A/N: hope you are all enjoying the story. . .although it is not your
typical Harry Potter fic, I still wrote it with that in mind. And if you
have trouble remembering the names - the longer one is Ron and the shorter
Harry. They both start with Ah.
Disclaimer: Not MINE!! (Author hollers).
***
When Ahmenhotep and Norfret reached the Queen's luncheon hall in her apartments, they found her and the crown prince Ahmeni already seated sipping sherbet. Norfret sighed and bowed again and recited the official rite. She was soon going to develop back problems, bowing this much. The queen beckoned her to sit,
"Sit child, sit."
Taking a seat, Norfret nervously fiddled with the material of her robes while a servant served her with roasted duck and honeyed dates.
"Ahmeni tells me you are a witch." The queen started giving her a warm smile.
"Yes I am, your majesty."
"I'm glad that there is a proper witch in my midst. . . those snake charmers that copy our craft really do make me angry. ."
Norfret nodded in a manner which she hoped looked intelligent.
"I hear also that you are being taught by Hordeth."
"Yes, divine pharaoh has bestowed upon me the great guidance of Hordeth."
"I hope your education is coming along well. We will need many powerful witches amongst us if we are to keep the wizarding line going."
"I am not the most gifted but I try my best. Do all the royal children receive education from Royal Scribe Hordeth?"
"Yes. All seven princes and 2 princesses. . .they are all magical."
"Mother, don't bore us with your talk about magic. Let's talk about something interesting."
Ahmenhotep cut in. His mother threw him a reproving glance, which he received with a smile. Her anger melted away like goose fat.
"What is a topic which perks your interest then?" Ahmeni asked in an exasperated tone.
"Let's talk about our new lady in court." He said, giving an impish look to Norfret. Norfret blushed and fidgeted more vigorously with her robes.
"What does his highness wish to know about me?"
"Are you engaged?" he asked in an annoyingly calm manner. Ahmeni rolled his eyes and his mother raised her eyebrow.
Norfret retained her red colour. "No."
"Figures." Ahmenhotep said indifferently.
"Ahmenhotep!" his mother exclaimed. She glared at him, this time with the power and authority of the queen of Egypt.
He didn't even flinch.
Not responding he fixed Norfret with his gaze.
'Why the little bastard!' She wanted to crucify him.
***
"I want to crucify him! He did it again. I was so angry I could barely stop shaking. I didn't even want to open my mouth to eat lest all the profanities and insults come galloping out of my mouth. He was so rude and inconsiderate and oh!" Norfret broke down into complete tears, her kohl running down her face.
"There, there. . ." Vechlis patted her on her back.
After leaving the palace after luncheon and a lute performance by the youngest princess, Norfret had gone straight to Vechlis' mansion and had ranted to her until she broke down crying.
"He is so cruel to me!"
"He can afford to give offence wherever he goes." Her sister said nodding calmly.
"But he doesn't even KNOW me."
"Well you don't know him. Not really anyway and yet here you are, wanting to decapitate him."
"I was cruel to me first." Norfret said stubbornly. She hastily wiped the running kohl from her face and raised her nose defiantly. "I'll tell you, he'll never get married! No woman would ever want such an obnoxious, pompous arrogant,"
With a wave of her hand, Vechlis cut in, "I have had enough of the negativism from you on him. Besides, you don't want anyone hearing that - you can be charged with treason."
Norfret checked herself. "Fine, if you put it that way."
"When are you going into court again?" Vechlis asked.
"Tomorrow." Norfret replied, looking out over the balcony.
"Again?"
"The queen found out I was a witch and now she wants me to join classes with Royal Scribe Hordeth and the other royal children."
"You are very lucky and I think you should go to the temple of Isis and make an offering."
Isis was Norfret's patron goddess.
"Let me give you some advice Norfret; just be nice to prince Ahmenhotep and he'll leave you alone. I'm sure of it."
"Don't tell me to be mature. I think I have more maturity than Prince Ahmenhotep. Honestly he is such a supercilious, arrogant royal prick and he,"
Vechlis silently shook her head and mouthed 'Treason'.
Norfret sighed and she was silent again her mouth pressed firmly shut. She opened her mouth to talk about something else weighing heavily on her mind.
"Mother talked to me about. . . about. Engagement."
Vechlis turned to her with a wide smile. "Really? Congratulations!"
"Don't congratulate me. The whole affair is giving me a headache Vechlis - I don't want to get married. And it just made it worse when she said she wanted me to marry one of the princes."
"I got the same talk. And Norfret, don't worry about it. After all, it is a time for you to be thinking about marriage anyway."
"I'd rather they just arrange it for me."
"I don't think you'd like that. They may arrange you to be married with. . ." Vechlis trailed off mischievously. Sometimes, Norfret couldn't believe she was married.
"With who?" she asked impatiently.
"The royal prick."
"What? No! Never!"
***
"Powdered scarabs," Hordeth demonstrated grinding the scarabs in to fine powder, "is a vital ingredient in this soothing balm. The scarab has many magical properties - many snake charmers use it but they use it in conjunctions with many common oils and put it out in the market. . .that is all useless. Scarabs should never be mixed with oils, they are used with venoms from snakes; different venoms gives different properties to the balm. If you read up on the scrolls I asked you to read in the palace library, you should be able to answer this question - what type of snake venom is use to create a soothing balm for burns?"
'Expose yourself' her mother's voice rang in her head. Norfret raised her hand quickly almost hitting princess Merykara.
"Lady Norfret?" Hordeth asked.
"The venom from an asp is used to create a balm for burns."
"That's correct. Now we would all make those balms today. Here, collect your scarabs."
Norfret's mother had been delighted when Queen Ahmose herself told her that her daughter would be joining the Royal Children of Pharaoh in their magical studies with Royal Scribe Hordeth. She encouraged her daughter, to of course, work hard but also directed her to take ample opportunity to find herself a desirable suitor. Keeping her mother's words in her mind, Norfret went about her duties as a filial daughter while, at the same time, trying to make a soothing balm for burns. Always of a studious nature, Norfret decided to keep an account of her feelings on the seven princes. At the end of the lesson, her leather bound papyrus notes contained these notes:
1. Prince Prenhoe:
Age: 18
Appearance: Dark hair, dark eyes, dark complexion. Is a well bred man but not a striking one.
Prince Prenhoe is of a very bookish and serious disposition, he concentrates hard in class and pays close attention to what master Hordeth says; he seems to have quite an imperious air but is less pompous than HIM. HE will be the most arrogant person I will ever meet in my lifetime. Prince Prenhoe also shares the same love for studying and knowledge as I do, which I find quite attractive. I worry however that he is not yet engaged and also, he has not talked to or even looked at me during the whole course of the lesson where we were given ample opportunities for discussion and talk.
2. Prince Nefer:
Age: 16
Appearance: A very attractive man who is of a medium build. Only a little taller than I am.
Prince Nefer seems to share a good relationship with Crown Prince Ahmeni and HIM. He is pre-disposed to be a bright and friendly person, no hint of arrogance or superciliousness towards anyone. He is clearly popular with his other brothers though Prince Prenhoe looks at him disapprovingly every time he causes mischief in class. He is an easy person to talk to and he showed me around the classroom with Prince Ahmeni. I definitely see prospects in him.
3. Prince Nefer - Seti:
Age: 10
TOO YOUNG!
4. Prince Thuthmosis:
Age: 15
Apearance: Foreigner!
Prince Tanus' mother is a princess of the neighbouring Mitanni, who was given to divine Pharaoh as a gift after the peace treaty; Prince Thuthmosis is the least magical out of them all; he is almost a squib. He also speaks with a slight accent but I can understand him most of the time. He has quite an exotic appearance and I will admit that he is the most handsome of them all. Well not THE most handsome. . . However, according to court gossip and Princess Merykara, he is a bed hopper and has ladies, mostly servant girls, in his room every night.
5. Prince Memnon:
Age: 14
Appearance: I wouldn't call Prince Memnon handsome.
A quiet, gentle person who was very kind to me during the lesson. He helped me to grind my scarabs into a fine powder while HE laughed at me and told me that I was just a weak GIRL. Prince Memnon is very magical, I am told by Princess Merykara, who is his full sister that their mother was also from the wizarding line. He does lack confidence however unlike most of the other princes who are very self contented. Especially HIM. I don't think I've ever met a person that self-important and pretentious. I think Prince Memnon should be teased less by HIM, who gives him grief about his demure nature and love for solitude. Who is HE to think he can judge people like that? Doesn't he know that HE is the one who needs the self - evaluation and change in his personality? Honestly, I get frustrated just thinking about HIM. Candidly speaking he is just a huge royal pri - Oh no. I better stop writing because I think I may be charged with treason if I let my brush go out of control.
6. Crown Prince Ahmeni:
Age: 14
Appearance: Striking! I have never seen eyes so green as his!
Prince Ahmeni has a good sense of humour, is not self important, treats everyone with respect and is also a friendly and kind person, although he did play that nasty joke on me, I believe firmly that he was only led on by HIM and he apologised. His best friend clearly, is HIM. This is evidence enough to claim that he has character judgement problems. Who would want HIM to their friend? Honestly, I can't understand how anyone can be friends with HIM. MY hatred for him is almost tangible now, I can feel it in waves of heat. Alright. Better stop writing again or I'll be decapitated and buried alive out in the red lands. . .
***
After the lesson, Princess Merykara asked her to play lute with her and her playmates. Having already taken a strong liking to the princess, Norfret readily agreed and hastily packed up her things but with a careless flick of her hands, she sent her precious assessment of the princes fluttering down to the mosaic tiles of the classroom floor. It just so happened that it landed, by the worst of luck at HIS feet.
"Oh!" she cried and scramble for it but it was snatched up. Fearing the worst she looked up. She was ready to die.
"Well, well, well. . . what's this?" Ahmenhotep's taunting voice will forever remain in her memory.
And she will spit on his grave. . .well his tomb in the valley of Kings.
Disclaimer: Not MINE!! (Author hollers).
***
When Ahmenhotep and Norfret reached the Queen's luncheon hall in her apartments, they found her and the crown prince Ahmeni already seated sipping sherbet. Norfret sighed and bowed again and recited the official rite. She was soon going to develop back problems, bowing this much. The queen beckoned her to sit,
"Sit child, sit."
Taking a seat, Norfret nervously fiddled with the material of her robes while a servant served her with roasted duck and honeyed dates.
"Ahmeni tells me you are a witch." The queen started giving her a warm smile.
"Yes I am, your majesty."
"I'm glad that there is a proper witch in my midst. . . those snake charmers that copy our craft really do make me angry. ."
Norfret nodded in a manner which she hoped looked intelligent.
"I hear also that you are being taught by Hordeth."
"Yes, divine pharaoh has bestowed upon me the great guidance of Hordeth."
"I hope your education is coming along well. We will need many powerful witches amongst us if we are to keep the wizarding line going."
"I am not the most gifted but I try my best. Do all the royal children receive education from Royal Scribe Hordeth?"
"Yes. All seven princes and 2 princesses. . .they are all magical."
"Mother, don't bore us with your talk about magic. Let's talk about something interesting."
Ahmenhotep cut in. His mother threw him a reproving glance, which he received with a smile. Her anger melted away like goose fat.
"What is a topic which perks your interest then?" Ahmeni asked in an exasperated tone.
"Let's talk about our new lady in court." He said, giving an impish look to Norfret. Norfret blushed and fidgeted more vigorously with her robes.
"What does his highness wish to know about me?"
"Are you engaged?" he asked in an annoyingly calm manner. Ahmeni rolled his eyes and his mother raised her eyebrow.
Norfret retained her red colour. "No."
"Figures." Ahmenhotep said indifferently.
"Ahmenhotep!" his mother exclaimed. She glared at him, this time with the power and authority of the queen of Egypt.
He didn't even flinch.
Not responding he fixed Norfret with his gaze.
'Why the little bastard!' She wanted to crucify him.
***
"I want to crucify him! He did it again. I was so angry I could barely stop shaking. I didn't even want to open my mouth to eat lest all the profanities and insults come galloping out of my mouth. He was so rude and inconsiderate and oh!" Norfret broke down into complete tears, her kohl running down her face.
"There, there. . ." Vechlis patted her on her back.
After leaving the palace after luncheon and a lute performance by the youngest princess, Norfret had gone straight to Vechlis' mansion and had ranted to her until she broke down crying.
"He is so cruel to me!"
"He can afford to give offence wherever he goes." Her sister said nodding calmly.
"But he doesn't even KNOW me."
"Well you don't know him. Not really anyway and yet here you are, wanting to decapitate him."
"I was cruel to me first." Norfret said stubbornly. She hastily wiped the running kohl from her face and raised her nose defiantly. "I'll tell you, he'll never get married! No woman would ever want such an obnoxious, pompous arrogant,"
With a wave of her hand, Vechlis cut in, "I have had enough of the negativism from you on him. Besides, you don't want anyone hearing that - you can be charged with treason."
Norfret checked herself. "Fine, if you put it that way."
"When are you going into court again?" Vechlis asked.
"Tomorrow." Norfret replied, looking out over the balcony.
"Again?"
"The queen found out I was a witch and now she wants me to join classes with Royal Scribe Hordeth and the other royal children."
"You are very lucky and I think you should go to the temple of Isis and make an offering."
Isis was Norfret's patron goddess.
"Let me give you some advice Norfret; just be nice to prince Ahmenhotep and he'll leave you alone. I'm sure of it."
"Don't tell me to be mature. I think I have more maturity than Prince Ahmenhotep. Honestly he is such a supercilious, arrogant royal prick and he,"
Vechlis silently shook her head and mouthed 'Treason'.
Norfret sighed and she was silent again her mouth pressed firmly shut. She opened her mouth to talk about something else weighing heavily on her mind.
"Mother talked to me about. . . about. Engagement."
Vechlis turned to her with a wide smile. "Really? Congratulations!"
"Don't congratulate me. The whole affair is giving me a headache Vechlis - I don't want to get married. And it just made it worse when she said she wanted me to marry one of the princes."
"I got the same talk. And Norfret, don't worry about it. After all, it is a time for you to be thinking about marriage anyway."
"I'd rather they just arrange it for me."
"I don't think you'd like that. They may arrange you to be married with. . ." Vechlis trailed off mischievously. Sometimes, Norfret couldn't believe she was married.
"With who?" she asked impatiently.
"The royal prick."
"What? No! Never!"
***
"Powdered scarabs," Hordeth demonstrated grinding the scarabs in to fine powder, "is a vital ingredient in this soothing balm. The scarab has many magical properties - many snake charmers use it but they use it in conjunctions with many common oils and put it out in the market. . .that is all useless. Scarabs should never be mixed with oils, they are used with venoms from snakes; different venoms gives different properties to the balm. If you read up on the scrolls I asked you to read in the palace library, you should be able to answer this question - what type of snake venom is use to create a soothing balm for burns?"
'Expose yourself' her mother's voice rang in her head. Norfret raised her hand quickly almost hitting princess Merykara.
"Lady Norfret?" Hordeth asked.
"The venom from an asp is used to create a balm for burns."
"That's correct. Now we would all make those balms today. Here, collect your scarabs."
Norfret's mother had been delighted when Queen Ahmose herself told her that her daughter would be joining the Royal Children of Pharaoh in their magical studies with Royal Scribe Hordeth. She encouraged her daughter, to of course, work hard but also directed her to take ample opportunity to find herself a desirable suitor. Keeping her mother's words in her mind, Norfret went about her duties as a filial daughter while, at the same time, trying to make a soothing balm for burns. Always of a studious nature, Norfret decided to keep an account of her feelings on the seven princes. At the end of the lesson, her leather bound papyrus notes contained these notes:
1. Prince Prenhoe:
Age: 18
Appearance: Dark hair, dark eyes, dark complexion. Is a well bred man but not a striking one.
Prince Prenhoe is of a very bookish and serious disposition, he concentrates hard in class and pays close attention to what master Hordeth says; he seems to have quite an imperious air but is less pompous than HIM. HE will be the most arrogant person I will ever meet in my lifetime. Prince Prenhoe also shares the same love for studying and knowledge as I do, which I find quite attractive. I worry however that he is not yet engaged and also, he has not talked to or even looked at me during the whole course of the lesson where we were given ample opportunities for discussion and talk.
2. Prince Nefer:
Age: 16
Appearance: A very attractive man who is of a medium build. Only a little taller than I am.
Prince Nefer seems to share a good relationship with Crown Prince Ahmeni and HIM. He is pre-disposed to be a bright and friendly person, no hint of arrogance or superciliousness towards anyone. He is clearly popular with his other brothers though Prince Prenhoe looks at him disapprovingly every time he causes mischief in class. He is an easy person to talk to and he showed me around the classroom with Prince Ahmeni. I definitely see prospects in him.
3. Prince Nefer - Seti:
Age: 10
TOO YOUNG!
4. Prince Thuthmosis:
Age: 15
Apearance: Foreigner!
Prince Tanus' mother is a princess of the neighbouring Mitanni, who was given to divine Pharaoh as a gift after the peace treaty; Prince Thuthmosis is the least magical out of them all; he is almost a squib. He also speaks with a slight accent but I can understand him most of the time. He has quite an exotic appearance and I will admit that he is the most handsome of them all. Well not THE most handsome. . . However, according to court gossip and Princess Merykara, he is a bed hopper and has ladies, mostly servant girls, in his room every night.
5. Prince Memnon:
Age: 14
Appearance: I wouldn't call Prince Memnon handsome.
A quiet, gentle person who was very kind to me during the lesson. He helped me to grind my scarabs into a fine powder while HE laughed at me and told me that I was just a weak GIRL. Prince Memnon is very magical, I am told by Princess Merykara, who is his full sister that their mother was also from the wizarding line. He does lack confidence however unlike most of the other princes who are very self contented. Especially HIM. I don't think I've ever met a person that self-important and pretentious. I think Prince Memnon should be teased less by HIM, who gives him grief about his demure nature and love for solitude. Who is HE to think he can judge people like that? Doesn't he know that HE is the one who needs the self - evaluation and change in his personality? Honestly, I get frustrated just thinking about HIM. Candidly speaking he is just a huge royal pri - Oh no. I better stop writing because I think I may be charged with treason if I let my brush go out of control.
6. Crown Prince Ahmeni:
Age: 14
Appearance: Striking! I have never seen eyes so green as his!
Prince Ahmeni has a good sense of humour, is not self important, treats everyone with respect and is also a friendly and kind person, although he did play that nasty joke on me, I believe firmly that he was only led on by HIM and he apologised. His best friend clearly, is HIM. This is evidence enough to claim that he has character judgement problems. Who would want HIM to their friend? Honestly, I can't understand how anyone can be friends with HIM. MY hatred for him is almost tangible now, I can feel it in waves of heat. Alright. Better stop writing again or I'll be decapitated and buried alive out in the red lands. . .
***
After the lesson, Princess Merykara asked her to play lute with her and her playmates. Having already taken a strong liking to the princess, Norfret readily agreed and hastily packed up her things but with a careless flick of her hands, she sent her precious assessment of the princes fluttering down to the mosaic tiles of the classroom floor. It just so happened that it landed, by the worst of luck at HIS feet.
"Oh!" she cried and scramble for it but it was snatched up. Fearing the worst she looked up. She was ready to die.
"Well, well, well. . . what's this?" Ahmenhotep's taunting voice will forever remain in her memory.
And she will spit on his grave. . .well his tomb in the valley of Kings.
