Cousin, warm greetings! How goes life in Avaris? I do miss the long conversations we enjoyed together! We are starved of news here. How fares our beloved Pharaoh and kinsman? Is our grandfather well? I have heard that his health has suffered of late. Can you tell that I'm hungry for gossip and news?!

Waset is ever busy. My mother occupies herself as ever and we see little of Tia as he is busy with his official duties. There are times I regret our move to this wretched city of temples. I do miss the excitement of the court, Bentanath.

Still, Waset does have its moments. There was a building accident a short time ago. An unfinished section of the roof in the Temple of Amen collapsed which angered my father greatly. I overheard him arguing with the Lord Architect before he left. It seems that this has done much to set back plans for the temple's completion. I know Tia is worried about it. All must be ready when it comes time for our grandfather to visit the Mansion of Millions of Years.

It appears there is a new temple planned for the city. A woman was pointed out to me only yesterday when I was in the marketplace - a hemet netjer devoted to Aset. There has been some talk that I may take up a role at the temple but, as yet, no decisions have been made.

There is much to discuss but time is pressing. I will write again soon. May Amen guard you well!

Your cousin,

Merit

"Iurudef, make sure that this letter goes with the next barque to Avaris." The older man nodded and, as I turned to other tasks, left the room his writing equipment in one hand, my letter in his other.