"I will be making Setna steward soon," Potiphar said. "Joseph taught these children well." He sighed sadly.
"I'm sure he did," I said quietly.
Another pause.
Potiphar coughed. "Did you know that when Ubastet and Baktre were young, they asked Joseph to marry them?"
Baktre burst out laughing.
I smiled. "And what did Joseph say?" I teased her.
"No," she said in between giggles.
"But he said he was greatly flattered," Potiphar said.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The moment I arrived back in Heliopolis, I broke the news of Lady Ahwere's offer to my parents.
"Asenath, that is wonderful. Congratulations." Mother clapped her hands.
Father wrinkled his face. "I don't know. I think it would be better if you remain in Heliopolis. You see, Asenath, living alone is not as exciting as you think it is. Especially for a young woman like you. You know what I mean? Living independently, especially in Thebes, is not what you imagine it to be. Ah, let me try to explain...If you remain here in Heliopolis, at least you will always have your stability, especially with your role as priestess. There, in Thebes, it is very difficult to adjust to a new occupation. Do you know what I mean? Not like in Heliopolis where everything is already laid out for you."
I hardly heard the rest of his roundabout, kilometric monologue.
The following day, Father said, "Asenath, I did some thinking about this. You may go to Thebes if you wish. I give you my blessing."
I knew Mother had used her magical powers of persuasion. Nevertheless I thanked him.
Word was sent to the servants in our Theban residence that I would be there long term. My cat and dog were to go too. My belongings were packed up and loaded into cargo barges that sailed ahead of me.
I wrote to Lady Ahwere, Lord Potiphar and Khasekh, informing them of the good news. I expected the arrangement to drag on for months. But soon, I was ready to set sail again.
Mother cried as she saw me off. "We will come to visit. Likewise, you are welcome at our place anytime."
I smiled. I would miss her. "Thank you, Mother."
"May Atum-Re watch over you," Father said, "while you are gone for a while."
In Thebes, I immersed myself in my new role. Tutoring Lady Ahwere's twins was more enjoyable than I expected.
My mistress also recommended me to her other friends and relatives. Soon I had twelve little boys and girls under my care.
Overtime, the parents of my charges invited me to their social affairs. I was back in the fast-paced world of high society's gatherings.
At a banquet one evening, a hand thudded down on my shoulder. I whipped around, ready to berate whoever had called my attention in the most annoying manner.
I came face to face with a familiar smirk.
"Khasekh, you old crocodile."
He grinned. "I heard you'd be here. I wanted so much to see you."
"It's been a while. Didn't you get my messages?"
"Yes. But my studies got in the way, plus outings with my classmates." Again that sheepish grin.
"I should have known." I rolled my eyes.
"But please give me one last chance. Anyway, you live in Thebes now. We will be able to see each other as often as we like. Please, Asenath?"
"Very well. One last chance." I winked.
We took our seats and swapped stories. I told him of my tutoring role. He vented to me about a disagreement he had had with a teacher the previous week.
Afterward he said, "By the way, there is something I've been meaning to talk to you about."
"What?"
"When were you going to tell me about the incident with Lady Zalikha and her slave?"
The pleasant mood dropped dead.
"I don't know," I said. "I didn't think it was important anymore."
"Why?"
"It's old news. Hardly anyone remembers it anymore."
"I don't think so. Asenath, as your best friend, I have to tell you—what you did was completely disgraceful. I know I may not have seen it. But I heard all I needed to know. Really, what were you thinking, defending a slave against a noblewoman?"
This slave and noblewoman issue again. If there was one thing that never failed to incense me, this was it.
I glared at Khasekh. I wanted to fire back, but in my anger my mind had burned to a crisp.
"You have to rectify this, Asenath. Clean up your act. We will soon be making appearances in Pharaoh's court, so yes, clean up your act."
Clean up my act, indeed.
I could not take it anymore. I shot up from my seat, not caring I was creating a scene. "I used to think that those who studied in the School of Life were the best and brightest in Egypt. But you have proved me wrong."
I glared down at my idiotic best friend.
"What in Seth's cracked lips are you talking about, Asenath?" He raised an eyebrow.
"When you have acquired at least half a brain, you can come to me again." I whipped around and left, completely forgetting to inform the host of my departure.
On the way home, I realised how wise I had been to not tell Khasekh about Joseph. With this silent victory, the evening improved significantly.
The following day, Nafre informed me that Khasekh had come over. I was torn between turning him away and showing him that he could not trample over me. For some reason, I decided on the latter.
I told her to show him inside and not to serve him any refreshments.
"What?" I said as I received him.
"I'm sorry about last night, Asenath," Khasekh said. "I was too severe on you."
"You certainly were." I folded my arms.
"I know. Please forgive me? Don't throw me away. We have known each other for so long."
Though I was still angry, I knew he had a point. It certainly wouldn't do good to end our entire relationship over a little spat. Not that I was actually going to do that.
I took a deep breath. I felt myself calming down. "I accept your apology. I suppose I owe you one too, for overreacting."
"Eh, it's all right. I totally understand." He waved his hand dismissively.
"Just to let you know," I began, "I did not tell you about this—I mean, the incident with you-know-who—because it is not exactly easy to talk about. I have nothing to hide. But I just do not want to talk about it. One day I will tell you everything. But not now.
"Also, I have not even seen her in ages. So I don't think it matters anymore. As far as I am concerned, this is a closed issue."
"Sure. But you―never mind."
"What was that?" I asked sharply.
"Nothing. Forget it."
One day, we received some unfortunate news. Our friends, the twins Lyla and Nyla, had passed away. Because they were still so young, this came as a complete shock.
Basically, from what I heard, there had been a scandal among the servants of the Great House. Not too long ago, Pharaoh had given his baker and chief cupbearer such a scolding their dignities were nearly ripped to shreds. One of them apparently did not take it very well. The
result was a fatal food poisoning which claimed the lives of several Palace staff.
Upon hearing this, I grew very depressed. I had already been in Thebes for two years and still hadn't had a chance to meet up with the twins. My pupils did not include any of the royal family, so I never had a reason to be at the Palace.
I once saw Lyla from afar at a social affair. She was attending to her illustrious mistress. Our eyes had met and we had exchanged smiles. But that could hardly be called a meeting. As for Nyla, I never even saw her at all.
I told myself that because we were still young, we still had many more chances. How could I, of all people, forget how frighteningly unpredictable life could be?
After I heard about the deaths of my friends, I postponed my classes. I isolated myself to mourn. For a moment, I could almost see my ten-year-old anguished self crying beside me. The twins' deaths had reopened old wounds.
I knew the mass burial for the doomed Palace staff would be held soon so I wasted no time. After breakfast, I went over to the back entrance of the Great House.
The guards there nearly keeled over in shock.
"Ah, greetings, Lady Asenath," one of them said. "My lady, I regret to inform you that you have come the wrong way. I shall have my colleague escort you to the front."
I held up my hand. "No. I came here on purpose. I wish to bury the twins Lyla and Nyla. They were my friends from childhood."
The guards exchanged perplexed looks.
I frowned, growing impatient. "Is there a problem?"
"Uh, no, my lady," the second guard said. "However, we will have to obtain the permission of their Majesties."
"Very well. I will wait here."
The guard disappeared.
His colleague offered me a seat, but I declined. I was too worried to sit still. I expected something like this. But still, if I could not bury the twins, I hoped they would at least know that I tried.
The guard reappeared. "My lady, Her Majesty Queen Ahmose gives you her consent as well as her condolences."
I let out a breath of relief. "Thank you. Please give Her Majesty my thanks."
The bodies of my friends were brought out and laid before me. They were swaddled in linen. I gingerly approached. I lifted the cloth on the face level.
I was afraid at first. But it comforted me to see that the twins looked like they were merely sleeping. Their faces, however, were unusually pale.
I took a moment of silence, remembering how they had lived their lives. They had been simple, quiet people. They had never complained and never caused trouble. Though they usually shied away from everyone, they were always willing to help if asked.
Afterward, I looked up and nodded.
My servants and I took my friends to the House of Death, where the mummifying was done. So it was that all the arrangements were made and the twins were set to have a goodly burial.
I informed my pupils' parents that classes would be suspended further. Then I spent each and every one of the next seventy days by the twins' side.
Khasekh came not long after the mummification had begun. "Asenath, I am so sorry."
We embraced.
"If I had known what you were planning to do," he said, "I gladly would have helped you."
"It was on a spur of the moment," I said.
The embalmers were now about to remove the twins' brains through their nostrils. I averted my gaze.
"This is very noble of you," Khasekh said quietly.
"It was the least I could do. I feel really bad that I was never able to see them."
"It was beyond your control." He patted my arm. "Say, since I knew them too, let me pay for the mummification as well."
I shook my head, knowing he did not have much money. "No, it's all right."
"No, please. Let me."
"It's fine."
"Please, Asenath."
He was so insistent, I finally allowed him to donate a meagre sum.
My parents came as soon as they could. Father was kind enough to use his connections to procure a tomb for the twins. They would be laid to rest in the priestly burial ground in the western valley.
Khasekh smiled when I informed him of this. "That is good," he said. "Now the deceased priests will have servants to wait on them in the afterlife."
That remark bit me.
"That was an unkind thing to say, Khasekh," I said. "The most unkind thing ever."
The mummifiers paused in their work and stared at me.
I ignored them. "Have you forgotten who they were? They were our friends. They lived in the same village as us, swam in the river with us, attended the Feast of Hapi with us."
Tears welled up in my eyes.
"I'm sorry, Asenath." Khasekh put an arm around me.
I pulled away.
"Please forgive me," he said. "I did not mean it that way. I am sorry."
I suddenly felt very weary. I leaned against him and closed my eyes.
Soon, the mummification was finished. The embalmers wrapped the twins in linen strips and placed them inside wooden coffins, which then went inside beautifully painted sarcophagi. Around the coffins, Khasekh and I placed shabti, tiny statues which were believed to become the deceased's servants.
From the quay at Karnak, we sailed across the river to the western valley. There, we were met by two funerary priests who wore jackal masks representing the god Anubis. Behind them were two mourner women who keened and tore at their hair.
Our humble funeral procession travelled deep into desolate rocky terrain. The ground grew so rough, my family and I disembarked our litters and made the rest of the way on foot. The sarcophagi meanwhile were lifted from their mule-drawn sledge and onto the shoulders of the House of Death's servants.
Father led us toward a small cave at the bottom of the valley. A freezing draft blew from within. I shivered.
Servants lit torches, revealing a flat cemented area. There, Khasekh and I laid offerings—bouquets, food and stele engraved with sketches of the twins.
Father led us down a flight of steps, which led into the burial chamber. The Anubis priests stood the sarcophagi upright. Khasekh and I positioned the canopic jars, alabaster vessels which contained the twins' internal organs.
Father took up a tiny adze and touched it to the sarcophagi. He chanted spells, performing the Opening of the Mouth ceremony, which was believed to restore the twins' senses.
I stared blankly into the red-orange gloom of the tomb. It was hard to believe that my friends, who were once full of life, were no more.
After the ceremony and a moment of silence, Mother took my arm. "Bid them farewell now, daughter. You will see them again one day."
Outside the tomb, Father dismissed the priests and mourners. Then we sat down for a commemorative feast.
Mother had prepared the food herself. Had I not been so morose, I would have enjoyed it.
No one said much. Once in a while, Father asked Khasekh about his studies. But soon, we were all lost in our own thoughts.
The boat ride back across the river was in complete silence.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
A week after the twins' funeral, I half-heartedly resumed my classes. One day, my pupils and I were out having our break in Lady Ahwere's garden when a servant approached.
"Life, health and prosperity to you, Lady Asenath. I have a message from Her Majesty, Queen Ahmose." She held out a scroll.
"Lady Ahwere is out. I suppose you can keep it until she returns."
"It is for you, my lady."
I stared at her. "Are you certain?"
"Yes."
I took the scroll and broke open the seal. The message was not very long, but it astounded me nonetheless. Queen Ahmose wished to have dinner with me. I surmised she wanted to convey her condolences about Lyla.
The following evening, a handmaiden of the Queen escorted me through the gleaming halls of the Women's Palace and into her mistress' luxurious apartment. We crossed a vestibule lined with vases shaped like kneeling women. At the end, the handmaid drew back gossamer draperies.
"Approach her Majesty," she said with a graceful sweep of her arm.
I took a deep breath then entered into the presence of the Great Royal Wife.
The Queen reclined upon an ivory couch lined with silken pillows. Though not in her full regalia, she looked every inch the ruler she was. A broad collar-necklace of pearls and emeralds glittered across her chest. A fitting sheath dress flattered her slim lengthy figure.
Her large green eyes were fixed upon me. She exuded an air of cunning and intelligence, a woman who could not be fooled.
I swallowed and got to my knees on the alabaster floor. "Life, health and prosperity to you, your Majesty. O Great Royal W
ife, Favourite Lady, may you live forever."
"Arise and approach me, Lady Asenath." Her voice brimmed with clarity and finesse.
I began to move forward when a leopard lying below her lifted its head and growled. I paused.
"Don't be afraid," the Queen said. "He won't hurt you."
I came before her and bowed again. "It is a great honour to meet with you, your Majesty. I thank you for inviting me here. How may I be of service to you?"
I folded my hands in a gesture of defence.
The Queen swung her feet to the ground and sat up. "I was told you buried the twins. Lyla was my handmaid, as you know."
"I do, Majesty. It was most gracious of you to give me your permission."
"Tell me about the funeral. I hear your father performed the last rites."
"He did, Majesty." I told her everything.
"I must say," she said. "I find this to be most noble. It seems you are fiercely loyal to those close to you. Such a trait is rare these days, wouldn't you agree?"
I shifted slightly, intimidated by those penetrating green eyes. "Yes, Majesty."
"Having said that, I wonder if you would be interested in tutoring my daughter, the Princess Hatshepsut? For I trust you will give us the same loyalty you gave your peers."
My eyes nearly widened in a most undignified manner. Though I was not obsessed with social politics the way some people were, I could not deny the prestige of this offer.
"Yes, I would, your Majesty," I said, stunned. "I thank you for this opportunity. I do indeed vow to you my loyalty. I am but your humble servant."
The Queen smiled and scratched the leopard in between the eyes. "I am greatly pleased. You are to inform your pupils' parents that in two days' time, your classes will be moved to the library of the Women's Palace. The Princess will be joining you then. Everything you need will be provided for."
"You are most kind Majesty."
"Good. Then it's settled." She rose, her jewels glittering with the movement. "Shall we go to dinner now?"
"Yes, Majesty."
I was surprised to discover it would just be the Queen and I that night. I had expected a much larger company. I was nervous for I did not know what I could possibly converse with her about.
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