Chapter Five

"Make that a little straighter, and you've got it." Mahadou held out his hand for the papyrus scroll, as Sagira put the final touches on it. "You've done very well today, Sagira. You may go do as you like."

"Thank you,Master Mahadou. " She hopped off her little stool, and skittered out of the room, down towards her own suite. She was going to play with Sultana, if she could get out of the palace. She had failed the last few times, proving that she probably wasn't ever going to live up to her family's thievery skills. Not that she really wanted that anyway. Being with the Pharaoh's people over the last few months was already taken it's toll on her. Her grammar had improved quite a lot, and she had something over her brother, Bakare. She could read and write. She shook her head, seeing Seth coming up the corridor that she normally used as an escape route. Stupid Seth! He's got the worst timing ever! She straightened up, as he passed. "Good afernoon,Master Sef."

"Good afternoon,Princess." Seth studied her in amusement. "Has your father seen you in those clothes?" The girl was wearing her rags. A sure sign she was trying to get away to see her street brat friends. "I don't think it's wise for one so small to go out by themselves. Shall I get Karim to go with you?" Maybe that would deter her thought of going off with those scoundrels.

"But,I almost seven winters. I go by self." Sagira insisted calmly. She was six, not stupid. She knew perfectly well that Seth knew what she was up to.

Seth sighed in mock defeat. "Very well, if that's what you wish..." He would tag along behind her at a safe distance. He didn't approve of this venture in the least. He knew Pharaoh Atemu wouldn't have either, but on the other hand... His Highness had also said to make sure Sagira was happy. He nodded to her, and continued down the corridor.

Sultana was about to give up on Sagira showing up. The girl had been waiting for her friend for a long time. When the girl finally emerged from over the palace gate, she smirked. "I didn't think you'd show up,your highness."

"'top it." Sagira replied, pouting, as she whipped her very long hair over a shoulder. "What bring?"

"Not here. It's too close to the palace. Come on." Sultana took her to a side alley, all the way in the back. The alleyway was abandoned, and with the rare overcast sky, it was a lot darker. Perfect. Sultana thought with a smirk. "Sagira, what's that over there in the corner?" As Sagira turned to look, Sultana pushed her face down in the ground, pinning her there. "You're a little traitor! You know your brother is going crazy because of your stupidity!" She had her sickle ready. "Give me one good reason not to kill you!"

"S-sultana...no!" Sagira did her best to struggle away, but she couldn't. "S-someone, help!" She tried to kick Sultana away from her again to no avail.

"Shut it! No one's going to come to your aid." Sultana slapped the smaller girl hard. She watched in amusement as the girl started to sob helplessly. "Besides. If they really cared, the pharaoh's people wouldn't let you out alone. She raised the sickle, and started cutting at Sagira's beautiful dress. "If you keep trying to fight me, princess, I may just cut you."

"That will be quite enough, Girl." A dark voice growled coldly. A hand reached out then, yanking Sultana away from her victim.

Beni's sister found herself staring into the priest Seth's outraged face. "I...I..." She didn't get a word out, before she was knocked unconscious. "Guards! I've found the princess. Take this little murderess to the stocks, if you please. I'll take care of Sagira." Seth coldly shoved Sultana at the guards, who gleefully took her away.

"Seth, no!" Yaminah appeared behind the trembling young Sagira. "You can't have the child executed." She picked up Sagira, holding her gently, calming her.

"I damn well can! She just attempted to murder the pharaoh's daughter! Ra only knows what would've happened had I not gotten here in time!" Seth was breathing heavy in panic. "It's treason!"

"Seth..." Yaminah knew there would be no talking her love out of this. She sighed deeply. "What will I tell her brother?"

"Tell him anything you like. He probably sent her to do his dirty work. Word is, he's a lot dirtier than even the thief king himself." Seth replied, taking Sagira into his arms. "I need to get her back to the palace. She's had enough excitement for one day."

"Seth,Love...Please. She's only a little girl."

"Old enough to know better. She just attacked a near baby!" Seth growled. "We can't let it go unpunished." Seth turned,and with a swirl of his cape, disappeared into the marketplace. Yaminah stared after him, with a sad expression. How could the man she loved be so cruel? Especially to a child? She shook her head, before teleporting out of there, back to the thieves' village to inform Bakare of what was to happen.