After a long journey of four days, Alexandros and his team reached the outskirts of Luxor.

During this journey, the Medjay's power and influence positively helped Inanna manoeuvre through her menstrual cycle. At each stoppage, wherever they found a scattered range of houses, Inanna was allowed to use their netty. Alexandros himself paid the families some amount for them to let her use their toilet. They associated Inanna being someone special to the Head of Medjay, and considering the spiritual status bleeding women held, no one refused to give permission.

It was only a humble 'thank you' with which Inanna greeted him each time, and he simply nodded. Now when they had reached their destination, Inanna dreaded talking to him more.

Alas, there was no other way out. She would have to face him everyday in this new stage of life.

It was a small blob of civilisation. People lived in mud-brick houses, modest yet resilient. They were clustered in small hamlets, their thatched roofs casting shadows over the earth under a midday sun. Irrigation canals crisscrossed the terrain, channeling the life-giving waters to nourish the earth. Livestock roamed freely, their bleats harmonizing with the distant laughter of children playing near the bank of a huge lake. Tall trees stood proud around the water body, few strands of grass peeking from beneath the embrace of pebbles.

Inanna's bleeding had come to a stop by now. They were still inside the carriage, not yet asked to climb down.

"Was I really sleeping so deeply that you had pity on me?" Ishtar asked. Apparently, the girl was not very impressed by the way the Head of Medjay behaved with her friend. Or so Inanna assumed.

"You were busy dreaming."

"You went in there without my consent?"

"I did." Inanna scoffed. "And I am glad I did. You were having a very sexy dream about Ka Alexandros."

Ishtar's pupils stared into the oblivion, fingers tapping on the window sill. "Ah, yes. Now I remember. You were there in the dream. So that wasn't your dream self but the real you." Ishtar languidly twirled a finger, finally poking it against Inanna's bosom. "You got jealous."

Inanna's laugh was strangled, cheeks blooming into a shade of warmth and wrath. "I was upset that you took side of our enemy. He is against our race."

Ishtar eyed Inanna. The latter shifted uncomfortably in her seat, gulping and twisting her legs. A gust of wind wreaked havoc in the wavy curls of Inanna. With a grunt she gathered them in a bun.

"You are vexed by him." Ishtar's eyes scintillated with the wisdom of Eros. "The friction is steamy."

"It burns." Ishtar's words strummed the strings of her heart. She would rather cut those threads of silver and blood than give in to the mayhem of hearts. "I hate him with a passion."

Ishtar swung her legs over and laid them over Inanna's lap. "So it seems." Her hands hung loosely over the seat. "Does he irk you so much?"

"He has been disrespectful."

"It is the right of the authority to look down upon the people of lower strata."

"Do I mean nothing?"

"Do you wish to mean something?" Ishtar mimicked the thick greek accent of Alexandros.

Inanna leaned back against the cushiony fabric of the carriage walls. "I...I want respect," she slurred, her frayed nerves igniting an ache. "And I want to not be caught."

"Well," Ishtar blew a breath, "I am sure he will not let you go easily. But you must act normal. Not like a bundle of hot mess."

"You are one."

Ishtar smirked. "Do I seem like so?" She jokingly tickled the sides of Inanna's waist with her foot, causing the latter to yelp. "You are so tangled. Don't worry, I was just imagining how it would feel like being in the big arms of the big man Alexandros. I wasn't considering as an only option. I can take many more men with my looks, and better ones, who will accept my Necromancer identity."

"As if I am running after Alexandros?" Inanna shouted. "I am not! I am just disturbed by his treatment. Oh Isis! Help me, save me!"

"Destinies can't be changed."

"You can at least give me some sympathy."

"Friends don't provide sympathy. They show you the truth. And the truth is- Ka Alexandros will not stop until he finds what you are, or at least has you in some sort of ugly predicament."

"Can you please pray for me?"

"I will try."

Inanna threw off Ishtar's legs from her body and looked out of the window.

The silhouettes of the soldiers appeared sharp against the vast light of the sun. The rhythmic clang of bronze weapons and the swish of linen shendyts filled the air as they moved with disciplined precision. The chariorteers guided their horses away to grazing grounds. The men unloaded carts, muscles glistening under linen kilts. Forming a seamless chain of motion, they passed clay jars and baskets from hand to hand.

Alexandros barked orders at his men, the subordinates responding with a fervent cry. Inanna could only hear his commanding voice. Soon, he walked to such a distance that she could see him through the window. His keen eyes watched over so that nothing was amiss. The crimson orbs shone with a determined fire. A young boy came and gave him a cotton towel to wipe his sweat. Inanna's penetrating gaze was fixated on the drops of perspiration trickling down his back. He streched his arms and squatted. Unwittingly, Inanna pursed her lips at the sight of his well-formed butt cheeks.

"Even though we are both named after the goddess of love, our approach to it is starkly different," Ishtar commented. Inanna wasn't attentive to the remark. Ishtar smiled to herself.

When Alexandros stood up and spun around, his eyes met with Inanna's. She felt a sudden electrifying shock traverse through her spine and reclined back in her seat. She bit her lower lip, guilty of being caught.

After sometime, a strident set of knocks made Inanna shiver. Ishtar opened the door to the carriage. It was Alexandros. "Yes, my Lord?"

Alexandros glared at Inanna, although it was Ishtar who had addressed him. "You two take your bags and come down. Your other necessities will be brought soon. We will be showing you where you will live."

They got out with their sling bags and pouches, being welcomed with a dusty breeze from under a camel's feet. Alexandros beckoned them to follow him and they reached a little sprawled village.

Bergin was already there. He conversed with the other medjay as if he were another part of them. Their hands were wrapped around each other's shoulders in a brotherly manner, their face all sunshine and smiles. Upon seeing the girls, Bergin waved. "So you finally came!" He grinned. "This place is wonderful. The water is so great. I was thinking we boys will be taking a bath in the lake. Shouldn't we?"

The medjay hummed in unison. "Absolutely. But I am afraid the girls can't," one of the medjay said. "I heard the young boys of the village gossip about the two girls in our group. They say the ones from Ta-Seti are exotic."

"Well you guys can stand guard in case we wish to take a bath," Ishtar said. She went ahead and gave her sling bag to that medjay. "Carry it for me. I am exhausted." She fanned herself.

The man's eyes gleamed. The other soldiers suppressed a laugh. "The sun is too hot, isn't it?" The man exhaled. "If only there was a way to cool down the heat."

"That is why I want me and my friend there," Ishtar pointed to Inanna," to get a chance to relief ourselves of the heat."

"So...will the lake suffice?" the man asked, clearly thirsty for more.

"I am not interested in swimming. I would rather bathe in an indoor bath," Inanna said.

Ishtar rolled her eyes. "She is boring. Nevermind. I can join you guys. Public baths are famous, aren't they?"

"Oh, absolutely!"

Bergin slipped himself from the company and went to Inanna's side. "Ishtar knows how to draw attention. It's good in a way. If all the men become her puppets, no one would actually care to trouble her."

"You are wrong." Inanna thumped her foot. "Drawing attention means falling in a pit! All the men will now try to know more about her."

"I think she can handle it. She always did, even in Ta-Seti."

"We are with the medjay here."

"Still, they are men only. Ishtar has a unique way with men."

Inanna stifled a laugh. "Please do join her in case she goes swimming with those men. You need to be there to ensure nothing too wet happens."

"Even if it does, I am not participating. I will....just watch." Bergin winked.

Inanna observed Ishtar giggling with the medjay, her tinkering charm setting each one on a dazzling fire. She knew how to touch their backs in the most friendly way possible, and yet give the most scandalous message. If somebody had to be a prostitute, it should have been Ishtar. She would make the whole town beg for her love, invite a sensual flood greater than the deluge of the Nile inside the shendyts of the men. A perfect temple would she be, having the most glorious visitors.

The fun was interrupted when Alexandros came. Ishtar quickly hopped to Inanna's side. The Head of Medjay was accompanied by an old lady. "She is the leader of this village," Alexandros said. "Her name is Eman. Lady Eman."

"Or you can call me Grandma Eman."

Grandma Eman carried in her wrinkled hands a basket full of dates and herbs, their scent mingling with the warm air. Her skin was weathered with sharp lines telling tales of uncountable harvests. But her eyes sparkled akin to a child's, full of curiosity and zeal. Her colourful patchwork tunic rustled with the faint breeze. "Welcome to my village. It is my honour to host the medjay in my humble abode."

"You are a sweetheart, Grandma," Alexandros said. "Of course we will love to be with you. And I give my word, none of these rascals will disturb you. If they do, you can spank them just like you used to spank me. Ah, those good old days!"

Inanna was surprised to realise that the two knew each other. Perhaps he had stayed in this village during his education or training in Kemet. He was so very warm and affable towards her.

"We all know why we are here," Alexandros said to his men. "To begin the investigation. But before we do it, tonight shall be a little rest after the bone-numbing journey." He smiled to the village woman. "Grandma, I have instructed Bergin and he will help you assign the houses to each medjay. Be a sweetheart to him."

Eman patted his back. "Alright my boy." She scanned the men. "Follow me. And whoever is Bergin, come here before I bring out my whip!"

The medjay who were already present and the ones loitering around now followed Grandma Eman, with Bergin helping the old lady. Inanna was impressed by the smartness of Bergin and his friendliness. Within a small span of time he could make such a strong bond with Alexandros that he entrusted him duties. Not knowing what to do, Ishtar ran after them too. Perhaps Alexandros had forgotten that there were two women also along with the males. After a moment of hesitation, Inanna sprinted too. But a hand tugged her from behind. She was pulled back and stood in front of the unwelcoming Alexandros.

"Am I not going to have a house?" Inanna stared at his grip on her wrist. He freed her. "I am one of your team. Don't forget that."

"I will be assigning each one of you a role tonight," Alexandros said with a sly smile. "I was wondering what to give to you."

Inanna knew where this was going, but pretended to be dumb. "A healer, of course. And if required I can help with note keeping."

"I suppose you can do better than these." He licked his lips. "You are, after all, a lady of love with so many names."

She was flustered. "I..." She choked on her revolting emotions. "Leave me alone. I need to rest."

He grabbed her hand, again. "Don't try to run from me, Inanna. Because it won't work," he hissed, baring his teeth like the fangs of a venomous snake. "I will get to the root of you. You can't fool me."

She yanked her hand and ran after Eman and the rest. In haste she tumbled over a stone and fell to the ground. Hauling herself up, she looked back to see Alexandros still watching her, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"I won't let you get even a speck of truth about me," she promised to herself.