The Memory Painter

Hermese grew quiet, and Thoth knew she was thinking about their impending separation. The law stated that once the child was conceived, the father could never be allowed inside the temple again—if he entered, he would forfeit his life.

As the time of their separation drew nearer, Thoth began to agree with his brother and question why the Elders had created such strict laws. He posed no threat to Hermese, or to her role as Guardian. He merely wanted to be with her and raise their child. Why was such an innocent desire so unthinkable?

He decided it was time to ask the question. “Once you are Guardian, can you not change the law?”

She rested her head on his chest. He could feel her tears. “I took an oath to uphold all the laws of the temple. I can never break them.”

Thoth held her, and after a while he said, “Then we will wait as long as we can.”

The wait was not as long as they had hoped. By the next month, Hermese’s body had transformed, and her belly had begun to show such that even the heaviest robes could not hide it.

One day, she came back to her quarters, weeping. Thoth did not need to be told what had happened.

“I’m sorry. My father’s sister forced me to announce.”

Thoth did not know Hermese’s family, only that her father had a younger sister and brother who lived elsewhere in the temple with their own children. He heard himself ask, “So our time together is over?”

She nodded and whispered, “The guards are coming.”

Her words seized his heart. His time here had ended, without warning, without mercy. He clenched his hands into fists. “They cannot just make me leave. They should give us one night, at least! Sirius returns tomorrow.”

“It is the law. We must obey.”

“You find it so easy to see me go?”

She cried out at his words. He felt ashamed and rushed to kneel beside her. “Forgive me.”

She took his hands and put them on her stomach. “Horus is God of the Horizon. I will meet you there.”

Thoth did not have time to question what she meant. Thutmose and his guards had already entered the room.

Thutmose’s face was solemn as he said, “Son of Ramses, your stay in the temple is over. May the Gods bless your child and reward this sacrifice.”

Thoth turned away from his compassionate gaze, not wanting the old warrior to see his sorrow.

He embraced Hermese for the last time and whispered, “If ever you need me, I will break every law to come to you. I know the tunnels by heart.”

She whispered back, “I did not show you the scrolls for my own benefit. That is for your father to explain.”