Tyema half hoped the event would be canceled after the dunking in the Nile, but word from her hostess came early in the morning by special courier how much Nidiamhet anticipated the gathering, and especially rejoiced in having Tyema as her special guest. Queen Ashayet was not attending this event. Tyema wished the Great Royal Wife was to be there. She felt safer in the queen’s presence, which of course was ridiculous. Ashayet had no power to thwart a sorceress. But after the incident on the royal barge the day before, Tyema felt she’d narrowed her search down to two candidates, both of whom would be in attendance. She hoped she might observe some sign which would allow her to eliminate either her hostess or Baufratet from suspicion. And then I report to Sobek and to Pharaoh and let them take action while I flee home. After bidding a lingering farewell to Sahure at midmorning in the privacy of her chambers, giving Seknehure a kiss, she walked through the now familiar halls of the palace to the area where a number of litters waited to carry the invited guests through Thebes to Nidiamhet’s family compound.
