Chapter Ninety Nine: Akhetaten
Kiya woke late in the afternoon and saw that they were nearly at their destination. The Nile was busy, with many boats entering and leaving the harbour that lay ahead of them.
“Oh Good, Kiya, you are awake,” said Vitane who was sitting, looking at the scene. “I wanted to rouse you but feared that you would be cross. Is that Akhetaten?”
“Yes,” said Kiya, for the city was unmistakable with the circle of cliffs that surrounded it glowing golden in the sunshine.
The boat drew nearer and Kiya was amazed at how much Akhetaten had developed since she had last seen it. Houses filled the plain and came right up to the edge of the harbour.
“Which is the palace?” asked Vitane.
“You cannot see it from here.”
There was much activity on the quayside as deck hands threw ropes to soldiers waiting to secure the King’s boat. At a shout from the captain the sail was furled and the boat was pulled into the shore. The litter was hauled up the steep gang plank to the quayside and slaves took up positions at either end.
Huy mounted the steps to the upper deck. “It is time to disembark, my Lady.”
Kiya stood up. “It was a comfortable journey,” she said.
“The food was delicious,” said Vitane. “There is plenty left. Would you like some?”
“Alas, it would not be allowed,” said Huy. He led the way to the steps, where the captain was waiting to help Kiya down.
“Thank you for a pleasant journey,” said Kiya as she offered him her hand. The captain bowed and smiled.
“It was my pleasure, Lady Kiya.”
Out of the corner of her eye Kiya saw Vitane attempt to offer her hand to the captain, but she was ignored.
Kiya had expected a curious crowd to have gathered but, as she climbed the gangplank, she saw that few people took any notice of the pleasure boat, which must be a familiar sight in Akhetaten.
She entered the waiting litter and was joined by Vitane. They were carried through the streets of the city. Eager to discover how things had progressed, Kiya opened the curtain a crack and saw many shops and a busy market. Akhetaten was crowded and the people were ill-humoured. As the litter-bearers pushed through the throng Kiya heard angry voices and the litter was jostled. She hastily closed the curtain, put her arm around Vitane and hoped they would soon reach the palace.
“I am worried,” said Vitane.
Kiya took her friend’s hand. “Don’t be,” she said. “I am sure everything will be fine.”
“What if the King doesn’t like me?” said Vitane. “What if he recognises that I am not you?”
“He never looked at my face,” said Kiya. “When I was brought to him for the deflowering ceremony he only looked at my body.”
“But he did not make love to you?”
“No. He was too preoccupied by affairs of state. But I am sure he will manage to be a good husband to you,” Kiya assured her.
“My body is different from yours,” said Vitane sinking deeper into apprehension.
“You can tell him you are so happy in the harem that you have put on weight,” said Kiya. “He probably prefers woman with a bit more flesh.”
“Do you think so?” said Vitane, hopefully.
“And you will have all your Cretan clothes waiting for you,” said Kiya.
“Yes,” Vitane smiled, happy once more. “I long to change out of this Egyptian tunic. Is my silken robe still there? And my scarlet dress with the ruffles?”
“I am sure they are,” said Kiya.
“Will we see a lot of each other?” asked Vitane eagerly.
“I hope so,” said Kiya, but was uncertain how much freedom the ladies of the harem were allowed.
The litter was placed upon the ground and Kiya opened the curtain again to see that they had reached the palace gate. She watched the guards confer with Huy then wave through the litter. The soldiers who had been escorting them remained outside.
The litter was carried through the entrance area and put down in a courtyard. Huy bent down to offer a hand to Kiya. “We have arrived,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
“Rather stiff and overheated,” said Kiya as she rose from the litter, “I would prefer to walk than travel in such a way.” She was aware of the slaves who had carried her. They stood, their eyes cast down and sweat streaming from their naked chests.
“Thank you for carrying us,” she said, but they showed no signs of having heard her.
“Tut, Kiya, a lady in your position does not talk to slaves,” said Huy. He bent down to help Vitane out of the litter. “I will escort you to Lord Dennu’s house.”
He went to a door in the courtyard and opened it to reveal the garden. Vitane gave a gasp of pleasure. “Oh what a lovely garden,” she followed Huy inside and stared around. “Look, a lake and lawns and what a lot of flowers.”
“There is no need to accompany us further, Huy,” said Kiya. “I know the way.”
Huy frowned. “I fear that you are up to something, Kiya. I warn you to be careful, your position here is a tenuous one.”
“Please don’t worry, Huy. I only do what must be done.” She wanted to stand on tiptoe and kiss her uncle’s worried face but decorum stopped her.
“Good luck, Kiya.” Huy gave a slight bow, walked back through the door and closed it behind him.
Kiya made sure there was nobody around, then she seized Vitane’s hand. “Quick, come with me before we are seen.” She hurried Vitane to a door half-hidden behind an acacia tree. “This door leads to a passageway that the servants use,” Kiya said.
She pushed the door open and peered into the long, gloomy corridor which ran between the inner and outer walls of the compound.
“It’s dark,” complained Vitane.
“There is some light,” said Kiya. She pulled Vitane into the corridor and shut the door behind them. A few high, slitted windows allowed enough daylight into the corridor so they could see where they were going. Servants hurried past them in both directions. Some carried trays of food others bundles of clothing all were busy and nobody stopped to ask what the two girls might be doing.
Kiya counted the doors and hoped she could remember which one led to the King’s harem. She thought she had found the right one and pushed against it, but it did not move. She knocked. There was a long pause and then the door opened.
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 99
