CHAPTER 2
THE JOURNEYMy return to the city of Men-nefer passes like a dream, I am only partially aware of the sun’s bronzed disc low against the horizon, the river sounds — a boatman calling to the boy who climbs the mast, the cry of birds...
Sometimes I am aware of nothing.
Then images swim into view and through a mist I see the crowd being held back, while the young prince moves forward to gaze at me. There is something in his face... I cannot tell what it is... but it is as though he desperately wants an answer from me and does not know how to word the question. I see horror and pity in his face when he notices the blood that has seeped out from under the formal head-dress and dried on my temple. I look over his shoulder half-expecting to see his father, the king... but I meet Ma-nan
