Chapter Forty Six: Janais
Kiya watched Laylos kneel down and search through the cupboard beneath the seating bench.
“I should have enough crockery for us all,” she muttered as she dragged out bowls, spoons and goblets. She distributed them to Huy, Kiya and Sabu then leant heavily on the bench to get back onto her feet. “I am sure this bench is going to collapse one day,” she said. “I have never known houses to be so badly built.”
Kiya followed her aunt and uncle from the house and across the square. She looked more closely at the surrounding terraces and saw that they appeared hastily constructed, with rough, uneven brickwork. Some bricks had been made with too little straw and were already crumbling. She hoped the rest of the city would show better workmanship.
Huy and Laylos led the way to the kitchen, where they were swiftly seated – Laylos on one side of Kiya and Sabu on the other. It was near the end of the day and diners were eating fast and leaving, anxious to be home before nightfall. The smell of meat stew mingled with the stench of unwashed workmen and the air was full of the sound of talk and laughter. Kiya felt ravenous and watched eagerly as a soldier walked down between the tables serving people from a large pot.
“You’re a pretty girl, I have not seen you here before,” he said as he ladled stew into Kiya’s bowl.
Huy, who was on the other side of Laylos, leant forwards to glare at the soldier. “This is my niece,” he said.
The soldier paled. “Oh! I am sorry, Sir.” Huy gave a grunt.
Kiya ate the stew hungrily. The meat was tough but the gravy, enriched with scallions, celery and beans, tasted delicious.
“Do you remember my niece, Kiya?” Laylos said.
At the sound of her name, Kiya turned her attention to her aunt, who addressed a man seated opposite.
“Yes, of course,” said the man and Kiya was surprised to recognised the butcher, Janais, from Ankhis. “How are you doing, Kiya? Did you ever meet my wife, Tarset?”
Kiya leaned across the table and shook hands with the woman sitting next to Janais. She was plump and good-natured looking with the flushed skin of someone who ate plenty of meat. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” Kiya said. She had encountered few of the inhabitants of her aunt’s home village and could not remember seeing Tarset before.
“So, what brings you to Akhetaten?” Laylos asked Janais.
“We thought we had better get out of Gesem while the going was good. I could not sell the business, of course. Who would want to buy a shop in such a lawless area?”
“Lawless?” Laylos sounded surprised.
“Yes. Massui is no longer given funds to run his garrison. The guards have left and there is nobody to protect us.”
“Is Massui still there?” asked Kiya.
Janais shrugged. “Who knows? If he is, then he is living without servants. What a come-down for a great man.”
Tarset turned to Laylos. “I could not believe it when I heard you had disappeared from Ankhis. What happened?”
“I eloped, with this man.” Laylos indicated Huy who was eating his stew with gusto. He looked up and grinned. A dribble of gravy ran down his chin.
“Huy, do you remember Janais, the butcher from Ankhis?” Laylos asked him.
“No!” said Huy. “But I would be grateful if he would pass the bread.”
“This is my husband, the Captain of the garrison. He gets hungry,” explained Laylos.
“Your husband? Congratulations,” said Janais and handed down the bread basket. Huy helped himself to the largest piece.
“Have you managed to find work in Akhetaten?” Laylos asked her friends.
“There is lots of employment here,” said Janais. “I am a labourer and Tarset works in the sacristy kitchen.”
Kiya’s interest sharpened. “What is the sacristy like?” she asked Tarset.
“Oh, it is very grand. The kitchen is huge. There are three fire pits and a bread oven.”
“Have you ever been into Nefertiti’s quarters?” asked Kiya.
Tarset looked surprised. “Why would I go there? I am just a kitchen maid. But I do hear they are very beautiful and there is a room that is always kept locked.” She leaned forwards and lowered her voice. “There is much speculation about what treasure lies inside.”
If she only knew, thought Kiya. What a surprise that would be!
Huy used the bread to sop up the last of his stew and lifted his goblet. “Soldier! We need more beer down here.” A man carrying a flagon hurried down the row.
“By the way, Laylos,” said Tarset. “I have run out of that rash ointment you make. Do you have any more?”
Laylos shook her head. “I am sorry. I cannot get hold of the herbs at the moment. I hope to be back in business soon.”
“So do I,” sighed Janais. “I want to return to being a butcher, but we live in difficult times.”
Huy drained his beer, got to his feet and looked down at Janais with a frown. “We live in times of peace and love,” he said.
“Yes, of course.” Janais was flustered. “Hail to the King.”
“Hail,” said Huy and walked away.
“Sorry about that,” said Laylos and hurried after him.
Sabu was sitting next to Kiya. He had not uttered a word during the meal, but now he turned to her and said. “We should follow them, Mistress.”
“Yes of course. Goodbye, Janais. Goodbye, Tarset.”
“Goodbye, Kiya.” They smiled and waved, less disconcerted than she was by Huy’s abrupt departure.
Kiya could hear her aunt and uncle arguing as she followed with Sabu.
“I wish you would not be so pushy,” said Laylos.
“It is expected of me, my dear,” Huy replied.
“You might be nicer to my friends,” Laylos said.
“They are your friends not mine. I have never seen them before in my life. I cannot be seen by my soldiers chitchatting to civilians.”
“You are so intimidating,” she complained.
Huy put his arm around her shoulders. “Not enough to intimidate you, my little peach blossom.”
She smiled up at him and slid her arm around his waist. “That’s because I know what a softie you are at heart.”
The first stars were appearing in the sky as Kiya followed the entwined couple back to their home. She could sense Sabu’s alertness as he walked by her side, scanning the shadows for signs of threat. He was a good man, but he took his duties so seriously that she began to feel nervous of anticipated dangers.