SHE’S SEEN ME! Except for the young man who kicked me, no other guest has noticed me, and I’m certain the young man forgot me as soon as he finished applying his foot to my legs.
She saw me! I wonder if she thought about me longer than the young man did. I am thinking ridiculous thoughts, but I hope she liked me. She had no time to form an opinion, and she has much more to think about than me, but I hope she liked me.
If I sweep much longer, someone will find it odd. The slaves and servants have noticed me already. I don’t think I’m in danger from them, as they are unlikely to speak to their masters. I slip back into my wall recess and look for something else to do.
Merem is at the edge of the circle of female dancers, watching Kezi. Aunt Fedo joins her for a while and then moves away. Merem remains. Sometimes she smiles. Sometimes her eyes fill.
Senat watches from the vantage point of the beer vat. I hear him boast to the other drinkers about Kezi’s grace and mastery of the dance. He brings the beer straw to his mouth too often and weeps openly. Then he grows silent. He doesn’t tell anyone his daughter’s fate.
She dances for hours. I imagine carrying her to safety on my strong wind. But I fear that the wrath of Admat would be unleashed against her and her family. If I were sure there was no Admat, I would fear nothing.
I wonder what Hannu and Arduk would think of her.
They’d call her a soap bubble, but what else? A heroic and exquisite soap bubble? A soap bubble worth saving?
It doesn’t matter what they think. Somehow I will save her.