Chapter Ninety Eight: The Journey
It was hot in the litter and stuffy. Kiya longed to draw back the curtains but did not want to upset Huy. When they reached Thebes she was glad of their protection, for she could hear hostile voices.
“Who do you think that could be?”
“Some rich bastard. I wish I could have some of their money.”
“Ouch! There’s no need to shove. Bloody soldiers.”
Vitane clung to her arm. “Why do the people hate us?”
“Don’t worry, Vitane, we are well protected. They do not know it is us in the litter, they think it is someone rich and are cross about paying such high taxes.”
Kiya felt the litter being put down and opened the curtains a crack to see a boat moored by the quayside. Its sail was unfurled and upon it was a picture of the sun representing the Aten, with the key of life at the end of each ray. Kiya gave a gasp when she realised that she was looking at one of King Ikhnaton’s pleasure boats.
Huy drew back the curtain, gave a bow and offered his hand to help Kiya from the litter.
“The King has generously lent his boat for your journey, my Lady,” he said.
Kiya took her cue from her uncle’s formality and rose from the litter with dignity. She looked around and saw that a ring of soldiers held curious onlookers at a distance.
“What a lovely boat,” said Vitane as she climbed from the litter and stood at Kiya’s side.
The water in the Nile was so low that there was a considerable drop to the main deck of the boat. The upper deck was almost level with them and Kiya could see food and drink laid out on a table under a shady canopy.
Huy hurried down the steeply-angled gangplank and held out a hand to help Kiya. As she descended she saw a man emerge from behind the sail. He was smartly dressed in a pleated tunic embroidered with the King’s insignia. “Greetings, I am Ursus, the ship’s captain,” he said and bowed to her.
“This is Lady Kiya,” said Huy. “She has brought a maid.” He indicated Vitane, who was making her nervous way down the gangplank.
“We have prepared a cot for a child,” said Ursus.
“Lady Kiya’s son will not be accompanying us,” said Huy.
Ursus bowed once more and said to Kiya. “Please, my Lady, take a seat on the upper deck. The King wishes you to enjoy every comfort.”
He pointed to a short flight of steps and Kiya mounted them to the upper deck. There, in the shade were cushions, piled upon a long wide bench. The table before them was laid with baskets of fruit and many small bowls, arranged in water dishes to keep them cool. There were jugs of beer and goblets and even a vase of roses. A cot stood beside the cushions and Kiya felt a twinge of sadness that Meri would not be with her.
She heard the captain say “Where are you going, my girl!” and looked round to see that he had his hand on Vitane’s arm and was holding her back from the steps.
“I’m going to the upper deck,” she said, trying to pull away from him.
“Oh no, you are not, servants travel on the lowest deck with the slaves.”
“Please allow my maid to travel with me,” said Kiya. “I may need her services.”
The captain looked discomforted and let Vitane go. She hurried up the steps and stood behind Kiya.
“Come and sit down, Vitane, we will be out of sight of the crew.” Kiya led her friend to the bench and sank down next to her, marvelling at the softness of the cushions. “These must be stuffed with duck down,” she said.
“Talking of being stuffed, I am hungry,” said Vitane and helped herself to grapes and cheese from the many dishes of food.
There was the sound of activity below them as the litter was brought on board and stowed beneath the upper deck. Then the captain shouted a command and the mooring ropes were untied. The great square sail filled and the boat moved out from the quay and slowly at first but with increasing speed sailed down the river.
Soon the quays and building of Thebes were left behind and they were travelling through the countryside. Kiya could see much interest from people on the banks of the river. Children followed them, running along the riverside path and jumping high to see them over the reeds. Where there were clearings beside the water people gathered on the sandy banks and waved.
They passed many small villages. Feluccas - small, one-man sailing boats, left the mooring platforms and darted around the pleasure boat like white butterflies. The fishermen were curious, but friendly and returned their waves with smiles.
“They must think we are important,” said Kiya.
Vitane nodded complacently. “We are important. I am going to be a wife of the King.”
Kiya smiled at her friend, glad that she had embraced the future with such confidence.
Vitane was in high spirits. She asked Kiya many questions about the life she could expect to lead in the harem. Kiya told her about the beautiful courtyard, the caged singing birds and the fishpond. “There are also lovely gardens within the palace compound. I am sure you will be very happy, Vitane.”
Vitane clapped her hands and laughed. “I will call me first daughter Kiya after you, my best and dearest friend.” She drained a goblet of beer and yawned. “It has been a tiring day, I think I would like to sleep.” She stretched out on the cushions and closed her eyes.
Kiya looked at Vitane. Her friend had absolute faith that Kiya would return her to the harem but would it be possible? She would have to face Bunefer again. Although she had bribed Bunefer to keep Vitane’s absence a secret, the harem keeper was a reluctant ally and could easily turn against her. Unwelcome possibilities presented themselves. What if she was arrested? What if she, instead of Vitane, remained trapped in the harem? What if her actions brought shame and embarrassment upon Dennu?
Vitane stirred and smiled in her sleep. A shaft of sunlight shone through a gap in the canopy and illuminated the scars upon her neck. The bright light made them visible, despite Ramala’s camouflage cream. Kiya frowned. A wrong had been done to Vitane and to Bunefer. It was her duty to try to right those wrongs, whatever the consequences.
Her new resolve brought her peace and she lay down on the pillows next to Vitane and closed her eyes. The rocking of the boat was soporific and she relaxed into sleep.