Chapter 8

People hurried about in every direction carrying loads of fabrics, bouquets, and mounds of spices. The Fest was to take place in the city that surrounded the palace, and preparations had started weeks ago.

"And all the Priest and Priestess come too," Chion added. "There will be dancing, drinking, and performances." She sighed. "You're so lucky. Have I mentioned that? Imagine all the handsome men you will meet."

I was only half-listening to Chione.  My mind was focused on the matter of obtaining the amulet. Riana had told me that tonight would be the best time to find the piece.

"With all the excitement no one will notice your absences," Riana had looked deep in my eyes, "You must be quick though, there will still be guards roaming the hall."

"What do you think?" asked Chion.

"About what?"

Chion threw her arms up, "Honestly what would you possibly be more important than your outfit."

The lights of the temple complex chased away the all-consuming dark of night. I watched from an alcove as men and women, long skirts dripping with jewelry, made their way through the complex. As each one walked by, a wave of incense was carried my way. The smells combined with dancing lights was enough to make a person forget all their worries, and for a moment, I too felt at peace. But then I remember what Rania had told me.

"You must choose your time wisely. Not too early as the people will not have felt the effect of their jars of wine, but not so late that they will start heading back to the palace"

It was still much too early to being, so why not enjoy the festival. I stood up enjoying the sound my skirts made. Chione had attended to every detail with my outfit. A skit was filled out by a petticoat and gold cuffs that added sound and a flash of light when I moved.

I walked around the various temples where people were praying and honoring the dead. As I rounded a corner, I came to the center of the celebration.

Women and men danced to the strange-sounding instruments, performers blew fire found their mouths, and wine seemed to flow freely from glass to orifice. A man came up to me hold three glasses.

"You look much to sober. Allow me to fix that." As he pushed one of the glasses into my hands. I looked down at the glass and back at the scene around me.

When in Egypt, I thought and drank the whole glass. The wine was thick and warm and it went down my through.

The man laughed when I handed him back my glass, now empty, with a smile on my red-stained lips. And so began my night of dancing, lights, and wine. My glass was never empty, and I found myself glad to be in the company strangers.

I wasn't sure how much time had passed, but the moon appearing from behind a cloud reminded me of my mission. I tried to squeeze through the crowd; however, a lack of footing and my night of drinking were taking their toll, as I failed to escape the crowed. I felt myself being sucked back in.

A hand grab mine and pulled me free from the crowd. Finally able to breathe, I turned to thank my savior. A pair of pretty eyes surrounded by long black braids meet me.

"Are you alright?" The women asked.

"Yes, thank you. I hadn't realized how many people had gathered." I tried to steady my gaze and appear at least less drunk than I felt.

"It's quite all right. If women don't help other women then who would? Men? " she laughed.

I sighed with relief. "I'm Natalie by the way."

"Isetnofret" she returned.

Recognition dawned on me. "Ramesses bride?" I said before I could stop my wine-infused brain.

She looked taken aback for a moment but then regained composure.

"Yes, I guess the announcement tonight might not be as much a surprise as I had hoped."

What was wrong with me. One does not just go around sharing information about a royal family. I cursed myself.

"No no.." I said, "It should still be a surprise. I only know because Ramesses told me."

You should have just drowned in the Nile Natalie.

But Isetnofret didn't seem upset by this information she looked... relieved? The music seemed to be growing louder and louder and my head started to spin.

"Are you a friend of Ramesses?" She asked excitedly.

I nodded and was met with the smell of flowers and oils as Isetnofret hugged me. "Then we must be friends. I don't know anyone at court and..." She turned to look at a sound that my brain could not process right now.

"I have to go, but we must talk again," she said and ran off.

I turned too. I would think about what had happened later. Right now I had to find the amulet.

It had all gone very well in his opinion. He had spoken to all the right people, made his speech about his first marriage, and then processed to get pleasantly drunk. Overall, Ramesses night had been excellent, and there were still one night more to go.  Isetnofret was pretty, charming, not the most intelligent, but he wasn't complaining. She would berg him children and continue the line of kings.

Ramesses entered the courtyard of the palace just as the first rays of light began to shine. As he began to make his way to his chambers, the sound of running feet caused him to turn to see Natalie running down the stairs toward the courtyard.

Where could she be heading to in such a hurry?

He followed after her, but when he got to the courtyard there was no one there. Not one to easily give up, he wandered down a series of halls and doors till he arrived at an atrium surrounded by rooms. At first, he heard nothing, then he heard the familiar footsteps as Natalie entered the atrium.

Being a little drunk and enjoying having the upper hand Ramesses called out, "What are you doing by the Royal Wives' bedchambers!"

Natalie turned around with so much fear in her face that Ramesses stopped laughing.

After making eye contact with him, her fear turned to anger. "Don't do that. I thought you were a guard coming to chop my head off."

"Then pray tell. What were you doing in this part of the palace?" Not that he cared he just liked seeing her flustered.

Natalie brushed passed him, still angry. "That's none of your business."

He chased after her down the hall. He caught up to her standing still looking down two hallways. "Are you by chance... lost?" Ramesses asked with his mouth inches from her ear. She smells like wine and incents.

She made no replay, but he could feel that her anger was subsiding.

"I would be happy to escort you to your room."

There was a pause before she took his extended hand, and they began to walk toward the direction of her room.

"Did you enjoy the party?" He enquired not enjoying the silence.

"Yes..." she responded with a smile and the paused. "I think the wine here is stronger than I am used to."

"How much did you have?" Ramesses laughed.

Natalie count on her fingers. "At least four. I lost count at some point," she admitted. "I also meet your bride to be," she said with a giddily. All the wine had not worn off yet.

They rounded a corner and arrived back at her room.

"Do you approve?" Ramesses asked looking straight into her eyes. He watched her reach for the door to try an escape the question. For some reason, he was intent on knowing her answer. He has spent the whole night listening to his father, mother, and everyone else talk about it, but her answer mattered most at this moment to his alcohol-infused brain than any other.

Her eyes looked around and then rested on his. "She will be a good wife," a pause as Ramesses wait for more, "and she wants to be my friend apparently," Natalie said with a bit of confusion on that last part. He want sure what she meant by the 'friends' part, but he didn't care.

"Good," he said with a serious look. His eyes were looking her up and down and rested on her mouth. "I want all the women in my life to get along." And with that, his mouth met hers. She let out a little gasp allowing her mouth to open. Encouraged by this his arms wrapped around her waist and her hands went up to the back his neck. He pushed her back against the door. She was so soft and small in my arms.

He heard a giggle and Natalie broke their kiss to look in the direction of the noise. Ramesses mouth found the nape of her neck, but she put her hands against my chest and he pulled away. There was no one around, but the sun was now shining brightly.

"I should go," Natalie said quietly as he let her waist go.

She opened her door and smiled at him as she closed the door.

Ramesses sauntered back to my chambers with a stupid smile plastered on his face.  As he laid down, his last thought was of green eyes and the smell of wine.