Chapter Five

Forgotten Daughter of the Pharaoh

Light streamed in through the windows in small squares as the three quietly walked down the university corridor. It was obvious Amy had been happy about the small reunion, but she was also confused about the boys' purpose.

She walked between them – Amy leading – with Dean and Sam trailing two feet behind her. They each exchanged a glance and continued to follow their old friend across the wooden floor.

They stopped in front of a set of wooden doors and peered inside. The auditorium was similar to where Amy taught at, except there were no longer students filling the seats. At the large mahogany desk sat an old man who seemed to be in his late fifties or early sixties. He wore a white dress shirt and black pants; his hair was ivory hair stuck up and he had small, gentle eyes. The professor was on the phone that was attached to his desk. His hand held a small pen which he used to record information from the conversation he was having. Professor Saton turned slightly in his seat and smiled at his approaching guests.

Amy, Dean and Sam moved forward and approached the desk as the professor ended his phone conversation.

"Sorry to be a bother," Amy smiled shyly.

"Not at all my dear," Professor Saton replied. He had a strong British accent and a simple smile. His eyes traced over Dean and Sam and he turned back to Amy. "So, how can I help Professor Cromwell?"

"Ian," Amy greeted and she motioned her hands to Dean and Sam, "these are some old friends of mine. This is Dean and Sam Winchester…they're here on research and you're the one I knew who could help."

"Ah, well, I'll see what I can do. So, I can help?" he asked the guys.

Dean gently pulled out the artifact from his pocket and carefully placed it into the hands of the professor.

Professor Saton smiled as he received the old piece of papyrus. His eyes suddenly widened and his small smile curved into a grin that almost reached his eyes.

"Bloody hell…" he murmured happily. "This is incredible. Actual ancient Egyptian writing…right here in my hands…this is quite extraordinary…where did you get this?"

"Umm, sorry professor, we can't say," Sam explained convincingly. "Amy helped identify some symbols…but we're having difficulty deciphering a message or any meaning…and these cat scratches…"

"Cat scratches…" Professor Saton repeated.

"Ian," Amy said gently. "I've never seen symbols or markings like these before. Look, the symbols are set up in the correct form to be read in – the columns – I don't think the writing has faded."

"Oh no, it hasn't my dear," the professor replied, his small eyes still focused on the artifact. "I must say…if this is a real artifact from ancient Egypt…this must be Magi writing…"

"Magi writing?" Amy questioned.

Professor Saton leaned back in his desk chair and studied the artifact a bit more. He pulled his eyes away and looked up at the three. "When I was in Giza…I heard many stories – legends mostly – about Magi writing in ancient Egyptian writing and hieroglyphics. There have only been rumors. The only set of this 'Magi writing' was found in the pyramid of Ramesses III…it was not located by his tomb but by one of his daughters…her name…tsk…what was her name…"

He rubbed his temple for a moment and his eyes lit up. "Oh yes, Natiskawa…"

"Natiskawa…" Amy repeated. "I've never heard of her."

"Oh no no, my dear," Professor Saton explained, "the Princess Natiskawa is rarely known. She's not mentioned in any textbook or other books about Ramesses III. Enough research online even will only give you small details. Natiskawa was also called the 'Forgotten Daughter of the Pharaoh'…you see…Ramesses apparently had a problem with Natiskawa…she was treated appropriately…but she was never allowed to attend special occasions or banquets, things such as that."

"Why was she ostracized from all this?" Sam asked.

"Excellent question, chap," the professor responded. The old man thought for a moment and explained, "From what I've learned and researched…there are two possible reasons why Natiskawa was so rejected from her father, the pharaoh, and even her own family…either she was born with a horrible disfigurement…or she was mentally insane…"

"If this Princess Nakasaky is so unimportant in history…why is she immediately tied to this artifact and this Magi writing…" Dean asked.

Amy's eyes were focused on Dean and Sam. Their questions were mind-blowing to her.

"Princess Natiskawa," Professor Saton corrected Dean, "is tied in with this Magi writing due to the Magi cult. You see…members of the Magi – those who protected the pharaoh – some were uncontrollably obsessed with Natiskawa. Some rioted against the pharaoh for his poor treatment of his daughter and united to form their own alliance…today…they are known as the Magi cult. Their only focus was seeing the protection of Natiskawa. The story is that Magi cult stole pieces of the Book of the Dead and were able to create some sort of spell or charm that would protect Natiskawa in life and in death…but they didn't want anyone else getting their hands on it…so they created their own language…these straight and curved lines with the odd loops…

"And when Ramesses was in the prime of his time as pharaoh…Natiskawa mysteriously died…she was somewhere in her early twenties…there is no story of how she died…and she was placed in the pharaoh's tomb. And that's that…"

Dean and Sam exchanged looks and looked back at the artifact in the old man's hand.

"That's just the story…" Professor Saton explained. "I believe there are more details to it. My own research has given me all the information I have given to you. I do have a friend, at the museum, who can help. His name is Edward Harris. He is actually in charge of the special Egyptian Treasures opening in about a week. He's the only other person I know who knows the story…"

Amy smiled and nodded. "Thank you, professor."

"My pleasure, my dear," Professor Saton said gently. He stood up slowly and handed the artifact back to Dean gently. "Take care of that…that would actually be very good in a museum…"

Dean smiled weakly and cocked his head. "Maybe some other time."

"Thank you for your help," Sam said, shaking hands with the old professor.

Nodding, Professor Saton smiled and said, "Glad to be of help. Remember, Edward Harris can help. You have a good day."

Amy nodded her farewell to the professor and she along with Dean and Sam left the auditorium.

O.O.O.O.O.

"Well…this Nataskawy princess seems like a good place to start," Dean said, saying the name wrong for the second time, "I say we see this Harris guy at the museum."

Sam nodded gently. He turned his head and searched for Amy.

Dean and Sam were leaning against the hallway of the college as they waited for Amy to reappear from her office.

Turning to Dean, Sam whispered gently, "We can't take the artifact to the museum. This Egyptian Treasures thing opening in a week…it has to be the place where the artifact was stolen…we just need to see Harris and say we're interested in the Natiskawa story."

Nodding in agreement, Dean quickly smiled when the black door of Amy's office opened and she appeared carrying a black briefcase and black blazer.

She smiled at them and the three continued their way to leave the school.

O.O.O.O.O.

"Where are you guys staying at?" Amy asked as they crossed the courtyard.

"No where yet, probably a hotel close," Dean explained.

They stood in the center of the courtyard, pacing across the red and orange leaves. A small wind blew and Amy tugged at her blazer. She cringed for a moment and then turned to her friends.

"Hey, I think you guys should stay with me…I know you're doing research but – c'mon – I haven't see you guys in so long…what do you say?"

Dean and Sam turned to each other, unsure of what to say.

"Oh, did I mention…" Amy added. "When your dad stayed with me…and right before he left…he hugged me and he wanted me to tell you guys something…if you ever showed up…he wanted me to tell you that he left the key for you…"

"Key?" Dean asked. "What key?"

She shrugged weakly and bit her lower lip. Amy smiled slowly and said, "C'mon, I have an extra guestroom…ppplease…?"

Her small smile turned into a new set of pouty lips. Dean thought she looked adorable.

Sam smiled and turned to Dean. "We save money on hotel…"

Dean smiled as well and stuck his hands into his pockets. "I call bed."

O.O.O.O.O.

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