Free Seer of Egypt by Pauline Gedge Page A

together, with you showing me the rather dubious delights of Hut-herib. I remember how much we laughed together, my Lady Ishat. I hope you have not forgotten me!”
    Huy did not miss the pleading behind Thothmes’ light words, and a little of the joy went out of the bright morning.
    “No indeed, Lord,” Ishat responded stiffly, withdrawing her fingers. “You were a most agreeable companion. Come into the house. Khnit has prepared a small meal for us, but tonight we will absolutely gorge on her delicious food!”
    Thothmes’ expression of disappointment at her decorum faded. He glanced to where the members of Huy’s staff were lined up under the portico, waiting to reverence him. He whistled. “An estate, a full complement of servants, and I’m tied up beside a rather pretty barge that must be yours,” he said to Huy as they linked arms and began to stroll up the path, Thothmes’ train trotting behind him. “How odd are the twists and gyrations of fate, Huy! Could you ever have imagined this wealth for yourself when we shared a cell at school together, or when you and Ishat existed in that cramped hovel beside the beer house? I want to hear everything. The King must be very pleased with you indeed. Does he summon you often?”
    “Not at all. His ministers and courtiers come for consultations, but His Majesty remains silent.”
    “How odd. You would think that he would want the future told for our new Prince Amunhotep. Now, if our wonderful King Thothmes, the third of that illustrious name, still sat on the Horus Throne, he would have insisted that you live within the palace compound and See for his family every day! He would have truly appreciated you.”
    Huy smiled to himself. Thothmes had idolized the late King and had mourned deeply when he went to ride in the Sacred Barque.
    They had arrived before the solemn line of Huy’s servants. Huy introduced them, noting that Amunmose, now fully shaved and clothed in the ankle-length sheath of a steward, was almost unrecognizable. Thothmes greeted them cheerfully, they bowed, and Huy dismissed them. As they scattered to their duties, he led his friend into the house and up to the guest room.
    Thothmes whistled. “You wrote to me about the lion skin. A little overpowering, don’t you think? I’d like to give the couch to Ibi and sleep on the roof myself. Do you object?”
    “Of course not.”
    “What a good idea.” Ishat had entered and was standing behind them. “You can shout for your body servant through the wind catcher, Thothmes. Now let’s find some shade and drink beer, and you can give us all your news. How does the Hawk sepat fare under your lackadaisical hand?”
    They half lay on reed mats and cushions under the thick canopy of the sycamores growing against the southern wall while Thothmes’ steward Ptahhotep and a self-conscious Amunmose served them beer and sweetmeats. Before long, Ishat pulled off her headdress and shook out her hair. “It’s too hot for such formality,” she complained. “Here in the Delta the summer is bad enough. It must be unbearable further south.”
    A moment of silence followed. Huy, glancing at Thothmes, saw that his friend’s gaze had become fixed on the wealth of black tresses suddenly tumbling past Ishat’s shoulders. Ishat had also become aware of Thothmes’ scrutiny. Awkwardly, she cleared her throat. “Thothmes, what’s wrong with Nakht?” she said. “You mentioned an illness in your last letter. Is it serious?”
    Thothmes did not answer at once. Then he sighed. “I don’t think so, but he seems listless and easily fatigued. Our physician has been unable to diagnose the problem as yet. Father and I work together in his office in the mornings, but in the afternoons I am left to see to the affairs of the sepat by myself.” He grinned ruefully. “I listen to farmers complaining about the encroachment of their neighbours’ fields onto their own, and persons who feel the merchants have cheated them, and