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As she walked down the cool dimly lit stone corridor, Mitra wondered what the new day would bring.  Even this early in the morning the stifling heat from the previous day still lingered and threatened to drain the strength from her bones. She ran her fingers along the smooth stone wall, letting it draw out the heat from her body. The sensation reminded her of when she was a child and she used to dangle her fingers in the stream that flowed through her village at home. As she imagined her fingertips gliding through the cool clear rippling waters, she began to feel calm and a slow comfortable smile slipped across her lips to accompany her memories.  She’d had a happy childhood, no major upsets to taint the memories of endless summer days full of play and careless hours.  She had never worried about her future; as she had felt secure in her changeless, worry free world.  How little she had known of life!  Now, as she slowly walked towards the inner rooms of the temple towards the high priestesses quarters the air became thicker with the smell of incense. She felt a tiny shudder of apprehension.  Life at the temple had been good, in the sense it had provided her with learning, sustenance and a safe place to live, but now something new was afoot.  There was an uneasy, tense atmosphere within the temple and she had begun to feel unsettled.

As Mitra reached the doors to the inner chamber she saw two guards placed outside, an unusual occurrence as the inner sanctum of the temple was only for the initiated and considered the most holy of holies.  No one could enter here unless they were invited, so why were guards here?  Mitra straightened her tunic, and tried to clear her head.  The guards opened the doors and Mitra steadied her breathing and entered.  The darkness of the room was penetrated only by a number of small candles, and it took her a moment or two to focus on those before her.  The high priestess Iset motioned to the seat before her and indicated for Mitra to sit down.  Mitra looked around the room, there were several men she didn’t recognise, together with some she did, the court vizier and his scribe together with the high priest.  Mitra realised whatever was going on was serious, she remained silent and tried to keep her composure whilst the others finished their business.  She was too far away to hear the muted tones of their conversation.