Chapter VIII
On the way to Priesthood
Few weeks later, Zainab focused on her priestess training with her mentor Subira and her grandmother Keret, and was on her way, traveled a lot and were usually avoiding other people except the palace where most people accepted her there mainly it was Atem. Zainab never saw that man again, though that didn't stop her for being herself; she in secret she took her grandfather's advice and went with her parents' wishes. Zainab still had little hope in finding true happiness. She trained under her grandmother and her mentor, her parents were little happier but were still little angry with her because of her behavior.
She had to apologize to Nadir and his family especially to Faiz who didn't seem to be angry at her but her parents made her to apologize for her behavior. She also received her trade of animals, Silver and Amazonite was promised to her, by Nadir when the puppies were old enough to leave their mother.
Faiz was becoming more of a friend to Zainab in coming weeks. Three months passed and Zainab made a strict schedule for herself, during the morning she read books, and worked on her lessons with Subira, Keret and her mother, she had free time in the afternoon, and during the evening she would spend her time with Faiz, then at the night she would go with her grandfather to the Nile to spend some time with Cricket and back to his library to study/read. She would have to follow this strictly, she made a plan in her room while writing it all in her code, thirty-seven letters she made of entirely up.
She met with Faiz in the crowded market place; he stood there with his sisters dressed in blue kalasiris. He wore linen tunic wrapped at his waist a red sash and white shendyt, and he had sandals and carried a side bag with him. Before walking to him, she could have sworn she saw the priest in blue walking by her; she caught a glimpse of him. Zainab turned around, "Set?" she muttered, it couldn't be him, Zainab walked with dark red bag, it had nothing but books, reed pens and papyrus inside of it. "It could not be him," dressed in light blue kalasiris, hair tied in a loose pony tail. Talking to herself as she looked down, with her left hand while the other arm supported her left elbow, "I need to make sure Hapi or Cricket will not attack Faiz," planning for the next approached.
"Faiz," giggled his sister Kali in the market they stood there as they tossed an apple toward a man, the man looked around confused, "we're heading to the melon stand,"
"Mother told you two stay with me and not wandered around, for what?" he folded his arms with scowl; he waved as Zainab came up to them. His sisters Leila and Kali took off giggling as he turned around and sighed, he rubbed the back of his neck. "Oh here you are and my sisters left," he gave an embarrassing smile.
"I see…" Zainab looking back where the priest in blue, "Tell me, Faiz how are willing you want to know me?"
"I know you for three months now and why are you asking?" Faiz looked confused as he saw his sisters laughing at an old man trying to pick his pouch, a kind woman with sandy blonde hair picked it up for him, he thanked her. Janan was talking to a man selling fish, Faiz looked back at Zainab.
"I need to show you something, but do not tell my parents…"
"If you want, sure,"
"How bad do you want me share my knowledge with you?"
Faiz smirked, "real bad, I want to unravel your brain, you seem to know things."
"Come with me, besides I think I need an assistant after all, my grandfather is usually busy," Zainab said.
"So, what does it take to become your assistant?" Faiz asked they took a stroll along the marketplace; they met up with her grandfather, introducing himself to priest Kateb, the white man smiled at her. They walked out of the city; Kateb wore his violet robes as usual. Faiz was confused and why was he heading to the Nile River were they going fishing because Kateb carried book and a net. The sun shine down the banks of the river, Zainab looked around to find Hapi or Cricket but they didn't go any further into the river.
"Why are we here?" Faiz asked in confusion, Zainab and Kateb stood there, he turned around.
"In three days, I will observe and if the coin shines, I will let you become my assistant,"
"For what fishing?" asked Faiz searching for answers. Kateb was jotting something down notes.
"No, for your knowledge, your behavior, your skills and your body," Zainab said calmly as she placed her arms behind her back. Faiz looked back at the Nile then at Kateb and Zainab.
Kateb only flashed him a smile, "She is making a contract with you, until then better show what your made of Faiz,"
Then they walked back to the city, Zainab didn't tell him any more information, he assumed he had to show what kind of person he was to her. She didn't say anything she was busy tomorrow meeting up with her mentor Subira again, like the many times she had a year before. Faiz was back in the marketplace only to find a man complaining he had a shoe in his freshly baked bread, his sisters were at fault. Zainab went off to her studies; her mind drifted on the thoughts on that man how kind he was. She never saw him again and sometimes doubted if he real, no other man had made her feel strange. At times she thought about Set too, wondering where he lived, she never really wandered in the Noble District on her own, on the west side. However she couldn't dwell on men, her mind needed to stay focus on studies.
"If Faiz does well, he may just the right person I need…." She said to herself thinking as she passed by the wealthy people. She wore light blue sleeveless dress with white shawl and her flat shoes. And carried a small bag that held few small scrolls, she went to the training grounds where her two mentors stood. Outside her grandfather's house Keret dressed in black gown and black headdress. The other was her priestess mentor, a pepper colored haired with a single strand at her bangs was passed her shoulders, dressed in dark green kalasiris, she looked about her mother's age in her thirties, and she had green eyes. Zainab sighed as her mentor greeted her.
"Zainab, I have notice over the past two years you have been here earlier?"
"Of course…" Zainab said in a low voice, being on time made impressions and no person would dare assume she was not so serious with time management.
"Better do this right," Keret muttered, she had arms crossed. As brash as always, she never liked her personality at all. Her grandmother may have been beautiful but her mouth was soiled as the dirt that people walked on.
Zainab spoke as she knitted her brows, "I memorize everything from last time, so far from what I have observed."
"We shall begin? Are you ready to learn the rituals and this is important job," said the woman with green eyes priestess.
"Yes," Zainab said.
Since it was morning, they went to the temple of Horus, a high priest stood there and broke the seal; Zainab followed what Priestess Subira however her grandmother was a magician and the lessons she taught were straight after; and Zainab knew later in the week she would have to see Atem again for sword practice and horseback riding. Zainab learned how to say the prayers and lighted the area, clean the statue and pace offerings for the statue. And sweeping her footprints then learned how to seal the temple again. After all this was part of their culture and belief. Zainab deep down did not like doing this over and over again…perhaps she might join the Sacred Society or the Queen's Guards like her mother? Or not; the truth is she wanted to become a priestess and a proper lady to appease to her parents because she heard few days ago her parents talking about horses…and she hoped that one day after her long training. She could get one! But Zainab needed to focus to reach her goals. This morning ritual took couple of hours because they went to more than one temple; kind of tiring but it had to be done.
"Well done, Zainab, tomorrow I would like you to reflect on what you learned," said Priestess Subira "Meaning I want you to do the entire ritual, without me instructing you,"
"Yes, Priestess Subira,"
"Keret, she's yours," said Subira, she turned around and they were heading toward the courtyard, Zainab caught a glimpse Mana reading a magic book. "I will see you soon, Zainab," she waved and left Keret and Zainab alone.
"Alright, time to practice your magic," Keret said as she rubbed her hands together, she gave a sly smile.
"What am I learning now?" asked Zainab hoping it wasn't elemental spells or protective spells. She mastered them within two years.
"I will be honest with you, Zainab," Keret frowned. "I know what happened few months ago," Zainab shuddered at the thought but breath in and out to calm herself down. "I am relieved that you decided to listen to your parents, however I am disappointed you are following what your mother had told you. I'm a little concern you're not following your own heart, and I could have sworn you loved reading and researching."
Out of all the things her grandmother had said over the years, this was of the few nice and good things she said to Zainab. Keret wasn't known as a nice woman, more of a straight-forward foul mouth exact opposite of Halima, she still couldn't understand how Keret and Kateb married and had Halima. Keret and Zainab walked back to her house, in a cellar where there was nothing but wine barrels. Torches and oil lamps as a servant came out glancing at Keret and the ombre blonde girl. Her grandmother talked to her about marriage, and black magic, the subject of black magic interests in Zainab every kind of subject intrigued her and it didn't have to be all the good things.
"I will never lose sight of what I'm looking for," Zainab said.
"You sure?" Keret asked as she paused to pick up a book, "Then why become a priestess? If not a scribe?" asked Keret, she had curious expression on her face and placed her hands on hips.
"Hmm no…" she said flatly.
"You write stories or poems?" Asked her grandmother, "I mean I found on in our library and it was really good," she paused. "I really love how it talked about the color red and she several shades it represented of well emotion…."
Zainab flushed out of embarrassment and looked down with wonder why they were suddenly talking about this? Zainab looked at her grandmother, she knew her grandmother was so called the 'outcast' in the family even Halima, Zainab's own mother expressed that few weeks ago.
"You named your poem Passion…" smiled Keret. Zainab looked down because it was one of the few ideas she had to write. "Oh by the way there was a list I found in your grandfather's library…" Zainab gasped a little, she covered her face before her grandmother finished. "There were some goals…by Ra it was listed in order like dreams, ambition and following your heart…" Keret opened the book and smirked with perversion.
"We are kind of getting out of the topic," commented Zainab trying to remind her grandmother about why she was here to study and practice magic. Keret let the book float as she counted with her fingers,
Keret held a hand up and closed her eyes briefly, "Wait, it said on your list,"
Oh no please do not tell me, she remember the entire list! Not even I remember what I wrote please…please Ra do not tell me I wrote about the man…Zainab thought. She looked in horrid as if time slowed down and her grandmother was in slow motion.
"Let's see, ambition was about ideas…too many to remember but my gods there like following my heart were about, finding my true love and getting married..…my gods I never knew that about you Zainab…." Zainab flushed red, more reasons why her grandmother never came to the arrangements because she would just throw all of the most secrets things about a person whether it was good or bad and tended to digress a lot. "And hmm…" thinking, Zainab shut her eyes as her grandmother recall the list she found. "Oh yes, the dreams about crocodiles, dragons and dogs…" Keret paused, "alright kid, I think you're hiding something?' she placed her hand over her hip.
Zainab blushed, "W-what?" Keret smirked as if teasing her own granddaughter, "Uh Grandmother….Please stop, I think I get the point…" she paused "where did you find the list?" Keret ignored her and grabbed the book.
"It doesn't matter, anywhere your wonderful wish list had a horse and a future husband?" raising a brow as she leaf through the magic book.
"I-I—I have no idea what you are talking about…" Zainab said, as she grabbed the strap of her bag, "we need to practice magic…please," she sounded flustered slightly; Keret licked her finger and flipped another page.
"Well, your Mr. Mysterious had few characteristics I notice," with smirked plastered on her face, Zainab flushed red; she hoped she wasn't talking about that beautiful man with the millennium ring. "Not like I would tell you,"
"Pl-p-please don't I mean…I have no idea what you are talking about," she shifted her gaze.
"Alright, alright I apologize for my digressing and besides you're redder than an apple," Keret flipped through the book while Zainab looked around in the semi-dark cellar, she saw a rat scurried it looked absolutely filthy, rocking on her heels. "Ahem, the magic will learn is sealing magic,"
Zainab learned magic, simple sealing spells to complicated ones; her grandmother showed her how to seal her own ka, a large elephant with armor. Was in front of Zainab, she loved seeing her grandmother's ka and wished to see her own probably a weird animal…like a duck mix with creature with flat tail and web feet. Zainab frowned and knew she was too young to see her ka yet. Because her Heka was not strong enough to see her own ka, but her grandmother told her if she strengthens, she would be able to see it. She still kept thinking about the water duck. Her grandmother had Iron Elephant as her ka, and it looked magnificent, she showed Zainab her ka, an deep gray elephant with celestial armor.
By the time they were finished practice magic for hours until it was around almost sunset time, she went to Prince Atem and yet it was still short, she was wondering why he was still short though his parents were tall perhaps it had something to do genetics. He was a little taller than her.
"Good evening, Zainab," Prince Atem, he was there waiting for her, of course this time Mana wasn't around, Zainab assumed she was practicing her magic.
There instructor was there with his arms crossed, though to be honest Zainab never remembered his name even Atem admitted at one time, he too never remembered their instructor's name. Atem picked up his blade and handed Zainab her blade. She wished her father would teach her swords again like he did in the past.
"Good evening, Prince Atem," she said with a smile. "Are you ready?"
"Yes, of course," he said getting ready into his stance.
Yes, this was Zainab's favorite thing to do besides reading; sword practicing with the prince was one of her favorite things to do with the young prince. She met him when she about seven years old during the time her mother and the Queen Regent had introduced their children because Zainab wanted to meet the prince so badly at the time.
Surely he will be a great king one day and bring Egypt prosperity. Zainab stood the opposite direction of the prince. Their instructor told them to be careful and went over the safety rules and absolutely no killing each other.
Zainab and Atem started their battle, Atem swung his blade diagonally at Zainab, and she perfectly blocked his attack and pushed him back. And counterattack him, she slashed downward and he blocked her attack as well.
"You are getting good at blocking my attacks, your grace," she smirked. "But not good enough," she then pushed him back with her sword and underfoot kick him he fell on his back but prepared himself to parried her blows while on the floor.
"So are you, Zain," Atem smiled, she moved back as the prince got up and went in series of attacks, she blocked on the left then the right, then the left again and back; the children were getting good at the sword. Atem got Zainab into a corner, she wasn't backing down with her sword, she then kicked him in the gut and spun her sword and attacked him. He blocked while holding onto his stomach. There instructor told them it was enough and starting tomorrow they will learn how to fight with the sword while riding a horse. The news got Atem and Zainab excited, so they went to go take a short break in the gardens before their riding lessons.
Later on the day they went riding on the royal steeds, Prince Atem finally got his white horse he always wanted, she was beautiful, silver mane and white coat; he unfortunately named her a generic name Cloud.
"You are going to ride, Lotus like always,"
"Yes, and you finally got your dream horse,"
"I did, my uncle finally told me, she was old enough to ride," Atem said petting the muzzle of the horse.
The children went on the riding, while there were some guards keeping an eye on them. Atem and Zainab were talking about what type of flowers their mothers liked, and what food they like. Atem mentioned a lot of legumes in his food, Zainab for sure she made it clear that she absolutely hated roasted pig. They raced each other along the Nile River, they rode the horses for about two hours and returned to the palace; Atem and Zainab said goodbye and Zainab would repeat her lessons even though her lessons with Atem were three times a week.
The time when Faiz was able to prove himself, the observation had been done, Faiz wasn't a bad person at all, to her surprise, his personality was very free spirited and very outspoken something that contrasted hers and someone she could trust. Zainab had woke up early and go dressed in a dark blue kalasiris with a halter top neckline, she picked up her bag and readied herself for the weekend she was off so, she spent her time in her grandfather's library and at the palace with the Prince, they had breakfast together and rode then she returned to her grandfather's house. He told her they can actually visit Hapi and Cricket, she hadn't seen the crocodile in a week; Cricket was still giving the cold shoulder for some reason every now then. By the time it was afternoon, she met up with Faiz in the front of his house, but not with Kateb.
"Wow, you train with the pharaoh?" said Faiz with smile of disbelief. Zainab walked by his side, he wore a gray tunic and his white shendyt; he carried a light tan shoulder bag as well. "So have I passed your test?"
"Yes you did…"
"I earned your trust then?"
"…yes," Zainab said, "but you cannot tell anyone and swear the gods not…to my parents,"
Faiz smiled and crossed his arms briefly, "alright, I swear to Ra, if I tell may he scorch my soul into ashes, done!" he spread his arms then dropped them at sides.
"I was not serious about that…but please do not tell them, my parents believe and want me to normal,"
Faiz laughed, they left the city gates passing by two soldiers, "you weird?" snickering at her. He placed his hands behind head casually.
"I have a secret, and I will not accept if you go back on your trust I have earned from you," she turned around before they could move any further, the dirt sandy path and outside the walls were the peasants/farmers. Suddenly Zainab wasn't so sure if Faiz was going to accept her, her parents didn't want their daughter talking or spending time with the crocodiles. It pained her heart to know only her grandfather had seem to like her, and handful of people, "I am not really…pretty…not yet or…" her eyes glanced anything but Faiz, she placed her hands behind her back, "no one sees me as normal…an oddball, my parents feared and I cannot just stop myself from being this…person."
"Wha-wait so ran away because…" he looked out at the Nile, frowning, "You went to Nile, Zainab it's not odd for you to go out in the Nile for a stroll or fishing," he had a half smile, Zainab held arms, the wind blew upon them from the river itself. Strange enough the air always came whenever water was near. Faiz stared at her, she knew he was looking at her, she frowned. In her eyes a distant longing. "It's alright, I mean I spend some time with you and, you what?" she glanced at him, "I honestly don't care—not in a bad away, Zainab you proven to me, you are not some girl…not a normal one if nice way I would call it you're the desert flower in this barren land of sand, it does not matter to me, if you're the only rainbow fish out there," Faiz walked straight up to her and placed his hands on her shoulder, "nothing is more rare then silver—I mean you're not silver, but be yourself with me, and let me get to know who you really are,"
Zainab looked up at him.
She was silent and Faiz moved his hands from her shoulders, she looked at him. If he was being honest, she could honestly trust him, she felt the need to say thank you however she didn't. It wasn't like her to discuss feelings; she had no idea how to formulate the words. Speechless and wonder what to say, Faiz smiled at her. Compared to Faiz and Karida, he seemed the extrovert of the pair like Karida, he could be more vulnerable than she thought. A slight joy twinkled in her heart.
"I…thank you," she said in a low voice, turning around and walking away, he followed her without a word. They walked until they reached the Nile. She looked beyond the sandy colored mountains, they looked like sand dunes and the lush grass had few crocodiles wondering around as they slept and basked or moved to another area going in and out of the Nile. The hippos grunted and splashed in the water wrestling over territory with the crocodiles.
"We're here,"
"So what is there to show me?" asked Faiz, one of his good traits that Zainab's grandfather told her was that fact he asked questions, she needed that a mind thinking and processing however his intelligence was lower than hers.
"I…will show you, but please be patient," they walked along the tall grass standing under a tree, Zainab placed her hand on the etched rough bark, the shade and the gentle breeze blew as the leaves rustled.
Faiz placed his hands on his hips, she looked around for the pink hippo, she saw the herd emerging out of the water dripping and started to graze on the grass, oxpecker birds rode on the hippos cleaning them. Hapi emerged near her mother; the young water-horse was not fully grown, yet in couple of years, her markings around her eyes and belly were pink literally. Faiz looked over Zainab's shoulder, she glanced at him.
"Come here," Zainab said as she walked ahead of him, the hippos were grazing, Hapi was muzzled down in the grass, Faiz hesitated as they approached the large beasts, he looked a little weary. Zainab walked toward the herd of hippos, Hapi's mother lifted her head and walked by and slowly walking toward her. Faiz stopped in his tracks. Hapi followed her mother, the pink dancing beast started to slowly walked up to them. "Faiz," she turned around glancing at the boy and hippo, "This is Hapi, come and meet her…"
Faiz saw the hippo came up to Zainab, she reached her hand outward as the hippo brought the large muzzle to her hand, "She's tame," Faiz slowly walked up to her, and before she could say anything else he pulled her away from the hippopotamuses, "Wh-what are you doing?!" she shouted, "let go!" she pulled and he pulled as his grip let go.
"Are you crazy!?" Faiz said as he pulled her and she hit the tree, "you're going to kill yourself! That's a hippo,"
"And what, they're sacred, nitwit!" Zainab said as she marched toward the hippos, Faiz grabbed her wrists firmly, he pulled her so close, and their noses nearly touched however he was far taller than was. "Hapi is not dangerous… She's been an experiment of mine, since I was nine…"
Faiz glanced at her with his sky blue eyes, Zainab stared at him with a glare, "And your point is that suddenly a hippo is safe to be around with?" he pointed with his right hand as he gesture toward the herd of hippos, "their animals," Zainab jerked her wrist from his grip and rubbed it, it hurt her, "Zainab they are just animals are you telling me you've been-"
"That are not just animals, they are my friends before I had any!" Zainab glared at him, knitting her brows. Faiz glanced away from her as he sighed.
No wonder why I did not bring anyone from before, I hoped he was not going to judge me…A mistake I have made…Zainab glanced at him.
"Zainab." Zainab's hazel eyes glanced at him before looking at the herd of hippos brushed against the grass, trimming the long thin strands that bend in the wind. Faiz came by her side, "How many people know this?" he gestured toward the beasts; Zainab was silent before answering him. The wind blew as her strands came at her face, she looked up at him.
"…" she paused as she slowly looked up at him, "and now you…"
Faiz crossed his arms, "Show me your world however if you get hurt I'm pulling you out," he then smiled at her and rubbed his neck. Hapi's mouth was slightly opened. "Zainab tell me about hippos?" Hapi stood there, blinking at him.
"So far from my observations, hippopotamus needs stay near water or mud to keep moist, they hardly have any hair, and their sweat is red, their skin can crack, if dried" she placed her hand over chin and slightly rubbed it.
"Hmm interesting enough, and how can you tell Happy is a female?"
"Smaller and have smaller tusks in their mouths,"
Faiz turned to Zainab, "any reason why you trained Hapi and why is her name Hapi?"
"Um well…" Zainab suddenly blushed out of embarrassment, she glanced at Hapi sitting down, "I-I really—"
"It's fine, don't tell me, however it seems she can listen to commands,"
"She can recognize fruit and food and animals so far, I am planning to make her a pack animal, she will be useful when it comes into carrying groceries,"
"What kind of commands she knows?" Hapi started to graze again as Zainab touched the flank of the water beast. Zainab turned to him, "What can Hapi do?" he walked around the hippo and looked at the herd, "and what about the entire herd and where's her parents?"
Zainab pointed at a large male hippo deep grayish in color, and a female stood next to him, "Hapi's father is over there is Geb and her mother is Isis,"
"You named them?" turning to her, the male hippo was huge in comparison, "and isn't the entire herd his harem?"
"No…Geb only has Isis, those other hippos over there are that other male's harem, the Hippo King, and Geb's his younger brother,"
Faiz nodded, and touched the skin of the hippo the smooth skin felt semi moist, he rubbed the pink hippo, and patted the back of her, he glanced at Zainab as if examine her, he then smirked "Interesting fact and you?"
"Wh-what about me?" suddenly asking, she was clueless of what he was asking her. Nothing interesting her accepted her hair.
"I mean you have any siblings?"
"Excuse me?" Zainab surprised what he asked her.
"Your older brother or sister could have moved out?"
"Really? Well sorry to disappoint you, Faiz I am the only child my parents have," Faiz walked up to her, and was about to touch her locks of hair, Zainab moved away from him. She saw in the distance a green lush crocodile crawling onto the shore, Cricket came up to her, Zainab gasped.
"What?" Faiz turned around, the green croc walked with purpose toward the ombre blonde. Hapi walked off somewhere else rejoining her herd. The hippos glanced at Faiz saw the crocodile stopped right at the banks hissing. Zainab trekked toward the reptile, "Zainab!?" he stood far behind Zainab watching them.
Zainab stood there few feet staring at the crocodile, "Cricket…" the crocodile swivel and showed her back at Zainab, "I am so sorry, and I missed you terribly, you are my friend," Zainab she then opened her bag and pulled out a leather plush of a crocodile, "my grandfather made this for you," however the plush was blonde in color almost faded, she bent down on her knees and stretched her arm, the reptile glanced at the toy, "It is me if I was a crocodile," making a three-sixty turn as the crocodile's tail thrashed onto the dirt. Cricket seemed curious and placed the toy on the ground, "it is for you," Cricket slowly approached the toy.
Low growls as the croc lifted the toy in her mouth gently, "you want to talk?" the crocodile turned around and walked toward Zainab so close, Zainab was about to touch the muzzle, Cricket stood like a statue, "I made some time with you and I am sure you know it," she smiled, "I hope we can spend time together in the future, I will bring fried fish," the green crocodile blinked at her, "Tomorrow?" Cricket didn't say anything to her. "Grandmother is making fried fish, you want breaded it or not?" the crocodile jerked as she walked and then sat next to Zainab laying down with the plush in her mouth, Zainab sat down as she turned to Faiz. The ombre blonde girl sat on her knees.
He slowly approached them, and sat crossed legged; they looked straight at the river and stared at the cloudless sky. Faiz glanced at her, he asked Zainab about the crocodile, and she explained Cricket was one of her friends before anyone else. Sitting there until the evening time, Zainab had to return home for dinner, and every night before she went to bed, the girl would visit her Nile friends, and sometimes during the day whenever she was free. She taught Faiz the command for the hippo however the crocodiles were not experiments, they were friends, and Cricket loved the plush toy however she always gave Zainab to keep it safe because Cricket didn't have a chest to keep it. Zainab would always bring it for her to cuddle with it. Days went by and Zainab wondered why she couldn't find that man, she was embarrassed to even mention anything about men. Happy at the same time and disappointed, if she didn't find him, and she would probably have a backup planned if he was married she would have to move on.
Zainab was at home this time; her father explained to her that he would want to learn how to embalm mummies, they were eating dining on the dining room where they were pillars at the entrance of the room, a painting of a dog in canvas of proportion, the room was being repainted because the dogs Silver and Amazonite would be coming by the end of year. They had to be train by Nadir before he could give them to Zainab's family. A side table with couple of pails of paint, and paint brushes sat there, a small shelve that held assorted pottery at the center. Gold and copper plates stood on top of it in display. Far at the right were the hallway that led to the corridor near the entrance of the staircase, and the left side was the kitchen doorway. The walls at the house were either white or cream color, with gold edges of lotuses painted.
Halima wore her usual white kalasiris and Khalid in his black tunic and shendyt. Zainab also wore her scoop gold neckline white kalasiris; she sat there between her parents, while her mother sat across on the left of Zainab and Khalid at the right. Lucky the cat sat in crouching position and near the dining table, chucks of cut fish and beef in his small kitty bowl.
Beset came back with the water and placed the bronze cups down, she wore her red and blue gown, she smiled and said, "So I heard dogs are coming in the house," Halima glanced at her as she saw Raja and Kalima coming of the kitchen they went outside of the back of the house holding a bowl of slice melons.
"Yes, exciting to have some dogs, Khalid I'm sure you were waiting for this in a long time," Beset turned to her dear platinum blonde master.
"No, not really, not if they're from some perverted boy our daughter is friends with," Khalid said shooting a glare at Zainab.
"Khalid!?" said Halima in shocked as she dropped her bread in her bowl, "our daughter is-"
Zainab glanced at her parents, "Mother, I told you remembered?"
Halima's mouth was slightly opened, "then why are you spending your time with him? I actually should forbid you in seeing him, if Faiz is a pervert then you shouldn't be with him," she turned to Zainab.
"He is not one…"
"What?!" Her parents said in confusion,
"He has not been with girls, so he is not a pervert, I judged him I should have not," Zainab said as she took a piece of fried onions, ate it. She then drank some of her water, and looked at her father.
Khalid suddenly asked after sipping his water, "Why are you wasting your time with him?" her parents never drank wine around her, they hardly did. Beset crossed her arms.
The black haired woman walked toward the entrance of the dining room, "he must be really valuable in some ways, right?" then she was gone, out of the house to join her nephew and sister. Halima turned to Zainab.
"Are you using Faiz?" in a stern voice, she frowned and rubbed her forehead while Halima glanced at her daughter. Zainab had a small smile.
"Resources I always use my resources, when it comes to knowledge one must take advantage of their resources." She was eating her vegetables and fruit, Zainab didn't touch any of the meat.
Khalid glanced at his wife, "well I wonder where you got that attitude, Zainab."
"I got it from no one, but myself," Zainab said in a low voice, she looked at her parents, "nothing wrong in doing so, Faiz has his qualities, he told me he wasn't this pervert. I believe him, his loyalty is what counts not what I thought I perceived him as,"
"Clever girl," Khalid said, with a slight smirk. He took couple of grapes.
"I see, and if he is this pervert, I would want you to throw him aside, he is not worth it. I will not tolerate it," Halima stated in harsh tone.
"I will, if he is," Zainab said.
"Some people hide things, I highly suggest look into deeper," her father said.
Halima sighed, shifted her gaze from her plate, "Well, Zainab if you see he is worthy then so be, and has he met Karida?"
Zainab's replied, "no," was all she said.
Halima said nothing, not even Zainab said anything, and they ate in silence. When dinner was over, Zainab went to take a stroll outside and found some of the servants eating and taking a break before they left to go home. Raja spoke to her talking about a donkey he was planning to get when he has enough money. Zainab promised he will soon get a donkey, once he helps her to cook. She went straight to bed once having a brief conversation.
Zainab laid there awake lying on her left side, she believed if a person was right handed they would sleep on their right and the exact opposite if they were left. But her theories were not always tested. Wondering what did her grandmother knew, she remembered when she was eleven and Keret took her to that shop…she wondered if that was the same boy? The one she met, no it couldn't be, they were completely different people however she wouldn't know unless she sees that charming priest again and maybe she would get his name. She soon fell asleep.
She didn't know why but she end up having a dream that he was at the palace. In her dream there was a feast because Prince Atem was getting married. Zainab wandered through the halls as she stared at the tall pillars that stood in a row, she was looking around and saw a stairway then went up the stairs. Zainab wore her pale kalasiris; she had hair in the loose pony tail and a blue lotus at her tie of her hair. She never liked social gatherings; her place was when she was along doing research unless it was absolutely something important to her. Knowledge was power and power was well—control over one person. But since Zainab was at her friend's wedding she should have been there blessing him for his marriage to the lucky girl.
Instead Zainab wandered around the palace and looked at the wide stairs. She didn't know where she was going but she just went up. On the balcony she saw the man she ran into, but his back was facing toward her. Zainab's heart raced each step she took and each time she got closer. She stopped and was getting all shy and nervous around him. Dressed the same clothes, she met him in his priest clothes.
The dream felt real and she hoped, he didn't notice her. She ran over to a pillar and hid there. Zainab placed her hand on her breast trying to calm herself down. She glanced over to see if he was still there gazing at the night sky. The silver stars igniting the sky with tiny diamonds. Of course he was, she slowly turned and walked up to him, this time. She will go and tell her name and hopefully he would too. First step getting to know someone is to know them by their name once that was established and whatever happens next, she didn't know much of relationships.
Zainab looked down at the floor with her hands behind her back. She opened her mouth to say something but the man spoke.
"You know, I have, yet to ask of your name"
"…me too," she said, her heart beating fast. Stuttering and whispering to herself. He then turned around, with his kind face. The millennium ring gleamed under the starlight. Zainab glanced at him.
He looked just like how she met him, "you were in a hurry, and I was a little curious of why, but it's not my place to know," he then smiled at her. "So, you know the prince?"
"You know him too?"
"Hmm, I could say that," as Zainab took a few steps toward him however she stopped When he looked at her.
"Uh um…well I never got to ask your name," they were silent for a moment; Zainab didn't know who should go first maybe if she spoke first. Her grandmother would be pleased if she actually starts a conversation.
"I-" the two began in unison.
"No you go first," Zainab said turning away, almost laughing out of embarrassment.
"No, I would like for you to tell me your name?" he asked.
Zainab said this was her chance, and then it would be his turn too. "It's Zainab," hoping it would grab his attention and he would remember that.
"Zainab…That is pretty name," Zainab looked down out of embarrassment. And gave him a shy expression, she played her lock of her hair.
"What is yours?" asked Zainab glancing at him.
"I'm—" he was about to begin, suddenly hearing a gentle voice calling her.
Her dream was cut short and she found her mother shaking her, Zainab slowly opened her eyes as she found her mother's hand on her shoulder. Dressed in a pale blue key-hole neckline gown, the gold bracelets, her mother looked down at her as Zainab slowly set up. The sun shined through her window, she could see the pastel colors of yellow, pink and the blue skies with no clouds present in the sky.
"Zainab, its morning already, get dressed and we'll go out for a ride," Halima said as she went over to Zainab's chest with little crocodile painted around it. On her knees crouching briefly as she stood up and held a blue dress with halter neckline.
Her room looked exactly the way when she was a child, a reasonable space from her window to her nightstand and bed with ornate bed frame of gold and red, and on the far left of the room was the table that had a mirror with chair. On top of the beauty table as her grandmother called it had her kohl, her hair brush, the jewelry boxes there were three of them, and one carried all her necklaces and chokers, one with makeup (she never really used it, she would only absolutely use it if in complete-positively special occasions), the other with bracelets. Far from the foot of her bed had the study desk with the chair but was closer to the wall where the window frame, a few charts hung at her wall. Her room door at the left from the table, her room was spacious after all she was wealthy, and their houses were much larger than the peasants. Her floor was hard had ornate rug with complicated designs and a lotus.
Zainab got out of the bed; her servants never woke Zainab up, her parents always waked her. Halima turned to her as Zainab started to take her night dress off it reached to her knees, her mother handed her the blue kalasiris. As she slipped on the dress and bent down to get her brown multi-strap sandals from underneath her bed.
"I will be outside, and don't forget to put on your kohl," Halima said with a smile.
"Alright," Zainab said as she started to brush her hair, she turned to her mother, and Halima taking the brush from Zainab as she made her daughter sit down in the study desk chair as she brushed her hair.
"So, Zainab how are doing with your magic studies?"
"I am doing fine, Mother," she looked up at her mother as she grabbed a gold hair tie, and tied her daughter's hair in a fish braid. "Grandmother says I will be done next year," she turned her body half around while in the chair.
Halima gave her a smile, "I am glad you're doing well, and her attitude toward you." Zainab got out of the chair and grabbed her bracelets from the medium jewelry box.
"Um she is her usual self, rude,"
Halima nodded as she opened the door of daughter's bedroom, "come on, let us eat breakfast and we'll head over to your grandfather's house," they went downstairs to the dining room. Khalid was downstairs in the ceramic room; they ate breakfast together then left immediately at Kateb's stables, the large barn with the horses, her mother picked her black mare named Magic, and her Zainab rode Paint, her mother helped her daughter to tact the horses up. They rode outside the city enjoying the view the sunrise, the horses trotted along the field of wheat. The horses slowed down as Halima held on the reins and turned to Zainab, the horses walked next to each other.
"Zainab, I would like to discuss something important to you,"
The ombre blonde turned to her mother, "About what?"
"About sexual intercourse,"
"Oh uh…well you really-" she turned away not interested in the topic.
Halima gave a stern expression, "well I would really like to discuss this matter, you may not have your period, but I think it's important for you to know,"
The Nile river glimmer as the sun rose from the sky, the soft orange hues of yellow combined with colors of the blue colors. The sun and the overcast shadows of the mountains, the light transparent light pierces the sky with the heavenly glow. None of the hippos were near Thebes in the particular day of the year, it was summer after all. The flooded Nile had shrunk over the past months.
Paint the brown patch colored mare, nervously tossed her head as an upcoming crocodile came swimming by, they moved their horses further away from the Nile. The geese flew by and landed at the banks.
Zainab looked at her mother, "well alright, but I prefer you show it to me rather than telling me about it,"
"Well I cannot offer you that, Zainab. I will try in best to describe it, I don't think your father when it comes to this, I believe he doesn't want to tell you about it until you have your period however I think it's rather best you to know, I know how you are Zainab you love learning."
"Enlighten me," Zainab said the horse slowed down in their speed, a slow walk.
Halima sighed, "Well as you know when a man and a woman marry, have their own banquet after that there…the importance of consummation," Zainab glanced at her mother, Paint's ears twitched and were pulled back. "And consummation is when they finalize their marriage, it's a union and we the union happens—"
Suddenly Zainab's mind's thoughts ran with the ideas, so consummation was a must. What if she didn't want to do it right there and then at the same day of the wedding, and how could she perform it? Was a simple task that everyone knew it, and she did not? Zainab had buzzing questions. Her mother's voice suddenly faded with the wind hushing her words, she stared at her mother, she watched her lips moved but not sound came from. Bits and pieces came in and out of her as she blinked. Her ears heard the hooves of the horses, it sounded ten times higher than usual.
"It happens when the husband and wife are in bed, during the night, which is also called the wedding night," Halima went on. Zainab kept in her mind about not going to bed with her husband if she ever got married. "They share a very intimate passionate night, but before they could consummate the marriage, the husband has to make sure he doesn't di-" Zainab turned to see Cricket slowly swimming by as Halima's eyes were briefly closed, "the wife is below him and he has a-" Zainab turned to the green crocodile, ", however she has to be wet before he—" Zainab wasn't listening, all she heard something about wet and passion, water fight possible? She didn't know where that could come from. Paint could see the crocodile in her blue (wall) eyes; the nervous mare was next to the riverbank. "And when they are in union, the pain might fade and the wife or I shall I say woman, is very sensitive in her vagina, it's one of the areas of a woman where she is sensitive, it and the man's—"Halima rambled on about sexual intercourse, her mother turned to her, and did something with her finger it looked like she pointed? Up in the sky suddenly Zainab found herself looking at the sky with a falcon gliding past high above them.
"The couple, might make—"what about inside and out? Did she moan or groan? Zainab looked around thinking about sex however the process never come into her mind clearly, the first thing she never saw a naked man before…not even her father? So how would she know how it works, "pleasure comes out of this act of union and when it's over they have afterglow of deep satisfaction, they would then fall asleep and have finally finalize their marriage." She smiled at Zainab. Apparently her mother was trying to make the talk interesting however it only left poor Zainab confused.
Cricket submerged under the depths of the water, "Um uh…"
Halima gave a warm smile, "any questions?"
"Um ye-yes could you explain that entire talk?" Halima looked surprised when Zainab asked, her face red from embarrassment.
"The entire talk?" her mother said, she looked at Zainab with a slightly disappointed expression, she turned the horse away from the Nile, the black mare neighed, as Paint trotted over. "Which part exactly?"
"Um uh…well actually," Halima raised a brow as if wondered if her daughter listens to her. "Do they have to take clothes off?" Zainab gave a nervous smile to her mother; her heart screamed what in the world did your mother just talk about again. Confused and lost, she hoped someone else might actually show it to her.
Halima closed her eyes briefly, "well um sometimes," she had a long paused, "but yes they do," mental note in she needed to remember that.
"Oh and um…this act of union, what um uh…" Zainab flushed red, "um uh about oh does it-it have to be that night?"
"Yes," Halima replied.
"Can I avoid it?" Halima softly chuckled, shaking her head, Zainab stared there, her mother smiling as she pulled the reins and Magic stopped in a halt, the black strands of her tail swished and Paint stopped near and the mares hit their front hooves on the hard ground.
"No," Zainab frowned when Halima said that.
"Delay it?" asked Zainab.
"Zainab, you just think of it as an opportunity to share a passionate and imitate memory with your future husband," Halima said beaming.
"I-is that how you think of it with Father and…you?" Halima laughed, and nodded. Zainab wondered if her parents had sex whenever she was gone but they were working so she assumed they never done it? "Um uh do—I mean do still do it?" Halima suddenly frowned at her.
"I would rather not explain it to you, of your father's and I, personal love life," Zainab frowned and bit her lip, "however your father I don't have sex when you're at home, at least that's what Khalid wanted, I respect that and we don't have time for such act," something that didn't seem logical, her parents didn't do it? She actually never saw them kissing in front of her, maybe her parents wanted to respect that or her father never liked openly affection? She probably would ask if she saw him.
"…" Zainab didn't say anything.
Halima sighed; "Well how bout we race?" she suddenly changed the subject, Zainab shyly nodded with a smile. "Good," turning Magic around and Paint turned as her daughter pulled the reins following her mother as the horses' suddenly trotted then canter.
Zainab and Halima position their horses right at the edge of the river, Magic was closer to the water, Halima explained to Zainab as she said the crocodiles would be the rails or the easy part of obstacles, Zainab gripped the reins. While her mother explained that they should be careful because of the hippos might come to the river bank. The sun had finally revealed its sunglow face to Egypt, wrapping the city and land with the arms of light. Halima told her daughter the finish line would be at her grandfather Kateb's stables. And the winner would get a prize, and if it was a tie then they both would win. Straightening herself in the saddle, she glanced as her mother explained the process.
After explaining, the horses readied themselves as their riders Halima and Zainab started the horses with a canter, kicking their sides in unison and the horses took flight gliding with grace they rode along the river snake, patches of grass bend as gliding swans flew with beauty as if they were on the ballet performance. Paint and Magic canter in the three beat pace, Halima and Zainab's hair flown like the manes of their mares, colorful blend of ombre blonde strands billowed in the wind.
Halima ushered her lovely mare Magic to speed up, the mare was black and her sire was the stallion she also owned name Astennu, a handsome black stallion, Magic was a born jumper, the mare was mischievous as ever. The mare's flank was so close as she moved their hooves pondered and Magic was starting to pick up the speed, Zainab saw the black mare ahead.
"Come on, Paint we cannot let Mother beat us!" the paint turned to her as the white and black strands bounced up and down the mare started to picked up her slack and glide like a falcon in the night sky. The mares ran and crocodiles were up ahead.
"Ah I see you're trying to beat your mother!?" Halima laughed, her raven hair blew and shined under the sun, the locks of her hair, "I think not, after all I have more experience then you," kicking the sides of Magic, the mares jumped over the sleeping crocodiles, they approached another row of three crocodiles perfectly aligned.
"No, no I cannot let you!" grinned Zainab, she hardly grinned never showing her brilliant teeth, "Paint!" the beautiful paint mare glide and approached the tired cold beasts, the stretching out and landing perfectly one croc snapped as a flock of geese waddled around, the horses leaped more one time in unison equally matched for their stamina. Halima turned to her daughter.
"Not a chance," as her mare landed right at the geese her dark hooves inches from touching the feathers, the geese flew and scattered like frighten wildebeest the feathers flew. Zainab briefly closed her eyes as the geese screamed.
"Ah," she almost was smacked with a goose, the mares splashed along the river clear as day, it only made the horses looked more regal than ever, they leaped as Halima laughed as a goose was smacked with Magic's hard hoof falling into jaws of a crocodile basking luckily for the goose it lived. Zainab saw Night and Dusk from the across the river sitting there mobile in their river.
The horses' hearts were in sync and so were their legs moving in a rhythm, their breathing could be heard as they pound the ground and shake the earth. Halima was still in lead, Zainab ushered the brown patch mare, the hippos suddenly emerged from their watery living space.
Oh no not Hapi… she saw the pink hippo glanced and turned toward her, Halima urged Magic to pick up the speed as the slow round hippos were coming on the shore, the semi dirt and water created mud and the horses stepped on it moving away from the river. The pink hippo started to dance. "Paint, let's show, Mother we are fast as Magic," the shy mare tossed her head as she leaped again over the crocodiles, when a much smaller male hippo came on shore. Halima smiled as Magic used the hippo as leverage the horse went flying almost two feet across.
"What!?" Zainab said in shocked, the black mare landed gracefully as Zainab swerved around the crocodiles and they snapped their jaws like bear traps. Scaring the spotted horse, Paint leaped away from the crocodiles even stepped on Twilight by accident, "No, Paint, you are brave," the horse ran at Magic's left, Halima turned to her daughter impressed to keep Paint calm.
"Ah so you are trying to defeat me?"
"Of course, I never let an opportunity escape from me," Zainab smirked, as competitive as she was.
Snorting and shallow breathing from the horses, Magic led the way still ahead of Paint, splashing into the blue lotuses floating in the river and running around and zigzagging passed crocodiles, hippos and geese. Feathers and grunts of hippos flew in the air like a celebration had occurred.
Halima laughed, "Are you even trying?" Zainab pouted, "I think not," Magic flew and jumped as she passed a tree and ran into the pathway where the farmlands up ahead. The golden fields of wheat bending and dancing in the wind, the horses ran and now changed their gaits into a gallop. Full speed they were flying and almost suspended in air for some moments. Halima saw Paint catching up the black mare ran into between houses, Halima laughed as Paint nearly knocked a teenage farm boy; he ducked immediately as Zainab said.
"Sorry!" the horses ran up and heading toward the small houses, cattle sung their song of work, Karida waved at Zainab as the horses leaped over the fence of her friend's house. Paint was catching up, soon they were neck to neck, Halima and Zainab were holding so tight in their reins, Zainab could have sworn it felt like her hands were sweaty, her mother wasn't giving up at all.
"How is my daughter doing? Finally realizing she has a slight chance of winning," Halima said, the horses ran together as they approached the gates of the city, soldiers posted their stared out.
Zainab turned to her mother as the mares galloped, "I actually did the calculations, I actually might have a fifty percent chance to win," Halima's horse passed the gate half way there to the finishing line. Paint flew next as soldiers dodged and ducked from the horses people screamed, shouting at them.
People started to move away from the galloping mares, Zainab focused her attention as a donkey screeched at the passing mares. Swerve and weaving through the crowds, the hard ground beat like the drums as the horses speed across the city. They had to slow down into a canter and trot to get through the people. Some woman held flowers and handed it to Zainab as Paint trotted across the craftsmen district, losing sight of her mother ahead of her, Faiz nearly was run over as Zainab saluted at him, he flashed a grin in return as she threw the lotus at him.
"Mother, I am coming…" Zainab whispered as the mare turned into alleyway neighing almost refusing to go in but Paint went through it, Zainab sped across the other side of the city watching the black horse from across between them of buildings where the shops and houses were a blur. The wind rushed and Zainab ushered the paint to jump onto a low level building and she was on the roofs as she tried to catch up with the fast black mare Magic, Zainab watched while on the roof tops, "come on, girl!" Paint glided down as she landed right behind Magic. Halima turned around with a confident smile, her black strands of hair on her face flew from the rush of the wind.
"Ah my daughter returns," Paint moved to the left, galloping, people moved or stopped gawking at the mother and daughter. "How may I ask you go here so fast?"
"Short cuts," Zainab said as Paint glanced at Magic, they ran side by side, the mares were getting close; she turned around and could have sworn she saw the priest in blue. She caught the sight of his blue eyes as Paint leaped over a moving cart, surprised to see him staring at her. As soon as Paint landed, Magic neighed. "Was that…Set?" Zainab looked up ahead the finishing line. Her ombre hair fluttering in the wind,
"What's the mattered, Zainab?" she asked surprised.
"Nothing,"
"Oh?" smiled Halima, glancing at Zainab, "what's on your mind?"
"Winning this race," she whipped her reins hard and Paint started to pick up speed, the mares nostrils flared and every strand of their manes fluttering and billowing flying in the wind as they glide. The stables and fences started too appeared. Both mother and daughter turned and looked at one another, Keret and couple of servants ducked as the horses leaped in the air.
Halima and Zainab looked back laughing, the Paint jumped again on the fence, she turned around and the stables double large doors were opened. Magic came almost hitting to Paint as the black sleek mare perfectly turned.
"You will not be winning this race." Halima giving a small smile, Zainab shot a competitive glare. Magic picked up speed passing by Paint. Zainab gasped as the mare neck stretched like a greyhound in motion.
"I think not," Paint and Magic were nearly there as the mare sped across and the stables, the mares ran in together in the stables, Halima laughed as Magic few inches ahead of Paint, the mares skidded across as dust flew. Kateb was giving an apple to Rain, he turned around only to find Paint and Magic muzzles touching him. Halima gracefully dismounted however Zainab jumped down from their mounts.
"No, no there is no way I could have lost," Zainab said fixing her hair, she pushed her bangs away before they fell, Halima straighten her dress. Kateb didn't say anything surprised to see his daughter and granddaughter spending time made him smile.
"Ah, but Magic was faster, I purposely picked her, for our occasion." Halima said as she brushed her hair, Kateb came up to them wearing a gray green tunic and white shendyt, he smiled at them. "Like I said, Zainab, you plan ahead, well I was the first before you were born to ride," her mother placed her hands on Zainab's shoulders.
Zainab softly chuckled, her mother lightly pushed her away, Zainab petted Paint neck and rubbed it, as the spotted brown and white patches mare snorted swishing her tail, "What?" almost grinning, "I believe I was the first…" She started to take the saddle off Paint; Kateb went over to help Zainab.
Kateb spoke, "No, I will get it,"
Zainab shyly responded, "thank you." She placed her hands behind her back briefly and turning to face her mother.
"True, Zainab, but I was born before you, so that would be I am first," she touched Magic's nose, the mare snorted, "admit defeat, my dear, your mother has defeated and so you need to figure what you're going to get me?" she raised an eyebrow as she placed her hands over her hips.
"Oh my I should, how long do I have to get you a present?"
"Ah a year I suppose…" Halima joked, laughing, Zainab shook her head in denial, she didn't want to wait that long, "no I am serious," Zainab raised a brow as her mother grabbed the reins of Magic. The mare dug her hoof in the dirt, Kateb took the blanket off paint and put them aside, the horses were sweating but they got their exercise.
"Why?" asked Zainab as Kateb listened to their conversation, he took Paint to her stall so the mare could drink from the trough, thirsty from the run. Paint immediately drank gulps of water, spraying her almost, Zainab glancing at her grandfather and mother while Halima approached her daughter with a stern face but with small smile.
"Well I think it would be fair, because when I had you it was nine months almost a year so you were my gift," she crept up and tickled her daughter, she nearly picked up her daughter, she tackled her down, Zainab was unprepared and rolled on the floor.
"Ah, stop," laughed Zainab, her hair band falling off, leaving her hair opened she didn't care, she felt sweaty to, "ah, ha, ha, ha," laughing. Her mother wrapped her arms while they were lying on the floor, it was dangerous because Magic stood there turning her large black head in curiosity. Kateb was still with Rain. He then took the saddle off Magic, the mare tossed her head and snorted.
Halima stood up and helped Zainab to stand, she still held onto her daughter while Magic backed up, Kateb came back and took the black mare; some of the horses snorted or neighed. "Alright, a year I suppose…" she paused, "what if I got it earlier?"
"No, no exactly in a year,"
Zainab said, "On your birthday?" Confused. She looked up at her mother as they started to walk away, out of the other side of the doors the south stable doors.
Kateb waved at them, "it's fine I'll get the horses, go on," he said, Halim smiled then gave a small wave to her father.
"Perhaps, but it would not be a year…"
"It has to be a year?" still question the gift's time
"No of course not," Halima said her arm around her daughter's shoulders; her mother was a tall woman about five feet and eight inches. Zainab looked up at her mother, "How passed your fifteen birthday, since I know you usually stay indoors during summer," they walked along until they reached their house. Halima and Zainab sat down in the family room, Kalima quickly went to get drinks for them. "Why not give the gift whenever you ready," she placed her hands on her knees. "And no it cannot be around tomorrow; it has to be far apart from our race day,"
"Hmm?" Zainab thinking as she rubbed her chin looking to right as Kalima came over, "not too soon or too long" Halima smiled and said something to Kalima taking the cup and handing the other to her daughter.
It must be a math problem then, something in the middle but not too late, if I was a number where would I sit, the median of one to twenty it would be ten point five, meaning not exactly ten or eleven…and during the third or fifth month But it could have been the eleventh month…Hmm almost a year would mean. Zainab smirked. Math was just plain too easy for her, so in a year or in nine months she assumed around the flooding season or during the middle of next year.
The next day, she went to see Cricket and Hapi during the early morning supposedly on her schedule her grandfather had made, slightly changed Subira was injured by falling off a ladder while getting on her roof. She was fine with minor injuries, it was a tall ladder anyway Khalid went to visit on the behalf for Zainab because his daughter was with his wife the entire morning for her lessons of lady etiquettes, then cooking, sword fighting, horse care, riding, magic (for four times a day) and priestess training for five days. And a week passed by, Zainab had free time and visited Subira while entering the east side of the Noble District, her house was white with the gates of white, the path to her house was similar to Zainab's, some slaves and servants were watering and pulling the weeds out of the front yard.
Zainab was dressed dark blue violet V-neck halter neckline, the end of skirt was light in shade of violet, she tied her hair in loose pony tail again and at the wrists and the arms had gold armbands. She had gold sandals, Zainab was with her father Khalid again dressed in his black tunic and shendyt, and he sure likes to dress in black? He had a black headdress over his head and knocked on the door. Zainab rocked on her heels as she stared at the door decorated with little plant paintings, the door opened a charming servant woman with sandy blonde hair passed her shoulders, she had her bangs apart from her and light tan skin with a red and white kalasiris, she let them in.
"Hello," in a creepy tone, she looked at Zainab with interests, "may I help you?" a chill crept down her own spine, the woman's brown eyes examined the girl.
Khalid frowned, "I expected you to ask the question before?" he raised an eye brow. The entrance foyer was spacious the floors smooth out, the entrance of the hall had an archway and staircase at the right with black railings, the living room straight ahead from the entrance, the left had a family room and the right next to staircase was the kitchen, she could smell the fried fish. The walls were white like the rest of the house and a statue of Beset and Horus stood in carve in the wall like a shrine. "Where is priestess Subira?"
"Right this way," in a melodic voice, she gestured as she walked ahead of him, she didn't even answer his question. She led them through the backdoor from the living room where Subira stood with her husband a handsome man with black long hair opened, he had a long blue and green robes, he almost looked like a peacock, they didn't have children unfortunately so they adopted baby goats, a shed for the little playful kids, there was six goats around and fenced in the backyard a little garden where fruit and vegetables home grown while servants picked it up. A fence blocked the goats, there was a trough for the critters as they bleated and stared and butted their heads playing and chasing. There was hay in the back and on the floor; the goats even had a ball to play with. Around the goat pen and the house was a cream colored wall that surrounded the house attached to the gates.
"Subira," said the man, Subira turned around after throwing some oats and cabbage pieces to their goats. The critters ran and crowed around the good pecking like chickens at breakfast time the peppered haired woman's hair bounced, she wore a simple kalasiris of pale green. Matching her green eyes, she beamed at the sight of her student, "Hmm wow, your student is a man," his wife smacked him, he laughed as he bent down petting a gray goat.
"I know, Akil" she laughed, "no it's the girl,"
"I know," he repeated, she smacked him as Zainab and Khalid stood right in front of the short gate, "I mean now I know."
"Khalid," Subira said with a smile, as she opened her arms like a falcon in flight, she welcomed him however he was not willing to return the favor. She dropped her arms and pointed at Zainab, "Zainab, you came, not like you to come over when I am off duty as priestess," she opened the gate one of the goats tried to escape, she picked up the goat and handed the little devil to her husband.
Zainab shyly smiled as she played with her hair, "I-I only came because you fell?"
Subira nodded and waved her hand down, as she walked out of the pen, "I know, and I am fine, I just fell from the roof to the first floor," Zainab stared in shocked, "no I fell outside not from the second floor, not to worry,"
Khalid didn't say anything else as he stared the goats looking for adventure in their own backyard. "Well, we came because Halima wanted to know if you're alright?"
"And I am," Subira said, "and you two are?"
"Good," Khalid said flatly, he didn't look amused.
"Why in Ra's name are you dressed in black like you're going to someone's funeral Khalid?" Subira asked as she walked toward the door of the house from the back. He shot a glare at her with his gray eyes. "Kidding, I know your favorite color is black, Zainab how is your husband hunt going?"
Zainab blushed embarrassed and didn't say anything as her mentor opened the door and the servant with the sandy blonde hair was wiping the Beset statue with a cloth, she nearly dropped it. "Come on," as Khalid and his daughter entered they the living room from the left, sitting on the floor with pillows and red most of the sheets were blue, there was a low set table in the corner with some books and scrolls, they sat there. "So what's stopping you?" Subira was at the right while Khalid was in between the females, his daughter at his right.
"On what?" asked Khalid and Zainab in unison, they seemed very confused of what Zainab's mentor was asking? The woman with sandy blond hair came back and stood there with her hands neatly on one another.
"I mean looking for a husband?"
Khalid frowned, "well Faiz didn't work out,"
Subira nodded as she glanced at Zainab, "and you're alright with that?" Zainab just nodded awfully being quiet; she didn't really come here to discuss marriage. She actually came here to see how her mentor was. Expecting her mentor having broken bones but she appeared to fine. "And not planning to marry now?"
"No," Khalid said in a flat voice, he didn't seem to like people asking.
"On the other hand, I heard your grandmother was trying to match make Zainab to a handsome boy couple years ago," Zainab suddenly flushed red, oh no not the day at the accessory shop.
"Oh so I heard." Khalid said as he glanced at his daughter.
"Yup and supposedly she never really met him?" Subira, she leaned in to check on her pupil, "or did you?"
"Uh um uh…no, no I never met him?" was waving her hands in front of her in defensive manner
Subira turned to the servant woman who was staring at Zainab in a ravenous manner, sweating all of a sudden the woman smiled as her mistress looked up at her. "Please could you get my guests some water?"
"Certainly, my mistress," the woman left, Zainab was wondering who was that woman was? She didn't like the feeling; the sandy blonde woman gave her chills. She turned to Subira talking to Khalid, Zainab glanced around and this was the second time she visited her mentor at her house. It was around ten minutes or so and she let her mind wandered in the door of ideas, she was thinking of what kind of gift she should get her mother after all her mother won the race. Well her mother likes the color white, cats, bracelets; she never really wore makeup except kohl. What should I get here? Zainab was thinking. The servant came back with a tray with three cups made of bronze.
Zainab took the cup, "well I must say a fine young girl such as you could catch anything with that kind beauty," her words were slow and somewhat of hint border line creepy. Zainab stared at the woman, "You have such pretty hair that I think no one could ever forget…I know I won't," she started to smooth the hair, Khalid was glaring at the woman for touching Zainab as the girl was about to slapped the hand of the woman.
"Have any boys after you?" still smiling at Zainab, Khalid stared at the woman.
"N-no?" Zainab said in confusion.
"A pity, well I hope one day you will," Khalid glanced at the woman, the servant stood up and left them. Zainab didn't know what was wrong with that woman. Those brown eyes creeped her out as if it had other motivates in them. Shuddering, her father glanced at Subira and placed his cup down.
"So, Zainab are you doing well with your other studies?" asked Subira with a kind smile. Zainab nodded. "Ah, good, well that was Nailah, she's a new servant I hired couple of months ago, she can be intrusive with my guests, she seems to like you."
Khalid got up, "well it was nice knowing you are fine, I think me and Zainab should get going," he helped his daughter, Subira got up as well. "Come along, Zainab I think your grandfather is taking you to the Nile," he held his daughter's hand as Subira led them to the entrance door of her house.
"Well nice to know you're hanging out at the Nile, I hope to see you in couple of weeks," she said opening the door. "Have fun with my temporally replacement," Zainab glanced up looking at the so called servant.
Zainab didn't say anything as her father Khalid pulled her along as far away from the house, he seemed to notice the woman. He glanced back at Subira waving. While they were walking home, he walked by her side. The ombre blonde wrapped her arms around herself, creeped out. Her father wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"Not to worry if she ever touches you again, I'll make sure she'll pay dearly," he said with a smile, "No one messes with my daughter,"
"She was very creepy," barely audible for her father to her.
Khalid nodded, "I will do some research on her, in the meantime you need to go and see your grandmother for your lessons,"
"I know, she is going to teach me curses briefly and sealing magic,"
"Good, I think they would be useful for in the future,"
"Father, what does Mother like?" he didn't know anything about Zainab losing a race and she had to get a gift. "And I mean besides cats and bracelets,"
Khalid was in deep thought, he looked at his daughter while they walked along the Noble District, the houses and the sky were the sun was almost touching the horizon, the sky was violet to shades of orange it was like a painted canvas that had captured the moment. The hues and colors blended together as if they melted.
"That woman was odd, and not the innocent type," Khalid said, she went home and he told to take a bath and changed her clothes for later in the evening Zainab would spend her time with her magic lessons with Keret. Keret talked about Zainab about sealing magic during their session and later on break before she would go to the Nile, she changed her clothes again into light gray kalasiris halter-sweetheart neckline, and sandals. Applying her kohl around her eyes, she then headed out while she picked her bag and going into the kitchen, she packed some fried fish the servants were cooking on the fire and taking couple of pieces of watermelon with her. Kalima and Beset glanced at one another as they the saw the ombre blonde girl, briefly glancing at them before taking off.
Kateb and Keret were taking a stroll hand in hand with two horses behind them Rain a gray mare belong to Halima however Zainab borrowed her, and a black stallion named Kmt; Keret dressed herself in her deep violet scoop neckline the end of her dress was white, the flat shoes matched, she didn't have any jewelry like usual Keret never liked to wear jewelry after all she was from a poor background. Kateb however wore his violet robes over his plain tunic with a simple gold collar. The sky had turned from blue to red with shades pastel orange the colors, and the Nile reflected the sky in perfect image. Zainab walked ahead of her grandparents and they were far from her, she walked up to the river, Hapi slowly approached Zainab she gave the hippo watermelon to the large beast, the hippo chewed on pieces, Cricket crawled onto the shore hissing, the croc took a step closer, Zainab bent down as she reached toward the young crocodile, Hapi was too busy munching on the melon, juices and pieces fell onto the ground.
She fed the green croc with the fried fish and tossed it in the V-shape mouth, Cricket and Hapi never really liked each other, Hapi started to dance with glee, and grazed. Zainab talked to them and reviewed the lessons the hippo's command, the reptile laid there watching. It was hard to train the crocodile, she tried and attempted however the cold-blooded train her, but the reptile refused, the hippo went back into the water. Thirty minutes passed and Zainab sat with her behind her leaning back, and the crocodile eyed the pink fat beast, she talked as her grandparents were near a tree. She told Cricket, she was shocked to know the croc was a female, she never knew that and she was sorry to hear about the other siblings not making it, sadly the reptile couldn't speak and it was like she was talking herself however the croc respond with grunts, and hisses. She glanced at them her grandmother laughing as she lightly shoved Kateb. Hapi soon returned and Zainab got up picking up the rock,
"Alright, Hapi let us see your skills," she threw the rock, the water horse snapped her lips and turned around and searched for the rock, "pick it up and bring it to me," the hippo did what she was told, and brought the rock back to Zainab. Picking up the rock, she repeated the lesson over and over, Hapi didn't responded all the time, and Zainab had to make sure the beast was listening to her, she patted the hippo and repeated the lesson and at the last minute, she picked it up. Soon Cricket started to come after the rock as the crocodile ran and picked up the rock and went up to Zainab. They ended up playing catch both the hippo and crocodile competed for her attention, they were becoming more aggressive, they were hissing and trying to hurt one another by biting, Zainab came in and mediate them telling them to stop, everyone is equally loved. The critters glanced at their human friend.
Cricket turned around and snapped at Hapi, "Both of you knock it off, and I will just leave! Then you both will not have my attention for a week," Hapi grunted and snorted lowering the massive head at the slender narrow reptile.
Zainab's grandparents came up to her as she turned to find them walking toward her. "Are you ready to go?" asked her grandfather, Keret rubbed her nose and crossed her arms as the animals behind Zainab glared at one another.
"Yes, I think Hapi and Cricket will have to learn their lesson, they cannot learn to coexist with one another." Cricket squinted with one eye, the hippo stared at Zainab. She turned to her friends, "I will see you two in week, if you improve, I will see you two if not well…we will find out," she turned around her blonde ombre whipped around and she walked up to her grandparents.
"Crap, your Nile friends looked pissed," Keret said as pointed behind herself walking next to Kateb, the animals watched the humans and Zainab looked back, she gave them a small shy wave.
"They cannot get along with one another,"
Keret warned Zainab, "Careful kid, they might do something drastically," frowning.
"Nonsense, Keret what could happen?" said Kateb he walked ahead of his wife and granddaughter. Zainab walked slowly making constant glances before finally turning her back to her friends.
"Damn wrong I been near animals more than Kateb, I know them, they're still dangerous even if they are loving pets," Kateb laughed, while the raven haired woman glared at him.
"Alright if you say so,"
"So when we get home, I'm planning to make some milk pudding," grinned the brash woman, "Zainab you want some?" her granddaughter looked at her but didn't say anything, "I am not going to put poison,"
"No thank you," she said in a low voice. She was thinking about something else wondering about Set, the handsome man lately she was thinking about them a lot, she didn't know why. Lost in her thoughts, she looked down at the grass and looked up at the farmlands, beyond that the walls and city with the palace standing tall.
"Have it your way," Keret said, running up to Kateb he was far ahead of the girls.
Hapi the hippo started to dance a little, but she stopped and charged at Zainab, running with full speed as Zainab turned around surprised to see the beast lunging forward and tackled her, she was thrown across the floor without a second thought. She fell unconscious; her parents turned around and screamed, as Hapi tried to grab Zainab with her mouth. Lying on her stomach, Cricket came running and bit the hippopotamus on the back legs. Cricket grabbed the girl and started to drag her body toward the river. The jaws of the reptile clamped gently at her right ankle.
Keret cast a fire and aimed at the animals, Kateb went after his granddaughter, "Oh my Ra! Why is Cricket trying to devour my granddaughter," the black sorceress threw fire at the hippo, the beast moved aside. Keret muttered something and the flame shew threw at the water horse encircled the beast, a trap spell was cast on the hippo.
"I told you something would happen," Keret said, she held a flame in her palm, Cricket was half way to the water, Hapi danced as fire around the beast trapped the hippo, her grandmother turned her focus to the crocodile.
"No don't hit our granddaughter!" Kateb shouted as Cricket hissed at him, turning to his wife, throwing another fire ball, the steam came off. Another flame summoned, somehow the hippo managed to get out of the fire trap spell. Kateb gasped as the hippo came in front of the crocodile shielding it.
"I'm not!" shouted Keret. "I know what I'm doing, so stand down Kateb!" she pushed her husband aside and cast another spell as the fire hit Hapi instead and it was unaffected by the fire. Kateb and Keret stared at the hippo with shock.
Keret, "What the gods names!? Shit the hippo is immune to fire," snapped her as white glowing archery bow appeared an arrow, "damn I didn't think I would resort to this," she aimed the arrow at the eyes of the hippo, Kateb turned to her as he couldn't do much however he didn't learn elemental magic, but healing magic but that wasn't useful since he hadn't used to magic in a long time. The hippo charged and Keret notched the arrow "Die you son of a—"
Partly in the water, Kateb ran toward his granddaughter and Zainab and tried to reached for her, Zainab suddenly woke up and felt the teeth at her right ankle, Cricket was dragging her into the water, the cool sensation of the water sent shivers, the Nile was cold, she didn't think it was cold. She struggled, and she didn't know why Cricket was dragging her.
"Ah, Cricket let go, your hurting me," Zainab struggled to get up; she reached out toward her grandfather. The crocodile tugged her let, "Grandfather!"
"Zainab!" shouted Kateb, she slowly saw her grandfather reaching out, "Keret she's alive!" the ombre blonde looked for something to grab, and he grabbed his granddaughter's wrist as Cricket pulled so did Kateb.
Keret aimed at the hippo and the arrow flew in a straight shot, "let's put you to sleep," with a smirk, the hippo was instantly fallen asleep. Sleeping with a smile on her face, "Your turn, asshole!" she aimed the arrow at the reptile; She was so determined to save Zainab.
Zainab screamed as Cricket sinks her teeth into her right ankle, looking down at the wound, blood started to spill, she clenched her teeth, the shape pain as she tried to kicked the crocodile, the tight jaws, "ahh Cricket let go! Stop!" Zainab tugging, she slipped. The other crocodiles in the river were coming to Cricket, they believed the crocodile had snagged food. Zainab heard their voices, for once in her life, she was scared that her dear friend had turned against her.
"Hmm lunch," a male red crocodile said,
"Cricket, give her to us," said another. Zainab gasped, she glanced at Kateb, he wasn't useful when it comes to offensive spells. He summoned his ka and a cute beaver with gold crown, and cape of blue, wearing gold of armbands, the beaver was brown in color and came charging at the crocodiles, it waddled on its hind legs and attacked the crocodiles creeping up Cricket and Zainab. The beaver jumped on the green crocodile, the other crocodiles backed away from the beaver as it spun its little sword. Dancing one of the crocodiles head, some fled while others tried to attacked the beaver it flipped and landed on another and slashed but it didn't kill them, the beaver hit them with his hilt of sword.
"Hold on kid!" Keret notched another materialized arrow and aimed at the crocodile then released it, it didn't do anything, "shit, damn thing has hard scales, I have to do another approach," she released the bow and disappearing, she popped her fingers and knuckles. She cupped her hands while Kateb shouted at the crocodile.
"Ahh Grandfather it hurts!" Zainab screamed, Cricket still pulled her, as Kateb grabbed Zainab and pulled and the beaver smacked the green aquatic reptile with its sword, the crocodile didn't budge.
Kateb shouted with worry, "hold on Zainab!" the beaver slashed at Cricket in the eye, slightly losing her grip on the girl's leg, Kateb quickly picked up Zainab carrying her bridal style as the crocodile lunged forward. Keret blasted a lightning spell at the Cricket, the white untamed electricity danced and strike the crocodile, Kateb turned and glanced at Cricket fried, her limps convulsed and she landed with thud knocked out. Keret ran over to Kateb carrying, Zainab's right ankle bleeding luckily for Zainab her leg wasn't bitten off, she was in pain. Groaning as she touched her bloody wound, the blood dropped like wet paint, the deep teeth holes revealed the dark red liquid from her own body, scrapes from the teeth park.
"Quick we better get out before her friends wake up!" Keret said, Zainab glanced at her unconscious friends, she didn't looked at Keret, "Shit, Zainab looks bad," the beautiful raven hair wavy hair bounced as she turned to him, her dark blue eyes locked on her granddaughter, "we need to hurry and check on that wound of hers,"
"I know," Kateb said, as they ran back to horses, Kateb carried and placed his granddaughter in front of him, Keret mounted Rain, "she doesn't look good," Zainab's ankle was bleeding, he tapped on Kmt to move, the stallion started on a canter. Zainab still in her grandfather's arms, her head rested on his chest. "Zainab hang on," she had lost too much blood; she was tired and exhausted of all sudden.
"How could they…" Zainab muttered, sweat fell from her forehead, she looked back while, she saw Cricket stirring, swallowing her saliva, "I do-not understand," before she fell unconscious, Kateb looked down in concern, "I trusted them…" her grandmother in the distance with the gray mare cantering. Her vision blurry and was that black Pharaoh hound with ornate Egyptian jewelry? He looked so regal, she fell unconscious.
Zainab was lying on the cold hard stone floor on her side; she was wearing peasant clothing, a cut sleeve mini dress with a rope tied at her waist; slowly getting up, she felt heat and cold at the same time, a dark vast space it looked like a temple with stone pillars with carvings of the gods of Egypt. She sat there sideways as she looked around the ceiling was so high, she looked around for anything. Darkness loomed and cast its shadows at the left and right of the dark temple.
"So, here you are at death's feet…" said a voice that sounded it was an echo, Zainab slowly got up, her clothes were suddenly a light changed her clothing into a white long dress down to her feet, it revealed her legs with an opening at the center, the dress had violet shades at the end, her top neckline was shoulder-off with blue lotus lilacs. Bare-footed "Nothing can escape it, death," the voice sounded male and very gruff and serious. She scanned the room for the voice's body.
"Who are you?" asked Zainab, her voice bounced.
"Just follow my voice, and I'll show you what I mean." She walked around and it was so dark and she couldn't see anything, she squinted in the darkness.
"Not specific enough?"
"Is that so,"
"Yes, and I mean it"
Zainab looked around then behind her a light appeared. "Zainab?" said a feminine voice called out to her, "you are never alone I am always here for you…." Zainab looked around and squinted, the light spread and she covered her face with her arms. "I am the only one that has been at your side this whole time,"
The temple was lighter in color vines and lotuses and lilacs grew around, the light came through the window, a pool of water with steps at down to get to the sparkling water. White lotuses floated on lily pads, Zainab looked at a door way with light shining, butterflies and the roof was opened. She heard birds chirping, confused she looked around.
"And why would you listen to her?" said the male voice, Zainab whipped around and a black dog with pointed ears, he had gold kohl at his eyes, and ankh earrings, his collar was blue and red with gold rims, his legs had cuff gold bracelets. His eyes were cold and distant; he was a large dog with slender body. "You cannot trust her."
Zainab asked, "Who are you and why should I listen to you?"
"I am the one called Kheker the Guardian of Death, and the Bringer of Peace," he paused as the dog stood across from her, "I'm destined to meet you in time, we will fight alongside,"
"Kheker?" Zainab muttered an unusual for a name, "why are you here?"
"I entered your soul because you have not awaken from your slumber, I was sent by my king in long search for the rightful wielder of the Dragon's Wielder," something about his statement was suspicious. Zainab wasn't the wielder of the Dragon's Eye, her mother was currently and it wasn't guarantee she would possess it.
"You should not listen to him; he is not to be trusted…"
Zainab turned around as she jumped at the sight of woman with long silver hair, with curls, down it touched the water, she wore violet long gown with slits at her hips revealing her legs, she had large key-hole it showed her cleavage, the blue ribbons tied at her waist, standing there. She had pale skin and deep blue eyes, her eye lashes were silver as well.
Kheker glared at the woman, "and who the Egyptian society, are you?" bearing his teeth at her.
"I am what she is not, I am her,"
Zainab said surprised, "You are?"
"Please leave this sanctuary, this is her heart's place, where everything she feels is represented. You are certainly not part of Zainab," the silver haired woman said. Looking at the dog, the woman turned around and disappeared as she burst into petals of lilacs.
"Who are you exactly?" turning to the black dog, he stood there firmly.
"You would fear me, if I reveal my real form to you,"
"How would I fear you and…Would I remember this?"
"No, you're near death," Zainab gasped, covering her mouth, he stood there, "however when you meet me, I will protect you," he gave a small smile to her.
"Are you…?" Zainab said, stopping. Kheker stood there, "have you come to take me to heaven?"
Kheker started to laugh, his shoulders trembled and shook, he threw his head back, and Zainab stood there frowning. He then looked at her, "Well I didn't exactly came here to answer that question, I would not say that, I just came here because I hear the dead, the whispers."
Zainab frowned, "…"
The black dog sighed, "Fine, you rotten brat," his attitude changed? What in the world is wrong with him, "Here's the deal, I cannot let you die and you ka is not doing you a favor, so in order you to live. I suggest you don't give up, no matter what life throws at you,"
"Are you mocking me?" she asked.
"No…I mean what I mean, go into those waters," he turned around, his back. Kheker left her baffled, she stared at him, "I'll help you out, but I won't do this again." He started to take slow steps.
Zainab turned around as she rubbed her chin, the strange woman stood there she walked toward the steps of the large pool of crystal clear water, the white lotus and the petals from the flowers make it looked really pretty. She walked down and submerged herself in the waters as she drifted…
Zainab head pondered her as she stirred, she honestly believed it was a strange dream about a dog and a woman, she didn't know why there was a black Pharaoh hound. Slowly opening her eyes, she saw female servant with brown long hair, glanced at her and ran off in a hurry before Zainab's vision adjusted in the dimmed room and then a slammed of the door. Zainab looked around; she was in one of the bedrooms in her grandfather's house. She was lying in bed with the covers over her, she looked out the window it was night. Did she slept and what happened to Cricket and Hapi? The bag she had was at the floor…Zainab glanced around the room nothing too fancy in the guest room, a small shelve with pottery on the left, a flower pot next to her bed, oil lamp around the room, the walls had faint cream color to them, a table and chair at the far corner of the room in the left. Zainab sat up, and her hair was opened, she looked at her clothes it was pale lavender night dress up to her thighs, it was quite short and wondered what happened to her clothes. She looked around and pulled the sheets off her and looked at her bind right ankle.
Was that a dream…A dog and a woman wow I really hit my head somewhere… Then the door opened and Keret came in wearing her black kalasiris, she carried a tray with food and placed it on the table at the left side of the room.
"How you're feelin'?" asked Keret, as she placed her hand on the hip.
Zainab looked at her grandmother, "I am fine, and what happened to Cricket and Hapi?"
"Shit, you don't remember?" Keret sounded irritated as she crossed her arms and gave the stern expression.
"No…"
"You've been out for two days; your grandfather told your parents that you were staying with us," Zainab stared at the bandages of her ankle, "You almost died."
The ombre blonde girl looked at her, "I did?"
"In a coma for two days, you made everyone worry; I don't think it's wise for us to let you go to the Nile." Keret said, looking at the window, Zainab knew her grandmother was giving her an attitude it was most likely because of the incident three years ago, she sighed and glanced at the girl. Zainab took some of her own locks, her hair had a slight, or soft waves in her hair, she remembered as a child her hair was wavier, it straighten somehow, her hair reached to her elbows.
"YOU sound like my parents," Zainab said frowning and almost shouting.
"Well unless you want Cricket to kill you then I suggest you to start planning for you funeral kid,"
Zainab clutched the sheets around her in frustration, "you don't know them, like I do," glaring at grandmother. "I know them…"
"Just because you know them, doesn't mean they won't hurt you," Keret said coldly.
"It was an accident, nothing more…" Zainab trailing off, she sighed it wasn't worth arguing about her friends, she didn't hate them it was nothing their friendship is what mattered to her. They were silent for a while and Keret didn't say anything else. Zainab frowned and looked at her grandmother, "what did you tell Mother?"
"Well had to make excuse for you, but—" the door opened and Halima came rushing in, her long black wavy hair trailed behind her, and was wearing her long linen pale green, she wrapped her arms around Zainab.
"Your grandfather told me, what happened!" Oh no did her mother know about her seeing Cricket or Hapi, she hoped not. "I'm glad you're safe and well," her mother moved and looked at her daughter while touching her face with her fingers gently, her mother touched her daughter's hair and hugged her one more time.
Khalid wearing all gray tunic and shendyt, came in rolled his eyes as Keret leaned against the wall.
"Um uh I' am fine…" Zainab said, she looked at her father.
"Good," Halima said in relief,
Kateb walked in and sighed, "well she's fine, she can go home now, Halima," holding a book in his hand, Halima stood up smiling at her father then he went over to the bowl and looked at it was milk pudding; he picked up the bowl and handed it to Halima. Keret gave thumbs up before folding her arms again.
"I will, but before she should leave," her mother sat next to Zainab, "eat this, Zainab, you must be hungry," Keret and Kateb left the room. The blonde ombre girl sighed, and drank some of the milk pudding, but she couldn't stop thinking about the strange dream.
Khalid leaned against the window and looked out in the midnight blue sky glittering, the room was dimmed and everyone's shadows stretched outward. He didn't say anything to his daughter; Halima rubbed her daughter's back. They were looking at her,
"Your grandparents told us, that you were attacked by a crocodile while at the Nile with them," said Halima.
"You let your parents, take our daughter to the Nile?" said Khalid, raising his brow.
Zainab glanced at her mother, "Khalid, she's with them, and she isn't with those animals," in a harsh tone.
Khalid muttered under his breath, "and how in the world did she get her injury," Zainab put the bowl aside on the nightstand, Halima looked at him; he came up to his daughter and picked her up carrying her bridal style. "You're very light, Zainab," he commented, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Are you ready?" he turned to Halima picking up Zainab's bag and walked out of the room where Keret and Kateb were talking in low voices, Keret leaned on the rails of the stairs.
"I am but I need to talk to them first," Halima said.
"Alright," Khalid said.
"Mother, Father thank you for caring for Zainab," Halima said hugging her parents even Keret was surprised, "Go on ahead, Khalid, I'll be there in ten minutes," he gave a nod to his wife walked passed them, descended the stairs. Then another flight of stairs, some of the servants were cleaning up the stairs.
The corridor of the house was far longer and wider nothing but paintings on the walls were the Re House kas, Magician Platypus in canvas of proportions style in flat, dressed in a blue little tunic and pointed hat, there were three others platypus two were females because of their skirts. Zainab's father was at the foyer of the house dimmed light like the most of the house, a male servant opened the door for him and he walked out.
"Did you go to your friends?' Khalid asked.
"…" Zainab didn't say anything resting her head on her father's collarbone, she frowned and stared at the sky, the stars looked like a platypus particular Magician Platypus air swimming, she hadn't really researched and learn about the ka, but he played an important role in her family.
"Quiet? Are you tired?"
"Y-yes…" Zainab said in a low voice, she had been quiet and felt lost.
"I don't think it's wise for you to go to the Nile after what had just happened, I discuss it with your mother," Zainab frowned, always the bad news and there were good news but it never lasted long enough. "You need to be careful of your surroundings, pay attention Zainab." now he was blaming her? She frowned and heart yearn and ached for her friends, it wasn't their fault, she would never blame Hapi or Cricket they're animals but they were first friends before anyone else.
He walked two houses down and was at their house, the Lucky cat greeted her with his smiles and closed eyes, it felt like forever since she saw him. Khalid placed his daughter in bed, changed her bandages and told her to get some rest, he kissed her goodnight and blew the oil lamp out and told her that she was lucky. Tucked in bed, she hadn't been tucked in a long time by her father. She laid there, Khalid never liked her wandering at the Nile, he left her with her thoughts, and she shifted on her left side. Zainab lay there, alone again. She closed her eyes. Heart broken and silently crying the fact it happened again but this time Cricket and Hapi caused it. Deep down she forgave them and wondered if her grandparents
"I still have a long way to go," she muttered.
Sorry I had to reread it and fix my grammer to fix this chapter, I'm an artist not a writer but I do enjoy writing.
