Hattie laughed, giddy with relief. “It is Iwho should thank you. You saved my life.”
“It was my duty, Majesty,” he said, andbowed. “And my very great pleasure. Have your soldiers won anothervictory for you yet?” He gestured in the direction of the field ofcombat.
Hattie looked down at the field below anddiscovered that, at last, the battle was over. Sounds of conflictdwindled, leaving only the moans and cries of the injured anddying. As predicted, Egypt’s seasoned troops had achieved an easyvictory over the inexperienced Nubian soldiers. “Aye. It appears tobe finished.” She turned back to him and gasped. “You are bleeding!Let me take a look at that. It looks serious.”
He glanced down at his side, then ran afinger lightly over the wound and winced. “It is nothing more thana scratch. Do not worry yourself.”
“Nonsense,” Hattie said. “The least I can dois clean it for you. After all, you saved my life. I owe yousomething.” She hurried into the tent and grabbed a pitcher ofclean water and a linen towel. Dashing outside, she directed him tosit on the stool, which she hastily righted.
“I do not need assistance, Hattie,” heprotested as she pushed him down.
“Please, Senemut,” she said. “I stood by,helpless, and watched the battle below, and I watched your battlewith the Nubian soldier. This is something that I can do. It willmake me feel useful.”
Senemut sighed. “Very well.”
Hattie knelt next to him, dipped the towel inthe water and dabbed it over the cut, removing the blood and dirtas gently as possible. She tried to ignore the tingles she feltwhen she ran her fingers over his chest and ribs, probingdelicately for other hidden injuries.
“Hattie, I…” He stopped, swallowed, andstarted again. “Are you certain you are trained for this?”
“Am I hurting you?” she murmured, looking upinto his eyes. “I am sorry. I am being as gentle as I can.Fortunately, the gash is not deep, and I think it is your onlyinjury.”
“Aye, and did I not tell you as much?”Senemut said, wincing, but returning her warm gaze. “Nonetheless, Ithank you for your kindness.”
“It was my pleasure.” Hattie smiled. “There!It is finished. Try to keep it clean, and it will heal well.”
Snefru suddenly appeared at her side, pantingand covered with sweat and blood. His eyes widened as he noticedSenemut’s injury, Hattie kneeling at his side with a bloody towelin her hand. When Hattie stood and faced him, he dragged his gazeaway. “Majesty!” he cried, bowing. “A most glorious victory!”
“Aye.” She bit her tongue to keep fromtelling him her true thoughts. “You did an excellent job, GeneralSnefru. My congratulations.”
“It is my pleasure to serve Your Majesty.” Hegestured at the battlefield. “We lost only seventy men, and twohundred are wounded. The enemy lost far more men.”
“No doubt,” she murmured. “There is one.” Shepointed at the downed Nubian soldier, still lying unconscious andcovered with pottery fragments. “He tried to kill me, but LordSenemut saved my life. How did he slip past your soldiers?”
“I…I swear, I know not, Majesty!” Snefrustammered, bowing low. “But all things are possible in battle.Senemut, Egypt owes you…owes you a great debt.” He glared atSenemut with a less than kindly expression on his face. “I willhave this Nubian dog dragged from your sight at once, Royal One,”he continued, prodding the warrior with a foot. “We have capturedthe leader of the traitors. Shall I have him brought to yourtent?”
She glanced down at the field, where the deadwere being dragged away and the wounded tended. “Nay. Hold him forthe present. I wish to see to the needs of the wounded.”
“But, Majesty, the physicians are quitecapable of—”
“Mayhap so. But my soldiers were wounded inmy service, and I wish to assure myself they are properly treated.Thank you, General Snefru.” She dismissed him with a curt wave.
He bowed again and hastened away.
She turned to Senemut. “You need notaccompany me if you choose not to. But it is something I mustdo.”
He grinned. “It is my honor to follow youonto the field of battle, or anywhere else you desire to go, littlewarrior. And it may be that you will need my protection again! Ormayhap I will need yours. Have you other wine jars?” he asked,winking. Then he reached for her hand.
So, with Senemut at her side, Hattie movedamong the wounded lying on the field, assisting the physicians inremoving arrows, stitching wounds, applying bandages, settingbroken limbs, and comforting the dying.
Hours passed, and the sun had nearly setbefore she straightened painfully and trudged slowly up the hill toher tent. She was covered with blood and dirt, and much of her gownshe had torn away to use as bandages. Fatigue hung heavy on herlike a shroud. She felt she had aged an eternity in the lasttwenty-four hours.
She slumped down on a stool inside the tent.Senemut stood in front of her. “You are tired, are you not, littlewarrior?”
“Aye,” she murmured. “So tired. I have painsin muscles I did not know I possessed.”
“May I assist you with that?” he asked. “Youcared for me. I would be honored to do as much for you.”
“Of course. What did you have in mind?”
Senemut rose and stepped behind her. She felthis warm, strong hands on her shoulders, tentatively at first.Then, with more assurance, he firmly massaged her aching muscles.Hattie relaxed, giving in to the sensuous pleasure of his hands onher flesh.
“You were wonderful, Hattie,” he said as hekneaded the sore muscles in her back. “Your name will live foreverin your soldiers’ hearts.”
“I do not feel wonderful,” she mumbled. “Ifeel dirty, inside and out. I am exhausted.”
“Ah! This, I can remedy.” He clapped hishands, and an orderly rushed into the tent. “Bring Her Majesty’sbath.”
“At once, Your Lordship.”
The orderly rushed away, returning quicklywith a collapsible canvas tub. Several men followed, carrying largestone jars of water, which they poured into the tub. Then theyvanished as quickly as they had come, closing the tent flaps behindthem.
“Oh, Senemut.” Hattie eyed the watergreedily. “I would love a bath. But I am so
