By the time Heby’s gate guard waved him through the high brick wall separating the house from the noisy maelstrom outside, a thin film of dust had insinuated itself onto his skin and settled on the litter’s cushions, even though the curtains had been closed. Thothhotep fluffed at her hair and shook out the folds of her sheath before following him across the patchy grass and drooping trees to the welcome shade of the three little pillars fronting the house’s entrance. A servant rose from his stool in the shade and welcomed Huy with a smile. “My Master is at work in the temple and will return at noon,” he told Huy, “but my Mistress and your nephew are within. Let me tell them you are here.” It was not long before Iupia came hurrying from the dimness to greet him. Huy bowed to her as the daughter of a noble, then she embraced him warmly. “Heby will be so pleased to see you,” she exclaimed as she ushered them inside and sent a servant scurrying for beer and honey cakes. “So will Amunhotep-Huy.
