The Morning Sun

Reprimanded

All too soon morning had come, realizing as the sky turned lighter, the sun god Ra had won his battle again in the underworld and had victoriously returned to land of the living. The girls gave a merry cheer, giggling, all feeling a little worse for wear.

Packing everything away they ran back towards the temple all vowing never to drink beer again.

The ceremony was just starting as they made their way in. The high priestess frowned, but continued on regardless. At the end of the ceremony they went into the Great Hall. Pili had turned deathly white and as they all sat down they stared at the mountains of food all feeling a little sick.

The high priestess appeared, still in her ceremonial robes and wig the Menat necklace draped around her neck.

"I see you all had a good night"

She said a slight smile came across her features. Abruptly Pili jumped up forgetting all etiquette and ran out of the room clutching her mouth. Tabia rose quickly too.

"Maybe I should see if she is okay?"

The High priestess nodded and Tabia bowed her head ever so slightly and left the hall. The priestess looked at Anippe and Khepri

"I will allow all of you to rest today. My only condition to that you make the afternoon and evening ceremonies, but you don't have to do your chores or lessons."

The two girls thanked her kindly as the priestess went to talk to a scribe Khepri hadn't seen before.

Following Anippe out the hall she went to her chamber opening the door expecting to be reprimanded by Ebony instead the room was empty, thanking the gods she fell onto the welcoming sheets and fell asleep.

.............................................................................................................................................................

Khepri opened her eyes as a loud banging sound assaulted her ears, climbing clumsily off the bed she made her way to the door where the banging sound was coming from. Standing in the corridor was Anippe her face white with worry

"We missed the afternoon ceremony and the evening ceremony is about to start!" she cried. Khepri gasped not caring about her appearance, knowing she didn't have time for that, she ran down the corridor making her way to the inner sanctum of the temple along with Anippe who was still pale beside her.

Reaching the door they looked at each other, the ceremony had already started and she could hear the chants from inside, both taking a deep breath, they entered, heads down, joining in the chant and went to their places, daring not to look in the direction of the High priestess but they could feel her anger from where they were.

After the ceremony, they practically ran out of the chamber and headed towards the hall, pausing before the entrance.

"By the gods Khep, she is so angry with us, do you think she will kick us out? And by the gods what will my parents say?"

Anippe put her hands to her face and covered her mouth.

"No, I don't think she will do that" Khepri said trying to comfort her friend although having felt the anger radiating off the High Priestess from across the room earlier she wasn't so sure.

It must have showed in her voice for Anippes eyes grew teary. Unexpectedly as if by magic the High priestess appeared, seeing the two girls her beautiful face became marred by anger, her eyes portrayed bitter disappointment, not raising her voice at all, it was deadly calm, she said.

"I don't recall seeing you both earlier at the afternoon ceremony. I also noticed that just now, you both came in very late."

The authority echoed in her voice. Khepri bowed her head along with Anippe, wondering where the motherly and kind priestess had gone. "It wasn't just you two. I will be speaking to Tabia and Pili shortly."

Khepri dared not look up, so she gazed down at her leather sandals instead.

"I am very disappointed in the both of you. What did I say to you? My only condition was that you went to the ceremonies" her voice held a sadness that made Khepri want to weep, she felt even worse than when her mother or Ebony had a go at her. Looking up from her shoes, she glanced up at the priestess who gazed solemnly at the two girls.

"You may go in" she pointed towards the great hall.

"Never, ever,let that happen again. I want you both to prey to Hathor tonight, to say that you're deeply sorry and didn't mean to offend the goddess. I will also make sure that all of you, will be given extra chores to do. You are lucky that this will be your only punishment. If this does happen again then it will be a lot more severe. Now go."

With that the two girls glumly nodded and walked silently into the great hall taking their seats at the table neither of them spoke as they gazed at the food, whilst all the older priestesses shook there heads and whispered their disapproval.