"My thanks to you, Azure Eyes," Anaket says. "Things are still not as we would desire them. I fear we will not be prepared for the grand opening. The gods only know what we will do should our Good and Great Pharoah make his visitation now. Curse the caravan drivers for their ineptness! Surely that is the cause for their lateness, as Pharoah's powerful armies have secured the trade routes."
Anaket leans just a little closer to the woman beside her. "As for that one," she whispers nodding toward the man seated at the table, "I have no doubt he has no trouble with a good stiff one, but perhaps he would care for a cool drink."
As Anaket rises, and reaches for a bottle of the best imported wine, she notices the dark beauty clad in slightly tattered silks, waiting in the shadows. The woman is unbelievably beautiful, but also appears highly agitated. What could be amiss? Anaket had heard rumors of unsavory characters hanging around the classy nightspot. Could their presence be disturbing her?
Anaket shrugs her shoulders and pours the wine. The bouncers will take care of those undesirables, she feels sure.
Anaket bears the goblet to Oset, who accepts it with grace and gratitude.
And WHAT gratitude! Anaket's dark eyes grow wide with amazement as she glances from the bracelet to the handsome man.
"My lord, your generosity overwhelms me. I shall cherish this always." With a slight bow, she begins to back away. "I am ever at your disposal."
Anaket returns to the anonimity of her place beside the bar, waiting to fulfil the requests of any other patrons who may come to the popular club. Now the dancer has taken the floor.
Anaket watches her with admiration and just a bit of envy. 'My, how those Babylonian women can move!' she thinks. 'If only I could dance like that. Perhaps if I watch her, study her moves, go home and practice in the privacy and secrecy of my per, I could rise from a mere serving maid....'
She stops her useless, wandering thoughts, her fingers lightly tracing the delicate ankhs in the golden bracelet on her wrist. 'On the other hand,' she thinks, 'life isn't so bad as it is.' She smiles to herself.