"There, look where it has caught now! The women's apartments are on fire!" someone said.
"No, the prince's lodge," another answered.
"And now something in the garden is on fire, by the very lake, it must be Aton's chapel."
"I expect it's all Kiki's doing—his handiwork!"
"The rabble will warm their hands at the fire, you may be sure!"
"Look, mates, look, it's begun on our side, too!" said someone joyfully, pointing to the right side of the river, where fire broke out in two places at once.
"Ah, the dogs, they've set it ablaze from all sides!"
Khnum came up on to the roof by a steep staircase. Two servants supported him. He had just got out of bed: after the trial of Yubra that afternoon he had had a liver attack. Nibituia and Inioteph, his secretary, followed him.
An armchair was brought for Khnum and Nibituia sat on a stool at his feet. Dio came up to them and kissed them both on the shoulders.
"Is it long since you came back from town, my daughter?" Khnum asked her.