Kiya and the God of Chaos

by Philippa Bower

  Chapter One Hundred and Eleven: The Mission Begins

  Kiya dismounted from the chariot and waited at Ana’s side while the horses were unharnessed and led down the gangplank to the boat. The canopy attached to the mast was set high and Kiya could see the horses’ legs as they stood under it, shifting uneasily as the boat rocked.

  The chariots were hauled aboard next, each manoeuvred down the gangplank by four soldiers and stored beneath the fore and aft decks. Once everyone was on board Kiya followed Ana down the steeply-tilted timber to the deck.

  “You may sit with me in the captain’s cabin,” said Ana. “He will stand at the prow to ensure we do not hit a sandbank. Your river can be treacherous, especially now the water is so low.”

  Kiya climbed the steps to the stern deck, where two men stood on either side holding huge, steering oars. The leather cabin between them provided welcome shade but she wished it did not smell so strongly of rotting hide and old fish. She sat down on the wooden bench inside the cabin and watched the activity taking place before her.

  The Cretan soldiers were stripping off their chest armour and settling down on the rowing benches on either side of the boat. They each picked up an oar and Kiya realised that they were intending to row the ship up the river. When the Nile was in full flow this would have been an impossible task. Even now that the river moved sluggishly it would be hard work for the men.

  Ana was talking to the captain at the prow. When she finished he nodded and bowed, then turned to the workers waiting on the quay and shouted a word of command. Thick wooden poles were used to push the boat away from the shore. The soldiers now had room to place their oars in position. They slotted them though loops in a rope that ran along the gunwale of the ship.

  Kiya watched the soldiers as they straightened their arms and flexed their bodies against the pressure of the oars. Slowly the boat moved upstream. Ana walked back from the prow between the tethered horses and the rowers. She gave words of encouragement to each of them, then climbed the steps to the stern deck.

  “The captain says we can only go as far as Thebes,” she said as she sat on the seat beside Kiya. “The water has become too shallow for a sea-going vessel, such as this one. We will have to ride the rest of the way on the chariots.”

  “I see,” said Kiya, who did not look forward to such a prospect.

  “Tell me, did you divorce Dennu as intended?”

  “Yes,” Kiya sighed. “I had such high hopes. When he sent for me I thought that he had accepted Meri as his son and that the three of us would be a happy family together.”

  “That is the way of the lower orders,” said Ana. “The ruling classes have to marry for power, privilege and connections. Dennu was a fool to marry for love.”

  “Do you think he still loves me?” said Kiya.

  Ana shook her head. “I doubt it, not any more. Not after your performance at the temple.”

  Kiya felt an overwhelming need for comfort. “Might we stop and see my parents when we pass their farm?” she asked.

  Ana shook her head. “I am sorry, Kiya. We have no time for socialising. I have important work to do. I will drop you off there if you like. This mission you intend to go on can be little more than a daydream.”

  “No! Forget I asked. I must get to Nubia, Ana, and I am very grateful that you have allowed me to accompany you. I swear I will be no hindrance to you.”

  “Very well.” Ana nodded but did not seem pleased and soon left the cabin to stand with the captain on the prow of the ship.

  As the day progressed beer was passed around to the rowing soldiers and water to the horses. Kiya was offered beer and drank it gratefully. It was slightly stronger than she was used to and she slept afterwards.

  She was woken by a shout from the captain and Kiya saw the familiar skyline of the Theban hills in front of them. Around the next bend in the river was the city, sprawling on either side of the Nile.

  The ship steered towards one of the quays of Western Thebes and found space among the many moored ships. Kiya stood beside Ana on the stern deck and watched mooring ropes being thrown to workmen on shore.

  The ship was pulled into position and Kiya saw many people gather to watch it dock. They must be startled to see a Cretan ship in the harbour, she thought.

  The soldiers had stowed their oars and were dressed once more in their uniforms. Under the orders of the ship’s captain they untethered the horses and led them up the gangplank. The war chariots were hauled up to the quay next and Kiya could see that some of the onlookers were becoming anxious.

  “We come in peace!” Ana called out them. She turned to Kiya. “Follow me ashore. When they see an Egyptian girl among us they will know that this is a friendly visit.”

  Kiya followed Ana down from the stern deck and stepped carefully across the bottom deck, which had been soiled by the horses. She climbed the gangplank behind the Princess and saw the harbour master approaching. He was flanked by two armed guards but looked nervous as his eyes scanned the ranks of Cretan soldiers.

  “What is your purpose in Thebes?” he asked.

  “I come with the authority of King Ikhnaton,” said Ana, handing him a scroll.

  He harbourmaster glanced at the scroll then rolled it up and handed it back to Ana. “This seems to be in order.”

  “We wish to moor our ship under your protection. I will leave men to guard the boat against the curiosity of the people.”

  “What about the harbour dues?”

  “We are willing to pay,” said Ana. They haggled briefly before she summoned a soldier with a money purse and took out a handful of Egyptian coin rings, which she handed to the harbour master.

  By now the horses were harnessed to the chariots. Ana chose two soldiers to remain behind with the captain. The rest of them mounted the chariots and once more, Kiya stood beside Ana.

  The crowd around them had grown but the people were in good humour and drew aside to let the chariots pass.

  “Look, that’s Kiya, the farmer’s daughter!”

  Kiya waved in the direction of the voice then had to cling to the front of the chariot as it jolted into motion.

  “Show us the way south through the city,” commanded Ana, “or we will be lost in a maze of streets.”

  Kiya directed the chariots through Thebes. There were faces she recognised as they passed through the market and she knew that her parents would be told that she was seen riding a Cretan chariot.

  Their speed increased as they travelled along the long road that led past her farm. There was no sign of her parents or Khamet and she felt a pang of homesickness as she abandoned all hope of seeing them.