Disclaimer: I do not own Red River, not now and not ever.


I felt a cold and soggy object press itself to my forehead before it left for a few seconds, when it then decided to reattach itself to my cheek. I scrunched my face up in confusion before blinking my eyes open.

"Oh! You're awake!" A high and familiar voice exclaimed.

I rubbed my eyes to clear the hazy fog that was clouding them, "Aline?" I asked groggily.

"Hear that sister! She remembers my name!" I flinched in slight pain at the sudden shout. Looking beside me I saw Aline's rounded face held a bright expression, though it was hard to miss since she was naught but four inches away from my own face.

"Aline, the healer said she'd be fine except for a small bump on the back of her head." Siranush explained from across the room as she wrung out a wet rag over a bowl of water.

I frowned as I propped myself up on to my forearms slowly as my stomach rolled uncomfortably and a lukewarm wet rag slid off my cheek onto my shoulder. Aline took it from me wordlessly and tried to help it stay against my forehead without much luck. Speaking of which, I rubbed my sore head in wonder. I wasn't feeling much pain except for a minor headache and a throbbing spot near the base of my skull but I guess that was understandable since I …? My frown deepened, did I fall or something earlier?

"Here." Siranush held out the fresh wet rag to me and when I didn't automatically take it she tossed it on to my head with a huff.

Instead of holding it against my throbbing temples like I was supposed to I simply tossed it on to a nearby table. I sat up tentatively and the room spun slowly for a few moments before coming to a stop. Keeping in mind not to make myself dizzy again I swept my eyes over the room and saw it was decorated with thick colorful woven rugs laid out on the floor, gauzy white fabric hanging over the wide open window, a table beside it and a couple vases filled with flowers. I looked down and saw I was laying on an ancient version of a sofa, which probably meant if I moved too suddenly it would most likely collapse.

I didn't understand how their furniture could hold anyone's bodyweight with their flimsy looking wooden supports and wicker weaving but it did. I didn't even understand how I could sleep in a bed of hay every night, granted a few cloths separated me from the itchy organic material but that was beside the point. I guess it goes to show that a lot of the fuss we put into making our lives easier in the future is more than likely making things more complicated…

I lifted my hands to rub my throbbing temples when, "Jade, what did you do to make Lady Khepri so upset? And why are Mistress Nefert and General Ramses arguing?" Aline suddenly asked me wide eyed while Siranush stared at me in silence.

Confused I asked slowly, "Um, General Ram-who?"

"General Ramses, Lady Khepri's son." Siranush answered before prodding me, "Well?"

"Well what?" What was I supposed to say? I don't remember making anyone upset… I pouted in concentration, did I make someone upset?

"Oh no! See sister, something is wrong with her! We should get the healer to come back!" Aline jumped from her seat next to me in a panic, "I'll go get him!"

She ran out of the room yelling for a healer and I shook my head in amusement before wincing, "Did I hit my head or something?" I asked Siranush.

Siranush looked at me with an unsure expression, "Do you really not remember what happened earlier?"

I felt my nausea from before comeback, "W-why? Did I do something bad again?"

The last thing I needed was Nefert hating on me for ruining her sibling's party or something equally petty…Or perhaps I wasn't the one to blame but someone else? I hoped that was the case, and to be truthful I kind of hoped it was her fault or at least one of her evil friends.

Wait a second. The last thing I remembered was avoiding her creepy friend kami? Kam? Kamel? Whatever, it started with a K… and then I ...blank. Why couldn't I remember?

"Jade, the reason you hurt your he-" Siranush began to say when I shushed her.

"Don't talk when I'm trying to concentrate." I muttered to her while waving a hand in front of her face to signal her to shut up.

"Are you done now?" She asked a couple minutes later. I frowned at her and was about to tell her to shut it again when Aline burst through the room's door.

"He's here!" She yelled proudly. An elderly man followed Aline in to the room at a quieter and slower pace followed by slightly younger woman.

"The child tells me you're having trouble remembering things. Is this true?" He asked while he walked over to the small table Siranush had been standing near earlier.

"Um…yeah, I guess?" I answered. He merely hummed while setting out a few jars and bowls on to the table's surface along with some unfamiliar looking objects that I was afraid to ask about. It was when he approached me with a fist sized rock statue that looked like something similar to what one might use to decorate their patio with, is when I jumped out of the chaise and held up the nearest thing I could get my hands on.

"Back off voodoo man! I have a- a- "I looked down to see what I was shielding myself with, "a pillow! And I know how to use it!" I threatened.

The man paused and I staggered woozily after a couple seconds on my feet but managed to right my balance before I could fall down. I probably looked pretty feeble and pathetic but I didn't want to wait for the man to do some type of hoo doo witch craft on me. I'm mean, I think I've had enough of my share of spells and potions don't you think? My eyes narrowed, unless of course he was planning to bash my skull in again, in some backwards healing ritual type thing…

A sudden shout came from the doorway, "Jade!"

Everyone's head in the room including my own turned to see an enraged Nefert in the room's doorframe. That in itself was surprising, but what was more shocking was her expression. Nefert's cheeks were flushed a dusky rose and her face was the angriest I've ever seen it but her short black wig that sat on her head slightly askew made it hard for me to feel completely afraid.

Smothering the laugh that was making it's way up my throat I asked carefully, "Yes, Nefert?"

"Come, we leave for Djedet!"

"Wha?" I asked bewildered.

She stepped further into the room and opened her mouth to more than likely yell at me when I heard loud pounding footsteps coming from the hall and her older brother burst through the doorway. "We aren't done discussing this Nefert!" He yelled.

"There is nothing to discuss brother! I'll be leaving with Jade in tow and there is nothing you can do about it!" She screeched back.

"Like hell there isn't! She's just as much as my slave as she is yours!" He argued.

My eyes widened when instead of continuing to argue with her sibling, Nefert screamed and picked up a nearby vase to hurl it at her brother's head with surprising force and accuracy. He ducked in the nick of time and cursed at her before having to duck again when she launched another small vase at him.

Me and the other occupants of the room stood by silently watching the pair scream obscenities at each other and argue over who was entitled to me more. I sighed, I was more than confused and felt like I just woke up in some Spanish TV novella.

I pouted; I wasn't sure if I should step in and stop the two. Especially seeing as neither the healer nor his assistant made to do anything but watch them with a blank expression on their face while on the other hand Sirunush grimaced at their dramatic display and Aline's pink lips were curled in badly disguised amusement.

I felt a prick of annoyance when they continued to argue about who had more ownership over me and I was about to open my mouth with an argument of my own when a soft but sharp call came from the door.

"Enough!"

The two of them paused mid-yell to turn to the stern but frail looking woman who stood just inside the room. Lady khepri had a distressed expression on her face but her mouth was set in a firm line and her usually golden tanned skin had become a sallower shade of brown.

"Mother…" They uttered in perfect synchronization.

She never raised her tone but spoke in a cold and clipped voice, "You bring shame to this house hold, fussing and fighting over a mere woman-child."

Nefert straightened her gown indignantly as her brother stepped away from her calmly with a blank expression on his face. Lady Khepri shook her head tiredly and frowned at them. "The only person who has claim to that girl is your sister Neema." She gestured to me, "She will be left alone in the care of Jahi as she has been since she arrived here."

Nefert opened her mouth to protest but her mother cut her off before she could argue, "If you are displeased with my decision on the matter you are free to take the issue up with Neema when she returns from Thebes in a few weeks, as she is the rightful owner. So, until then you will act accordingly and refrain from causing further embarrassment to this family." With a stern gaze directed at her children and a stiff nod to the healer and his assistant, Lady Khepri left the room in a swish of ivory skirts.

Everyone in the room stood silent for a few beats before Siranush and Aline decided they had somewhere else to be and quietly left the room. Feeling the building tension in the room I was about to leave myself when the healer cleared his throat gruffly, "And just where are you going?" He questioned.

Dang! I cringed before turning to face him, "I-uh I'm feeling better now and…" I gestured to the door.

The man narrowed his eyes and shook his head, "I think not. I need to examine you, as you stated earlier you were having memory problems."

The woman stepped up beside me to gently push me back on to the ancient settee and I quietly sat down not really knowing how to get myself out of this one. The…doctor, I guess, gently prodded my head with his fingers and I winced when he pressed a particularly tender spot at the back of my head.

"Sore?" He asked.

I nodded and he hummed quietly as if in thought. "Can you tell me the last thing you remember?"

"Um, well…I remember I was with Nefert and a couple of her friends and…I don't remember after that." I answered uncertainly. The doctor paused his poking of my cranium to look at me with an unidentifiable expression. I looked at him worriedly, he wasn't he going to pronounce me dying or something, was he?

"You need not be so worried Tepemkau, I'm sure the entirety of Memphis will be wagging their tongues with all the gossip that is sure to be spread from tonight."

I jumped in surprise at the sudden voice, looking behind me I could see the siblings still stood where they were previously. I had thought they left the room…

"General Ramses, the young woman has no recollection of this evenings events and you joke of gossip?" The healer asked in disbelief.

"I don't joke, healer. I am simply pointing out the fact that she needn't worry over a few missing memories of a party. After all, as I said, she will more than likely be filled in on the details by breakfast tomorrow." He said matter-of-factly.

I frowned at the man that I had earlier dubbed my nemesis. I had a feeling that the reason my memory was so shoddy was because of something he did. I turned to look at him more fully as the healer began to pray quietly and pass the stone statue over my body in some healing ritual.

This General Ramses stood straight and tall with his toned arms crossed lightly over his broad chest while keeping his feet firmly planted shoulder width apart. It was a stance that shouted authority and demanded compliance, very machismo. I doubted he was even aware of his posture… and it bugged the hell out of me. He looked so calm and arrogant; it was starting to grate on my nerves. It didn't help that he kept his gaze steady on the healer and completely ignored my own stare. I scoffed quietly, better to be ignored than annoyed.

The Healer Tepemkau concluded his prayer and Nefert thanked him quietly as I watched him and his assistant leave silently. The room was quiet for a moment before she quietly asked me if I was alright.

"I'm okay, just a little confused and sore." I answered. She nodded, said a quiet goodnight and turned to go but not before glaring at her brother. I watched her leave the room thoughtfully then looked at the man that happened to be too close for comfort. I narrowed my eyes, he most definitely did something.

Standing from my seat I sized him up carefully. "I don't know what happened earlier, but you had better tell me now before I decide to kick you where the sun don't shine." I threatened in a low voice.

He gave me an annoyed look then stepped up so close in front of me my nose nearly brushed his bare torso. I gasped in shock and took several steps back. Raising my arms in front of me I kept my fists balled tightly as my heart started to hammer in my chest.

He looked over me from the tips of my toes to the top of my head with a look that left me feeling like a deer caught in headlights. He bent down to give me a heart winning eye smile, "This is far from over."

I inhaled sharply and watched the smooth line of his tanned back anxiously as he walked out of the room. On shaky legs I slid to the floor in a disbelieving heap. What just happened?


Ramses threw himself on to his bed with a heavy sigh, could tonight have gone anymore awry? Flipping onto his back he dragged his head cloth off his head to toss it away into some corner of the room and ran a hand through his short blonde locks. He sighed again remembering the disreputable events that transpired earlier this evening.

~Nefert had shoved the nervous girl out in front of him so he could have a 'better look' at her. She stood in front of him but kept her head lowered and stiff, almost as if she were preparing to spring away from him at any moment. He ignored her flinch when he stepped closer to her and reached out to lift up her tucked chin. Huge green eyes like the color of the Nile River stared up at him in a delicate oval face while her body was thin with fragile skin that was as pale as the waxing moon.

Ramses smiled inwardly with glee, he just thought of the perfect revenge to extract on this scrawny little girl, "Mother, let me have this girl."

There was a collective gasp of surprise as soon as his statement left his mouth and the girl's eyes grew larger while her mouth trembled for a second before she slumped to the floor in an unceremonious faint.

"Jade!" Nefert called out in alarm.

Ramses watched his sister drop to her knees beside the slave named Jade as the once loudly humming room grew eerily quiet. Nefert fanned Jade's face with Lady Kamilah's offered shawl as Siti let out an angry hiss between her teeth.

"Ramses! Are you in your right mind? What could you possibly want from some lowly household slave?" Siti shrieked in complete revulsion. Ramses did not answer her instead, he turned to look at his mother questioningly...~

Ramses blew out another breath tiredly as his eyelids drooped. He would have to speak with Neema about the matter when she returns from Thebes…


Nefert tossed her pristine dress and expensive jewels haphazardly into a heap onto the rugged floor of her room as she stomped single mindedly towards her bathroom for a long hot soak in her enormous bath. Slipping in to the fragrant steaming water she swirled the sudsy liquid around lazily with her fingers. The water smelled of lotus flowers, the very fragrance that had graced Jade's skin this evening…

~"You may not have Jade!" Nefert exclaimed as her mother held her tongue for the moment to watch the events unfold.

"As you should full well know sister, I was not speaking to you but to our mother." Ramses said pointedly.

Nefert bristled at the comment and turned to her forebearer in outrage, "Jade is my slave and I'll see my heart eaten by Ammit before I let her be used by User for his own narcissistic, adulterate satisfaction!"

Nefert ignored her brother's stormy expression before snapping for the nearby male slaves to help carry Jade to a nearby empty room. Ramses feeling spiteful from his sister's accusation of being selfish and perverted -made in front of many influential people no less- scooped Jade up off the floor and into his arms, turning a deaf ear to the murmured protests of the slaves.

"Ramses…" Nefert warned. He ignored her admonishment along with Siti's sputters of indignation as well as the curious and condemning stares of the feasts guests as he walked towards the only available room in his family's section of the sprawling residence.

Nefert watched the retreating back of her brother through narrowed eyes, "Summon Tepemkau and Nané to attend Jade while I have a private word with my sibling." She bit out to the nearest servant, right before running after Ramses and the slave girl Jade nestled too comfortably in her brother's arms...~

Nefert sunk lower into her rapidly cooling bathwater, User wasn't the only person who could play dirty.


Lady Kehpri fingered the fine fabric of her gossamer curtains as she admired her view of the moonlit gardens situated only a few feet away from her bedroom's window.

~Lady Khepri watched her eldest son and daughter leave the hall silently. Taking note of the growing hum of voices throughout the room she forcibly relaxed her fisted hands and did her best to keep a serene expression on her face despite the steadily buzzing room of gossiping people, no doubt already preparing to put a dent in her family's impeccable reputation. A reputation that she had worked so hard to build back up ever since User's previous fiancé had nearly managed to destroy it.

Siti let out a frustrated wail and clutched at her arm, "Lady Khepri, what should we do? At this point General Ramses will be ruined if it's made known he's keeping a slave so close to him! He will be mocked at court and shunned by the high nobles! The pharaoh will never allow him to become vizier if-!"

Lady Khepri, mistress to one of the great noble houses of Egypt did not meet Siti's eyes. How could her son ask of her something like this? Not to mention right in the midst of a room filled with prominent nobles as well! The humiliation of her son's public announcement of his desire for some common street child had her hanging her head in shame as her cheeks flushed a deep cherry. After taking a slow and deep breath she clenched her teeth tightly, she would not let her son bring himself to ruins over a slave girl! ~

Lady Khepri sighed deeply. Looking out over the landscape once more she quietly answered Siti's accusations in the privacy of her own chambers, "I know Siti…I know far too well…"


A Few weeks later…

I walked by General Ramses' room for the tenth time today and once again shot a dirty look inside. The bastard…ever since I almost knocked my brains out at his welcome back party he's been ordering me around like he was the freakin' pharaoh! The butt he-!

"Why are you pacing outside my chambers?" A cool voice questioned from behind me. Whirling around in shock the emotion quickly faded into annoyance as I glowered at General Ramses' face. His expression was calm with a cocked brow and a hint of a smirk playing on the corners of his lips that signaled to me that he was more than likely playing around with me.

"Nothing, I just came to tell you I finished stacking the tablets in the hallway like you told me to." I muttered darkly.

His eyes flicked to a spot behind me to where indeed a huge stack of clay tablets lay in a neat pile. "I don't want them there anymore. Move them to inside my room near my desk."

I narrowed my eyes, clenched my fists and slowly loosened my gritting teeth before uttering, "Of course, General Ramses."

It was his turn for his eyes to narrow, "It's Master to you…and try using a different tone with me lest you desire your backside to be whipped."

Inhaling deeply, I carefully blanked my face and answered him back in a hesitant and hollow voice, "Yes, Master Ramses."

He pursed his lips, "Better, but there's room for improvement."

He patted my head gently, gave me an evil smirk and practically skipped down the hallway out towards the courtyard. I glared at his back and lifted my hand to make a rude gesture behind him that was sure to make my grandmother proud and my grandfather roll over in his grave.

I sighed, walking over to the neat stacks of tablets I bent over to scoop a few into my arms when someone tapped my shoulder. Glancing back I saw it was Nefert.

"Um, can I help you?" I asked her.

Nefert's mouth widened into a mischievous grin, "I need you to go into the market and pick up a few things for me."

Wary of her expression, I straightened my posture and countered, "What kinds of things?"

She giggled, "Oh, you know. Just a few trinkets and things, Kefele will give you the list."

"Things?...I don't know, I mean I have to move these tablets into General jerk wad's room but-!" I clamped my lips shut realizing a second to late I just insulted her brother right in front of her but Nefert didn't seem to care. Actually now that I think about it, she's hardly taken the time to spend any time with him at all these past few weeks…

Before I could ask her about that, Nefert shoved me in the opposite direction of General Ramses' departure. "Go on. I need you back before sun down and locating all of the traders you need to visit will take you a few hours at the least."

I opened my mouth to protest but she shoved me again, "I said get going Jade!"

I hesitated and glanced back at the mound of clay tablets. Shaking my head I frowned, since when was I willing to play the part of the faithful slave? Maybe Nefert came as a blessing in disguise…I grimaced, if I thought Nefert was a blessing that was definitely sign that I needed to get out of this house and find some space to clear my head!


Nefert watched Jade's red curls bounce with every step she took as she jogged down the hallway in search of Kefele. She sighed, poor girl. To have to put up with User's daily torment and not even know why… Nefert shook her head, she could have very well told her what happened a few weeks ago, but she found it more…sensible to contend with her brother over Jade without Jade's knowledge.

After all, Jade knowing would just complicate matters than they already were. What with rumors of User's love scandal with a slave traveling up and down the Nile, it wouldn't be long before the court caught wind of this problematic development.

Nefert pouted, though uncommon there were instances of master and slave relationships, but that usually happened among the merchant class… or when a slave's master took advantage of his slave. Problems always arose swiftly after the relation was made public, usually about issues which could threaten family member's ranks and the topic of heirs, especially if children were born. She knew the fate of such issues weren't always solved neatly and on more than one occasion she's heard of it ending with bloodshed.

Pushing the thought away, she scowled. Though User hadn't made his intentions toward Jade clear as of yet, Nefert would make every effort took keep anything like that from happening. Smoothing down her wig she took a moment to reorder her thoughts and compose her expression before making her way towards the courtyard to welcome her sister Neema back from Thebes.


As I walked down the road away from Lady Khepri's home -well, it was General Ramses' home technically but that's beside the point- I fiddled with the tablet Kefele gave me earlier in my hands. The writing was without a doubt not English, but it didn't look like hieroglyphics either. It kinda looked like Arabic writing but more cluttered together and with hardly any dots above or under the letters.

I turned the tablet this way and that in my hands and muttered, "As I thought, no matter which way I turn it, I won't magically be able to read the letters on here…but that doesn't stop me from being able to speak it." I added as an afterthought and frowned.

I swept my eyes up and down the empty road and sighed. I guess I'd have to go into town and find someone willing to translate this thing for me…


Memphis: Marketplace

I gazed around the crowded market in silent awe. I've never seen so many people drawn to one place before, not even the mall back home could compare to the hustle and bustle of this jam-packed Egyptian street. The humid air was fragrant with spices and floral scents along with something organic that made it hard to discern one smell from another, while the people around me blended together in an array of shapes and colors.

The people were dressed from plain servant's garb, to the neat tunics and colorful gems of merchants, to the pristine white folded pleats and gaudy jewels of aristocrats. All were blending together in this one place like a melting pot, and I couldn't help but wonder why they couldn't go on with their lives like this outside of gathering at the market? Swerving around an elderly woman loudly bartering off plump burgundy plums, I took a moment to let my hearing adjust to the deafening buzz of the continually moving throng of people.

I was overwhelmed, I had seen a market twice before but that was a local garage sale compared to this! I hugged the small tablet in my arms closer to my chest, how could I stop someone long enough to read this to me without being trampled? I felt my stomach clench uncomfortably realizing I was completely alone for once, I had no one to help me out of this dilemma should something happen…Swallowing the building lump in my throat I decided I would find someplace where it was calmer and go from there.

I was sure I walked at least three miles into this market and the crowd hadn't let up even an inch. I was sweaty and getting tired not to mention thirsty, pulling my white shawl over my head more securely I looked up and nearly wept in relief when I spied a small area where the crowd had begun to thin. Feeling much more energized I practically bounced over to the less packed spot.

Taking a quick look around I realized I was in front of a bar like establishment, if the many men and pretty women serving them gave any indication. Walking in I wondered about what I should call it since there was no sign at the front and even if there were I wouldn't have been able to read it… Puzzled about what type of place I just strolled into I sat down at one of the few tables they had just inside the entrance.

"What can I get for you?" Looking up beside me I saw a tanned curvaceous woman dressed simply in a long loose fitted linen gown, she had long brunette hair that was intricately plaited away from her round face while her brown eyes were smudged with copious amounts of kohl.

"Well?" She snapped.

Sensing her annoyance I smiled tentatively, "Um, just water thanks."

She gave me a huff and rolled her eyes, "Listen girly, this here's a tavern. We don't serve water, it's just beer or wine, got that?"

I felt the small smile on my face slide into an expressionless line, "But I'm not old enough to drink…"

The girl snorted before giving me a once over, "You look old enough to me."

"How old do you think I am?" I asked incredulously.

She turned her attention away from the table of men she had begun to stare at back to me, "I'd say fifteen or sixteen at the most, why are you asking?"

My jaw dropped, "Y-yo-you-!"

Interrupting my sputtering she said, "Look, if you aren't a drinker why'd you bother coming to a tavern?"

Pausing she looked over me again as if searching for something she missed, "Now that I think about it, you seem kinda young to be looking for a good time…"

"What?" I yelled out indignant. The woman just glanced back at the table of men as if that gesture explained it all. She thought the reason for my presence in the bar was to hit on guys!

I narrowed my eyes at her, "What's your name?"

The woman blinked at me, "Nafrit."

I nodded, "I'd like to see your supervisor Nafrit, thank you."

"My what?" She answered back.

Oops! I backpedaled, "I-I mean I'd like to see the person in charge here."

The woman Nafrit gave me a serious look, "You should know the Madame doesn't take in scrawny little girls from just anywhere…"

I flushed red before snarling at her, "Forget it! Just bring me a beer!"

She gave me an offended face, "No need to be so mean. I'll bring you a beer, alright."

I watched her saunter off with a glare. I barely talked to one person today and I'm already pissed off. My stomach suddenly made a small growl and I winced. How long ago did I eat? Let's see, I ate around dawn and lunch had been a little before noon and it was well into the afternoon now so…Another growl had me hugging my stomach and groaning in embarrassment, why did this have to happen to me now...

"Oho! Well, what do we have here?" A loud voice exclaimed from behind me. I cringed praying to whatever god listening that whoever was speaking wasn't talking to me. I did not need to deal with a rude waitress and a drunken man all in the same day!

A large beefy hand slammed their hand down onto my shoulder with the force of a hammer strike. I yelped and whipped my head around to look at my attacker. The man was dressed in the non-descript clothes of a person who was neither rich nor poor, he skipped the head cloth so I could see his deep brown eyes, a thin nose, the serious set of his strong jaw line and his high cheek bones. He wore a spotless plain white tunic and mildly scuffed sandals. He was also very tall and built like an NFL football player, while his deep bronze skin was flushed with beads of sweat dotting his forehead. I pursed my lips, "It seems you've mistaken me for someone else, please leave me be."

The man chuckled and plopped himself down into the chair beside me, "You're a feisty thing aren't you!"

Making a face I got up to leave when I felt his large hand wrapped around my arm and yank me backwards. Stumbling I tried my best to right myself, but the brute took advantage of my sudden unbalance and scooped me up into his arms only to drop me right into his lap! What the f-!

"Let go of me!" I screeched. The man just chortled and wrapped his arms around my waist instead! I slapped his hands away from me but he grabbed my wrists with a non-committal grunt before doing the unthinkable!

My body went as still as stone and my muscles felt overly tight like a too stretched out rubber band while my mind went blank in shock. He's rubbing my butt…he's rubbing my butt! HE'S RUBBING MY BUTT!

"You're small and skinny but your behind is nicely shaped!" I was dimly aware of his words, too busy trying to think through my frozen panic.

The man leaned in towards my face with a leer, "I wonder if you're as nicely shaped on the top as you are on the bottom."

Feeling his hands slide upwards from my butt to his new destination I cracked, "Touch me and you're dead."

The man paused blinking at my face in his drunken stupor, "What was that you're whispering?"

"I said to let go." I uttered out louder.

He just pursed his lips before saying, "You want us to go?"

He frowned as if in deep thought for a moment before nodding, "Alright we'll go."

My temper rose to an all time high as he scooped me into his arms again. "If you don't let me down in the next three seconds I'm going to make your fifth vertebrae you're sixth!" I yelled out.

He froze, "What did you say to me?"

Squirming in his hold I tried to get out of his arms but he caught one of my wrists and tightened his hold around me, "I always get what I want and I want you little girl!"

He started to stride towards the wooden staircase leading up to the tavern's rooms and I paled. Kicking my legs against his stomach and thighs I felt his already tight hold on me tighten to near suffocation. My chest rose and fell with difficulty as my heart hammered with adrenaline. Mustering up as much courage I could in this situation I made my free hand into fist and lifted it, aiming for a sharp jab between the eyes.

"Jade!"

Whipping my head in the direction of my called name I saw Acenath standing agape in the Tavern's doorway. "Acenath!" I gasped out in desperation.


Acenath sighed as she asked the seventh jeweler in the market if a young woman had stopped by for a package meant for lady Nefert. The old tradesman just shook his head and continued to polish his gems.

Acenath groaned, Kefele had asked her to accompany Jade so as she wouldn't get lost and as precaution that she wouldn't try to run, but when she'd gone to meet up with her Jade had already left. She sighed again, just where did that girl go?

Passing a rowdy tavern Acenath double checked to make sure her less then neat linen cloak covered her body completely lest she be mistaken for one of the barkeeper's many serving woman. "If you don't let me down in the next three seconds I'm going to make your fifth vertebrae you're sixth!"

Acenath paused mid-stride and cocked her head on its side. She was sure she's heard that voice before but from where? It's funny because that voice sounded just like…Her eyes widened in recognition, "Jade!"

Spinning around she ran to the entrance of the tavern and swept her eyes over the people crowding the raucous tavern. A very large man struggling to walk up a flight of stairs caught her attention; he was wrestling to keep a small person from kicking their way out of his muscular arms unsuccessfully, when the person suddenly stilled. Taking in that person's small stature and pale skin Acenath knew it was Jade, Acenath's mouth formed a thin line. Of course Jade would make trouble as soon as she left the residence; after all she wouldn't be Jade if she didn't.

She paused to take a second look at the man's features, and let her mouth drop in shock when she instantly recognized him as Lord Tau, one of the Troop Commanders of the Amun Division in His majesty's army! A powerful and important man that Jade was about to hit right between the eyes! "Jade!"

Jade twisted her squirming body towards her and called out to her breathlessly. Sizing up the situation quickly she realized that Jade wasn't making trouble but was in trouble! Not knowing how to handle the problem Acenath decided she'd do her best to keep herself and Jade out of Commander Tau's drunken path whilst attempting to keep him appeased. Dusting off her cloak Acenath marched towards the drunk commander and panicky Jade.


I shoved against the man's shoulder as Acenath paused at the foot of the stairs and fixed a stern look on me. "Excuse me but what do you think you're doing?"

The man paused mid step and turned to look at Acenath as I silently thanked god I was saved. "Who're you?" He grunted.

Acenath planted her feet shoulders width apart and put her hands on her hips. Feeling a new level of respect for the woman I silently urged her to rip talk, dark, and perverted a new one! Acenath ignored his slurred question and turned towards me with an indefinable expression.

"What are you doing when you know Lady Nefert is expecting you home in just a of couple hours? " She suddenly blurted out.

My eyes widened in disbelief, why was she yelling at me and not the gorilla holding me hostage? But before I could point out my obvious dilemma with Jolly the Green Giant she continued to yell, "You should be ashamed of yourself! In a tavern in the middle of the day with a man! Have you no decency? Why, I have half a mind to drag you back to the master and tell him what you've been up to!"

I was about to retort nastily that it wasn't my idea to be kidnapped by some drunk lecherous ape when the man suddenly loosened his hold on me, "You're a slave?"

"Uh, yeah…" I said unsure of what he was thinking.

I watched him blink a few times before his gaze sharpened; he turned to fully face Acenath, "Whose slave is she?"

Acenath bowed her head and answered, "We are both kitchen staff under Lady Khepri's care in General Ramses' household."

The man's grip slackened so much that I slipped out of his hold and landed on my bottom next to him. I blinked up at him in surprise. Was he scared of Lady Khepri or something?

The man's face was blank and he looked like he sobered up a great deal, "Tell the general's mother that I apologize for keeping her slave away from her duties."

And with that he walked past the both of us, down the stairs and out the door. My jaw dropped, "Are you kidding me?"


Acenath giggled with ill disguised humor for the hundredth time today.

"Look, if I had known the man would drop me like a hot pan by mentioning my slave status and master, "I bit out, "Then I would've done it sooner! But seeing as I was kinda distracted, what with having a nervous breakdown while the man decided to get all touchy feely with me, it's kind of hard to mention that little tidbit in the conversation!"

Acenath just started to laugh harder, "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up…" I grumbled.

"I'm sorry Jade but you happen to get into the funniest situations!" She teased.

I grimaced, "Yeah well, being the source of your amusement isn't as fun as you think for me."

She patted my back, "I wish I could agree but it'll be a long time before you can live this one down. Just wait until Siranush hears about this!"

"You wouldn't." I gasped.

She just smiled playfully. I curled my lip, "Ugh, since when did the resident counselor become such a gossip?"

She swatted my arm in a faintly offended manner, "It's not gossip I'm sharing. It's just a funny story that should be shared with as many people as possible!"

"You!" I was a second to late in making a grab for her since she jogged ahead of me laughing as she went. I shook my head, I really hate my life.

Shifting the bag of jewelry -that Acenath had picked up along the way as she searched for me- onto my other arm I sighed. The only thing Nefert's errand had accomplished for me was a reminder of how much I hated being stuck inside an un-feminist time zone and how dependent I was on Siranush and Acenath not to mention in a roundabout way Lady Khepri and her jerk of a son. It's seems that instead of clearing my head like this outing was supposed to do all it achieved was giving me a bigger headache. Reaching up to rub my aching temples I almost didn't see the person in front of me stumble backwards and nearly collide with me. Offering a hand out to the fallen young man, he blatantly ignored my proffered hand and dusted himself off.

"Well that was rude." Acenath commented beside me again. We both watched him run up ahead to where a large knot of people had gathered.

"What do you think is going on?" I asked.

Acenath shrugged, "Don't know. A fight maybe?"

My shoulders slumped, "Just what we needed, a live action rendition of the West Side Story right in the middle of the street. I wish I had some popcorn for this." I muttered.

"What's the west side story?"

I twitched, "Uh, it's nothing just some myth from where I used to live."

"Like a tale of the gods?" She asked.

"Errr…Yeah, something like that." I shook my head, only if gods were gang members locked in a power struggle for the local neighborhood turf. Walking towards the group of people a little faster to avoid questioning I slowed when I saw it was a group of poor citizens ganging up on a pair of noble women.

"For shame! You people are monsters! You steal our hard earned money through unfair taxes and trickery!" A man accused. I watched as many of the others in the small crowd shouted out in agreement.

"That's right!"

"And you have the nerve to call us thieves!"

The noble woman looked frightened and was shielding another trembling figure behind herself. "Please, I have no ide-!"

The man from before cut her off, "Lies! You know what you've done! If you had any shame you would give back what you owe the people and repent!"

"He's right! You should apologize and ask for forgiveness!"

"It's people like you that shouldn't be in this world! No amount of regret can undo what you've done!" Another man yelled.

I gasped as I watched him and a few others advance on the pair of women and shove them to the ground. I was surprised when I realized the woman protecting the other was well into her advanced age while the other must've been little older than me.

"Grandmother!" I felt a pang in my chest when the girl dropped to her knees beside her grandmother in an effort to shield her from the onslaught of shoves and kicks directed at them. One of the men in the crowd yanked the girl by the hair away from the old noble woman who lay still on the ground and started to repeatedly slap her!

"Stop…" I swallowed to unblock the lump that had formed in my throat and tried again.

"Stop." Still no response as the people continued their attack on the women.

"Stop!" My voice grew stronger with every slap and punch they rained on their bodies til finally tears burned at the back of my eyes.

"STOP!" I finally shouted. The people paused to look at me in curiosity.

Sucking in a breath, my hands balled into fists and I took a step forward to offer my help when Acenath grabbed my arm to give me a warning squeeze. I gave her one of my deadliest glares and shook off her hand to step towards the beaten pair of women.

Kneeling beside the old woman I bent over near her mouth to see if she was breathing. She was alive but she was unconscious. The young woman beside me would have been beautiful if she didn't have tears streaming down her face. Her long dark wavy brown hair was disheveled with pieces sticking to her oval face while in other places it was frizzed, her milk chocolate eyes were swollen and red while bruises were starting to form on her soft light tan skin. I noted that her breathing was coming in shallow gasps of air through her slightly bleeding mouth.

"Calm down. Everything's gonna be alright now."

"M-my-my grandmother…is-is she…"

"She's just unconscious right now." I told her as reassuringly as I could.

"You! Slave, why do help those that imprison you?" A woman shouted.

I looked up away from the crying girl to answer her, "Because what you're doing is wrong!"

"Is it not wrong for the wealthy to take advantage of the poor? Is it not wrong for the strong to abuse the weak?" Another pointed out.

I surveyed the tanned and outraged faces before me carefully, "Your right it is wrong."

"Jade!" I heard Acenath gasp from somewhere beside me.

Not bothering to look at her reaction I continued, "But two wrongs don't make a right! Just like an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind! They maybe nobles but their human just like us! They feel and hurt too! Everyone puts people like them up on pedestals so that we forget that fact, but they're not gods!"

The people around me looked taken aback at my outburst but I still pushed onwards, "If you accuse innocent people unjustly doesn't that make you exactly like the very people you despise! If you continue on like this…!"

I paused unsure of what to really say, "If you continue on like this, you'll eventually end up hating yourself even more!"

There was a collective murmur throughout the small crowd as if my words had really had an effect on them. Pushing my frayed nerves aside I held out a hand to the trembling girl, she shakily got to her feet and I slid of my shawl to wrap around her thin shoulders. Kneeling back down beside the old woman I asked, "Acenath, think you could find us a small cart of some kind?"

When I got no answer I turned to look up beside me. Acenath had the strangest expression on her face as she stared down at me, almost as if I was the most interesting thing she had ever seen. "Acenath." I repeated loudly.

"Huh?" She blinked, finally out of her daze.

"I asked if you could find a small cart we could barrow." I pointed down at the unconscious noble woman for emphasis.

"Oh. Ah, sure! I'll be right back." She answered.

I watched her disappear into the now dispersing crowd with a sigh. One day out of the residence and all hell breaks loose!


A man cloaked in a robe of voluminous folds of black linen sighed with regret. He'd been so close too!

"What shall we do now master? That slave ruined are chance to rid ourselves of those pesky nobles."

The cloaked man spared a glance at his companion, "Patience, servant. We've not lost all our chances."

"Do you mean…" The servant trailed off suggestively, gesturing towards the small trio of woman near the edge of the market.

His master stood silent for a moment, raking in the details of the red haired slave tending to the unconscious noble woman Ife and her granddaughter Ain.

"Master?"

"We'll bide our time for now Nebi. Today was of no loss on our part." He waved.

"And what of the red haired girl sire? Such a person should be dealt with when they cause such troublemaking with our plans."

"It's fine, Nebi. It seems the gods servants are against us today, and I shall not interfere with the divine being's will." He drawled.

"But sire…"

"Leave it be servant. The slave will be left unharmed lest you wish to risk our exposure." He said coldly.

"Never that, my lord. I simply suggested we tie up all loose ends." He answered calmly hoping to avoid his masters wrath.

"Your ruthlessness astounds me at times Nebi! But worry not, we won't be seeing that slave again. After all, it's not likely she'll be there the next time."


Ohhh, the plot thickens!

I want to thank biancalovesdbz1, Azure Ryukiba, animechick247 , Wordsworth99, demee, AyameRose, Queen of everything pineapple , Hikadu113, Awesomes and whining in the corner for the most reviews I've gotten so far and for all of your encouragement to continue this story! Love you guys and all my other readers out there!

I hope you enjoy my sister's newest artistic creation. I think it's alright as far as Ramses look-a-likes go but that's just me. Though she promises to improve her drawings as we go along so it's pretty much guaranteed you'll be seeing more story art work as I release new chapters! Yay! (^_^)

As for MIA, well that was totally all my sister's fault. She wouldn't share the computer plus I was so busy busy busy! Anyways enjoy this chapter!

Please review!