I shivered, and it pushed me alert. I knew that I had stood as long as I could, out here, and now must return to face what awaited me, whatever it might be.

Something had changed in the room, when I walked in, something seemed to shimmer in the air. I saw one of them en was now deep in conversation with Hagar, and I felt a flicker of extreme unease that this should be so. I poured the milk and water into clay cups and set them on the table. The one not in conversation smiled at me—I had not noticed how lizardlike his smile was-- and took a sip of both the water and the milk. I noticed he did not drink again the rest of the time he stayed with us.

I noticed his hands as they rested on the table. They were beautiful, long and white and delicate. Not the hands of a messenger, or a rider. Not even Pharaoh had had hands as well kept as these. I felt again that long flicker of unease.

At last he spoke.

“Do you not recognize me, my lady?”

But I did.