Yaltha and Ana face both joyful reunion and dire threats in Alexandria. Yaltha confronts her past, finding her long-lost daughter, while Ana's act of kindness backfires, leading to a dangerous confrontation with Haran. As their world crumbles, they must rely on each other and their allies to escape the clutches of a vengeful enemy.
Chapter 81: Part XIV
In Alexandria, Yaltha confronts Apollonios, the man responsible for selling her daughter, Chaya. Instead of seeking revenge, Yaltha uses his guilt to her advantage, demanding he secure a position for their friend Lavi as a librarian in the Great Library. Apollonios, eager to atone, agrees to try. Lavi surprises Ana by asking her to teach him to read Greek, a requirement for the job. This highlights the theme of Feminism and Women's Voices, as Yaltha uses her intellect to manipulate a powerful man and create an opportunity for her friend.
On their way home, Ana is captivated by an artist painting a "mummy portrait"—a realistic image of a woman on wood, intended to be placed over her face in her coffin. Struck by the idea of preserving one's memory, Ana commissions a portrait of herself. Her motivation is not for her own death, but for Jesus. She imagines giving it to him so he will not forget her face during their long separation, a poignant reflection of her deep longing and the challenges facing their unconventional marriage.
Back in her room, Ana studies the finished portrait. The artist has captured her plainly, without adornment, yet she sees a "newfound woman" with level eyes, a bold chin, and strength in her jaw. The portrait becomes a powerful symbol of her burgeoning identity and The Search for Self and Personal Longing. It is not just an image for Jesus, but a reflection of the woman she is becoming in his absence—independent, resilient, and self-aware.
Chapter 82: Part XV
Three weeks pass. Ana secretly tutors Lavi in Greek, burning his practice sheets to hide the evidence from her uncle, Haran. During this time, Yaltha has been avoiding the one place they came to Alexandria to find: the Isis Medica temple where her daughter works. Ana, frustrated by the delay and spurred by a warning from Apion that Haran will return in two days, confronts her aunt.
Yaltha confesses her profound fear. She worries that Chaya, now an Egyptian woman serving a goddess, will not want to be found by the Jewish mother who abandoned her. She is terrified of being rejected and losing her daughter all over again. This moment reveals a deep vulnerability in the usually indomitable Yaltha, humanizing her and strengthening her bond with Ana, who sees her aunt as a "person of flaws and bruises like myself."
Ana reminds Yaltha of her own wisdom—that resisting a fear only strengthens it. Bolstered by Ana’s words and the ticking clock of Haran’s return, Yaltha resolves to face her fear. She declares that "it’s the truth that matters," and they agree to go to the temple the following day to find Chaya, setting the stage for the climax of their quest in Egypt.
Chapter 83: Part XVI
Ana and Yaltha dress in new tunics, looking like Alexandrian women, and make their way to Isis Medica. The temple complex is a vibrant, overwhelming place, filled with music, dancers, and rituals celebrating the birth of the god Horus. The scene introduces the theme of Alternative Faith and Spirituality, as Ana observes the foreign customs with curiosity rather than judgment. They enter the main temple and witness a mesmerizing ceremony led by a high priestess of Isis.
After the ceremony, as the crowd disperses, Yaltha’s gaze fixes on an attendant cleaning the floor near the altar. In a hushed voice, she says, "Diodora?" The young woman turns, and it is her daughter. Diodora bears a startling resemblance to Ana. Confused by the strangers, Diodora leads them to the portico of the "birth house," a shrine to Isis's motherhood. There, Yaltha reveals the truth: "I’ve come over a great distance to tell you that I’m your mother."
Yaltha recounts the story of her exile and Haran’s deception. Diodora, whose name was once Chaya, is stunned and skeptical. She asks the painful question of why Yaltha didn't return for her after the first exile ended. Yaltha explains that Haran lied, claiming he had given her up for adoption. Overwhelmed by a lifetime of loss and confusion, Diodora weeps before hardening herself. She tells them, "I do not think you should return," and walks away, leaving Yaltha to call out, "Daughter, I love you," into the empty air.
Chapter 84: Part XVII
A week after the painful encounter, life continues under a cloud of uncertainty. Lavi has secured the librarian position and plans to marry Pamphile. Haran returns, and his servant sees Ana give Lavi a gift of expensive papyrus, an act of generosity that will have dire consequences. The waiting ends when Diodora appears at their door, having risked coming to Haran’s house.
Diodora explains that her initial rejection was born of shock and hurt. After they left, Yaltha’s cry of "Daughter" and "love" echoed in her mind, convincing her to seek them out. They spend the evening sharing stories, piecing together the family that was stolen from them. Yaltha tells Diodora about a childhood doll named Mara, which Diodora tearfully reveals she still possesses—the only link to her life before being sold. Ana speaks of her life and her love for Jesus. The reunion culminates in Diodora kneeling before Yaltha and saying, "I wish to let myself be loved."
The tender moment is shattered when the door flies open and Haran enters. He had been told they had a visitor. His eyes fall on Diodora, and the fragile, newfound peace is instantly destroyed.
Chapter 85: Part XVIII
Haran recognizes Diodora, calling her by her birth name, Chaya. The confrontation is tense and immediate. Ana attempts to reason with him, subtly threatening to expose his crime of selling his niece into slavery, but Haran is driven by revenge and fear of disgrace. He dismisses her efforts and reveals his leverage: he knows Ana stole his papyrus.
He declares his intention to report them to the Romans not for the old murder charge against Yaltha, but for theft. The punishment, he gloats, is flogging, mutilation, and exile to western Nubia—"a place of no return." The threat is far worse than anything Ana faced in Galilee. Haran forces Diodora to swear an oath of silence and never to see them again, then allows her to leave. He locks Ana and Yaltha in their rooms, promising to deliver them to the authorities in the morning.
Trapped and terrified, their hope seems lost until a key turns in the lock. Lavi and Pamphile enter, having stolen a spare key. Yaltha quickly formulates a plan: they will flee to the community of the Therapeutae on the shore of Lake Mareotis, a sacred Jewish precinct where she will be granted sanctuary. They realize Lavi must flee as well, as Haran will suspect his involvement. With great sorrow, Lavi and Pamphile agree to a temporary separation. As they prepare to escape into the night, Ana gathers her most precious belongings: her scrolls, her money, the mummy portrait, and her incantation bowl.
Character Development
- Ana: Her self-perception solidifies as she sees her own strength reflected in her portrait. She acts as a catalyst, pushing Yaltha to face her fears. However, her impulsive generosity in giving Lavi the papyrus proves to be a reckless mistake with devastating consequences, showing she still possesses a dangerous naivete when dealing with her uncle.
- Yaltha: Her character gains significant depth as her profound fear and vulnerability regarding her daughter are revealed. The reunion with Diodora fulfills her deepest longing, but her joy is short-lived. In the face of Haran's ultimate betrayal, her resilience and quick-thinking return as she masterminds their escape.
- Diodora (Chaya): Introduced as a quiet temple attendant, she undergoes a rapid and emotional journey from a lost girl to a woman reclaiming her identity. Her initial rejection of Yaltha gives way to a deep need for connection and love, demonstrating her strength and capacity for forgiveness.
- Haran: His character is revealed in its full villainy. He is not merely greedy but vengeful, cruel, and motivated by a deep-seated fear of public shame. He is willing to destroy his family members to protect his reputation and exercise his power.
- Lavi: Lavi's loyalty and courage are fully realized. He transitions from a dependent friend to a proactive protector, risking his own safety and new career to rescue Ana and Yaltha. His marriage to Pamphile solidifies his place within their found family.
Themes & Symbols
Feminism and Women's Voices: The reunion of Yaltha, Ana, and Diodora creates a powerful matriarchal unit. When Haran confronts them, they stand together "as if to make a tiny fortress." Yaltha's intellectual maneuvering with Apollonios and Ana's commissioning of her own portrait are acts of female agency in a patriarchal world. Their collective story is one of survival and mutual support against male oppression.
The Search for Self and Personal Longing: This theme is central to Ana's journey. The mummy portrait is a physical manifestation of her evolving identity. She sees in it not just her likeness, but her inner strength. Yaltha’s decades-long search for her daughter is fulfilled, satisfying her deepest longing, while Diodora begins the process of understanding her own history and identity, piecing together the story of who she was and who she can become.
“Daughter, I love you.”
Yaltha's cry to Diodora encapsulates the enduring power of maternal love and the pain of separation. It is a desperate plea that lingers in the air, eventually reaching Diodora's heart and prompting her return. This moment highlights the depth of Yaltha's longing and her unwavering commitment to her daughter, despite the years of separation and the obstacles in their path.
Why This Matters
This section marks a crucial turning point in the novel. The central goal of the Alexandria plot—finding Chaya—is achieved, but this resolution immediately precipitates a new and more dangerous crisis. The threat escalates from potential arrest in Galilee to certain exile and oblivion in Nubia. This forces Ana and Yaltha out of the relative safety of Haran's house and propels them toward the Therapeutae, a community that represents a different way of life and will shape the next stage of Ana's spiritual and intellectual journey. The events solidify the alliances between Ana, Yaltha, Lavi, and Pamphile, cementing them as a found family bound by loyalty in the face of Haran's tyranny.