Special thanks to Buff and Evy….you guys are my heroes!! :) Anyhow, here's chapter 2, though I can't promise the rest of the chapters will follow this quickly…But I'll try.
Chapter 2 ~ Gratitude is Highly Overrated
Onus stood outside the door of the Princess's chamber for some time, certain that the whole of palace was asleep before making his way to the Med-jai's wing. His thoughts continued to wander back to the princess, despite how he would attempt to force the spoiled child out of his mind. No matter how he tried, she kept invading his thoughts.
He glanced out to the courtyard, catching the faintest hint of movement in the darkness of the moonless night. He slipped silently out the window, following the figure through the twists and turns of the palace courtyard, both slipping deep into the shadows as patrolling Med-jai passed without a glance. He continued his pursuit, his suspicions growing as he watched the figure nimbly scale a fig tree near the perimeter wall of the palace, disappearing over the top. Not wanting to draw attention to either of them, he followed the same path, though not nearly as gracefully as he clawed and clamored his way up and over the wall.
The figure had disappeared into the darkness of the streets. Confused, Onus sank into the black shadows of a building, shaking his head. Maybe he had imagined it all... Maybe his plaguing thoughts of the princess caused him to hallucinate... Maybe he was just crazy. He wouldn't have denied that last part. But as for the rest... His doubts were quickly laid to rest as a scream shattered the night air. Faster than thought, he drew his blade, racing around the corner of the building to find his mysterious cloaked figure struggling against a brute twice her size, with several more surrounding.
"Release her," Onus demanded, holding his scimitar out at arms' length. The men turned to him, a riotous, horrid laughter filling the cool night air.
"You want her, Med-jai?" one asked with a toothless grin. "Come and get her." Onus spun the scimitar, three of the men advancing on him. He handled each quickly, knocking one to the cobblestones, shoving the second into the building, and running the third through, throwing him to the pile of bodies behind him. The next wielded a large axe, approaching as Onus took stance. He swung the axe, barely missing Onus, grabbing the Med-jai as he dodged the deadly blade. Onus threw the man off, scrambling away as the axe grazed his arm. The pain surged through his arm, but he pushed it out of his mind, throwing his blade into the side of the thug. All that remained was the man holding the captive and his companion. Onus stood upright, his bright eyes fixing on the men.
"Release her," he repeated, his words slow and deliberate. The men exchanged glances, throwing the woman at Onus as they ran in the other direction. The Med-jai dropped his scimitar, catching the girl as she stumbled forward. Their eyes locked for a brief second, all of his suspicions confirmed. "You really shouldn't leave the palace alone this time of night, Your Highness," Onus said. "You never know what kind of trouble will find you." Nefertiri pushed off the Med-jai, walking away. "You're welcome," he said, stooping to retrieve his blade.
"Oh, and I suppose I should be grateful to you?" she hissed, spinning around to face him. Onus suddenly felt the pain return to his arm, clinching his teeth as he tore a strip of linen from his shenti. He tied the linen around his upper arm, pulling it tight with clinched teeth. Aggravated, he replied sarcastically:
"Gratitude is highly overrated."
"Do you dare mock me?" She sauntered dangerously close to the Med-jai, staring up at his bright eyes. *Eyes the color of the Nile,* she noted, trying not to flinch as the strange thought raced through her mind. She forced the thought down, her glare returning. "I highly doubt, Med-jai, that my father would appreciate hearing a ... a servant has spoken to me in such a manor."
"And I highly doubt, Highness, that the Pharaoh would appreciate hearing that his only daughter tried to run away," he countered.
"You wouldn't dare," she hissed, her eyes flashing with an untold fear of what Seti would do.
"My duty first and foremost is to the Pharaoh, Princess, then to you. If he so wished me to tell him your every move, I would have no choice but to obey his command." His eyes had softened, showing his regret...at least that's what she thought it could have been. She was confused by this man...any other Med-jai would have already grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back to the palace, making as big a ruckus as possible to show everyone that he had returned the run-away princess. Onus merely stood there, awaiting her move.
Nefertiri heaved a great sigh, pushing past the Med-jai as she began to make her way around toward the palace. "I can't believe this," she said under her breath. "At least you have a choice whether you stay or go. I'm trapped in this place."
"There is more to your shadow than you know, Highness," Onus replied solemnly. Nefertiri glanced back at him, but said nothing. She had more pressing issues at the moment – like deciding how to explain this all to her father.
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