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The welcoming committee at the port of Punt was a splendid sight to behold.
Full of riotous, rich colors, silver and gold. Honeycomb-shaped huts stood on stilts in the shallow pools of the beach. They, too, were decorated with exotic animal skins and flowers for this special visit by a foreign queen.
The better to show off the king’s wealth, Heba presumed.
She was not impressed.
The royal would-be-suitor himself was a handsome, swarthy man of above average height and muscle mass, stocky around the middle, but indeed in possession of all of his blindingly white teeth. His broad, barrel chest was bare, and he wore naught but a loincloth held together by a belt, to which a bejeweled dagger was firmly fixed. He possessed a long, pointed beard and thick, closely-cropped curly hair.
He was still a head shorter than Shai, and the impression he made upon Heba in comparison was akin to a firefly blinking pitifully next to the full blast of the noonday sun.
She was not impressed.
“Khnumetamun Hatshepsut, Queen and Regent of the Great Empire Egypt, welcome to these humble lands,” the king said formally, his booming voice echoing across the seaport.
He bowed before her deeply to show all due respect.
She inclined her head, the elaborate golden makeup she wore flashing bright in the afternoon sun.
She was in full armor this day, for she was heading into a battle of sorts. A battle not fought on a field with weapons and won with blood, but a battle nonetheless.
She wore her finest tunic and jewels—a gold and turquoise beaded necklace in three substantial layers, upper arm bands, wrist bands and rings. She wore not the earrings she bought the night of the festival but masterfully made lapis lazuli dangling drops woven with silver and gold threads.
Her most elaborate wig sat heavy upon her head, as did her solid gold headdress adorned by gems. On her face she wore the war paint of a Pharoah. Bold strokes of kohl lined her eyebrows and eyes, making her features all but unrecognizable. Rouge was dusted onto her cheeks and brushed into her lips. Against her relatively pale skin, the contrast was remarkable.
Impactful.
Just the effect she wanted.
“King Parahu, you do me honor,” she said regally.
“I am most eager to learn of the treasures your beautiful lands have to offer. And speak of ways our kingdoms can establish a lasting partnership of mutual benefit.”
The king stepped closer to offer his arm, and she dutifully put her hand lightly upon it.
It was then that she noticed a slim, tall woman trailing behind him.
She must be one of his personal servants, or perhaps a priestess, though Heba was unfamiliar with their beliefs. The lady tried to be inconspicuous, keeping her head lowered, her eyes cast down, but something about her made Heba look twice.
When she thought no one was looking, the woman’s eyes never left the king’s person. Just like the way Heba’s eyes never left Shai when she could get away with it.
Hmm. Interesting.
Together, they walked the short distance from Heba’s ships to the royal caravan that the king had arranged to carry them back to his palace.
Or citadel, as the case might be.
For, Punt was far less advanced than Egypt and its kings were more warlords than rulers, despite the riches they enjoyed from trading with neighboring lands.
Heba’s retinue, including Shai and her personal guards, followed close behind. Senenmut and Pa-Nahsy murmured greetings with officials on the other side, falling into step on either side of her.
The caravan consisted of a dozen servants, six each for the two litters that would carry the king, Heba and her officials. There were two dozen more foot soldiers as well as what Heba presumed to be generals riding upon three colossal elephants. Rounded off with several men on horseback as well, leading riderless horses for the visitors.
Again, this was a show of wealth and power. But Heba was not moved.
Punt would be an important ally to have, as well as a rich trading partner. But she did not need the king’s support to solidify her own reign, nor that of her son’s. Which meant that even more so, beyond her promise to Shai, she would not need to tie herself through marriage.
