Chapter 3

Queen Tuya wandered through the gardens deep in thought as to how to proceed with the current situation.

She must be important if the gods felt the need to send her all this way, but when I prayed for my son success all those years ago I was hoping for aid in battle, not a waterlogged girl.

Looking up at the sky, the queen spoke allowed. "Are you entertained by my predicament? Is this your idea of a blessing?"

Nabneteru appeared beside the queen.

"I would not test the gods. They are more human than we realize and don't take lightly to threats."

The two continued on through the garden.

"Nabneteru, what do you make of the girl?" Tuya could not hide the desperation in her voice.

"Your majesty. I do not believe we must worry yet. The gods have a plan, and we can only aid it its completion, not change it."

"What do you suggest we do?"

"Nothing... for the time being. Let the girl show us what she is capable of before we make any decisions as to how to proceed."

The Queen nodded just as Pharaoh Seti rounded the corner. Queen Tuya face broke it in a radiant smile.

"My dear, you look stunning as always." remarked the Pharaoh as he came to stand next to his wife. "What were Preist Nabneteru and you discussing so intently before my presents disturbed you?"

"Your presence is always welcome my love," the queen responded in a voice like milk and honey. "We were only discussing the preparations for the ceremony; you know how I enjoy having my say in everything."

The Queen locked arms with the Pharaoh and began making their way around the garden, while Nabneteru quietly slipped out of the garden.

"Have you heard the story about our son's adventure in the Nile yesterday."

"Only that he dove in to save a citizen for drowning. I am afraid I do not partake in gossip." Queen Tuya smiled up at her husband; she knew how to play to her husband's pride; it was no accident that she was had been chosen as Head Wife.

"According to our son, the girl just appeared in the river. There were no other boats, and she was too far from the shore to have been swimming."

"How curious, I must go speak with the girl, and check on her well being."

Seti smiled and kissed his wife's cheek. "What did I do to deserve you?"

Tuya smiled, "I suppose only the gods know that."

They continue to walk amoungs the hundreds of flowers that convered the garden. " Speaking of our son. I have not seen him all day."

"I believe he has been sparing with Adom."

Seti gaze darkened. "The boy spends too much time with a sword in his hand and not enough with a pen." Seti scowled.

"He is young, let him enjoy his youth while he still can. I seem to remember you were not found books in your youth either." Tuya chided.

"That I was not, and I quickly learned that not all battle is own with blood. Ramasses must..."

Tuya broke in seeing the irritation rising in her husband's eyes. "I will speak with his tutors, how about we discuss the more pressing matters of state such as the ambassador visit," steering the conversation away from her son's escapades.

"That odious man cannot be left alone this time. He was found drunk in a temple last year."

I hid behind the corner as some guards passed just out of sight of me. Not that I was a prisoner or anything, but I wasn't entirely sure I was allowed to wander around the palace. Quietly, sprinting down the hallway in my bare feet, I made it out into a wide outdoor pavilion area. White sheets of thin fabric blew in the wind like clouds across the sky.

I began to make my way down the paved walkway marveling at the sheer magnitude of the place.

If I must be trapped, at least it will be a cage of beauty, I thought as I stood in awe of the magnificent architecture before me. As I approached the end of the promenade, the sounds of laughing and metal colliding reach my ears.

"Honestly, for the son of a god I expected more of a challenge."

"How dare you, I could have your head for that," the other voice said laughing.

"Ramesses, perhaps one of your sister who should be the next Pharaoh, not you."

Peaking around a column, doing my utmost not to be seen, I caught glimpses of the owners of the voices. One had hair black as the night, while the other's auburn hair stood out against the yellow sand beneath their feet like fire; both were wearing only a skirt made of the same white material as the curtains.

And there I stood, hidden from view, enjoying the banter between the two men while their swords danced in the air.

"What do you mean you can't find her?" Nabneteru exclaimed as the servant girl just shook her head.

"You never said she couldn't leave her room," the girl said defensively, "she couldn't have wandered too far. She didn't even take her shoes." The girl held up the pair of sandals that had been left on the stool.

"Fine, you go look in palace grounds, I will look inside."

"But its hot outside!"

"Don't argue with me, just go."

The servant girl walked unenthusiastic towards the door, while Nabneteru quickly departed down a hallway.

Adom's sword fell to the sand and Rameses hit the hilt.

"Ah, what can I say. I am bested again." Adom grinned playfully at Rameses who was drenched in sweat.

"One day, your arrogance will get you killed," Ramesses said picking up the sword from the sand.

"Look who is talking, I seem to remember someone almost lost his arm to a crocodile on nothing more than a dare."

The two turned to walk back to the palace. Ramesses stopped and put his finger to his lip.

"Wh..." Adom began before he also saw the shadow of a figure hiding behind the columns. Ramesses smiled and motioned for Adom to go left while he went right. They walk slowly over to their observe's hiding spot. The figure behind the wall seemed to sense a change in the air attempted to escape.

"What are you doing here and with no shoes?" Adom said stepping in front of the girl. His arm shot out to stop her from turning, but she was quicker than he expected.

"And where do you do think you're going. Didn't you hear the Prince ask you a question?" said Ramsses grabbing the girl by the upper arm winking at Adom. He was about to continue the game when saw the eyes of the girl.

"I am sorry to intrude. I was just curious, and I got lost exploring the palace." The girl started tripped over her words as the looked for a way to escape.

"Please, don't tell the Queen." She was now looking at Adom with panic in her eyes.

"You're the girl from the river," Ramesses said seeming not to have heard the apology.

"The one they pulled out yesterday?" Adom said with a confused look, "I thought she was dead."

"I am not dead you..." Whatever insult she had prepared for Adom was cut short.

"Natalie!"

All three heads turn to see the Nabneteru hurrying towards them.

"Where have you been, the servants and I were looking everywhere for you," Cried the priest taking Natalie from Ramesses.

"Thank you for finding her. I hope she was not bothering you. She is still recovering from her ordeal"

If this is her unrecovered she must be something fierce at full strength, Ramesses mused.

"Not at all priest," said Ramesses, "but tell me what does the Queen want with the girl."

Nabneteru froze as he was turning away. "Only to make sure she has fully recovered from her adventure in the river."

Ramses was clearly not satisfied with this answer but only nodded. "Very well. On your way."

"Thank you again." Nabneteru bowed, hurrying Natalie away with him.

"What was that all about?" asked Adom.

Ramesses didn't say anything just turned and walked away.

"Good talk," said Adom to himself as he stood alone in the Pavillion.