We disembarked on the island of Moldorna, and at the request of Unas, the sailors on board the ship nailed a rudimentary box out of planks overnight.

- We used it to hold Immorton's body.

Then there was the search for a merchant ship, and the merchant ship to Egypt would leave early tomorrow morning, and I exchanged a valuable earring for permission to go with the ship. Of course, the men didn't know what was in our suitcase, and when the owner asked, Unas said it was his luggage and some odds.

I wrapped my head and face with a veil so that only a line was exposed, so that my eyes could see outside. Unas is called my brother and sister, and is said to be the son and daughter of a merchant, and his home is north of the city of Memphis, Egypt.

The man Captain chatted with Unas without a trace, taking his word for it. But Unas was not as unanswerable or unspeakable as I feared. He was very familiar with the trade routes, and he talked about cloth and spices, and even pearls and gems. Most of the merchants in these years will sell some of everything. The cloth seller may also carry a few clay pots, which are embedded in the middle of the cloth anyway, so they will not break easily during the journey. Jewelry sellers also bring spices and other luxury items with them.

I was a little confused, but then I remembered that Unas was a good slave turned guard, but I didn't know who he was before he became a slave, and Memphis didn't elaborate, and I didn't ask about it.

Was he the son of a merchant before?

Moreover, although he was very silent, did not say what he could not say, and never did anything superfluous, it can be seen that he was well upbred, and by no means a vulgar family could be cultivated.

We were assigned a small cabin at the stern, so to speak, as narrow as ...... I've never lived in such a cramped place. How big is it? The floor of the entire chamber could accommodate four people lying side by side, and I mean those who were evenly fat, not including those who were over-the-top and as fat as the priest Kabuda, who had unfortunately burned to death. With such a large space, after putting the wooden box, there can only be two people lying down, and it is still close to each other.

Unas insisted on staying at the hatch so that I could sleep peacefully.

"You've got it," we whispered in the cabin, "they're going to doubt our relationship and identity." ”

"However, as a brother, I guard the door......"

I interrupted him: "The old customs of Egypt are very deeply ingrained. ”

This old custom refers to the marriage of close relatives.

Unas was stunned for a moment.

I said, "In this case, don't care about the difference in status. What's the point of talking about identity on the sea? ”

He slowly lowered his head and did not speak.

We also brought fresh water and coarse bread, as well as some cured meats. But I'm afraid that this is not enough, and I will have to buy some water and food from the captain. The ship was loaded with a great deal of cloth and spices, and was the responsibility of four different merchants, and with their men and sailors, there were probably less than a hundred men.

Fortunately, this is not an ocean-going sea route, otherwise the water and food rations these people have to drink and eat would be a huge burden.

So...... Goods from the far east will be more valuable than gold.

I think back to a long time ago, when my father was still alive, when I commanded a caravan to find me artifacts from the East that would give me some familiarity......

Obviously, only a few years have passed in the middle, but it feels like it is as far away as the events of the previous life.

At that time, there were some worries, but ...... But I didn't go through the trauma.

At that time, I didn't really understand what it meant to lose.

But one thing after another happened......

I lay down with Unas, and he was stiff with his side against the wall. This kind of rest will only make people more tired.

"You'll think of me as your fellow guard." I whispered, "It's nothing. ”

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly, lying flat.

But he still didn't let his shoulder touch mine.

I lay there with a thin layer of felt on the deck.

On one side was the wooden box, and on the other was Unas.

I don't know if we'll be able to return to Egypt safely, but I feel very reassured.

Outside, there was the sound of the waves, and the occasional sailor walking on the front deck.

"Unas, tell me about your past." I whispered, "Why did those people chase you down the street?" How did you become a slave, and how did you get to Memphis? ”

Unas's voice was also soft, and if we hadn't been so close, we wouldn't have heard anything.

"Those things are gone." He said, "I'm going to forget." ”

That's what I don't want to say, I understand.

Everyone has secrets that they can't tell others, and so do I.

I fell asleep to the sound of the waves.

During my days at sea, I never went out of the cabin. After all, what the attitude of the sailors on the ship was towards women was known to those who had crossed the sea on the trade route. Unas took care of everything, and I honestly locked myself in the cabin, so that everyone thought that there was no such woman on the ship.

It's good for everyone.

I was in this cramped, breathless cabin, facing the wooden box.

I thought about it a lot, for a long time.

Thinking about a lot of people and a lot of things.

Fresh water is served in clay pots and wooden barrels, and the taste is already very stale, and those who eat cakes and dry food want to vomit. The people on the boat sometimes catch fish, but most of them are eaten raw. Or, pickle and eat.

Now that I think about it, the Japanese people ate raw fish because they didn't have a way to cook it.

It's the same as we are now.

I guarded Immorton lying in the wooden box, and I felt that I had never been so calm.

As the sailors became more and more anxious and hopeful, and when the fresh water and food on the ship were no longer sufficient, our ship saw the other side.

Unas went out to inquire about the situation, and when he returned, he looked a little relaxed. This is very rare for him. We've been in the same room these days, and I haven't seen any time when he's really relaxed.

"The ship is about to enter the port and dock, they move the goods first, let's get off the ship last." He looked at our wooden box: "This is supposed to be General Sinuye's garrison, do you want me to inform him?" ”

"Is this necessary?"

"Yes." Unas said: "Otherwise, all the goods will have to be opened and inspected when they disembark." ”

Ah, yes, our box is not easy to inspect.

"Are you going in person?"

"No, I'll send someone from the docks." He said, "Then I'll arrange it." ”

He said it, but he didn't move.

I smiled and reached out to pull the sword out of his waist.

"I've all returned to Egypt, what are you worried about? Are you still afraid that I have no power to protect myself? ”

He hung his head, and his attitude returned, and the respectful manner with which Memphis had brought him to me and told me his name.

Yes, respectfully, but nothing else.

"Yes, then please wait a minute, I'll be back."

I watched him turn away and walk slowly out of the cabin.

Familiar, some scorching sun shone on me.

The golden-red desert, the busy people coming and going on the docks, the familiar voices that spoke the Memphis Lower Egyptian accent, distant and close.

It makes me feel like a world away.

A slightly hot, dry wind blew and lifted the veil that had been covering my face.

I squinted and looked up at the sky.

There was a line of sight that seemed to be far from me.

I grabbed my veil and turned my head to look.

Not far away, a large ship was entering the harbor, and a man was standing on the bow. He is the one who looks at me.

The clothes he wore were clearly not the clothes of this area near the Mediterranean. Even from a distance, I could see the curtain he was wearing, with glittering gems and gold ornaments.

Even wealthy businessmen would not dress up like this on dangerous business routes.

This man is not a businessman.

He is not a merchant but has come from a long distance across the sea......

I squinted.

The man who came out behind him was dressed in ordinary clothes, like a businessman. They don't know what to say. I turned my head away from looking, for Unas had done what he was going to do on the shore, had found someone to speak for him, and then hurried to the trestle.

It seems that he treats me like a fragile and explosive object, and I can't afford to slack off.

I don't know if I'm relieved or a little disappointed.

In the distance, someone came from the shore.

Soldiers with spears to clear the way, and officials in open robes and aprons. I squinted, this man ...... I'm familiar with something, but I can't name it. It shouldn't be a very important official.

The news of Unas has just been delivered, and the people who came to pick us up can't come so quickly!

I watched them cross the trestle, past Unas, dressed in civilian attire, and strode towards the ...... The ship that was moored down was not far from me.