But all the same that is what has to be done.
They are all trembling and shaking in the house and running to the temples to buy amulets and crying out that it is not well to walk on this path at the hour of sundown.
But it was not magic that made Satipy sway and fall - it was fear - fear because of an evil thing that she had done.
For it is evil to take away life from someone who is young and strong and who enjoys living.
But I have not done any evil thing, and so even if Nofret did hate me, her hate cannot harm me.
That is what I believe.
And anyway if one is to live always in fear it would be better to die - so I will overcome fear."
"Those are brave words, Renisenb."
"They are perhaps rather braver than I feel, Hori." She smiled up at him.
She rose to her feet.
"But it has been good to say them."
Hori rose and stood beside her.
"I shall remember these words of yours, Renisenb.
Yes, and the way you threw back your head when you said them.
They show the courage and the truth that I have always felt were in your heart."
He took her hand in his.
"Look, Renisenb.
Look out from here across the valley to the River and beyond.
That is Egypt, our land.
Broken by war and strife for many long years, divided into petty kingdoms, but now - very soon - to come together and form once more a united land - Upper and Lower Egypt once again welded into one - I hope and believe to recover her former greatness!
In those days, Egypt will need men and women of heart and courage - women such as you are, Renisenb.
It is not men like Imhotep, forever preoccupied with his own narrow gains and losses, nor men like Sobek, idle and boastful, nor boys like Ipy, who thinks only of what he can gain for himself, no, nor even conscientious, honest sons like Yahmose whom Egypt will need in that hour.
Sitting here, literally amongst the dead, reckoning up gains and losses, casting accounts, I have come to see gains that cannot be reckoned in terms of wealth, and losses that are more damaging than loss of a crop... I look at the River and I see the lifeblood of Egypt that has existed before we lived and that will exist after we die... Life and death, Renisenb, are not of such great account.
I am only Hori, Imhotep's man of business, but when I look out over Egypt I know a peace - yes, and an exultation that I would not exchange to be Governor of the Province.
Do you understand at all what I mean, Renisenb?"
"I think so, Hori - a little.
You are different from the others down there - I have known that for some time.
And sometimes when I am with you here, I can feel what you feel - but dimly - not very clearly.
But I do know what you mean.
When I am here the things down there -" she pointed - "do not seem to matter any longer - the quarrels and the hatreds and the incessant bustle and fuss.
Here one escapes from all that."
She paused, her brow puckering, and went on, stammering a little:
"Sometimes I - I am glad to have escaped.
And yet - I do not know - there is something - down there - that calls me back."
Hori dropped her hand and stepped back a pace.
He said gently: "Yes - I see - Kameni singing in the courtyard."
"What do you mean, Hori?
I was not thinking of Kameni."
"You may not have been thinking of him.
But all the same, Renisenb, I think it is his songs that you are hearing without knowing it."
Renisenb stared at him, her brow puckered.
"What extraordinary things you say, Hori.
One could not possibly hear him singing up here.
It is much too far away."
Hori sighed gently and shook his head.
The amusement in his eyes puzzled her.
She felt a little angry and bewildered because she could not understand.
Chapter 13 FIRST MONTH OF SUMMER, 23RD DAY
"Can I speak with you a minute, Esa?"
Esa peered sharply towards Henet, who stood in the doorway of the room, an ingratiating smile upon her face.