CHAPTER 8
The WasteA few days passed before Hapu had recovered enough to leave the care of the kindly people who had taken him in. He could talk — but with difficulty, the one side of his mouth not functioning at all and words coming tardily from his brain.
He tried unsuccessfully for some time to see the Queen but was prevented by zealous guards who turned him away with increasing violence as he persisted. At last, by luck, the chief gardener spotted him at the gate and recognised him. He did not know what business he had with the Great Royal Wife, but it had not passed unnoticed that she had called him into her presence more than once. He assumed Hapu was somehow in her employ as a spy. The court was full of spies.
He stopped the irate guard kicking him, and helped him into the palace
