The Silent Nile
By Rayisha
Papyrus two: Snake Charmer
A/n: Thank for being so patient for me to update.
Iri awoke in the slave chambers as a breeze blew in bringing in the smell of jasmine, which came from the bathing area. The sun was shining bright as ever. An asp was near Iri's face that made her freeze.
"Nato come!" commanded a feminine voice.
The asp slithered to the arm of a sinister looking woman and wrapped itself around her shoulders. She had very short brown hair with eyes that were crimson red.
"Sorry if Nato scared you." she said, not really sounding sorry, "just to let you know newbie I'm the best performer here. So stay in your place when we perform."
"One never shines in glory for too long…they're bound to be outshined by someone better." Iri replied sitting up.
"We'll see about that. I'm Rohona, the palace snake charmer." Rohona sneered petting Nato.
"A snake charmer?" Iri asked pretending to sound interested.
"Yep. Bet that beats your performing talent by a life time." Rohona said with cockiness.
"No. Actually, it is better than you can imagine. But my talent will be a surprise." Iri retorted calmly.
After all the slaves had made themselves look presentable, a voice disturbed them.
"Ladies, it's time." announced one of the guards.
Everyone followed the guard to the throne room, each dancer bowed to Atemu and his father.
A set of drums began to play signaling the dancing to start. a/n: think belly dancing. Following the dancing, two of the women were allowed to show off their talents. The first to present was Rohona she brought a weaved basket placing it on the floor and removing the lid. A flute was played next her as she danced which made Nato come out of his basket. He slithered over to her as she danced surprisingly he began to dance with her mimicking her movements as best as a snake could. She finished after Nato was back in his basket and bowed. Atemu and his father as well as the other observers clapped.
Iri stepped up and bowed, the drummer began to play a slow-paced song. the first part of her dance imitated a serpent then became quicker, but still graceful. Her 'partner' was a transparent red ribbon. She twirled it as she spun around in a circle. For a second she stopped smiling at Atemu then continued. For her finale, she pranced over to where Atemu was and sat in his lap putting the ribbon around his neck playfully bringing his face close to hers and kissing his nose then returned to where she was before and bowed once again.
Load applause was heard once she finished. Rohona grumbled as Nato hissed. Atemu was stunned and speechless. His amethyst eyes watched Iri leave with the other servants his hands fingering the red ribbon. When the servants were gone, he felt like he was in a trance.
"Prince Atemu, its time to look at more princesses." said Priestess Isis.
That shook him out of his daze, "Yay…" he groaned.
The guards opened a curtain to reveal a room with many women dressed in white with gold accessories. Atemu frowned knowing how boring this was going to be. An hour had past and he was board to the point to where he was nodding off. He was thankful to at least have a break during lunchtime. In which only Iri returned to entertain him since she did belong to him.
"Is something bothering you Master?" Iri asked, while pouring him some water.
"I have to choose a bride before I can become the next pharaoh…and before my 16th birthday. However, none of them are my type of woman. Plus I find it boring." Atemu answered, beginning to drink the water.
"That must be difficult for you…maybe if you spend more time with each princess you'll find the one that suits you." Iri replied.
Atemu sighed and looked at her with his amethyst eyes that seem to have a fire flickering in them, "It is quite a burden. Even though royalty is the highest rank we have less freedom then the city people do."
"Why do say that my prince?"
"You get the option to meet and love the person you marry before the ceremony."
Another servant brought in some grapes, olives, dates, and a slab of goat.
"Thank you Nuko." Atemu said.
"My lord do you wish me or the new girl to feed you the grapes?" Nuko asked.
"Oh no need, I'm quite capable of feeding myself."
Nuko nodded, bowed, and left Iri and Atemu alone once more.
Iri looked at the prince, "You seem lonely for a prince."
"I have companions…Priest Mahado and his apprentice Mana."
"Well if you ever do get lonely you know where to find me."
"Prince Atemu, its time." announced a guard.
A groan escaped from the prince not wanting to be board once more. He sighed and said good-bye to Iri and went back to where he was before.
"My prince, it turns out the last one you were to meet with has been kidnapped and sold as a slave." stated the matchmaker.
Atemu left and headed towards his room which pasted by the servants' room. On the other hand, Iri headed towards her chambers in the servants room. The prince was preoccupied with his thoughts when he felt his body bump into something warm and solid. He looked up to see it was Iri.
"Sorry my Prince." She said automatically.
"No need to apologize. After all I was the one who ran into you." Atemu replied
"Why do you show me such kindness?" Iri questioned looking down at the marble floor avoiding the prince's eyes.
A look of puzzlement came to his facial features, one of his hands lifted her chin up to make her look at him.
"Iri, I show you kindness because you're the only woman I can talk to anything about since my mother."
Suddenly one of the palace cats ran by chasing after a rat and pushed Iri into Atemu causing them to nearly kiss. Just their luck they heard someone clear their throat behind them.
a/n: plz R&R the next Papyrus