Chapter Ninety Seven: The Summons
Kiya hurried to the house and found her uncle talking to Teos and Ramala. He rose to his feet when she entered.
“Huy!” she cried, “How good to see you.” She ran towards him and flung her arms around his neck. “I recognised you coming down from the upper road.”
He gave her a hug. “Greetings, Kiya. Lord Dennu has sent me to fetch you and the baby. He wishes you to return to Akhetaten.”
Kiya felt a surge of happiness. “How is Laylos?” she asked. “I long to see her again.”
“Your aunt is well and looking forward to your coming,” Huy said and then he frowned. “I hear you have put the baby to a wet nurse, Kiya. But your parents do not know who she is or where she lives.”
“That is because it is a secret,” said Kiya. “The baby is a healer and has to be protected.”
Huy nodded. “He will be protected well enough at the palace. Lord Dennu is particularly anxious that the baby should come home with you.”
“Why?”
Huy shrugged. “He does not confide in me but I assume he wants to adopt the child.”
How Kiya had hoped that this would be the case. She wanted more than anything in the world for Dennu to be a father to the child. But her happiness was tinged with anxiety. Where had Hathor taken the baby? It must be beyond the veil. Even if she could contact the goddess, would she agree to hand Meri back so soon?
“I do not know where the baby is,” she said to Huy. “The wet nurse has promised to return him when he is bigger.”
Huy sighed. “Oh Kiya, just when I hoped your life was going smoothly, you create another problem. What are you going to tell your husband? It is hard to believe that a mother could give her child away so carelessly.”
Tears sprang into Kiya eyes. “I had no choice, he was dying. When Meri healed the life force left his body and there are so many who are sick.” She felt Vitane's soft, warm arms around her.
“Don’t cry, Kiya,” her friend said.
Huy bowed to Vitane. “I had no idea that I would find you here, Princess.”
“She must come with us to Akhetaten,” Kiya said. “Can I pretend that she is my maid?”
“If you wish,” said Huy. “Without your child there will be room in the litter.”
“We are going to try and smuggle her into the harem,” said Kiya.
Huy held up a hand to silence her. “Tell me no more, Kiya. I might be your uncle but I am also captain of the town’s garrison. If your plans endanger the King I will be forced to arrest you.” Kiya was disconcerted. She had seen Huy intimidate others, but she had never been frightened by him before. He held out his arms. “Don’t look at me like that, Kiya. Come, give your uncle a kiss. You bring us nothing but trouble, but Laylos and I are very fond of you.”
Kiya stepped forward willingly and hugged and kissed her uncle. If ever there was a man she wanted on her side, it was Huy.
“Join me in a goblet of beer, Huy, while the women get ready,” said Teos.
“Gladly,” said Huy.
The two men sat chatting while Ramala helped Kiya pack. Vitane had brought no luggage with her but she was anxious to be of assistance.
“Why not go into the kitchen and pack some honey cakes for the journey?” Ramala suggested. Vitane hurried to the kitchen and Kiya listened with apprehension for the sound of breaking crockery. The men were discussing the state of the Nile.
“The Akhet season should have started by now,” said Teos. “But the level of water in the Nile is going down instead of up. Do you know what is happening?”
“Nobody knows,” said Huy. “But there is fear that the famine will increase. I should not say this, Teos, as hoarding is not allowed. But make sure you save enough grain to feed yourself and Ramala. Keep it well hidden.”
“We will survive,” said Teos, “But what about you and Laylos?”
“We must take our chances with the rest of Akhetaten.” Said Huy. “But Kiya will be safe in the palace. The King’s court will never starve.”
“Is this the gods revenge for the closing of the temples?” said Teos.
“Many say such a thing,” said Huy. “I fear an uprising against the King if the situation worsens.”
“We are ready,” said Ramala, interrupting them.
Vitane held a parcel of cakes. “These are for the journey.”
“Well done, Princess,” said Huy. He took the cakes in one hand and Kiya’s bag in the other.
“Goodbye,” Kiya kissed and hugged her parents. “I will be back soon and bring Meri with me.”
“Thank you for all you have done for me. I have enjoyed living with you on the farm. You are both so kind.” Vitane also kissed and hugged Ramala and Teos.
“Goodbye, darlings. Good luck.”
Huy escorted Vitane and Kiya to the waiting convoy. As they followed him along the track, Kiya was aware of the eyes of the crowd upon them. Gossiping voices grew clearer as she neared the road.
“Surely that’s Kiya, the farmer’s daughter.”
“Who is that with her?”
“She must be important for such grandeur.”
“I heard that Kiya married a priest.”
Kiya helped Vitane into the litter and got in beside her. The crowd pressed forwards and the soldiers had to hold them back with crossed spears.
Kiya looked back to the farmhouse and waved at her parents, who were still standing at the door. She hoped that Khamet might see her depart in such splendour - but there was no sign of him.
Huy put Kiya’s bag and the cakes into the litter. “Excuse me, my Lady, but we should travel with the curtains drawn.” He reached up and closed the curtains around the litter and Kiya’s view of home was blocked.
Kiya felt the familiar swaying motion as the litter was lifted and carried along the road. “Have you been in a litter before?” she asked Vitane.
“No. It feels a bit strange,” said Vitane. “Are we going to be carried like this all the way to Akhetaten?”
“I hope not,” said Kiya.