Chapter Twenty five: A Visitor
“Helwan is a long way away,” sighed Ramala. “Will Kiya be safe there?”
“She will be safer in Helwan than here in Thebes. Dennu will look after her. He has offered to marry her.”
Kiya’s gaze travelled to Dennu who was looking steadfastly at the floor.
"Really? That’s wonderful! Thank you so much Dennu. Will you get a job as a scribe? I am sure Kiya will be very happy.” Ramala was about to embrace her new son-in-law.
“No!” the cry from Kiya’s lips was visceral. How dare they plan her future behind her back! How dare they try to part her from her honey-scented god! “I want to stay here. I don’t want to get married to Dennu.” He looked up and she saw the pain in his eyes. “Or anyone,” she ended lamely.
“They offer is withdrawn,” he said and he walked out of the house.
“Dennu, come back. I’m so sorry!” cried Teos. He gave Kiya an exasperated look and ran after him.
“Are you mad, Kiya?” Ramala turned upon her angrily. “You will never get a better offer. Dennu is from a high-born family and is an educated man. Life as a scribe's wife is beyond anything I ever hoped for you. You could have slaves and fine clothes and be invited to grand events. Run after him quickly. Tell him you have changed your mind.”
Kiya shook her head. “His offer has been withdrawn and, knowing Dennu, it will never be made again.”
Ramala was close to tears. “Why did you reject him. He is charming and handsome and has good prospects. What more could a girl want?”
A god, thought Kiya and longed to tell her mother about her love for Anubis.
Dennu returned late that night. Kiya and Ramala were already in bed but she heard him talking to Teos in the room below. She strained her ears but could not make out what they were saying. She listened to the sound of his footsteps mounting the stairs and wondered whether now would be a good time to apologise and try to make things right between them. But she was tired and decided to leave it until tomorrow.
When Kiya woke the next day she was alone on the roof She went downstairs to find her parents loading Enno with Laylos’s possessions.
“Good morning, Kiya,” said Ramala. “You will be looking after the house this morning. I am going with your father to visit Laylos.”
“Really?” Kiya was surprised. “Are you sure you are fit enough to make such a journey?”
Ramala smiled. “I will not be walking. There is room on the donkey for me to ride and I am longing to see where my sister lives.”
“You do look much better,” said Kiya and, indeed, there was a more vivacity in her mother’s eyes and her skin was less pale.
“Yes, Laylos’s spell is working its magic already. I am feeling stronger than I have for a long while.”
“We won’t be long,” said Teos. “Huy has left plenty of instructions so we should find his place without too much trouble. Will you be all right on your own Kiya?”
“Why? Where is Dennu?” asked Kiya.
"He left early," said Teos. "He has an appointment with Aapep, the scribe."
Kiya waved her parents goodbye and went to the kitchen to make herself breakfast. In her head she ran through the excuses she was going to make to Dennu on his return. She had been tired, embarrassed, caught unawares, she loved him as a brother, she hoped their friendship would continue. She tried, with difficulty, to imagine Dennu softening and forgiving her.
Later, when she was arranging bedding on the roof, she observed a figure walking towards the farm. It was Eopei, dressed in her finest clothes, with a parasol shading her from the sun. Kiya stared at her in dismay. Her fears had been right, Eopei had recognised her at the dock. She watched her friend pick her way delicately along the path between the flooded fields and wondered if she should hide and pretend not to be at home. But Kiya longed to see Eopei again and a meeting might persuade her friend to keep the home-coming a secret.
Kiya went running downstairs and greeted Eopei at the door. “Eopei, how good to see you!” She embraced her friend, smelling the rich patchouli perfume on her skin. “How lovely you look.”
“Oh, this old shift,” said Eopei, with a disparaging gesture at the beautifully woven and pleated garment she was wearing. “But the wig is new, what do you think?”
Kiya thought it too flamboyant. The cascading black ringlets reached half way down Eopei’s back. “It’s lovely,” she said, politely. “I wish I had the courage to wear one that length.”
“Courage? My dear it’s the latest style. Do they not wear them this length in Helwan?”
“Helwan?” Kiya looked at her friend enquiringly.
“Yes, is that not where you have been? We were told you had gone to be a dancer at the Temple of Ptah in Helwan. I was upset that you did not say goodbye.” She gave a pretty pout.
Kiya rallied quickly. “It all happened so suddenly. I barely had time to say goodbye to my parents.”
“So what came of it?” said Eopei eagerly. “Why are you back home? Did you run away? Were you dismissed?”
“I was dismissed,” said Kiya, choosing the easiest option.
“Why? Did you do something awful?”
Kiya swallowed her pride. “They said my dancing was not good enough.”
“Really? No wonder you are too ashamed to tell us you have returned. But you amaze me. I always thought you were such a good dancer. How very interesting.” Eopei’s eyes gleamed with suppressed delight and Kiya knew that she could hardly wait to spread the news.
“Please do not tell Qelhatat or any of the others that I am back,” she said. “We must keep it a secret, just between the two of us.
“Not tell the High Priestess?” said Eopei in surprise. “It’s too late, I have already told her.”
“Oh, no!” cried Kiya.
“What is wrong? Did I do the wrong thing?” Eopei looked flustered. “When I saw you in the crowd I wanted to come and visit you but I thought I had better ask permission. Dear Kiya, I have missed you so much, and now you are cross with me. I am so sorry.” Eopei fluttered her long eyelashes as she pleaded for forgiveness.
Kiya sighed. “Oh Eopei, nobody could be cross with you for long. Would you like a beer?”
“A beer?” she said and pouted prettily. “No thank you, wine is all the thing. Come on Kiya, get your best clothes on and accompany me to Thebes. I know a new wine bar.”
“No, I must stay here. Besides, I have no money to buy wine.”
“I suppose you are out of a job, now that nobody wants you as a dancing girl.” said Eopei with exaggerated sympathy. “Never mind I will pay. It will be a nice treat for you.” She looked through the open door. “Who is that handsome man coming down your path?”
Kiya looked and her heart skipped a beat. Dennu was hurrying towards the farm.
"That’s Dennu, he is a friend, who is staying with us for a while.”
Eopei opened her eyes wide. “Really? You amaze me. A man like that and he is just a friend? Is he married?”
“No.”
“Does he prefer men?”
“No.”
“I am glad. He is one of the best looking men I have seen for a long time.”
“He is just a boy,” protested Kiya.
“A boy?” Eopei shook her head. “I think not. Have I your permission to step out with this boy of yours? I promise you, I will soon make a man of him.”
“No!” said Kiya. “He needs protecting from women like you.”