SWORD MAIDEN OF SEKHMET

Chapter 30: Consequences

The next day, Ashayt was waiting for the Guardian when he emerged from the temple after the first ritual of the day.

The rest of their journey the night before had been without incident and they had reached the Temple just as the last light died in the West. He had discouraged any further discussion and forbidden Seb or Reseph to talk about what had happened. "But I will need your counsel tomorrow," he had reassured the older man.

Now Bekenamen's face lit up when he saw Ashayt, but the warmth of his expression was soon replaced by one of worry.

"Have you breakfasted?" he asked.

She shook her head.

Just then Seb walked up. If he had been affected by the events of the night before, he didn't show it - seeming as jaunty and cheerful as ever.

"Sebek," Bekenamen said, "the Lady Ashayt and myself will have our meal in one of the guest rooms."

Seb bowed and Ashayt followed the priest back into the Temple and the fine room he had showed her before.

"Are you alright?" he asked and she was touched by his obvious concern.

"I am," she replied. "I have my training to thank for that."

He was silent for a moment and it seemed as if he were choosing his words carefully.

"I know you have been placed here for your own safety, but I can't help thinking that what happened last night had something to do with your presence here. We are no friends to the priests of Anubis, but nor have we ever been their enemies. Is there more you can tell me?"

Ashayt was torn.

The Goddess had given Bekenamen no explanation for why she was here. No mention of 'exile' - and no word of the threat from Lord Anubis. Yet she had been placed here for her own safety - and keeping the priest in ignorance of the reason might not be the best way to guarantee it.

She thought it unlikely that the attack had been an accident. Perhaps the priests of Anubis had been warned to look out for any strange woman at the Temple of Sekhmet and had acted on the possibility that she might be the one sought by their Jackal God.

She decided to tell him everything.

He listened in silence, his eyes wide with wonder as she told him of a world he knew only from legend. Of Gods who - until a few days earlier - had only existed in statues and paintings. Gods every bit as rivalrous as they were often depicted.

"It is all true, then," he said finally, when Ashayt had finished speaking. "We were once one people with yours until we were cast out."

She nodded.

"And you," he continued, "you are another legend come to life. But so real, so...so..." He hesitated, then added so quietly that it was almost as if he were talking to himself, "...beautiful."

As the last word left his lips, Ashayt felt a strange flutter in the pit of her stomach. He had none of the easy confidence of Prince Djedefre, but he spoke with a sincerity that moved her. For that moment he was no longer a Priest, Guardian of the Sanctuary, but a young man, speaking from the heart.

She hardly knew how to answer and when she did, it sounded more formal than she intended:

"For me also, this land, your land of Egypt, is also a place of legends."

"And here comes another legend with our breakfast," he said with a laugh, "young Sebek, our own crocodile."

Laughter really suited him, she thought, as she turned to see the boy approaching with their food. He also carried a rolled up scroll of papyrus which he handed to the Guardian with a bow.

"This has just arrived from the city, Master," he said. "The messenger said it was urgent."

Seb hovered, obviously keen to know the scroll's contents, but Bekenamen dismissed him with a wave. Pulling a face that only she saw, he left the room.

With an apologetic look at Ashayt, the priest unrolled the scroll. Then his face clouded.

"It is sad news," he said, "our High Priest is dead."

"I'm sorry," said Ashayt quietly, seeing that the news had affected him deeply.

"It was not unexpected," he said, "but nevertheless, it is a shock. He was like a Father to me. Indeed, to all of us."

They were silent for a moment.

"Then you will be High Priest now?" she said.

"I am most senior so, yes, that is likely. But it is for the Pharaoh to decide."

"How soon will that be?"

"It will take some days for the news to reach him. Then it is likely I will have to present myself at Court for his approval. In the meantime, I must go to Abydos and oversee the High Priest's funeral arrangements. He is - was - an important man and there are rites and ceremonies that must be observed."

Ashayt nodded, but inside she was concerned that she was being overtaken by events outside her control.

"How long will you be gone?"

"Three or four days at least," Bekenamen replied, "The timing is bad, but I really have no choice."

"What about last night's attack?" she said, "it was surely no accident?"

"I believe you're right," he said with a sigh, "I can think of no other reason why the priests of Anubis would attack us. We must assume they have been warned to look out for any strange young woman - and when they saw us in Abydos, they must have thought you might be the one sought by their God."

"Which means they may try again?"

"I'm afraid so," Bekenamen replied.

"What should we do?" Ashayt asked.

"I have been thinking of that." he said. "I cannot close the Temple, but I will increase the guard at our main gate and I will appoint two of my best spearmen to accompany you at all times. Though it is best that you do not leave the Temple itself."

"How will you explain this to the others?"

He thought for a moment.

"A half-truth may be best: we shall say there is some kind of feud between your Family and another. That you have been placed here for your safety until matters are settled. I will speak to Reseph: he will be in charge until my return - and there are few hands safer than his."

"I am sorry to have brought trouble to your door," Ashayt said quietly.

"Do not be," he replied fiercely, "your arrival here...seeing Our Goddess...has been one of the great moments of my life."