He laughed. “Maybe she did. To the gods and goddesses we are but pawns.” He paused. “Why did they send you to my father? Couldn’t the information be discovered in some other place?”

“The chief priestess knows he favors Aken Re but she believes he would like a sandal in each camp. Will he refuse the favor I ask?”

“Not for an instant.” Kashe considered the priestess’ view of his father’s nature and knew she had spoken the truth. “He will help and ply you with questions. He’ll set my brothers on you. Namose will be discrete and Pian will resort to seduction. My father will seek to learn what you are doing, especially if the knowledge will advance his plots.”

“Plots?”

“He’s sure to have a number. My father has great ambitions. If giving you to the priests of Aken Re will advance him he will have no difficulty in aiding them. Those priests have no love for any of the gods and goddesses who guard and guide the people of the Two Lands.”

“Just who is this god?”

“According to his priests he is the sole god and rules all lands. I believe this god arrived with the foreign invaders.”

She frowned. “What should I do? Is there a place where I can pay for a room for the night? I can’t sleep on the street.”

“If you’ll trust me I know where you’ll be safe. My friend has a house nearby and no wife or family. Come with me.”

Tira nodded. “The priestess told me one of Horu’s warriors would join me on the quest. Perhaps you are the one.”

Kashe grabbed her arm. “I intended to leave my father’s house not long after the hawk came to me but something kept me here. He held his arm for the bird to land. “This is Horu Ba.”