem, with its private passage to the King’s bedroom. The children’s quarters and school will be here, next to the harem.”

  “Where are the children now?” asked Kiya.

  “They are still in the palace in Thebes, along with the ladies of the harem and all their servants. The King is anxious to have the new palace built as soon as possible so they can all come to Akhetaten.”

  “It is a great undertaking,” said Kiya.

  “It is the most worthwhile thing I have ever done. The King is a visionary. He seeks to create a world of harmony where peace and love reign supreme.” Dennu’s blissful expression changed to a scowl as he noticed Sabu waiting outside with the donkey.

  “Is that Enno?” he said.

  “Yes, I borrowed him for the journey.”

  “And who is that man with him?”

  “He is Sabu, my bodyguard.”

  “A bodyguard? How can you afford to employ a bodyguard?” His eyes flickered to her arms where the golden armlet should be. “Oh, I see!” It was as if a shutter had come down between them. His face was expressionless.

  “Don’t be like that, Dennu,” she pleaded. “It’s not what you think. The armlet was stolen.”

  “Really?” His voice was heavy with sarcasm.

  “Honestly. Please believe me. I would not have parted with it for the world.”

  He sighed. “I resolved never to see you again, Kiya. But here you are and my emotions are in turmoil. I wish you would leave me in peace.”

  “But everything is different now,” she insisted.

  “Really? In what way?”

  Kiya hesitated. She could not tell him that she had once been in love with Anubis - she hoped that such youthful folly would remain a secret. “I am older now,” she said.

  Dennu grinned, his good humour returning. “You may be right. But I am disappointed that you did not keep the armlet. It meant a lot to me.”

  Kiya was about to protest when a man entered the tent and she was shocked to recognise Urshu. He looked as snake-like as ever with his thin lipped mouth gaping open and his hooded eyes wide with surprise. Dennu glanced at him briefly before introducing him. “This is my assistant, Urshu. He is a scribe, who is helping with the work.”

  Urshu bowed to Kiya and, having recovered from his initial shock, showed no sign of recognition. Kiya hesitated, aware that Dennu had not noticed Urshu’s reaction. What was her dance master doing here? She had last seen him at the temple in Thebes when the soldiers invaded. Of all the people in the world, he was the last she wished to meet. Was he being tactful? Was he trying to hide his past? Whatever the reason, she went along with the deception and bowed without speaking.

  “I had better be going,” she said, anxious to escape from a difficult situation. “I am trying to find Laylos and Huy.”

  “They are living in the barracks,” said Dennu. “The third house in the fourth square
.”

  “Do you see much of them?” she asked.

  “Very little.” Dennu indicated the papyrus sheet before him. “As you see, I am busy.”

  “Yes, of course. I am sorry to disturb you, Dennu.”

  “Not at all. It has been a pleasure to see you again.” He made a gracious gesture of farewell and she hurried from the tent.