Gardens!

[venerable_ibis]

"...And of trees, of course I have the doum palm, which is dear to me, and the date and the dellach palms; the persea and the fig-sycamore; the almond and the carob; the acacia and the pomegranate. You will not see the ished-tree itself, for that is not kept in my little garden. But I think you will like what you do see, it is shady and quiet..."

As they step from the Milliways library through the door to Djehuty's mansion, he absent-mindedly takes his more usual form. On the other side lies a stone-floored hallway, warm and dry. A baboon greets them with a reverent gesture and begins to make a report to Djehuty--and of course there's no Milliways to translate. But after Djehuty nods to the baboon and makes a brief reply, he switches to French. He's made a quick study.

"This is my home--welcome, Jehan Prouvaire, Beloved of Bast. We are still in the afterlife, in the Duat, and there are many dead here, many gods and many fearsome things, but no one will disturb us in the garden but my ibises."

Comments

[venerable_ibis]

"You are a very welcome guest," Djehuty answers quietly. "I am glad that you like my garden. --Ah, no, there is only one benu. But we have also birds somewhat like it, herons and wagtails, bitterns, egrets. Of course you know my ibis..."

Djehuty is more than capable of nattering on sociably about birds and gardens, and it is a pleasant time and place for just that, while other thoughts settle themselves.