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Bala, then laughed, too. She bounced up to pace again, but this time laughing.  I know
it s funny. Having to learn to read at my age!
 Oh, to be sure. An old woman of seventeen summers you are! Bala exclaimed
mockingly.
 I am serious, Bala. I hope that someday Hati or The Mother will give me to a man I
can love and who might love me. My beauty dooms me to be a concubine or lower wife,
but I can hope for love, can t I? Pythia pleaded.
 Far be it from me to destroy that hope, Pythia. Who knows? Perhaps some
nobleman will catch your eye, and Hati can make a gift of you to him, hmm? It isn t
unheard of, you know.
 Have you ever been in love, Bala? I do not dare ask Hati right now. She s too
caught up in the freshness of losing Mo to see& well, anyway. Pythia coughed in
embarrassment.
Bala fumbled with her goblet for a moment, and actually blushed.  Yes, I was in
love once. I foolishly married and had a son. However, the service of the God s Wives
called me away. I was gone well over a year, and when I returned I was told my son
and husband had died in a plague. Bala s eyes filled with tears.  We were too poor for
even a small tomb. They were taken out to the sands. I went to look but never found
their bodies. Their kas are lost to me.
Pythia was overwhelmed by the feelings of loss from Bala and wept with her. They
clung to one another until Bala was purged of her long-held hurt.
Bala finally raised her head and sniffled.  Oh, look at me! Crying over a hurt that
happened almost twenty years ago! She scrubbed at her eyes and continued,  I would
be willing to wager that you can enhance emotions as well. I would better get off to The
Mother. If you can do that, then you re going to serve Egypt very well indeed.
 What do you mean, Bala? Pythia rubbed her own face, not caring if she smeared
her kohled eyes.
 It may be that you ll be able to soothe a small group, like in the audience
chambers. If you can whip a trained God s Wife like me into a crying fit, then you
probably can control a few people. Wouldn t it be nice to soothe emotions and make
people calm enough to think rationally?
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The God s Wife
 Oh. Oh! What an asset for Hati! She feels everyone s emotions, but cannot control
them. If I can smooth the sands for her, then she ll not hurt and the business of the
whole empire can be done more efficiently! Oh, I must learn this! Pythia went to scrub
her face and reapply her makeup, determined to go to The Mother immediately.
 I ll see to it as quickly as I can, Bala began. A small sound at the door had her
whipping around and alerting Pythia.
A timid knock sounded, and at Pythia s answer, the door swung open. A nobleman
stood framed by the doorway, dismissing a servant with a flick of his fingers.
Pythia took note of Bala s return to the servile maidservant disguise, and that Bala
was radiating an emotion that screamed,  Be careful! Guard yourself!
Similarly, the nobleman emanated a feeling of frustration and rage, overlaid with
an oily slyness.  Here is evil and cruelty, her new gift interpreted for her. With that
came recognition, and a plan.
Pythia laid down her kohl brush and stood to bow before Lord Akenmose.  Lord
Akenmose, you re most welcome to my rooms, she said in an ingratiating tone. With a
flick of her eyes, she looked at Bala.  You re dismissed. See to it my visit to my mother
is arranged with due haste, she ordered haughtily. Bala s eyes flashed with humor,
and then she bowed her way out.
Good. Bala had a hint of her plan.  Now, Lord Akenmose, how may I serve you?
she purred.
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Lena Austin
Chapter Eight
Lord Akenmose lounged against the doorframe, as if reluctant to even enter
Pythia s bedroom.  You can stop trying to use your womanly wiles on me. I assure you,
I am immune. Let us discuss business. His voice dripped with contempt.
 Say what you will, then. Wine? Pythia chose to ignore his attitude at least for
now, and keep her tone brisk. What did he want?
 Yes. Now, I have a proposition for you. I have some small admiration for the way
you managed to wriggle your way out of the murder charge. That was a masterful
performance, but your reputation at the temple precedes you. How would you like to
be the honored mother to the next Pharaoh? Akenmose intoned.
To buy herself time, Pythia took a sip of wine and pretended to savor it.  My son, if [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]