Shadows of the Nile by Jo Franklin Page B

to meet her lover. She knew both she and her servant would be in trouble when her father found out, and they’d be punished, but right now she didn’t care. She was as free as a bird, for about the first time in her life.
    Some of the men working in the fields stopped to look at her as she raced along. But she didn’t pause to acknowledge their surprised looks. She knew they’d never seen her before like this, with her hair wild and her white skin glowing in the sunshine, and completely on her own. She knew where the River Nile was and she was determined to reach it before anyone could stop her. She’d seen it on outings with her family but they’d always kept her well in the background, surrounded by her sisters, and hidden and veiled so she could scarcely see anything. She wanted not only to see it but to bathe in it if possible.
    At last she was there. The sight of the vast expanse of water took her breath away. She stopped and watched the water being churned by the wind. There was a haunting and beautiful sound as the wind sighed round a boat moored on the bank; it was like strange singing.
    Tadinanefer wandered along near the water’s edge. Some lads were fishing just offshore in small boats, happily ignoring the dangers of the surging waves which might capsize them. She knew they were forced to fish in any weather or their families would go hungry. She waved to them. They stared across at her but didn’t wave back. The wind blew stronger suddenly, making her feel apprehensive. Maybe she’d been foolish to venture so far on her own. She should return.
    But it was too late. In the distance she could see two chariots racing along the track, sending up clouds of dust into the sky. She was dismayed. She’d been found out. They’d come to take her back, and she now had to face the consequences.
    She stood waiting quietly. They couldn’t do much to her, could they? She was, after all, the daughter of Ptah, who owned the farm.
    Then she saw who was in the first chariot. It was her father. His face was thunderous as he stopped his horse in front of her. He got out very slowly. He didn’t immediately say anything to her. Then he hit her hard across each cheek. She reeled in horror, both from the pain and from the surprise of his vicious attack. He’d never before shown any violence towards her.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she murmured.
    Ptah motioned to his servant, who threw him a thick black robe.
    â€œI told you,” Ptah hissed at her, “never to leave the confines of the house without at least one servant, and never to expose any part of your skin. You’re always to be completely covered.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said again. Her head was beginning to ache.
    â€œI’ll deal with you when we get home,” he growled. He threw the robe over her; it covered her from head to foot and fell over her face. He hauled her into his chariot, tightly winding a rope round her, tying it securely, and winding the ends round his hands.
    He didn’t say another word on the way back to the house. He drove his chariot in an easy, expert way – so used to using it as a means of transport to get round his farm. But although he drove it much slower than when he’d chased after her, she would have lost her balance if he hadn’t held her in his strong grip.
    He dragged her into the house, where her mother stood waiting with fear and alarm on her face.
    â€œPtah,” she murmured.
    â€œSilence, wife,” he stormed at her. He pushed Tadinanefer towards her.
    Masika unwound the rope and pushed the heavy cloth back from her daughter’s face.
    â€œOh, Ptah,” she said when she noticed Tadinanefer’s cheeks. “You’ve hit her.”
    â€œThat’s not her punishment,” he growled. “That comes later. Go to your room, girl.”
    â€œWhat of my maidservant?” Tadinanefer asked. “She was not to blame.