Disclaimer: They are not mine, don't sue.
Oh and thanks to everyone who reviewed the first chapter. You helped a lot.
As sunlight rose over the great
city of Thebes, the palace courtyard was already alive with guards. Med-Jai who
where searching out anyone who could have launched the attack to the princess'
balcony.
The
tattooed men searched high and low, leaving no place un-searched, by the orders
of the pharaoh they would not stop until the villain had been found.
The
princess had no known enemies, she was thought to be the most loved woman in
the whole kingdom, and no one, especially those close to her, could understand
why any one would want her hurt or dead.
Rico-nal
had spent the whole night watching over her sleeping form.
Entranced by the way her chest rose and fell as she slept.
Her natural beauty had captured him, her skin looked so much more tempting
without the heavy make-up. He wanted to touch her bare skin, to feel its
softness.
He found
himself reach out to her, but he pulled his hand back sharply when her eyes
softly fluttered open.
He
composed himself, averting his eyes from her, as painful as it was, and crossed
his arms over his broad, tanned chest.
Nefertiri
smiled as her eyes scanned over the imposing man before her. Her lips curved up
in a shy smile as she noticed his awkwardness.
"Sleep
well Princess?" He asked, reverting to his old cocky self.
"Actually
no. I feel terrible." She yawned, stretching her arms out above her head in a
very feline manner.
He
smirked as the sheet began to fall, slipping across her slender shoulders,
nearing the top of her chest...
Thankfully in the moment before her decency
would be compromised, she grabbed the sheet and pulled it up to her neck,
clutching it with both hands.
A pink
blush rose in her cheeks, causing Rico-nal's grin to broaden further. "Close,"
He said, enjoying her embarrassment.
"Too
close," She smiled, not able to be anything but happy in that man's presence.
She had known his for only a few hours, but had already taken more than a
strong liking to him. She was glad for once for her father's over protectiveness.
"Perhaps
you should get dressed," He said, disappearing out of the ornate gold doors to
call her servant girls "I should check with my brothers to see if there is any
news on last night's attack." She smiled gratefully at him, extremely thankful
for his actions of the night before.
The royal
handmaidens came rushing into the room, swooning at the newest addition to the
princess' protectors. "Morning ladies," He said charmingly.
They all
giggled, especially when he winked at them. Nefertiri sighed, the effect he had
on her obviously affected every other woman on the face of the earth.
He strode
out of the room, all the women in the room waiting for their blood pressure to
lower.
Nefertiri
watched him intently as he strode down the golden corridor. Strapped to his
back was a long curved blade, the traditional weapon for a Med-jai, along with
two short swords and a throwing knife. Tucked into his belt was a cruel looking
dagger with an ebony handle. She certainly felt safe when he was around.
Unable to control herself, her eyes strayed down to the
curve in his kilt. He most defiantly had the cutest behind she had ever seen.
She took her eyes off him only when he disappeared around the corner, out of
her line of sight.
Rick
wanted to turn around and see her beautiful face once more, but could not
muster the courage to do it. He walked past the spot where he had lay on top of
her just hours before; his mind was filled with images of her soft skin
tickling his. The grateful smile on her face when he helped her up had been with
him all night.
He pulled
himself away, and shook his head trying to clear all memories of her from him,
but he knew in that moment he never would.
Five
guards saluted him as he entered the vastly guarded room that led to the
princess' quarters.
He
saluted back, proudly returning the gesture that had remained in their culture
for thousands of years.
"Is their
any news?" he asked, worry obvious on his face.
"None.
Ardeth Bay tell us that he will brief you later, he is very worried as to who
would commit such treason."
"We all
are." Rico-nal said, shaking his head. He took a deep breath, needing to
recompose himself. If someone were to launch another attack, he would have to
be alert, and when he was around the princess he was anything but "We all are…"
Seti
brought his fist down on the arm of his golden throne. His face bore the
expression of a man who was at his last straw. His brows furrowed with both anger
and worry. "I want the man found!" He bellowed "And I want him killed."
"Your
highness, we are doing all we can." Ardeth said, his face bearing a similar
expression "The culprit will suffer the wrath of all of Egypt."
Ardeth
Bay was the only man willing to speak to the Pharaoh when he was in a mood such
as the one he was presently in. The other Med-Jai, brave, noble men who had
swore to protect the Royal family, were too afraid to do anything more that
cower behind their leader.
"I have
men searching the whole of the palace. The gates have been locked, and no-one
is to enter or leave until this has been finished." Ardeth bowed his head
towards the Pharaoh and spoke in a whisper that only the he would hear "My love
for the princess runs almost as deeply as your own. I will personally make sure
that the man guilty will suffer the most deadly of curses.
I swear we shall have retribution."
Seti
sobered up a little, he knew his daughter would be safe in the hands of these
men. He only wished his wife was there to help hold him together.
To tell his everything would be all right.
"Double
the patrol. I want every cubit checked." He pulled back a little, and almost
sighed " And bring my daughter to me, along with her Med-Jai. I wish to thank
the man who saved her life." With a simple hand gesture he sent the troops off,
and
Ardeth Bay turned on his heel, marching out after them,
dispatching orders.
Seti
relaxed, slumping into his throne. Only two of the guards remained, standing
vigil either side of him. Two servant girls came in and bowed, before joining
the men either side, and picking up large leaf fans.
The cool
breeze was welcome to the pharaoh, who brightened up the moment his daughter
entered the room. As lively and healthy as ever.
"Nefertiri!" He stood up as she, and her Med-Jai hurried down the long
throne room.
"Father." She smiled, her beautiful face
coming alive. She was wearing a beautiful long white dress, with a gold belt
emphasizing her tiny waist. Her long ebony hair was braided with strands of
solid gold weaved in, and she had a delicate gold headdress on. Her father was
thankful to be able to see her, alive and beautiful, if only one last time.
She bowed
her head down as she stood before the throne. The Pharaoh laughed, and wrapped
his arms around her, puling her close.
"I am
glad to see you too father." She said, returning the embrace.
As he pulled away her smile dropped as she turned her head.
Anak-su-namun walked slowly across the room towards them. Dressed in nothing
but a short golden skirt, she was naked but for gold and black paint, applied
to appear like clothing. For Anak-su-namun was the Pharaoh's bride to be. She
was the only woman whose beauty came close to the princess'.
She reminded Nefertiri of her mother, but alas, she was not
her mother, she was a poor farmers daughter, who's attitude, and all over
graciousness disgusted the princess.
With her
long black hair, and dark skin, she could have been a young
Shair-hime, but her soul couldn't have been more of a
contrast.
"Anak-su-namun." Nefertiri spat venomously.
"Nefertiri." She replied, her cat like eyes straying from the princess
to the Pharaoh "I am glad to see you are alive." She didn't once turn to look
at the younger girl, for she was to busy ensnaring all of the Pharaohs attention
towards herself.
Seti
pulled the concubine towards him; pressing his lips against her own "My dear, I
am glad to see you." Anak-su-namun smiled and took a step back.
"Imhotep
has finished the ceremony, he thanks the gods that the princess is safe. The
Gods are very pleased that she will live to rule this gracious empire."
Seti
smiled and kissed her again before she turned at went out of the room as
quickly as she had entered. With a feline grace she walked past the guards
standing watch at the entrance and winked at one of them before returning to
her own quarters.
Nefertiri, who had unnoticeably moved to Rico-nal's side, scowled "I hate
her…" He said under her breath.
Rico-nal
did not reply, for the Pharaoh had stepped before him.
"I thank
you Med-Jai." He placed a hand on the guard's shoulder "You have protected my
daughter well, I only hope that you will be there if it is to happen again."
"Thank
you your highness." He said, bowing his head.
The
pharaoh clicked his finger, and one of the girls brought forward a large chest,
grafted from gold. He opened it and lifted out a golden ring with a good-sized
turquoise stone in it "This ring had been crafted to honor you
Med-jai, wear it proudly and all Egypt will give you
recognition for your brave actions." He placed the ring on his hand, smiling at
the young man.
"You may
now leave." Seti said, returning to his throne.
"Goodbye
father," Nefertiri said, kissing his cheek before following Rico-nal out of the
door. She stepped back a few paces, and slid back into the room "And
father. I love you." She smiled sweetly before returning to her guard's
side.
"I
love you too Nefertiri..." Pharaoh said, shaking his head. What would he
do without her?