Chapter 2: The Prince
This day could not get any prettier. The sky was bright and clear as the mighty sun sat high, shining its glorious light throughout all of Egypt. And at the center of the thriving capital, Memphis, the white marble palace of the royal family shined colored with its lovely ornaments of gems and gold.
But despite the fine weather and the beauty of the palace, a young Prince Tut, has been wallowing in an incurable sadness. His bright, blond hair and his handsome, youthful features were only ruined by a frown. If only the fanning servants could blow his misery away as they sent a cool breeze down the grooves of his tanned athletic body. Despite being strong, young, and healthy, he appeared to have no energy to do anything. Nevertheless, he had no choice but to endure as he listened to the royal chief scribe read the day's schedule. "Your hieroglyphics lesson is at mid-morning as usual. Afterwards, you will be in a procession through the market to bless the people with your presence. The procession will stop at the Nile Mansion for lunch with King Patra and his daughter, Cleo …"
Aaugh! Tut cringed at the mention of Princess Cleo, daughter of Patra. He is not in the mood for her chattering and annoying advances. The Patras were royals of the far away land, Nubia, and Tut was being arranged into a miserable royal marriage with Cleo. Though this probably would have been bearable if it was not for a bigger problem.
"Where's father?" Prince Tut asked.
"The great Pharaoh is tending to important business at the temple of Ra," the chief scribe replied, "He will be busy all day."
As usual, Tut thought. Ever since his mother, Queen Nefertiti, died, he has hardly seen his father. Father was always away tending to matters here and there, and rarely spent any time with his son. Right now, Tut would give anything to have a precious moment with his father.
"Let's go, my Prince, future rising sun of Egypt," the chief scribe said to signal the start of the first agenda on the schedule.
If only I had a genie to wish this day to be over, Prince Tut thought.
Back in the dark, echoing ritual chamber, the leader calls his priests to attention.
"The moment draws nigh. For years, we have been preparing for the ritual, and now we shall finally set our plan into motion," the leader shouted.
"We rejoice with you, Great One!" the followers replied in unison.
"First, we need to capture the girl, who shall be our offering. You know whom I have selected. Hear me! I offer you this great opportunity to have the honor of delivering her to me. Whom shall it be?" the leader called out.
Immediately, one enthusiastic priest steps forward. He was short and bony and had dark bags under his eyes. But what he lacked in strength, he makes up for in eagerness.
"Pick me, Great One! Pick me! I shall deliver her at your feet." the scrawny priest said in a high-pitched, scratchy voice.
"Do you understand the consequence if you fail?" the leader said.
"Oh! Well – yes, indeed, sir. Bu-bu-but, I assure you I will not fail," the priest said, "Just bestow upon me the power of the gods and I will be more than capable to fulfill this mission on your behalf."
"Indeed! With this power, no man can stand in your way," the leader said as he approached the groveling priest and held out the magical item for bestowing power: the Pendent of Ra.
"Sekhmet, lioness of war! Give my servant strength!" As soon as the incantations came out of the leader's mouth, the magical pendant glowed with a yellow light. Then, the scrawny, little man grew taller, and his bony body grew fat muscles. His face grew fur and his mouth grew fangs. What was once a weak man was now a mighty beast.
Back at the market, Abayomi was helping at the family booth. Her father was slightly upset that she was late, but they soon put that matter behind them and attended to the customers. As Abayomi was watching the counter, a familiar voice cut through the noise of the crowd.
"Abayomi! You won't believe! You won't believe it! You won't believe it!"
It was her friend, Akila, running down the street. Akila had a strong, inquisitive nature and was always looking for the latest news or word on the street. This time, it looked like the glasses-wearing girl had the news of the century.
"I won't believe what?" Abayomi replied.
"He is coming here today!" Akila shouted without even stopping to take a breath, "It is so incredible! I can't believe he is going to be here! In this market!"
"Who? Who is coming?" Abayomi asked as she struggled to keep up.
"I wonder if we will be able to see him. Oh, dear! The crowd might actually block our view!" Akila continued jabbering.
"Who? Slow down!" Abayomi said.
"Maybe we should climb on one of the trees. Oh! Then we can get a clear view of his face!" Akila chattered.
Desperately, Abayomi grabbed Akila by the shoulders.
"Breathe!" Abayomi said. Then, after Akila took a breath and stopped talking, Abayomi asked, "Who is coming today?"
"Prince Tut!" Akila replied.
This was big news indeed. It was such an honor to see the royal family and be graced by their presence. It was almost like a holiday. And the prince was so handsome. Abayomi still remembers the last time she saw him as he passed through the streets. His golden flowing hair, his smooth and tanned skin, his chiseled pecs …
"Earth to Aba!" Abayomi could faintly hear her friend's voice as she slowly snapped out of her daydream.
"Aba! We need to hurry to the main street. The prince will be passing by soon." Akila explained.
"Oh, right! I'm right behind you." Abayomi said.
And in a dash, the two girls ran off.
"HAIL! HAIL! PRINCE OF EGYPT! HAIL! HAIL! SON OF PHAROAH!"
Cheers filled the air as the prince sat in his sedan chair with four large bodyguards carrying the poles and a small battalion of soldiers surrounding him. Even though there was no festival, no music, and no entertainers, excitement was all around. People screamed and cheered. Many bowed before the honorable prince. And some waved hoping to get the royal son's attention.
Isn't he handsome? Abayomi thought as she watched the handsome prince pass by.
Abayomi was sitting in a tree near the side of main street with Akila. What a spectacle to behold! As she watched, she could not help but fall into dreamland where the prince looked at her, beckoned her to come over, and they sat together enjoying each other's company. Alas, she was a mere commoner, and he was royalty.
"If only dreams came true," Abayomi sighed.
"Who knows? It actually might," a squeaky voice said.
"Yeah … Wait! Huh?" Abayomi looked around her to see where the voice came from. "Akila, did you say something?" Abayomi asked. But Akila was on a higher branch and the crowd's cheers drowned out each other's voices. Abayomi looked around again, but she was alone on her own branch.
"My imagination must be playing tricks on me," Abayomi concluded.
"You do have a wonderful imagination."
There it was again. Except this time, Abayomi felt something brush against her leg.
SOMETHING WAS MOVING INSIDE HER POCKET! A SMALL CREATURE IS IN HER POCKET!
"AHHH!" the shocked Abayomi screamed as she wildly shook her leg.
SLIP!
She fell off her branch.
As the prince rode in the shade of his sedan chair, the prince sat upright with a dignified, regal pose and wore a bright smile that rivaled the sun. But on the inside, the prince was frowning. He was not in the mood for celebrating. He was not feeling any joy. This was not a festival. This was just another duty he had to perform to please the people and his absent father.
I just want this day to be over, Prince Tut thought.
After what seemed like an eternity, the prince finally left the marketplace and arrived at the mansion where the royal Patra family awaits.
But hidden from view, a beastly creature trailed the traveling group with an evil intent.
Author's Note: Why is Akila wearing glasses? I know that glasses didn't exist in Ancient Egypt but this is to be consistent with the Ladybug cartoon
