When Timon woke, I was propped on one elbow watching him. "I must prepare your morning meal. And if a visitor should come, they would not expect to find us -"
He nodded, and I slid from the bed and walked through the arch into the kitchen. Amsi had sent a slave at first light with more food, and I coaxed the fire under the oven into life, sliding a tray of pastries in to warm. When I returned to Timon, he was sitting on one of the couches, already dressed, and I joined him to eat, pouring fruit juice for us to drink. "There is wine still for tonight," I observed.
"I have my audience with Pharaoh," he confided. "But afterwards..."
I smiled, leaning over to rest my head against his shoulder, and he slid his arm around me. Moments later I sat bolt upright at the sound of a repeated handclap. "Someone is here."
"What is the protocol?" Timon queried.
"I will go to see who it is, then they will enter - I will walk behind, or whatever is appropriate to the rank of the visitor."
I got up and walked to the top of the steps, then hurriedly dropped to the floor with my face pressed to the ground. "My lady."
The visitor walked past me, and I turned, following on knees and elbows. Timon was standing, feet slightly apart like a soldier at ease, and he gave a deep bow, then straightened. "Rome greets you, my lady. By what name or title may I serve you?"
Her face registered obvious approval. "I am Menesamun, High Priestess of the Goddess Isis."
Timon bowed again. "A worthy Mistress indeed, whom my people reverence in her aspect as Minerva."
He indicated one of the couches. "Will my lady sit, to explain what service may be offered to the Goddess?"
I had returned to my feet, standing at a distance with my hands folded, my head bowed. Menesamun glanced at me, shaking her head, and Timon hastened to reassure her. "My lady need not be concerned. The girl is sworn to me, and has given most solemn proofs. You may test her yourself if you wish."
"Very well," nodded the priestess. "All here know that you represent your Emperor to Pharaoh. But there is much you will need to understand - conspiracy, secrets within secrets."
She glanced at me again. "More than this - the gods themselves are at work, and those of us who serve them must use our powers accordingly."
For the first time since I'd known him, I sensed that Timon was unsure how to respond. A soldier he was, certainly, with no lack of courage, but magic was something different entirely. I wished I could have anticipated this, given him some idea of how things worked here, but...