given him seasoned infantry troops so the pace of the daily march was fast. Sahure sent scouts ranging ahead and always the report was the same— other than local traffic, the great caravan road was empty. An unprecedented and ominous state of affairs.
Soon he and his three captains would gather around the fire to eat dinner and discuss strategy as they’d done each of the evenings on the march. He’d unroll the great map of the Southern Oasis issued to him by Pharaoh’s archivist and he and his staff would work on designing an approach to counter any eventuality the group could think of. Including the senior sergeants was a good move. Even if they mostly sit by the fire, listening and occasionally offering a suggestion, better they understand the entire picture so they can convey the strategy to the men. Soldiers fight better when they know the bigger picture. And Menkheperr is doing an excellent job as my second in command. He’ll always have my back, has ever since we were cadets together.
Wheeling on the small hill, he admired the sunset—flaming reds and purples heralding the descent of the god Ra into the underworld, only to rise again in the morning. Not much time for personal reflection when marching to battle. Yet sunset reminds me of Tyema without fail, especially the haunting songs she sang to the setting sun, there on Sobek’s private beach. Under his breath he hummed a bit of the song she’d written herself. The more he considered the matter, aside from his own arrogance and ham handedness, the more he came to believe something else had been in play, something he’d been too in love to realize.
The truth is she does hide herself away in Sobek’s temple complex . I may have teased her about it, but now I know I unwittingly hit on an underlying truth. Her elusive behavior wasn’t just village gossip and it wasn’t required by Sobek. Priestesses mingled with citizens in Thebes, were married, had families—so why was Tyema so reclusive? He didn’t feel she’d been false, or playing a role, but she’d hidden much beneath the serene surface. How often had she told him she was freer to be herself with him than at any other time? The girl learned to drive a chariot, by the gods. He chuckled at the memory.
But when he reflected over their whirlwind two weeks together, he saw how in nearly every conversation she’d deflected the talk to him and he of course had been only too happy to pour his dreams, plans and hopes into her willing ears. No wonder she was overwhelmed when I casually assumed she’d marry me and move to Thebes.
She always asked him excellent questions when he talked about his travels or Court life and politics, made good points when they debated some issue or surveyed potential sites for the new port. She had an undeniable grasp of business and administration. Tyema was no figurehead high priestess, propped up by scribes. She was shrewd, with a knack for running the complicated affairs of her temple. So she was beautiful, talented, brave, funny, smart—and somehow he’d lost her.
When this assignment to the Southern Oasis is over, I’ll return to Ibis Nome and sort this out with her. I can’t imagine what barrier she sees in our way, but my love can withstand anything she might tell me .
As darkness overtook the glorious sunset, he thought briefly of the girls the queen had named that afternoon in Thebes—Baufratet, his childhood playmate, and Nidiamhet the poetess, both the daughters of old noble families in the capital. Either would be a wonderful asset to an ambitious man trying to rise in the politics of Pharaoh’s Court. Neither holds a candle to my paradoxical little priestess . His heart was given . If I can’t sort things out with Tyema, maybe I’ll go to the Afterlife a bachelor. And my younger brothers will have to ensure the family name carries on.
“Sir?” Menkheperr stood next to him. “The scout has returned from the Southern Oasis, with
Soon he and his three captains would gather around the fire to eat dinner and discuss strategy as they’d done each of the evenings on the march. He’d unroll the great map of the Southern Oasis issued to him by Pharaoh’s archivist and he and his staff would work on designing an approach to counter any eventuality the group could think of. Including the senior sergeants was a good move. Even if they mostly sit by the fire, listening and occasionally offering a suggestion, better they understand the entire picture so they can convey the strategy to the men. Soldiers fight better when they know the bigger picture. And Menkheperr is doing an excellent job as my second in command. He’ll always have my back, has ever since we were cadets together.
Wheeling on the small hill, he admired the sunset—flaming reds and purples heralding the descent of the god Ra into the underworld, only to rise again in the morning. Not much time for personal reflection when marching to battle. Yet sunset reminds me of Tyema without fail, especially the haunting songs she sang to the setting sun, there on Sobek’s private beach. Under his breath he hummed a bit of the song she’d written herself. The more he considered the matter, aside from his own arrogance and ham handedness, the more he came to believe something else had been in play, something he’d been too in love to realize.
The truth is she does hide herself away in Sobek’s temple complex . I may have teased her about it, but now I know I unwittingly hit on an underlying truth. Her elusive behavior wasn’t just village gossip and it wasn’t required by Sobek. Priestesses mingled with citizens in Thebes, were married, had families—so why was Tyema so reclusive? He didn’t feel she’d been false, or playing a role, but she’d hidden much beneath the serene surface. How often had she told him she was freer to be herself with him than at any other time? The girl learned to drive a chariot, by the gods. He chuckled at the memory.
But when he reflected over their whirlwind two weeks together, he saw how in nearly every conversation she’d deflected the talk to him and he of course had been only too happy to pour his dreams, plans and hopes into her willing ears. No wonder she was overwhelmed when I casually assumed she’d marry me and move to Thebes.
She always asked him excellent questions when he talked about his travels or Court life and politics, made good points when they debated some issue or surveyed potential sites for the new port. She had an undeniable grasp of business and administration. Tyema was no figurehead high priestess, propped up by scribes. She was shrewd, with a knack for running the complicated affairs of her temple. So she was beautiful, talented, brave, funny, smart—and somehow he’d lost her.
When this assignment to the Southern Oasis is over, I’ll return to Ibis Nome and sort this out with her. I can’t imagine what barrier she sees in our way, but my love can withstand anything she might tell me .
As darkness overtook the glorious sunset, he thought briefly of the girls the queen had named that afternoon in Thebes—Baufratet, his childhood playmate, and Nidiamhet the poetess, both the daughters of old noble families in the capital. Either would be a wonderful asset to an ambitious man trying to rise in the politics of Pharaoh’s Court. Neither holds a candle to my paradoxical little priestess . His heart was given . If I can’t sort things out with Tyema, maybe I’ll go to the Afterlife a bachelor. And my younger brothers will have to ensure the family name carries on.
“Sir?” Menkheperr stood next to him. “The scout has returned from the Southern Oasis, with
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