Austin, Lena God's Wife

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be a son, then you must wait to see if they survive to adulthood. Again, you have all
that time to prove you re a better ruler than I. She paused then smiled wickedly. Oh,
and may I suggest you get issue from your own body as well, Lord Akenmose? I note
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The God s Wife
you re at least twenty, and you have not even one wife or heir. What better way to show
improvement, not only in land-taxes, but also increasing your family?
Lord Akenmose shuddered delicately, and turned to leave. Hati heard Keoset s
intake of breath at the discourtesy. That was quite enough. Her tolerance ended.
Akenmose! she barked.
Lord Akenmose stiffened and stopped. He turned slowly around, his face showing
his fury because Hati had not used his title.
You may not have respect for the person on the throne, but you will have respect
for the throne itself. Bow and show courtesy, she growled. At his hesitation, she added,
Do not force me to humiliate you.
Lord Akenmose bowed stiffly; using the minimal amount of courtesy a noble may
show to the throne of Egypt. It was sufficient, barely. Hati s eyes narrowed. He bowed a
little lower. Then she nodded dismissal. He fled.
Hati leaned over to whisper to Keoset, Have him watched. He will not be satisfied
to wait. Extending her gift to check the mood of the crowd, she felt waves of approval
and respect. Breathing a purely internal sigh of relief, she turned to pay attention to the
next petitioner with all the calm dignity of a pharaoh. The princes surrounding Senmut
took copious notes with round eyes.
* * * * *
The heat in the Valley of the Kings was oppressive the day Hati filed in with the
High Priest ahead of the long procession bearing Mo to his eternal rest. It was early
morning, and already the temperatures were soaring. Because of their pregnancies,
Pythia and Hati had ridden in a litter instead of a chariot, slowing the procession down
to a crawl. Between the heat, the chants of the priests and the wailing, Hati s head
ached.
Kara, Bathomet and the concubines trailed after the litter, panting in the heat, but
doing their best to signify their loss with the traditional wailing. Hati looked back as the
litter bearers set them down gently in time to see acolyte priests run forward with water
for the mourners.
Pythia had done her best to comfort Hati, but it was expected that Hati cry, if
nothing else. She could not wail with the others because she had to have a voice to
perform the Opening of the Mouth Ceremony once Mo s sarcophagus was placed upon
the great granite bier. Both Hati and Pythia had finally finished being sick every
morning, and Hati was grateful it had taken an extra ten-day to finish all the
preparations. Now they could both act with some dignity and not be affected by the
swaying of the litter.
Pythia rose from the litter first, as the lower-ranking lady, and helped Hati from the
chair to the hard-baked, hot ground. In an amazing show of dexterity, Pythia managed
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Lena Austin
to press a small square of linen in Hati s left hand without anyone being aware of this
small show of kindness. Hati quickly palmed it into her belt with a squeeze of gratitude
on Pythia s hand. The slow lowering of a right eyelid acknowledged the thanks.
Pythia had become Hati s favorite Singer since her trial. She always had a kind
gesture, a ribald song or a new trick to play on a hapless noble courtier. Lately, she d
begun pulling gems from the ears of the royal children, making them scream with
laughter. Even now, her kindness in providing something to snuffle into made Hati s
eyes swim.
Get on with you, Hati. Pythia whispered her words urgently as the High Priest
made his stately way toward their divan. Here comes Himself to see you down. I will
have some cool water waiting when you return. She gave a tiny nod to indicate the
High Priest and the acolyte bearing the tools for the ceremony below.
It s bad enough that I have to do this as Mo s successor. I will need the water,
thanks.
Mo would have appreciated you are the one to see him off, Pythia offered. He
was nice to me, and her eyes filled. Crying now, she joined the other concubines while
Hati, Kara and Bathomet followed the High Priest into the humid darkness.
It was a long, dark walk with only a few torches held by priests to light the way. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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