“We shall guard each other,” Hattiedeclared.
CHAPTER 23
“This is preposterous!” Hapuseneb roared.“How is it that Senemut still lives?” He paced across the floor,then turned to face Snefru. “Are the gods against us? Are we doomedto fail with each attempt we make?”
“I know not,” Snefru said irritably. “Itseems there is a greater power watching over those two, else theywould both be dead by now. But I remain confident we can find a wayto rid ourselves of them, if we do not concede defeat.”
“I am not so sure.” Hapuseneb slumped onto achair. Every attempt he’d made had been thwarted, every effortneatly sidestepped. Was he angering the gods in his attempt todethrone Hatshepsut? “I think mayhap we are attempting theimpossible. The gods must wish that woman to stay on the throne. Ifthey do not wish so, why have we not succeeded? Senemut was stabbedand should have died, yet he is recovering and regaining hisstrength.”
Senemut was recovering his strength, nodoubt, due to an unfortunate combination of his strongconstitution, lack of skill on the part of the assassin, andHatshepsut refusing the services of the physician Hapuseneb hadbribed. But he had no intention of making Snefru aware of his otheroperatives. The man was much too rash to be trusted with suchinformation “Or mayhap it is not the gods,” he added. “PossiblyHatshepsut herself has some magic powers we are unaware of, beyondher simple love spells and charms.”
“Aye, that might be it.” Snefru noddedthoughtfully. “Perchance we err in trying to rid ourselves of herthrough mortal means. We might be better served through usingmagic. But—” He thumped his chest. “—I am no sorcerer. I am asoldier, and the only means I have at my disposal are men andweapons. If there is to be magic, you must provide it,Hapuseneb.”
Hapuseneb’s eyes brightened and hestraightened. At last, the fool had come up with a valuablesuggestion! “I think you are right. We must dispose of her with aspell of some kind. I dare not try to put a poison into her drinkthis time. She would suspect as much. Possibly a spell on an objectof some kind?” He nodded thoughtfully and pursed his lips. “Aye,that might do it.”
“I will leave that to you. In the meantime, Iwill wait for an opportunity to strike again at Senemut. No matterhow powerful her magic is, she cannot be watchful all the time.Sooner or later, I will find an opportunity, and I will seize it.”Snefru smiled like a crocodile about to devour a tender gazellethat had wandered too close to the water. “I am confident we willsucceed yet.”
* * *
“You treat me like an infant,” Senemutgrumbled. “I am tired of being confined to this room. I wish towalk through the palace, or mayhap sit in the garden. I need freshair!”
Hattie shuddered. “I do not think I canendure that garden, and I wish you would avoid it also. I confess Iam reluctant to leave this room, since we know not who yourwould-be assassin was, or who sent him.”
He stroked her cheek. “I understand, littlewarrior. You have been so brave! But we cannot live our lives infear. We must be cautious, but we must go on.”
“I suppose you are right.” She sighed. “Verywell, let us take a stroll through the palace. We will prove youare alive and well, and that the traitors did not succeed in takingyour life. Mayhap they will think twice before trying again. But Ihave no intention of visiting the garden.”
“That is a fair bargain.” Senemut rose slowlyand crossed the room to her. “You see? I am strong. You need notworry.”
Hattie winced as she watched him movepainfully to her side, but she kept her voice light. “Aye, I see.Soon you will be hauling enormous limestone blocks to my mortuarytemple on your back! I have no doubt.” She smiled. “Come, we shallwalk side by side.”
They moved through the halls together, Hattieclasping Senemut’s arm protectively and looking everyone theypassed in the eye. After a surprised glance or gasp, all avertedtheir eyes and bowed, from the servants to the most exaltednoble.
Let them stare! she thought. I will not let them intimidate me anylonger. I am pharaoh, for good or ill, and I must behaveso.
After a time she relaxed, enjoying the colorreturning to Senemut’s cheeks and the life to his step.
As they approached the throne room, Hattieheard the sound of running feet behind them. A messenger appearedand flung himself at her feet, panting and sweating. “They havereturned, Majesty,” he gasped, and thrust a papyrus scroll ather.
“Thank you.” She took the scroll, but pausedbefore reading it. “It looks as if you have traveled a greatdistance. You may go to the palace kitchen and have the cooks feedyou before you return to your post.”
“I give you my thanks, Noble One,” themessenger said, then turned and scurried away in the direction ofthe kitchen.
Hattie unrolled the scroll and scrutinizedit. “Oh, Senemut!” she cried. “The expedition to Punt has returnedsafely. They will arrive in Thebes within the hour! Come…I mustdress and make ready to receive them.”
Senemut grinned. “I confess I am surprisedthey have returned. I should have trusted in you. You knew theywould come back, did you not?” He straightened and started back inthe direction of her rooms. “Come! We must hasten!”
Laughing, they hurried down the halltogether, arm-in-arm.
Nesi worked her usual magic with Hattie’sclothing and hair, and in less than an hour she and Senemut were inthe throne room, ready to receive Chancellor Neshi. The room wascrowded with nobles and priests, all eager to hear about the fabledland, and a festive air was evident. Servants moved through thecrowd, dispensing goblets of wine and beer. Senemut stood behindHattie’s throne. She had tried to convince him to sit at her side,but to no avail.
“It is not suitable,” was all he said.
She resolved to keep a close eye on him andif he looked tired, she would put a quick end to the audience.
Chancellor Neshi was announced. He strodeinto the room looking tired but sun-browned and fit,
