Chapter 8

"What are we gonna do with the girl? He was supposed to be here hours ago!"

"Don't ask me. I knew that bastard wouldn't keep his promise, but he offered us four thousand silver coins! We can't pass on something like that!"

"What are we going to do? We can't keep her here! Do you know who she is?"

"Hush! Of course, I know who she is. The blue orbed goddess. The female dog that helped that bastard take the throne."

I didn't dare move a muscle. They were near, very near. I couldn't open my eyes and tried my best to ignore the pain in my stomach and ribs. I felt ropes tying my hands and feet together. I must've been out for hours! The crew should've started the search for me earlier. I'll leave the finding me part to them. All I need to focus on is not getting killed by these fat bastards. Osiris, it hurts!

The three of them sat at the table murmuring to themselves. It was just loud enough for me to get little bits of their conversation. Apparently, some guy hired them to come get me, provided them with my location, and what I'll be doing that day and who's going to be in the house. I wasn't going to be ransomed, though, which makes me more nervous.

They don't have a good enough reason to keep me alive.

I peeked through my lashes and found 3 rather lean blurs at the table a few yards away from me. I couldn't see clearly and the pain in my ribs was starting to strain with every breathe I took. One of them looked my way and got up to check on me. I couldn't keep the unconscious facade, it really hurt too much. I was afraid he would kick me, that would really break my ribs, but he didn't. He hoisted me up onto a hard bed and placed the mouth of a cup to my lips. I opened my eyes and was met with dark skin and sharp features. The moment I opened my eyes, he was shocked and pulled away from me.

They don't want me dead, someone else does, and they're willing to pay big bucks!

The other two walked to the bed and stood at the edge, staring at me as I tried my best to keep their stare. I could tell they were slaves. They had whiplashes all over their shoulders and arms which they tried to cover with long sleeves, but took off when inside. They had that starved look in their eyes that I remember so well, the look of hunger and desperation.

"You were slaves before, am I right?"

"Young lady, that's none of your business what we were before. All you have to worry about is hope your little husband can find you in time."

"I have no worries about that. It doesn't really matter right now if they find me now. You didn't kidnap me for ransom, someone paid you to kill me. I do give you credit for waiting. God forbid something happen to me and Sheftu find you before you get your ticket to freedom. You'd all be screaming from hell."

"..."

Their faces hardened and one of them turned to go back to the table. I held onto the eyes of the person who carried me to the bed. He's probably the only willing to tell me what's going on. They probably heard that I used to be a slave, too, and that I was sold to become a spy for the king. From what I know, they had a grudge against the king... or maybe even Sheftu. The one thing I don't understand is, the king was confined to his chambers by the queen until a few months ago, so all his actions were done by his subordinates... No one should know he did anything. But that doesn't matter now. I need to get myself out of this sticky situation before I become plant food.

"Can I at least have some water?" I asked out loud, hoping for the person who carried me. They all looked at each other wearily then one of the older ones nodded. He wore a middle sleeve tunic, a pair of ripped up pants and a cloth tied up on his bald head, much as the rest of them wore, but he had scars lining up from his neck to his face. Whoever he had as a master was not merciful in the least. He ordered the one who put me to bed to give me some water. The younger slowly grabbed the bottle and walked to my side. He gave me an apologetic look and helped me up. He placed the lid at my lips. I slowly drank and laid back when I had enough. They didn't bother silencing me with a cloth since I wasn't going to scream anytime soon. They may not want to kill me, but they will if they have to. I tried starting a conversation in a low voice as not to alarm them.

"May I ask who hired you, or is it too top secret?"

"...I would tell you if I knew, but only Badru knows." He said softly.

Aw, he's still a little baby, naive and scared. He's a rather bright child, if only he was born in a better family.

"Badru's the oldest one here, in the back, isn't he? What's your name?"

"Well, I'm not sure if telling you our names is the smartest idea." He said with a small smile.

Smart kid.

"You're right, but don't worry about me. Even if I were to tell Sheftu of your names, he won't make a grave for any of you." They all stilled and the youngest sharply let go, so my head sharply hit the board.

"Hey, there's no need to be violent. I'm just saying it's either you or me, and I don't plan on dying. I have a promise to fulfill." The youngest stuffed the cloth back into my mouth to keep me silent.

After a few more hours, it was starting to get dark and my stomach was calling out to me. I slowly pushed the cloth out of my mouth with my tongue and spit to get the nasty taste out of my mouth.

"You're going to have to either kill me or feed me. I'm free from that wretched life and I'd like to keep those experiences in my past." They refused to acknowledge me and the youngest came to stick the cloth back into my mouth. They all laid bedding on the floor and went to sleep. I figured the only way for my stomach to not gnaw at my insides is to sleep it off. I'm already used to this, I can live through it.

I woke up with the birds chirping. I opened my eyes to see that they had already awakened and were eating.

So they're not gonna feed me, huh.

I ignored the pain in my gut and tried hard not to barf. For a few more hours they lounged around and poked fun at me. Then, towards midday, a messenger came by and left a note from the employer. It said he'd come tonight and to leave once they've had their dinner. It also included a location to where they'd find their payment. They were all too happy for evening to come. They packed everything up and waited until their dinner was brought to them. They quickly ate and left without a single glance.

What am I going to do now? They may not want to kill me, but the man coming does! Sheftu, hurry up!

A few moments later, I heard shuffling of more than two pairs of feet at the door. Please, let it be on my side, Osiris. Unfortunately for me, it didn't go my way. Zasha appeared at the door. He took a look at me and sneered.

I am so dead.

What's even better, Sahure showed up to join the fun.

Sheftu, you might want to hurry up with the whole finding me, while I'm still breathing.

Sahure took a seat and watched as Zasha blathered a lot of nonsense I really don't need right now. He set me upright and dragged me by my hair to the floor. He prepared a wooden stick... His hitting stick.

Bam bam bam, smack, a tug of my hair and the ripping of the expensive silk I wore.

"How is it that a disgusting filth like you can wear such fine silk, yet, my wife has only itchy fabric to cover herself?"

"Silk is too fragile for her thick and fat body, you should take that into consideration. To think you married such a piggish woman, even if her father did have a lot of money. That's low."

"SHUT YOUR TRAP, YOU WENCH!" Another smack to the face and a wooden stick to my ribs. I didn't dare even acknowledge Sahure's existence. Zasha's a coward with rage, but Sahure has the ability to really kill. I took the abuse like a champion, even with my growling stomach and aching muscles. I didn't scream for help or cry, which only made the stick come down harder. My back is covered in splinters and glistening with sweat and blood. Suddenly, another messenger came in and whispered into Sahure's ears. The juggler left the room in a hurry, didn't even bother telling Zasha. Then, I knew.

They're here.

There was a loud thud when the doors came down, but Zasha was too preoccupied to notice. By then, I was on the verge of breaking down. Nekonkh grabbed Zasha, while Sheftu ran to me. He cradled me to his chest and shouted for the physician. Through half lidded eyes, I saw Nuri glare at Zasha with disgust and hatred in her eyes.

"Get Nuri out of here, she's just a child!"

"Shh, my Love, don't speak. It'll be okay, I've got you. Garai, take Nuri out of here!" Nuri dragged her feet, still glaring at Zasha with disgust.

I felt my conscious slipping, Sahure mustn't be too far.

"Sahure was here...he lead...Zasha to m...me... he can't...be t-too far." Sheftu looked at me with determination, ordered the guards to look for the juggler, and picked me up to take me back home.

I felt myself being placed on our bed and Sheftu softly sobbing bitterly. My disappearance must have scared him.

"It's...ok, I'm...s-still alive. You ...can't ge-get rid of m...me that easily." I rasped out, I felt hot tears on my face as my Love hugged me to him. For the next few hours of the night, I was delirious with my fever and wounds that lasted a few days. Sheftu didn't leave me for a minute. I felt safe and at home even with the discomfort of the wounds and fever.

I'm finally home.