Austin, Lena God's Wife

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The Mother, yet? Bala took the hint and began to braid it in a simple style as opposed
to the elaborate coifs royal women were famous for.
Speak more softly. Yes, it arrived this morning with your breakfast. Bala
indicated a tray of fruit on a table by the door with a nod. The Lady Mother gives
information on the Nubian front. It s believed they may try to start a small war while
the Pharaoh is distracted with the wedding. The general is naturally going to travel here
for the wedding. No high-ranking official would miss it. He s a good strategist, so all
19
Lena Austin
we d have to do is give him a word when the time is right. He left plenty of reserves
down there, so all he needs is a warning and time enough to implement his plans.
Hati handed Bala the lightweight ornaments and pushed aside the heavy gold. So,
the general is a falcon that can be trusted? Good. Keep me informed. Have you gotten
the information on the other officials of the court? That vital knowledge would tell her
who to trust, who could be bribed, and who must be placated with flattery or deception.
Not yet. The Lady Mother will send a full report ready for you tomorrow. I would
hazard it will be the usual complexities of secrets. We have not seen a human yet that
did not have a failing somewhere. Bala grinned. Now, enjoy your few hours of
leisure. I will be back in a bit. With that, she bustled out.
The tray of fruit on the table also contained a pitcher of cool water and a few slices
of bread. Hati ignored the bread, poured herself a goblet of water and took a pear out
on the balcony.
At one end of the balcony, a large brazier still smoldered. Bala had burned trash out
here, and the faint stench lingered. Hati moved to the other side of the balcony with a
small smile, and ate her fruit in peace. Peace was now a rare commodity, and likely
would be so for the rest of her life. From this day forward, her life was full of danger
and intrigue. All for Egypt. Hati whispered the vow of the God s Wives to herself,
and choked back tears.
* * * * *
Senmut swung the last of his packs into the chariot. There was just enough room for
his feet to adjust to the movement of the chariot, so he was pleased. Concentrate on the
task at hand, he told himself sternly. You cannot afford to think about last night, dream
or not.
He stole one more look at the great line of balconies that formed the residence wing
of the palace, and fancied he saw one tiny figure watching him. The love and longing
nearly bent him in two, but he straightened his spine. May Isis bless you, my love,
with all the good things you wish for in your life. Your path was set from the moment
of your birth, and I have no place in that path, commoner that I am. I will cherish my
dream privately, never speaking it aloud, for it is my death, and perhaps yours if it
weren t a dream.
With that, he turned and jumped onto his chariot, and clucked at the horses. As
they passed out of the gates guarded by the avenue of sphinxes, he prayed, Please, Ra,
let it be that nothing happened, and your poor priest is nothing but a fool, for her sake.
* * * * *
20
The God s Wife
The morning sun filtered into the Royal apartments and made the figurine Hati
placed in the hole in the board seem to glow for a moment.
Tutmose stared at the board game, then laughed aloud. You beat me again,
Hatshepsut! I swear you would be terrible at senet, but you play it as well as you play
your beloved mehen and I know you re not cheating!
Hati batted her eyelashes in feigned innocence at Tutmose. In the weeks since he
had claimed her, they had dragged each other through exhaustive royal duties, and
played games together when time allowed. Tutmose took as much time as he could to
include her, or escape to her apartments for what little peace he found. He finally
relaxed around her enough to laugh, so perhaps it was time to establish the beginnings
of a more intimate relationship. Divine One, will you permit me to ask you to call me
Hati? Hatshepsut is more than a mouthful.
I would be delighted. However, in return, could we drop the Divine One and
other such ridiculous titles? You used to call me Mo before you left for the temple.
Tutmose responded soberly. He reached across the senet board to flick her nose.
I did? Well, I was only three. I did not think you d remember me. Hati was [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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