letting in a stream of bright sunlight. "Prince Ramesses is in Waset!" Baaiti shrieked through the doorway.

"What?" Lotus sat, still in the pallet, going over unintelligible papryus scrolls left behind by her predecessor.

Under strict orders from the the Physician Hapshepsut, Lotus tried to adminster the work of the Nomarch from her makeshift bed. She had yet to see her newly purchased estates. Baaiti assured her that Gua, the houseman, would get the house in order before she was ready to rise from her sick bed. Her leg still throbbed from the strange reaction to the animal bite, but the red streaks of dis-ease were fading with each passing day.

"The Prince," Baaiti repeated, breathless. "Ramesses is in Waset. He is inspecting the temples as we speak!"

"Why wasn't I notified?" Lotus asked sharply, regretting her tone as soon as the words were gone.

Baaiti tensed for a moment at the question, then relaxed understanding her mistress' distress. "You'll have to ask Lord Toman," Baaiti spat the name out like putrid beer. "He is leading the Prince around by the nose, only showing him what the Lord wishes."

Lotus tapped the reed brush thoughtfully against the worthless scroll. "Alright," she sighed. "Help me get presentable and let's go find our honored guest."

Baaiti steadied Lotus' arm as she stood from her pallet.

"Oh Baaiti," Lotus said off-handedly, looking at the pile of aged scrolls on her bedding.

"Yes?"

"Find me a Chief Scribe, would you?"