Disclaimer: Dic© owns everything, with the exception of Baset who is my own creation. This is a work of fanfic, no copyright infringement intended. The Character of Ardeth and the tattoo on Baset's arm will be familiar to fan's of The Mummy. They are copyright of Universal. The idea for this story and the character of Urbena came from the Point Horror Book, The Mummy by Barbara Steiner.
Chapter 2 The falcon's death.
Urbena POV
"Sebti! Sebti! Where are you?" I wander though the gardens calling. They are beautiful, in full bloom despite the heat. Lotus flowers bewitch me with their scent, water lilies gaze up at me from the ponds, palms bend to provide shade and hedges shine a vivid green despite the heat that threatens to overwhelm us all. Normally I would love to stop and rest here, but I must find Sebti.
A sputter of childish laughter catches my attention and I wander over. A column hides me from the view of the guardians and the child. Sebti lies in the middle, batting at a strip of line held by the prince.
"Whose is he though?" the woman guardian asked.
"One of the guards?" suggest the young man, with the uniform of a charioteer.
"No, I know them all."
I step out.
"Actually he's mine"
The guardians' hands fall to their daggers, ready to attack, until they recognise me.
"Her name is Sebti." I continue.
"But that's a boys name." the prince said.
I nod. "She was a present form Nefra. He thought she was a he. I only found my mistake recently."
"How?"
"She's going to have kittens." I reply.
"A good omen." Says a young man with ink on his fingers.
I ignore him and so doe everyone else.
"You can have kitten if you want." I continue.
The prince's face brightens and turns to his guardian. They gaze at me. The woman nods her head, but her eyes are on me. They are veiled, but there is some affection in them.
I think, I hope, she could learn to like me
Baset was relived that her duties as a guardian meant that she was merely required to stand at attention behind the prince, rather than join in the banquet. Twenty plus courses of food and the people packed like papyrus rushes in the fields. And that was before you reached the dais. Pesehet sat like the statue of Iris in the temple, poker backed and icy faced. Amenhotep looked like Seknumt, the lioness headed goddess of war. The lord scarab had picked up on this; his face was covered by his secret smile that made him more resemble a cobra than a scarab beetle.
Nefra, obvious to all this, was playing the devoted swain, serving Urbena from his own plate and sending her secret glances over the table. It might have been true, Baset didn't know either of them well enough to tell.
Rapses had been fighting against his heavy eyes for nearly an hour, before Pesehet noticed and nodded to Baset to remove him.
They climbed the stairs in silence, listening to the sound of the lute and flutes, announcing that the dancing was to begin.
"Not tired." Rapses muttered as they entered his apartments, "not tired."
Baset smiled, as she helped him undress and get into bed. Within 5 heart beats he was asleep.
She wandered out into the antechamber. Nefer had returned, from the kitchen, carrying the bread, barely beer and duck stew that she had managed to grab.
"You'd best go Ja'kal," Baset said, sinking down to floor beside Armon. "Tia said that she had plans for this evening, and I presume they include you."
Ja'kal paused, his eyes darting towards the door into the bedroom.
"I should stay" he began, but Baset interrupted him.
"Ja'kal, Tia has seen you for about two minutes today and she'll see you for a similar amount of time tomorrow if she's lucky. For Ra's sake it's a royal wedding. We'll be up three hours before dawn, and it will midnight before we get to bed, IF we're lucky! Go to her. Sleep. That is," she added with a sly smile. "If sleeping forms part of her plans"
Ja'kal sent Baset a withering glance.
Urbena POV
I am unable to sleep, so I walk in the garden. The lotus blossoms, sweet in the day, smell divine in the night. There is a gentle breeze that wafts the palm leaves causes shadows to dance as delightfully as the girls at the feast. Nefra monkey is startled by my footsteps. He squeals making me jump. He skitters away, chasing another monkey.
Moonlight shines though the columns creating a pattern of light and darkness, like the sky above.
This will all be over tomorrow. I will feel no loneliness; my arms will not be empty and cold. Nefra will hold me and I him. I will fall asleep in his arms beneath the silken webs and on linen sheets.
A falcon shriek pieces the stillness of the air and my heart.
Nefra! What is wrong my prince?
I feel his pain. I know he reaches, searching form me, but I am not there and can not reach him.
Nefra. Nefra! My Love.