Ten years passed since a little girl appeared on the dais just outside of the holy place of Egypt's Goddess of War and Healing. The temple had expanded from its most holy center to a few buildings cropping out into the city of Thebes itself. The sun began to make its climb toward Ra in the heavens and its beams came back down to beat upon that temple.

It came down upon the sea of sand that blew between the Temple and the buildings surrounding that Temple. That sun soaked into a large sandstone home that stood in the circle behind it. Rays from Ra flashed through into a back room of that house already empty because its occupant was taking her morning bath. The morning light lit first on a young girl's drawing of her goddess. A hook held a small wooden stave made of Holly wood. Another hook right next to it held child's amulet that appears not to have been worn for about one or two years. Another hook on that wall displayed two Egyptian daggers laid crossed – dulled with use during the hours of training with the Temples' Arms-master, Seth.

That same sun shined onto an ornate Egyptian wardrobe filled with white tunics and gowns, befitting of the station of one in preparation to serve Sekhmet. The sun shined brightly on a slight linen garment that its owner wore around the temple. Most days would show Anck-su-Namun in that garment, sitting in another building not far from here taking her lessons from one of the Medjai of the city or an older acolyte of one of the priests or priestesses who were allied with Iset, the High Priestess of Sekhmet. Inside that closet was a white linen with woven pieces of gold in its fabric – her most precious treasure. Headdresses and jewelry were scattered in clay bowls next to these. Snake armlets and lioness shaped medallions were carefully put away.

Just next to her large Wardrobe was a table in front of an ornate mirror, and a small chair was pushed into that table. On that table in different pots and bowls and cups were a variety of cosmetics available to a young girl in training for her Goddess. That same table held another bowl with a variety of bronze rings with one silver ring thrown in. There was an alabaster jar from which from even close proximity a fragrant perfume would float to the senses.

Then as the sun's beams finally filled the whole room a small desk became illumined. The desk had papyrus of Egyptian Hieroglyphics. Words spelling out Charms that only a 5th year at Hogwarts might know. Notes were on parchment regarding the proper counters to Jinxes and Dark Creatures, as if a 5th year Hogwarts Defense against the Dark Arts student might have. A parchment with an elegant scrawl revealed notes a young girl had made on turning a teapot into a tortoise, a spell 3rd year Hogwarts students learned in Transfiguration.

From the opposite side of the room a nearly eleven year old girl with barely a loincloth around her waist stepped into the room, her skin still dripping from the morning bath ritual. She walked first to the table with its mirror and stared at her reflection. Her hair lay wrapped up and under a towel for a moment. Her eyes gazed upon an ugly scar upon her forehead.

Just that look upon the scar brought dark thoughts again into her mind and threatened to touch her heart.

"Murder –"

"Death –"

"Atma –"

Each like a mantra threatened to engulf her soul and send her away. Anck-su-Namun as she was trained from her first night in Ancient Egypt, took a deep breath and sang in a clear voice.

"Hush my dear … hush don't cry

Take that thought … hush it out

File it away … put it into a jar

Protect your emotions

Protect your mind…"

When she was young, she had to sing that song oftentimes ten to thirty times to slam shields around the darkness in her mind. Now with her heart and mind more settled, it took just once to calm herself and put up the wall necessary.

She looked again into that mirror and now she saw wide emerald green eyes that were so unusual for the city of Thebes and the people of Egypt. Quickly, before thoughts of her scar could bother her again, she reached for her camel's hair brush and began to dip it into the cosmetic mix Iset had taught her to make. She rubbed it over the scar, hiding that scar away and putting away its dark thoughts. More importantly than her action was the wall she erected around that dark spot in her mind that everyday sought to come out and impose its will upon her.

Anck-su-Namun continued to brush the bronze like powder into her cheeks, then her neck. She painted her eyes and her lips.

Anck-su-Namun stood as a girl her same age, walked in. Quietly the non-magical girl took the same brush and powder and rubbed the cosmetic on her arms and upper chest. Anck-su-Namun sat down again as that same servant girl removed the towel from around her hair and began to brush out the tangles from her hair.

Anck-su-Namun allowed herself to relax into the able fingers of the girl. This was not a luxury she normally received. Yes, she painted her face to remove the scar but with lighter tones normally. Today was special.

At this moment, the High Priestess Iset stepped into the room, her carriage as regal as the Queen of Egypt. Her beauty rivaling that of Ankensenpaaten who up to recently had been an acolyte of Hathor and that temple. Over Anck-su-Namun's naked body she placed that very special white linen dress that carried down to her ankles. Then, she slipped an armlet over her left arm.

Anck-su-Namun reached into the copper bowl in front of her and on her right hand put her one silver ring on the middle finger. On her left hand she placed a copper ring on her index and another on her ring finger.

Then she stared back in the mirror, perfectly still as Iset's maid placed strands of golden ribbons into her hair. Anck-su-Namun did not move until Iset was happy that every deficiency and every unbrazen portion of her exposed skin made it clear that she was a young Egyptian beauty training to serve her Goddess.

Iset nodded to the servant girl.

"She should pass –"

The last time Anck-su-Namun passed like this out into one of the temples to meet a priest or priestess, she had been told she didn't just pass. She was an extraordinary beauty. But Iset's critical eye was not quick to give such compliments.

With the nod from their High Priestess, the servant girl rose and quickly made her way out.

Anck-su-Namun walked into her closet and pulled down her golden colored sandals and slipped her feet into them.

When it appeared all was done, Iset pulled out a medallion with the image of Sekhmet on it, clearly enchanted.

"We are not going on a swimming trip to the Nile as young acolytes for fun, Anck-su-Namun," she said gravely. "We are preparing you to stand before your peers as a High Priestess of the Goddess. I shall present you to the High Priest of Bastet. We shall have a feast with music."

Anck-su-Namun moved her head up and down, her face broken into a huge grin at going out and showing her beauty.

"But we are leaving the safety of the Temple Grounds, Anck-su-Namun."

"Yes, High Priestess," she replied.

"This medallion will make it appear that you are not present for the majority of spies until we get to the temple." She lectured. "But there are those who could see through such magic."

"I know, High Priestess," was the quicker than wanted answer.

"Remember, you are quickly growing into a beautiful young lady. There are men in our society who would do you harm."

"I understand, High Priestess" she answered yet again.

The High Priestess dropped the medallion over Anck-su-Namun's chest and sighed sagely.

Quietly for her own ears only, though Anck-su-Namun picked it out clearly, Iset said, "I wish I could make you understand all the dangers."

Rather than dare to lecture any further, Iset turned and commanded, "Come now, Anck-su-Namun. Our chariot awaits."

Anck-su-Namun lifted her head up high, as she had been taught to carry herself. She was not royal blood, but her magic and her station as possibly the next High Priestess of Sekhmet meant that she should carry herself as if she were. Without a glance back she walked through the small door of her room and through the receiving room of their house and walked out the door.

Iset waited as first Anck-su-Namun walked past Seth, now the Arms-Master of the Temple and up the steps of the chariot. She sat down quietly on the side across from the main chair of the chariot. Then, Iset made her way up the stairs and sat down.

"To the Temple of Bastet, Seth," Iset spoke.

Anck-su-Namun did not speak and Iset did not either as the carriage made its way through the religious quarter of Thebes. Down past the Halls of Hathor and then past another temple. This way perhaps was longer, but Iset never ever drove the chariot past the Temple of Osiris. Then the chariot came to a stop outside a large temple complex with steps leading up to a domed temple. Watchtowers beamed to the left and right of that dome behind.

After Seth opened the door, Anck-su-Namun stepped out first, still invisible to all non-magical eyes and most magical eyes and she stood waiting for the High Priestess who stepped down. With a nod at herself and then Seth, Iset led the way up the steps.

Once inside, Iset turned to Anck-su-Namun, "You may take of the medallion now, but keep it close in case danger should come."

Anck-su-Namun just inside the temple took off the medallion and stood to the left of the High Priestess. A large bald man stepped into the Temple with his white cloak billowing behind him.

"Greetings, High Priestess. May your prayers and work bring Egypt victory in war and healing from its wounds."

"Thank you, High Priest." Then after a dip of the head she turned her head toward Anck-su-Namun.

"This is my young acolyte, Anck-su-Namun. Already she has shown proclivity to the Magic Arts."

The High Priest stepped up before her and looked at her carefully. "You are every bit as beautiful as my acolytes tell me, Anck-su-Namun. Welcome to the Temple of Bastet. Follow me for our feast is ready."

He led them around the dome and away from the inner temple toward one of the outer courts where charms had removed the sand and wind and provided even a cool refreshing breeze. Two young acolytes stood at the table as the High Priest of Bastet, then the two from Sekhmet entered. The High Priest carefully led Iset to the table while the young men who were at the table led Anck-su-Namun to sit in between them.

A delightful luncheon of dates, pheasant, and light Egyptian wine were served. Anck-su-Namun and her companions heard much about the preparations for the battles Pharaoh Seti was preparing against Canaan. Sekhmet had been enchanting spears and armor and other weapons. She had also been preparing healing salves.

When lunch was over, the two young acolytes stood up, "Anck-su-Namun," the taller of the two said, "May we show you the Library of Bastet."

Anck-su-Namun grinned widely. "I would delight to see your collection of scrolls." The two boys led her outside the courtyard leaving the High Priest of Bastet with the High Priestess of Sekhmet.

The High Priest shook his head at Anck-su-Namun as she left.

"You are right to worry, Iset, my dear," he said.

She said nothing but stared at the young girl's back as she slipped away.

"Pharaoh would do anything for a beauty like that –" he continued.

She shook her head. "I believe Pharaoh would leave her be. He has taken enough from the priests and priestesses of Egypt. Hathor is angry with him. Seti knows it. He will not risk my wrath."

"Perhaps you are right," the High Priest replied.

"But even if Pharaoh would claim her, she would be safe for six to eight years yet, being trained in his harems. It would not be the worst life for her."

"She would know luxury and learning for sure." He agreed.

"But I fear the High Priest of Osiris –" she whispered.

"I see in her what he would see, Iset." He was quiet for a moment. "She is powerful and her magic is dark."

"All true –" she said. "That alone would draw his interest, for I believe Anck-su-Namun when she comes to age could easily challenge his power."

"There is more than this?" The High Priest asked.

Iset nodded. "I have long suspected that she can read the secret language of Anubis. I presented to her a piece of parchment from the Book of the Dead. She was able to read it."

The High Priest's eyes grew cold and distant. "Dear gods –"

"Yes," Iset replied, "For if she were in Imhotep's hands reading the Book of the Dead for him the gods would not be able to stand against them."