Chapter 9

There was pressure at the end of my bed. Not ready to be released from sleep, I turned over to face away from whoever was there.

The weight moved closer to me.

I pulled the sheet over my head.

"Oh no, you don't," said Chinoe said as she pulled the sheet back down, "I let you sleep long enough. Look, the sun is already beginning its descent."

I sat up slowly. My head was spinning from the wine and what had happened last night with Ramesses. I looked out the window and saw that the shadows were, indeed, already growing long.

"Now, start from the beginning," Chinoe said taking her place by the end of my bed sitting cross-legged eagerly. "And don't leave a thing out, remember I know what you and the Prince did."

Chione sighed lying on her back, "It's all so romantic." She sat up suddenly with an intense look in her eyes. "Do you think you will marry the Prince?"

My smile was quickly replaced by confusion and then horror. "Ramesses already has a bride, and she is royalty or someone high up in the court I assume."

Chinoe waves her hand at my statements, "Oh Pharaohs always have more than one wife, usually four or five, but they can have more."

"Five wives!" I said shocked.

"Of course, there is a whole kingdom to run, the Pharoh needs help and people who he can trust. Who better than wives?"

I laid back again the headboard thinking over what Chinoe had just said. Egypt was an immense land, with millions of people inhabiting the land. Any leader would need all the help they could get. But sharing a husband. Where I come from its taboo, but here it is just a way of life.

After repeatedly telling Chinoe that I would indeed be back in plenty of time to get ready for the second night of the feast, I left my room and walk towards the gardens. A quick look around assured me that I was alone, and I quickly head back to the royal wives' chambers.

I stopped in the middle of the courtyard looking at the numerous rooms that surrounded the courtyard. I wondered what the women who had lived here were like. If they were happy? If they were loved?

I finally located the room. I had chosen it because of the beautiful blue sapphire ceiling that was dotted with thousands of stars. I could have died happy looking at it for the rest of my life.

Checking around me, I opened the chest at the foot of the bed, moving aside scrolls and clothing of someone's else's life to reveal a small circular amulet with a gold beetle and a smooth ruby over it. I had gone to the lowermost floors of the palace, where the air was cool heavy. There had been numerous rooms full of gold statues and altars used for prayer by the royal family and priests. Rania didn't know what the amulet would look like, only that there was a red stone.

As I had continued down the corador the, air grew heavier and colder. I was somewhere where only a few living things had been before. Something had told me to turn to my left and go into a small room almost at the end of the hallway. There was a single candle flickering at the base of the altar and above it was the amulet I now held in my hand. I felt something calling me to emulate or telling me trying to runway. Before I had a chance to talk myself out of it, I had grabbed the amulet and the candle went out.

I place the amulet safely in my folds of fabric around my breast and turned to leave the beautiful room. I was almost out of the courtyard when I saw Isetnofret standing in one of the rooms. Making sure the amulet could not be seen, I approached her. She turned as she heard me approach.

"Oh, hello." She said with a small smile.

"Hello, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be getting ready for the party?" I ask.

"I suppose," she replied, "I wanted to see the room I was going to call mine after my marriage."

I flushed a little remembering what I had done with her fiance this morning.

"It's rather lonely here, don't you think?" Isetnofret continued looking at all the empty rooms.

"I like the think of it as peaceful. My sister and I shared a room, and it was anything but peaceful. I use to dream of having a room to myself." I laughed.

"I only have two brothers, and they were always away, and my mother and father were always busy. My life was very 'peaceful'", she smiled at me. "But now I have a friend. You will still come to see me even after the wedding ceremony?"

This friendship was moving a little fast, but it sounded like she had never had anyone to confided in before.

"Of course," I said with a smile, "I might be the one asking you to make time for me. Beginning Queen is a full-time job."

"Don't worry about that. I have been well prepared for my role."

I looked at Isetnofret and saw a look of confidence and determination I didn't know she was capable of. It hadn't occurred to me that she had most likely been pairing for this role her whole life.

She turned to me, "Will I see you tonight at the feast?"

"Of yes, Chione wouldn't let me miss an opportunity to acquire more stories."

I threw the door to my room open, ready to be poked and prodded by Chione in preparation for tonight's festivities. But I did not see Chione.

Queen Tuya stood in the middle of my room.

I froze. After meeting Rania, I was no longer certain who I could put my trust in, and the queen!continued to illude me with the purpose, and her intentions for me.

I made a quick bow. My tutoring had taught me more than just hieroglyphs, languages, and politics. I had also begun to understand the silent edict of the upper class. It is often the case that the unspoken rules are equally or more important than that of the spoken rules.

She motioned for me to be seated. I did so.

A second of few silents pass before Queen Tuya spoke.

"Nabneteru tells me you are quick to learn and have even begun to learn hieroglyphics. There are few who can claim to write and understand those."

I couldn't help but shift my shoulders back with pride. "Yes, I have quite enjoyed my lessons."

What was I supposed to say? That I had nothing better to do so it was easy to focus on the lessons Nabneteru gave me.

"That's good. Knowledge is like money in the palace. The more you know the more power you can wield," Queen Tuya said with a small hint of pride on her face.

What power would I need to wield?

"I came here because I want to know more about where you come from in order to help get you home."

I didn't think it would be wise to tell her about the Priest Rania plan to help me. So I just nodded.

"So what is the place you are from called?"

Why was my mother never around when I actually need her? She was always around when I didn't want her there ready to give her opinion on everything.

I sat at the table in the Great Hall completely alone something I usually craved but not today. My father continued to do nothing as our enemies slowly encroached on our northern territories. I was still grumbling to myself when I saw Isetnofret enter the hall. Her eyes asked if she could approach. I motioned for her.

She glided over and stood a few feet from my chair. Her hips sliding smoothly under the thin fabric of her dress.

"Is everything alright my dear?" I asked not sure why she had come to talk.

"Oh, everything is fine your highness. You had a look of worry on your face when I walk by, and I wanted to see if I could help."

I could tell by her eyes that she meant it. If I couldn't trust my wife then who could I trust?

I sighed, "my father refuses to take more aggressive action against our enemies in the north. We have slowly been losing land for years and still, he does nothing."

She sat there contemplating the issue for a few moments. "Your father has let you go on military campaigns before had he not, and you are a coregent or Egypt. Could not simply present your case to the Pharaoh?"

"I have tried, but at the end of the day my father is Pharaoh, and he gets the final say.  And he says no." I knew I was pouting like a child, but I didn't like being told no. I was also a little disappointed that I had not seen Natalie today to continue last night's adventures.

"Perhaps you simply need to find a new facade for your idea. Instead of military champain think of something else that could accomplish the same goal." She said looking thoughtful.

"Is there another name for war that I don't know about?" I ask sarcastically.

She smiles. "I am sure you will think of something your highness."

"You can call me Ramesses you know. We are getting married." I said picking up her hand and kissing it.

"Yes, but we aren't married yet are. So that will have to wait," she said with a sly look in her eyes. "At least you told the court about our wedding so I don't have to keep it a secret anymore. Though, I think the word may have already gotten around."

I sat up suddenly. Was there a spy in court, a person who can be trusted? "What do you mean?" I said concerned for her safety.

"Well, last night I meet a young woman with stunning green eyes who was quite consumed by wine and almost by the crowed. She already knew about our engagement."

I looked as saw Isetnofret holding back a laugh. I relaxed.

"You met Natalie I assume," I relaxed. That explains the 'friends' comment. Someone would have to tell her to be more careful about who she let know about palace information.

"Yes," continued Isetnofret, "interesting woman. Thought something about her seems out of place. As if she belongs to a different world. And she wasn't wearing a wig. Is she not part of the royal court?"

"No, she came here by strange means. But I will let her tell you that story. She has a way with... words." I smiled thinking about the feel of her breast against my chest. I stood to go continue the search for my elusive mother.

"I think Natalie and I are destined to be friends," Isetnofret said suddenly.

"Oh, I plan on it," I said smiling to myself as I walked out the Great Hall.

"Perfect," said Chinoe, "the prince will look at nothing else."

"Except his wife," I countered.

"Perhaps, but I won't be so sure," Chinoe said with a knowing look.

She shoved me out the door, and I began to make my way toward the distant sound of music thinking of the dancing and drinking that awaited me.

An arm reached out from the shadows to grab me. I almost screamed untill I saw Rania's face.

"You scared me," I said breathlessly.

"I apologize. Did you get the amulet?" Rania asked seriously.

"Yes."

"Excellent, meet me at the great altar in the palace with the emulate when the moon is high. Tonight I will send you back from wince you came."

"I nodded," unsure as to why I felt uneasy.