The letter must be dispatched with all secrecy and speed."
Kameni said slowly: "I do not like -"
Nofret flashed out at him: "I have no complaint against Renisenb.
Renisenb is soft, weak and a fool, but she has not tried to harm me.
Does that content you?"
The color of Kameni's bronze face deepened.
"I was not thinking of that -"
Nofret said smoothly: "I think you were...
Come now - fulfill your instructions - write."
"Yes, write," said Henet.
"I'm so distressed by all this - so terribly distressed.
Certainly Imhotep must know about it.
It's only right that he should.
However unpleasant a thing is, one has to do one's duty.
I've always felt that."
Nofret laughed softly.
"I'm sure you have, Henet.
You shall do your duty!
And Kameni shall do his office.
And I - I shall do what it is my pleasure to do..."
But still Kameni hesitated.
His face was sullen - almost angry.
"I do not like this," he said.
"Nofret, you had better take a little time to think."
"You say that to me!"
Kameni flushed at her tone.
His eyes avoided hers, but his sullen expression remained.
"Be careful, Kameni," said Nofret smoothly.
"I have great influence with Imhotep.
He listens to what I say - so far he has been pleased with you -" She paused significantly.
"Are you threatening me, Nofret?" asked Kameni angrily.
"Perhaps."
He looked angrily at her for a moment or two - then he bent his head.
"I will do as you say, Nofret, but I think - yes, I think - that you will be sorry."
"Are you threatening me, Kameni?"
"I am warning you..."
Chapter 8 SECOND MONTH OF WINTER, 10TH DAY
Day followed day; and Renisenb sometimes felt that she was living in a dream.
She had made no more timid overtures to Nofret.
She was, now, afraid of Nofret.
There was something about Nofret she did not understand.
After the scene in the courtyard that day, Nofret had changed.
There was a complacency about her, an exultation that Renisenb could not fathom.
Sometimes she thought that her own vision of Nofret as profoundly unhappy must have been ridiculously wrong.
Nofret seemed pleased with life and herself and her surroundings.
And yet, actually, her surroundings had very definitely changed for the worse.
In the days following Imhotep's departure, Nofret had quite deliberately, Renisenb thought, set out to sow dissension between the various members of Imhotep's family.
Now that family had closed its ranks solidly against the invader.
There were no more dissensions between Satipy and Kait - no railing of Satipy against the unfortunate Yahmose.
Sobek seemed quieter and boasted less.