Chapter 15

Queen Tuya was laid out on the lounge being fanded. Her group of female servants sat around her unsure what do with the poignant silence. Queen Tuya just continued her rhythm as she looked out over the river. Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

"My dear, what troubles you so?"

The Queen turned to face her husband. Her smile almost faltered when she saw who was at his side.

"High Priestess, how nice to see you," Queen Tuya said.

"Please, we have been family for years now. How many times must I tell you to call me Rania." Rania stood next to Seti with their arms interlocked.

Queen Tuya did not make a move to rise from her lounge, "One more time I fear, Priestess."

The two women eyes locked on each other.

Rania tried to fill the silence, "I was so saddened to hear about the loss of a prince of Egypt. I came as soon as I could get away from my duties."

Yes, and those duties have nothing to do with those robes you so proudly wear, thought the Queen.

"Thank you for your support sister. But there is no need to worry. Ramesses will have more children and wives," Seti said releasing her hand to sit by his wife.

"Why don't you come with us out in the river this afternoon?" Seti asked his wife.

Queen Tuya placed her hand on his face. "You know I would love to, but alas I already have a previous engagement." She turned to look a Rania. "Besides the river can be a dangerous place. One must watch themselves out there in the open."

Rania just smiled back.

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"Something must be done. Rania has my Husband wrapped around her finger. She whispers things in his ear, and he, being an indulgent brother, gives in." Queen Tuya walked with Nabneteru in her gardens, "And it has been three months. Why has Isetnofret not conceived another child yet?"

Nabneteru looked uneasy.

"Perhaps I didn't choose wisely when I selected Isetnofret," Queen Tuya said, "Maybe it is time for Ramesses to marry again."

"Give it time you majesty," Nabneteru said not looking at the Queen.

"If my son does not produce heirs then the people will think him weak, and Egypt could fall into another period of uprise and civil war."

"It will not come to that."

"How can you be sure?" the queen snapped.

Nabneteru took a deep breath, "I am going to tell you something, but you must promise to remain calm."

Queen Tuya could already feel her blood rise at the words, but she repressed it.

"Go ahead," she said picking a flower.

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"That insulates girl!" cried the Queen crushing the flower. It's petals now littered the ground.

Nabneteru quickly broke in, "You must remember it is not her fault."

"Of course it is. She was told not to leave, and she deliberately disobeyed our orders. And don't think I don't know who she spends her nights with. Now a child is dead because of her carelessness. "

"Your majesty you must not..."

"What's a wrong mother?"

Queen Tuya tried to hide her anger as Ramesses approached the two.

"Nothing, I am just expressing my sadness to Nabneteru, that we have been unable to find a way to uncover any information about Natalie's family."

Ramesses looked skeptical, but continued, "Have either of you seen Natalie?"

"No, but don't you think you should spend time with your wife?" the queen asked with a knowing look.

"That's just it. I haven't seen much either of them these past few weeks."

Nabneteru, who had been quiet the whole time, finally spoke up, "I think I know where they are."

I watched as Isetnofret spoon-feed a small child from across the room. It had taken me a little while to convince her to come with me, but she eventually caved to my insisting. She was also the only one I had told about my secret trips outside the palace besides Nabneteru. I had attempted to ask Ramesses for help, but it had not played as planned if you know what I mean.

I had come across a petition while helping Isetnofret before the birth. I knew it would never be taken seriously by the council, so I took matters into my own hands and come to find the authors of the petition.

"Thank you, my ladies, for all you have done," said the old woman whose name I had learned was Sarah.

"There is no need to thank me. I only wish I could do more."

"Sometimes simply being there for people is more help than any gold or silver could buy," said Sarah watching Isetnofret coo at the small child. It was one of the few smiles I had seen since she lost her own.

The sun was beginning it's decent. I walk over to Isetnofret and told her it was time to go. We put on our conservative head scarfs so we wouldn't be recognized are people from the palace, and began the trek back to the palace. Isetnofret was quiet for most of the walk.

"You know," she finally said, "I never cried for my baby."

I wasn't sure what to say, "We all grieve in different ways."

"Yes, but shouldn't I cry or feel anger or something. I just feel numb."

I took her hand in mine, "There is no right way to deal with death, and you will have more children and then you will have no time for me."

"Not if Ramesses continues to stay away from my bed."

My stomach sank. I knew where Ramesses has spent a fair share of his night, but I had assumed that he last spent some with Isetnofret too. A small part of me kinda liked that he was mine, but I knew it could not continue.

The steps of the palace stood in front of us, and as we reached the top, an angry voice called out.

"What do you think you're doing!"

Ramesses stood in the middle of the long, columned hall. There was a look of anger on his face I had never seen before. Before I could come up with a lie Isetnofret spoke.

"Natalie took me into town to help a house for women who have fallen on hard times. She thought it would lift my spirits."

Why couldn't she have lied.

Within seconds Ramesses inches from my face. "You took my wife to a whore house!" His eyes were furious, and I realized I was afraid of him. I took a step back.

Isetnofret stepped between us. "Ramesses, my love she didn't..."

"And you agreed to go with her." I could see she wasn't helping our cause.

"I am not one of your concubines that can keep locked up till you want me," I bursted out. Maybe it was my anger at losing my family. Maybe it was the guilt about his child. Or maybe I finally translated one too many scrolls about people who were struggling to survive, but I let it all out.

"I am sick of being trap in this prisons waiting for someone to tell me I can go somewhere!" The heat was rising in my face.

"Isetnofret, please leave us." Ramesses's voice was suddenly calm.

"But," Isetnofret tried before he gave her a murderous look. She bowed and walk away.

It was just Ramesses and me.

"Nabneteru told me everything."

"Everything?" My voice shook. About Rania? About the baby? Ramesses knew I murdered his child.

"Yes, about how you have been seeking out the palace and wandering in the streets by yourself. Did you forget that you almost died!"

I waiting for him to say it.

"Why must you be so reckless! All for some dirty presents."

I was so shocked that that was it. This is what he was so mad about. I didn't speak for a moment. Then his words hit me.

"No, I have not forgotten. If anything its made me realize how valuable all life is. They are not just dirty presents. They are your people, and someone needs to help them even if all your ministers and councilmen won't," I yelled back.

He didn't say anything back, which was scarier than him yelling. I wanted him to yell at me.

"Get out is my sight," Ramesses said coldly.

Before he could change his mind, I ran.