(8) Seeing the Town

After the strange man left, Amen-Ra looked at Ardeth and spoke to him quietly. "Khnum, what is to become of me? I have no gold, no home and no possessions." Ardeth looked into her eyes and reaching up stroked her delicate cheek with his fingers. "Princess, the Med-jai have protected your family before and we shall always. I shall always." Seeing her relax he tucks the gray hair around her temples behind her ear. "If you wish, we can go and buy you some things you might be more comfortable in." With a smile, Amen-Ra leans up on her tiptoes and kisses him on his chin. As soon as her lips touch he bends his head and brushes his lips across hers. The playful yet sensuous movement causes a reddish tinge to her cheeks. Chuckling, Ardeth drops a kiss upon her nose and takes her hand. Walking towards Evie and Rick he stops. "I hate to disrupt you, my friends, but the Princess needs clothes and I wish to take her to a market that will have some to her liking." Evie stands and grabs her bag. "Perfect. I know the best spot. It sells wonderful Egyptian and African garments. Plus it will help her adapt to her new surroundings." Rick glances at Alex who shakes his head. "Alex and I will stay here. He's going to help me finish making his tree house out back." Alex jumps up and down as he waves to his mother.

As Evie lead the way to the Reinbolt, Amen-Ra stopped, staring at the contraption. Though she seemed calm her chest moved with her rapid breathing. Ardeth, right at her side, puts a hand on her elbow to comfort her. Amen-Ra leans against him and soon steadies herself. Evie, noticing the slight distress, smiles. "This is an automobile. It is like a chariot but it has a mechanism that makes it move instead of horses or camels. It is quite safe and very comfortable." Inhaling deeply, Amen-Ra walks towards the car, watching it warily. Ardeth opens the back door and peeking in, the Princess slides into the back seat and leans back against the smooth leather interior. Ardeth quickly closes the door and then walks around to the opposite side, sliding in as Evie gets behind the steering wheel. Starting the car, it comes to life with a soft rumble and soon they are rolling down the streets headed towards downtown London.

Amen-Ra looked out the window as the landscape passed the car. The other automobiles and buildings mesmerized her. The drive was quiet as Evie and Ardeth allowed her to get use to her surroundings. However, when the car stopped before large department store, Amen-Ra visibly stiffened. Though she refused to show any fear it was evident in her body language. Ardeth slid from the car and went around to her side. Holding the door open he watched her carefully as she stepped out. Seeing the fear in her eyes he reached out and touched her hand. That small comfort caused Amen-Ra to look up into his eyes and smile, her fingers gripping his tightly. With a nod they joined Evie who was waiting patiently at the entrance and the trio walked into the large department store.

Amen-Ra gasped as they stepped into the foyer of Harrods of London. The high ceilings and the rows of items amazed her and Ardeth. Evie led them towards the woman's clothing section and almost immediately Amen-Ra began to run her fingers over the dresses hanging on the racks. One by one she began plucking clothing and handing to Ardeth who soon held a pile of garments over his arms. Evie then took the princess over to the intimate apparel section and chuckled as Ardeth turned his back while the ladies went through the delicate materials. When finished this was added to the pile though Ardeth did his best to keep his head away from the brassieres, panties and stockings. After getting a few pairs of shoes then headed to a cashier. As they passed the counter that held makeup and perfumes, Amen-Ra smiled and stopped. She quickly snatched up perfumed oils, kohl sticks, and lipsticks.

Finally they had the cashier add up all the items. They were packaged and bagged and Evie told Ardeth she would put it on her bill and he could pay her later. Amen-Ra stood and watched them silently. Her eyes never leaving Ardeth, she reaches up and tugs on the strand of gray hair. Glancing down at the hair in her hand she frowns, seeing that there was more there than earlier but shrugs it off.

After loading the packages into the car they headed back to the house. Amen- Ra laid her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. She felt so tired, so drained. It was the excitement, she thought. All the new things, new sounds, this new world. She let the darkness of sleep take her. The roar of the motor and movement of the car rocked her to sleep. Beside her Ardeth watched her. He frowned slightly as he noticed small lines around her eyes and mouth. He wished to himself she did not worry so much. Even in sleep she seemed not to be at peace. With a sigh he sat quietly during the ride back