Page 15 of Beyond the Ruby River
“Why were you running?”
“Meri sent me to fetch you before you left the shop. She’s made far too much for dinner and insists you come help us eat it or the food will go bad.”
Well, there was no getting out of that sort of invitation. If Meri insisted, you obeyed.
“Meri is very kind.” Mahu inclined his head. “I shall do my part—”
“Or you shall suffer her wrath,” Sebek finished for him with a grin.
Though Mahu felt no more like pretending to be a happy family man tonight than he had upon Sebek’s earlier invitation, he would do his best. It would be nice to see Sebek’s children.
The moon hung on one side of the sky as the sun sank into the other. They walked together in the twilight, Sebek’s step light and bouncy, Mahu’s steady and silent.
The girls, Sadeh and Sadek, were in the front courtyard waiting. Each the spitting image of the other, it was impossible to tell them apart. Unless you knew their secret.
Mahu opened his arms to them as they raced to say hello. After a round of hugs, Sadek held out her right hand, Sadeh her left.
“Please, Mahu?” they said in unison.
He reached into his tunic for two tiny scrolls and handed one to each of them. “You must share.”
“Of course.” Sadek bowed her head.
“Thank you.” Sadeh did the same, then the two of them took off for the house.
“You’re too indulgent with them.” Sebek’s words said one thing, but his expression said quite another. He loved to see them happy. So did Mahu.
“Mahu!” Meri’s voice boomed from somewhere inside. “Come in and explain yourself properly.”
Mahu exchanged glances with Sebek. “Why do I think I’m in trouble?”
Sebek slapped a hand on Mahu’s shoulder as they headed toward the sound of Meri’s voice. “Because you probably are. Better you than me.”
Through the parlor and living room was a door to their inner courtyard where the scent of roasted fowl wafted from an outdoor stove. Meri stood next to it, tongs in one hand, potholder in the other.
She cast them a fierce glance. “Closer, Mahu. I must see you for myself.”
“Hello, Meri.” Mahu approached the stove, not without caution, still unsure what offense he’d committed. “Thank you for the invitation.”
Tutting, Meri looked him over, her scrutinizing glare softening to a smile. “You’re welcome for the invitations.” She emphasized the plural and pointed to him with the tongs. “Good of you to finally turn up, though next time don’t make me send Sebek after you.”
“Apologies. Wouldn’t want him working after hours.”
“Pfft. All right then, you’re forgiven. Now spin around.” Meri directed him with a twirl of her tongs. “Let me have a good look.”
Mahu squinted, unsure of her meaning, but followed orders because he knew better than to defy her.
“It’s better than I thought,” she concluded.
“What is?”
“Your tunic, of course. The blue suits you. The girls have been after me for blue linen for weeks now. Tell me, how does it fare in the wash?”
Everything made more sense with the explanation. Mahu relaxed. Not in trouble after all. “I don’t know. I send my wash out.”
She huffed. “Must be nice.”
It was nice, though he wasn’t stupid enough to say so. Working with papyrus, Mahu always had plenty to trade for whatever he needed. Including outsourcing his wash.
