She was so confused by the rag over her mouth that she didn’t even think to scream. It wasn’t until she felt it pulled tight and tied behind her head that panic set in, and by then, it was too late to cry out. Neff tried to throw herself from the chair and away from her assailant, but Ahura was very strong. She held Neff’s head against the table while she grabbed her wrists and tied them behind her back with another rag.
Except that wasn’t possible. Ahura only had two hands.
Someone else was in the room with them. It was too dark for Neff to make out who it was, but it looked like another woman. Another maidservant. Within seconds, they’d bound her ankles too.
Neff’s heart raced. She screamed into the gag, though the sound was so muted that it made no difference. Suddenly, she was lifted straight out of her chair as if she weighed nothing at all and placed inside the laundry basket. After that, the two servants quickly packed the empty spaces around Neff’s body with her own laundry, taking care to leave enough room around her face for her to breathe, then covered her head with a light clothto shield it from view. Finally, the lid was replaced on top of the basket, casting her into total darkness.
No, no, no!Neff thought as the basket was hoisted into the air.Don’t you understand? Today is the day I curse the king! You can’t take me now! You can’t!
She felt herself being carried and heard voices pass by her.
“…furious that Femi escaped. He’s sent the guard out to look for him, but so far, no luck…”
“…I heard the king’s already sent messengers to Tash with an ultimatum: Swear fealty to Khetara, or Prince Harsi’s head will be displayed at the end of a spear by the palace gate…”
“Greetings to you, Ahura, Herit. You’re up early this morning.”
The voice was female, elderly, and familiar. The movement stopped.
“Greetings to you, Nebet,” said a young female voice.
That must be Herit, Ahura’s accomplice.Neff pictured the round-faced, curly-haired maidservant that she’d seen Ahura talking to in the corridors.
“Yes, we wanted to get a head start on the laundry so that we might have time for swimming later on.”
The older woman spoke again, her voice filled with profound sadness. “Mm, yes. Sitamun used to love swimming in the afternoons.”
Neff screamed into the rag again and thrashed wildly in her bonds. She felt Ahura struggle to keep hold of the basket, nearly dropping it.
“Are you all right?” Nebet asked.
“I’m fine,” Ahura replied, getting a better hold on the basket. “A lot of laundry this morning. We’d better be going. Have a good day, Nebet.”
The movement resumed.
Exhausted and nearly suffocated by her exertions, Neff gave up and lay still.Where are they taking me? And who are they, really?she wondered. She’d had her doubts about the veracity of Ahura’s story from the start, but she thought they had built a rapport. She hadn’t expected to be kidnapped. Then again, shewasthe king’s closest adviser…
Inside the basket, Neff felt a change in the air. It was fresher and cooler, and a slight breeze wafted through the weave.
We’re outside, she realized, which of course, made sense. If they were pretending to do the day’s laundry, they’d be taking her down to the river.
Soon, the gentle burble of the Iteru filled her ears along with the distant chatter of women.
“We’re clear,” Herit said quietly. “The other servants are facing away from us. Go! Go!”
Neff bounced uncomfortably in the basket as Ahura’s pace quickened. The flow of water was joined by the dry sound of reeds brushing against the basket.They’re carrying me through the marshes.
Then, a man’s voice: “Did you do it? Is she in there?”
“Yes,” Ahura said, though she didn’t sound pleased.
“Put it here.”
The basket was set on the ground, and a moment later, opened.
The light cloth over Neff’s head was lifted away, and she blinked into the sudden light.
The sun had risen since her abduction and blazed from the eastern horizon, throwing her kidnappers into silhouette. Still, she could see that there were three men and two women standing around her, and the largest of the men appeared to be the one who had spoken. He dragged her roughly from the basket and set her on her feet.
