Chapter Fifty Two: Retrieving Enno
“How did you enjoy your meal?” asked Laylos as Kiya entered the house.
“It was lovely. But we must leave Akhetaten as soon as possible.”
“Why? Whatever has the poor man done?” exclaimed Laylos.
“It has nothing to do with Dennu, it’s that manservant of his. Do you remember me telling you about the head of my household when I was High Priestess in Thebes?”
“The one you disliked?”
“That’s the one. He is working for Dennu now. He threatens to tell him about Eopei if I fail to use my influence to get him preferment.”
Laylos lifted her eyebrows in puzzlement. “Why should that trouble you? Surely you tried to save your friend?”
Kiya hesitated, there were aspects to Eopei’s death that not even her aunt should know. “Urshu will put a bad light on it,” she said. “There was a secret system of selection that he threatens to reveal.”
To Kiya’s relief, her aunt did not probe further. “Can you buy him off?” Laylos asked.
“I could try, but I do not trust him. He has a wicked-looking knife and I suspect that he enjoys using it.” Kiya looked around the room. “Where is Sabu?” she asked.
“He is still on the roof, guarding your shift.”
“Good. I’m not going anywhere without him in future.”
Kiya climbed the stairs and saw Sabu sitting by a dividing wall that offered a modicum of shade. He scrambled to his feet when he saw her.
“I’m glad you are safely back, Mistress.”
“I would have been safer with you by my side, Sabu,” she replied and gazed over the side of the roof at the empty square. “I think I might be spied upon. Look out for a dark, thin man with hooded eyes.”
Sabu joined her. “I see nobody,” he said.
“Neither do I. He must have gone. His name is Urshu and I don’t want him to know that I am leaving Akhetaten.”
“When do we go?”
“Soon, if fortune favours me.”
Kiya picked up her shift and carried it downstairs, followed by Sabu. Laylos was sitting mending a tunic.
“I’m hoping to leave tomorrow,” Kiya told her. “Will you be ready?”
“More than ready,” said Laylos. “I can’t wait to get away from this hovel.” She looked at Kiya quizzically. “Why the rush? That man must have really upset you.”
Kiya nodded. “He did. I’m going to take Sabu with me to rescue Enno from the donkey compound so we can make a quick getaway.”
“You’re not keeping that donkey here,” protested Laylos.
“It will only be for one night,” Kiya assured her, “and I promise to clear up any mess he might make.”
When Kiya and Sabu left the house, she saw that the square was no longer empty. A child squatted in the dust playing with knuckle bones. He looked up as they passed and Kiya said, “Hello.” But instead of returning the greeting he hurriedly looked away.
There was something about the intensity of his gaze that troubled Kiya and, when she glanced back, she saw that he had risen to his feet and was following them. She checked again later and glimpsed the same child duck into a doorway.
“I think we are being followed,” she said to Sabu. He reached towards his sword but she stopped him. “Our spy is a child, there’s nothing we can do.” She had no doubt that the spymaster was Urshu. What devilish cunning to employ children to do his dirty work.
When they reached the donkey compound, Kiya turned around to look for the boy but could see no sign of him.
“Which is your animal, Mistress?” asked Sabu.
Kiya stared at the donkeys, who stood quietly in a large fenced enclosure. Some of them munched hay, others drank from stone troughs. Which one was Enno? They all looked identical.
“Are you after my donkeys again?”
Kiya turned at the sound of the rough voice and saw the man from the boat walking towards them with a sack of grain over his back.
She felt intimidated by his angry look but was determined to get Enno back. “One of those animals is mine,” she said.
“You don’t look like the usual donkey thief,” said the man, his frown diminishing.
“I’m not. I just want the one that belongs to me. ”
The man turned to Sabu. “Be a good lad and open this gate.”
Sabu opened the gate of the enclosure and they both followed the man inside. Sabu shut the gate behind them, while Kiya watched the man pour the grain into an empty trough. The donkeys perked up when they saw their supper and milled around, pressing forwards to get to the trough.
“Which one is yours?” asked the man.
“Er- that one,” said Kiya, pointing to one whose ears looked vaguely familiar.
“No, that one’s Nakht.”
“Why not call your donkey to come to you?” suggested Sabu.
Kiya cupped her hands to her mouth and shouted, “Enno!”
At the far end of the enclosure a donkey lifted its head and turned to look at her.
“Enno!” she called again.
The donkey came galloping towards them and skidded to a halt, nearly bumping into her in its eagerness.
“Oh, that one,” said the man. “You’re welcome to take that one. He’s done nothing but sulk since he got here.”
“Poor Enno,” said Kiya and stroked his nose. He whinnied and pressed his head against her and she kissed him, breathing in his familiar donkey smell. When the greetings were over, Sabu put the rope halter around Enno’s neck, then they thanked the man and led the donkey from the field.
They were walking Enno home when a familiar figure blocked their path. Kiya’s heart sank when she recognised Urshu.
“I was told that you were heading for the donkey compound,” he said. “I hope you are not thinking of leaving us, Kiya.”
“No, of course not,” said Kiya. “We are just giving Enno a bit of exercise.”
“That’s good,” nodded Urshu. “We have an agreement, Kiya. One might almost say a blood contract. You cannot escape from it.”
“I suppose you are using children as spies,” said Kiya.
Urshu smiled. “What better agents than children? They are eager, tireless and work for a pittance.”
“You are an evil man,” said Kiya.
“Tut, tut,” said Urshu in mock reproach. “Is that the way to speak to an old colleague? To one who shares such an interesting history?”
“Let us through!” Kiya, urged the donkey forwards and Urshu stood to one side.
“If you leave Akhetaten, I shall follow,” he said. “And this time you will suffer a traitor’s fate.”
They hurried away. “Should I have challenged him?” said Sabu, when they were out of earshot.
“No,” said Kiya. “There would be no point. Urshu is not one for a fight. His killing is done secretly and under cover of darkness. Just stay close to me, Sabu.”
“I will die rather than let harm come to you, Mistress.”
They were comforting words, but Kiya shivered at the thought of that slender star-metal blade sliding into her heart.
Huy was at home when they returned with the donkey. “Hello Enno,” he said. The donkey snickered and butted its head against Huy’s stomach, inviting him to rub its ears. Huy obeyed and caressed the animal while he talked to Kiya. “Your aunt says you will need to make a quick getaway. That should be no problem for me. I have arranged a month’s leave, possible more, so I can make a report on the situation in the delta.”
“Thank you, Huy,” said Kiya. “Before we go I have to find the body of Osiris and discover the scent of his ka. I shall go to the sacristy first thing tomorrow morning.”
“I cannot imagine a more dangerous mission,” said Huy. “Nefertiti will have you killed if you are discovered in her private sanctum.”
“You must take Huy and Sabu with you,” insisted Laylos.
“With pleasure,” said Kiya. “If they are willing to come. I am going to nee
d all the help I can get.”
“The door to Nefertiti’s private sanctum is sure to be locked,” said Laylos.
“I will have to find the key,” said Kiya.
“You had better be prepared.” Laylos searched in the storage chest and held up the small knife she used to gather herbs. “This is excellent for picking locks.”
“Really?” Huy stared at her. “Is there no end to your talents, my love? How many locks have you picked?”
“A medicine woman has to be prepared for any eventuality,” said Laylos with dignity. Then she let out a yell of pain. “Ow! That clumsy donkey has trodden on my toe. There’s not enough room down here for all of us and that great lumbering animal. I’m going to bed.”
“I think we should all go to bed,” said Huy. “We will have a busy day tomorrow.”
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 52
