The Temple Priestess
Bentreshyt stood from her sleeping mat, unwrapped her blanket and quickly dressed. She opened the door to where it was gradually brightening, and crossed to the bathhouse with Isetweret walking alongside. There they bathed with Bentreshyt cleaning thoroughly using soap, and after rinsing she got out of the water to take a towel and dry herself, while Isetweret also dried. After dressing, Bentreshyt and Isetweret walked to the kitchen where Isetweret took a cup of beer and a plate of bread, and then they walked to the temple and along the back staircase to the storeroom. Bentreshyt packed an incense pipe, lit it and took the candle to join Priest Antef and the other male priests. Priest Antef prayed to the four cardinal points and then Isetweret and Bentreshyt entered the chapel of Goddess Isis while bowing. Bentreshyt lit the candle, removed the blue cover and knelt beside Isetweret who prayed and laid out their offering. They left the chapel while facing Goddess Isis and bowing, all the way to the staircase. Bentreshyt returned the incense pipe to the storeroom and followed Isetweret up the stairs and outside to where it was brighter and warming. Although Bentreshyt had done this many times, it still was a great honour as they walked to the Priestess Quarters.
Wab priestesses brought breakfast of bread, honey and cups of milk while casual conversations filled the room.
"What are your plans for today?" Isetweret asked Bentreshyt.
Bentreshyt, now that she'd learn to read and write, and long ago mastered her roles in each festival except for The Mysterium, sometimes had little to do, except for one thing. "I'll go to the Lotus Garden and practice singing."
Bentreshyt finished her meal, and while many priestesses walked to the Per-Ankh she walked to the Lotus Garden on a glorious, sunny morning, as always with a number of cats wandering around. Bentreshyt sat cross-legged close to the lake to watch several ducks swimming and sometimes bobbing beneath the water. In the background, four or five white geese waddled. Bentreshyt watched this for some time and then thought she should sing.
Oh
people and gods above
She
is the only lady
Reverence
for Isis
She
gives birth to the day
Reverence
for Isis
The
lady of the west and the two lands
Reverence
for Isis
She
is the great eye of Ra in the provinces
Reverence
for Isis
You
offer the dear and precious for the king of Kemet
Upper
and lower
Oh my
only lady
Reverence
for thee
"That was very good," a man with a deep voice said.
Bentreshyt turned her head and had to shade her eyes to see who it was – goodness! She went to stand but stumbled while he laughed – also deep and manly. Feeling awful, Bentreshyt did stand and bow, head down with her hands extended.
"What's your name, Little One?" Nisou-Beti, Men-Maat-Ra asked as Bentreshyt stood straight.
"My name's Bentreshyt, Your Majesty."
"What do you do?"
"I'm a priestess to Goddesses Isis for these past ten years."
"You must have been young."
"I was aged four when I first came here." Bentreshyt wondered if this was going too far. "I know you built this temple but you haven't often been here."
His Majesty smiled. "We have won many wars and our borders are secured, and, at last, I can see the progress on building this temple."
"This is a wonderful temple."
"This temple would be nothing but a shell without priests and priestesses, like you."
That was lovely.
"Can you sing more for me?"
"Yes I can, Your Majesty."
To Horus, Oh mighty Heru-wer, I offer my praise.
Bright son of Geb and shadow-cloaked Nuit, beloved of Hathor,
great lady of gold. Oh eldest of the falcon-gods,
ancient of worship, ancient of name. O Horus
whose left eye is the sun, whose right shines as the moon,
I call to you for favor, I call on you for strength.
Yours is the courage to seek out strife, to war with
the wicked who would corrupt the work of maat.
Yours is the nerve to face what may come, whatever
the chances, whatever the risk. Yours is the will
to persevere through any misfortune, any restaint.
Yours is the heart to fight the good battle,
to struggle and strive and to succeed. Oh Horus,
mighty Heru-wer, overcomer of obstacles,
share with me, Oh god, your gift of determination.
"You have a fine voice, Priestess Bentreshyt. What does a priestess for Goddess Isis do?"
"Two of us worship Goddess Isis in her chapel in the temple, at sunup with a prayer and an offering, at midday with a prayer, and at sundown with a prayer and an offering. I recently made my decision to stay here and continue this."
"Good for you."
"It's strange how life can take twists and turns, and then you find yourself where you belong."
The ducks noisily skimmed across the water and flew away, while Bentreshyt turned her head to see the geese watching. She had a thought.
"Perhaps wab priests were coming to catch them for our dinner!" and Bentreshyt laughed.
His Majesty laughed too.
"Well, if we have roast goose tonight," Bentreshyt said. "You'll know where this came from!"
"Yes, I will know. I don't want to further disturb you from your singing, Priestess Bentreshyt. Enjoy your day, Little One."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
He turned and Bentreshyt watched him walk away. A few moments later, Isetweret approached.
"That was Nisou-Beti, Men-Maat-Ra."
"That was, and this is his temple."
"Yes, of course."
Nisou-Beti was aged about 50, and although his gaze was penetrating, beyond that he was pleasant and friendly, and particularly handsome with big eyes, thick lips, a ready smile and eyes that sparkled. Surely he was attracted to Bentreshyt's blonde hair and blue eyes, but that didn't matter because she'd vowed to remain untouched, and besides, Nisou-Beti was married and adultery was a sin. They could be friends, though, and Bentreshyt hoped she would see more of Nisou-Beti while he was here, at his temple still under construction.
