MeritAmun walked behind the others in the train following high priest Iirwy as they made their way back to the temple precinct. She tried to look disinterested as the other temple singers cackled and crowed among themselves, eager to vent their impressions of the new Nomarch.

"A woman! just imagine!"

"She must be clever as an ibis to have fought her way this far..."

"I whish I could have half of her number of servants, I´d be a lucky woman..."

"Hey MeritAmun, what´s your impression, do you think she will do a better job than Khaptah?"

MeritAmun smiled and walked on. She didn´t want to dwell on the topic of the former Nomarch, it was a sensitive subject and one she didn´t want to be heard commenting on here. The retinue of the high priest going about town was more than a show of the Temple Presence, it was a manifestation of power and to be in it meant keeping to protocol. Though these days MeritNit wasn´t sure she wanted to be part of that power any longer. Briefly she threw a glance at the fat neck of Iirwy as he was carried in his palanquin towards the pylon gates. Soon they would be inside them, soon there would be only a few hours left until the Evening Service and the day´s duty would be completed. After singing and dancing once more in front of the Het-Hert Shrine she would be free until the next morning and able to get away to her own home.

This evening she had to talk with her parents and tell them everything. Yes, this evening it would happen, she would not be afraid to tell them all that she had been forced to do. Not now, not when Khaptah was gone, sent away to Great Amun knows where and there was a new Nomarch in his place.

But - Could she really trust this woman? MeritNit didn´t know anything about her... how could she believe that this was not just another high-brow noble from Waset who cared more for her own wellbeing and treasure trove than the welfare of the citizens? In that case, there was no use at all to tell even her parents about the habits of Iirwy and Khaptah. None whatsoever for she would simply not be believed.

With a heavy thud the temple gates shut behind high priest Iirwy and his followers. The sun had already begun to travel towards evening and the shadows were growing longer.