Chapter 4

I began my research on the warriors first. The two generals next to me were from Alexandria, a big city near the Mediterranean Sea. They had a huge marine military and were on friendly terms with lots of other countries around the Mediterranean. The one closest to me was named Hondo, meaning War. He was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family and was adopted by his father's brother. He was treated cruelly, his cousins taunting him, and he grew up to be very violent. He was taught to fight at a young age and he excelled at it. He was a soldier in the marines and was recognized as a warrior when he caught the attention of the general. He is married to the daughter of the general, but stays far away from her.

The warrior next to him was name Gahiji, meaning Hunter. From the information given, he was a healthy young boy and lived up to his name, eager to hunt with his father. It was said that he was a cheerful and happy child until his mother died, and his father brought home a new mother. She took on the role perfectly, but Gahiji refused to respect her. He came to despise his family and he worked his hardest to the top. His father was a governor in a small city and seemed to have lots of influential friends who were able to help Gahiji get positions. He was a smart boy, excelling in education, and made great strategies. He was handpicked from a group of students to work for the general, as the old general is now bedridden. He is still single and shows little interest for woman, but is famous for sneaking pretty mistresses into his room.

He's going to be an easy target

The Sudanese that scared the freak out of me is called Runihura, meaning Destroyer. It's said he was just a normal guy. He scared a lot of people, but stayed out of people's way. He had an aura around him that scared people away and he had bad rumors going around about him. He was born of very high class. The son of the king of Sudan. He was the second-born. The first-born was killed a few years ago just before he was crowned. That got to talking about Runihura being the murderer. The first-born was almost as creepy as the second, but he was a little slow.

The other Sudanese next to him was his distant cousin, although they were often thought to be brothers. His name is Panhasi, meaning Barbarian. He is the son of a rich landlord who controls more than half of the capital. He has a wife and a son, but has many other mistresses who live in the same house. He bore three illegitimate sons and two illegitimate daughters. He is reaching the age of thirty-five, even though you could never tell.

The beasts that were eyeing me are General Khofra's best students. They excelled in military fights and strategic planning. The one that was sneaking glances is named Tau, and the one that was bluntly staring is called Thabit. They've been all around Africa and Southern Europe. They were both single and young, barely twenty-eight, and eligible bachelors. They were said to be very open in courting any type of woman. They're hard headed and believed themselves to be the best.

And I have every intention of using that disadvantage to its extent.

The Libyans were indeed brothers and each ruled a different part of Libya. The one that was next to Thabit is called Iah, and the one next to him is called Ialu. Their parents fell in love under the moonlight and the brothers lived a good life, in happiness and wealth. Even though they themselves were mere puppets for the priests.

Naïve and rich…never a good combination.

After looking over the information all morning and into the afternoon, I got sick of Sheftu glaring a hole in my back from the table when he was supposed to be writing a report to the Pharaoh. I promptly got up and walked out the door to take a small walk. I felt the stare of my loved one still lingering. I know this is hard on him. Of course, I know. He hasn't failed to mention the dangers of this job, many times a day, trying to convince me to quit. I understand that I'm in great danger, exposing myself to everyone. Aside from keeping an eye on the nobles at the table, I am to go undercover with a group of spies and some of the soldiers in the countryside, and comb through all the clubs and secret alleyways for anyone who was forming a rebel group. Not just for the safety of the Pharaoh, but the citizens, also, because the fighting ones aren't only the army, but the people, too.

In a few weeks, there will be a journey across Egypt to patrol the landlords, to catch any illegal killing sprees by some rich snob, and, my job, is to go and enter some secret joints that are either rebelling against the landlord or planning on a big project. I am only to join and look. Never enter in any of the attacks. The Pharaoh demanded that I stay out of any form of physical harm.

No doubt a plead from Sheftu. Dear goodness, I married a good one.

Now that I think about it, there's a chance we'll go by Menfe. I'll check up on my former master, and, if I get the chance, sweat him a little. After all, a former slave who was beaten and ridiculed years ago and is now a countess seeking a small revenge, will have his clothing covered behind shaking.