The Sekhmet Bed (The She-King Book 1) by Libbie Hawker

Author:Libbie Hawker [Hawker, Libbie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Running Rabbit Press
Published: 2011-09-21T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“ANOTHER BOY.” TWOSRE STOOD, ARMS folded, eyes severe, in Ahmose’s modest chamber. “She calls him Amunmose.”

Ahmose bit her fist to smother a yawn. She had spent a long night dancing and chanting with the Mut priestesses. Her muscles were tight and sore. Their official mission had been to strike fear into the hearts of the Heqa-Khasewet warriors, but when an apprentice brought word that Mutnofret had gone into labor early that evening, Ahmose had slipped in a few private pleas to make the child a girl. “How is my sister recovering?”

“Quite well, Holy Lady.”

Sometimes even women who had borne before still died of complications. It would be convenient for Mutnofret to slip off to the afterlife and free the Horus Throne of her oppressive presence. No such luck, though; she would carry on as capably as the brood mare she was, it seemed. Ahmose cleared her throat. “Did she ask for me again at the birthing?”

Twosre made a funny little grimace, eyebrows up, mouth down. No need to answer; the woman’s face said it clearly enough. No, of course not. After her dismissal from court, the last thread between Ahmose and Mutnofret was cut forever. They were sisters no more.

“And the new baby – is he well?”

“Quite strong and healthy. He cries like a bull calf.”

“I am sure the Pharaoh will be glad to hear it.”

“Holy Lady…” Twosre hesitated. Ahmose nodded for her to go on, trying to erase the anger from her face. It was not Twosre who enraged her. “It is not my place to ask, Holy Lady, but all the palace servants want to know. Have you had any success with the Pharaoh? With the heirship for Wadjmose?”

Ahmose’s frown deepened. “No. I get few letters from the Pharaoh these days, and they are all full of battle stories. They made Tyre a base for many weeks, and cleared the surrounding land of Heqa-Khasewet. Most of the vermin have fled north. The Pharaoh pursued them. They have had several battles along the way, he said, with heavy losses at a few. The Heqa-Khasewet ambushed them from the highlands near Kadesh. They nearly lost that one, but Tut…Thutmose turned it around on them.

“His last letter spoke of pushing even further north. He thinks to rout them from Ugarit, and to set up an outpost there. He believes he can bring the local people to him, and expand the borders of the empire. I have seen maps. Ugarit is so far to the north. I do not see how he can hold it, but he has a way with soldiers, I know. If anyone can do it, the Pharaoh can.

“That is all he tells me, though. I don’t know whether the heirship is even on his mind. I do not wish to press the issue too hard, you see.”

“Of course, Lady.”

Ahmose was about to say more, but hands clapped lightly outside the chamber door.

“Come,” Ahmose said.

An old priest bowed in the doorway. “Holy Lady, your chariot is ready. I am to drive you to the palace.

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