DonnaJoNapoli

LightsontheNile

Dedication

Tothememoryofmygrandmother,borninAlexandria

Contents

CoverTitlePageDedication

Chapter1-ClickChapter2-BaboonChapter3-HerbsChapter4-FigsChapter5-RunningChapter6-MenesChapter7-TheBasketChapter8-PoppySeedpodsChapter9-StuckChapter10-AwayChapter11-TheLakeChapter12-DecisionChapter13-ThreeintheBasketChapter14-StoriesChapter15-SickChapter16-CrocChapter17-HippoChapter18-LossChapter19-DitchedChapter20-InsultsChapter21-TheRiverChapter22-SandstormChapter23-GoneChapter24-Metallurgy

Chapter25-BellsChapter26-MasudChapter27-HidingPlaceChapter28-TheWeavers’HomeChapter29-TheWa’ebChapter30-TheTempleChapter31-AtLastChapter32-TheChoiceChapter33-LightsandBells

Author’sNotePostscriptonHistoryGlossaryAcknowledgmentsAbouttheAuthorAlsobyDonnaJoNapoliCreditsCopyrightAboutthePublisher

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Chapter1Click

epilookeddownatthebeetlethatcrawledacrossherknuckles.Thetwospotsonitsbackseemedtoglow.Anditsheadwastiny.Shewaspretty

sureofwhatitwas.“Kepi!Again?”Kepi’seyesjumpedtohermother,standingattheendofthebeanrow,and

justasthinasabeanplantherself.Motherglaredather.“DoIhavetoscoldyoueveryfiveminutestokeepyou

moving?Everyjobmatters.ThegodOsiriswatchesaswedoourfieldwork.He’swatchingyou....”Motherkepttalking.Blahblahblah.Everythingwassacredtoher.That’sall

shecaredabout,sacredthis,sacredthat.WhoreallyknewwhenthegodOsiriswaswatching?Kepibetheneverwatched.Atleastnottheirfamily.Andmaybefieldworkwasn’tonKepi’srightpath,anyway.Besides,theafterlifewasfaraway.Butthisbeetlewashere.Anditwasspecial

—shecouldhavebetonthat.Kepismiled.“Iseethatsmile!That’sthenaughtysmileofsomeoneshirkingherwork.”“I’mnotshirkingmywork.”“Silly,”cameNanu’svoice.Herroundfacepokedupoverabeanplantfrom

thenextrowover.“You’regoofingoff,littleliar.”“What’sthat?”MothernowstoodoverKepi.Sheleanedcloseandherlong,

thinnosealmosttouchedKepi’sshoulder.“Abeetle!Killitfast.”Kepiinstantlycradledherrighthandtoherchestandclappedherlefthand

overit.“It’ssacred.”Motherpursedherlips.Ha!Thatstoppedher.“Areyousure?Let’sbesure.”Kepiopenedherhands,andthebeetlecrawledupherleftarm.Shepluckedit

offandsetitonitsbackinthedirt.Thebeetle’ssticklegsworkedtheairfuriously.“See?”Kepipointedattheshinyspotonitstummy.“It’saclickbeetle.”

“See?”Kepipointedattheshinyspotonitstummy.“It’saclickbeetle.”Justthenthebeetlearcheditsbackandclick!Itflippedintotheairsohigh,it

hitKepibetweentheeyes.Itlandedonitsfeetandscurriedinamongthebeanvines.Motherrubbedherhandoverhermouthinworry.“It’sgoingtolayeggs.”“Thentherewillbemorebeetles,”saidKepihappily.“Idiot,”saidNanu.“Beetlelarvaeeatplantroots.Wewillhavecarriedall

thoseheavywaterbucketsfornothing.”“Catchitquick,”saidMother.“Butit’ssacred,Itoldyou.ThegoddessNitprotectsit.Fathersays.”AtthementionofKepi’sfather,Mother’sfacewentsoft.“Thendon’tkillit.

Catchitandtakeitfarbeforeyouletitgo.”Kepiwouldn’thavekilledthebeetleanyway.Shecouldneverkillanything,

nomatterwhatMotherordered.Butshenoddedobediently.“Howfar?”“Beyondthefields.Allofthem.”Kepibowedherheadsohermothercouldn’tseehersmile.“Nofair.”Nanustoodupandbrushedherlongpigtailsbackoverher

shoulders.“Ifshegetstogooffonawalk,Igettoresttillshecomesback.”“Carryingthisbeetleawayfromourcropsisn’tresting,”saidMother.“It’saloteasierthanluggingawaterbucket.”“I’vebeencursedwithtwoshiftlessdaughters.”Mothershookherhead

ruefully.“HowcanyourfatherandIevercountonyoutakingcareofusinouroldageifyouactsolazy?”NanukickedKepi.Kepileapedtoherfeetbesideheroldersister.Together

theysaid,“You’renotoldyet.”Itwasapracticedchorus.They’dsaiditdozensoftimesinthepasttwomonths.Sincetheirfatherhadcomehomeinjured,itseemedallMotherthoughtaboutwasheroldage.Motherlookedoff,herlipspursedagain.Thenhershouldersslumped.“Oh,all

right.Nanu,helpmeinthehousetillKepireturns.Gonow,Kepi.Catchthatbeetle.Remember,becarefulnottohurtit.Wemustn’tincurthewrathofthegoddess.Wehaveenoughtrouble.Don’ttalktoanyone.Keepyoureyesloweredandmovefast.”Shewalkedbackdownthebeanrow.Kepilookedaround.“Littlebeetle,littlebeetle,wheredidyougo?”“Youactuallylikethatbug,”saidNanuinKepi’sear.“Thatmakesyou

creepy.”“Ifyoudon’tlikebugs,whydoyouwearthatboneamulet?It’sshapedlikea

scarab.”“Scarabsarepretty.Clickbeetlesaregross.”NanulookedKepiintheeye

now,serious.“Andyoubetterreallycatchitandnotjustlieandsayyoudid.

now,serious.“Andyoubetterreallycatchitandnotjustlieandsayyoudid.We’repoornowthatFathercan’tplowthefieldsanymore.Weneedallourcropstopaythemenwhoplowedforus.Ifweloseourland,it’llbeyourfault.”SheturnedandfollowedMother.Hercopperbraceletsclinkedagainstoneanotherasshewalked.Shestoppedamoment,andwithoutlookingback,sheshimmiedbothhandssothatherbraceletssentupthemostbeautifultinklingnoise.Kepitouchedherownbarewrists,bareneck.Shelookeddownatherbare

ankles.Everyoneelseherageandevenmuchyoungerworejewelryconstantly,nomatterwhethertheywerepoororrich.FathersaidthatwasoneofthewonderfulthingsaboutpeopleinEgypt.ButKepihadtheawfulhabitoflosingthings,soMotherhaddecidedsheshouldgowithoutjewelrywhensheworkedinthefields.Itwasunfair.Kepididn’ttrytolosethings—itjusthappened.AnditwasspeciallyunfairbecauseKepiwastheonewholovedtomakethat

tinklingnoise,notNanu.WhenMotherfirstsaidKepicouldn’twearjewelryinthefields,Kepiwaitedformoonlight,thenprayedwithallherhearttothegoddessHathor.She’dprayed,Please,greatgoddessHathor,pleasemakemymotherchangehermindandletmewearjewelryintothefields.FathersaidHathorworeawonderfulnecklace,amenat,thatmadethebestnoisewhenshedanced—everyonelovedthatnoise.Kepiwantedtosoundlikethat;shewantedeveryonetolovethenoiseshemade.ButthegoddessHathorwasjustlikealltheothergods;shedidn’tlistento

Kepi’sprayers.AndFatherneverwonagainsthermother.SoMother’sdecreeheld:nojewelryinthefieldsforKepi.Shesighed.Well,atleastshehadhair.Mostgirlsheragehadashavedhead.Butwhen

Nanuhadbecomeoldenoughtogrowherhair,KepihadbeggedMothertolether,too.Andaftermonthsofbegging,she’dwon.Andatleastshedidn’tgonakedanymore.Herdresswasasimplesheaththat

coveredherfromarmpitstoknees,withwidestrapsovertheshoulders.Shelovedit.Kepifelltoherknees,searchingamongthebeanvines,liftingleavesgingerly.

Thenewvinescouldsnapifshewasrough.Shepeekedattheundersideofeveryleaf.Howmuchdamagecouldasinglebeetledo?Wouldherfamilyreallylosetheirland?Nofarmersintheirvillagewererich,butatleasttheyalwayshadfood.HowwouldKepi’sfamilyfeedthemselvesiftheylosttheirland?Kepichewedonthetipofalockofhair.Sheblewthroughherlipsinworry,

makingablubberysound.

Anideacame.Kepimadeherlipsfirmandblewthroughthemhard,rightupatthebeanvines.Thenshesatbackonherheelstolisten.And—click!Yes,thenoisecamefromalittletoherright.Thankyou,goddessNit,prayedKepi.Thankyouforlettingmefindyourbeetle.Ua.Thenoisewavered,likeavoiceunderwater.Kepitouchedherearsand

lookedaround,butshesawnoone.Thatwasstrange.Shehadheardanoiseforsure;shehadn’tjustimaginedit.MotherhadtaughtKepiandNanutothankthegodsforanythinggoodthat

happened.Shesaidthegodswoulddohorriblethingsifyoudidn’t.Kepididn’tlikethatidea.Ifyouprayedtothegods,theymightverywellignoreyou—sheknewthattoowell.Butifyoudidn’tthankthegods,theywouldpunishyou.Whatwasfairaboutthat?Still,Kepigavethanks,eventhoughshefigurednoonewaslistening.Butnowshe’dheardsomething.Aword.Ormaybeitwasnothing.Awindnoise.Kepishookherheadandleanedover

thebeetle.

C

Chapter2Baboon

arefullyKepicuppedthebeetleinherhandsandwalkedalongthecanalthatwasconnectedtotheriver.

ThesoftgroundgotevensofterassheleftthebeanfieldandapproachedtheNile.AllthelandthattheNilefloodedwasblackearth,richwithriversilt.Butthelandclosesttothebankswastherichest.Slenderflaxplantsweresetclosetogetherheretomakethemgrowtall.Anyonecouldharvestflax;allyouhadtodowaspullitupbytheroots.Itwasn’tlikewheatorbarley;thosehadtobecutwithheavysickles,soonlymencoulddoit.AfterthenextfullmoonKepiwouldjoinNanuandMotherinharvestingthefirstflax,itgrewsofast.Andshe’dpullevenmoreflaxafterthesecondplanting,forflaxwasawinterplant.Whentheflaxwasfinished,MotherwouldbesuretofindKepisomethingelsetodo;theirfamilyalwaysplantedthreetimesbeforethefloodscameagain.Shegaveanothersigh.Lifehadturnedintosomuchwork.Ithadbeenmore

funbeingalittlekid.ButMotherneededallthehelpshecouldget,andKepiwastennow.Shewentalongtheriverbank,goingtheoppositewayofthecurrent,untilall

thefieldswerebehindher.Thenshekeptwalking.Clickbeetlesdidn’ttravelfar;theydidn’tflyexceptatnight,andthenonlywithintheirterritory.Kepiknewthisbecauseherfatherhadtaughther.DuringthethreetofourmonthseveryyearwhentheNilewouldfloodandfarmershadnowork,Fathertookherexploringinthecountryside.They’dbegoneforweeksatatime,sleepinginhutstheymadefrompalmfronds.Nanuneverlikedexploring,butKepilovedit,soitwasjustFatherandKepi.Kepiknewlotsabouttheanimalsandplantsofthefloodplainandthedesert.Andatnight,underthepalmfronds,FatherwouldtellKepistoriesofthegods.MothermightbetheonewhotaughtNanuandKepiwhatwouldhappentothemiftheydidn’tobeythegods,butFatherwastheonewhoknewallthetalesaboutthem.Bestofall,forthelastfewyearsKepihadmanagedtotameawildanimalon

eachadventure.Notfullytame—notturnthemintopets.Butrather,Kepiwouldmakefriendswithacreaturejustenoughthatshecouldfeeditfromherhand.

makefriendswithacreaturejustenoughthatshecouldfeeditfromherhand.Usuallybirds—acutehoopoewithalittlestripedtuftonitshead,akestrelwithgloriousredandbluefeathers,evenaNilegoose,despitetheirusualbadtemper.Onceshefoundamongoose,sleekandlongwiththateleganttaperedsnout.Kepirememberedeverydetailabouteveryoneofthem.WheneverMothercomplainedthatFatherandKepihadwastedtimeoutinthe

wild,Fathersaid,“Ifyou’researchingforaneter,agod—observenature.”ThatalwaysmadeMotherhush.NothingwasbetterthanthosedaysandnightswithFather.Butallthatwasover,forFatherwouldnevertakeKepiexploringagain.She

swallowedalumpinherthroatatthepainfulthought.PharaohKhufuwasbuildinganotherpyramid,eventallerthanthethreehisfather,PharaohSneferu,hadbuilt.Fivemonthsago,whentheNilewatersrose,herfatherhadbeenofferedataxwaiverifhewouldworkonabargecarryingthehugegraniteblocksfromUpperEgypt,wheretheywerequarried,allthewaynorthtothedeltaoftheNilefortheinnerchamberofthenewgrandpyramid.ThiswasthesameofferFatherhadgotteneveryyear.UsuallyFathersaidnoand,instead,paidhistaxesinextragrain.Thisyear,though,he’dacceptedtheoffer.Hehadwantedtokeepallhisharvestsothathecouldtradeotherfarmersforadditionalland.Nanuwastwelvenow,anditwastimetomarryheroff—andawomanshouldhavelandofherownassecuritywhensheenteredamarriage.Buttheveryfirstweektheirfatherhadarrivedupnorth,achunkoflimestone

fellonhimandcrushedonelegfromthekneedown.Thepharaoh’ssurgeonhadstraightenedFather’slowerlegbonesandmadehimacastfromcowmilkandgroundbarleygluedtogetherwithtreegum.ButFather’sfootwastheproblem.Theopenwoundwouldn’theal,nomatterhowmuchcowdungthesurgeonputonit.Itfestereduntilthesurgeonhadtocutitoffandfinallysenthimback.Fatherstillsufferedpain.Heworkedonlyathomenow,seatedinfrontofthe

largestonemortar.Hegraspedthepestleinbothhandsandpoundedgrainforhoursasifinafuryuntilitformedthefinestpowder.Itwasgrainfromlastyear—soitwasoldandmusty.Nevertheless,neighborswhotastedbreadmadefromitsaiditwasthebestever.SoKepi’sfatherwasalwaysbusyandneverlonely.Buthewasalsoalwaysat

home.Stuck.Atleasthecouldmakealittlebitofmoneyforthefamilyasabaker,solong

astheyhadtheirowngrainfromtheirownland.ItwasagoodthingKepihadspottedthisclickbeetle.Ifshesawothers,shehadtocarrythemfaraway,too.Beetlesmustn’truintheircrops.Itwasimportantthatherfatherneverhavetoselltheirland.

selltheirland.ButitwasclearFatherwouldnevermakeenoughmoneytobuyextralandfor

Nanunow.Shecouldgetmarriedwithorwithoutowningherownproperty,ofcourse.Butifthemarriagedidn’tworkout,Nanumightwanttoleaveherhusband.Ifshehadherownland,shecouldfarmitorsellit.Eitherway,shecouldtakecareofherself.Butwithoutherownland,whatwouldhappentoher?Allthisworry.Theirfamilyneverusedtoworry.ItwasallPharaohKhufu’sfault.NowFatherhadtopayotherstoplowhis

landandhelpintheharvest,andhestillhadtopayhistaxeseveryyear.Itwastoounfair.PharaohKhufushouldn’taskFatherfortaxesanymore.HeshouldgiveFathermoney—nottheotherwayaround.PharaohKhufushouldtakebettercareofhispeople.KepihatedPharaohKhufu.Itwaswrongtohatethepharaoh.Dangerous,

even.Hewasagodinhisownway,afterall.ButKepicouldn’thelpit.Ifsheevergotthechance,she’dtellhimoff,allright.Someonehadtotakecareofherfamily.Thepharaohwasn’tdoingit,andthegodssureweren’teither.Fatherwasn’thappyanymore.Motherwasn’thappyanymore.Nanuwasn’t

happyanymore.HowcouldKepibehappy?Afeelingliketinycoldfeetracedacrosshershoulders.Kepiraisedhercuppedhandstohereyesandpeekedthroughherfingersatthe

treasurewithin.“Howdidyouevergettoourfield,littleclickbeetle?Wereyouexploring?Don’tyouknowit’sdangeroustogothatfaralone?”Shesteppedupherpacenow.Kepiherselfhadneverstrayedthisfaralone

before.Ithadtakensolongtogetherethatitwouldbedarkbythetimeshemadeitbackhome.Thatmeanttheywouldn’tbeabletoworkanymoretoday.Andthatmeantshehadgonefarenough.Kepiwasn’treallytryingtoshirkwork,justtoputitoffalittlewhile.Itwasapitythatbroadbeansweresothirstyallthetime.Theywereasbadaschicoryandlettuce.Infact,mostcropsdemandedwateringallthetime.Onlythegrapesandgrainsweren’tgreedy.Kepiblinkedatherownthoughts.Whenshesaidthingslikethisaloud,

MotherwouldanswerthatthegodSetwaswatchingher.MothersaidthatthegodSetoftenwatchedher.Setwasthegodofstorms,andKepi’snamemeant“tempest”—so,accordingtoMother,Set’seyewasonher.LettucewasSet’sfavoritefood.Itwasnotagoodideatosaybadthingsaboutlettuce,eveninsideyourownhead.Setcouldbevengeful.Motherhadalistofvengefulgods,andSetwasamongtheworst.Therewasastandofdatepalmsahead.Theclickbeetlewouldbehappy

amongthetrees.Kepiran.

amongthetrees.Kepiran.Withinmomentssheheardgrunts.Shewasamazed,forsherecognizedthose

rhythmicnoises.MostpeoplefromEgyptwouldn’t.ButKepihadtraveledsouthwithFatherintoNubianlands,sosheknewanimalsherneighborshadneverseen.Shestoppeddeadandsquatted,curlinghershouldersforwardastightaspossible.Itwasn’tjusttheonegrunter—no,no,awholetroopofbaboonscame

droppingoutofthedatepalmsandwentrompingawayonallfours.Thebiggeronehadasilvermane,crimpedperfectly.Therewasadentinthemiddleofhishead,asthoughsomeonehadbashedhimwithathickpole.HewasdoublethesizeoftheothersbutstillshorterthanKepi,evenstretchedtohistallest.Butsizewasn’teverything;Kepihadseenbaboonfangstearanantelopeapart.Theycouldeasilytearachildapart.Sheputherchintoherchestandclampedherheadbetweenherkneesand

squeezedhereyesshut.Sheknewsheshouldprayinherheart,butaroarfilledher.Theonlythoughtsshecouldformwerehelphelppleasehelp.Graduallytheroarfaded.Noisesfromoutsideherfilteredinnow.Grunts.

Theyweredistant.Faint.Finallyeventhatnoisestopped.Shedaredtoliftherhead.Thelastofthebaboons’pinkbottomsdisappearedthroughanacaciathicketfaroff.“Thankyou,”shewhispered.“Whoeverhelpedme,thankyou.”Uābt.Kepiwhippedherheadaroundandtouchedoneearwiththebackofherhand,

thentheother.Shecouldhaveswornsheheardsomeonecallher“pure.”Buttherewasnoonearound.Shestraighteneduprightslowlyandwalkedtothenearestdatepalm,where

shesettheclickbeetlefreeonthebark.But,oh,shewaswrong:Thebaboonsweren’tentirelygone;inthedatetree

closesttothewaterwasamotherwithatinyblackbabyclingingtothebackofherhead.Thebaby’sbrightpinkfacepeekedoutabovethemother’sdullone.Someofthemother’swhiskerswerewhiteagainsthergreenish-brownfur.Shemustbeold.Sheclimbeddownslowlyandawkwardly,asthoughshewasinpain.Hereyebrowsraised,showingawhiteeyelidaboveebonyeyesthatglitteredangrilyatKepi.Herheadbobbed.Kepiloweredhergazeandbackedaway.Shemustn’trunorthebaboonwould

chase—Fatherhadtaughtherthat.Shesearchedoutofthecornerofhereyeforsomethingtoprotectherselfwith.Thatwaswhenshesawaslightmovement.Itwasthetipofamuddylogfloatingnearthebaseofthedatetreethebaboonwascomingdownfrom.Butno,itwasn’talog;logsdidn’tmovelikethat.Instantly

comingdownfrom.Butno,itwasn’talog;logsdidn’tmovelikethat.InstantlyKepiknew.Shehadtorun!“Climbbackup,baboon!Climb!”Kepiturnedtorun,andtrippedandfell.Thebaboonjumpedthefinalbitfromthetree,andmadeasiftochaseKepi,

whenthecrocodileburstforthandcloseditsjawsaroundherhindquarters.Thebaboondidn’tshriek.Shejustlookedatthecrocodile,thenlookedat

Kepi.Sherippedatherhead,andablackscrambleofskinnylegsandarmsandtailflewthroughtheair.Kepicaughtthebabyandranasthecrocodileslippedbackintotheriverwith

thesilentbaboonmotherinitsjaws.

K

Chapter3Herbs

epiputthebasketofsesameseedsonthegroundbesidethelargewoodenbowl.Shecarefullypriedthebaby’sfingersloosefromherhairandlifted

himdown.Thelittlebaboonsatonthedirtandlookedatherquizzically.Herodeonher

headconstantlyunlesshewaseating,andhe’dfinishedhisbreakfastofhoneyedgoatmilkjustalittlewhileago,sohecouldn’texpecttoeatagainyet,especiallynotoutside.Hisfaceseemedtoaskwhatwasgoingon.Kepiusedhermostencouragingvoice.“Payattention,sweetBabu.”Babustaredather,justasthoughheunderstoodherwords.AtfirstshehadcalledhimAcenit,“followerofNit.”She’dchosenthename

becausethenightKepihadcarriedthebabybaboonhomefromtheriver,twowholemonthsagonow,Motherwouldn’tallowhertobringhiminside.ButKepichangedMother’smindbyconvincingherthatthegoddessNithadgiventhebaboontoher.Afterall,theclickbeetlehadledKepitothebaboonbaby.AndthebeetlewassacredtothegoddessNit.Itallmadesense,sortof.EnoughsensethatMotheragreed.AndnamingthebaboonAcenitwouldbeaconstantremindertoMotherthatthebaboonshouldstay.Still,thenameAcenitseemedfancyforsuchasmallbaby.SoKepisearched

forabettername,butalwaysonethatwouldremindMotherofthegods.Shethoughtofthebaboongod,Babi.Hehatedhumansandmurderedthemonsight,soKepicouldnevercallherbabybaboonthat.ButBabusoundedalotlikeBabi,anditwasfuntosay.Thenamestuck.“DowhatIdo,Babu.”Kepidugahandintothebucketofseedsandthrew

someintothebowl.ThenshelookedexpectantlyatBabu.Babu’seyesflashedwithintelligence.Withbothhandshethrewseedsintothe

bowl.Kepinodded.Babudiditagainandagain.Kepiscoopedhimintoherarmsanddancedinacircle.Herbraceletsandankletstinkledwonderfully.“Youarethesmartestlittlebaboonthateverlived.”Thudclunk.Thudclunk.ItwasthesoundofFatherhoppingupthestepsfrom

thecellar.Everyoneelsehadwokenwiththesun,butnowthatFathersleptalone,hehadhisownroutine.Hewenttosleepaftereveryoneandgotupaftereveryone.Kepimissedherfatheratnight.WhenFatherhadcomehomefromthenorth

withouthisfoot,itwastheendofthehottesttimeofyear,thetimewhenthefamilysleptontheroof,wheretheycouldcatchwhateverbreezemightcome.ButhoppingonstepsmadeFather’slegthrobhideously.Andsincethereweremorestepsuptotheroofthandowntothecooloftheshallowstoragecellar,hehadtakentosleepingalonedownthere.Nowthesunnolongerblistered,andtheycouldsleepinside.ButFatherhad

kepthishabitofsleepinginthecellar.Kepicouldn’timaginefallingasleepwithoutseeingthetwinklingofthestars.EveninherandNanu’sroom,shesawthosetwinklesbecausethewindowsweresohigh.Apartofeachofherancestors,ofeachofeveryone’sancestors,theakhu,livedonasaradiant,shiningdotthatascendedtotheheavensandwhirledamongthegods.Whenthelightsintheskytwinkledather,Kepifeltsafe.Andthelightsofthenightskywerebeautiful,too.Kepiwishedhereyes

twinkledlikethat.Buttheywereplain.Everythingaboutherwasplain.“Goodmorning,Father,”Kepicalled.Shewavedtohim,settingherbracelets

tinkling.“Motherleftbreadandbeerforyouonthetableinside.”Fatherrestedonthetopstep,leaningonhiscrutch.Helookedsmall.He

hunchedoverthesedays,andeachshoulderwastoppedbyabonyknob,asthoughhisbodyhungfromthosetwopegs.Butitwasmorethanjusthisthinnessandposture;heseemedtohaveshrunk.“Workingalready,mylittlejingle-jangle?”Kepismiledandshookherbraceletsathim.“I’mdoingeverythingyoutold

metolastnight.”“Sweetobediencefrommyyoungerdaughter?Nodoubtthat’stheinfluenceof

dippingyourhandinthehoneyjarandsucklingthatbaboonrightfromyourfingers.WeshouldstartcallingyouKebi—honey—insteadofKepi.”Kepihadalwayswantedtochangehername.Othergirlshaddescriptive

names,likeLayla,“bornatnight,”orhopefulnames,likeNanu,“beautiful.”AndithadworkedonNanu;everyonelookedtwiceather.Butwhywouldanyonenameachild“tempest”?“Babumadethismorning’staskfun.”“Andhowdidhedothat?”“Watch.”KepipeeledBabuoffherchestandsethimonthegroundbythe

basketofsesameseedsagain.Shegavehimaquicknod.

basketofsesameseedsagain.Shegavehimaquicknod.Babutossedseedsfromthebasketintothebowl.“No!Stop!”Fatherpoundedhiscrutchonthegroundasfuriouslyashe

poundedthegraineveryday.KepigaspedandsnatchedatBabu,butthelittlebaboonjumpedtoherheadon

hisown.Heclungsotight,shehadtoholdinayelp.“BaboonsaresacredtothegodTehuti.Youalwayssaythat.”Father’sfacesoftened.“Sacredbutstillfilthy.Rollthewheatbarrelover

here.”Kepihuggedtheheavybarrelwithherchestassherolleditalongthebottom

rimtoherfather.Fathertookoffthelid.“Showmeyourhands.”Kepirubbedthemonthehemofherdressandheldthemoutforinspection.“Putonein.”Kepiswishedonehandinsidethebarrel.“Whatdoyoufeel?”“Grains.”“Youdon’tfeelchafforstraworweeds?”“No,sir.”“Youdon’tfeelstonesfromthehoovesofthecattlethatcrushedthesegrains

onthethreshingfloor?Noteventinystonesthesizeofsand?”“No,sir.”“AlleveningIpickedthroughthesegrainswithwoodenforks.HalfthenightI

strainedthemthroughasieve.Thesegrainsholdnotaspeckofgrit.”“Yes,Father.YoucleanedthemfarbetterthanMotherandNanuusedto.”“AndthismorningI’mgoingtooilmypestlebeforeIgrindsonostonechips

off.I’vebeenthinkingaboutit.ThiswayIcangrindgrainintoflourassmoothascleanwater,andmakebreadthatdoesn’twearawayteethtilltheyrotandfallout.”Kepithoughtofthetoothlessadultssheknew.“Youarewise,Father.”Henodded.“Peoplewhoeatmytenderbreadwillbeabletosmileforever.So

wecan’thavehairandgritfrombaboonhandsinoursesameseeds.”Kepi’seyeswidened.“You’regoingtomixsesameinyourbreads?”“Notinside,outside.I’llrollthedoughinseedstoformacrust.It’lllook

special.AndIhaveaspecialjobforyounow.Somethingyoutwocandotogether,tohelpmewithmynewplanforspecialbread.”“Babuandme?”Kepismiled;Fatherhadforgiventhem.“Setupthefirewood.ThenI’llexplain.”

Kepihappilystackedthewoodinashortrow,exactlythewayFatherhadtaughther.Shelineduptheheavybreadmolds,shakingherwristsassheworkedforthedelightofthemusicherbraceletsmade.Fatherwouldfillthemoldswithdough,thensetthemdirectlyontheembers.“Good.Now,youknowthatoldbasketinthemainroom?”“Theonewiththehole?”“Notanylonger.Irepairedit.It’sforyouandBabutofilleachday.Today

you’retocollectwildcoriander.”“Foryourbread?Corianderbread?”Kepiwrinkledhernose.“Whoeverheard

ofsuchathing?”“Richcityfolk.”Fatherraisedandloweredhiseyebrowsandmadeathin-

lippedsmile,asthoughheknewthesecretsoftheworld.“IsawpeoplebuysuchthingswhenIwasupnorth.Youtwowillcollectherbs.Oneherbeachday.Aftercoriander,you’llbringmecaraway,fennel,juniper,mint,onion,poppy,andsaffron.Andsoon,astheweatherchanges,you’llbeabletofindgarlic.”Fatherrubbedhishandsinanticipation.“Thinkhowfragrantfennelbreadwillbe—andonionbread,ah!Wouldn’tyoueatthem?”Kepiimaginedthosesmells.Theyweregoodingreensandfish.Butinbread?

Shetriedtoputonapositiveface,though.“Iwouldalwayseatyourbread,Father.”Thatwasthetruthatleast;ifshedidn’teatFather’sbread,shewouldn’thavebread.“AndsowillBabu,whenhe’sbigenough.”“SillyKepi.Iwouldn’twastebreadonababoon.Healreadycostsustoomuch

tofeed.That’swhyIwanthimhelpingyougatherherbs.Ifhe’sgoingtolivewithus,evenbriefly,hehastodohisshare.”Evenbriefly?Whatdidthatmean?Kepibroughtalockofherhairtoher

mouthandsuckedonthetips.“Hecanclimbtoplacesyoucan’treachandpickanyplantsyoupointoutto

him.We’llmakebreadasfancyasthepharaoh’s.Fancier!”Kepilookeddown.“Don’tletyourmotherseeyoudoingthat.”Fatherbrushedthelockofhair

fromKepi’smouth.“Icanhearyourthoughts,youknow.”Kepijerkedherheadupinsurprise.“Ithoughtonlythegodscouldhear

thoughts.”“It’satrickoffatherswiththeiryoungestdaughters.Don’tactstubborn,Kepi.

Gocollectherbs.Noonewillbeabletoresistmybreads.WhenoldAshaiheardmyplans,hemademepromisehimtenloavesadayfortherestofhislife.”“Tenadayforallhislife!That’ssomany.”“Don’tbesilly,Kepi.Hishairischangingcolor.Hemustbefortyalready.He

“Don’tbesilly,Kepi.Hishairischangingcolor.Hemustbefortyalready.Hewon’tlastmuchlonger.That’swhatmakesitgoodbusiness.Listentothis:Hesaidifhelikesthebread,reallylikesit,inexchangehe’llgiveushiswheatfieldclosesttoours.”“Really?”“ThreedaysagoIhiredmentoplowitwithwoodenaxes.They’resowing

today.We’llhavemorewheatthanever,formorebreadthanever.Breadisasgoodaspharaohs’gold,mydaughter.We’llberich,evenwiththislamefoot.AndI’llgetridofouroutdoorlatrine.”Kepigaped.“Don’trichpeoplehaveneedslikeordinarypeople?”Fatherlaughed.“Ofcoursetheydo.Butrichpeoplehaveroomsinsidetheir

homesforthat.Isawthemupnorth.Coppertubesunderthegroundcarryeverythingtotheriver.Gonow,Kepi.Don’tcomehometillthebasketbrimswithcoriander.”Kepiraninsideforthebasket,janglingalltheway.MotherandNanusatona

smallcarpetsidebysidestitching,caressedbysweetcoilsoffragrancefromtheincensestick.Ithadbeenmonthssinceanyonehadtakenthetimetorepairclothes,muchlessmakenewones.Butthatclothcertainlylookedlikesomethingnew.“Isthatadressforyou?”Kepipeekedaroundhersister’sside.“Theshoulderstrapsarethin.You’lllookallgrownup.”Nanutossedherhair.“Iamallgrownup.”“Ah.Wellthen,Isupposeyouwouldn’tcarewhereI’mgoing.Youusedto

thinkitwasfun.Afewmonthsago.Whenyouweren’tallgrownup.Butnow,well,nowyouwouldn’tcare.”“No.”Nanuwiggledonherstool.“Probablynot.”“Ididn’tthinkso.BabuandIwillhavefun.Withoutyou.”Nanuwiggledmore.FinallysheturnedherheadtoKepi.“Youlittletease.

Whereareyougoing?”“They’resowingthenewwheatfieldtoday,”Kepicrowedtriumphantly.“Wehaveanewwheatfield?”NanulookedatMother.“PleasecanIgo?”“Wedon’thaveanewwheatfield.”Mothergatheredthedressintoherlapand

foldedit.“Yourfatherhasideas.Grandioseplans.”Shesoundedscornful.“Iftheyworkout,ourfortuneswillchange.Iftheydon’t,hewillhavespentalotofmoneyonsomeoneelse’sfield.Moneywecan’taffordtolose.We’llberuinedevenfaster.Thoseplantshadbettergrowinrecordtime.”Sheputherpalmoverhermouthforamoment.“Goifyouwant.Bepartofyourfather’sdream.Butdon’tletKepi’ssillinesskeepyoulong.Wehaveworktodo.”Sheheldoutherhand,palmup.“Kepi,leavemeyourjewelry.”

“ButI’mnotgoingouttoworkinthefields,I’mjust...”“Careless.Youloseeverything.”“Iusedtobethatway.ButI’mnotanymore.”“Sincewhen?”saidNanu.“Yesterday?”KepimadeamonsterfaceatNanu.“Let’sbecautiousandsaveourselvestrouble,”saidMother.KepiputherbraceletsandankletsandneckamuletinMother’shands.She

grabbedthebasketwithonehandandNanuwiththeother.Thegirlsranoutthedoortowardthenewwheatfield.Nanu’sbraceletstinkledthewholeway.Butthatwasallright.Kepiwoulddohertaskandbehomebymiddayandputonallherjewelryagainanddancearoundthehousetinkling.Fatherwouldbehappysoon.Everythingwouldbeallright.

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Chapter4Figs

henKepiandNanugottothefield,theywatchedmeninloinclothsscatterseedsfromclothbagsstrungaroundtheirnecks.Themensangas

theyworked.Kepisang,too.Shelovedthefieldworkers’songs.Babuwiggledaroundonherheadhappily.HealwaysdidawiggledancewhenKepimademusic,nomatterwhatkind.Theworkersmusthavestartedatdawn,becausetheywerealmostattheendof

thefieldalready.Theyfinishedandwavedtoagroupofsmallboyswaitingbytheside.Theboysranoff.“Areyouwatching,littleBabu?”Kepireachedupandplayedwiththefingers

ofthebaboononherhead.NanugaveaplayfulyanktoBabu’sfoot,andherbraceletsjangledsharply.

“Thebestpartisabouttostart.”Minuteslatertheboysreturned,drivingaherdofgoats.Thegoatsbuttedand

chasedoneanotheralloverthefield,tramplingtheseedsdownintothedirtthroughtheirplay.Theboyshadtoswatanythattriedtoeattheseeds.Butthatdidn’tseemtodismaythem.Theyfrolicked.Theyweresofunny,Kepifoundherselfdancing.“Thebirdswon’tgetaquickmealoffthisfield.Father’splanwillwork.”“Youknowabouthisplans?”Nanu’sbeautifulpinkmouthhungopen.“How

comeeveryoneknowsbutme?What’sgoingon?”“Father’sgoingtohavethebestbakeryever.He’llgetfamous.Andwe’llget

rich.”Nanubitherbottomlipandsmiled.“AndI...?”“Cangetmarried.”“Sohowwillhemakehisbakerythebest?”“Thisbasketispartofitall.BabuandIaregoingtogathercoriandertoflavor

thebread.”“Coriander?Thatwouldmakeawfulbread.”“That’swhatrichfolkupnortheat.”Nanufrowned.“Nooneherewillwantit.”

Nanufrowned.“Nooneherewillwantit.”“Yes,theywill.And,anyway,hewon’tmakeonlycoriander.He’llmake

poppyandcarawayand...”SuddenlyNanulaughed.“Igetit!You’remakingthatup,aren’tyou?Little

liar.That’stheworstideaIeverheard.”“It’sthetruth.BabuandIaregoingtofillthisbasket.”“Pah!Well,whateveryou’rereallyplanningondoing,hurryanddoit.I’m

goinghometofinishmydress.”Shegaveaslysmile.“Someonemightwanttoseemeinit.”DidNanuhavehereyeonaboyalready?ButNanuwouldnevertellher.So

Kepidecidednottogivehersisterthesatisfactionofasking.“Coriander...”Nanushookherheadandgavealittlewave.“Bye,silly.”KepiwatchedNanuwalkaway.ThatwasthethirdtimethismorningthatKepi

hadbeencalledsilly.TwicebyFather,andnowNanu.Theyalwayscalledherthat.Butrightnowitshookher,becauseitwasn’tKepi’sideathatNanufoundsilly.ItwasFather’s.Andeverythingdependedonit.LikeMothersaid,ifitdidn’twork,they’dberuined.AllthoseherbsFatherhadnamed...nonesoundedgood.Maybeherbbread

wasabadidea.MaybeFather’sliverwassickandhecouldn’tthinkright.MaybeeveryonewouldreactlikeNanu.Andofcoursetheywould.Kepihad.Thiswasterrible.Kepihadtothinkofawaytofixthings.Fatherwantedto

makespecialbreadsohecouldgetmoreandmorecustomers.Whatwouldmakebreadspecial?WhatdidKepimostlovetoeat?Fruits.Whynot?Fruitsweresweet,sofruitbreadswouldbewonderful.Only

nothingwasinseasonyet.Mulberryandelderberrywouldbesoon.Anddatesafterthat.ButFatherhadspentalotofmoneyonhavingthenewfieldsowed,allbecausehethoughthe’dbesellingeveryonebreadrightaway.SoKepineededfruittoday.AndnowawonderfulplancametoKepi.Figsattheverytopsofthetrees

mustgetmissedintheharvest.Someofthem,atleast.Babucouldclimbupandthrowthemdowntoher.They’dbedriedout.ButKepihadseenMotherboildriedfruit,thensquashitandusethejuicestoflavorfood.Theycoulddothatwitholdfigs,easy.Andfiggybreadwouldbepurple!Everyonewouldwantit.Fathercouldmakebeautiful,sweetfruitybreadsinsteadofugly,yuckyherbbreads.Kepimarchedofftowardthefiggrovefullofhope.Butpitifulfewfigsstill

clungtothetreetops.Andthosethatthebaboonthrewdownhadbeenravagedbybirdsandsnakes.Thesefigswerefartoosweettogoundiscoveredbyanimals.

animals.But,oh,sycamoretreeshadfigs,too—inferioronesnotnearlysosweetas

grovefigs.Andthosefigsgrewinthewild,somanytreeswentunharvested.Theanimalscouldn’thavegottenallofthem.Ripewildfigswereredinside,notpurple.Butredwouldbeawonderfulcolorforbread,too.Kepilaughed.Whowouldn’twantredbread?Tallsycamoreswereeasytospot,sincetheygrewneartheriver,wherethe

viewwasclear.Kepiwalkeddirectlytotheriverbankandturnednorthtowalkwiththecurrent.Itwasn’tlongbeforeshesawahugespreadingtree.Thelowerbrancheshadbeenpickedcleanbygazelles.Andthemidleveloneswereclosetobare,too,beingattherightheightfortheraregiraffe.Buthigherupmanyold,witheredfruitsstilldangled.Kepididn’tlikeheights.Onefig,though,hunglowerthantheothers.Sheputthebasketontheground,climbed,andpickedit,thenclimbedbackdown.SheliftedBabuoffherheadandplacedhimontheground.Thenshedropped

thefigintothebasket.“See,Babu?Youdoitnow.”Shepointedatthefigshighup.Babuscamperedupthetree.Hethrewdownafig,straightintothebasket.Babureallywasthesmartestlittlebabooninthewholewideworld.Kepiclapped.“Doitagain.”Kepiwatchedthefigsploponebyoneintothebasket.Untilsomethingelse

camehurtlingdown.Roundandplump.Kepipickeditup.Itwashardoutside.Withasharpstick,sheslititopen.Theinsidelookedlikeaclusteroftiny

flowersmeetinghead-to-headinthecenter.Whitewormythingsmovedamongthem.InstantlyKepirecognizedthem:wasplarvae.Waspswereimportanttothetree—anyoneknewthat.Withoutthem,thetreecouldn’tfruit.Kepishouldn’thaveopenedthisball.Shehadtocloseitupandsecureitshutwithaleafandthenjamthewholethingsomeplacesafesothelarvaecouldgrowintowasps.Acoupleofthelarvaehadwiggledfreeandfallentotheground.Sothefirst

jobwastorescuethem.Kepipickedoneupcarefullyandpokeditbackintotheshell.“Aiii!”Herfingerwasonfire.Andthere,emergingfromthetinyflowersslowlyandjerkily,wasagiantwasp.Kepihadbeenunluckyenoughtoslitopentheveryshellwherethequeenwashibernating.Sheneededtoplungeherhandintothecoolriver.Sheturnedtowardthewater,andaboywasrunningrightather.Hewasslight

andprobablynotevenherage.Butthefiercelookinhiseyesmadeherheartjump.Kepispunandfled.Theboy’sfeetthumpedbehindher.Hisbreathcamein

loudpants.Hecaughtherbytheelbowandyankedherbacktheotherway.She

loudpants.Hecaughtherbytheelbowandyankedherbacktheotherway.Shescreamedandbeatherfistsonhim.Heputhishandsupinfrontofhischestdefensivelyandmutteredsomethingincomprehensibleashebackedoff.Kepihadtimetocatchherbreath.Theboy’sheadwasshavedexceptfora

lockattheside,likeanychild,butheworenoeyemakeup,andhisloinclothwasleather,notlinen.Hewasn’tEgyptian.Withhisthickneckandhighcheekbones,hewassurelyNubian.Whywouldhechaseherlikethat?Babucamerunningonallfoursthroughthegrasses,pouncedontotheboy’s

headfrombehind,andbitoneofhissmallears,thenquicklyleapedontoKepi’shead.Theboycuppedhisearandmoanedloudly.Kepifeltsuddenlyconfident.“That’swhatyougetforchasingme.Andthisis

whatyougetforyankingme.”Shekickedhim.ANubianmightnotunderstandherwords,butanyoneunderstoodakick.Theboyhopped,clutchinghisbruisedshinandmoaningevenlouder.Andto

thinkthatshe’dbeenafraidofhim.Ashoutcame.Kepinowsawasecondboy;hewaitedontheshore,holdinga

ropeattachedtoasmallboat.Hewasolderandstronger.Bluemarksranupbothsidesofhisabdomen.Andhisfacelookedmean.Twoagainstone.Kepi’sinsideswentcold.Therewasabrokenbranchonthegroundnotfaroff.Shebackedslowlytowardit.Theyoungerboystoppedhopping.Heshoutedsomethingbacktotheboat

boy,whoshoutedalongstringofgobbledygook.TheboyuntiedthesidesofhisloinclothwithbothhandsatonceandranatKepi.Shelungedforthestick,buttheboythrewthesquareofleatheroverherhead.Thenextthingsheknew,apowerfulblowtothebellyknockedhertotheground.Thebackofherheadhitwithathunk.Foraninstantshecouldn’thearanythingatall.Thenshefeltherhairbeingpulledsohard,shethoughtherscalpwasripping.Shepushedupontoherelbowsandblinkedtillhereyesfocusedagain.Theboywasrunningtotheboatwithawrigglingrollofleatherunderhisarm.Askinnyblacktailtrailedfromit,flickingwildly.

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Chapter5Running

top!”Kepirantotheriverbankandshookthestickatthem.“Stop,thieves!Stop!”

Thecurrentcarriedthelittleboatquicklytothecenteroftheriver.ThebiggerboysteeredwithapaddlewhiletheyoungeronefiddledwithBabu—tyinghimtight.“ThatbaboonisTehutiindisguise!”Kepishouted.“You’recursed!”Thatwas

adownrightlie,butKepiwasdesperate.FathertoldastoryinwhichthegodTehutidisguisedhimselfasababoonandwentintoNubia.IfthesetwoboysreallywereNubian,andiftheyknewthetaleandrecognizedTehuti’sname,maybethey’dbesofrightened,they’dletBabugo.“Tehuti!”sheshouted.“Tehuti!Tehuti!Tehuti!”Bothboyspaddledvigorouslynow.Kepiranandran.Thebackofherheadachedwhereithadsmackedthe

ground.Herstungfingerthrobbed.Butsheranhard.Afastpersoncouldoutrunaboat,andKepiwasfast.Thoseboysdidn’tscareher.Kepiwassurethelittleronehadheadbuttedher;

he’dneverhavebeenstrongenoughtoslamhertothegroundlikethatwithjusthisfists.Andwhilethebigonelookedstrong,hemightbeacoward.Afterall,he’dstayedattheboatandleftallthedirtyworktothelittlerone.Kepiwouldthrottlebothboysgoodifshecouldonlygettothem.Butthewaterwasdeep,andKepiwasn’tagoodswimmerlikeNanuwas.Besides,thewaterhidcrocodiles,andeventhoughitwasstillonlymidday,ifagirlhappenedtosteponhisback,ahungrycrocodilemightnotwaittilldinnertime.Well,she’djusthavetooutwittheboys.Theywouldcometoshoresooneror

later—andaslongasitwasonhersideoftheriver,shecouldcatchthem.Sheduckedbehindplantsassheransotheboyswouldn’tseeherifthey

looked.Thissectionofthefloodplainwascultivatedwithbarley,wheat,andflaxprettymuchcontinuallyallthewaytothebigcityofWetjeset-Hor.Thegroundwassoftandherfeetwerestrong.Shecoulddothis.Nowandthenthelittleboatdisappearedfromsight,andKepihadtorun

Nowandthenthelittleboatdisappearedfromsight,andKepihadtorunharderuntilitwasinsightagain.Thesunwasn’tthathot,butshewasmovingsofast,sheworkedupalather.Sweatdropsburnedhereyes.Howcouldtheygothatfast?Theboatwasmadeofbundledreedslashed

togetherandcurvedupwardatbothends—likethekindEgyptiansused,butevenmorenarrowandnotquitesolong.Aboatthatshapewouldcertainlytraveltherapidsbetter.Buttheboatseemedtotraveltheopenriverbetter,too.Itskimmedalongnorthwardasthoughitwasgoingwiththewindinsteadofagainstit.Shewasfallingfartherandfartherbehind.Therewasonlyonechance—iftheboyswerestoppingatWetjeset-Hor,she

mightbeabletogetthem.Thefieldsstoppedabruptly,andKepifoundherselfinanopenareathatheld

circularstonestructuresarrangedaroundlargeboulders.TherewasaplacelikethisnearwhereKepilived,sosherecognizedwhatitwas:asmallcemetery—thekindfromlongago.Theboulderswerenaturaltotheearth,butthecircularstonesmarkedgraves.Kepipressedherlipstogetherhardtokeepfromshuddering.Whoknewwhatwasundertheground?Fathersaidthatlongagotheyputbodiesrightintheearth,withoutcoffinsorevenreedmatswrappedaroundthem.Sometimesthefloodswouldloosenthem,andwhenthewatersreceded,boneswouldlitterthearea.Kepisuckedonalockofherhairandstraighteneduptofullheight.She

walkedtalllikethat,eyesontheground,andpickedherwaycarefully,toshowherrespectforthedead.Shewouldn’ttreadonasinglebone.Onceshehadpassedthelastgravemarker,shelookedaheadontheriver.The

littleboatwasoutofsight!Shebarreledthroughthickets,payingnoattentiontothethornsthatscratchedatherarms.Aloudhissstoppedher.AhugeibisstoodrightinKepi’spath,nottwobody

lengthsaway.Shestared;fromthebird’slong,curvedbeakhungaglisteningwhiterope.Theibisfannedouthistail,stretchedhiscurvynecklongandstraight,anderectedhiscrest.Specksofbloodsparkledonhisblackfeet.Oh!Thatropewasananimal’snerve.Abiganimal.“Hello,ibis,”saidKepiinafriendlyvoice,thoughshecouldn’tholdbackher

tremble.Afterall,itwasacrimetodisturbanibis.Theyprotectedthecropsandatetheeggsofcrocodiles.“Please,letmepass.Thievestookmybaboon,andIhavetohurry.”Thebirdgaveacacklingcry:Te-hute-hute-hute-hu!“Tehuti?”breathedKepi.InFather’sstoriesthegodTehuticamenotjustin

theformofababoon,butalsointheformofanibis.Butthiscouldn’tbethegodTehutiindisguise.Itcouldn’t.ThegodsnevershowedthemselvestoKepi.

Tehutiindisguise.Itcouldn’t.ThegodsnevershowedthemselvestoKepi.Kepigavethebirdwideberthasshewalked.Thebirdjustwatchedher.Once

shewaspast,shewhispered,“Thankyou.”Shewantedtomovequicklyagainnow.Butthethicketsseemedtogrowevermoredense.Shepushedherwaythroughuntilshesuddenlyburstoutontheotherside.Itwasasthoughshehadenteredadifferentworld.Agiantpileofrotspread

beforeher.Thestenchwassounexpected,shegagged.Twomoreibisespokedaroundinthecarcassofanox.That’swherethenervemusthavecomefrom.Theoxclearlyhadn’tbeenkilledforfood,sincehiswholebodyhadbeenleft.Whatawaste.Kepihadnevertastedox;itwasfartooexpensiveameat.Herfamilyategoatonholidays,butfishtherestofthetime.Thisoxhaddiedrecently;itwasinbettershapethantheothercarcasses.Theremainsrightbesideitsherecognizedasaramonlywithdifficulty.Thiswasadumpforanimalbodies.Crowshoppedthrough,stealingfromoneanother.Ahandstuckoutfromunderaclutteroffeathersandtails.Itwascurledup

anddriedout,butahumanhandforsure.Kepiclutchedherstomachanddoubledovertillshewasinasquat.Hervillage

hadarefusepileattheoutskirts.Everyvillagedid.Buthumanremainswereneverinthem.Thatpoorperson,disposedofliketrash.Noonecouldcomevisithisgrave;he’ddietheseconddeath,thedeathofbeingforgotten.Kepirockedonherheels.Whenshefinallydaredtolookaroundagain,hereyesmetthoseofacatsitting

ontheothersideoftheramcarcass.Itseyesturnedaway,anditpounced.Kepiheardadeathscreech.Thecrowsscreamedandtooktotheair.Thecattrottedoffwitharatcaughtinitsjaws.Thecrowsquicklysettledbackdowntotheirsquabbling.Avulturewheeledoverhead.Twoblackkitesglidedhighabovehim.Thetips

oftheirwingsspreadlikegreedyfingers.Howcouldtheskylooksocleanandfresh,allclearblueandwhite,whentheearthbelowitwasaslimeofbloodandgore?Te-hute-hute-hu!Thegiantibisnowpushedthroughthebushesandstepped

intothepileofrot.HeeyedKepi.Kepigulped.Thebirdlookedlikehewasgoingtochaseher.Thatsnappedher

toattention.ThecityofWetjeset-Horhadtobeclose.Ifonlytheboyshadstoppedthere...Shestoodandpickedherwaycarefullypasttherefusepile,thenbrokeintoarun.Themud-brickbuildingsofthetownappearedimmediately.Kepistayednear

thewater,butshecouldn’tkeepherselffromglancingupthenarrowstreets,so

thewater,butshecouldn’tkeepherselffromglancingupthenarrowstreets,sofullofpeopleandcartsandgeeseandgoatsandsheep.Shecametothecityonlyforspecialoccasions,andneveralone.Itwouldhavebeenathrilltostopandgape,ifonlythiswasn’tsuchanurgentmission.MaybeonceshegotBabu,theycouldtakealittlewhiletomarvelatthevarietyofpotsandclothsandhidesandjewelryandfoods—atallofit,beforestartinghomeagain.FatherandMothercouldn’tfaultherforthat.Astringoffishingboatswasdockedalongtheriver,theirharpoonscleaned

anddryinginthesun.Andtradeboats,too.Thereweresomanyinsomanysizes.Kepiinspectedthemasshewoveherwayamongmeninnoisyconversation.Andtherewasthelittlereedboat,bobbingbetweentwofishingboats.Kepi

creptcloser.Theyoungerboywasnowheretobeseen,buttheolderboylayinthebottomoftheboat,onhisbackwithhiseyesclosed.Asmallhandhelddrumlaybesidehishead.Hislefthandrestedonhischest;hisrighthandwashiddenfromhersight.Thebluemarksonhisabdomenshowedclearlynow—twoparallelpatternsofslashmarks,asthoughtickingoffyears.Orconquests.Somethingaboutthisboy’sposture—maybejustthelengthofhim,maybethedefinitionofhisarmandlegmuscles,maybeallofittogether—gaveKepithesensethathewasexceptionallystrong.Herskinturnedtogooseflesh.AlongthesideoftheboyclosesttoKepiwasaclothcoveringvariouslumps.

Kepiwatched,hopingtheclothwouldmove.Shedaredanotherstepcloser.Theboy’seyesopened.Therehadbeennospecialnoisetowakehim—itjust

happened.HesquintedagainstthesunandpushedhimselfupandfinallysawKepi.Instantlyhisrighthandappeared,withaknife!

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Chapter6Menes

epiturnedandranupanalley.Shedidn’tdarelookbackforfearoflosingtimeiftheNubianboywasatherheels,knifeinhand.Sheranpastshops

withtheirwareshangingoutside,merchantscallingoutthevirtuesoftheirgoods.Allsomuchchaos.Itmadeherfeelconfusedandlostandevenmorefrightened.Sheturnedacornerandrantothenextcornerandturnedagain.Finally,aquietstreet.Shestoppedandswallowed.Thenshepeekedbackinto

thelaststreet.Therewasnosignoftheboatboy.Sheleanedherbackagainstawallandwaitedforherhearttostoppounding.Everythinghadgonewrong.Kepihadplannedtosimplycatchupwiththe

boysandshamethem,maybeinpublicifthat’swhatittook,maybeevenwithanotherkickortwo,andgetherBabuback.Instead,she’dpassedadesertedcemetery,she’dseenahumanhandunderanimalcarcasses,andthatboy’sknifewasbigandsharp.Aspasmshotupherbackatthememory.Aknifelikethatcouldkillinasecond.IfKepidiedhereinWetjeset-Hor,she’dbeastranger.Unclaimed.Theymight

throwherbodyinthedumpbesidetheox.Why,ifKepipersistedinthischase,shecouldbecomeibisflesh.Orworse,ratflesh.Withoutagrave,noonecouldvisither.Apartofahumanalwayslingeredatthegrave—theka.NoonewouldcometomakeofferingstoKepi’ska.Noonewouldrecitemagicwordsoverherbones.Herkawouldbeabandoned,allaloneintoeternity.Kepi’smouthhungopenatthethoughtofsuchahideousfate.ShecouldhearhersisterNanuinherheart.ShecouldhearMotherandFather.

Allofthemwerecallinghernames.Notsilly—no,theywerecallinghercrazy.KepihadbeencrazytocomethisfaraftertwoNubianboys.Shecouldn’tgetBabuback.Theknifeleftnodoubt.Tearscameinagush.Whentheyfinallystopped,Kepiwipedherfacewiththehemofherdress.She

shouldstarthome.Fast.Andwhenshegotnearhervillage,shehadbetterfindthatsycamorefigtreeandretrievethebasket.Fatherwasgoingtobeangryenoughatherwithoutherhavinglostthebasket,too.Andtomorrowshe’dgo

enoughatherwithoutherhavinglostthebasket,too.Andtomorrowshe’dgocollectsycamorefigs.Tomorrowshe’dtalkFatherintomakingfruitbreads.Tomorrowshe’dturneverythingrightagain.Shejusthadtogethomefirst.Thatwasall.Butshedidn’tdarewalkthepathshehadcome,pasttherefusepile.Itwould

turndarksoon,andjackalsandhyenaswereboundtofeastthere.Pluscrocodileswouldwakeandwait,theirstomachsempty,thewholelengthoftheriverbank.“Hey,girl,issomethingwrong?”Atallropy-lookingmanstoodinthe

doorwayofthebuildingacrossthealleyfromher.Theodorcomingoutthedoortoldheritwasabrewery.Kepishookherhead.Themanwalkedtillhewasdirectlyoppositeher;thenheleanedagainstthe

wallandcrossedhislegsattheankleandstudiedher.“Youlooklikeyou’vejusthadbadnews.”Hetooktheendofaloafofbreadoutofaclothbagandrippeditinhalfandheldapieceouttoher.“Hungry?”Itwasn’tneardinnertimeyet.ButallthatrunninghadmadeKepihungry.It

wouldbealongtimebeforeshegothome.Andthebreadlookedgood.Still,shedidn’tknowthisman.Sheshookherhead.Themansmiledandtookabigbiteofbread.“Idon’tlivehere.Doyou?”Kepishookherhead.“Ididn’tthinkso.Lookingassadasyoudo,Ifigureyou’drunhomeifhome

wasnearby.Comeon,don’tbestubborn.Havesomebread.It’llcheeryouup.”Heheldouttheunbittenhalfofthebreadagain.FatherhadtoldKepinottobestubbornjustthismorning.Itfeltgoodtohave

thisstrangersayit,too,asthoughthiswereanormalmomentandnottheawfuloneittrulywas.Andhisshenti—thecloththatwoundaroundhimandcoveredhimfromwaisttoknee—wasniceandclean;helookedlikeawell-manneredman.Kepicrossedthealleyandreachedforthebread.Shetookabite.“Ithashoneyinit,”shesaid.Andsheburstoutcryingagain.Themantiltedhishead.“Honeymakesyoucry?”“HoneymakesmethinkoflittleBabu.Heloveshoney.Andhe’sgone.”“I’msorry,”saidthemangently.“Washeyourbabybrother?”“He’smybabybaboon.”Themanblinkedandstoodupstraight.“Youhaveababybaboon?”“Notanymore.Twoboysstolehim.”“Hereintown?”“No.BabuandIweregatheringsycamorefigs.He’sthesmartestbaboonin

theworld.HedoesanythingItellhim.Andthoseboyssawus—thetreewasneartheriverandtheywereinaboat,andtheystolehim.Hebitoneofthem

neartheriverandtheywereinaboat,andtheystolehim.Hebitoneofthemreallyhard,too—buttheystolehimanyway.Ifollowedthemallthewayhere.”Themanfurrowedhisbrow.“Howdidagirllikeyougetababoon?”“Acrocodileatehismother.”Themanopenedhismouthasiftoaskaquestion,thenshutit.Hepulledon

thetipsofhisbeard.“Sowherearetheboysnow?”“Theirboatisdockedwiththefishingboats.”“Isthereanythingspecialabouttheboat?”“Whatdoyoumean?”“HowcouldIrecognizeit?”“It’sanordinaryboat—justsmall.Buttheboysareeasytorecognize.They’re

theonlyNubiansIsawatthedocks.”ThemanlookedhardatKepi.“Iseverythingyou’retellingmethetruth?”Shenodded.“Everything?”Shenodded.Themanpursedhislips.“Wheredoyoulive?”“Inavillagesouthofhere.”“Allright.Ihaveanidea.IthinkIcanhelpyougetyourbaboonback.Come

withme.”

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Chapter7TheBasket

ell,don’tjuststandthere.”ThemannamedMenesbeckonedtoKepi.“Climbonboard.”

Kepi’sfingersclutchedthesidesofherskirtnervously.Itwasonethingtowalkwiththismanthroughthecitystreets,whereifshescreamedsomeonewouldcometoherrescue.Itwasquiteanothertogetonaboatwithhim.Shetookastepbackward.“Youpicknowtostoptrustingme?”Menesstoodinthemiddleoftheboat

andstrokedhisbeard.“Youremindmeofmylittlesister,youknowthat?Doyouhaveasister?”Kepinodded.“They’rearagingtrouble,right?”Herolledhiseyes.Kepismiled.“Nanucanbearagingtrouble.”“Nanu?That’smysister’sname,too!”Kepicouldn’thelpsmiling.“Howfunny!”“Well,fromabrotherofaraging-troubleNanutoasisterofaraging-trouble

Nanu,ifyouwanttounderstandmyplan,youhavetotakealook.”Meneswalkedtoaclusteroffivelargebasketsandheldupthelidofone.Hepointedinside.Kepisuckedonthetipofalockofherhair.Menesshrugged.“Look,Kepi,what’stheworstthatcouldhappen?We’reon

thedockofacity.It’sabusyplace.Ifyoushout,someone’sgoingtocomerunning.”Theboatwasabigone,forcargo.Itwasmadeofplankswoventogetherwith

reeds.Woodenslatsfittedintoslotsbetweentheplanks,andmorereedswerepackedintosealtheseams.Rushmattingrandownthecenter.Fiveoarslinedeachside,andtwomorestuckoutofthebroadoverhangingsternforsteering.Ithadatallmastforthesail,whichwaslowerednow.Therewouldbeabigcrewonaboatlikethis.Maybetwelvemen.Maybemore.Themorepeopletherewere,thelessdangerousitwas.And,likeMenessaid,therewereotherpeoplecomingandgoingonthedocksastheyspoke.Ifsheshouted,someonewould

comingandgoingonthedocksastheyspoke.Ifsheshouted,someonewouldhelp.Besides,theyhadsomethingincommon—raging-troublesistersnamedNanu.Andmostofall,Meneswasnice.Hewasofferingtohelpherwhennoone

elsewas.Shewasluckyhe’dcomealongjustatthatmoment,justwhenshehaddecidedtogohome—withoutBabu.Kepihadlostsomanythingsinherlife,butlosingBabuwouldbetheworstbyfar.Kepitookadeepbreathandcarefullywalkedthelittleplankandsteppedonto

theboat.Shewassurprisedtofindthattheboatdidn’tmoveatallwithherweight.Itwasmuchmorestablethantheonlyotherboatshe’deverbeenin—thelittleonethatcarriedherfamilytothecityacoupleoftimesayear.Menessmiledatherandbackedawaytoletherpass.Kepipeekedinsidethe

coiledbasket.Itwasemptyandsmelledofnothingotherthanthedriedbundlesofdatepalmleavesthatitwasmadeof.“Yousellbaskets?”“Nah.Webuystuffandfillthemaswego.”“Allright,anemptybasket.”Sheshrugged.“What’syourplan,anyway?”“Youhideinthebasket.I’llgogetBabufromtheNubianboys,bringhim

backhere,andputhiminthebasketwithyou.”Kepicrossedherarms.She’dbeenhalfexpectingMenestoofferprecisely

that,becausehe’daskedhersomanyquestionsaboutthebaboon.Butacoldcubeoffearformedinthecenterofherchest.“Whydowehavetohideinthebasket?”“Ifmyfellowcrewmembersseeyoubeforeweleave,theywon’tletyoustay

onboard.Wedon’tpickuppassengers.It’sarule.”“Idon’twanttostayonboardanyway.”“Sureyoudo.Youtoldmehowlongittookyoutorunhere.Youcan’t

possiblygetbackhomebeforenightfall—anditisn’tsafeforyouinthedark.Soyouneedaridewithus.”“You’regoingsouth?”“AllthewaytoYebu.”YebuwasanislandintheNilerightontheborderwithNubia.The

southernmostcityofEgyptwasthere.SothisboatwoulddefinitelypassbyKepi’svillage.“ButonceyouleavethedockandIcomeoutofthebasket,what’stostopthecrewfromputtingmeoffontotheshore?”“Bythenyou’llpracticallybehomealready.We’lljustexplain.Noonewould

ditchalittlegirlontheshoreinthedark.Really.Myfellowcrewmembersaren’tbadmen.Theyjustdon’twanttobreaktherules.”Kepilookedintothebasketagain.Itwasroomy.Cav-ernous,infact.Shewas

sureshecouldliedownflatinitwithoutherfeetorheadtouchingthesides.

sureshecouldliedownflatinitwithoutherfeetorheadtouchingthesides.“HowwillyougetBabu?”“Leavethatuptome.Yousaidhelikesgoatmilk,right?”“Withhoneymixedin.Hesucksitfrommyfingers.”“I’llbringhimback,andI’llbringdinnerforbothofyou.So...whatwillit

be?ShouldIliftyouinornot?”“Ihavetotakecareofmyneedsfirst.”“Gooffthesideoftheboat.I’lllooktheotherway.”Kepihoppedfromfoottofoot.Nowthatshe’dadmittedherneed,shecould

hardlyholditoff.“Whatifsomeoneonthedocksees?AndIcouldfallin.Ihavetogofindalatrineinthecity.”“No,youdon’t.Look.”Menesdugthroughapileofgearatthebowofthe

boat.“Here.Getbehindthebasketandgointhisbowl,thendumpitovertheside.”SoKepididwhatshehadto.“WhatshouldIdowiththebowl?”“Putitbackwhereitcamefrom.”“Butit’sallnastynow.”“We’reusedtonasty.”Whatifthatmeantthebowlhadbeenusedbyothers,too,withoutbeing

cleanedout?Kepiheldthebowlasfarfromherasshecouldandquicklyputitbacknearthepileofgear.Menesstoodbesidethebasketwithhisfistsonhiships.“Areyoufinallyready

formetoliftyouin?”Therewasalineofbarrelsnearby,ontheothersideofaloopofropeasthick

asherwaist.Kepitippedabarrelandrolleditonitsbottomrim,justassherolledthegrainbarrelathome.Sheclimbedonit,thenjumpedintothebasketonherown.Whenshestood,onlyherheadstuckout.Menessmiled.“Youlooklikeafunnylittlemonkeyyourself.Tellme

something.WhenthecrocateBabu’smother,werethereanyotherbaboonsaround?”“Therehadbeen.Buttheyleft.”“Didyouseetheadultmales?”“Therewasonlyone.Itwasasmallband.”“Whatdidhelooklike?”“Big,withalotofsilverhairfluffingoutaroundhisneck,andapinkbottom.”Menesslappedhimselfonthechestandletoutaloudbreath.“Ahamadryas.

Thebestkind.Thosemalesareferociousunlessyoutamethemasbabies.Well,I’dbettergofetchthatbaby.”Hedugintohisclothbagandpulledoutalittle

I’dbettergofetchthatbaby.”Hedugintohisclothbagandpulledoutalittlepouch.“ChewonthesewhileI’mgone.”Kepitookthepouch.“Whatisit?”“Somethingtocalmyou.Justchewonthem.”Hepickedthelidupoffthe

ground.“SitdownsoIcancloseyouin.”“WhatifIwanttogetout?”“Standupandopenthelidandshout.Butreally,don’tdothat.Imeanit.If

anyoneseesyou,thewholeplanwillberuined.I’llbebacksoon.Eatthoseseedsandwaitforme.”Kepisquatted,andthelidclosedoverher.Alllightwasshutout.Immediately

shestoodupandliftedthelid.Menesstoodthere.Hegrinnedasthoughthatwasexactlywhathehad

expectedhertodo.Hemimickedpickingthingsfromhishandandeatingthem.“Thepouch,”hesaid.Thenhewavedgood-bye.Shesettledbackdown,thistimeonherbottom.Shecouldn’thearmuchfrom

insidethebasket,thecoilswerestitchedtogethersotightly.Shecouldn’thearMenes’sfeetgodowntheplank.WouldhereallygetBabu?Howlongwouldittake?Kepichewedonherhair

inthepitchdark.ThensherememberedFatherstoppingherfromdoingthatthismorning.Itseemedlikeforeverago.BynowFatherwouldhaverealizedshewasn’tcominghomewithabasketfulofcoriander,buthe’dbetooworriedtobeangry.MotherandNanuwouldbeworriedabouther,too,justasworriedasshewasaboutBabu.Ifonlytherewasawaytoletthemknowshewasfine.Shehadtheurgetogetoutofthisbasket.Shedidn’thavetocallforhelp.She

couldjustthrowherweightagainstthesideandtipitover.ThenshecouldrunafterMenesandgetBabubackwithhim.OnlyMeneshadsaidhedidn’twantheranywhereneartheNubianboy’sknife.AndKepididn’twanttobeanywherenearthatknifeeither.Shestoodandliftedthelidjustalittle.Shepeekedout.Twomenonthedock

werebusytalking.Theywereeasilywithinshoutingdistance.Meneswasright;thisdockwasabusyplace.Kepiclosedthelidandsat.

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Chapter8PoppySeedpods

epihadneverbeengoodatwaiting.Andthistimewasharder,becausesheknewsheshouldbeonherwayhomeratherthansittinginthebasket.

Nowthatshe’dfiguredouthowtomakeFather’sbreadfamous,shewantedtotellhimfast,beforehemadecorianderbreadandlostallhiscustomers.ButshealsowantedtogetBabuback.Itcouldn’ttakeMenesthatlong,could

it?ThepouchMeneshadgivenhersatonherlap.Sheopeneditandlether

fingersinvestigate.Therewerethreeegg-shaped,pliablethings,withalittlecircleoffringeatoneend.Seedpods.Sheheldonetohernose.Thedelicate,pleasantodorofpoppyreassuredher.Motheratepoppywhenshehadheadachesortroublesleeping.Lotsofpeopledid.Andeveryonegaveteethingbabiespoppytochewon.SoMenesmustberight;poppymustbesoothing.Kepislitthesideofonepodwithherthumbnailandsuckedoutthemilky

liquid.Thenshedugoffasmallpieceofthefibersandputitinhermouth.Hertonguelocatedafewtinyhardballs.Shepickedthefibersfromhermouthbutrolledtheseedsaroundonhertongueaminute.Thensheusedhertonguetopushthembetweenherteeth,andshechewedslowly.Whenshefinished,shedidthesametoanotherpiece,untilshehaduseduponewholeseedpodthatway.Everythingseemedtoslowdown.Slowslowslow.Warmthcreptthroughher

toesandfingers,upherlegsandarms,itseepedthroughtheinnardsofherbody,itleakedinthroughherearsandnoseandeyes.Shelookeddownatwheresheknewherhandsmustbeandcouldn’tunderstandwhytheydidn’tglow.Shewasglowing,sheknewshewasglowing.Ifonlyshehadherjewelryon,shecouldtinkleandglow.LikethegoddessHathor.Shegiggled.Eversoslowlysheloweredherselfbackwarduntilshelayonherside,curled

gently.Thisbasketwasturningouttobeacomfortingspottorest.Infact,itwasthebestplacetorestshecouldeverimagine.Howfunny.MaybeshecouldtalkFatherintotradingforagiantbasketlikethisonesothatshecouldnapinitsometimes.MaybeNanuwouldnapinthebasketwithher.AndMother,too.Itwasbigenoughforthree.Kepiwantedtotalktothemaboutit,describeevery

wasbigenoughforthree.Kepiwantedtotalktothemaboutit,describeeverydetail,soFathercouldbuyanotheroneexactlylikethisone.Thisonewasthebestintheworld.Itmadeherfeelnotonlyrestedbutnowfullofenergy.Shewantedtostandupanddance.Butherarmsweren’tmoving,herlegsweren’tmoving.Itwasliketheyweren’thers—theywerefartoorelaxedtomove.She’dhavetothinkaboutthat.Later.Shesmiledintothedark.Later.Araspingwhispercamefromabove.“Psst!Kepi!Psst!”Kepisatup.Shefeltnoalarm,justapleasantdazedness.Shelookedrightat

Menes,whosmileddownather.Really?Hehadleftonlyasecondago.Couldhereallyhavecomebackalready?Ormaybeshe’dslept?Butshedidn’tthinkshe’dslept.Meneshandedherawigglingclothbundle,knottedatthetop.Kepi

breathlesslyuntiedit.Babujumpedonherheadandclungthere,makinglittlecrieslikelambbleats.Kepisqueaked,too.Shehadneverbeensohappy.Shereachedupandpulledherdearbabydowntoherchestandhuggedhimclose,kissingthetopofhishead.Hewasreallyback.Itwaswhatshehadhopedfor,butitfelttoogoodtobetrue.Shelookedup,butMenes’sheadhaddisappeared.Allshesawwassky.

Twinklingsky.Sotimehadpassed,afterall.Well,thatwasgood.Infact,nothingcouldbeabetteromen.ThosetwinkleswereKepi’sancestors,theimperishableones,tellinghereverythingwasgoingtobeallright.Everythingwasgoingtobeallrightfromnowuntilforever.Shelaughedoutloud.Andtherewasthemoon,lookingbenevolent.Wasthatreallythegoddess

Hathor?Coulditbethatforonceagoddesscaredabouther?“Iloveyou,”calledKepi.“Iloveyousomuch.”“Iloveyou,too.”Thewordsrangthroughthenightaircleanandclear.“You

takecareofthatbaboonnow.”Ha!Menes’sfacereappeared.“Here.”Heloweredaclothsatchelintothebasket.

“There’senoughfoodforbothofyouinthere.I’mgoingtotiethelidshutnow.Thatway,ifanyonemovesthebasketwhenwerearrangethecargo,itwon’tfalloffaccidentallyandexposeyou.Sodon’ttrytoliftitoffthistime,allright?Nonoises.Justeatandrest.Andtakegoodcareofthatbabybaboon.That’stheimportantthing.”Kepismiledandnodded.“Babuandfruitbread.That’sallweneed.”“Didyousuckonaseedpod?”Kepismiledandnodded.“Ithoughtso.Finishthemoff.Allofthem.”Heclosedthelid.“Menes?”calledKepi.

“Menes?”calledKepi.Heopenedthelidandleanedin.“Whatisit?”Shewavedgood-byetothegoddessHathor,upthereinthesky.“Howdidyou

managetogethim?”“Doesitmatter?”Anditdidn’t.KepikissedthetopofBabu’shead.Everythingwasgoingtobe

allrightforever.“Thankyou.”Thelidshutagain.InthedarkKepifeltherwaycarefullythroughthefoodsatchel.Shewiggled

thestopperfreefromajar,andtheunmistakablesharpscentofgoatmilkandhoneymadehermouthwater.Babucriedinstantly—thepoorhungrylittleone.Hewasstillusedtoseveralmealsaday.Kepifedhimfromherfingers.Hewhimperedbetweengulps,likeawounded

puppy.Shefedhimtillhecurledinherlap,asleep.Shesnakedherhandbetweenhisarmsandfelthisbelly.Itwasahard,roundball.Ahappyball.Sheheldthejartoherchest.Shewantedtherestofthatmilk;shecouldalmost

tasteit,shewanteditsobad.ButifBabushouldwakebeforetheygothome,hemightneedalittlemorejustforcomfort.Hewasstillababy,afterall.Shecarefullyreplacedthejarstopper.Anotherjarheldbeer.Kepitookasip.ItbubbledmorethanthebeerFather

madeathome.Shedrankalittle,thenputthestopperbackinthejar.Ahunkofbreadandafoldedpalmleafstillremainedinthesatchel.Sheopenedtheleafandherfingersankintosoftcurds—freshgoatcheese.Menesreallywasabrilliantman.Hewasthemostbrilliantmaninthewholeworld.Shesmearedthecheeseonthebreadandateabigbite.Itwasfabulous.Butshefoundshewasn’tashungryasshe’dthought.Shecouldn’ttakeasecondbite.Shewrappedupthecheeseandbreadagain.Shetookanotherseedpodandbitalittleholeinthesideandsuckedasshelay

backdownandcurledaroundBabu.They’dbehomesoon.Sheclosedhereyes.Shefeltsogood,sodifferent.Shewasexhilaratedandatthesametimelulledintodreaminessbythesweetnessofeverything.Vibrationstraveledupfromtheboatfloorthroughthebasket.Thecrewmust

bemovingcargoaround,justasMeneshadsaidtheywould.Kepibracedherselfincasesomeoneshouldliftthebasket.Shedidn’twanttobesurprisedandletoutayelpbyaccident.Butnoonetouchedthebasket.Ofcoursenot.Everythingwasgoingtobeallrightforeverandeverandever.Shechewedontheseedpodlazily.

Afterawhile,thebasketshook.Thatmusthavebeenfromthethunkofthestoneanchorontothedeck,shethoughtgroggily.Sothey’dbegoingnow.South,againstthecurrent.Thatmeantthecrewwouldraisethesail.Shewishedshecouldhearitgoingup.ShewishedshecouldhearitflutterinthebreezethatalwaysblewagainsttheNilecurrent.Shewishedshewasalreadyhomeandlyingonherreedmat,listeningtoNanubreathebesideherinthatlovelyregularwayofsleep,knowingthat,ifshecalledout,Motherwouldcomerunning.IfonlyMeneswouldtakethelidoffsoshecouldwatchthelightsintheskyastheysailed.Butwhatdidthatmatter?Shecouldhardlyholdhereyesopenanyway.

Besides,evenwithhereyesshut,shecouldseetheheavenlylights.Sheshutthem.Allthoseshiningdots.Acomfortingwarmthgentlyrolledacrossherskineverywhere.Everythingwasexactlyhowitwassupposedtobe.Kepilaughed.

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Chapter9Stuck

epiwoketocoalblack.Sherubbedhereyes.Somethingwarmandroughtouchedtheheelofherlefthand.Shewouldhavejumpedawayinalarm,

butherheadfeltheavy,herwholebodyfeltheavy.Solid,lumpyheavy.Shepushedupontoherelbowswitheffort,wobbledamoment,thensurrenderedherselfandfellbackdownagain.Littlegruntscame.Oh,thankgoodness,itwasdearBabu.Hemusthavewokenher.Andnowsherememberedwhereshewas.Howlonghadshebeenhere?BaburanhisfingersalongKepi’slips.Hegruntedagain.Hetriedtowriggle

hishandinsidehermouth.“Funnybaby.”Kepifoundtheenergytosearcharoundinthedarkforthe

satchel.ShewasproudofherselfforhavingthoughttosavetheremainderofthehoneyedgoatmilkincaseBabuneededit.Shetookthestopperoffthejarandfedthelittlebaboonfromherfingers.Heateandateandate.GraduallyKepirealizedsomethingworrisome:This

wasn’tjustafewlittlesuckles.Babuatethewayhedideverymorning,afteralongnight.Kepi’scheekswentslack.Wasitmorning?Itcouldn’tbe.Meneshadsaid

they’dtakeherhome.Sheshouldhavebeenhomelongbeforemorning.Somethingmusthavechanged.Menes’splanshadgonewrong.Kepishouldgetoutofthebasket.Shetriedtostand,butitwashardtoholdherselfup.SheletBabufinishwhatwasinthejar.Thenshegottoherknees.Babu

immediatelyclimbedontoherhead.Maybehecouldseeinthedark?Shedidn’tknow.They’dnevergoneanywhereinthedarkbefore.Shegottoherfeetallcrouchedover,soshewouldn’tmashBabu’sheadagainstthelid,andspreadherlegsinabracingposition,asanyoneshouldonaboat.Butshedidn’tfeeltheleastwobbly.Thisboatwassobig,apersondidn’tevenfeelitmovingthroughthewater.Shereachedahanduptopush.Theliddidn’tbudge.Meneshadtieditshut.Hehadtoldherhewould.Shefoughtofffear.Avibrationcamethroughthebottomofthebasket.Kepidroppedtositting.

Avibrationcamethroughthebottomofthebasket.Kepidroppedtositting.Shedidn’tknowwhyshewashavingsomuchtroublewakingup.Shesnappedherfingersinfrontofherface;that’showsheusuallywokeup.NanuwouldsnapherfingersbyKepi’shead,andKepi’seyeswouldflyopenandshe’dbeupjustlikethat.Butitdidn’tworknow;shewasgroggy.Shelaybackdownandstretchedout.Thisbasketreallywashuge.Babusettledonherchest.Hereyesclosedontheirown.Vibrationscameupfromthefloor.Sherolledinonedirectionandthesideofthebasketpushedatherright

shoulder.Sherolledinanotherdirection.Nowitpushedatherfeet.Shepushedback,onlytomeetanunyieldingforce.Thatwasasurprise.Whenshe’dgottenintothebasket,nothinghadbeentouchingitontheoutside.Withbothhands,shefeltthesidesofthebasket.Insteadofbulgingoutwardin

thenicewaytheyhadwhenshefirstjumpedin,theywerestraight.Herhandsmovedupanddown.Yes,itwasasthoughtherewerefivestraight,rigidwallsaroundthebasket.Somethingwaspushingagainstthemfromtheoutside.Kepipushedbackhardnow.Nothinghappened.Shepushedharder.Nothing.

Shewasstuck.Likeawildthinginacage.Herinsidesbangedaroundinsidethehollowofherbody.Shedroppedherhandsandshouted,“Help!”Sheshouteduntilherthroatwas

rawandherearshadgonedeaf.Babuwhimperedthewholetime.Thencameahugelurch.Therewasnodoubtaboutit:Theboatwasmoving.

Andithadn’tbeenbefore.Sheknewthatnowforsure.Nothingwasthewayitwassupposedtobe.Panictightenedherskin.Where

wasMenes?Heshouldknowshe’dbescared.Heshouldbethere,tellingherwhatwasgoingon.WhatifMeneswasn’taround?Whatiftheboathadleftwithouthimandno

oneevenknewshewasinthisbasket?Kepitriedtodigherfingersbetweentwoloopsofthebasketcoil.Ifshecould

onlymakeahole,shecouldshoutthroughit.Shedug.Thefiberscutherfingers,butshedugandsuckedthemanddugsomemore.Whoeverhadstitchedthisbaskethaddoneaveryfinejob.Kepisearchedinthesatchel.Shefoundtheleaf,openedit,andateafingerful

ofthesoftgoatcheese.Shewasn’thungry,really,butfoodmightwakeherupsoshecouldthinkbetter.Sheateanotherfingerful.Thensherippedastripoffthedateleafandchewed,suckingthebitterjuice.Thatwaswhensherealizedthejarwiththehoneyedgoatmilkwasempty.Sonothingwouldbelostifshebrokeit.Sheheldthejarbytheneckandslammeditonthefloor.Thethickbasket

bottomcushionedtheblow.Shetriedagainandagain,butthejarwouldn’tbreak.Shetriedslammingitagainstthesidesofthebasket.Buttheywerejustas

break.Shetriedslammingitagainstthesidesofthebasket.Buttheywerejustasthickasthebottom.Babupulledonherhair,histeethchattering.“Don’tworry,”shewhisperedtohim.“I’llfigureitout.”Shecouldbashitagainstthebeerjar,butthentheymightbothbreakandshe’dlosethatbeer.Anyonewholivedneardesertknewthatlosingtheonlythingyouhadtodrinkwastoodangeroustorisk.Shecouldconkitagainstherhead,butshemightknockherselfout.Shepulledherdressuptoherwaistandrearrangedherselfsoshewassitting

withonelegstraightandonelegbent,kneeintheair.Sheleanedforwardandkissedthatknee.“I’msorry,”Kepiwhispered.“You’reaverygoodknee,butIhavenochoice.I’mgettingreallyscared.I’msorry.”Shebroughtthejardownashardasshecouldonherknee.Theblowstunnedher,ithurtsobad.Hotbloodrolleddownherleginbothdirections.Thejarhadbroken.Thesmellofbloodsweetenedtheair.Shegrittedherteethandblinkedbacktears,thengatheredthepotterypieces

intoapilenearonesideofthebasket.Shemovedaslittleaspossible,bothbecauseherkneeburnedandbecauseshewasafraidofgettingcutonwhateverlittleshardsshemighthavemissed.Withthebiggestshard,sheattackedthesideofthebasketathershoulderlevelsittingdown.Shestabbedandsawed.Shecouldn’tbelievehowtoughthebasketwas.Sweatcoveredherandherkneethrobbed.Shesawedforalongtime.Finallytheholewasbigenoughtostickthreefingersthrough.Thatwoulddo.

Sheputhermouthtoitandshouted.“Help!Help,help,help!”

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Chapter10Away

ithinmomentssheheardascrapingnoise,andthesideofthebasketwentpliableagain.Then—“Stopthat!”camethehiss.Whoeveritwas,

hemusthavebeensquatting,becausehismouthwasloweredtothehole.“Letmeout!”“Notyet,Kepi.”ItwasMenes.“Letmeoutnow!”“Inawhile.”“Now!I’mbleeding.”“What?Whathappened?”“Ajarbroke.”“Isthebaboonallright?”Kepi’seyesburned.Herheadfeltheavy.Butthequestionstillseemedsuspect.

“I’mnotsure,”shelied.“Letusout.”Menescursed.Thetopofthebasketshookalittle,andsoonthelidliftedoff

andlightfloodedin.Kepiblinkedagainstthesunandgottoherfeet.Sheletoutayelpbecause

straighteningherkneehurtsobad.Shestoodonhergoodlegandletherhurtonehang.“Help!”sheshouted.“Getmeoutofhere!”Mensatonthebenchesalongbothsidesoftheboat,rowing.Theyheardher

forsure,buttheydidnothing.Theywerefacingthesternandherbasketwasnearthestern,sotheycouldeasilyhavelookedather.Butonlyafewevenglancedherway,andnonestoppedrowing.“Don’twasteyourbreath,”saidMenes.Kepifelttearscoming.WhywasMenesactinglikethis?Sheblinkedhard.“Anddon’tgocrying.”“I’mnot!I’mblinkingbecauseofthesun.It’smorning.”BabuclimbedupKepi’sbackandperchedonherhead.“Thatbaboon’sallright,”saidMenes.“Youlied.”“Thesail’snotup.”Kepishookherheadslowlyinhorrorasthemeaningof

thatsankin.“We’regoingwiththecurrent.We’regoingnorth.Awayfrommy

thatsankin.“We’regoingwiththecurrent.We’regoingnorth.Awayfrommyhome!”“Bequiet.I’llexplain.”“Yousaidyou’dtakemehome.Yousaidwe’dgolastnight!”“Boatscan’tgoatnightonthisriver.Yousawwhatthecrocdidtoyour

baboon’smother.Whatdoyouthinkcrocswoulddotoaboatatnight?Don’ttalklikeanidiot.”“I’mnotanidiot!”Meneshadtoldhertheboatwouldtravelatnight,andnow

hewascallinghernamesforbelievinghim.“Nocrocodilecouldturnoverthisboat.”“Buttheycanramithardenoughtododamage.”KepiwantedtopunchMenes’ssmugface.“Wherearewegoing?”“I’lltellyoulater.”“Letmeout.”“You’rebetteroffinthebasket.”“Iwanttogohome.Letmeoutrightnow.”“Ifyoustayquiet,I’llleavethelidoff.”“I’mbleeding.”“Idon’tbelieveyou.”Kepireacheddownandwipedatthewetnessaboveherknee.Shethrusta

bloodyhandinMenes’sface.Heblanched.Hewentovertoaboxandcamebackwithacloth.“Tiethis

aroundsoitcoversthecut.Tieitastightasyoucanbear.”Kepisnatchedthecloth.“Help!”sheshouted.“Help!”Oneofthemenlookedatherandsmirked.Thetophalfofhisleftearwas

missing.“Hurryup,”hecalledtoMenes.“It’shardtokeeptheboatstraightwithoutyouatyouroar!”“See?Ihavetogobacktowork.Ican’tbebotheredwithyounow.Ifyoukeep

shouting,I’mtyingthelidbackon.Andthepoppyhasclearlywornoff,soitwillbeawful.”“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”“Whatdoyouthinkpoppyseedsdo,littleidiot?Youthinkyouhadallthose

nicedreamsallonyourown?That’sapoppy-seedhaze.”Meneshaddruggedher.Kepigrittedherteeth.“I’mstanding.Ifyoupushthat

liddownonme,you’llcrushBabu.”Menesfrowned.“Ha!Iknewit.You’reasbadasthoseNubianboys.YouwanttostealBabu.”

Itwasonlyasshesaiditthatsherealizeditwastrue.MenesgrabbedatBabu,butBabubithishand.Heletoutalittleshriekand

MenesgrabbedatBabu,butBabubithishand.Heletoutalittleshriekandshookhishandandblewonit.“Allright,allright.Standthereandyelltillyoudrop,ifyou’rethatmuchofanidiot.”“I’mnotanidiot.”“Proveit.Shutyourmouth,andIpromise,whenwestopforabreak,I’ll

explaineverything.”“Youdon’tkeepyourpromises.”“Shutyourmouthanyway.Noneofthecrewcareswhathappenstoyou.

There’snooneontheshoretohearyou.Ifwepassaboatgoingourway,we’reobviouslygoingfasterthanthem,sotheycan’tcatchus.Andifwepassaboatgoingtheoppositeway,doyoureallythinkthey’regoingtoturnaroundandchaseus—acrewthisbig?Think,Kepi.”Kepi’sheadspun.Noonecaredwhathappenedtoher?Whatcouldthatmean?

Shelookedatthemen.Theywerebig.Shefeltsmall.“Whereareyoutakingme?”“WhatdidIsay?ItoldyouI’dtellyoulater,right?”MeneswentandgotthebowlKepihadusedthenightbeforeandoffereditto

her.Shetookitnumbly.Meneswentbacktohisoar.Kepifeltascreamgrowinsideherchest.Itburnedherlungsandthroat.Butif

sheletitout,Meneswouldclosethebasketlid.Thatwouldbeworse.Theyweregoingnorth,andrightnowtherewasnothingKepicoulddoaboutit.Shehadtothinkaboutsomethingelse.She’dgocrazyifshedidn’t.Kepisetthenastybowldownonthebottomofthebasketandinspectedher

knee.Shehadn’tdaredtouchitbefore,soshedidn’tknowhowbaditreallywas.Apieceofthejarstillprotrudedfromit.Shepickeditout,andthebleedingstartedalloveragain.Shesqueezedhereyesshut.Thetrickherewastopretendthiswasn’therkneeatall.ShewasMother,takingcareofherdaughterKepi.Sheopenedhereyes,andwithjustthetipsofherfingersshegentlycheckedforotherpieces.Thecutwasn’twide,butitwasdeep.Shecarefullyplacedtheclothonitandtieditbehindherkneeastightasshecouldwithoutwincing.Thenshestoodonhergoodlegandlookedaround.Theboatrodelowinthewater.Thecrewhadloadedonmanysmallerbaskets

sinceKepihadcomeonboard.Herbasketwassurroundedbythem;theywerewhatpushedupagainstthebasketsidesandmadethemrigid.Shehadnoideawhatwasinthem.Kepilookedback.Wherewerethey?Shecouldn’tseeanytraceofWetjeset-

Hor.Ithadtakenherawhiletocutthatholeinthebasket,sotherewasnotelling

Hor.Ithadtakenherawhiletocutthatholeinthebasket,sotherewasnotellinghowfartheywerefromthecitynow.Thefarthertheywent,thelongeritwouldtakehertogethome,andherfamilymustalreadybefrantic.Theywouldhavesearchedeverywhereforherbynow.Theyprobablyfearedtheworst.Kepifearedtheworst.Sheswallowedhardandwilledherselftobestrong.Fatheralwayssaidtoputa

stouthearttoasteephill.Shehadn’tlistenedtoFatherwhenshe’drunofftosearchforthesycamorefigs,andthatwaswheneverythinghadgonewrong.Girlsshouldobeytheirfathers.Shehadmadeamistakethen.Butnowshe’dlistentohim.Shewouldrememberallhissayings.Thatwayitwouldbealmostasthoughhewashere,whisperingtoher.He’dbetheonepersononthisboatwhocaredabouther.Onthewestbankoftheriverrosealargeredstructure,astallasasycamore

fig.Kepiknewwhatthatwas:apyramidfromtheolddays.Herfamilyhadvisitedityearsago.Thoughshehadbeentoosmallthentorememberseeingitherself,herparentshadtalkedaboutitrecently,whenFatherhadcomehomefromthenorth.Itwasredandroughbecauseintheolddaysthepharaohsbuilttheirpyramidsofsandstoneinsteadoflimestone.Thesideofthepyramidranparalleltotheriver,soshecouldseeitwell,reachinguptoajaggedtopthatthewindsandrainshadravaged.Ontheeastbankahugerockshapedlikeavultureroseupoutofthedesert.It

lookedlikepicturesofthegoddessNekhbet.Therewerenovillages,noisolatedfarms,nosignsofpeopleatall.Acoolwindkepttheskyclear.Nowandthentheredsandstoneofahillockwouldshine,butmostlythebanksheldwidelyscatteredclumpsoflowgreenplantsandwadingbirds,pokingtheirlongbillsintothemud.Thismustbehowtherivervalleyhadlookedsincethebeginningoftime.Inlatemorningaflockofpelicanscameflyinguptheriver,straighttowardthe

boat.Somany,theflockwasaswideastheriver.Theyswervedofftothewestandlookedliketheyweregoinginforalandingsomewherebeyondaparticularlythickgroupofbushes.Asifthatwasasignal,themenrowedforshore.Kepi’sstomachpitchedwithworry.Thosebushesprobablymarkeda

waterloggedmarshfullofcrocodilesandhippopotamuses.“Arewestopping?”shecalled.“Why?Wherearewe?”OnlyMeneslookedather.“DowhatIsay,andyoumayjustmakeitoutof

this.”

T

Chapter11TheLake

hecrewanchoredtheboatonthewestbank.SincenoonewasansweringKepi’squestions,shekepthermouthshutandwatched,tryingtonotice

everything.Fatheralwayssaiddetailsmattered.Hesaidifyoufocusedtoomuchonthesnake,you’dmissthescorpion.Ninemenjumpedontothemud,carryingspearsandnets.Menesandtwo

othermenstayedonboard.MenescameovertoKepi’sbasket.“PutyourarmsaroundmyneckandI’ll

haulyououtofthere.”“Why?Whatarewegoingtodo?”“Stoptalkingandletmegetyououtofthere.”“Ifyoudoanythingbad,I’lltellBabutobiteyouagain.Harder.”MenesglancedquicklyatBabu.Helickedtherawspotonhishand.Thenhe

lookeddownatKepiandloweredhisneck.KepilockedherarmsaroundMenes’sneckandletherselfgetdraggedout.

Sheyelpedinvoluntarilyasherinjuredkneescrapedoverthebasketedge.Menessetherdownandfrowned.“Canyouwalk?”“Icanhop.”Kepihopped.Itmadeherkneehurtworse.Shesqueezedhereyes

shuttokeepfromtearingup.ThenshelookedhardatMenesandhoppedagain.“Okay,climbon.”Menesturnedhisbacktoherandsquatted.“Comeonnow.

Don’tmakemewait,orImightchangemymindandleaveyouhere.”Kepithoughtofthespearsthemencarried.“HowdoIknowhereisn’tbetter

thanwhereyou’lltakeme?”“Youdon’t.”Menesshrugged.“ButIdo.Takethis.”Heheldupacloth

satchel.“I’mcarryingyou—soyoucarrythisforme.”Kepitookthesatchelandclimbedon,holdingherhurtlegoutstraight.Menes

hookedhisarmsaroundandunderherthighs,carefulnottotouchthebandage.Heloweredhimselfofftheboat.Twomenstayedbehind.“Wherearethosemengoingtotaketheboat?”Kepiaskedinsuddenpanic.“Nowhere.They’rejustguardingit.Lookaround.You’llseebeautifulthings.”

“Nowhere.They’rejustguardingit.Lookaround.You’llseebeautifulthings.”Menesfollowedtheothermen’stracksinthemud.Eventhoughhemoved

slowly,everystephurtKepi.PlusBabukeptpullingherhairinsistently;hewasobviouslyhungryagain,andshehadnothingforhim.Kepigrittedherteethandswallowedoverandover.Shewaslost.Withpoor

littleBabutotakecareof.ShewantedMother.AndFather.SheevenwantedNanu.Ithurtherkneewhensheheldherselferect,sosheslumpedagainstMenes’s

backandrestedhercheekinthelittlecurvewherehisneckmethistorso.Babuchatteredinangrydiscomfort,butKepifelttoosorryforherselftochangepositions.Menes’sregularlopingstepsrockedherintoahalfsleep.Afterawhile,MenestappedKepionthenoseandstoppedwalking.“Lookat

that,”hewhispered.“Huh?”Kepiliftedherheadgroggily.“Don’tmakenoise.Justwatch.”Theywerestandingonasmallhillockandalakespreadoutbeforethem,its

perimeterthickwithpapyrusreeds.Kepiheldherselfuptallsoshecouldseeeverything.Aherdoforyxgrazedinthestubbleonthefarside,whileseveralofthemdrankatthewater’sedge.Itwasn’tabigherd—maybeahundred.Theircleanblack-and-whitemarkingsmadetheirfacesbeautiful.Kepilovedoryxbecauseofthosefunnyfaces,thoughsheknewtheyweredangerous.Theirgraceful,backward-curvinghornswerestrongenoughtokillalion.Fatherhadtoldherstories.Butthebestthingwasthepelicans.Theflockshe’dwatchedflyuptheriver

hadjoinedmanyothers.Twoislandsinthelakewereentirelycoveredwiththem.Thousands.Giganticwhitebirdswithyellowbillsandblack-tippedwings.Somewerestretchingtheirwingsrightnowandturningincirclesontheirpalepinklegs.Thewingspanswereenormous,twiceaman’sheight.Andthereweresomanychicks,allgrayandfluffy.Asmallgrouptookoff,flyingsolow,theirbigbelliesalmostbrushedthewater’ssurface.Howwonderfulthatmustfeel,flying.Thesunglintedoffsomethinginthethickestbushes—aclumpofacacia.Kepi

watchedoneofthemenwithhisfistcirclingthehiltofaknifeheldreadybyhischeek.Shespiedothercrewmembersnow.Threewerecrawlingontheirbellies,hiddenfromtheoryxbythereeds.Theyhadspears.Theywereclosinginonamotherandcalf.Ataflapofthearmfromtheleadhunter,allthreestoodandthrewspearsatthecalf.Instantly,othermenpoppedupfrombehindanothergroupofreedsandshoutedandbangedmetalsticksonabigmetaldisk.Thenoisewasbrashandloud.Theherdtookoff.Thepoormotheroryxcircledher

noisewasbrashandloud.Theherdtookoff.Thepoormotheroryxcircledherfallencalfonce,eyesfrantic,thenranwiththeherd.Theairwasfullofadultpelicansinflightandthescreamingcriesoftheirchicksleftbehind.Themanwiththeraisedkniferanforthfromtheacaciabushesnowandslitthe

calf’sthroat.Andallthemengotbusypreparingthemeat.Theybuiltafireandwrappedchunksofthemeatinwetpapyrustoroastintheembers.MenescarriedKepidowntothelakeanddepositedherattheveryedgeofthe

water.“I’llgogetussomethingtoeat.”Strong—stoutheartagainstasteephill.KepilookedstraightinMenes’seyes.

“Babu’shungry,too.”“Ididn’tbringanymoregoatmilk.Itwouldhaverottedinthesun.Butthere’s

honeyinajarinsidethesatchelyou’recarrying.Washoutyourcutandsmearsomeonit,too.”“Honeyonacut?Don’tyouknowanythingaboutwounds?You’resupposed

tousedung.”“Bathewhileyou’reatit.”“Whatiftherearecrocodiles?”“They’dbeprettydumbpelicanstobreedherethen,wouldn’tthey?”Menes

walkedoff.Kepilookedaround.Someofthemenwerebathinginthelake.Itwasso

shallow,theycouldstand,eveninthemiddle.Crocodilespreferreddeepwater,especiallyinthecoolermonths,likenow.Sheputherhandinthewater.Itwascool,butnotnearlyaschillyasshe’dexpected.Thesundidabetterjobonshallowpoolsthanondeepones.Well,allright.Shewadedinafewstepsandsatonthesoftsiltybottomwithallherclotheson.Shewasoldenoughtobewaryofundressingaroundmen.Besides,thisway,shecouldwashherclothesatthesametime.Sherubbedherselfalloverthroughherdress.Thenshetookoffthebandsthatheldherlocksintopigtails,leanedback,andrinsedoutherhair.Babuscreechedinprotestandsplashedtotheshore.Hesatthereshiveringand

whimperinginthesunlight.“PoorBabu,”calledKepi,shiveringherself.“ButI’llfeedyounow.”She

hobbledtotheshoreandshookoff.Shestayedstanding,eventhoughitmeantputtingallherweightonheronegoodfoot,becausethatwayshe’ddryoffwithoutgettingdirtyagain.Sheleanedoverandpickeduptheclothsatchel.Babuclimbedupandclungtoherchest.“What’sthematter?Don’tyoulikewethair?”KepifoundthejarofhoneyandfedBabufromherfingers.Thelittlebaboonateeagerly.“Don’tgetusedtoit.Honeyaloneisn’tenoughforababoontogrowbigon.”

togrowbigon.”Menescameoverandspreadoutpapyrusontheground,withaheapofmeat

inthecenter.“Youdidn’twashoutyourcut.”Kepishrugged.Theclothonherkneewassoakedthrough.“Ican’tundothe

knotnowthatit’swet.”“Youshouldhavetakenofftheclothbeforeyouwentinthewater.”“Well,Ididn’t.”“Here.”MenestookthehoneyjarfromKepiandgaveherahunkofmeat.

Thenhetookoutaknife,knelt,andcuttheclothoffherknee.“Impressivegash.How’dyoumanagetodothat?”Kepilickedthemeatjuicefromherbottomlip.Shehadnevertastedanything

likeit.Lightandsomehowsweet.Verydifferentfromgoat.“I’mnottelling.”“You’realotoftrouble,youknowthat?”Menesshookhisheadandgrinned

upather.“Thislooksprettyclean,Iguess.”Hesmearedhoneyonhercut.“Aiii!”“It’llhelp,Iswear.Andhere,eatthese.”Hegaveherahandfuloffreshly

pulledwildgarlicplants.Thebottomshadonlybarelybeguntoformbulbs.“They’llmakeithurtless.”“Idon’tbelieveyou.”“Justeatthegarlicandtrytobereasonable.”Kepiknewitwasfinetoeatgarlic.Shewashedtheplantsinthelakeandate

slowly.Theothermenwereatthefaredgeofthelake,lyingonthegroundnearthefire.Somewereeatingandtalking.Somewerenapping.OnlyMenesreallypaidanyattentiontoher.Shewasclean;herstomachwasfull.Foramoment,nothingfeltthreatening.

Thatrealizationjarredher;shecouldn’taffordtoletherguarddown.

“W

Chapter12Decision

hyareyoustealingBabuandme?”Menesstretched.“Rescuing,notstealing.You’regoingtohavea

muchbetterlifethisway.”“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”“I’mtakingyoutoInebHedj.”Kepi’sheaddroppedforward.“That’swayupnorth!”“Atthestartofthedelta.I’mgladtoseeyouknowsomething,atleast.”“EveryoneknowsaboutInebHedj.It’sthecapitalofallEgypt.”“It’sthebiggestcityanywhere.Andthat’swherethemostimportanttemples

are.That’swheretheyusebaboons.”Kepi’sjawclenchedinfear.“Whatdomean,usebaboons?”“Inthetemples.Withthehem-netjertepey,thehighpriest.Ibetyou’venever

evenseenapriestexceptatafestival.ButI’velistenedtopeopletalk.It’ssomethingnew;therichpeopleallbelieveinit.Babuwillbepartofthereligiousceremonies.He’llhaveawonderfullife.Andashistrainer,youwill,too.”“No.I’mnotgoingtoInebHedj.I’mgoinghome.Rightnow.”“Oh,sure,you’regoingtolimpalongtheshore,cryingfrompain,andthevery

firstnightacrocwilleatyou.”Kepididn’tbothertopointoutthatshehadn’tcriedatall.“I’llwalkinland.”“Wherealionwilleatyou.Listentome,Kepi.Citylifeisexciting.Alot

betterthanbeingacountrypeasant.You’vegotachancetochangeyourwholelife.”KepithoughtofNanuandMotherandFather.Shethoughtofthesweet-

smellingreedmatshesleptonathomeandhowshealwaysfellasleepwatchingthelightsintheskyoutthehighwindow.Andmostofall,shethoughtabouthowmuchFatherneededherrightnow.“Idon’twanttochangemylife.”“Youshould.Lookatyou.You’resopoor,youdon’thaveasinglepieceof

jewelry.EveryEgyptiangirlshouldhaveatleastanamulet.Evenaservant.Evenaslave.Whoeverownsyoudoesn’tdeserveyou.”“Ihaveplentyofjewelry.Mymothermademetakeitofftogodoanerrand

“Ihaveplentyofjewelry.Mymothermademetakeitofftogodoanerrandformyfather,becauseIalwayslosethings.”“Youtelltoomanylies.”“No,Idon’t.Ihaveagoodlife.Idon’twanttochangeit.”Menesrubbedatthecornerofhiseyethoughtfully.“Allright,then.Go.Go

backhome.Orgoanywhereyouwant.Ifthatwounddoesn’tfester,you’llbeabletoruninanothercoupleofdays.Maybeyoucanmakeithomealive.Iwouldn’tbetonit.Butwhoknows.Sogo.Limpaway.Justleavethatbaboonbehind.”“Iwon’tleaveBabu.”“AndIwon’tletyoutakehim.Soleave—goawayonyourown.Orcomewith

us.Butmakeupyourmindfast,becauseifyou’regoingtoleave,youhavetohidesomewherenow,whiletheothersarebusy.Iftheyknowwhatyou’reupto,they’llneverletyou.”Menesdidn’tknowanythingaboutBabu.IfKepiwanted,shecouldmakethe

littlebaboonscamperoff,outofreachofallthemen.Theycouldchaseandchasehim,butthey’dnevercatchhim.Thenaftertheyleft,shecouldcalltohimandthey’dbetogetheragain:KepiandBabu.SolosingBabuwasn’treallyaproblem.Theproblemwaseverythingelse.Kepilookedaround.Thislakewasasafeplace—Meneswasright.Shecould

stayheretillherkneehealed.AndshecouldfindasharprockandcutenoughpapyrustomakeasmallboattocarryherandBabuhome.Paddlingagainstthecurrentwouldbehard.Soshe’duselongsticksaspoles,andherdresswouldmakeadecentsailstretchedbetweenthem.Theycouldeatbirdeggs,orcatchfish,oreveneatbabybirdsiftheyhadto.Babuwouldn’tlikeit,buthe’dadjust.Kepiwouldhelphim.She’dsingtohim;thatalwaysmadehimhappy.Atnightthey’dsleepunderpalmfronds.Itwouldwork.Kepiknewsurvivalskills.AllthoseweeksofexploringwithFatherduringthefloodingseasonhadpreparedherperfectlyforthis.MenesthoughtKepicouldn’tdoit.Hethoughthehadhertrapped.Heknewas

littleaboutherasheknewaboutBabu.Sheshouldgohideandletthemenleave.Withouther.ToInebHedj.Thecapital.PharaohKhufulivedinthecapital.Asmallthumpingstartedwithinher.Kepilickedherbottomlip.Shewasn’tanidiot,nomatterwhatMenessaid.

Shedidn’tfoolherself.Itwouldtakeawhileforherkneetoheal,andthenareallylongtimetogethomeinatinyboat,ifinfactshecouldmanagetomakeacraftthatwasriverworthy.Daysanddays.Maybeevenweeks.Bythattime,

craftthatwasriverworthy.Daysanddays.Maybeevenweeks.Bythattime,Father’sbakingbusinesscouldhavefailedcompletely.HehadmadeabigmistaketopaythosementosowoldAshai’sfieldbeforeheknewwhetherpeoplelikedhisherbbreads.Herfatherdidn’treallyknowanythingaboutbaking.Hewasafarmer.Hewas

onlydoingthisbecausePharaohKhufuhadsenthimhome,empty-handedandunabletoreturntohisoldwork.PharaohKhufuhadruinedhislife.SomeonehadtotellthepharaohwhatFatherwasgoingthrough.AndFather

saidthatanothermangothurtinthesameaccidentthathegothurtin.SomeonehadtotellPharaohKhufutohelpthatman,too.Thepharaohowedittothem.Thethumpinginsidehergrewfastandloud.Kepididn’twanttogotoInebHedj.Shedidn’tlikeMenesanymore,and

she’dneverparticularlylikedtheothermen.Shewantedtogohome.Thatwastherightthingforher.Butitwasn’ttherightthingforherfather.Kepihadwantedtofixeverything

withherideaoffruitbread.Thatwasabadidea—thatmadeallthistrouble.Butnowshecouldfixeverythingadifferentway.She’dpromisedherselfthatifsheevergotthechancetotalktoPharaoh

Khufu,she’dtakeit.Whatwasthepointofapromiseifyoudidn’tkeepit?“I’llgowithyoutoInebHedj.”Meneshadbeenwatchingherthiswholetime.“Good.You’rekindoffun.”He

putthestopperonthehoneyjarandcloseduphisclothparcel.“Eatmore.Comeon.It’sgreatandyouknowit.”Kepiforceddownabite.Herbodywasfilledwiththedrumbeatstill,herchest

andneckandheadwerehot,hereyesburned.Butthismeatwasgood,andsheneededthestrengthitwouldgiveher,andmostofall,itwasimportantnevertowastemeat.Everyoneshouldbegratefulforthesacrificeofananimal’slife.Shesilentlythankedtheoryxcalf.WhenMenesofferedhisbacktoherforthereturntriptotheboat,Kepi

hesitated.Shedidn’twanttoactlikebuddieswithMenes.Hewasn’therbuddy.ShewasgoingwithhimbecausethatwastheonlywaytogettoInebHedj.ButMeneswastheonewhohadstolenherinthefirstplace.Howcouldsheeverunderstandthat?Howcouldsheforgiveit?Shelookedaroundattheothercrewmembers.Wouldn’tsomeoneelseofferheranarmtoleanon?Theremustbeatleastonewhowashalfwaynice.Buttheyjustwalkedonby.Menesfinallystoodup.“Whatareyouwaitingfor?”Hespittotheside,then

wipedhismouthwiththebackofhishand.“Isawhowyoulookedattheothermenjustnow.Maybeyouthinksomeonewillhelpyousomehow.Noonewill.

menjustnow.Maybeyouthinksomeonewillhelpyousomehow.Noonewill.We’reallpartners.We’regoingtosplitthemoneyfromtradingyou.”“Tradingme?”Herfleshcrawled.“Likeaslave?I’mnotaslave.Youcan’t

takeEgyptiangirlsandmakethemslaves.That’sagainstthelaw!”“You’reNubian.”“Iamnot.”“YouareifIsayyouare.”“ThenhowcomeIspeakEgyptianandIdon’tunderstandawordofNubian?”“You’vebeenwithuslongenoughtolearnEgyptian.Andyou’rejust

pretendingwhenyouactlikeyoudon’tknowNubian.”“That’snottrue.”“ItisifIsayitis.”Heturnedandsquatted.“Getonmyback.”“I’llwalktotheboatonmyown.”“Youcan’t.SoeithergetonmybackorI’llcarryyouundermyarmandyour

kneewillhurtalotworse.”“You’reawful.”“It’snotgoingtobelikeaslave,Kepi.You’llhaveagoodlife.Really.

Especiallyiftheykeepyouonasthebaboon’strainer.Geton.I’llcarryyoutothebasket.”“ButIagreedtocome.Idon’twanttostayinthebasketlikeaprisoner.”“Itdoesn’tmatterwhetheryouagreedornot.Anddon’tyoueversayanything

aboutmeofferingyouachoice.Asfarasthemenareconcerned,you’reaprisoner.Theywantyouinthebasket.”“SoI’lltellthemIreallywanttogotoInebHedj.”“Whowouldbelieveyou?They’dfigureyoujustwantedmorefreedomsoyou

couldfindachancetoescape.”Menessquatted.“Geton.”KepiheldinherfuryandclimbedontoMenes’sback.Andthefunnything

was,herkneedidn’thurtasbadlynow.Maybethegarlicreallydidfightpain.Maybethehoneyreallydidhelpheal.ButMeneswasawful,allthesame.Hethoughtitwasallrighttostealandtradelittlegirls.Shecouldn’twaittogettoInebHedjsosheandBabucouldrunawayfromhim.

E

Chapter13ThreeintheBasket

arlythatafternoonKepiwasstandinginherbasketontheboatwithBabuonherheadwhentheypassedshiningcliffsontheeastbank.Thenshesaw

hugemud-brickwallsupaheadonthewestbank.Meneslefthisbenchandcameover.Hehandedherthenastybowl.“Timeto

closeyouin.”“Why?”“That’sthecityofNekhenupahead.We’restoppingthereforthenight.Ifyou

weren’tsuchaproblem,youcouldcomeoutandseethings.TherearetwostonestatuesofPharaohKhasekhemwy.They’reoverahundredyearsold.Bigthings—life-size.Andthere’satempletothegodHorus.Youcouldn’tgoinit,ofcourse,butit’senoughtoseejustfromtheoutside.Andthebreweries!They’reamongthebesttheentirelengthoftheNile.”“Babucan’tkeepeatingnothingbuthoney.He’llgetsick.AndI’mhungry.

Youwon’tbeabletosellusifwe’resickandhungry.Youhavetoletusout.”“Lookoutbelow.Thelid’scomingdown.”Menesheldthelidhighand

lowereditfast.Kepihadbarelyenoughtimetocrouchoutoftheway.Shequicklypushedup

againstthelidwithbothhands.ButMeneswasobviouslypushingback.Andsoonnothingwaspushingback,butthesidesofthelidheldfast;he’dtieditshut.Shesatonthebottomofthebasket.Meneshadturneditupsidedownand

dumpedallthepotteryshardsintotheriverbeforeheputherbackinit,sotherewasnoriskofgettingcut.TheonlythingintherewithherandBabuwasthenastybowlhehadjusthandedher.Noteventhelastofthepoppyseedpodsorthegoatcheesewasleft.Menesmusthavedumpedthemintheriver,too.Sheputhereartothesmallholeshehadsawedinthesideofthebasketand

listenedasthemenroweduptothedockandanchored.Sheheardthemmovingaboutthedeck.Thentheyweregone.Probablynotall—probablyoneortwowerestillthere,guardingwhateverwasinthebaskets.Butbasically,thecrewwasoffdoingwhateverthecrewdidintown,andKepiwasstuckhere.

wasoffdoingwhateverthecrewdidintown,andKepiwasstuckhere.Shestretchedoutinthebottomofthebasket,andBabuburrowedunderher

arm.Shewasreallyonaboat,reallygoingtoseethepharaoh.Allbyherself.Nomother,nofather,nosister.Howonearthhadherlifeturnedupsidedownsofast?Themagnitudeofithither.Tearsranhotfromthecornersofhereyes,downhertemples,intoherhair.Sherockedherheadfromsidetoside,onandonandon.Thenshejustlaystill.WhatmustMotherbethinkingnow?AndFather,andNanu?Theymustbe

crying.Littlegirlswhodisappearedovernightsometimesnevercamehomeagain.ButKepiwouldgethomeagain.Shewishedshecouldtellthemthat;shewishedshecouldsendamessagesomehow.

Baaaa!Naaaa!Kepi’seyespoppedopen.Shemusthavebeeninthatpositionforalongtime,

becauseherneckhadameankink.Thelidwasoffthebasket,andshelookedupstraightattheundersideofanannygoat.“Move,”saidMenes,outlinedbythelightfromthesettingsun.Kepistoodandhunchedagainsttheside.Babuheldontohertightandstared

atthegoat.Menesloweredthegoatintothebasketasfarashecould,thendroppedherthe

lastlittlebit.“FreshmilkwheneverBabuwantsit.Whatdoyouthinkofthat?”“I’mnotsharingmybasketwithasmellygoat.”“Whenwe’redockedyouare.Duringtheday,whenwe’retravelingtheriver,

thegoatcanstayoutondeck.”“ThegoatgetstostayoutondeckandIdon’t?”“Ifyouproveyou’resmarterthanthegoat,Imightbeabletotalkthemeninto

lettingyououtondeck,too.”“ItoldyouIdecidedtocomewithyou.I’mnotgoingtoescape.”Atleastnot

tillwegettoInebHedj,thoughtKepi.“Yeah.Well,thecrewseesyouasaprisoner.AndI’mlessthanconvinced

aboutyou.”MeneshandedKepiaclothsatchel.“Opentheleavescarefully.There’shoneyfoldedintothecenterofoneofthem.I’mnottrustingyouwithanotherjar.”Kepilookedatthegoat.ThegodSetwasknowntocomeinmanyforms:a

hippo,acroc,evenapig.Butmostofall,hewalkedaroundwiththeheadofagoat.MaybeshecouldfrightenMenesintolettingheroutofthebasket.“ThegodSetisgoingtoprotectus,”shesaidboldly.“There’sbreadsoakedinbeerforyou.Ididn’twantyoutodryout,butlikeI

“There’sbreadsoakedinbeerforyou.Ididn’twantyoutodryout,butlikeIsaid,nojarstillyouactright.”“YoushouldletusoutontothedeckrightnowbeforeyoumakethegodSet

madder.Hecanbefrightful.”“AndIsavedyouachunkoforyxmeatinthere.”“Youbetterlisten,Menes.ThegodSethastakentheformofthisgoat.”Meneslaughed.“Youthinkagodwouldappearasasmallnanny?Lookather.

Justeat,allright?”KepisighedindefeatasMenesshutthelid.Shedidn’tbothertopushup

againstit.Shesatonthebottomofthebasketandlookedaround.Graduallyhereyesadjustedtowhatlittlelighttherewas.Justthenthenannysquattedherrearandemittedasteamy,smelly,noisy

streamofurine.Babugavealittlescreamofsurprise.“Youareaverybadman,Menes,”shoutedKepi,pressingherselftotheside

awayfromthenanny.Butsheknewhecouldn’thearher.Sheputhermouthtotheholeinthebasket.“Youareaverybadman,Menes,”sheshoutedagain.Babupulledherhair.“Youhavetofindabetterwayofsayingyou’rehungry,”mumbledKepi.Baaa!Naaaa!Naaaa!“So,littlenanny,yougotstolen,too.”ShepulledBabuoffherheadandset

himonthebasketbottom,holdinghimtherewithherlefthand.Withherrighthand,shegrabbedagoatteatandtugged,sothemilksquirtedinBabu’sface.Babusnorted.Kepipushedhimcloser.“Openyourmouth.”Shesquirtedhimagain.Thistimesheheardsoftslurpysounds.“Honeyfordessert.”KepifedBabuthehoney.Thensheateherownbeer-

soakedbread.Shecrawledaround,tryingtofindadryplacetostretchout.Thenannynosedherandnibbledonthehemofherdress.“Stopit.Ilovethisdress.”Thenannystampedandgaveahigh-pitchedsneeze.Kepisatstraightup.Thatgoatsneezed!Sneezingwasthemarkofthegods’

oracles.“Canyoutellthefuture?”Thenannywalkedaroundthebasketbottom,steppingoverKepiandBabu.

FinallysheploppeddownonKepi’slegs.“Allright,”saidKepi.“You’renooracle.You’reanordinarygoat,andyou

don’twanttosleepinyourmess.Wedon’teither,right,Babu?Butyoucan’tsleeponme.”Thenannydidn’tbudge.Babuchatteredhisteethfromhisspotonherchest.

Kepirealizedthatshewastalkingtoagoatandababybaboonasthoughthey

Kepirealizedthatshewastalkingtoagoatandababybaboonasthoughtheywerepeople.Butsomehowithelped.Itmadeherfeellessalone.“Gotosleep,”saidKepi.“Bothofyou.It’snight,andtheboatwon’tget

movingagaintillmorning.Andtheywon’topenthelidtillwe’rebackoutontheopenriver.Sojustsleep.We’llallbehappierifwesleepthroughit.”Sheclosedhereyesandtriedtoimaginethesoothinglightsintheskiesthatusuallyputhertosleep.Butshecouldn’tdoit.Soshesang.Shestartedwiththesongsoftheworkersinthefields.Thoseweretheonessheknewbest,forshe’dheardthemallherlife.ThenshewentontothelovesongsthatNanuhadtaughther.Nanuhadlearnedthemfromherfriend’sbigsister.Thiswasgood;KepifeltlikeNanuwasinthebasketwithher,singingsilently.Finallyshefellsilentherself.Thatwaswhenthelittlegrindingnoisestarted.Kepiknewinstantlywhatit

was;she’dspentalotoftimearoundgoats.“Doyouhavetochewyourcudinyoursleep?”Thenannykeptgrinding.Babuwhimpered.Hewasasleep,Kepiwassure,buthewhimperedanyway.Kepiopenedhereyesandstaredintothedark.“Atleastwe’renotstarving,”shewhisperedtonoone.

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Chapter14Stories

unlightslantedinthroughtheopenlidandwokethem.Meneslookedin.Kepisatupandpushedthenannyoffher.SheglaredupatMenes.

“What,nocheerymorninggreetingfromyou?”askedMenes.“Thenannytookcareofherneedsinthebasket.”“Icansmellthat.”“Soyouhavetoletusout.Allthreeofus.”“Can’tdoit.You’vegottostayoutofsight.We’restoppingawhiletotrade

here.Thenatmidday,we’llcrosstherivertoNekhebtotradethere.”“IthoughtthistownwasNekheb.”“No,thisisNekhen.”“Townsshouldn’thavenamesthatdifferbyonlyonesound.”Menessmiled.“They’reboththehomeofthegoddessNekhbet.Anyway,

Nekhebisonlyalittlefarthernorthontheeastbank.It’sgotthebestpotteryinthispartofEgypt,andthispartofEgypthasthebestpotteryinthecountry.Ifyouweren’tsuchalittletroublemaker,youcouldcomewithmeandseethehugekilnsandevenchoosewhichpotsweshouldtradefor.Iwouldletyouswimintheirsacredlake.Toobadyou’resosilly.”“Iamnotsilly,”shoutedKepi.Menesliftedaneyebrow.“Theymakegoodbeadsthere,too.Ijustmightbuya

beadnecklace,andifyou’reverygood,veryverygood,Imightgiveittoyou.”“DoyoureallythinkIwantanecklacefromyou?”“Inevermetanyonewhocaredaslittleaboutjewelryasyoudo.”Thiswasnottrue.Kepilovedjewelry.Shelovedtodanceandmakemusic

withherjewelry.ButshewasgladMenesthoughtshedidn’t.Shewantedhimtoknownothingabouther.“Anyway,”saidMenes,“here’shoneyforthebaboonandbeer-soakedbread

foryou.”“Iwantlettuce,”saidKepi,mostlyjusttobedifficult.Menessmiledproudly.“Funnyyousaythat.I’vegotchicory.”“Chicoryisn’tthesamethingaslettuce.”

“Chicoryisn’tthesamethingaslettuce.”“It’scloseenough.Youandthegoatcanshare.”HehandedKepiacloth

satchel.“Andhere.”Heloweredinawoodenbucketofriverwaterwitharope.“Keepthatgoatdrinkingsohermilkdoesn’tdryup.”Heshutthebasketlid.Thisdaywasbeginningbadly.

Afteralongwhilethebasketjerked,andKepicouldfeelthemotionoftheboat.“We’releavingNekhen,”shesaidaloud.“We’regoingtoNekheb.Maybewe’llalsogotoNekhepandNekhemandNekhet.Doyouthinktherereallyarecitieswiththosenames?”Shegiggled.Butthenshepressedherlipstogetherinworry.“Sorry,greatgoddessNekhbet.Ifyou’reboredenoughtobelisteningtoagirlstuckinabasketwithagoatandababoon,pleaseforgiveme.I’mnotmakingfunoftownssacredtoyou.I’mjusttryingtokeepfromgoingcrazyinsidehere.”Kepiclappedherhandstotrytocleartheair.Itdidn’twork.“Whatshallwedo?”shesaidoutloud.“Tellmeastory,Babu.LikeFather

usedtodo.HowaboutsomethingaboutthegodBabi,withthebaboonhead?Andyou,Nanny,lecturemeaboutthegods’rules.LikeMotherusedtodo.YourlectureshadbetterbeaboutthegodSet,sinceyourheadislikehis.Goon,talktalktalk.Ha!”Babuburpedinhissleep.Nannychewedhercud.SoKepididthetalking.Shedredgedupeverystoryshecould,nomatterhow

distantthememory.Thereweresomanyofthem.Andslowlysheactuallyfeltbetter.Thestoriesseemedtoholdherup.ThatmusthavebeenhowthesungodRafeltintheverybeginningofeverything,whentherewasnothingbutthewaterychaoscalledNu.ThegodRaroseupallonhisown,justbecausehewantedto,andhecreatedahilltostandon,andthentheworldcouldbegin.ThegodRapulledthathilloutofhisownmouth.ThatpartofthetalehadnevermadesensetoKepibefore,butnowitdid.Itmadeperfectsense.Kepihadtoholdontothestories.Theycameoutofhermouth;theywereherhilltostandoninthemiddleofthiswaterychaos.Shehadtobestrongwilled,likeRa.Theboatmovedsmoothlythroughthewater.Tenmenrowingatthesidesand

twomoreatthesteeringoarsmadeforalotofforce;evenwithoutseeingthelandgoby,Kepiknewtheyweremovingswiftly.Beforelong,shefeltthemslowdown.Thencamethebumpthatmeantthey’ddocked.

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Chapter15Sick

epistoodinthebasket,lookingeastoutovertheriver,acrosstheplains,tothedistantlimestonehillsthatranfromnorthtosouthasfarasshecould

see.Sheturnedherheadwestandsawthesamethinginthedistance.ItseemedEgypthadstonewallsdownbothsides,withthetopsformingsand-coveredplateaus.Everymorningthosewesternwallswereflushedwithsunrise;everyeveningthoseeasternwallswereflushedwithsunset.Andalldaylongtheywerewhitewhitewhite.Thoughthesightwasmonotonous,Kepilovedthosewalls,forsheimaginedthemworkinghard,tryingtoholdbackthereddesert.Itwasimportanttoworkhardtofightoffthingsthatwoulddestroyyou.Kepilookedtothewallsforcourage;herlifewasaconstantfight.Anditwasonlythestoriesaboutthegodsthatkepthersane.Shecherishedthosestories.Kepihatedlivingintheprisonofthisbasket.Buteverydayshereminded

herselfmanytimesthatitwasworthit.Thisbasketwascarryinghertothecapital.Tothepharaoh.That,too,wouldbeafight.Noonecouldexpectthepharaohtojustlisten

sweetly.Adultsneverseemedtodothat.ButKepiwouldwin;shehadasstrongawillasthegodRa;shewouldsaveherfamily.She’dlostcountofthenumberofdaysshe’dbeenontheboat.Wasiteight?

Nine?Itfeltsolong.They’dstoppedattwomorecities.ThefirstwasTa-senet,wherethecrewpickeduppotteryagain.Menessaid

theyhadto,becauseTa-senetwasthetruehomeofpottery.Theram-headedgodHekahadfashionedtheveryfirsthumansfromtheNilemudtherebymakingpotteryfigures.InKepi’svillagetheoldpotterstillcoiledandpinchedpots,buthissonusedthemodernpotter’swheelsohecouldmakemanymorepotsquickly.ThegodHekamadehumanslongbeforethepotter’swheel,though.Itmusthavetakenhimyearstomakeenoughhumanstostartthewholeworld.KepiwishedshecouldhaveseenthegodHeka’skilns;shesawnothingofthecitiesfrominsidethebasket.

ButMenestoldherTa-senetwassacredtothegoddessNit.SoKepihadbreathedinhope.Shehadbeentellingherselfstoriesaboutallthegods,butshe’dtoldlotsandlotsaboutNit,inparticular,sincefindingBabuinthefirstplacehadhappenedbecauseofNit’sclickbeetle.ThatmeantKepifeltespeciallyclosetothegoddessNitbythen,andsomehowshewasconvincedthegoddessNitfeltthesameway.WhilethecrewdidtheirtradinginTa-senet,KepisatwithinthedarkconfinesofthebasketandprayedtoNit,overandover.She’dprayedalotinherlife,butnotlikethis.Thiswasquiet,almostliketalkingtoadearfriend.Please,greatgoddessNit,pleaseseemeinthisbasket.Pleasehelpmegetoutofit.Nitdidn’tanswer,butthatdidn’tmatter.Shewaslistening;thatconvictionalonemadeKepifeelbetter.ThesecondtownwasInr-ti,nestledbetweentwohills.Theypickedupeven

morepotterythere,becausethetownwasfamousforitsblack-toppedpots,andtheystoredthemintheotherbigbaskets,withlonggrassescushioningthem.Menestoldherthattherivermadeabigturnthere,sothewaterslowedandcrocodilesgathered.That’swhyInr-tiwassacredtothecrocodile-headedgodSobek.Whatgoodnews!Allthegodswererelatedtoeachotherinonewayoranother,andthegodSobekwasthechildofthegoddessNit.Kepihadbeenthinkingaboutthisfactduringherlonghoursinthebasket.Theclickbeetlehadledhertothecrocodile,andthecrocodilehadkilledBabu’smother,sothat’showKepigotBabu.Asshesawit,thegoddessNitandhersonthegodSobekhadworkedtogethertogiveBabutoKepi.Orifnotthat,thenatleasttheyknewthatBabuwaswithherandtheyknewwhatgoodcareKepitookofBabu.SothathadtomeanthegodSobekwasKepi’sfriend,too.WhilethecrewtradedinInr-ti,Kepifoundherselfprayingquietlyagain,toSobek.PleasehelpmewhenwegettoInebHedj.Andhelpmenowaswetravel.Helpmegetoutofthisbasket.Ifeelsosick.Ifeelsickalmostalldaylong.OnthesecondnightinInr-ti,MenestoldKepihehadwalkedpastatempleto

thegoddessHathor.Kepi’sspiritsleapedatthatnews.Thingsweregettingbetterandbetter!Hathorwasthegoddessofmusicanddanceandmoonlight.Shewastheonewiththewonderfultinklingnecklace.Kepihadprayedtoheroncelongago,askinghertomakeMotherallowhertowearherjewelryintothefields.Hathorhadn’tansweredthattime.Butmuchlater,whenKepifirstcameintothisbasket,shehadfeltHathor’smoonglowcaressingher.Shewasinapoppyseedpodhazethen,tobesure.Butstill,theglowshefelthadtohavecomefromHathor.HathormightsomehowcareaboutKepi.SothatsecondnightdockedatInr-ti,Kepihuggedherkneestoherchest,eventhehurtknee,andsangtoHathor.Hersongswereprayersinaway,notaskingforanythingspecific,but

Hathor.Hersongswereprayersinaway,notaskingforanythingspecific,butjustahopeforstrength.Hathorunderstood,Kepiwassure.TheywerenowontheirwaytothetownofDjerty,ontheeastbank.Menes

hadn’tyettoldherwhatgodDjertywassacredto,butassoonashedid,Kepiwouldpraytohim.Evenifshecouldn’tseeanyparticularconnectiontohim,she’dpray.Prayermadeherfeelbetter.Kepihadfiguredoutthepatternofthecrew.They’dtravelindaylight,leaving

onetownearlyinthemorningandarrivingatthenextbytheafternoon.Thenthey’ddockforthenightandtradeallthenextday,andstayatdockasecondnight.Thenitwasontothenexttown.Whatthatmeanttoherwasadaywithherpokingoutofthebasketfromtheshouldersup,herfaceintotheblessedwindcarryingawaythegoatstinkofthebasket,thenanight,aday,andanothernightclosedinthebasket,theonlyinterruptionsbeingMenes’suglyheadashehandedherfoodorrefilledthewaterbucket.AndMenes’sheadwasevenuglierthanithadbeen,becausehe’dgottenhishaircutshortatNekhen.Hesaidthebarberstherewereparticularlyskilled.Thecrewmusthaveagreedwithhim,forallofthemhadhadtheirhaircut;allofthemlookedextraugly.Thedayswhentheywereoutonthecenteroftheriver,Meneslethersiton

thedeck.Sometimes,anyway.Itwasarelieftolookatalltheislandsinthewideriver,withtheirthickplantgrowthandsingingbirds.NowthatKepi’skneehadhealed,shecouldwalkaroundabit,too.Butthemanwiththehalfearalwaysmadehergetbackinthebasketbeforelong,anditwastakingitstollonher.Theanticipationofhavingtogoinsidethebasket,ofbeingcutofffromseeinganything,madehershake.Thewholeworldshrankwhenshewasinsidethebasket.Shecouldhardlycatchherbreath.“I’msick,”shemumbled.“Yes,”cameavoicefromnowhere.“Youcan’tstayinthatfesteringbasket.”Kepiwipedathermouth.“Whosaidthat?”Butnoonewaslookingather.

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Chapter16Croc

abuwasuponthemast.WheneverKepicalledtohim,heclambereddowninstantly.Butshedidn’tcallhimoften,becausesheknewhowmuchhe

enjoyedperchingthere.HemusthavesufferedfromthelonghoursclosedinthebasketevenmorethanKepidid.Sheblewhimkissesoften,eventhoughsheknewthewindcarriedthemawaybeforehecouldcatchthem.Nannystoodonthedeckunderhim,withalargestackofacaciabranchesinfrontofher.Shenibbledawayattheleaves.KepitippedherheadbacktoseeBabu,andshetottered.Shefeltwoozy.She

leanedforward,butthatmeantputtingherheadintothebasketagain,andthestenchnearlymadeherfaint.Herstomachretcheddry.Pleasehelpme.Somebody,helpme.Bark!Barkbarkbark!Kepilookedup.ItwasBabu,barkinglikemad.KepihadneverheardBabu

barkbefore.Itwasalmostlikeadogyap.Eveninherweakenedstate,italarmedher.ItmusthavealarmedNanny,too,becauseshestampedandgavethathigh-pitchedsneezeshealwaysmadewhenshefeltjumpy.ThecombinationofbarkandsneezesetKepionedge;itfeltlikebadnewswascoming.Babulookedaheadandshowedhisteethandprotrudedhislowerlip,curlingit

downandout,sothatthepinkinsideshowed.Itwasaterriblegrimace.AndKepiknewimmediatelythatBabuwasafraid.ShelookedinthedirectionBabu’sheadwasfacing.Swimmingtowardtheboatwasacrocodile.Heheldhimselfhighinthewater,

sothathisentirelengthshowed,fromthetipofhispointedsnouttothetipofhistail.Hewasaslongasfourmenlyinginaline!Kepihadneverseenacrocodilethatlong.Shehadneverheardofacrocodilethatlong.Itwasterrifying.Butatthesametimeitseemedmagical,mystical.Godlike.Kepigaped,amazed.Thecrocodileslappedhissnoutontheriversurfaceandblewwaterinahigh

fountainoutofhisnostrils.Heroared.“Croc!”wentupthecryamongthecrew.Theyquicklyrowedtowardthefar

sideoftheriver.That’showthey’davoidedotherfloatingcrocodilesthis

sideoftheriver.That’showthey’davoidedotherfloatingcrocodilesthismorning.Noneofthemhadgivenchase.Butthisonedid.AndKepiknewhewould.Sheburnedwiththatknowledge.

Heveeredtheirwaywithoutslowingdown.Thepowerfulslowswishofhistailfascinatedher.Histailalonecouldturnoveranordinaryboat.Shewatchedinstunnedhorror.“He’scomingstraightatus!”someonescreamed.Thecrocodileopenedhisjawswideandcamefastinaflurryofspray.Kepi

couldn’ttakehereyesoffthoselong,sharpteeth.Itdidn’tmakesense;sheshouldn’tbeseeingteethnow.Crocodilesdidn’tattackopenmouthedlikethat.Theysunnedthemselvesopenmouthed.Theysatpatientlywhileploversatefrombetweentheirgiganticteeth,alwaysopenmouthed.Buttheydidn’tattackopenmouthedtilltheverylastfewseconds.CoulditreallybethegodSobek?Butno.EvenifSobekhadheardherprayers,

godsdidn’tshowthemselvesforordinarypeoplelikeKepi.ItwasjustcoincidencethatthecrocodilecamerightafterKepihadprayedforhelp.“Smackhimonthehead!”shoutedoneofthemenatthesteeringoars.Twomenrantothesidewithoarsready.Butatthelastminute,thecrocodiledove.Secondslater,theboatwasrocked

frombeneath.“He’sattackingthehull!”“Crazycroc!”Basketsslidfromsidetoside.Babucamehurtlingdownfromthemastand

leapedontoKepi’shead.NannyclamberedontoaboxbesideKepi’sbasketandstooduponherhindhooves.Kepicaughtherforehoovesanddraggedherintothebasket.Ifthecrocodilekeptthisup,theboatwouldcomeapart.Andtherewereother

crocodilesinthewater—crocodileswhoweredefinitelynotgods,crocodileswhowouldeatthem.KepiheldontoBabuwithonehandandNannywiththeother.Thecrewrowedashardastheycould.Andtherockingfinallystopped.Butalmostinstantlythecrocodileresurfaced.Hefloatedamoment,thenswam

fast.“He’scomingagain!”shoutedaman.Thecrocodileswamrightfortheboatandroseupsohiswholefronthalfwas

outofthewater.Kepiwatched,terrorstricken.Hisgiantjawssnapped—open,shut—onthemiddleofanoar.Thewoodsplitwithsuchforce,thetophalfoftheoarflewbackandhittherowerinthehead.Hewentflyingintotheriver.Thecrocodileswambesidetheboatforaminute,partoftheoarstillstickingoutof

crocodileswambesidetheboatforaminute,partoftheoarstillstickingoutofhisbroadsnout.Hisskinwaspalegrayandgreeninthesunlight.Thepupilsofhiseyeshadnarrowedtothinblackslitsinaballofyellow.Heslappedtheboatwithhistail,thendove.Theyallstaredinshockatthesurfaceoftheriver.Thewaterwasopaque.

Theycouldonlyimaginewhatithid.Themandidn’tcomebackup.Thecrocodiledidn’tcomebackup.Oneofthetwomenwhonormallysteeredranovertotheemptybench.“I’ll

row.One’senoughtosteer.Let’sgo!Now!”Themenrowedinperfectunison,fastandhard.Kepilookedbackindesperation.Please,man,sheprayedinherheart,come

backup.Comebackup!Hecouldn’tdie.Nooneshoulddie.Shedidn’twishillonthesemen;shejustwantedthemtotreatherbetter.Please,greatgodSobek,pleasedon’tletthatmandie.Ifthatcrocodilewasyou,pleasepushhimup.Lethimswimtotheboat.Please.Butnothingcametothesurfaceofthewater.Thiswashorrible.Whatwouldhappentotheman’sbodyifhedied?How

couldhisfamilyevermournhimproperly?Hispoorkawouldneverbehonored,neverfindpeace.Kepilookedaroundatthecrew.Theirjawswereset;theireyesglitteredwith

fear.Andinthatmomentsherealized:Sheshouldspeakupnow,beforetheycalmeddown.Sheshouldn’tletthemomentpass.“ThatcrocodilewasthegodSobek!”shoutedKepi,onlyhalfbelievingherself.“He’smadbecauseyou’renotsupposedtokeepuslockedupinthisbasket.We’regettingsickinhere.Youhavetoletusoutondeck.”Nooneansweredher.“It’sthetruth!Inr-tiissacredtoSobek.Iprayedtohimwhenweweredocked

there.Heheardme.Hecametotellyou.It’samessage.”Thehalf-earmanlookedatMenes.Hesneeredandshookhishead.MenesrushedoverandhissedinKepi’sear,“Shutyourmouth.Oneofour

mendiedbackthere.Stoptalkingnonsense,oreveryone’sgoingtogetmadatyou.”“Ididn’tprayforanyonetodie,”Kepiwhisperedback.“Iswear.Ijustprayed

forhelp.Ihavetogetoutofthisbasket,Menes.I’msick.”“I’llfigureoutsomething.Justshutyourmouth.Notonemorewordaboutthe

gods.”Meneswentbacktohisrowingbench.Theyrowedhardforalongtime,andnoonetalked.GraduallyKepi’sheartbeatslowedagain.Graduallyshecouldthinkstraight.

Nocrocodilewouldhaveactedlikethat.Sheputherhandstohercheeksand

Nocrocodilewouldhaveactedlikethat.Sheputherhandstohercheeksandheldthemthereasiftosteadyherself.Whatshehadsaidwastrue;ithadtohavebeenSobek.HecametoKepi’srescue.Butevenifthatwastrue,hehadn’thelpedhergetoutofthebasket.Andthatmanhadgoneunderthewater.Thingswereworsenow.Farworse.

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Chapter17Hippo

epi’sthoughtsjumbledaround.Ithadbeenaterriblemistaketobegthegodstointerfere.Nowthecrewblamedherforthatlostman.Theywere

evenmoresetagainsther.Notasingleonelookedather.Shefeltchilledallover.Shehuggedherself.Ifshehadtosleepinthebasketonemorenight,shethoughtshemightdie.Babubarked.Nannysneezed.Kepiclutchedtheedgeofthebasket.“What’sthat?”Oneofthemenstoodup.“Hippos.Look.”Aheadontherightweremanyhippopotamuses.Mostofthemstoodinthe

shallowsnearthebank,justlollinginthewaters,butseveralswamwithonlythetopsoftheirheadsandtheirnostrilsshowing.AthomeKepilovedthesightofhippopotamuses,especiallytheirfunnyroundearsandwide,shinybacks.Shelikedhowthemothersweresoaffectionatetotheirbabies.Therewerelotsofbabiesinthispod.Cute,withtheirrollsoffataroundtheirnecks.Bighappyfamilies.Kepihadtosqueezehereyesshutforamoment,shemissedherfamilysomuch.“Hipposareworsethancrocodiles,”saidoneofthemen.“No,they’renot.Theydon’teatpeople.”“Theyturnoverboatsanddrownthem.That’sjustasbad.”“We’llbeallrightsolongaswedon’trilethem.We’vepassedhipposbefore.

Lotsoftimes.You’rejustupsetbecauseofthatmonstercroc.Buthewascrazy.Thatnevershouldhavehappened.Hewasjustplaincrazy.”“Right,”saidthemanatthesteeringoar.“Hipposarenothing.We’llgivethem

wideberth.Itwon’tbeaproblem.”Themenrowedhard,andthemanattherearsteeredtheboatstraightdownthe

centeroftheriver,wherethecurrentwasstrongest.Butoh,onehippocameswimmingatthemdeterminedly,foamrisingaroundhimlikeacloud.No!Thiscouldn’tbehappeningagain.No!Kepistared;thathippowas

definitelycomingfastandfurious.Hewassobig,hesetupwavesinhiswake.Goback,Kepiprayed.Please,pleasegoback.“He’sagiant.”

“He’sagiant.”“ThebiggestbullI’veeverseen.”“Anothermonster!”“He’scomingrightforus.”Thehippopotamusrammedtheboatontherightsidenearthefront.Theblow

wassostrong,thebowoftheboatliftedoutofthewaterandcameslappingbackdownwithahugesplashthatsoakedeveryone.Boxeswentcrashingagainstoneanother.Basketstumbledontotheirsides.BabuclungtoKepi’sheadandnecksotight,shehadtroubleseeingandbreathing,butshemanagedtoholdfasttoNanny’sneckanyway.Thethreeofthemwentskiddingoutoftheirtoppledbasketandslammedintothemast.Kepiheardahiss:sssssssset.ThegodSet!Thencameasnortandasecondenormousblow,strongerthanthefirst.The

splashthatfollowedwasdenserthantheheaviestrainfallKepihadeverbeenin.Menscreamed.BabuandNannyandKepiwentcareeningacrosstheboattheotherwaynow,slammedupagainstarower’sbench.Everythingtumbledandtossed.Gradually,though,theboatstoppedrocking.Nomoreblowscame.The

hippopotamushadgoneaway.Withoutaword,thementooktheirplacesatthebenchesandrowed.Butnow

therewereonlythreeateachsideandonemanattherear.Fourmoremenhaddisappearedunderthewater.Kepistaredatthesurfacebehindthem,willingthosementopopup.Butthey

didn’t.Maybetheycouldn’tswim.Maybetheygotconkedontheheadinallthattossingandsankstraightdown.Maybethingshiddenunderthewaterhadgottenthem.TearsblurredKepi’seyes.Shehadn’tintendedherprayerstothegodstohave

suchhatefuleffects.Thesemenhaddoneaverywrongthing.Theyhadstolenher,whenitwasillegaltostealanEgyptiangirl.TheyhadstolenBabu,too.Theyintendedtotradeawaybothofthem.Thatwaswrong,butnotsowrongthatanyofthemshouldhavedied.ThegodSethadbeencruel.Kepibrushedathertears,buttheykeptcomingforalongtime.Themenrowed,andKepistudiedtheirfaces.Theylookedstraightahead.But

shecouldseetheywereshaken.Probablynothingthisbadhadeverhappenedtoanyofthembefore.Shehadtotrytofindawaytomakethingsbetter.Lotsofbasketshadbeenlost.Kepi’sbasketwasstillthere,though.Ithad

gottenhookedonaharpoon.Sheunhookeditandrightedit.Butshedidn’tclimbin.Brokenpotterypieceslitteredthedeck.Kepiwalkedaround,tossingtheminto

Brokenpotterypieceslitteredthedeck.Kepiwalkedaround,tossingthemintothewater.Atleastthiswaynoonewouldgetcut.Aboxhadgottenbashedopenagainstoneofthebenches.Thecopperchestinsideitwasexposed.Itstophadbeentwistedaskew.Kepiopenedthetop,totrytostraightenit.Insidethechestwasamoundofgoldand,evenmoreprecious,silver.Mostofthepieceswerejustlumpsoftherawmetals.Buttherewereseveralflatingotsandcupsofcoiledsilver.NooneKepiknewhadgoldorsilver.Butshe’dseenthesevaluableforeign

metalsinthejewelrywornbyrichpeopleinthecityofWetjeset-Hor,nearhervillage.ThatgoldcamefromNubia,inthesouth.AndFatherhadseenalotofsilverandgoldwhenhewasupnorth,becausehehadvisitedInebHedj.Hesaidthesemetalswereimportedtothatcityfromplacesfaraway,MinosandMun-digakandthelandoftheHattians.Sonomatterwhat,thesewereforeignmetals.Whatweretheydoinghere,inthischest?Kepilookedaround.Nooneseemedtobewatchingher.Shequicklyslippeda

singlepieceofsilverintohermouth.Itsatheavyonhertongue.Sheknewitwaswrong.ButsilvermightbeabletopayherandBabu’spassagebackhomefromInebHedj.Andshewouldn’tneedtodothatinthefirstplaceifthesemenhadn’tstolenher.Soreally,eventhoughshehadherownreasonsforbeingonthisjourneynow,reallyitwasonlyrightthattheyshouldpayforhertogetbackhome.Shecarefullyworkedatthehingesonthechestuntilshefinallybentthem

enoughthatthelidclosedagain.Shecarriedthechesttothecenterofthedeck,whereitwouldbesafe.Andshewentonwithherjobofcleaninguptheaftermathofthehippopotamusattack.

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Chapter18Loss

heypulledtheboatovertotheshoreandanchored.Thecrewformedacircleandsatdownonthedeck.

Amanshookhisheadandwipedhismouth.“Whatcanwedoforthem?We’vegottodosomething.”“We’llbeatDjertysoon.”Anothermanpointed.Theoutermostbuildingsof

thetowncouldbeseennotfaruptheriver.“Nah,it’sbesttodoitnow.”Sotheytalkedaboutthefivemenwhohadgoneunderthewater.Theysaid

theirnamesandwhatevertheyknewabouttheirfamiliesorwheretheywerefrom.Itwasn’tmuch.Themenhadcometogetheronthisbigtradeboatforthework.Theyhadn’tknownoneanotherbeforehand,andtheyneverintendedtoseeoneanotherafterward.Still,theyhadbeentogetheralldaylong,allnightlong,duringthisjourney;theyhaddevelopedstrongbonds.Someofthemcried.“Whatabouttheirthings?”“Wecan’tgobackanddeliverthemnow.”“Ifwethrowthemintothewaterhere,there’sachancethey’llfindthem.”Sotheygatheredanypersonalthingsthatremainedonboardthathadbelonged

tothelostmen.Theytosseditalloverboard,foruseintheafterlife.“Atleasttheirkaswillhavesustenanceforalleternity.Theycaneatfish.”Theothersmurmuredagreement.Thensomeonesaid,“Thatwasnoordinarycrocodile.”Uptothispoint,KepihadbeensittingmotionlessbesideNannyatthebowof

thedeckwithBabuonherhead,outsidethecircleofmen,completelystilledbythesadnessofitall.ButnowshenervouslypettedNanny’searwithonehandandBabu’stailwiththeother.Shestudiedthemen’sfaces.Theywouldn’tlookather.They’dneverlookedathermuch,butnowtheywouldn’tlookatheratall.Hermouthwentdry.“Hewasbiggerthanothercrocs.Lotsbigger.Likesomemagicthing.”“Andhecameatusinthemiddleoftheday,fornoreason.Wedidn’thave

meatorfishhangingoffthesideoftheboat.Noonewasdanglinganarmorleg

meatorfishhangingoffthesideoftheboat.Noonewasdanglinganarmorleginthewater.Noreason.Noreasonatall.”“ThegodSobeksenthim.”“OrmaybeitreallywasSobekhimself.”“It’slikethegirlsaid.SheprayedtoSobek,andlookwhathappened.”Menestwistedthetipsofhisbeard.“ItoldherInr-tiwassacredtoSobek.She

didn’tknowonherown.She’sjustalittlevillagegirl.Sheknowsnothing.Iwon’ttellheraboutthegodsofthetownswegotoanymore.Notaword.”“Butwhataboutthehippo?”“Whatabouthim?”askedMenes.“Hipposaren’tsacredtoanyofthegodsofthetownswe’vebeento,buthe

cameafterusallthesame.”“That’sright.Wedidn’tdoanythingtoannoyhim.Hejustchargedus.”“HipposarethemostdangerousanimaloftheNile,”saidMenes.“Weall

knowthat.”“Thisonewasn’tnormal,thewayherammedtwice,thenstopped.Itwaslike

hewantedtohurtus,butnotallofus.”“Notthegirl.”Itwasthemanwiththehalfear.HeglaredatKepi.“Itcouldhavebeenanothergodindisguise.”“MaybeSet.Hesometimescomesasahippo.”“Oh!Iheardhim.”Oneofthemenslappedhisforeheadinrecognition.“I

heardhimannouncehisname.Iforgotitinalltheconfusiontillyousaiditnow.ButIheardthenameSet.”Kepibitherlipsohard,shetastedblood.Someoneelsehadactuallyheardthe

hipposayhewasSet.Itwasreal—everylastshredofdoubtdisappeared;thegodswerewithher.“Setprotectsher!”“Why,thegirldoesn’tneedtopraytogodsofthetownswevisit.Shecanjust

praytoSetandwe’llgetattacked.”“HowcouldthegodSetcareaboutasimplevillagegirl?”Menesspreadhis

handspalmsupwardinentreaty.“Comeon,itwasjustacrazyhippo.”“Lookathername.YoucallherKepi.She’satempest.AndSet’sthegodof

storms.She’sSet’sgirl,allright.Hecametoavengeher.Andhe’llcomeagain.”“Yeah.He’llcomeagain!”“Wecanshakerattlesathim.RattlesfrightenSet.”“Youreallythinkthathippowouldhavebeenscaredatarattle?”HalfEarshookhishead.“He’llkillusallnexttime.”“Allright,allright.”Menesrubbedhishandstogether.“Listen.Mostofthe

potterywetradedforwasbrokenorfellintheriver.Westillhaveonechestof

potterywetradedforwasbrokenorfellintheriver.Westillhaveonechestofpreciousmetalstotrade,andwecanbringbackadecentloadofpotteryfromit.Butit’snothingcomparedtowhatweshouldhavehad.Weneedawaytomakeupforourlosses.AmIright?”Themengrudginglynodded.“Sotheansweristhebaboonandthegirl.Sellingthemisouronlywayoutof

ruin.”“I’dratherberuinedthandead.”“Me,too.”“Nooneelsehastodie.”Menesputhisfistsonhiships.“Allweneedisfor

thegirltowanttocomewithus.Reallywanttocome.Ifthathappens,thegodswon’thaveanyreasontoattackusanymore.”MeneswalkedovertoKepiandtookouthisknife.Hehelditinfrontofhernose.“Ifyoucomewithuswillingly,Iwon’tkillyourbaboon.Butifatanypointyouresistortrytogetotherstohelpyouorpraytothegodsforhelp,I’llkillhim.”Kepishookherheadinhorrifieddisbelief.“YouneedBabu.Tosell.”“Fivemendied.Think.YoureallywanttotakeariskonwhatIwillorwon’t

do?”“You’reawful.”KepilockedhereyesonMenes’s.“Butyou’renotthat

awful.”Meneswenttotheleatherstrophangingfromthemastandsharpenedhis

knife.KepiclosedherhandaroundBabu’stail.“Allright.Iwon’tpraytothegods

anymore.Butyouhavetobekindtous.Allthreeofus.”“Whatdoes‘kind’mean?”“Wecan’tbelockedinthebasketanymore.Andwegettocomeintotown

withyouwheneverwedock.”Menesshookhishead.“Intotown?Idon’t...”“Wegettocomeintotown.That’sthedeal.”Meneslookedaroundattheothermenandnodded.Theothermendidn’tnod

back,butMeneskeptnoddingasthoughtheywereallagreeing.“Allright.It’ssettled.”

Itwasn’tevenmiddaywhentheyarrivedinDjerty,itwassoclosetoInr-ti.Menessteppedoffontothedock,andKepiwenttofollow,withBabuonherheadandNannyintow.“Thegoatstays,”saidoneofthemen.“Sheneedsexercise,”saidKepi.“Besides,youagreed.”ThemanlookedatMenes.“Isthisgirlinchargeofusnow?”

ThemanlookedatMenes.“Isthisgirlinchargeofusnow?”MenesstaredatKepiwithaloweredbrow.“Allright,”saidKepi.Itdidn’tmatter.ShewouldtakeNannyforawalklater.“Leavethebaboon,too.”ThistimeitwasHalfEar.“No!”“Someonemightstealhimoffyourhead.”“Babucomes,”saidKepi.“I’llkeepthegirlwithmeatalltimes,”saidMenes.“Noonewillstealthe

baboon.”Themanatthesteeringoarsaid,“Let’stieeverythingupandallgotogetherto

tradethischestofmetalsforasmuchpotteryaswecanget.Justfillhertothebrim—andthennothavetotradeatalltherestofthewayhome.Thatwaywecansimplydockatnight,andwedon’thavetogointotownsatall—andwedon’thavetodealwiththisgirl’snonsense.”“Allofus?Whowillguardtheboat?”“What’slefttoguard?Noone’sgoingtostealthewholeboat.You’dneeda

crewtorowit.Anditwilltakeallofustocarrybackthatmuchpottery.”Andsothesevenmentroopedoff,carryingthechest.Kepiwalkedinthe

centerofthem,withBabuonherhead.ShewavedtoNanny,whowasleftbehind,tiedtothemast.DjertywasasmallertownthanWetjeset-Hor.Butitclearlyhadsomerich

people,judgingfromthejewelryofthosewhopassedthem.Theywentstraighttoapotteryworkshop.Withinthehour,theyhadtraded

goldandsilverforaboatloadofpottery.Thentheywenttoabasketworkshopandboughtenoughtoholdallthepots.Afterthat,itwasamatterofseveraltripsbackandforthfromtheworkshopstothedocktofilltheboat.Thepotter’shelpersjoinedincarryingthelargestvessels.NooneaskedKepitocarryanything.Thatwasgood,becauseshestillfeltill.Sometimeschillshithersohard,herteethchattered.Whentheyfinished,itwasthemiddleoftheafternoon.HalfEarsaid,“The

restofuswillstayherenowandrearrangethefullbaskets,sothere’sabetterdistributionofweight.Menes,youtakethegirlforameal.Whenyougetback,you’llguardtheload,andtherestofuscangoeat.”“Babuneedstoeatnow,”saidKepi.“SoI’llstayontheboatwithNanny.”HalfEarsneeredatKepi.Thenheshrugged.HelookedatMenes.“Goahead.

Bringbacksomethingforthegirl,andit’llbeourturn.”KepiputBabuunderNanny,wherehequicklylatchedontoateatandnursed.

ShefilledabucketwithriverwaterandsetitinfrontofNanny,who,shehad

ShefilledabucketwithriverwaterandsetitinfrontofNanny,who,shehadlearned,likedtodrinkwhileBabuwasnursing.Meneswaswatchingher,andKepiknewit.Shelookedathim.Hegavea

smallsmile.Thenheleft.NosoonerhadhedisappeareddownanalleythanHalfEargrabbedKepifrom

behindandclappedahandoverhermouth.Shestruggled,buthetwistedherarmupbehindhertillshehadtostandontiptoe,andstillithurtsobad,shewasscreaminginsideherheart.Shetriednottomoveintheleast,becauseeverymovementmadethepainthatmuchmoreexcruciating.“Listen,men.Thegodsprotectthisgirl,notthebaboon.Andwedon’tneed

her.Aslaveisworthnothingcomparedtoababoon.We’lltradeforplentyfromwhatevertempletakeshim.She’snothingbuttrouble.Isaywegetridofher.”Ridofher?Kepifeltwoozy.“Comeon,Ptah.Meneswon’tlikethat.”Ptah.HorribleHalfEarhadaregularname.Kepiwishedshedidn’tknowthat.

Shehatedhimrightnow.ItwaslikeFather’sproverb—she’dhadhereyeonthesnake,andshe’dmissedthescorpionaltogether.“Yeah.Menessaidwe’renottohurther.That’swhathesaid,rightatthe

start.”Menessaidthat?Kepiblinked.Really?“AndrightatthestartIsaidshe’dbetrouble,remember?Iwasright.Menes

doesn’tknowanything.Besides,hewon’tbepartofit.We’lldoitandleaverightnow.”“Withouthim?”“Yeah,withouthim!He’stheonewhogotusintothismess.”“Wecan’ttravelontheriveratnight.”“Ifwerowhardenough,wewon’thaveto.WecanmakeittoWasetbefore

dark.”“You’reright.”“Wait.Idon’twanttohaveanypartinkillingthegirl.”Killing?Kepi’skneesbuckled.“Meneither.WhatdoyouthinkthegodSetwoulddoifwekilledhisgirl?”“Thenwe’lldumphersomewherealive.Noonehasaproblemwiththat,

right?”“Idon’tknow.”“Iguessnot.”“Throwthatemptybasketoverthegoatandthebaboon,fast.”AmanturnedKepi’sgiantbasketupsidedownandclosedinNannyandBabu.“Nowgetmesomeropeandacloth.”

“Nowgetmesomeropeandacloth.”Anothermanhurriedoverwithastripofcloth.PtahtookhishandoffKepi’smouthtoreachforthecloth,andshescreamed.

Somethinghitthebackofherhead,hard.

K

Chapter19Ditched

epiopenedhereyes.Itwasdark,andshewaslyingoncoldground.Sheliftedherheadtositupandclunk!Shefellback.Herforeheadhurt.And

nowthebackofherheadreallyhurt—farworsethanherforehead.Shewasundersomething.Andherhandsweretiedbehindher.Andtherewasagaginhermouth.Andnowsherememberedwhathadhappened.They’dditchedher.Wherevershewas,shehadtogetoutofherefast.Sherolledontoherside.Her

shouldertouchedwhatwasaboveher:stone.Homesandstoresweremadeofmudbricks.Nothingwasmadeofstoneexceptatemple.Oh,no!Forgiveme,godorgoddess,prayedKepiinsideherheart,whatevergodor

goddessyouare,forgivemeforcomingintoyourhome.Ordinarypeoplelikemearenotinvited.Iknowthat.Ididn’tcomeonmyown.Iwasplacedherebybadmen.Forgiveme.IwillleaveasfastasIcan.Withyourhelp,ofcourse.Thankyouforunderstanding.“Youhaven’tdoneanythingwrong.It’sallright.”Thevoicewasreal.And

soothing.Kepiwaited,butnomorewordscame.Sosherolledagain.Shewasquickly

outfromunderthething.Hereyesadjustedtothedimlightofearlyevening.Shehadbeenunderabench.Andthesideofitwasinscribed.Shemanagedtositupandthenstand.Itwashardtodowithouttheuseofherhands.Therewasnoonethere;noonewhobelongedtothatvoice.Kepididn’texpect

therewouldbe.Thiswasasmallchamber,notatempleatall.Andthewallsweremadeof

mudbrick,notstone.Onlytheinscribedbenchwasstone.Therewasaholeinonewall,andadoorinanother.Kepipeekedthroughthehole.Shecouldmakeoutastatueinsidepaintedblueandredandgold.What?Thiswasarichperson’smastaba—aburialtomb.Andthekaofthatpersonlivedinthestatue.Kepibowedinrespect.Sheslowlybackedawayandoutthedoor.Onthesidesofandabovethedoorwerestoneslabswithmoreinscriptionsandpicturesinbright

colors.Kepicouldn’tread,butshecouldtellfromthepicturesthatthedeceasedmusthaveenjoyedfishingandhavingwomendancebeforehim.Fromonepicture,sheguessedhewasprobablytheoverseerofabuildingproject.Maybeevenatemple.Andhemusthaveworshippedabull-headedgod.Hewasabigeater,too:thewallshadcarvingsofallthefoodshewantedintheafterlife.Sheturnedandwalkedasquicklyasshedareddownthecloseststreet.Shehad

tobecareful,though,becauseshecouldn’trisktrippingorshe’dfallflatonherfacewithherhandstiedbehindherlikethat.Shopshadclosedfortheevening,andfamilieswereasleep.Adogbarkedasshewalkedpastonehome.Thatsetupbarkingfromlotsofdogsinnearbyhomes.Inthefardistance,jackalshowledback.Jackals.Evenwithoutthehowling,itfeltcreepytobeoutsolateallalone.Butthateerienoisemadeherfrantic.Shecouldn’tstopherselffromrunningnow.Sheheadedstraightforthefirst

opendoorshesawandwentinside.Mensatinpairsattableshereandthere,playingagameonmulticolored

boards.Oneplayermovedivorypiecesaroundaboard,andtheothermovedebonyones.Theairsmelledstronglyofbeer.Kepistoodinsidethedoorwayandlookedfrommantoman.Oneofthemwas

missingaleg.Hadachunkofrockfallenonhim,liketheonethathadfallenonKepi’sfather?Itmusthavebeenhuge,tokillhiswholeleg.MaybehehadworkedforPharaohKhufuonthepyramid,too,andmaybehe’dgottennohelpeither.HewasjustasbadoffasFather.“Whathavewehere?”Asmilingmancameup.Hisfacewasweatherlined.

Hemusthavebeenold.“Alittlewildthing.Youwon’tbitemeifItakethatgagoffyou,willyou?”Kepishookherhead.Themanuntiedhergag.“Theystolemybaboon.”Thewordsburstoutofher.“Andthegoat.”“Unusualwordsfromanunusualcritter,”saidtheoldman.Right.Kepihadbettertalksensibly.Itwasimportantthesemenbelieveherso

they’dhelpher.Shehadtocatchupwiththattradeboat.Babuwasonit.Andsowasthesilverpiecethatshe’dtakenfromthechest.She’dhiddenitbetweenropesatthebaseofthemast.Thatsilverpiecewasheronlywaytotradeforpassagehomeaftershetalkedtothepharaoh.“Ineedhelp.Pleaseuntiemyhands.”TheoldmanuntiedKepi’shands.“I’llwalkyouhomenow,littlebeggar.”“I’mnotabeggar.Andyoucan’twalkmehome.”Kepi’sbottomliptrembled,

butshefoughtofftears.“Ilivewaydownsouth.NearWetjeset-Hor.”

butshefoughtofftears.“Ilivewaydownsouth.NearWetjeset-Hor.”Theoldmanlookedaround.“Anyoneknowwherethatis?”“Ido,”saidamanwithashavedhead.“It’sdaysanddayssouthofhere.”Theoldmanfrowned.“Howdidyougethere,girlie?”“Iwas...”Shewasabouttosaystolen,butthenthemenmightdecidetosend

herhomeratherthanhelpinghergetbackontheboat.“...givenaridebymeninaboat.Butthentheyhitmeontheheadandtiedmeupandleftme...”Shedidn’twanttotellthemaboutthemastaba,incasetheygotangryather.“...andleftmeontheground.Theytooktheboataway,withmybaboonandagoat.She’snotmygoat,butshe’snotreallytheirseither.They’renotevennicetoher.”“Seemsthere’sawholelotofstealinggoingonthesedays,”saidamannear

therear.“Andawholelotofstrangetalkaboutbaboons.”“Didsomeoneelsetalkaboutbaboons?”askedKepi,allatoncehopeful.“Adrunkdownatthedock.”IthadtobeMenes.Hewouldwanttocatchuptothetradeboatjustasmuch

asKepidid.Hewasherbestchance.Kepiblinked.“Whichway’sthedock?”“Nownow,wewon’tletyougorunningofftothedock,”saidtheoldman.

“Thatdock’snoplacefora—”ButKepiwasalreadyoutthedoor.Sheranstraightdownthestreettillitended

andshehadtoturn.Randomly,sheturnedrightandranandranandran.Finallythebuildingsendedandtheroadstopped.Shewasattheveryedgeoftown,andshestillcouldn’tseetheriver.Theriverwastothewest,sheknewthatmuch.Butshedidn’tknowhowtotellwhichwaywaswestfromthenightsky.She’donlybeenoutatnightwithFather,andalwaysinthehotmonths.Andthat’swhenitwaslightoutalittlelonger,sosherarelywasawakelongenoughtoseethefullrangeoflightsinthesky.Thelightsgroupedindifferentplacesthistimeofyear,anyway.Sherememberedthejackalshowling.Lionscouldbeoutthere,too.And

leopards.Shehadtothinkstraight.Theremustbeawaytofigureoutwhichroadledtothedocks.Butsheobviouslycouldn’tthinkstraight,becausenosolutioncametoher.All

right,then,shewouldjustwalkbacktothefirststreetcuttingoffthisoneandtakeitallthewaytotheend,andifthatdidn’twork,thenthesecondstreet,andsoon.Andthat’swhatshedid.Moonlightguidedhersteps;sheneverfell,notonce.ItwasthemiddleofthenightbeforeKepicameoutonthedocks.Atlast:

TherewasMenes,sprawledonthegroundandreekingofbeer.Shestoodoverhimamoment.Helookedpitifulandalmostsmall,alloutintheopenlikethis.

himamoment.Helookedpitifulandalmostsmall,alloutintheopenlikethis.Buthealsolookedkindofsweet.Ormaybethatwasjustbecauseastrongfeelingoftendernesshadcomeoverher.Thismanhadproblemswithhisthinking.Hehadintendedtosellherasaslave—sotherewasaholeinhisheart.Butatthesametime,shenowknewhe’dlookedoutforherwiththecrew.Inhisownoddway,hemightverywellbeafriend.Andrightnowhewastheonlyfriendshehad.Shemightbetheonlyfriendhehad,too.Therewasnopointwakinghim;travelontheriverwasimpossibleatnight.

Andthewayhismouthhungopen,shedidn’tthinkhewaswakeable,anyway.KepisatupagainstMenesandlookedatthevastsky.Atleastshecouldfall

asleepwatchingthedistantlights,likeshealwaysdidbackhome.Asharppangoflongingforhomemadeherwholebodyhurt.ShecouldhardlybeartothinkaboutFatherandMotherandNanu.Theymustworryaboutherallthetime.Thestarswereexceptionallygloriousrightthen,twinklingandshimmeringin

abigswathfromonehorizontotheother.Onanightlikethis,NanuandKepiwouldhavebaskedinthegloryoftheskyandsungtogethertilloneofthemdozedoff.HadNanuwatchedthesestarstonightandfallenasleepwonderingwhereherlittlesisterwas,whethershewasevenalive?Didshecry?Didtheyallcry?Kepiwascryingnow.Shewouldgethome.ShehadajobtodoinInebHedj

first.Animportantjob.Thesightofthatmanwiththemissingleginthegamehallhadremindedherhowimportantitwas.Butassoonasshe’ddoneit,shewouldgetbacktoherfamily.Fast.Disappearancewasbrutal.Maybemorebrutalthanknowingsomethingawful

hadhappenedtosomeone.Shewouldn’tleaveherfamilywonderingforever.Thefamiliesofthosemenwhohaddiedtoday,they’dsufferfromtheir

disappearance.They’dwonderforever.Kepicouldalmostheartheirwailinginherheart.Shewasverysadforthem.Andshewassadforherself:Babuwasgone.Lossmadeeverypartofher

ache.Kepistaredupatthesky.Please,whatevergodiswatchingme,pleasemakethecrewtreatBabuandNannywell.Thesliverofmoonlightwasdelicateandkind.“Iwill,”camethegentlevoice,

thesamevoiceshe’dheardwhenshewasinthemastaba.Andshealmostexpectedit.Lifehadbecomesomuchconfusion,butonelittle

partmadesensenow:Thegodsreallydidwatchandlisten.Theytalkedtoher.Andtheycameintheformofanimals.“YouhelpedmefindMenes,didn’tyou?”Kepiwhispered.“Youmadethealleyslightup,eventhoughthere’shardlyamoonatalltonight.Youlitmyway.Thankyou,greatgoddessHathor.”

hardlyamoonatalltonight.Youlitmyway.Thankyou,greatgoddessHathor.”DespitehowsickandsadKepifelt,determinationblanketedher.Shewould

makeittoInebHedj.Andshe’dgetMenestohelpher.Thenshe’dgohomeandneverleaveherfamilyagain.

“W

Chapter20Insults

hat?”SomeoneyankedonKepi’sarm.Sheopenedhereyeswithdifficulty—ithadtakenheralongtimetofallasleep—andlooked

upintothegawkingfaceofMenes,leaningoverher.“You’rehere?You’rehere!”Hedancedinacircle,shakinghisfistsatthesky,whileshemanagedtositup.“Hurrah!”Andhestopped.Heleanedoveragainandclappedherontheback.“Sowhere’sthebaboon?”“Theystolehim.”Menes’seyeswidenedandhisfingerstightenedaroundKepi’sshoulder.“How

couldyouletthemdothat?”“Ididn’tletthem.Anddon’tyellatme.Youletthem,too.”Menesdroppeddownonthegroundbesideher.Hecuppedhisforeheadinhis

handsandrockedhishead,asthoughitwasasheavyasaboulder.BabuwasgoneandKepiwashungryandshefeltallstrangeandnothingwas

right.“Weshouldfindafamilytotakeusinforawhile.”“Don’tbeabsurd.Wecan’twastetimehere.”Kepididn’twanttowastetimeeither.Butshefeltsosick.“I’llpraytothe

gods.”“Youlittlefaker.Thegodsdidn’thelpyou.Youjusttookadvantageofthe

momenttogetyourfreedomfromthebasket.”“That’snottrue.”“Oh,yeah?Ifthegodsprotectedyou,howcomeyouwoundupinourboatto

startwith,huh?”Kepiturnedherheadaway.Itwastrue.Thegodshadletthemenstealher.But

shewassurethingshadchanged.Shewasclosetothegodsnow.Theyhadtocareabouther,too.Itwasimpossiblenottocareaboutsomeonewhocaredaboutyou.“Itdoesn’tmakesense,”saidMenes.“AndyouknowitaswellasIdo.Some

godmayhavesentthatcrazycrocandthatcrazyhippo.Butwhatevergoditwas,hesurewasn’tlookingoutforyou.I’mnotstupid.”Godscouldbemysterious—everyoneknewthat.Justbecauseshedidn’t

Godscouldbemysterious—everyoneknewthat.Justbecauseshedidn’tunderstand,justbecauseMenesdidn’tunderstand,didn’tmeanthatthegodsweren’twithher.Kepisquaredherjawathim.“Yougotleftbehind.Youlookstupidtome.”Menesglaredather.“Idon’ttakewelltoinsults.AndIjusthadaverybad

night.So,littletempest,you’reonyourown.”Hestoodupandbrushedhimselfoff.“That’smybaboon.I’mgoingafterthem.”Hewalkedupthestreettowardtown.Kepijumpedtoherfeet.“Wait!I’mcomingwithyou!”ButMenesturneda

corner.Hewasoutofsightalready.Kepigulped.Thenfuryhither.Shecouldn’tbelieveMeneshadcalledBabuhisbaboon.Hereallywasawful.Lethimgo.Kepiwipedhernose,whichwasrunning.Herthroatwassore,too.She’d

caughtacoldovernight.Acold,ontopofbeingsickfromthebasket.AtleastontheboatNannyandBabuandKepihadkepteachotherwarmastheyslept;nothinghadwarmedherlastnight.EverytimeshehadsnuggledagainstMenes,hehadgroanedandrolledaway.Shelookeddownatherself.Herdresswasdirty.No,itwasworsethanthat.It

wasfilthy.Motherwouldhavebeenashamed.Shekeptherfamilyimmaculatelyclean,asanyEgyptianmotherdid.Kepi’sstomachcrampedfromemptiness.Themorningchillhadn’tburnedoffyet;sheshivered.Sherubbedathernoseagain.Nowherhandwasrevoltinglysnotty.Shewipeditonherdress.Whatdiditmatter?Shewasquicklybecomingaslimymess.Kepicried.Whenhertearsfinallyseemedtorunout,shewashedherfaceintheriver.

Hungerseizedher.Shehadn’teatensinceyesterdaymorning.Shecouldn’twaitforMenestocomeback;shehadbettergofindhim.Somehowhealwayshadfood.Shewalkedintotown.Smellsofthemorningmealcamefromopenwindows

anddoorseverywhere.Kepilickedherlipsandkeptwalking.Shelookeddowneverysidestreet.Shepeekedintoabrewery.NoMenes.Sheleanedintoanopendoor.Awomanwascleaningtableswithacloth.It

wasaneatinghall.MaybeifKepilookedpatheticenough,thiswomanwouldhavepityonherandgiveheracrustofbread,atleast.“Excuseme,please.”Kepiusedhersweetestvoice.“I’m...I’msortoflost.Imean,Ilostmyfoodsatchel.”Thewomanturned,tookonelookatKepi,andgasped.Sheranatherand

snappedtheclothinherface.“Getoutofhere.Go,beforeIsicadogonyou.”Kepibackedoutandwalkedtothecorner.Sheturnedrightandstaggered.Dizzinessmadeherrestagainstawallandleanover.Theareabehindhereyes

Dizzinessmadeherrestagainstawallandleanover.Theareabehindhereyeshurtnow.Andtheareabetweenhereyes.Shewasn’tchillyanymore.Shewashot.Thatwashowcoldswere—theygotworsefast.Kepiwalkedasfastasshecouldmanagetothedock.Meneshadtocomeback

theresoon.He’dtakecareofher.Thedockhadtransformedsinceshe’dwokenup.Allthefishingboatshad

goneout.Onlytwolittlereedboatsweretiedthere,sidebyside.Bothwereempty.ExhaustionovercameKepi.Sheclimbedintoaboatandstretchedoutonthebottom.Sheclosedhereyesagainsttherudesun.Thebobbingoftheboatonthewatersoothedher.Shefoughttostayawake.“Allright,then”cameavoice,soonenough.“It’sadeal.”Kepiopenedhereyesandpushedherselfuptositting.Meneswasclimbing

intothereedboatbesidetheoneshewasin.Amanstoodonthedockandhandedhimtwopaddlesandapole.“Menes!”“It’syou.”Heputdownthegearandshookhishead.“I’msick.”Menesfurrowedhisbrowandpeeredhardather.“Well,don’tbothermeabout

it.I’vejustlosttheresultsofseveralmonthsofwork.Youknowwhatthatmeans?”“You’reruined.”“Ruined?Don’tbeanidiot.Ionlytalkedaboutruinwiththecrewtopersuade

themtodothingsmyway.ButIcanalwaysgetalong.I’mmad,that’swhatIam.Noonegetsawaywithstealingfromme.I’mgoingtogetmybaboonback.Youliveintheotherdirection.I’mnothelpingyougethome.”“Idon’twanttogohome.Iwanttogowithyou.”“Really?”Menesdippedabucketoverthesideoftheboatandfilleditwith

water.Hesetitinthebottomofhisboat.“Why?”“IhavesomethingIhavetodoinInebHedj.”“What?”“Talktothepharaoh.”MenesdroppedhisheadtowardKepi.Thenhelaughed.“Youknow,Ihalf

believeyou.You’resomething,allright.Itjustmightbeagoodideatotakeyou.Youcouldhelpwithpaddling.Butyouhavetosaysorryforinsultingme.”“You’retheonewhoinsultsme,”saidKepi.Menesuntiedtheropethatheldthelittleboattothedockpost.Hewasreally

leaving.Withouther.Hesatinthemiddleoftheboatandstuckhispaddleinthewater,maneuveringtheboatbackward,awayfromthedock.

water,maneuveringtheboatbackward,awayfromthedock.Kepistoodupinherboat.“I’msorry.Iwon’tinsultyouanymore.”“Promise?”“Yes.”Kepisplayedherlegstokeepfromwobbling.“Butyouhaveto

promiseyouwon’tcallBabuyourbaboonanymore.”Meneswasalreadyoutintheriver.“Allright,littletempest.Ifyoucancatch

this,youcancome.”Hethrewtheropetowardher.Kepijumpedforit.BoththeropeandKepilandedinthewater.Shecameup

spluttering.Menespaddledoverandheldoutthewoodenbladetoher.Shegrabbedhold

andhepulledheronboard.“Areyoutoosicktopaddle?”Kepi’steethchatteredandshethoughtshewasgoingtovomit.Butshepushed

hersoppinghairoutofhereyesandpickedupthesecondpaddle.“Allright,then.”Menesmovedmoretowardtherear.Kepisatinfrontofhimanddippedherpaddleintotheoppositeside.“Doitthisway,”saidMenes.Andhetaughthertogripitfirmly,dipitin

straightdownbesideher,pushitstraightbackasfarasshecouldreach,thenliftitoutjustenoughtoclearthesurfaceofthewaterassheswungitbackaroundtodipinbesideherandstartalloveragain.Afterawhile,Kepifoundtherhythmnatural.Itwashardwork,butshecould

doitfine.“Howdidyoumanagetogetthisboat?”“Iboughtit.Ikeptafewnuggetsofsilverfromthechest.Alwayskeepa

reserve.That’smyadvice.”ThatwaslikeFather,whenhesaidtoputbyforarainyday.Well,Kepihad

donethat—she’dtakenthatonesilverpiecefromthetrunk.Butshe’dbeenstupidtohideitontheboat.Meneswastrickierthanher.Everyonewassotricky.ItmadeKepitiredtothinkaboutit.“HowlongwillittakeustogettoWaset?”“Wecanbetherebytonight.”Finally,goodnews.TonightKepicouldholdBabuagain.Theypaddledalongtime.Whenthesunwasdirectlyoverhead,Meneslaidhis

paddleinthebottomoftheboat.“Wecanletthecurrentcarryusawhile.Goon,putyourpaddledown.”Kepilaidherpaddleonhersideofthebottom.Thensheturnedaroundtoface

Menes,andshefellbackward.Shedidn’teventrytopushherselfupagain.“Youreallyaresick.”Menesopenedaclothsatchel.“Here.”Hecameover

besideherandliftedherheadandshouldersup.Heheldajartohermouth.“Drinkthis.”Thebeerwascoolanddelicious.Kepiwipedhermouth.“Thanks.”

Thebeerwascoolanddelicious.Kepiwipedhermouth.“Thanks.”Meneseasedherbackdownandhandedherahunkofbread.“Eatslowly.”He

ateanddrankhimselfandwatchedher.“Youremindmeofsomeone.”“YoursisterNanu?”Meneslaughed.“Idon’thaveasisterNanu.Ijustsaidthattomakeyoutrust

me.”Kepiletoutalittlecryofdismay.“Doyouevertellthetruth?”“Whenitsuitsme.Ijustfiguredoutwhoyouremindmeof—myself.You’re

mystubbornlittletempest.”Kepirolledontohersidewithherbacktohimandgnawedonthebread.“I

can’twaittoholdBabutonight.”“Youwon’tseehimtonight.”Kepiheldontothesideoftheboatandpulledherselfuptositting.“Yousaid

we’dbeinWasettonight—andIheardthemensaytheyweregoingtoWaset.”“Sure.That’swheretheyspentlastnight,Ibet.Buttheytradedawayallthe

goldandsilver.Andtheyhaveaboatfullofpotteryalready.Theydon’tneedtostayintownsanylongerthantosleep.Bynow,they’rehalfwaytoNubt—thenexttown.They’llstayaheadofusthewholewaytoInebHedj.Gettingfartheraheadallthetime.Ifyoupaddlehard,youmightseeBabuinamonth.”Amonth.Kepicurledintoaballwithherheadonherknees.Amonthwithout

Babu.AmonthofMenes.Amonthofnotseeingherfamily.Andthenallthetimeitwouldtaketogethome.Amonthwasaneternity.

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Chapter21TheRiver

epididn’tknowwhichdayithappened,butonedaysherealizedthepaddlefeltlikeanextensionofherhands.Herneckandshouldersdidn’t

hurtanymore.Herkneeshadgrownthickcalluses.Shefeltstrongandhealthy.Theytraveledallday,everyday,andshecoulddoitwithoutaproblem.Withhealthandstrength,shecouldlookaroundindelightagain,forthey

passedsomanywonderfulthings.Lotsofdifferentkindsofwadingbirds.Lazycrocs.Andpodsofhippos.Noneofthemattacked,whichMenessaidwasbecausetheydidn’tmindtheintrusionofthesmallerboats.Butjusttobesure,theybangedtheirpaddlesonthewoodenpartoftheboatoftensoanyhipposaroundwouldpoptheireyesupabovethewatertoseewhatwashappening;thatwayKepiandMenesknewwheretheywereandcouldsteeraroundthem.Astheymovednorthward,theshoresgraduallygrewgreener,tilltheywere

thickwithplantsKepihadneverseenbefore.Still,thetreeswerefamiliar:mostlydatepalmsandfigsandsycamorefigs.Buttheygrewinclustersofmanytogether,unlikeinthesouth.Atnighttheysleptintownsorinvillagesbuiltintothehillsides.Kepiand

Meneswouldcarrytheirlittleboattosomehouseontheveryedgeoftown,wheretheownerhadagreedtoletthemleanitagainstasidewall.Usuallytheycaughtfishtocookinthehomeowner’soutdoorfireplaceandsharewithhisfamily.Bothofthemwoulddochoresinexchangeforbreadandgreensandsweet,thick,porridge-likebeer.Thenthey’dsleepoutdoorsundertheirboat,withKepiontheoutsideedge,soshecouldpeekoutatthelightsintheskyandsayathank-youprayertohergoddessHathor.Inthemorning,KepiandMeneswouldgotoseparatespotsintheriverandstrip,andshewashedherdressandhisshentiintheriver,rubbingtheworstspotswithstones.Thentheyputthemonwetandletthemdryontheirbodiesastheypaddled.Thesunbleachedthemanicewhiteeveryday.Itwaschillyatfirst—butitwasworthittobecleanagain.Whenitwastoofarbetweentowns,theysleptonshoreintheopen.The

shorelinewasmoreandmorecloggedwithpapyrusreeds,sotheyhadtosearch

shorelinewasmoreandmorecloggedwithpapyrusreeds,sotheyhadtosearchforopenspotswheretheycoulddragtheboatoutontothemud.ThenMeneswouldpickaspottocamp,farenoughfromthewaterthatthecrocodileswouldn’tbotherthem,butcloseenoughthattheycoulddashfortheboatiftheyneededtoescapeapredatoronland.Theymadehutsoutofpalmfronds—somethingKepihadbeendoingforyearswithFather,soshewasadeptatthat.Andtheytookturnskeepingwatch.Ontheirfirstnightoutintheopentogether,Kepifoundalittleeggattachedto

theundersideofamilkweedleaf.Itwassilverywhiteandshiny,withribbedsides—sosheknewexactlywhatwasinit.Sheduguptheweed,carefullypackingthedirtaroundtheroots,andplaceditinthebottomoftheboat.Shedrippedwaterontherootseveryday,andatnightsheplacedtheweedbesideherassheslept.Sometimesshesangtoit,sometimesshejustwhisperedtoit.Onthetenthdaytheegghatched,andablack-and-whitecaterpillarwiththick

yellowspotscameout.Ithadthreepairsoflongblacktentacles.Kepiwatchedwithaproudsmileasitproceededtoeatthemilkweedplant.Itgrewfatandevenshinier.Ontheninthdayofbeingacaterpillar,itchangedagainandformedacocoon,allgreenatfirst,butitgraduallyturnedtopinkoverthenextweek.IthungfromthebottomofaleafofthenewmilkweedplantKepihaddugupforitandswungwiththerhythmoftheirpaddles.Kepicouldn’twaitforthebutterflytocomeout.Itwouldbesoon.Eachdayasnightcame,lionsroaredinthedistance,hyenasmadetheir

whoopinglaughs,jackalshowled.Kepididn’thavetopinchherselftostayawakeonherwatch;shewasonedgeeverysecond.Buttherewasonethingshedidloveaboutsleepingintheopen:Themorningswereallmistygreen,asthoughsomeonehadwoventhefinestclothoffreshleavesanddrapeditovertheworld.Kepithoughtofitasagoddessgown.Soshechoseearlymorningsashertimeforspecialtalkswiththegods.Mostlyaboutallthethingsshe’dseenthedaybefore.Sometimesaboutherhopes,too.Andsometimesaboutherfears.Afewtimestheycampedatisolatedlakesnotfarinfromtheriver,likethe

onethepelicanshadledthemtothatfirstdaythatKepispentonthebigtradeboat.Menestoldherthatmostofthoselakeswereformedwhentheriverwouldshiftcourse,somethingtheNiledidalot.Otherscameaboutafterthehot-weatherfloods,whentheriverwouldshrinkagainandwaterwouldgettrappedinlowspots.Kepilovedthenightsatthelakes,becauseusuallythewaterwastooshallowtoattractcrocodiles,andtheywerethemostpeacefulplaces.Exceptforthatonemorningtheywokesurroundedbyaherdofelephantsthathadcometodrinkandwallow.Meneshadinsistedtheysimplysitstilluntilthebeastsleft.SoKepigottowatchtheyoungones’antics.

SoKepigottowatchtheyoungones’antics.Onthenightsatthelakestheyatebetter,too.Thebirdswereevenmore

plentifulandvariedtherethanontheriver.Menesalwaysmanagedtocreepuponducksorgeeseandsnagoneinanethemadehimselffromthetoughfibersofpalmfronds.Andoncetheycameuponalonemaleostrich.Hewassmall,maybeonlyalittlemorethanhalftheheightoftheostrichesKepiknewdownsouth,whereshecamefrom.Hewasbusypeckingattheremainsofawarthogcarcass,leftbehindbylionsoraleopard.Menesthrewhisknifeandgotthebirdrightinhisskinnyneck.Hediedinstantly.Ostricheswerealertbirds;nooneshouldhavebeenabletocreepuponthem

—soKepiwasamazeduntilshesawthatthisonewasmissinganeye.Soithadn’tbeenafairfight,poorostrich.AndostrichesmustbesacredtothegodOsiris,becausehealwaysworeacrownwithoxhornsandostrichfeathers.Likethisostrich,Osiriswastobepitied.HehadbeenslainbythegodSet,andhehadtoliveintheunderworld,presidingoverthedead,ratherthanamongtheliving.Hemightbeangrythatoneofhisbirdshadbeensopoorlytreated.Kepipluckedaglossyblackfeatherfromtheostrichandbowedrespectfullytoit,sayingalittleprayerofapologytoOsirisinsideherheart.Thenshepushedthefeatherbetweentwostitchesintothehemofherdress.Shewouldtreatthatonefeatherreverentlytillitfellapart.WhileKepipreparedthefire,Menestookcareofpluckingthebirdand

cleaningtheinnardssothebilewouldn’truinthemeat.DespiteKepi’ssympathyfortheostrich,shehadtoadmititwasdelicious.Afterthat,Kepistayedonthelookoutformoreostriches.Butshepromisedherselfthatthenexttimetheysawanopportunityforostrichmeat,she’durgeMenestomakesurethebirdwasstrongandhealthybeforehehuntedit.Thevoyagewasfullofmarvels.InthequiettimesontheriverKepioften

thoughtofFather’swords:“Ifyou’researchingforaneter,agod—observenature.”Shehadalwaysknownthatherfatherwaswise,butnowshefelthiswisdomdeepinsideher,asthoughithadenteredherverybones.ThinkingaboutFatherlikethatwouldmakeherbottomlipquiver.Herfamily

wassofaraway,theyfeltlikeadream.AndsometimesshehadtofightofffearsaboutwhatmightbehappeningtoBabu.AndNanny.Butwhenthathappened,shesang.Shesimplyburstoutinloudsong.AndprettysoonMenesjoinedher.Hesaidshe’dcaughtthespiritofadventure.Maybehewasright.Forgoingtoseethepharaohwasanadventure.Hewasthemostpowerfulman

intheworld.Thiswashuge,whatshewasdoing.Sohuge,Kepifeltitineverystrokeofthepaddle.Shefeltitinthesunsparkleonthewaterandthedewon

strokeofthepaddle.Shefeltitinthesunsparkleonthewaterandthedewonspiderwebs.Shefeltitinthecallofthemonkeys,inthebiteofawildonion’sjuice,intheheadyscentofjasmine.Itwasbehindeveryprayer.Inthosemoments—thepharaohmoments—shefellsilent.ThatwaswhenMeneswouldtalk.He’dtellKepiaboutplaceshe’dbeen,

thingshe’dseen,planshehad.Itseemedhe’dbeeneverywhereandseeneverythinginallofEgypt.Theywerebecomingfriends,reallygoodfriends.Theonlythingtheydidn’ttalkaboutwaswhatwasgoingtohappenoncetheyarrivedatInebHedj.Theybothknewtheirhopesclashed,sowhytalkaboutit?Butitwasgoodtalkingabouteverythingelse.Kepiwasnowdeepintothebestpartofthetrip.Ithadstartedmanydaysago,

whentheyfirstcaughtaglimpseofthegiantpyramidofDjedSnefrurisingupoutofitsenclosingwalls.Itseemedlikeasinglehugeblockofwhitestone,comparedwiththeredmudbrickofthehomesandshops.Theyarrivedinthetownatsunset,andthewhitestonelookedallrosyandwarm.MenestookKepirightuptothesmallerpyramidthatnestledatthesouthernbaseofthebigone.Theywalkedaroundtheeastsidepastthechapel,thenlookedinattheentrancetothepyramidonthenorthside.Apassagedescendeddowntothesunkenburialchamber.Kepi’sbreathcaughtinawe.Theycouldstilllookbackovertheirshouldersandseethatpyramidtwodays

laterwhentheyarrivedatTashur,wheretwomoregiantlimestonepyramidsdominatedthelandscape.Onehadgracefulcurvedsides.ItseemedmarveloustoKepithatthreemajestictombsshouldbewithinsightofoneanother.Thepharaohsentombedtheremustbehappy.Andthatwasasitshouldbe,forallpharaohsweretransformedintogodswhentheyassumedthethrone.KepiunderstoodnowwhyFatherspokesoproudlyofthepyramids.FromTashurontheycouldseethegreatpyramidahead,theonethatPharaoh

Khufuhadbeenbuildingforyears,sincebeforeKepiwasborn,theonethathadstolenFather’sfoot.Itwasthathigh,anditwasn’tevenfinishedyet.KepiwasgladshewasEgyptian.Shewasgladshewaslearningaboutthe

Nile,theheartbeatofhercountry.Shethankedthegodsandgoddesseseverynightforkeepingheralivetoseeallthesewonderfulsights.Shetoldherselfeverydaythatthisvoyagewasagoodthingforher.Shetoldherselfthatsomedayshe’dseeMotherandFatherandNanuagain.Shewould.Butfirstshe’dtalktothepharaoh,toagodonearth.Andshe’dsaveherfamily.Allthosethoughtsmadeherhappy.Butsomewheredeepinsideher,asadness

wasgrowing.Asenseofdoubt,asthoughsheknewsomethingbutcouldn’tquitegraspit.

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Chapter22Sandstorm

epiandMenestooktheirplacesinthelittleboatandpaddledawayfromthedockofthevillagethey’dsleptinlastnight.Itwasbarelydawn—

Kepi’sfavoritetime.Shelookedstraightaheadandupalittle.Ifshewaslucky,shewouldseeithappen.Therewasthisbriefestmoment,justasecondreally,whentheskychangedfrompalegraybutitwasn’tyetblue—aninstantofstartlingwhite.Shehadseenitseveraltimessinceshe’dbeenonthisvoyage,anditalwaysmadeherfeelthatshewasglimpsingsomethingveryspecial.Shehaddecideditwasthesmileofagoddess.Shedidn’tknowwhichgoddess,butitwassoluxurious,ithadtobethat.Kepilaughedoutloud.“So?You’reinagoodmood,huh?”saidMenesfromhisspotbehindher.

“Let’scrosstheriverandstayascloseaswecantothewestbank.”“Howcome?”“Iwouldn’twanttoseeyoujumpinandswimacrossthewholeNile.”“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”“You’reprettywild,youknow.Morelikealittleanimalthanalittletempest

sometimes.It’simpossibletopredictwhatyou’lldoatthefirstsightofthewhitewalls.”Kepipulledherpaddleinandresteditacrossherthighs,soshecouldturnher

headtoMenes.Hewasclearlyteasingher,butshehadnoideawhy.“Allright.What’sgoingon?”Hegrinned.“ThewestbankiswhereInebHedjsits.We’llarrivetoday.”Kepiletoutawhoopofjoy.“Notsoloud.You’llscarethecrocs.”Kepidugherpaddleindeepandpusheditbackwithallherstrength.Today.

Theywerearrivingtoday.Thisjourneywasfinallyover.Shemightdowhatshehadtodoandbeonaboatgoingbackhomesoon.Maybeeventomorrow.ThattalkaboutgoingoverclosetothewestbankwasjustMenes’sjoke.They

paddledtothecenterandstayedthere.Thatwaswherethecurrentwasstrongest;thatwaswheretheycouldtravelthefastestwiththeleasteffort.Andinthatmoment,thepinkcocoonthatKepihadtakensuchgoodcareof

Andinthatmoment,thepinkcocoonthatKepihadtakensuchgoodcareofsplit,andawetbutterflystruggledout.“Menes,watch.”Theybothputdowntheirpaddles.Thebodywasblackwithwhitespots.Thewingswerelioncolored.“Seethatlittlepouchonthehindwing?”saidKepi.“Thethickspot,youmean?”“Thatshowsit’samale.Myfathertaughtmeallaboutbutterflies.Thiskindis

themostcommoninallEgypt.”Thebutterflystretchedhiswingsoutwidetodrythem.Thenhetookoff,

flyingstraightandlowoverthewater.Kepiwatched,herthroattightwithworry.Buthemadeittolandanddisappearedamongtheplantsatthewater’sedge.Sheclapped.SodidMenes.“Kepi,listen.You’resmart.Youknowyoucan’tgetyourbaboonback.”Thewordsfeltlikeablowtothechest.“Don’tsaythat.”“Thecrewwillhavesoldhimtoatemple,andyou’llnevergethimbackfrom

thepriests.Besides,peoplecan’tkeepbaboonsintheirhomes.He’llgrowbig,andifheisn’ttrainedproperly,he’llbevicious.”“Don’t!Don’tsaysuchathingaboutBabu!”ButMeneswasright.Kepi

realizedshe’dreachedthesameconclusionatsomepointoverthispastmonth.Thatwasthecauseofthenuggetofsadnessinsideher.Babuwasgoneforgood.Shehungherhead.“Don’tbestubborn.”Menesleanedtowardher.“I’vemadeadecision.When

wefindthecrew,I’llgetthemtogiveyouashareofwhatevertheygotforthebaboon.”“I’dnevertakeanythingforBabu.Youdon’ttradeawayafriend!”“Youinfuriateme,youknowthat?”Heslappedthesideoftheboat.“Allright,

forgetit.We’lltalkaboutitwhenwegettoInebHedj.”“Ineedtotalknow.Aboutsomethingelse.Thepharaoh.”Menesprotrudedhislipsasthoughappraisingher.“Areyoureallygoingtotry

toseehim?”“Hehurtmyfather.Canyoutellmewheretofindhim?”“Whatdoyoumean,hehurtyourfather?”“Myfatherwasworkingonhispyramid,ontheinnerchamber,andachunkof

granitefellonhisfoot.Theyhadtocutitoff.Nowhecan’tfarmanymoreandeverything’ssohard.Wecouldloseourland.”“Thathappensallthetime,Kepi.PharaohKhufu’sbeenbuildingthatpyramid

fornearlytwentyyears,andthousandsofmenhaveworkedonit.Idon’tknow—maybeahundredthousand.Theygetmaimed.Theydie.”

—maybeahundredthousand.Theygetmaimed.Theydie.”Kepipressedherlipstogether.Ofcoursethatwastrue.Lotsofmenwerelike

Father.“Soyouunderstand.Ihavetotellhim.”“Hedoesn’tcare.”“Hehastocare.We’rehispeople.”“Khufu’sfatherandgrandfather,theyweregoodrulers.DjoserNetjeriketand

Snefru.Theyhadcompassion.Khufudoesn’tknowwhatcompassionis.”“Everyoneknowswhatcompassionis.”“Letmetellyousomething.Khufuusedtohaveamagicianwhowastryingto

learnhowtobringdeadpeoplebacktolife.Sohechoseprisonersforthemagiciantopracticeon.Understand?”Menesjuttedhischinforward.“He’dkillthemsothemagiciancouldtrytomakethemcomealiveagain.Buttheyneverdid.”Kepicouldhardlyspeak.Shewhispered,“That’ssoterrible.Whotoldyou?”“It’swhatpeoplesay.”“Itcouldn’tbetrue.It’sagainstthelaw.”“Andpeopleneverbreakthelaw?Lookwhoyou’retalkingto,Kepi.”Menes

coveredhismouthforamoment.“Let’spaddle.Ineedtothink.Youshould,too.Nomoretalkingtillwe’realmostthere.”Kepi’sinsideswerejumblednow.Butthewoodfeltsmoothandgoodinher

hands.Sheputallherenergyintopaddling.She’dthinklater,whenherhearthadcalmed.TheNilewidenedsteadilyasthemorninggentlywarmed.Theytraveledfor

hours.Therivergrewpositivelyswampyattheedges,cloggedwithweedsandrushesandthetallestpapyrusKepihadyetseen.Agentlewindcamefromthenorth,likeusual.Butbeyondthat,therewasnomotionotherthantheriver’scurrent.Thebirdsseemedtobeasleeplatetoday;eventheducksandgeesewereabsent.AndtheonlyherdofgazellesKepihadcaughtsightofwasinthedistance,hightailingitaway.“Doyoufeelthat?”Menesasked.Kepiflinched.Menes’svoicewassuchasurpriseinthisquietthatitcameasa

rudeshock.“Feelwhat?”“Acoldwind.”Shehadn’t.Butnowthathesaidit,shedidnoticeaslightchill.“Yes.”“Whichwaydoyouthinkit’scomingfrom?”“Behind.”“Iknowthat,butwhichway,eastorwest?”“Ithinkeast.”

“Ithinkeast.”“Paddleforthewestbankasfastasyoucan!”“Why?What’sthematter?”“Asandstorm.Paddle!Wehavetomakeittothewestbankbeforeithits.”Kepihadneverbeenoutdoorsinasandstorm.Theveryideaterrifiedher.At

hometheyallhuddledinthestoragecellarwhenthewindsblew.Theypaddledashardastheycould.Thecoldwindcamefasternow.She

lookedbackoverhershoulder.Athickcloudwasspeedingtowardthem,allredandgoldfromdustandsandswirlingtogether.Itbarreleduptheriver,spreadingoutasfarasshecouldseetotheeast.Itstretchedupwardthroughtheskiessothattherewasnobluebeyond.Sheletoutayelpandpaddledharder,faster,deeper.“Alltradeboatstakepassengers,”shoutedMenes.“What?”“Itoldyouitwasn’tallowed.ItoldyouthatwhenIfirstgotyoutocomeon

ourboat.ButIwaslying.Ifsomethinghappenstome,begaridehomeonatradeboatandthey’lltakeyouinexchangeforcleaningfishorgearorwhatever.”“Nothing’sgoingtohappentoyou,Menes.”“InmyclothsatchelistheglassbeadnecklaceIboughtyouatNekheb.Iwas

goingtogiveittoyouwhenwegottoInebHedj.Putitonnow.Justincase.”Kepiknewwhat“justincase”meant.“Stoptalkinglikethat.Wewon’tdie,

Menes.”“Setisthegodofstorms.Andyou’rehislittletempest.Hemightprotectyou,

buthesurewon’tprotectme.”“Ididn’tpraytoSetforastorm.Ipromise.I’dneverdosuchathing.”“Iknowthat.Sometimesthegodsjustdothings,allontheirown.ButI’ll

fight.Iwon’tgiveup.Andyou’relikeme—youdon’tgiveup.Yourememberthat.Whateverhappens.”“Stopit!Really.You’llputthatnecklaceonmewhenwegettoInebHedj.”Theclearairturneddarkgrayinaninstant,asthoughsomeonehadjustblown

outthewickflamesinabowlofkikioil.Thesandcloudreachedsohigh,itblockedoutthesun.Menessteeredthemintothemiddleoftheclosestrushes.Thelittleboatjerked

asitslammedagainsttheplants.Menesthrewhispaddleintothebottomoftheboatandgrabbedthepole.Hepoledthemdeeperintotherushes,tilltheboatcouldn’tmoveatall.ThenheopenedhisclothsatchelandtookoutaballoffabricandstaredatKepi.“Ionlyhaveone.”Thatballwasasandscarf.Kepiknewallaboutthem.Youwrappedthem

Thatballwasasandscarf.Kepiknewallaboutthem.Youwrappedthemaroundyourwholehead,toprotectyoureyesfrombeingscratchedblindbythesandandtokeepthedustandsandfromfillingupyournoseandmouthandsuffocatingyou.Theclothwasthinenoughtoseethrough,soyoucouldstillbreathe,andfirmenoughsothatitcouldholditselfawayfromyourmouth.Aflimsyscarfcouldgetpushedintoyourthroatandchokeyou.Withouttheprotectionoftherightscarf,noonecouldsurviveasandstorm.KepistaredbackatMenes.Heturnedhisbacktoherandwrappedhishead,windingfast.Thenhestopped

andunwound.HelookedatKepiandtookouthisknife.“You’reright.Everyoneknowswhatcompassionis.”Menesslittheclothandhandedherhalf.“Ifwemakeitthroughthis,I’llgowithyoutotalktothepharaoh.Hurrynow.”Heclosedhiseyesandwoundhishalfaroundhishead.Aroundandaround.Sofasthishandswereablur.Hewasexpertatit.Whenhefinishedwinding,hecurleduponhissideinthebottomoftheboatandhuggedhimself.Kepihadbetterbefast,too.Shewasholdingherhalfbyoneendwhenthe

windblewupwardandsnatcheditaway,overthetopsofthepapyrus,losttosight!Thecloudhadbecomeasolidwall,pushingforwardwithwildwinds.Onlythe

godscouldsavehernow.Kepiopenedhermouthtopray,butthewindstoleherwords.Itpulledherhair.Ittriedtoripoffherdress.Kepipulledherdressoffoverherheadandthewindtoreatit,butsheheldon

fordearlifethistime.Shetiedthetopofitintoaknot,sothedresswaslikeabagnow.Thenshepulledthebagdownoverherheadandbunchedthebottomofitaroundherneck,clutchingittightwithherhands.Shecurledintothebottomoftheboat.Thestormroared.Itbellowed.Itscreamed.Itwasasthougheverywildanimal

inthewholeworldcriedoutinangeratonce.ThedustandsandscouredKepi’sbareskinraw.Shetightenedintothesmallestballshecould,toprotectatleastthefrontofher.Herbackanduppershoulderburnedsavagely.Shefeltsomethingwetspreadfromthatshoulderdowntothewellofherneck,thengetsuckedawaybythewind.Shewasbleeding.She’dbeskinnedcompletelyifherbodystayedoutintheopenlikethat.Shegottoherknees,fightingagainsttheforceofthegale,andhurledherself

overtheedgeoftheboat.Shecouldn’tevenreachouttocatchontoanything,becauseittookallherstrengthtoholdherdressbunchedtightaroundherneck.Shelandedinpapyrussothick,itwasalmostimpenetrable.Itheldherup.Shethrashedandkickedandwiggled,andslowly,slowlysheworkedherwaydown.

thrashedandkickedandwiggled,andslowly,slowlysheworkedherwaydown.Herfeetfoundtheirwayunderthecoolwater.Whatenormousrelief.Thenherlegsandbottomandfinallyhershoulders.Papyrussurroundedher.Itslappeddownonherheadfromeverydirection.Thestormragedon.Thenoisedeafenedher.Herdressblindedher.Thewater

andpapyrusenvelopedher.Shefeltapartofhercloseofffromtheworldoutside.Itgathereditselftogetherandsealedawayinasecretspotshe’dneverknownshehad,deepinthecenterofherbeing.Wasthatherka?Wasitpreparingtoseparatefromherbody?Kepididn’twanttodie.Please.Please.Shepressedthesideofherheadagainstthepapyrusplants.Shecouldstillfeel

theirpressure.Butonlybarely.Shewantedtosleep.Theneedtodozeoffwashuge.Butshehadthesickeningconvictionthatifsheletherselfsleep,she’dneverwake.Aiiii!Somethingbitherfoot.Kepikickedatitlikeamaniac.Shecouldbarely

move,wedgedintothereedslikethat,butshestillkickeduntilshecouldn’tanymore.Itwasallshecoulddojusttoholdontoherdressandbreathe.Andstillthestormraged.Itjustwouldn’tstop.Kepilostallsenseoftime.It

wasasthoughshe’dalwaysbeenhereinthiswaterinthesepapyrusleaves,andshealwayswouldbe.Finallythenoiselessened.Diditreally?Kepicouldn’tbesureofanything.

Maybeherearshadtrulystoppedworking.Fornowshecouldn’thearanything.Itwasn’tlikebefore,whenshefeltdeafenedbynoise.Thiswasjustabsence.Nothingness.Didshelivestill?Shemovedhertonguearoundinherdry,drymouth.Herteethwerestillthere.

C

Chapter23Gone

rack!Kepidaredtostretchahandupward.Raincamesplashingdowninbig

bolddrops.Butthewindwasgone.Kepipulledherdressoffherhead.Shehadtoblinkseveraltimesbeforeshecouldsee.Theworldwasredand

yellow.Dustandsandcoveredthepapyrusleaves.Itcoveredtheriverweedsandtherushesandthelandbeyond.Itevensatonthesurfaceofthewater.Butthedownpourwasquicklydoingitsjob.Thedustontheplantsturnedtomudandslidoff.Theskylitupwithagreatjaggedlineofflamefromonesidetotheother.

Crack!Kepistuffedpartofherdressinhermouthsoshewouldn’tloseit,andshe

usedbothhandstoturnherselfaroundinthereeds.Thelittlepapyrusboatwasstillbehindher,butitwasuprightnow,itsnoseimmersedintheriver,asthoughsomegianthadliftedtherearofitwithafinger.“Menes!”mumbledKepi.“Menes,whereareyou?”Shegrabbedtherimofthe

sideoftheboatandpulledherselftoit.Shereachedunderthewaterandfeltinsidethebowoftheboat.Therewasnothingthere.Theboatwasentirelyemptyexceptforthepole,whichhadsomehowgottenspearedthroughtheside,highupnearthegunwale.Shetookherdressoutofhermouthandshouted,“Menes!Menes,answerme!Whereareyou?”Herwordswerelostintherain.Evenshecouldbarelyhearthem.Kepiheldherdresswithherteethagainandpulledherself,handoverhand,

alongonesideoftheboat,asifshewereclimbingarope.Sheyankedandstruggled,andfinallythepapyrusyieldedandthebowcameupandtheboatwasrighted.Itwasfullofdustandsandandwater.Butitcouldn’tsinkbecauseofthemattedpapyrusreeds.Therainpounded.Itmadethemudintheboatroil.Kepihauledherselfover

thesideandfellintothelittleboat.Shestoodupshakily.Shecouldhardlyseeanything,theraincamesohard.Shecrumpledherdressintoaballandclutchedittoherbelly.“Menes!”shescreamed.“Whereareyou?”Shecalledandcalled.

ittoherbelly.“Menes!”shescreamed.“Whereareyou?”Shecalledandcalled.Shepulledthepoleoutofthesideoftheboatandpokeditdownunderthe

water,throughthereeds.Hemusthavejumpedintothereedsasshehad.Hemuststillbehidingthere.“Menes!”Shepokedeverywhereshecouldreach.Shepokedandpoked.“Menes!”Shescreamedtillhervoicewascompletelygone.Butshekeptpoking.Hehadtobeheresomewhere.Maybehehadgottencaughtinthepapyrus.Buthewasbreathing.Hehadtobe.Wherewashe?Shepokedonandon.Insideherheartsheprayedtoeverygodshecouldthinkof.Savehim.SaveMenes.Don’tlethisbodybelostintheriver.Don’tlethiskabealoneforever.Savehim.Please.Oneofyou,pleaseplease,savehim.Theraingraduallycametoahalt.Thesunglowedfarinthewest.Itwaslate

afternoon.AcrocodilesilentlyglidedbyontheriverbehindKepi.Ducksquacked.Theaircametolifeagain.“Menes,”Kepiwhispered.Sheputherfaceintothereedsanddrank.“Menes,”

shesaid,loudernow.Hervoicehadreturned.“Menes!”sheshouted.Andshewentbacktopoking.“Menes!Don’tdothis!Don’tbegone.Please,Menes.”Thecrocodileglidedpastagainwithegg-yolk-yelloweyes.“Isthatyou,greatgodSobek?Don’tjustglideonpast.Ifthat’syou,helpme.

Pleasehelpme.”Thecrocodileblinkedseveraltimes,thenwentunderwithoutasound.Ke-ke-ke-pi.Athincrycamefromoverhead.Itwasavulture.“GreatgoddessNekhbet?”Kepicalled.“Youprotectthepharaoh.Butwe’re

thepharaoh’speople.Pleaseprotectus.”Kepiwatchedthevulturetillitglidedoutofsight.Notoncediditflapits

wings.Therewasnooneelsearound,nooneelsetoappealto.Thedaywaspassing.

Thislittleboatcouldn’tstayonthewaterinthedark.Kepimadeabowlofherhandsandslowlyscoopedthemudfrominsidethe

boat.Thensheusedthepoletopushtheboatoutofthepapyrusreeds.Onceitwasfree,sheleanedoverthesideanddippedherdressinthewatertorinseitofthemud.Thensheputiton,soppingwet.Andallthewhile,tearsrolleddownhercheeks.Butshedidn’tthinkabout

why.Shedidn’treallythinkatall.Herbodyjustdidthingsonitsown.Shehadnopaddle.Nothingbutthepole.Sheusedthepoletopushtheboat

outuntilitwastoodeeptoreachthebottomanymore.Thenshesatandwaited.Thecurrenttooktheboat,slowlyatfirst,thenfaster,tothemiddleoftheriver.Shehadnowaytosteer,nowaytoincreaseordecreaseherspeed.Shejustwentwiththeriver,andtheriverwentfast.TherainhaddroppedsomuchwaterthatthecurrentwasstrongerthanKepihadeverfeltit.

thecurrentwasstrongerthanKepihadeverfeltit.Afteralongtime,shepassedanoverturnedboat.Abigoneofwoodplanks.

Brokenintopiecesandhalfsunk.Butshewasprettysureitwasn’tthetradeboatthathadcarriedherBabu.Shepassedafloatingbody—awoman.Shelookedaway.Itwasearlyeveningwhenshesawthewhitewalls.Theywentonforever.Pure

whitestonewalls,stillwetfromtherainsthathadfollowedthesandstorm.Thedyinglightofdayglistenedorangeoffthetinypuddlesthatformedinthecrevices.Andthebuildingswithinthosewalls,oh!Thereweresomany.Kepihadneverimaginedthatacitycouldbringtogethersomanypeople.Datepalmsgrewinclusterswithinthewalls.Thedockwaslitteredwithbrokenboats.Childrencarrieddebrisfromthestormdowntotheriveranddumpeditin.Aboylookedupandsawherandwaved.ThatwaswhenKepirealizedshewasgoingtodriftonbythecity.Shehadno

wayofgettingtoshore.“Help!”sheshouted.“Ihavenopaddle.Help!”Theboyjustwaved.“Help!”Kepistood,herlegswidetobraceagainstthemovementoftheboat.

Sheheldupthepole.“ThisisallIhave.Helpmegettoshore!Help!”Bythispointafewofthechildrenhadgatheredtowatchher.Theytalkedwith

oneanother.Oneofthemwentrunningbackintothecity.Hemustbegoingforhelp.ButKepiwasfloatingonby.Shecouldn’twaitorshe’dbelost.Again.Shewouldn’tletthathappen,neveragain.Shedoveintotheriverandswamforthedock.Itwasfarandtheriverwas

strong,butKepiwasstronger.Thismonthofconstantpaddlinghadtransformedher.Herarmswerehardasthosestonewalls.Ifacrocodilecameuptoher,she’dpunchhiminthenose.Thechildrenonthedockshoutednow.Theyjumpedandurgedheron.

“Swim!Swimfast!”Andshedid.Kepi,whohadneverbeenagoodswimmer,whohadlagged

behindNanuineveryrace—Kepiswamasthoughthewaterwasherhome.Shereachedthedock,andmanyhandspulledherup.“Whathappened?”“Whywereyououtontheriver?”“Youweren’tontheriverduringthestorm,wereyou?”“Noonecouldsurvivethesandstormontheriver.Myfathersaidso.”“Mine,too.”“Whywereyouallalone?”Kepishookherheadanddroppedtotheground.“Iwasn’tallalone.Iwasn’t.

Kepishookherheadanddroppedtotheground.“Iwasn’tallalone.Iwasn’t.Buthe’sgone.”Andhertearscameagain,thistimewithknowledge.ShecriedforMenes.ForMenes,whohadliedtoherandstolenherandwantedtosellher.ForMenes,whohadfedherandprotectedherandtaughtherandsharedhissandclothwithher.Heshouldn’thavedied.Nonono.Shebeatherchestingrief.Twomencameoutonthedockcarryingapapyrusboat.“She’ssafe,”oneoftheboyscalledtothem.“Sheswamtoshore.Sheswam

amongthecrocodiles.Thegodsprotectedher.”“Where’stheboat?”Theboypointed.Kepi’slittleboatwasfardowntherivernow.Themenputtheirboatinthewaterandpaddledfast.Kepiwatchedasthey

reachedherboat.Shewatchedasoneofthemclimbedintoitandbothofthempaddledthetwoboatsbacktothedock.ThemaninKepi’sboatjumpedoutandpulledontheboat.“I’lltakeoneside,”saidKepi.Andshehelpedhimhaulitontothedock.“It’soursnow,”saidthemantoKepi.“Youabandonedit.It’sours.”He

pointedatthetwotallestboys.“Helpuscarrytheseboatsaway.”Therestoftheboysleft,too.OnlytheboywhohadfirstwavedatKepi

remained.“Gohome,”hesaid.Butnicely.“Idon’thaveahome.NotinInebHedj.”“Sowhatareyoudoinghere?”“Idon’tknow.Iusedtoknow.ButrightnowIcan’t...Ican’tthink.I’mjust

sad.”“Iknow.Isawyoucry.”Kepishivered.Sheshiveredandshivered,uncontrollably.“CanIstaywithyou

tonight?”Theboydidn’tevenblink.“You’restrong.Youcandoboys’work.I’m

Masud.Come,andyoucanstayaslongasyoulike.”

T

Chapter24Metallurgy

hemastercameandstoodontheothersideofMasud.KepisensedMasudstiffening.Butshekepthereyessteadyontheholeinfrontofthem.

Themastergaveaquicknod.“Lineit.”Hehobbledofftoinspecttheworkoftheboysattheotherfirepits.MasudsmiledatKepi.“He’spleased.Wedugittherightsize.”Kepicouldtakenocredit.Masudwastheonewhoknewaboutthesethings;

Kepihadneverdugafirepitbefore.Shesighedandlookedaround.Atthatmoment,avulturelandedonthegateofthemetallurgyyard.Two

peoplewerepeeringthroughthatgateintotheyard:aboyofaroundeightyearsoldandamansittingonamatofpapyrusreedswoventogether.Theboyheldoneendofarope.Theotherendwastiedtothemat.Theman’slegswerestumps.Boyandmanwerebothholloweyedandhollowcheeked.Adullnesssatontheiropenlips.“We’rebeingwatched,”saidKepi.“Don’tlookatthem.Ifthemastersees,he’llchasethemoffbeforethey’ve

hadachance.”“Achanceatwhat?”“Don’ttalk.”Masudlookedaroundquickly.Withhisbacktothegate,hetossedapottery

shardoverhisshoulder.Thevulturedidn’tmove,thoughtheshardwentrightpasthimandlandedbeyondtheboy.Theboypickeditupandleft,pullingthemanonthematbehindhim.AndthewholetimeMasudhadn’tevenglancedatthem.Hewasalreadyon

hisknobbyknees,liningthebottomandthesidesoftheholewiththepotteryshards.SoKepididthesame.Forthepastthreedays,eversinceshe’dmetMasudonthedockandcomeheretothismetallurgyshop,she’dmimickedeverythinghedid,neveraskingquestions.Masudsaiditwasbestnottocallattentiontooneself.Peoplewhostuckoutgotbeatenorgivenmorework.MimickingwasfinewithKepi.Lastnightwasthefirsttimeshe’dreallyslept

sincethesandstorm.SinceMeneshaddied.Soshe’dbeentiredmostofthetime.

sincethesandstorm.SinceMeneshaddied.Soshe’dbeentiredmostofthetime.Shedidn’thavetheenergytothinkforherself.Shewasgratefultodriftalongatthisquietshop;noonedrownedhere,noonestarved.Itwaseasytoloseherselfinthestrangedetailsofthisnewlife.Shewasgratefulforthat,too.Today,though,Kepiwasrested,andherthinkingwassharpagain.Shedidn’t

fullyunderstandwhathadhappenedjustnowwiththatboyandthemanoutsidethegate,butsheknewtheywerehomeless.Beggars.Masudhadsomehowhelpedthembygivingthemsomethingasworthlessasapotteryshard.Hewouldgetintroubleifthemasterknew.AndhetrustedKepinottotellonhim.Andmostofall,somethinghadhappenedtothatman’slegs.Forthefirsttimeinthreedays,Kepifeltsomethingbeyondgrief.Shewas

startledtofindthatitwasalmostdisgust—atherself.She’dbeenhardlyaperson;itwasasthoughshehadnowillofherown.She’dletherselfacthelpless.Fatheralwayssaidtheonlythingthatwashumiliatingwashelplessness.Kepi

suddenlyrealizedthatthatbeliefprobablymadethelossofhisfootthatmuchmoredifficultforhim.Anditwaspartofwhatmadehimsodeterminedtobenotjustabaker,butthebestbakeraround.Hewouldn’tgiveup.AndMeneswaslikeFather—notinmostways,butinthatoneway.WhenthecrewstoleBabuandmadeoffwithouthim,hedidn’tcry—hegotmad.Hesaid,“Noonegetsawaywithstealingfromme.”Kepiwassickofherself.MeneshadcalledKepihisstubbornlittletempest,

butitwasMeneswhowasstubborn.AndsowasFather.Nooneevercalledherfatherstubborn,butnowitwasobvioustoKepithatthatwasexactlywhatFatherwas.Youhadtobestubbornwhenthingsgotawful,oryou’dgiveup.Andgivingupfeltawful.Meneshadtoldhertorememberthat,remembernevertogiveup.KepilovedFather.AndshehadcometoloveMenes.Shewouldprobably

neverstopfeelingaheavysadnessforMenes,butshecouldcarryitaroundwithmorestrengthifshedidwhatsheknewshereallyshouldbedoing.FortheloveofbothherfamilyandMenes,shehadtofindthatstubborncorewithinagainandgainthestrengthfromittoshakeherselfintoaction.Becausethiswholethinghadgrown.ItwascleartoKepinow;likedawnafter

alongnightoutintheopenbytheriver,everythingwasclear.Lotsofpeoplegothurtworkingonthepyramids.Soitwasn’tjustherfamilythatdependedonher.Inaway,allEgyptdependedonher,becauseallEgyptdependedonthepharaoh.AndKepilovedEgypt.HermonthalonewithMenesontheriverhadmadethatlovedeepandabiding.Thiswasherland.Kepineededtotellthepharaohaboutallofthem,alltheinjuredworkers.Maybethatwaswhythe

pharaohaboutallofthem,alltheinjuredworkers.Maybethatwaswhythevulturehaddrawnherattentiontothatboyandmanontheothersideofthegate;maybeitwasthegoddessNekhbet,thegoddesswhoprotectedthepharaoh.Shehadsoaredoverheadafterthesandstorm,andnowshehadcomeagain.MaybeshewantedKepitotalkwiththepharaohandhelphimchangehisways,helphimbecomeabettergod.Itallmadesense,thiswholetrip.Afiercedeterminationflowedthroughher.

ButKepishouldn’tdoanythingfast.Forthemomentshehadtodoherjob,orbothsheandMasudwouldgetintrouble.AndMasudwasreallynice;Kepineverwantedtogethimintrouble.Tonight,whileeveryoneelsewassleeping,she’dfigureoutwhattodonext.Shelookedaroundthroughnewlyalerteyes.Metallurgywasinteresting;shemightaswellpayattention.Masudnowdumpedcharcoalintothehole.Helitapapyrustorchfromoneof

theotherboys’firesandsetthecharcoalaflame.Hesuckedhistoplipinbehindhisbottomteeth.Kepihadseenhimdothatalot.“What’sthematter?”sheasked.Whywasn’thegatheringthegreenrocksand

throwingthemintothefirepit?Thatwasthenextstep.Thatwaswhatthey’ddoneforthepastthreedays.Thoserockscontainedcopper,andcopperwaswhattheyweresmelting.Kepihadknownhowtorecognizecoppersinceshewastiny.Backhomethose

blue-greennuggetslaynearstreams.Once,afterathunderstorm,KepiandFatherhadgonewanderinginacanyonandhadcomeacrossalargecliffhunkthathadfallenoff.Redspeckledthebrokenside.Fathertoldherthatwastheoriginalcolorofcopper—beforethewindandrainturneditgreen.Brilliantred.Andthatwashowitlookedhere,aftertheysmelteditandthemastermadeitintobraceletsandanklets.WhenMasuddidn’tanswer,Kepinudgedhim.“Areyoudaydreaming?”She

pointedattherockpile.“Let’sgogetthem.”“Don’tpoint,”saidMasudunderhisbreath.“Anddon’tlookatmewhenyou

talk.Themasterdoesn’tlikeustotalkatwork.Andno,ofcourseI’mnotdaydreaming.Don’ttreatmelikeasillyjackass.”ThatwasoneofMasud’sfavoriteinsults:Hecalledtheotherboyssilly

jackasses.Jackasseswerefour-leggedanimalswithshorthairthatstoodastallasKepiandhadhoovesthatweren’tsplit.Theystank,althoughMasudinsistedtheysmelledniceafterabath.InKepi’sopinion,thepeopleinInebHedjdidn’twashtheirjackassesoftenenough.InUpperEgypt,whereKepiwasfrom,theydidn’thavejackasses.Butthiscitywascrowdedwiththem.Themillersusedthemtostompgrainsintoflour.Andeveryoneusedthemtocarryburdens.Kepi

themtostompgrainsintoflour.Andeveryoneusedthemtocarryburdens.Kepididn’tknowifjackassesweresillyornot,butshelikedtheinsultbecauseitmadeherfeeljusttheslightestbitasthoughshewashome,withFatherandMotherandNanucallinghersillyallthetime.“Sowhat’sthematter?”Kepiaskedoutofthesideofhermouth.“We’redoingsomethingdifferenttoday.Justyouandme.Themasterchose

us.Well,hechoseme—healwayschoosesmeforspecialtasks;butIaskedforyouasmypartner.That’swhywedugthisnewpit.”Masudrubbedhisnoseandtalkedwithhishandinfrontofhismouth.“Andit’smyfirsttime.Wehavetodoitright.Don’taskquestions.JustdowhatIdo.”Heputcharcoalintoapotaboutaquarterofthewayfullandsetitbesidetheflamingpit.Kepiwasbaffled,butMasudclearlywasn’tabouttoofferanexplanation.MasudpickeduptwometalrodsandhandedonetoKepi.Togethertheywent

totheiroldfirepitfromyesterday,theonethatwascompletelycoolnow.Therocksthey’dmeltedinthatpithadresolidifiedintoasinglebigslab.Theyusedthemetalrodstodigouttheslabandlevereditontothegroundbesidethepit.ThenMasudcrackedtheroddownontopofit.“Comeon,”hesaid.“Thisisthefunpart.Tryit.”Sotheytookturnshittingtheslab.Abrittle,glassy,silverylayerchippedoff.

“That’sslag,”saidMasud.“Thejunkrockthatthecopperranthrough.”Underneathwasthebeautiful,glistening,pureredcopper.Masudbrusheditoffwithhishands.“Helpmecarryittoournewpit.”Kepiwassurprised.Usuallythemasterhadthecakesofpurecoppercarriedto

hisworkshop.Thereboyshammeredthemsoflatthatthemastercouldcutandbendthemanywayhewanted.Jewelry,bowls,boxes,mirrors.Sometimesthemastersetcoloredstonesintoboxlids—amethyst,carnelian,quartz,garnet.Kepilovedthemirrorsespecially,becausethemasteroutlinedthemwithbitsofturquoise,thecolorthatensuredfertilityandprotectedagainsttheevileye.Kepiwantedacoppermirrorwithaturquoiseborderwhenshegotolder.Nanuwouldloveonenow.Soitwasoddtocarrythecoppercaketothenewflamingpit.ButKepi

obedientlycurledherfingersunderherendoftheslab.Thefireglowedbluealready.“I’masillyjackass,”saidMasud.“Weshouldhaveputthepotofcharcoalin

thepitwhentheflameswerestillred.Nowthefire’ssohot,we’llgetburned.”“Wehavetoputthepotinthefirepit?”“Itoldyounottoaskquestions.”Kepilookedatthepot.Ithadaliparoundthetop.“Ifweholdthemetalrods

underthelip,youononesideandmeontheother,wecanliftitinwithout

underthelip,youononesideandmeontheother,wecanliftitinwithoutgettingburned.It’llbeeasybecausewe’rejustaboutthesameheight.”Masudknittedhisbrows.“Please,greatgodSeker,”hesaidsoftly.“Please

helpus.Don’tletusdropthepot.Youlovejewelry,andwearemetalworkers,soweareyourhumbleservants.”KepiandMasudusedtherodstoplacethepotinthefire.ThenMasudsetthe

charcoalinsidethepotafire.“Nowthecoppercakegoesin.”Kepiblinked.“How?There’snowaytoholditatadistance,andwecan’t

throwitinorthepotwillbreak.”Masuddidn’tevenlookatKepi.Hepickedupastoneandhammeredthetipof

arodintooneendofthethinslab.Slowlytherodpiercedthecoppercake.Hesmiledathertriumphantly.“See,you’renottheonlysmartone.Purecopperissoft.”Theyskeweredthecopperslabandlifteditdownintothepot,thenslidouttherod.Masudpumpedairintothesideofthepitwithagoatskinbellows.Thefire

grewwhitehot.ThenMasudtossedadark,shiny,silveryrockintothemoltencopper.Kepisteppedbackinalarm.“You’redirtyingthecopperagain.”“It’supje.That’swhatwe’resupposedtodo.”“Ineverheardofupje.”“Somecallitarsenic.Itmakesbronze.Ahardermetal.Betterforstatues.”“Statues?Arewemakingstatues?”“Notus.Justwatch.”Stinkingfumesrosefromthemoltensoup—likeold,wet,mustygarlicthat

hadgrownextrastrong.Themasterlookedintotheirpot.Thenhecalledoverthedozenotherboysto

sitinasemicircleandwatch.ButMasudandKepiweretoldtostayontheirfeet,sotheycouldseeeverythingbetter.Kepididn’tlikestandingwheneveryoneelsewassitting.Shecouldtellfrom

theirfacesthatitmadetheboysangry.Masudandsheweretheonlyfreepeopleworkinghere.Theotherchildrenwereslaves,stolenortradedforfromothercountries.Masudwasanorphan.Themasterhadadoptedhim.Butheshowedtheboyno

affection.Masudsaidthatthemasterhadadoptedhimonlybecausehewantedtomakesurehe’dhavesomeonetotakecareofhiminhisoldage.SoMasudwaslearningthetrade—themastertaughthimeverything,notjustthemenialtasks.Whentheotherboysgotolder,themasterwouldtradethemawayandgetyoungerslaves,butMasudwouldstayherehiswholelife.

youngerslaves,butMasudwouldstayherehiswholelife.MasudhadtoldthemasterthatKepiwasanorphan,too.Hehadn’tlied,

though.Thatwaswhathehadbelievedwhenhe’dfirstbroughthertotheworkshop.Nowheknewallabouther,buthehadn’tthen.Themastertooklongmetaltongs,andwithgreateffort,heliftedthepotfrom

thefirepitandsetitontheground.Hewasabigman,buthewaslameinoneleg,soeverythingwashardforhim.Hehammeredaholeinthesideofthepot,upnearthetop.Kepinoticedthataslaveboywastryingtopeerpasther.Itwastheoddslave

boy—theonetheotherskepttheirdistancefrom,asthoughtherewassomethingwrongwithhim.Hewastall,butshewasexactlyinhisway.Theireyesmet.Shemovedasidesohecouldsee.Nowthemastergrippedthepotwiththetongsandtippedit.Moltenmetal

pouredthroughthatholeintoacastingmold.Therisingsteammadeithardtosee,butasitcleared,agoldenthreadappeared,connectingthepottothemold.Itseemedsublime,likethelongshinyfingerofagod.Themasterthrewtheemptypotontotheshardpile.Thenhesquattedbythe

castingmold.Afteralongwhile,hetappedthemoldwithahammer,anditbrokeawayfromwhatwasinside.Twogoldenearsappeared,pointingtotheheavens.Thenaheadwithdeeply

incisedlongwhiskers.Thecatsatonitshauncheswithitstailstraightup.Themasterrubbedwithathickclothuntilthecatglowed.Atlasthehelditupforalltosee.“Imadethisforrichcustomers,”saidthemaster.“Doyouthinkthey’lllikeit?”Theslaveboyscheered.Itwasafternoonbynow.Thefiresintheotherpitshaddieddown.Themaster

toldtheboystoputawaythetools;theywerefreetilldinnertime.“Ihaveanerrand,”MasudsaidtoKepi.“Wanttocome?”Kepihadn’tyetbeenoutofthisshop,excepttogobackandforthtothehome

theyateandsleptin.Theoffertemptedher.Buthercuriositywaspiquedevenmoreaboutsomethingelserightnow.Sheshookherhead,andMasudleft.

K

Chapter25Bells

epiwenttothewalloftheworkshopandsatintheshadowstowait.Shewasfamiliarenoughwithcats;wildcatsstalkedtherefusepileoutsideher

village.Butshewonderedwhoonearthwouldcommissionastatueofacat,ofallthings.Soonenough,Kepiheardmusicalclinks;thesecustomersclearlyworelotsof

jewelry.Kepiheardthemastermeetthemattheentranceandleadtheminside.Shestoodandpeekedinthroughawindow.Acouplewithlong,drawnfacesandmanybracelets,anklets,andnecklaces

followedthemaster.Theireyebrowswereshaved.Atthesightofthecatstatue,theygasped.“Itmakesusthinkofourdeardepartedone.”Thewomanbeatherchestingrief,asthoughthecatwasamemberofherfamily.Themanpaidandcarriedawaythestatue.Kepibackedintotheshadowsagainandploppeddown,almostlandingonthe

lapofoneoftheslaveboys.“Sorry.Ididn’tseeyou.”Itwastheboyshehadmovedasideforearlier.“Isawthecustomers,”shesaidinaconfidentialtone.“Thatstatueisfortheirdeadcat.Imaginethat!Theyownedawildcat.”“Itprobablywasn’treallywild.It’spopularheretotamecats.Whenoneis

reallynice,theymateitwithanotherreallyniceone,andthekittensareevennicer.Theysleepwiththem.”“You’rejoking.Catsinahouse?”“Catskeeppoisonoussnakesout.Andrats,too.Peoplesaythey’rewonderful.

Ibettheownersshavedtheireyebrows.”“Theydid!”saidKepi.“Itoldyou.It’swhattheydoheretoshowrespectatthedeathofacat.”“HowdoyouknowsomuchaboutInebHedj?”“I’velivedheresinceIwassix.Halfmylife.”Kepiswallowed.Halfhislifeawayfromhisfamily.“I’mKepi.”“Youprobablydon’twanttotalkwithme,Kepi.”“Whynot?”“IwasaswineherdbeforeIcamehere.Themastersaysswineherdsstink.He

“IwasaswineherdbeforeIcamehere.Themastersaysswineherdsstink.Hesaysthat’swhyI’mbad.Hebeatsme.Ifheseesustalking,hemightbeatyou,too.”Kepiworkedtokeepherfaceplacid.Herfamilysaidswineherdsstank,too.

Shetookadeepbreathwithoutbeingobviousaboutit.Thisboydidn’tstink.Anditwasn’thisfaultthathisfamilykeptswine.“Idon’tcare.I’mhappytoknowyou.”Theboystared.Thenhegaveaquickheadbow.“CallmeKan.Butthat’snot

reallymyname.IwasborninKanesh,sothat’swhatthemanwhoboughtmefrommyparentscalledmeforshort,anditstuck.”Hisparentstradedhimaway!KepilookeddownatherfeetsoKancouldn’t

seetheshockinhereyes.InEgyptnoonewoulddothattotheirchildren.“Kanesh.Whereisthatplace?”“Northeast.InthelandoftheHattians.Ittakesmonthsonthebacksof

jackassestogetthere.”“Myhomeisfar,too.Butsouth.Ittakesamonthandahalftogetthereby

boat.”“Myhomehasmountainsallaround,”saidKan.Thenhegavealittlehumph.

“Actually,Idon’trememberitthatwell.SometimesIthinkIdon’trememberitatall.”“Irememberhome.Ihaven’tbeenawaysolong,though—noteventwo

months.Ithinkaboutitallthetime.IthinkaboutmymotherandfatherandmysisterNanu.”TalkinglikethismadeKepitremble.“Yeah.”Kanlookedaway.“Atleastwe’rebusyhere.Youwon’tbeableto

thinkaboutthemsomuchaslongasyou’reworkingthemetals.”“I’mnotworkingherelong.Ionlycamebyaccident,really.Itallstarted

becauseofababoon.”“Baboon?Youmeanamonkey?”Kepihadn’tmeanttotalkaboutBabu.She’dgivenuphopeofeverseeinghim

again.Butitfeltnicetorememberhimrightnow.“Thebestlittlemonkey.”Kangaveatwistedsmile.“Isthatajoke?”“Twoboysstolehim,andIwentafterthemtogethimback.Anyway,he’s

lost.ButIhavesomethingelseIneedtodonow.ThenI’mgoinghome.”“Sure.”Kanlaughed.“JustlikeI’mgoinghome.”“Don’tlaugh.I’mgoingtodoit.”Kepigottoherfeet.Beyondthewallofthe

metallurgyyard,shecouldsee,theskywasdecoratedwithupwardswirlsofpale-graysmokefromcookingfires.Somanyofthem.Somanypeoplewerepreparingtheireveningmeals.Shelookedintothewindowoftheworkshopagain.Themasterhadleft.The

Shelookedintothewindowoftheworkshopagain.Themasterhadleft.Theworkbencheswerecoveredwithjewelryinvariousstagesofcompletion.ShethoughtoftheglassbeadnecklaceMeneshadboughtherinNekheb,theoneshe’dneverseen.Shewishedshehadlethimgiveittoherthen,sothatnowshe’dhaveatokenofhim.“Imissjewelry,”saidKepi.“IusedtowearsomuchthatIjangledwhereverIwent.”Kanjumpedtohisfeetasthoughascorpionhadpinchedhisbottom.“Ihave

somethingtoshowyou,then.”Hetookoffthelittlepouchthathungaroundhisneckandshookthecontentsintohishand.Severaltinysilvery-whitemetalbowls,eachnobiggerthanafingertip,layinhispalm.Theyeachhadaminiatureloopontheundersideofthebowlbasin.“CanItouchthem?”“Sure.”Kepiheldtwouptothelateafternoonsun.“I’veneverseenanythinglikethis.

Aretheymadeofaspecialsilver?”“It’stin.Inmycountrywesmeltitoutofrocks,justlikewesmeltcopperhere.

Themanwhofirstownedmehadawholesackofpuretinpebbles,andIstolesomebeforehetradedmeaway.It’sallIhaveleftofmycountry.Imadethesefromatinpebble.”“Whataretheyfor?”Heflippedeachbasinoversotheloopsstuckoutontop.“They’rebells.”“Whatarebells?”“Listen.”Kanputtherestofthebellsawayinhispouch.Thenhepulleda

threadfromtheedgeofhisloinclothandrippeditinhalfwithhisteeth.Hestrungthethreadthroughtheloopsonthetwobellsandshook.Thebellshiteachotherandgaveoffthesweetesthigh-pitchedtinklingsound.“Marvelous,”whisperedKepi.Herwholebodyhadtensedup.Thetinkleof

thosebellsfeltfamiliar.TheysoundedlikethenoiseKepihadimaginedthegoddessHathor’snecklacemustmake.Thattinklewasmorebeautifulthanthebestmusicshe’deverheard.Itfilledherwithjoy.“Bellsarecompletelymarvelous.”“WhenIhearthem,itmakesmethinkIrememberbeingsmallandhappy,and

maybesomedayI’llbehappylikethatagain.”Kanputthetinbellsbackintothepouchandlookedatherwithaseriousface.“Comeon.Let’stakeanothertinpebbleandmakemorebells.Foryou.”Breathless,KepiwaitedintheworkshopwhileKanwenttogetatinpebble

fromhishidingplace.Theyhammeredthetinflatenoughtobreakintotwopieces;theneachofthemhammeredtheirpieceevenflatter.Itwassoftandgave

pieces;theneachofthemhammeredtheirpieceevenflatter.Itwassoftandgavewayeasily.ButitstilltookKepialongtimetomakeitthinenoughforbellsasdelicateastheonesKanhadinhispouch.“Hearthat?”KanheldapieceoftinclosetoKepi’searandfoldedit.Itgave

offthestrangestcrackle.“It’scrying.Youhavetobegentle,becausetinfeelseverything.”HeshowedKepihowtofoldtintherightway,sothateachbellwouldhavealoopatthetopforstringing.ItwastrickyandtookallofKepi’sattention.Intheend,shemadefivetin

bells.Theeveninglighthadgrowndim.Kanhandedherathread,andKepistrungthebellstogetherandshookthem.Theytinkledperfectly.HowamazingthatKepihadmadethemsofinewhenherhandsmovedsoclumsilyatthetask.Theywereaswonderfulasjewelry.TheymadeherfeelliketheoldKepi,theonewhohadafamilythatgaveherjewelry.Andthemusicthesebellsmadewasevenbetterthanthemusicjewelrymade.ThemusicmadeherfeelshebelongedtothegoddessHathor.ItmadeherbelievethatHathorwaswatchingher.Ofcourse!Hathormusthavehelpedhermakethem.Hathormusthaveguidedherclumsyhands.Hathorwantedhertohavethesebells.Thankyou,greatgoddessHathor.Thankyou,thankyou.“You’reatinkernow,”saidKan.“Anyonewhomakesthingsfromtinisa

tinker.Makesureyounevertakethemoutinsnow,orthey’llturntograypowder.”“I’veneverseensnow,”saidKepi,holdingthepreciousbellstoherchest.She

wouldn’tevenknowwhatsnowwasifFatherhadn’ttoldheraboutit.“Iwasjustteasing.Wehavesnowinmycountry.Seriously,though,neverlet

themfallintoafire,orthey’llbreak.”“Iwon’t,”saidKepi,holdingthemcloser.“Ifyoupolishthosebells,they’llshineasbrightassilver.NowlookatwhatI

made.”Kanheldthethinghe’dbeenworkingontohismouthandblew.Itgaveoffaloud,shrillsound.Kepijumpedinsurprise.“It’sawhistle.Aboyfrommycountrywashereacoupleofyearsago.He

taughtmehowtomakethembeforehewastradedawayagain.Isn’titgreat?”“Indeed!”Themastercameintotheworkshopthroughthegloomofearly

evening.“Whatdoyouhavethere,boy?”Kanputthewhistlebehindhisback.“Nothing.”“Itdoesn’tsoundlikenothing.”“It’smine.”Themasterscowled.“What’syoursismine.Youbelongtome,youdirtylittle

pigherder.You’llgetabeatingfortalkingback,allright.Andyou...”HelookedatKepi.“Whathaveyougot?”“Wemadethem,”saidKepi,movingtostandbesideKan.“They’reours.”“Anythingmadeinmyworkshopismine.”Themasterheldouthishands,one

towardKanandonetowardKepi.Kepi’sfingersclosedtightonthebells.She’dnevergivethemup.Shesawthe

skinonKan’sjawtightenasheclenchedhisteeth.KanandKepilookedateachother,andalmostasifthey’dknownallalong

thishadtohappen,theyrantogetheroutoftheworkshop,outofthemetallurgyyard,outintothestreetsofInebHedj.

“K

Chapter26Masud

epi!Kepi,areyouhere?”cametheraspycall.Kepiopenedhereyes.Itwasthemiddleofthenight,butthemoon

wasbright.Shedidn’tdaremovequickly,ortheboatmightrockandgiveheraway.Kanlaysleepingbesideher.Theyhadtakenrefugeonasmallfishingboatatthedocks.Kanknewtheway,becausetheslaveboysoftencarriedthegarbagedownheretodumpintotheriver.NowKepislowlyclosedherfingersaroundthehandleofthepaddlebeside

her.Ifthatcallcamefromthemasterandifhetriedtodoanythinghorrible,shewouldswingithardathim.Hewasbig—butthatlamelegmadehimslow.Maybeablowwiththepaddlecouldholdhimofflongenoughtogetaway.“Kepi,comeon.Youhavetobehere.Don’tactlikeoneofthejackassboys!”Kepisatup.“Masud?”shehissed.“Thereyouare.”Masudranalongthedocksandstoodinfrontoftheirboat.“I

savedyoubreadfromtheeveningmeal.”KanjumpedupatMasud’svoice.Herubbedhiseyes.“Bread?Whereisit?”Masudheldouttwosmallpieces.“It’snotmuch.Sorry.”Kanclimbedfromtheboatontothedockandtookapieceofthebread.Kepicarefullyfeltinthebottomoftheboatandfoundthefivetinbellsshe’d

made.Sheclosedtheminherfist,climbedout,andtookthebread.“Thankyou,Masud.”Masudsquatted.“Getdownlikeme.Thatwayifanyoneshouldlooktoward

thedock,they’relesslikelytoseeus.”KanandKepisquatted.“Howdidyoufindus?”askedKepi.“Ifiguredthedockwastheonlyplaceinthecityyouknewotherthanthe

metallurgyshopandtheworkers’home.Besides,youlivedonaboatforsolong.”Hewatchedthemchewthebread.Kepicouldseefromhisfacethathewashungry,too.Hehadsavedthese

piecesfromhisownmeal,andKepiknewhowskimpytheworkers’mealswere.Sheswallowedthelastbitegratefully.Thenshesearchedwithherfingersfor

Sheswallowedthelastbitegratefully.Thenshesearchedwithherfingersforthatloosespotinherdresshem.Shecarefullypushedinthetinytinbells,onebyone,andworkedthemaroundtotheside,wheretheostrichfeathernestled.“Whenthemastertoldusyou’dstolenthingsandrunaway,hesaidyou’d

eitherdieofstarvationorcomebacklikebeggingdogs.”“Wedidn’tsteal,”saidKanquickly.“Iknow.IcamelookingforKepiwhenIgotbackfromanerrand,andIsaw

thetwoofyouthroughtherearwindowintheworkshop.Iwasabouttocomeinwhenthemastercaughtyou.He’sabigliarjackass.Youwon’tcomeback,willyou?”Kepishookherhead.“I’mgoinghome.”“That’sgood.”“OnlyI’mgoingtodowhatIcamehereforfirst.”“Iknewyou’dtry.”Hepressedafistagainsthismouth.Thenhespokeslowly.

“I’vethoughtandthoughtaboutthis.Andnotjusttonight.I’vebeenthinkingaboutiteversince...”MasudlookedatKepi.“EversinceImetyou.”Hetookadeepbreathandletitoutloudly.“I’llhelpyou.BecauseI’mfree,Igettowalkallover.AndIwasbornhere—I’vebeenhereallmylife—soIknowthiscity.Icanfindoutthings.Youneedme.And...”Hehesitated.“...I’llgowithyou.Toyourhome.I’llhelpyougetthere,andthen...I’llbecomeametallurgistinyourvillage.There’snothinglefthereformenow.”Kangroaned.“Kepitoldmeherplanslastnight.Ididn’tbelieveher,butit’s

reallygoingtohappen.You’rebothgoingtoleave.”Hecrossedhisarmsatthechestandrubbedhisforearms.Hecurledforwardevenmoreagainsthisknees,asifhewascold.“WhathaveIdone?Oh,I’vebeensostupid!”hemutteredwithhisheaddown.“Themasterwillhatemeevenmorenow,andIhavenoplaceelsetogo.I’llstarve”“Comewithus,”saidMasud.“YoucanworkwithmewhenwegettoKepi’s

village.”“Doyoureallymeanthat?”“You’regoodatmetallurgy.”Kan’sforeheadcrinkled,andforamomentKepithoughthemightdo

somethingawful—shoutorcry,shecouldn’ttellwhich.“So,whatdowedonow?”heaskedsoftly.“Good,”saidKepi.SheturnedtoMasud.“I’lltalktothepharaoh.Thenwe

canbegarideonatradeboatandleavethisplacefast.”“Itwon’tbethateasy.”Masudsuckedhistoplipbehindhisbottomteeth.

“Thepharaohwon’ttalktoyou.”“Whatdoyoumean?I’lljustgouptohimand—”

“Whatdoyoumean?I’lljustgouptohimand—”“Hedoesn’tgiveprivateaudiencestoanyoneunlessthey’retheheadpriestof

atownoranambassadorfromanotherland.Iaskedaround.Petitionershavetobeimportant,Kepi.He’dnevertalktoakidlikeyou.”“ThenI’lljumpoutathimashe’swalkingdownthestreet.”“Youcan’tgetnearhim.He’ssurroundedbyservantsanddignitaries.”“No!”wailedKepi.“Thereisonechance.Sometimeshegivesapublicaudience.Idon’tknow

whenthenextoneis.Orwhere.ButIcanfindoutandgetdirections.InebHedjisbig.”“Itcan’tbethatbig,”saidKepi.“Wecan—”“Thirtythousandpeople.It’sthebiggestcityintheworld.”Thirtythousand.Thenumberwasstaggering.“Allright.Let’sstartasking.”“No,”saidMasud.“Ihavetodoit.Alone.”Kepipushedhimintheshoulder.“Thisismyjob.”“Andyou’rewanted.Themasterwenttotheauthoritiesaftertheeveningmeal

andtoldthemyoustolehisslaveandthetwoofyoustolehisgoods.YoubothhavetohidewhileIfindouteverything.”“They’relookingforus.”Kan’sfingersdugintohisarmsnow.Hisskin

seemedtoturnpalegrayinthemoon-light.“We’redonefor.”“No,you’renot.Ihaveaplacetohideyou.”“Whataboutyou?”askedKepi.“Wherewillyoube?”“Ihavetostayatthemetallurgist’s.ThemasterknowsI’myourfriend.IfI

leave,he’lltellliesaboutme,too.TheonlywayIcanbefreetowalkaroundandaskquestionsisifIgoonworking.Themastersendsmeonerrandsoften,soIcanaskthen.Andintheeveningsafterthemeal,Icanaskaround,too.It’stheonlyway.I’vethoughtitthrough—it’sallI’vebeenthinkingabout.Thisishowithastobe.”Masudstood.“Come.”Kepistartedtorise,butKancaughtherbytheelbow.“Wait.Themaster

favorsyou,Masud.You’rehisadoptedson.Howdoweknowyou’renotworkingforhim?”Masudbentoverthemandopenedhishandswide.“Youhavetotrustme.”KepithoughtofhowMasudhadthrownthepotteryshardtotheboyandthe

leglessmanontheothersideofthemetallurgyyardgate.“Idotrustyou,”shesaid,“butIdon’tunderstandyou.Whywouldyoudoallthisjustforme?”“Itisn’tjustforyou.MymotherdiedwhenIwasborn.Soitwasonlymy

fatherandme.”Masudtookadeepnoisybreath.“Hediedworkingonthepharaoh’spyramid.”

pharaoh’spyramid.”Kepi’snoseprickledfromheld-backsobs.“I’msorry,Masud.”“Followme.”“Whereareyouleadingus?”askedKan.“Toapotteryworkers’home.Mycousinlivesthere.Ourfathersdiedtogether

—andwhenIwenttothemetallurgist,shewenttothepotter.”“Doesthemasterknowaboutyourcousin?”askedKan.“Yes,”saidMasud.“Oh.Oh,you’reright,I’mnotgoodatthis.”Hesankback

toasquatanddroppedhisheadintohishands.“Idon’tknowanyoneelsewecantrust.”Kansuddenlyclappedhishands.“Yes,youdo.Amisi.”Masud’sjawdropped.“Right!Amisilivesintheweavers’home.”Amisimeant“flower.”Itwasthesortofnameanygirlwouldlovetohave.

Kepihadbeenamongonlymenorboysforsolong,shefeltstrangeattheverythoughtofanothergirl.“Who’sAmisi?”“Anorphanwhowasbroughttothemetallurgistlastyear,”saidMasud.

“Amisididn’tlast;theworkwastoohard.”“Andthemastertreatedhertoomean,”saidKan.“Why?What’swrongwithher?”“Herfatherwasanembalmer,”saidMasud.Embalmerswereoutcasts.“Butdon’tpassjudgmentonher,”saidKan.“Amisi’sasclosetoperfectasa

girlgets.”Kepiwasn’tabouttopassjudgmentonAmisi.Butshedidn’tlikethewayKan

talkedaboutAmisi.“What’ssoperfectabouther?”“Waittillyouseeher,”saidMasud.NowMasudwasdoingit,too.Kepiwantedtopinchthemboth.“Doyouknowwheretheweavers’homeis?”askedKan.“Stayclose.Let’sgo.”

K

Chapter27HidingPlace

anstoppedinthemiddleoftheroad.“Istheweavers’homefarfromourmetallurgyshop?”

“Notvery.”“Thenwehavetopassbytherefirst,”saidKan.“Ineedtogetsomething.”Masudslappedhisheadindisbelief.“Doyouhavefeverinyourheart,soyou

can’tactsensible?Youcan’tgoanywherenearthere.”“Youcan,though.Andeveryone’sstillasleep.Sonoonewillseeyou.Butif

anyonedoes,you’llthinkofsomeexcuse.”Masudshookhisheadhard.“It’stoodangerous.I’llbringyoutoAmisinow.

AndI’llfindanexcusetogoonanerrandwhendaylightcomes,andI’llbringyouwhatyouwantthen.”“Ihavetohaveitnow.”Kan’svoicewashardasstone.“Now!”“Allright.”MasudputhishandonKan’sshoulder.“Allright,allright.So,

Kan,tellmewherethesetinpebblesare.”“HowdidyouknowIwastalkingabouttinpebbles?”Masudshruggedsheepishlyandturnedhisfaceaway.“IguessIwaslistening

toyouandKepiintheworkshopforalittlelongerthanIsaid.”SomethingabouthistonecalmedKepi’sheart.Itwasaffectionate.Shedidn’t

thinkshe’dmindmeetingAmisi,afterall.“Youknowthebigwhiterockbythewallintheoutsideworkarea?Theone

shapedlikeagiantturtle?”saidKan.“Nearthelatrine?”“Underthatrockisahole.Mybagoftinnuggetsisthere.”“Rightnearthelatrine?”saidMasudagain.“Whatadisgustingplacetohide

something.”“Exactly.Noonehangsaroundthelatrineanylongerthantheyhaveto.No

onewouldlookthere.”Masudblewthroughhislipsandmadeablubberysound.Kepi’sheartjumped.

That’swhatshealwaysusedtodotoannoyNanu.“Allright,”saidMasud.“Let’sgo.”

“Allright,”saidMasud.“Let’sgo.”Theyracedthroughthemazeofstreetsofthesleepingcity,eachoneholding

ontotheelbowoftheoneinfront,Masudinthelead.Somestreetsweresonarrow,moonlightcouldn’tenter.Theyranthroughsolidblack.KepiclutchedKan’selbowwithallhermight.Thenightstreetsweepershadn’tmadeityettomanyofthestreetsthey

traveled.Kepifeltsquishythingsunderfoot.Thesharp,soursmellofjackassdunghungintheair.SheslammedintoKan’sback.Theboyshadstopped.“Waithere,”whisperedMasud.“I’llsneaktothelatrine.Ifanyonecatchesme,

I’llsayIhadastomachache,andI’llgotomysleepingmat.It’llbetooriskyformetodoanythingelse.”“Butthenwhat’llwedo?”askedKepi.“IfIdon’tcomebackbydawn,hide.You’llfindsomeplace.Thenmeetme

here,rightatthisspot,aftertheeveningmeal.”Masudclearedhisthroat.“Orwecouldgobacktomyoriginalplan.Doyoureallyneedthattinrightnow,Kan?”“Yes.”Kanwasstubborn,butKepirememberedhowhehadtalkedaboutthetin,how

itwastheonlythinghestillownedfromhiscountry.Sheinterlacedherfingersandpressedthemagainsthermouth.Masudleft.KepiandKansquattedbyawall.Theyheardananimalstompontheother

side,probablyinitssleep.SomethingsmallcrawledonKepi.SheswatteditawayandmovedclosertoKan.Anightjarswoopeddownandcaughtsomethinginmidairandglidedoff.Oh,dear.Nightjarswereactiveintheeveningandatdawn—butnotinthe

middleofthenight.Wastheairbeginningtolighten?Itseemedmoregraynowthanblack.Somethingclunked.Thepeopleinthishousemustbewakingup.Wherecouldtheyhide?Footstepscamerunningtowardthem.Kepijumpeduptoruntheotherway.Kancaughther.“It’sMasud.”Kepi’skneeswentweakwithrelief.Shepressedagainstthewalltokeepfrom

sinking.MasudhandedKanabag.Instantenergyzappedthroughallthreeofthem.

Theyran,withoutaword,turningthiswayandthat.Noisesofpeopleandanimalsstirringcamefromeverydirection.Masudfinallystopped.“That’stheweavers’home.Ihavetogetbackfast.I’ll

findyouheretonight.Ipromise.PraytothegoddessNitforhelp.”“WhyNit?”askedKan.

“WhyNit?”askedKan.“She’sthegoddesswhoprotectsweavers.Kepi’sgoingtobeaweavernow.

Andyou’llhideintheweavers’home—soyou’dbetterpraysheprotectsyou,too.”Andheleft.“Let’spray,”saidKepi.Kanshookhishead.“Idon’tshareyourgods.I’llpraytomyown.”Dear,dearNit,Kepiprayedinsideherheart.Rememberme?Yousenttheclick

beetlethatledmetoBabu.Itookgoodcareofyourbeetle.AndItookgoodcareofBabuuntilhewasstolen.Iwhisperedtoyoufrominsidethebasketwhenwedockedatyourfavoritecity,Ta-senet.Pleaserememberme.Pleasetakecareofme.AndofKan,too.Hedoesn’tknowourprayers—hedoesn’tknowourgods.Buthe’sagoodperson.ThenKepiremembereditwassafestwiththegodstoaskforsomethingspecific,topraythatnoonewouldgethurt.Pleasedon’tlettheauthoritiesfindusintheweavers’home.Andpleaseletthepharaohgiveapublicaudiencesoon.“Areyoudone?”askedKan.Kepinodded.“Comeon,then.”Hewentrightup

toawindowandlookedinside.Thenheclimbedin.“Whatareyoudoing?”Kepi’sheartbeatsofast,shepanted.“Youcan’tjust

gothroughawindowlikeathief.”“Doyouhaveabetteridea?”Kanreachedoutanarm.“Comeon.I’llhelp

you.”“Idon’tneedhelp.”Kepilookedupanddownthealley.Shecouldn’tsee

anyonewatching.Sheclimbedin.Theroomwasempty,andKanhadalreadyopenedadoorontheothersideof

it.Kepirantostandbehindhim.“Look.”Kanjerkedhischintowardtheroom.“She’sgottobeinthere.”Theroomwasfullofsleepinggirlsonreedmatslinedupagainstonewall.

KanandKepiwalkedalongfromsleepingmattosleepingmatwithnothingmoretohelpthemthanthegraylightofpredawn.Kanstopped,andKepiheardhimsuckinhisbreath.Thegirlwholaybeforethemhadthick,wavyblackhairthathalfcoveredher

face.Kansquattedbesideherhead.Thenheputahandoverhermouth.Thegirl’seyesflewopen,andshetriedtopullhishandaway.Kanleanedoverher.“Amisi,hello,”hewhispered.“It’sKan.Canyousee

me?”Shenodded.Kantookhishandaway.“It’sreallyyou.”Amisiputherhandsonhischeeks,andhervoicewasfullof

“It’sreallyyou.”Amisiputherhandsonhischeeks,andhervoicewasfullofjoy.“Kan.”“Itoldyouwe’dseeeachotheragain.ThisismyfriendKepi.Weneedaplace

tostayforawhile.”“Kepi?”Amisi’sheadjerkedtowardKepi.“Yourfriend?”“AndMasud’sfriend,too.”“Masud?Themetallurgist’sson?”“Adoptedson.I’lltellyouallaboutit.Butyouhavetohideusfirst.Canyou

dothatwithouttellinganyone?”“Lookbehindyou.”KepiandKanturnedaround.Mostoftheothergirlsintheroomhadsilently

gatheredbehindthem.Theonesstillontheirsleepingmatswatchedwithbigeyes.“Weallworktogetherhere.Likesisters.You’vefoundyourhidingplace.

You’resafe.”Amisismiled.Andwiththatsmile,Kepiunderstoodhowverybeautifulshewas.Butitwas

Kanwholikedherbest,notMasud.Kepismiled,too.

K

Chapter28TheWeavers’Home

epistoodoverthelargebucket.Yesterday,whennoonewaslooking,she’dkickedthatbucketoutofimpatience.Shehatedwastingtimeatthe

weavers’home.Thiswasonlyherseconddayhere,andalreadyshethoughtshe’dlosehermindiftherewasathird.Shewantedtokickthebucketagainnow.Butshehappenedtolookdownandnoticethatherdresshemwasturnedup.

Shesmootheditandfeltthefivetinytinbellshiddensilentandsafewithin.Thosespecialbellsweretheresultofworkingatthemetallurgist’s.Afeelingofcalmstartedinherfingertipsandranthroughherbody.Somethinggoodwouldcomeofherworkattheweavers’home,too—somethingimportant.Itwouldhappentoday,ifshejustkepthereyesopenandrecognizedopportunity.Sheleanedoverthebucketwithnewattention.Thepenshellsinitcametoa

pointatoneendandfannedoutattheother.Theylookedutterlyordinary.Noonecouldguessfromtheoutsidewhatatreasurehidwithin.Fishermencollectedtheminthesea,whichwasn’tfarfromthedelta.Andtheyweredumpedhereinthebucket,infreshriverwater,todie.Kepiputherhandsinandfeltaround.Theonesthatweredeadalreadyoften

openedontheirown.Ifnot,sheopenedthemwithherthumbnail.Andifthatdidn’twork,theywerestillalive,soshelefttheminthewaterlonger.ShecollectedmorethanfiftyshellsandbroughttheminabowltoAmisi.Amisikneltononesideofthebowl,andKepikneltontheother.Theypulled

outthetuftoffibersembeddedinthemollusksandteasedapartthefilaments,whichwerelongandfine,muchfinerthanKepi’shair.Theydroppedthefilamentsintoasecondbowlfilledwithcleanwaterandswishedthemabout,thendroppedthemintoathirdbowlofwater.Threewashingsweretherule.ButAmisifrowned.“Thisgroupofshellsmusthavehadaparticularlysandy

oneinthelot.Feel.”Kepiransomestrandsthroughherfingers.Theyseemedthesameasalways.“See?Thefibersstillaren’tquiteclean.”Amisitouchedthebottomofherchin

lightlywithjustthetipofherindexfinger.“Ijudgeweneedtwomore

lightlywithjustthetipofherindexfinger.“Ijudgeweneedtwomorewashings.”Amisiwastoofullofjudgments,inKepi’sopinion.Butshegotcleanwater

fromthebarrel,andtheygavethefilamentstwomorewashings.Thentheyheldthemuptothelight,onebyone,inspectingforcolor.Most

strandsweredeepyellow,thecolorofthebronzecatthemastermetallurgisthadmade.Thoseweresetasideinanadditionalbowl.Otherswerepaler.“Thisone,”saidAmisi,swingingafilamentinfrontofKepi’seyes,then

drapingitovertheedgeofthebowl.“Andthisone.Ijudgethembothtobetoopale.Andthese.Ijudgethemalltobetoopale.”Butfortunately,afterthatAmisijustgavequicknodsatpaleones,soKepididn’thavetositonherhandstokeepfrompinchingher.Amisifilledyetanotherbowlwithwaterandwenttothejaronthedyeshelf.

Shedroppedsaffronintothebowl.Thewaterinstantlybecamedeepyellow.Theyputthepalestfilaments—theonesAmisihadpassedherjudgmenton—intothedye.KepisatdownforaquickrestwhileAmisiwentbacktothebucketofpen

shellsandsearchedformoredeadones.Thatwashowtheyworked,allmorninglong,alldaylong,alternatingonsomepartsofthejobandsharingonothers.Thatwashowsixotherpairsofgirlsworkedrightalongsidethem.Kepiwilledherselftositstill.ShetriednottothinkofMasudwalkingthe

town,learningaboutthepharaoh,whileshewasstuckhere.AtleastKepilikedthesegirls.Theyknewhowtokeepasecret.Amisi

introducedKepitothemistressasanorphan,inneedofahomeandfoodinreturnforwork.SoareedmathadbeenaddedtothefloorforKepitosleepon.ButtherewasnomatforKan,becausethemistresscouldn’tknowabouthimorshe’dkickhimout.Boysweren’tallowed.LastnightAmisigaveuphersleepingmattoKan,andshecrawledinwithKepi.Itworkedwellenough.Whenitcametomeals,itseemedeverygirlsavedalittlebitforKan.AndthegirlshadstayedabsolutelysilentlastnightwhenMasudsnuckintoreportonhisprogresssofar.Itturnedoutthepharaohwouldn’tbegivingapublicaudienceforamonth.TodayMasudwasgoingtotrytofindoutwherethatwouldbe.Kepihadnoddedandhungherhead,butinsideshewantedtoscream.She’dneverlastamonth.ButKepishouldbegrateful.Theseweregenerousgirls,kindgirls,secretive

girls.Girlsyoucouldcounton.Theonlythingthatbotheredherwasthateachofthemhadatinypouchtiedflatagainsttheinsideofonewrist.WhenKepiaskedwhatitwas,Amisisaidshe’dhavetoearntheknowledge.Secrecycouldbeannoying,too.WhenAmisijudgedthatsheandKepihadcleanedenoughfilaments,they

WhenAmisijudgedthatsheandKepihadcleanedenoughfilaments,theyshiftedtothenextsetofjobs.Theyrolledoutlonglengthsoflinenontablessetupendtoendintheoutdoorworkarea.Theylaidthecleanedfilamentsinstraightlinesonthatclothtodry.Thefilamentstheyhadsteepedinthesaffrondyewerejustasshinygoldastheonesthatwereofnaturalcolor.Noneofthemistress’scustomerswouldeverknowthedifference.Astheyworked,theytalked.Itwasn’tlikeatthemetallurgist’s,wherethe

masterforbadetheboystotalk.Maybethemistressknewshecouldn’tstopgirlsfromtalking,sowhytry?AmisiwantedtohearthestoryofhowKepicamehere.SoKepimadeitbrief.Thensheasked,“Howdidyouwindupattheweavers’home?”Amisiblinked.“Myparentswereembalmers.Didyouknowthat?”“Yes.”Amisigaveaquicknod.“Scorpionswerecommonintheembalmingroom.

Myfatherwouldthrowthebrainsofsomerichmaninacorner,andascorpionwouldruntoeatthem.Ifoneeverrantowardmyfather,mymotherwouldcrushit.Usuallytherewasonlyonescorpion.Theyseemtobesolitary.”Amisi’swordsmatchedthepaceofherworkinghands.“Onenightwhenascorpionranatmyfather,mymothercrushedit,butaftershe’dturnedherback,anothercameandstungmyfather,andathirdcameandstungmymother.Itisn’ttruethatwomencan’tbekilledbyscorpions.Everyonesaysit,butitisn’ttrue.Especiallywhenshealreadyhasthebreathingsickness.”Shestoppedtalking.Alltheseorphans.Alltheseslaves.“I’msorry,Amisi.”Amisipattedthelastfilamentflatandlookedup.“Wecantakeabreaknow,

whiletheydry.”Shewentbacktowardthesleepingroom.SoKepiwentinsidetheshopwheretheweaversworked.Theweaverstook

theyarnthatKepiandAmisiandtheothergirlsmadeandwoveitintothefinestgoldcloth.Theywerejustgirls,too,andallthegirlssleptinthesameroom.Buttherewasasensethattheywereofhigherstatus.Weavingwasthepremiumjob.Kepiwatchedtheweaversclosely,lookingforanythingthatmightbean

opportunity.Somethingwasgoingtohappentoday.Ithadto.Aweaverputoutherhandforayarnspindlethatwasjustoutofreach,andKepileapedtoherrescue.Asshegavethespindletotheweaverwithonehand,shebrushedherotherhandagainsttheclothontheloom.Therewasthatmagnificenttextureagain!Itfeltalmostwooly,butmuchfiner.Itwasliketheshadowofwool,thebreathofit,theideaofit.Itwastranslucentandnearlytransparentandsofterthanthesoftestthingintheworld.Itseemedlikeitwasfrombeyondthehumanworld.Somethingworthyofagoddess.

world.Somethingworthyofagoddess.ThebeautyoftheclothremindedKepiofthosemorningswithMeneswhen

she’dawakenedbesidethewatertoaworldallmistygreen.She’dthoughtofthatmistasthegownofagoddess.Butpen-shellclothwasevenbetter.Itseemedtomoveonitsown,likeagoddessdancing.ThismustbewhatthegoddessHathor’sgownwasmadeof.Kepilongedforachancetoholdthefilmysubstancetohercheek.Amisicameupbesideherandbrushedherarm.Kepilookedatherasthough

wokenfromatrance.Amisisaid,“Wehavetogobacktowork,”andhertonewasallbusiness.Kepiwasdisappointed.Thepityofsuchgloriouslyfinefilamentswasthatittookonlyamomentintheopenairforthemtodry.Plusshe’dthoughtthatafterAmisihadtoldheraboutherparentsdying,they’dnowactmorelikerealfriends.ButKepiobedientlyfollowedAmisibacktothetables.Theycombedthefilamentsstraight.Theneachtookataperedstick—aspindle

—andbeganspinning.Thefilamentsgottwistedtogetherattheendsandspunintoonelongyarnthread.Thiswastheworstpartofthejob,forKepiknewAmisiwouldpickonher.

ShetwistedtwofilamentsjustlikeAmisisaid,andtappedthelittlespindlejustlikeAmisisaid.Andthespindlerotated,butnotjustlikeAmisisaid.Sureenough,Amisisoonstoppedherownwork,poisedherfingertiponher

chin,andsaid,“Ijudgethattobetooslow,Kepi.Gofaster.”SoKepitried.Severalminuteslater,Amisisaidthesamething.AndKepitriedharder.Butseveralminutesafterthat,Amisisaidthesamething.She’dprobablysayittwentytimesbeforetheyfinished.Kepispunthatspindleasfastasshecould.ButAmisistoppedagainandput

herfingertoherchin,andKepiburstout,“Yousillyjackass.That’sasfastasIcango.”“You’reanidiot.Firstofall,jackassesaremale.Youcan’tcallagirlthat.

Second,ifyoudon’tlearntospinright,you’llmakeinferioryarnandthemistresswillbeatyou.Andspeedisnecessarytopullthefibershardenoughandtwistthemtightenoughtowithstandanything.”“Whatastupidthingtosay—withstandanything.”“Pen-shellclothisthestrongestclothintheworld.”“Areyoucrazy?Thatcloth?It’ssoft.It’ssoftlike...Idon’tknowwhatit’s

like...it’sdeliciouslysoft.Itmustripeasily.”“Isthatso?”Amisitooktheendoftheyarnshe’dbeenspinningandhandedit

toKepi.Shewalkedbackadistance,unwindingasshewent.Shestoppedandsaid,“Goahead,ripit.”

said,“Goahead,ripit.”Kepigrabbedtheyarnandpulled.SheglaredatAmisiandyankedharder.“Don’tstopwithmerepulling.Trytoripit.Useanythingyou’vegot.”SoKepitoreattheyarnwithhernails.Shebitit.Shegrabbedapotteryshard

andsawedatit.TheshininggoldenlinethatstretchedfromhertoAmisistayedintact.“It’sstrongascrocodileskin.”“Stronger.”AmisiliftedherchinasshewalkedbacktowardKepi,windingup

theyarnagain.Whenshewasface-to-facewithKepi,shesaidhaughtily,“Turnthatspindlefaster.”Thenhereyessoftened.“Iwasbadatfirst,too.You’llgetbetter.”Kepilickedherlips.Please,greatgoddessNit,greatgodSet,greatgoddess

Nekhbet,andespeciallyespeciallygreatgoddessHathor,please,please,don’tletmebeherelongenoughtolearnhowtospinproperly.Pleaseletwhateverissupposedtohappenherehappenfast.

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Chapter29TheWa’eb

heyspunasthesunmadeitswayintothewesternsky.Whentheyfinished,thespindleswerefatandfull.Theycarriedtheminsidetoashelf.

AmisitappedKepi’shand.“Comeon,”shewhispered.Shegaveaquicknodandwalkedtothefarcornerandsquattedthere.Kepi’sfrustrationhadreachedthebreakingpoint.Theworkdaywasgoingon

justlikeyesterday—nothingnewhadhappened.Shehadtogetoutofhere—dosomethingactive,notjustwaitforMasud.Thelastthingshewantedtodowassitinthecorneroftheshop.Butshelookedoutthroughthewindowjustthenandsawashiningarcinthesky.Itwasthecrescentmoon.YoucouldseethatarcindaylightwheneverthegodTehutitookbaboonformandheldupthemoon.Kepiwastransfixedforamoment.ThegodTehutiwastellinghersomething.SheturnedbackandwentdirectlytoAmisiandsquattedbesideherandlookedaround.Atailorhadcomein.Amisihadexplainedthatmosttailorsworkedonlywith

linen,becausemostpeoplecouldn’taffordanythingbetter.Sothefewtailorswhoworkedwithpen-shellclothboughtitforcelebrationdressesfortherich.Thistailorwasaccompaniedbyamancoveredinwhite.Hehadalinencloth

woundaroundhim,likeanyman.Butinsteadoftheclothstretchingjustfromhiswaisttohisknees,itstartedunderhisarmpits.Acrossthebackofhisshoulderswasanextraswatheofmaterialthatcamedownonbothsidesandwoundaroundhisarms,allthewaytohiswrists.Heworewhitepapyrussandalsinsteadofgoingbarefoot.“Isthataholymanwiththetailor?”KepiwhisperedtoAmisi.“He’sawa’eb.Hehelpsthehem-netjer,thepriest,takecareofthetemple.

Andherunserrands.Hecomeshereafewtimesayeartoselectclothforthesacredrobesworninthetemple.You’reluckytoseehim.”Thatmanworkedinatemple,andtemplesboughtbaboons!Kepistaredat

him.Thetailortalkedfirsttothemistressoftheweavers.Shenodded,butthenshe

turnedandboldlyanswereddirectlytothewa’eb.Thetailormadenoobjection.Hesteppedback,allowingthewa’ebandthemistresstocomeclosertogether.Thewa’ebusedhishandsashetalked.Heseemedtobedescribingthesizeof

something.Maybesomethingthesizeofayoungbaboon.MaybethesizeBabuwouldbebynow.Kepi’spulsethumpedinherears.Shehadtoknowwhattheyweretalking

about.Shegottoherfeetandranalongthewallhunchedover,tryingtobeinconspicuous.Whenshewasimmediatelyacrossfromthewa’eb,shestoppedandsquattedagain.“He’slittle,yes,you’reright.Buthe’sgrowingbiggereveryday.”Thewa’eb

putahandonthesmallofhisbackasthoughitached.“SoIwantitbigenoughforwhenhe’sanadult.”“Ah.Tryingtobeeconomical,Isee.”Themistresstiltedherheadtooneside

andlookedoffinthedistance,asthoughlostinthought.“Hmmm.Ifearthatyou’remakingafalseeconomy.You’llwindupspendingevenmorethisway.”Thewa’eblookedannoyed.“IknowwhatIwant.”“Yes,youdo.Butwhatyouwantisn’teverything,isit?”“Whatdoyoumean?”“IftheSempriesthastakensuchafancytothisbaby,he’llwantasmallcloak

thatfastensattheneckandfallsonlytothebottomofthelittlecreature’selbows.Thatwaytheanimalcanlooktrimandneat.”Themistressshookherhead,makingherearringsfly.“No,Ifearthatifyoubuyonlyenoughforalargecloak,theSempriestwillsendyourightbackheretobuyclothforasmallone.”Thewa’ebfrowned.“Well,ifhedoes,I’llcomeback.”Themistresssmiledwithlongyellowteeth.“Bythattime,theanimalwill

undoubtedlyhaveruinedthebigcloak.Babieswillbebabies,eveniftheyaresacred.Why,thecreaturewillhavedraggeditonthegroundanddirtieditbeyondrepair.Anditmustbespotless.”“It’snotforceremonies,”saidthewa’ebquickly.“We’rehavingawhitelinen

cloakmadefortempleceremonies.Puritycomesfirst,ofcourse.Thisonewillbeforwearingbeforethepharaoh.”Thepharaoh!Kepileanedforwardsofar,shealmostfellonherface.“Well,Iknowthat.”Themistressblinked.andKepiwonderedif,infact,she

hadn’tknown.Shecouldn’thaveeverenteredthetempleherself—aworkingwomanlikeher.Shewasplumplikeonlymistressesandmasterscouldbe,butshewasstilljustacommoner.“Ofcourse.Butthepharaohmaybeevenlessforgivingofadirtycloakinhishomethantheothergodsandgoddessesareintheirhome,no?Soyou’llwinduphavingtobuyathirdcloakforwhenthe

theirhome,no?Soyou’llwinduphavingtobuyathirdcloakforwhentheanimalisfull-size.”Sheraisedhereyebrows.“You’lldobestinthelongrunifyoubuyenoughfortwocloaksnow—onesmallandonebig.”Thewa’eb’smouthtwitchedinabegrudgingway,buthedidn’tobject.“Infact,”saidthemistress,withrenewedenthusiasm,“it’samale,right?”“Right,”saidthewa’ebwarily.“Well,then,he’llgrowenormous.Soyou’llneedamedium-sizecloak,as

well,forthemiddlestage,whenhe’snolongerababy,butnotyetfullygrown.Youneedenoughforthreecloaks.”Thewa’ebswattedtheair,asiftoridhimselfofapeskyinsect.“I’llleavethe

amounttoyouandthetailorthen.ButIwanttochoosetheboltyoucutfrom.”“Ofcourse.”Themistresswenttothepileofboltsstackeduponthereedmats

closetoKepi,soclosethatKepicouldsmelltheperfumeonherhands—balsamum.Kepimovedevenclosertoher.Themistressgaveaquick,sharpglanceatKepi,thenwentbacktohertask.Sheranherfingeralongthebolts,asthoughsearching.Herbraceletsclinkedtogether.“Hereitis.”Shecarriedabolttothetablenearthewestwindow.“Please,havealook.Takeyourtime.”Shebowedandbackedaway,withhandsfoldedatherbosom.ThatwaswhenshelookedKepifullinthefaceandglared.Shejerkedherchintowardtheoutdoorworkarea.ButKepiwasn’tabouttogobacktowork.Themistress’seyeswentalongthewalltoAmisi,stillsquattinginthecorner.

Hermouthhardenedintoathinline.AmisicamecreepingovertoKepiandtuggedonherarm.Kepiyankedherselffree.Shewasn’tbudging.Thetailorhadunrolledagoodlengthofclothbynow.Heheldituptocatch

theafternoonsunlight.Thewa’ebblinked,clearlydazzledbythegold.Itwasbrilliant.Shimmering.

Perfect.“Yes,”hesaidsimply.Andhewentoutthedoor,leavingtheresttothetailor.Kepiranafterhim,ignoringthemistress’sangrysplutteringsbehindher.Thewa’ebmovedquicklyforamanwithabackache.Heturnedcorners

sharply.Kepimemorizedthelandmarksastheywent.Sheneededtoknowhowtogetbacktotheweavers’hometonight.Kanwouldbewaitingforher.AndMasudwouldcometoreportonhisfindingsoftheday.Shecountedtheblocksbetweenturns.Somehowthewa’ebhadgottenfaraheadofher.Kepiranflatout.Shedidn’t

knowthenameofhistempleorwhereitwas.Shemustn’tlosehim.Thewa’ebturnedacorner,andbythetimeKepiarrivedthere,hewasoutof

sight.Shelookeddowneverysidestreet.Shepeekedintoeveryopenwindow.Hewasgone.

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Chapter30TheTemple

hepharaoh’swiththatwa’eb.Hesaidit.AndIjustbetBabu’swithhim,too.That’swhyhewasbuyingthecloth,tomakecloaksformy

Babu.”Itwasdarkinthesleepingroom,soKepicouldn’tmakeoutanyoneelse’sfaceclearly.Shecouldn’ttelliftheywereconvincedbywhatshe’dsaidornot.“IthastobeBabu,”shesaidmorefirmly.“ThegodTehutimademeeavesdroponourmistresswiththewa’eb.Whyelsewouldhehavedonethat?IfIcanonlyfindoutwherethewa’ebwent,IcantalktothepharaohandIcangetBabu—bothatonce.”Hervoiceshookwithexcitement.She’dgivenuphopeofeverseeingherlittlebaboonagain,andnowthis:Babuwouldreallybeinherarmsagain,hersweet,dearBabu.“Youcan’ttalktothepharaoh,Kepi,Itoldyou.Youhavetowaitforthenext

publicaudience.”ItwasMasud’svoice.“ButIknowwherethewa’ebwent.There’sonlyonetemplethatthepharaohgoesto.AndIfoundouttodaythattheSempriestsatthattempleusebaboonsintheOpeningoftheMouthandEyesritual.”“What’sthat?”askedKan.Kepiwasgratefulforthequestion.Shedidn’tknowaboutthisritual.“Priestsperformitonstatuesofdeadpeople,sothattheycansmellandeat

andseeandtasteandhear.”“Allyouneedtodoismakethembreathe,too,”saidKan,“anditsoundslike

you’vebroughtthembackfromthedead.”FrombehindKepicamethemuffledlaughterofafewgirls.Theywerethe

slaves,andtheywereallforeigners—theydidn’tunderstandaboutEgyptiangods.“Ithinktheydobreatheagain.Ijustforgottosaythat,”mumbledMasud.“But

they’redead.Really.”“Sowhydoit?”askedKan.“Thiswaytheirkacanenjoythefoodofferingsthattheirrelativesbringto

theirtomb.”“Whydotheyneed—”

“Whydotheyneed—”“Nomorequestions,”saidMasud.“Letmefinish.Thepriestsaysprayersto

fourgodsanddoesthingswithaspecialknifecalledapsh-kef,orsomethinglikethat,andheusesbottlesofperfumeandburnssmellyincenseandIdon’tknowwhatelse.Ionlylearnedaboutallthistoday.Anyway,ababoonispartofit.”“Whatpart?”askedKepi,allsensesalertfordanger.“Thebaboonholdsanostrichfeathertothestatue’smouth.That’sallIknow.”

Masudwassilentforamoment.“It’sanimportantritual,”headded.Good.NothingaboutthatseemedlikeitcouldhurtBabu.“Toobadyoucan’tdoittolivingpeople,”saidKan.“Myfatherfellfroma

cliffandwentblind.Iwishsomeonecouldgivehimbackhissight.”KepilookedsharplytowardKan’sfigureinthedark.Hisfathermusthavehad

troubledoinghisjobafterthatinjury.JustlikeFather.MaybehefiguredKanwouldbebetteroffasaslavethanstarving.Whataterriblechoice.Nooneevershouldhavetotradeawaytheirchild.Sherememberedtheboyandtheleglessmanoutsidethegateofthe

metallurgyyard.Theywerestarving.Inallcountrieseverywhere,peoplewhogetinjuredshouldbetakencareof.Theirfamiliesshouldbetakencareof.WhatwaswrongwiththerulerofKan’scountry?WhatwaswrongwiththepharaohofEgypt?“Youcandotheceremonytolivingpeople,”saidMasud.“Butonlytothe

pharaoh.Whenamangetscrownedpharaoh,hebecomesagod.And—”“That’sabsurd,”interruptedKan.“Godsarethepowersofnature.Dirtand

sky,waterandfire,sunandmoon,andthroughitallthewind.Amanisnoneofthosethings.”“ThisisEgypt,notyourcountry,”saidMasud.“Sowhat?Doyourgodshavetobethesameasstupidhumans?”“Watchwhatyousay,”saidKepi.“Youdon’tknowwhomightbelistening.”Kanfrowned,buthestoppedtalking,atleast.“Anyway,”saidMasud,“atthecrowningofapharaoh,theydotheOpeningof

theMouthandEyesritualsothathiskamergeswithhisphysicalselfforever.”“Howdidyoufindoutallthis?”askedKepi.Masudgaveanapologeticlittlelaugh.“Themetalworkerstoldme.”“Theslaves?”askedAmisi.“Butthey’reforeign.Theydon’tunderstandour

gods.”“Theylisten.Youknowhowitis.Whateveryoucanoverhearhelpsmakethe

daypass.Oneofthemknewsomethingsandanotherknewotherthings,andprettysooneveryonehadsomethingtosay—anditallcametogether.”“Wait.”KepireachedoutandtookholdofMasud’sarm.“Didyoutellthem

“Wait.”KepireachedoutandtookholdofMasud’sarm.“DidyoutellthemaboutKanandme?”Masudshookhishead.“Iaskedquestionsandtheyansweredthem,andnoone

evenwonderedwhyIwasasking.TheyweretoobusyworryingabouthowthelaborersonPharaohKhufu’snewpyramidarestrikingovergarlic.”“Garlic?”“Theirdailyrationisn’thighenough.They’regettingsick.Sotheystageda

strike.PharaohKhufuhasthreatenedtogatherupeveryone’smaleslavesandmakethemfinishhispyramid.Andhe’scruel,everyoneknowsthat.Theboysareafraid.”Thiscitywasfulloftrouble.Meanmastersandameanerpharaoh.InKepi’s

homevillageslavesweretreatednicely.Alumpformedinherthroatsobig,ithurtherears.“Let’sgogetBabutonight.”AndI’lltalktothepharaohatthesametime,shethought.Shecouldn’tpossiblywaitawholemonthforthepublicaudience.Alreadyshefearedshe’dbegettinghometoolatetosaveherfamily.“Wecan’t,”saidMasud.“Thepriestswillbehomeasleepwiththeirfamilies

—andBabuwillbewhereverthewa’ebsleeps.Butwecangotothetempleandhideandwaittillmorning.”“Andwhatwillwedointhemorning?”askedKan.“AssoonasIseeBabu,I’llcalltohim,”saidKepi.“He’lljumponmyhead

andwecanrunawayandmeetuplater.”“They’llchaseyou,”saidAmisi.“I’mfast.”“Plus,”saidKan,“ifthere’sthreeofus,wecanallrunindifferentdirections,

andthey’llbreakupfollowingus—itwon’tbeeveryonefollowingonlyKepi.It’sbetterthatway.”“ThenI’mcoming,too,”saidAmisi.“Onemorepersonforthemtochase.”“Whatifyou’renotbackbeforethemistresscallseveryonetothemorning

meal?”askedKepi.“You’llgetintrouble.”“Idon’tcare.IfKan’shelping,I’mhelping.”Thefourofthemsatimmobileamoment.Kepifelttheairgrowthickaround

them,asthoughitwasbindingthemtogetherlikeagiantswatheofcloth.Theotherthreehadknowneachotherforalongtime,butKepiwasnewtothegroup.Yettheairwaspullingallofthemtogetherequally.Theyhadvowedtospendthefuturetogether.MasudwouldcometoKepi’svillage.AndMasudhadinvitedKan.AndKepiwasprettysurethatwhereverKanwent,Amisiwouldwanttogo.Butallofthatwasjustplans—justtalkaboutthefuture.Itwasverydifferenttotalkaboutthismomenthere.Aboutdoingsomethingtonight.And

differenttotalkaboutthismomenthere.Aboutdoingsomethingtonight.Andsomethingsodangerous.SomehowtheirbondwasstrongenoughthatthethreeofthemwerewillingtotakethisriskforKepi.Shedidn’tunderstandhowithadhappened,butshewasovercomewithgratitudethatmadeherfeelallmelty,likeacandleattheendofitslife.“Thankyou.”Shewishedshecouldshowthemhowmuchshemeantit.Withoutanotherword,KanandMasudandAmisiandKepisnuckoutthedoor

ontiptoe.Theyslippedoutintothestreet,followingMasud.Heledthemalongway;thedarkmadeitfeelendless.Finallythehousesstoppedandtheycametohighwallsenclosingahugetemple.Masudstoppedandsuckedinhistoplipbehindhisbottomteeth.“What’swrong?”whisperedKepi.“Anybodyisallowedwithinthewalls,no

matterhowpoor.It’sjustthetempleitselfwecan’tenter.”“Iknow.”Masudturnedtothem.“Listen.There’snowheretohideinthe

templeyard.Ilookedearlier.Butthere’sasecretchamberunderthetemple.It’snotreallylikeenteringthetempleitself.”“Howdoyouknow?”askedAmisi.“Isawmencomeoutofthere.”“Buthowdoyouknowit’snotlikeenteringthetempleitself?”“Idon’tknowforsure.ButIwatched.Itseemsonlythepeoplewhotakecare

ofthetemplegodownthere.ThemainSempriestdoesn’t.”Noonespoke.“Allright,”saidKepiatlast.“Let’sgo.”Sheranthroughthewallentrance,acrosstheyard,andtothesidedoor.The

otherthreeranwithher,likethetruestoffriends.Masudopenedthedoor,andtheylookeddownthestairsintoblackness.Kepiturnedherfacetothesky.GreatgoddessHathor,smileonus,please.

We’releavingyourmoonlight.Butpleasedon’tletusoutofyoursight.Weneedyou,deargoddess.Wedrawstrengthfromyou.Theyfileddownthestairs.Itwasalongwaydown.ThechamberwaslargerthanKepiexpected.Andthestonewallswerecold.

Thefourofthemhuddledtogether.“Whosetempleisthis?”KepiaskedMasud.“ThegoddessSekhmet.”AshivershotthroughKepi.Sekhmetwasmean.Viciouseven.Kepirubbed

herhandstogethertotakeoffthechillthatenvelopedher.“Andwhoarethefourgods?”“What?”“YousaidfourgodsareprayedtointheOpeningoftheMouthandEyes

“YousaidfourgodsareprayedtointheOpeningoftheMouthandEyesritual.Whichones?“Tehuti,Set,Horus,andDunawy.”Thiswasbetternews.Tehutilovedbaboons,andmaybeitreallywashewho

hadcomeasthatgiantibistoencourageKepiwhenshewaschasingtheNubianboys,andforsureitwashewhohadletherseethecrescentmoonsoshewouldeavesdroponthewa’eb.AndSet,well,hewasKepi’spersonalpatron.He’dcomeasacrocodiletowarnthecrew—withdisastrouseffects,butthatwashisnature;Setwasvengeful.Horuswasthemostimportantofallthegods,andhewasthepatronofyoungmen.SoheshouldwanttotakecareofMasudandKan,atleast.AndhewasHathor’shusband,sohe’dcareaboutKepi,too.Thosethreegodssoundedverygoodindeed.TheonlymysterywasDunawy.Dunawywasthegodwithextendedwings.He

protectedflyingthings.Kepididn’tseehowhewouldcareatallaboutBabuoranyofthem.Butshedidn’tseeanyreasonhewouldbeagainstthem,either.InsideherheartKepiprayed.Please,Tehuti,Set,Horus,andDunawy.Ineed

totalkwiththepharaoh.Iknowhecomesoftentothistemple,sopleaseletmefindhimhere.HedidsomethingverywrongtoFather,andhe’sdonelotsofwrongthingstolotsofpeople.Ineedtotellhim,sohe’llchangehisways,andsoIcansavemyfamilyandmaybelotsofotherfamilies.Youcareaboutpeople—ifIdothis,I’mservingyou.It’strue.I’veneverlookedatitlikethatbefore,butnowIcanseeit’strue.And,please,oh,pleasepleasehelpmegetBabuback.Iknowhe’sworking

herenow,inthistemple.Buthe’sjustababy.Heneedsme.Pleaseagreethathebelongswithme.I’llteachhimtopray.Everyday.Toallfourofyou.AndtoSekhmet,too.Sohe’llservethegodsnomatterwhat.Pleaseallowmetofindhim.Pleaseallowmetotakehimhome.

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Chapter31AtLast

hehourspassed.Therewerenowindows.Lightcouldn’tpenetratethisroomunlessthedoorwasopen.Howwouldtheyknowwhendawncame?

Kepifeltherwaycarefully,pastthesleepingbodiesofherthreefriendsandupthestairstothetempleyard.Shewouldopenthedoorjustalittle.Enoughtoletinasliveroflightwhenmorningfinallycamebut,hopefully,notenoughtoalertpeopleoutsidethattheywerethere.Butwhenshecrackedthedooropen,therosyhazeofmorninggreetedher.

Already!Amanwalkedpast,coveredinwhiteclothwithwhitepapyrussandals.Kepiquicklyclosedthedoor,raceddownthesteps,andtrippedandtumbledallthewaytothebottom.“Who’sthat?”“Whathappened?”“Ifell.”Kepipulledherselftoherfeet.Herarmhurt.“It’sdawn.Andapriest

isalreadyhere.Outsideourdoor.Wecan’tgetoutwithouthimseeingus—andifheseesus,howcanwesneakuponthem?”“Comeoverhere,Masud,”calledKan.“Hurry.Atthisendoftheroomthere’s

anotherstaircase.”KepiheardMasudstumbleashecrossedtheroom.“Allright.I’llgoupand

seewhat’satthetop.”Everyonehushed.“There’sadoor,”cameMasud’svoiceagain,finally.“Itopensintothetemple.

Andthetemple’sstillempty.”“Let’sgohideupthere,”cameKan’svoice.“Thenwecanseewhat’sgoing

on.”“Wecan’tenterthetemple,”saidKepi.“Ordinarypeoplearen’tpureenough.”“I’mnotEgyptian,”saidKan.“Nogodcanexpectaforeignertofollowthe

rules.AndyouthreehavecometorescueBabu.That’sanhonorablegoal.Ifthegodsdon’tunderstandthat,they’recrazy.”“Kandidn’tmeanthatlastthing,”Kepisaidloudly.“Please,godsand

goddesses,whoeverislistening.Kancanbeasillyjackass.Ignorethatlastthing

goddesses,whoeverislistening.Kancanbeasillyjackass.Ignorethatlastthinghesaid,please.Buttherestofwhathesaidsoundsright.Doesn’tit?Pleaseshowuswhattodo.”“Youbelievenothinghappensjustbychance,right?”askedKan.“Right,”saidKepi.“Thenthegodsalreadyshoweduswhattodo,”saidKan.“Theyshowedus

thisstaircase.”Kepisensedtheyallagreed.Allofthemmusthave,forthefourofthem

climbedthestaircasetogether.Theycameoutintothecavernoustemple,wheretheairwasasoftpalegray.Theyflattenedthemselvesagainstthesidewallandsanktosquatting.Kepilookedupattheceiling.Itwasbluewithyellowstars.Glorious.Onlyamomentlater,thefrontdoorofthetempleopened.Ashaftoflightcut

throughthecenteroftheroom.Aprocessionofmencamein.Alldressedinwhite.Allwearingwhitepapyrussandals.Theoneintheleadhadaleopardskindrapedataslantacrosshischestandback,heldinplacebyacordatoneshoulder.Theleopardheadandtailfloppedashewalked.ThatwastheSempriest.Behindhimcametwomenwithwhiterobesontopoftheirclothing.Thehem-netjer,thepriests.Attherearwasthewa’ebKepihadseenattheweavers’.Theyintonedthemorninghymn,prayingtothegoddessSekhmettoawakeninpeace.Thepharaohwasn’tthere.AndneitherwasBabu.KepiandMasudandKanandAmisiweretakingthisterriblechancefor

nothing.Theholymenwalkedtoasmallsanctuaryatthecenteroftheroom,andthe

Sempriestbrokethesealonthesanctuarydoor.ThestatueofthegoddessSekhmetwasrevealed.TheSempriestsaidaprayeroverthestatue,fourtimes.Thenthewa’ebreachedinsidethesanctuaryandtookoutapieceofclothandajar.HepouredfromthejarontotheclothandhandedittotheSempriest.Thenhetookoutmoreclothandpouredagain,sothehem-netjeralsohadthem.HestoodbackasthethreehigherpriestsrubbedthestatueofSekhmet.Thejarmusthaveheldoil,forthestatueshonenow.Theytookoutabluelinendressfromthesanctuaryandslippeditoverthestatue’shead.Theyaddedaredlinencloak.AstheSempriestadornedthestatuewithjewelry,onehem-netjerappliedkohlaroundhereyes,andtheotherdabbedhereverywherewiththescentofmyrrh,sostrongKepicouldinhaleitfromherhidingspotwayoverintheshadows.Thewa’eb,meanwhile,hadleftthetemple.Buthecamebacknow,luggingan

enormousbasketoffood.Hebrushedoffareedmatandspreadalinenclothonit.Thenhesetoutaroastedduckandalegoflambandboiledgreens.Heputajaroneachcornerofthemat.Andhemadeapileofdriedfruits—figsanddatesandraisins—intheverycenter.Allfourpriestssteppedbackandwaited.Kepiknewaboutthispart.The

goddesswaseatingherfill.Thenthepriestswouldtaketheremainsawaytobedistributedattheshrinesofothergodsandgoddessesaroundthecity.Andwhateverremainedattheendwouldgotothepriestsandtheirfamilies.Thesmellofthefoodwasheavenly.Kepi’smouthwatered.She’dhadnothingtoeatsincethemorningbefore.Butnowanothermanappearedatthetempledoor.Fromhisdress,Kepiknew

hewasawa’eb.Andhecarriedabamboocage.ItwasBabu!Thebaboonhadgrown,butsherecognizedhiminstantly.Kepialmostcriedout.Butahandonherarmgrippedhertight.Shepressed

herlipstogetherandwatched.Thewa’ebbroughtthecagetotheSempriest.Hegotdownononekneeand

openedit.Babucameflyingoutandlandedonthepriest’shead,wherehechatteredhappilyandpickedafewfleasfromtheman’shair.Thenheleapedfromtheredowntothereedmat.Hegrabbedadateandchompedonit.Allthepriestsleft,closingthedoortothetemplebehindthem.Everyonewassilentforamoment.ThenKepijumpedup.“Babu,”shecried.

“Oh,Babu!”ThelittlebaboonleapedontotheheadofthestatueofSekhmetandscreamed

inalarm.“Babu,it’sme.Don’tyouknowme?Don’tyouremember?”Babustaredather.Theotherscameforwardnow.“Canweeat?”askedKan.“No,”saidKepi.“Youmustn’t.Thisisfoodforthegoddess.”“She’sastatue.”“Butthestatueisalive.That’swhattheSempriest’sprayersdid.Theycalled

backthegoddesstoherstatue.”“Idon’tseehereatinganything.”“Maybeshehasn’tarrivedyet,”saidKepi.“Thebaboon’seatingadate,”saidKan.“I’meatingone,too.Oh,it’s

wonderful.”“Stop!”KepilookedbackatBabu.“Icametotakeyouhome,mydearBabu.”

Shereachedout.

Shereachedout.Babugrimaced,showinghisteeth.Andtheyhadgrownbig.Bigasadog’s.He

didn’thavefangsyet,butitwasclearhisjawwasstrong.Hisheadwaslargernow,too,andithaddevelopedadroop.“Helookslikehe’llbite,”saidMasud.“Babu.”Kepishookherheadslowly.“Babu,mybaby.”Shestretchedher

handsouttowardhimagain.“Cometome.”Babubarked.“Hedoesn’trememberyou,Kepi,”saidMasud.“Iguessacoupleofmonthsis

alongtimeinalittlebaboon’slife.”“Butbeglad,”saidKan.“He’shappyhere.”“Howhappycouldhebe,lockedinacage?”“That’sprobablyonlywherehesleeps,”saidAmisi.“Yousawhowhejumped

totheSempriest’shead.Helikeshim.Andyouseethefoodtheygivehim.He’sgotagoodlife,Kepi.”Shelookedatthefood.“Isitreallygood,Kan?”Kanhandedherapieceofmeat.“We’rehungry.Andwhoknowswhenwe’ll

havefoodagain?Ifthegodscareatallaboutus,they’llwantustoeat.”Masudtookapiece,too.Thethreeofthemate.ButKepicouldn’t.Tearsrolleddownhercheeks.“Iloveyou,Babu.”And

thensheremembered.Shecurleduptheedgeofherdressandfeltinsidethehemandpulledouttheostrichfeather.“Here,dearBabu.Theysaythatyou’llhelpintheOpeningoftheMouthandEyesritual.Andyou’lluseanostrichfeather.Usethisone.Please.”ShehelditouttowardBabu.Thelittlemonkeywatchedher.Kepisang.Shesangafieldworkers’song.“Doyourememberthatone,

Babu?”Shesanganother.“Doyourememberthatone?Youusedtodancewithmetothem.”Shepouredallherloveintothesongs.Andallthewhilesheheldtheostrichfeatherouttohim.Whenshestoppedsinging,BabuleapedtoKepi’shead,snatchedthefeather

fromherhand,andleapedbackontothestatue’shead.“They’recomingback!”saidMasud.“Ihearthemoutside.”Theyrantothewallsandhidintheshadowsagain.Theprocessionofpriestsentered,butitwasdifferentnow;anewmanled

them.Hiswhiterobewassotransparent,Kepicouldseethemusclesofhisarmsandchestandlegs.Aroundhiswaistwrappedaskirtwithmanytinypleatsandabulltailhangingdownsolowinthebackthatitswungbetweenhiscalves.Inhisrighthandwasapalmfrondthathepressedtohischest.Butwhatmadehergaspwashisheaddress.Itwastallandofwhitelinen,andmountedatthefrontofit,

abovethestripofleatheraroundhisforehead,wastheuraeus—theroyalcobra.Everybodyknewthatonlyonepersonworesuchaheaddress.Thiswasthenemesofthepharaoh.Masud’sfingersclosedaroundKepi’sarmsotight,shealmostyelped.“We’re

inthesacredtemple.Ifyourevealus,we’llbepunished.Severely.Youknowofhiscruelty.”Thatwastrue.ButthiswasKepi’schance,atlast.“Stayhidden,”saidKepi.“I

meanit.Ifanyofyoucomeout,I’llhateyouforever.”Andsheburstfromtheshadows,runningstraightforthepharaoh.Theprieststurnedfromgapingatthehalf-eatenfoodofferingtogapingatthis

littlegirl.Kepistreakedthroughthebeamofsunlight.“PharaohKhufu,yourmajesty,”saidKepi.Shecouldhardlycatchherbreath.

“Imustspeakwithyou.”“Achildinthetemple!”PharaohKhufu’svoicedboomed.Hisfacewrinkled

inanger.Whitehairshereandthereonhisheadlookedlikethehottestflames.HeturnedtotheSempriest.“Howdidyoulethergetinhere?”“Thegodsletme,”saidKepi.Ithadtobetrue.Howelsecoulditbethat

they’dfoundBabuinthishugecity?HowelsecoulditbethatKepiwasactuallyinfrontofthepharaoh,whenshewasnothingmorethanavillagegirl?“Ihavetotalktoyouaboutjustice.You’vedonebadthings.”“She’seatenthegoddess’sfood.Thisisagravecrime.Takeheraway.I’ll

decidelaterwhethershe’stobedrownedorbeheaded.”Thewa’ebgrabbedKepifrombehind.“No!Ididn’teatanything!Notasinglebite!”BabubarkedandjumpedontoKepi’shead.Hewavedtheostrichfeatherinthe

wa’eb’sfaceandbaredhisteeth.Thewa’ebletoutalittleshriekandsteppedback.“Yousee?”saidKepi.“Thesacredbaboonwantsmetospeak.Thatmeansthe

goddessSekhmetwantsmetospeak.”PharaohKhufujerkedhisheadtowardtheSempriest.TheSempriestshrugged.“Thisbaboonhasalreadyprovenhimselfan

obedientservant,yourmajesty.He’ssmarterthantheothers.Andthatfeather...Idon’tknowwherehegotit.Butit’sasacredostrichfeather,I’msure.MaybethegoddessSekhmetgaveittohim.”“Smellherbreath,”orderedPharaohKhufu.TheSempriestputhisfacetoKepi’smouth.Sheopeneditwideandbreathed

hotonhim.“Ican’tsmellmeatorgreensorfruits.Idon’tbelieveshe’seateninawhile.”

awhile.”“Speak!”orderedPharaohKhufu.“Youtreatyourpyramidworkersbadly.”PharaohKhufu’skohl-ringedeyeswerelargeandpenetrating.“That’sfalse!I

clothethem.Ifeedthem.I’vepaidthemradishesandonionsandleeksandbreadworthhundredsoftalentsofsilveralready.”“Butwhenaworkergetsinjured...”“Mysurgeonstakecareofanyinjuredworker!”boomedPharaohKhufu.“Thenyousendhimhomewithnothing.Hecan’tgobacktohisoldwork.

He’sruined.Hisfamilyisruined.Andsometimesworkersdie,andtheirfamiliesgetnothing.Orphanswinduplivinglikeslaves.Andslaves—youdon’ttreatslavesrightinthiscity.Allthisisunfair.”“Youunderstandnothingaboutjusticeandinjustice.I’mtheonewhojudges

whatisjustorunjust.”“Notintheafterlife.Everyoneisjudgedintheafterlife.Eventhepharaoh.

Youwillbejudgedpoorly.”Kepididn’tknowwhathappenedtoyouifyouwerejudgedpoorlyintheafterlife.NeitherFathernorMotherhadevertoldher.ThejudgmentalonehadbeenthreatenoughforherandNanutobehavewell.Butshewentonboldly.“Youmustgiveeveryinjuredworkermoney.Enoughfortherestofhislife.Youmustdothesameforthefamiliesofworkerswhodie.Whethertheyarefreeorslaves.Andyouhavetotakecareoforphans.”“Nonsense!Stoptalking!”PharaohKhufulookedatthegoddess’saltar.He

beatthepalmfrondagainsthischest.“Wemustofferourthanks.Likealways.”Theyallsaidaprayerofthanks.PharaohKhufulookedatthewa’eb.“Whatareyouwaitingfor?Cleanup.”Thewa’ebquicklygatheredtheremainsofthemealintotheenormousbasket.

Thenthepriestssprinkledwateroverthestatueandthesanctuary.Theysetsomethingonthefloorandlitincense.TheSempriestclosedandresealedthesanctuarydoor.HelookedatPharaohKhufu.“Whatdoyouwantustodowiththechild?”“Ihaven’tdecided.Putherinthedownstairschamberfornow.”TheSempriesttappedthetopofhishead.Babuquicklyjumpedtohim.PharaohKhufuandthethreehigherpriestsleft,takingBabuwiththem.Thewa’ebpulledKepiroughlybythearmtotheverydoorshe’dcomeoutof

thatmorning.Heopeneditandflungherdownthestairs.Heshutthedoor.Amomentlatersheheardthetempledoorsclose.Andamomentafterthat,thechamberdoorreopened,andMasud,Kan,andAmisirusheddownthestairstoKepi.

“W

Chapter32TheChoice

ehavetogetoutofhere,”saidKepi.“Wecan’t,”saidKan.“Therearestillpriestsinthetempleyard.I

peekedoutthedooratthetopoftheentrancesteps.”Kepibitthesideofherfistindesperation.“Gobackupstairsandhideinthe

shadowsofthetemple.Youthreecanwaittillthey’vetakenmeaway,andthenyoucansneakoutsafely.”“Wewon’tleaveyou,Kepi,”saidMasud.“Weheardwhatyousaidtothe

pharaoh.Youspokeforallofus.We’reunited.”“Don’tbecrazy.I’mintrouble.Butyou’renot.Nooneknowsyouthreeare

here.”“Didyouactuallysaynooneknowsthethreeofthemarehere?”cameavoice

reverberatingthroughtheblackairinsidetheundergroundchamber.“We’redivinity.Areyouaddinginsulttoinjury?”KepiandMasudandKanandAmisiimmediatelyhuddledtogether,trembling.“Don’tbeharshwiththem,”cameanothervoice.“Theymadeamistake.”“Stayoutofthis,Hathor.Theyatemyfood.”“They’rechildrenandtheywerehungry.Besides,younevereatit.”“That’snoexcuse.Theyshouldn’tevenhavebeeninmytemple.”“Theywerehereforanimportantreason,Sekhmet.They’regoodchildren,

pureatheart,”saidthegoddessHathor.“Theboysaremetalworkers,soyourhusband,Seker,caresaboutthem.Andoneofthegirlsisspecialtome.Shepraystomeallthetime.Youcouldsimply—”“It’smytemple!Idecidewhathappenstothem.”“Goddesses,”Kepidaredtosay,“please...”“Hush!”shoutedSekhmet.“You’rethechildwhotalkstoomuch!Youwent

onandonwiththepharaoh.Buthismetingoutofpunishmentwillbenothingcomparedtomine.”“Nowwaitjustaminute,”saidHathor.“Wehavetoseewhattheotherfour

godshavetosay.Thegirlinvokedthem,afterall.”“Never!AnytimeHorusgetsinvolvedinthings,hebosseseveryone,plusyou

“Never!AnytimeHorusgetsinvolvedinthings,hebosseseveryone,plusyouhaveswayoverhim.AndSetcan’tbetrustedtobeimpartial,notwiththisgirl.AndwhocareswhatTehutiandDunawythink,anyway?”“Thechildinvokedthem!Youcan’tignorethat.”“Andwe’realreadyhere,”cameachorusofdeepvoices.“No!”shriekedSekhmet.“Look,”camethereasonablevoiceofHathor,“whydon’tthoseofyouwho

wanttoarguegoupstairstothetemple?I’llstaywiththechildrendownhere.”“Theycan’tjustgobacktothelifetheyhad,”splutteredSekhmet.“Atleast

thethreeofthemwhoatemyfood.Nomatterwhat,thatcannotbe.”“I’msureeveryoneagreesaboutthat,”saidHathor.“Goupstairs.Goon.Go

conferandfigureoutwhattodo.”Therewasamomentofsilence.“Isthereanyothergodlefthere?”cameHathor’svoice,seemingmuchsmaller

nowintheheavydark.“Iam.”“Ah,Dunawy.I’mgladit’syou.You’rethegodofboatmen,andthisgirlchild

wasonboatsformonths.”“Hathor,”saidKepiquietly,“thisismyfault.Pleaselettheothersgo.”“Ofcourseit’syourfault.Wehadadifferentplanforyou,NitandSetandI,

butthenyougotthoseotherchildreninvolved.”Soitwastrue.ThegoddessHathorhadbeenwithherallalong.“Ididn’tmean

tomessupyourplan.Ididn’tevenunderstandyouhadaplan,really.”“It’snotyourjobtounderstandthegods.”“I’msosorry.”Kepi’svoicebroke.“Theothersdidn’tdoanythingwrong.

Pleaseletthemgo.”“Stopfretting,Kepi.Ihavetothink.Andfast,beforetheothergodsmakea

decision.Ican’tgoagainstthemoncetheyannounceadecree.”Amisiwhimpered.Kangroaned.Masudswallowedloudly.“I’msorry,”Kepisaid.“I’mso,sosorry.”“Ithinkthedarkisgettingeveryonewaytoosad,”saidHathor.“Letmefix

that.”Instantlytheroomglowedwithmoonlight,thoughitwasfullmorningoutside.ThefirstthingKepisawseemedtobeashadowofabird.Ithadtobe

Dunawy.Hisnosewasbeaklike.Hiswingswerefolded.Hisarmsendedinbirdtalons.Hefastenedoneeyedirectlyonthefourchildren.Kepiturnedherheadaway,andtherewasHathorbehindthem.Shetoowas

likeashadow,butagloriousone.ShewasmorebeautifulthanthemostbeautifulwomanKepicouldeverimagine.Shelookedasthoughshewasmade

beautifulwomanKepicouldeverimagine.Shelookedasthoughshewasmadeofmilk,allsoftandwhiteandrich.HermyrrhperfumefilledKepi’slungsandmadeherfeelasthoughshe’dfloataway.Amisisuddenlystood.Sheuntiedthesmallpouchfromherwristandtook

anotheronefrominsidehershift.“Here,everyone.Thismaybeourlastchance.SodowhatIdo.Standup,Kepi.”Kepistoodup.Amisihandedhertheotherpouch.“Iwassureyou’dearnit,soIpreparedoneforyou.It’sjustluckIbroughtitalong.”KepiwatchedasAmisipulledouttwolittlesquaresfromherpouch.She

handedonesquaretoKan.Thensheunfoldedtheotherone.Sheunfoldedandunfoldedandunfolded.Thelittlesquareturnedouttobeaswatheofcloth.Shewrappeditoncearoundherhead.Thenshetwirledandsparkledgoldinthesilverymoonlight.Itwaspen-shellcloth!Theclothwassofine,itcouldbewrappeduptoalmostnosizeatall!Why,itcouldfitinadriedscarabshell.KepiopenedherpouchandhandedasquaretoMasud.Thenthethreeofthem

unfoldedtheirsquaresandtiedtheclotharoundtheirheads.Andtheytwirled,too.Itwaslikedivingintothecleanestwater.Kepicouldfeelit,butitgavewaytoher,almostasthoughshewasmovingthroughit.Itwasheavenly.Shefeltshehadbecomeherownakhu—herownradiant,shiningdottowhirlamongthegods.Thefourofthemweredancinglights.Itwasasthoughsparksofenergyflew

aroundtheroom,ignitingnewones.“Thankyou,Amisi,”breathedKepi.“Thisismarvelous.”“Marvelous,”saidKan.“That’swhatyousaidwhenyoufirstheardmytin

bellsclinktogether.”Heopenedhispouchandthrewtinybellsintotheair.Thechildrencaughtthemandsetthemclinking.Thewholeroomresounded

withtinklingbells.Ifonlythiscouldlastforever,thisfeelingoflightnessandbeauty.“That’sit,”sangoutHathor.“Exactly!Allright,children.Yourintentions

weregood.IknowbecauseIlistenedtoyourthoughtsallalong.IcanhandleSekhmet’swrath.Soyouhaveachoice.First,Icouldletyououtthroughthesidedoorintotheyardandmakesurenooneseesyou.Youcouldgoonwithyourlives.Notbacktoyouroldlives,AmisiandKanandMasud,becauseSekhmethasalreadyforbiddenthat.Andyouroldlivesareashamblesnow,anyway.ButbacktoKepi’svillage,howeveryoumanagetodoit,towhatevernewlifeyoucanformthere.”“Thatsoundsgreat,”saidKan.“I’llworkforMasud,likeweplanned.”“Butwhat’stheotherchoice?”askedKepi.

“Butwhat’stheotherchoice?”askedKepi.“Youcanbemine.”Kepiwalkedtowardthegoddess.Pricklesranupherneckandcheeks.She

rememberedmorningsontheriver,wishingshecouldbelongtoHathor.“Whatdoesthatmean?”“Iamthegoddessofthenightsky.Iamthegoddessofmusic.Youwillbemy

littleshiningmusicalhelpersonearth,foreverandever.Whenpeoplepraytomefromtheirsleepingmats,youcanringthoselittlethings—thosebells—tilltheyfallasleep.They’lllovemeevenmore!Andthefourofyouhaveastrongsenseofrightandwrong,soyoucanhelpinotherways,too.I’llgiveyouaspecialgift:You’llbeabletoseethefuture.Thatway,ifyoudon’tlikewhat’sabouttohappen,youcanwarnpeople,sotheychangewhatthey’redoing.”“IfIhadbeenabletoseethefuture,everythingwouldhavebeendifferent,”

saidAmisi.Hervoicesoundedstrange,stronger.“Itakethesecondchoice.IfKanwill,too.”“Iwill,”saidKan.“Kepi?”saidMasud.IfKepihadbeenabletoseethechunkoflimestoneabouttofall,shecould

havesavedherfather’sfoot.Ifshehadseenthesandstormabouttocome,shecouldhavemadeMenesstayintownuntilafterithadpassed.Thereweresomanywonderfulthingsshecoulddowiththatgift.Butstill.“Noneofyouhavefamiliesworryingaboutyou,waitingforyoutocomehome,”saidKepi.“Ido,though.”“True,”saidAmisi.“Familyisthebesttreasure.”“Myfather,mymother,mysister.”AhugelumpformedinKepi’sthroat.“I

lovethemsomuch.Ilovehowwearewhenwe’retogether.”“Therearedifferentkindsoffamilies.”Masudspokesoftlyandgently.“Some

you’reborninto.Someyouchoose.Wecanbeyournewfamily,Kepi.We’reinthistogether.”We’reinthistogether.WordsthatrolledinKepi’sheartlikeaprayer.That’s

whatshehadfeltlastnight,whenherthreenewfriendshaddecidedtoriskeverythingforher.Whattruerfamilycouldthereeverbe?ItwaslikeFathersaid—foreveryjoythereisapricetobepaid.Butthisjoyjustmightbreakherheart.“Canwehavetimetothinkaboutit,greatgoddessHathor?”“Oncetheothersmakeadecisionaboutyourfate,Ican’thelpyouanylonger.

AndIcanseetheirdiscussionisclosetoended.Youhavetohurry.It’snowornever.”KepihadjustlostBabu.AndnowshewasbeingaskedtoloseFatherand

MotherandNanu.She’dneverknownsuchagony.Andthepharaohwouldnever

MotherandNanu.She’dneverknownsuchagony.Andthepharaohwouldneverchange.Allthishadbeenfornothing.Withinher,avoicespoke.Itwasn’therfather,anditwasn’tagod.Itwasjust

Kepi,talkingtoKepi.Whatyoudodoesn’tmattersomuchaswhatyoulearnfromdoingit.WhathadKepilearned?Maybenothinggood.Maybeallshe’dlearnedwas

thatyoucan’tmakeotherpeoplechange.Youcan’tmakethembegoodandactdecent.Youcanonlycontrolyourself.Youcanonlybedecentyourself.Lifewasfullofdanger.AndEgyptwasriddledwithinjustice.Thepharaoh

waswrong:Kepiunderstoodalotaboutjusticeandinjustice.Thesepastmonthshadtaughtherwell.IfKepicouldseethefuture,shecouldstopsomeofthebadthingsfromhappening.Notallbadthings—shecouldn’tbeeverywhereallthetime.Butmaybealotofthings.Sheknewthatnow.Thatwasherchoice—totaketheresponsibilityornot.Andifshedid,shewouldn’tbealone.She’dhavehernewfamily.Forever.She’dbelikeairandwaterandearth—continuingbeyondthecycleoflife.Itwouldbelikebecomingpartofnature.Really,foragirllikeKepi,whatcouldbebetter?KepiclosedhereyesanddaredtobeastrueafriendasMasudandAmisiand

Kanwere:“Itakethesecondchoice,too.”“Wisechildren,”saidHathor.“Butthere’sonemorething.Youmustbetiny.I

amthegreatlight—notyou.Iamthegoddess;youarejusthelpers.Youmustbesmallenoughtostandonthetipofaman’sfinger.”“Wait!”calledMasud.“Ifwe’rethatsmall,we’llgetcrushedbyanythingthat

walkspast.”“Notwithwings,youwon’t,”saidDunawy.“Feelbehindyourshoulders.

You’relikeinsectsnow—youhavebothlegsandwings.Justnottheusualnumber.”Andtheywere.Theywerelikeclickbeetles.Ha!Kepisawthecircleclosing.Thefourofthemwerelittleflutterythings.Littleflutterynakedthings,for

theirclotheshadnotshrunkwiththemandsohadfalleninheaps.Kepipickedupthepen-shellcloththathadbeentiedaroundherhead.Itwassolightthat,evenminusculeasshewas,shecouldliftit.Shetieditintoasheatharoundherself.Amisididthesame.AndMasudandKanmadeshentisoftheirpen-shellcloth.“Thedoor’sopen,”saidHathor.“Youaremylittlebelovedones,mymeri.

Andyouaresobeautiful—nefer.Iwantpeopletothinkofboththingswhenyoulightupforthem—loveandbeauty.SoI’llcallyoumyferi.Makepeoplelaugh

inhappiness.Honorme.Gonow.”

T

Chapter33LightsandBells

hefourofthemperchedhighinasycamorerightoutsidethetempleyardwalls.Theyhadflownhereinsilence,andnowtheysatinsilence.

“Doesanyonefeeldizzylookingdown?”askedKan.“Iusedtohateheights.IrememberclimbinginthemountainswhenIwaslittleandcryinginterror.ButnowIfeelwonderful.”“Icanmakejustonewingmove.Look.”Masudflutteredonewing.Healmost

rockedrightoffthebranch.Hecaughthimselfandlaughed.“Youknow,”saidAmisi,“Iwasoneofthebestworkers,butthemistress

wouldneverhaveletmemoveupfromaspinnertoaweaverbecauseI’manoutcast.She’dhavealwaystreatedmenasty.NowI’moneofHathor’shelpers.Whatdidshecallus?Feri.I’maferi.AndI’mlovely.Andnoonewilltreatmenastyagain.”“WhoknowswhereIwouldhavebeensoldnext,”saidKan.“Themaster

scornedmeandsodideveryoneelse.Butnow...”Heblushedandhesitated.“NowI’mwithAmisi.”Amisisidledalongthebranch,pushingasidetheshinygreenleaves,and

settledclosertoKan.“Themasterdidn’tscornme,”saidMasud.“Butheneverlovedme.Iknow

whatrealloveis.Myfathersaidthesunroseandsetinme.Hetoldmestoriesaboutthegodsallthetime.Hewantedmetobegoodandhappy.That’swhatitmeanstobeaparent—you’resupposedtoloveachild,whetherornotthechildisadopted.Themasterdidn’tknowanythingaboutbeingafather.Iwouldhavespentmylifenevereverbeingwithanyonewhocaredaboutme.”“Icareaboutyou,”saidKepi.“Wealldo,”saidAmisi.“See?”Masudsmiled.“Lookhowluckyweare.”Kepi’seyesstungwithgratitude.Theseweregoodfriends,anewfamily.Like

Amisisaid,familywasthebesttreasure.Butnowsheclosedhereyes.Theholeinherheartwasvast.“Ihavetogoseemymotherandfatherandsister.Ihavetosaygood-bye.”

saygood-bye.”“I’llgowithyou,”saidMasud.“Wecanallgotogether,”saidKan.“And,then,doyouthink...?”“Yes,”saidKepi.“Yes,yes.Wecangotoyourcountryandyoucanseeyour

oldfamily,too.”“Buthowwillyousaygood-bye?”askedAmisi.“We’resotiny,willtheyeven

knowit’savoice?Allpeoplehearwhenaninsecttalksisawhirorabuzz.”“Wehavethebells,”saidKan.“Butthey’reheavy,”saidAmisi.Kepilookeddownindismayatthebaseofthetree.Theyhadeachcarried

onlyonebellwiththemwhenthey’dleftthetemplechamber,andthey’dsetthemunderthetree.“Wecanhammerthemflatandmakelotsofnew,smallerbellsfromthem,”

saidKan.“Withwhat?”askedMasud.“We’retoosmalltoliftahammer.”“Ibetifweallworktogether,wecanswingahammer.Andoncethemetalis

thinenough,wecanusepebblestoshapethebells.Wecanjustflyovertothemetallurgist’sanddoitwhentheshop’sempty.”Amisismiledherbeautifulsmile.“Justflyoverthere.Thesoundofthatisso

funny.Justflyonover.Butit’sright.That’swhatwedonow;wefly.”Sothat’swhattheydid.Fromthosefourbellstheymadefourhundredteeny-

tinybells,andtheystashedalmostalloftheminnichesunderaneaveofthemetallurgist’sshop.Thentheyeachtooktenandtiedthemintoafoldofthepen-shellcloththatcoveredthem.IttookthemnotimeatalltoreachKepi’svillage,forferisaren’tboundby

humantime.TheotherswaitedontheroofwhileKepiflewaroundtheoutsideofherhome.

Shecouldhardlybelievewhatshesaw.WhenFatherhadstartedbakingbread,theyusedtomakeonerowoffiresforthebakingembers—andashortone,atthat.Butnowshesawsixlongrows.Fathermustbesellingbreadtotheentirevillage.Maybewordhadspreadtonearbyvillages—maybeeventothebigcityofWetjeset-Hor.PeoplemustcomefromeverywhereforFather’sbread.Ha!Herbbreadmustbedelicious,afterall.Besidetheoldbakingdiskswerenewones,shapedlikefishandtrianglesandbirds.Kepiimaginedthevillagechildren’sdelightatmunchingthosewhimsicalbreads.Butshecouldn’tflyaroundoutsideforever.Shehadtogoinside.Shehadto

facethesepeoplewhosheloved.Kepiflewthroughawindow.Fatherstoodbythecarpet,wherealoafofbreadandajugofbeerlay.He

wasn’teating.Hewasn’tdoinganything,really,justleaningonhiscrutch.Grief

wasn’teating.Hewasn’tdoinganything,really,justleaningonhiscrutch.Griefhadagedhisface.Hischeekshungjustalittle.Hiseyeslookedheavy.“Iloveyou,”Kepisaid.Fatherdidn’tevenmove.Amisimusthavebeenright—hecouldn’thearher.KepiflewaroundFather’shead.Fatherblinked.Kepicircledhimagain.Fatherleanedbackandswattedattheair.Kepiflewjustoutofreachandjingledherbells.“What’sthat?”Father’seyesfollowedasKepiflittedaroundtheroom.“Are

youascarab?”Kepijingledherbells.Thenshelandedonthecarpetandclimbedontotheloaf

ofbread.“Jingle.Jingle.”Father’smouthopenedinwonder.Heleanedover.Heshook

hisheadslowly,sidetoside.“You’reapointoflight.ButIthinkIseeafacebehindthatglow.AfaceIknow.Coulditbe?Isthatyou?IsthatmyKepi?Mylittlejingle-jangle?”Kepicouldn’thavespokennow,evenifFathercouldhearhervoice.Shewas

cryingtoohard.Shejingledherbells.AtearrolleddownFather’scheek.“We’vemissedyousomuch.”Kepijingledherbells.“I’veneverseenanythinglikeyoubefore.You’reastarthat’scometoearth.

Atiny,wonderful,singingstar.Theverysightofyoumakesmehappy.”Andthenhestraightenedup.“Oh.Ihavetotellyourmotherandyoursister.Rightaway.Theyhavetoseeyou.Come.Come,Kepi,mylove,myjingle-jangle.”SoKepisatonFather’sshoulderasheslowlyhoppedhiswaywithacane

towardtheriver,whereMotherandNanuwerescrubbinglaundry.“Look,”calledFather.“Looklook!”MotherandNanujumpedtotheirfeetinalarm.Theycamerunning.“Is

somethingwrong,Father?”askedMother.She,too,lookedsoold,sothin,sofragile.AndNanu’seyesbehindherwereliquidwithasadnessfarbeyondheryears.“Ourdaughter’scomeback.”“What?Kepi?Where?”MothergrabbedFather’sarmsandclungthere.

“Whereisshe?”“Here,onmyshoulder.”Motherstared.Nanucameupbehindherandstared.Kepijingledherbells.

Kepijingledherbells.Mother’smouthfellopen,butshedidn’tspeak.“That’sKepi?”saidNanu.Shecamecloserandblinked.“Yes.Yes,Icansee

herfunnyface.Icanseethefaceofmysister.Oh,Kepi.Kepi,youcameback.”Kepijingledherbells.“She’sasparkoflight,”saidMotherslowly.“Whatsillythingdidyoudototurnyourselfintolight?”askedNanu.Kepijingledherbells.“Youwon’tbelievewhat’shappenedwhileyou’vebeengone.Everyonetrades

forFather’sbreadratherthanmakingtheirown.Someleaveusfishorpotsorcloth.OthersworkFather’sfieldsinexchangeforbread.MotherandIdon’thavetodofieldworkanymore.And...”Nanutwirledaround.“I’mgettingmarriedinamonth.”Kepijingledandjingledherbells.“Ilovethatsound,”saidMother.“It’ssohighandtinkly.Iwantiteveryday.

Doyouhearme,Kepi?Iwanttohearthatsoundeverydayfortherestofmylife.”“Me,too,”saidNanu.Kepiuntiedtheknotinthetipofherpen-shellshift.Sheflewroundandround

Mother,tillMotheropenedherhandsinconfusion.ThenKepidroppedtwobellsinherpalm.“What’sthis?”Motherraisedherhandtohereyes.“Twominusculemetal

bowls.”“Iwantthem,”saidNanu.MotherheldherhandoverNanu’sanddroppedinthebells,whichclinked

againsteachotherastheyfell.“Ah,that’sthesound.”KepidroppedtwomorebellsintoMother’snow-emptypalm.Fatherheldouthispalm.Kepidroppedbellsintoit.“Sothisisyourvoice,Kepi.”Mother’stearsfellonthebellsandmadethem

shine.“EverymorningandeverynightwhenIsayIloveyou,I’llflicktheselittlebowlstogethersoIcanhearyousayingyouloveme,too.”KepiflewrightatMother’sface.Shecouldn’tstopherself.ButMother

seemedtounderstand.Sheclosedhereyes.Kepikissedherwetlashes.ThenshekissedNanuandFather.“Thankyouforcomingback,Kepi.”Nanukissedherfingertipsandblewthe

kisstoKepi.“Youmadeushappy.”Therewasnothinglefttodo.Kepiflewinacircleabovethem,wantingso

muchtostay—butshewasaferi.Shedidn’tbelonghereanymore.Shejingled

andjingledandjingledherbells.Nanushookherhead.Thenshesighed.“You’releaving?”“Shehasto,”saidFather.“Idon’tknowwhat’snextforKepi,butIknowit’s

important.Andwehavetobehappyforher.”“Oh,Kepi,”calledMother.“Visitusnowandthen,sweetdaughter.”Andshewould.Theyhadhumanlivestolead.Itwouldbewonderfultosee

whattheydidovertheyears.ButKepihadadifferentlife.Andsuddenlysherealizedwhereitshouldbe:

backinthenorth,atthesiteofthegreatpyramid.Shecouldwatchovertheworkersthere.Shecouldseeanaccidentbeforeithappenedandmakeeveryonegettosafety.Shecouldprotectthepharaoh’speopleevenifhedidn’t.Ha!Everythingwasworkingout—notthewayshehadhoped,butbetter,really.Shecoulddogoodthingsforeverandeverandever.Sheflewbacktotheroofofherhumanfamily’shome,wherehernewfamily

waitedforher.

WAuthor’sNote

heredidfairiescomefrom?Panclaimedfairieswerebornfromthefirstbaby’sfirstlaugh.But,in

TinkerBell’sinfamouswords,Peterwasa“sillyass.”Laughterisimportant,nodoubtaboutit.Butfairiesarelinkedtomanythings

beyondhappiness—scarythings,wickedthings,sadthings,mysteriousthings.Somebelievetheyarethespiritsofnature,embodiedinhills,lakes,thesun,a

flower’sdelicateperfume—thatis,thebasicelementsofearth,water,fire,andair.Somesaytheywerespawnedonmagicalislandsundertheoceans,onthehighseas,evenintheskies.Theyarelegendarycreatures,oftenlinkedtoreligiousbeliefs.Sothequestion

ofwheretheycomefromisonetotakeseriously.FairiesfirstappearinrecordedhistoryinancientEgypt.That’swhyIchoseto

setmystorythere.TheEnglishwordfairy,however,hasitsoriginintheLatinwordfata,whichisthenameofagoddessoffate(theLatinwordforfateisfatum).ThatoriginalsenseofwhatthewordmeantledmetocreateastoryinwhichKepi’sexperiencesandherrelationshipstothevariousgodsinexorablyleadhertoherfinalchoiceofbecomingafairy;thischoiceistrulyherfate.Itisanicecoincidence,however,thattwoancientEgyptianwords—nefer,“beauty,”andmeri,“beloved”—canbeblendedtoformferi,whichsoundsthesameasfairy.

TPostscriptonHistory

hisstorytakesplaceduringtheFourthDynastyoftheOldKingdomofancientEgypt,approximatelyintheyear2530BCE.Egypthada

developedcivilizationasearlyas3000BCE,anditcontinuedformillennia.MuchofwhatyoumightreadaboutancientEgyptistrueofaparticulartimeperiodonly,notoftheentirehistory.IhavetriedhardtostaytruetotheEgyptofthetimeofthisstory.ThesayingsofKepi’sfathercomefrominscriptionsonancienttemplewalls.ThegodsandgoddessesofEgyptareknowntomanypeopletodaybythe

Greekversionsoftheirnames.Likewise,ancientcitiesareknownbytheirGreekorArabicnames.ButtheGreekinfluenceonEgyptarrivedmuchlaterthanthisstory,andtheArabicinfluencewasevenlater.Forthatreason,IhavereturnedtotheancientEgyptiannameswhenIcouldfindthem,andtoCoptic(alaterstageofEgyptian)nameswhenIcouldn’tfindearlierones.Thereadercanusetheglossarythatfollowstocheckontheidentitiesofgods,goddesses,andplacenames.Ihaven’tbeenentirelyconsistentinthislanguagechoice,however.The

ancientscalledtheircountryKimi,notEgypt.Andtheycalledtheirrulernesw-bit,notpharaoh.Iusedthefamiliarnames,however,inthehopethatthiswouldhelpreaderskeepinmindwhatevertheymightalreadyknowaboutthecountryandusethattoenvisionthestory.GodsandgoddessesappearinKepi’sadventurerepeatedly.Theywhisperto

her,theyrevealthemselvestoherinanimalform,theyprotecther—sometimeswithdestructiveresults—and,ultimately,theyinsistthatherlifecannotcontinueonitsoriginalpath,sincesheoffendedthembyenteringthetempleandbyeatingthefoodsetoutforthegoddessSekhmet.Whenwefinallyseegodsandgoddessesinteractingwitheachotherinthedarkcellarbelowthetemplefloor,theysquabble.Inheranger,thegoddessSekhmettalksbadlyaboutothergods,callingthegodHorusbossyandthegodSetuntrustworthy—claimswecaneasilybelieve,givenwhatwe’veseenofthegodsinKepi’sstory.ThegodSobek,intheformofacrocodile,andthegodSet,intheformofahippo,killedmenofthecrewratherthanmerelyfrighteningthemintochangingtheirbehavior.Theseactswouldmakeonethinkthegodshadlittleregardforhuman

behavior.Theseactswouldmakeonethinkthegodshadlittleregardforhumanlife.OnlyHathorseemsjustandlovinginherinteractionswithhumans.Thearrayofgodsandgoddessespresentedinthisstory,then,doeslittletoinspireconfidence.YettheancientEgyptiansbelievedinsuchgods.Whilethegeneralroleofthegodsandgoddesseschangedoverthelongperiod

ofancientEgypt’shistory,andwhiletheindividualpersonalitiesattributedtoparticulargodsandgoddessesvariedoverthisperiod,there’snodoubtthattheancientsdevelopedandobservedawiderangeofstrictritualsintheirdailylivesbecauseofthehopeand,indeed,thefearthatdeitiescouldbewatchingthematanymoment.Ancientlifemusthavefeltchaoticandunreliable.Onemomentparentswereabletoworkhardandprovidefortheirfamily,thenextdayoneorbothsustainedsuchadisablinginjurythattheirlivesandthelivesoftheirlovedoneswerenolongersecure.Onemomentapersonwaspaddlingineasedowntheriver,andthenextasandstormcameandtossedhimaway,ultimatelydrowninghim.Theroarsoflions,whoopsofhyenas,andhowlsofjackalssoundedinthenight.Yetdawnwasoftenamysticalmistygreen,daysawskiesteemingwithhappypelicansandriverscrowdedwithmanykindsoffish,andatsunsetthesandandlimestonecliffssometimesdazzledredandwhite.Allthesegoodsandevils,allthesegiftsandmiseries,allofthemcamefromthegodsandgoddesses.Soofcoursethedeitiesthemselveshadtobeimperfect;theirimperfectionshelpedtoaccountforanotherwisebewilderingworld.IconsulteddozensofbookswhileIwasdoingtheresearchforthisstory.One

thatcoversthevastspanofancientEgyptianhistoryandfullyexplainsthewaysthegodsandgoddesseswovetheirwaythroughallaspectsofeverydaylife,frommedicinetolaw,frombirthtodeath,isRosalieDavid’sReligionandMagicinAncientEgypt(NewYork:Penguin,2003).Averyfineoverviewofthegodsandgoddesses,includingmanyminoronesandonesborrowedfromotherancientcultures,whichnicelyfocusesonindigenousEgyptianbeliefs(ratherthanbeliefsimportedlaterfromGreeceorRome)isGeorgeHart’sADictionaryofEgyptianGodsandGoddesses(London:Routledge,1986).ForthoseinterestedinreadingmoreaboutthepyramidsandEgyptianarchaeologyingeneral,averyfinebookisKathrynBard’sAnIntroductiontotheArchaeologyofAncientEgypt(Malden,Mass.:Blackwell,2007).FormanyillustrationsofEgyptianart,fromwallcarvingstoetchingsonamulets,withrichdiscussions,seeGayRobins’sTheArtofAncientEgypt(rev.ed.,Cambridge,Mass.:HarvardUniversityPress,2008).Foranoverviewofhistoryandageographicaltourofancientsites,withphotos,beautifulillustrations,andfrequentmaps(thisistruly

armchairtravel),IrecommendJohnBainesandJaromirMalek’sCulturalAtlasofAncientEgypt(rev.ed.,NewYork:Checkmark,2000).AfinebookontheliteratureofancientEgypt(althoughmostofthematerialinitcomesfromperiodsaftertheperiodinwhichKepi’sstoryisset)isWilliamKellySimpson’sTheLiteratureofAncientEgypt:AnAnthologyofStories,Instructions,Stelae,Autobiographies,andPoetry(3rded.,NewHaven:YaleUniversityPress,2003).Andforreadersfascinatedwithancientworldsingeneral,therearemanymarvelousbooksoutthere.OneIloveisAncientCivilizations:TheIllustratedGuidetoBelief,Mythology,andArt(SanDiego,Calif.:ThunderBay,2005),editedbyGregWoolf.AnotherisThePenguinEncyclopediaofAncientCivilizations(NewYork:PenguinBooks,1989),editedbyArthurCotterell.ButIalsostronglyencourageyoutobrowsetheinternetforphotosofancientEgyptiansites.IvisitedEgyptinthefallof2010,asIwaswritingthisbook,andIfoundthatbyfollowingupeachday’strampingaroundwithinternetsearches,Ioftenreinforcedtheexperiencebygainingcloserlooksatorbird’s-eyeviewsofartandarchaeologicalsites.Further,sometimessitesareclosedtothepublic(eitheringeneraloratthespecificmomentyouwanttovisitthem),butphotosontheinternetcanallowaccess.Onefinalword:Whilemuchresearchgoesintohistoricalfiction,intheendI

amsimplyawriteroffiction,notanauthorityonEgyptianhistory.Sowhenmysourcesdisagreedonsomething,Iwasunabletomakeascholarlyjudgment.Ihavenotspentdecadesdoingarchaeologicalresearch;instead,Ihaveworkedprimarilyfromsecondarysources,althoughIhavehadtheprivilegeofactuallywalkingthroughmanyancientsites.Therefore,insituationsofcontroversy,IwentwiththeoptionthathelpedmetocreatethebeststoryIcould.That’sthepointoffiction,afterall.Andwhenonebookofferedsomethingunusual(suchasthefactthatthere’sevidencethatsomegirlsworepigtails,thoughchildreningeneralhadshavenheads),Ijumpedonthatasaninterestingdetail.Itrytogroundmystoryindetailssothereaderisconstantlyfeelingthetimeandplace,whichtomeareascentraltothestoryasanycharacter.Buthistoricalfictionisjustthat—fiction.

Glossary

Note:MostEgyptiannameshavemultipletransliterationsandavarietyoftranscriptionsintotheRomanalphabet.Onlyasingleversionforeachentryisgivenhere.

AKHU—thepartofapersonthatbecomesashiningdotintheskyaftertheydieBABI—baboon-headedgod

DJERTY—ancientcity,onthesamesiteasthemoderncityofTodDUNAWY—wingedgod,oftenknownbytheGreeknameAntiHATHOR—goddessofthemoon,dancing,andmusicHATTIANS—ancientpeopleofAnatolia(inTurkey)HEKA—ram-headedgod

HEM-NETJER—priestHEM-NETJERTEPEY—highpriestHORUS—falcon-headedgodINEBHEDJ(“WHITEWALLS”)—cityattheNiledelta,laterknownbytheGreeknameMemphis;theadministrativecapitalofunitedUpperandLowerEgypt.ItwastothesouthofwhereCaironowstands,onthewestbank.

INR-TI—ancientcity,nowknownasthearcheologicalsiteNagael-Gherira.KA—thepartofapersonthatstayswiththephysicalselfaftertheydieKANESH—ancientnameofthecentraleasternAnatoliantownnowknownasKültepeMINOS—ancientnameoftheAegeanislandnowknownasCreteMUN-DIGAK—ancientcityofwhatisnowAfghanistanNEKHBET—vulture-headedgoddesswhoguardschildrenandmothersNEKHEB—ancientcity,onthesamesiteasthemoderncityofel-KabNEKHEN—ancientcity,onthesamesiteasthemoderncityofKomel-AhmarNIT—goddessofwar,oftenknownbytheGreekrenderingNeithNUBT—ancientcity,onthesamesiteasthemoderncityofNaqadaRA—sungod

SEKER—godinchargeofmetalworkingSEKHMET—lion-headedgoddessofbattleSET—godofstormsandchaosSOBEK—crocodile-headedgodTA-SENET—ancientcity,onthesamesiteasthemoderncityofEsnaTEHUTI—ibis-headedgod,oftenknownbytheGreekrenderingThothWA’eb—

—ibis-headedgod,oftenknownbytheGreekrenderingThothWA’eb—helperofthepriest

WASET—ancientcity,oftenknownbytheGreeknameThebes,andtodaythesiteofthemoderncityLuxorWETJESET-HOR—ancientcity,onthesamesiteasthemoderncityofEdfuYEBU—southernmostcityofEgypt,onthesamesiteasthemoderncityofAswan

Acknowledgments

ThankstoBarryandElenaFurrow;JennaBeucler;SarahFlint;NicholasGaw;LibbyCrissey;KatherineDelaney;SerafinaHilliard;BenHunter;TimJensen;CourtneyKnerr;LenaLofgren;DavidMcKay;Daniel,Donna,Emily,Kelly,andTimothyMcKenna;TatumMurray;AbigailRaz;JillStengel;KevinStern;NateUrban;MorganWesley;EdGaynor’sfourth-gradeclassattheSwarthmore-Rutledgeschoolinfall2008;andtheonewhoaskedmeaboutTinkerBellinthefirstplace,mydearBrendaBowen.Finally,ahugethank-youtoJordanBrown,whonevertires,evenwhenthetasktestsallourstrength.

NotetotheReaderThisstorytakesplaceinancientEgyptaround2530BCE,neartheendoftheruleofPharaohKhufu.

AbouttheAuthor

DonnaJoNapoliistheauthorofmorethanfiftybooksforchildren,includingmanypicturebooksandnovelsfortweensandteens.SomeofhermostpopularbooksareZEL,BEAST,UGLY,BOUND,andSTONESINWATER.DonnaJolivesinPennsylvaniawithherfamily,Youcanvisitheratwww.donnajonapoli.com.

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Copyright©2011byDonnaJoNapoliAllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferable

righttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownor

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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataNapoli,DonnaJo,dateLightsontheNile/DonnaJoNapolip.cm.Summary:Ten-year-oldKepi,ayounggirlinancientEgypt,embarksonajourneytosaveherfamilywhensheisunexpectedlytakencaptive,alongwiththebabybaboonshehasrescuedfromacrocodile.Anorigintaleaboutfairies.ISBN978-0-06-166793-0(tradebdg.)[1.Kidnapping—Fiction.2.Egypt—History—To332B.C.—Fiction.3.Baboons—Fiction.4.Fairies—Fiction.]I.TitlePZ7.N15Lh2011[Fic]—dc22

2011010179CIPAC

1112131415CG/RRDB10987654321

FirstEditionEPubEdition©2011ISBN:9780062093363

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