Chapter 7

Dawn had just begun to spread its rosy fingers over the earth when I woke. A gentle wind drifted through my window causing the curtains to lazily drifted inward.

I quietly rose to form my bed and made my way down the maze of hallways. The only people I saw were the servants of the palace who only gave me only a sparing glance.

I made my way to the river's edge. At first, I didn't see the boat that Rania had told me would be there. I was expecting a large and ornate ship that would carry to the temple. What I did find was a small raft with a sail and a young man laying on the raft.

He sat up when he saw me and motioned to come aboard.

"Are you the one Rania spoke of?"

He didn't answers as she helped me aboard.

Pushing off from the dock, we began to sail the raft to the other side of the river. I watched the sun slowly climbing in the sky. According to the walls of the palace, a battle is fought every night just so it can rise again. If Ra were to lose his fight then the sun would never rise again, and the world as we know it would end.

The raft reached the other side. A massive temple and city of houses surrounding greeted me.

"Thank you," I said turning to the man. He opened his mouth revealing what was left of a tongue and smiled. A shiver went down my spine.

I turned to face the Temple of Isis. I had expected Rania to be waiting for me to arrive. But there was no one outside the temple. Maybe she is waiting for me inside? I climbed the stairs and entire a room covered to beautiful, colored drawing lit by the slanted light of the sun coming through the windows.

The wall showed scenes of Isis protecting the children of Egypt and healing the sick with her magic. Nabnetur had insisted I study Isis as the 'feast' that was approaching was in honor her husband Osirus, the god of death and the underworld, who appeared next to her. He lacked the colorful paint of Isis. The Egyptians were obsessed with the topic of death and achieving immortality. Nabneteru had explained the long and complex process of preparing a body to travel to Osiris's lands.

There was still no sign of Rania anywhere. Was this just a joke! I was getting heated. I did not appreciate being the butt of anyone's joke. As I rounded a corner, I found myself looking into the eyes of a dog on a man's body. There was something about the image that both scared me and drew me in. The dog-headed man seemed to be trying to take something from Isis. I could feel the envy coursing through the man. He wanted what she had so badly. I reached out to touch the painting.

Wind and sand stung my face. I saw men littering a battlefield. Blood soaking the sand. I tried to walk but the wind blew harder. Falling to my knees in exhaustion, I looked down and saw a body being cover by the sand. I quickly tried to brush the sand off. I worked my way up the body to where the head was. As I wiped away the sand the blood-soaked face of Ramesses looked back at me. His hand lifted to touch my face before fallowing back to the ground. I watched helplessly as the dessert consumed his body. Screaming, I futility moved the sand away only to have it fill up faster.

I looked around. I was alone. With nothing but sand dues to hear my cries.

"Natalie!"

I shook my head I was back in the temple with Rania who looked concerned.

"I'm fine. Just drifted off. Nothing to worry about."

Rania didn't look convinced, but she didn't push me.

"I am glad you took me up on my offer."

Wasn't really an offer though was it?

She leads me into a small room off the main part of the temple. The room was lit by a signal torch. In the middle was an altar with incense burning and oil dripping. The smell was so overpowering that got a contact high after only being in the room for a few minutes.

Rania was gathering some scrolls and standing by a wall full of hieroglyphs. Without looking up she motioned me to come over.

"These scrolls discuss the movement of the stars, and how certain omens are to be interpreted. And this", she said gesturing at the wall of hieroglyphics behind her, "is a prayer to ask Isis to bring balance." She looked at me knowingly.

I stared at her like an eager child who wants to please a parent but does not know how.

When she saw that I wasn't going to put it together she spoke. "I can send you back home to your time."

Joy washed over me. I could go home. See my sister, father, friends, and graduate high school. Hell, I would even be excited to take a test at this point. But something pocked at the back of my mind. I look at Rania and took a step back.

"How do you know where I come from. Only the queen and Nabnetur know."

Rania smiled, "I have my ways. People in the palace who tell me things. But what does it matter? You could go home."

I didn't come closer.

"I want to help, I promise." She looks so sad that I wasn't happier. Her eye pleaded with me.

What does it matter how she knows. The end result is the same you get to go home. What does it matter who does the deed? Air conditioning, remember that! Would it not be great to see your room again.

I let out a sigh, "how do we do it?"

Rania smile and began to explain the plan.

The raft captained by tongueless man moved slowly but steadily across the river with the water beating against the raft and occasional spray hitting me in the face.  I went over the plan in my head. According to Rania, the stars would be aligned perfectly the day after the last day of Feast of Wagy. I was to meet her in the temple at sunset, but I would need an offering, specifically a certain amulet of Thoth. She had given me a rough drawing of the amulet. If I wanted to go home, I had to uncover its location. All Rania knew was that it was in the palace.

"Won't someone notice it is missing?" I queried.

"No, it hasn't been used by any of the Pharaoh's priest in years. No one will even know it is gone."

Why do you care? You want to go home... right?

"Yes," I whispered under my breath.

The raft docked, and I quickly leaped onto the steps outside the palace. I turned and smile at the man. I felt bad that didn't know his name. I quietly snuck into the palace. Only a few feet from the sanctuary of my room my plans were foiled.

"Natalie, wait."

I turned abruptly to see Ramesses running towards me. I sighed in relief.

"Did you think I was someone else?"

"Nabnetur," I said with a sheepish smile, "I thought you were him coming to tell me I had another scroll to translate or history less to memorize."

"Someone has been quite the diligent student." Ramesses grind.

"I don't even know why he wastes his time with it considering..." I paused.

"Considering what?" Ramesses said seriously looking me in the eyes.

I turned away. "Considering that am never going to use this in real life," I attempted the change to subject. "And what about you. I have not seen you these past few weeks. What have you been so diligently working on."

"I will have you know," he began with a little arrogance in his voice, "that I have been working tirelessly to keep this country safe from threats."

The conversation I had with Adom came back to my mind. "So there will be a war." My voice was low and concerned.

Ramesses took surprised, but he continued. "Not right now, father wants to avoid at all cost, but if tensions continue to build then there will be war." He was silent for a moment, and I saw a concerned but determined look replace the young, jovial mask that he always had on. The look faded as he turned his attention back to me. We were now sitting by the pool in the middle of the courtyard outside my room. I played with a water lily, it's watercolor of pinks captivating me.

"I guess that's why my father ranged my marriage. He thinks it will strengthen contract with allies and distracts the people." Ramesses with little interest.

I about joined the fishes in the pond after that sudden remark. "Your getting married, to who?" I tried to say calmly. Why should I care about his marriage?

"Yes, her name is Isetnofret, she is part of the royal family."

Not entirely sure what you ask prince about a future spouse I did my best, "do you... I mean do you like her?"

"She is nice enough I suppose, I have spoken to her on a few occasions." We were quiet for a few seconds before he spoke again. "Are you coming the Feast of Wagy?"

I jumped at the new topic, "Yes, I think Chione would die of sadness if I didn't have some stories to tell her. I have never been to such a large party. What is it like?"

"It's weeks of preparations with culminates in a two nights an endless food, drink, and magic. You are in for quite the treat." Ramesses said with confidence as if it was by his own making that such a night should exist at all.

I laughed, "Then I will make sure I dress for the occasion."

"I am sure whatever you wear will be captivating."

I flushed at that and picked the lily I had been playing with. "I am sure no one will be looking at me with you and your new bride," I said places the lily in my hair and smiled. "Am I ready for the party?"

Ramesses looked at very seriously and opened his mouth to speak.

"My lady you need back in your room." A servant had appeared in the courtyard.

I quickly stood up. "Coming," I turned to Ramesses, "I will see you at the feast, and I will have you know I have high expectations. Don't disappoint me."

"Never," Ramesses said with mocked sincerity.

With that, I turned to follow the servant to my room. My heart is pounding. Am I really that out of shape.

Ramesses watched as the strange girl ran out of the courtyard. Her black curls bounding in accordance with her steps. The lily she had placed in her hair had fallen on the floor. He walked over to pick it up and walk out the courtyard.