Chapter 1:
*Chione's POV*
Ra's rays beam down on my lightly tanned face, lighting up the darkness in my eyelids. Slowly, they open to reveal my river blue colored eyes. I sit up from my back to stretch out my body to be awaken.
"Morning my child," my mommy, Auait, greets me with a smile.
"Morning Mommy," I greeted back with my smile.
"Go make a bath while I get the herbs for you hair and body."
"Yes Mommy."
A large pottery pot with a cloth has been our tools of helping us to be clean. I took it and dip it in Daddy's waters until it is completely full. The pot is placed next to me as the plain knee-length white dress has been removed from my naked body. My only piece of clothing must be wash and clean each day when Ra awakens me from my sleep.
Once fascinated, I lay it out the dress on the green grass where Ra's rays will dry the already worn out dress. My dark as night hair falls from it's usual bun to down to my waist. Half of the pot's water pours over my whole body and hair. I made sure that I get everywhere before the herbs are ready.
Mommy has the herbs for my hair as she gives me the ones for my body. She rubs the herbs through my thick hair as I rub the herbs on my Ra-kissed skin. I'm a little lighter than than average person, but I'm still considered as one. Mommy helps me on my back where I can't reach. The rest of the water pours as the cloth helps out gratefully.
Soon my body is wet and cleaned. I place one more type of a herb in my mouth and begin to chew. Mommy picks up her childhood comb and begin to brush my hair. Now I know a mother should do these things for a young child, but she wants to take care of me as much as possible because I'm her only child and also the Nile's true child. Of course, I know how to take care of myself.
"Chione." she speaks to me, beginning to braid my hair, "you are nearly three moons away from your thirteenth year."
"Yes I know," I said after spitting out the herb.
"I believe it is time for you to find a husband."
"But Mommy," I exclaimed, turning around to her with a sad look, "the boys my age wouldn't consider me as a wife!"
Three years ago, I was a student in the nearby village's education. The teachers likes my performance there as I did everything as told. I even did everything with a bright smile. Unfortunately, everyone keep on being mean to me to the point they started to be physical on me. So I'm behind on my education.
"I know Chione, but we are going to find the right one for you," she softly smiles to me.
I smiled back softly, "okay Mommy."
She finishes my hair by a long braid that wraps around the back of my head into a bun. My driss is dry so I place it back on. Mommy makes a fire while I found two fish within Daddy's waves. I place them both on these tree branches from one of the trees close to us. The fire cooks the fish to the point where they can be edible to eat.
Ra's rays beam down on the sands of the local village. Very few people places a piece of gold in our coin bag. Our only source of work is that we have are these daily routines of the art of bellydancing. We need money to get new fabric for our new outfits for the new year of my life. Hopefully this time Mommy and I can get more bellydancing appropriate outfits.
Things are going good until my eyes pick up something I don't want to see. It's two beings who I went to school with. A boy and a girl. They used to be mean to me and they appear to be together either courting or married. Mommy senses this and grabs our coin bag.
"I believe we are finish for the day," she speaks to me.
"Okay Mommy."
She knows if that the two would ever to see me, things will get ugly. We head back to where Daddy is with the nine moons worth of gold pieces. Hand holds of the water helps our with our thirst as Mommy makes another fire for the evening fish. While the fish is cooking, she and I practice more routine.
Ra soon sleeps for the night as we quickly eat the fish. Once the moon comes out to play, she and I need to sleep so we can repeat each day when he reappears.
"Goodnight Chione," Mommy speaks, laying on her back on the grass, "I love you."
"I love you too Mommy," I said on my side, "goodnight."
My body turns to where my back is facing her and the fire. Memories of the past appear before me, which makes tears in my eyes.
"Ra, Daddy," I whispered softly, "am I going to find happiness?" Slowly my eyes begin to close as I slip into my deep sleep.