on one ' s side. What was the truth concerning Amisihathor?
Cleocatra jumped up next to me, gave a soft hiss, and jumped back down. In the cool stillness, it was not long before I was asleep.
Chapter Nine
The Golden One has come to visit with her husband, the wise and mighty Horus. She sits in the sacred barque in the courtyard of the god ' s house. The air crackles with excitement. It is a joyous time, and everyone is celebrating.
I sing the goddess ' s praises with great pride. Dancers and musicians perform in her honor. We are a large, boisterous crowd, for many people have joined our procession along the way. For days, we have traveled from Dendera, down the Nile, to reach this shining temple. Tonight, the gods will rejoice in the marriage bed, and for two weeks we shall stay in this place while the festival lasts.
This is the first time I have taken part in the Feast of the Beautiful Reunion. All the sights, sounds, and smells thrill me. An acrobat tumbles past, the bells on his ankles tinkling. Two dwarves follow him, shaking tambourines. A servant of Horus is handing out honey cakes. I suddenly realize that I am yearning for food and drink. As if the gods hear me, there is a voice at my elbow. " A cup of wine, mistress? Your sweet singing must be making your throat dry. "
I turn my head, and my eyes blink. Is it the bright sun, or the smile on the face of the man before me? I accept the vessel from his hand. " Many thanks, " I say. " Your offer is well-timed. "
" I am pleased, lady of Hathor. " He glances at my nearby companions. " Perhaps you would like to sit in the shade for a few moments? I know of a spot by the wall. There is a palm tree that gives protection. "
It would be good to rest awhile, I muse. But in my heart, I know that is not truly the reason I wish to accompany him.
" You are most gracious. Let me tell my sisters, and I will come with you. "
No one else wants to leave the hub of activity. Merety, the most senior of our group, looks at the young man with an air of appraisal. " A well-favored lad, to be sure! A scribe in the house of Horus, I see by his badge. Go, Amisihathor, but do not be long. The races will be starting soon. "
With only my maid, Tia, trailing along behind me, I return the short distance to where he waits. We begin walking together towards the high stone walls surrounding the temple. " I am Kamenwati, a servant in the House of Life, " he tells me. " You have come with the goddess from Dendera? "
" Yes. My name is Amisihathor, and I am a chantress of Hathor. This is my first trip to Edfu. "
" And how do you find it so far? " he asks.
" Wonderful. There is so much to see and do, I scarcely know where to look next. "
He laughs at my enthusiasm. " Yes, it is exciting. There are more people here than ever before. I have seen with my own eyes men who have come from the land of Punt. What do you think they had with them? Monkeys! Monkeys on golden chains, as tame as any dog. By Amun-Ra, I swear it. They ate figs and chattered away like children. "
My eyes grow wide with wonder. " I should dearly love to witness that. "
" Perhaps you shall, my lady. If you would prefer to walk about with me, rather than resting, we will look for them. "
I nod eagerly. Any tiredness has vanished.
" Very well. But you had better stay close to me in these crowds. May I take your hand? "
I hold it out shyly, and Kamenwati closes his fingers around mine. I feel a little shiver go up my spine. His grasp is warm and strong. Suddenly, I feel as if nothing can threaten me. I am heady with a sense of adventure.
We weave our way among the masses while Tia strives to keep up. The scent of incense from all the offerings is strong on the air. Kamenwati points out different travelers and tells me where they are from. His knowledge, like everything else about him, impresses me.
He stops to procure cakes and bread for us to eat, and presents me with a fresh garland of flowers. His fingers brush
Cleocatra jumped up next to me, gave a soft hiss, and jumped back down. In the cool stillness, it was not long before I was asleep.
Chapter Nine
The Golden One has come to visit with her husband, the wise and mighty Horus. She sits in the sacred barque in the courtyard of the god ' s house. The air crackles with excitement. It is a joyous time, and everyone is celebrating.
I sing the goddess ' s praises with great pride. Dancers and musicians perform in her honor. We are a large, boisterous crowd, for many people have joined our procession along the way. For days, we have traveled from Dendera, down the Nile, to reach this shining temple. Tonight, the gods will rejoice in the marriage bed, and for two weeks we shall stay in this place while the festival lasts.
This is the first time I have taken part in the Feast of the Beautiful Reunion. All the sights, sounds, and smells thrill me. An acrobat tumbles past, the bells on his ankles tinkling. Two dwarves follow him, shaking tambourines. A servant of Horus is handing out honey cakes. I suddenly realize that I am yearning for food and drink. As if the gods hear me, there is a voice at my elbow. " A cup of wine, mistress? Your sweet singing must be making your throat dry. "
I turn my head, and my eyes blink. Is it the bright sun, or the smile on the face of the man before me? I accept the vessel from his hand. " Many thanks, " I say. " Your offer is well-timed. "
" I am pleased, lady of Hathor. " He glances at my nearby companions. " Perhaps you would like to sit in the shade for a few moments? I know of a spot by the wall. There is a palm tree that gives protection. "
It would be good to rest awhile, I muse. But in my heart, I know that is not truly the reason I wish to accompany him.
" You are most gracious. Let me tell my sisters, and I will come with you. "
No one else wants to leave the hub of activity. Merety, the most senior of our group, looks at the young man with an air of appraisal. " A well-favored lad, to be sure! A scribe in the house of Horus, I see by his badge. Go, Amisihathor, but do not be long. The races will be starting soon. "
With only my maid, Tia, trailing along behind me, I return the short distance to where he waits. We begin walking together towards the high stone walls surrounding the temple. " I am Kamenwati, a servant in the House of Life, " he tells me. " You have come with the goddess from Dendera? "
" Yes. My name is Amisihathor, and I am a chantress of Hathor. This is my first trip to Edfu. "
" And how do you find it so far? " he asks.
" Wonderful. There is so much to see and do, I scarcely know where to look next. "
He laughs at my enthusiasm. " Yes, it is exciting. There are more people here than ever before. I have seen with my own eyes men who have come from the land of Punt. What do you think they had with them? Monkeys! Monkeys on golden chains, as tame as any dog. By Amun-Ra, I swear it. They ate figs and chattered away like children. "
My eyes grow wide with wonder. " I should dearly love to witness that. "
" Perhaps you shall, my lady. If you would prefer to walk about with me, rather than resting, we will look for them. "
I nod eagerly. Any tiredness has vanished.
" Very well. But you had better stay close to me in these crowds. May I take your hand? "
I hold it out shyly, and Kamenwati closes his fingers around mine. I feel a little shiver go up my spine. His grasp is warm and strong. Suddenly, I feel as if nothing can threaten me. I am heady with a sense of adventure.
We weave our way among the masses while Tia strives to keep up. The scent of incense from all the offerings is strong on the air. Kamenwati points out different travelers and tells me where they are from. His knowledge, like everything else about him, impresses me.
He stops to procure cakes and bread for us to eat, and presents me with a fresh garland of flowers. His fingers brush
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