Kiya and the God of Chaos

by Philippa Bower

  Chapter Ninety Five: Maiden in Distress

  Kiya managed to catch her friend before she hit the ground. She knelt in the deserted courtyard with Vitane’s head cradled in her lap.

  “Wake up, Vitane!” She patted the Princess on her pallid cheek. Had Anubis taken too much blood from her? Would she survive? Kiya examined more closely the cuts on Vitane’s neck. Some were fresh, others had healed. They were small, no more than a finger’s width but there were many of them. Vitane would be lucky not to bear the scars of her adventure for life – however long that might be.

  “Wake up!” Kiya was becoming concerned for her friend and patted Vitane’s cheek so hard it was almost a slap. The girl’s eyes flickered and opened. For a moment she stared at the sky and then she focussed upon Kiya.

  Vitane gave a watery smile. “Hello Kiya. Where am I?”

  “You are in Thebes. Hurry up, Vitane. We must get back to the market.”

  Vitane sat up and looked around. “Where is Anubis?”

  “Anubis has gone. He wants me to take care of you.”

  “Gone?” Vitane's bottom lip trembled. She burst into tears and buried her head in her hands.

  “Pull yourself together, Vitane,” said Kiya. “We cannot linger here.”

  “Hello girls. Do you need help?” A man stood at the entrance to the courtyard, blocking their way out.

  “No thank you,” said Kiya. “We can manage.”

  “What has happened to your friend? Is she drunk?” The man had an unpleasant, leering expression on his face.

  “No, she feels unwell, that is all,” said Kiya.

  “I will make her feel better,” said the man. “I know a way to put colour into those cheeks.”

  “We do not need your help!” said Kiya. She pulled Vitane to her feet. The Princess sagged against her and Kiya staggered to keep her upright.

  “Has she been taking drugs?” said the man. “I will help you get her back to my place.” He came forwards and took hold of Vitane’s arm.

  “Let her go!” said Kiya.

  “How much does she charge?”

  “She is not a whore,” said Kiya. “She is a respectable girl.”

  “She doesn’t look respectable to me.” The man managed to get Vitane’s arm around his neck and was pulling her away from Kiya.

  “Ow!” cried Vitane as Kiya tried to haul her back.

  Another man appeared at the entrance to the courtyard and for a moment Kiya thought that she and Vitane would be overwhelmed. It was with relief that she recognised the newcomer as Khamet.

  “Your mother sent me to look for you,” he said to Kiya. “Who are these people?”

  “This is my friend, Vitane,” said Kiya, “and this is a stranger who is becoming a nuisance.”

  The man glared at Khamet, but seeing that he was no match for the younger man he merely mumbled. “I was only trying to help.”

  “Is that so?” said Khamet. “Well, I am here now. You are no longer needed.” The man hurried away and Khamet turned to Kiya with a frown. “Why come to such a deserted part of town? I would have thought you had more sense.” He did not wait for an answer but turned to Vitane. “You do not seem well,” he said.

  “I am not well!” Tears welled into Vitane’s large brown eyes and spilt down her cheeks. “My heart has been broken.”

  “She is very weak,” said Kiya. “I cannot get her to walk.”

  “May I carry you?” asked Khamet.

  Vitane gazed up at him with the same adoring expression she had originally reserved for Anubis. “Yes please,” she breathed.

  Kiya followed behind as they walked back to the market. The streets became busier and curious eyes followed Khamet and his beautiful burden.

  “She is unwell,” Kiya explained to those who would listen.

  Ramala was looking out anxiously for them and when they came into sight her expression did not lighten. “What has happened?” she said.

  “This is my friend,” said Kiya. “Her name is Vitane. Do you remember, Mother? I told you how I danced with bulls in Crete. Princess Vitane was my companion and showed me how bull dancing should be done. I would never have survived without her.”

  “She is a princess?” said Khamet in amazement.

  Ramala got to her feet so Khamet could lower Vitane to the stool upon which she had been sitting. “The poor girl looks ill,” she said.

  “She has lost a lot of blood,” said Kiya.

  “In childbirth?” asked Ramala.

  “Childbirth?” Vitane sounded affronted. “No. I am unmarried.”

  “We must get you home, Vitane,” said Khamet. “Where do you live?”

  “I have no home,” wailed Vitane and she started to cry again. “I could not pay the rent and so I was thrown out of my apartment.”

  “You can come and stay with us,” said Kiya. “We can both go back to Thebes, when Dennu sends for me.”

  “We must buy meat and red wine,” said Ramala. “We have plenty of green vegetables at home. We will soon feed you up, my dear.”

  Ramala hurried off to make her purchases, while Kiya and Khamet packed up the stall. “I think you live in a fantasy world,” said Khamet, as he helped Kiya gather up Ramala’s medicines.

  “What do you mean?” said Kiya.

  “When I knew you in the old days you were just a peasant girl. Now you are married to a mysterious priest, who may or may not exist. You claim to have danced with bulls and you have a princess as a friend. It is not believable.”

  “I am a princess,” protested Vitane.

  “Who is your father?” asked Khamet.

  “Waymose, the King of Phaistos,” said Vitane.

  “I have never heard of Phaistos,” said Khamet with a laugh.

  “That is because you are ignorant,” said Kiya. “Phaistos is a kingdom in Crete.”

  “Oh yes?” said Khamet disbelievingly. He rolled is eyes in an irritating way, which reminded Kiya how he used to tease her as a child.

  “Is anything the matter?” said Ramala as she came back with her purchases. “You two haven’t been arguing again have you?” she looked reprovingly at Kiya and Khamet.

  “No. We are fine,” said Kiya through gritted teeth and they set off for the farm.

  Vitane progressed slowly, helped by Khamet and Kiya on either side. Ramala walked ahead.

  “Do you think Anubis will miss me,” said Vitane.

  “Shush!” said Kiya.

  Khamet said nothing but gave a snort of derision. They walked the rest of the way in silence.