And that scared him.
THE TWO MEN ESCORTED Mildred through a door standing opposite the one leading to the cell block. Crossing a corridor, they entered a broad chamber whose walls were veiled by heavy tapestries, embroidered with scenes of dark-skinned people involved in all sorts of activities, most of them lascivious.
The men released Mildred and backed out of the room, shutting a wooden door inlaid with ivory and chased with gold leaf. She heard the unmistakable click of a lock.
She stood for a moment, rubbing feeling back into her wrists, studying the chamber. It wasn’t very spacious, but it was nicely appointed with a low, highly varnished table, a couple of chairs and a curtained alcove. A square of light shone through an open window high in one wall, so high that she couldn’t reach it even by standing on one of the chairs. She wondered why the quality of the light seemed suffused, then guessed that the window faced east and it was late afternoon, with the sun shining on the other side of the building, whatever it was, wherever it was.
Padding over to the alcove, Mildred tugged the curtain aside. She saw a sunken tub surrounded by a white stone rim and a short ceramic cylinder projecting from the floor. A pull cord dangled from a water tank attached to the wall above it. Realizing with relief that it was a toilet, she quickly used it. She had refused to squat over the bucket in her cell and had already begun to wonder how long she could control the building pressure in her bladder.
When she was done, she pulled the cord, and a gush of water swirled and flushed the contents of the toilet away. It began to fill again almost immediately. Mildred knew ancient Egyptians had possessed indoor plumbing, but she was impressed nevertheless. Even the tub had cunningly crafted faucet spouts and knobs.
As she considered drawing a bath, she heard the door lock turn. Peering around the curtain, she saw a woman enter, holding several folded articles of clothing in her arms.
Tall, slim and lithe, moving with the soundless grace of a panther, the woman returned Mildred’s stare with impersonal, black-outlined eyes. Her features were haughty and imperious, yet sensual, with a touch of ruthlessness about the full lips. She was dressed simply in a brief frock that left her arms and legs bare, the material so gauzy that her small breasts and black pubic triangle were only slightly blurred, not obscured. Jewels glittered and winked on her slim throat and slender wrists.
“Who are you?” Mildred asked, still standing behind the curtain.
The woman gazed at her speculatively, inclined her head toward the door and listened intently. Then she moved swiftly to the alcove. “What is your name?” the woman whispered.
“Wyeth. Mildred Winona Wyeth,” the doctor replied, whispering herself.
“You must bathe and get dressed. Mimses awaits you.”
“Who?”
“The high counselor of Aten. He’s heard about you. He wants to see you immediately.”
Mildred narrowed her eyes. “Let him wait. I asked who you are, remember?”
“A friend.”
Mildred smiled wryly. “That’s great. I can use one in this place. Does my friend have a name?”
In a voice pitched so low it was barely audible, the woman answered, “I am Nefron. You must trust me.”
“Nefron? Pharaoh’s rebellious daughter?” Mildred eyed the woman closely and saw that though her manner was mature, the skillful application of cosmetics made her appear older than she really was.
Nefron arched a delicate eyebrow. “I had nothing to do with the uprising. I was used as a rallying point during my father’s self-imposed exile. I accepted Pharaoh’s decision.”
“Even when he disowned you?”
“Who told you that?” Suspicion colored Nefron’s tone.
Sensing she was treading on uncertain ground, Mildred replied, “It doesn’t matter. Besides, you’re just a kid.”
“I am sixteen. That is quite old in this kingdom. Old enough to do what must be done. Now, do what I say.”
“Why should I?” Mildred’s voice rose slightly. “Where are my other friends? Are they alive?”
Nefron hushed her, eyes wide with urgent apprehension. “You must be quiet. If the guards think you’re giving me a difficult time, they’ll come in and bathe you themselves. I don’t think you’d like that, would you?”