Bit-Bit and I both put our arms around her, trying to hug away her tears. It felt very strange. Usually Mery was the one who gave comfort to us. As we held her, waiting for her sobs to die away, my heart felt like a stone. That girl doesn’t need shrines or sacrifices or eternity in the Field of Reeds, I thought. She needs her life!
I spent the rest of that day in my room, haunted by the slave girl’s face. I did manage to leave my bed and put on a light linen dress, but I didn’t have the heart to do more than pace from wall to wall or to sit on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor. If only I’d been less clumsy and avoided tumbling into the river! If only my fingers had been more nimble, I could have freed myself from all of the heavy gold jewelry that had pulled me down! If only I’d been stronger, or a better swimmer, I could have saved myself!
When Mery brought me food and drink, I couldn’t touch a mouthful. She sighed and left me alone. Later on, when the sun was setting and the lamps were lit, Bit-Bit came to try to persuade me to join our family at the feast set out to celebrate the Inundation.
“There’s duck, Nefertiti!” she cried. “Wild duck roasted with honey and onions. Can’t you smell it? The skin is so brown and crackly, it’ll be the best thing you’ve ever tasted! If you come, I’ll let you have all the skin off my portion, too.”
I smiled at my sister. “I’m sorry, Bit-Bit, but you’ll have to eat my share of the duck instead. I still feel awful for having lost Mother’s bracelets in the river. I don’t deserve to share the feast.”
“But it wasn’t on purpose!” Bit-Bit protested. “And Mother hasn’t mentioned the bracelets, not even once. She’s just happy to have you back.”
“Maybe so,” I replied. “But I still feel responsible. You go ahead and eat. Tell Mother and Father I’m sleeping so they won’t make a fuss. I’ll be better in the morning.”
Bit-Bit looked reluctant to leave me, but the tempting smell of roast duck soon made her scamper off. I waited until I was sure that the family feast was well under way, then dropped to my knees beside the wooden chest that held my clothes. My cloak was at the very bottom. I swung it on over my shoulders, then pulled it up to cover my head. It was heavy, meant for winter use, but even though it would be stifling to wear, tonight I needed a garment that would let me go unrecognized through the streets.
As I crept out of the house, into the garden, I heard the sound of my family chatting over their festive meal. Rich, delectable aromas drifted from the hall and made my mouth water. For a feast like this, all of our slaves and servants would be busy either cooking, serving, clearing, or cleaning the dishes. It was easy to keep out of their way.
It was also easy to slip out of our garden and into the streets of Akhmin. I glanced left and right before running from the little gate into the shelter of the building across the way. Our neighbors lived behind walls that were higher than ours, and I kept them beside me, clinging to the added darkness they provided, for as long as I could.
I didn’t have to worry about running into many people. By that time of night, the citizens of Akhmin were all safely home, celebrating the Inundation just like my family and probably talking about the spectacle of my fall, my near-drowning, and my rescue.
How many of them believed the high priest? I wondered. I felt a twinge of fear, and for a moment I stood still in the night, seeing the angry phantom faces of all the people who would turn on me if this year’s crops failed. Even if the harvest is good, how many of them will remember the high priest’s words the next time something goes wrong? As long as I live in this city, I’ll always be remembered as the girl who didn’t become Hapy’s chosen sacrifice. It doesn’t matter if it’s all a lie. When bad things happen, things that people can’t control, they want to find a reason. They need someone to blame.
A dog howled somewhere nearby. Another answered. I remembered Father coming home one night, complaining about the homeless city dogs. They roam the streets in packs and they’re vicious things. I was lucky I had this with me. He waved the old painted war club from his soldiering days.
I had nothing. I readjusted my cloak and ran.
Isis’s temple looked different in the moonlight. It was no longer the gaily painted, beautifully adorned building I knew by day. Though the night was clear and the moon and stars shone brightly, the temple was a dark hulk crouched beside the river. I heard the dogs howl again and hurried toward it. The tall face of Isis’s house loomed above me, and I was close enough to see the words and figures carved there. It was so strange to stand before the temple alone, at that moment! The goddess’s many images all seemed to be staring at me, demanding to know why I’d come there at a time when good daughters should be at home.
“Forgive me, divine one, lady of life,” I prayed softly. “If you know what’s in my heart, show me your favor. Guide my steps. Let me save the girl who saved me.” I didn’t expect a reply and I didn’t wait for one. I turned sharply from the front of the temple and ran along the wall leading away from the river. Somewhere on the other side of that wall was the high priest’s house. I had to find it. I had to find him.
If I stood some distance back from the wall, I could see the tops of many palm trees growing on the other side. It reminded me of our trees in the garden at home. A helpful breeze brought the scents of many kinds of food. I looked for a gate, but there was none. Perhaps I could have found a way inside if I walked all the way around the temple enclosure, but that would take me away from the place where I knew the priest’s house waited.