A couple more months past and Anck-su-namun had to admit, Nefertiri had a natural talent for sword fighting, just as she did. Nefertiri was a dedicated fighter and would always unsuccessfully try to outdo her teacher.
Jendai was still taking lessons from Aneniat, who both Anck-su-namun and Jendai grew to hate more each day. The only other hatred that matched its intensity was the one Anck-su-namun and Nefertiri shared. They hated each other like fire hates water, a never-ending loathing for the other.
Neither knew how this flame of hate sparked, but it was there, and it was like a roaring bonfire. During practice they would actually almost try to kill each other with their daggers. Pharaoh knew nothing.
***
Anck-su-namun woke early on a morning in mid-October. She was excited, because, according to her books, today was the Festival of Inundation, a ceremony where the Pharaoh thanked Osiris for the flooding of the Nile.
The entire city of Thebes would stand at the bank of the Nile, while Pharaoh, on a boat heading upstream, and the High Priest of Osiris said chants and prayers of thanks. Usually the Pharaoh would put them, his concubines, on the boat too, just to show them off.
Anck-su-namun took a shower and got dressed. Then the maids came in with an entirely different outfit. It was a gold skirt, like the one she fought in, and a practically see-through silk top, made of the same material.
She dressed in those, then got the rest of her body painted. She was also given bracelets and anklets made of solid gold, as well as many other pieces of fine jewelry, for decoration.
The maids squirted her with perfume and combed her raven-black hair, then when she was done, moved onto the next concubine and got that one ready.
Anck-su-namun met up with Jendai when they boarded the wooden boat. Pharaoh was already there, sitting in the throne in the middle of the open boat. The High Priest of Osiris, their friend Imhotep, was standing at the very front of the boat, holding a black book with prayers and chants to Osiris.
Pharaoh had chosen, out of his fifty or so concubines, the 15 prettiest ones to have with him on his boat. Anck-su-namun and Jendai were two of those 15. The concubines lay in seductive poses at the Pharaoh's feet, while around the edges of the boat slaves waited to row.