Chapter I
The Odd One
The sun rose to the Egyptian sky and the Nile river glisten growing from the light of Ra's light. The land was barren except for the parts were the river snaked a path through Egypt providing vegetation for the animals and people who lived there; hippopotamuses and the crocodiles coexist with one another always battling for territory and good pool spots for themselves. Egypt was Ra's trial and gift for the people and the animals.
The Nile River is a gift from Ra his tears from the sun god himself. Life flourished around water, flowers bloom and cried for the thirst from the river near the river were the farmlands outside of the city the majority of the poor lived outside the current capital of Egypt was Thebes. The geese and the river birds stalk the banks searching for food. However a one particular young girl with bright blonde ombre hair at her bangs and locks, her hair was about passed her shoulders and was slightly messy. She had unique hazel eyes that would look sometimes blue in concentration of light.
The young girl wore a simple white cut sleeve dress with gold rims at the end and sleeves of attire. She was at least nine years old in age. She carried a small bag across her shoulder that was deep red in color with a gold and blue pattern on the flap of the bag.
She was not of any girls, she liked talking to the crocodiles they were her friends and she didn't know they were a threat to her. She looked to them as if they were people much easier to talk to, usually she would hide away from people.
She was bare footed and was walking near two large Nile crocodiles, one a male named Night and his mate Dusk, they were guarding their nest but, for some reason they let this strange girl near them. The male crocodile was at least 18 feet in length. His mate was smaller though still large in size. His mate a goldish in color with hint of violet tint to her scales made her the color of morning.
"Good morning Night, and Dusk," the crocodiles turned to the girl's voice. "Is Cricket around?"
"Near the nest" replied Night the black crocodile said. He didn't look happy to see the girl; he shook his head with disapproval. "Like usual,"
"Our children have grown since the last couple years," said Dusk with bliss, her tone sounded gentle and kind.
"Cricket!" several baby crocodiles came running out from the shore of the Nile but one stood out, Cricket was more lush green in color than his 'brothers' compared to them most of them were olive green, pale gray, brown, few were bluish, or black in color. Cricket was so lush green it he looked like a walking leaf. It made him stood out like a pile of autumn leaves; he was like the red bright one among the golden and brown leaves.
"Be careful, our young ones are quite fragile," Dusk said.
"I will, but they aren't as small as they were before" she said. The blonde girl examined the crocodiles carefully as she pulled out a papyrus and a reed pen; she started to jot down some notes on the baby crocodiles. "I hope you all grow big and strong like your parents," The baby crocodiles croaked and looked up to her.
Night spoke, his tail swished to the side, "But do not lose our hatchlings, Zainab," his eyes glared at her.
Zainab put her notes away and sat up. "I promise, I never had for two years in a row, wouldn't that tell you something?"
Night grumbled something under his breath, he shook his head. He walked toward the Nile River, and swam away from his mate Dusk and Zainab. He didn't say anything like usual distant toward them. He didn't like Zainab at all perhaps because she was not his own kin, humans were nothing to him just mere weak beings.
The girl ran to Cricket and picked him up and his siblings into a bag. The girl did a count there was at least 15 of the baby crocodiles "Cricket, Dawn, Amulet, Dark, Shadow, Light, Ra, Nile, Rain, Cloudy, Flute, Horus, Hapi, Azul, and Twilight," she turned to the parent crocodiles. "There are all here, I'll bring them back later in the morning!"
"Yes, then be careful with our children, Zainab" Dusk said. She hissed after with a warning. The pale crocodile turned to the girl. The eyes crocodile greenish gray had told Zainab to heed to her warning.
"I will!" the girl shouted back.
Zainab ran straight pass and farm lands and on the way, she waved at a dark brunette girl with half up do and a brown haired boy, on the fields of the farm lands. She passed the gates and soldiers; they were startle to see her running in a hurry. Running back to the city that was filled life people in the markets were trading, buying, selling their goods of fruit, fish, meat, jewelry and other items. She swerve between the adults, people dressed in tunics, and kalasiris. She needed to get home before her mother finds out she was at the Nile again. Today will be a great day! Thought the blonde girl, she checked her bag, and could feel the bag bounced of the bundle of reptiles in her bag poke through as she waved at her grandmother passing by her. Her grandmother had black long hair wavy, down to her lower back, tan skin like every Egyptian however lighter than the men; she had dark blue eyes and wore pale gray violet kalasiris with silver scoop neckline, she had gold bracelets on both wrists; she low five Zainab. She waited for Zainab to high five her, she hesitated to until no one saw them, she finally low five her grandmother.
"Grandmother, Keret!" the blonde girl stopped as she pulled out one of the baby crocodiles. "Look how they grown from the past two years," the baby crocodile was a pale yellow in color, he was almost as big as her hands.
The woman nodded with a smile. "Damn he's big almost the side of Lucky huh" she slapped her own thigh, some man looked at Keret. "What?" she shot an amusing smile at him. She then looked down at her granddaughter "Don't be late with your friends, I saw the petting zoo over there, and by Ra they have hairy animals," she shook her head.
"Um Nefertiti and Ahmose is there?" she looked around nervously, she didn't like when people looked at her.
"With some other nobles I have no idea, why don't you play with Nadir's children, they are way nicer, he has two daughters Leila and Kali." she asked, she bent down on her knees. Zainab frowned. Held the baby crocodile almost too tight, he began to squirm; her grandmother touched her shoulders while she smacked a random man passing by her. "Move it I'm talking to my granddaughter," the man ran off from her. She gave a kind smile to Zainab.
"Um well…I don't know, Mr. Nadir is loud, and scary" Zainab frowned; she searched in Keret's eyes for some understanding. She glanced at people. She placed Ra into the bag with his brothers.
"What are you talking about? I'm loud," she smacked Zainab on the left arm. Keret sighed "Nadir is in second place, besides you should socialize more, Zain it's unhealthy for you to just hang out at the Nile," her grandmother gave a concern expression. She rubbed the girl's blonde hair. Ra was being kind to let the sun out; her grandmother always gave her chance or so to socialize if possible.
Zainab looked around and she didn't like being around large crowds. But she was trying to fit in with other children around her age. It was important for her to keep the family's name in good recognition and reputation, nothing is far important than keeping their reputation. "I…rather spend my day with Cricket and the crocodiles,"
Keret shook her head and placed her hand over her forehead. What in Ra's name got her granddaughter thinking that crocodiles were equivalent to people at least to her granddaughter they were. But it didn't matter, Zainab was special whether she knew it or not, Keret still and will always love Zainab no matter what. But since she was here, she needed to meet someone special perhaps he could be a good friend to her granddaughter. "Alright, Zain, let's introduce you to this nice boy," she suddenly grabbed the blonde girl's arm.
Zainab had confused expression. "Who?" as Keret pulled her grandmother along.
"Oh when you meet him, you wished you'll never had made friends with crocodiles,"
"Is he someone I know?" she asked while she glanced up at her grandmother.
Keret shook her head. "No, but he's a good catch," she winked. Zainab didn't know who this boy was. Her grandmother dragged her by force.
"Is he nice?" she asked as she looked around. "And where does he live?"
"At the west side of the noble district," Keret chimed in, she smiled. So glad to have a granddaughter than none of this could have happen but wait, Zainab wasn't at the stage of her life to be considered pretty. And boys like pretty girls, not sure about the intelligence no he would love her intelligence however her granddaughter wasn't so outgoing, she was shy no she is shy. How would it work? She glanced down at Zainab as she begin to slow down.
"Grandmother?" she looked up at her grandmother Keret. They stopped. Keret rubbed her chin. Thinking, maybe it wasn't a good idea to let Zainab meet him not now. Zainab had to see her friends so maybe later when her…granddaughter starts to look much prettier when she is older. She believed Zainab should start doing something with that awful hair color, brown and blonde didn't mix and apparently Zainab had brown hair as a newborn luckily it was fading. Lost in her thoughts and thinking how her granddaughter would become as she would grow to become a woman one day. She just nodded. Not caring about she is dragging her granddaughter away.
Keret stared and looked around as the people in the market place walked passed them from either direction. She released her granddaughter's arm and bent down on her knees with a gentle smile.
"Know you what," she placed her right hand on Zainab's shoulder. The girl blinked at her grandmother. She smiled at the young girl. "You can meet him um when you are civilized," she lifted her head slightly then glanced at Zainab from head to toe.
"Ci-vilize?" she said, she blinked her eyes rapidly.
"Yes when you do something about your hair, and hopefully your etiquettes are more proper," Zainab touched her hair. Slid her fingers through the strands of her blonde ombre hair "Yes it looks like mud was painted onto you-"
"Oh," she suddenly felt self-conscious about her clothes; she pulled the hem of her dress. "Should I clean myself?' she looked around and lowered her voice, she didn't want to see or want anyone hear her.
"Yes, because you're going to be a disappointment to your family," she paused. Then stared at Zainab's feet, and then locked her eyes onto her hazel eyes. "Where are your shoes?"
"I left before the sun rise so, I...I couldn't find them in the dark so I just left the house…this morning," as a soldier passed by them looking at them.
"For the love of the gods put your shoes on, Zainab you're not a peasant!" her grandmother frowned, and gave disappointed look. "You need to revise your manners, come on," she stood up and held onto Zainab's hand.
The girl excited to take her little friends to her house. But now the excitement died, Keret didn't want Zainab wondering without shoes on the bare floor. Keret dragged her granddaughter up to two soldiers near the palace walls. They stood there near the gates, where two stone sitting pharaohs on each side of the stone gates around the palace were the white walls. Keret then walked behind Zainab and held her shoulders of the blonde girl. She then pulled out a ribbon and straighten her blonde locks, and tied into a half up do. She patted Zainab then turned her around.
"Oh much better," the woman smirked. She then turned Zainab around. And sunk low with her head level with Zainab. "Now…you're going to talk to those nice soldiers there," she pointed at the soldiers dressed with a headdress made of cloth, they were exposed naked with only bare muscular built bodies, they had shendyt and brown wrapped cloth around their shins and calves loafers' shoes. They held spears in their hands. Her grandmother smirked. "You know your manners, right?"
"Yes…" she suddenly felt shy. She didn't want to go to the soldiers, what she doing here? Shouldn't she be with her friends, they were waiting for her. She focused on the soldiers, they stood there.
"Now watch, good old Keret," she stood up and winked at her granddaughter. Keret took a long strides up two soldiers, Zainab didn't know what she was saying as she gestured toward her, and she immediately looked down the ground. She placed her hands behind her back, she started to become anxious. Keret was talking to them and kept gesturing toward Zainab, one soldier pointed at Zainab. Then Keret signaled her granddaughter to come where she should get walking toward them but she didn't do anything. Zainab hesitated before she forced her legs to move. She felt so small when she looked up at the soldiers. She looked around. She still had hands behind her. She rubbed her leg onto her left shin.
"Um uh…" Zainab said.
"Go on," her grandmother whispered. She walked up to Zainab and shoved the girl forward.
Zainab stared the soldier, and he looked down at her. "G-good morn...ing, sir," she said averting her eyes from him. The palm tree looked far interesting to her.
The soldier replied to Zainab, "morning to you, Zainab,"
Keret said. "You're supposed to look at the person you're talking to," Keret as she placed her hands on her hips. She sounded disappointment. "Damn brat," she muttered. She placed her hand over her forehead and shook her head. "Disappointment is the word for you."
Zainab looked at the other soldier on the right side. He wasn't looking at her; she glanced at the one she stood in front of. She looked at the soldier. She could see light golden brown hair from his cloth headdress however she couldn't tell what his hair look like. His eyes were brown. He looked like he could be a nice person and gave him a shy smile. She wanted to know if she can join the army if possible after all she learning how to use swords by her father. "Can I join the...army?"
The soldier shook his head. "No,"
Zainab looked down then glance at him. "W-why not?"
"Because you're a girl," Zainab frowned at the soldier. He gave a sympathetic expression. "The army is not a place for a girl, you have other duties for your country."
"Um…uh what duties?" the soldier glanced at Keret, she just shrugged at him. The soldier didn't know what to say to the girl. He looked at her. He bent down on one knee and touched her shoulder.
The soldier then said with uncertainty to Zainab. However he gave a small smile to her. The other soldier turned to his alley with confusion. "Well when you are older, you can become a priestess like your mother Halima,"
"I know that…" she said.
"And be anything you want like a-"
"Like a soldier?" she asked with a small smile.
"No," the soldier said.
"If…not a soldier than what?"
"Whatever you're good at," he said, he didn't know what Zainab was capable of doing. Surely too young to cook now though she had to learn things of the house even though they had slaves and servants.
"Um good…at uh math, horses and swords…" she rocked on her heels. "SO would that mean I can be a soldier," he shook his head. "Why?"
"You are a girl," he looked like he was about to say more to her. He just remained silent instead of saying anything.
"So if I was a boy I can be a soldier?"
"Yes,"
"Oh…" she turned to Keret. "IS there a way to become a boy?"
Keret laughed, Zainab and the soldier looked at the woman. "What? No, unless you-no," shaking her head. "No, Zainab you can't become a boy but you can become a scribe…which is not going to happen since your mother is priestess, you're going to be one even you might not want to." She rubbed her chin. "So yes, you're going to be a priestess,"
Zainab frowned. "But I like swords and horses,"
Keret shook her head. "Sorry, kid can't be a soldier however you could try," the soldier shook his head. "On second thought no you can't," she just shot her dream down with an arrow, the dream fell like a goose plopped down to the ground and never getting up again.
Zainab said, suddenly getting disappointment. She didn't know she had limits. "Oh uh…"
The soldier looked awful ashamed he just crushed a little girl's dream. He said to Zainab, "You can find your place in Egypt, it does not have to be the army," the girl looked hopeful with her hazel eyes. "You can be a priestess but it does not mean the same as your mother,"
"A-l-alright?" she said. "Is there something else I have to do for my du-duties?" she looked at her grandmother then at the soldier. They were adults they knew everything.
Keret honestly said. "Have children and get married," the soldier looked at her then at Zainab who looked confused.
Zainab said as she looked around, she placed her left finger near her mouth. "Have children?" she paused. "Children first? I thought you get married first?"
Keret waved her hand down in careless manner. "Either way, it's the same thing," Zainab looked horrified. The soldier glanced at Keret and Zainab.
The soldier quickly said. "No it is not," Keret gave a scowling look as she crossed her arms. 'that's my granddaughter not yours' kind of look; he frowned at the black haired woman. "You find your soulmate then get married and have children," Keret was about to show the middle finger however she didn't. She just gave thumbs up at the soldier for correcting her.
"How am I supposed to find my soulmate?" the soldier looked a little nervous before answering Zainab. He moved his hand from her shoulder, the girl tapped her index fingers together.
"Um uh when you're older you'll understand," he said.
"Th-that did not answer my question?" she said as she looked up at him. He sighed, apparently searching for the right words.
The soldier spoke looking at the child. "When you are older you'll find a nice man to love and marry him,"
Zainab asked. "When will I find him?" she looked for answers, this soldier knew lot of things, no one wonder why her grandmother decided to let her talk to him. He was smart whoever he was. She never knew his name but he knew hers. Shouldn't have asked his name.
The solder hesitated to answer. "Um, when you meet him, you'll know." He got up and stood still looking at the child.
"Huh?" she said confused she turned to her grandmother. "That still does not answer my question, do you know?"
Keret grabbed Zainab by her shoulders. "Well nice talking to you, Horus, and having a parent conversation, even though you're seventeen year old young man, not married either." She frowned. "Hopefully you're planning to marry her," the soldier frowned and looked at Zainab as Keret glanced at her granddaughter.
Horus replied. "No, of course not."
Keret said as she turned Zainab around, the blonde girl was still confused no one answered her question how she would find her soulmate. "Good, just checking," she paused. "A nice boy has her heart," she gestured with fingers pointed at him then at herself. "I am watching you and everyone,"
The other soldier spoke. "She's only nine,"
Keret nodded in agreement. "I am aware of that," she paused. "But kids, can fall in love too you know," Horus and the other soldier gave her strange look. "I mean when they grow up, like yourselves," she paused again. "I mean never mind, maybe you might see her." She pointed at Zainab.
Horus said. "I hope so, she seems like nice girl," he paused for a moment. "I don't know why you told me she is not pretty,"
"Are you hitting my granddaughter, pervert?" Keret asked. The soldiers looked shocked and stared at her. What in the world was her grandmother babbling about? Zainab stared confused at her grandmother.
"No," Horus with firm tone. "It was a compliment."
Keret pointed at him and said. "I was kidding, not to worry, but seriously you can marry her if you want to," Horus stared at Keret. "If no one wants her," she whispered as she came up to him.
He shook his head. "I'll probably be married by then," he honestly gave her a look of reassurance.
Keret said as she pointed at him. "Probably?" she then flashed at smile. "I wouldn't mind if you have my granddaughter if not that boy doesn't want her," Horus looked confused. He had no idea what she meant 'boy' perhaps talking about another child for Zainab. "And probably isn't a definite answer so, you're on my list of boys for my granddaughter, I'll keep a falcon near so, I'll let you know."
"Alright," he said. He couldn't argue with Zainab's grandmother. He just gave a sheepish grin. He honestly believe Keret was joking so he went along with it.
"Well, go on Zainab and get yourself clean up, you look like a mess," she gently pushed Zainab. "I have to go and talk to Ameena," she rubbed her hands together. She laughed completely forgetting her granddaughter.
Zainab turned to her grandmother then looked at the soldiers. Her bag began to chirp with the song of the pleading baby crocodiles. She said "Bye, Mister Horus, and Grandmother!" as she ran off and didn't wave or bother to looked back at them.
The blonde girl ran straight near the palace walls, were where the much wealthy society lived. Divided into the districts from the royals, nobles, soldiers, craftsman lastly peasants (farmers) and slaves were group together. She didn't live that from the palace after all the prince was her friend. She had access to the palace because her mother served the Queen's Guard not as a soldier but as a protector for the Queen of Egypt.
Zainab went ran around outside her house as she entered the gates. Some slaves were cleaning the bowls and cups that her family owned. Her mother was a high priestess of the Queen's Guard, while her father embalmer and potter in his free time. However a warrior at least that's what he told her. She passed by some of her family's slaves, they carried large vases and jugs as they made a line from the back of the house. They moved aside as the young girl went into the entrance a wide open area she went near to the left side.
Outside of the front yard; her house was white in color with two-story built; the windows perfectly squared, the roof had dark brown color with gold designs on it. Path way neatly decorated the house added to its charm with yellow and gold flowers. The walls around the house were also white; a garden in the front and back of the house; in the front of the house gates had two cat statues her mother's favorite animal. Lucky the guardian cat that Zainab's father bought for his wife, her mother a respective priestess; the brown cat trotted along beside the girl to greet her, this old cat still ran like a young gooseling. He meowed at her but the girl ignored him, her mind was thinking about her dear friends the crocodiles.
Pool of water with few steps down into the clear water was at an open area of the house; she released the baby crocodiles into the pool but kept Cricket with her. "Come on, Cricket, all my friends are going to show off their pets," The small crocodile turned to the girl. The crocodiles started to croak their river song to her. As she placed him down in the pool.
Cricket turned to her and swam up. She touched her dear friend Cricket; the little leaf looked up at her with his slit eyes. A shadow fell upon her like a tower that loomed over the city.
She looked around and found a man walking toward her, he wore a dark blue tunic and shendyt, he had a gold and blue sash around his waist, he wore a headdress on his head usually his platinum blonde bang stuck out, he had sandals on. He found her near the pool area where the baby crocodiles swam in the water.
"Oh no, she went to Nile again," he muttered. He walked up to her then crossed his arms even tapped his foot onto the ground. The girl turned around and looked up at her father. "Zainab did you went to the Nile without shoes?"
"Yes," she said honestly. Her father frowned at her he then bent down into a crouching position. Zainab looked at her father.
Her father touched her shoulder. "First all, Zainab you are not a peasant and why did you leave without shoes?" he glanced at the swimming future killers of the Nile.
"I…was in a hurry," she said.
"To see these?" he gestured toward the little crocodiles. Zainab nodded. He sighed and looked away from her. "Zainab you shouldn't go to the Nile, it's dangerous." In a firm voice, he still had a frown.
"They are my friends, especially Cricket,"
"No, your friends are Karida and those other children,"
"But Cricket and his brothers are also my friends; they are the ones who I get to talk to. I can't really talk to the others," she placed her right finger near her mouth.
"About what?"
"About anything…" she looked down. She looked at her father's gray eyes. She hoped he didn't think she was odd like the rest of them however she knew he didn't like it whenever she went to the Nile.
"You didn't try,"
"I did, and Nefertiti is not the same as her mother,"
"And Ahmose?"
"He is alright," Zainab frowned. "I like Karida she is much nicer," she gave a shy smile. She hoped that Karida was accepted by her family. Her grandfather Kateb accepted anyone that was friends with her even Nefertiti.
Her father bit his lower lip. He glanced away from her for a moment then looked at her. By Ra, his daughter probably talked about crocodiles and hippos to the other children. That was the only reason why Zainab didn't have any real friends. Why was he curse to have a weird daughter and not a normal willing to be a proper girl such as staying home, learning her role as a future woman of Egypt. He didn't care if she wanted to be a merchant, or a doctor however becoming obsessed with crocodiles was a problem that had occurred for two years now. He tightens his gripped on her shoulder.
"Zainab, I have a feeling you aren't being normal like other girls, you shouldn't really be talking about crocodiles to other children." he paused. "And talk more about something that is normal such as becoming a priestess like your mother,"
"I like crocodiles" she paused. "And why cannot talk about crocodiles?"
"Well…to be honest you shouldn't be playing with those things, they are crocodiles and can and will hurt you no matter what." He gave a concern look to his daughter. He hoped she understand what he meant.
"Cricket and all the crocodiles aren't like that!" she started to protest with her father, he was wrong. He didn't know Cricket and the crocodiles like she did. He never liked her to be the way she is; she didn't really like him right now. She wished her mother would be out of work and at home now.
"Yes they are," he said in a firm voice. "Now put those little snappers into your bag and back into the Nile." He stood up and crossed his arms.
"No, I'm going to show you that Cricket and my crocodile friends aren't as bad you say." She stood up and knitted her brows together. She glanced at Cricket, Ra and Twilight the crocodiles looked up at them.
"Zainab!" her father almost yelled at her. "You cannot be going there!"
"Already did!" she said with disrespect. She pointed at him. "Unlike you, Mother lets me go."
Her father had let his anger showed. Zainab didn't care if he complained to her mother, it didn't matter now. Cricket and his brothers were friends nothing is going to change that. They will grow up and get married and die together. While at the same time Zainab is in progress of becoming a priestess. He shook his head with disappointment. He sighed and rubbed his temples of his forehead.
"Alright, I will give you one more chance, but if this continues you are going to be punished," he frowned. "And if you continue this while you are studying your priestess training, magic and etiquettes in the future. You will not be going to the Nile again, understood young lady?" he pointed at her with his finger.
Zainab frowned and gave a dirty look to her father. He stared down at her. The baby crocodiles began to croak louder. Her father may be an embalmer, and warrior to her but he was not a man she looked up to at all. The only man she looked up to was her grandfather Kateb, her mother's father filled with kindness and love.
"Yes, I understand," she said in a slow manner, she didn't look at him.
"Now go to Kalima to get yourself cleaned up," Zainab walked toward the entrance of the house, and went inside a long black hair woman with a hime cut up to her mid-back; tan skin like everyone else, she wore a white kalasiris with gold keyhole neckline. She had bracelets. Zainab opened the door and found herself in the entryway of her house. The entrance had side table, the stairs were at the left side, while a hallway led to the family room and bathroom and further to the right side of corridor which led to the guestrooms. Near the staircase was another hallway it lead to the kitchen. A young boy about her age wearing a shendyt only cleaned the floor not that far from her. She looked around next to the staircase was that particular woman; she always had none-expressive expression. She was cleaning the steps and looked up as Zainab tapped on woman's shoulder.
"Yes, Zainab?" she said without looking at her.
"Father told me, you Kalima need clean me up," she placed her hands behind her back. The woman looked up with no expression.
"Come with me," she got up as she picked up the cloth she had in her hand. She grabbed the girl's hand with her left and walked passed the boy, went into the hallway then turned left. She opened the door and threw the cloth aside. She picked up Zainab under her arms. "You're dirty again,"
Zainab didn't say anything. The woman let Zainab sit in a chair. The girl swung her legs as she waited. Kalima left for a while to get some water. Zainab started to twiddle with her thumbs as she glanced around the bathroom, a bath made of limestone, she glanced it. She looked around as she waited for Kalima to come back from the well.
Kalima came back and had a vase filled with water, cloth, Zainab's shoes, and clean pair of clothes. The girl was dirty from her trip to the Nile.
"Are you going to take me a bath?" she watched Kalima placed the items on a table from the left that had other beauty products. Zainab didn't wear kohl on her eyes; she didn't need to for now. Kohl was for protection for the eyes in Egypt however, somehow Zainab got away with it.
"No, that's after your outing with your friends," Kalima said. "I need to clean you not bath you," she glanced at the young girl. She came up to Zainab and grabbed some soap and oil, she hated oil she knew where it came from fish. And it smelled horrible to her. Zainab never liked fish that often, she preferred to eat only vegetables with a little meat. The servant rubbed them together onto the cloth. Kalima then bent down and started to wipe Zainab's face.
"…"
"Your hands," Kalima said in her monotone voice. Zainab showed her hands to Kalima, they were dirty with dirt smudges and scraps. "You have cuts and scrapes, have you been outside climbing?"
"No," she replied.
"Well you have cuts," she shook her head and got up and left the bathroom. She came back with alcohol and linen bandages. "If not climbing then what did you do during this morning?"
Zainab didn't answer. If she answer Kalima's question she would be giving her the power and she didn't want to answer to this servant. Kalima wasn't as nice as Beset, Awi or her own mother. Kalima was compare to a rock and a tree surely she had no expression however she had beauty but it usually didn't help with her straight-faced expression. She sometimes wonder if Kalima was a real person. Kalima grabbed Zainab's right hand hard. She squeezed.
"Answer my question, what did you do this morning?" her tone sounded harsh. She grabbed the clay bottle of alcohol. She tipped it slightly as the liquid dripped and fell onto Zainab's right palm. The stinging sensation surprised her cut with party of pain.
"Ow, that hurts," Zainab said uncomfortably, she looked like she about to break into tears any moment now.
"What were you doing?" Kalima asked. She gave a firm eye contact with the young girl.
"I fe-fell down," stammered Zainab.
"Well next time tell me," the servant said. "I have to make sure you're not doing anything crazy, your parents get worried about your strange activities," her monotone voice had been replaced with a strict firm tone. It made Kalima seem more frightening. She put the alcohol bottle down and pour some on the cloth.
"I-I left before the…sun rise,"
"In the dark, by yourself, how did you sneak pass the guards?" asked Kalima. She began to wipe Zainab's scraped hands with the soaked cloth, her wounds screamed for help and mercy. Zainab was in pain, she gritted her teeth. Before she answered, the dark haired woman started to wrap the girl's right hand.
"I sneak passed them without them noticing…me,"
Kalima asked while wrapping the right hand. "How?"
"Grandfather told me…the short cuts of the city," Kalima frowned as she fastens the linen around the girl's hand around the palm area. She grabbed the left hand and repeated the steps that she did for the left hand.
"You need to stop doing that, you're going to bring dishonor to your family's name," Kalima said as she glanced at the blonde girl. Someone knocked the door outside. "Yes?" the black haired woman turned to the door as it opened. "Master Khalid," he came in as Kalima stood up finishing bandaging Zainab's left hand.
Khalid asked, he frowned as he glanced at his filthy daughter, "Are you done?"
Kalima's response, as she glanced at Zainab "No, I have not, but I will in fifteen minutes,"
Khalid looked at Zainab again, the young girl didn't look at him as she swung her legs. "Well better not take too long, you know how Nefertiti hates waiting," he then closed the door gently. Kalima turned to Zainab.
"We need to bath you," her voice monotone again. The servant filled the tub with water made sure it wasn't cold. She put hot stones in them. She undressed the girl took everything off and untied the ribbon out of her hair. Then she picked up the girl and placed her in the tub of water, cleaned the girl thoroughly washed her hair and body.
After that she dried the girl with a towel, gently rubbed the hair with another towel. She then put the girl's clothes on, however it was different from the previous dress; this one was light tan in color cut sleeved. She brushed the girl's hair while Zainab sat on chair again, tied her hair into half up do again with piece of gold ribbon. Her bandages were changed again with reply of ointment and alcohol on her palms of her hands. Her hands looked like she had fingerless gloves on.
"Th-thank you, Kalima," Zainab said shyly. The servant was about to opened the door until the girl got down from the chair and was about to leave.
"Wait your shoes," said Kalima, she pointed at the pair of gold line flats. Zainab walked back and put them on. Kalima opened the door, Zainab ran back outside the house passing by the boy, she ran and saw the baby crocodiles swimming around in a circle.
"Cricket, everyone I am back," the little crocodiles of dark rainbow turned to her as they swam up to her. "Are you ready?" the croaking crocodiles swam up to the low submerged steps of the pool. Cricket climbed up first however, Zainab picked up Rain, a pale bluish crocodile, Cloudy and Flute were almost similar in the color. However Cloudy was dark gray. Horus, Hapi, Azul, Dawn, Dark, Shadow, Light, Nile were picked up. Lastly were Twilight, Ra, and Amulet. Khalid came out of the house and walked passed her, but stopped as she looked up at him, he shook his head.
"You better be putting them away after you meet up with your friends,"
"I will," however she never tells her father a promise. It only make him more upset. Because she would just lie to him, the crocodiles were part of her as much as they were part of the Nile. She was nothing but disappointment for him for having a daughter as strange as Zainab.
"You better or this thing you're doing might get out of hand," he said as he placed his hand on his hip. She glanced at him while she kept Cricket, all the crocodiles were chirping through the bag, slightly now soaked with water.
"…" Zainab looked down with her eyes on Cricket, the little green baby crocodile, stared at her. She frowned and furrowed her brows while looking at her father.
"I'm serious," Khalid said, "I suggest you to go, I will see you later in the day. I hope you have a nice day with your so call friends," he glanced down at the baby crocodile in her hand. He walked off, he didn't say anything else, she knew her father never liked when she went to the Nile on her own. It was far from where they lived, from the Noble District all the way outside the gates passed the farmlands and the river lay right outside the walls. Zainab not only went there to spend time with the crocodiles, it was also great exercise for her. She didn't mind seeing the sun rise after all Ra would light up the sky for Egypt. His light of rays touched the horizon and began the new day until he wrapped himself in the blanket of the night.
"You are not a pet, you're my friend," she stuffed the crocodile in a small bag. She ran out of her house's gates. The guardian cat Lucky greeted her with his usual meows; she patted him on the head. She headed toward the city passed other houses of nobles. They wore lather in gold. One day, Zainab herself would do the same for now she didn't care to wear any jewelry except a plain dress. She saw her grandmother talking to couple of soldiers and joking with them, she didn't know where her grandfather was at but however she couldn't find him. She passed by people and headed toward her next destination where she would meet the other children in the middle of the city between the noble district and shops.
Zainab had to swerve through the crowd of people before her eyes found the other children some of them she didn't know who they were. All the children were wealthy just like her except for particular girl with long half up dark brown hair. She stood out like a brightest star in the sky, or blue rose in the field of red roses. Supposedly, her grandfather told her, she still had her baby hair apparently she used to be chestnut blonde at birth. Perhaps her hair had just gotten lighter? She looked at her strand of her hair while she came up to the children.
Each child had one pet each; the boys had a kitten, monkey, piglet, foal, and a camel, while the girls had pharaoh hound puppy, baby calf, a lamb, and a goat. They were all waiting on Zainab to come to show off their pets. Something Zainab had been waiting for a long time. She ran up to them, two of them she knew the most a girl with tan skin like the rest of the children, but she had black hair that loose side braid passed her shoulder blades adorn upon her hair were gold beads to compliment her beauty deep blue eyes. She wore more elaborated blue kalasiris dress compared to Zainab and some of the other girls. The other was a boy with brown hair, slightly wavy in wings haircut, he carried a black kitten in his arms. The kitten meowed continuously then it became silent.
She looked up at the girl and boy, they were older than her by two or three years old. Twelve at the most. She was out of breath, she really needed to get in shape like the soldiers. She bent down with hands on her knees.
The black hair girl crossed her arms, she frowned and glanced at the blonde girl, her pompous Pharaoh Hound puppy had the same expression. "Where were you Zainab? Why did it take you so long?" Zainab stood up. As the puppy snickered at Zainab, the croaking of the baby crocodiles stopped as she tapped them. They quiet it down. "You had me and Ahmose waiting like eternity, I had to change the puppy into my favorite one, Ramses." She gesture to the puppy as he rose up and gave a smug expression.
Zainab looked at the brown haired boy with the cat and at the girl. "I am sorry, Nefertiti," she paused. "I…had to get ready." With a frown.
Nefertiti placed her right hand onto her hip. "For what? It's not like you do much with your hair?" she leaned onto her side. "Oh I guess you do,"
The boy frowned. "Cut it out, Nefertiti," he turned to stuck up twelve year old.
Nefertiti smirked. "Ahmose, stop defending Zainab, I am sure she came here late for a reason, like she told us," her dark blue eyes locked onto the ombre blonde girl. Zainab has history with these two however the day she met this mean girl, about a year ago. Nefertiti's mother was friends with Halima their mothers grew up together with Nadir a family friend of Zainab's. But Nefertiti's mother loved Zainab and always treated her as if she was another daughter to her, Nefertiti was mean to Zainab, the daughter of the Re and Tau Houses. Nefertiti never liked her the day she met the blonde. The two girls became frenemies if not enemies yet.
Zainab spoke up, she glanced at the other children too busy with their own conversations, she notice her dear friend Karida a farm girl had dark brown long hair in half up down to her back; she wore a plain gray dress and didn't have any jewelry like the rest of the children. Though the only reason why she was here is because Zainab welcomed her to their group. Where Zainab had met Karida a year ago while her own grandmother Keret took her to the farmlands and told her how important they were. Talking to a boy with tumbleweed hair color, he had dark green eyes and light tan skin like Zainab. He looked pretty young perhaps seven? He wore a linen tunic and sandals with headdress over his head. Most of his hair covered, his bangs were on the right side. He stood there with a white baby camel.
She didn't know who he was at all. Nefertiti glared at her, she shot glare back at the girl. Ahmose gave Zainab a shy smile for a while. "So, Zainab how are you?" asked Ahmose.
Zainab replied without noticing him. "I'm fine…I suppose…"
Ahmose nodded as he came up to her, his cat meowed. "Good," Nefertiti came up to her. And pushed Ahmose aside, he frowned as the girl with her pompous black Pharaoh Hound stood in front of Zainab. Karida came behind Zainab with her baby black bullock. He had a halter tied around his mouth, the bull nudged his owner.
"So Zainab what did you bring?" the snob girl asked. She came up in Zainab's personal space.
"I-I-I brought something different since all of you…have hairy animals," Ahmose and some of the children looked at their own pets. The baboon picked its nose.
The tumbleweed hair boy came up with excitement; he had his hands behind back. "I brought my white baby camel Purity!" Nefertiti shooed him away, instead of leaving he grabbed her hand and shook it, "nice to meet you, Nefertiti!"
Nefertiti pried his hand off her, "Move it, Tumaini, I was talking to Zainab." he frowned then smiled at Ahmose. Instead he came up to the boy with the cat and started to talk to him. Zainab stared at pompous girl and her puppy. That puppy needed to be put down and never been seen again, his face reminded her of a cocky dog who never learned to obey anyone. Everything Nefertiti owned should be burned to the ground except Nefertiti's parents.
Zainab didn't say anything. Karida turned to her with a big smile. "Hello, Zainab, I came with Moon," she pulled the rope and the calf completely black with a white marking shaped like a crescent moon. She touched him, the calf mooed at her.
She turned around facing to Karida ignoring Nefertiti. "Are you coming tomorrow to my grandfather's library?"
The farm girl nodded as the calf began to sniff the shoulder bag Zainab had. "I will, I am learning a lot from him, but I have to tell you reading is kind of hard," she glanced at Nefertiti as Ramses and her came into their circle.
"Keep it…up you will get there, Karida." Zainab said as she glanced at her farm girl friend.
Nefertiti asked, with her arms folded, "What did you bring?" her eyes locked on the blonde girl.
Zainab was about to open her bag and pull out Cricket and the rest of the brother brigade she was stopped because all the other children came in with their pets, they wanted to show her their pets before she did.
Zainab petted the piglet named Ankh that was owned by Isar that had brown hair somewhat messy, he wore black tunic with gold sash around his waist. The piglet in his arms, he gave to Zainab.
Isar spoke, he seemed friendly, "Ankh is shy so be careful with him," however he wasn't referring to Zainab but Nefertiti. The piglet was small enough almost a puppy size, he had a gold collar around his neck with an ankh. And his name in hieroglyphics. "I didn't bring the rest of his for siblings they ran off before I could pick them up," the little piglet blinked and had remained calm in her arms.
Karida pointed at the piglet. "Do they come in other colors?"
Isar turned to her, "I don't know," he frowned.
Karida with a proud smile, pointed at Moon. "MY family have been breeding our cattle, so you try to breed your pigs with others that have different colors, you might find out there are other colors,"
Zainab said in a low voice, "So interesting I wonder how it works…" she seemed lost in thought.
Ahmose called out, "Try it, Isar, Karida has good advice!" As he petted Purity from behind the crowd while Tumaini rocked the baby baboon, she looked like she enjoyed her ride in the tumbleweed haired boy's arms. She cling and wrapped her little arms around him.
Tumaini then spoke, while he gave the baboon to a light brown haired girl, he then bent over to check out the lamb that bobbed its head as if it listen to music, he touched it and kicked in the air. "My family breeds horses and camels, look at Purity, she became white," he grabbed the dancing lamb.
Isar looked at her with honest and confused expression, "I bought him and Ankh siblings,"
A red dark brown hair boy, he had brown eyes; he was the same age as Nefertiti and he lived nearby Zainab's rival Nefertiti. He was childhood friends with her. He grew up around horses and his father was a soldier that served the army for Egypt. He was planning to join the army as well, unlike his younger brother Shu absent from this gathering. He came up as they gathered around Zainab, while she handed Ankh back to his owner. "Where did you buy him from?"
Isar frowned and looked like he didn't want to say it out loud in front of his piglet, he shoved the piglet in Nefertiti's arms. "Hold him," he paused. "I would love to say it, but Amun I wouldn't want to say it,"
Nefertiti, frowned as the little piglet began to squirm, he wanted to get away from the witch of frowns and queen of mean girls, "well I didn't ask to hold him, Isar,"
He gestured to her, Zainab just watched them in silence. The children looked at him with interest and curious. Isar sighed. "Well my mother bought him from a man who was going to slaughter all of them after they grew up,"
Ahmose and Amun looked at one another. "Your mother bought all four piglets?" Amun he looked horrified.
Tumaini said, "What happen to his parents?"
Ahmose smirked as his kitten climbed over his shoulders. "Yes, where did they go? Did you save them too?" Isar shook his head, all the children gasped.
Isar looked down as the little pig finally slipped through Nefertiti's arms and ran back to Isar, the poor piglet hid behind legs. "No, that's why he's traumatize,"
The girl with the baboon and Tumaini looked like they wanted to cry. "That man is horrible," said the girl, the baboon crawled onto her back.
Ahmose, "why did tell us that, Isar?"
Isar turned to him with shocked, "you asked?"
Ahmose, looked down with foolish grin as he scratched behind head, "Oh right," Isar and Amun frowned.
Amun, spoke up "I assume the man killed the-" Isar came up to him and covered his mouth.
Isar said quickly, "I rather not bring bad memories to poor Ankh," the little piglet ran around his legs with bliss, the little piglet began to squealed with delight.
Amun pulled Isar's hands off his mouth. "I won't, I promise, let Ankh meet Charm," he whistled and the brown foal came up to them with dignity, he had a halter around his face. Isar picked up Ankh and put the piglet onto the back of Charm. The piglet balanced himself onto the colt.
"Your pet is lovely," said one of the girls. She glanced at Tumaini danced with the lamb, the hyperactive lamb then started to run around in circles. A couple saw the crazy lamb and quickly walked away from the group of children. The girl looked toward at Charm, and the piglet stood still before he fell over and Isar caught him.
Nefertiti finally spoke, "so are you going to show us what you have Zainab? Or just stand there?" Ahmose, Amun, Tumaini and Karida shot a glare at the arrogant girl. The puppy barked as he sneered at the blonde girl.
Zainab frowned and glared at the smug girl and her puppy. "I will," she on fasten her bag and placed on the ground. Bent down on one knee and her right knee propped up. The children gathered around, Nefertiti stood right next to the blonde ombre girl. Zainab got all excited and opened the bag and rummaged through it.
Tumaini squeezed through the crowd and stood in front of her. "I bet they are cute,"
Ahmose whispered something to Amun, "She probably has more than one," the red head boy nodded in agreement.
Zainab slowly pulled out Cricket, the baby crocodile stood still while all the other children crowded around Zainab. She covered the Cricket in her hands except his tail stood out, her heart danced to glee. Nothing was cooler than a crocodile, her friends would stand out so much that nothing would bring out their uniqueness. She couldn't wait to show them Cricket and his brothers. She then let the little fourteen other baby crocodiles crawl out however they didn't come out yet, they were frighten of the horrible beast Nefertiti.
Amun asked. "So what kind of pet you have Zainab?"
One of the girls with black hair in a pony-tail, she had her lamb Rarity snuggled against her arm. "I heard you have a hippopotamus?" said the girl. Zainab didn't remembered this girl's name. She had the lamb that danced and pranced as the lamb's mission was to scare everyone who was not part of the gathering. A man was curious of what in the Pharaoh's name, all these children were doing here? He peered over them as he saw Zainab in the center.
Zainab said with a smile, "Not yet, working on that one," the children gave her a look of disbelief. But the truth was she has been working with an actual baby hippo, she believed the creature could be a new mount for people to carry their things on the hippo. Hapi was special and she was studying the hippos whenever she went to the Nile, so far her research project had run for two years.
Ahmose, smiled, while he stood at Tumaini's left, "So how many did you bring?"
Zainab glanced at him, he looked away from her, "Fi-fifteen," completely honestly, Ahmose looked at her with confusion.
Amun then spoke up around the crowd. "Show us," his colt neighed in agreement, Ankh the piglet came through the crowd as his owner crawled to catch him, the piglet was curious and he stood right near the bag. The lamb also came through the crowd and the man was still there also watching with interest.
Isar had a worried expression, as he tried to grabbed the little piglet, "Ankh come here," the piglet squealed with delight and rebellion to his owner, as the piglet backed up and hit the bag something stirred little bumps appeared then disappeared.
Tumaini, put his hands behind his back and smiled brightly as he rocked on his heels, his camel stood next to him, "They could be rats or mice? Maybe a foxes, or scarabs," Amun and Ahmose gave disgusted expressions.
Amun, shook his head, "I hope not, I hate beetles,"
Ahmose smirked. "Are you a girl? Amun," he laughed and nudged his friend Amun who frowned at him. Amun punched the brunette boy in the arm.
Amun, shook his head, "I am not, so shut your mouth," Ahmose laughed at him. He glared at him. The kitten jeered with Ahmose as well, he sounded so odd the kitten laughed in a creepy way almost like a hyena that teased a lion for the failure hunt.
The tumbleweed hair boy smiled, "All animals have importance in the world and all should be treated with kindness if possible,"
Isar frowned and seemed to disagree with Tumaini, "Isn't no matter what?" he paused. He glanced as Amun and Ahmose came at his left nearly stepping onto his hand.
Tumaini smiled and looked confused, "No not really," Isar was now confused. "It depends on the person actually," Isar nodded.
Ahmose, shook his head and he smiled and laughed. "Tell it to that guy who killed-" Amun jabbed him in the ribs. The brown haired boy held himself, Amun apparently had hard hits.
Karida stood at Zainab's left side, she brought Moon closer to see, "so are they lizards?"
Zainab muttered and glanced at the children however she whispered to the baby crocodiles, "come on, you should show yourselves, just for a while,"
Nefertiti frowned and rolled her eyes, "Show us, before Ramses won't play with you again," the puppy never played with Zainab, he usually ignored her. The baby crocodiles began their song of the Nile.
Tumaini said with a confidant smile, "I knew it…scarabs," he turned to Amun, he gave a worried expression. The bag moved around as the children anticipated and Twilight's tail poked through the bag.
Zainab finally spoke to the other children, she suddenly felt nervous and afraid to show them. "Their coming, and-"
Nefertiti spoke, and purposely cut the blonde off as she turned to opposite of Zainab standing near Tumaini; somewhat gave her taunting glare. "Then what's so great about your pet?" she paused "if it's not furry?" the puppy laughed at her.
Zainab replied, "Alright, I hope you guys will not freak out," The children leaned forward with utmost curiosity. Zainab revealed Cricket; some of the children jumped at the sight the baby crocodile. "Here he is Cricket!" the gasp and some of the children screamed at the sight of Cricket. They were taken back from the sight of the not so fluffy the lush green crocodile, the eyes were grayish blue. The other crocodiles came out croaking, the piglet squealed as he ran into Isar's arms.
Karida said. "Oh he looks pretty," though everyone was quiet for som time. Everyone glanced at her. "What I gave a compliment,"
Nefertiti looked down as the little crocodiles made a circle. "So they are crocodiles?"
Tumaini picked one up, "oh they come in other colors? How did you did that?"
Zainab looked around and gave an honest answer, "I did not…do anything,"
Karida picked up several of them, and glanced at the five in her hands and shoved them to Moon. "Well if you didn't do anything they came from the Nile, I assume they can change colors, look Moon," the baby bullock sniffed the semi-aquatic creatures. Amun picked up Twilight and examined the little black crocodile tried to bite his fingers.
"Hmm, they all have their personalities," he said, he placed the black one down and picked up Flute and Ra, the two squirmed in his hands.
Nefertiti looked at the crocodiles then at Zainab before she could say anything, Tumaini cut her off. "I like them, their different," she pushed him aside and came up to Zainab as the blonde stood up to face her future nemesis.
Nefertiti glanced at the blonde. As she placed her hands on her hips with a sassy attitude. "So you have a crocodile," that sounded more like a question, she frowned at Zainab who also frowned. The two glared at one another as if they were ready to punch one another in the face. "Are you trying to tell us something?"
Zainab was about to speak, she was thinking, and she searched for the right words, and finally made up her mind. Better be truthful…I suppose. "He's not a pet none of them are," she paused and rubbed her arm, Nefertiti looked down at Zainab's hands. "They are my…friends," Nefertiti burst into laughter. None of the children said anything as they played with the crocodiles. As for the man, he looked around and pretended he didn't notice anything as Amun turned to him, the man left in a hurry.
Nefertiti and Ramses laughed at her. "So, are you telling me your friends with crocodiles and what happen to your hands?" Nefertiti paused. "I suppose that makes you different, no wonder why no one likes you,"
Isar cradled his piglet as he rocked the piglet to calm him down. Zainab looked down as Karida came next to her, and shoved the crocodiles at Nefertiti, "You're awful, Nefertiti," the snob moved back as Karida released them onto the ground. They crawled away into the bag.
Zainab glared at her, "What is that supposed to mean?" she glanced at her rival. Amun looked at the two girls.
Nefertiti paused as she looked up at the sky, "Well I suppose you're different and now you can talk to lizards," the girl glanced at Tumaini bent down and petted each crocodile.
Zainab said, "So you talk to your dog, what's the difference…" she didn't like this girl at all, and why did they had to be friends again? Because their mothers were friends perhaps but not their daughters, "Cricket is not just a crocodile, he's my friend,"
The black haired girl smirked and said in prideful tone, "So you talk to him?" as she crossed her arms.
The blonde replied, "Yes," she said closing her eyes briefly. "I do talk to him and all the crocodiles at the Nile,"
Amun with curious tone, "Why?"
Zainab didn't know the answer and never knew why, she just started to talk to them when she was young. She never knew why, and that bothered her she couldn't answer Amun's question. Nefertiti glanced at Zainab as she placed Cricket onto the ground with Tumaini and Ahmose comparing all the crocodile hatchling. "I don't know…"
Amun said with gentle expression, he touched Zainab's shoulder, "that's fine, perhaps you will find out," Nefertiti turned to Amun in shocked, "I mean you probably have a good reason…maybe because you're the next Dragon's Eye wielder?"
The rival Nefertiti then pushed Amun to back off, he glared at the black haired girl, "No way, her mother is far regal than she will ever be!"
Amun shook his head, "Don't be that way, Nefertiti, you will be surprise to see Zainab when she grows up,"
Ahmose said as he counted the crocodiles, "People change when they grow up,"
Nefertiti laughed at the two boys, "Please, I am sure her strange behaviors will scare people away, and she will not be as pretty as her mother," Zainab clutched a fist. She didn't have the guts to punch Nefertiti, her mother told her women don't fight and its un-lady like for them to so.
Amun's tone changed, he knitted his brows, and glanced at Zainab then at Nefertiti, "Stop that Nefertiti, your being mean!"
"…" Zainab still didn't say anything. She felt hurt deep down, but crying won't help her at all. She glared at Nefertiti and snobbish puppy Ramses.
Nefertiti with a playful smile, "Why?" she looked at Zainab and Amun. "It's true," she paused. "I mean her father thinks she is a disappointment I bet her mother will find out she has a strange daughter too and they will-"
Ahmose said as if to remind everyone. "But there's an old man who has an old crocodile who does nothing but lay under the sun, so it's not entirely weird," he paused. "People can have pets as crocodiles,"
Amun frowned then turned to Zainab, "Nefertiti that's not true, and what's wrong with you?" he asked, he glared at the black haired girl. Her smile turned upside down, "I mean I know you think she's weird but why are you so mean?"
Ahmose, muttered as he stacked the baby crocodiles together, "to her," he gestured to Zainab, the prideful girl turned to blonde girl. "Is it because she might become prettier than you someday? I mean supposedly the Re House has pretty girls,"
Nefertiti pushed him away while was still on the floor. "Please, she's the only granddaughter of priest Kateb, and they are supposedly beyond beautiful." She shook her head, "I assume she is blonde because her father," Ahmose shook his head even Amun. "What do mean no?" she placed her hands on her hips.
Amun, spoke on the behalf for everyone, "She's not blonde because of him," Nefertiti didn't believe him, he held his hand in front of her to silence her. "It's because of Kaila Re,"
Nefertiti, Tumaini, and Ahmose said in unison, "WHO?
Nefertiti spoke and shot a glare at Zainab, "It's not because of her hair, it's something else…I don't like about you," she pointed at the nine year old girl. "And your awful crocodile friends, no one likes crocodiles," Karida glared at Nefertiti.
Amun rubbed his forehead, and sighed. "Kaila Re, she's the woman with the very light blonde hair, her ka Cairo?" he paused. "An orphaned and was a farm girl, who became a healer and the first to marry unite another noble house, the Ra House," they all stared at him.
Tumaini spoke up as he glanced at Zainab, her silence made things awkward, "Oh, I know her she was the one who marry um uh…that man who was also blonde hah ha I kind of-" embarrassed of not knowing what was he saying.
Zainab whispered, "His name was Ramses Ra," no one heard her.
Ahmose tried to touch Ramses, the puppy moved away. "Ramses!"
Amun snapped his fingers, "yes that's his name, and before you start thinking, Kaila was not the only one, there was Re, Mariam, Tahir, Kissa, Lana, even Ra I heard her hair was like fire, and besides all them from the Re House are known to be beautiful even the ones who were not blonde, like Ms. Keret and Halima,"
Ahmose said with a smile, "And all those they married are also beautiful," he laughed at Nefertiti, she crossed her arms glaring at the two boys.
Tumaini smiled brightly he stood up, "her was the color of fire…I think Zainab would grow up to look like her," he turned to her, the blonde girl looked at young boy.
Amun laughed, "You never met her," Tumaini laughed as well, Zainab never understand their joy or why they bothered to even play with her. But her parents wanted their daughter to be normal even her grandparents told her she didn't need to be. She needed to try to fit in or she would have no one but herself.
Tumaini protested and came up to Amun, "I mean I heard stories I think so?"
Silence was the greatest gift for Zainab however she wasn't going to receive the present not with the other children being around, Cricket croaked in right in front of her, he looked up at her with his head raised. She didn't know why she bother spending her time with these children, some were nice but all of them thought she was weird. She started to feel bitter inside. At the same time she felt joy that some defended her. But it wouldn't stop Nefertiti of Queen of the Mean. She was about to leave until, Karida stopped her.
Karida said, "Wait!" she pulled Zainab's wrist. "You have me, I'm here don't listen to her," she paused. "It doesn't matter, you're far more kinder than she will ever be,"
Zainab shook her head in disbelief. "But it's true,"
Karida glanced at the Queen of Mean. "She will be taught a lesson, my parents always told me, they will learn in time," Zainab had no idea what Karida said. She marched up to the Nefertiti. Leaving Zainab with her own thoughts and silence.
Nefertiti looked at her nails as if Amun's lecture bored her, "Well I wasn't talking about that, I just mean her weirdness will over shine her so call other traits," she rolled her eyes. "I mean if you look at it, I can understand why her father doesn't want a daughter-"
Karida came up shoved Nefertiti, the girl was thrown back that it frighten Ankh and the hyperactive lamb, and the other children looked at the farm girl. The calf Moon stepped on Ramses, he howled in pain with his tail between his legs. "Shut up!" the other children gasped. "Nefertiti!"
Isar stared at Karida, "Oh my Ra," he covered Ankh's ears.
Amun grabbed Karida's arms, "Karida it's not worth it,"
Karida pushed him aside, and pointed at the mean girl, "Seriously what's with you, and there is nothing wrong with crocodiles, or Zainab!" she paused. "Her family loves her even they don't like the way she acts," Amun put the crocodiles into the bag and placed around his shoulder before any of them get hurt. He and Tumaini had to stop Karida from lunging at the Queen of Mean.
Nefertiti got up and dusted herself and she picked up her puppy Ramses, "You're perhaps right, there is something wrong with me." She turned to Zainab, "I'm wasting my time with some weirdo, or am I wrong?"
Zainab frowned, "It's true," in a voice, she glanced away.
Nefertiti pointed at Zainab, "I'm never going to waste my time with you again for the past two years, my mother pestered me to be friends with you!" she turned to Karida, "and I don't care about you either, and how could you Amun, Ahmose!" she seethed in anger. "I mean why?"
Amun stepped in front of Zainab; he blocked the black haired girl from the strange ombre blonde girl Zainab. "She probably odd for a reason," he turned to Zainab who glanced at him before looking at the ground. "Not in a bad way, Zainab's grandfather is really smart so maybe she's the same,"
Ahmose, turned picked up his kitten, the girl picked up lamb. Ahmose said, "I think she is," Nefertiti glared at him.
Zainab looked around, around the shops, people passed by them, they looked at the children however no one seemed to bothered the children. She saw her grandmother standing there with her arms crossed accompanied stern look.
Nefertiti shook her head, the other children looked at one another. "Well, whatever you are. It doesn't change the fact your weird and will never be like your mother," she paused. "I am not going to see you until you proof me wrong Zainab of the Re House!"
Amun said in a low voice, "don't provoke it," he clenched his fists.
Zainab clutched her fists, she came in front of Amun, and he held her back. Her heart pounded the door next door, courage swelled up and pumped bravery in her veins. She felt anxious and nervous for she what she was about to say she might regret in the future but words flowed like a reed on a papyrus. "I will proof you wrong, and that there is nothing wrong with me!" she paused and looked at her grandmother Keret nodding, and then she tapped on a random man and pointed with a smile and gave thumbs up. "I will be the best priestess you will ever see, and serve the future pharaoh of Egypt! I will be as smart as my grandfather, and become far beautiful than you, inside and out," she gestured toward herself.
The children gasped, Ahmose smiled. Nefertiti glanced at Zainab as Amun pulled out Cricket so the little crocodile could see Nefertiti, he croaked. "Fine, then let's see your wings when you take flight,"
Zainab had determination within her, as if Ra gave her something to fight for. Herself the way she was and had become, nothing wrong being the way she was. She may not be destined to be friends with Nefertiti just because their own mothers were good friends. However that wasn't the only thing to define her future or who she was. It was time to make her own path no one not even Nefertiti will put her down. Her grandfather told her one time for all those who were strange were the ones made changes in the world. She wished she was more like Karida, or her grandmother Keret they were tough in their own way. Never taking crap from anyone. The crocodiles were living things and the closest things to family if she never had a family it would be them. Crocodiles may hard and scales outside they had hearts too. She watched, swam, talked, played with them. Cricket was her dear friend and all the crocodiles. Nefertiti would eat her own words. "I will…and you be the one with no wings," she looked up at the black haired girl. Appalled by her words. "You will be the one, wrong and you are right you're prettier than me." She paused before continuing. "For now," she gave a smile and turned her back on Nefertiti.
Ahmose, laughed and was shocked, "Whoa," he clapped his hands. "You just got-"
Nefertiti glared at Zainab, "tch, shut it, Ahmose!" she left the children by herself with her puppy in her arms.
Isar, and the other children didn't say anything to anyone, they left without another word.
Amun glanced the two girls, he watched Nefertiti before she disappeared from the passing by citizens of Thebes. He turned to Zainab. He handed her Cricket with care, "I cannot believe you, you stood up for once" he patted her head, she blushed with embarrassment as she took Cricket. He smiled at her, "I will be looking forward what you do, Zainab of the Re House," he turned to Charm the colt neighed.
Karida came in and smiled. "I helped you,"
Tumaini and Ahmose came in the circle as well. Ahmose laughed, "I didn't know you had such courage Zainab," he laughed and smiled, "I just can't believe it!"
The baby white camel and colt looked at one another. Karida looked around and saw Moon sniffing the ground for food. "Um I think Moon is hungry I should get going, but I will see you tomorrow, Zain," she patted the blonde girl's shoulder. Then took off with her baby bullock. Leaving her with all the boys.
Ahmose, looked around, the kitten started to meow, "Oh no, my kitten is hungry, Obsidian shh," the kitten saw a woman carrying a fish that stick out of her bag, "Alright, alright I will feed you, I have to get going, see around Zainab the brave," he left her with quick kiss on the cheek and ran off embarrassed. She was confused. She wiped her cheek with her free hand. Gross, he kissed her on her cheek, why did he do that? He was odd with all the cats. She never cared for them only for crocodiles and Cricket began to croak.
Tumaini said with confusion, "Why did just he kissed you, are siblings?" Amun shook his head. "Oh alright," he paused. "I have to go, but my name is Tumaini, my apologies I didn't get to introduced myself," he waved at her. "Come on Purity, let's go and feed you, bye Amun!" he walked toward the west side of the city.
Amun sighed, he muttered something, 'I knew it' however Zainab couldn't hear him. He rubbed his forehead. Zainab glanced at him, he noticed she looked at him. He blushed, he cleared his throat. She glanced away for a moment.
"Listen, you may not be friends with Nefertiti, but you can still be friends with me, Ahmose, Tumaini, Karida, and maybe Isar," he paused. She looked at him with interest. "Just be yourself, no one can change you. I honestly believe you have a gift, you might not understand it or anyone else but I am sure while you're on your quest to becoming a butterfly and proofing her wrong, just don't forget there will be others out there. You're not alone, Zainab," he placed his hands on her shoulders. She just nodded. "Even if anyone isn't there for you, you will always have someone there for you. I am sure you know who I'm talking about."
She felt like crying now, she didn't want cry in front of Amun its odd, he was a twelve year old this year and she met a year ago when Ahmose introduced him to her. Amun was somewhat nice to her. She didn't quite understand why he liked being around Nefertiti. Her eyes felt watery but she held those tears. Zainab blinked at him.
"See you around," he waved at her. Zainab was left there with Cricket in her hands. She watched Amun leaving her, she highly doubt any of the children were going to come back. She didn't say anything to him, she didn't felt like it. She sort hated being around other children they made her feel like a black sheep in the flock. She didn't fit in with them, no one accepted maybe Karida perhaps.
Nothing compared her strong sense of affinity with the crocodiles. Cricket was then making crocodile squeaking noises; he sounded so sad, his grunts faded in the voices of the crowd in the city.
"Well, today starts our day, no one but us," she said. She turned around and her grandmother Keret came up to her in long strides.
"Zainab, go home," Keret patted her granddaughter on the back. "You did enough, and I am proud you did that to Nefertiti that girl doesn't deserve your friendship." Zainab looked up at her. The woman looked out into the sky. Then glanced down at her, and then pointed at the direction of the south gates. "Go put the crocodiles away before your father's finds out."
Zainab nodded and walked toward the gates as she trekked through the crowd of people. She glanced at some soldiers. She would love to go and learn how to properly use a sword with a better instructor. Her father was good but not a soldier in her understanding just from noble house called the Tau. Warriors not magicians like the Re House.
The ground was pale in complexion to her. The dusty ground covered with layers of dirt and sand. Hard and steady, rough at the feeling; covered in thousands of footprints of all sorts from people to animals. Zainab's shoes would imprint the ground like everyone else, but her imprints would fade as the sun's rays sunk below the sky. Her hair had several shades sometimes she would think, literally hair was changing color. She never knew why her parents didn't let her hair color maybe when she is older and one day beautiful as her mother. She admired mother's beauty and personality. Her mother, Halima's name meaning gentle perfectly fit her as a person. In additionally Zainab would perhaps inherit that people and become a lotus in the Nile not some grovel on the sand but a flower that would stand out. Didn't her name mean that a flower in a desert maybe that's why her mother named her Zainab. She hoped that would be that case.
She looked at Cricket as she walked through the gates but near a couple so she wouldn't be caught wondering alone. This would work because the soldiers never stopped her from leaving on her own; they would think she was the couple's child. She ran ahead of them after the coast was clear. She came up to the Nile. Dusk was near the nest like usual.
"I'm back," Zainab said with a sudden smile, the crocodiles always made her feel welcomed they never judged her.
"Ah, Zainab your back how has your showing of pets?" asked Dusk, the pale crocodile walked up to the young girl. Night was nowhere in sight, he apparently was in the river again, the bag of Zainab's began to croak with the song of the crocodiles. Zainab bent down onto her knees she opened the bag as Twilight, Ra, Rain and Cloudy crawled out of the bag, she helped them out with the rest as she placed them onto the ground. The pattern of their croaks sound like some odd beeping noises as if they were signals to a tracking device.
"Um…well it was alright," Zainab muttered in a low voice.
"Alright what do you mean by alright?" Dusk alarmed, her eyes widen slightly as her babies came near their mother, and she picked up her children into her mouth gently.
"Nefertiti made a good day gone bad…" Zainab sat down on the grass covered floor staring into the Nile.
Dusk placed her children into the river, they swam around, and she turned around and picked up the next batch. The reptile repeated these steps until all her of babies were in the water. The crocodile out of the ones in the Nile, Zainab met for two years, Dusk was the most understanding one and openly cared for others. Her presence made the air calm and it seem that everything the kind croc touched relaxed and peace smiled with serene arms of breath fresh air. The pleasant sight of crocodiles for Zainab was the same exact feeling. People were never quiet at least for her. The girl stared at the river looking down at her own reflection of herself. She sat on her knees.
"Well, Zainab not everyone will like you, and Nefertiti has no idea what you do in the future, after all she wants to be most pretty one," the crocodile said. She stopped and watched her babies swim around the river banks. Her mouth opened as she bask under the sun to keep herself cool from the heat of Ra. "She thinks your competition to her, someone with a well-known House name like yours family House,"
Zainab turned around to find the pale crocodile near her. Staring into the slit olive green eyes. "Am I really competition to her?"
"Well your mother is pretty, kind and intelligent, and your father is a warrior, stern and creative," she turned her body toward the girl, and closed her mouth. "I mean I suppose If I was her I think I would too, not to mention look at your hair," Zainab frowned, her hair looked a like mess, brown and blonde didn't go well, though she was told her hair was chestnut blonde, however as she grew over the years the colors of hair changed. She picked up strands of her then pluck on strand examined the strand.
"What's so great about having more than one shade of color?"
"The prince has red, black and blonde all in once, looks like your gods wanted to make him stand out," chuckled the crocodile. "Some animals change color when they grow up for a reason such as camouflage for protection and some others are for beauty."
"Where do I fit in?" asked Zainab she released her hair as it fell into the water floating. She hugged her knees and looked down.
"Well obviously not the camouflage but beauty yes," the pale beast said to her.
The sun was setting Zainab returned home, she just turned and came at the entrance of the house. Late evening, she spent her time at the Nile and playing with the crocodiles, she even swam with them. It helped her to keep her thoughts at ease. She wish could have own horse, but her parents didn't think she would need one. But her grandmother had many horses sadly she wasn't willing to share. She skipped along with bliss and passed by her father carrying a large vase in his arms. "Evening Father," she said with cheerful smile.
"Oh, Zainab there you are? Where were you?" asked her father. He looked passed he heavy pottery he carried and saw his daughter dirty clothes, and yet she just changed today. He sighed. "Have you been playing in the Nile River again?"
"Yes and no," she said with a smile on her face. "I did meet up with my not so friendly friends,"
Khalid shook his head, "Well did you show your pets?" with hint of annoyance in his tone.
"I did," she frowned. She had her hazel eyes locked on him. Silence came in and shush the world with a fog of tranquility.
He sighed. "Zainab," briefly closing his eyes for a moment, he then put the pottery down "How many times your mother and I, told you not to play out at the Nile River, it's dangerous," he bend down on one knee and placed his hand on his 9 year old daughter. He dusted her dress, "Why are you so dirty?"
"I went to play at the Nile," she smiled. Khalid rolled his eyes, and dusted her, she needed another bath. He frowned at her with stern look.
"Still does not explain why you are so dirty? You smell like fish?" he smelled her "Why do you smell like you have been swimming in the Nile?" he looked at her as he knitted his brows.
"I swim with the crocodiles, they say I can see the hippos, and all the life in the Nile, if I experience it while I swam," her father gasped and picked his daughter up. He carried her in his arms. Zainab frowned at him.
"No, no, no daughter of mine will be swimming there, you're a young girl and one day you need to be a proper lady, I cannot have you swimming with crocodiles and talking to donkeys all your life," her father said "you need a bath, Kalima! Beset! I need you two to clean her again!"
Two women came out from the back of the house. Kalima shook her head as she saw Zainab filthy again for the hundredth time this week. Beset was her older sister, black wavy locks down to her back, she had gold beads in her hair, wore a white kalasiris and gold like her sister.
"Yes, master Khalid?" said Kalima, with a frown, her eyes locked on her target, Zainab glanced away as she held her father's shoulders.
Khalid frowned, "Well, my daug-"
The other woman, Beset smiled as she placed her hands on hips and casually crossed arms. "You called us, because I am sure for your daughter needs a bath again?" her smile a teasing one.
"Yes, yes both of you are correct, here take Zainab," he handed Zainab over to Kalima, no not the mean witch. The blonde girl started to kicked around, while they tried to take hold of her.
Khalid still held onto his daughter, "Zainab stop it, girls don't go outside like boys,"
Beset smirked, "it's either way, Master Khalid," enjoying this moment. Zainab stopped as Kalima pinched the poor girl.
Zainab said "But it's research," in a whiny voice, her father never understand her. She pouted, "I can domesticate a hippo and crocodiles are friendly, you'll see!"
Khalid, glanced at his own daughter and clicked his tongue. "No both of those are dangerous beasts, I forbid you to go out there, besides you need to focus on more important things like being a magician, priestess and a lady," he frowned. "Your outings outside are getting out of hand,"
Zainab whined once more to her father, pleading him to understand her outings with Cricket, and the crocodiles were normal for her. She had been doing this for two years but, he didn't look like he wanted to understand her. "But, Father," she frowned looked like she about to shed some tears. Her eyes were getting watery.
Khalid shook his head. "No nonsense, Zainab," he paused. "Go, Kalima and Beset," he signaled with the wave of his hand to the women to leave. Zainab became quiet as she laid onto Kalima's shoulder and they took her into the house and Beset slammed the door.
A woman with long black hair slightly curl, that reached her mid back, her eyes were midnight blue in color, a spitting image of her mother Keret but far more poise. She wore an elegant white kalasiris keyhole neckline with gold collar, gold bracelets and armbands, ankh earrings came walking toward her husband. She had a gentle demeanor, and carried herself with elegance.
"Khalid," the man turned to face her. From the gentle voice, to the beautiful wife of his, "let me, guess our daughter went out in the Nile again?" she smiled but shook her head. She placed her hands over one another in the front.
"Yes, she has," he frowned. "And you don't anything about it Halima,"
. Halima crossed her arms. "Well, she reminds of you," he looked at her and gave her a look that 'I am not like her' kind of look.' "But not in that way,"
"What?" he had confused expression, his brows knitted together.
"Oh, you know what I am talking about, you are kind of awkward at times," she giggled.
"Halima, I'm aware Zainab is odd, at least to the other children she is," he rolled his eyes thinking about the other snobby children. "I don't like Nefertiti, something about her makes me want…ahem" he didn't finished his sentence because he thought it was rude to talk about the pompous girl. She wasn't worth his time and breathe. Halima unfolded her arms.
"Like my father always say, 'follow your heart but take your brain with you'," she said "Zainab has a brilliant mind like my father, and he always stuck his nose in books and researched for hours, and hours…"
Khalid scratched his head and looked around as if anyone was watching. "What, I notice she does that," he paused. "But she is having trouble of fitting with the other children," for a moment he looked concern.
"Perhaps, she is, I'm not worried about our daughter not fitting in, she's fine," she started to walk toward the house, while Khalid picked up the pottery and followed her.
"Fine?" he said "Are you sure? You told me, you wanted her to be like you a lady well mannered, beautiful and respectful how can she be fine if she's playing with swords, crocodiles and swimming with hippos?" he continued. "Besides her running off and writing books and poems? Or reading testing out her strange theories like the world is round? I wonder where she came up that?" They entered the house entrance to foyer as Halima opened the door, and placed the pottery down. Outside next to the pillar.
Halima stopped and turned to her husband. "Khalid, just because she so smart, does not mean she cannot be a lady,"
"You mean a weird lady my mother always told me, the reason why I became embalmer is because I could see spirits?" he scratched his chin "I still don't believe till this day," he crossed his arms.
"Khalid you are weird because you believe one of the guardian cats is Lucky," she said. A brown cat came waltzing in. He meowed at them with his smiling face
"That's recently I meant before," he said. He looked down at the smiling brown cat. "Yes that's you, Lucky,"
"Besides the point, are you telling me that our daughter does not have a future?"
"No, no of course not, but if she's you know acting the way she is, no man will ever marry her,"
"There is always someone out there, if not nearby," said Halima. "Someone might have the same interests as her,"
"What crocodiles?!" he said almost shouted in shocked, "I mean ahem, cats, dogs, horses I don't care, even cows but crocodiles…Zainab thinks they are friendly animals. I'm worried about that,"
"Everyone has animal that they feel they are connected with, Khalid," she petted Lucky who purred. "Zainab is fine, she will be the most beautiful and intelligent daughter that we will be proud of, just have faith in Ra and the gods." She smiled to her husband.
"If you say so," as his wife entered the house. Khalid followed her in, he shut the door. "And if this disrupts her studies?" Halima turned around to face him.
"If this gets out of hand, then I say we will step in, alright Khalid," she gave him a reassuring smile. He nodded and headed toward the dining with her.
I fix the beginning of this chapter much better, I read it and said whoa I need to fix it.
I hope you enjoy it
