Hey ya'll! I'm a little unsure about the execution of this, but am in love with the idea. I apologize ahead of time for any time and history discrepancies you catch, but the names were changed to purposely make it easier to identify everyone and obviously I have no clue about what ancient Egyptians talked like. As usual, I own nothing. Hope you like!
The blue Nile River shimmered in the mid-day sun as it gave life to the fertile land. It stretched lazily across the ground like a snake, always flowing, always cool. Reeds stuck out near the banks, housing and feeding a variety of insects and fish.
Under a tree, sat a young girl and boy, both about thirteen, with fishing rods. One could easily tell that the two were siblings, with their similar noses and facial structure. The girl's striking, double colored eyes that separated her from her brother. The girl's dark hair was plaited and adorned with gold extensions that accentuated the curve of her face. The boy's also had dark hair, though in the form of a wig, and it was outfitted with gold beads on the ends. Their clothes suggested a modest style of living- slightly above the farmers, but far less than the nobles with the girl's simple white, linen dress and the boy's white skirt and neckpiece.
"We should really leave now." The boy said, turning to the girl.
The girl scrunched up her nose in disgust. "We just got here Gavin. I haven't even caught ten yet."
"We're supposed to be at the market Kiki, not playing around. It won't be long before we're both married and raising our own families,"
"Blah, blah, blah. That's all I seem to hear about these days. When did you get so old?"
"When I realized that we're practically adults."
"We are not."
"You're of marrying age, as am I. It won't be long before someone comes around, asking Mother and Father to marry you."
"When that happens, please tell me."
"You should at least start looking."
"You're a full season older than me. You should be the one ready to mate."
Gavin looked at the ground bashfully.
"Unless you've already found someone?"
"It's nothing official yet."
"But there is someone!" Kiki yelped in victory. "It looks like I've found something better than a fish today."
"You can't tell anyone. She comes from an affluent family, but not quite as well as ours. It's a perfect match. There's no way she can refuse."
"Well, I personally would find it quite easily to refuse you." Kiki said with a sly smile on her face.
"You know, the royals marry their siblings all the time."
"I am well aware, but last time I checked, we weren't royal."
"What about you? Have you found someone?"
"No."
"There must be."
"There isn't."
"Then where do you run off to all the time?"
"I don't run off."
"You're avoiding the question Kiki."
"No, I'm not. You jut don't like the answer."
"Come now, I told you."
"I swear, there isn't! If there were, I would tell you first. Promise."
Gavin grumbled, tugging on his fishing rod. He knew the answer wasn't true, but there was little to do when his sister didn't want to do something other than wait her out. "I know you're lying."
"Well, when you find one of these love poems from my "lovers" be sure to tell me about them. I would love to read one or two."
Suddenly, a dark skinned boy, a few years older than Kiki and Gavin, burst through the tall grasses. "Your grandmother is requesting your immediate presence. She wants to see Kiki first, then Gavin." He announced, eyes wide.
Gavin and Kiki grimaced, as they quickly began packing up their items. "Thanks for the warning Han."
Han looked over the two scrambling siblings. "You know, you wouldn't need my help if you would just follow the rules for a change. I get tired of helping you two get out of all the trouble you cause."
"Well, then we're lucky to have you as our bestest friend." Kiki said, throwing a blanket at Han. "You and Gavin put the things in the hideout, I need to get going."
"Are you serious?" Gavin asked.
"What?"
"Why do you get to leave without picking up?"
"Grandmother asked for me first! Obviously, I'm a favorite."
"There are no favorites!"
"I disagree."
"If Kiki's grandmother's favorite, then you're my favorite Gavin." Han stated.
"Aw, how cute." Kiki snickered.
"You're just lucky that we include you in everything we do together." Gavin argued.
"You're lucky that I don't hit you when you don't."
Gavin groaned. "Just, when you're there, don't tell grandmother anything about what we talked about earlier, okay?"
"Are you hiding things?" Han asked. "What did he say earlier? Was this about Johanna?"
"Johanna?" Kiki asked eagerly.
"Han! I didn't tell her!"
"Now I have a name!"
"Come on G, have a sense of humor."
"I want a sense of privacy!"
"You can't hide anything from grandmother. You should know that by now." Han argued.
"Well then that means Kiki can't hide her suitor either."
"You have a suitor already?" Han asked.
"I do not! Gavin's lying."
"No, she just won't admit it."
Kiki swatted her brother on the arm. "I told you, there is no admirer or suitor or mate or whatever you want to call him!"
"I just want to know who he is! You know about Johanna."
"Will you ever believe me?"
Han grinned. "I know I won't."
"Will you ever stop lying to me?" Gavin asked. "Maybe grandmother will tell me, since she knows everything." Gavin argued. "Han has a point."
Kiki grimaced on the inside, but remained outwardly calm. "I swear to Ra,"
"All right all right, no need to swear to Ra." Han said. "We'll find out eventually. He will have to get permission from Father sooner or later."
Preferably never, Kiki thought. "Goodbye you two, see you later," She said, turning away.
She ran up the Nile, plunging through grass taller than her and past flying insects and jumping amphibians. Outside, she felt like Ash, god of oases, finally at home in her element.
Kiki ran down the path leading to the marketplace, wind threatening to push off her hair extensions. As she grew closer to the heart of the city, the population dramatically increased. People stood in her way, many yelling or pushing giant carts or selling goods. The claustrophobia was almost too much for Kiki to stand.
This is why I never follow the rules. She thought, bumping past an annoyingly loud trader. If I did, I'd have to come here every second of the day.
Of course, there were guards and slaves to clear the paths for their masters to lessen the congestion, but Kiki's family could never afford to buy enough to block out all of the people in the market.
She came up to one of the many mud-brick houses. A blanket of decorative red cloth covered the door opening, separating the inside from the out.
Kiki stepped into the house. Without the sun's rays, the house was much cooler. The light was dim as Kiki's eyes adjusted.
"Welcome granddaughter," In the corner of the main floor space in a rocking chair, sat a small woman with dark, braided hair. An elegant piece of pottery sat in her palms, as steam drifted to the surface.
"Grandmother,"
"Please sit."
Kiki sat on the floor, mind racing as she wondered why she had been called. "How have you been?"
"The weather has been pleasant this summer, not too warm, but enough sun to nourish the crops," she replied. "I assume you know why I have called you?"
"No."
The old woman chuckled, her laugh filling the otherwise empty room. "You cannot hide your suitor from me, young one. I notice the stolen glances from a certain royal's son, feel the longing in your fond nicknames, sense the passion in his poetry. I expected nothing less from you, granddaughter."
Kiki's face brightened to a soft shade of red. "Was it that obvious?"
"I am just more observant than most here," Grandmother chuckled. "You secret is safe with me. Though I do wonder how you two plan to go about your courtship."
"It all happened so fast."
Grandmother nodded sagely. "An indicator of a strong love. Your parents would be more than willing of such a match."
"His family is a different story," Kiki groaned. "They prefer Taylor."
"The scribe's daughter, yes. Yes, that would be preferable for their family. But, you are skilled in other ways."
Kiki snorted. "In no way that matters. It is all "men's" work."
"You are smart, granddaughter. You will figure it out. I just wanted to make sure that you were aware of your precarious situation."
"I am."
"Then you are free to go. If you need anything, feel free to visit. I will be checking up on you from time to time if you do not visit."
"Yes grandmother," Kiki said, getting up from the ground. She hugged the old woman before exiting the door.
"What did she want?" Gavin asked, head cocked with curiosity.
"To ask about my weaving."
"Haha,"
"I have to go. And you have to get a talk."
"I see, you have to meet your suitor."
Kiki rolled her eyes, but said nothing as Gavin slipped into the house laughing.
Well, whatcha think? I know it's a bit slow, but I promise more action in later chapters. We're going to meet "Kiki's" suitor next chapter, though I'm pretty sure we've already met him. Please review- I crave feedback!