Another peek!!!

Stolen Wine


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Sehkmet was running for her life. The sand was fl ying out, from the bottom

of her sandals. There was a huge Libyan, on her heels, shooting arrows, from his

horse, as he chased her. After leaving the oasis, she ran through the wall, down the

narrow streets, past the mud brick houses. She could hear the horse, right behind

her. His head was shaved on one side, and there was a long, ponytail hanging down

on the other side. His vest had only one sleeve, and he was wearing leather pants. The

high-pitched whistle of the speeding arrows was getting closer. Skillfully, she dodged

the arrows, and cut sharply around corners. She was headed for the Temple. In the

distance, she could see the Temple wall.

“Isis, help me.” She cried aloud.

She had a sudden burst of energy, and she picked up speed. Two women

carrying papyruses had just opened the Temple gates, they stepped out of the

way, and Sehkmet sped right past them.

“Lock the gate!” She screamed.

The two women swung the huge wooden doors closed, and slipped the bolt.

Sehkmet stopped against one of the buildings, leaned on the wall, and slid down

to the ground. She was panting. One of the women ran to get the High Priest.

Vincent ran out from the Temple, and over to Sehkmet.

“What happen?” He asked her with panic in his voice. She still hadn’t caught

her breath. A woman brought her over a cup of water. She drank it down quickly

and handed the cup back.

“Thank you,” she said breathlessly. Her chest rose up and down, as she tried

to take deep breaths, the hot, dry air hurt her lungs. The air is better closer to the

river, she thought to herself. Vincent knelt down on the sand and grabbed her

shoulders. Her white linen dress was saturated in sweat and her skin was clammy.

Her head burned under her wig and her lips were dry.

“Elizabeth, what happened?” He spoke through his teeth.

She licked her lips. “I was on my way to the other side of the Fayum, to get

some more Temple wine. There was a band of Libyans raiding the winery. I didn’t

see them, until I got to the winery wall. By then, it was too late. Their leader

took a liking to me, and sent one of his men, to get me. I ran all the way back

here.” A low growl escaped from Vincent’s chest. He gathered her up into his

arms, and lifted her.

“Let’s get you home.” He placed his arm around her, and helped her walk.

Their mud brick house was on the other side, of the courtyard, behind the house

of a million years.

He brought her back to their home it was a simple mud brick building. There

were two major rooms and a third on the roof. Inside the house, there was a large

common room with a pit in the center and a hole in the roof above it. The back

room was designated for sleep but on hot summer nights, sleeping on the roof was

more comfortable. Along the southern wall there was a pit dug into the ground that

held grain, wine and water. The cool earth acted as a natural refrigerator. Some

cooking was done inside the house but the majority of the meal preparation was

done in the front of the house. There was a small alter in the house to honor the

Goddess. Every day Sehkmet replaced the bread and beer offering for the Goddess.

Once the Goddess received her share, Elizabeth and Vincent had an abundance

of everything they needed. Sehkmet and Vincent’s day started early. They would

rise early and tend to Horus. In the sun, they would place their offerings and tend

to the Gods Temple. There were the daybooks to record the Gods wealth. The

Gods fi elds had to be managed. The Temple slaves had to be instructed and the

Temple had to be cleaned from top to bottom. The supplicants had to be tended

to and dreams interpreted. Vincent and Sehkmet had a very busy day. The nights

were theirs. Their union was blessed by the Goddess.

Vincent brought Sehkmet into the bedroom and she lay down. He lay down

next to her and wrapped his arms around her.

“You look so pale,” he said concerned.

“I just feel a little tiered. I just need to rest.”

“Then why don’t you rest, then I’ll fi nish up at the Temple, and then come

straight back.”

“You are so good to me.”

Vincent returned when the sun went down, he found Sehkmet fast asleep.

He prepared some cakes and beer he also brought some meat from today’s

sacrifi ce. When Sehkmet woke up, he had food prepared for her. The meal

smelled delicious. Sehkmet took one bite put her hand over her mouth and

ran outside. She returned looking green. She walked past the food holding her

stomach.

“Sehkmet what’s wrong? You’ve never been sick before.”

“I think the heat got to me,” she said lying back down. “I’ll be better

tomorrow.”

Morning came fast; Sehkmet rose, and got ready for the days work at the

Temple. Sehkmet made her way down to the town to the open market. The

traders from the western wadi caravan were due in with goods from the south.

A Nubian woman was at the market, stopped her, and offered her idol. It was a

statue of Taweret, the hippo goddess, patron of pregnant women. “Oh Goddess,

have you blessed us?”



“The Goddess wanted you to know that she is pleased with your devotion to

her. Go tell Vincent he will have a Crown Prince.” Archie was gone in a fl ash.

Sehkmet looked at the statue. Sehkmet left and went straight to the Temple.

She found Vincent registering the day’s offerings. She stood in the doorway and

smiled at him. He smiled back. She didn’t leave. He put down the quill, and

reached out his arms to her. She crossed over and sat on his lap. She placed the

statue in his hand and smiled.

His eyes grew wide, he placed his hand on her stomach, and she smiled.

“Archie paid me a visit.” She said with her eyes down. She lifted her eyes to

his.

“We have been blessed with a Crown Prince.”

Vincent’s face was covered with a glorious smile. He kissed Sehkmet long

and passionately.