Discalimer: Here is yet another story. Completely unrelated to the Lira/Ardeth saga. If you can call it a saga. At any rate, I do not own Ardeth, or in this case, Dakarai his previous incarnation. Chanda is mine however. So don't steal her. Not saying you would, but I like to cover my bases. Please R&R! I'm desperate. Desperate like a sweaty Irishman. Not sure where that came from, but I'm a quarter Irish so please don't beat me up for that. I know this is just the first chapter, but just give me some feedback, yo. From here on in, Egyptian is in regular font, Vedic is in Italics.

"If you pull the same stunt here that you did in Damascus, I swear I'll…" Bhagra warned, pointing his finger in the face of the costumed girl before him.

"You'll what? There's not a threat on this earth that you could possibly hold over me." Chanda returned in the cold, calculating voice she reserved for just such occasions.

"I'll sell you off to the first slave trader I see. You have never been able to keep a civil tongue in your mouth." Bhagra was steaming. This was a crucial engagement, and all the girls were ready. All except Chanda.

"Then you should be thankful I don't speak their language. Besides, you won't sell me. You can't. I'm the best dancer you've yet managed to kidnap." She glared at him defiantly. Five years since being taken from her home and she was no more resigned to her fate than she had been the first night tied to three other girls in the belly of a merchant ship. Bhagra growled to himself, the sound rumbling in his oversized belly.

"Listen, this is a very important engagement for me. The musicians are ready. The other dancers are ready. Please don't ruin this for me." Bhagra said with tense politeness. Chanda narrowed her almond shaped eyes.

"Why should I help you?" she asked, "What's in it for me?" Bhagra was at his wits end. He needed her. She had the most experience. She'd been 20 when his men had abducted her, the oldest of any of the girls. He'd shouted at them for hours over it. Then he saw her dance. She was the star, the main attraction, and he had to keep her happy. She'd nearly escaped several times.

"What if I offered you a share of the profits?" he muttered. Chanda wasn't sure whether to believe him.

"How much?"

"One percent." He said stiffly. Chanda huffed.

"Ten"

"Two"

"Ten"

"Three"

"Ten"

"You don't know how to haggle." Bhagra was about to throttle her.

"You don't know when you're beat." She knew he couldn't do anything to her. At least not for the next couple days, as long as they were in Thebes. Bhagra ran a hand over his balding head. He sighed.

"Fine" he growled, "But you've got to stop trying to run away."

"Agreed" she said, and for the first time in five years he was relaxed, "No more attempts. I won't pick another lock unless I know I can get away."

Rameses I had finally been laid to rest. There had been much grieving in the kingdom, but tonight there was to be a splendid party at the palace. Seti I was the new ruler of Egypt, and for this there would be much celebration. As a captain, Dakarai was given the night off and commanded to attend the event. The banquet table was loud and slightly disorganized. The best food and wine was being served, and it was rumored that some dancers from the distant east were being brought in. Seti sat in his raised throne at the head of the table, smiling and observing the conversation. Several other Medjai officers were in attendance, including the chief of the city, Baruti. Dakarai sat straight and observed this all with passive interest.

When a short robust man with darker skin than any seen in Egypt, the room quieted. One of King Seti's servants whispered in his ear and the pharaoh motioned for the short man to come forward. The room was suddenly silent, and Dakarai was almost convinced they could hear him chewing, so he stopped, the food still in his mouth.

"Honored guests," boomed the voice of the pharaoh in the silent hall, "Allow me to introduce Bhagra. He travels to us from the Indus territories with his fine dancers."

"Yes, your highness," she pudgy man bowed, "I come before you with the finest dancers of all India. I do hope they please your majesty." Seti nodded at the imposed flattery, and waved his hand.

"Bring them in." he said dully, and Bhagra bowed, motioning to some brightly dressed women holding bizarre instruments. As the music started, everyone glanced around. Sitar music was, after all, unfamiliar to them. But as the first of the dancers came out they were silent and dared not for a moment to look away.

The woman was slightly older than most dancers to visit the court of the king, but she moved with a fluid grace that captured the attention of the audience. The girls who followed, singing soft, haunting music in a language very few of them could understand, were barely noticed. Chanda was clearly the highlight of the performance. The dance itself was unusual, sensual, and exotic. Her clothing was a shimmering pale purple, she wore long intricate golden earrings, several golden bracelets, a golden armband, and silver dancing bells on her ankles and around her exposed belly. They made a soft, melodic chime that kept with the music on each step. Aside from the bright, colored outfits, the race of these women was by far the most astounding. They were each of them darker than their Egyptian hosts but lighter than the darker African tribes, some of which were present. Their hair was black as jet and meticulously straight. The woman who came out first had her hair in a braid that flowed around her as she danced.

Seti himself was clearly captivated. She continued to step and sway to the music, her body nimble and dynamic. Her hands and arms flowed as though on waves and even her wide almond eyes seemed to dance with her. This was indeed a special treat. One that only a powerful and wealthy pharaoh could afford. Finally, the song ended, the dancing girl on her knees surrounded by her peers. Dakarai was astounded. He stared at the woman intently, and for a moment their eyes met but all too soon she glanced away. Then he realized the lump of half chewed food was still in his mouth. It was now soggy and devoid of flavor, but he made the effort to choke it down.

She was beautiful. It was all he could say on the matter. Her skin was lovely, dark, and smooth. Her body was lean and toned, curving dangerously in all the right places, and her hair was long and black as night. Her eyes were of the hue of honey, her eyelashes dark and long. His eyes traced her high cheek bones, her full lips, and the straight line of her nose. The iridescent pale purple contrasted her perfectly, and her gold jewelry was elegant and flattering. Finally, as the pharaoh began to clap and the guests to follow, Dakarai tore his eyes away and looked around the table, clapping absently in time. As the pharaoh instructed the owner of the dancers to pull up a chair and speak with him, the dancers began again. Dakarai tried to busy himself with his food with little avail. Without his knowledge or consent his eyes would drift to the beautiful dancer from the east, and his food was largely abandoned.

Bhagra noted that the pharaoh took great interest in Chanda, and he hoped she would not ruin this the way she had done in Damascus. There was a smile playing on the pharaoh's lips and Bhagra sighed, hoping it would last the evening. He was a little surprised when the pharaoh spoke to him.

"What is her name?" Seti asked. Bhagra started a little before answering.

"She's just a girl I picked up a few years back. Her name is Chanda, but that should be of little consequence to your greatness." Bhagra shrugged. Seti nodded absently.

"It seems to be that it would be a great misfortune if you lost her." Seti mused, "This little group is worth nowhere near as much as I am paying without her."

"As long as your majesty finds that she is worth the generous price you are paying, I am satisfied." Bhagra said, not particularly comfortable with the direction the conversation was heading.

"I am more than pleased with her performance." Seti assured, "But I must ask what it would take for you to part with so valuable a commodity." Bhagra was speechless for a moment.

"Your majesty, I'm not sure what to say. She is indispensable to me at this point. You have so many fine dancers in your kingdom, and she would be the only Indian dancer, I'm afraid it would serve you little."

"You mistake me, my man. I am not looking for a dancer so much as a member of my harem." Seti laughed. Bhagra turned pale.

"Your majesty she is no harem girl. She does nothing but dance, you know that from our arrangement."

"Yes, but I am taken with this one. She is exotic. The way she dances I know she would be valuable to me. Do not worry, I am not afraid to break in a novice."

"You mistake me. I am trying to protect her. To my knowledge she has never been with a man. To sell her into a harem would be unconscionable to me."

"Her fate is out of your hands, thief. You took her from her home I can just as easily take her from you. You would be wise to accept my offer." Seti was growing ever more serious, and Bhagra was beginning to sweat. He didn't much desire setting off a king.

"I must warn you, your majesty, before you make so hasty a purchase. You must realize she speaks only Vedic, not a word of Eyptian. She is uncontrollable. She has nearly escaped me many times. She is a masterful picklock." Bhagra insisted. It was a last ditch effort to dissuade the pharaoh, both for her sake and his own. Seti regarded him.

"Language matters not, and if anyone can keep her in line, the Medjai can. Name your price, Bhagra, what is she worth to you?"

A/N: I'm not giving up on my other story, I just had this idea and, well, here it is. Hasn't been beta'd. Maybe it will be later. And as far as timelines and history go, things aren't going to be strictly accurate. The movies weren't either so cut me a little slack here. This is my world. Anyway, please review and let me know what you think.