Chapter One Hundred and Five: A Firm Resolve
When Kiya reached the terrace she saw Vitane, playing ball with the children on the lawn. “Vitane,” she called and her friend turned and waved.
“Stay and play with us, Vitane,” cried one of the children.
“Later, darling,” said Vitane and hurried towards Kiya.
The two of them embraced. “Come, sit upon these cushions,” said Kiya and led her friend to the seating ledge that ran along the rear of the veranda. “Tell me what life is like in the harem.”
“It is wonderful,” said Vitane. “Everyone is so kind to me.”
“What about the King? Have you seen Ikhnaton yet?”
“Oh yes, he sent for me on the first night. I had to pretend I had been ill. Bunefer coached me in what I had to say.”
“Did it all go well?”
“Yes. He said I had put on weight and I said it was because I was happy to be his wife. Then he laughed and said he liked a woman with a bit of flesh and he made love to me.”
There was a pause. Kiya wondered if Vitane would elaborate but she merely giggled and blushed.
“That’s good news,” Kiya said. “Are you happy to be his wife?”
“Oh yes,” sighed Vitane. “He is so kind and has a handsome face. I think I have fallen in love with him.”
“You don’t mind sharing him with all the other women in the harem?”
“Oh, no. It is the custom here for a great man to have a harem. He is much too important to be confined to just one woman.”
Kiya wished that she could feel that way about Dennu, but she knew that resentment was building in her heart. “Come let us walk in the gardens,” she said.
The two of them did not wander far from Dennu’s house because Kiya was expecting her aunt Laylos to visit her. Even after Vitane had returned to the King’s harem, Kiya lingered on the terrace. Where was Laylos? she wondered. Surely her aunt would want to see her after so long apart. Eventually, as the shadows of the garden were lengthening a figure appeared. It was Huy. He hurried to the terrace. “Your aunt wants to see you and wonders why you have not sent her a pass,” he said. He sounded abrupt.
“I long to see her,” said Kiya. “I have been waiting in the garden in the hopes that she might come. Dennu said he would arrange a pass.”
“He has not done so,” said Huy. “Your aunt thinks you might have become too high and mighty to associate with your family.”
Kiya was shocked. “How can she think that! I love her dearly. I love both of you. Please tell me you don’t feel that way, Huy.”
Huy smiled at her at last. “Who knows what to think, Kiya. Your life is one of constant changes. But you have a good and loving heart, that much I know.”
“Tell Laylos that I will come and see her, whether Dennu gets me a pass or not. I refuse to remain a prisoner in the palace.”
Huy nodded. “I will tell her. But take care Kiya. Your husband has become powerful and is not a man to be crossed.”
Kiya held out her arms, wanting her uncle to give a comforting hug, but he stood back and saluted, before he turned and marched away. She watched him depart and resolved that tomorrow, come what may, she would spend time with her aunt.
The sun was setting by the time Kiya left the garden and returned to the harem. Dennu was already sitting in the reception room with Itet at his side. “Aah, Kiya. Come and join us,” he said and patted the cushion beside him. “Itet tells me you were reminded not to be late for meals.”
“I apologise,” said Kiya as she took her seat. “But I have discovered that my aunt still has not received a pass so she can visit me. I have already asked and you promised that it would be done.”
Dennu frowned. “I have many more pressing duties to see to. You can have no notion of the importance of my position. I am in charge of the collection and distribution of food in the city. Without my hard work people would starve. And you want me to be bothered over a little thing like a pass for your aunt?”
“Yes,” said Kiya.
Dennu sighed. “It will be done, but I can’t promise when.”
Kiya was about to protest when Itet interrupted. “I have been busy at work on a head cloth for you, my Lord.”
Dennu turned to her. “I am delighted, my love. You have such skill with a needle.”
A servant came in with a tray of food, which she set on the table before them.
“I ordered quail in juniper, my Lord, for I know it is your favourite,” said Itet, pointing to one of the many dishes in front of them.
“Thank you, my dear,” said Dennu.
“What a joy it is to eat like this when the city is starving,” said Kiya.
They both looked at her sharply but did not reply and helped themselves to food.
“I saw Bes in the garden,” said Kiya. “I wonder what he can be up to.”
“The god Bes?” said Itet in amazement.
“What nonsense,” said Dennu.
“What could Bes be doing in the palace grounds?” said Itet. “Is his presence a good omen or a bad one?”
“I think he might be spying on us,” said Kiya.
Dennu put his bowl down on the table and rose to his feet. “I have had enough if this,” he said. “I want no more talk of false gods. There is only one true god. As for you, Kiya. If I hear one more word about your fantasies you will be punished.” With an angry swirl of his robes he left the room.
“We have upset Lord Dennu!” wailed Itet and buried her head in her hands.
“He has upset me,” said Kiya. She picked up the jug of beer and went to her room, leaving Itet crying over the half-finished meal.
That night Kiya heard footsteps pass her door. There was the sound of distant knocking.
“Lord Dennu has summoned you, Lady Itet,” came a voice.
Kiya imagined the joy with which Itet would obey the summons. Who cares that Dennu has chosen her before me? she thought. It is just as well, because the way I feel about things at the moment I would not want to make love to him.
She lay in bed and tried not to remember the thrill of his caresses and the pressure of his urgent lips upon hers. Despite her pride, her body ached for his lovemaking. Kiya listened in the darkness for Itet’s return but heard nothing and, eventually, she fell asleep.
The next morning, Kiya decided she was going to leave the palace and see Laylos. It would probably mean she would get into trouble but she didn’t care. She pulled her old, roughly-woven shift out of the chest and put it on, then she had a sudden thought and picked up the empty beer jug. If Dennu wanted a divorce she was ready and he would know that she wanted one too. She would fill the jug with Nile water and together they would smash it and be absolved from their vows.
She entered the main room of the house. The bedroom door was shut and she strained to hear sounds from beyond, but there was silence.
Gardeners were already at work as she crossed the dew-damp lawn. She was aware of curious glances as they toiled in the flowerbeds, dead-heading and weeding. They must wonder what a peasant girl is doing in the palace she thought, and dreaded an altercation at the gates. To her relief, the guards let her through without suspicion. Their task was to keep people out, rather than keep them in. As Kiya walked away down the busy street she wondered, too late, how she would get back inside.
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 105