Prologue
Ancient Egypt: 1294 BC
City of Thebes
She moved smoothly into her room, followed by maids who were accustomed to their mistress's swift yet silent feet, and sat down on her couch. Another bolt of pain went through her midsection and she clenched her teeth, determined not to make a sound, she was a princess, not a harem woman. This time she had a different reason for being swift, her father and husband had followed her closely and watched anxiously as the maids removed her characteristic silver jewellery, pushing her linens away from her legs to keep them from being soiled. Then they gently lay her down and she winced slightly, accepting the comforting touch of her husband's hand upon her cheek gratefully.
The pains lasted for a while and she lost track of time but when the physician started moving around nervously and her sister was sent for, Princess Selkenauset knew something was wrong. "What is happening to me" she asked weakly, surprised to find that her voice had suddenly grown faint and her strength was rapidly fading. Her eyes moved rapidly from her husband's anxious gaze to her father's worried face and she knew. She had suspected that this would happen. That the birth of her child would be the death of her. The physician had been worried sick when he found out she was pregnant because her body was too small to possibly bear a healthy child and live to care for it.
Yet she was not afraid of the end, of dying, only afraid of the result of Ma'at's scales in the judgement hall. She had done her best to prepare for her passing, said her prayers dutifully everyday to Isis and Mut so that her soul would be unblemished when she took Osiris' hand. However, the apprehension was still there and she looked over at her husband "I am dying, my love" she said, stating the obvious, though she felt no pain. The absence of pain reassured her, for it was Isis' response to her faithfulness, and told her that she had nothing to fear in the judgement hall. Sebek would go hungry again. She smiled suddenly, upon remembering that the treasure she guarded would be safe where it was hidden. For only she knew where it rested and once she died no one, not even her beloved husband, would be able to find it. Her vision began to blur as her husband took her hand and she smiled at him "do not worry, Imhotep, I am prepared" she whispered and acknowledged the presence of Nefertiri, who had come in a hurry.
Nefertiri was crying and another pain shot through Selkenauset, causing her to clench her teeth again. She heard the words of Isis in her head the child will not go with you, my daughter, Nefertari will live Selkenauset nodded faintly and summoned all of her strength but before she pushed he placed her hand on her husband's cheek. "The baby is a girl and her name is to be Nefertari, Isis has told me this. Please take care of her....I am fading fast and I won't be here when she comes. Please Imhotep, tell her I love her. I love you" she said softly then clenched her teeth, gripped his hand and pushed with every ounce of strength left in her body. Her vision darkened and cold winds of the judgment hall were like a slap to her face. The last thing she heard, as the doors of the mortal world closed behind her, was a newborn baby's cry.