ââHatshepsut! Put your sandals on, now!ââ
Nanny Ayaâs face was purple. Shoving on her footwear, the little girl rapidly obeyed. She leaned forward. Gleaming gold filled the harbour. Her father, King Tuthmosis, was arriving from the battlefields of Nubia. His queen, the Great Wife Ahmose, and Hatshepsutâs brothers, Wadj and Mose, huddled together under the royal pavilion. In the chilly dawn, they could make out the ships. Wadj jostled his motherâs skirts. Peering frantically across the water, he tried to spot his father. Mose was dignified and sat still. Hatshepsut put her hand in her motherâs and smiled up at her. Tired, Ahmose did not respond. Having worried for months, she did not know whether her husband was returning to Egypt wounded or whole. Dangerous and unpredictable, the southern Nile cataracts had prevented regular updates from Nubia.
Now, with the crowds of common Egyptians, they awaited Pharaoh. Egyptâs subjects knew Tuthmosis was conquering foreign lands and making his kingdom great. However, Ahmose was aware of a more homespun truth. The only reason her husband had endangered his life was because their country needed resources. The trip to Nubia was important. Egyptâs economy was at stake.
Finally, the kingâs flagship swung into port, followed by his royal fleet. Cheering subjects crowded on the pier in the frosty morning air. With loud shouts, crew members flung ropes to men waiting on the shore. Sliding up against the bank, King Tuthmosisâ ship docked as the sun struck the top of the palm trees. Hatshepsut wanted to rush forward, but the family had to remain seated under the protective awning of the royal pavilion.
Dressed in a white robe and carrying a staff, Vizier Ptah-hotep stepped forward. Catching the girlâs eye, he inclined his head. She knew him well from visits to his home. It was a place where she could play with other children of her own age and where tasty cooking smells filled the air. Ptah-hotepâs cooks were also better than the palace chefs. This morning, the vizier made her feel important. Hatshepsut sat up straight and the nannyâs admonition rolled off her.
Crew lowered a wooden gangplank from the royal flagship. Porters carrying chests and sacks, disembarked. Officers followed. A group of prisoners in chains and wooden handcuffs shuffled onshore. Suddenly, Pharaoh appeared. Clad in a ceremonial kilt and war crown, Tuthmosis moved swiftly down the gangplank. He accepted his peopleâs adulation while his bodyguards desperately tried to keep the unruly masses at bay.
ââDaddy!ââ
Tuthmosis waved to his daughter. Excited, Wadj and Mose followed their sisterâs lead, calling out to their father. The kingâs officers disembarked and joined their leader. Finally, they moved as a group towards the royal pavilion to where the royal party waited. Tuthmosis scooped up his daughter into brawny arms. She smelled his myrrh gum, which he chewed to keep his breath fresh.
ââMiss me, petal?ââ
Hatshepsut hugged his neck. Gently, he kissed the top of her head. The child relaxed and dangled her legs. Her sandals fell off. Rubbing noses with his wife Ahmose, the king stroked her long tresses. Wiping tears from her pale cheeks, he spoke softly. Then, deciding his family needed to get out of the morning chill, Tuthmosis headed for the palace, dragging everyone in his wake. Ptah-hotep, who had a speech prepared, picked up the hem of his garment and trotted behind them. Catching up to the royal party, he took Mose and Wadj by the hand. The princess gazed over her fatherâs shoulder. The sun was still rising. On the jetty, empty boats lay in a long line. In the distance, she noticed a naked man hanging from the prow of the flagship. Rocking back and forth, he dangled upside down, hands bound behind him, an arrow sticking out of his chest.
Hatshepsut turned her head on her fatherâs shoulder. Birds rose out of the marshes. Still as the royal fleet of ships, the Nile gleamed like a mirror. Up since an early hour, the child fell asleep.
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