As she neared the corner of the street she turned down an alleyway. For a second or two, before the guards turned the corner, she ran. She had to get some space between them if her plan was to work.
"Down here men."
She immediately slowed to a walk. The smell of spices and perfume faded as she headed away from the market street. At a small crossroads she turned right and ran before turning left then right again. From here she ran up the street and out into the street where her and Howylos owned a house. She'd lost them.
Several streets behind her the guards were standing around rehearsing what they'd say to the Pharaoh.
"We could say someone dropped a rope out of a window for her to climb in."
"Duh! Then he'd ask where that house was."
"How about she jumped into the Nile and disappeared."
"He'd know we didn't go that far after her, plus he'd ask why didn't we go in after her."
"I know! A guy in a chariot came past and carried her off. There's no way we could catch up with one of those."
"Right, now let's get the details right."
"Maybe we should just go see Howylos. He might even know where she lives."
"Good idea."
The guards set off to see their captain.
* * * * *
Meritaten shoved open the door and ran through. Howylos was sitting at the table. He looked up as she came in.
"Mayati!" He leapt from his chair and ran to her.
She wrapped her arms round his neck and hugged him. All the while a certain amount of guilt was burning inside her.
"How did you escape?"
"I tricked someone and managed to get away." She hoped the lie was convincing.
Howylos seemed happy with it, "I'm glad you got away. Those cells are no place for a lady."
"Howylos, don't be silly. I can look after myself as well as the next person."
"I know." Howylos hugged her again.
"We have to visit Kevinutahn."
Meritaten nodded, "He has to get out of Egypt. They'll have found out by now that he's gone from the tomb."
A knock sounded at the door. They looked at each other in alarm. The knock sounded again, this time accompanied by a voice.
"Howylos? It's the guards from the palace. Can we talk to you?"
Howylos shoved Meritaten in the direction of the stairs and she ran up them. Composing himself, Howylos walked over to the door and opened it with a smile.
"Hello there boys! What can I do for you?"
"We're in a bit of trouble."
"Oh, you'd better come in."
Howylos let them in and silently prayed that they would leave soon. When they were all sat around Howylos's table one of the guards told the story.
"We were told to follow this lady, right? Well, we followed her into the backstreets when she just disappeared."
Meritaten, Howylos thought.
"What's the problem then lads?"
"What are we going to tell The Pharaoh? He particularly wanted to know where she lived."
Howylos thought hard. What could he say to them? If he sent them back to Brianahtan with nothing then they'd all have to face some horrible punishment. In the end Howylos came up with an idea.
"Ok, listen carefully."
They all crowded closer to hear.
"You tell him she was taken off on a chariot and that you couldn't keep up with it."
They looked at one another.
"Good enough?"
"Yes." They all mumbled.
Howylos stood up and opened the door, "Well off you go and tell the Pharaoh."
One by one they got up from the table and left. When they were all a fair way down the street Howylos closed the door and called to Meritaten.
"It's safe now."
She came down the stairs.
"You didn't tell me you were being followed!"
"Sorry. I didn't think they'd come here."
"No problem." Howylos picked up his cloak and handed her hers. "Come on, let's pay Kevinutahn a visit."
* * * * *
Brianahtan sat on his throne sulking. It had been a bad day and he longed for the next to come, as he was sure it would be better.
He watched his mother, Setepenre, walk into the room. She looked more nervous then usual.
"What's wrong mother?"
"Where do I start!"
She looked at the floor and smiled at him, "I'm sorry. The thing is, well...Kevinutahn's body has gone from the tomb."
Brianahtan wasn't sure what to make of this news.
"He is dead though?"
"Yes." Malice glowed in Setepenre's eyes as she said this. Brianahtan shuddered slightly. He wished she wouldn't look at him like that.
"Maybe Anubis took the body."
"Don't you care that your brother, who you killed, will not be laid to rest properly?"
"Ok! I'll see what I can do."
Setepenre stormed out of the room leaving Brianahtan on his own with one guard.
"Fetch Nickataten."
The guard bowed then hurried off to do his master's bidding.
A nervous cough made him look up. The guards he had sent to follow the girl were back.
"Ah! Something good from today! So where does she live?" Brianahtan smiled at them.
They shuffled about for a bit before pushing one of them forwards to speak. The smile had gone from Brianahtan's face. The behaviour of the guards told him that something was not right.
The volunteered guard cleared his throat, "Well, you see, it was like this. We followed her all the..."
"I don't want to hear your stupid excuses!" Taking a deep breath, Brianahtan stared at the guard, "Do we know where she lives?"
"No." mumbled the unfortunate guard.
Brianahtan gripped the sides of his throne, "GET OUT ALL OF YOU!"
He watched the guards hurry to be the first one out of the room. Idiots! They couldn't even follow a stupid girl! Now how was he going to keep Nickataten loyal? Brianahtan smiled to himself. Of course! Nickataten didn't have to know that Brianahtan didn't really know where she lived.
As if on cue, Nickataten came into the room.
"Here for your first assignment?"
Nickataten glared at Brianahtan, "Unwillingly at your service my Lord."
"Oh good, I'm glad I can count on your loyalty" Brianahtan sarcastically replied.
Nickataten stood before Brianahtan with his arms crossed. This slightly unnerved Brianahtan as he was aware of how strong the vizier was.
"You'll know by now that my brother's body has gone missing from the tomb?"
"No," Nickataten looked surprised.
"You're little friend didn't tell you?"
"I'd know if she had!" Nickataten scowled.
"Well, I want you to find out what happened to it and bring it back."
Nickataten frowned. What a bizarre thing to ask. Brianahtan saw the look and hastily explained why he wanted him to do this.
"It's Setepenre. I couldn't care less what happened to the body but she wants him properly mummified and stuff."
"And you don't? After what you did?"
"What did I do?" Brianahtan asked, clearly irritated.
"Cheated!" Nickataten cried.
"Shh!" Brianahtan glared at Nickataten, "You didn't stop me I seem to remember!"
"No," Nickataten said sorrowfully, "I didn't...but I should have!"
"Oh come on! One girl can't change your whole outlook on life!"
"If you ever fall in love you'll understand how it can change you."
Brianahtan sighed, "Anyway, you're still my vizier and I want your advice."
"Go ahead."
"Tiy."
Nickataten frowned, "What about her?"
"She won't talk to me, sit with me, or sleep with me. She's my wife!"
Nickataten didn't really know what to say. A vizier was supposed to be consulted on matters of Egypt, not love problems!
"Well, I'd...or perhaps...um..."
"You don't know what to do either." Brianahtan stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"How about trying to impress her?" Nickataten said.
"But how?"
"Do something special that she really wants or likes."
Nickataten felt the strangest feeling of deja vous as he said this.
They were chatting like they used to. Brianahtan seemed perfectly happy with this but to Nickataten it felt wrong. Meritaten had opened his eyes to what he had been blind to all his life and he couldn't go back to the way he was before.
"How do I know what she likes?"
Brianahtan pulled Nickataten back from his thoughts.
"What? Oh yes. Ask her I suppose."
"You suppose? Some vizier you are!"
"On matters of Egypt!"
"This is a matter of Egypt! Tiy represents the Nile and if she does not produce a child soon then the people will believe that the Nile will not flood and all chaos will break loose!"
Nickataten wisely chose not to say that he thought all chaos had already broken loose.
"I see why you want to know now. To be honest you're just going to have to show her you can be loving, caring..." He trailed off.
"Carry on. Loving, caring, what else?"
"Um, trustworthy and respectful." Nickataten looked at the expression on Brianahtan's face.
Brianahtan thought carefully about what Nickataten had just said. He would try some ideas but if it failed he'd just have to ask Nickataten for some better advice.
"Well, you're dismissed now. Go and find my brother. Well, his body anyway."
Nickataten nodded briefly and left the room. He'd start by looking for Meritaten.
* * * * *
Itone held the spoon to Kevinutahn's lips and tipped it up so that the soup dribbled into his mouth. Kevinutahn was still weak and Itone had taken to feeding him soup as it was the only food Kevinutahn could easily eat.
Kevinutahn smiled at the old man, "You're a saint old man, you know that?"
Itone chuckled, "I've said before, less of the old!" They were interrupted by a knock on the main door upstairs. Itone put the bowl of soup on a table near Kevinutahn and covered him with a blanket.
"Stay quiet, I'll be back in a minute."
Itone slowly walked over to the stairs and climbed them one by one. Kevinutahn watched him go. Itone was very old and climbing steps became more and more of a hassle to him. He lay back down on the bed and closed his eyes to rest until Itone came back. Itone reached the front door.
"Who is it at this time of night?"
"Howylos."
Itone opened the door and ushered Howylos and Meritaten into the house.
"Where is he?" Howylos asked.
"Follow me young man."
Itone turned his attention to Meritaten. He sensed that something was wrong with her. She seemed sad and yet happy at the same time. He would ask her later. They all went down the stairs to the underground room. Meritaten went ahead and Howylos helped Itone down the stairs.
"I don't need help young man! Get off."
Howylos laughed, "I want to help you."
"Well I wouldn't want to spoil your fun!"
Meritaten ran down the final few steps. She saw Kevinutahn lying on the bed. He appeared to be asleep. She felt a strange feeling in her chest. It was a warm feeling. She smiled and walked over to him. She still cared deeply for him. She couldn't just fall out of love that easily, yet her love for Nickataten was greater When she was stood beside him she grasped his hand in hers. He stirred and opened his eyes.
"Meritaten?"
"Yes. I came to see you, with Howylos."
He smiled at her, "I really thought I was dead."
"So did we!"
"When I was, well dead, I dreamed I was with Horus."
Meritaten looked at him carefully, "A vision?"
"Maybe. He told me my time was not up yet and that I had to save Egypt. The next thing I know I'm awake and Tiy was there."
"Kevinutahn!"
"Howylos! Friend! Come here."
Howylos hurried to his friend's side.
"It's good to see you again."
Howylos told Kevinutahn all the latest gossip and information. Itone pulled Meritaten to one side.
"All is not well with you my child."
She looked at him with wide eyes, surprised at his perceptiveness.
"What worries you?"
She looked at Howylos chatting away to Kevinutahn. Itone put a hand on her shoulder.
"Howylos is a good husband."
She turned sharply to look at Itone, "Why are you always sticking your nose in where it's not wanted?" She immediately regretted saying it, "I'm so sorry," she took the old man's hand, "I appreciate your concern, really I do, but this is something I must sort out myself."
"I'm not offended young lady, but I did say something was wrong with you. You don't usually snap at anyone."
"I know, and I'm sorry."
He squeezed her hand then went over to Howylos and Kevinutahn.
"Howylos, tell Kevinutahn your plans."
"Ah, yes. I've arranged for a chariot for us, well, two actually. Anyway the point is that we have to get out of Thebes and eventually out of Egypt."
Kevinutahn pushed himself upright, "I'm not fit enough to drive a chariot."
"I am." Howylos smiled at his friend, "I'll take us to Karkur Tohl then we'll arrange something from there."
"Who drives the second chariot?" Itone asked.
"Meritaten of course! It's too dangerous for her to stay in Thebes at the moment."
"I hope you're not thinking of leaving me behind!"
Itone put on a mock stern look and wagged a finger at Howylos.
"We need you to look after Kevinutahn. You'll travel with Meritaten."
Meritaten grabbed Howylos's arm, "I might want to stay here!"
They all looked at her in surprise.
"What reasons are there to stay, Mayati?" He looked confused and Meritaten realised that she would have to go.
"None. Sorry."
Howylos hugged her tightly, "We won't stay away forever," he whispered in her ear.
She smiled at him and felt the tears well up in her eyes. She had to see Nickataten before she left. Itone watched her carefully. He had seen this all before. Her behaviour implied only one thing, she was seeing another man. His heart went out to both of them. Meritaten because she was married to someone she did not love and Howylos because his wife would undoubtedly hurt him in the future. Itone hoped that he would be there for both of them when and if the time came for Meritaten to leave Howylos.
"Well," he said, "I think we should all pack for the journey tonight."
"We're going tonight?" Meritaten looked horrified.
"I know it's so soon but the quicker we leave the better." Howylos explained.
"I'll meet you back at the house, I have to, um, see someone before I go."
Howylos looked slightly alarmed at this.
"A girlfriend," she added to reassure him.
His smile told her that her story had been accepted and hurried up the stairs. Pulling open the front door she went out into the street. Taking a deep breath of the cool night air she began to run up the quiet street, her cloak billowing out behind her.
* * * * *
Brianahtan was lying on his bed staring at the ceiling. He was still trying to think of something that Tiy would like. A cool breeze blew in through the window and he shivered. A knock at the door made him sit up.
"Who is it?"
" Amenhotep." Came the reply.
Amenhotep was one of the guards posted outside the palace to watch for Nickataten leaving or the girl trying to sneak in.
"Come in then."
The guard came in. He prostrated himself on the floor before standing up and making his report.
"We've spotted the girl heading for the palace."
"Stop her."
Amenhotep nodded, "Shall we arrest her?"
"Not this time, but should she ever come here again then arrest her."
Amenhotep backed out of the room then ran down the corridor to get together the guards.
Brianahtan went to his window and spotted the figure coming up the main road to the palace.
* * * * *
Meritaten was only a few metres from the front gate when ten guards came out and stood before her.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Meritaten recognised Amenhotep's voice. He was one of the few guards who actually knew that she was Howylos's wife. She stood rooted to the spot as he raised a burning torch to see her face.
"Meritaten?"
The look of surprise on his face made her turn and run. She had to get Howylos out of Thebes before Amenhotep got to him.
Amenhotep watched her go.
"Shouldn't we give chase?"
He turned to the guard who had spoken, "Are you sure this is the girl that Nickataten has been meeting?"
"Yes. We followed her through the city."
Amenhotep had not been with the guards then. He had been on prison duty that day. Suddenly it all fell into place. Howylos's trips to `see family`, the girl arrested in the desert...Howylos and his wife were in league with the rebels!
Amenhotep turned to the guards, "Um, back to your posts. I'll go and tell Brianahtan that I know who she is."
Amenhotep once again found himself knocking on the Pharaoh's door in the middle of the night. Brianahtan actually opened the door.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU GIVE CHASE?"
Amenhotep took a step back at the ferocity with which Brianahtan shouted.
"Please calm down! We didn't need to give chase. I know her. Her name is Meritaten and she's Howylos's wife."
"He's my Captain of the guard!"
"I think they're both involved with the rebels."
Brianahtan looked Amenhotep in the eye, "Arrest them, do you hear me? I want them in chains when I wake up!"
With that he slammed the door in Amenhotep's face. The guard ran off down the corridor again to gather the other guards.
Meritaten ran through her front door and straight into Howylos.
"Whoa! Slow down!"
"We have to go now! I was seen by the guards and they recognised me as the escaped prisoner!"
Howylos grabbed their bundles of clothes and ran out of the front door, pushing Meritaten before him.
* * * * *
Itone had helped Kevinutahn up the stairs and they were sitting at his table waiting for Howylos and Meritaten to get back. The chariots stood outside the door with the horses tied to a bar under the window to prevent them running away.
"I haven't left Thebes in many years." Itone looked around his house.
"Your house will be here when we return."
Itone looked shocked, "You're not thinking of coming back are you?"
"Yes," Kevinutahn nodded, "I have to free Egypt from the chaos of Brianahtan's rule."
"That's a heavy responsibility, be sure to tell you're next employer!" They both laughed.
Suddenly Howylos threw the door open, "Let's go now!"
"Why the hurry?" Itone asked, standing up.
Howylos helped Kevinutahn to the door, "The guards are onto us. They spotted Meritaten."
Outside Meritaten was untying the horses. She climbed up onto one chariot and helped Itone up beside her. Howylos jumped onto the other chariot and settled Kevinutahn at his feet. Howylos had fixed a rope to this chariot that could go around Kevinutahn to stop him falling out.
"Ready?" he asked Meritaten.
She nodded and shook the reins. Her horse leapt into action and soon the two chariots were hurtling down the street towards the gates of the city.
"How do we get past the guard?" Meritaten yelled across at Howylos above the noise of the horses' hooves and the chariot's wheels.
"Leave the talking to me," he called back.
At the gate they pulled the reins up and the horses stopped. They stamped their hooves, anxious to be galloping across the desert. A guard came over.
"State your name and business."
"Howylos and I'm visiting my sick sister."
"I'm sorry Howylos, I hope she gets well soon."
The guard then signaled to the gate operators who slowly wound the gate open. Howylos glanced over his shoulder to see several guards headed by Amenhotep running down the street in their direction.
"Stop." The guard signalled to the operators to halt opening the gate.
Howylos desperately looked at the gap. There was enough room for one chariot at a time.
"What's the hold up?" he asked the guard.
"Dunno, they just don't want you to be let out yet."
The guards were getting closer. Howylos looked across at Meritaten and nodded.
He shook the reins and his chariot shot through the gap with Meritaten close behind.
"Hey!" The guard yelled after them.
"Stop them!" Amenhotep shouted.
"We'll never catch them now." The guard watched the two chariots racing up the hill of the first dune of the Western desert.
"Damn it!" Amenhotep threw his dagger to the floor and angrily kicked the wall.
"Wha-hoo!" Howylos shouted victoriously as they reached the top of the first dune and entered the desert.
They had finally escaped Thebes. Meritaten was filled with relief and immense sadness as they left the city and Nickataten behind.