A/N: Thanks so much for the alerts/favorites and reviews! It means a lot. Also, I'm not sure exactly how long it takes to get to Egypt from Rome by boat, but for the story's sake, I'm going to say about three weeks. I highly doubt this is accurate, but for my timeline, I'm just gonna go with it. Hope you guys enjoy!
The Mediterranean Sea, about a day's length to Alexandria's port, 476 A.D.
Brittany inhaled deeply, the salty sea air calming her nerves of what tomorrow held. She could only see endless ocean while looking over the prow at this moment, but she knew that by this time tomorrow, she would see the glittering sands of Alexandria, her soon-to-be home.
They had been sailing for almost three weeks; the markings she etched into the bedpost after every sunset told her so.
The journey had been quite uneventful. Brittany spent her days drawing or in her cabin that she shared with Quinn. When she could steal away, Brittany would sneak into the Captain's office and look through the scope he had, trying her best to see when Egypt would be in view.
"Brittany, what are you looking at?" A voice called from behind her. Looking over her shoulder, Brittany saw Quinn poking her head out from the door that led to below deck.
"Just getting some fresh air is all." She replied to her best friend. Quinn turned slightly green at the reference of sea air being 'fresh'. It turns out, Quinn was not meant for sailing, causing her to be violently sick anytime she stood on the deck for more than ten minutes.
"I do not understand how you call it that, it smells of dead fish and a rotting salt block." Quinn scoffed while placing her hands on her stomach as if to ward off sickness.
"Then go back inside! I won't have you retching on deck again. I will be down soon." Brittany laughed as Quinn nodded quickly and scrambled back down the stairs. She was grateful to have Quinn on this journey, but she felt so incredibly guilty. She knew that if she wasn't being forced to go to Egypt, then Quinn would have no cause to go either.
Brittany sighed as she thought back to her last night in Rome, and how it seemed like only yesterday.
Brittany's sobs had just subsided when there was a knock on her door. Quickly, she turned in her bed and feigned sleep.
"Brittany?" A soft voice called as he door crept open, "honey, are you awake?"
"Mama?" Brittany sat up in bed and turned to face her mother. The Empress shut the door and sat on the edge of her daughter's bed.
"Darling, I'm so sorry. You must know that I knew nothing of what happened." She assured as she tucked a stray piece of blonde hair behind Brittany's ear. Brittany nodded slowly.
"I know. I'm just so confused. How did this happen?" She asked desperately. The Empress sighed deeply.
"Your father..he. Well, he does not view things with emotion. Not anymore."
Brittany's brow furrowed in confusion. Before she could say anything, the Empress held her hand up.
"Let me explain." She began, "When you were born, your father was the happiest man on this earth. He was so different than he is now. He is still a great Emperor, but he ruled so differently back then. You and I, we were his true joy, and he guided his people off of that joy. Well, when you were only a few months old, an Egyptian arrived at the palace. He was bruised, blooded, and in desperate need of food. We took him in and tried to nourish him back to health, but he had been poisoned. There was nothing we could do."
"But what does that have to do wit-" Brittany interrupted.
"Let me finish. Now," The Empress continued, "after we sent word of the death, we found out that the Egyptian was a member of the royal family. They were outraged and blamed us, even though he was hurt before we had him here. We apologized for their loss and offered rewards to who could find the one responsible, but the Egyptians could not be swayed. A month after this happened, an assassin stole into the palace. Well, you were a very fussy baby, and for that I am now grateful. On that night, your crying woke me up, and I carried you from your room and into our chambers. Once you had been calmed, I carried you back to the nursery. Inside was a man holding a knife and peering into your crib. I screamed and ran, the man trying to follow, but he was stopped by our guards and killed immediately. After that, your father was hardened, and he never was the same."
"I'm still confused. Why am I being sent to a land that wanted me dead?" Brittany questioned. The Empress smiled, but it lacked humor.
"Well, your father wanted an alliance with the Egyptians. Anything to keep them from harming us. There was only one solution: you were to be betrothed to the Prince there. I refused, but your father was blinded by fear. So the agreement was in place."
"But, in the throne room you said that agreement was void! I shouldn't have to be going!" Brittany cried out as she clung to her mother desperately.
"Shh, hush now." The Empress cooed, "You're right. That agreement was void. When you were ten years old, the Egyptian's were at war, and they needed help in order to win. We agreed, but under the circumstance that you were to be released of being betrothed. They promised us the marriage was now void, so we sent them troops, and they won. I am just as confused as you as to why the marriage is now happening, but you mustn't let it stop you from your dreams. Do you understand?"
"Mama, how? I'm being sent away! From you, and Mike, and Amelia! Oh Gods, Atalanta! Who will take care of her?" Brittany sobbed hysterically. The Empress stroked her daughter's hair as silent tears crept down her cheeks. She wiped them away before speaking.
"Brittany. Brittany listen to me. You are strong, and you are brave. I have seen you with Mike, and have seen you spar with him." Brittany pulled back instantly, fear etched on her face, but the Empress smiled and continued.
"You have a spirit in you that many envy. If anyone can survive being sent to a new land and it is you. You have brought joy to our people here, now you must bring it to the Egyptians. Promise me you will learn to be happy there? Even if you are alone?"
"But I'm not alone, Quinn is being sent with me. Is she part of the agreement too?" Brittany wondered sadly, not wanting her friend to be miserable like her. The Empress's face hardened.
"I'm afraid I do not know. My guess is that it has to with Councilmember Fabray. He is always wanting to please your father." She told her daughter. It was no secret that the Empress did not like Russell Fabray. "But now you must be strong for you and Quinn. Promise me."
"I promise, Mama. I will not let you down." Brittany assured softly. The Empress rocked her back and forth slowly; her eyes shut tight at the thought of her daughter, her only child, leaving in the morning.
"Things will be alright." She whispered more to herself than her daughter.
After Brittany fell asleep, the Empress exited the room and made her way to her bedchambers. There she saw her husband waiting for her. Before he could speak, she marched up to him and looked him in the eye.
"I do not know what you have planned or why. Never tell me. But I do know this, if anything happens to Brittany, or if anything should happen in Egypt, then the fall of Rome shall land on your shoulders. You can be assured that I will be leading the charge." She told him icily. With that, she moved past him, into her chambers and locked the door.
The Emperor slid down the wall and held his head in his hands.
"By the Gods," He whispered to himself, "What have I done?"
Shaking her head to rid her of the painful thoughts, Brittany cast one more look at the setting sun before turning and making her way to her cabin. Quinn was asleep already when she lay down in the bunk across from her. Brittany closed her eyes and tried to sleep. She knew Egypt would come early.
Hope you liked it! Next chapter we meet Princess Santana!