Chapter 10

*** I just want to say a quick thanks to my readers for your support. And now back to the story***

His father's ministers trailed behind him as Ramesses made my trek to the Great Hall for an audience. A messenger had arrived from the northern borders and requested a meeting due to the urgent nature of his news.

Ramesses's thoughts were interrupted by droning voices behind me.

"The ceremony will take place in two weeks' time when the moon is full," spoke one.

"And you must make sure to begin the proper rituals and prayers in order for your wedding to be blessed by the gods," another cut in.

"And the Pharaoh has asked to meet with you before to celebrations tonight," a third voice broke in.

They continue to rattle off more issues that he would personally have to see to before the day's end. But he would focus on those later.

The messenger from the north held special interest from him. Perhaps, he would be able to convince his father that action, aggressive action, must be taken to reinforce our power. Ramesses clenched his jaw in anticipation.

The massive doors were pulled open by the guards as he approached. Ramesses entered the hall that was full of ministers and scribes and took my seat next to my father.

"I am glad to see you are able to be on time for once," my father chided.

Expecting to hear his mother also comment on my unusual punctuality, Ramesses turned to face the slightly smaller seat next to the Pharaoh's.

It was empty.

"Where's the Queen?" he asked. It was unusual for his mother to miss any meetings in the Hall no matter the importance and seemingly unimportant.

"She had mother matters to attend to," Seti said absentmindedly.

"What other matters?" Ramesses asked not satisfied with the answer.

"She didn't say," Ramesses could tell by the sternness in his father's tone that he was done with this discussion.

Ramesses leaned back against the chair. When he became Pharaoh he would demand to be informed on any and all matters. He hated being kept in the dark.

Before Ramesses could fume more, the great doors to the Hall opened and the messenger approached the Pharaoh.

He bowed and looked up waiting for Seti to give him permission to speak.

Seti nodded.

"Greetings your majesty, a god among men. I bring less than good news form the north. Kadesh, as you know, has been reclaimed by the Hittites, however, they continue to encroach on our territories. Beruit has also fallen. In their wake, the Hittites pillage and destroy cities. What is to be done? Your people are suffering.

Silence followed. Rameseseslooked at my father, as Co-regent, he possessed more power than anyone in the Kingdom, besides the Pharaoh. He had no right to speak before his father. Regardless, Ramesses stood to face him, "We must take military action."

"Ramesses take your seat," Seti said firmly, "war is not always the best solution to a problem."

He kept going.

"If our enemies see that you are weak, what will stop them and others from also invading Egypt! You can not stand by an do nothing!"

Seti put his hand up to stop Ramesses his eyes burning with anger. Something Ramesses had only seen a few times. "This court is dismissed," Seti proclaimed loudly. No one moved. "EVERYONE OUT!" Seti shouted angrily.

The hall was empty of minsters hoards and servants in a matter of seconds.

Ramesses turned to look at my father who was still sitting in the central throne. Seti was not an aggressive man by nature. He preferred to use diplomatic methods to get what he wanted. He glared at me and rose from his seat. The two men stood facing each other.

"Don't you EVER question my authority in-front of this court! I am still Pharaoh, and untill I make the journey to the afterlife, you will do as I say," Seti said in an icy cold voice. "Contrary that what you think, I have not been doing nothing. While I am worried about our northern territories, I am far more concerned with matters close to home."

Seti paused, his look softening a bit.

"Our citizens must be fed, taxes must be collected, and do you know who must see to all that and more," Seti asked.

Ramesses knew that he wasn't really asking a question.

"However," my father continued" if you had let speak in court instead of losing your temper, I would have agreed that we must do something about the north."

Ramesses felt my spirits rise with anticipation in-spite of my previous failings.

Ramesses left the Great Hall spirits high. His father had agreed to let him go on a military campaign after his marital duties had been done. Overjoyed at getting his way, Ramesses strolled mindlessly through the palace.

The sight of his mother drew him out of his happy daydreams. She was leaving Natalie's room.

Why would my mother be visiting Natalie?

More secrets. He was growing impatient.

This last night of the Feast of Wagy was going to be more somber than the first night Chione had informed me. Which was probably a good thing considering how last night had ended. I began to walk towards the temple complexes.

In the back of my mind, a part of me wished that tonight would end in a similar manner as last time. I thought about the way Ramess's lips had felt against my neck and heat of his body pressed against my chest. I shivered at the memory. My smile faded; I remember if all went well I wouldn't be here after tonight.

As I approached the main temple complex of the palace, I did notice a change of atmosphere. It was still joyful but more intimate. Small groups of people were gathered around alters praying to and honoring their ancestors.

I wonder if I could pray to my family? They weren't dead, but they did exist in a world apart from mine.

I knelt at one of the alters and tried to feel my family. I am coming home soon. I promise I will never complain about dad's cooking or my sister's bad driving. I love and miss you both so much. I promise too...

Movement at of the corner of my eye attracted my attention. I turned to see Ramesses standing a little ways from me. His eyes danced with excitement.

I stood and walked over to small alcove where he was hidden from sight.

"Were you praying to your family?" Ramesses asked.

"Yes," I said trying to keep the sadness out my voice, "even though I don't remember them, I can still pray that they are ok," I say. It wasn't a complete lie. I look back at him.

"You are truly an amazing woman. Even in the face of complete despair you find hope," he said with a trace of envie in his voice.

I flushed a such a complement. "You look especially elated. Has something good happened? Beat Adom in a sword match?"

Ramesses took a step close to me. My stomach fluttered.

"Not quite," there was a pause. "My father has agreed to let me take action against our northern enemies."

"You mean war with the Hittites?" I remember from my lessons that there had been decades of war between the two lands.

Ramesses looked impressed, "Yes, I will leave in about a month."

"So soon?" I thought allowed.

Ramesses got a smug look on his face, "Will you miss me?"

I opened my mouth to make a rebuttal, but he spoke again.

"Now you must keep this a secret," he leaned in closer. His lips almost touching mine, "Do a better job with this one than the last one."

I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but my thoughts soon left me as Ramesses's lips met mine. This kiss was softer and slower than the night. His hands held my face as my hands went up to meet his. I could have stayed that way all night content to let the world pass me by, but Ramesses pulled back. My face must have shown my disappointment.

"Don't worry my beauty, I'll be back. I just need to take care of a few royal matters." He rubbed his finger gainst my lip and down my neck.

If only he knew how little time was left.

I stood there taking note of all the details of the scene, so I wouldn't forget a signal thing.

Then I turned my back on the Feast, Egypt , and Ramesses and went to find Rania.

I found her in the temple. She was dressed in a blood-red rode covered with gold tread that glided behind her has been approached me.

"Are you ready my dear?" She asked holding my hands.

I nodded afraid my voice would give away my fear.

She smiled, "There is no need to worry, everything will be ok. I have checked the stars and prayed to the gods, and it all is going as planned. Now follow me. We must not waist even a second."

Rania lead me to a small room at the heart of the temple with a stone table in the middle of the room. The walls were baren and only a single torch cast any light in the room. The room felt ancient and strange like something I had felt before. I shook off the feeling.

"Now," Rania said as she produced the amulet, "lie on the table and relax, you will be home soon."

I did as she told me too. The stone was hard and cold against my back. I closed my eyes and thought of home as Rania began to chant and the wind picked up.

Adom watched the river girl enter the temple of Isis and meet a priest. A concerned look came across his face. He turned to go but looked back. He paused. Then heaving a sigh, he began to walk up the temple stairs.

Where had she gone?

Natalie wasn't anywhere near where Ramesses had left her a few minutes ago. Nearly thirty minutes had passed now. Maybe she had gone back to the palace?

A hand grabbed his shoulder. Ramesses turned to see who it was.

"Adom, just the person I need to liven up the feast," he say excitedly that at least the night wouldn't be a total bore. But the look on his face was not one of excitement.

He leaned into Ramesses's ear and whispered.

His eyes hardened with concern. "Go after her, I need to find my mother."

Adom nodded and took off through the crowd.

Ramesses scoured the sea of people until he spotted his mother speaking to some members of the upper class. Pushing through the crowd Be make eye contact with my mother as he came closer.

Ramesses smile at the people, "If you will excuse me I need to speak to my mother."

"Of course your highness."

Ramesses spoke in a low cold voice, "Why did Adom see Natalie enter the Temple with a priestess tonight?"

The Queen looked confused then worried then fear set in on her face.

"Who was she with?" she asked anxiously.

He didn't understand his mother's reaction.

"I don't know, Adom just said she was in red?" I said confused why it mattered.

"We must hurry before it's too late," she said pulling Ramesses through the crowd.

He stomach formed a knot.

To late for what?

The wind was now howling in my ears and the table seemed to grow warmer.

"Is this suppose to happen?" I asked Rania without opening my eyes.

"Yes my dear, now I need you to imagine your happiest memory of home and hold on to it. I am going to begin to ritual," Raina instructed.

"I thought back to the Christmases of my childhood when magic was still real, and I only knew innocence.

Rania began chanting in a language that I vaguely recognized. It was an ancient form of Egyptian that Nabneteru had said was no longer in use.

I focused my mind back on my memory. I thought of the cookies my sister and I would make, the smell of the tree in our living room, and the smile on my father's face as we opened out poorly wrapped presents. The image seemed so real. I could feel the trees waxy needles and feel the fire burning next to it smell the hot chocolate.

"That's it. Let yourself go," a voice whispered.

And I did.

Ramesses run in front of his mother as they reach the temple. Adom ran out the entrance at the top of the stairs and hurridly motion for them to follow. Racing up the stairs, Ramesses felt anxiety courses through me. Please let her be ok.

The queen and Ramesses meet up with Adom in the large, open area of the temple that was empty.

"Follow me," Adom said. They ran after to him down a hallway to a small room. Ramesses felt a gust of wind hit me. Where could that be coming from?

Then a horrifying scene met his eyes.

Natalie was laying on a table that was slowly being swallowed by flames and the strange wind was causing them rise faster. There was a woman with a red cloak chanting and standing over Natalie's motionless body holding something in her hands. Without thinking, he stormed into the room; the Queen reached out to stop her son, but she's too late.

Ramesses came up behind the woman and grabbed the object from her hands, but before He could see her face, pain shot through hand and up my arm. Ramesses dropped the object and it rolled away. The woman reached to try and grab it as it rolled across the floor. She had almost reached it when a hand reaches out to grad and carful held the amulet.

Queen Tuya held the object and faced the woman whose cloak's hood had now fallen.

"Ranai, what have you done?" the Queen asked.

Then it all goes dark. The winds died, and the fire m extinguished. By the time Ramesses's eyes adjust to the small torchlight, the woman in red has gone.

He race over to Natalie who is still lying on the table cold and unmoving. Oh god please don't be dead. She can't be dead, he thought desperately as he pick her up off the table and hold her close to me. She seemed to much smaller somehow in his arms now.

The Queen came over and placed her hands over Natalie's heart, closed her eyes, and began to mutter something under her breath.

Ramesses held his breath waiting for his mothers answer.

She sighed, "She not dead," Ramesses felt himself relax, "but she is not alive either. Her soul has been trapped somewhere in the middle." His mother removed her hands from Natalie worry stricken across her face.

"What does that mean!" Ramesses asked anger building in his chest, "Why has someone done this!"

The Queen places her hand on her sons shoulder's trying to comfort him.

Ramesses was furious. Be could feel anger is coursing through his whole being.

A feeling of helpless washes over him.

He will find who did this, and he will kill them.