Dancer of the Nile (Gods of Egypt) Read Online Free

you say we must. “
    “They’ll run till they die otherwise. If I conserve their strength we’ll get farther,” he said, slowing the team gradually until the horses were walking, then pulled them to a stop. “I’m going to get out and lead them. You stay here, sit on the end of the chariot and rest. Your weight adds nothing to their burden.”
    She did as he suggested for a few moments, dangling her legs off the tail of the chariot while he walked at the lead horse’s head, firmly holding the reins. Restless, she hopped off the vehicle and joined him, slipping into a little series of pirouettes, twirling and admiring the starry sky. So good to be free!
    “Your dance last night was a thing of beauty,” he said as she matched her stride to his.
    “I’m a dancer. Dancing is what I do. I would have preferred not to give them the benefit of a performance, but Amarkash insisted.” Nima glanced at him for a moment, nervously playing with a strand of her hair, then studying the ground. “Sometimes when I dance for an audience I don’t care for, I stare above their heads. Or I’ll pick the friendliest face in the crowd.” Should I tell him the truth? “ Last night, I was dancing for you alone.”
    “I’m flattered.” Grinning, he shot her a sideways glance.
    The promptness of his reply pleased her, and Nima laughed. “Well, don’t be too flattered—you were the only Egyptian there. I gave an awful performance, merging steps from several dances, trying to avoid anything too provocative.”
    “I surmised you were improvising. Revising as you perform while keeping the dance flowing takes great skill. My compliments.”
    Nima lowered her eyes modestly for a moment. “You’re a discriminating audience, not like the farmers and small-town merchants in Hebenar, may their souls gain the Afterlife.”
      “Was Hebenar where you were taken prisoner?” Kamin asked, his voice low and soft.
    She nodded, a lump in her throat. Her chest felt tight, and tears gathered in her eyes . I can’t talk about it, not yet. I’d probably weep hysterically, and we don’t have time for me to indulge myself. “Is the team rested enough yet? I want to get as far away from the Hyksos as we can.”
    Kamin ran his hand over the nearest horse’s neck. “I’m as impatient as you are, but these animals are our best chance to make our escape successful.”
    For a few moments they walked in silence, the only sound the thud of the horses’ hooves on the hard ground. Bending to snatch a wildflower from its stem, he handed the fragrant little bloom to her with a flourish. “Since I have no gold of valor available, let this show my admiration for your quick thinking and bravery tonight.”
    “I’m suitably honored, sir,” she answered, tucking the tiny yellow flower into her hair, behind her ear. He’s not like any other soldier I’ve ever met, not in any tavern along the Nile. She pointed at the reins in his hand.“Are you a charioteer?”
    He laughed. “No, why do you ask?”
    “You drove so well, even with an unfamiliar team and this heavy chariot. You are a soldier?”
    “I suppose my scars give away my profession.”  
    Her stomach rumbled, startling her. “Would you like some bread?” she asked, walking to get herself a snack from the provisions bag strapped to the chariot.
    “Indeed, and a long drink of water, as you promised. I’m parched. Wasting the savory dinner you cooked tonight was torture.” He grinned. “You could teach the Hyksos a thing or two about torture.”
    Hopping into the chariot, she grabbed a piece of stale bread from the covered pannier. “Catch!” She pitched the bread at him, admiring his athleticism as he plucked the crust from the air one-handed. Preparing to rejoin Kamin, Nima glanced at the horizon while she unhooked the water skin. Lowering the container without drinking a drop, unable to keep her voice from wobbling, she said, “Set’s teeth, what’s this cloud of dust behind us?