A loud crash followed by a piercing shriek jolted Hadassah out of her daydream. Her breath caught in her throat as she darted around the corner into her mistress’s chambers. She was greeted with a sharp slap that made tears sting her eyes.
“You worthless slave! My oil was open and the beetles drowned in it!”
Hadassah knew the Egyptian maids disliked her, and this plot would be an easy way to get her out.
“I am sorry mistress, I thought…”
“Stop making excuses! I am sick of hearing it. Get out of my sight!” Amisi interrupted.
Hadassah kept her well-trained eyes on the floor and quietly escaped the room. She breathed a sigh of relief and hurried out to the gardens to fetch water. With her mistress angry, Hadassah was sure she would request an Egyptian maid to ready her for the banquet tonight. She reached a hand up to brush her cheek where Amisi had taken out her wrath. It was tender to the touch, and Hadassah knew it would begin to swell soon. She had always been complimented on her olive skin and high cheekbones, but she feared her face would be disfigured for a few days.
Her mind drifted back to her earlier thoughts of the news her brother had brought that morning of a man named Moses. Omar said this man had visited Pharaoh and threatened him with plagues if he refused to free the Hebrews. Hadassah’s heart had instantly leaped at the thought of freedom, but was quick to rein her emotions in check.
She had been born into slavery, and the past twenty years were only a glimpse of what the rest of her life would be like. Back breaking work day in and day out. Her mother had been in bondage her entire life, and it had taken a severe toll on her health. She was a strong woman, but Hadassah often wondered how long she would survive.
Omar met her at the olive tree by the well whenever he could. Instead of working the mills, he was a gifted horseman and had proved himself to be invaluable to the Egyptian officers. This position permitted him more freedom to purchase food from the market, and occasionally visit his younger sister.
Omar had secured her a position in Amisi's household through her husband, a wealthy merchant who gambled it away on horse racing. Omar had been his stable boy, and was now his trusted trainer. Hadassah was grateful for her brother’s sacrifice, but worried for his safety. He was eager for the Hebrews to rebel, and went to secret meetings often. Hadassah frequently warned him to keep his thoughts to himself, but everywhere he went trouble seemed to follow. Thankfully, his views had not yet reached the ear of his master.
As she meandered back up the path, the notes of a familiar song tickled her ears. She looked around, certain that it was her imagination. Hadassah’s mother had hummed that to each of her children when they were babes. The notes swelled and grew stronger as she neared the house. Curious, she tip-toed barefoot towards the sound.
Across the garden wall was a young girl on her knees digging out a stubborn root that threatened to choke a flower. Hadassah paused, watching the girl and listening to the song. There was something familiar about her, but she could not put a finger on it. The girl leaned back on her heels to brush a strand of hair off her brow with a dirty hand. She stopped singing to laugh at a butterfly that tickled her nose. The smile that crossed her face was genuine and bright, and matched the light in her eyes. Hadassah’s skirt suddenly whipped in the wind, making a snapping sound and drawing the girl’s attention.
Hadassah held her breath as the girl’s eyes rose to meet her own. Her black hair had been captured in a bun at the nape of her neck, but a few escaped tendrils framed her round face. Gentle hazel eyes shone in the sunlight, and her lips curved upwards in a warm smile. Hadassah returned the gesture.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt you; I was only listening to your song” said Hadassah.
“Oh, it is okay, I was just finishing up some garden work!” The girl stood up and walked boldly towards Hadassah.
“My name is Anat,” she said.
Hadassah pushed her earlier curiosity from her mind.
“Hadassah. I am a servant in Amisi’s chambers. It is nice to meet you.”
“You as well,” Anat replied with a smile. She excused herself and bounded down the stone path towards the orchard, turning back to wave and call “I’ll see you soon!”
Hadassah stood watching the girl until she disappeared in the trees. There was something unsettling and memorable about Anat she could not get over. She sighed and scuttled back towards the house. No doubt someone had noticed her lengthy absence and was looking for her.
