The Mirror
Anck-su-namun left the pharaoh's quarters after he was done with her and walked to the garden to meet Jendai.
"What did he say?" Jendai asked when her friend sat down next to her, her body glistening with newly-applied paint.
"He... he said that I was his favorite." Anck-su-namun said shakily in English.
"But he was so mad at you back at the festival."
"He said he admires my spirit."
"Oh, screw him."
"I did."
"I didn't mean that."
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For the next three days Anck-su-namun and Jendai spent all of their time in the gardens, with the exception of Pharaoh summoning Anck-su-namun to his bedchamber every night.
On the fourth day, Anck-su-namun and Jendai sat on a stone bench, frying in the sun.
"Okay, this is so boring. You're lucky. You have something to do." Jendai complained.
"I'll switch at anytime, honest. I hate him." She said in English.
Suddenly a black-robed figure entered the garden. All the concubines looked up in surprise. Anck-su-namun recognized him immediately. It was Imhotep.
"Hello, Imhotep." Anck-su-namun called to him from their bench.
He walked over to them and Anck-su-namun noticed he had a white cloth wrapped around his head.
"Are you feeling any better?" She asked, "I sorry I couldn't stay it's just--"
"Would you like to go for a walk?" He asked, seeing the other concubines listening intently.
"Uhh, sure... if it's okay with Jendai."
"It's fine." Jendai smiled.
Anck-su-namun stood up and followed Imhotep out of the gardens.
When they were out of earshot of the other concubines, Imhotep said, "I wanted to thank you, for saving my life and helping me... it must have been really hard to stand up to Pharaoh like that."
She smiled. "Your welcome. Pharaoh's just a big pushover. He thinks he's so high and mighty--"
"It will not do good to speak ill of the pharaoh."
"Sorry."
"I want to repay you for saving my life. Is there anything you want or need?"
"Yeah, but you couldn't give it to me."
"Try me."
"Freedom."
"Okay. You got me. Anything else that's possible?"
"Umm, I've always wanted to be able to read and write hieroglyphics..."
"I can teach you."
"Really?"
"If you want me to."
"Sure."
"Shall I arrange for private lessons?"
"You mean I need pharaoh's permission to learn to read and write?"
"Yes."
"That's stupid..."
"I wouldn't question Pharaoh's authority if I was you, no matter how much truth you may speak."
"Sorry."
"It's okay. Seti was right. You do have a lot of spirit."
"You talk to Seti?"
"I am his most trusted advisor... not that that really means anything to you..."
"Erm... no, not really, no."
He laughed.
"How's your head?" Anck-su-namun asked.
"Still cut but healing fast."
"Good."
"You know, you can quit mothering me now." He smiled at her.
She blushed and grinned. "Sorry."
Anck-su-namun was feeling lightheaded and fuzzy. Had pharaoh drugged her food? No, she wasn't sure if they had drugs in Ancient Egypt. She had never been in love, so she could not tell if that's what it was, yet she found herself flirting with him without knowing it.
"You know, I don't think I even know your name." Imhotep mused.
"Oh. It's Anck-su-namun." She held her out her hand, out of pure basic instinct.
Imhotep looked at her. She took her hand back and blushed.
"Oh God, sorry. In my country, America, it is customary to shake hands when introducing yourself."
"Oh. Your country seems like a very interesting place."
"It is. I'm not sure if someone like you could handle it."
"What is that supposed to mean?" He grinned at her.
"I'm serious. We have stuff like cars, skyscrapers, airplanes..."
"What?"
"I told you you wouldn't be able to handle it."
"Oh, yeah?" He said with mock superiority.
"Yeah." She lifted her head up to match his.
They both slouched over, laughing.
"I would like to see your world."
"Really?"
"Well, yes. Could you show me?"
"I think so. But we might have to move the mirror."
"The mirror?"
"In my bedchambers. It's the portal to America."
"All right. So we get the mirror from your bedchambers and we put it...?"
"In the temple. Jendai can help."
"Your friend?"
"Yes. She's from America, also."
"I know."
"Okay, how about you go and ask about hieroglyphic lessons and Jendai and I can take the mirror and meet you at the temple."
"Umm, all right. See you soon."
"Bye, Imhotep."
Imhotep left up the stairs. Anck-su-namun sat down on a bench and breathed deeply. What was he doing to her that made her feel like this? If this was what love was, it felt more like the marijuana joint some guy had dared her to smoke at her high school grad.
She began humming while she walked back to the gardens. Something by Madonna.