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engage in another unpleasant exchange with my scribe, no doubt? You and I would still have to make our way back to the chariot and you’d be in a grumpy mood from sparring with Jemkhufu. Or else insufferably amused.” Tyema stepped past him, walking to the horses and offering them the carrots she’d been holding in one hand, stroking their noses and murmuring little endearments. Smiling, she looked over her shoulder at him. “I’m saving time.”
    Practical. He couldn’t imagine any priestess in Thebes, or any woman he knew at Court, tossing aside protocol to make life simpler in a case like this.
    Apparently struck by misgiving, Tyema regarded him in dismay. “Did you need to see the map of Sobek again, before we leave?”
    Genuinely amused, he laughed, tapping a leather case strapped to the side of the chariot. “No, I’ve all the copied maps and my notes here, along with ink and a stylus. And tools for taking measurements. Shall we set out? I think we’re in for a drive of several hours.”
    She wound her shawl around herself and took his hand to step into the chariot. “And you’ll give me a driving lesson?”
    “On the return trip,” he said, unfastening the reins and joining her, backing the horses up carefully before directing them out onto the road which ran along the Nile. “They’ll be less frisky then, easier for a beginner to handle. I intend to let them have their heads and gallop, as soon as we’re away from your temple.” He gave her a glance and was pleased to see her smile and nod enthusiastically, even as she clutched the top rail of the chariot. “All right then, let’s make good time to the spot your god and I believe is the top candidate for Pharaoh’s next harbor.”
    ***
    She was an excellent companion, choosing to stroll with him on the periodic breaks where he walked the horses. She had many lively questions about a wide range of topics, from what Pharaoh was like to his own adventures in the military. Sahure told her how he’d visited his uncle the nomarch of Ibis Province several times as a boy and fallen in love with the area, which made his present assignment even more agreeable. “But we never came to your village. I would have remembered. My uncle is an excellent administrator and travels throughout the Nome periodically.”
    “He’s been to Ta’sobeksef on occasion,” Tyema answered, drawing her shawl closer as if chilled, although the day was hot and the sun beat down on them. “We exchange letters about temple business from time to time, but there’s nothing here meriting his personal attention. I like him, but of course I don’t know him beyond his official capacity.”
    Sahure was thankful for the gentle breeze blowing off the river. Wiping his forehead, he checked to see how his companion was faring in the heat. “Do you need another drink of water?”
    “I’ve had plenty for now, thank you.” She shook her head. “We must be getting close to the spot?”
    “Yes, I think over the next rise.” He packed the water skin away and they returned to the chariot, horses picking up their pace to a trot as Sahure directed them over the hard packed earth. Portions of the journey from the site of Tyema’s temple had been on what seemed to be the remnants of an ancient thoroughfare, but in other places where no road ran, the ground was firm enough to allow the vehicle an easy passage.
    “Oh, so beautiful,” Tyema said as the horses reached the top of the small hill and the inlet came into view, a swath of pale blue water, partially enclosed by a slender peninsula on the south. Shielding her eyes with one hand, she gazed at the river.
    “And large,” Sahure answered, feeling satisfaction sweep over him. This is the spot, I’m sure. Pharaoh will be pleased. We can build an efficient harbor complex here. He drove to a small stand of palm trees providing a welcome spot of shade. “Do you mind if I take some notes before we see what your relative the innkeeper