The travelers that happened upon Keket were dressed head to toe in black clothing, wide hats representing the palace twitching in the cold wind of the night. Thankfully, the moon was full tonight, illuminating the royal tattoos of Seti's Medjai and the broadsword that dangled from each hip of the riders. They were just as silent as she as they measured up the other, curious and wary. What Keket assumed to be the leader, for he had the most tattoos and two broadswords, along with several hidden knives, approached her on his horse, keeping a safe distance in case she herself was armed.
For a moment, Keket was worried about her own tattoos, the ones displaying her relation to Anubis, and the other for her devotion to her father's book, the Book of the Dead, which had a passage etched on her wrist. But then she remembered that the clothing she donned and the jewelry given to her by Ptah, who had wordlessly handed her a gold bracelet when she came to him for guidance. Her top covered her father's brand and the bracelet covered the passage, leaving her a simple peasant in the eyes of humans. She kept her guard up, for these men could be bandits while outside of the Pharoah's watchful gaze.
The leader spoke, "Girl, from where do you hail?" His voice was rough but not unpleasant, with deep baritones and an accent that originated long before the Egyptians settled.
"From a place unknown to the dwellers of these lands. I ask that you take me to your Pharoah." The Medjai seemed taken aback by her brazenness but turned toward his riders, "Asim, take her on your mare," He turned back to her, "We shall see what Seti thinks of you, girl." The term was spat at her feet, harsh and demeaning. Keket tried to not take offense and swallow her pride but her impression of Egypt was already souring. Another clothed rider, who she assumed to be Asim, strode beside her and with one hand, grabbed the back of her shirt and lifted her to sit in front of him on the large warhorse, who didn't even flinch with the extra weight. She shot a glare at the leader, but he wasn't looking at her. This was already turning out to be a terrible experience.
The ride to Thebes was made slowly but steadily. Horses don't have the same traction on sand as camels do, but for the sake of night patrol, the Medjai use horses. What Keket didn't know was that when she arrived, a brilliant light flashed over the land, bright as morning, and was gone just as quickly. The Medjai leader went out with his patrol to go investigate, seeing it as a sign from the gods. Whether it was an evil omen or a good one, he did not know. Now, with a seemingly innocent peasant girl as the only discovery, he was unsure what to think. Seti would know. It would be morning when they reached the palace, and he would be able to present the girl for his decision.
Thebes, an hour before dawn
The gates of the vast city were just starting to open when Keket and her party of escorts arrived. Ra's disk, pale and radiant, was just starting to peak over the dunes. Never before had she seen Ra's disk through the eyes of a mortal. The way its light caressed the sand was beautiful. It embraced everything and Keket watched as the darkness of mut was cast away for another day. She must have been staring for Asim followed her gaze, "Have you not seen the glory of Ra's disk, girl?" Unlike the leader, Asim was not rude when addressing her, he spoke as one would when they did not know your name. She turned to look at the man, his face hidden by the fabrics of his people that protected him from the sand, but his eyes, brown and deep, gazed back at her with honest curiosity. "No, Asim, not like this."
His hold on her tightened slightly, who was this strange woman. When she spoke his name, a sense of calm washed over him like nothing he had ever felt. This was no ordinary mortal. At that moment, Asim swore to watch over her. "What is your name, girl?"
Without looking at him, she answered, "Keket, strong Asim." Once more the wave of calm washed over him, an omen from the gods was the only explanation in his mind. He was destined for this moment when the gods would speak to him and show him the way. He would be damned to ignore the sign. His grip on the reigns and around her body tightened once more. Their respective ka bonded together in that moment, a goddess and her guardian.
They entered the city and it was as though a spell had been cast over her. Everywhere she looked, life was flourishing in the city of Thebes. Children, bare-chested and young, ran through the streets, their braids flying behind them like flags, begging for hedj while mongrel dogs followed joyfully after, for where there were children, there would be scraps. Merchants from upper and lower Egypt were setting up their wares on their carpets of various colors and threads, calling one and all to view their goods. The sights and smells of all the various foods, spices, and fabrics brought tears to her eyes. It was all so colorful and beautiful. Humans were so creative and gifted. Their ability to create from seemingly nothing was just a credit to the gifts bestowed to them by Ptah. She was beginning to understand her father's love for these beings.
Asim watched as Keket stared at the city dwellers of Thebes, her eyes darting to and fro, every sight and sound apparently new to her. He watched as a woodcarver approached his horse, holding a small wooden camel in his hand. "Pretty girl, take. Take and see." He had thrust it into her hand before Asim could do anything and was following her, asking for payment and trying to grab her. "Back in your place!" Asim gave the merchant a swift kick. He stumbled away but made no effort to return, for there were always more customers.
After ensuring that he would stay back, he turned his attention back to Keket, "Are you hurt?"
She only shook her head, so transfixed by the little carving that she was unable to speak. "People make things like this, Asim? For a living?" There was no judgement or disdain, only pure curiosity.
"Yes, they do. If people can make something of value to others, they will spend their whole lives honing their craft."
Hearing their chatter, the leader turned around, "Lock it up, Asim. Woman, do not try to sway my men with your feminine charms. They will not work!" Without waiting for an answer, he turned back around to inform the guard ahead of their destination. Keket's body went rigid but Asim only laughed, "Do not worry, Keket, he is only trying to save face within Seti's walls." She did not respond but relaxed in his arms.
The palace was monstrous in person. Huge columns of limestone lining the painted walls, decorated in hieroglyphs praising the gods and of Seti, their great and wise Pharaoh. Once more, Keket was transfixed with the abilities of the humans, the grace and the ingenuity. She still had the camel clutched in her hand, squeezing it as though it would spring to life and protect her from the giant building. The group stopped in front of the first archway, now having to dismount so as to not insult the gods or Seti. Asim dismounted first and then helped Keket off the large mare. Her legs crumbled from the lack of use and she fell into Asim's chest. The leader turned just at that moment and became enraged. "Woman! What did I tell you?!" He marched over to the pair only to have Asim move the girl out of the way and stand in front of him. "Please, she is fatigued. Common folk are not used to riding on horses for so long." The logic deflated his anger only slightly, but he couldn't have one of his men talking to him in such a way in his Pharaoh's palace. Before he could open his mouth though, the girl stepped in front of Asim and spoke first, "What is your name?"
Asim coughed in surprise but made no move to stop her. The leader simply looked down at this simple woman, curious as to how she was able to win over one of his men without the use of sexual favors or magic, as she was too simple looking to be a priestess. He answered her nonetheless, "Ardeth Bay."
The walk to Seti's chambers was full of the most beautiful furniture, paintings, foods, and people Keket had ever seen. She knew it was rude to stare so blatantly, but everything was so new and so vivid for the young goddess. Asim watched as they lead her to the throne room, Ardeth talking to their second in command, Kazemde, who was also the diplomatic advisor. By now, the Medjai had removed their protective fabrics and everyone's face was bare for Keket to study. Soon Asim found himself as the object of her intense gaze. He wasn't particularly handsome, with no beard or strong facial hair like his brethren, but he had a strong bone structure and broad shoulders to make up for what he lacked in his face. But, even with this, Keket's gaze was making him nervous, "Why do you stare at me so?"
She seemed to break out of a trace at the sound of his voice, "I was studying your face. Knowing your ba is one thing, but it's nice to put a face to your wisdom and kindness."
He would deny it if anyone said he blushed. By gods, she was a mystery. Unlike any woman he had ever met, which only endeared her to him further.
His smile dropped as they approached the archway to the Pharaoh's chambers, "Keket, be warned, the Pharaoh is a very powerful ruler. Do not make eye contact and follow my lead. Do not talk, Ardeth will do the talking for us."
She was about to protest at the absurdity but they were through the archway and she thought it best to heed his warning. There were guards everywhere and ready to obey at the snap of Seti's fingers, young girls and boys walked here and there, carrying bowls of figs, loaves of bread, honey, and jars of light beer as well as different pieces of furniture and even weapons. Seti's palace was bustling with energy and purpose.
Sitting on a gold chair, the twin heads of Horus and Osiris staring into her ka with such intensity, as though it was her family watching her every step, was the very man her father praised every day, Seti, Pharaoh of upper and lower Egypt. Behind him was a younger man she assumed to be his son Ramses, who had yet to grow into manhood, and a priest. Like a cobra attacking from the sand, a sense of foreboding shook Keket's mind but she could not figure out why.
"Ardeth Bay, leader of the Medjai, what do you bring me this fine morning?" The Pharaoh spoke with regal tones, enunciating every word and never speaking faster or slower than was necessary.
The leader of the group knelt low to the ground, spreading his hands out to cover his knees and as he paused, his warriors followed after, each spreading his hands out. Keket did the same, if not a bit clumsily. When everyone was kneeling, Ardeth stood once more and addressed Seti.
"My king, while patrolling the sands, we found a woman wandering the sands, alone. It is as Ra has willed that we have brought her here for your judgement." He turned and motioned for her to stand up. She walked slowly to stand beside the Medjai leader, all too aware of the Pharaoh's eyes raking over her.
A small smile graced Seti's lips, "Indeed you have. Tell me Ardeth, for what does she seem fit?"
Suddenly, his gaze turned from scrutiny to lechery and Keket was horrified. Was this the man her father spoke so fondly of? One that would take her into his harem simply due to her appearance? Her body went rigid beside his and as he turned to look over his warriors, he could see Asim shaking, his hands clenched into fists. Normally he wouldn't hesitate to offer a beautiful woman into his king's chambers, but a twisting in his gut, the one that told him how to attack or avoid war or even how to deal with aggressive peasants, told him that Seti's bed was not the right place for this girl.
"My king, if I may." Seti looked expectantly at him, "The White Lotus has requested another servant to help Manu in her duties." He bowed low afterward, not wanting to appear disrespectful in ignoring Seti's obvious desires. Keket watched the smile fall from Seti's face but Ramses leaned over and whispered in his father's ear, once more bringing the grin, slimy and unpleasant, back to the Pharaoh's aging features.
"Alright, Ardeth, but she must begin her work at once. See to it that she's informed of her duties to my precious lotus." With that, the group was dismissed.
Without thinking, Keket marched back to Asim's side, shaking with disgust and fear. He saw this but could not comment, for they were still in the presence of the king.
This was going to be a long journey.