Chapter 3

The Chest:

Ten years later:

"My dear child, you must accept the inevitable." The old healer said as she closed her goatskin bag. "Your step mother is seventy summers. The gods have given her many more years then they allots to most. Now her heart is weakening and it's just a matter of time."

Nari wiped her eyes with her hands and swallowed back a sob. She understood the healer's words, but that didn't mean she had to accept them. A small amount of hope tugged at her heart.

She couldn't see herself living with out her Mother Mari. It had been her stepmother who insisted on this title. Out of respect for Nari's real mother. The mysterious Roman beauty that had past away birthing her.

"Is she...is she in much pain, do you think?" She stammered in a voice blurred by tears.

"No child, I don't think so." The healer put a comforting hand on the girls shoulder.

"She's not ill. It's just that her body is wearing down. All I can tell you to do at this moment is stay by her side and comfort her. It will bring more solace and relief then any herbs or tonics I can provide."

Nari nodded her head and walked the old woman to the door.

"Thank you Bahiti." She whispered as she showed her to the door. Bahiti nodded her head and went on her way.

"So, the old woman's dying? About time." Zahur said as he strutted into the room. Nari turned away from her stepfather, ignoring his remark. Truth be told, she feared the man. Mother Mariasha had been her only protection from him. What ever she needed or wanted she got from her. There were no questions asked. Zahur had often talked about beating her, to show her her place, but Mother Mariasha had stopped him and gave him a lashing with her tongue.

Nari didn't glance at him as she hurried to her stepmother's room. A fear bubbled in her stomach. When Mother Mariasha was gone, who would protect her from Zahur? She was no match for the filthy grim ball.

And she had not the faintest idea that her mere presence provoked lustful thoughts. She wasn't aware of the need to hide the natural sensuous grace that announced her ripening femininity.

The girls whole being spoke of elegance and softness. Thick black curls hung to her shoulders, and enormous purple eyes dominated her winsome heart-shaped face, the innocence of their glances belaying a figure edged on voluptuousness.

Now, though she felt Zahur's raking glance as it followed her down the hall, but Nari was too concerned about Mother Mari to react.

"Is the healer gone?" Lapis asked while moving from her post by the sick woman's bed. Nari nodded at the servant and moved forward.

"She has left, and she says there is no cure...in time she will..." Nari lead off. She was trying to be brave. But she couldn't.

"She can't leave me now! I still have so much to learn!" She cried as tears sprung to her eyes. Lapis moved forward to comfort the child.

"Now child. Everything will be alright." Nari clung to the servant's tunic as she soaked it with her sad tears. "There is so much I still don't know..." She sobbed out.

Mariasha opened her dule gray eyes to peer at the child.

"Nari, my dear. Come here." Nari pulled away from the servant and slowly walked to Mari's side. "Yes Mother Mari?" She asked in a whisper.

Mariasha smiled and brought an old aged hand up to cup the teen's cheek. "I've raised you since you were a wee babe, now look at you. Already a young woman." Mariasha smiled a weak yet happy smile.

"I have taught you all that I know...And you know everything about your mother and your father, which isn't very much. And...You know about the chest...I think you're ready now. You may open it." Nari stepped back a little and gave a sob. She had wanted to open that chest for years, but Mother Mari had stopped her. She was afraid of what it would hold, whether it be the truth or just more puzzle peaces.

"And Nari...whatever you find out...don't forget me." And with that she closed her eyes and breathed her last breath.

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Nari blew on the aged chest and gave a shaky breath.

"Open it child..." Lapis whispered beside her. Nari slowly flipped the lid open, revealing folded clothe.

She gently picked one up with her index finger and thumb.

"It's a toga..."She whispered to herself. "Your mother was Roman?" Lapis asked as she studied the strange gown.

Nari nodded her head and placed the toga down gently, folding it. She turned back to the Chest and pulled out an aged scroll and a gold chain.

"Read the scroll..." Lapis urged. Nari unrolled it and gave a disappointed sigh. "It's in Latin." She placed the scroll aside and placed her attention on the necklace in her hands. It shone in the light as she rolled it around in her fingers.

"There's writing on it...It says a name...Jun'ko? Was that my mother's name? Jun'ko?" She stared at the trinket a moment longer then heaved a sigh.

"You should wear it." Lapis stated before Nari could place it back. Nari nodded her head and handed the necklace to Lapis.

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'I have all these strange feelings inside of me, but no one to talk to about them...oh, if only Mother Mari were still here! She would know how I feel, would know what to say to make it stop...'

Nari took a step forward, caught her robe in one hand, pointed toes in the powdery sand and dipped low...dancing lessons that Mother Mari had taught her when she was only six.

Closing her eyes, Nari swayed to remembered melodies that she and Mother Mari had sung. She could almost smell the fragrance of her stepmother, hear Mother Mari's laughing tone remonstrating that she was to step lightly, not stomp her feet like the militia; 'Do you want men to fall in love with you, or fall over you darling?'

Sunlight was warm on her face and bare arms, sand gritty and heated under her feet, flying up in spraying arcs as she danced over graceful tussocks, emulating the bend of the long grasses, arms over head, moving in silent music and desperate sorrow.

She was unaware that she had an audience.

Atemu sat mounted on his horse, staring down at the girl as she danced. He halted his men with his hand and slowly slipped off the horse.

Her arms swept through the air slowly, as if she was pushing back the soft breeze. Her legs lightly circled the floor and her head stood erect. A tear fell down her cheek as she slowly came to a stop. She was breathless from her exertions, face flushed pink, sand-crusted robe lifted to expose bare, slender legs to the knees. With her hair in disarray, freed from the confining braid and tumbled over one shoulder.

"You dance wonderfully..." Atemu whispered behind her. Nari gave a shriek and turned to face him. Her hand went flying and she smacked him soundly on the cheek. He blinked in surprise and raised a hand to his now burning face.

"Well...I wasn't expecting that..." He turned to his dismounting guardsmen and halted them.

"Is there something wrong? You looked sad..." Nari's eyes darkened at the stranger and she smacked him again.

"How dare you spy on me?" She yelled. Atemu rubbed at his face once again and gave her a glare. "Would you stop hitting me?" He half shouted.

Nari brought her hand down once again, but this time he was ready for it. He caught her wrist before it could reach his face.

"I asked you to stop!" he growled

Dark violet eyes stared at equally dark violet eyes. "Let.Go.Of.Me." she said through gritted teeth.

"Do you know any manners at all?" He asked still holding a firm grip on her wrist.

"Fine, will you PLEASE let go of me?" Atemu dropped her wrist and stepped back. But her hand was fast and she caught him across the face once again.

"That is not how you treat the Prince of Egypt!" Guard's men shouted as he jumped off his horse.

"No it's alright Jou. I'll handle it." Atemu said as the man grabbed for his sword.

Nari's eyes widened and she fell to the floor in a cloud of dust. "Please forgive me!" She cried. Atemu laughed.

"I don't know...my face sure does hurt!" He rubbed at his cheek and gave a low chuckle as he saw her stiffen. "You're forgiven."

Nari sighed and rose to her feet, relief apparent on her delicate face. Atemu glanced at her face. There was something vaguely familiar about her, but he couldn't imagine what it was. "Have we met before?" He asked still staring at her face.

"No...It's rude to stare." She said with threat in her voice. He laughed and shook his head, as if to clear it of his thoughts.

"Yes, your right, it is rude to stare." He held his hand out to her. "Would you like a lift to your home?" Nari glanced at the horse that stood in front of her.

"If you hold me and don't let me fall..." She whispered with a frighten voice.

"Don't worry...you'll be safe with me!"

He helped her mount and climbed up after her. His body touched hers and he felt a shiver run up his spine. He defanetly wouldn't mind sharing a bed with her. He kicked his horse and began to gallop towards her pointed destination.

EEEEWWW! INCEST! I can't believe I wrote that! Anyways, R&R!