Thanks to my reviewers...kleopatra_gurl, sare, mythica (you're just too funny:), evelync.o, first crush, dancinevy, seletha, redlady, naca (formerly katg:), angel ruse, lula, asilin (i wish i could turn reviews into chocolate for real, but for now making cookies works, too:), dylan, katie, jynkang (yes, despondent, but don't worry, it'll be okay:), allibabab (loooove your reviews, you're such a darling!:), marxbros (v. v. impressed that you read it all in one day, thanx!!!:)

Six chapters to go, we're getting down to the wire. No more dilly-dallying; these last ones are action-packed;) Also, check out my new story Crisis, currently up to chapter two.

Chapter 24

Something Blue

Two large men carrying quite a few weapons shoved Tahir to the floor as soon as they'd reached the throne. Ramses stood and gave Tahir a slight kick before commanding him to rise.

"Yes, majesty," Tahir mumbled, standing on shaky feet.

"Who is he?" asked the pharaoh.

Tahir fidgeted, attempting to figure out the best course of action. "Uh...Majesty, I don't know what you mean."

"You know exactly what I mean, old man. Now answer me!"

Tahir began to tremble as he noted Ramses' hand, which rested on the handle of the scimitar at his side, twitching. "Perhaps if his majesty was a little more specific..."

"Specific? All right. Who was the man that wrote this letter?"

"What letter?"

Ramses thrust the crumpled piece of paper in Tahir's face. "This letter. Addressed to my sister, from a Medjai. Have you seen any of them hanging around?"

"Uh, the princess is usually accompanied by a servant, I--"

"No, he is a Medjai! Who is he?"

"I know of no specific Medjai assigned to guard the princess, but I know they do look out for her."

Ramses' eyes narrowed, giving his long face an even more wasted appearance. "You try my patience."

"I cannot tell you anything if there is nothing to tell, highness."

By now Ramses had unsheathed the scimitar, and it danced irritably in his fingers. "Admirable qualities in a servant, I admit. Loyalty, courage, quick thinking. Are you willing to die for those qualities, then?"

Tahir drew himself taller, face grim. "Anyone that knows the princess could not help but be willing to die for her. I will not betray her trust."

Ramses gave no warning when he struck. He simply lashed out, cutting Tahir across the chest, before replacing the blade in its scabbard and stalking away from the crumpled form of the old man.

Achsu-rai kept his eyes on the floor as he wandered, not noticing where he was going, who he passed. He was so lost in thought he did not see the woman, standing stock still just inside the temple doors, until he'd run into her. Finally looking up as he apologized, he saw it was Nefertiri. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

"I come every day, to check on the Bracelet."

"Oh. That's good."

Nefertiri's eyes returned heavenward. "I've never noticed this wall before, have you?"

Achsu-rai followed her line of sight to the cartouche that adorned the wall above them. To his surprise, it was a familiar inscription. "No. I don't come here often."

"It's the same as your tattoo. On your wrist."

"Yes."

"What does it mean?"

"It's just a coat of arms, I told you that."

"But that's just the eye and the two kings. You said everyone has something slightly different."

"So?"

"So this one is just like yours. It has the pyramid."

"When a Medjai reaches manhood, he is given a special mark. A unique symbol, usually part of a family crest. It is said to foretell our destiny."

"And what is your destiny, Achsu-rai?"

"A man can only know that when he is confronted with it."

"Let me know when you find out, all right?"

Achsu-rai smiled. "Certainly, Nefertiri. I'm sure you'll have something to do with it."

Nefertiri would have returned the smile, indeed she might have done more than that, if Ramses had not entered the temple and nearly run into the both of them. "I apologize, sister. Achsu-rai. Was I interrupting something?" said the pharaoh.

"We were discussing this symbol, Ramses, have you ever seen it before?"

Ramses barely glanced at the wall. "No. I assume you are just back from Hamunaptra. Is it finished?"

"Yes, majesty."

"Good. Thank the gods that is finally over and done with. Now leave us, Achsu-rai, I have things to discuss with my sister."

"Certainly." Achsu-rai threw one last look to the cartouche on the wall, then exited the temple.

"Achsu-rai is a fine young man," said Ramses. "He will do well."

"Absolutely."

The pharaoh's mouth tightened and he narrowed his eyes before continuing, as if he watched Nefertiri's every move. "I have been told that he is to be married soon," he said.

Nefertiri felt as though she'd been socked in the stomach, the sudden lack of air delaying her response for a few seconds. "Who told you that?"

Ramses shrugged. "I don't remember. Why does it matter?"

"Well it's just...I thought I would have heard if something like that were to take place."

"Well, enough gossip, sister, I'm sure you aren't interested in such trivial goings-on. Or...are you?"

Nefertiri laughed, trying to recall the guise of the innocuous princess her brother no doubt remembered. He would not like the idea that she was no longer so naive. "Of course not. Why would I be?"

"Well, I had heard that you were rather close to some of the Medjai. Is that true?"

Nefertiri took a slow breath, formulating her answer. "They are most kind to me, though I cannot say I know any of them particularly well."

"It's just that I came across a rather interesting letter the other day."

It was lucky that Nefertiri had become used to lying these past months, or she was sure the panic would have shown on her face. "Have you?" she replied, frantically trying to recall what she had done with Achsu-rai's letter.

"I know."

She looked him straight in the eye, and was almost terrified at what she saw there. Nefertiri steeled herself and tried to sound calm. "Know what?"

"Don't act so innocent, Nefertiri," Ramses spat. "You know exactly what, and who I am talking about."

"Why don't you just say it, then?"

"Who is he?"

"I thought you said you knew."

"Do not use that tone with me," he said, rage creeping into the edge of his voice. "You may be my sister, but I will no longer allow you to act like an insolent child. It is time to grow up."

"A lot has happened since you've been gone, Ramses. You are right. I am not a child, and I will not take orders from you."

"You will take orders from me, and you will obey them as well. That has not changed, and will never change."

"But so much has changed, Ramses, you have no idea. I have seen my father murdered; I have fallen in love. If only you knew everything that has happened since you have been gone, you would not be so sure of yourself."

A self-satisfied smile crept onto Ramses' face, as if he knew his power and that her words, in the end, were only words. It unsettled her; he was certainly up to something. "Do you like Hadamer?"

"Not at all. I despise him, if you want to know the truth."

"I don't, no, not really."

"Then why do you ask?"

"I have to go down to Abydos in three days to oversee the progress on father's temple. So before I leave, Nefertiri, we are going to hold a great feast."

"And what has that to do with Hadamer?"

"Everything. Because in two days time, my dear sister...you will marry him."

~*~*~*~

Ah oh. Time is counting down for our dear Nef. We all know what the summary says...heh heh heh, I'm such a tease. Sorry, I can't help myself :)