KhnumRa, Governor of Upper Egypt and husband of Mirjam, Kher-Hebt-Nesw, had arrived home late last night and after a long, busy day, the two now relished some quiet time together. they sat on the roof terraced, under the reed awning while darkness descended over Waset and the lights of the cooking fires went out, one after the other, signalling that the day was over and that it was time to withdraw to collect strength for the next one. In a handful of hours, Zep Tepi would occur again, just as it ever did. Each day, each month, each year, yes every birth and death among men, was a witness about the Eternal Return, ordained by the Gods in Their infinite and incongruous wisdom.

Mirjam was telling KhnumRa about all the things which had happened recently in and around Waset. She especially lingered at the incidents in Ipet-Isut and she did not forget to inform him of the help which Ir-en-Wadjet and her sister Reshwet-net-Nekhbet had been. For a long while they sat and mused over all this, trying to foresee what the future would bring. It all seemed rather futile. What would make sense, said KhnumRa, was to keep vigilant guards and he also added that he would see to extra protection around his own house. But not only that, he needed swift information about the treacherous scribe.

“I cannot understand”, he said, “why there has been no word from or about his suitors sofar.”

Mirjam agreed. “It´s several days since he was seen fleeing downriver. If he is not caught, then he should be at Pi-Ramesse at this point.”

KhnumRa made a mental point of having the matter investigated. He feared the worst for those brave men who had followed after the fleeing man, but he chose to say nothing to his wife. Better not upset her more than she already was.

A servant appeared on the top of the stairs. He bowed and KhnumRa signed for him to speak.

“The Nebet Merenchepri is here. The matter seems to be urgent. Shall I ask her to come up here?”

Mirjam rose: “No, we are coming down at once.”

Seated on the edge of a chair in the Great Hall, Merenchepri looked haunted and tired. She began to talk as soon as she saw them enter:

“Mirjam, And KhnumRa, welcome home!" then she went straight to the point: "I have some disturbing news I´m afraid!”

She hesitated a little and Mirjam came over and sat down beside her. she swallowed and began:

“There... has been a murder in the Mut Precinct.”

A faint gasp told her that Mirjam listened. KhumRa looked on, dark eyes impenetrable. Only a slight widening of them revealed that he was disturbed.

“Who?” said Mirjam.

“A guard. Outside the Treasury.”

“And?”

“Most of the vessels of gold are missing. The ones intended for the Festival rituals. Among them one donated by the Great Wife Herself.”

It took a moment for the two to digest these news. Then Mirjam said:

“Well then. It looks as if the old fools were right after all. We do have impostors among the priesthood after all.”

The "old fools" were of course her cousins who had seen some strange things around the Mut temple a few days earlier. None of them had wanted to really believe in that story but now it seemed they had better get to the bottom of this. After some talk back and forth, they developed a plan.

They would meet the impostor(s) on their own ground. First, a full roll call would be made immediately, and everyone who was doing their temple duty this month, would be scrutinized and controlled as to name, family, home, earlier training and earlier record. They would have to be able to prove their background and their temple training. And if that didn´t reveal some interesting things, then they would resort to another weapon which was more devious than an open control.

These things were discussed in hushed voices after KhnumRa had walked around the hall to see that no servants were within earshot. All of a sudden, they didn´t feel safe anywhere.

After they were done, they withdrew to the roof terrace once more, to get a bit of fresh evening air. Merenchepri went with them and Mirjam asked for cool drinks and a bit to eat. It was late and she wanted to offer Meren to stay the night rather than to leave the safety of the house and be transported all the way over th the Mut Precinct and her own house. But considering the state of affairs, it would not be good politics for the high priestess to be absent from her temple.

"Another time," they said as they finally hugged each other goodnight. Hopefully there would be many more opportunities to be together on a family basis in the future rather than for duty´s sake.