The Mirror

Suddenly a servant entered the garden. All the concubines besides Anck-su-namun and Jendai looked at her hopefully. The maid pointed to Anck-su-namun.

"Pharaoh wants you."

Anck-su-namun's eyes widened. "Now?!" The other concubines threw her jealous looks.

The maid chuckled. "Not for that. Something about sword fighting. You come too." She motioned to Jendai. The other concubines returned to staring off into nothingness.

Anck-su-namun, relieved, stood up. Jendai did the same and they followed the maid out of the gardens. They walked inside the palace and into a gigantic golden room.

There were steps coated with gold at the far end, and also a magnificent throne encrusted with jewels. The floor had a criss-cross diamond-shaped design of copper, gold, and marble. Large vases held very large lilies by the side of the stairs. The walls were lined with various weapons, most likely for show. Several statues of servants were on the left wall, wearing gold kilts.

The girls walked up to the Pharaoh and bowed. They were getting their first look at him in daylight, and he looked exactly like a Pharaoh should. He was bald, like most Egyptian men, and had a small beard. He was good-looking, though not as handsome as High Priest Imhotep. He was about in his late fifties, but tall and muscular. His waxy skin clung tightly to his gaunt face. His skin had various scars, probably from a bad bout of childhood acne.

Even so, the first thing Anck-su-namun noticed was the look he wore on his face. It was a look of smugness and pride, a look saying, "I am better than you. I cannot be bothered by a nothing like you. Look at me! I own the world! You are all at my command! Worship me! Praise me for the god I am!"

Anck-su-namun hated people like that. People who thought they were better than another. It made her sick for, even though in her life as Genesis she had been born in Egypt, she was American, legally and at heart. She suddenly had a burning desire to wipe that smirk off his face with one good punch, and maybe a kick... or two...

But, no matter what she thought, this was Ancient Egypt, and if she wanted to live here she must play by the rules. She forced herself to smile, though it caused her great pain. The Pharaoh looked pleased.

"Anck-soon-yamoon." He smiled. Anck-su-namun almost flinched and Jendai had to stifle a giggle. They did not correct him, though. They knew the punishment for pointing out a flaw in a Pharaoh, or to prove him wrong.

"You and your friend are my newest editions to my line of beautiful..." He continued.

Whores. Anck-su-namun thought.

"...women." Seti finished.

Sounds like the kids at the park talking about their Pokémon cards... Anck-su-namun mused.

"Therefore, like all of my..."

Whores.

"...women, you have the privilege of learning to swordfight."

We don't have a choice, you bastard. Privilege my ass. You're *demanding* us to learn how to tear each other apart with razor-sharp daggers.

At this time, it was very hard for Anck-su-namun to keep a smile on her face, so she just nodded at whatever Pharaoh said. It was also hard for her to keep the self-control needed to restrain herself from breaking one of his limbs.

After Pharaoh was done rambling on about how important it was to learn how to swordfight and what an honor it was for them, he showed the girls their teacher.

The teacher's name was Aneniat. She looked in her mid twenties. Her body was very thin, yet underneath her clothing muscles rippled with all the flowing grace of a racehorse. Her blue-black hair fell down to her armpits, framing high cheekbones as sharp as the golden dagger blades. Her dark almond-shaped eyes burned with liquid fire and her olive and cinnamon colored skin was smooth and creamy, stretched finely over her narrow frame.

She walked forward as if she was floating dreamily over clouds in the heavens, moving with the agility of a dancer, as stealthily as a cat. She was very beautiful, prettier than scrawny Anck-su-namun or tall Jendai. Both girls gaped.

"Aneniat is our finest swordfighter and teacher." The Pharaoh continued, looking mighty proud of himself that he owned this beautiful creature. "She will be instructing you in the art of swordsmanship."

How many times do you have to tell us? Anck-su-namun thought, You've announced that she's our teacher about ten times! Get *over* it!

After a bit more talking and rambling, Pharaoh left and Aneniat took over.