Chapter 11

A mess of scrolls, maps, and tools were spread out over the large wooden table that Rameses was bent over. The group of men surrounded the table all talking in strained low voices.

"Perhaps we should send our spies out before we arrive at Beruit," one of the men spoke up.

"And risk giving away our whole entourage before we even get there?" one of the older men responded, "I think not."

"Then what do you recommend Djau?" the younger you man argued. "You sit a there all-knowing and yet silent. Why don't you contribute and idea to the conversation?"

Ramesses put his hand up, "I will not have this petty argument at my table." He turned to the young man who had admonished Djau, "If you wish to act like a child, then you may join the dirty children who play in the streets. Djau has seen and won far more battles than anyone at this table, so you will pay him the respect he deserves."

There was silence. Ramesses turned back to the table and pointed at the map and the conversation continued. "We will strike from here. The enemy won't get be expecting a full-force attack from the front, so we must use that to our advantage," Ramesses proclaimed.

The men continued discussing attack strategies and tactics late into the night until a plan was finally agreed upon. As the men filtered out of the room, Adom, who had been silent for much the meeting, came to sit next to a tired-looking Ramesses.

Ramesses was usually grateful for any company, however, right now all, he simply wanted to be alone with his thoughts in silence.

"Planning war on the night of before your wedding ceremony. That's one way to keep yourself occupied I suppose," Adom said with a chuckle.

Ramesses only nodded.

There was a long pause before Adom spoke again.

"You know, I had grown rather attached to our river girl."

Ramesses felt his muscles tense.

"She was a bit odd, but aren't all foreigners?" Adom continued is a casual tone. "She was a pretty little thing though. Sad she's gone. I going to miss watching those full bre..."

Adom was cut short as Ramesses stood up from his chair. "Would you just shut up for once. She is not going to die!"

Adom leaned back from Ramesses. "Look I'm sorry," he muttered to himself, "I don't you were so attached."

"Then perhaps you would do well keep your mouth shut on the topic till you are better informed." Ramesses snapped. She had to be ok, there was nothing physically wrong with her that the Priest had informed him of. All she had to do was wake up.

"Look, I really am sorry," Adom tried again.

"I know you are," Ramesses responded calmer now as he sat back down.

"It just Natalie, along with the war, and on top of all of it there is Isetnofret."

"Well you will be on top of that last one soon enough," Adom said with a grin at Ramesses.

Ramesses couldn't help but smile too. "That's one duty I am happy to give my full attention to."

"I do not understand why she has not come around," Queen Tuya said setting the wine glass on the table. "Those Priest are useless with all there show and pompous." She threw the scroll down on the desk.

Nabneteru said nothing.

"I don't mean you Nabneteru," Queen Tuya said in response to his silence.

"I thank you, but if I am being honest, I don't entirely understand what has happened to the girl."

Queen Tuya paced the room. "The Priestess tried to preform a soul harvesting ritual. It is a ritual from the time of Pharoh Khufu; these kinds of rituals are now band, and only a handful of people know even of them let alone how to reform them."

Nabneteru nodded, "Why did the Priestess want Natalie? Do you think she knows of her origins, but why would that matter?"

Queen Tuya made a disgusted look, "Rania has always known more than was good for her."

There was silence as realization dawned on Nabneteru's face, "what is to be done?"

"Nothing, accusing the Pharaoh's sister of such a crime would result in death, and it would not be Rania's.

The fire crackled as I watched the logs and red embers burn.

"What are you still doing here?" a soft voice said behind me.

I turned to see a woman with soft, familiar features come to sit next to me.

"Just waiting for the fire to go out Mama."

She pulled me close, "You know that's not what I meant."

I looked up confused, "I don't understand?"

She smiled and kissed my forehead. "Its time go back now sweetie."

"No!" I cried Squeezing her tight to me.

"I will always be here Natalie, even if you can't see or hear me. But you don't belong here yet."

I looked up into eyes I had only seen in pictures.

"Do you understand?" she asked.

I nodded.

Isetnofret held on to Natalie's hand, "I have so much I want to tell you about. It is my last day as a normal noblewoman, tomorrow I will be a future queen." She looked at Natalie's expressionless face. "And Ramesses misses you too; he's been planning his military campaign for weeks now."

There were footsteps approaching the room. Isetnofret turned to see Ramesses standing in the hallway.

"The servants are looking for you. Something about the bathing processes," Ramesses said.

Isetnofret nodded and turned back to Natalie, "I must be going, now but I'll be back." She stood to leave to room. Ramesses stopped her before she left.

"Why do you talk to her? She can't hear you."

"I think she can, and she might be lonely in this room day with no one to keep her company," she said sadly, "I know what it's like to feel alone in this world."

Ramesses nodded.

"She will be alright, I know it," Isetnofret said placing a reassuring hand on his face. Ramesses reach to touch her hand and looked into her eye.

"You should talk to her."

Ramesses shook his head.

"As you wish your Highness." Said Isetnofret and left him in the doorway.

What was I supposed to say? thought Ramesses. If I couldn't protect those closest to me, how was I suppose to protect this country? I couldn't stand to look at her laying there so lifeless on the bed.

He turned from the sight of her to go prepare for the ceremony tomorrow.

Adom loved any excuse for drinking and weddings were one of the best excuse. And a royal wedding was even better. He looked around the hallway confused. Dammit, he thought. He was at the wrong room...again. Why did this always happen? Regardless he opened the door hoping to find somewhere to sleep off his drunkness.

He had not expected to find Natalie lying asleep on the bed.

"You," he said pointing drunkenly at her. It took him a minute to gather his thoughts, "You need to get your shit together. I don't know how some nobody from a river can be this problematic, but here we are."

The world was starting to spin a bit, so he sat on the bed before he fell to the floor. He had not enjoyed that experience the last time he was drunk.

"Honestly," he continued as Natalie lay motionless, "I can't say anything without Ramesses getting all hot-headed." He leaned close to her face, "you are beautiful I give you that, but is the sex really that good?"

Her lips look full and red. Adom lead in closer feeling the softness of her lips against his.

WACK!

"Owch!" Adom cried as a hand boxed his ear, "what was that for?"

He quickly stood up from the bed in shock. "Your not dead."

"Why must you keep preemptively assuming my death?" Natalie said holding her head. "Ugh my head," her stomach growled, "my stomach too."