Chapter Eighty Three: Leave Taking
“I think she knew that you were really the Princess,” said Laylos as she watched Bunefer’s retreating figure.
“Of course.” Kiya felt worried. “I wish she had not seen me.”
“She expects you to return to the harem,” said Laylos.
“I know, but I cannot.”
“She seems a nice enough woman,” said Laylos. “I hope she does not get into trouble.”
“So do I. It is unfortunate that I had to change places with Vitane to get access to the palace. Tell me, Aunt, what happened to her?”
“We brought Vitane with us to Akhetaten and exchanged one of her nuggets for money.” Laylos frowned. “I must say, Kiya, I think you were a bit overgenerous with the girl. The first thing she did was go to the market and buy expensive clothes.”
“As long as she has enough money left to get home with,” said Kiya.
“We put her on a boat to Helwan. She should be safe, there is still a garrison in the town. How she gets to Crete is up to her. She has enough money to hire a boat and crew – if she does not spend it all.”
“Dear Vitane,” said Kiya shaking her head. “She is like a child. I hope I did the right thing when I exchanged places with her.”
“She probably would not have enjoyed the deflowering ceremony. Tell me more about it.”
Two servant girls were approaching the terrace carrying laden trays. “Shush! I think it is time for lunch, Aunt,” said Kiya.
The meal consisted of many small bowls of meats and vegetables, some of which Kiya had never seen before.
“What is this?” said Laylos. She held up some shredded meat and gazed at it suspiciously.
“Hedgehog?” suggested Kiya.
“Yuk!” Laylos put it back in the bowl. “I am not eating anything I cannot identify. How your uncle would enjoy this meal – he would gobble down the lot and not give it a moment’s thought.”
“You must bring him with you next time, Laylos.”
“Yes, indeed. He would be very impressed.”
After lunch Kiya yawned and did not protest when her aunt insisted on putting her to bed. “You have a nice rest, my dear. I will come and see you tomorrow.” Laylos leant over and kissed her forehead.
“I love you, Laylos.”
“And I love you too.”
Kiya watched her aunt leave with drowsy eyes and even as the door shut behind her she fell asleep.
The sound of splashing water woke Kiya. She saw that the door to the dressing room was open and servant girls were filling the bath. She yawned and stretched.
One of the girls came into the room and bowed. “We thought you might like a bath, my Lady, before your evening meal.”
“That would be lovely,” said Kiya. She got out of bed and went into the bathroom. The girls took their empty jugs and left.
Kiya removed her tunic and, with a sigh of pleasure, she immersed herself in the warm water. Her swollen stomach rose above the surface like an island. She stroked it and felt a wave of love from the foetus. Is that normal? she wondered. Is every woman loved by the growing child inside her?
A thick towel hung on a rack beside the bath. Kiya lay relaxing until the water cooled than she got out of the bath and towelled herself dry.
She crossed to the table where there was a mirror, a comb, kohl and a bottle of scented oil. Kiya rubbed the oil into her skin and combed her hair. When she looked into the mirror she knew that she had never looked more beautiful. Her skin had a glow that was almost luminescent.
Kiya wrapped herself in a robe from one of Dennu’s clothes stands and went back into the bedroom, where the brazier had been lit and a supper-tray placed beside the seating pit.
After a light meal of dates and honey cakes washed down by beer, Kiya sat and stared into the brazier. Where was Dennu now? Would he come home tonight? Would she have a chance to make everything right between them? Was it even possible? Concerns about the present obliterated her worries for the future.
The fire burnt low and Kiya got into bed and waited for Dennu to come to her. Eventually she slept and in the morning she woke alone. He had not returned. She tried to put on her old shift but it was too tight to fit over her belly and so she wore Dennu’s tunic again.
Breakfast was ready on the table in the main room. It was laid for one. Sadly Kiya ate and then she went out onto the veranda and sat looking at the garden. A pair of doves perched side by side in a nearby bush, rubbing their beaks together and cooing. One of them abruptly flew away, leaving the other alone and disconsolate. After waiting a while the other left in another direction. Kiya was drawing a comparison with her own situation when she saw Dennu striding through the garden towards her. He looked magnificent in full battle dress, with wide leather straps across his chest and a sword at his side.
She ran to greet him as he bounded up the steps and onto the terrace. He stopped before she reached him and raised his hand in a military salute. “I have come to say goodbye.”
She flung her arms around him. “Let me come with you Dennu, don’t leave me.” The bronze rivets on his straps pressed into her painfully but she held him close and for a brief moment she felt his arms around her. Then they dropped to his sides.
“Don’t make this more difficult for me, Kiya,” he said. “You know why I cannot be with you.” His voice was cold and she knew that the armour was around his heart as well as his body.
She let go of him and stood back, gazing up at him with anxious eyes. “Are you going to Crete?”
“Yes, the boat is waiting to take us to Gesem.”
“Be careful, Dennu, it has become lawless in the delta.”
“Perhaps this might be a good time to teach me your spell.”
“What spell?”
“The one that gives you invisible armour that can protect you from a spear.”
“There is no spell.”
“Even now you are determined to keep secrets from me.”
“Wait, I have something for you.” Kiya remembered her spear and hurried into the bedroom, fearful that he might leave before she returned. The spear was leaning against the wall. She grabbed it and ran back to where Dennu waited on the terrace.
“I want you to take this spear with you. It is made of star metal and can pierce the hide of a hippopotamus or even a crocodile.”
“Star metal?” He took the spear and examined the point. “This is a generous gift indeed!”
Kiya reached out and touched his arm. “Come back to me, Dennu.”
The ice melted. He smiled, leant forwards and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead. “I must hurry, the ship is waiting. Take care, my love.”
He left the terrace and Kiya stared after him. He had not said he would return, but perhaps he, himself, did not know. Time changes so many things. She watched as he walked across the lawn to where his men were waiting. They saluted and followed him round the corner of the palace and out of sight. Kiya gazed after him and felt strangely at peace for she could do no more. The fate of her marriage rested on Dennu’s ability to accept her condition. She returned to the veranda. The long day stretched out before her and she wondered how she would pass the time.
“Kiya!” Laylos was hurrying across the terrace towards her, flushed and out of breath as though she had been running. “Oh Kiya, great news,” panted her aunt. “Sabu has come with the donkey and has agreed to take you home.”
Kiya’s new-found peace was shattered. “What about Dennu? Should I not wait for him here?”
“He will know where to find you,” said Laylos. “You are not safe in the palace without a husband to watch out for you. Despite the gold you gave her, Bunefer might reveal her suspicions and if the King recognises you as his bride, you will be shut in the harem and guarded forever.”
“But I have made no preparations.”
“Don’t worry, my dear. I have loaded Enno with food and drink and there is a travelling cloak to keep you warm at night. Look, I have br
ought your shift. There is still plenty of gold left in its pockets if you need some for your journey.”
“Thank you,” said Kiya. She took the shift from her aunt and regarded it dubiously. “I fear it is much too narrow, I will have to wear this tunic of Dennu’s. Tell him that I am sorry to have taken it.”
“I am sure he would not object,” said Laylos. “You are his wife, after all. Though even I am starting to lose count. You have had more husbands in the past year than I have had in my whole lifetime! Anubis, the King, Dennu.” She reeled the names off.
Despite her anxiety, Kiya smiled at her teasing. “You know the first two don’t count, Aunt. I am determined to remain faithful to Dennu.” She took Laylos’s arm. “We must stroll through the garden as casually as possible I don’t want anyone to suspect that I am leaving.”
The guard at the door watched them approach. Kiya half expected him to stop and question them but he stood back and saluted as they passed.
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 83