Disclaimer: Imohtep, Nefertiri, Anck-su-namun and the Med-jai aren't mine.
Each leader of the Med-jai is told, either before or as he assumes command, of the existence of The Lady. They are not told who she is, or why she does what she does. This is because no one knows. Each leader speculates, but none of them have ever asked her.
This is the story of how she came to be.
Kesand stood in the shadows of the court of Pharaoh Seti I, watching as his daughter and his wife-to-be fought. She shook her head, knowing the outcome barely before the fight had begun. Anck-su-namun was better at this style of fighting than Nefertiri. With practice, and time, Nefertiri might become one of the better fighters – she had the unconscious reflexes and ability – but she allowed her emotion and inexperience to influence the way she fought. Seeing the exchange between the two women after they had finished she scowled in disapproval – this was going to cause trouble. The glance between Imohtep and Anck-su-namun just served to confirm her fears. As the court dispersed she slipped from the shadows and moved to join Nefertiri who was striding off in a different direction to most of the court, her expression set in one of sullen anger.
"Kesand" As Nefertiri greeted Kesand, her mood lifted slightly. "I didn't see you at the court".
Kesand laughed softly. "I think you were somewhat distracted. But, no, you wouldn't have seen me. I am avoiding your father's attention for a while."
Her anger forgotten as quickly as it had risen, Nefertiri turned to the young woman whom she saw as her confidant. "Why is he so angry with you? You do know that he has sworn that if he sees you again it will mean your life?"
Again the young woman laughed. "I do know. And despite all that, he has not rescinded my place as his advisor. He knows that what I told him is true, he is just unwilling to accept it yet. I will stay out of his sight until he is willing to see the truth."
"What did you say to him?" Nefertiri was fascinated by the woman's apparent disregard for her own safety. As they strode along the corridor and out of a half-hidden door, which few knew existed, Kesand answered the question.
"Your father asked what I thought of his proposed marriage to Anck-su-namun. I told him that they would not be happy together."
"You did what?!" Nefertiri stopped and caught hold of Kesand's arm. "I do not wonder that he is so angry with you. You should not say things such as that…" she hesitated "even if it is what everyone is thinking". Kesand easily removed Nefertiri's hand from her arm, ignoring the protocol that prohibited the handling of royalty, as did Nefertiri. They began to continue walking again, through parts of the palace which were no longer used and had fallen into disrepair. Even the slaves never came here.
"I have sworn always to speak the truth" They came to a door in a wall, and Kesand knelt, pulled out an intricate key from its hiding place in the lower half of the wall, then standing up she brushed the dust off her knees and opened the door. As they both stepped through she continued "even when it may hurt or offend. I will not lie, even to my Pharaoh. "Inside the walls was a small garden. As Kesand moved to one of the plants, sitting heedlessly on the ground, Nefertiri leant against one of the walls, thinking.
It was very hard, although not impossible, to grow flowers. This garden had been started in the time of the Pharaoh Akahteron, but had been abandoned after the palace had been expanded. Or so Kesand told her. Some time after they had become acquainted Kesand had brought her here, although how she had found the garden in the beginning, Nefertiri didn't know. Although at first Nefertiri had been disdainful at the thought of doing something as base as handling dirt, Kesand had persevered in her efforts to encourage her, and now she felt a secret pride that here was something she had done for herself, not just something that had been created for her by slaves or servants. She returned from her thoughts back to the earlier conversation.
"You have sworn? But, to whom? The gods, or…?" Nefertiri was intrigued.
"Years ago, I prayed to a god, any god, and I swore that if they healed my… someone I cared for, then I would never lie again. It was a desperate child's plea"
"And, did it work? Were they healed?"
"What do you think?"
Nefertiri frowned at the cryptic nature of her story, then said uncertainly "Because you tell the truth, I would have to say yes".
Kesand nodded. "You would be wrong."
"Oh". Nefertiri was definitely confused now. "So, why do you tell the truth?"
Kesand laughed outright. "Why, don't you tell the truth?" As Nefertiri struggled to understand just how she had been manipulated into implying that she always lied, Kesand continued with an amused smile "I tell the truth to honour myself, not the gods. Since that day I have had nothing to do with the gods."
Nefertiri gasped. "That is blasphemy. The gods are…"
"Nothing to do with me" Kesand cut in. Few would dare to interrupt the daughter of the Pharaoh, but there seemed to be few things that this woman would not dare. "I am not even of your people. I do not worship your gods." Nefertiri moved over to a small plant, carrying water in a jar.
It was true that Kesand was not like any people Nefertiri had ever met before. She had never even seen anyone with the same colour hair – as red as the setting sun - and her native language was not one that anyone had ever recognised. She had just appeared in court several years before, and the Pharaoh had taken to her. No one knew why, or what reason she had given to the Pharaoh for her presence. Since then rumours had arisen that she could see into the future, and sometimes Nefertiri thought that she could. Most of the time, however, Kesand contented herself with giving cryptic answers that made people consider things further. She could be very infuriating.
They worked in silence for a long time. Nefertiri used the opportunity to release all the anger she had been feeling since the fight earlier. It was hard to stay angry when she considered what her father would think, if he could see his daughter sitting in the dirt and dust.
"Have you ever been in love?" The question just slipped out of her. She had meant to start talking, but only about unimportant things. Still, why shouldn't she ask? Kesand was beautiful, with an inner poise that Nefertiri never thought she would obtain.
Kesand looked up from the flower she had been crouched over. "No".
Nefertiri waited for more, but for a long time that seemed to be all Kesand was going to say on the subject. Finally Kesand spoke again "And what of you? I do not claim to be knowledgeable about love, but there does not seem to be one whom you care for."
Nefertiri shook her head, feeling strangely upset as she said "No, there is no one that I care for. I suppose…" she drifted off as she contemplated who she might end up with, probably whomever her father considered most appropriate and advantageous.
"There will be someone". Nefertiri looked uncertainly at Kesand. Her voice had sounded strange, and her gaze seemed slightly unfocused. Then, she smiled, looking deeply amused. "Oh yes, I think there will be someone for you."
Kesand nodded, then turned back to the flower. "Your hatred of the high priest Imohtep is unthinking and inappropriate" she said thoughtfully after a moment.
Nefertiri stared at the girl for a moment, shocked by her bluntness, then snapped "I do not think we were speaking of him".
"We were speaking of love. Your hatred of Anck-su-namun is justified, for she is a grasping woman, who sees in Imohtep a power of character that your father does not possess. She would rather kill than kiss your father, I think. But Imohtep loves her."
"I will not have you speak of either of those two. If you have nothing of importance to say, then be silent." What she said was harsh, Nefertiri knew, but at the mention of Anck-su-namun the anger she had felt earlier returned. It had merely been hidden, not dealt with. As she considered both Imohtep and Anck-su-namun, she knew that they were going to cause trouble. She could feel it. Whatever Kesand thought of Imohtep, she was wrong. Nefertiri was sure of it. "They will not hurt my father" she vowed to herself.