Hello, I wanted to write about Ptolemy because I don't think he gets enough attention. I lie. Just like him. He's about seventeen in this fic. Enjoy!
The sun had set hours ago over Egypt, and now Alexandria was drifting in the twilight hours, waiting for the moonrise. The young prince was sat upon the rooftop of his chamber, enjoying the lamplight and silence that helped him study late into the night. Recently, since an incident involving a bull, the boy had found hardly any time during the day to get his work done, for he was being forever hounded by citizens of the city, hoping he could help them in some way. Anyone looking up now would see him sat, supposedly by himself, his slender arms holding the papyrus he was reading from, legs crossed and a frown on his face as he tried to understand his own frenzied scribbling. A few hours ago as they sun had been setting and people were making there way home, he was forced to retreat into his chambers after the noise of the gathering girls beneath him grew too loud. But now he was sat by himself, at least to the average eye he was by himself.
"Rekhyt, explain to me your concept of time again." He said quietly and as he spoke a bird, blue feathers with magnificent white plumage, glided down to sit with him.
"I explained it twice," but the bird was silent as Ptolemy looked at him with a stern glance, "you constantly ask these questions but may I ask you one?" Ptolemy did not look up from his work but nodded.
"Why does that girl cover her face?" The bird extended a wing to indicate some place below them, Ptolemy took a moment to look up and saw a girl a little way away. She wore a hooded cloak which surprised him due to the heat of the city; she used a hand to pull the hood over her face to cover it, glancing behind her every now and then as though ensuring she was not being followed. Ptolemy shrugged and went back to his work.
"Perhaps the same reason you Djinni do?" He said quickly before changing subject, "now time, is it relative to space as-"
"But why is that?" Rekhyt wasn't listening, still watching the girl with, as much as any bird could, a look of interest on his features.
"Perhaps she has something others want; she is desirable in some way?" The prince had never been good at subjects like this and was growing weary with his servant. "Now come and-"
"What would that be?" The bird wondered out loud and knew Ptolemy was not going to be angry with his wonderings; just as much as the boy was trying to understand the Djinni's world, Bartimaeus was trying to understand his. Ptolemy put down his papyrus and picked up his drink.
"Maybe she is a lost moonbeam-"
"Very desirable," the Djinni agreed sarcastically, still finding his master's thoughts strange for a human.
"Maybe she is a delicacy not found on this Earth," Rekhyt watched as the prince stood up to watch the girl make her way through the streets; smirking slightly as she glanced over her shoulder every so often. "Some angel perhaps?" From beneath the hood Ptolemy could see dark waves of hair that caught the starlight, "She is captivating, she is enchanting…" Rekhyt raised a metaphorical eyebrow as he'd never seen his master become so entranced; sure he had appreciated poetic words but he was never one himself. The girl turned around in the street just below them and a harsh wind blew, "or perhaps," her hood was blown away to reveal her face, "some gift from the heavens?" He gasped; never before had he seen someone so lovely, in the starlight he could not make out her exact features but her slim figure, darkened skin, dark hair and shining eyes were enough to entice him.
"Ok, I guess I see why she'd be desirable," Rekhyt whispered into his master's ear and the boy jumped out of his trance.
"Rekhyt, you scared me!" He said before glancing down the street again. "Oh," Ptolemy understood why the girl was running now; she was being pursued by a man, running almost as fast as she could but he was clumsy, perhaps he'd been drinking. "We have to help her," he whispered to his servant who shook his head. "Rekhyt!"
"You're the one who wants to stop helping people," the Djinni said in a dangerous whisper.
"This is different." The young prince was naïve to the ways of politics; he bent to the desires of his people, to the desires of his heart, rather than what was politically correct. Servant and master looked at each other for a moment before Ptolemy went back into his chamber's and walked down the stairs and the bird flew into the street to follow the girl. She was difficult to follow; she knew the side streets of the city well and ran fast through them, she lost the man in a few minutes and Bartimaeus hung back with her in an alley to ensure she was safe. Upon hearing him land on the roof above her she looked up with terrified eyes and he was surprised to see that they were bright green; unusual for Egyptian girls in the city. When she was sure no one was above her she walked to the wall opposite her and pushed the wooden doors open. The bird sat on the roof for a few minutes to ensure nothing happened and was about to move away when he saw some other hooded figure walk into the alley. He recognised him easily; the slender figure, girlish arms and handsome face. Ptolemy walked in after the girl as the bird gestured her direction.
Ptolemy walked into what seemed to be an empty temple, empty of course apart form the girl who was knelt in front of the statue of a God. Her hood had fallen from her head as she bowed to him, her long dark hair reached the floor even though her head was tilted forwards. Ptolemy had recently come away from religion as he and Rekhyt had discussed and evaluated it, he found he had no need for it anymore. He leant against a pillar behind her and watched her pray silently. Wondering if he should do what he was thinking; it was cruel but perhaps she was intelligent enough to dispel religion.
"Why do you pray?" He asked and she opened her eyes, wondering if it was the statue that spoke.
"Who speaks?" She asked and he smiled as her voice was not like a child's how he thought it would be, but rich and delicate in tone.
"It is I," he tried not to laugh as he teased her, "the one you are speaking with."
"No God speaks so directly," she said and closed her eyes quickly. Ptolemy raised an eyebrow; did this girl actually think the God, this statue, was talking to her? Perhaps all the incense in the temple had made her mind bend.
"I speak however I wish," he scolded her and walked closer to her.
"Yes," she whispered, "that's evident."
"How so?" He was only a few feet behind her and she smiled.
"Although you are in front of me, your voice echoes from behind." She pointed behind her and Ptolemy now knew it was her who was teasing him. There was a moment where the prince had to think of something to say but found his wit would not lend itself to him now. "Spying on a woman as she is praying is shameful." She said with distaste but he could hear in her voice she was only mocking him.
"Forgive me." He said and bowed an apology even though she could not see him.
"You should ask the God for forgiveness," she said and picked up a tray from in front of her, it was covered in flowers and candles, "not-" She turned around and upon seeing his face she dropped the tray. With a wave of the boy's had a gust of wind issued from the doors behind him and ensured that the tray landed lightly. She gasped at what she could only call magic and then looked back at the boy before bowing, "your highness, forgive me," she spoke quickly, "I did not know it was you." He watched her for a moment and his previous judgement was confirmed; she was very desirable, her bright green eyes and tanned skin were probably envied by many in the district. He realised she was still bowing.
"You bow to a God and to me?" He asked and walked round her to the statue, "a little hypocritical wouldn't you say?" She smiled at him and shook her head. She's heard of Ptolemy, nephew of the King, he was as handsome as the rumours had said.
"We look to our king for help," she said back to him, "and when he can offer none we rely on the Gods."
"We?" He looked at her sharply.
"Those who are unable to afford such luxuries as advisors, your highness." She said and avoided his eye as he probed her. He nodded at her; so she was of a normal family in Egypt, perhaps land owners, the clothes she was wearing looked as if they had fetched a fine price. "if your highness has asked me all he wants to, I must go." She said, bowed quickly and lifted her skirt before walking out. Ptolemy followed her.
"Will you let me walk you home?" He asked her and smiled as he saw her blush.
"If you'd like to." She shrugged and he took a place next to her. They walked in silence for about ten minutes, every now and then they'd notice the other one staring before looking away and blushing. "Is it alright for his highness to be out late, unaccompanied?" Ptolemy looked up to the night sky and on a backdrop of stars saw a bird with blue feathers glide by.
"Oh, I'm sure I'll be fine." He said with a slight laugh. He had continued to walk but realised she had stopped walking and he turned to her. She nodded towards a dark blue painted building with a smile, indicating this was her stop. "Oh," he said and they both smiled at each other.
"Well," she said and took a step towards her door. "Goodnight, Prince Ptolemy," she whispered and was about to walk in when his hand touched her arm.
"Will I see you again?" He asked her and she shrugged.
"Probably not." She whispered back.
"Why not?" he pleaded with her and she gasped at his actions.
"Why not?" She laughed, "because you are a prince and I am," she searched for the right word, "not. It's improper." She laughed as he raised an eyebrow; Ptolemy had never been one to care for rules and regulations in his life. "And you don't even know my name!" She said frantically trying to get out of the situation; if anyone saw her with a boy, let alone a prince, she'd be in trouble with her family. Especially her father.
"Tell me it then," he said quickly and she shook her head, trying to walk into the house but he was holding onto her hand tightly. "Ok," she stopped to listen to his idea, "if I guess your name in five seconds then you meet me again; by the temple, at sunset tomorrow." She thought about it for a moment before nodding. "You count," she held up her hand to indicate five seconds with her fingers.
"Nefertari?" He said and she laughed (1), before putting one finger down, he stuttered and she put another down, three seconds left. "Amisi?" he said, she shook her head, put a finger down. Two seconds to go. "Femi?" No. One second.
"Layla?!" Someone shouted from above and she looked up.
"Layla?" He whispered, "That's your name?" She tried not to smile as she looked up at the woman who was looking out of her window.
"Yes." She said to both of them.
"Get inside now!" The woman shouted, "have you lost all sense; what time do you call this girl?!" And so the woman continued to mutter and curse at the girl who bowed at her prince and went inside. As she passed him he whispered to her.
"At sunset." He said and walked away. Unaware that, apart from the bird flying high in the stars above him, the young prince was being watched.
(1) The name means the most beautiful. Layla laughs because it's evidently what Ptolemy thinks of her.
Yeah so, that's chapter one, please review! Depending on feedback I may or may not write more!