The King's Man Read Free Page B

will be happy here. I will do everything I can to make it so.” The tiny hands laden with rings flew apart in an expansive gesture. The beautiful black eyes were full of warmth.
    Huy bowed profoundly. “Majesty, you are generous and kind,” he replied. “Know that I will serve my King and you for as long as my love and devotion are needed.”
    “Let us eat together, then.” Still smiling, she indicated the floor, and once she and Amunhotep had settled themselves behind their tables, he joined them.
    At once the room sprang to life with a file of servants carrying trays that filled Huy’s nostrils with appetizing aromas. He suddenly realized that he was hungry. He was offered date, palm, grape, shedeh, or fig wine. The choice of delicious salads at that time of the year was large. Ox liver with parsley and onions, roast duck in a cumin and marjoram sauce, grilled fresh inet fish, its skin crisp with thyme and coriander, were all paraded before him. The meal ended with a small bowl of dried figs and currants in a date syrup. Huy, leaning back replete, realized that nothing he had eaten had been tasted, and then decided that it did not matter. Their Majesties would have their own tasters, and any meal shared with them was safe—unless one or both of them might want to poison him in the days ahead. He stirred uneasily, dismissing the ridiculous thought.
    Amunhotep was talking about his chariot horses. Mutemwia was watching him, her rings glinting as she moved her wine cup slowly to and fro. Huy, glancing from one to the other, saw more than the physical likeness between them. Both carried their noble blood with a grace Amunhotep was just beginning to display, but now a subtle aura of easy confidence surrounded them, the mutual satisfaction of a task accomplished. Huy did not feel left out; indeed he had understood Mutemwia’s goal and the caution with which she had proceeded to accomplish it, and had complied without words. He came to himself with both pairs of large black eyes fixed on him inquiringly.
    Amunhotep laughed. “Have you eaten too well, Uncle? What were you thinking?”
    “I was remarking to myself on the many similarities between you and your Majesty Mother, and yes, I have eaten far too well. My physician will compel me to fast all day tomorrow.” The comment was a small test. Huy had not known that until the words left his mouth. Would Mutemwia tell him that the royal physicians would be caring for his health from now on? Or would she not care, seeing that her network of spies was incredibly efficient? Mutemwia said nothing.
    The King rose and Huy followed. “I keep forgetting that I must not call you Uncle anymore now that my blood relative is returning,” Amunhotep said ruefully. “I’ll miss that freedom, but I’ll enjoy calling you Amunhotep. Now I want to dictate to Anhur, and afterwards my Mother wants to speak with you in her quarters.”
    Mutemwia bowed to him then kissed his cheek. “Sleep well, my son.” Acknowledging Huy’s obeisance with the slight tilting of her head, she walked towards the door. At once a bevy of servants followed behind her. Huy recognized Nefer-ka-Ra, her scribe, in the group. The door was closed.
    Amunhotep beckoned Nubti. “Go and find the Seer a palette and bring papyrus and ink as well.” He turned back to Huy as the steward floated away. “After you’ve taken down my letter, we’ll play a game or two of sennet. I still can’t go to my couch until the middle of the night. Neither can my Mother, and it’s always a struggle to leave my sheets in the morning. I do like those rare days when my presence isn’t needed to give audience or bless some god’s festival and I can go on snoring! Mother deals with the administrators and then tells me what she’s done. If I disapprove, I must tell her why and give her strong arguments or she overrides me. She’s making sure that when I reach my majority and have full control over Egypt, every official, both