Chapter One Hundred: Bunefer
Rahotep stood, a massive presence, his arms folded blocking their entrance. Beyond him birds were singing and Kiya could see the familiar courtyard of the harem. She had found the right door.
For a moment the eunuch glared down at Kiya and Vitane as if they were interlopers, servants, perhaps, who had lost their way. Then his severe expression changed to one of astonishment. He stared at Kiya. “Princess Vitane?” he said.
“Yes, I have brought the Princess with me,” said Kiya.
Bunefer came hurrying towards them. “Thank the gods you have returned, Princess,” she cried. “Who is your companion?”
“This is Princess Vitane,” said Kiya.
Bunefer stopped and stared from one to another. “What nonsense is this?” she said. “Come in quickly, girls, you cannot hang around the servants’ doorway.”
She ushered them into the courtyard. Kiya saw Vitane look around, delighted by the glorious display of flowers and by the singing birds in cages.
“All your things are safe,” said Bunefer to Kiya. “Your clothes are hung on stands so they remain fresh and uncreased. Your jewellery is in its chest.”
“My golden belt,” said Vitane delightedly. “I long to wear that again, and my scarlet dress. How I have missed my clothes. Egyptian fashion is so boring.”
Bunefer stared at her, uncertainly. They entered the bedroom where Kiya had been prepared for the deflowering ceremony.
“This is lovely,” said Vitane. “A sunken bath! At last I can have a good soak in warm water. I never could get used to that cold trough of yours, Kiya. And look! There are my clothes.” She darted around the room going from stand to stand like a child with many toys.
“Is she really the Princess?” asked Bunefer. “Either that or you have schooled her well.”
“I promise you that she is,” said Kiya.
“I could have you arrested for impersonating her,” said Bunefer with a frown.
“I know. I took that risk when I brought her back,” said Kiya. “Vitane is like a child. She cannot exist in the real world. I owe it to her and to you to right the wrong I did.”
“What did you hope to gain by taking her place?” asked Bunefer.
“I merely wished for access to the palace. I had no idea that so many problems would be caused.”
“You are a foolish girl,” said Bunefer. “If you wished an audience with the King you could have gone to the temple.”
Kiya could see that the harem keeper was angry and still in two minds to have her arrested.
“It was not the King I wished to see but Queen Nephertiti.”
Bunefer’s frown deepened at the name, for Nephertiti had made few friends in court. “She was also available in the temple. Why did you not see her there?”
“Because she hated me. She was an imposter and I knew it.”
Bunefer thought back. “She left on the night you disappeared. We are expected to think that she became an angel. Was her departure your doing?”
“In a way it was, but you must never tell a soul.”
Bunefer nodded. “You revealed her as a fake and she was forced to flee. You did a good job there, girl, although to unmask her you had to become an imposter yourself.”
“I am sorry about that,” said Kiya. “But no harm has been done.”
“No harm done?” Bunefer looked at her incredulously. “I have been worried out of my mind. Princess Vitane’s cousin is coming on a trade mission next week and will ask to see her. The King has been wanting her for his bed. I have persuaded him that she is ill but for how long can her illness last? My life has been a nightmare since you ran away.”
The harem keeper looked so distressed that Kiya put her arms around her and gave her a hug. “Everything is fine now,” she said.
Bunefer pushed her away. “No it is not. What if the King notices how much you have changed?”
“He will not. He did not look at my face and the room was dark.”
Bunefer sighed. “Do you swear to me upon the judgement of Thoth that this girl really is Princess Vitane and that her cousin will recognise her?”
“I swear,” said Kiya.
Vitane overheard them. “Which cousin will recognise me? Is it Ana?”
“Yes, Princess,” said Bunefer. “She will be coming on a trade mission next week.”
Vitane clapped her hands “Ana! How lovely to see her again. I am so happy.”
Bunefer was convinced.
“We must prepare you to meet the King, Princess. I will send in girls to bathe you.” She turned to Kiya. “I presume that you really are Kiya, the wife of Lord Dennu? Or is that another deception?”
Kiya sighed. “Do not judge me so harshly, Bunefer. I am indeed the wife of Dennu.”
“When you went missing from the palace I wondered.”
“Dennu led a tribute convoy to Crete. I went home to my parents to give birth to my child, but he sent for me upon his return. I go to meet him now.”
Bunefer looked at her quizzically. “He took long enough to summon you. He has been back for many weeks.”
“Really?” Kiya was disconcerted. She had assumed that Dennu was as anxious to see her as she was to see him.
“You must leave the harem now, Lady Kiya. It is forbidden for any but the King’s wives and their servants to be here.”
“Goodbye Vitane,” Kiya called to her friend, who had found a mirror and was looking intently at her reflection.
Vitane ran across the room and hugged her. “I will see you again soon, Kiya. Promise?”
Kiya looked at Bunefer enquiringly. “Vitane is free to walk within the palace grounds,” said the harem keeper. “She may visit the house of Lord Dennu if she wishes to do so.”
“Yes, I will see you very soon,” Kiya told her friend.
Rahotep was waiting outside Vitane’s room. He escorted Kiya across the courtyard and out through the servants’ door. Kiya stood in the gloomy corridor and heard the door bolted behind her.
She took a deep breath. It was time to face Dennu. She walked back along the corridor with reluctant steps. Why had it taken him so long to send for her? Was he having second thoughts about their marriage? Excitement and dread filled her heart in equal measures.
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 100