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someone who cares about me. I mean me, not Pharaoh. Now I understand completely
why Mo was so unhappy. I wish there was someone who could love plain old Hati.
Miw, who purred contentedly in her lap, stood and jumped on to the gaming table
next to her chair. He swatted at the blue lion of her old mehen set, then sat down to look
significantly at her with the lion between his paws.
 Senmut would be annoyed if you played with his lion, she admonished. Then,
like a sword blow to the gut, it hit her. Miw suggested she turn to Senmut for comfort.
 But, Senmut is always taking Mentuhotep, Ahmose and Dedumose out for sword
lessons, hunting, fishing or scholarly pursuits. I think he s avoiding me, she told the
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cat. She would give much for Senmut s attentions right now. But his recent actions
showed to her that he wanted nothing to do with his old friend.
Miw pawed at the lion once more, then stalked to the door. Intrigued, Hati opened
the door. Miw shot out the door, startling her guards.
Hati shrugged at the guards.  I am going to see what Lord Senmut is teaching his
students these days.
The guards fell in step behind her as she followed Miw down the corridor to the
Children s Room where all indoor tutoring was done. Miw waited for her at the
doorway, and stalked inside when she opened the door.
Surprisingly, the classroom was empty of students. The tables were littered with the
oddments and detritus of teaching. A box of styluses lay opened next to a large pile of
scrolls and clay tablets. The guards quietly shut the door behind her.
In the corner sat Senmut. He looked so thin and worn that Hati was alarmed. Yes,
he d been edgy and absentminded, but she hadn t realized he d been ill. Obviously, he
needed a break from tutoring, and perhaps a little pampering. Well, she was just the
woman to supply both!
Hati padded over, her feet making no sound on the tile floor.  Whatever you re
doing must be terribly engrossing not to notice when someone comes in the room. What
is that?
Senmut, who sat behind a typical scribe s low table, started violently. Papyrus
drawings scattered. Miw took the opportunity to make a stylus a toy, and proceeded to
bat it onto the balcony. One drawing landed directly on Hati s feet and she bent down
to pick it up. Before Senmut could reach to take it from her, Hati unrolled the large
drawing of a beautiful temple.
Senmut stammered,  Uh, Divine One& 
 Senmut! This is the most beautiful temple I have ever seen! Hati interrupted.
 Did you draw this?
Senmut turned beet red, but smiled manfully.  Yes. Do you like it?
 I remember you used to draw beautiful things when we were children at the
temple. But this exceeds anything I have ever seen. This is the front, is it? Is that a long
walk lined with sphinxes? She spread the drawing on the table, heedless of all the
other work littering the table.
 It is indeed. The walk leads to this stairway, see? He pointed, sliding his finger
along the walk to where a very wide staircase led to a columned façade of immense
width.
 It s so unique! It s a mortuary temple, is it not? Hati breathed.  Do you have
drawings of the inside?
Senmut shifted in his seat and flushed again.  No, not yet. I just finished that one
yesterday. But if you wish, I will draw something for you.
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Lena Austin
 Oh, yes, please! I must really see your vision for this incredible mortuary temple.
Hati sat down next to Senmut and assumed the same scribe s position.  Budge over,
you table hog! I was going to invite you to a game of mehen, but this is vastly more
interesting.
Senmut ran his fingers over his temple before scooting over enough to give Hati
some space. He reached for the next drawing but his fingers closed over Hati s hand
instead as she reached for the same document. Senmut snatched his hand back as if he
had been burned.
Hati s heart broke.  Surely you do not believe that I am an untouchable living god,
do you?
Senmut stared at her for a moment and then began to laugh,  No, on the contrary,
you re very touchable. He hesitated, and then grinned,  And one should be more
respectful of Pharaoh.
Oh, but that line of thinking wouldn t do! If he wanted nothing more from her, she
demanded at least their old friendship back. Hati slapped him playfully on the arm. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]