Chapter 3: A grumpy welcoming
The sun was going down when the de Niles arrived at the palace in North Egypt.
Ramses cursed quietly. It was dark and cold and he could barely see anything!
Several guards stood before the entrance. The way the de Niles arrived made it quite obvious that they were royalty, too. Their arrival had been expected so the guards let them in within a few seconds. No questions were asked.
Inside sat a man not older than Ramses on a golden throne, the red crown – which represented Lower Egypt – on his head.
"You!" The man said angrily, pointing at both of them. His voice was even darker than Ramses' and his father's.
Ramses growled quietly. His father had told him to stay in the background…
"Pharaoh Setpenkhamun!" Ramses' father said, stepping forward.
"I have not agreed to you visiting me!"
"We come in peace."
"Upper Egypt is nothing but trouble. It is a mess!"
…But that was when he couldn't hold himself anymore. Ramses had to defend his family's kingdom!
"At least the de Niles have always been capable of ruling alone - without their sisters!"
His father growled. "Ramses! I told you to stay quiet!"
"But Father! He has insulted our kingdom!"
Ramses was completely ignored by his father, who turned to the front again. "Pharaoh Setpenkhamun, we came from far with the wish to gift you our special treasures."
"And what do you want from me?!"
"We want to make peace."
"I take it you have no stay?"
"We do not."
"Laughable!" He turned to the side. "Guards! Make these two leave!"
The guards walked forward when a soft and female voice suddenly echoed through the halls. "Wait!"
Everyone turned to a beautiful, young woman who stood by the side.
"Brother, I really do think they are here in peace."
He turned to her in anger. "Argh, leave my throne room!"
"This isn't fair and you know it!"
"Shut your mouth, woman!"
She crossed her arms, staying strong yet calm. "I won't leave until you give these two men a stay. They came from far and now you are throwing them out! This isn't right."
Setpenkhamun had already lost his patience. "Argh, fine!" He turned to Ramses and his father. "You can have a stay. But only for a night! And then you'll be gone! Back to where you came from!"
"This is really grateful of you," the older de Nile spoke out. He turned to his son, expecting him to thank the southern pharaoh. But Ramses stood there, staring. Staring at a woman he had never seen before.