I figured I'm on a roll. Why not? And I realized that I completely left this chapter out because I'm an idiot.
The other chapters will be back up soon. And I've decided on a new schedule. I'll update once a month or so. Maybe more if I'm on a role again.
Chapter 6:
The Lighthouse
Six more months have passed since I had the baby. Things have been going smoothly, much to my relief. Anon and I have gotten steadily closer, but of course not as much as I would like. Alex is growing fast. She can already talk, crawl, and is already starting to try to walk. I'm so proud of her. And Anon is really taking a liking to her.
Atem has also grown into his duties as Pharaoh, and I have come into my own as Queen. I work on diplomatic missions and good will trips out into the kingdom. Our lands have expanded greatly. We now rule everything from Nubia, to Persia, out into the desert and across the sea to parts of Rome and even Greece. We can hardly keep up with our subjects. Each of them teaches us new things about their culture. I'm learning so much, and they are assimilating well.
I sigh as I head out to the balcony. An important ceremony is going to be held today to commission the opening of the port city Alexandria, built to honor our daughter's birth. I'm surprised to say the least. To do such a thing for a princess, who can't ascend the throne, is peculiar for sure. I'm not sure what the ceremony is for, but I know I have to go. I sit down on my favorite chair and put my legs up.
Atem comes in with the baby. He sits her down and lets her crawl to me. "Good morning, honey. How are you?"
"I'm fine, love. I just came to get ready for the ceremony. You should do the same."
"It doesn't take me as long to get ready as it does you." I get up anyway. I pick up the baby and take her over to our bed. I kiss her cheek and go to my dressing tables. I change into one of my better cloths and have Atem tie it tightly around me. I put up my hair and dawn what seems like my enormous headdress. I slide on my arm bands, pull my necklace around me, snap on my wrist guards, and adjust my wedding rings. "Be a dear and send in my lady in waiting, will you?" I ask Atem with a kiss.
"Of course, sweetie." He leaves me with the baby. I figure now is as good a time as any. I change her waste cloth and find a gold-embroidered dressing cloth for her to wear. I wrap it around her and tie it beneath her chubby little arm. I kiss her cheek which solicits a giggle from her, and set her back down. Just then I realize that her reddish black curls need a little combing. I gather my baby combs and oil to tame her mane.
I sit her down on my lap and give her some of my old jewelry to keep her still. I rub the warm oil on her hair and comb it just so. Once I am satisfied with her look, I put her back down on the bed.
My lady enters the room. "Good morning, Your Grace."
"Good morning, Calise. It's good to see you. I need some help with my makeup."
"Of course, my Queen." I walk over to my dressing tables and sit in a chair. Calise comes over as well and assembles my makeup in better working order. She instructs me to close my eyes, and while I do so, she applies eye hue. She lets me know I can open them, then applies rouge to my face. A little shine on my lips completes her artistry. She hands me a mirror to look at, and once I deem my looks satisfactory, she leaves, but not without playing with the baby for a second. I smile and bid her farewell for now.
She crawls towards me and almost falls off the bed. Before she can make it that far, I rush to the edge of the bed and grab her. She giggles and claps her little hands. I smile in relief and take her out to the window. I watch her as she waves at the people in the boats below us and looks out past the river at the other ends of the city. She smiles at the sights and enjoys taking it all in. I enjoy her company.
I decide to pass the time with her until the early evening hours. We have to leave for the ceremony at around sunset. "Let's play a game, huh, Alex?"
She shows me her shiny pink gums in a smile. I sit her on a chair and lean over the edge in front of her. I put my hands in front of my face. "Where's Mommy?"
She giggles before I take my hands out of my face. "There she is!"
"Where's Mommy? … There she is!"We play this game for a while. Soon I find my stomach growling, and the baby is starting to get a little fussy, "Let's go get some lunch, huh?"I rise and pick her up.
We make our way to the Dining Hall where I tell the cooks what I want for the midday meal. While I way, I sit down in my seat and begin to feed the baby. Slowly she begins to fall asleep. I can't ask for a better daughter. She's so sweet and curious; she always gets into everything.
As the food arrives, I adjust her in my arms and say a prayer to bless the food. I must admit that this is some of the best cuisine I've tasted in quite a while. It's so good I have to eat slowly to make sure I savor every delicious bite. I let out a sad sigh once I'm finished. A cook asks me what's wrong, and I tell him that the food was so good. He asked me if I'd like some more, but I tell him I don't want to be a gluttonous pig.
A moment later I begin to regret my decision. I help clean up to the chagrin of the servants and decide to take a walk around the palace. I start on the far end and am going to work my way up.
I look down at the river and the fish swimming. Alex seems to be enchanted by them. She stares in awe. I sit her down with her legs dangling in the water. She splashes her feet and laughs as the fish swim by and nibble her toes.
I pick her up and take her to the lotus blossoms at the other end of the palace, near our rooms. She points to a red one, and I pull it out of the water for her. She holds it in her little hands and admires it. I decide that it's late enough to go back inside, so I leave the river.
As I arrive in our rooms, Atem takes the baby from me and kisses me with such an intense passion I'm left to wonder what he's been thinking this whole time. "Are you ready to go, lover?"
"Yes, my King." I look down at myself to make sure everything is in order, and check to see that Alex is ready, too. Once I'm satisfied, we head out and to Temple. We go in and kneel before the statues of our respective Gods. Atem prays to Ra, and I ask for a blessing from Isis.
We finish, and make our way to the shipyard. We arrive just in time. There aren't too terribly many passengers making the journey with us, although I wouldn't have minded that much more if there were a lot going with us. Atem and I take our special seats and command the shipmaster to sail to Alexandria.
While on the voyage, I get lost in my thoughts. I can't help but think about Anon. I'm upset about leaving him behind, but I know that to bring him would arouse a lot of unnecessary attention to me. I trust that he's in … capable hands with the Priests. That's about as much as I can give them, or will.
Soon we approach the outskirts of Alexandria. I breathe a sigh of relief. In a little bit we approach the grounds of the most AMAZING sight my eyes have ever laid witness to. A giant lighthouse has been built right at the port entrance to the city.
This is so wonderful, I can't even begin to describe it. Never in all my life have I imagined that such a marvelous thing could be built by human hands.
Everyone exits the ship, and Atem helps me off. I take his hand and step down to a warm greeting. I smile and bow my head to them. We make our way to the makeshift throne that has been built for us here. I am still in absolute awe about that building. I can't believe it. It's so magnificent. It absolutely draws everyone's attention. Alex looks up at the building with a tint of wonder in her big blue eyes. I smile down at her. She's so beautiful. I thank the Gods for her.
Once the crowd settles down, Atem stands and begins his oration. "Citizens, I have called you all here today to commission the opening of this beautiful lighthouse you see before you. Let me first start off by saying that this magnificent city was brought to you to honor the birth of our daughter, your Royal daughter, the Princess of Egypt."
"That's you, sweetie!" I whisper in her ear. She giggles as he continues.
"But this lighthouse… This lighthouse was specially made. I had it made to honor the Light of our Kingdom. My lovely wife, your beautiful Queen, Nefertiri; I had it built to show others that when they arrive in Egypt, they will not only be arriving in a vast, powerful kingdom, but that they will also be in the eternally shining light of their queen. Her beauty, her grace, her wisdom; she is a beacon of hope and honor to you all, just as this lighthouse will be a beacon to travelers."
My jaw drops. I am absolutely taken aback. He has had this erected for me? I can't believe it. I shake my head and try to catch my breath. I'm utterly speechless. This is a lot to take in. I put my hand to my mouth, hoping this will hide my shock. I don't think it's working.
"I want you all to enjoy this lighthouse the same way you behold your Queen: with reverence, honor, and respect. I will accept nothing less from you all." This solicits applause from the audience. "Now, go forth where a great feast has been prepared for everyone here to enjoy. I thank you for your time."
I close my eyes and put my hand on my forehead. I can't believe this amazing wonder has been built for me. To honor me. I hardly seem worth it. I take a deep breath and look up at my husband. My amazing husband. My wonderful, sweet, kind, gentle, loving, strong husband. I love him so much. He is too good to me. I sigh and take his hand.
My arms are sore. As if on cue, Atem takes the baby from me. We walk together to the Feasting Rooms. Everyone stands to acknowledge our arrival. We make our way to our seats and sit down. Once a prayer is said, all the food is brought out. We gather our favorites in front of us and begin to eat.
As I am enjoying the meal, I glance up to see the Priests, all huddled together at one table. One in particular is glowering at me. His name is Sethos. He is the new Chief Priest of Ra. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I know it is a bad omen. I can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen to me. I don't want to face it. I can't. I try to think of other things. The subjects talk to me; I make light conversation with them. I can't thank them enough for encouraging me not think about that other time in my life.
Eventually, the meal is over, and we have to leave. We make our way to the boat and say goodbye to the remaining well-wishers. We take our places again, and I start to shiver. It's awfully cold tonight. Maybe I'm not out at night enough to enjoy it. Another priest, Mahado, notices and brings me a warm blanket. "Thank you, Mahado."
"You're most welcome, my Queen. It's an honor to serve."
"Oh, you're too kind." I give him the customary thank you kiss on the cheek, which solicits a heavy blush from him. "I remember back in the old days, you were the only priest who ever treated me like a human being."
"I saw something great in you. Even if I hadn't, you were still a person and deserve to be treated as such. Nothing less."
I smile up at him. "Please, sit down, let's talk." He obliges, with a heavier blush, and we begin to talk about how the Priesthood has changed since I've become Queen. The Priestesses of Isis have risen to great status. That does my heart a world of good, knowing that they are finally getting the recognition they deserve. We spend the rest of the ride exchanging anecdotes about our lives.
All in all, today was lovely. I would change nothing.
That should be a nice change of pace. Hope ya'll like it. Oh, and please leave a review.
Dead Reckoning
