Chapter Fifty: The Tent
When Kiya had seen Dennu working in the tent it had been completely open, the sides extended into verandas supported by poles. Now, as she approached, she saw that the inner part was closed off by a curtain, so finely woven that it was translucent and billowed in the breeze.
“Welcome to my home,” said Dennu and pulled aside the curtain so she could enter.
Kiya gasped, Dennu’s workplace had been transformed. The table that had once held papyrus scrolls was now laid with fine plates and cutlery. A vase of sweet-smelling flowers stood by a doorway, beyond which Kiya could see a bed. The tent was cool and light without being bright - far from the hot, dusty house in which her aunt and uncle lived.
“It’s beautiful,” she said.
“Take a seat,” said Dennu and pulled out a chair so she could sit at the table. He clapped his hands and a servant entered with a jug and a dish of small, yellow biscuits. Dennu waited until he had gone and then sat opposite her. He poured a goblet of wine and handed it to Kiya with a smile.
“We may still be primitive in Akhetaten, but we can obtain excellent wine.”
“Some live in more primitive conditions than others,” replied Kiya and took a sip from her goblet. The wine was rich and heady and she resolved not to drink too much of it.
“We are all equal here in this new city,” said Dennu. “It is the King’s wish that all men are treated the same. As you saw, everyone can freely access the temple and gain audience with him.”
“It must be very time consuming for him,” said Kiya.
Dennu lowered his voice. “As usual, you have shown insight into the situation, Kiya. Ikhnaton is a great man, a visionary, but he has no time for affairs of the state.”
Kiya murmured back. “I fear that his obsession with the Aten is costing Egypt dear. Did you know that your father has lost his garrison? Things are not going well in Gesem.”
Dennu frowned and took a gulp of wine. I have upset him, thought Kiya and wondered whether it was her criticism of the King or the mention of his father.
“Have a saffron biscuit,” said Dennu, offering her the plate. “They are expensive to make, but appetising.”
“Thank you.” Kiya took a biscuit. It tasted like bitter honey but she managed to smile and say, “Delicious.”
“Huy thought you had been killed this morning,” Dennu continued. “He saw with his own eyes the spear hit you in the back. Tell me how you escaped injury, Kiya?”
“I did not escape injury, I am going to have a bruise the size of a fist.”
“It must have been a very blunt spear - or did you use magic?”
He stopped talking as a servant entered the tent with a tray on which were two plates and several bowls. The man put a plate of meat in front of Kiya and she leant forwards to inhale the delicious scent of marinated beef. The bowls contained chick peas, lentils, lettuce, cucumber and finely chopped onion.
“Help yourself, Kiya,” said Dennu leaning back in his chair and indicating the food with a sweeping gesture. When Dennu wanted to show off he certainly did it in style, thought Kiya.
“What a feast!” she said and spooned the vegetables onto her plate.
“Where were we?” said Dennu. “I know, we were talking about the magic spell you used to prevent the spear penetrating your body.”
“No we were not. There is no magic spell.”
“There must be.” Dennu looked at her with pleading eyes. “Please teach it to me, Kiya. That spell would be worth all the others put together. Imagine invisible armour that would keep you safe in battle.”
“There aren’t going to be any battles. You said yourself that Ikhnaton is against war.”
Dennu leant forward earnestly. “There will be skirmishes, Kiya. As a warrior priest it could be my duty to lead an expedition to Gesem. Of course, it would go as a fact finding mission but who knows what trouble we might meet?”
Kiya reached out and took his hand. “Please don’t go Dennu. It would be terribly dangerous.”
“Not with your spell.”
“I swear to you, Dennu. There is no spell.”
He withdrew his hand and sat back in his chair. “I see you are determined not to tell me. No, please don’t say any more. I accept your decision. These secrets must be closely guarded.”
They ate in silence. Kiya’s enjoyment of the food was marred by Dennu’s disgruntlement. Was this the real reason he had invited her to lunch? To learn what spell she had used? She wished she could tell him that the spear had been stopped by a gold nugget sewn into her clothes, but her recently-acquired fortune would open a whole new line of unwelcome questioning. When they had finished their meal, Dennu clapped his hands and a servant came in and took away the dishes.
Kiya was anxious to lighten the atmosphere. “Tell me more about the Aten,” she said.
“The Aten is the disc of the sun and represents the one true god.” Dennu paused as another servant entered with bowls of desert, then continued. “The rays of the sun are the brightness and warmth of god’s love.”
“You have built a temple to the sun?”
“No,” Dennu shook his head. “We worship the unknowable god in the only way available to us.”
“Do you mean that you worship Neter, the creator who made all things, even the gods themselves?” Kiya took a spoonful of fig custard. It was sweet and rich - one of the nicest desserts she had ever tasted.
“Well, yes, in a way.” Dennu frowned and Kiya knew he was reluctant to admit the connection with a god that had been part of the Egyptian pantheon since time immemorial.
“But Neter is beyond men’s comprehension,” said Kiya. “Are you sure he wants to be revered? How do you know he is a loving being? The creator may not be aware of his creation. Would it not be better to go back to the old ways? At least people understood what they were meant to be worshipping.”
“I wish you could share my enthusiasm, Kiya,” said Dennu with a frown. “More wine?” He leant forwards and topped up her goblet, then he lowered his voice. “I know you are up to something. There can be no other reason for you to be in Akhetaten. I would be fooling myself if I thought you had come to see me, or even your aunt and uncle. Please tell me. I would like to help you if I can.”
Kiya shook her head. How could she tell Dennu that her mission was to destroy the new religion he adored so much and to have the temples reopened. “It’s a secret,” she said.
He looked upset. “Do you remember the old days, Kiya? I would have died for you then. You were the first and only woman I truly loved. Now a barrier lies between us and I can no longer reach you. I would give anything for things to be back the way they once were.”
Kiya stared at Dennu, her heart beating faster. Could they turn back time and give their love another chance? Should she abandon her mission and fail the gods? As she struggled with her feelings she heard the sound of approaching music.
“Dennu, I...”
She was about to explain her dilemma when Urshu burst into the tent. “My lord, the King is coming.”