Nefertiti leaned against her latched door and closed her eyes, breathing heavily. She had to think of a plan. Her brother. the guards. they all wanted her dead. There was no way to escape now. She collapsed in a heap on the floor, and cried. Ptolemy and Nero licked the salty tears from her face. She looked up and smiled softly at them. They were so loyal.

Suddenly, she spotted a man hidden partially behind her potted plant. Fear gripped her heart, and casually she stood, and walked nearer. Her tall vase of swords stood just near the plant. In a swift movement she grabbed a sword. She spun in a circle the sword slashing above her head. She brought it down on the plants base, and glared at the man.

"Who are you?" She asked through clenched teeth, holding the point of her sword to his neck. "My brother sent you didn't he? Didn't he?" Anger and fear surged through her. He gazed at her tenderly, and she loosened her grip. There was something about him. She glanced at his sides, and realized he didn't have a sword, and she softened even more.

"I'm Aaron. I'm sorry if I scared you. You may not believe me, but I've come to rescue you." She still held her sword but pulled it back away from his neck. She gazed at him, recognizing that he was very handsome.

"How do I know that I can believe you?" She watched him intently. He chuckled and gazed at her once again, placing his finger in the tip of her sword.

"I guess you'll just have to trust me." He reached behind him, and lifted a sack of something. "I have horses waiting for us. You'll need to hurry." He glanced back at her. "It's too bad you but down your rope. it would have saved us time." He smiles, and pulled out a rope. He walked over to the balcony and started to tie it to one of the pillars. "You are going to have to realize that there are a lot of things that you won't understand tonight. The first, being your mother."

"My mother? My mother is dead." She watched him curiously. "How did you know to come here? How did you know I was in danger?" He smiled at her once again, and secured the rope.

"Well, first of all, your mother is alive. She sent me. She knew that it was the plan to kill you one day. but couldn't fake both of your deaths sixteen years ago, so she sent me." Aaron lifted the sack and bounced down the rope like it was nothing.

Nefertiti looked down fearfully. The rope ladder had been hard enough for her to climb down, but this? She first climbed around to the other side of the pillar and then swung herself down. At some point, she lost her grip, and found herself falling downward through the dark night. A cry escaped her throat, but was muffled only seconds later when strong arms latched around her, and a hand perched over her mouth.

"Shhhhh." Aaron whispered in her ear. "We can't let anyone catch us. You need to be brave, as well as silent tonight." His breath felt warm on her cheek, and his grip loving and gentle. He released her, and took her hand. "Follow me." He whispered, and darted into the thick of the garden. She trailed behind, embarrassed. She had always prided herself on being athletic. but this was so hard. At long last she cried out in pain as a berry bush gashed her leg. She sniffled softly.

"I can't do this. I just. can't." She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. "I never even knew the garden was this big!" He smiled, and sat beside her, and pointed at a tall wall.

"We're all but out now. If you would like me to carry you, I will." He lifted her leg onto her lap and poured water into the cut to clean it. She winced only slightly. His touch was tender as he tied it in material she suspected he had ripped from his own clothing. She looked down at her sheer gown, feeling foolish to be traveling in such attire. Aaron lifted her onto his back, and walked the last bit to the wall. Nefertiti wondered how they were to get over it. Without question, Aaron reached down, and pressed against a loose brick. A panel opened up, large enough for a person to escape through. Nefertiti's eyes opened wide as they passed through, and Aaron pressed a brick once more, closing it. He placed her on the ground.

"How did you know that was there?? I didn't even know!" Aaron smiled, and kissed her cheek.

"Your mother is a truly brilliant woman. You will love her, I am sure of it." He pointed to some near-by horses, as she touched her cheek with a smile. "We'll take those horses. you can ride, can't you?" She nodded wordlessly and he helped her mount.

Aaron and Nefertiti both looked at each other with a smile, and rode off into the darkness. They had a long journey ahead of them.