Chapter One -- Memphis Market From Behind Blue Eyes
It's nighttime again, and bitter cold.
You'd think that since it's Egypt, it would always be hot outside. Not quite; in my linen dress that is almost too hot during the day, I lay shivering behind a stall in the market of Memphis.
I am Kisara; daughter of a street waif and may Ra know whom. My mother passed from this world a few years ago, and she never told me who my father was. But everyday I can remember has been like this; long, hot days wandering the markets, and cold nights crouched behind a market stall.
I remember little of my mother; she would often disappear and come back with a small baguette or fruit. It was rare we spent time together. When we did, we would never talk. Instead, she would often stroke my strikingly blonde hair and stare off into space, only to come out of her reverie and say forcefully, "Kisara, you will rise above this. You will go far." My young mind didn't quite know what she meant.
She has passed and gone to Orisis five years ago. I am now sixteen, and alone in this world.
I woke in the morning to Khu setting out his wares. He was a big man with deeply tanned skin and warm brown eyes. He was completely bald, and his scalp shone in the sun like gold. Over the years he had watched out for me, and we were friends. I think he pitied me, because he more than once offered to take me home with him and let me sleep in a real bed. I had been once, and Khu's wife could hardly hide her disgust at my appearance. He still invited me, though I now declined.
"Ah, my little Roman rose!" Khu exclaimed as I yawned and brushed the hair out of my face. He jokingly calls me a "Roman rose" because of my gleaming blonde hair, and eyes. They are of the lightest turquoise, and stand out in my tanned face.
"Good morning, Khu," I say brightly. I crawled out from underneath the counter and was struck by the humidity of the day.
"Ah, not so good a morning, my Kisara. I wager there shall be a storm by then end of the day, and a great storm at that. But we are due for one⦠there has been no rain in months." I tuned Khu out, as he continued talking about the river flooding the city. I doubted that it would flood over; but the clouds piling up over the horizon did promise a storm later.
Khu turned his back and I noticed he had set some dates out on the counter. Sneakily, I reached over and grabbed a handful. "Later, Khu," I called over my shoulder, and began to walk to the fountain.
I breathed in deep, as the market began to awaken around me. Shopkeepers unloaded their wares, and complained of the wretched heat. I ignored them, for they did this every day, and crammed the dates in my mouth. Breakfast now becoming digested, I scanned the square and spotted my friend Isa walking past a clothing stall.
"Isa," I called, and ran up to her. She turned at my call and waved.
"Kisa!" she exclaimed fondly, and hugged me, her basket hitting me in the shoulder.
"How's life with your family?" I asked, rubbing my shoulder. Isa's family was constantly plotting to marry her off, and she was always in despair over her potential husband. On occasion, I had stayed with Isa, though I didn't much care for her older brother San. He had more than a crush on me, and I therefore avoided him.
"Fair. They gave up on the tailor's son, and now are hoping for the banker's son, though they don't hold out much hope for that match either," she replied. "How are you faring?" She was always worried I might be kidnapped or worse for my sleeping in the streets.
"I'm well. Khu keeps wanting me to stay at his place, saying he could have me work the stalls in the mornings, but I rather like my life of freedom."
"You know I worry. Even my parents worry about you."
I was touched. It wasn't usual to have people looking out for me.
"I'd stay, but I don't trust San," I said with a shiver. "You know how he eyes me."
Isa sighed. "True. Well, he'll be leaving soon. Father's buying a mare from out of town and San is leaving this afternoon to fetch it. At least say you'll stay tonight."
I hesitated only slightly and then nodded. "Alright."
"Good," she smiled and grabbed my arm. "Now help me pick out some figs for mother. She's feeling poorly again."
