Chapter Forty Two: Sabu
Kiya had expected the ship to turn down river to go to Akhetaten and was surprised when it headed towards the east bank of the city. She stood on the deck, cooled by a refreshing breeze, and watched the grand buildings grow closer. This part of Thebes was where rich merchants lived, their houses clustered around the quayside. Normally it was a bustling place but Kiya could see no ships moored and nobody on the landing stage but soldiers manning a queue of empty ox carts.
“Hurry up, you are late,” shouted one of the soldiers as they approached.
The leader of Kiya’s group called out some expletives and, when they docked, he led his ox and cart so swiftly down the gang plank that the poor animal let out a bellow of protest. Kiya watched in concern as the ox tripped and nearly fell, regaining its foot hold amidst a further shower of expletives. Kiya followed the others as they disembarked, feeling embarrassed to be in such company.
The wagon train lumbered through the streets, past many splendid buildings, all of which were humbled by the huge palace. As she led Enno past the enclosing walls of what had once been the King’s residence, Kiya glanced through a doorway and saw a beautiful pleasure garden with a lake. Beyond was the building, glowing pink and gold and covered with murals. People were in the garden - servants and women in fine clothes. Kiya paused to stare at them, wondering if the women were members of the King’s harem. An armed guard at the entrance glared at her and shifted his spear making Kiya forget her curiosity and hurry on her way.
They reached the poorer quarters of the city where the streets narrowed and the plodding oxen made slow progress. By the time the wagon train reached open countryside Ra’s chariot was at its zenith. Kiya walked through a familiar landscape. Newly-sown fields stretched down to the reed beds of the Nile, while, on the other side of the road, scrubland led to high escarpments. She began to feel tired and hungry and was relieved when the head soldier called a halt for lunch.
Kiya sat beside the soldiers on a grassy bank and unpacked her food bag. The two older soldiers ignored her but the younger one, who had befriended her at the quay, turned to talk to her.
“Would you like a peach?” he said.
“Yes please,” she replied and gave him one of Ramala’s honey cakes in exchange.
“My name is Sabu,” he said.
“I am Kiya.” She reached out to shake his hand, which was rough, like a peasant’s. “I must thank you for your help in getting me on the ferry. I owe you a copper ring.” She felt in her waist pouch, pulled out a ring and offered it to him.
He hesitated for a moment before accepting it. “Many thanks, although I feel embarrassed to accept money for helping such a beautiful lady.”
Kiya was pleased by his flattery. “Are you from around here?” she asked.
“My father owns a farm to the north of Thebes.”
“Oh! My father owns a farm to the south. I have not seen you before.”
“I have seen you, though. I recognised you at once. You were a temple dancer, were you not?”
“Yes.”
“I watched all the festivals and processions,” Sabu continued. “I wanted to be a musician, but my father was poor and I never had a chance to learn.”
“I am sorry.”
“There’s no need. I quite like being a soldier, although it is not the adventurous life I hoped for. Most of the work is constructing new buildings at Akhetaten. I have been told that the King is against violence so there will be no more wars.”
“Did you not want to be a farmer?”
“Not really, anyway there are too many of us on the farm. I have five brothers and three sisters so, when we reach adulthood, we have to make our own way in the world.”
Kiya couldn’t imagine life in a one-room farmhouse with so many people. Her own home had been crowded enough when she, Dennu, Laylos and Huy had stayed with her parents.
They finished their meal. “Time to get on,” said the head soldier.
“I must get back to the cart,” said Sabu. “It has been a real pleasure to meet you. I never thought I would have an opportunity to talk to a dancing girl. You were like goddesses to us young men.”
Kiya felt much happier now she knew that at least one of the soldiers was friendly. “Can I ask a favour?” she said.
“Of course.”
“Please would you help me mount my donkey? The journey has tired me and my shift makes it difficult to get on Enno’s back.”
“With pleasure.” He put his hands on her waist and lifted her high so she could sit sideways on the donkey. “Compared to sacks of grain you are as light as Thoth’s feather,” he said with a laugh.
“Stop flirting with that woman, Sabu, and get back to work,” yelled the head soldier.
“Sorry about him,” murmured Sabu and hurried back to his cart.
They travelled without stopping for the rest of the day. By nightfall they reached an inn and the soldiers halted the carts.
“We will spend the night here,” said the head soldier. “You can stay in the inn, lady. We have to sleep by our loads.”
Kiya slid from Enno’s back and tied him to a tree beside the building, where there was a trough of water and plenty of new grass. She stretched her cramped limbs and listened as the inn keeper welcomed the soldiers with noisy good-humour.
“Come in, come in, my friends. It is great to see you again. I have a cask of freshly brewed ale to wash away the dust of your journey. There is bread and goat’s cheese and dates and some of that dried beef you like so much.” His eyes lit upon Kiya as she joined them. “Ah I see you have a companion. Will you be wanting the use of the back room? I would like a go, myself, once you have finished with her. There is little female solace to be had so far from town.”
“This is a respectable woman, Mitry,” said the head soldier. “We will need your room, but only so she can sleep in comfort.”
“Oh, right, I see, I apologise.” Mitry bowed to Kiya. “Come with me, Madam. Our accommodation is simple but I am sure you will find it adequate.”
He led the way through the bar, where Kiya was aware of curious eyes turning to follow them. “Here is your room,” Mitry opened a door behind the counter and showed her a small bedroom with a low ceiling. “Will you be wanting food and drink?”
“Yes please.”
“I expect you would prefer to eat in here,” he said. “It can get noisy in the bar when the beer starts to flow.”
“Thank you.”
He left the room, closing the door behind him. Kiya sat on the bed. It consisted of a thin mattress resting upon a brick platform and had an unpleasant smell. From beyond the door she could hear the chatter of excited conversation. Nervously, she looked for bolts on the door, but there were none.
There was a knock and Mitry entered carrying a tray, which he put down on the bed beside her. “You can settle your bill tomorrow,” he said and left.
Kiya ate the bread, cheese and dates hungrily. The beer was stronger than she was used to but she was thirsty and drank the full goblet. When she finished her meal she put the tray on the floor, stretched out on the bed and fell asleep.
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 42
