Early that evening the palace servants prepared Ishnala for the Pharaoh's birthday celebration. She was bathed and massaged with scented oils which were extracted from the most exotic and rarest of flowers. She was then dressed, and her ebony hair was combed until it was smooth as silk. Her face was then made-up as to compliment her slightly ovaled face and prominent cheekbones When the attendants had completed their task, Ishnala rose from her seat and peered critically into the mirror before her. Dissatisfied with her appearance she called to one of the attendants.
Ishnala: I do not think that these garments properly suit my taste.
Attendant: Buy my lady, they are the most finest woven garments---well suited for any special occasion and quite complimentary to your beauty if I may say so.
Ishnala: (Grinning at herself in the mirror) I see. However, this isn't just ANY special occasion, and quite honestly, I had something else in mind.
*****AT DUSK THAT SAME EVENING*****
Royal Advisor: (Bows) Your Majesty. The royal barge is prepared and ready to depart at your command.
The Pharaoh anxiously paced back and forth along the bank of the Nile awaiting Ishnala'a arrival.
Yami: (Wondering to himself) Where is she? She said that she would be here!
The Pharaoh continued to look around, but Ishnala was nowhere to be seen.
Advisor: Your Majesty?
Yami: (With s sigh of disappointment) Very well. Inform the Head Oarsman that we shall depart just as soon as I board.
Advisor: (Bows) As you wish, my Pharaoh.
Yami glanced back one last time as he boarded his colossal vessel-----still no sign of Ishnala.
*****************
A trumpet fanfare heralded the arrival of the mighty Pharaoh!
Announcer: All hail Pharaoh Yami!!! Son of Ra and King of Upper and Lower Egypt!!!!!
Guests: All hail Pharaoh Yami!!!!
Announcer: May Peace and prosperity continue throughout your realm all the days of your noble life!!!!
Guests: Long live Pharaoh Yami!!!
Yami proudly strode down the center of the banquet hall silently acknowledging his guests as he passed. His guests knelt in reverence to their incarnate divinity. All the while Yami's eyes darted about hoping to catch a glimpse of his beautiful torchbearer again. The Pharaoh finaly reached his place of honor when he motioned for his guests to rise.
Yami: Let the festivities begin!!!!!
The guests jubilantly indulged themselves in their revelries as a wine steward brought forth a jeweled goblet and presented it to the Pharaoh. Yami absently took the cup into his hand and seated himself. For several minutes he carefully examined the cup, knowing full well that it's contents would only temporarily numb the pain of rejection which he now carried within his heart. Still the young Pharaoh sipped from his cup relishing the sweet solace that would only briefly sooth his aching soul.
*****SEVERAL HOURS LATER*****
The mood! The music! The meal!!!!
There was not such an ornate display of revelry since the Pharaoh's coronation day! Yami received many elaborate gifts and favors that evening. Yet, deep down inside he knew that they all paled in comparison to his lovely raven --hared torchbearer. Just then the sound of a deep gong rippled through the banquet hall. In entered four burly men carrying a gold litter upon their shoulders. It's content was hidden by shimmering violet silk curtains. The four men approached the Pharaoh and gingerly placed their treasure before him.
Yami: (Thinking to himself) Very well then, another gift.
The Pharaoh then clapped his hands twice for the gift to be revealed, and out stepped a young girl! She was slender in form and scantily clad in sheer silken violet with a veil across half of her face to conceal her identity. The party guests gasped with wonder and delight, but nobody was more delighted than the young Pharaoh himself!!! With a bow the musicians began to play. The girl sensuously moved her body rhythmically to the music. Round in circles she flew with her shimmering veils trailing about her. The Pharaoh's heart pounded within his chest as he was completely enthralled by her captivating beauty! Somehow sensing this, the dancing girl shot a glance towards the Pharaoh and locked on to his gaze. The girl began to saunter over to where Yami was seated----never once releasing her eyes from his. Her serpentine movements all the while left Yami's mind in a swirl of ecstasy! Close and closer she approached-----her fluid limbs…longing to touch…her emerald eyes…silently speaking sensuous invitations. The girl was now a mere several inches away from the young Pharaoh when she bent over and breathed into his ear. Her intoxicating fragrance tantalized Yami's senses.
The Girl: (Whispering in Yami's ear) Happy birthday-----My Pharaoh!
Yami: (Surprised) Ishnala!!!!
The Pharaoh, unable to resist her any longer, abruptly rose from his seat, scooped the sultry girl into his arms and carried her off to his chambers!
*****************
Once inside his chambers, Yami kicked the door shut and stood Ishnala up against it. Pinning her against the door he began to trail multiple ravenous kisses up and down her silken arms and all across her neck. Pausing briefly, Yami lifted his head and peered into Ishnala's emerald eyes with a deep longing.
Yami: (Thinking to himself) By Ra I must have her!!! She ignites this fire within my very soul, yet only she possesses the power to subdue it!!!
Yami then mischievously removed Ishnala's facial veil revealing her plum red lips. Without further hesitation, the young Pharaoh pressed his lips to Ishnala's in a forceful kiss challenging her tongue to wrestle with his own. Breathlessly, the servant girl accepted the Pharaoh's challenge and abandoned herself to this new euphoric bliss!!! Slowly, Ishnala raised her arms to Yami's head. Simultaneously as Ishnala was twisting and tugging at her lover's spiky locks, the Pharaoh slowly slithered his left hand down her backside. He then grasped Ishnala by the back of her right thigh and raised it up until it was level with his hip. The same mysterious electricity which surged through Ishnala's veins the day she met the Pharaoh surged through her body once more!
Ishnala: (Lost in emotional ecstasy) I fear you not, Son of Ra! Now consume me with your passion's fire for I am Ishnala----your Torchbearer----destined to carry your flame which you have ignited within me!!!
Yami pressed his body even harder against Ishnala's. Suddenly, an ethereal brightness surrounded them both.
Yami: (Startled and quickly coming to his senses) Oh no!!!
Ishnala: (Alarmed) What is it My Pharaoh?
Yami pulled himself away from Ishnala and held her at arms length. Deep regret welled up in his eyes.
Yami: (Shaking his head) I'm terribly sorry Ishnala, but…..I don't think that we should be doing this.
Ishnala: (Bewildered) But My Pharaoh, it's your birthday.
Yami: (With genuine concern) Yes Ishnala, I know. You see, I may be your Pharaoh----possessing great power at my whim to have whatever I desire. However, I am also a man of honnor and I do not wish to take advantage of the beauty ANY woman----especially one so beautiful as yourself. Please forgive me.
Ishnala: (Protesting) But I'm your servant girl and my desire is to please you---My Pharaoh!
Yami: (Tenderly into Ishnala's eyes) Ishnala, your very presence alone brings me great pleasure indeed.
Ishnala's head dropped as she released herself from Yami and walked over to a window. Yami, sensing her disappointment, trailed close behind. He slowly came up from behind Ishnala and gently slipped his arms around her waist, Ishnala leaned her head back against Yami's bare chest while his head nuzzled close to her's as it came to rest on her right shoulder. For what seemed like an eternity, they both gazed into the reflection of the full moon as it's ripples danced across the Nile.
Yami: Ishnala, In my mind I know that you are my servant, yet in my heart I feel as though you are……(Having a eureka moment) My father once spoke of a woman who possessed a mysterious ability to review one's past and reveal one's destiny.
Ishnala: An oracle?
Yami: Yes. She resides in the hills beyond the Valley of the Kings. (Turning to face Ishnala) Tomorrow at dawn my royal barge will return to the palace and we will both go to seek her wise counsel.
Both Yami and Ishnala silently reveled in each other's arms----completely unaware of attentive ears just behind the Pharaoh's chamber door.