Chapter One hundred and twenty four: Dennu’s House
Dennu emerged from the temple looking grim. “The King has put the defence of the city in my hands,” he said to Ana. “He will remain in the temple and pray to the Aten for deliverance.”
“Let us hope his prayers are successful,” said Ana.
“I will meet you at home,” said Dennu.
“Home?” Kiya was momentarily confused.
“I should say, in my house,” Dennu corrected himself. “I will alert those we wish to join the war council.”
“Let Sabu know,” said Kiya. “He will bring the nomads to help us.”
Dennu frowned. “Who is Sabu?”
“The man who was my bodyguard. He leads a nomad tribe and I am sure will come to my aid.”
“I am sure he will,” said Dennu, his frown deepening. “Such devotion is unusual for a man who was merely a bodyguard.”
“What are you suggesting?” said Kiya, her anger rising to meet his.
“Enough!” commanded Ana. “We have work to do.” She wheeled away her chariot and headed towards the palace. “I am not having you two fight again,” she said to Kiya. “Your love for that man makes a fool of you.”
“It is all in the past,” protested Kiya but she knew that the wounds were still raw.
There were fewer people in the streets now. As the chariots rode through the market Kiya saw that stall holders were packing away their wares. The news of a coming attack had reached the populace.
When they arrived at the palace Kiya found the guards on full alert, their spears at the ready. The soldiers recognised the Cretan chariots and stood to one side to let them in.
They crowded into the courtyard, the horses, champing and restless. Ana turned to one of the men riding in the chariot behind Kiya and spoke in Cretan. The man bowed and laid his hand on his heart.
Ana turned to Kiya. “I have put Rusa in charge of stabling the horses while we go to the war council. Show me where it is to be held.”
Kiya dismounted from the chariot and went to the door which led to the garden. She feared that the plants might have succumbed to the drought but when, she opened the door she saw that the lawns were green and the trees and shrubs flourished. The palace was an oasis of peace in a desert of alarm and confusion.
Kiya walked beside Ana along the path that led to Dennu’s house. “That is where Dennu lives,” she said pointing to the long, low building on the terrace.
“What a fine house, and in such beautiful surroundings,” said Ana. “It is a shame you are unable to submit to the disciplines of the harem, Kiya. Dennu is a good man and he seems to love you still.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” said Kiya.
“Perhaps you would prefer the love of a woman?” said Ana. “When I rule Crete my love will not be for my husbands. I do not wish to break my heart over every sacrifice. My love will be for my woman partner, who will rule by my side and be with me for a lifetime.”
Was this a proposition? wondered Kiya. She decided to ignore it. “I want nothing more than to marry and have children with a man who will love only me,” she said. “I have learnt not to care for wealth or privilege. Love is enough.”
“Spoken like a simpleton,” said Ana with a frown.
They mounted the steps and crossed the terrace.
“I presume the meeting is to be in the main room,” said Kiya and she led Ana through the veranda and into the house.
A servant emerged through the door to the harem. She looked at them enquiringly and bowed when she recognised Kiya.
“The Princess and I are here at the request of Lord Dennu,” said Kiya. “There is to be a meeting of the war council.”
“Yes, my Lady. Would you like me to bring you refreshments?”
“I will have a beer, please,” said Kiya. She looked at Ana.
“I will have a beer too,” said Ana, “and I am also hungry.”
The servant bowed and left the room.
“I wonder if Itet knows we are here,” said Kiya. She did not have to wonder long, for the door opened and Itet hurried into the room.
“Kiya!” she said. “How wonderful to see you again.” She stood uncertainly not sure whether to embrace her former companion. Kiya smiled and held out her arms and the two women hugged.
“I have missed you,” said Itet, “Have you returned to us?”
“No, we are just here for a meeting.”
“Oh, I am sorry,” said Itet then she brightened. “Dennu will soon marry again. The Grand Vizier has offered him his daughter.”
“Do you not mind sharing your husband with other women?” asked Ana, with a sideways look at Kiya.
“Oh, no. I long for company and one day there will be children. The harem can be a lonely place when you are on your own.”
“How is your condition?” asked Kiya, glancing at Itet’s slightly swollen belly. “I hope you are keeping well.”
“Alas, I am weak in the mornings and am often sick. But I am assured by the servants that this is a natural part of childbearing.”
“I am sorry I deserted you,” said Kiya with a pang of guilt.
“There is no need to apologise, Kiya,” Itet said. “Dennu has explained it all to me. You need the excitement of an adventurous life, which cannot be found in the palace.”
Kiya gave an inward sigh. She felt as if she had had enough adventure to last a lifetime and there was still a battle to be fought. From the bottom of her heart she yearned for peace, for the orderly pattern of the seasons and a loving husband to share life with. How can such simple happiness be so hard to find?
A servant came in with a tray on which were two goblets of beer and a selection of bread and cakes. She laid it on the table and Kiya and Ana sat down to their meal.
“Will you join us, Itet?” asked Kiya.
“If I do not intrude,” she said and sat at the table beside Kiya.
Kiya offered her the plate of cakes. “Have you news of my son?” she asked. “Is Meri safe and well?”
“Yes, indeed,” said Itet, selecting a saffron bun. “He lives within the temple and is well guarded.”
“But is he happy?” asked Kiya. “What of companionship?”
“All the great people of Egypt come to sit at his feet and feel his love. They ask him many questions about the unknowable god but he does not speak. He smiles and his love glows more strongly than ever.”
“Perhaps that is an answer,” said Kiya.
“They wish to know how he created the world and why,” said Itet. “They want to know the meaning of it all.”
“Then they are fools,” said Ana. “A man cannot know the unknowable, however hard he tries.”
Itet rose to her feet. “There are many people coming this way,” she said, nodding towards the garden. “I will say farewell, but I hope we meet again soon.”
She hurried from the room and Kiya looked to where Dennu was leading a group of men across the lawn towards the house. She recognised Huy, Sabu and the Grand Vizier, and she knew that they were being joined by the rest of the war council.
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 124