Asenath

by Anna Patricio

  I hated that he called me "little Kiya." It sounded like he was trying to replace Papa. But I knew that if I wanted to see my parents again, I had to be obedient and silent.

  I nodded.

  "Good," he said, turning away.

  "What is a red moon?" I asked.

  Some of my fellow villagers stared at me, aghast, while the tribespeople roared with laughter.

  The chieftain approached Mekten. "Be Kiya's advisor and explain to her what a red moon is. I am sure you know full well." He winked at her.

  I felt sick at that gesture, even though I did not understand what it meant.

  Mekten nodded in submission.

  The chieftain waved his arm, inviting his people to pick slaves from among us.

  A tall, thin woman with large bone earrings and a cold expression led Mekten and I to the chieftain's large tent. When we stepped inside, I nearly screamed. The place was festooned with more disembodied animal heads, as well as enormous wooden masks with frightening expressions. The dim light from torches cast shadows on the eerie things, making them look almost alive.

  The tribeswoman pointed to a dirty mat at the far end of the tent. "You will sleep there. Go now." Mekten and I headed for the mat, but the tribeswoman grabbed Mekten's arm. "Not you. You will stay here."

  I stared at them, confused, and the woman glared at me. "Go!"

  I hurried over to the mat as the tribeswoman extinguished the torch, plunging the tent into complete darkness.

  All was silent. Then the tent's flap rose, revealing the bulky profile of the chieftain. He shuffled inside and the flap swung closed.

  Not long after, I heard Mekten crying out in fear and pain. Heavy breathing followed. The louder Mekten screamed, the heavier the breathing grew.

  Though I had no idea what was happening, I knew I was hearing something bad. I covered my ears, but it was no use. Similar screams rose from the neighbouring tents. I slept amongst nightmares, waking at times to the sound of terrified cries and heartbreaking sobbing.

  The following morning, Mekten acted scared of everything and everyone, which wasn't like her. I wanted to make her feel better, but I didn't know how. Even the most trivial things I did frightened her. Throughout the day, I kept a distance from her. But at times, I tried to reach out to her. She was, after all, one of our dearest family friends.

  "Mekten," I said in a timid voice. "What is a red moon?"

  Mekten looked at me with sad eyes. Finally, she took a deep breath and explained everything in a shaky voice before breaking down.

  CHAPTER TWO

  For the next months, I woke up each day to a fresh new dread, which remained with me until the time I went to sleep. Even in my dreams, I was given no respite. Sometimes, I woke up in the middle of the night, worrying if we would ever be rescued and if I would ever see my parents again.

  Then one morning, at a most unexpected moment, my red moon dawned. Though Mekten had already told me all I needed to know, nothing could have prepared me for a pain so terrible that I could barely stand.

  When Mekten saw me hunched on the mat, she immediately flew to my aid. I was more than grateful as I desperately needed help. She gave me soothing herbs, then eased me into a foetal position, which improved my condition remarkably.

  As I knelt on the ground, she whispered to me, "Kiya, I'm pregnant."

  I gasped. "How?" Though Mekten had already told me the mysteries of womanhood, there was still so much I didn't know.

  "Ah...it's a long story."

  "Will you be all right?"

  "I hope so. I mean...yes, I will." She gave me a clearly forced smile.

  "If you need any help, you can always come to me."

  "Thank you, Kiya. I'd better go. I'll cover your chores for you."

  After she stepped out of the tent, I held the lapis lazuli lotus pendant close to my chest, thinking about Mama and Papa. In the rare, blessed silence of the tent, I tried to send messages to them, telling them that we would all be together again soon.

  A week later, I was lost in a dreamless sleep when I heard a faint rumbling, like distant thunder. I paid it no attention, even as the rumbling continued.

  Then I opened my eyes to the tent's heavy darkness and realised that the rumbling had become nearly deafening.

  I sat up. This was so much like the day we were captured. Whatever it was, whatever would happen, it could only be worse.

  Without warning, the tent's entrance flap was ripped apart and the breaking dawn light revealed three tall soldiers dressed in bronze breastplates and leather kilts. I screamed as they brandished their swords. One of the soldiers charged toward Mekten and I, while the other two headed for our masters.

  "Don't be afraid," the soldier said. "We're here to save you. We're Pharaoh's army. Come!"

  Immediately, Mekten and I leapt to our feet and hurried outside without looking back. I saw that the camp was already in the throes of battle. Cries rang out as the horses and chariots of the Egyptian army swept throughout the camp. Groups of soldiers tore down the tribespeople's tents. Weapons clashed and blood spilled everywhere.

  Not far from me, one of Pharaoh's soldiers beheaded a tribal warrior. Blood sprayed all over me and the head rolled at my feet. I stopped in my steps, shocked.

  "Come on, little girl!" my rescuer cried. He grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the encampment.

  Mekten and I were led to a safe distance, where a makeshift barricade of wagons and chariots had been set up. I saw that a number of our fellow villagers were already gathered there, guarded by more Egyptian soldiers.

  "Kiya!" Menah suddenly appeared and darted toward me.

  I screamed with joy this time and held out my arms to my beloved best friend. Our masters had kept us apart the entire time. The only one of my people I could speak to was Mekten, as I worked with her.

  But now, Menah and I swept each other up in a fierce embrace. Then some of the adults came to us and hugged us both. Soon, we were all embracing each other. Some of us laughed, some cried with relief.

  We must have made such a sorry sight, with our ragged clothes, soiled and bruised faces and stringy hair. But we did not care. Even the soldiers at the barricade watched us with smiles.

  In no time, Pharaoh's army emerged victorious and we received them with clamorous cheers. Those of the tribespeople who had not been killed were rounded up to be made slaves in Egypt. As for the chieftain, I heard he and his entire family had been murdered. I shed no tears for them.

  The much longed-for journey home started out happy, needless to say. The soldiers sang victory songs and invited us to join in.

  However, one day Mekten whispered to me to go fetch the doctor. She was bleeding, she said. He came to her at once and our journey was brought to a halt.

  I tried to comfort my friend, but my efforts seemed to be in vain. Her face was twisted in pain and she was taking deep, ragged breaths.

  "Mekten," I whispered, as she let out a groan that brought tears to my eyes. I took her hand. "Mekten, it's all right."

  "Kiya," the physician suddenly said. "She's bleeding very badly. Go get some linen."

  I gathered as much as I could. But soon, the pile of bloodied cloths rose high at the side and Mekten's mat had become a deep crimson red.

  I took her hand once more and leaned my face close to hers. "Mekten, I am so sorry. I am trying to do everything I can."

  "Thank you for your kindness, Kiya." Her voice was hoarse, as she struggled to get the words out. "Thank you."

  Then, her hand went limp and her head rolled back, looking up at me with a hollow, vacant expression.

  I threw my head back and let out a loud wail. Soon, the rest of my fellow villagers gathered to me, joining me in my mourning.

  The soldiers were kind enough to allow us a solid day of grieving. When we were ready to move again, the adults wrapped Mekten's body in linen and placed her aboard one of the wagons. We would be taking her back with us to the village to bury her there. It was the least we co
uld do for our beloved Village Mother, after all she had done for us.

  The rest of the journey home was sombre. But when one of the soldiers informed us that we were only a couple of days away from our home, our spirits soared once more.

  I began to imagine my reunion with my parents. Would Papa pretend to see a ghost, then gather me up and swing me around? Would Mama hold me close, and in her beautiful soothing voice, tell me how much she had missed me and how much I had grown?

  I smiled thinking about it.

  Soon, our beloved home appeared as a speck in the distance. The moment my fellow villagers and I saw it, we burst into cheers that could have subdued the storm-god Seth.

  Suddenly, some of us began darting ahead. I thought that was a good idea and joined them.

  In no time, a crowd came pouring out of the village. Amidst the joyous shrieks, crying and hugging, I looked around for my parents.

  They were not there.

  I tried to ignore the dread that rose up inside me. Perhaps Papa was still out fishing and Mama was out gathering water and herbs.

  I blinked in astonishment. Already, I had readjusted to the old routine. It was as if the entire captivity had just been a horrible nightmare.

  I entered the village, the familiar surroundings opening up around me like welcoming arms. Nothing changed, but nothing ever really changed here. Still, the people of our village never had reason to complain, for everything we loved and wanted was here—our families and friends, our comfortable mud huts and the pristine beauty of the Nile.

  I arrived in front of my family's hut. I gazed lovingly upon it for a moment, then entered.

  The house was extremely filthy. A thick layer of dust covered everything. Cobwebs draped from the ceiling and frogs and rodents scampered about.

  A strange squeaking noise sounded from inside one of the water jars. I edged toward it and peered inside. To my horror, I saw a rat had given birth to slimy pink blobs. I screeched and backed away.

  I was still looking around in bewilderment, wondering why our house was in such dreadful condition, when I heard a voice outside, "Kiya."

  I turned around. Standing at the entrance to our hut was one of my father's closest friends, an elderly fisherman named Sakhbu.

  "Welcome home. It's good to see you."

  I hurried over to him. "Where are Mama and Papa, Sakhbu?"

  Sakhbu paused for a moment. My skin grew cold. There was something about his voice. Something...bad.

  Sakhbu took a deep breath. "Kiya. Be brave. Be strong." He placed his hands on my shoulders.

  "Where are they?" I stared into his wrinkled face, suddenly too frightened to speak.

  "Kiya." His voice was now soft. "Your parents have gone to the realms of the gods. The warriors murdered them after they took you away. They murdered Menah's parents as well."

  All I remember after hearing that is screaming as I collapsed to the ground.

  When I regained consciousness, I saw I was back inside my family's hut. Three faces looked down at me. One was Sakhbu, the other was his wife and the third was a portly, middle-aged man I had never seen before. I could tell from his garments that he was a priest. I also knew that he was not from around here, because he carried himself with pride and grandeur, unlike the nearby town priests, who were simple and modest.

  "Are you all right, Kiya?" Sakhbu asked.

  I stared up at him without answering, not because I did not want to, but because my tongue could not move.

  "It has all been too much for her," Sakhbu said quietly to the priest. "And really, Lord Pentephres, who can blame her? First her captivity, and now this."

  The priest clucked his tongue. If I had not been numb, I would have been intimidated by his grandeur.

  "It is indeed too much for a young child." He looked at me with eyes lengthened by cunning kohl streaks. "Her parents need not worry. They can rest knowing that..."

  Then I slipped back into nothingness.

  CHAPTER THREE

  I was certain I had died. There were no sounds, not even a faint light, nothing. I could not even see the gods who would decree my eternal fate. Perhaps I had been deemed worthless by them and discarded for all eternity.

  One day, the darkness lifted.

  I opened my eyes and saw I was in a strange room. Rows of reed mats stretched out to either side of me. Torches burned from alcoves in the stone walls. A large window revealed a dark-blue sky.

  I looked around blankly, my mind in a fog.

  A door at the far end opened to reveal a tall thin woman. She hurried over to me.

  "Kiya! Praise Re, you have awakened." She knelt by my side.

  "How are you feeling?"

  My voice was hoarse. "Uh, all right. Where am I? What is this place? Who are you?"

  The woman smiled. "I am Irikara. You are here in the Temple of Atum-Re in Heliopolis. The high priest Lord Pentephres brought you and some of the other village children here."

  "What's Heliopolis?"

  "The city of the sun-god."

  My eyes widened in fear. "You mean this isn't my village?"

  "No, Kiya. You are in the city now."

  I began to shudder. I knew nothing of the big cities, except what I once heard from a passing trader. He told us that little children there were tied up in sacks and left to die.

  I whimpered.

  Irikara placed a gentle hand on my arm.

  "Don't be afraid, Kiya. We're here to help you. Lord Pentephres has commanded that no harm should come to you or any of the other village children. And some of your friends are here too. Do you know Menah?"

  My anxiety immediately vanished. "He is my best friend."

  "How about the twins, Lyla and Nyla?"

  "Yes."

  I didn't know them too well, for they were quiet people who often kept to themselves. But I was more than happy to have familiar people around.

  "Menah has been asking about you every day," Irikara said. "And Nyla sleeps on the mat next to you. This is the room for the girls, you see. Menah sleeps in the boys' room."

  "Do you sleep here too?"

  "Yes, over there by the window." She nodded toward it. "Anyway, we've cleaned you up so that you're now fresh and pretty."

  For the first time, I noticed I had on a new and clean white dress.

  "I also saved this for when you awoke." She drew something from her pocket.

  I gasped.

  It was the lapis lazuli lotus necklace. It was then I realised how close I had come to losing it.

  Irikara pressed the precious gift onto my palm. My fingers closed tightly over it.

  "Thank you!" I said. "Thank you, Irikara."

  She smiled. "Why don't you go freshen up for dinner? You'll be able to see Menah and the twins. I'll leave you for awhile. You can wash your face over there."

  She motioned to a pitcher and some bowls.

  I gave her a grateful smile. "Thank you."

  Everything was still so strange to me. But she seemed very nice.

  "I shall see you soon." She disappeared out the door.

  I strung the lotus around my neck. After splashing my face, I went over to the full-length mirror by the window.

  I gazed at myself.

  The dress I wore was cut modestly and reached just below my knees. My hair, which had become stringy and smelly during my captivity, now fell to my hips in a glossy black veil. My feet were bare. Though I was dressed very simply, I thought I looked glamorous.

  I twirled around, loving how the dress flared out slightly. If only my parents could see me now.

  Suddenly, everything came crashing back to me.

  The captivity.

  The terrible news of Sakhbu.

  I woodenly walked back to my mat and sank down. It was not fair. I wanted to break down and cry, but for some reason the tears would not come. In the depths of my heart, I cursed Hapi for allowing this to happen. Never mind that I was in a temple.

  I was so lost in these dark thoughts that I did no
t see Irikara reappearing until I felt a hand on my shoulder.

  "Kiya? Are you all right?"

  I jolted, then looked up at her. "Yes, I'm fine."

  As nice as she was, I did not feel comfortable confiding in her.

  "Let's go get something to eat." She nodded.

  I rose and followed her outside.

  "Great Re, aren't you tall!" she said.

  As Irikara led me down a dimly lit corridor, she said, "Before you have dinner, you will be meeting with some of the senior priests and priestesses of the temple. Lord Pentephres is currently away. He is in Thebes, meeting with Pharaoh. He will want to see you when he returns. Be on your best behaviour. Bow when you are introduced. The priests will be asking you several questions. Reply truthfully. If you do not know what to say, I will answer for you."

  I nodded blankly. Her words barely registered in my mind.

  Outside, the night was cold. I shivered and hugged myself.

  Irikara led me through dirt paths lined with squat, mud brick structures, then into an alleyway. At the end, we found ourselves on the threshold of a gleaming courtyard.

  My jaw dropped. I had not imagined that the rugged path would lead to such an elegant place. The courtyard's grounds were laid with polished tiles that reflected the torches. Rows of lotus columns lined the sides.

  At the centre was a towering pointed pole, an obelisk covered in precious stones. The tip was capped with a solid golden benben pyramid which flashed against the looming night sky.

  "Come now, Kiya," Irikara said. "We must not keep the priests waiting."

  With great difficulty, I detached my eyes from the magnificent sights. I continued on my way. As I followed her across the courtyard, I smelled the bittersweet scent of incense wafting through the air.

  Irikara led me inside an enormous limestone building. Once more, I paused in my steps.

  The walls were covered in colourful glittering images. I approached a portrait of a hawk spreading out its glorious wings. The picture was made up of tiny precious stones.

  "Kiya, come." Irikara tugged my arm and practically dragged me the rest of the way through the corridor.

  We entered a vast hall. At a long cedar table, two priests and a priestess sat before a sumptuous feast—roast fowl, lotus bread, cucumbers, onions and honey cakes.