Lifetimes

by Julie Horwitz

My version of Nefer-Tina's past. A sequel to Truth's Consequences and To Have and To Hold.

1. Default Chapter

Disclaimer:

The following is a work of fanfiction. All characters and situations belonging to the animated television series "Mummies Alive!" are copyrighted to DIC Enterprises. Everything else, including original characters, is of my own creation.

Author's Notes:

This story, "Lifetimes," is one of the most difficult things I have ever written. This is for two reasons. The first is that it is the darkest story I have ever created. It is, in essence, a tragedy. The background I have given to Nefer-Tina is a cruel one. This story details her life from the time she is a small child to when she becomes a guardian of the prince at age eighteen.
The second reason was because of the circumstances in my own life during the writing. I started working on this story in early 2004. In February, my father entered the hospital. He was in and out until his death in early May. Writing this piece gave me something to focus on while my entire life fell apart around me. I think he would be proud that I never gave up until it was finished. It is to him that this story is dedicated.
The story itself is both a sequel and prequel to my other work. The frame story takes place three years after "To Have and To Hold," the mini-sequel to "Truth's Consequences." The main body takes place thirty-five hundred years ago in Ancient Egypt. It is strongly recommended that you have read both other stories before reading this one.
I remind the reader that I do not write from a historically accurate perspective. I try to be as true to the cartoon's portrayal of Ancient Egypt as possible while taking creative license as well. As with my previous MA! stories, there are some researched elements, but not many. Please keep this in mind while reading so any historical errors do not take away from your enjoyment of the story.
This story contains violence, adult content, and sexual situations. There is also a scene of graphic rape. It is not recommended for younger readers.
All questions and comments may be sent to me at:
Thank you and I hope you enjoy the story.

Dedication:
In memory of my father, Arthur H. Horwitz (1946-2004). He always believed in my abilities as a writer. You are sorely missed.

Lifetimes
by
Julie Horwitz

Nefer-Tina sat on the covered bench by her bedroom window as she watched the snow fall outside. Even after three years, she still found the sight mesmerizing. There was just something about seeing the world blanketed in pure white. It was so beautiful. She didn't think she'd ever grow tired of it. Maybe it was because of how much it reminded her of the sands of home...

"Nefer-Tina?" a soft voice called from behind her.

She twisted around to see her husband emerging from the bathroom, still damp from his shower.

"Hi," she smiled, rising to her feet. She found it sweet that he still announced himself whenever he entered a room where she was alone. Not that she needed him to anymore. Three years of marriage and intimacy had cured her of her fear and unease.

Three years of Ja-Kal had cured her.

"So, do you feel clean now?" she teased as she walked towards him.

Ja-Kal laughed. "For the moment." He gave her a playful smile. "Though there's no telling how long that's going to last."

She folded her arms in mock annoyance as she reached him. "Are you trying to accuse me of making you dirty?"

"Who's trying?" he retorted, pulling her into his arms. "We both know you're guilty beyond a reasonable doubt."

"Do you have any evidence to support these outrageous charges, Officer?" she shot back, struggling to keep a straight face. She loved using terms from his job as part of their play fighting. She draped her arms around his neck. "Or are you just going to arrest me?"

"I'm bringing you in," he announced without hesitation. "We can't leave repeat offenders out on the street, now can we?"

"Well, that settles it then," she agreed. "I'm just going to have to resist arrest."

"Don't even try it," he warned, starting to lose his composure. "I'd have to get rough with you."

"Oh, rough me up, Baby," she grinned. "You know you want to."

With that, they both began to laugh.

"I love you," he finally managed as their laughter subsided.

"I love you too," she echoed.

Without another word, he drew her into a kiss.

Nefer-Tina loved it when he kissed her. The feelings it brought to life in her were beyond description. (Only their lovemaking surpassed it.) Gods, how she loved him.

When he finally released her, she leaned against him blissfully.

"You're too good to me," she murmured.

He began to gently stroke her back. "Not at all," he protested. "You deserve the best of everything, my love."

She smiled at that. Some things would never change. After all these years, Ja-Kal still felt that he had to "make up" to her for her tragic past even though he'd had nothing to do with it. She'd given up trying to convince him otherwise years ago. He was the most stubborn man she'd ever met. So, she'd just decided to let him believe whatever he wanted if it made him happy.

"So, where were we?"

"I think I was about to arrest you," he said.

"Really?" she questioned playfully. "I seem to recall something about resisting arrest."

"Now I remember," he declared. "I was warning you that I'd have to get rough."

She gently broke out of his embrace and began backing away. "That's only if you can catch me first."

"As our prince would say, you call that a challenge?" With that, he lunged for her.

Nefer-Tina shrieked and started running for the bed.

Ja-Kal easily caught her and the two of them tumbled down onto the mattress amid peals of laughter.

He maneuvered her flat onto her back and pinned her there between his legs. Then he began to assault her with kisses.

She didn't even try to resist.

His kisses quickly turned from playful to passionate and then to something more. She became aroused almost instantaneously and she was sure he was experiencing the same thing.

He momentarily stopped kissing her. "Is this rough enough for you?"

She tried to laugh but she was breathing too hard.

He brought a hand up to her face and caressed her cheek. "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she managed to respond.

He kissed her again, softly this time.

"You're the best thing that ever happened to me," he told her.

And you're the only good thing that's ever happened to me, she silently responded. She had to be so careful with what she said around him. Almost anything could trigger his misplaced guilt. She'd learned the hard way over the years. Aloud, she said, "Thank you."

Ja-Kal smiled down at her. He ran his hand from her cheek down onto her chest. He slid it towards where she had left the top button of her nightgown undone.

He then began to make love to her...

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina laid contentedly in her husband's warm embrace. The lovemaking, as always, had been exquisite. Ja-Kal knew every inch of her body and used that knowledge to completely pleasure her. No woman could ask for a more competent lover or a more considerate husband. There were no words that could describe the depth of her love for him.

As she had been doing more and more lately, she marveled at how, well, normal her life, or more accurately, her afterlife, had become. She was married to the most wonderful man in the world and lived in a beautiful home. She had a fascinating job that she absolutely adored and had a very close circle of friends. All of her experiences in San Francisco felt like they had happened a lifetime ago. And she prayed to the gods almost daily that they would stay that way.

She loved the life she lived now. She dreaded the day that Scarab would find them and destroy everything they had worked so hard to create. There had been no news of his legal battle in almost a year and she did not know what that meant. Although Amanda often told them that no news was good news, there was no certainty where Scarab was concerned. For all she knew, he could have already found them and just be waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

She shook that thought from her head. Scarab wasn't the type to wait for anything. If he had discovered them, they'd already know it.

Her musings momentarily vanished as Ja-Kal kissed her neck and pulled her closer against him.

She smiled at the simple act of affection.

It was this that she couldn't bear to lose. In the three years since they had arrived here, she and Ja-Kal had created a new life together. It was a wonderful and peaceful life full of joy and love. There was no constant danger or running. She was happier than she had ever dreamed. Scarab's return would mean the end of that happiness and she didn't know if she could survive another devastating loss.

Yet, it was that first loss that had made all this possible. If not for their dying that fateful day back in Egypt, Ja-Kal would never have come to know her as a woman. She would have forever been his male friend "Nefer", the charioteer and fellow guardian. He would have remained married to Tia and she would have been alone forever, her heart aching for the love she would never know.

She had only one regret about the path her life had taken: the loss of any chance of ever having a family.

Ironically, before she had fallen in love with Ja-Kal, she'd never had the desire to marry or have children. Her only goals had been to ride the chariot and remain on her family's farm. Of course, both of those had been quashed the day Genubath had taken her away from the only life she had ever known...

The moment she had laid eyes on Ja-Kal, everything had changed. She had no longer cared about chariots or music. She had only wanted to meet him despite the impossibility. To touch him...

She'd begun imagining what life would be like if she married him. She'd created a fantasy world where he was her husband and she was the mother of beautiful and happy children. And she'd held on to that fantasy even after she'd been raped and banished. It had been the one thing that kept her going during that horrible time.

And now, here she was, married to him and living the life she had only dreamed about. The only thing missing from the fantasy-turned-reality was the children. But they were impossible now. Dying had seen to that.

She sighed. There was no point in dwelling over things that couldn't be changed. What had happened had happened.

Ja-Kal moved in his sleep and returned her thoughts to the present.

She was grateful for what she did have. Ja-Kal's love was truly all she needed.

As she closed her eyes, she thought about how far she'd come over the years. And of how much she had changed. She was no longer the little girl who only wanted to play...

((((())))))

"Mama," Nefer-Tina said, tugging on her mother's skirt, "play. Mama, play!"

The three-year-old had found Mama after sneaking away from Enehy, the big person Mama always left her with during the day. Nefer-Tina liked Enehy, but she never played with her like Mama did. (Whenever she asked Enehy to play, Enehy just told her to play with the other children. Enehy knew that they were mean to her. Why would she think she'd play with them?) So when Enehy had started talking to the new big person through the window, Nefer-Tina had seen her chance to go and find Mama, who she knew would play with her and wouldn't be mean.

"Karem," one of the big people with Mama said. "I think someone needs you."

Mama finally looked down.

"Nefer-Tina!" she exclaimed. "How did you get in here, little one? Where's Enehy?"

"Play!" Nefer-Tina demanded, holding out her arms. "Play, Mama! Play!"

Mama just shook her head. "Oh, what am I going to do with you?" she sighed as she knelt down to pick Nefer-Tina up.

"Play!" Nefer-Tina urged. Now Mama would play with her. Mama was more fun than those mean people she had left in the other room. She wouldn't push her or hide toys from her.

"Mama can't play right now," Mama told her. "Mama has chores to do."

"No chores," Nefer-Tina insisted. "Play with me!"

Mama laughed. "I wish I could, Sweetheart." She began to walk with her. "Bunefer, would you mind?"

"Not at all," the big person Nefer-Tina knew as Bunefer said. "I'll take her back to Enehy."

"No go!" Nefer-Tina cried. She didn't want to go back there. She hated it there! The other children were so mean! "Want Mama to play. Play Mama!"

"You can play with Tutu and the others," Mama told her.

"No!" Nefer-Tina pleaded. Why didn't anyone know how mean they were? Why didn't Mama? "Want Mama!"

"Sorry, little one," Mama said. "You be a good girl and go with Bunefer now."

Nefer-Tina tried to cling to her mother, but Mama was much stronger than she was and easily passed her into Bunefer's arms.

"Mama!" Nefer-Tina cried, tears starting to well up. Why didn't Mama want to play? Didn't Mama love her? "Mama!"

"Hush now," Mama said. "Be a good girl for me."

"Mama!" she repeated, not understanding why Mama was being mean to her. "Play, Mama!"

Mama came over to her and gave her a kiss. "Later, my darling. Don't you cry. Mama will play with you later."

"Now," the girl tried again, the tears rolling down her cheeks. "Mama..."

Mama kissed her again. "Tonight, sweet one." She stepped away from her. "Bunefer."

"Mama!" Nefer-Tina sobbed. "Mama!" Why didn't Mama love her anymore?

She continued crying as Bunefer carried her back to Enehy.

((((())))))

"I can't believe Enehy was that irresponsible," Karem complained as she watched Bunefer disappear with Nefer-Tina. "Where was she when my daughter just wandered out of the room?"

"Bunefer will tell us what happened when she gets back," Renefankh promised. "You know how she can get anything out of anybody."

"Truthfully, I don't care what happened," Karem confessed. "All I care about is the fact that she left my only child unsupervised. What in Ra's name was she thinking? My daughter could have gotten hurt!"

"You have to admit that this is unlike her," Maya pointed out. "She's usually so responsible."

"I'll bet you anything that Ishpi was involved," Aset, Maya's eldest daughter and a girl Karem didn't particularly care for, spoke up with a knowing tone in her voice. "There've been rumors."

"Rumors?" Karem repeated. "What rumors?"

Aset smiled. "That Ishpi and Enehy are... You know."

"And what exactly is it that we're supposed know?" Renefankh questioned.

She and Karem exchanged looks. Karem knew Renefankh shared her distaste for Aset. They'd both experienced first hand the girl's nastiness.

"You know," Aset repeated, making a "come on" gesture with her hand.

"Obviously we don't know, Aset," her mother said. "Out with it."

"Yes, Mama," the girl said in a less-than-contrite tone. "People have said that they've seen Ishpi and Enehy, well, doing more than talking."

"So what?" Renefankh said. "Both of them are of marriable age. There's nothing wrong with public shows of affection."

"I'm not finished yet," Aset continued, sounding annoyed. "They've been kissing during work hours. For long periods of time."

"And your point is?" Karem interjected.

"My point is that your precious Nefer-Tina probably got away while Enehy and Ishpi were engaged in a 'public show of affection'."

Despite her crudeness, Karem knew Aset had a point. Enehy was allowing her love life to affect her work. Her ways had to change before something much worse than a runaway child happened.

"I'll talk to her about it when I go to retrieve Nefer-Tina tonight," she assured Aset, who was smirking. "I'm sure she'll be more careful in the future."

She heaved a sigh. Life as the mistress of the house was much more tumultuous than she had ever thought it would be. If it wasn't one crisis, it was another. Nothing her mother had taught her had prepared her for the reality she was now living. How had her mother gotten through it and raised five children at the same time? She could barely handle one!

She sighed again as she resumed her task of making bread.

Nefer-Tina's unexpected appearance had rattled her a lot more than she had let on. And it had nothing to do with the fact that she had escaped from the play area. It was the fact that she had felt the need to escape.

Why had her daughter come looking for her? Why hadn't she stayed with the other children? Why had she started crying the way she did when Bunefer was bringing her back?

Enehy had often expressed concern that Nefer-Tina did not play with the other children at all. She spent all of her time alone or trying to get Enehy to play with her. Enehy, of course, in an effort to get her to join her peers, always refused her. But Nefer-Tina never went near the others on her own. And when anyone asked her why, the little girl just said she didn't want to.

Karem and Rekhmire shared this concern for their daughter as well. Normally, Nefer-Tina was the friendliest and most bubbly little girl they ever had the pleasure of being around. She even ran up to strangers and demanded that they play with her. So why wouldn't she play with the children she spent all of her days with?

And now there was today's incident. Karem had a feeling deep in her gut that Enehy was not telling her something about the goings on between her child and the other children. Something very important. A happy child didn't cry out for her mother the way Nefer-Tina just had. What was going on?

She and Enehy were most definitely going to have a talk tonight.

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina sat in a corner and tried to stop crying. But knowing that Mama didn't love her anymore made it almost impossible.

Why Mama? she despairingly asked herself. Why no love me?

She didn't understand what she had done wrong. She had just gone to Mama to play. Mama always played with her. Why didn't she want to play today? What made Mama not love her anymore?

"Why are you back?" a familiar voice suddenly questioned her from behind.

Nefer-Tina wiped at her tears and tried to ignore Bequet. Why wouldn't he ever leave her alone? What had she ever done to him?

"Yeah, we thought we were finally rid of you," Tutu added.

Tutu and Bequet were both five and thought that they were in charge of all the smaller ones. Nefer-Tina hated both of them. They did nothing but say mean things to her all day long. They were the meanest of all the children.

She couldn't wait for next year when they would be too old to stay with the "little ones", as the big people called them. She prayed to the gods every night for them to "be six now".

She felt someone shove against her back.

"Bequet asked you a question, Stupid," Tutu informed her. "Tell him why you came back."

"Yeah, we're waiting, Stupid," Bequet said.

Nefer-Tina just closed her eyes and waited for the pain to begin. They never went away without hurting her first.

The first kick came almost immediately. And it hurt more than usual.

"Ow!" she involuntarily cried out.

"That's what you get for not answering the question," Bequet happily told her. "Now tell us why you came back and I won't kick you again."

She braced herself for the next impact.

"Hey! What's going on here?" Enehy's voice suddenly asked. "Bequet, you get away from her right now!"

Bequet kicked Nefer-Tina again, even harder than the first time.

"Stupid," he repeated.

"Bequet!" Enehy's voice threatened. "Now!"

"Yes, Enehy," Nefer-Tina heard Bequet say.

"We'll finish this later," Tutu promised.

And she knew they would. They always did. Always.

Nefer-Tina couldn't understand why they liked to be mean to her so much. She'd never done anything to them. Everyone told her what a good girl she was. Especially Mama...

Mama.

Mama who didn't love her anymore.

It hurt to think about Mama. It made her want to start crying again. She loved Mama so much. Why had Mama stopped loving her?

She wondered if Papa would know. Papa loved her like Mama used to love her. Papa also loved Mama. Papa would have to know what she could have done to make Mama not love her anymore.

Nefer-Tina braved a look behind her. Bequet and Tutu were talking to Enehy, who didn't look very happy. They weren't looking in her direction.

I find Papa, she decided.

She got off from the floor and walked out the door again.

Mama said that Papa went to a place called "the fields" every day. So if she found the fields, she'd find Papa.

Determined to learn why Mama no longer loved her, Nefer-Tina set off to find the mysterious fields and Papa.

((((())))))

Mehy wiped the sweat away from his brow with the back of his hand. It was an unusually hot day for this time of year and it was taking its toll on him. He doubted he'd harvest as much grain today as he'd hoped.

Not that it would truly matter at the end of the season. Rekhmire was a fair employer and did not set any quotas for his workers. As long as everyone worked hard and brought in as much produce and grain as they could, he considered it a successful harvest. His was an unusual attitude, but Mehy felt that it was a gift from the gods. It made what was considered a thankless job a worthwhile profession. (Working for Rekhmire had given him the first job he felt he could enjoy since being forced to retire from charioteering.)

Mehy grasped another stalk and raised his sickle arm high. But before he could take a swing, movement in his peripheral vision caught his attention.

Letting his arm fall, he turned and was surprised to see a little girl walking through the field in his direction.

What was a child doing out here unsupervised? Where had she come from? Was she from the farm or the nearby village? And, more importantly, was she lost?

"Papa?" she tentatively called out.

"Have you lost your papa?" he asked as he released the stalk and put the sickle down on the ground. He walked over to her and knelt down to her level. "And how about your mama?"

"Mama no love me," the girl told him, "Want to find Papa."

'Mama no love me'? "What do you mean your mother doesn't love you?"

"She wouldn't... She wouldn't..."

And then the little girl started to cry.

Mehy didn't know what to do. The gods had chosen not to bless him and Pakhet with children, so he had no experience dealing with sobbing ones. How would he calm her down?

Relying on his instincts, he took her into his arms. Holding Pakhet always worked, so he figured it wouldn't hurt to try it on the girl.

"There, there, little one," he said soothingly. "Your mama loves you. Mamas always love their little girls." At least he now knew what she was doing out here.

"No," the girl tearfully insisted. "Mama no love me."

He held her slightly away from his body and gave her a look. "Tell me why you think that?"

"Mama no play. Say go back. Didn't wanna go back."

"Go back where?"

"To mean people."

Mean people? First she thinks her mother doesn't love her and now there were "mean people"? What was going on with this little child?

"Who are the mean people?"

"Bequet and Tutu," she informed him.

Both names were vaguely familiar to him, but he couldn't place them at the moment. "Does your mama know that they're mean to you?"

"No."

"No? And why not?"

The girl shrugged.

"Why haven't you told her?"

The girl shrugged again.

"And you think your mama doesn't love you because she told you to go back to be with them?"

The girl nodded, looking like she was going to start crying again.

Mehy shook his head in wonder. The logic of very young children. "Oh, little one, you have a lot to learn about mamas." He pulled her close against him. "We'll find your mama and get this whole thing straightened out. How's that sound?"

"Okay," the girl quietly answered.

Mehy just smiled.

"Nefer-Tina?" a voice called in the distance.

"Mama?" the girl whispered, sounding awed.

Recognition set in at once. The girl was Nefer-Tina, Rekhmire's daughter. He had only seen her once or twice in the few months he'd lived here. Rekhmire and his wife Karem kept her close to the main house since she was so young. It was only on rare occasions that any of the workers saw the child.

"Over here!" he called out to Karem, putting little Nefer-Tina down. "She's with me!"

"Oh, thank the gods!" Karem's voice cried out in relief.

There was the sound of running and Karem burst through the wheat stalks.

"Oh, my baby! There you are!" Karem exclaimed, falling to her knees and embracing her daughter.

"Mama," the girl said softly, putting her tiny arms around her mother's neck. "Mama!"

Karem stood up and smiled gratefully at Mehy, holding Nefer-Tina in her arms. "I've been so worried. She's been missing for hours. How can I ever thank you?"

"Well, you can start by telling her that you love her."

"What?" Karem sounded caught off-guard.

"This little one thinks that you don't love her anymore," he told her matter-of-factly. "She was out here looking for her father."

"Is that true?" she asked her. "Do you think that I don't love you?"

Nefer-Tina nodded solemnly. "Wouldn't play."

"Of course I love you, silly," Karem informed her. "I told you I'd play with you later. I was just busy before."

"Nefer-Tina," Mehy spoke up and the little girl looked at him. "Tell her about the mean people."

Karem sent him a puzzled expression before returning her attention to her daughter. "What mean people?"

"Bequet and Tutu," Nefer-Tina said softly. "They mean, Mama. They hurt."

Karem looked stricken. "They what?"

"They hurt me, Mama. They not nice. They say 'stupid'."

"Oh gods," Karem gasped. "For how long, little one?"

"Forever," Nefer-Tina told her. "Forever mean, Mama."

"My poor darling," Karem said, kissing her. "Why haven't you told me?"

"Don't know," the girl confessed.

"Does Enehy know?"

Nefer-Tina nodded. "Enehy makes them stop. Enehy nice."

"Then why did you run away from her? Hmm, baby?"

"She no notice me," Nefer-Tina informed her. "She talk to Bequet. Wanted to find Papa so he tell me why you no love me."

"Which you now know she does," Mehy interjected.

"Yes I do," Karem agreed. "Mama loves you very much."

"Me love Mama," Nefer-Tina said happily and then buried her face in Karem's neck.

Karem turned to Mehy. "Thank you so much for finding her. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to her."

"She's safe now," he told her. "That's really all that matters. I'm only glad I was able to find her before she got herself hurt."

"This is the second time she's wandered out of the children's room today," Karem sighed. "I don't know what I'm going to do with her."

"The second time?" Mehy repeated incredulously. "How could that have happened? Isn't Enehy supposed to be keeping an eye on them?"

"Supposed to be," Karem agreed, "but apparently she's not. It's been implied that she's seeing a boy while on duty."

"Disgraceful," Mehy declared, kneeling down to retrieve his sickle. "I'd heard that she was egotistical and full of herself, but never that she was so irresponsible." He stood back up. "What was she thinking?"

"Apparently she wasn't," Karem told him. She sighed again. "What am I going to do?"

"Well, you can start by finding someone to replace her," Mehy suggested. "I don't know about you, but I'd never trust her with another child again."

"Easier said than done," she informed him. "There's no time to find and train a replacement this late in the harvest season. We'd never meet our quotas if we had to teach both Enehy and whoever we replaced her with their new chores. You know as well as I do that we can't risk falling short on our taxes."

"Yet you can't let her remain in charge of the children," he said.

"What choice do I have?" she questioned. "So far, Nefer-Tina is the only one who is suffering under her care." She slightly shifted her daughter in her arms. "Hopefully nothing will change in a few months. As soon as the harvest ends, Rekhmire and I will have a talk with her and find someone to take her place."

"Good," Mehy decided. "I can't stand the thought of any child being in such irresponsible hands for much longer."

"You really like children, don't you?" Karem wanted to know.

"Yes, I do," he admitted. "Pakhet and I often wonder why the gods haven't given us any of our own."

"No one knows why the gods can be so cruel," she told him. She gave him a smile. "I think you would have made a very good father."

"Thank you."

Nefer-Tina began to wiggle in her mother's arms.

"Down!" she demanded.

"Not yet, little one," Karem informed her. She turned back to Mehy, visibly struggling to keep her grip on Nefer-Tina. "Well, I guess I should let you get back to your harvesting. But first, tell me how Rekhmire and I may repay you for finding our daughter."

"There's really no need," he protested. "Seeing her safely reunited with you was reward enough in itself."

"But I want to," Karem insisted. "You saved my daughter. You deserve to be properly thanked for your kindness."

"Hmm," Mehy said thoughtfully. "Well, my wife says you're quite the cook..."

((((())))))

"And that's when I found her with you," Karem finished her story, giving Nefer-Tina, who was happily and obliviously eating bread, a gentle rub on the back. "Amazingly, and thankfully, unharmed and in one piece."

"I still can't believe no one saw her leave the house," Pakhet commented. "Where was everyone?"

"Doing their chores, as we were," Karem answered. "Who would ever think that they'd have to watch out for a little girl?"

"Not Enehy for one," Mehy offered darkly.

Karem had quickly learned that Mehy had no patience for anyone who mistreated children. From Pakhet, she had discovered that he had come from a large family and had been largely responsible for the well-being of his siblings, with whom he was very close. They had all been very important to him and were the reason he wanted children of his own so badly.

"Can you believe that she didn't even notice Nefer-Tina was gone until I pointed it out to her?" Karem went on.

Unable to stop thinking about Nefer-Tina's strange behavior and feeling more than a little guilty, she had decided to pick Nefer-Tina up early and devote extra time to playing with her tonight. But when she'd arrived, Nefer-Tina had been nowhere in sight.

Enehy's reaction had been typical. Instead of the concern a normal caretaker would had displayed, she immediately went to work making herself look innocent of any wrongdoing.

"Nefer-Tina isn't the only child here, you know," she had said. "There are others that need watching too. I can't keep an eye on her every second."

Ignoring Enehy, Karem had begun a frantic search of the house. She didn't know how long she had run in circles until it dawned on her that Nefer-Tina wasn't anywhere to be found, which could only mean one thing: her daughter had gotten outside.

Alone.

Luckily, the three-year-old had not gotten very far before she ran into Mehy, who had halted her wanderings.

"I look forward to the day the she is removed from her current role in this household," Rekhmire declared. "She's a disgrace to her entire family."

"I wouldn't go that far," Karem interjected, "but I think she still has a lot of growing up to do."

As long as she had known him, Rekhmire had placed an emphasis on social standings. She assumed it was a result of growing up in an upper class family. She herself was the daughter of a baker. All members of a family affected the appearance of the whole. To him, one bad seed made the entire family look bad.

"So what will you do with Nefer-Tina now?" Mehy wanted to know. "Obviously, going back to Enehy is out of the question."

"That's a given," Karem agreed, "but unfortunately it's more of a problem than a solution."

"The idea of having one person watch all the children was to allow all the chores to be divided up more evenly," Rekhmire took over. "Everyone else has responsibilities of their own. No one else is available to watch Nefer-Tina for us."

"Can't you keep her with you, Karem?" Mehy questioned.

"Believe me, I would if I could," she told him, "but today proved that it's impossible. The few hours I did have her with me were disastrous."

"Just ask Abana and Bunefer," Pakhet put in.

"What happened?"

There was a fit of giggles as the subject of the conversation started throwing pieces of bread into the air instead of eating them.

"She kept getting into things and running around in general," Karem explained as she lifted Nefer-Tina into her lap. "She refused to sit still for even a minute and kept getting under foot." She began to brush bread crumbs from her daughter's hair and clothes. "Bunefer and Abana were bringing in the new bowls they had spent weeks on when Nefer-Tina startled them."

"Oh" was all Mehy could manage.

"We just don't know what to do," Rekhmire said. "We hate how unhappy she was with Enehy, but at least she wasn't in anyone's way."

"She's more than a little wild, as you're finding out first hand," Karem continued. "She loves to run and play above all else."

"Play!" Nefer-Tina perked up at the sound of her favorite word.

"Hmm..." Mehy appeared as if he were pondering the dilemma.

"Do you have an idea?" Pakhet asked at his sudden silence.

"Maybe," he told her. He turned to Rekhmire. "You have all of us workers spread pretty far apart, don't you?"

"Yes, as a way of making sure everyone harvests enough without depriving anyone else. Why?"

"I'm getting to that. And isn't it unlikely that any one worker will encounter another?"

"It hasn't happened yet as far as I know."

"I think I know where you're going with this," Karem interrupted. "But wouldn't keeping an eye on her distract you from your work?"

"There'd be no need to actually watch her," Mehy explained. "She'd be tied to a wagon or post with a very long rope that would allow her to run and play to her heart's content. She could go wild without getting lost."

"Hmm," Rekhmire nodded thoughtfully. "I think Mehy may be on to something here. It could work."

"I'm willing to give it a try," Karem agreed. "Mehy, once again, we're in your debt."

"And once again, it was nothing," he waved her off. "Besides, it would be my pleasure to have her around. I like this little one. I would like nothing more than to help keep her happy."

"Play!" was Nefer-Tina's only comment.

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina giggled as Mama caught her and picked her up.

"Come on, sweet one," Mama said. "Let's go see your surprise now."

"Tell me, Mama!" Nefer-Tina demanded again. "Want know!"

Mama just smiled.

"Mama mean," Nefer-Tina decided.

Mama had been promising her a surprise all morning but refused to say what it was. The only thing she had told her was that she never had to stay with Enehy or the mean people again. Nefer-Tina loved surprised, but she loved the fact that she was finally free of the mean people forever even more.

Mama carried her through the house and then, much to Nefer-Tina's delight, out the door.

"Outside!" she cried happily. She loved being outside!

"There she is!" came a familiar voice.

"Mehy!" Nefer-Tina called with a smile. Mehy was so nice! She was glad she had met him yesterday.

"Are you ready to have some fun?" Mehy asked. He was standing next to a big wagon with big horsies attached. Nefer-Tina loved horsies too!

"Fun!" she eagerly echoed. Fun always meant playing. So was playing outside with Mehy her surprise? If it was, it was the best surprise ever!

"This is your surprise," Mama confirmed. "You'll be going with Mehy every day for a while now."

"Ooh!" Mehy was much better than Enehy. He was nicer and more fun! Plus he had made her realize that Mama had never stopped loving her.

"You have the rope?" Mama strangely asked Mehy.

"Sure do," he told her, turning to his wagon.

Rope? What did they need rope for? Was it part of a new game Mehy was going to teach her?

"Okay, little one," Mama said, putting her down and kneeling to the ground. "You have lots of fun and play as much as you want."

"Mama no come?"

"Mama has chores, sweetie," Mama reminded her, "but Mama loves you very much."

"Me love Mama!"

Mama pulled her into a hug. "Mehy will be with you and you'll have a wonderful time together." She released her. "Okay?"

"'Kay!"

"It's true," Mehy agreed. He came over holding the rope. "Now lift your arms."

Nefer-Tina raised them and Mehy wrapped the rope around her waist.

"What for?"

"To keep you safe," Mehy supplied.

"Mama and Papa don't want to lose you again," Mama added.

"Mehy no lose me!" Nefer-Tina declared.

"No I won't," Mehy laughed. He then grew serious. "I'll take good care of her, Karem."

"Karem" was Mama's name. (Only she was special enough to call her "Mama".)

"I know," Mama said. She kissed Nefer-Tina and hugged her once more. "Be good, my darling."

"Me good!"

Mehy laughed again and picked her up. "Let's go have lots of fun!"

"Fun!"

((((())))))

Mehy looked down after the inevitable tug on his kilt.

"What doing?" Nefer-Tina asked as he knew she would.

"I'm bagging the stalks I've cut," he explained.

Knowing children in general, he had known that she would be curious about her new surroundings and would want to explore them. That was why he had not asked Karem to supply him with any of her toys for this first outing. It would give her a chance to poke around and test the limits of her rope.

He also known that she'd be curious about what he was doing, most likely before anything else. So he'd gone out early and cut several stalks of grain so he could begin with the bagging. He didn't want to be swinging the sickle when she came over to him.

"Why?"

"So it's easier to bring back to the store house," he told her.

"What store house?"

"A place to keep what you've harvested before you're ready to use it."

"Make sense," she decided. She picked up a stalk. "Me help?"

"Help?" he asked in complete surprise.

"Help!" she repeated, waving the grain. "Me help!"

He had to laugh. She was three-years-old and thought she could help him. It was both ludicrous and adorable.

"I don't think you can, little one," he informed her. He doubted she had the attention span for even a task as simple as placing grain in a bag. No small child ever stuck to one thing for very long.

"Help!" she insisted. "Me help!"

He laughed again. He now understood why Karem couldn't keep her during the day.

"Wouldn't you rather play?"

"Help!" she demanded. "Look fun!"

He chuckled. "It's not fun, little one. It's actually rather boring," he admitted. Farming was definitely not the most glamorous line of work, but it beat sitting around and moping about the career he had lost.

"Look fun!" she disagreed. "Want help!" She began waving the stalk again. "Me help!"

Realizing he had no choice but to let her "help", he pushed one of the bags towards her. He gave her maybe ten minutes before giving up.

"All right, little one. All right. Here's what you do."

He picked up a sack and pulled it open.

Nefer-Tina did the same with hers.

"You pick up the grain and you put it in the bag like this."

He simply took a stalk and placed it inside his bag.

Nefer-Tina perfectly mirrored him.

"Fun!" she giggled and went to work bagging as many stalks as she could get her tiny hands on.

Mehy just stared at her in fascination.

In less than five minutes, she had filled an entire bag.

"Help more!" she demanded.

"Well, I'll be," he muttered in disbelief.

"More!"

((((())))))

"I think that's the last of them, Mehy," Nefer-Tina announced as she handed him a bag full of grain.

"I think so too," Mehy agreed as he swung it onto the wagon. "We did really well today."

"Yeah," the eight-year-old nodded. "We make a great team."

"We sure do."

Nefer-Tina smiled. "I told you I could help!"

The two of them laughed. It had become a running joke over the years about how she had "forced" him to let her help that first day together.

"Ready to go back?"

"Only if you let me drive!"

"Yeah, right," Mehy laughed.

"Stupid law," she grumbled. "I bet I could outdrive most of the boys."

"You know, I bet you could too," he agreed. "I've never met anyone else who has excelled at as many things as you have. You have this amazing ability to pick up anything you set your mind to."

"Thanks," she accepted, feeling a little embarrassed. She decided to change the subject. "Why do they have those dumb laws anyway? Why can't girls learn to do all the things that boys do?"

"That's something you'd have to take up with the gods I guess," Mehy shrugged. "That's just the way things have always been."

"It's not fair," she complained. "We girls get stuck with all the boring stuff."

She hated everything that was expected of her as a girl. Cleaning, cooking, and weaving were not for her. She loved the freedom of fieldwork. Being confined to a house was like being in prison in her opinion. Even the idea of school sounded more exciting.

"That 'boring stuff' is your future, Nefer-Tina," Mehy informed her. "As much as I hate the idea of someone with your talents being hidden away from the world, that's how it's going to be."

"I wish things didn't have to change," she sighed. "I love being able to work with you every day."

"Me too," Mehy agreed. "I treasure the time we have together."

"Aww, Mehy," she blushed.

"Come on," he said, waving her towards the front of the wagon. "Let's get you back before your mother starts worrying."

She laughed. "You know Mama's glad to have me out of her hair for as long as possible. The later I am, the better!"

He added his own laughter to hers.

"So, are we still on for tonight?" he asked her as they climbed onto the passenger bench.

"Are you kidding me? I wouldn't miss this for the world!"

Mehy had been telling her stories of chariot races ever since she had met him. He had once been a racer, one of the best according to everyone she had asked, until a devastating accident had robbed him of his dream. He had crashed in the middle of a race and sustained a head injury that left him feeling off-balance and dizzy much of the time. Racing a chariot became impossible for him. No physician had been able to determine the cause of his disability nor how to cure it.

But not even that had stopped him from loving the sport and it was something he talked about constantly. Nefer-Tina had listened in fascination and dreamed of the day she would be able to see a race first-hand.

She had been overjoyed when Raia had also invited her to come tonight. He had come to invite Mehy because he wanted his expert opinion on his performance and then added in passing that he thought Nefer-Tina was old enough to join them. ("Eight is pretty old," Raia had joked, earning a glare from the insulted party.)

"Maybe afterward Raia will take you for a short ride."

"I'd like that," Nefer-Tina told him, wishing Mehy could be the one to give her the ride. "There is one condition though," she added in a conspiratorial tone.

"And what's that?"

"You have to let me drive."

"Not in this lifetime."

((((())))))

"By the gods," Nefer-Tina breathed as the chariots zoomed past her.

"Incredible, aren't they?" Mehy beamed.

"I've never seen anything like them," she told him. "They're amazing."

"Yes they are," he agreed. "And being behind the reins is unlike anything else in the entire world."

"I wish I could feel it," she said.

"I know, sweetie, I know. I wish I could again too."

They fell into a silence as the race continued on. Nefer-Tina didn't have to speak to Mehy to sense his mixed feelings of longing and excitement. She wished there was some way she could give him back his ability to race.

The race finally ended when Setep's chariot finished the final lap mere seconds before Raia's did.

Mehy made a sound as he watched Raia bring his chariot to a stop.

"He still hasn't learned his lesson," he commented.

"What's that?" she asked curious.

"Come on," he said, urging her to follow. "I'll tell the two of you at the same time."

"Mehy!" Raia waved to them as they approached. "Just the person I wanted to see! Hey, Nefer-Tina."

"Hi, Raia." Nefer-Tina liked Raia. He was very funny and very nice.

"So, what's the verdict? How did I mess up yet again?"

"You're still doing the same two things you always do," Mehy informed him. "You run your horses too fast too soon and you hug the outside of the lane. How many times am I going to have to point that out to you?"

"Wow," Nefer-Tina commented. How had Mehy caught those things? All she had seen was two unbelievably fast blurs. "How did you see that?"

Mehy chuckled. "I know what to look for. A first-timer like you wouldn't notice something so minor."

"Mehy is the charioteering expert," Raia put in. "If there's something to know, he already knows it. Why do you think I rely on his advice so much? If anyone can figure out my problems, it's Mehy. He's the best of the best."

"No, I was just one of many good charioteers," Mehy corrected. "There are a lot of others who know as much or even more than I do."

"You're just saying that because you're modest," Raia decided. He turned to Nefer-Tina. "Don't let him fool you. There's no one better out there."

"I know," Nefer-Tina agreed. "Mehy's the best of everyone."

"You see?" Raia said. "If she says it, it has to be true. Little children always tell the truth."

"Uh-huh" was all Mehy had to say to that.

"So, you two wanna see my new baby?" Raia asked. "She's a thing of real beauty."

Mehy had told Nefer-Tina that all chariots were referred to as "she". Why, she did not know. They were not alive and therefore could not be boys or girls.

Raia led them to his "baby." "She rides like a dream."

"Too bad you drove it like a nightmare," Mehy commented.

"Ha-ha, very funny."

While the two grown-ups kept talking, Nefer-Tina took a closer look at the chariot.

It was definitely neither beautiful nor girl-like, but she could immediately understand why Raia loved it so very much. Just looking at it sent the most amazing feelings through her body. She wondered what it would be like to be on it as it went speeding around the track. She bet it was more fun than anything else in the entire world.

Question after question began to form in her mind. How did it work? How could something so bulky move so fast? Did it hurt the horses to pull it while running? How could the horses be controlled at those speeds for that matter? How could the driver have time to see where he was going?

Without thinking, she climbed into the chariot for a closer examination.

"I think we may have a problem here," Raia's voice broke into her thoughts.

Oops! she mentally cried as she realized where she was. She climbed back out.

"And what's that?" Mehy wanted to know.

"She looks better behind the reins than I do!" Raia grinned.

Mehy laughed. "I hate to break it to you, but so does anybody."

"Why are you always so mean to me?" Raia mock-whined.

"I wish I could drive," Nefer-Tina sighed wistfully. "It looks like so much fun."

"It can also be very dangerous," Mehy reminded her. "But I think that of everyone I've ever met, you'd be able to handle it. I always say you'd be one of the best."

"The law is so stupid!" she complained. "Girls are just as good as boys are."

"You're right," Mehy agreed, "but the law is the law. Only the pharaoh can change it. And that's only if the gods approve."

"I'd love to give them a piece of my mind," she told him.

"And she would too," Mehy said to Raia. "Nefer-Tina never backs down from anything she puts her mind to."

"I can see that," Raia agreed.

"I'd just love to even know how to drive," she told them. "A wagon, a chariot, anything! I don't care if I don't ever actually do drive. You know what I mean?"

"I think so," Raia nodded. "And maybe I can help you with that, if Mehy doesn't mind."

"What crazy idea have you come up with this time?" Mehy asked.

"How about I give Nefer-Tina a couple of lessons while I drive her around the track?" Raia proposed. "Just show her the ropes and let her get a feel for being in it. There's no law against explaining driving to women. They just can't actually drive."

"Oh, thank you, Raia!" Nefer-Tina burst happily. "I would love that!"

"Just don't be too surprised if she tries to snatch the reins out of your hands," Mehy informed him. "She's tried that one on me more times than I can count over the years."

"Hey, you're the one who just said I never back down from anything," she pointed out.

"See what I have to put up with every single day?" Mehy complained. "It's no wonder her parents want me to keep her out as long as possible."

"I have only one thing to say: better you than me!" Raia declared.

"Real nice you two," Nefer-Tina said.

"So meet me tomorrow night right here?" Raia asked.

"I'm there!" Nefer-Tina told him.

"As long as your parents don't find out," Mehy warned.

"They won't," she promised. "They think I'm too boyish as it is. Gods forbid I should add something else to their list of complaints!"

"They just want you to be a proper lady when you grow up," Mehy reminded her. "And unfortunately proper ladies don't do any of the things you do, especially ride around in chariots."

"Sometimes I really hate being a girl," she admitted. "It's not fair that I can't do what I want when I grow up."

"I know, sweetheart, I know," Mehy comforted her.

"Look at it this way," Raia spoke up. "You'll be the only girl who can both think like and keep up with the boys. That'll come in very handy when you're older."

"Really?" she perked up.

"Really," Raia smiled. "Well, until tomorrow night then!"

"Tomorrow night!" she happily agreed.

She wouldn't miss it for the world.

((((())))))

"All right, guys," Raia called to his horses, who were named Starlight and Wind. "Let's slow it down a little."

Nefer-Tina watched in rapt attention as Raia adjusted his hold on the reins and changed how hard he was pulling. The horses immediately went from a fast trot to a leisurely pace.

"See what I just did? Just a little change in pressure is all it takes to tell your team what you want," he instructed. "There's no need to yell at them or hit them."

"What kind of idiot would do something like that?" she wanted to know.

"Stupid people," he told her. "They believe the horses are as stupid as they are and can't understand or learn anything."

"That really is stupid," she commented. "Horses are really smart."

"Exactly," Raia agreed. "For example, if I tried anything like that on these guys, they'd never let me get away with it. Right, guys?"

Wind neighed in his opinion.

Nefer-Tina giggled.

"Now watch as I tell them to go faster again."

He gave the reins a light shake and the horses broke back into a trot.

Nefer-Tina sighed. "I wish I could try that."

"Good thing you're so short," he teased, "or I might let you."

"I bet you'd let me if I was a short boy," she decided.

"Nah, that wouldn't make a difference," he told her. "Boys lack your charm."

"Um, thanks?"

"Don't mention it," he grinned and she laughed.

"Boys, let's bring her in," he instructed Starlight and Wind. "Watch how I get them to stop where I want."

Nefer-Tina observed yet another series of intricate hand-rein interactions as the chariot came to a standstill.

"And that, young lady, is how you drive a chariot," Raia said proudly.

"Wow" was all she could say. "You're so good."

"Ah, I'm okay," he waved her off. "That guy over there is way better."

"Was," Mehy corrected coming over to join them. "Not anymore."

"Okay, my turn now!" Nefer-Tina grinned mischievously.

"In your dreams," Mehy told her.

"Darn!" she mock-grumbled.

"All right, I think that about does it for your lesson in charioteering," Mehy said. "Time to go home."

"Aww," she whined. "I'm not ready to go back."

"Too bad," he informed her. "You have an early morning, remember? We've got a field to work."

"Same here," Raia chimed in. "A farmer's work is never done."

"Okay," she gave in. "Raia, thank you so much for this. You're the best!" she hugged him.

"No problem, sweetie," he said, reciprocating the hug. "It was fun."

"It was even better than I dreamed," she told him.

Mehy patted her on the shoulder. "Let's go. Good night, Raia. Thank you again."

"It was my pleasure," Raia waved him off. He grinned wickedly. "Hey, maybe she'll like me better now."

"Nah!" she grinned back. "Night, Raia!"

"Good night, you two."

Mehy began herding her towards his wagon.

"Gods, Mehy! I've never had so much fun in my entire life! I could do that every day!" she happily babbled, skipping along side him. "Chariots are the best!"

"I'm glad you like them," he smiled. "I just wish you could experience them the way they were meant to be experienced."

"Stupid law," she grumbled again. "It's not like I'd be hurting anyone or anything. What's the gods' problem anyway?"

"No one knows," he assured her. "Believe me, if it were up to me, I would have taught you years ago. It hurts to see such potential wasted."

"You know," she said thoughtfully, "it kind of is up to you. Think about it. Mama and Papa put me in your care. Isn't education part of care?"

"Nice try," he commended her with a chuckle. "That mind of yours never takes a break, does it?"

"No, seriously!" she pressed as they reached the wagon. "Everything I do and learn is up to you, right? You're the one who decides what's best for me. Who's to say driving chariots isn't what's best for me?"

"It's against the law," he reminded her.

"No one would know," she tried. "It would be our secret. We could do it out here late at night when there's no one around."

"There's no guarantee that we wouldn't be seen," he pointed out.

"Then we'd find someplace where we know we wouldn't be," she asserted. "Come on, Mehy! You know how much driving means to me. I need this! Teach me! Please!"

Mehy sighed and climbed into the wagon.

She followed and joined him on the bench. "I've never asked you for anything else. Please?"

Mehy started to take the reins but hesitated.

"Do you know what would happen if we got caught?" he asked her.

"Not really," she confessed. "I know that we would be in big trouble."

"I would go to jail, Nefer-Tina," he told her. "I would be imprisoned and lose everything I own. My house, my money, every possession. Pakhet would be left alone. But worst of all, my reputation of being a good and honest man would be destroyed."

"Oh," she barely whispered. She hadn't known any of that. She thought only bad people went to jail. Would breaking a silly law make people think Mehy was a bad man?

"You're very young and know very little about the ways of the world," he soothed her. "Every action, good or bad, has consequences. A possible consequence of teaching you how to drive is getting caught. When taking an action, you have to consider all possible consequences. Is learning to drive worth those consequences?"

She did not know what to say. On one hand, she felt that learning to drive was worth every risk in the universe. On the other, she didn't want Mehy to get hurt if they were caught.

Mehy was right. They could be caught. And that would mean the end of everything.

Yet, learning to drive was her passion. It was, as she had told Mehy repeatedly, all she ever wanted. It was the ultimate fun. Just being a passenger wasn't enough for her. She wanted to be the driver.

She wanted to learn how to drive.

She wanted this.

She made her decision.

"Teach me."

((((())))))

"How do I look?" Nefer-Tina asked Mehy as she pulled at the sleeves of her oversized shirt.

"Not too bad," he told her. "I think you'll pass."

She laughed. "It's not as if anyone's going to be looking at my face."

The ten-year-old turned back to the mirror and examined her disguise. She wore a very large shirt, most likely three sizes too big, an extra long kilt, and a cloak that would hide the box she had to stand on while driving the chariot. Her long hair was hidden beneath a helmet.

"Yeah, I think I will too. Here's to breaking yet another law! So what's my name again?"

"Gua, Pakhet's nephew from Memphis."

"Gua. Got it," she nodded. She turned back to him. "Oh, Mehy! Thank you so much for this! I can't believe I'm finally going to be in an actual race!"

"You've worked very hard these past two years," he told her. "I think someone of your exceptional skills needs a chance to shine."

"Think I'll win?"

"I don't know," he honestly told her. "I mean, look who you're up against. Raia. Setep. Yuya. You may be one of the best drivers I've ever seen, but you're untested in an actual race."

"So, basically what you're saying is expect to lose."

"Exactly. Promise you won't be too disappointed?"

"Gods, Mehy. Just being in a race is more than I ever hoped." She went up to him and gave him a hug. "Thank you."

"Rule number one about pretending to be a man: no hugging," Mehy informed her while hugging her back. "You'd give yourself away in an instant."

"Yes, sir," she saluted him. "Anything else I need to remember...Uncle?"

"Where to begin?"

She punched him in the arm.

"There you go! That's very manly."

She grinned. "Come on! Let's get me to the track! I have a race to drive!"

((((())))))

"Oh my gods!" Nefer-Tina said for the thousandth time. "Just... Oh my gods!"

"I think she's still in shock," Mehy told Pakhet as the three of them sat around the dinner table.

"I am not!" Nefer-Tina shot back indignantly. "I'm just... Just... I can't find the words!"

Pakhet gave her a smile. "Don't worry about it, sweetheart. You just rode and won your very first race. You're entitled to be at a loss for words."

"You should have seen her," Mehy told Pakhet. "Her performance was amazing. I've never been prouder of anyone."

"She had a wonderful teacher," Pakhet smiled. "I'm so happy for the both of you."

Pakhet had been in on their secret almost from the beginning. Mehy had felt obligated to tell her since she would be affected too if they were ever caught.

"I just can't believe I actually won!" Nefer-Tina repeated for the thousandth time. "And you said I probably wouldn't!"

"What you did is very rare for a first-time racer," he explained. "Most, no matter how skilled, are beaten by the experience of the other racers."

"No wonder Setep was so upset," she grinned. "I bet he thought this race was an easy win for him."

"He's pretty much unbeaten," Mehy agreed. "To be defeated not only by a first-timer but a young 'boy' was a real blow to his ego."

"Good thing I made a break for it as soon as the race ended," she decided. "I've never seen him look so crazy! I thought he was going to kill me!"

Mehy laughed. "Well, you earned yourself a fan for life in Raia. He came over to tell me how happy he was that someone had finally beaten Setep. Then he wanted to know who taught you how to drive."

"Why? So he could steal him?" she laughed.

"Probably," Mehy agreed.

"So what did you tell him?"

"I pretended not to know."

"Did he believe you?" she asked, laughing.

"I think so," he told her. "But you can never be too sure where Raia is concerned."

"You think he might ask around?" she questioned, wondering if he would.

"It wouldn't do any good," Mehy said. "There's nothing for him to find out. 'Gua' is a distant relative who just happened to drop by for a visit. He's unlikely to show up again any time soon."

"Just until I get the urge to race again," she smirked.

"Which is not going to happen very often, right?"

"Yes, Mehy," she promised. "Is once a year distant enough?"

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," Pakhet excused herself.

"As long as I just get to drive, I'm happy," she assured him as Pakhet left the room. "You know that. Today was just so special."

She gave a small sigh. "I wish I could tell my parents."

"I know," he soothed. "I wish you could too."

"It's just that they're so-"

"Hey!" interrupted a new voice.

Nefer-Tina looked up to see Pakhet reenter the dining room with their visitor: Raia.

"I was just coming by to congratulate our new charioteering champion." He turned directly to Nefer-Tina. "Congratulations, sweetie. That was quite a race!"

She just stared at him. He knew? How?

"W-what are you talking about?" Mehy stammered, exchanging shocked looks with Pakhet.

"Don't worry," Raia winked. "Your secret's safe with me. Remember, I gave you your very first lesson."

"B-but how?" Nefer-Tina managed.

"Easy. You drive exactly like Mehy. Though, I have to say, with a little bit more style. I like." He grinned even wider. "Then there was that cloak of yours to cover up the fact that you were standing on something."

Nefer-Tina was stunned. "Do you think anyone else figured it out?"

He shook his head. "Nah. No one else knew what to look for. Plus there was the fact that you were being so mysterious coming and going from the track. I knew something was up."

"So when you asked me..." Mehy started.

"I wanted to see what you'd say," Raia said, his grin getting bigger by the second. "You did good. So how long have you two been carrying on this illicit activity?"

"Two years," Nefer-Tina supplied. "We started the night after you gave me my first lesson."

"Ah-hah!" Raia crowed. "Look what I started! You can begin thanking me anytime."

"Thank you, Raia," Nefer-Tina said with a smile.

"So now that I'm in on the secret, is there anything I can do to help?" Raia asked seriously. "I'm willing and open."

"How about you race her from time to time?" Pakhet suggested. "It would be good practice for her since we can't risk something like today very often."

"Sounds good to me," Raia agreed. "What do you think, sweetie?"

"I'd love it! Mehy has basically had me driving in circles for the past two years. It would be nice to actually have someone to drive circles against!" Nefer-Tina told him.

Raia sat down at the table. "Tell me what I need to know."

"All right," Mehy said. "You'll meet us tomorrow and ..."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina awoke to a horrible pain in her stomach.

"Ugh," she groaned as she bent over to clutch herself.

What's wrong with me? the twelve-year-old wondered. She hadn't been feeling well for a few weeks now, but nothing like this. In fact, her aches and pains had been so minor that she hadn't bothered to say anything to anyone. Now there was no ignoring it.

Mehy was on his own today.

Realizing she still had to get up in order to tell Mehy that she felt sick, she pushed the blanket away.

And that was when she saw the blood.

"Mama!" she screamed. "Oh, gods! Oh, gods! Mama!"

Realizing Mama probably couldn't hear her, she jumped out of bed.

Upon standing up, the pain worsened considerably.

"Mama!" she screamed again, racing to the door. She swung it open. "Mama! Somebody! Help me!"

She was terrified. What was wrong with her? What had caused the bleeding? Was she dying?

The pain was almost unbearable. The tears came unbidden.

"Nefer-Tina!" Mama cried as she came running. "What's-?" Her expression changed as soon as she came into view. "Back into your room! Now!"

"Mama! Help me, Mama!" She was sobbing now.

"Hush now, sweet one," Mama crooned, pulling her into a hug. "Don't cry. Please don't cry."

"It hurts!" she wailed.

"I know, baby, I know." Mama began to rub her back.

"What's wrong with me?" she asked through tears.

"Nothing at all, my darling," Mama told her. "You're bleeding because you have become a woman."

Nefer-Tina was too shocked to respond. A...woman?

"No," she choked. "No!" She sobbed even harder. The day she had dreaded had finally arrived.

Her life was over.

"Oh, baby," Mama soothed. "It'll be all right. Now come. We'll get you cleaned up and put you right back into bed."

In incredible pain and emotionally defeated, Nefer-Tina allowed her mother to pull her towards the wash basin without any objections.

((((())))))

Karem, feeling drained both physically and emotionally, forced a calm expression on her face as she went to give Mehy the news. She didn't want him to see how Nefer-Tina's pain was getting to her.

Mehy saw her approaching and waved. "Good morning, Karem."

"Good morning," she returned tiredly.

"Are you all right?" he asked, concern in his voice. "You look awful."

"Nefer-Tina became a woman this morning," she told him. "It's been an ordeal."

"I can see that," he agreed sympathetically. "Gods... How is she doing?"

"Not good," she confessed. "The pain has been excruciating. She's cried herself to sleep on and off all morning only to be reawakened by a surge of pain."

"By the gods," Mehy breathed. "The poor child. Is there anything that you can do for her?"

"Nothing more than what's already been done," she said. "Unfortunately, none of the known pain treatments have had any effect on her. So she'll just have to wait it out."

"Gods," Mehy sighed. "It's not right that anyone has to suffer like that."

"It's the curse of being a woman," she told him. "But thankfully the pain subsides quickly."

"That is a blessing," he agreed.

"Yes, she nodded, "it is." She remembered her own first bleeding time and how much it had hurt. The herbal pain remedies had not worked on her either and she had been terrified that she was going to die from the pain. The relief when the cramps had finally vanished had been enormous.

"So what happens now?" Mehy asked. "I assume her days with me are over."

"I wish things didn't have to be this way," she admitted. "Nefer-Tina loves being with you so much. Rekhmire and I see so little of her these days."

"And I love being with her. She's such a special girl," he said. "I feel like she's the daughter Pakhet and I never had. She's one of my closest friends."

And you are her only friend, Karem silently added. It was a painful truth that had bothered Rekhmire and herself for years. For reasons unknown to them, none of the other children ever wanted to have anything to do with their daughter unless it was to torment her. Thankfully, she was more often ignored than harassed. It was because of the other children's treatment of her that she had ended up helping Mehy in the first place.

"But," she finally continued, "it's now time to prepare her for her future. It won't be long until she's of marriable age. She has to know how to perform a woman's chores."

"I assume you know how she feels about getting married?" Mehy questioned.

"Very well," she assured him. "But if a man asks for her hand, she'll have no choice. Rekhmire and I are hopeful. She is a beautiful girl."

"That she is."

"But don't worry," Karem continued, "I have no intention of leaving her unprepared in the event no man chooses her."

"What are you going to do?"

"Give her a skill she can live on."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina curled into a tighter ball on her bed. It was the fourth day of her bleeding time and the pain, while not as intense, still wracked her body.

She hated this. Being a woman was a nightmare. The thought of having to suffer this horrible pain every month for the rest of her life was unbearable. But the isolation was even worse.

For reasons she didn't understand, she couldn't leave her room until her bleeding time was over. A woman was "unclean" during this period and could not risk contaminating everything she encountered. This was stupid and made no sense, but she had no choice in the matter. It was the way things were.

Luckily, Mama and Pakhet came to see her a lot. Mama assured her that she would feel better soon while Pakhet brought messages from Mehy and Raia.

"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Mama asked, coming into the room.

"The same," Nefer-Tina told her miserably. She sat up in bed. "I wish this was over already."

"Just a couple more days," Mama promised. "Your flow has lightened up considerably since yesterday."

"I hate this."

"I know, baby."

"And I hate that I can't work the fields anymore," she continued. "It's not fair. I love it, Mama."

"I know."

"I just don't understand why I have to stop."

Mama sat down next to her on the bed. "A woman's place is in the home. You know that."

"But why?"

"It's just the way things have always been, but I suppose it's mostly because a woman has to watch the children and take care of the chores while her husband works. If both of them worked, who would do those things?"

Nefer-Tina shrugged. She hadn't really thought of that, but, then again, she didn't want to marry or have children. She just wanted to farm and ride chariots.

"But what if a woman doesn't get married?" she questioned. "Then she wouldn't have to do any of those things, right?"

"Of course she would," Mama answered. "Even a priestess has daily chores. A woman who lives alone has the same responsibilities in her own home that she would in a husband's. And on top of that, she would have to have a job."

"So there's no way around it?"

"I'm afraid not, sweetheart," Mama told her. "A woman always takes care of her home, no matter where it is."

"That's unfair," Nefer-Tina declared. "I don't want to get married and I don't want to take care of a home. I just want to have fun!" Field work and chariots were the best things in her life and both were fun. (Sure they were hard work too, but the rewards were worth it.)

"No one can live off of fun alone," Mama informed her. "So if you don't get married, you'll need a job."

"Okay, I'll get a job then," she decided. "What kind of jobs are out there?" One side effect of spending her entire twelve years on a farm was that she knew nothing of the outside world. Until now, she hadn't cared one way or the other.

Mama chuckled. "How about this? If you promise to learn your chores without complaint, I'll teach you a skill that will guarantee you work in a variety of places."

"What kind of skill?" she asked warily. She didn't want to make a promise without knowing what she was getting in return.

"Uh-uh," Mama said. "Not until you promise."

"That's not fair," Nefer-Tina huffed. "How do I know it's a good skill?"

"It's been passed through the women of my family for generations," Mama told her. "I may have gotten married, but some others in the past didn't and this skill served them well."

Nefer-Tina took a moment to consider it. What could it be? What did Mama do that wasn't housework related? Did Mama actually do anything not housework related? (The fact that she didn't spend much time at home was probably why she hardly knew anything about either of her parents.)

What do I have to lose? she decided. The two things she loved most in the world had already been taken away from her. She had nothing left.

"All right. I promise."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina held the final note of the song in her voice as long as possible. It was one of her favorites, a beautiful love song, and she always hated having to end it. So she tried to make it last even after she had strummed the last chord on her lute.

"Wonderful!" Mama applauded after her voice finally faded. "Beautiful!"

"Absolutely gorgeous," Mehy agreed.

Nefer-Tina just smiled as her audience, consisting of her parents, Mehy, Pakhet, Raia and his wife of three months Nebetawy, and a few of the other farmers with their wives, cheered and shouted their approval. She enjoyed giving these weekly concerts, which she had been doing for two years now. Music had become almost as cherished as working the fields and charioteering, which she missed terribly. In all this time, she had not once regretted her decision to take Mama's deal.

She still hated doing house work, but she was able to get through the day knowing that the evening brought music practice. She even eased the monotony of the chores by singing, something the other women didn't seem to mind too much. (At least, they never said that they minded.) Sometimes she even sang during her daily walks.

Finally, she put her lute down and got to her feet. "I'm glad everyone enjoyed it." She gave a tiny curtsey.

"You know we always do," Papa put in. "You have a wonderful gift, Nefer-Tina."

"Thank you," she said, smiling brightly.

"Who knew the little ruffian would turn out to be a songbird?" Raia teased.

"Thanks, Raia," Nefer-Tina said sarcastically. "Your observations are always so kind."

"I aim to please!" he grinned. He put his arm around Nebetawy, who just smiled.

Although they had just gotten married they had known each other for over a year. She had come to the farm when her father had taken a job from Papa. She and Raia had become very close almost immediately. Nefer-Tina and Mehy had teased Raia almost mercilessly about the relationship. Nefer-Tina herself really liked Nebetawy.

She rolled her eyes before walking over to Mama and Papa. "Is it all right if I go to bed now? I'm a little tired tonight."

"Of course, sweetheart," Mama told her. "Good night, baby."

"Good night." She leaned down to kiss both her and Papa.

"We'll see you in the morning," Papa promised.

She smiled again and turned to the rest of her audience, which had grown considerably since beginning these concerts two years ago. Apparently it had become a very popular event on the farm, which she found both flattering and bewildering. Flattering, because it meant people thought she was good. Bewildering, because her voice wasn't that good. She had an unusual sound, which was all right but nothing special. (For some reason, Mama claimed she had one of the most beautiful voices she ever heard, which she didn't understand. Mama was the one with the beautiful voice, not her.)

"Good night," she told her listeners and left the room.

In the beginning, the change of becoming a woman had been very difficult for her. She had been miserable because she could no longer do the things she loved. Watching Papa leave for the fields every morning had been especially painful. But she had kept her promise and not complained once. And the reward had been worth it.

When Mama had presented her with the lute, she had been skeptical. How could music guarantee her a job in the future? But Mama had told her that highly talented musicians were sought after for a number of reasons and made a nice living. So she had accepted the instrument and allowed Mama to begin teaching her. It had turned out to be one of the best decisions of her life.

Music became her passion. There was just something about performing that gave her the most amazing feelings. She loved it. It almost equaled her love of chariots and field work. She lived for the time of day when her chores were finished so she could sit down with her lute.

She could definitely make a life for herself with her music.

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina sang to herself as she swept the main hallway. She kept her voice low but loud enough to hear over the raging wind of the sandstorm.

The sixteen-year-old sighed. The storm had been going on for hours with no sign of letting up soon. She badly needed to get outside for some fresh air.

"Beautiful as always," Mama said walking into the hall.

"Thank you, Mama," Nefer-Tina smiled.

"So, how's it coming?" Mama asked.

"It's not really coming at all," she told her. "More and more sands keeps blowing in under the door making me start over. This whole thing is pointless."

"Imagine how much worse it would be if you stopped sweeping altogether," Mama pointed out. "You're doing a very good job."

"Thanks."

"Would you like me to take over while you start your mending?" Mama proposed.

"No, that's okay," she waved her off. "This is my job, remember? You have other stuff to do, right?"

"Being mistress of the house has its advantages," Mama informed her. "So-"

A loud and frantic banging at the door cut her off.

"Who in the world?" Nefer-Tina exclaimed. How could anyone be out in this weather?

"Let's find out," Mama declared. "It must be one of the workers. Something must be terribly wrong or he wouldn't be here."

Mother and daughter rushed to the door and Mama pulled it open.

Much to their shock and surprise, it wasn't anyone they knew.

Standing in their doorway, covered in sand, stood a large group of well-dressed men and women.

"Can you please help us?" the man closest to them shouted above the wind. "Our caravan has gotten caught in this storm. May we take shelter here until it's over?"

"Of course!" Mama told him. "Please, all of you. Come in! Come in!"

Nefer-Tina backed away as the group practically fell into the hallway.

"Thank you, thank you," the man she assumed was the leader said as Mama pushed the door shut.

"Nefer-Tina," Mama said. "Go get your father immediately."

"Yes, Mama," she nodded and ran off to bring Papa.

((((())))))

"...And that's how we ended up outside your door," Genubath, the caravan's leader, finished his story. "I just regret that we're missing the banquet. We had been looking forward to it for some time."

"The gods often don't respect the wishes of their people," Rekhmire said. "But better you are here out of the storm than trapped on the road somewhere."

"Very true," Genubath nodded with a smile. "And the accommodations you have provided are more than adequate. And your food is as good as any palace banquet."

"Not true, but thank you anyway," Karem said with a smile. "We are not of the noble class, but we try to treat our guests as if they were."

"You and your husband are royalty in our eyes," Genubath assured her.

"Would you and your friends care for some entertainment?" Rekhmire asked. "Our daughter gives a lovely musical performance."

"Really?" Genubath questioned, his eyebrow raised. "I happen to adore musical performances. Attending them is a favorite hobby of mine."

"Then you are in for a treat," Rekhmire smiled, sharing a look with Karem. "Our Nefer-Tina is very talented."

"I look forward to hearing her then," Genubath said. "I love talent."

"You won't be disappointed," Karem promised. She knew how good Nefer-Tina was even if the girl didn't herself. (Nefer-Tina constantly put herself down when it came to her strengths as well as accentuating her weaknesses.) "Nefer-Tina!"

"Yes, Mama?" Nefer-Tina called from where she was attending to some of the women.

"Would you mind playing for our guests?" Karem asked her.

"Of course not, Mama," Nefer-Tina smiled. "Let me get my lute."

"She is very good," Karem told Genubath. "A natural talent."

Genubath just nodded.

Nefer-Tina quickly returned with her lute and sat down on a cushion. "What shall I play?"

"Anything you wish," Rekhmire told her.

The girl nodded and began to strum a slow melody.

Karem watched Genubath as he watched Nefer-Tina.

As soon as she began to sing, Karem smiled in satisfaction as an expression of complete and utter surprise appeared on Genubath's face.

"By the gods..."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina was in the middle of her fifth song when she realized that she was too tired to go on. Helping Mama care for their unexpected guests had taken a lot out of her. She needed a rest.

She reached the end the piece and then put her lute down into her lap to signal that the performance was over.

Almost instantly, Genubath, the caravan's leader, jumped to his feet. "Magnificent! Astounding! Absolutely incredible," he loudly applauded. "You are amazing!"

Stunned, Nefer-Tina could only stare at him. No one had ever reacted to her playing like that before. Ever.

Genubath's companions slowly began to rise to their feet as well. Soon everyone, including Mama and Papa, was standing and clapping. No one remained sitting.

Nefer-Tina was confused. Why were they acting like this? She wasn't that good. Why were they treating her like she was? Didn't they know that Mama was a much better musician?

"Young lady, you are the most skilled musician I have ever had the pleasure of listening to," Genubath declared when the room had finally settled down. "I am in awe of your talent."

Nefer-Tina was too shocked to reply.

He turned to Mama and Papa, who were smiling broadly. "I should be furious with the two of you for keeping her a secret. Talent like that is meant to be shared with the world, not kept hidden away."

"We never thought that we were," Mama said. "She's not yet ready to go off on her own. She's still very young in many ways. But when she is ready, Rekhmire and I know that she'll be extremely successful."

"She's very special," Papa added. "She's going to go very far in life."

Nefer-Tina was too shaken to even feel embarrassed by her parents' exaggerations. What was going on? Why were they talking about her like this?

"I can almost guarantee that," Genubath agreed. "No one as talented as she is can do any less." He returned his attention to Nefer-Tina. "Tell me, young lady. Where do you foresee yourself going with your gift?"

It took her a moment to find her voice, her mouth having had gone completely dry. "W-what do you mean?"

"What will you do when you leave here?"

The question caught her off guard. The concept of leaving home was so foreign to her. Neither Mama nor Papa had mentioned it in so long that she had forgotten that it was even a possibility. This farm was her home...her world. She had everything she ever wanted (well, mostly) and needed. There really was no need for her to ever leave.

"I never thought about it," she honestly admitted. "I'm very happy here. Why would I leave?"

"I would think someone of your talent would have more ambition than that," Genubath commented.

"My music is my hobby," she told him, rising to her feet, her lute clutched against her body. "I love it, but it's not the most important thing in my life. My family is."

It was true. Nothing was more important to her than her family, which included all her friends as well. She had even grown very close to her parents in recent years. She treasured each and every person. She had no desire to be away from them.

As for her music just being her hobby, well, that was a bit of a stretch. Mama had taught her the lute as a skill for supporting herself when she went out on her own. It had, however, become her hobby as the years passed and no one mentioned her having to leave. She hoped it would stay that way.

Genubath chuckled. "You have a very unusual attitude for someone of your talents. Anyone else in your shoes would be dreaming of fame and fortune."

"Who needs either when you have a loving family?" she questioned.

He laughed louder this time. "I must know. How old are you?"

"Sixteen."

"Ah," he nodded. He turned back to Mama and Papa. "I now see what you meant when you said she was very young in many ways. Her innocence is remarkable."

"She's a remarkable girl," Mama told him. "And one day, when she's ready, she'll be a remarkable woman."

"I agree," Genubath said. "Perhaps all she needs is the right stimulation."

"What do you mean?" Papa wanted to know.

"As you know, my companions and I were headed to Memphis before the storm trapped us here," he began. "We were going to be guests of the pharaoh. This is because I give a great deal of money in support of the arts. Amenhotep is very fond of the arts, you know.

"Because of this, he only allows the most gifted and talented musicians to perform at the palace."

Nefer-Tina didn't like the sound of this at all. What did the pharaoh have to do with her?

"I believe your daughter would be a perfect addition to the palace musicians," Genubath announced.

What? she silently cried.

"Truly?" Mama gasped.

"She's more talented than any group of them I've ever heard," he informed her. "Amenhotep would be a fool not to allow her to join the troupe."

"You hear that, baby?" Mama asked excitedly. "You're good enough to be a palace musician!"

Nefer-Tina really didn't care. So what if she was better than a bunch of musicians who worked for the pharaoh? That didn't mean she wanted to join them. All she wanted was to stay here and continue to play her music as she had been. She didn't want anything to change.

"If you will allow me, I'd like to take her with me when we go to Memphis," Genubath declared. "She belongs among her peers at the palace."

What?

"You would do that?" Mama asked, a strange note in her voice.

"It would be my honor and privilege," Genubath assured her. "Your daughter is the most incredible talent I have ever known. She deserves to be recognized as such."

"No," Nefer-Tina barely managed to whisper. What was Mama doing? She was agreeing to let a stranger take her away from her home?

She turned to Papa. Hopefully he would put an end to this discussion.

"The gods themselves must have sent you to our door," Papa spoke. "We never dreamed our Nefer-Tina would be given such a great opportunity."

"No..." she softly cried, tears beginning to form in her eyes as a realization struck her: her parents wanted to get rid of her.

It was a world-shattering moment. Everything she had ever thought...everything she had ever believed had been wrong. Her parents didn't love her. Why else would they be so happy that someone wanted to take her away?

She didn't understand it. She thought they had grown so close. All the things they had said and done for her. All the times they had told her that they loved her...

Suddenly, she felt utterly alone.

Mama had taken Genubath's hands in her own. "Thank you! Thank you!" she was saying, over and over.

Nefer-Tina had heard enough.

Her parents didn't love her and wanted to get rid of her. She felt a sharp pain in her chest.

They didn't love her.

Had they ever?

She openly began to sob at the thought.

Without a word, she fled the hall and ran to her room, the tears freely falling.

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina sobbed into her pillow, the pain of learning the truth of her parents' feelings for her overwhelming.

They don't love me! They never loved me! she mentally cried.

The cruelty of it all was unbearable. How could they treat her that way if they didn't love her like she loved them? What was the point? Had it been a game to them? Did her suffering bring them joy?

None of it made any sense. Why go out of their way to make her feel as loved as they had? What did they think it would accomplish if throwing her out was their ultimate goal? What had been their plan?

She felt both confused and miserable. She did not want to go to the palace to become a court musician yet she didn't want to stay here either. Not after learning the truth. But where could she go? What would she do? She knew nothing of the world beyond her farm. The farm was her world.

She was so lost.

Suddenly, she heard her bedroom door open.

"Nefer-Tina, sweetie?"

Mama!

She froze, not daring to look up at Mama. What did she want? Was she here to rub in her victory?

"Oh, baby," Mama's voice said, sounding closer than before. "What's the matter?" The bed gave slightly as Mama sat on it. "What's wrong, sweetie?"

Nefer-Tina did not answer, terrified of what would happen if she did.

She then felt Mama lay a hand on her back and begin stroking her.

"Talk to me, baby. What is it?"

Nefer-Tina shook her head. She wouldn't answer. She couldn't answer.

"Please, baby," Mama urged. "Tell me. Tell Mama what's wrong."

Mama's stroking of her back became more urgent and intense. If felt as if she was actually concerned, something Nefer-Tina knew she couldn't be.

"Talk to me," Mama repeated. "Please."

Finally Nefer-Tina knew she had no choice.

"You want to get rid of me," she choked out. "You want to send me away."

"What?" Mama sounded taken aback.

Emboldened by Mama's "shock", she dared to look at her.

"I heard what you and Papa were saying to Genubath. You can't wait until I'm gone."

"What in the names of all the gods are you talking about?"

As if to prove her "surprise", Mama stopped rubbing her back.

"You want to send me away," she continued. "Papa even said that he had prayed for someone to come and get me."

"What?" Mama repeated, still pretending to be surprised.

"I know neither of you love me," Nefer-Tina finished, rolling into a sitting position. She wiped at her tears. "You just... You just..."

With that, she began to cry again, feeling worse than before.

"Oh, baby," Mama cried and Nefer-Tina felt Mama's arms go around her.

Why was she still pretending to care?

"My sweet darling," Mama crooned, "you have everything wrong. Of course we love you. We love you more than anything." She pulled her closer and began to rock her gently. "It's because we love you that we want you to go to Memphis."

Nefer-Tina was suddenly very confused. What did Mama mean by that? How could sending her away be because they loved her?

"We've always told you how special you are," Mama continued. "You deserve more than the kind of life you've been living here. A better life. One full of luxury and safety. And you can't get that type of life here on the farm. You need to go some place as special as you are to find it.

"What Genubath is offering you is a life beyond anything either Papa or I have ever dreamed for you. We prayed every night that someone would come along and take you away from here. Someone who would give you the kind of life you more than deserve. And he will do just that."

"But I'm happy here, Mama," Nefer-Tina tearfully protested. "I-I don't want to go."

"You'll be happy there too, baby. I know you will."

"How do you know?"

"I just do," Mama insisted. "You'll be surrounded by people who will give anything just to hear you play. Your every need will be met. You won't even have time to miss us."

"I already do," Nefer-Tina informed her. "I love you. I want to stay."

"I know, baby, but this is for the best," Mama said. "We'll come visit you every chance we get. We'll always be there when you need us."

Sighing, Nefer-Tina finally put her own arms around Mama. "I have to go, don't I?"

"Yes."

Fresh tears spilled onto her cheeks as a new wave a sadness overcame her. "It's not fair."

"I know, baby, I know. But this is the best thing that could have ever happened to you. Your life is about to change for the better.

"I promise."

((((())))))

Genubath glanced up from his conversation with Rekhmire as Karem entered the room.

"How is she?" he worriedly asked.

He was greatly concerned about young Nefer-Tina. Her reaction to his offer had taken him by surprise. Never in a million years had he ever thought that his proposal would have sent her into tears. It had been made with the best intentions. He felt truly terrible about upsetting her.

Yet a talent such as hers did belong in the palace, under the pharaoh's careful guard. Music was a gift from the gods as were the people who created it. Who better to watch over them than the gods' direct link with the people?

"Very sad," Karem told him. "She doesn't want to leave home."

"Very understandable," Genubath nodded, feeling torn. On one hand, he wanted her to be where she belonged, at the very center of Egypt's cultural scene. Talent like hers was meant to be shared. Yet on the other, he didn't want to rip the girl from her family if it was going to be too traumatic for her. That would be very wrong and cruel.

"This is all she knows," he continued. "Perhaps I was foolish to make an offer as I did without consulting you first. Maybe if I had known that it would upset her-"

"It wouldn't have made a difference," Rekhmire cut him off. "Just about everything upsets her. She's extremely sensitive and has a tendency to badly misunderstand things. She hears something, gets the wrong impression, and becomes very depressed."

"How awful," Genubath commented. "And how sad for her."

"It is," Karem agreed. "She first exhibited this behavior when she was three and it has continued to this day. This incident is the perfect example. She saw Rekhmire and I become happy when you made your offer and immediately decided that it was because we wanted to get rid of her. She became convinced that we didn't love her and never had."

"But why would she even think such a thing?" Genubath questioned, baffled by the idea. "How could she draw that conclusion?"

"That's a question we've been asking ourselves for years," Karem informed him. "No one knows. I doubt Nefer-Tina herself even does. So now do you understand why we have never pushed her to leave home?"

"Though we've always hoped that she'd marry into a well-off family," Rekhmire added. "That way, she'd have her own life yet still be protected."

"We fear that she wouldn't survive on her own," Karem said.

"I agree," Genubath nodded. "She wouldn't. Not with her strange ideas. I have to admit that I'm surprised she isn't married. She's certainly beautiful enough. I take it she doesn't even have a suitor?"

"No man has ever shown an interest in her," Karem admitted. "She's...different from most young women and men don't find that attractive."

"Their loss," Genubath decided. "Though you'd have to wonder how she'd even handle a man's advances."

"I don't think that would be a problem," Rekhmire said. "She's one of the friendliest and most outgoing people you'll ever meet. It's only the things she overhears that she misinterprets."

"It would be a miracle if that ever happened," Karem commented. "In fact, it would be a miracle if she even had a friend her own age."

"Not even one?" Genubath was surprised. The poor child, he thought. "But she does have some friends?"

"All the workers and their families adore her," Rekhmire assured him. "She was practically raised by one of them. She even worked the fields herself for many years. She loved it."

"And now she sings and plays the lute like no one I've ever seen." Genubath shook his head in amazement. "Your daughter is rather incredible."

"We both think so too," Karem smiled. "You have no idea how hard it was for her when she became a woman and was no longer allowed to work with her friends."

"I can imagine," Genubath said. "I assume that's when she was taught the lute?"

"Yes," Karem confirmed. "It was our intention to provide her with a skill to support herself with if she ever left home."

"Although we've known for a long time that she'd never go off of her own free will, we wanted her to be prepared in the event she ever surprised us and did," Rekhmire went on. "We prayed every night that she would somehow be discovered by someone who could provide her with the opportunity to be recognized for the talent that she is and that she would be taken care of and given the kind of life she deserves."
"She may not realize it, but life on a farm is too ordinary for her," Karem said. "As Rekhmire said, the gods must have sent you to us. By showing up at our door, you have given her the chance to live the life she's meant to live."

"Are you sure she can handle it?" Genubath wanted to know. He himself didn't think so anymore after learning about her sensitivities. The matrons watching over the girls were harsh critics and their comments could be taken as hurtful, especially by Nefer-Tina. "When I made the offer, I didn't know about her...difficulties."

"She'll adapt," Karem assured him. "She's very resilient. It will be difficult in the beginning, but she'll be fine. Trust me. I know my daughter."

"You're sure?" Genubath pressed. He did not want to place this girl into a life of misery because of his rash offer.

"We're very sure," Rekhmire said. "Please, give our child the life she deserves."

"I will," Genubath finally agreed. "She will become known by all of Egypt.

"I guarantee it."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina dragged her feet as she followed behind Mama, Papa, and Genubath. The dreaded day had finally arrived and she was doing everything possible to stretch out her last remaining moments at home. Because once she was in Genubath's wagon, there was no turning back.

She sighed, resigned to the fate her parents had decided was "best" for her.

She still didn't understand their reasoning. According to Mama, she was "special" (she wasn't) and she "deserved to be someplace as special" as she was (whatever that meant). For some reason, Mama and Papa thought their farm wasn't good enough for her and couldn't give her "the kind of life" she supposedly deserved. None of it made any sense to her, but they were set on getting their way. She was going to be a palace musician and that was final.

At least the trip won't be too bad, she conceded. The past three days had given her a chance to get to know Genubath and his companions. It turned out that they were all very nice, including Genubath himself. (He had even gone out of his way to personally apologize to her for upsetting her, which had surprised her. That had led to a conversation in which she had learned, amazingly, that they had some things in common.) Everyone was genuinely friendly and had interesting stories to tell. She could definitely count them among her friends. She hoped everyone in the palace was as nice and friendly as they were.

Her biggest fear was that she was going to be all alone. She was used to being in a place where everyone knew, or at least knew of, everybody. A royal palace, from what she had been told, was huge with countless numbers of people coming and going every day. What if she couldn't make any friends? What would she do if she had no one to talk to? How was she going to survive, period?

The only kind of life she knew was the one she was leaving behind. She had never been away from the farm once. Her entire world consisted of her parents' land and everything and everyone on it. She had no idea of what she would find once she reached Memphis. And that scared her.

A lot.

Until now, her life had been one endless routine, the same thing day in and day out. It was comfortable and she liked it. She was very happy with the repetition. She did not need whatever it was her parents thought she needed. But there was nothing she could do about it, was there?

She sighed once more, wishing there was a spell she could cast to make everything right again.

"Gee, someone looks happy today," Raia commented as he caught up with her. He had someone's travel bags in his arms as he was helping to pack the caravan along with the rest of the farm workers.

"You think?" she retorted. "See how happy you'd be if you were in my place."

"If you had my parents? You'd be running ahead of the wagons," he informed her. "Ugh," he shivered. "I hate being reminded of my childhood!"

"Come on," she laughed. "It couldn't have been that bad."

"Wanna bet?"

Raia's parents had apparently been a little too overprotective for his tastes. He loved them, but they drove him crazy. So as soon as he was old enough, he had made a run for it, working for whomever would hire him as well as learning charioteering. He still got letters from his parents, each one bemoaning the fact that he was out all alone in "the dark, cold world". Raia shared them with everyone, declaring that they served as "great entertainment for the masses."

"Okay, you win," she waved him off.

"Of course," he grinned. "Seriously though, your parents think that they're doing a good thing for you. They think you'll feel like you've died and gone through the Western Gate when you get to Memphis."

"I know," she said. "That's why I haven't been sitting in my room crying like I've wanted to. I know how much this means to them. I just don't know why." She sighed for a third time. "Parents, huh?"

"You said it," he agreed. His smile then turned sly. "Hey, think there's any chance you might actually like being a palace musician? Even a tiny bit?"

"There's always a chance," she conceded, "but from the way Genubath makes it sound, I'm hardly going to have time to think. The matrons are very strict and want their musicians to be perfect. It's nothing but practice, practice, practice all day long."

"Ooh, sounds fun," Raia decided.

"If you say so," she said.

"You two better not be up to something," Mehy's voice called to them.

Nefer-Tina turned towards the sound. "Us? Not a thing. Right, Raia?" she grinned.

"What she said," Raia added.

"Uh-huh," Mehy commented as he reached them. He had an armload of travel bags just like Raia. "And don't you have a caravan to catch, young lady?"

"Don't remind me," she groaned. "I wish I didn't have to go."

"I know and I wish you didn't either, but you do. So don't make this any harder than it has to be," Mehy said. "And who knows? Maybe it won't be so bad."

"Ugh, you sound like Raia," she told him.

"I'm so proud!" Raia cried happily. "All my years of hard work are finally bearing fruit."

"I'm going to ignore that," Mehy told him.

"But you won't be able to forget it," Raia decided. "My words are powerful."

Nefer-Tina giggled. "You two!" She then grew serious. "I'm going to miss both of you so much."

"And we're going to miss you, sweetie," Mehy replied. "You've been like a daughter to both of us."

"Yeah," Raia agreed. "We love you, kiddo."

"Aww," she blushed. "I love you too." She moved towards them, opening her arms.

Knowing what she wanted, both men stepped into the hug.

Nefer-Tina smiled as she embraced the two most important people in her life other than her parents.

"Nefer-Tina!" Mama's voice called from somewhere up ahead. "It's time to go, baby!"

She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ignore what was going to happen next.

"Come on, darling!" Mama called again. "Everyone's waiting for you!"

"I hate this," Nefer-Tina groaned, releasing Mehy and Raia. "It's not fair."

"Maybe not, but as your mother said, it's time to go," Mehy pointed out. "Are you ready?"

"No," she admitted. "I don't think I ever will be."

Mehy chuckled. "When are we ever?"

"She's with us!" Raia called back to Mama.

Taking one last look at the world of her childhood, Nefer-Tina took a deep breath and looked both men in the eyes.

"Let's go."

((((())))))

"Welcome to Memphis," Genubath announced as he drove his wagon into a place Nefer-Tina could not have imagined in her wildest dreams.

"Gods," she breathed, her eyes wide as they struggled to take in the unusual sight.

People! Lots and lots of people! She had never seen so many before in her entire life! All in one place!

Young people. Old people. Men, women, children. People in every size and shape imaginable (and some not so imaginable). They were everywhere!

The only downside was the noise. It was deafening. Her ears were overwhelmed by the constant bombardment and she couldn't make out what sound was coming from where. The urge to cover up her ears was strong.

"Is it always this loud?" she asked Genubath, not knowing if she could stand it for very long. Home had never sounded like this! She did not like this at all.

What had Mama and Papa sent her into?

He chuckled. "I should have warned you. Your parents told me that you'd never been to a city before."

"I've never been anywhere before," she corrected him. And I never wanted to go anywhere either!

"Don't worry," he told her with a knowing smile. "You'll get used to the noise. It'll just take a little time, that's all."

"You're joking, right?" she asked incredulously. How could anyone get used to it? It was hurting her ears!

He laughed softly. "You've only been in the city for a couple of minutes. No one can get used to anything that fast!" He patted her on the thigh. "It will get better for you. I promise." He gave her another smile. "I think there's a city girl in you just waiting to come out."

Nefer-Tina didn't agree, but didn't say anything.

There was no city girl in her. She was a farm girl through and through. It was all she knew and all she wanted to know. She didn't belong here. She didn't belong in the palace as a court musician. She belonged back at home with Mama, Papa, Mehy, and Raia.

What am I doing here? she asked the gods once again.

Why is this happening to me?

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina knew she must have looked ridiculous walking around with her mouth hanging open, but she couldn't help herself. She had never seen anything like this in her life!

The palace was humongous! She still hadn't gotten over the shock of the size of the stables alone. Three of the ones at home could fit into a single one here! And then there was the hallway she and Genubath were currently being led through. She bet it was longer than her entire house!

The two of them were being taken to see Selkis, the head matron in charge of the court musicians. In other words, the woman into whose care she was about to be entrusted.

According to Genubath, Selkis was the harshest and most critical of all the matrons. All the others bowed to her will. Among the musicians and those associated with them, the word of Selkis was law. No one questioned her and she answered to no one but the pharaoh himself.

Nefer-Tina's entire future rested on impressing this powerful stranger.

A wave of nervousness and fear passed over her at the thought and she shuddered, clutching her lute even tighter against herself.

At last, the seemingly endless hall came to a halt in front of a large door.

"Wait here," the guard who had escorted them ordered before disappearing.

Nefer-Tina's level of fear and nervousness shot up.

She was here. Any moment now, Selkis would appear and she would have to play for her. Unless Selkis was as amazed as Genubath had been, she would be going home. (How she wished she could, but she knew how devastated Mama and Papa would be if she did. They were the only reason she was going along with this so willingly.) So she had to sing and play better than she ever had before.

It was the only way to ensure that she would be selected.

"Just relax," Genubath encouraged, obviously having noticed her nervousness. "You'll be fine. Because once Selkis hears you play, there will be no question that you belong here."

"Is that so?" a new voice wanted to know.

She looked up to see a woman walking through the door and was immediately intimidated.

Nefer-Tina had never before laid her eyes on such a person. She was incredibly elegant. Her clothing and jewelry alone must have cost more than the farm earned in years. Her hair was perfect, without a single strand out of place. Her very presence filled the room.

"Who is this girl that so unquestioningly belongs here?" the woman who could only be Selkis asked. Her expression was neutral while her words held a hint of challenge.

"And hello to you too, Selkis," Genubath greeted her. "It's been a while."

"Indeed it has," she nodded. "You only seem to come when you have yet another girl that you want me to hear." She looked Nefer-Tina up and down.

Nefer-Tina didn't like the way Selkis was studying her. She had a bad feeling about it.

Please let her want to hear me play.

"What can I say? I'm a busy man," Genubath informed her. "But have I ever been wrong about one of my girls?"

"Not all have lived up to your praise," Selkis pointed out, her gaze meeting Nefer-Tina's.

Nefer-Tina looked away as quickly as possible and wished she could disappear right then and there. Selkis was making her feel very uncomfortable. She was worse than Genubath had made her sound. She felt like she was already being judged.

"You've never heard anyone quite like this," Genubath promised, placing a comforting hand on Nefer-Tina's shoulder. "I guarantee it."

"Really? Well, I must say I don't recall you ever being this confident about one of your finds before." She began to walk around them. "You must believe her to be very special."

"She is," Genubath told her, his hand still tightly gripping Nefer-Tina's shoulder. "Her skills are unparalleled."

Nefer-Tina felt herself begin to tremble despite Genubath's soothing hand as Selkis continued to circle them. She squeezed her eyes shut and prayed for the torture to end.

Just let me play already!

The footsteps came to a stop directly behind her.

Oh, gods! Oh, gods!

"Is what he says true?" Selkis demanded to know. "Are you as 'special' as he claims you are?"

Nefer-Tina was at once overcome with panic. She didn't know what to do. How could she answer such a question? She wasn't special at all and once Selkis knew the truth, she'd be immediately turned away.

"Well? I'm waiting," Selkis informed her.

Oh, gods! she mentally wailed again.

"Nefer-Tina," Genubath suddenly spoke up, releasing her shoulder.

She looked at him, grateful for the interruption.

He pointed to the pile of cushions across the room. "Why don't you go and warm up over there? Okay?"

She numbly nodded and started walking away from Selkis as quickly as she could manage without appearing to be running.

I'm not going to be accepted, she realized, feeling Selkis' eyes burning into her back. I've already blown it.

I'm sorry, Mama and Papa.

((((())))))

When he was sure Nefer-Tina was out of hearing range, Genubath said, "There are a few things you need to know about Nefer-Tina before this can go any further. She's not the type you're used to dealing with."

"Obviously," Selkis told him. "I've never seen such fear in a musician before. They're usually so outspoken and overconfident. A result of their spoiled upbringing, I suppose. So why is this girl so different?"

"I'd say it has something to do with the fact that she was raised on a farm," Genubath informed her. "She was taught to play by her mother rather than some old music tutor."

"You can't be serious," she decided. "A farm? And you brought her to me?"

"Why not? Her playing's incredible," he said. "She belongs here."

"Impossible," Selkis scoffed. "No farm girl's playing can equal the skills of anyone chosen as a palace musician. All of our current girls were tutored by the best teachers money can buy. No farmer's wife can teach as well as any of them."

"You haven't yet heard her play. How can you pass judgment?"

"Easily," Selkis informed him. "Her upbringing alone says she's not good enough."

"I'm surprised at you, Selkis," Genubath commented. "When did you become such a snob?"

"Snobbery has nothing to do with it," she said. "It's called experience, something I know you have. You've been around a little longer than I have. Since when has a girl trained by her mother been as talented as the girls we employ?"

"If I'm the one with more experience, you should trust my judgment," he suggested. "I wouldn't be here with her if I didn't believe her to be qualified. When I say her skills are incredible, I truly mean it. I've never heard anyone as good. And you know I wouldn't make something like that up."

"No, not normally," she conceded, "but I've never seen you so defensive about anyone before. It begs the question of where you met her and why you're so determined that she be chosen."

"Because it's her only chance of making a life for herself," he informed her.

"Is that so? And why is that?"

"Nefer-Tina has a few...problems that set her apart from other girls her age," Genubath began. "She has a tendency to, how shall I put this, jump to the worst possible conclusion before getting the full story."

"What does that mean?"

"It means she'll hear a partial conversation and misunderstand the meaning of it without bothering to find out the truth," he elaborated. "The perfect example is from when I first heard her play. Which, by the way, was on her parents' farm. She's sixteen and this is her first time away from home. Anyway, I declared I believed that she was good enough to join the palace musicians. Her parents became excited and thanked me. I'll tell you why later. Anyway, Nefer-Tina interpreted this excitement as joy of getting rid of her and that they had never loved her. Does that clear things up for you?"

"Excuse me? Never loved her? What?"

"According to her parents, she's had that tendency since she was three years old," he continued, mentally smiling at Selkis' normally hidden compassion shining through. "She's become convinced on several occasions that they no longer loved her. They feared she would never be able to start a life of her own away from the farm because of this problem. That's why when I assured them that she was good enough to be one of your girls, they were so happy.

"Her mother taught her music in the hopes that she would one day leave home and try to establish herself somewhere though she and her husband doubted it would happen. They saw my offer as her only chance of leaving the farm. No man had ever shown an interest in her, unbelievable as that seems, so they knew they couldn't count on marrying her off."

"I-I don't know what to say." Selkis was visibly shaken by this, a sign that he had gotten through to her.

Selkis wasn't the cruel woman he had told Nefer-Tina she was. That was his way of preparing her for Selkis' act that she always put on for the public. He had known her for many years, even courted her for a few a long time ago. She could care very deeply and had been a wonderful friend to him. She only pretended to be hard because she had learned over the years that cool authority was given more weight than a gentle, caring leader, especially if the leader in question was a woman.

"Don't say anything," he urged. "Just hear her play. If you still don't think she's good enough, which I doubt, I'll bring her back home and you'll never hear from her again."

"How could you do that to her parents?" Selkis asked, at last allowing her concern to leak fully into her voice. "Or to her? She has to be chosen, no matter what."

"I'm glad that you finally see things my way," Genubath smiled. "You won't be sorry. I promise. She is that good."

"Oh, really?" Selkis pulled herself up to her complete height, her expression becoming neutral once more.

"I will be the judge of that."

((((())))))

"There are a lot of things you will have to learn over the next few weeks," Selkis instructed the still-dazed and confused Nefer-Tina as she led her down another passageway, "but don't be discouraged if you don't get them all right away. That will take time. It's more important that you focus on your music."

Nefer-Tina was listening but she was having a hard time concentrating on what she was being told. Her mind was too busy spinning from what had just happened.

She still couldn't believe it. She had been chosen! Selkis had chosen her! Even after the disastrous beginning of the audition! It was a miracle! But the most miraculous thing of all was the way Selkis was treating her: she was being nice!

Nefer-Tina didn't understand it. Genubath had told her that Selkis was anything but nice. (According to him, she was the matron that everybody feared.) So why was she being so nice and friendly to her, someone she had just met? (Should she even be questioning it?)

"I'm taking you to join the other girls now because you have your first performance tomorrow morning," Selkis continued as they turned a corner. "The pharaoh and his hunting party will be returning this evening from their week-long hunt. Tomorrow there will be a large gathering at court to welcome them home. It is tradition for the court musicians to give a performance at these functions.

"Normally I wouldn't include a new musician, but I have a feeling that you will be able to learn the pieces before the morning," she went on. "Genubath said your mother told him that you're a quick study and are able to pick things up almost immediately."

Nefer-Tina nodded. It was true. She was a quick study, always had been. It was something she was proud of. It was why she had learned field work, chariots, and music so quickly.

"I will warn you that the other girls are not going to be happy with the arrangement," Selkis went on. "They aren't used to a newcomer being given status equal to that of the more experienced musicians. Status is very important to them. They are the children of the rich and have been raised to think that status is everything. So don't be alarmed if they treat you poorly at first. Once they get over it, they'll be more welcoming towards you."

"Yes, ma'am," Nefer-Tina nodded again, feeling uneasy about what she had just been told. If the other girls were going to be like that over something as minor as status...

"Here we are," Selkis announced as they arrived at a set of double doors. "Behind these doors is your new home."

A new wave of nervousness passed through Nefer-Tina. This was it. She was about to see where she would probably be spending the rest of her life and meeting the people with whom she would be sharing it.

Please let them like me.

"From now on," Selkis continued, "you will be spending the majority of your time in these chambers. You life will be here. Everything you need or desire will be provided for you. All you have to do is ask. Other than leaving for performances, there will be no need for you to ever go through these doors."

"Why?" Nefer-Tina wanted to know. Growing up on a farm, freedom, fresh air, and sunlight had been important parts of her life. She was used to being able to go where she wanted when she wanted. (Well, except during her bleeding time. But that was only once a month and she had gotten used to it.) The concept of always being confined to a single space was foreign to her.

"It is for your protection," Selkis explained. "Living in a large city, especially within a palace, is nothing like you're used to. You come from a farm where everyone knows everyone else, correct?"

Nefer-Tina nodded since it was mostly true.

"Things are very different here," Selkis continued. "There are far more people in the palace alone than on your parents' farm. And since no one can know everyone, that means some of them can be dangerous, especially to unmarried maidens such as yourself. So to keep you and the other musicians safe, we prefer for all of you to remain in here where we can keep an eye on you at all times. It is the same in all branches of servants in the palace.

"However, we cannot forbid you from leaving if you want," Selkis informed her. "That is up to you. But we do enforce a strict curfew. You must be in your private sleeping quarters by sundown. That is the rule. It was decreed by a pharaoh long ago. You are then not allowed to come back out until a matron comes to get you."

"Yes, ma'am," Nefer-Tina nodded, feeling a little better. Since it was not forbidden from leaving the chambers, she knew it was okay for her to do some exploring of her new home. Besides, she loved to go for daily walks.

Selkis turned a door handle. "Are you ready?"

"Yes, ma'am," Nefer-Tina repeated, taking a deep breath.

This is it. Please let them like me.

"Stay close behind me," Selkis ordered as she pushed the door open. "This way."

Nefer-Tina followed her in and gasped.

She found herself standing in one of the largest and most lavish rooms she had ever seen. It was absolutely beautiful. Colorful rugs covered the floor while intricately woven tapestries draped the walls. Cushions, chairs, and couches were everywhere. Every comfort imaginable could be found.

In the center of the room were several different people. There were three older women and six young ones sitting on large cushions. The six were holding musical instruments. All nine were dressed similarly to Selkis, making Nefer-Tina painfully aware of her simple woven clothing.

"Ladies," Selkis called out as she approached them, Nefer-Tina trailing slightly behind. "I will have your attention now."

They all stopped what they were doing and turned to Selkis.

"We have just received a new addition to our ranks," she announced. "I would like to introduce you to Nefer-Tina." She turned to look at Nefer-Tina and motioned for her to come forward. "Come where they can see you, child."

Swallowing nervously, Nefer-Tina obeyed.

"You can't be serious," one of the seated girls burst out. "That is going to be joining us? Are you mad?"

The other girls began to laugh and make sounds of agreement.

Nefer-Tina was too startled to feel anything.

"Tabes!" Selkis scolded. "How dare you!"

"How dare I what?" Tabes shot back. "Just look at her. She isn't fit to be one of us. Those clothes say it all. Where did you find her?"

Nefer-Tina wanted to die right then and there. Her worst fears had come true.

They hated her.

"That's enough, Tabes!" Selkis cried. "I don't want to hear another word from you. You're out of line."

"Really? I'm not the one who looks like she just came from a barn."

The other girls, obviously all Tabes's friends, laughed.

"You will be silent!" Selkis commanded. "All of you!"

The chatter immediately died down, but Tabes retained her smug expression.

"I'm ashamed of you girls," Selkis informed them. "You dare question my judgment about who can and cannot be one of you? Have you all come down with a sudden case of amnesia? Or did you just forget who was in charge here?"

Nefer-Tina fought the urge to start crying. She was devastated. She had not said a word and already she was hated. Why did everyone always hate her?

"As I was going to say before I was so rudely interrupted," Selkis went on, glaring at Tabes, "Nefer-Tina plays the lute. She also sings, but as we are an instrumental group, she will not be using that particular talent. She is very highly skilled, which is why she will be joining you for tomorrow's performance."

"What?" another girl protested. "But s-she's new!"

"True, but she's also a very quick study and an excellent musician," Selkis pointed out. "I think the lot of you could learn a thing or two from her."

"Not likely," Tabes snorted.

"I expect all of you to treat her with the respect she deserves," Selkis went on. "Nothing less will be tolerated. She is one of you now. The fact that she comes from a farm rather than a rich family shouldn't have anything to do with her playing ability."

One of the girls made a loud sound at that.

"Nait," Selkis called.

One of the older women stepped forward.

"Please bring a cushion for Nefer-Tina."

"Yes, ma'am," Nait bowed and went over to one of the many cushions strewed throughout the room. She picked it up and brought it over to where the girls were seated, putting it down by one of the girls who hadn't spoken yet.

The girl, giving Nefer-Tina a sneer, pushed the cushion away from her.

Nefer-Tina tried to keep from crying.

This was her worst nightmare. She would be all alone just as she had feared. Why was it always this way?

"Have a seat right there," Selkis instructed her.

Not even bothering to nod, Nefer-Tina did as she was told. She lowered herself to the cushion and placed her lute, which she had been clutching the entire time, in her lap.

"Now we are ready to begin," Selkis decided. "Nait, Shesh, Reonet. Take your proper positions behind the girls."

The three women scurried to their places.

"Let us begin..."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina rolled over and tried closing her eyes again, hoping this time she'd fall asleep.

She'd been having a horrible night. She hadn't been able to fall asleep once! And it was all because she had to play for the pharaoh tomorrow morning. The pharaoh!

She was so afraid. What if she messed up? What if she forgot which song was which? What if she forgot how to play altogether? What would Selkis do to her? What would the pharaoh do to her?

She sat up with a sigh, finally admitting to herself that she wouldn't be able to sleep at all.

The reality of her new life was worse than her imagination had ever made it out to be. How was she ever going to survive?

Feeling sad, lonely, and confused, she began to cry.

It didn't take long before she had sobbed herself to sleep.

((((())))))

Tia was awakened by the bright sunlight shining into her eyes. Rolling over onto her side, she smiled as remembered what day it was.

Today's the day Ja-Kal comes home.

She sat up in bed and stretched, a warm feeling coming over her.

It would be good to finally see Ja-Kal again. She had missed his company, brief and sporadic as it was these days. He'd been away for two weeks as a member of the pharaoh's personal hunting party on his annual trip. It was the second year in a row he had been chosen.

What sweet, ignorant Ja-Kal didn't realize was just how incredible it was for him to have been chosen. He had only been in the pharaoh's service for three years. For him to be noticed within his first year of service spoke very highly of his abilities. Most hunters waited all of their lives for their pharaoh to notice their skill. And only the most elite members of the royal hunters ever went on the annual hunt.

Yet another sign that she had been right in choosing him.

When he had first been picked last year, Tia had been ecstatic. Ja-Kal, of course, had only felt honored and nothing more. (The poor man was very short-sighted and lacked ambition.) He hadn't seen the far-reaching effects that Tia did. It meant that Amenhotep had noticed him. And if Amenhotep had noticed him once, it would happen again. And often. And that meant that Tia was that much closer to her goal of power.

Of course, that is, if Ja-Kal would marry her already.

She sighed. What was it going to take to get him to ask her to marry him?

Ja-Kal was a lot of things, but observant was obviously not one of them. She had been dropping hints about marriage for years, but he had yet to pick up on one. She was getting quite annoyed with his cluelessness. Sometimes he made her question her determination to stay with him.

Yes, he was kind, considerate, loving, all of the things a woman could possibly desire in a man, but none of those were the reasons she had chosen him. She had picked him as her future husband because she knew that he would go far in life. She had known early on that he would leave their village and become well-known throughout Egypt. That was why she had introduced herself to him all those years ago. That was why she had made sure she was the only woman he would ever love.

And she had succeeded. Perhaps a little too well. The love Ja-Kal had for her was blind and all-consuming. When he loved, he loved with every fiber of his being. Sometimes she found his love to be a bit too smothering for her tastes.

She loved him too, of course, but not in the same way that he loved her. That kind of love was impossible for her. There were too many things about him that she could do without. Instead, she loved things about him. For example, she loved his abilities and his good looks. She loved the ease in which he made friends and connections. Most of all, she loved his potential for success. It was what had attracted her to him in the first place.

She wanted a husband that would go far and, by default of marriage, take her with him. Ja-Kal had been the only boy in the village with that potential. It was unfortunate that he had qualities that annoyed her, such as his honor and his devotion to duty. He was rather dull because of them. Loving, but dull. Truthfully, he bored her. But despite these drawbacks, she stayed with him. She needed him too badly to ever let him go.

She got out of bed and began rummaging through her chests for something to wear. She wanted to look spectacular when she went to greet Ja-Kal after the formal ceremonies ended. It was always important to her to make sure he had eyes only for her when she was in the room. She had to protect her interests.

As she searched for the perfect outfit, she came to a decision. She was tired of waiting for him to notice all of her hinting. It was time to take matters into her own hands.

She would not rest until Ja-Kal was her husband.

((((())))))

Ja-Kal glanced up at the sky and determined that he was much earlier than he needed to be.

Good, he thought. It will give me a chance to talk to Pharaoh about Arakh.

His brother had demonstrated a disturbing habit throughout the entire trip, one Ja-Kal knew their father would be ashamed of. They had been taught to be quick and merciful with their prey. "A clean kill demonstrates a delicate control of your weapon," their father had drilled into them. Or, at least, he had drilled into Ja-Kal. Arakh had been doing just the opposite. He had only been wounding his prey and then slowly torturing them to death.

Just the memory of it made Ja-Kal sick. What had Arakh been thinking? Had he even been thinking? Animals were sacred to the gods and to hunt them was a privilege. Their deaths were supposed to be honorable. What Arakh had been doing was sacrilege. And the way he had been doing it...

He had tried to talk to Arakh the first time he caught him doing it, but Arakh had immediately attacked him, once again ranting about how their father liked Ja-Kal best. (Where Arakh had gotten this from, Ja-Kal would never know. Father had treated them both the same.) Arakh had not allowed him to get in more than a word edgewise and then it had been one that had nothing to do with the situation at hand. So Ja-Kal had decided that he would stop trying to reason with his brother himself and instead bring his concerns to Amenhotep. If anyone could possibly get through to Arakh, it would be the pharaoh.

However, Ja-Kal felt...uncomfortable bringing this before Amenhotep. After all, it had been at his insistence that Arakh be included in this year's hunt. Arakh had not even been in the pharaoh's service six months, so he had taken a great risk in asking. It had been sheer luck that Amenhotep had agreed to let him come. (Ja-Kal had hoped it would be a way of bringing them closer. He hated the rift that had suddenly formed between them all those years ago. Amenhotep had understood, which is why he had made the exception.) Now Ja-Kal would have to admit that he had made a mistake. He prayed to the gods that Amenhotep would not be too angry with him.

Of course, Amenhotep had been unavailable during the entire trip. Even when Ja-Kal was close to him, he could not say anything because Arakh was nearby as well. So he had decided to wait until they returned to Memphis.

Now they were back and Ja-Kal knew this would be his only chance. They had returned so late last night and everyone had been exhausted. He had even been too tired to go and see Tia, whom he had desperately missed. (He loved her so much.) And the welcome home ceremonies were due to start in a few hours. Now was his only window of opportunity to speak about his worries.

He did not live far from the palace and he was soon walking through its gates. The guards greeted him with a nod, recognizing him as one of the royal hunters.

Now, he thought, turning down the hallway that would lead him to his destination, to speak to Pharaoh.

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina tried to quiet her shaking hands by clutching her lute even more tightly than she already was, but that did nothing for the rest of her. She was scared sick. Her stomach was roiling and she felt like vomiting. On top of that, she was exhausted from lack of sleep. How in the names of all the gods was she going to get through this?

She and her new "companions", none of which had said a word to her this morning though they had made rude comments about her, were lined up outside the doors to the throne room. Selkis and the other matrons stood before them.

"You'll play exactly as we discussed," Selkis was instructing. "No deviations. The eight pieces we practiced are all you are going to perform. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes, Selkis," all the musicians, Nefer-Tina included, replied.

They had spent all of yesterday and all of this morning going over the songs they were going to play. Nefer-Tina had learned them quickly, much to her own relief. (They were rather simple, unlike some of the pieces Mama had taught her.) Now she feared forgetting them as soon as the doors in front of her opened.

Gods help me, she prayed. Let me get through this.

"Good," Selkis nodded. "Then I will see you after you are finished. Shesh will be accompanying you and giving you your cues. Reonet, Nait. Open the doors."

The two younger matrons pushed open the double doors and Nefer-Tina almost lost her breakfast at what she saw beyond them.

There were people. Hundreds of people! All closely pressed together and talking loudly. The sight was overwhelming. Just the idea of going in there made her ill.

She felt herself begin to sway, but quickly steadied herself. She had to get through this. She had to be perfect. It was the only way to prove herself to the other girls, especially Tabes.

"All right, farm girl," Tabes whispered as if reading her mind, "let's see if you're as good in public as you were behind closed doors. Don't humiliate us."

Nefer-Tina swallowed nervously and tried to ignore the intense nausea she was feeling.

"Go," Selkis ordered.

Gods help me survive this.

Shesh made a waving motion and led them into the room. Didiu, the eldest musician, was at the head of the line. Without hesitation, she followed Shesh into the crowd.

Feeling her shaking worsen, Nefer-Tina followed without looking anywhere but straight in front of her.

She felt trapped as she passed through the room. She was not used to being so close to other people, especially people she didn't know. Where she came from, everyone and everything was very spread out. No one crowded anyone. She wished she could just shut her eyes until the whole thing was over.

Shesh brought them to the very front of the room where a large number of cushions had been put down for them.

Nefer-Tina's breath caught as she realized how close they must be to the pharaoh himself.

I have to get through this. Please let me get through this.

Shesh gestured towards the pillows. "Quickly now. Take your places. The pharaoh is almost done honoring his hunters. We will begin as soon as he's finished."

The other girls silently piled onto the cushions. Nefer-Tina, however, held back until they were all settled. She wanted to make sure she was as far away from Tabes as possible.

Thankfully, Tabes placed herself at the head of their group. With relief, Nefer-Tina sank down onto a pillow behind the others. She rested her lute on her lap and looked to Shesh for further instructions.

Shesh's attention, however, was trained elsewhere.

Afraid of what she might see, but too curious not to look, Nefer-Tina glanced in the same direction that Shesh was.

As soon as she saw what Shesh was looking at, she swallowed hard.

There, not ten feet away, was the pharaoh himself. He was saying something that Nefer-Tina could not hear above the noise of the crowd, which was just as well. Seeing him was nerve-wracking enough. And in front of him were a group of men who could only be his hunters.

The hunters' backs were the only things she could see, but she was surprised by the height of one in particular. She had never seen such a tall man in her life. And he was extremely muscular too. He looked like he didn't even need to use a weapon to take down his prey!

The pharaoh's mouth finally stopped moving, which meant he had finished whatever he was telling them. The hunters, including the tall one, bowed deeply. The pharaoh then made a gesture and the hunters turned to face the crowd.

Nefer-Tina's heart skipped a beat and the rest of the world disappeared.

There, before her, was the most handsome man she had ever seen. Unbelievably, it was the incredibly tall hunter she had already been staring at. He was absolutely incredible. She had never seen anyone so beautiful in her life.

Her breath caught in her throat as strange, unfamiliar feelings came over her. Her fears and nervousness of only moments earlier had vanished. All she could think about was the hunter. The incredibly handsome hunter...

Suddenly, nothing else mattered to her. Not being a musician, not pleasing her parents, not anything. All she cared about was that gorgeous stranger standing there. Who was he? What was his name?

"Hey, farm girl!" a voice harshly whispered. "Pay attention!"

Snapping out of whatever trance she had been in, Nefer-Tina looked up to see Tabes and the others glaring at her.

"We're about to start," Tabes hissed. "What were you doing?"

"Nothing," Nefer-Tina whispered back. "I..."

What had happened to her? Never before had she felt anything like that. Ever. What was it? What did it mean? And, more importantly, why was it so strong?

She risked another glance at him and felt a shiver shoot through her body as her eyes took him in once again.

What's happening to me? she wondered, suddenly feeling more than a little scared. How she wished Mama or Mehy were there to talk to. They would know what was going on. They would explain what was happening to her and why seeing that man was doing this to her. Could something be wrong with her?

Yet, despite her fears, she kind of liked what she was feeling. It was...

"Girls," Shesh interrupted her thoughts. "On my signal..."

Nefer-Tina quickly returned her attention to her true reason for being there. She was here as a palace musician, determined to prove herself to all, especially that nasty Tabes. The mystery of the handsome hunter and his effects on her would have to wait. But could they?

As she started to play, her eyes drifted back to the place where she had first seen him. However, he was no longer there.

An inexplicable despair came over her. Where had he gone? Why couldn't she see him anymore? She felt the urge to jump up and go looking for him...

What am I doing? she scolded herself. Just play the music!

This is for you, my handsome stranger, she suddenly decided. Wherever you are.

Immediately, she found herself playing better than ever before. Her fingers flew from note to note, one by one. She began to relax and allowed herself to become lost in the music. Maybe she would find him there...

((((())))))

That little slut! Tia fumed. How dare she look at Ja-Kal that way! Ja-Kal was hers! Hers!

Tia continued to glare at the girl playing the lute. The girl, who could be no more than sixteen or seventeen, had her eyes closed and a stupid smile on her lips.

Thinking about him, I bet, Tia decided. The whore! If she thinks she's going to lay a finger on him, I'll...I'll...

She was too upset to finish the thought. Just the idea of that skinny nothing even being near Ja-Kal sickened her. Who did she think she was anyway?

When she had first walked into the room, she had immediately noticed the girl staring stupidly at something. Deciding that the musician had to be an idiot (weren't they all?) for sitting there with her mouth hanging open like that, she had been curious to see what the object of her adoration had been. When she had followed the girl's gaze, she had become infuriated.

The little slut had been staring at Ja-Kal. Ja-Kal who belonged to her. Ja-Kal who was going to marry her.

Normally, she didn't get this worked up over some common trollop showing an interest in Ja-Kal. After all, it happened quite often. (That was the price one paid for choosing a handsome and highly skilled man.) She knew Ja-Kal was too devoted to her and would never cheat. (His annoying honor made sure of that.) It didn't matter what the woman did or promised. Ja-Kal would remain faithful.

However, this girl was different. Tia couldn't quite put her finger on how, but the moment she had realized whom she was staring at, she had known this girl was a threat to her future. A very dangerous threat.

The girl also happened to be a musician, a breed notorious for their way with men. Just because she was a "palace musician" didn't mean she was any less common than those found in taverns. They were all the same, privileged upbringing or not. (Though she had to wonder about this girl in particular. No lady of wealth would so blatantly stare at an object of desire. They had more subtle ways of getting their men.) Musicians were all whores. Everyone knew this.

And if that wasn't bad enough, the girl was very beautiful as well, more beautiful than most of the woman Tia knew or had known. And as hard as it was to admit, more beautiful than she herself was. (Tia knew she had a rare beauty. For someone to surpass her was very unusual. And very infuriating.) Beneath all of his honor, Ja-Kal was still a man. If someone as beautiful as this whore made her intentions known...

She knew she had to do something to stop the girl before she even tried to make a move. Tia felt in the center of her being that if Ja-Kal ever met her, even for an instant, he would be lost to her. She didn't know how she knew. She just knew.

The girl had to be stopped as soon as possible, before she could even have a chance of getting near Ja-Kal.

She had to be stopped today.

Now.

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina sighed with relief as Shesh signaled for them to put down their instruments. They had finished all of the eight pieces that they were supposed to play. Now it was finally time for them to return to their chambers. She couldn't get out of there soon enough.

"You were excellent," Shesh praised them. "Selkis will be pleased."

"Looks like you lucked out this time, farm girl," Tabes whispered.

With those words, the relief of having survived this first trial disappeared. She would have to struggle just as hard to make it through whatever came next. Tabes and the others would make sure of it.

"On my signal, I want you to rise up and form a single file line just as you did coming in," Shesh continued. "Your exit should be as orderly as your entrance. Ready?"

With that, Shesh waved her hand and the musicians got to their feet. Again, Nefer-Tina held back and made sure she was the last in line.

"Let's go," Shesh ordered and began walking.

Tabes, who had made sure she was first in line this time, followed close behind.

As she walked, Nefer-Tina attempted to catch one more glimpse of the handsome hunter who had caused such strange feelings in her. But no matter where she looked, she couldn't seem to find him. She wondered where he had disappeared to.

It's just as well, she told herself. It's not like I could ever talk to him or anything.

Although no one had ever told her this, Nefer-Tina instinctively knew that it was not proper for someone of her class, a poor farm girl, to initiate a conversation with one of her betters. It just didn't seem right to her. After all, what would someone like her have to say to someone like, for example, a royal hunter? They had nothing in common. Besides, a member of the upper class only spoke to a member of her class when they wanted something.

What could I ever have that he would want anyway? she sighed. I only wish I at least knew his name.

Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, she saw him.

He was standing with some other hunters, talking and laughing with them. She was closer to him this time and had a better view of his face. A beautiful smile lit up his handsome features. And his eyes were a startling shade of blue, a deep beautiful shade of blue. Bluer than her own eyes...

How I wish I could meet you, she sighed again.

Reluctantly, she turned her attention back to where she was going...

Only to find herself grabbed by the arm and roughly pulled out of line.

Before she knew what was happening, her back impacted against something hard and there was a sharp slap to her left cheek.

She cried out in pain, bringing a hand to her stinging cheek.

"That's only a taste of what's to come if you don't stay away from him," a woman Nefer-Tina had never before seen in her life informed her. "You little whore. I'm on to you. You won't ever touch him."

"W-what?" Nefer-Tina barely managed. What was she talking about? What was going on? Who was this woman?

"Don't play dumb with me," the woman continued angrily. "I saw you. You were practically drooling. You're so pathetic!"

"Huh?" Nefer-Tina was more confused than ever.

"You can cut the act now, little slut," the woman went on, oblivious to Nefer-Tina's total ignorance of what she was carrying on about. "We both know what I'm talking about. I saw you staring at him. I know what you were thinking...what you wanted."

Suddenly, Nefer-Tina realized what the woman was talking about.

"The hunter," she whispered. Oh gods! Then was this woman...?

"Yes, the 'hunter'," the woman mocked. "Ja-Kal. My lover. My future husband. The man you were so obviously lusting over."

Nefer-Tina's eyes widened in shock. "Lusting?" she repeated in disbelief. "But I-"

"But nothing!" the woman, Ja-Kal's (at least she now knew his name) girlfriend, violently cut her off. "I know all about your kind. You musicians are all whores, sleeping your way to success. You're all too pathetic to get a man the honest way. So you seduce them into your beds and hope that they'll marry you out of sympathy." The woman snorted. "As I said, pathetic."

"But-" Nefer-Tina tried again. How could she get through to this woman? She wasn't lusting after anyone! She would never do what this woman was suggesting. She couldn't help how she felt when she saw Ja-Kal. It just...happened. Maybe there was something wrong with her.

"You picked the wrong man to go after this time, little whore," the woman went on, still not giving Nefer-Tina a chance to defend herself. "Ja-Kal is mine. No one can touch him but me, do you understand? He belongs to me.

"And if I ever catch you even looking at him again..."

The woman slapped Nefer-Tina's other cheek, bringing tears to her eyes.

"Well, let's just say you'll wish you had never been born. Do I make myself clear?"

Nefer-Tina was too shocked and in too much pain to say anything. Instead she began to cry.

The woman snorted. "Pathetic. Get out of my sight."

Nefer-Tina fled the throne room, barely able to see where she was going through the tears.

((((())))))

"Very nicely done," a voice commented.

Tia turned around to see one of the other musicians standing behind her.

"Though I have to say I think you let her off too easy."

"Oh, really?" Tia challenged, eyeing this newcomer up and down.

This one was a little older than the slut she had just frightened off. She also appeared to be made of tougher stuff. (Who wouldn't be? Scaring the girl off had almost been too easy.) Tia wondered what she wanted.

"And just what would you have done in my place?"

"Well, that would depend on what she had done, wouldn't it?" the musician answered coolly. "Though I highly doubt she was after your man. That farm girl's too stupid to come up with a scheme like that."

"Farm girl?" Tia repeated thoughtfully. "That would explain a lot."

"You mean why she just stood there and let you walk all over her?" the musician offered with a smile. Without waiting for an answer, she continued, "I think that has nothing to do with it. She's an idiot to begin with. The gods only know how she managed to get someone to bring her to Selkis for an audition. What I wouldn't give to send her back where she came from."

"And you are?" Tia wanted to know.

"I am Tabes," the first musician Tia had ever liked said with a formal curtsy. "Daughter of Qenymin, personal accountant to Pharaoh Amenhotep himself. I also happen to be the second most senior palace musician.

"Oh and if we're to help each other out, you may want to rethink your opinion of musicians," Tabes went on. "We're not all whores, as you so nicely put it. Some us happen to be just fine with getting prestige on our own."

"What do you mean 'help each other out'?" Tia demanded to know. She had done what she had set out to do. The girl wouldn't be a problem any longer. Why should she bother making a deal?

"Isn't it obvious? Both of us want Nefer-Tina gone," Tabes explained, revealing the name of the slut. "You, to protect your interests. Me, because dirty little farm girls don't belong here."

"I don't think she's going to be a problem for me anymore," Tia waved her off. "She knows that I'll be watching her."

"Fine," Tabes shrugged, "but that still leaves her as a problem for me. No matter what I do, I can't seem to disturb her enough to make her want to leave. You're the first person who's gotten a satisfactory reaction from her. Maybe if you push her enough, she'll go away."

"Why is that so important to you? Why do you hate her so much?"

"It's like I said, farm girls don't belong here," Tabes told her. "Until she came along, all palace musicians have been the daughters of the rich and powerful. It's not right that some puny nothing from a poor family can just show up and magically be made one of us. I mean, how did she even get an audition?"

"She must be good if she was chosen," Tia pointed out, enjoying this. It was strangely comforting to know that she wasn't the only one disturbed by the presence of the little whore named Nefer-Tina.

"Oh, she's good all right. Too good," Tabes said. "Better than all of us, unfortunately."

"Then there's your answer," Tia smirked.

"No, it's not," Tabes insisted. "Someone had to bring her to Selkis. Someone with power had to vouch for her. The question is who and how."

"Maybe she slept with someone," Tia suggested, alluding back to her own reasons for hating the girl.

"Please!" Tabes snorted. "Nefer-Tina wouldn't know how to seduce a man if they were locked in a room together. The gods wasted time when they blessed her with beauty. I've only known her for one day and I can say that with confidence. Your man is safe. Trust me. I'll bet some money passed hands."

"So what's in it for me if I help you?" Tia finally asked, intrigued. Harassing the slut could be a pleasant past time. She had enjoyed her small taste of it. Besides, it would give her something to do while waiting for Ja-Kal to marry her.

"First, what's your name?" Tabes countered.

"Tia."

"Tia, whatever you want will be yours," Tabes informed her. "You scratch my back and I'll massage yours. I have a lot of influence in just the right places. My father's proximity to the pharaoh has been quite helpful over the years."

"Really?" Tia smiled. If that was true, Ja-Kal could move up in the ranks rather quickly.

"Tabes, I think you have yourself a deal."

((((())))))

Ja-Kal smiled as he finally spotted Tia in the crowd. He had been searching for her ever since the ceremony ended. Unfortunately, he had kept getting pulled into various conversations with various groups of people. Now, at last, he had found her.

Even from a distance, he was awed by her beauty, both inside and out. She was such a kind and gentle person and it shone through every move she made. He loved her so much. She had been a good friend long before he had ever seen her in a romantic light. He had been truly blessed by the gods to have her in his life.

As he approached, he could see that she was talking to another woman. They appeared to be in a deep discussion about something. However, before he could reach them, they shook hands and the other woman disappeared.

"I hope that wasn't about me," he said as he came up behind Tia.

"Ja-Kal!" she cried happily as she turned around and saw him. A huge smile formed on her lips. "Welcome home, my love!"

With that, she threw her arms around him and kissed him deeply.

When the kiss ended, he just smiled at her. "I've missed you so much."

"That'll teach you to go away for long periods of time then," she teased. "I've been trying to find you all day. Where have you been?"

"I had to go speak with the pharaoh this morning about a personal matter and then I got caught up in all the preparations for the ceremony," he explained. "Otherwise I would have been at your door at sunrise."

"What did you have to speak with the pharaoh about?" she asked. "Is everything all right?"

"Not here," he told her. "I'll tell you later."

He didn't want to discuss his brother's behavior in public. Arakh's activities had thus far gone unnoticed by the rest of the hunting party. Only he and the pharaoh knew about them. It was not something to be spread around because if it became publicly known, the pharaoh would have no choice but to dismiss Arakh from the royal hunters. And there was no telling what would happen then. No one knew better than Ja-Kal how violent Arakh could become when angered.

"All right," Tia accepted. "So how was the hunt itself?"

"It went very well," he told her. "Pharaoh was pleased with the results."

"And how did Arakh do?"

"Also to be discussed later," he informed her in a deliberate tone. He knew that Tia had been close to Arakh for many years. He had courted her and, for a while, Ja-Kal had been convinced she would choose him instead. The day she had come to him with the news that she loved him instead of Arakh had been one of the happiest of his life. He did not know the current state of their relationship.

Tia nodded in understanding. "That bad?"

"You have no idea," he said.

"Then let's go someplace where we can talk," she suggested. "I want to know everything."

"All right," he agreed. "The gardens?"

"Perfect," she smiled, wrapping both of her arms around his left one. "Lead the way."

They began to walk and Tia laid her head against his arm.

Ja-Kal smiled at the small gesture. It was the little touches like this that he treasured. Every moment he spent with her was special to him.

"So," he said as they headed for the gardens, "who you were talking to back there? You two looked like you were having quite the discussion."

"No one important," she waved him off. "Just a musician."

"And does this unimportant musician have a name?"

"Tabes," she told him. "She's the daughter of Amenhotep's personal accountant."

"Ah. So what were you and Tabes talking about?" he wanted to know. "It had to be something important. I saw you shake hands on whatever it was."

"We share a small annoyance," Tia elaborated. "We've come to an agreement on how to take care of it together. It shouldn't take long to get rid of it."

"I see," he nodded. "Then I wish the two of you the best of luck."

She gave him a strange smile. "Why thank you, my love. How very thoughtful of you."

He was momentarily taken aback by her words and her tone. The way she said that... But he quickly waved it off. Tia was too sweet and gentle-natured to be up to anything nefarious. She didn't have a cruel bone in her body.

I'm just tired, he decided. It's been a long morning.

"Tell me about your activities while I was away," he changed the subject. "Did you do anything new or different?"

"You already know the answer to that," she said with a laugh. "My days are rather boring when you're not in them."

"Oh, Tia," he sighed. "I wish I could spend more time with you. I really do."

"I know," she told him. "But you have your duties and I know how important they are to you."

"You are always so understanding," he smiled. "Thank you. I love you so much."

"I love you too, my darling," she replied, kissing his arm. "Perhaps one day we'll have more time."

"Perhaps," he agreed. And we will.

He had told her three years ago that if she came with him to Memphis they would not have much time together. His duties as a member of the royal hunters would have to come first. He was honor-bound to put the wishes of his pharaoh before his own. He had told her he loved her very much, but would understand if she chose to remain in their village.

Tia had surprised him when she had very stubbornly told him that she'd follow him anywhere. She had told him she loved him and could never love another as long as she knew he was alive. He was all that she wanted. Hearing her speak those words had brought him an indescribable joy. They had made him more determined than ever to create a stable environment into which he could bring her when they married.

He knew Tia wanted marriage badly. In fact, she hinted at it on an almost daily basis these days. And as much as he wanted to marry her, too, he knew that it was impossible right now. How could he support a wife, and he hoped one day children, if he could barely support himself? There was more prestige associated with being a royal hunter than there was pay. Until he received a larger sum of money, marriage was out of the question.

Finally, they reached the gardens.

"All right," Tia said once they were sitting on a bench. "I want you to tell me everything."

He nodded.

"I told you how I begged Pharaoh to choose Arakh for the annual hunt. And how I thought it would give us a chance to reconcile whatever it was he thought had gone wrong between us," he began.

She nodded in affirmation.

"I only wanted us to be close again, as we had been as children. It turns out I made a terrible mistake."

"Why? What did he do?"

"Something awful," he told her. "Gods. How can I put this?"

"Just say it," she urged. "Don't try to soften it for me. Remember, I know Arakh almost as well as I know you. I don't think anything would surprise me where he's concerned."

He nodded, realizing she was right. "I caught him torturing animals to death."

Tia's eyes went wide with horror. "What?"

"He wasn't killing them outright like any good hunter would," he went on. "He was wounding them and dragging them to a clearing he had found where he would mutilate them until they died. I only found out what he was doing because he forgot to muzzle one of the animals and I heard its screams and followed them."

"By the gods," Tia breathed.

"That's why I went to talk to the pharaoh this morning," he told her. "I wanted to report his actions in private. What Arakh did...goes against every belief, every law. It needed to be reported. But I couldn't do that in the middle of the hunt, where others could hear. I wanted to resolve it in private, to see if there was a way to punish him without having him dismissed from the service."

"Why?" Tia wanted to know. "He deserves to be for his stupidity. By Ra, that man can be an idiot sometimes."

"How could I do that to him?" Ja-Kal countered. "He's spent his entire life wanting to be a royal hunter. It's what our father wanted for both of us. And you know how he gets when he's upset. There's no telling how he would react if he was dismissed, especially if he knew it was my doing."

"By the gods, Ja-Kal," Tia sighed. "You can't spend your life worrying about his ridiculous convictions that you're out to get him. If he grows up and gets over it, wonderful. If not..." She shrugged. "Don't let him pull you down to his level. Can you help it if you're the better man?"

"Tia..."

She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "So, what did you resolve with Amenhotep?" "The pharaoh decided that instead of open punishment it would be best to keep him confined to inactive duty," he told her. "That way no one would know what had happened and he will be kept from repeating his actions on another hunt."

"Our pharaoh is wise," Tia said. "What he said makes sense."

"I agree," Ja-Kal told her. He sighed. "I wish I knew where I went wrong with Arakh. What did I do to make him hate me so much?"

"Nothing," Tia soothed. "Arakh is delusional. One day I'll tell you what he talked about when he was courting me. It should prove entertaining for you." She kissed him on the lips. "Now then, here we are, all alone in the royal gardens while everyone else is still in the throne room celebrating your successful hunt." She kissed him again. "Whatever are we going to do?"

"I don't know," he answered, kissing her back. "Why don't you tell me?"

"With pleasure."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina swiftly sat up in bed as a knock came at her door.

"Nefer-Tina?" Selkis's voice called. "All you all right in there?"

Nefer-Tina wiped at her eyes to rid herself of the tears that had yet to stop falling. "I-I'm all right," she lied.

Truthfully, she was anything but all right. She was still shaken from that encounter with Ja-Kal's girlfriend. She had never before been so frightened in her life. She truly believed that the woman would kill her if she even looked at Ja-Kal again.

But would she be able to stop herself if he came into her path? He was just so... And seeing him made her feel so...

The door opened and Selkis entered the room.

"Then why have you hidden yourself in here?" she wanted to know. "Everyone else is celebrating the performance in the main chamber. Why aren't you with them? Aren't you hungry?"

Nefer-Tina shook her head. "I actually don't feel very well," she told her. "I came in here to lie down. Please don't be angry with me."

Selkis came over and sat down on the edge of her bed, which was something Mama often did.

I miss you so much, Mama.

"I'm not," Selkis promised. "I was just concerned. Shesh mentioned that you disobeyed orders and disappeared from the group, which doesn't sound like you at all. Genubath shared with me your parents' praise of your obedience. I just wanted to make sure nothing had happened."

"I just felt sick after I finished playing," Nefer-Tina said, which was true. She had actually felt sick before playing, but Selkis didn't need to know that. "So I rushed back here to lie down. I'm sorry I didn't say anything. It won't happen again."

"Are you sure that's all it is?" Selkis pursued. "Shesh told me she saw Tabes saying something to you. She's always been a nasty girl. Is she still bothering you? Do you want me to have a word with her about it?"

Nefer-Tina shook her head. She knew from experience that it wouldn't make a difference. Whenever Enehy had talked to Bequet or Tutu, things had only gotten worse. She didn't want to imagine how Tabes would retaliate.

Besides, she could handle the kind of bullying she was getting from Tabes. She was used to it. It was what the other woman was saying that she couldn't bear. The woman who loved Ja-Kal. The woman whose name she didn't know nor wanted to know. The woman who had threatened her life...

"You're sure?" Selkis pressed, sounding unconvinced. "Because I could make it so she never said another word to you again. Just tell me and I'll do it."

"No thank you, Selkis," Nefer-Tina said. "I really just don't feel good. That's all this is. It was more people than I'm used to. I just got overwhelmed."

"All right," Selkis accepted. "Just know that my offer still stands. If anyone is giving you trouble, just tell me. Okay?"

Nefer-Tina nodded.

"Oh, and Shesh told me you were excellent today," Selkis said as she stood up. "Very good. I'm extremely proud of you."

Despite her fear and queasiness, Nefer-Tina couldn't help but smile at the praise.

"T-thank you!"

To be praised by Selkis, according to Genubath, was very, very rare!

"Now then," Selkis smiled. "I want you to rest up and feel better. Tomorrow morning regular practice begins, so I want you feeling your best. If you need anything, just ask any of the servants."

Nefer-Tina nodded again. "Thank you. I will."

"Good girl," Selkis smiled. "Feel better."

With that, she got up and left the room.

Nefer-Tina waited until she was gone before lying back down.

She stared at the ceiling, her mind and emotions all jumbled. She felt new tears welling up to replace the ones she had wiped away.

What was she going to do? She was terrified to go anywhere or do anything. That nameless woman was out there, just waiting and watching to see if she dared look at Ja-Kal. Waiting to kill her...

She squeezed her eyes shut, wishing she would just disappear as her room had.

What was she going to do?

((((())))))

"Good morning, farm girl," Tabes greeted Nefer-Tina as she emerged from her bed chamber with a rather large smile. "Beautiful day, isn't it?"

"I-I guess," Nefer-Tina stammered, taken aback to Tabes's friendliness. What was going on?

"Someone has a visitor," Tabes grinned even wider.

Nefer-Tina just stared at her, confused.

Tabes stepped aside and pointed.

There, standing with a smile even bigger than Tabes's, was the nameless woman.

Ja-Kal's girlfriend.

The one who had threatened her life.

"No..." Nefer-Tina barely whispered.

What was she doing here? How had she found her? What did she want?

"Good morning, Nefer-Tina," the woman said, revealing that she had somehow learned her name. "Did you have a nice night?"

Nefer-Tina was too stunned to try to say anything.

"Tia here has been dying to talk to you all morning," Tabes interjected, finally putting a name to the woman Nefer-Tina feared. "I kept telling her to come back later since Selkis was allowing you to sleep late. Something about your not feeling well, I think it was. But Tia just refused to leave."

"We have so much to talk about," Tia told her. "Don't we...little whore?"

Nefer-Tina swallowed hard and felt herself begin to tremble.

Oh, gods! Oh, gods! Oh, gods!

"I'll leave you two alone," Tabes announced. "Don't keep her too long. The farm girl has to be ready for practice in about an hour."

"She'll be there," Tia promised.

"All right then," Tabes grinned. "See you at practice...farm girl."

She then let loose a harsh laugh and walked away.

"Looks like it's just you and me now, little whore," Tia commented.

No! No! Please, no!

Nefer-Tina tried to back up into her room, but Tia moved forward to compensate.

"I did a lot of thinking after you left yesterday," Tia began in a thoughtful tone. "I said to myself 'how do I know she'll stay away from Ja-Kal?'. After all, your type is quite persistent. You'll do anything to get what you want. It's quite sickening really.

"I mean, how could I know your every move if I wasn't there to watch them? How would I know where you were at every instant if I wasn't right there with you?"

Nefer-Tina took another step back only to have Tia take another forward.

"So I came to a decision," Tia continued conversationally. "Until the moment Ja-Kal and I get married, I'll have to keep a constant eye on you. Wherever you go, I'll go. Whatever you do, I'll be there watching. Doesn't that sound like fun?"

"Please..." Nefer-Tina whispered, moving another step deeper into her room. "Why are you-"

"Why am I what?" Tia cut her off. "Doing this? Please! As if you didn't know!"

"But I-"

"But nothing!" Tia interrupted again. "Stop playing stupid with me, little whore! I'm getting tired of hearing your excuses."

Nefer-Tina just backed up some more, shaking her head.

Why, oh why, was this happening?

"You can't escape me, so don't even try it," Tia warned, moving closer. "I know every inch of this palace. There's nowhere for you to hide. I'll be everywhere you are, day or night." A new smile formed on her lips, this one sending shivers through Nefer-Tina's body.

"I have a feeling that the two of us are going to become great friends."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina sighed with relief as she closed her bedroom door, once more isolating herself for at least several hours from the living nightmare the rest of the world had become.

True to her word, Tia had been everywhere she had gone. Every morning for the past week, she had been waiting for Nefer-Tina to come out of her bed chamber. She'd then spend the rest of the day just following and watching her. Sometimes approaching and taunting her, other times just glaring with hatred. And as Tia had promised, there had been no escape. No matter where she went, Tia had found her. Tia was even the last thing she saw before closing her door at night. She had begun dreading waking up in the morning.

She didn't know what she was going to do. She had barely survived one week of this horror that her life had turned into. How much longer could she take it? She had no doubt Tia could keep it up forever.

Tia had shown the true depths of her cruelty on the second day of the torture. Nefer-Tina had been trying to see if she could lose Tia in the hallways of the palace. After all, there were so many of them and they were full of twists and turns. Unfortunately, her efforts had backfired and she had ended up getting lost herself. Tia, of course, had been right behind her, smirking the entire time and throwing a nasty comment her way every once in a while.

After what had seemed like hours of wandering, Nefer-Tina had found herself deposited into a large chamber of some kind. As her eyes had searched for clues as to where she was, he had appeared in her line of vision.

Ja-Kal had been standing in the middle of the chamber, talking to another hunter. The two men had been smiling, obviously happy about something. Ja-Kal's smile had been as beautiful as she had remembered it. Just as beautiful as she had remembered him...

Immediately, Nefer-Tina had forgotten about Tia and the threats. The instant she saw him, nothing else mattered, nothing mattered. She only saw him. The world had narrowed to only hold her and the man she saw.

Of course, her trance had been shattered almost as quickly as it had begun. Tia had wasted no time in rushing up to her and wrenching her by the arm.

"What did I-" she had started angrily, raising her hand. But then she had cut herself off, the anger in her eyes becoming something else.

"No," she had said instead, releasing the terrified girl. "I have something better in mind."

With a smile, she had stepped out into the hallway.

"Ja-Kal," she had called out.

Ja-Kal had immediately turned towards her.

"Tia!" he had happily replied. Turning back towards his companion, he had said, "Excuse me" and then returned his attentions to Tia.

"Hello, my love," Tia had said as she reached him.

"Hello," he had answered back, pulling her into his arms and bestowing his beautiful smile upon her.

And then she had kissed him.

Nefer-Tina's heart had burst into a million pieces.

Not able to stand the sight, she had turned and fled, not knowing where she was going and not caring. She had just needed to get away.

She still didn't know why seeing Ja-Kal kiss Tia had bothered her so much. He loved Tia, after all. He didn't even know that she, Nefer-Tina, existed. Nor did she know anything about him other than the way looking at him made her feel. He made her feel so...

She shook the memory away and went to sit on her bed.

It was true. She knew nothing about him other than he was a hunter and had a woman who loved him fiercely. She imagined he had to be wonderful if Tia was so intent on keeping her away from him. But she would never know. Could never know...

Tia had nothing to worry about. Ja-Kal was a royal hunter, one of the pharaoh's elite. She was a mere farm girl who had become a palace musician by a twist of fate. She had no right to even talk to him. She wasn't even worthy of his thoughts. Tia's fears were unfounded. He was beyond her reach and would always be.

Why doesn't she understand that? Nefer-Tina asked herself yet again. Why won't she leave me alone?

If only she could leave this place and go home. That would solve all of her problems. But she knew she couldn't. Mama and Papa wanted this for her. They thought this was the best place for her to be. How could they have known what it would really be like? She had to stay, for their sake.

Sighing, she got to her feet and walked over to the window. The sun was just beginning to set and the temperature was dropping. Back at home, this had been one of her favorite times to take a walk.

I could really use a walk, she told herself.

She had loved taking walks in the early evening. (Actually, it didn't matter what time of day she took one. She just loved taking them.) They gave her a chance to unwind before settling down for the evening. Being alone had given her time to think about all sorts of things, things that her mind was too busy to worry about while doing her daily chores or practicing her music. Gods, she missed home...

Ever since Tia had started harassing her, she had been grateful for the curfew. It was her only respite from the torture. However being trapped in her bedchamber like this was a torture of another sort and she hated it too. She was not used to being confined to the indoors all day and all night. She needed to get out and breathe fresh air every once in a while. Maybe she could...

Her window was towards the back of the far right side of the palace. Her view consisted of housing and streets that were deserted at night. All the residents were asleep. If she were to climb out...

She came to a sudden decision. Tia would not be looking for her now. She would think she was locked in her bedchamber for the night. She had probably gone home for the night. Probably gone to Ja-Kal... There would be no one concerned about her whereabouts.

Without a second thought, she hopped up on the ledge and swung her legs over.

Moments later, she had lowered herself to the ground and began walking towards the shadowy streets surrounding the palace.

((((())))))

Tabes sat on her bed as she brushed her hair, smiling to herself. The plan was working better than she had ever dreamed. The stupid farm girl was scared out of her wits. It was only a matter of time before she wouldn't be able to stand it anymore and ran home to her mama and papa.

Tia was an absolute genius. Tabes had never met anyone like her. The way she tormented that idiotic Nefer-Tina was nothing short of brilliant. She would give anything to be as skilled as Tia was.

The most glorious stroke was the way Tia made Nefer-Tina think that this was about Tia's boyfriend, that Ja-Kal or whatever his name was. The dummy would never make the connection between Tia and herself. She was too busy trying to convince Tia that she had no intention of stealing the man. (Though Tabes couldn't blame Nefer-Tina for looking. He was quite handsome. Tia was a lucky woman.)

Tabes had to laugh at the thought. She couldn't imagine Nefer-Tina with any man, much less a royal hunter. What man would want that? A dumb, dirty farm girl. And Nefer-Tina happened to be one of the dumbest she had ever met. She was no threat to anyone for any reason. And she most definitely didn't belong among the most elite musicians in all of Egypt. Tabes looked forward to the day she was gone for good.

Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a loud thump from outside. Curious, she went over to the window to see what it was.

Well, well, she thought as she saw the stupid farm girl herself getting to her feet and start walking towards the surrounding buildings. Apparently the idiot had just climbed out of her window, breaking the curfew that applied to all unmarried women living in the palace. Whatever could have driven someone as weak as the farm girl to break such an important rule? What in the names of all the gods was she up to?

Tia's going to love this.

((((())))))

After she finished kissing Ja-Kal goodnight, Tia waited until he disappeared back inside his house before heading back to the palace. After all, she didn't want him seeing where she was going, because that would lead to questions. Questions she would not be able to adequately fabricate answers for. He would want to know the truth and would not leave her alone until he got it. And she couldn't have him finding out about the slut.

Ever.

According to the glorious tidbit Tabes had given her that morning, the little whore had broken curfew the night before. For whatever reason, Tabes hadn't been able to guess. However, both of them knew it had to be for something important. From her week of observation, Tia knew that Nefer-Tina was obedient to a fault. She did what she was told, when she was told. (Apparently, she disobeyed only where Ja-Kal was involved.) So whatever it was had to be very important to her.

Tia had decided that she needed to find out what the slut was up to. If she were to adequately terrorize her, she needed to learn as much about her as possible. (She was surprised the girl had lasted this long. Especially after the performance she and Ja-Kal had given her earlier in the week. As much fun as she was having, she was getting tired of having to shadow the slut day in and day out.) So she had arranged her day so that she would be able to spend time with Ja-Kal in the afternoon and early evening and then be back at the palace to catch the whore in the act of climbing out of her window. (She wondered what the slut had thought when she had slipped away in the middle of a practice session. She hoped it had made her even more afraid than she already was.) Ja-Kal, of course, had been willing to oblige her wishes and spend time with her early. (He was such a sweet man. It was such a shame he had to be so boring.) Now it was time to follow the girl and see what she was up to.

Tia arrived at the palace and made her way to the side of the building that she knew to be the location of the musicians' chambers. Tabes had promised to leave her a sign to direct her to the right set of windows. She scanned all the windows and, much to her amusement, found a red garment hanging from one window. (Tabes had quite the wicked sense of humor.) She then stepped into the shadows and waited.

Within minutes, the whore herself appeared, climbing out of her window and landing gracelessly on her feet. She then looked around as if to make sure she hadn't been spotted. (Too little, too late, Tia snorted to herself.) Then she started walking towards the nearest set of houses.

When she was sure the slut wasn't looking back, she slipped out of hiding and moved beneath the marked window. Tabes was there and their eyes met. Tabes sent her a smile and Tia returned a nod of acknowledgement. They would know what Nefer-Tina was up to soon enough.Growing up in a hunting village, Tia had picked up some skills of her own. Tracking was just one she happened to be particularly good at. It didn't take her long to catch up to the slut and then trail her. And trail her. And trail her.

After a half hour, it became apparent to Tia that the girl wasn't actually going anywhere. The damn slut was taking a walk. A walk! Tia couldn't believe it. The only reason she was breaking curfew was to take a lousy walk. The ridiculousness of it was overwhelming.

What was Nefer-Tina thinking? Or, rather, was she thinking? Why was she risking punishment for something as minor as a walk? It made no sense. Unless...

After her first encounter with the slut, Tia had realized that the girl was too afraid of her to say anything to anyone about what had happened. She was a pathetic little thing who couldn't even find the nerve to speak up for herself. How would she ever find the strength to report the incident to anyone? That was one of the reasons she had been so sure she would have scared her off within a week. So how come she was still here?

Because she can't go back home, Tia realized with sudden clarity. She has to stay here.

In this context, the walks made sense. If Nefer-Tina could not under any circumstances return home, which is what anyone else as weak as she is would have done in her place, that would explain why she had held out as long as she had. She had no choice but to stay and suffer. So she had started taking these walks as a way of trying to cope with her situation.

Poor, poor Tabes, Tia smirked. She's stuck with the "farm girl" forever.

But that also meant that she was stuck with the slut forever too.

And Ja-Kal.

Gods damn it, Tia cursed, realizing that as long as she and Ja-Kal remained unmarried, he was in danger of falling into the whore's clutches. (She knew the slut would never give up on having him. She'd seen the way she had looked at him even after being warned. She wanted him.) She'd have to continue following her. Or would she?

The girl was thoroughly terrified of her and had resorted to breaking curfew to get even a few moments to herself. There was no danger of Nefer-Tina ever saying anything to anyone about what had been happening. Perhaps it would be to her benefit to cut back on how much time she actually spent around her. Not only would it cause the slut to become paranoid, but it would be more satisfying in the long run. Choosing where and when each encounter would occur would be a lot of fun. The idiot would never know when she was being watched.

Tia observed as the whore finally returned to the palace and crawled back into her bedroom window. She noticed that Tabes had long since gone to bed and had retrieved her "sign" from the window.

Tabes was not going to be pleased with what Tia had to tell her in the morning. She hoped it wouldn't affect their agreement. Tabes had promised to make sure Ja-Kal remained in the pharaoh's eye. It was the surest way to get him moving through the ranks until he attained the position of captain of the Royal Hunt, the highest honor any one hunter could ever dream of receiving. No one deserved it more than Ja-Kal. And he would get it.

Tia would make sure of that.

((((())))))

"Nefer-Tina?" came Selkis's now-familiar voice. "May I come in?"

Nefer-Tina, who was sitting on her bed, turned away from the window. "Yes, Selkis."

Selkis opened the door and entered the room.

"I just wanted to check on you," she began. "You've been here a month now, and well, I've seen some things that are concerning me."

Nefer-Tina sat up straighter and tried to pretend she didn't know what Selkis was talking about. "What things?"

Selkis closed the door behind her and crossed the room. "The fact that you spend most of your time in here. That you only come out for practice and your meals. That you don't speak to anyone." She approached the bed and sat down on the edge. "Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

Nefer-Tina swallowed hard. How could she tell Selkis about what was happening? Selkis would never believe her. And even if she did, Tia would deny everything and be believed. There was no way to prove anything. Then Tia would come after her...

Tia had been threatening her life all along. Nefer-Tina had no doubt Tia would kill her if she tried to report her. And she'd never know when Tia was coming for her.

At the end of the first week of torment, Tia had suddenly announced that she was bored following her everywhere that she went. "I have better ways to spend my time," she had said with a smile that sickened Nefer-Tina. So she had informed Nefer-Tina that she was only going to be watching her from time to time, but she would never let her know when. "Call them surprise inspections," she had smiled. "So you'd better be on your best behavior at all times. Because I'll be watching you when you least expect it. And you know what will happen if I catch you just looking at him."

Nefer-Tina, not knowing what else to do, had taken to spending most of her time in her bed chamber. It was the only way she could think of to protect herself from Tia. She couldn't do anything to upset Tia if she wasn't doing anything at all. (Her only escape was her nightly walks which, thank the gods, Tia did not know about.) So for the past three weeks, she had remained in her room unless called for practice or meals.

Unfortunately, she had neglected to realize that her hiding would be seen by people other than Tia who did not know what was going on. It made sense that Selkis, who had been concerned about her from the beginning, would want to find out why she was staying in her room.

"No," Nefer-Tina quietly answered, wishing she could say otherwise. But if she told and Tia found out...

Selkis gave her a hard look. "I know you're lying. Why won't you tell me what's wrong?"

Nefer-Tina looked down at her lap and said nothing. Why couldn't she have been mean like Genubath said?

"Is it Tabes? Is she still bothering you?"

Nefer-Tina shook her head. Tabes was the least of her problems. Ever since the entire nightmare with Tia started, Tabes hadn't paid her much attention, which was a blessing.

"Then what is it?" Selkis pressed. "I know you're unhappy here. That's plain to see. What I want to know is why."

Nefer-Tina still refused to answer. She had to protect herself. If she said one word and it got back to Tia...

"You have nothing to fear from me, Nefer-Tina," Selkis urged. "I'm your friend. Genubath told me all about you. I know that you're only here because your parents thought it best for you to become one of us. I know that you've had many difficulties over the years and I'm sure coming here is one of the worst. But I'd like to make it easier for you. If you'd only let me."

Nefer-Tina shut her eyes to hold back the tears she felt building up. Selkis was being so kind to her. (It had become very obvious to her within the past few weeks that Genubath had been completely wrong about her.) She wished she could tell her the truth, but she knew that there was nothing Selkis or anyone could do. Tia could not be stopped.

"What can I do to help you?" Selkis wanted to know.

Nefer-Tina stayed silent.

"Why won't you tell me?" Selkis pressed. "What's bothering you? I know I could help."

Nefer-Tina bit her lip. Please go away.

Finally, Selkis just sighed.

"All right," she said. "It's obvious you're not going to talk to me. I can't figure out why, but you won't. So I'm just going to have to assume that you're all right."

Nefer-Tina looked up at her, feeling relieved.

"And if you're all right," Selkis continued, "that means I can order you to spend time with the others."

Nefer-Tina felt her relief disappear. No!

Selkis's expression changed. "Then tell me what's wrong," she demanded.

Knowing she now had no choice but to say something, she decided to tell a partial truth.

"The others all hate me," she informed Selkis.

"Hate you?" Selkis sounded alarmed. "What?"

"They've hated me from the beginning," she went on. "All of them. You said they'd just be upset because I performed so soon, but nothing's changed. They still won't have anything to do with me."

"Are you sure that's not because you hide from them?"

Nefer-Tina shook her head vehemently. If only it was them that she was hiding from...

"Then why do you think they hate you?"

"Because they're nasty to me whenever I'm around them," Nefer-Tina truthfully told her. "They move away from me and ignore me. They don't even try to speak to me. They'll say a mean comment every once in a while, especially if you or one of the other matrons have said something nice first."

Much to Nefer-Tina's surprise, Selkis chuckled. She thought it was funny?

"My dear," Selkis said, placing a gentle hand on her arm. "What we have here isn't hatred at all. It's what's known as jealousy."

"Jealousy?" Nefer-Tina repeated in disbelief. Selkis thought they were jealous of her? What? Not possible!

She was definitely not someone for anybody to be jealous of. She was a poor farm girl who just happened to be good at music. For some reason, people always hated her. They never envied her.

"Of course," Selkis went on. "Think about it. Here you are, a poor farmer's daughter who worked very hard to become very good at your music. You studied music not because you wanted the status associated with being a palace musician, but because you loved it. Isn't that right?"

Nefer-Tina nodded.

"And that hard work paid off. It made you good enough to be discovered and brought to me. Now these other girls have never worked for anything unless they believed it would be to their advantage. They can't understand doing something just for the enjoyment of it. They see someone like you, who cares nothing for the things they take for granted, and it makes them angry.

"You're incredibly gifted when it comes to your music. You're much better than any of the other girls and that also angers them," Selkis continued. "So you see, they don't hate you. They're just jealous of you."

"Besides it's impossible to hate someone as sweet as you," Selkis added as almost an afterthought. "You're a kind young woman with a wonderful future ahead of you. Don't let the petty jealousies of a few girls keep you from enjoying what you've earned."

Nefer-Tina was stunned by Selkis's words. None of them were true, of course. The others did hate her. Selkis wasn't there to hear what they said or to see what they did. But it was the fact that she had even taken the time to say them. It meant a lot to her. It meant that someone did care about her here. Maybe she wasn't as alone as she had feared she'd be.

"Now that I know why you're hiding in here," Selkis determined, "I think I can come up with an arrangement that you'll find to your liking. Would you like to hear it?"

Knowing she had no choice in the matter, she nodded her assent.

((((())))))

Ja-Kal pulled Tia closer against him as they sat together on his couch. She had come over for dinner and they were now just spending some time enjoying each other's company. It was his favorite kind of evening.

Tia had invited herself as she had been doing more often for the past few months. In fact, she had been asking him at the strangest times. He'd be in the middle of a discussion or a task when she would suddenly appear out of nowhere, kiss him, and then tell him she would be at his house to have dinner with him. Not that he minded, of course, but her timing was disconcerting. It was as if she was following him around and choosing the perfect moment.

Tia turned in his arms to face him. "So how are things going with Arakh and Irikara?"

"All right, I assume," he answered truthfully. "You know he doesn't talk to me much anymore."

Ever since the incident on the annual hunt, Arakh had gone out of his way to avoid his brother. What he knew he had learned from the other hunters. He had a feeling Arakh knew he was the reason he was no longer chosen to go on any hunts.

He secretly hoped that being in love would one day soften Arakh somewhat. He longed to be close to his only brother again. He missed the relationship they had had as young children. Why had everything changed?

He knew very little of this Irikara, the woman Arakh had recently begun courting. She had been pointed out to him a few times and she was indeed very lovely. The only thing Ja-Kal knew about her was that she was a palace servant. He hoped she was as good for Arakh as Tia was for him. Tia was his everything. What would he do if he ever lost her?

"I know," Tia said. "His loss."

Ja-Kal smiled and kissed her. "You're very sweet."

"Am I?" she grinned. "Or maybe you don't know me at all."

He laughed. "I know everything about you, my love. You are the most wonderful woman in all of Egypt."

"Stop," she blushed. "You're the one who's being sweet. Gods above, Ja-Kal. I love you so very much."

"As I love you."

"I know," she smiled at him. "I'm a very lucky woman."

"And I'm a very lucky man," he smiled back.

Tia leaned in and gave him a long and gentle kiss. "Promise me we'll be together forever."

"I promise, my love.

"Forever."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina felt the smile form unbidden as she pictured Ja-Kal coming towards her. Reaching for her. Pulling her into his arms. And...

Her smile spread into a full-fledged grin as her imaginary lover kissed her passionately.

"I love you," she whispered to the man who would never hear her say those words or ever do what she wished he would.

She sighed sadly as she continued walking the deserted streets of Memphis. Ja-Kal could never be hers. He belonged to Tia, who would never let her forget it. Tia, who loved him so much that she would kill to keep him to herself. Tia, who hated her...

She didn't know how or when it had happened, but she had somehow, despite everything, fallen in love with Ja-Kal. It had frightened her when she had first realized it. It meant that her life was in more danger than it had been before. If Tia found out... But she couldn't help how she felt. Not where Ja-Kal was concerned.

If anyone was to blame, it was Selkis. It had been Selkis's idea to send her out on small errands throughout the palace. Once she had been out there, roaming the hallways, it had only been a matter of time before she encountered Ja-Kal.

The first time she had seen him, she had fled the other way, fearing that Tia was there, watching her, waiting for her to disobey. It had been a close call and she had nearly hurt herself during the escape. But the next time, she'd had no choice but to stay where she was. And that was when everything changed.

Ja-Kal had been once again standing directly in her path, but to run would have drawn too much attention to herself. She had been crossing a crowded room and had been surrounded on all sides. She had nowhere to go but straight ahead. So she had looked at her feet and forged ahead, hoping Tia wasn't watching.

Ja-Kal, of course, had been too engrossed in whatever conversation he had been having to notice anything else. Her eyes, despite her efforts, had kept returning to him. For reasons unknown to her and beyond her understanding, she was drawn to him. And every time her eyes found him, those strange feelings came back, as powerful as ever. How she had made it across the room, she still did not know. In fact, she did not even remember anything other than Ja-Kal.

Handsome Ja-Kal...

She knew she had been lucky that day. Tia had obviously not been around or she would not be here right now. But her luck had run out the next time. And other encounters with Ja-Kal had not ended so well.

Tia did notice the third time she had seen him. And Tia had not been happy. She had been so enraged that she had slapped Nefer-Tina harder than ever before and then gone to Ja-Kal just to spite Nefer-Tina. Ja-Kal, oblivious to what Tia was up to, had readily done whatever she wanted.

From then on, she had walked the halls with renewed fear. And it was a fear that was valid. Tia had begun confronting her every day, whether she had seen Ja-Kal or not. Tia would threaten her and warn her, reminding her of what would happen if she even tried to talk to Ja-Kal. (Even Tia had figured out that she couldn't stop Nefer-Tina from looking at him. Talking, in Tia's mind, was the next logical step.) Her secret walks became her only refuge.

And it was on those walks that she began to realize what was happening to her. The truth of her feelings for Ja-Kal, a man she had never met and only knew from a distance, became clear. She had fallen in love with him.

She dreaded the day Tia figured out the truth. Right now, Tia still believed she was only lusting after Ja-Kal, something she had never done. How would she react when she learned that Nefer-Tina loved him?

She pushed the thought away.

Now's not the time to worry about that, she reminded herself. I'm out here to pretend that everything's all right.

With that decided, she once again conjured up her fantasy of Ja-Kal. A fantasy in which he loved her as much as she loved him.

((((())))))

"Gods damn that little whore!" Tia growled as she paced back and forth. "I'm getting so sick of her!"

"So you keep saying," Arakh commented from the table at which he was seated. "In fact, it's all you've been saying since you got here. You're starting to sound like me."

Tia couldn't help but smile. "I am, aren't I? I'm sorry."

"It's all right," Arakh waved her off. "You're always telling me how alike we are anyway."

"Very true," Tia agreed. "But the tramp is my problem. If I hadn't had the displeasure of running into her on my way here, I wouldn't be wasting your time talking about her. We see each other so infrequently these days as it is."

She had found the tramp staring at Ja-Kal from a doorway again. It was getting to be a habit with her. That was how Tia always seemed to find her these days. It was almost as if the stupid slut was going out of her way to find him. Which she probably was. The idiot girl had gone so far as to actually fall in love with Ja-Kal. Pathetic.

"Your idea, remember?" Arakh pointed out. "You don't want anyone knowing about us. Though I've never understood why. Afraid my dear brother will find out and get jealous?"

Tia laughed. "Ja-Kal's too secure in our relationship for that. He knows I'll never leave him for anyone. It's other people that I'm worried about finding out. It's well known that I am Ja-Kal's woman. And people have a tendency to talk."

"And you don't want any rumors started about your precious Ja-Kal," Arakh smirked. "Can't have that, now can we?"

"Not if I can help it," she told him. "You know why I'm with him. I can't allow anything to get in the way of achieving my goals."

"Sounds like a real love match," he grinned. "If only he knew."

"Which he won't," she flatly cut him off. "As far as he's concerned, I chose him because I fell in love with him. He's never to know any different. Do I make myself clear?"

"Always," he smiled. "You know I'd never do anything against your wishes."

"Do I?"

"You know how I feel about him," he said. "But you also know I've put off getting even with him for the way he treated me for this long because of how I feel about you."

Tia mentally rolled her eyes. She knew he was still in love with her despite her constant reminders that they'd never work as a couple. They were too alike. A romance between them was doomed to failure.

"How's Irikara?" she changed the subject, bringing up his new "love" interest. "Is she everything you hoped she'd be?"

"She's adequate," Arakh nodded. "She'll make a very good wife when the time comes. You were right in suggesting her to me. Though she reminds me of Ja-Kal in more than a few ways. She has this thing about honor and refuses to go to bed with me until after we're married."

"Which is the way it should be," Tia informed him. "Do you know what would happen to both of your reputations if she were to conceive before you were married?"

"Do you think I care about stupid things like that?" Arakh countered. "All I care about is getting a son. You know that's the only reason I'm looking to get married. A son I can raise right. Not like our father raised us. Making Ja-Kal think he's better than me. Making him go out of his way to make me-"

"Enough already," Tia cut him off. "It was old the first hundred times."

Arakh snorted. "You're one to talk. The way you came in here ranting about that girl you can't stand. Whoever she is. When did she show up? And why do you hate her so much? Remember, it's been a while since I've seen you."

Tia smiled. "I apologize for that. I've been busy because of this girl. Dealing with her requires almost all of my attention."

"Except the part you give to Ja-Kal," Arakh pointed out. "So, tell me about her. What did she do to you?"

If I told you, you'd hate her too, Tia mused. Arakh would be incensed if he found out that a very beautiful girl had fallen in love with his much-hated brother. Better to keep him in the dark as she had been all along.

"There's not much to tell," Tia lied. "She's a stupid musician who showed up five months ago. Ever since she's been here, she's continuously gotten in my way. I've warned her repeatedly to be more careful, but the idiot doesn't seem to understand a concept as simple as that. I'd give anything if she'd just pack her bags and go back where she came from." (Which would never happen, unfortunately. She was here to stay.)

"Sounds like she's doing it on purpose," Arakh decided.

"You'd never say that if you knew her," Tia snorted. "She's terrified of me. The little slut starts shaking when she sees me enter a room."

"But she still keeps bothering you?" Arakh said, surprise in his voice.

"I told you she was stupid," Tia reminded him. "Too stupid to know what would be in her best interests. Only the gods know what it would take to get rid of her."

"Maybe you're just not scaring her enough," Arakh suggested.

"I don't see how I could scare her any more," Tia informed him. "I've threatened her life a few times."

Arakh smiled at that. "And yet she persists in annoying you. Maybe you should just kill her already and be done with it."

"You know I don't have your taste for blood," she told him. "Murder isn't my style. I just want her gone, that's all. No need to kill her."

"But everything else you've tried hasn't worked," he pointed out. "Maybe killing her is your only answer."

"Maybe for you," she waved him off. "But you may have just given me an idea."

"Tell me."

"If I were to hire someone to beat her to the point of death without actually killing her, that might just be enough to make her want to finally leave here," Tia said thoughtfully. "Then I'd be rid of her for good without having to waste any more time on her."

"I like it," Arakh smiled. "And it could work."

"Yes, I think it could," Tia mused. "Even a dumb whore like her would finally get the message after an experience like that. Now all I need to do is find someone to actually do the deed for me."

"You know," Arakh began, "I never did properly thank you for finding Irikara for me..."

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina lay on her bed, playing out her latest fantasies about Ja-Kal and herself in her mind. She smiled at how perfect the life she had created for them was. At this point, she had them married with children. The children were adorable, two perfect little girls. Everything in this world she imagined was always perfect. Why settle for anything less?

She opened her eyes and glanced out the window. The sun was beginning to set.

It was almost time to take her walk.

((((())))))

Arakh angrily picked himself off the ground from where he had been so unceremoniously dumped. Those bastards had no right to do this to him! He was one of the pharaoh's royal hunters! So what if he had started the fight? They shouldn't have started in about how great a hunter Ja-Kal was!

He turned around and tried to hurl a proper insult their way but found that trying to open his mouth caused him severe pain.

Gods damn it! he cursed. That punch he had taken to the mouth had obviously broken his jaw. Damn! Damn! Damn! It was the perfect end to a perfectly horrible evening.

Everything had been fine until Irikara had once again turned him down after leading him on. What was wrong with the woman? Didn't she know a man had needs? Damn her stupid sense of honor! Didn't she realize he was going to marry her anyway? Why tease him when she wasn't going to properly follow through? Getting him all worked up like that! Damn her!

After blowing up at her, he had stormed out and made his way to the tavern. He had figured getting drunk would make him feel better. (And maybe he could pick up a street girl as well. They had no problem helping men with their needs.) Unfortunately, the tavern had been infested with low-lifes who worshipped his good-for-nothing brother. Trying to set the record straight had led to those bastards ganging up on him. The fight had been unfair, eight against one. He hadn't had a chance. (Nor had he been able to finish his drink, which he'd paid good money for!)

Now, here he was, angry and in pain with nothing to do about either. It was all Irikara's fault. If she hadn't turned him down again...

Damn woman! he decided. Next time I'll just take what I want!

With that, he stomped off towards his house, ready to lash out at anyone or anything that got in his way.

((((())))))

"Say it again," Tia urged, moving closer to Ja-Kal.

"I love you," he obliged. "Satisfied?"

She smiled at him. "I can never hear it enough," she told him. "I love you so much." She moved even closer. "You're my world." She then kissed him.

As they kissed, she wondered how much longer was she going to have to wait until Arakh followed through on his promise and got rid of the slut.

She was getting impatient.

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina reached the end of the street she was following and decided it was time to turn around. She had been out long enough.

((((())))))

Arakh observed the girl from a comfortable distance. She had been exactly where Tia had said she would be. Now all he had to do was wait for the perfect opportunity to grab her.

He had been about halfway home when he remembered the girl that Tia had ranted about the other day. He figured he might as well take care of her now while he was already out. Besides, he had all that excess energy he needed to get rid of. (Damn those Ja-Kal-loving bastards!) Using it on her would be a nice change of pace from the animals he usually killed when he was feeling like this.

It was too bad about his jaw. He wouldn't be able to actually tell her to go away. Hopefully the beating she was about to receive would be enough of a message in itself.

Or would it?

((((())))))

Nefer-Tina suddenly had the strangest feeling that she wasn't alone.

She had walked this street many times over the past several months and knew that it was deserted. Yet she couldn't shake the intense feeling that someone was out here with her.

Not wanting to take any chances, she began to walk faster...

Only to find herself roughly grabbed from behind.

Terrified, she tried to scream but a huge hand clamped down over her mouth, effectively silencing her.

Struggling violently but unable to break free, she found herself being dragged into a nearby alley...

((((())))))

Arakh easily pulled the wildly struggling girl into a dark alley. She was a tiny thing, weighing almost nothing, yet she was fighting ferociously to break free from his arms. This amused him to no end. She was very much like the wild game animals he normally hunted. Though he had a feeling he was going to enjoy this sort of prey just a bit more.

First things first, he told himself, pinning her against the alley wall with one of his knees.

The arm that had been wrapped around her torso was now free to dig into one of the small packs hanging from his kilt. He produced two small pieces of material. He had been using them to tie up the smaller animals he hunted to keep them still while he had his fun. In this instance, they'd make a nice gag.

The girl had yet to stop screaming beneath the hand he had clamped over her mouth. The gag would keep her quiet while freeing up his hand. One could only do so much damage one-handed.

Can't have you making too much noise, he silently told her as he prepared to make the switch. (It was such a shame about his jaw. Not being able to talk took away from the whole experience.)

He deftly replaced his hand with the pieces of cloth, stuffing one in her mouth and tying the other one around her head to keep her from spitting it out.

Perfect, he thought, admiring his handiwork. The girl had started sobbing at this point and the gag did a wonderful job of muffling the sound.

Now, what to do to her before he finally killed her?

Although Tia had said she didn't want him killing the girl, he really had no other choice. He couldn't talk with his broken jaw. Without being able to tell her anything, such as who had sent him and why, she'd never get the message he was supposed to be sending. (Sure, he could have waited to grab her until his jaw was healed, but Tia had been pestering him to do it ever since he had volunteered. So the longer he waited, the more annoyed she'd get. And there was nothing worse than Tia when she was annoyed!) It was just really bad luck on the girl's part that tonight had been the night. He doubted Tia would really care. She wanted the girl gone and that's what she'd get. Would whether she was living or dead really make that much of a difference?

So what should I do to you first? he mentally asked his victim, who only continued to sob. Her struggles had ended after he gagged her. He figured she had come to realize that it was pointless to fight him. She'd never get away.

Killing her right then and there would be simple but boring. He didn't even hunt that way. Where was the satisfaction in killing if the victim didn't suffer before death? (Quick kills were for the weak, like his dear brother.)

If she had been one of his normal game animals, his method of killing would be simple. He'd just keep stabbing and slashing her with his knife until she died. (The key to making that kind of death last was to never go near the vital organs. Just lots and lots of minor incisions.) But she was not his normal game. She was a human.

A female human.

A wonderful idea struck him.

Back in the tavern, he had been contemplating paying for a prostitute to take care of his little problem (damn woman and her teasing!) before the fight broke out. Why waste good money when he now had a means of satisfying his needs for free?

Just the thought aroused him.

He hadn't been able to get a look at her since it was so dark out, but he had gotten a nice feel for her body. She was rather soft and curvy. Very womanly. (More womanly than stupid Irikara, now that he thought about it. Gods damn her!) She'd do nicely.

Besides, she'd never tell.

The girl's sobs turned into whimpers as he began to run his hands along her body. She was quite well-proportioned. He idly wondered if Tia's reasoning for wanting her gone had less to do with the girl bothering her and more to do with Tia being jealous of the girl's body. (He wouldn't put something like that past her either. Anything to make herself look better than everyone else.) He wondered what she looked like.

Slowly, he leaned forward to pin her with his own body weight while he lowered his knee.

The girl's whimpering intensified and he could literally feel her shaking beneath him.

Knowing how frightened she was of him aroused him even more.

I wonder if you're a virgin, he mused. He hoped she was. The pain of first entry was quite bad, or so he had been told. All of the women he'd been with had been experienced prostitutes. Irikara, once he got her into bed, would have been his first virgin.

But the honor will most likely go to you.

He decided to find out before he went any further.

Once again employing his knee, he spread her legs apart.

The girl's whimpering at once transformed back into loud sobs and she resumed her earlier struggling.

You know what I want, don't you? he smiled to himself. Maybe you're not as dumb as Tia thinks.

Using one hand to support himself against the wall, he reached down with the other until he found her inner thigh.

The girl screamed as soon as he made contact with her bare skin, fighting against him even harder.

He moved his hand up her leg slowly, just to make it worse for her. Her terror was arousing him like nothing else had ever done before. He was enjoying this more than he thought he would when he had told Tia he'd do the job.

Finally, he reached his goal and, much to his delight, was vindicated. She was a virgin. Her now-uncontrollable screaming and sobbing as well as the extreme tightness around his single finger proved it.

Now came the hard part: figuring out how to actually enter her.

The way she was currently struggling against him made anything impossible at the moment. He had to immobilize her somehow. Or maybe just weaken her.

Yes, weaken was good, he decided. It always worked on wild animals. And the best way to weaken an animal was to make it bleed. Blood loss always equaled loss of strength.

Getting an idea, he suddenly released his hold on her. The girl, not expecting it, fell to the ground and cried out in surprise as she landed. Before she could realize that he was no longer holding her, he gave her a hard kick in the stomach.

The girl howled through the gag and curled into a tight ball.

Arakh kicked her again, harder this time.

He was rewarded with an even louder scream, after which, she resumed her crying.

He gave her a third kick, just for good measure.

Again, she screamed.

Figuring that she was in too much pain to try anything at the moment, he grabbed her by the arm and hauled her to her feet.

The girl didn't struggle. All she did was cry.

Good.

Now, to get some blood flowing before she recovered.

He roughly shoved her back up against the wall, this time only holding her there with a single hand to the small of her back. With the other, he pushed her long hair over her shoulder, exposing her back to him.

Where to cut?

As he contemplated the ideal starting point, he pulled his best knife from its sheathe. It was the sharpest he owned. He always had good results when he used it on his prey.

Mentally shrugging, he just took the knife and stuck it into her left shoulder.

The girl's screams were the best yet.

Encouraged, he began to pull it down her back.

She yelled and squirmed beneath him, trying with all of her might to escape. But it was no use. He had her immobilized. She wasn't going anywhere. And it wouldn't be much longer before she was too weak to fight him.

He cut slowly, maximizing her pain and suffering as well as monitoring the blood loss. He didn't want her losing too much too fast. He wanted to keep her alive until he was finished with her. This exercise was just to reduce her struggles.

By the time he had finished carving up her back (he had made a nice little pattern in her skin), her strength was sufficiently weakened. The fight had almost gone completely out of her. All she could do was cry.

He let go of her and she collapsed to the ground in a heap. She was too weak to even curl up as she had before. All she did was lay there and whimper.

Arakh wiped his knife clean on his kilt and then put it back its sheath. He then tried to wipe some of the blood off of his hands before kneeling down to where the girl was.

Time for you to become a woman, he smirked. I doubt you're going to enjoy this as much as I am.

He reached out and roughly pulled her onto her hands and knees.

The girl's sobbing grew louder, but she did not resist him.

Once he had her in the right position, he flipped up the bottom of her blood-soaked dress and pushed her legs as far apart as they would go.

Her sobs became more frantic.

He stuck his finger inside of her again, finding that she was now even tighter than before. Entry would not be easy.

Oh, well, he mentally shrugged. Beggars can't be choosy. Damn you, Irikara.

He retrieved his hand and pushed his kilt up just enough to expose himself. Gods, was he ready. He doubted he'd last very long at this point.

Not good, he silently grumbled. A quickie was not what he needed. He needed a nice long and drawn out ride. Obviously, he'd have to go with the girl more than once.

Hope she doesn't die before I'm finished.

He lowered himself to his knees and crawled between her legs. He wrapped an arm around her to keep her from moving too much, though he doubted she had much strength left at this point. He could feel her trembling violently as he pulled her close against him. With his free hand, he took hold of himself.

Get ready, girly.

With that, he roughly thrust into her.

A muffled scream ripped from the girl's throat as he buried himself deep within her body.

Much to his dismay, he came almost immediately upon entry.

Damn, he complained. That was too quick. Let me try this again.

The girl continued sobbing as he tried to regain his hardness.

He thought of all the different things that excited him: his plans to ruin Ja-Kal, winning Tia after Ja-Kal was out of the picture, becoming captain of the Royal Hunt, having a son of his own, killing things, causing pain and suffering...

That brought his mind back to the girl beneath him. She was crying pitifully but not much else. He knew she was in pain. Pain he was causing her...

That aroused him instantly.

Smirking, he started to move within her.

The girl screamed at this, though not as loudly or as powerfully as before. She was weakening by the second.

The sound sent waves of pleasure through him and he let out a groan. Gods, this felt good... Too bad he was having difficulty pumping in and out of her.

Because she had not gotten aroused (not that he could blame her), her body had not produced the natural lubrication that aided in intercourse. It made things rather difficult for him. Not that he minded too much. It only meant that it was that much worse for her.

He added on speed and strength to compensate, eliciting more cries of pain from her. (He could only imagine what he was doing to the inside of her body.) The more she screamed, the more aroused he became. Her pain was his pleasure. He wanted to make it as bad for her as he could.

In truth, he was in no hurry to finish. He was enjoying this far too much. Knowing she was suffering made it that much better for him. This was an experience he would treasure as long as he lived. It outranked any animal killing he had made. He was going to take his time.

Just don't die on me until I'm through, he ordered the sobbing girl.

Finally he reached his breaking point and he came for a second time.

Much better, he decided. Just what the healer ordered.

With that, he withdrew from the girl and released her. She simply fell over onto her side, weakly moaning and whimpering.

He hovered over her for a moment, admiring his handiwork. She was in very bad shape. He doubted she'd live much longer, maybe thirty minutes at most. Tia would never have to worry about her again.

He reached out and untied the gag from around her head. He knew she didn't have the strength left to scream for help.

And he was right, all she could do was spit out the cloth he had stuffed in her mouth and moan.

He retrieved it and stood up, straightening out his kilt.

And that takes care of that, he congratulated himself.

Tia would be very pleased.

With that happy thought, he walked out of the alley and headed for home.

He'd sleep well tonight.

((((())))))

Pain. She was in horrible pain. Horrible, excruciating pain.

Gods, make it stop! Please make it stop!

Why was she in such pain?

Slowly, cautiously, Nefer-Tina opened her eyes...

And she remembered.

"Oh, gods! Oh, gods!" she whispered as the terror came rushing back to her. She had been... That man had...

She began to cry all over again as memories of the frightening experience flooded her mind. She couldn't believe she was still alive. Not after what had happened. Not after what he had done...

Of all the horrors she had ever imagined befalling her, rape had never once crossed her mind. Her greatest fear had been of Tia killing her in a fit of rage. (Which still could happen. Tia hated her that much.) But not rape. Never rape.

"Why? Gods, why?" she quietly asked herself through her tears. "Why me?"

Why had this happened to her? Why did bad things always happen to her? Why did the gods hate her so much? What had she ever done to deserve this pain? This incredible pain...

More importantly, how was she even still alive? She should be dead. She wished she were dead. Then there'd be no pain, no memories...

Suddenly a thought struck her. What if she was alive because he had come back after he had left? Changing his mind. Wanting to-

No! she violently pushed the thought away. It was too horrible to even think about. He had left her to die. No one could be that cruel...that evil... Or could he? A man who could do those things to a person in the first place...

No! She again knocked the thought aside. I can't! I won't!

But if not him, then who?

Painfully, she began pushing herself into a sitting position. She had to find out where she was. She needed to know. All she knew was that she was no longer in the alley because she was lying on something much softer than the ground.

After a slow and painful journey, she succeeded in sitting up. (Gods, she hurt all over! Even breathing was torture.) She then began to take stock of herself and her surroundings.

She was in someone's bedroom. The person who had found her had completely cleaned her up, removing all traces of blood and dirt, as well as placing a fresh dress on her. He or she had then put her into the bed that she was now lying in.

But why? What had been the person's intentions? Although it wasn't logical for it to have been the same monster who raped her, anything was possible. Or could it be someone else with even worse intentions? Someone who sought to earn her trust before finishing where the other man had failed...

I can't think that, she ordered herself. I just can't!

Maybe it was just what it appeared to be: a rescue. It was possible that someone had wanted to save her life, wasn't it? Someone who had found her dying in the alley and just wanted to help. But that would mean...

Someone else knew what had been done to her.

Feelings of shame and embarrassment flooded through her. She had been violated, her virginity taken by force. The man had taken her innocence, using her body for his own pleasure while causing her pain in the process. Indescribable pain. Almost unbearable pain. Pain that she thought was going to kill her...

Why did this happen to me? she asked of the gods. Why?

She could never tell anyone about this. She was too ashamed. Mama had told her what people thought of women who gave themselves to a man before marriage. Although she had had no choice in the matter, she was still unmarried. She would still be considered a disgrace. No one would ever look at her the same way again once they knew. They would hate her even more than they already did...

But nothing was worse than the pain that wracked every part of her body. She hurt so badly that she was physically ill. She wished she were dead if only to escape the pain. It was so bad... Especially where he had...

Again she wondered about who had saved her. What kind of person would roam the streets late at night and rescue half-dead girls? Why would he or she have even wanted to help her?

The room itself held no clue of the identity of the person who saved her life. The space was sparsely decorated. Everything served a purpose. There were no personal touches as far as she could see.

A man? she wondered. Women always had the tendency to try to bring something of themselves into the place they lived. She knew she had back at the palace...

The palace!

Oh, gods! The curfew!

Her eyes flew to the window. Outside, the sun was starting to rise. The wake-up call was less than an hour away. She had to get back!

One of the first things she had learned after coming to the palace was that there was a severe punishment for breaking curfew. Anyone found in violation would receive ten lashes, no questions asked. Selkis has assured her that she had never had to dispense such punishment in all the years she had been head matron. But she would be the first unless she made it back to her room in time.

She threw a quick glance at the closed bedroom door. The person who had brought her here was out there somewhere. Whatever his or her intentions had been, her life had been saved. And for that, she would always be grateful. She would be dead if not for this person.

Slowly, she began to push herself out of the bed. Each movement was an agony and she wanted nothing more than to give up and lie back down. But she knew she couldn't. All that mattered was getting back to the palace in time. She had to get back...

Finally, she made it to her feet, stifling the cries she so desperately wanted to let out. (She couldn't risk the person hearing that she was awake.) She then began to walk, if one could call the clumsy movement she was making walking, towards the window, going as fast as her howling body would let her. Every part of her burned. It was pure torture.

Reaching the window, she braced herself for what would be the most painful action yet. She had to climb through it.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself out the window.

The pain was searing as she landed, but still she did not make a sound. She couldn't. Not until she was back in the safety of her room, as relative as that was.

She glanced at the sky. The sun was getting higher. She was running out of time. She had to hurry.

Taking another deep breath, she began to run.

After yet another eternity of burning pain, she reached the palace. Quickly, she raced around the side to where her window waited for her.

She threw herself inside, still holding back the screams she wanted to release. The pain was so bad... Gods, did she hurt...

She slid down the wall until she was sitting on the cold stone floor.

She had made it. All of her secrets were safe.

With that, she began to sob.

((((())))))

"Nefer-Tina... Nefer-Tina..."

Nefer-Tina was suddenly aware of being shaken. She could tell that she was lying down and felt that something was gripping her shoulder...shaking her. Something that felt like a human hand...

Oh gods!

A single thought immediately leaped into her mind: it was happening again!

Not again! Oh, gods, please! Not again! Please not again!

She began to fight for her life, driven by terror and the determination not to be violated a second time. She wouldn't be! She couldn't be...

She tried to struggle to a sitting position, desperately trying to escape the hand. It fell away from her shoulder...

Only to be replaced moments later by both of the assailant's arms! He wrapped them around her, pulling her back down, keeping her from getting away...

No! Please! Not again!

She continued to resist, trying to break free of his hold on her.

"Nefer-Tina!" a voice called to her through her terror-tinged haze. "Wake up! Come on, baby! Wake up!"

The voice was familiar. She knew that voice...

"Wake up!"

She awoke with a start, gasping.

"Easy, baby, easy," soothed the same voice. It was so familiar... "It's all right. You're safe now, my love. You're safe now."

She stopped struggling as she realized that the arms were not trying to restrain her. Rather they were embracing her. Holding her against something warm...

She tried to clear her mind as she lay there, breathing heavily. Her thoughts were jumbled and she could not quite figure out where she was...

Or who she was with.

She closed her eyes and tried to focus. Where was she?

Then it all came back to her.

"Ja-Kal?" she ventured.

"Right here, my love," came the reassuring voice of her husband. She felt him tighten his hold on her and kiss the top of her head. "I'm right here."

"Thank the gods," she whispered, the fear slowly beginning to recede. She had been so sure... The fear had been so real...

It had only been a dream. The horrors of over 3500 years ago had come back to life only in her mind. In reality, she was safe in her own house, in her own bed, and in the arms of the man she loved. She had only been remembering her past, not reliving it.

Tears of relief began to spill down her cheeks. It had seemed so real, like it was happening all over again. She had been so afraid...

She lost control and began to sob.

Ja-Kal loosened his hold on her and turned her around in his arms.

She buried her face against his chest and he began to stroke her hair and back.

"Oh, my love," he comforted her. "Shh. It's all right. It was just a dream. Shh. You're safe now. Shh. So safe."

She continued crying, unable to stop. She couldn't stop. The memories had been so painful. So real...

"Let it out, baby," Ja-Kal urged, using the modern term of endearment he had adopted not long after their marriage. "Shh. Let it all out."

She cried for what seemed like an eternity. The memories had hurt so much, bringing everything she had ever suffered through back to the surface. What she had gone through... All because of one woman's hatred. It had been so horrible...

Finally, she ran out of tears.

"I'm sorry," she managed between sniffles. "It was just... It was... Oh, gods... I-"

"Shh," he cut her off, continuing to rub her back. "You don't need to say a word, my love. Just try to feel better. It was just a bad dream, baby. Just a dream. Shh."

I wish it had been just a dream.

She nodded wordlessly and continued clinging to him. Being in his arms was the best comfort she could receive. She could feel the love he felt for her pouring forth. She was blessed by the gods to have him in her life. She loved him so much.

"I love you," she quietly spoke.

She felt him kiss the top of her head once more. "I love you too." He tightened his arms around her. "My poor sweet Nefer-Tina. I love you so much."

He continued holding her in his arms and kissing her hair repeatedly as they laid together in a comfortable silence. Soon it was as if the dream had never been. His love could cure her of any ailment.

She cherished lying with him like this. Nothing else mattered when they were together in each other's arms. The world beyond ceased to exist for her. She could stay there forever.

"What was were you dreaming about?" Ja-Kal asked after a while, still gently stroking her back.

"You don't even want to know," she truthfully informed him. Every time she even mentioned her past, Ja-Kal's misplaced guilt came forth. So the less she said, the better.

"Of course I do, my love," he said, oblivious of her efforts to shield him. "I always want to know what's upsetting you. How else am I supposed to make you feel better?"

"You already have," she assured him. "Just your being here makes all the difference in the world. When I'm with you, nothing can ever hurt me."

"I love you so much," he told her. "I'll do anything for you, my love. Anything."

"I know," she smiled. "You have no idea how grateful I am for that."

"I think I do," he said. "Now, tell me. What was your dream about?"

She smiled inwardly. Leave it to Ja-Kal not to know when to leave things alone. The man was just too stubborn for his own good!

"Can it wait until the morning?" she tried, knowing what his answer would be.

"Nefer-Tina," he sighed. "You're trying to hide this from me. Why?"

"Because..." Because I hate it when you're guilty over something you had nothing to do with.

"Why?" He released his hold on her and moved so that he could look into her face. "Tell me, my love."

She averted her gaze. "I..."

He reached out and took her by the chin, raising her face. "Talk to me."

Stubborn, stubborn man!

"I'm trying to...protect you," she admitted at last.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Protect me? From your dream?"

She nodded.

"But why?"

"Because I know how you'll feel if I tell you about it and I don't want to do that to you."

"You're not making any sense," he told her. "What would your nightmare have to do with me?"

Everything, she silently answered, looking down again.

It wasn't fair that she had to tell him her reasons. Why couldn't she just be allowed to protect his feelings as he always tried to protect hers? She hated how he beat himself up over something that he had nothing to do with.

"Nefer-Tina," he pressed. "Please, my love. Talk to me. What are you trying to protect me from?"

She exhaled forcefully, realizing she had no way out. Ja-Kal would never rest until he got what he wanted from her.

"I was dreaming about my past," she finally informed him, lifting her gaze back to his.

"Oh, gods, Nefer-Tina," he breathed.

"And I didn't want to tell you because I know how you get."

"Nefer-Tina..."

"I hate it when you start blaming yourself for what happened," she continued. "I wanted to keep you from feeling guilty again."

"Oh, my love," he murmured, leaning in to kiss her fiercely. "My precious love. Don't concern yourself with my feelings. Yours are the only ones that matter right now."

"But that's not-"

"Shh," he cut her off, kissing her again. "You will never convince me that I had nothing to do with Tia's actions. We both know everything she did was because of me."

She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off with another kiss.

"How much did you dream about?" he questioned, changing the subject. "What made you cry so badly?"

"I got up to...to...that... The morning after..." She found she couldn't say it, as if speaking the words would bring the memories crashing back down on her.

"Oh, gods," Ja-Kal breathed, proving that he already knew what she had been trying to say. "My gods. No wonder you were in such pain. My poor, poor love."

"It was so real," she told him. "So real..."

"Shh," he urged, kissing her again. "You don't need to say anymore. I've heard all I've needed to." He kept kissing her. "My poor Nefer-Tina. I love you so much. No one will ever hurt you like that again."

"I love you," she echoed.

He continued kissing her, each contact growing progressively deeper and more intense.

It wasn't long before Nefer-Tina found herself becoming aroused.

She suddenly realized that what she needed more than anything else right now was to make love to him. The act of making love was the ultimate reminder of how wonderful her life had become. Nothing brought her more joy. The pleasure Ja-Kal gave her outweighed any pain she had ever experienced.

"Make love to me," she simply said.

Ja-Kal didn't hesitate, immediately kissing her again.

The kiss was deeper this time, more passionate. Her arousal flared...

As they kissed, he pushed her onto her back, maneuvering himself until he was laying on top of her.

She became lost in the kissing, immersed in a haze of pleasure and love. Just knowing that it was her husband who was doing these things to her made it all the more erotic.

He ran his hands up and down along her sides while kissing her on the mouth, sending tingles all through her body.

She felt the moment his own arousal fully hit, driving hers up several notches.

He then began to stray from her mouth, beginning the slow journey down her body that he always took. He always put her pleasure before his own, proving the extent of his love for her. He made love to every inch of her, leaving no part of her body untouched. The things he did to her...

When her first climax hit, she cried out his name, overwhelmed by the sensations he had unleashed within her.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of ecstasy, he returned to her mouth, signaling that it was time for the part that she craved most-the joining. When the two of them were intertwined, she felt whole, complete. There was nothing else in the world like it. She needed to be one with him.

She spread her legs wider to accommodate him as he aligned himself with her body. She wanted him within her. She needed it...

And then he was, entering her slowly, filling her with his body. Bringing her what she wanted most.

She gasped into his mouth, always overwhelmed by the pleasure his entry brought her. It was incredible.

Ja-Kal moved with a slow deliberation within her, dragging the coupling out as long as he could manage. She doubted he was going to last much longer...

But her second orgasm came first, waves of ecstasy crashing through her. She felt so wonderful...

Finally, his own release came, bringing the lovemaking to an end. He collapsed on top of her and kissed her all over her face, neck, and mouth.

"How do you feel?" he asked her between kisses.

"Wonderful," she smiled. "As always."

He smiled back. "I'm glad to hear it." He kissed her again. "My beautiful love. Gods, I love you."

"I love you too."

He gave her one last kiss and then disengaged from her only to pull her back into his arms.

"Would you like to try to go back to sleep now?"

"Yes," she nodded. She smiled wickedly. "I suddenly find myself strangely exhausted."

"Very funny."

"I try," she grinned. She felt so content right now. She didn't think anything in the world could bother her at this very moment, not even Scarab finding them. The effect Ja-Kal had on her was just too powerful. Her nightmare felt like a lifetime ago.

"Good night, my love," Ja-Kal told her, kissing the back of her neck. "May the gods only send you sweet dreams. My precious Nefer-Tina."

"Good night," she sent back, smiling at his words. He was so wonderful, so caring. If only she had known him long before her life had been so utterly destroyed.

She closed her eyes and tried to fall back to sleep...