Chapter 5

"Hold on tighter Abasi you fool!"

"I am brother. She seems to be stuck. Oh no, she could be trapped in the reeds!"

"Hurry! Pull harder fast!" Two men in only loincloths on their fishing boat, pulled on a stray leg and tried desperately to pull, whoever was in the Nile, out before they drowned. "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP!"

Their shouting got the attention of the Princess Nefertiti who was lounging on the reeds, with her personal Med Jai body guards. One of her guards turned to her and bowed before speaking.

"My lady. There seems to be a disturbance in the Nile."

"Then see to it." she dismissed them and returned to her reading, unravelling the next sheet of fresh papyri.

The Guard in red and Black head cloth and loincloth, waded into the water with two of his companions, only to be stopped.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"My Lord, there seems to be a person drowning in the Nile."

"I shall see to it. I can swim faster than any Med Jai." The men made way for their better and one held his robe for him. the bronze skinned man with now hair, quickly swam deeper into the Nile and was soon upon the boat. He reached under the water and found a leg…but it wasn't moving! He tried pulling them up, but they seemed to be tangled in something. He dived down and felt around for her wrists. They were indeed as he predicted, ensnared within the reeds of the Nile. He tugged at them and uprooted them from the river bed, until he could comfortably pull her from the water. With a gasp for air, he surfaced and held the prone body close to him.

"My Lord! Do you need assistance?"

"Yes you fool. Help me onto your boat at once!" the two men scrambled around until they had a fishing net over the side. He held onto it tightly and pulled both himself, and the cold body with him. "Out of my way! Get me some robes at once!" he spat, turning his attentions to…a woman? He quickly laid her on the wooden floor and lifted her head off the ground. He checked that her mouth was empty, before sealing his mouth to hers. As he forced air down her throat, her massaged her chest with one hand and held her with the other. He pulled back and pushed hid hand hard on her chest. He rubbed it again and blew more air into her lungs. He tired this twice more before he felt her throat lurch. He pulled back just in time to bring her head forward and hold her steady.

The last thing Hally remembered, were bright lights, water and hands pulling at her. Now she felt sick, couldn't breath and was deathly cold. She lurched forward and spat at least a mouth full of foul tasting water like a fountain. She spluttered and wheezed, clawing for breath as her chest rose and fell, desperately trying to refill her lungs. All the while, she felt two large hands rub her arms and back soothingly. Hally quivered and trembled, and didn't dare opened her eyes. Yet tears still fell down her mud packed face and she held herself within the stranger's arms. "Can you hear me?"

"Y Yes." She stuttered, through fright and cold. He held her close to his bare chest and rubbed her back as she sobbed into his neck.

"Be calm now." He soothed. "What is your name? How do you feel now?"

"M My n name is." She whimpered. She felt so cold…

"Can you stand?" that voice seemed to be very close to her ear as he shifted her to her knees. That way, if she could stand, she would be able to.

"I w will t try." Her legs wobbling like jelly, Hally clawed at her saviour's shoulders and pulled herself up. She stood for 2 seconds, before she fell forward.

"That is enough. At least you appear unharmed. I will arrange for these men to escort you to the banking." After a moment of silence, he spoke again. "Well? That wasn't a request!" his voice was harsh, but it didn't seem that he was talking to her. She heard scattering foot steps and assumed that wherever she was, she and her hero, were not alone. The man who saved her held her tightly against his body, to support her she assumed and tried to get her breathing back to normal, as well as her shivering under control. A few silent moments passed and Hally felt the man rub her back in circles. "Are you able to speak now?"

"Yes…thank you ever so much. I owe you my life."

"What is your name?" he said softly. She felt her chin being raised with one of his fingers and smiled through the mud. She could feel that every inch of her skin was coated thickly in mud and grime. From the bottom of the pool she assumed…

"My name is Halimahotep."

"Gentle Peace…the name suits you."

"You have only just met me. And I doubt I look gentle of peaceful from the amount of mud I can feel caked to my skin." She chuckled, and heard the man chuckle too.

"Not even princess Nefertiti herself could pull off as much grace in almost drowning and being completely covered in the mud from the very depths of the Nile like you have. And you can still seem to smile about the affair that you have just endured."

"Sometimes it just helps to look on the brighter side of life. Why get upset about almost dying, when I didn't, or being covered in mud, when it will wash away?"

"You are a wise woman. And yet you appear very young. How old are you?"

"In three days, 18."

"You are young." Hally felt a thud and two sets of foot steps leaving very quickly. Hally looked away from her saviour and towards the sounds of…people.

"My Lord? Do you require your robe back?"

"I require a chariot with as fast a horse as the Gods will permit. Now Med Jai."

"Med Jai…" Hally muttered under her breath. There were 10 or so men, all tall with similar tattoos on their face and bodies as Ardeth had. They all wore black and red loincloths and had a strange head cloth that looked to be part of the uniform. It was also red and black. Every man had rippling muscles and stern faces…not to mention large, big ass swords and spears in their hands.

Hally tensed out of fright and only relaxed as her hero squeezed her shoulders from behind. Hally was about to panic, until she felt the cold feel of metal down her muddy front. Good. at least I still have the sceptre.

"My Lord. A Chariot awaits." One of the Med Jai bowed and Hally felt herself being pushed forwards gently from behind.

"This was Halimahotep." His voice reassured her greatly and did as she was told. They got a few steps, before that dizzy feeling came over her again and Hally fainted on the spot. But she did not hit the ground. Instead, she was caught and was lifted into a large ornate chariot, her saviour at the reins.

Before Hally was whipped away, a Med Jai placed a hand on the chariot.

"Master Imhotep. Why do you take the girl with you?"

"It is not your place to ask, Med Jai!" He spat. But he forced himself to bow as the Princess walked towards her guard.

"He may not be at a position to ask anything of you My Priest, but I am. Why are you taking the girl with you?"

"Princess Nefertiti please. Do not concern yourself with such matters. As for the girl, she is my responsibility. You see her right hand?" Imhotep held the limp Hally against his chest and lifted her right hand towards his mistress. As soon as Nefertiti saw the large Blue signet ring, she nodded and smiled. "Now you see that I must take her wellbeing into my own hands? She belongs to the Temple of Osiris and is a Priestess herself. She belongs to my Temple and my priests, or even priestesses, are all my responsibility. Besides…there is some unearthly feel about this 'girl' as you so call her." Imhotep cracked the reins and started the horses with a start. They neighed loudly and jolted towards the great Temple of Osiris. "And I intend to find out why…"

"This can not be happening." Hally paced her room and frowned madly. "This can not be happening!"

Hally had woken up, naked, in a silk bed, in a golden room fit for a king, Queen, prince, princess and the rest of the royal family, and her sceptre gone and no idea where she was. And that wasn't the worst part.

Her skin was miraculously mud free, clean, smelt of exotic spices and her hair was wonderfully soft and smelt divine. As lovely as that sounds…it meant only one thing.

While she was unconscious, someone had peeled her to of her clothes, taken the sceptre to only Osiris knows were, bathed her, cleaned her scrupulously, rubbed every inch of her now glowing skin with scented oils, and left her naked in a bed.

Well.

She could only hope that they had left her there…and not joined her…

But she was sure that that hadn't happened as she had forced herself to check for such things. She was untouched, thank God.

But her lips tasted different. She couldn't put her finger on what, but they tasted of something…else. But it wasn't a bad taste. Quite the contrary, it tasted lovely.

Hally had searched everywhere for the sceptre, and found a very authentic Kalasiris along the way. She wore no jewellery, only soft white slippers, a long Kalasiris with a white top, no sleeves, a low V neck, a very real front veil and nothing underneath. Thank god her breasts were larger than needed for this outfit or she would have no support from it. It was entirely white except for the veil and attached Deco revival. They were a soft violet and her Deco revival had two large wings as the centre pattern. Hally found that her eyes had been painted with Kohl eyeliner, but like a master had done it. There was a mirror in the room and that is where Hally was stood right now. But she didn't have time to smile at how wonderful she looked and felt. After a long mornings think, Hally realised where she was. All it took was a brief look out of the balcony, to see a vast and marvellous city. Hally would have called it a replica of an ancient city. But it wasn't ancient. Everything looked new as the sand ran over the street ways and horses pulled chariots down them.

Here lies the gateway to the Heart of Osiris. Follow the path of the days of old. Follow your heart and find two. I the Chosen one speak these words and vow to save two hearts from destruction. I will follow the path laid before me by my God Osiris and will not return until the task is done.

That is what she had chanted in the pool. It must have been an incantation. How could she have been so stupid as to read a spell off the floor like that? She almost drowned…almost.

Her mind cast back to the man who saved her. She could only remember his voice as she didn't actually look at him. His voice was like pure honey and maple syrup on her tongue. His hands were very masculine and ruff, yet gentle to her skin. But back to the present. Those incantations…what did they do to me? where did they send me?

Hally paced along the room and knotted her eyebrows together. "Of course!" The spell said to follow the path of the days of old! That was the reason the ancient city looked new! It was new! I'm in the past…but just how far? Hally looked out to the veranda and looked over the edge at the city again. looking at the building she was in, it wasn't a normal house. It looked more like a huge pyramid, just without the pointed panicle. Instead of a point, there was what looked to be a temple made of the finest stone and brick. All around her were pillars and the veranda itself was a semi circle, lined with pillars encrusted with hieroglyphs. But she was too busy looking out to the mighty palace at the other side of the kingdom. It looked to be made of Gold and more grand than where she was. But that didn't matter. From the architecture, she was in ancient Egypt, probably the capital. What year it was she didn't know, but the smell of spices and strange, but sweet perfumes crept upon her and she lest herself in the new, or old, fragrances. With a slight skip, Hally swivelled on the spot. Her golden hair glowed with the sun and she soon found herself smiling, her eyes closed and her arms out. She danced back into the ornate room and returned to the mirror. She twirled and for a moment, a girlish smile traced her lips and she closed her eyes again. A soft giggle left her lips and a chuckle from behind, snapped her back to reality. On instinct, she span round and punched them square in the gut.

Out of surprise, Imhotep fell to the ground from a punch so quick, that he barely saw it. He landed on his back and had pulled his 'attacker' with him. Hally laid, her front pressed against his and her hands on his chest. Hally was looking straight down into a set of deep, dark chestnut eyes. She became entranced by them and didn't even notice the way he seemed to stare into her eyes, in just as much awe.

Imhotep had never seen such eyes! As deep as the night sky, as blue as the purest river, and with so much life and feelings that only Magic could be responsible for the Sapphire sparks that ran through her Irises. The pigment of her eyes were so exotic, never heard of before. Never had he ever encountered, or heard of an encounter, with a blue eyed woman. Not even a man. His hands slipped up her arms and he held her lightly, letting his eyes explore the other flawless features of her face. Her cheeks were petal soft and her skin was a light peach. She had high cheek bones and full lips. And her golden hair fanned down by her sides and a lock of her hair fell on his face. To think this was the same creature as the one he fished out of the Nile the day before was unreal. The day before, she was clad in thick brown mud, her hair looked black with dirt and her skin looked darker than his. Yet now, her hair shone with the same golden glory as the sun, her skin was as pale as a soft, full moon and her eyes sparkled like every star in the night sky. Imhotep had fished Isis reincarnated herself from that river. The beauty before him couldn't only be the child of a Goddess, or a God. She was breathtaking…

Hally traced his body with her eyes. He had tanned bronze skin, a shaved head, black eyebrows, perfect dark orbs and well formed lips, full and soft in appearance. At a quick glance, she couldn't see any hair on him, other than his eyebrows. This stranger had the body of an Adonis! His muscles rippled with his every breath, that she noted were getting deeper, and his pectorals were smooth and he wore a thick, golden chain with two silver plates at either side, a golden plate at the top and a purple and gold scarab in the centre (like in the movie). She brought her right hand from his left peck, and traced her fingers over it. Imhotep brought one hand up and traced her ring on her finger…drat! Hally immediately pushed off and got to her feet. Her eyes darted around the room for a way to escape, but Imhotep pulled her against his back.

"Calm yourself Halimahotep." Hally stopped at the voice. Like honey and syrup…

"Do you know me?"

"I should. Especially after your little swim in the Nile." The end of his sentence ended in a mischievous chuckle and his hands held her arms slightly.

"You know, I never got your name…"

"Do not be modest. Every man and woman in the four Kingdoms knows of me."

"…" Hally couldn't think of anything to say. Great, someone famous had found her and if she didn't know who they were, she would surely raise eyebrows…unless… "I fear I do not. As you can clearly see from my appearance, I am not of this land."

"That can not be so." Imhotep let his hands slide down her arms and walked around her. "If you were not of this land, then how did you become a Priestess? Of Osiris none the less." As Imhotep stopped before her, Hally lowered her eyes to the floor. If he was famous, and this was ancient times, the proper manners to be submissive to those above you in social rank. And if this guy was famous, he would no doubt out rank her. But what would she say now? "Who are you?"

"My Name is Halimahotep."

"I know your name, but what of your origin? If you are not of this land, then how do you speak in the same tongue as I? When I speak in the sacred tongue of the Gods? Only the richest or the highest ranking priests learn such a skill as the higher language. So how did you come to learn of it?" All the colour from her face drained in a moment. She didn't realise that she was speaking in any special Egyptian. In her mind, she was speaking relatively normally. She chanced a quick glance up at her host and saw him leaning against the wall. His arms were crossed over his buff and wonderfully bare chest and his black robes were open, allowing her to see all of his perfect body. His thighs were pumped and his abdomen was making her want to drool. But she forced her eyes to return to her feet. Imhotep however, did not have the same restraint. His eyes followed every rise and fall of her round mounds as she took breath and smiled at how they looked like they would bulge out from the fabric of her Kalasiris at second now. He could only be grateful that her eyes were focused at the ground. He shook his head and scorned himself for his shameful behaviour. "Well?"

"I have a gift for learning languages. This happened to be the one I heard first. And it is plainly obvious that I am not part of this mighty race." Hally bowed and lowered her body to kneel on the ground. "But I am not from this land. And I truly, do not know who you are."

"You are a priestess of Osiris, true?"

"Yes."

"Then how can you not know your High priest?" ok, this was awkward. Time for a very crafty, not too wonderful lie.

"I know that you are the High Priest of Osiris…I just do not know your name…"

"Oh. So you do know of me. I misunderstood your words, forgive me. I am the High Priest of Osiris, Imhotep." He bowed his head and didn't see the look of horror on her face. Great, I get a spiritual task for an almighty God, I get a crazy Australian chase me…who I removed…I get sent back in time and happen to be in the care, of the one and only Imhotep. Great. My life, just keeps getting better and better…or does it? A realisation hit her like a cold wave of water. Follow your heart and find two? Two hearts? Didn't mother say that Imhotep had to endure the Hom Dai, because he fell in love with the Pharaoh's mistress? And that the last time they were together, she left him and…broke his heart? She destroyed his heart!

"This is wonderful!" Hally jumped to her feet and started to skip around on the spot. I have to save two hearts from destruction right? One is the Heart of Osiris, the other the heart of…Imhotep! I have to stop his heart from breaking too! Finally I know what I'm supposed to do here. Now all I need to do is prevent him from eloping with that Anck person and get the Heart of Osiris…

"I am glad you like my name." Hally stopped her train of thought and blushed towards Imhotep. She had been in her own world and forgotten he was even there!

"I apologise my Lord." Hally dropped to her knees again. "I should have controlled myself better. I have just…heard so much of you."

"All pleasant I hope." Imhotep pulled away from the wall and lifted her chin. "It was the Gods themselves that ensured that I was the one to save you from death. As you are my Priestess, it is my responsibility to keep you from harm."

"I am very grateful to both the Gods, and you for saving me my lord." Hally remembered something, very important. "But I must ask you a question."

"Yes?" He lifted her chin and forced her gently to stand before him. Such a beauty in his eyes shouldn't kneel on the floor.

"When you saved me, I had a certain object with me. It looks like a metal rod, has a star on one end. It is very important that I get it back…my uncle gave it to me…"

"Your Uncle gave you the sceptre of Osiris?" Imhotep captured her eyes and Hally couldn't help but quiver. But what would she tell him?

"Yes my Lord. It was a gift and I have earnt it through inheritance…" memories of her family and the Med jai flooded back to her. That Australian man had gotten past them with all those soldiers. Osiris said that he would return them to her if she completed her mission. And for Osiris to return them in the first place…meant that they were…

Imhotep saw tears begin to pool in her eyes and realised that her family must be a sad topic for her.

"Do you have any family to go to?"

"No." She quivered. "I do not…"

"Then you will stay in the Temple and devote your life to the great God Osiris, as he is father to us all in the end. And you belong there." He rested a kind hand on her shoulder and froze from her glistening eyes. They were so beautiful…he had to keep her away from the Pharaoh. "In fact, this is your new room."

"I thought that I was to go to the temple?"

"You are in the Temple. I feel you may have bumped your head on a rock n the Nile. Surely you must remember where you are."

"I haven't really looked around that much. I am very grateful, do not feel me ungrateful…but…"

"You wish for me to return the Sceptre to you?" Hally lowered her eyes again. She had begun to lose herself in his eyes and felt very embarrassed at being caught. But he cupped her face gently and lifted her face to his. "Do not lower your gaze to me, fair, fair Halimahotep. You were given your unique eyes to look, so do not avert your gaze. Especially not from me." The only sound in the grand room was the sound of their breathing. Imhotep stood dangerously close to Hally and his hands still cupped her cheeks gently. Her hair fell over his large fingers and her eyes felt like they had been connected to his, fixed into place to focus straight into the depths of Imhotep's dark pupils. One of his hands lipped off her face and he stepped closer to her. Hally couldn't breath! This man had a certain aura about him, one that demanded obedience, dominant and yet, sensual to an intoxicating extent. Hally was only 16, well, 16 in two days. And she had had little if any contact with boys her age of within her dating range. In fact, she had never had a boyfriend or been kissed. So to have this mighty Priest before her, with the Body of a God, the touch of the Devil and with his eyes staring deeply into the pit of her soul, she couldn't help but tremble. Her throat started to feel rather dry and her hands twitched. Her breaths came slower as she took deeper breaths, making her breasts rises and fall in heavy motions. Her eyes half closed, and her body screamed as Imhotep came closer still, and pulled one of her hands away from her side. He breathed hot breaths on her forehead and each breath pounded into her self restraint. And yet she would do nothing, as she didn't know what to do. His lips brushed over the skin between her eyebrows and he pulled her hand inside his robes. Her fingers were forced to trace his waist, without objection, and came to a halt on his back. Then, they were dipped into a secret pocket and her fingers felt a cool metal and she clutched tightly. It was the sceptre. He pulled away very quickly and let her take the sceptre from his robes. Imhotep turned his back to her and looked out to the veranda. Within those few seconds, Hally had experienced the most intimate moment in her life and never wanted it to end. But it did and Imhotep was at the door quicker than she could gather herself together again. "Halimahotep." He waited for a few moments until he was sure he had her attention. But he didn't turn to make sure. "This temple is you home. You can go anywhere you please within these walls and worship when ever you see fit. You must only attend the major ceremonies and the monthly gathering. The gathering was this thee weeks ago this morning. So you do not have to worry for another week."

"The gathering of what?" He paused, but answered.

"The gathering of all the priests from the three major temples before the Pharaoh. We all bless the Pharaoh and his family and invoke the Gods for their safety and protection."

"I would think the Gods would have better things to do than watch over them…" Hally slapped her hand over her mouth. in these times, to talk in such a way against the Pharaoh was a form of blasphemy. "Forgive me my Lord."

"There is nothing to forgive. I too feel that he wastes the time of the Gods with his act of omniscience. He is no more a God as I."

"Or I." Imhotep turned and looked over his shoulder slightly.

"You do not see yourself as important, do you?"

"Why am I important? I am but a priestess, a human. His only real beings of real importance are the Gods and high priests. Everyone has a maker, someone to look up to. Whether that be the workers to the Pharaoh…or I to you."

"You have wisdom beyond your years." Hally blushed and still looked to the floor. She was still stood, but lowered her gaze respectively. "I told you not to do that." Imhotep took a few steps towards her, but stopped. "You will be hungry. There is a special room, on the bottom level. All the priests at this time will be eating their morning meal. Go there and eat to your fill." He turned and his robes billowed behind him, giving him the appearance of a spectre of sorts.

"Imhotep!" He froze at the door and slowly turned to look at her. Hally didn't know what to say. She didn't mean to call after him, but she did all the same. "Thank you my lord." She lowered to her knees again and waited. Imhotep smiled when she wasn't looking, and left silently. "What a day…and what a man…" unbeknownst to Hally, Imhotep was stood to the side of the door, and heard her every words. He grinned to himself and headed towards his private prayer room. back there, when he had his hands on her, he almost lost control of himself. Never before had his desire for a woman been so strong. But priests were forbidden to wed anyone but their own rank of priest. He was a high priest, so he could only wed a high priestess. But, never before had someone close to his rank, oh so close, been within reach and to his undeniable liking. She was the imagery of beautiful, divine in her own right. She took the air from his lungs and the barriers around his heart down. With one, simple look. Her skin was soft and could still feel where her delicate fingers had traced. He seriously though about just forgetting about the proper rules and make his attractions to her known. But from the way she reacted from his touch, he knew she was inexperienced. And she was so young. True, younger than her were the bed slaves of even the Pharaoh. But not only was she young, she was naïve and pure, untouched by any man. He was sure of it. to him, she was a virgin goddess, forbidden to him and out of his reach. But his feelings towards her grew, even know. all he had to do was think of the way her lips parted, ever so slightly, from just the closeness of their bodies, and he wanted to turn around and run back to her. but he would not. he used his mental strength and emotional training to suppress this needs and continue with his work. He had to meet with the Pharaoh soon and he couldn't let his lord see him lust driven towards a new priestess. There was no way he was letting his Pharaoh find out about her. Seti was famous for his bedroom addictions and how low he went for a high. He had an entire harem, just to satisfy him. and then he had his favourites. If Imhotep remembered correctly, Seti had purchased a new concubine from a trader only the day before. What was her name again? Anck something or other.

But that was not important. All he needed to do, was keep her a secret from his lord, and ensure that her beauty didn't entice the Pharaoh into taking her as one of his many, many bed slaves. There was no way he was going to sit back and let her become a whore!

Hally made sure her violet Kalasiris was all in place and left to find the illustrious 'meal room' and have something to eat. She was starving. She made a quick note of where she was and explored the temple. It was huge!

She was on the very top of the temple floors. There was another bed room from the looks of things, further out of sight but she could see the door. It looked like hers so she assumed that it was a bedroom anyway. Connecting her room to the 'other room', was a long golden corridor. Ok, there was lots, and lots of gold back then…erm here…oh I know what I mean. Down the corridor she found a flight of steps. They led to another level and many rooms, all made from gold with different alters. All to Osiris, but for different ceremonies. One room however, was filled with many men in green toga like robes. But the odd thing was, all their bodies were painted in a metallic gold, completely, from head to foot. They were caked in the stuff! One looked at her, gawked for a while, and then started whispering to the next one. Soon, the entire room buzzed and it seemed to be directed at her. feeling very uncomfortable, Hally quickly walked past that room, and came to yet another set of stairs. They led her to a junction and she had to do close her eyes and pick one before continuing. She skipped down them and almost bumped into another golden skinned man, who was rather rotund, and smiled nervously. She left in a hurry and continued down the golden staircase. Finally at the bottom floor, she rooted around the temple to find herself, outside. There was a large, bustling open area with lots of people praying to their Gods and giving offerings to them. She saw a school of small children and older children through an open door at the far end of the great hall. A school of course. Then she saw that a priest was teaching them. she looked around and saw children skipping and playing with dolls. The boys are in school, and the girls are playing. I guess they must not feel that girls need an education in this time. Or they learn it later, or even after the boys have finished. They could just be another class. Hally walked deeper into the hall, and soon felt about a hundred eyes bore into her. since her skin was lighter, and her hair was a brilliant blonde, the black haired and brown eyes Egyptians made her stick out like a sore thumb. Everyone looked over at her and some even pointed. No really. That is hardly necessary, and very rude. After she got to the other side of the Great Hall, which reminded her of the old Hypostyle Hall from the forgotten Temple of Osiris (about 30 minuets later), a spicy and succulent scent of meat hit her in a wave of smell and she followed her nose to it. She soon found herself in a large room with lots of golden priests, eating like pigs over meat and bread. But as she entered the room, it grew silent. And she lost her temper. "Look, you have a problem with the way I look, you say something about it. Not whisper like immature children and cowards! Anyone have anything to say?" Hally's scowl warned them not to even think about it, so they didn't. "Good. Now." She took a deep breath and smiled. "Do I get served or can I just get some food from somewhere?"

"You just take it from the food table." Hally turned to see a younger girl. She had big brown eyes, long black hair down to her shoulders, a small white plain dress and sandals. She was defiantly Egyptian from her Kohl painted eyes and her dark, tanned skin. She smiled up at her and looked adorable.

"Why thank you." Hally lowered to one knee and go to the same eye level as the small girl. She only looked about 10 years old. "And what is your name then?"

"My name is not important my lady."

"It is to me." Hally placed her hands on the girl's shoulders and smiled like a mother would a child.

"My name is Akila, my lady."

"Stop with this 'my lady' business. Please, call me Hally."

"I should not be so honoured." Akila bowed her head, but Hally just raised it.

"I want you to call me Hally. All my friends do."

"You would call me friend?"

"Yes. Now, you seem to know what is what around here. Would you help me?"

"I will do anything you ask!" Akila chirped, enthusiastically. Hally stood up again and held Akila's hand tightly.

"Well, I am new here. I would like it if you were to stay with me for a while. Where are your parents?"

"I have no parents…I am but a slave worker." Hally's face frowned and gave Akila's hand a tight squeeze.

"Then you are Hebrew?"

"Half Hebrew. My mother fell in love with a Hebrew worker and bore him a child, me. when my parentage was discovered, my father was stoned to death and my mother died of a broken heart..." Hally's eyes teared slightly, before she batted them away. She put on a smile for her and gave her hand another squeeze.

"Well, I like you. Would you do me the honour of being my friend?"

"Really!" Akila almost jumped off the ground, and Hally chuckled. She loved children.

"Really really. Now, are you hungry?"

"Yes, but I am not fed until tomorrow."

"Nonsense. You will eat with me." Hally held Akila's hand and led her to an empty table. She got funny looks from the priests, but she stared them down. From this moment on, Hally knew that she wouldn't be able to get a nights restful sleep until she looked after this child. but for now, she would make sure she was at least fed. "Well, where is the food?"

"Over there mistress."

"I thought I told you to call me Hally?" Akila huddled closer to her and wearily looked around them.

"But, the honoured priests are looking."

"I do not care. I want you to call me Hally. Come now, let us eat." At the back of the hall, there was a large spread of food across a golden table. From cakes to roasted duck, vegetables, figs, dates, honeycombs and large goblets of fresh wine. Hally saw the look of amazement on Akila's face, and assumed that the poor child hadn't eaten a days decent meal in her life. "Fill your plate. Eat what you wish."

"Really?"

"Yes, no go." Akila ran to the table and loaded a large platter of figs and dates. "Don't forget your vegetables!"

"I will not my lady." Akila trotted back to her and had a large smile on her face.

"And it is Hally."

"Yes, Hally." Hally led her to an empty table and Akila placed the plate in the middle.

"Well go on. Before it spoils." At that, Akila dove into her meal and consumed the entire plate. Imhotep had told her to make herself at home, but Hally didn't feel right just giving food away to children. So instead, she gave her food away to Akila. She could go without breakfast anyway.

"I have finished the platter mistress Hally."

"Oh, I guess it's a start. Better than simply mistress I suppose. And good. now, I want you to show me around all of Egypt…well…as much as you can in one day."

Hally couldn't keep her mouth closed. Akila tugged at her wrist and dragged her astounded form outside of the temple, down the mighty staircase, straight into a chariot and made her show her ring to the owner. For some reason, they gave her the chariot for the day, with no fee, and bowed to her. Hally thanked them, but found Akila soon whipping at the reins and being whizzed around the marvel that was ancient Egypt. She was about to protest, but remembered that it wasn't uncommon for children to drive their masters around for them in this time. So Akila would know what she was doing. Which she was very glad about as she had no idea how to drive a chariot. From the area she was in, Tanis was the capital city of the 19th dynasty, as she already knew that the Pharaoh would be Seti the first.

At least at first she thought she was in Tanis, but from the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx looming over head, she knew she had to be in Memphis. Maybe the Cambridge scholars were wrong. Maybe the in 19th dynasty, Memphis was the capital, not Tanis. And this certainly was a city worthy of being called the capital city. Although the streets were not literally paved with gold, the glare from the sun reflecting off the golden temple and palace, made it look that way.

Akila steered the chariot around the vast kingdom and didn't stop until they came to a dead stop at the palace gates. There was a traffic jam.

"Mistress Hally?"

"Yes Akila?"

"There is a problem up ahead. It will be a few more minuets before we can set off again."

"Very good." Both girls beamed at each other, and then looked away. Akila looked to the road and Hally returned to letting her eyes explore every sight in, well, sight.

"Do you like what you see Mistress?"

"Very much…" Her eyes had come to focus on the palace gates. They were open and another chariot led by two large white horses pulled out and into the cue. It pulled up right next to hers, and she saw the one and only High Priest Imhotep. First he looked to the side; he continued to look around…until his eyes came to focus with hers. For a moment, she simply stared at him. He raised an eyebrow and she gasped, blushed, and looked straight ahead. I can not believe I let him catch me staring like that. Or that I was staring in the first place! So instead of doing a scan for the forgotten temple of Osiris, I end up embarrassing myself!

"Lady Halimahotep. I did not expect to see you out of the temple. I did say that you had free range there, not outside."

"Forgive me. I did not think it would be a problem. I will return at once." Hally frowned as she saw the length of the cue. "Well, as soon as possible." He started to chuckle and reached over into her chariot. He lifted her chin, she had been staring at her feet again, and made her look at him.

"I thought I told you not to lower your gaze to me?"

"So I'm not the only one who doesn't do as their told." Akila giggled, but went ridged as she saw who Hally was talking to. "Forgive me! I did not know of your presence! I was looking at the road and."

"Silence child! Look at the road. Do you wish your mistress harm?"

"No my lord!" Akila whimpered and looked forward, stiff as a board. Hally frowned and looked to Imhotep with begging eyes. Those eyes made him melt inside and he decided not to whip the child for misbehaviour. But as he looked over the child again, he still looked as stern as ever. That was, until he looked into Hally's eyes again. She had her hands over her chest in a begging fashion and leaned towards him.

"I beg of you my lord." She whispered. "Akila has done no wrong. I asked her to tour me around this marvellous city; she did not know who you were. Please, if she is to be punished, let me take the punishment in her sted." Imhotep thought nothing would faze him, a man who serves a corrupt Pharaoh and has seen death in its many and volatile forms. Yet he had never thought he would ever see the day, where a person would forfeit themselves for punishment for another. He had never met someone so…selfless. And for a stranger no less. A child.

"There is no need for punishment. Especially not for you. You need not suffer for the…mishap of a slave." The cue started to move again and both chariots began to move together at the same speed. Imhotep stared into her eyes in silence, simply enjoying the feel of her cheek as he stroked it softly. Soon they road began to narrow and only one chariot would be able to go at a time in a line. Imhotep made the first, irrational decision in his life, and pulled swiftly on Hally's arm. She yelped as she flew over the side of the chariot and almost smashed her hip into the side of a horse. But Imhotep yanked her up at the last moment by her waist and swung her body into the chariot with him. Her body smashed into his and he held her tightly, one arm around her waist, wielding the reins. And the other hand on the back of her golden head, holdingher head into the crook of his neck. He cracked the reins and the horses whinnied loudly and pulled forward, leaving the other chariots behind in a gust of wind and sand.

"Where are we going!" Hally screamed over the roar of the chariot wheels and the shrieking neighs of the large stallions.

"I don't know!" Imhotep laughed into the wind and pulled the chariot off the road. He parked, stringed up the chariot and the smaller of the horses. With a foreign grin on his face, he mounted the larger stallion and trotted up to the chariot, where Hally still stood.

"Imhotep! What are you."

"Hold on!" Imhotep whipped at the reins again with enough force to speed past Hally, and swung her over his lap on the front of the horse.

People screamed and ran out of the way as the horse with two riders tore through the streets and out towards the other side of the city. Imhotep took the opportunity to use one arm to hold Hally close to him and smell her hair. It was divine and almost caused him to let the horse run into a dead end. But he swerved at the last second and pulled the horse down an alley. But it let to a dead end…and a large pile of crates. "Close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Just do it!" Hally was foolish and didn't close her eyes. Instead, she watched as Imhotep made the horse scale the crates and make a leap of faith from them, and over the wall. Hally screamed and threw both arms around Imhotep's neck. He didn't complain and sang in triumph as the horse came to a thud as its hooves hit the sandy floor. It soon sped off again and the wind made Hally's hair whip at his face. Soon enough, Hally started laughing her head off for two reasons. 1, they survived the 30 meter drop. And 2, the adrenaline coursing through her veins made her fears recede and her arms flail in the air. Like she would at a famous singer on stage.

Imhotep purposely steered the horse to go round the back of his temple and slowed down to a steady stop. The horse exhausted collapsed and threw them both from the saddle. Imhotep landed on his back, and Hally landed on his front.

"Now isn't this familiar?"

"It appears that the Gods are determined for us to lay together." Hally blushed and rolled her eyes. But her stomach growled and added to her overall day's worth of embarrassment. "Did you not eat as I suggested?"

"No, I gave my food to that little girl. She was starving."

"You are so selfless. And you did not tell me this earlier?"

"Why should I? I have nothing to prove to you." She dusted herself of and turned to see Imhotep tying up the horse.

"No, you don't…my priests will attend to him later. As for now, let us return to our rooms."

"Yes, let's." out of instinct, Hally hooked arms with Imhotep like she would a good friend, and began to walk with him towards the temple. Then she stopped at realising just what she was doing. "I beg your pardon." She tried to pull her arm back, but Imhotep held it there with his other hand, firmly.

"Is this a custom from your land? For I enjoy it."

"You could say that. And sure. Oh, not that it is any of my business. But, where did you go this morning?"

"I had to act as council to the Pharaoh. Apparently a woman of very low class has taken his eye and he wishes to make her his wife."

"And what did you advise?" He led her into the Temple and they began to walk behind the stairs. And where are we going?"

"I told him to think very carefully about taking a piece of wood and try to tell a stranger and his family that it is not a piece of wood, but a piece of Gold. No matter how much he wishes it to be a piece of gold, it is still, and always will be, a piece of wood. And we are going to use my." He opened a secret door and led her in. "Private staircase. After you my Lady Halimahotep."

"Why thank you My Lord Imhotep. How courteous of you." She giggled and walked inside. It was dark, but also looked to be gold. "Is this entire place made of Gold?"

"Yes. After you." He pointed up a set of golden stairs that spiralled upwards and Hally got the idea. She kept going upwards until Imhotep touched her back. It was a simple touch, but it made her gasp and bite her lip. In fact, Imhotep was reluctant to withdraw his hand, but he did so. He wasn't going to lose his cool over a simple touch, not in a stair case with someone lower than his rank. It was forbidden.

And he didn't do forbidden things….

Not here.

"This way?"

"Yes, this is the way."

"Where are we going? And I don't mean the staircase." Hally looked around and traced her fingers over the hieroglyphs. They told of the daily rites of the High Priest and how he had to shave his head, and the rest of his body.

"Trust me, this is a lot quicker and a lot more painless than walking amongst the simple Priests."

"Simple?"

"Hush, we are almost there."

"Where?" Imhotep raised an eyebrow and Hally turned back round. He wasn't going to tell her, so she stopped asking. Soon enough she came up against a golden wall that read. "All those whom enter risk the wrath of Osiris for trespassing on his Chosen one's chambers and prayer room." She read it aloud and didn't have any time to realise where she was going, as Imhotep pushed her inside….