Queen of the Heavens by Kingsley Guy Read Free Book Online Page B

desires my assistance?” I asked, but no one responded. “I’m here to help you,” I said. “Why does no one come forward?”
    The fear in the people’s eyes answered my question.
    “You worry that since I touched the leper, I might now be a leper. Is this not so?”
    The crowd remained mute.
    “I embraced the leper with love in my heart,” I told the people in a loud voice. “When love is present the dark forces are powerless.”
    After some moments, the young woman who had brought me the straw mat stepped forward.
    “I would be honored if you would help me,” she said.
    “What ails you?” I asked.
    “Usually I’m well, but from time to time I fall to the ground thrashing about. I don’t remember what happened, but often I’m severely bruised. I fear that someday the thrashing will kill me.”
    “Lie down on the bench,” I said.
    As I performed a healing ritual, I noticed Father standing in the crowd. I acknowledged him with a nod and though he did not interrupt me, I knew by the stern look on his face that he was not pleased.

VI
    So be it, I said to myself. Isis commands me, not my parents. I must live according to her will, not theirs.
    After finishing the healing ritual on the young woman, I walked over to Father. The stern look had not left him.
    “Don’t fault me for being here,” I said. “Isis commanded me to work among these people.”
    Father brushed away flies that had been attracted to the market by the carrion and fish. “Your mother and I were worried about you. We feared you had been taken away by thieves or eaten by a crocodile. A servant who came here to barter for linen told us where you were.”
    “There’s no need to worry, Father. The gods and goddesses protect me. Sekhmet would devour the soul of anyone who would do me harm. I wish to continue coming to the market to help the less fortunate whom I find here.”
    I spoke with determination, letting Father know through the timbre of my voice that nothing would deter me.
    “I don’t know, Tuya. These people you want to help are not of our kind.”
    I sensed Father was wavering, so I pressed my advantage.
    “You may throw me in my room and bar the door, but I’ll find a way out,” I declared. “Isis wants me here. I act according to her will, not yours or mine.”
    “All right, Tuya,” Father said, with exasperation in his voice. “On occasion you may come to the market to do your healing, but you must always let your mother and I know where you are so we won’t worry.”
    “I will, Father, now that I know I have your approval.”
    “I don’t approve,” Father snapped, “but I’ll accede to Isis’ wishes.”
    Dusk had arrived, so I walked home with Father. The next morning I studied hieroglyphs with Pentu. Soon after midday, I performed a healing approved by my parents on a nobleman’s wife who suffered terribly from pain in her joints. Later in the day, Mother summoned me to the garden, where she was sitting with Father.
    “We must talk, Tuya,” she said.
    “What about, Mother?”
    “We can wait no longer to find you a husband. Most of your friends are betrothed or married. Before long, no man will want you.”
    Mother’s words caught me by surprise, though there was no reason they should have. I may have been a healer who knew how to read and write, but I also was entering womanhood and was expected to marry and bear children.
    “What of my healing work?” I asked.
    “That would be up to your husband,” Mother answered. “Your duty to him would be to produce children and bring them up properly.”
    Mother’s words irritated me like a rash. Why should I, who has Isis within her, be commanded by a husband? I thought. “Don’t my desires matter?” I inquired.
    “Your desires could lead you to an early and terrible death,” Mother replied with her voice raised. “A merchant’s wife told me that yesterday in the market you even touched a leper.”
    “Lepers deserve to be loved,