Kiya and the God of Chaos

by Philippa Bower

  Chapter Thirty One: A Warning

  Wordlessly, Urshu led the way to the assembly room. All who encountered them showed respect. Servants and slaves stopped and pressed back against the wall of the passageway to allow them ample room to pass. Kiya bowed in acknowledgement but Urshu swept on, oblivious to those around him. As they drew near, the chatter of dancing girls became louder. They fell quiet as Urshu entered the room. Kiya paused in the doorway and every eye turned to stare at her.

  “Good afternoon, dancers, may the blessings of the gods be upon you.” Kiya was glad that her voice expressed a confidence she did not feel.

  “Good afternoon, Highness,” came the reply.

  “Today we will practise the dance for the Festival of Amun. Please form your groups.” Kiya clapped her hands and the drummer started to tap his drum. “Remember that the priests, who carry the statues, will move slowly beneath their weight, so you must take tiny paces. Smile, this is a joyous celebration, a holiday for the gods.”

  The dancers smiled – all but Eopei, who scowled at her and then looked away. Kiya was troubled by her friend’s response. Somehow she must get a warning to her without arousing Urshu’s suspicion. Kiya was aware of the dark presence of the man as he stood against a wall, watching the proceedings.

  When the dancers had mastered the progressional steps, Kiya introduced arm positions to the dance. Those following the statue of Amun the creator held their arms curved above their heads to represent the creation of the world. Those following the statue of Mut, his wife, held their arms forwards like the embrace of a mother. Those following the statue of Khonsu, their son, held their arms outwards like a hovering hawk.

  “Hold your arms steady as you dance and do not let them droop as you become tired. It is a long distance from the temple to the quay and the gods will accept nothing less than perfection.”

  After a while, Urshu stepped forwards. “It’s time to prepare for the Dance of Safe Passage, Highness.”

  “Very, well.” Kiya clapped her hands and slaves ran into the room, carrying wigs and boxes of make up. While they prepared the dancers for the ceremony, others carried in trays of spiced wine and set them on the table.

  After the last slave left the room, Kiya spread her arms. “Greetings.” Her voice croaked so she cleared her throat and started again. “Greetings, dancing girls. May your performance delight Amun-Ra at the going down of the sun so his chariot will rise again in the morning and carry him across the heavens.”

  “So be it,” murmured the girls.

  Kiya moved to the table and the girls lined up to collect their drinks. One by one they came up to receive a goblet from her.

  “May this wine loosen your limbs so you dance to the glory of the god.”

  “So be it,” each one replied.

  Soon all the girls were drinking their wine and, when they finished, they brought the goblets back to the table. The atmosphere relaxed as the wine took effect. Kiya wondered how she could get word to Eopei. As it was, her friend solved the problem. When she returned her empty goblet, Eopei said in a low voice. “You have done well for yourself, Kiya.”

  “Arrest that girl and take her to my rooms!” commanded Kiya.

  Two guards emerged from the shadows of the corridor, entered the room and stood on either side of Eopei.

  “I am sorry! I did not mean anything!” the poor girl was wide-eyed with fear. The guards grabbed her arms and marched her away, leaving the other dancers standing in nervous silence. Kiya glanced at Urshu. He had been near enough to hear Eopei’s comment but he looked back at her with raised eyebrows and she feared that his suspicions had been aroused.

  “Eyes down for the prayer to Amun-Ra,” said Kiya. She knew the words by heart, having heard them every evening for two years. Afterwards, Kiya raised her hand and unseen musicians started to play in the temple. She turned to Urshu. “Supervise the dancing. I must go and interview the insolent girl. I am sure you agree that any familiarity must be severely dealt with.”

  Urshu said nothing, but looked at her, his eyes as sharp as flints, before bowing in acquiescence.

  When Kiya entered her quarters she saw Eopei standing in the anteroom with a guard on either side. Kiya walked passed her and entered the throne room, where she took her seat upon the throne. She clapped her hands.

  “You may bring in the dancing girl.” The guards entered dragging Eopei between them. They stood in a line before her. “You are dismissed,” Kiya told the guards. The two men released Eopei and backed away, but instead of leaving the room, they stood on either side of the door. Kiya frowned. “You may leave the room,” she commanded but the guards appeared not to hear her and remained standing in their positions.

  Kiya was dismayed. There must be a temple rule about leaving the High Priestess unattended. This was going to be a more difficult conversation than she had envisaged. She turned her attention to her friend, who looked frightened and kept her eyes lowered to the floor.

  Kiya felt pity for her fear. “Don’t worry, Eopei,” she said. “This is just a gentle warning that you must forget our old friendship and always address me as Highness.”

  At these comforting words, Eopei straightened up and looked Kiya in the eye. “Yes, Highness.”

  Her voice was slightly slurred and Kiya knew that the powerful wine she had drunk was taking effect. “I am sure you understand the importance of showing the High Priestess respect, Eopei. The other girls must be taught to revere the position.”

  “I suppose so,” said Eopei.

  Kiya leant forward and lowered her voice. “I want you to promise me one thing, Eopei. If ever you are alone in the temple you must not go near the Sacred Lake.”

  Eopei raised her eyebrows. “But I am never alone in the temple. We are not allowed to be.”

  “Just promise me, Eopei. It’s very important.” She glanced at the guards, who looked straight ahead and appeared to be taking no interest in the conversation. Were they Urshu’s spies? She wondered how much of this interview would be reported back to the Dance Master.

  “Very well, I promise,” said Eopei, but without conviction. “By the way, Dennu sends his love.” Kiya was taken aback by this sudden change of subject. She felt herself colouring and hoped her heavy makeup would hide her blushes.

  “You must call me Highness, when you address me, Eopei. I do not wish to have to tell you again.”

  “Very well, Highness. Dennu was as astonished as we all were when you became High Priestess.” She was becoming bolder and her resentment showed.

  “It is not permitted to discuss the past, Eopei. I am living a new life now.”

  “I am sure we are all happy for you – Highness. My life too is a happy one and I must thank you for introducing me to such a delightful lover.”

  Kiya glared at her. Like a gnat, Eopei had the talent of finding a sensitive spot to chew upon. “The past is over,” she said, then spoke quietly and with great emphasis. “Heed my warning, Eopei, it is very important.”

  Eopei looked at her, her eyes bright with merriment. “What warning? Not to mention Dennu?”

  “I did not mean...” Kiya stopped and glanced at the guards. Further conversation was pointless, while her friend was in such a mood. “Go and join the other dancers, Eopei, and remember what I told you.”

  “Yes, Highness.”

  Kiya clapped for the guards, who came forward and stood on either side of Eopei.

  “You may take her back to the Assembly room,” Kiya said. She watched her erstwhile friend depart, a graceful figure between the two burly men. Eopei’s hips swayed as she walked, her rounded buttocks outlined by the flimsy dancing tunic. Kiya tried not to think of Eopei and Dennu making love - such thoughts would be a betrayal of her friendship for both of them.