Chapter One hundred and twenty three: Warning
Kiya waited until the horses were tethered on the main deck and the chariots stowed, then she boarded the ship. She hurried to the cabin on the rear deck to be out of the way of the activity as the rowers took their positions.
Despite the efforts of men on the neighbouring quay to float away the burning hulks, flames leapt into the air and threatened to extend the conflagration. Sparks showered down close to their ship and the horses shifted uneasily as wreathes of smoke drifted over them. Kiya feared that the fire might reach them before they could get away and it was with relief that she heard the captain give the command to untie the mooring ropes.
They steered wide to avoid the flaming ships and were soon heading downriver. All around were feluccas, skimming away from Thebes faster than the Cretan ship with its rows of rowers. Kiya left the leather cabin and stood scanning the skies with anxious eyes. Far behind them she could see dark clouds massing and she wished that the boat would speed more quickly to Akhetaten.
“Come and take refreshment, Kiya,” called out Ana.
Kiya turned and saw the Princess coming up the steps to the deck, carrying a tray of food.
“Why does the captain not put up his sail?” asked Kiya. “The feluccas are travelling quicker than we are.”
“He knows what he is doing,” said Ana. “The sail will make it too difficult to steer. Do not let anxiety cloud your judgement, Kiya. We must remain clear-headed. Most importantly, we must eat to keep our strength up.”
She sat on the bench inside the cabin and Kiya sat beside her. The tray on Ana’s knees held two goblets of beer and plates of cakes, dates, bread and cheese. Made queasy by the stink of the cabin and the tension clutching at her stomach, Kiya did not feel like eating, but after a few mouthfuls her appetite returned and she ate heartily.
“I must thank you, Ana, for your hospitality,” she said.
Ana laughed. “If we survive this adventure it is I who must thank you. I confess that I was reluctant to take you with us, but without you our venture would have failed. There would have been no treaty. Indeed, I would probably have died at the second cataract if your crocodile friend had not intervened.”
Kiya sighed. “So many have died and now my actions have brought destruction on Thebes.”
“Do not blame yourself for the deeds of others,” said Ana. “Such sensitivity is a weakness. If you have finished your meal I will leave you to rest. We will have much work to do when we reach Akhetaten.”
How can I rest when pursued by such a nightmare, thought Kiya, but when Ana stood up she obediently lay upon the bench.
She must have fallen asleep because she was awakened by the sound of shouted commands and much activity. She sat up and looked out of the cabin to discover that they had reached their destination.
The harbour was busy. The flotilla of boats that had fled Thebes were docking in all available spaces and people were running from the riverside into the city.
With much yelling and shooing away of encroaching boats, the Cretan ship managed to clear enough space to dock. Kiya waited impatiently while the horses and chariots disembarked.
“We will go to the temple,” said Ana, climbing into her chariot. “The King must be told.”
Kiya climbed up beside her and two soldiers took up the rear. The line of chariots could not ride fast through the crowded streets and by the time they reached the temple the guards had been alerted. They stood, their swords drawn, looking from left to right as if expecting to be attacked at any moment.
Kiya’s heart leapt when she recognised the man in charge as Dennu. His face lit up when he saw the chariots. “Kiya! Princess Ana! Surely you cannot be the danger that is threatening us?”
“No, indeed!” said Ana. “We have come to protect you. A hoard of monsters is on the way to attack the city. Thebes is already burning. The King must be told.”
“He is in the middle of a ceremony and cannot be disturbed,” said Dennu.
“There is no time to lose, they are close behind us,” said Ana.
“Wait. I will do what I can,” said Dennu. He entered the temple through the gap in the fence.
From her vantage point on the chariot, Kiya could stand on tiptoe and see over the fence and the heads of the soldiers. The King stood on a dais at the far end of the huge arena with his arms raised to the sun. He was dressed in full ceremonial robes, his cloak embroidered with the golden rays of the Aten. Upon his head was the great double crown of Egypt. Already tall, he towered over the flower girls that surrounded him.
Ikhnaton’s lips were moving as he praised the Aten. Dennu hurried across the deserted arena to the platform. He bowed low to Ikhnaton and said something but the King took no notice. He appeared to be in a trance.
One of the flower girls stepped out of line. She held her basket carelessly as she asked Dennu a question and Kiya saw that it was empty of petals. In this time of drought all the flowers must have died.
This disruption of his ceremony alerted the King and he lowered his head to frown at Dennu.
Dennu spoke to him again and he replied. From a distance Kiya could not see his countenance but he appeared to be annoyed.
Dennu spoke once more with greater urgency. The King waved his hand dismissively, said something and turned away.
Then, as Dennu hurried back towards the entrance of the temple, the King raised his arms once more to the sun and continued with the ceremony. Without crowds, without flowers, without his wife beside him, Ikhnaton remained steadfast in his worship of the Aten and Kiya felt a grudging respect for him.
“That did not go well,” said Ana. “Your King puts religion before the safety of the state. He is not a wise ruler and I fear that the city is doomed.”
Kiya and the God of Chaos Page 123
