So glad I'm getting a lot of hits for this story! I wasn't sure how readers were going to react to it. As promised, here is the latest chapter! Thanks for reading so far!
The sun rose on another bright day in ancient Egypt. The Pharaoh was in the middle of an important meeting with his high-ranking officials. Discussing the plans to build a tomb fit for a god, so that the Pharaoh could peacefully pass on from this world and into the next. Cartman had been brought along in the hopes of teaching him the ways of a pharaoh. But he sat there bored and tired of listening to the constant prattling on. Once the meeting adjourned, Cartman was more than happy to stretch his arms and let out a lazy yawn.
"Finally! I thought there'd been no end to it. Other people's opinions don't really matter to me. I need a drink." Cartman shouted impatiently over his shoulder. "Fetch me a drink!"
A servant hastily delivers the drink to Cartman who took one sip before spitting it out in disgust. "What the hell is this? It tastes flat and has no ice cubes in it! What shitty service! You better go back and correct this before I break off your wrist! Get this out of my sight!" Cartman threw the drink back at the poor servant who hurried away in terror.
The Pharaoh threw his son a scolding look. "I wish you wouldn't behave this way. You must learn to respect people, son."
"Nonsense." Cartman said dismissively. "I've yet to meet anyone who deserves my respect. Do I have to sit through any more meetings? I didn't even have lunch yet."
"Fine. I will leave you for now," his father sighed. "But we will speak of this matter later. I must see to other projects that are currently underway. Please try to stay out of trouble, Eric. Someday you must grow up and start taking responsibility around here."
Cartman was glad to finally have some time to himself. Perhaps becoming the new ruler of Egypt wouldn't be as fun as he originally thought. Wiping away the sweat from his forehead, Cartman decided to head for the courtyard for some fresh air. Along the way, he couldn't help but feel that all these high expectations was being thrust upon him. His life wasn't about to get any easier. What if he wasn't up to being the pharaoh? What if...he wanted freedom? Cartman stepped out into the sunny palace garden.
Meanwhile...Outside the Egyptian palace walls, Kyle and Ike were walking back together after a long day's work at the pyramids. Kyle was sore all over and couldn't wait to head home to soak in the tub for a while. But along the way, Kyle kept gazing with genuine interest over at the royal palaces where the nobility and royalty lived out their carefree lives. Despite his grudge, the red-headed Hebrew often wondered what life was like there. The Egyptians sure loved to live like gods.
Suddenly Ike grabbed his brother's hand and pointed at something in excitement. "Look! Isn't that a rhinoceras beetle? It's a big one! I'm going to go catch it! I really want a pet!"
"Oh Ike. Mom will never allow you to keep that beastly insect," Kyle said doubtfully.
Ike shushes for Kyle to be quiet while he carefully began sneaking up behind the big hulking beetle that sat on a acacia tree. But before he could reach out and catch the insect, the beetle lifted its wings and flew through the air. Kyle laughed while watching Ike chase after the bug. The rhinoceras beetle flew through the gateway that led into the palace grounds and Ike immediately stopped giving chase.
"Huh? What's wrong? Aren't you going to go in after it?" Kyle asked. He noticed the way his little brother was staring uneasily at the gateway.
"I...I can't go in there. Those are the palace grounds. I...I don't think we're allowed anywhere near there," Ike stuttered. He began backing away from the gateway at once. "Look, let's just forget it. Maybe I'll find another beetle to catch."
"What do you mean we're not allowed? Do you honestly think those Egyptians can tell us where we can and can't go?" Kyle became affronted. "We have every right! Go ahead, Ike. Just run in there real quick and find the beetle."
Ike didn't move an inch and continued to look cowardly at the gateway. "Um...well...what if... what if there are guards around? They might not take too kindly to us. The guards think of us as nothing but slaves."
"All right, fine! If you're too scared to do it, then I'll go in and catch your beetle for you. Just wait here and try to stay out of sight." With that, Kyle boldly headed for the gateway. No Egyptian guard was going to intimidate him away.
"No wait! Kyle, come back! Don't go in there! It might be dangerous!" But it was too late. Ike watched helplessly as his big brother went through the gateway and entered the palace grounds.
Kyle had to admit that he was nervous but curious at the same time. This was the first time he'd ever been on the palace grounds and it was a beautiful place. It was way different than living in the shabby neighborhood where the Hebrews resided. But then Kyle saw something that really took his breath away. The rhinoceras beetle had flown over to the most enchanting garden Kyle had ever seen. Quickly forgetting about Ike, Kyle instead found himself exploring what seemed to him like a magical place.
The garden was filled with lush greenery, growing with the most exotic flowers, some which Kyle had never seen before. Palm trees and sycamore trees provided shade, and upon closer examination, there were also fruit-growing trees. A soft breeze blew through the leaves of the trees and flowers, sending its strong fragrance through the air that Kyle breathed it in deeply. It was such a refreshing and shady little spot. Desert White butterflies fluttered and danced among the flowers, along with many kinds of beetles buzzing around the flowers and shrubs.
Walking further into the garden, Kyle quickly took notice of the pond. Egyptian blue lotuses floated on the surface and the turquoise waters was so clean that Kyle could see his own reflection staring back at him. This was the most beautiful place Kyle had ever seen. Being here filled him with a feeling of deep peace and freedom. And the longer he stood there, that's when Kyle realized that this all reminded him of something.
"This place...it's just like the one in my story," Kyle thought in awe. "It's like the beautiful place where people can go to be happy and free. Is it possible? Can a place like this really exist out there?" Kyle was so mesmerized by the little garden, he didn't realized that he was being secretly watched. Hiding behind the palm trees, a mysterious figure was hiding in the shadows.
Prince Cartman had come out to the garden for some quiet time. He must have fallen alseep beneath the shady palm tree after doing a lot of thinking. But the sound of footsteps had alerted him and he woke up in time to see someone he's never saw before in the garden. How strange... Was that a Hebrew? He's never encountered one before although he was well aware of them down by the village. So what was this one doing on their turf?
Cartman was tempted to call out for the guards and have the Hebrew arrested for trespassing. But something stopped him... He was far too curious. The Hebrew had his back to him, therefore Cartman was unable to see his face. Who was he and why was he here? The Hebrew had wild fiery red hair, appeared to be young, and was dressed in working clothes. Once Cartman was sure that the young man was harmless, he decided to approach him. Carefully moving away from his hiding spot, Cartman slowly moved toward the Hebrew who was too distracted admiring the pond.
Cartman cleared his throat. "Hello..." he greeted awkwardly.
Without warning, the red-headed Hebrew let out a startled gasp and ran off like a scared animal. "Ey! Come back here! Wait!" Cartman shouted. He tried going after the fleeing man.
The green bandanna wrapped around the Hebrew's red curls of hair suddenly came loose and fell to the ground. The red-headed Hebrew didn't stop to retrieve his fallen bandanna nor did he ever look back. He escaped through the gateway where Cartman arrived in time to witness him along with a little kid running back toward the city. Who was that man? But the red-headed Hebrew did leave behind one clue.
Cartman went over and picked up the green bandanna that had been abandoned. He examined it carefully in his hand and could even see strings of red hair still clinging to it. Then he lifted it to his nose and sniffed it; Cartman smirked devilishly to himself and then his curiosity grew. He did some quick calculations in his mind. That red-headed Hebrew would be back, he was sure of it. And when he did, Cartman wanted to meet him...
