HETAERA: Daughter of the Gods (30 page)

“Here.” I handed Mara the faience vial carefully. She
quirked her brow and made to open it. I put my hands over hers. “It’s poison to
kill the rats. Give it to Zahouri, and tell him to keep it out of Kyky’s hands.
It’s meant to rid my house of pests and you know how he feels about the monkey
stealing the fruit.”

Mara stifled a little smile. “I will.”

“And be sure you tell Zahouri to wash after he
distributes the poison.”

I leaned over to give Kyky a kiss on his furry
little head. Kyky screeched at Mara’s retreating back, and I offered him a palm
date. He leapt to my shoulder and his little paws snatched the fruit from my
fingers. It was good to be home.

I rested that night with a clear conscience and
awoke in the morning feeling at peace. Today I would go and visit the temples,
and see for myself if my resources were being put to good use. And rumors
stated Amasis would sail back to Sais within the week. I’d passed the test of
his curiosity and now I would be free to continue my life in Naukratis.

Still, I couldn’t help but feel the tiniest bit
unloved, that I’d failed to seduce his interest, for he had certainly drawn
mine. For Amasis was an extraordinary man. He gave credence to my words, as
much as my fine figure—perhaps, even in spite of it. This made him most
exceptional. I felt aglow with how much I wanted to draw his particular
interest, an emotion I had not experienced in many long years, since before I
returned to Naukratis. I drew an ivory comb through my hair, watching the
red-gold strands shimmer in the morning light, wondering if Amasis wanted to touch
me as much I desired him.

Sudden footsteps interrupted my grooming.

“There is a messenger at the door for you, Dori.” Mara’s
eyes were wide. “One of Pharaoh’s men.”

I tried to quell the descent of my heart into my
stomach, but failed. “What does he want?”

“He would not say. Shall I tell him you are out? You
could sneak into the courtyard.”

“No, if it is important, he will most likely
search for me. How many were there, did you say?”

“Just the one.” She worried her lip with her
teeth. “What say you? Is it trouble for us?”

“One is not trouble. I will see him.” I rose and
dressed hastily. Mara trailed behind me, like a shade.

A royal messenger waited with stoic patience at
the front gate. “You are Rhodopis of Naukratis?” he asked, through the bars of
my outer gate.

“I am.” I nodded.

“This is for you.” And he passed me a missive
through the scrolled bars.

I unrolled the papyrus scroll and read it. The paper
trembled beneath my fingers.

“What is it?” Mara moved to peer over my shoulder.
I did not mind; she could not read Egyptian.

“An invitation from the Pharaoh. He wishes me to
accompany the court on the trip from Naukratis to Sais.” I sighed heavily. I
had not been back to Sais since Charaxus freed me.

“For how long” Mara asked.

“It does not specify. I think we must be prepared
to be gone for some weeks.”

“The Great Nesu also sends you this gift,” stated
the courier. He dug inside a leather satchel and removed a fine silken
peplos
of pure white linen, embroidered with gold thread. It was so thin and sheer it
fit easily between the bars. The
peplos
settled as light as a
bird’s wing over my arm.

“Oh!” I caught my breath. “It’s lovely!” I turned
to show it to Mara.

She frowned at my new shawl. “Will you go?” she
asked.

“I suppose I must,” I replied. Mara’s shoulders
slumped. “When does the barge sail?”

“At dawn, two days hence.” The messenger bowed and
marched away.

I pretended to watch him depart, though in truth I
wished to avoid facing Mara’s displeasure. I could tell she did not approve. No
doubt she would attempt to talk me out of going. When I could stall no longer,
I turned and opened my mouth to speak.

“Mara, I…”

“I’m going with you,” she blurted. Her lips
compressed into an unyielding line.

I sighed. “It will not be a pleasant journey for
you. Who knows how long he means for me to stay in Sais?”

“Precisely why I should come with you. You do not
think to leave me behind?”

“Mara!” I felt my cheeks color. “I did not ask for
this invitation! He is Pharaoh. I cannot deny him.” I also could not deny that
my heart trilled within my breast. What a glorious trip it might be, to finally
have the chance to see him again. I was less excited to return to Sais, but who
would refuse the god-king?

“Why not? You have not held to decorum so far!” Her
cheeks flushed. “Who ever heard of a courtesan that defeated Pharaoh at
senet
?
Why could you not just lie with him and be done with it?”

I saw Zahouri give us a curious glance from the
courtyard. A wave of cold anger washed over me. I could ill afford to have such
rumors as that bandied about the city.

“Do not make me sorry that I have confided in you,
near-sister.” I murmured. “I have been betrayed before.”

Mara burst out crying and threw her arms around
me, crumpling my new
peplos
against my body. “Ah, Dori! I am
sorry. It is only my jealousy that makes me speak so, for I would have you all
to myself. I love you. Please do not be angry. Don’t send me away.”

“I have no intention of sending you anywhere.” I
tossed my hair over my shoulder. “You are welcome to come with me, but only if
you promise to voice no more objections. He is in a difficult position. Some of
the nobility does not support his rule. My actions as a
hetaera
must be neutral and above reproach. One word spoken in jealousy could mean
trouble for me. I will not have my name discussed in such a manner.”

“Dori! I would never seek to harm you!” Mara’s
watery eyes grew wide.

It was true enough. Mara was not overly blessed
with a clever mind, but I did not believe she would intentionally set out to
hurt me.

“I know you mean me no harm, dear heart.” I patted
her shoulder and let my arm linger on her soft, warm skin. “Come, let us
prepare. We have much to do and not a great deal of time to accomplish it.”

*** ***

The journey to Sais was not at all what I
expected. After I set up Zahouri to watch over my house and stables and hired
extra men to guard my gates in my absence, Mara and I climbed into the hired
litter that would bear us to the docks. I was grateful for her support and
company. We held hands behind the canopy of fine linen as the litter traversed
the winding narrow streets to the docks.

“Look!” Mara gasped and pointed through the
curtains towards the quay.

Pharaoh’s immense barge was indeed gilded. It
shone like the bright morning sun, gleaming on the desert sand. I looked around
for Amasis but did not see him amongst the royalty, servants and dock hands
milling about.

“Stop here,” I called to the bearers when we’d
drawn as near as we could. The litter was lowered, and the bearers helped Mara
and I to stand.

A number of royal princes and princesses,
nomarchs, and priests crowded the docks awaiting the signal to board, along
with some of the finest aristocrats of Naukratis. I was the only courtesan and
the only one without the stamp of Egypt on my features. Murmurs broke out as I
passed, jeweled hands raised to cover whispers and speculative smiles, but I
ignored them. I kept my chin high as a priestess would and my eyes sharp for
Amasis, grateful for his fine gift draped over my shoulders. It made an
impression on some of the court, at least.

We were herded onto the barge like cattle. I could
feel Mara pressed up against my backside like a frightened calf.

“Mara,” I whispered, as I almost tripped over her
foot. “Step back.” But she did not get off my heels until I bade her to
straighten my attire.

Once we boarded the vessel, I saw that Amasis was
already seated underneath a canopy of linen that fluttered in the river breeze.
He nodded as the noble families made their obeisance, but scarcely looked at
me. The procession of nobility and guests broke into small knots of
conversation on the barge foredeck. Once or twice, I tried to edge in, but
backs were turned or the conversation died as soon as I drew near. A few guilty
glances shot in my direction and the groups reformed to new groups. Of Amasis,
I scarcely saw him, closeted as he was under his own pavilion with the highest
of Egyptian nobility, and, in which I was not invited.

The trip was an utter failure, save to rouse my
ire.

So, I stood alone, save for Mara at my back. Well,
I could withstand a little humiliation. I had survived much worse than the
scorn of nobility, so I plastered a smile on my face and nodded pleasantly to
anyone who passed. Once again, Amasis sat unmoving upon his gilded throne. I
felt his eyes on me, though, even when I deliberately turned away from his
stare.

I knew few of the other passengers, most by
reputation. Most were from Sais and not my patrons, but I recognized Princess
Therawejt, some ten paces away. Therawejt was a famous beauty, and Amasis’
sister-cousin several times removed. She was the daughter of the wealthiest
nomarch in Egypt, and indeed quite pretty with her lustrous skin and beaded
braids. She stood next to her intended husband Snesuankh, Master of the
Harvest, kin to Neferenatu the Grand Vizier. Snesuankh looked me up and down
slowly before turning to glare at the Nubian dwarf attending Amasis, with his
lips pursed in distaste.

“So,” said Neferenatu, appearing suddenly at my
elbow. “You
have
joined us. I’d heard rumors.”

I gave him my most polite smile. “As you can see,
Grand Wise One.” Mara trembled beside me like a broken leaf. “Mara, fetch me
some wine.” Mara skittered away and I wished I could follow her.

Princess Therawejt glided next to the Grand Vizier
and narrowed her black eyes at me. “Perhaps you can settle a dispute for us,
Rhodopis. You are reported to be clever, for a Greek.” She laughed a little too
loudly.

I ignored her intended slight. “As always, I will
do what I can for the royal families of Egypt, O Shining Star of the Morning.” I
inclined my head.

Princess Therawejt looked mollified by my
flowering epitaph. She preened, tossing her braids over an elegant shoulder. Snesuankh
smirked, and I sensed nearby guests turning their attention to our little
group.

“They say that this Kourosh of Persia is
unstoppable. That his hand is mighty and merciful.” Princess Therawejt eyed my
long locks blowing in the breeze as the barge sailed down the Nile.

“I heard he conquered Croesus with little
trouble,” Snesuankh replied. “Now he controls Lycia and Caria both.”

“Did not Nesu secure forces from Caria to defend
us?” someone asked from behind me.

Princess Therawejt waived her hand airily. “So he
has said.” Therawejt smirked. “But they say this Kourosh enjoys the company of
Greeks in his household. They are treated like royalty. Tell me is that a
common habit among rulers? To lift up the company of Greeks over one’s own
kin?”

My shoulders stiffened. It was well known that
Amasis’ predecessor Apries had promised too much to the Greek troops secured
for protection in Egypt. But Amasis? I did not believe Therawejt felt any
discomfort in attributing the sins of the former Pharaoh to Amasis to suit her
own purposes.

“A ruler should be loyal to his subjects, of
course.” I placed a definite emphasis on that word--subjects. “Be they of like
blood or not.”

“And what if he should be betrayed with false
promises to the detriment of his people? What say you then? Should he have
remained loyal to the nation that birthed him?” Therawejt’s eyes gleamed like
polished ebony. “I have heard the Greeks are useful for little other than
filling their own coffers.”

Ah! She meant to embarrass me and rout Amasis as
well. Well, I would not give her the satisfaction. But how to answer without
offending the royalty present, nor inciting the Princess to further discourse?

“It is my experience that loyalty must be earned
rather than bought.” I glanced at Neferenatu, whose arms were crossed over his
chest. “Or such loyalty is misplaced.”

Snesuankh snorted. “How can loyalty be misplaced? It
is either given or not. If a man buys you, you are bound to him.”

“Are you saying that no amount of money could sway
your loyalty, Great Master?” I asked.

Snesuankh glared at me. “Not I! I am a true man of
Egypt.”

“Take comfort in your own words, then. For if you
check any city, even here in Naukratis, there are half or more who can boast
the same. Does that make them any less a subject of Ra?” I gave him a small
bow. “Perhaps they would not care to pay your taxes and work your land, then?”

Neferenatu frowned, crossing his arms over his
chest. “Do you presume to gainsay the Master of Harvests? You are merely a
talented harlot, not a court advisor.”

“As you say. I am only a simple courtesan. What
could I know of such things?” I moved away from them, feeling very much like a
funeral barge gliding through crocodile infested waters.

It was a tortuous day.

After that, I was neither welcomed nor shunned
outright. I spent most of my time standing silently on the fringes of
conversation, scarcely tolerated for now. It was quite a blow after the many
long months of adoration from citizens of Naukratis. Well, the royal houses
would come to know me, to know that I stood for more than just empty beauty and
grace. Still, I took care to avoid Neferenatu, Snesuankh, and Princess
Therawejt as best I could.

And short of my brief welcoming nod, Amasis did
not so much as glance my way, which only exasperated me further. I struggled to
maintain an even demeanor. For all that I’d plastered a tight smile on my lips,
my mood grew so sour that even Mara fled from me under pretense of airing out
my
peplos
and I had to carry my own wine cup.