WOW! Thank you everyone for your nice comments, I was very surprised that you liked it! I noticed that after the first chapter I believe my editors began to slack off, so beware that grammar errors might become more obvious as of now. One of my editors told me that she kept reading the story and not editing it! That made me feel nice, that means the story is getting better…right?! Well thank you for the reviews!

Chapter two:

From the temple

I was nine at the time when I was judged in front of the pharaoh that day. Afterward, I had been sent to live at the temple with the priestess, Akila. I was the daughter of Seth, which meant that I had the responsibility to learn of his adventures, of his allies, and of his enemies.

From the time I woke up I was sent to a servant who applied my makeup, rarely was my makeup done by Akila herself, something I missed. From there, I would go and train with the other priests and priestesses. My life went on in this manner for five more years, and not once was I permitted to leave the temple grounds.

After my 14th birthday, I had been declared the right age and my training was completed. However I was still restricted to the temple.

It was three months after my birthday that I was called upon.

I was full grown by then, standing nearly as tall as Akila herself. My hair had become even more magnificent in the years of careful cleaning and even my skin seemed to glow more, despite its ash undertone.

Of course I had Chigaru with me. The pharaoh had given him to me as a present, for neither he, nor anyone in his whole court, wanted such an ugly and temperamental beast.

Chigaru wasn't particularly ugly; in fact he was quite attractive if you got past the long face and odd shaped ears. He seemed to match me so perfectly. This was understandable, since he was trained to be the faithful dog of Seth himself.

Priest Chike had called me. I had only seen him twice since my testing in the palace halls, and only while walking to my makeup room in the morning.

He never talked to me, and in fact I was beginning to wonder if he had forgotten my existence. That would not have surprised me.

Priest Chike hadn't changed in the last five years, unlike I had. His already wrinkled face was slightly more pruned and his temper more sharp, obviously these were not improvements.

When I saw him I bowed as low as he deserved and then took a seat, on my knees, in front of him.

"Do you know why I have called you here?" Chike wasn't facing me at all; in fact, he was gazing out the window almost resentfully.

I fidgeted and felt almost unwanted, "No sir," I wrung my hands in my lap and patiently waited for him to continue.

He turned, and I could see the rings under his eyes; they seemed to be darker then I remembered them being, "You are to entertain the Pharaoh."

I couldn't, for the world of me, figure out what could be troubling the Priest so badly. It was a great honor to entertain the pharaoh, even if it was slightly nerve-racking.

"That is wonderful, Priest Chike!" I said honestly. "What might I be performing?"

The priest sat across from me, cross-legged, took a dark flask and drank what smelled like wine, "'Three Days, Three nights'."

The 'Three Days, Three Nights' was the best dance I could perform; it was intriguing and held the story of the greatest of the gods. Since Seth was a major character in the story, and my patron god, I was trained solely on this dance for a year. Along with Fenuku, a young priest still in training. I had performed it on several occasions for a tiny audience.

"Will Priest Fenuku be joining me?"

The Priest brought his gnarled fingers to his forehead and rubbed away a headache, "No."

"Priest Dakarai, sir?"

"No, you will perform with the Pharaoh's son, Prince Bomani."

I remembered the prince rather well. I still held the grudge towards the spoiled brat even over all these years. I was disgusted to learn that I might have to dance with him. It takes a friendship to practice together, it takes respect to perform jointly, and we had neither.

My heart sank. I didn't say anything however, because insulting royalty could easily have me locked away in my room for a few years.

I was excused after I was given the date. I would be performing four days from now, on the Pharaoh's birthday, the same day on which my mother had baked breads.

I found Akila with a group of young students and waited in the back of the room before she signaled me forward. The children all turned from their work to watch me. Akila was about to greet me when she noticed her student's stares.

"Isn't Priestess Kamilah a beautiful thing? However, Jealously is something we should not show so freely."

I blushed at her flattering words, like I did whenever she said something complementing about my looks. 'You have grown into your mind' she always said, and would pat my hips and comment on my lean body type.

All the young students quickly turned their heads back to their readings and they didn't look up again.

Akila seated herself on a soft mat in the front of her room and motioned for me to join her on the second mat beside her. I sat and waited for her to speak first, out of customary politeness.

"Are you here early for your writing lessons? I am attending a class at the moment," she asked as she rolled up a grading scroll in front of her and pushed aside a shorthand hieroglyphic charcoal pencil.

I shook my head and folded my hands in my lap. "I am here to inform you of the dance I will be performing for the Pharaoh…with his son." I had seriously considered not saying the last part at all, but figured that, if anyone would feel sympathy for me, it would be Akila; she had been very much like an older sister to me.

Instead of apologizing on the behalf of Priest Chike, like I had hoped she would, she slapped her knee and started laughing hard. When she laughed now, you could begin to see her increasing age, the small wrinkles around her eyes would scrunch up and it made her hair look almost grey.

I gave her a half-hearted glare and waited for her to quiet down. Akila often did laugh at me like this.

She wiped the tears with her finger and fanned herself with her hand in a manner to cool down her burning face. She opened her eyes to look at me and couldn't help but smile again. "Isn't the Pharaoh's son the one you argued with on your testing day?"

I huffed and glared off to a corner of the room. I pictured him there, receiving my glare, "Yes."

She laughed again, though it was shorter and quieter, "Isn't that funny, the one you most likely hate the most is going to be assisting you in performing the dance you love the most?"

I don't recall telling her which dance I would be performing, and was rather puzzled as to how she knew it was one of my favorites, "How did you know?" I asked her.

She shrugged and glanced over my shoulder to check on her students. She then turned back to me, "Priest Chike told me yesterday."

I suspiciously glared at her, "Then why were you so humored when I told you?"

Akila winked at me and I once again saw her as an old woman, "The expression on your face was priceless."

Four days after my conversation with Akila I was sitting on the marble floor, having my makeup done. And to my utter joy the person that was doing it was Akila, it was a rare treat and I took the opportunity by resting my eyes. We gossiped, however, about her students, about the latest news on the High Priests. Akila lived for gossip; it was her greatest passion, as she told me. However, I was getting the feeling that her newest passion was annoying me. 'What are big sisters for?' she always told me.

Akila was assigned to make my face look the 'model of perfection' as Priest Chike had described. So the first half of the day I had spent pickling in the bath. Then I was sent to dry in the sun; there, my grey skin accidentally received a little tan. The people at the temple disliked the fact that I tanned so easily and burned even easier. It made my grey 'Seth-like' skin fade into an ugly red.

Akila wasn't pleased either, so when it was time for me to put on my makeup she spent a good quarter of the dwindling afternoon just trying to lighten up my skin. When she was finally satisfied she turned to my face and spent the rest of the evening trying to make it as symmetrical as she could.

When she was finally finished with my face, she sat back on her knees to have a good final look at me. She moved a lock of braided hair from the side of my face (my hair had been braided into locks). She nodded approvingly and handed me the ankh head jewelry. She helped me put it on appropriately.

She then took the golden mirror from the same case, the one she had told me to take and run back home with the first day I had met her. She held it to my face to let me see her handiwork. I was greatly impressed. My face looked matured, more slender, and many more times elegant.

I bowed in thanks and she led me to the head of the temple, where I waited in between two posts for Priest Chike.

Chigaru, my hound, was with me, it seemed that even he was given a slight amount of makeup to hide his age (for it was rumored that he was far older than I). He was sitting impatiently; he was always so impatient, though I think overall he was rather excited for the prospect of leaving the temple.

Finally, Chike came from his quarters followed by a noisy flock of maids, scribes, and young apprentices.

I bowed to him when he finally stopped in front of me and took one look over my face to see if Akila had done her job perfectly.

When the sun was hovering just over the horizon, we left the temple. The first time in five years, and I relished the reality that I was no longer behind tall walls.

I spent most of the time on a horse for the trip. However, unlike before, I had been trained in horseback riding, and thus was very accustomed to sitting in a saddle, even if I preferred walking. The long trip was spent just trying to catch up on five years worth of missed sights. My head was spinning left and right and even my guards, who strode on either side of me, nudged me in the side to keep me from making a scene.

Banners were hanging from almost every store on the street; all of them bore the royal family name of Ahsome. Ribbons of the family color, a precious ivory, were strung from rooftop to rooftop and all the bakeries and wineries were busy at work, preparing for the busiest day of the year.

I knew where we were heading, for I had gone there every year as a little girl. It was a large courtyard, filled with cherished plants and a giant waterfall that I used to always daydream about swimming in. A throne was at the head of the courtyard and the evening was spent entertaining the Royal Family. Highly thought of chefs would bring their dishes up for the Pharaoh to try. He would approve of almost every meal, but preferred dishes with beef in it, since beef was so hard to come by in Egypt.

I let my eyes wander when we reached the same courtyard; it was like stumbling onto a pack of memories. I could almost see myself- darting in between the crowds while being chased by my friends, and behind us, my mother, who was trying to calm us all down.

This year, on the other hand, I was watching it from a different perspective, high on my richly dressed horse and in my red shades of makeup. I was an 'oasis in the dessert', as a man that had visited our temple had once called me.

People parted for me, and I began to feel slightly uneasy at the gazes I was receiving, I did not know if they where approving looks or disgruntled and crude ones. I kept my eyes from their faces and I was vaguely reminded of the palace.

To take my mind off the crowd, I began thinking about the dance, practicing the steps in my head. I also thought of Prince Bomani, wondering if he knew the dance steps as well as I did. Maybe we would fail in entertaining his father and I would not be permitted to leave the temple, this thought scared me.

Chigaru was trotting at an easy pace beside the horse I was riding. This particular horse was trained to be able to stand Chigaru, since the dog went wherever I did. He was getting plenty of room from the crowds; a few spectators would let out a frightened gasp before they went flying back into the crowd.

Chigaru seemed to approve of the fear he received, he growled and barked at a occasional child to send them crying to their mothers. By the time we reached the inner circle, Chigaru was in a bright mood.

At the edge of the circle we had to dismount and had our horses taken to a stable on the other side of the courtyard.

We were told to wait with the crowd until the Pharaoh made his appearance and called for us.

In the meantime I occupied my mind with watching a trio of female dancers entertaining the audience while they waited. They were elegant and graceful, but I couldn't help but notice how transparent their robes were, or what robes they were wearing. It seemed to only be a small golden loincloth that wrapped tightly around the upper hips and cut off just a few inches below that; it left very little for the imagination. I had to avert my gaze.

They looked like prostitutes.

When the royal family first appeared on the throne the whole crowd hushed and bowed, even the three dancers got down on all fours to honor the Pharaoh. I recognized Pharaoh Akiiki right away, but there was a woman I had never seen before with him. She was Akiiki's chief wife, Shani. She was in her ceremonial outfit, with a vulture headdress, and Hathor's crown. Her makeup was done with extraordinary detail and the glimmer of the golden feather dress was striking.

The pharaoh was wearing imported and very expensive linen, with a nemes headpiece.

I had to take a second glance at the prince, for I wasn't suspecting to see him there. He was tall now and had lost all of his innocence he had had when we first met. His eyes were still like steel and he still looked holier then Chike. He wore the diadem with the uraeus hissing at the front, and his hairstyle was that of a young priest, short with a braided side. In one hand he was carrying the ceremonial golden feather.

There was a young woman his age next to him; she was only a few inches shorter and a rather gangly girl. Neema was from a noble family and was trying to catch the Pharaoh's eye. If she were adopted into the Pharaoh's family, she would become the Prince's wife, and then the queen of Egypt.

I had learned over the years, that the Pharaoh was much like my father in the fact that he could sire no more children, the second and last attempt to have a child had been a failure and ended up killing the mother.

I waited until everyone was seated before I straightened from my bow. And then waited while food was brought to the family, and they were comfortable. Finally Bomani rose and whispered into his father's ear.

The Pharaoh nodded in agreement and motioned for his son to leave the stage, I knew I should ready myself, I took my sistrum rattle from the sash at my side and prepared it in my hand.

Finally, Pharaoh Akiiki came forward to announce us, "I am pleased to inform you all that my son will be performing 'Three Days, Three Nights' for all of us tonight. To accompany him, the lovely Priestess Kamilah."

I blushed at his flattery as I stepped in front of the throne and got back on all fours, I told the family how honored I was, even if I wasn't feeling it, and stood again.

Prince Bomani was now in the center of the circle, bowing to the cheering crowds; I felt a hatred growing in my chest. He was swimming in his own ego and in some way it need to be popped.

When I had walked to the center of the circle I gave him a bow, and he was obligated to do so also, though I could tell by his stiff back that he was very reluctant.

When we had both straightened he glared hard at me, "Well, sewer rat, don't mess this up, this is my father's favorite piece."

I didn't glare back at him; instead I preoccupied myself with stretching, "Don't worry about it, you egotistical jerk. I'm sure I won't be the one screwing it up," I caught his disbelieving look and smirked to myself, "No worries about it though, because no matter how much you screw up, your father will still love you."

He was about to retort but a group of performers began to start the music that accompanied our dance.

I got into position, my rattle held high in my hand, and to my relief Bomani got into the appropriate position, his back to me. I could still hear his grumbling.

Then as the right chord played I sprang from my ready position and moved my rattle in such a way that every male eye would be following it across my chest. Akila had always told me to focus a man's attention on your chest. Again, to my fortune, Bomani moved to the proper area, in the correct way. At least he knew the dance.

The dance was the subject of the battle between the god Seth and the god Horus, in the end Seth was chased to the Red Sea, where he is residing currently.

I didn't have any complications during the dance until the scene in which I was supposed to interrupt Seth fleeing to the Red Sea. I turned and danced a half circle around Bomani, but as I was about to dash on past him I felt a solid blow to my hip, and I went flying to the earth. A few people in the crowd that saw the strike laughed loudly and all the rest moved closer to see what had happened.

Bomani had struck me with his fake wooden sword. He was looking down at me with an expression I couldn't place, I felt an embarrassment growing in me as Pharaoh Akiiki stood from his throne and joined us in the courtyard. I started to stand up, and found that my hip was most likely bruised.

Apparently the Pharaoh had seen the strike, and scorned his son for doing something so cruel, that made me feel a little better.

Akiiki gave me his hand and helped me to my feet, where I stumbled slightly and had to place a hand on my injury to ease it.

Bomani was still looking at me, as if he didn't believe what he had done. I glared at him regardless.

Pharaoh Akiiki asked if I was able to continue the dance, and I told him I was not. He was disappointed but left me in the center to return to his throne. My head maid, Panya, came running over to escort me from the crowd. However, my leg was feeling much better by the time we reached the outer edge and I was walking on my own. I couldn't continue the dance now, not with everyone laughing at me.

Priest Chike said nothing to me, and I hoped that he had seen that it was the Prince's blow that had thrown me to the ground. Meanwhile the Prince had moved back to the throne where his female friend, Neema encouraged him by laughing at my folly.

Chigaru came and nudged by unhurt side. I rubbed the top of his head and whispered by troubles away in his ears. Then I stood and bowed to Chike, though it wouldn't make much difference, for he was turned away from me, talking with a man he recognized in the crowd.

I took off running through the festival, the peasant crowd parted for me and I ran even harder as I could hear their mocking laughs, so embarrassing. Chigaru was not with me, but I was too busy to take heed.

I finally broke free from the courtyard and continued down the dark streets, I had no clue were I was heading; I let my feet fly as they carried me through unfamiliar streets.

When I had finally stopped I was exhausted and crying. My makeup must have been tracking down my face, and Akila would be very disappointed that her art was ruined.

I looked around the street I was standing on and found in strangely familiar, it took me a while to recognize it as my street, the one street I had been pulled from five years ago.

I became excited; maybe I could hide from my troubles and live with my parents once more. I ran to my own house and looked at the single window, it glowed yellow from the light inside and I became even more anxious. I ran inside the house and ran to the first person I found. It was my mother!

I didn't even stop to speak to her, I hugged her with such a force and buried my face in her dirty clothes. She smelled of mud and sweat compared to my perfume, but I didn't care: I was reunited with my mother.

I cried harder and my mother's back tensed considerably. I could feel her turn and then the plate in her hand fall and shatter as she saw my red locks, "Haqikah!" she exclaimed as she hugged me even harder.

She began crying also and together we sank to the floor, embracing in both our joy and our grief.

"Mother, where is father? I wish to greet him!" I cried out.

My mother became very quiet and fatter tears rolled down her cheeks. "He has passed on. Only Osiris can save him now."

I sat stunned for a few moments before I was finally capable to comprehend what my mother was telling me: Father was dead!

I cried and cried, and the last thing I remember was weeping so hard that I was trembling, and then things went black.

I woke to blinding light, and tears were still falling down my face. I didn't recognize the room I was in, but it certainly wasn't my little house on the street. I knew then that I was no longer with my mother.

I began weeping once more. I could feel my own fever and the queasiness in my stomach. I sobbed into my hands and tried to remember the smells of my mother's baking bread, or of the taste of the sweet dates she would always buy me.

"Priestess Kamilah!"

I was surprised to find that I wasn't the only person in the room. In fact, I was rather humiliated. I took my hands from my face to see who it was. Panya, my maid, was there, along with Akila, Priest Chike and even Pharaoh Akiiki, who stood in the back of the room watching curiously.

Akila had a worried expression on her face. When she saw that I was all right she hugged me and let herself sit beside me on the bed. A few of her tears mingled with my own.

She let me finish my weeping into her shoulders and I crumpled against her. I pretended she was my mother, and that everything was all right, but that only seemed to succeed in upsetting myself more.

Akila finally pulled away and allowed me to wipe away some of my tears. She even helped. I looked at the cloth she was using and could see no makeup, meaning it had been taken off. I was even more embarrassed to be presented in front of men without makeup.

"Where am I?" I finally managed to ask.

Akila smiled sadly and told me I was in the palace. When I asked her how I had gotten here she frowned slightly. After I had run off, Chigaru had become rather upset and began barking. Chike noticed my absence and sent one of my guards and Chigaru after me. Chigaru had tracked my scent all the way to my small house and had found my mother.

By then Chike had also followed after, and had taken me away from my mother once more. She had cried hard, though she was happy when she learned I was a priestess, and even smiled when she learned I had performed a dance for the pharaoh that very same night. 'I wish I could have been there to see her'.

I could feel the last of my tears fall as I learned that my mother was pleased, "I'm sorry," I apologized.

Pharaoh Akiiki came forward, "You shouldn't be the one apologizing, it was not out of rudeness that you ran, but out of my son's."

I was very relieved to hear these words from the pharaoh himself, for it meant that I was no longer accountable for any rules I had broken. I smiled up at him, though it was a watery smile and I wished I had a better one to offer.

I didn't tell anyone about my father's death instead I remained silent, as the group watched me.

"My mother, is she okay?" I asked when my thoughts circled once more to her.

Akila patted my shoulder, "She's extremely happy for you, Kamilah, she loves you and all she wants is your happiness."

I thanked Akila by squeezing her hand.

I suddenly began coughing and felt my insides twist as the illness caught me. Pharaoh Akiiki called a doctor and a man came in, he was broad and had a very square face but he had fast working hands that seem to calm my fit down with only a few pokes up and down my torso.

"I think we should leave you Kamilah, let you rest. When you are better I will send my son," Pharaoh Akiiki grinned as I sunk back in to my pillows and let the warmth take me.

I didn't know why he would send his son, but I couldn't care less as I drifted back into unconsciousness.

When I woke, the last rays of the sun were fading into twilight. It was a comfortable temperature and Panya was in a chair in the corner of the room dozing. It didn't want to disturb her so I quietly stood from my bed and found that I had been wrapped in a thin robe. It was chilly away from my bed, so I grabbed a blanket from it and wrapped it around me like a second layer. The blanket wasn't that thick but it made me considerably warmer.

I left the room silently, for I had to heed nature and maybe feed my growling stomach.

I had not walked more then a few feet before I turned a corner and ran headlong into Bomani. Reluctantly I got on all fours and bowed, though I doubt if he could even see who I was underneath the blanket.

I was allowed to stand and I guess he caught sight of my red hair because his eyes narrowed and his lips looked taunt and pale.

"Sire, I was just trying to find the restroom, I meant no offense," I quickly added.

Surprisingly enough Prince Bomani moved from my path. I walked by him, bowing again and again. When I had passed him, I realized that I still had no clue where I was suppose to go.

"Uh…it's this way," Bomani cut in, I turned to see what direction he was pointing in and saw that he was looking down the corridor I had just come down. I blushed at my own folly, bowed again and then walked back the way I had come.

To my misfortune Bomani was also going the same direction, he walked ahead, completely ignoring me.

"I'm sorry."

I was so busy with my own thoughts that I almost missed his words altogether, but when I caught them they almost made me stumble to the ground.

I looked at him and found that he had stopped walking, "What?" I asked disbelievingly.

He tensed and I could see he was going to have trouble repeating himself, "I said I was sorry for what I did yesterday I had no intention of hitting you like that."

I suddenly remembered last night and the way Bomani had smacked me so hard with the wooden sword, "Sire, I have the feeling that you did that on purpose…" I told him flat out.

He turned towards me then, and I could see the confusion in his eyes. Though, he didn't say anything.

I stared at his well-etched face for a while. And then I smiled at him. I took pleasure in seeing his stunned expression, "Yet, I know you're not a bad person."

He was quiet for the while before he spoke, "And why would you say that?"

My grin broadened, "Other wise you would have struck me with the tip."

I then passed by him and into the room at the right, the bathroom. I could hear him walking past after a few moments of shocked silence.

"That's right pretty boy. I have you pegged."

I then found my way to restroom.

When I was finally able to stagger my way to the kitchen I was exhausted and could feel illness beginning to shadow my eyes again. Conversely, I felt that if I could get food in my stomach I might feel better.

Panya had awoken from her nap and had found me as I was almost to the kitchens, she was very persistent that I return to bed but I told her that I could take care of myself and I had the chief chef fetch me some fruit and cheese.

The food was delicate and very tender I savored the taste and ignored Panya's hurried words; she really wanted me back in bed.

Finally after I had finished my meal and had rinsed my hands in a bowl of clean water, I permitted Panya to lead me back to my room, blanket and all.

When I reached my room I found the reason for Panya's rushing. Already Akila and Priest Chike were in the room waiting for me.

When I entered they rose to their feet and turned towards me. I bowed hesitantly and made a note to myself to scorn Panya for not clarifying the reasons for her hurry.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," I said before I looked them both in the face. They did not seem as aggravated as I had thought they would be, but I nevertheless, flinched nervously.

"You have talked to Prince Bomani already?" Akila asked me when I managed to look her in the eyes again.

"Yes, he apologized for the blow I received yesterday," I told her honestly.

Akila's confused smirk faded away into a wide grin, "As I suspected. Get your gear on, you're going on a hunting trip!"

I was so flabbergasted by this announcement that I took several steps back and stumbled into Panya.

Panya took my trip as a sign as weakness. "Please Ma'am, she is not fit to travel, let her rest up for a few days."

Priestess Akila looked me over skeptically, "You are departing tomorrow morning, be ready by then." She then looked at Chike and my maid. "Now if you will please excuse the two of us."

I became nervous that I was in trouble, for the few times that Akila asked for the audience to leave was when she was going to scorn me.

However when the door closed behind the pair, a big grin spread across her lips and she looked excitedly at me, "This is your time to shine, Kamilah!" she said as she took my hands and led me to sit in a chair in front of hers.

"Do you realize your potential?" Her eyes wandered as she tried to imagine, "All you need to do is seduce Prince Bomani and queen of Egypt is in the bag!"

I ripped my hands from her grip angrily, "Akila! You know I would never do that! It's unlike me!"

Akila stared at me in disbelief until she leaned over and the most intimidating look I had ever seen crossed over her face, "You will make the Prince yours, do you understand?" He voice was so deadly that I didn't dare say anything else beside yes.

The anger vanished from her face and was left with a little smirk; "You are a beautiful girl, with hair like silk and the softest skin in all of Thebes. You are capable of doing anything," she placed a hand on my cheek and it felt so cold that I had to jerk my head away. I didn't blush and I certainly didn't look her in the eye.

Akila stood and left the room, opening the door wide before she stepped through it. Past her legs, Chigaru trotted in. Akila then shut the door and disappeared into the palace.

Chigaru seemed to smile when he saw me awake and came walking over. He placed his massive head on my lap and whimpered to be scratched. I patted his head but my mind was too far-gone, I was concentrating on nothing else but the way I would seduce the Pharaoh-to-be.

By the next morning there were little rings under my eyes and I was exhausted, I had barely slept at all the night before, my mind was far to awake to even break for a nap.

Panya came into the room, threw a fit at my appearance and at once began covering it up with a thick coat of makeup. Chigaru stretched from his sleeping mat and leaped onto my pillow, sticking his head under my hand begging from a scratch.

With the sudden personality change in Akila, the only friend I was left with was Chigaru, my faithful beast. I scratched his ears and he leaned into my hand, "It's going to be a long day Chi," I informed him as Panya packed up my makeup and left.

I rested in my room with Chigaru for only fifteen heartbeats before another woman entered the room. She was four or five years older then me and I recognized her immediately. It was Neema, Bomani's money chaser.

From a distance Neema had looked fair, but up close you could tell why her parents had so much trouble marrying her off. Her cheekbones stuck out and her eyes were the shape of eggs standing on their ends, even her nose seemed to curl under like a fishhook. Unfortunately the frown on her face only seemed to make her ugliness glow.

"Priestess Kamilah…" she greeted. It was rude greeting but I was required to bow back and greet her.

"Lady Neema, I presume." I returned.

She nodded and sat in a chair by my balcony. "You have a lovely room here, you might even be able to see your little shack-home from here."

I glowered to myself as Neema gazed out the double doors and far off into the poor part of the city. "I have to wonder though, what a horrible life it must have been for you."

I remembered to be courteous, but only barely. I stood and joined her at the window, "It wasn't horrible at all, I had friends who played with me everyday. My mom made the finest breads, and I even got the most thoughtful gifts."

Neema interrupted with a laugh, "What? A mud pie?" She continued to laugh at her own joke.

"Laugh all you want, for while I might not have had all the toys you did I still had parents that actually loved me," I said it calmly enough but it must have stung like a bee.

Neema instantly stopped laughing and looked down at me with hatred in her eyes. "Listen here, little girl, you interfere with Prince Bomani and I will make it my mission to send you back to your little warthog hole."

I looked up at her with a pure, honest and innocent face, "That's reason enough for me."

Neema seemed to tremble with suppressed anger and then spun on her heel and left in a huff.

I now had my motivation. I would seduce the Prince, not for Akila but for my own honor, and maybe to humiliate Neema.

The ship was going to leave down the Nile in an only a few minutes and I still hadn't boarded. I was looking up at Akila; her face seemed even grayer and fainter then usual. I gave her a hug, because for some reason it felt as though my friendship with her had somehow been cut yesterday. She squeezed me like she realized the same thing and then turned me over to Priest Chike.

He bid me a farewell and wished me luck; he pointed me towards the royal barge and ordered me to board. Chigaru was at my heels as I went up the boarding ramp, holding onto the rope cord at my side. I was deathly afraid that I would fall when a large wave hit the barge. But I clung on and even Chigaru seemed to hunker down on his stomach.

When we finally reached the top of the ship I shook off my fear and stood straight, for I had a mission to seduce Bomani, and I would do it properly.

I was shown to my cabin, near the rear of the boat and to the right, it was a nice size, though it still wasn't equal to the size of my makeup room at the temple. My things were already arranged and Chigaru's bed mat rolled out ready for him.

The humid air made me sweat and I feared to ruin my makeup. I was sure that Panya would not be happy to redo her masterpiece. I took out my ostrich feather fan and waved it at my face, airing it.

I looked out the window and felt my stomach lurch when the barge took off from the wharf. I felt my fingers instinctively reach for the edge of the bed and I grabbed it as an anchor.

I waited until the nausea in my stomach faded and was replaced by the pounding headache that made me feel sore all the way to my toes. I stood, and left Chigaru in the room as I went in search of Prince Bomani, I might as well get started.

I found Bomani on the main deck; he was with one of the royal viziers who had accompanied the trip with the prince, as a supervisor. Together the two of them were taking turns firing at a far off bull's eye, you could tell by the color of the arrows' tip, that Bomani was much better in the art.

As the vizier fired his last arrow I coughed to get their attention directed to me. The vizier instantly smiled when he saw me standing there. Bomani frowned.

"Well, well, it's the holy Kamilah," He bowed lower then I had seen any official ever bow before. I tried to equal it, if not excel it.

"I am the chief adviser of lower Egypt, Donkor Bankole," The vizier said and then bowed once more.

I did not have to introduce myself due to the fact that he already knew my name and most likely my role in the temple, the time I was struck by the prince, and even that I ran away. Most people knew more then I ever did.

However, I would not be able to seduce the prince with a vizier here. Bankole would have to leave. "Sir Bankole, there is a fresh brew of cool wine chilling in my room why not go and help yourself to some."

The vizier's watery eyes widened greatly and he promptly nodded and disappeared down the hallway.

I turned my attentions to the frowning prince. Like a cat to a mouse I glided towards him, "And how are you my prince?" I asked as I bowed elegantly.

The Prince's brow furrowed and you could see that he was confused by my sudden change in politeness.

"I was fine until you showed up." He said bluntly.

I decided to play on his words. I watered my eyes by taking several quick glances at the noon sun. "Surely you don't mean that, my prince!"

The prince was completely perplexed now, and he showed it by making a grunting noise in the back of his throat as he tried to decide how he could take back his last comment.

"You know what I mean," he said awkwardly, if not a little precariously. He put down his strung bow.

I continued to stare at him intently, "I'm afraid, my prince, that if I did I would not have asked."

The prince grew impatient with me and looked at me loathingly, "Look Priestess: whatever game you are playing, it's not going to work. I'm not as dense as you might hope, and you are not as dumb as most women."

I did a mocking gasp, "Surely you don't intend to tell me that the prince is sexist?"

The prince glared at me hatefully, "Priestess, your lack of mind and tongue control is starting to annoy me."

I moved even closer, making sure that my bust was the first thing that caught his eye. "Than perhaps the Prince would like if I would go back to the way I acted before, he prefers that, yes?"

He opened his mouth and for a frightful moment I thought he would say yes, but then he clamped his mouth shut like a vise.

He suddenly seemed to become aware of our closeness and scuttled backwards, I almost followed him but remembered my manners. "I detest you, regardless! Leave, Priestess, you aggravate me with your moods!" And then he completely lost interest in me.

I left the deck and returned to my room, where my wine was gone and most likely splashing at the bottom of Bankole's belly.

I sat on my bed, scratching Chigaru's back. I wondered where I had gone wrong. I had certainly used my chest as an attracting tool, though it only seemed to fluster and confuse the prince, and I had learned from experience that a confused man is easily angered. It seemed almost that he was kinder to me when I acted like myself. Though I hardly saw how bickering like children would in any way seduce the prince.

Neema came and visited me again later that night. She was cranky and her yellow eyes showed that she was tired. She didn't sit, instead leering over me.

"I heard you visited the prince this afternoon," she said coolly.

I did not leave my position with my book, "Of course, it is only polite that you make one appearance to your host a day."

Neema looked liked she wanted to say more, but instead snarled and turned around to her own cabin.

This was how most of the trip to the hunting grounds lasted. It was a three-day trip to the Prince's favorite hunting grounds; it would be a five-day trip back up the river to Thebes.

By now Prince Bomani was avoiding me like a mysterious illness and I had considered dropping my act several times, accentuating seductiveness didn't seem to be doing anything for my chances with the prince, and it only made Neema grumpy with me. It was hard to sleep when you had a spoiled noblewoman on your hands.

On the fourth day, the four of us, Bomani, Neema, Bankole and myself were all to be accompanied by a escort of guards, as the prince showed us to the prime hunting spots, and how he would hunt the giant hippopotamus.

We were required to take the tour in a small boat made of tightly packed reeds with oils and fat spread across the bottom to prevent it from leaking. It was a dangerous boat and I couldn't help but cling to Chigaru's neck as we stepped onto it.

Chigaru obviously liked the water because he would bark at the fish we saw, and most of the time Bomani would snap at me, wanting me to silence him. On normal circumstances I might have retorted or deliberately disobeyed, but due to the fact that I was trying to seduce him I remained silent and did what I was told.

The trip was rather dull because it was high noon and Bomani boasted that the reason the hunt was dry was because the hippos were resting.

I was curious so I spoke up. "Wouldn't the hippos take refugee from the noon heat in the river?" I had the feeling I was right because the whole crew went quiet and looked at me

Suddenly Bankole started laughing hysterically. He smacked Bomani's shoulder hard. "This girl is the sharpest sword I have ever seen." The metaphor was strange and I looked oddly at him.

"Honestly sir, I would prefer not to be compared with a point stick."

Bankole stared at me as he digested this and than he broke out laughing once more. Apparently he found my jokes far more entertaining then the others', because besides his howls everyone was directing their attention elsewhere.

The Vizier was laughing when Chigaru suddenly started barking wildly and I turned my attention to trying to silence him. There was a sudden jolt of the boat and I felt my stomach shift.

Prince Bomani was bouncing around the boat grabbing two spears. I frantically looked at their razor tips and then to the water. Before us was a bull hippo. All that could be seen above the water was the top of it's nose and its small angry eyes. Though suddenly it came rearing out of the water in a rage. It was the most massive and vicious thing I had ever seen. It's tusks protruded and I was afraid that even from our far distance that it would come down upon us.

I screamed in surprise and Chigaru began prancing excitedly.

Neema was also shocked and backed up into me, together we went tumbling on our rears. I shied away from the edge of the boat, afraid that the hippo would come up and pull me under. I tried desperately to grab Chigaru and silence him, for I was sure that his noise was angering the bull even more.

Bomani was hissing at me to silence the dog and as I tried to muffle his barks the prince was readying his spear. He held one over his head and even the Vizier took up another pair. Every passenger that could took up a spear to attack.

It was mass confusion and I could tell that Neema was falling into a panic next to me. I didn't have time to calm her down since Chigaru was my first responsibility. With his loud yelps he was alerting the whole of Nile that we were here.

The men had begun to thrust their spears and I could hear the enraged roars from the bull as he came towards us. I began to panic myself when Neema finally went over the edge.

"Shut him up!" she screamed at me as she put all of her weight in pushing Chigaru.

The beast gave a startled yelp as he went flying over the edge of the boat and into the water. I cried out in sorrow.

I leaned over the boat and I could hear yelling, but I didn't care: I had to get Chigaru out of the water.

Bomani and Bankole were screaming at me now, and I soon felt their arms pulling me back, I was crying hard and fought them but they heaved me back into the boat.

Just as my arms were back inside the vessel the bull came crashing by. Its mouth was wide and when it came rushing down I heard the last yelp of Chigaru. There was blood in the water, mingled with my tears.

I screamed in horror as Chigaru's yelps and barks were silenced forever and I fought harder against the two men than I should have. I cried and I whimpered, for I had lost the closest friend I had eve had.

I eventually fell limp and the men managed to beat the bull back with their spears. It returned to the banks, two long spears still sticking out of its round stomach.

Weeping into the floor of the boat, I let sorrow over take me.

I didn't greet the prince when he came into my cabin. In fact I didn't even notice until he sat on the bed beside me.

I stroked the silk pillow in my hand, pretending it was Chigaru, he was with me, and I loved him. I wanted him back; the Nile had taken him from me.

My tears had long since disappeared; leaving nothing but false hope that when I returned to Thebes he would be on the shore awaiting me.

The prince was talking to me; I didn't know what he was saying, and I didn't care. My beloved friend was gone. The ship rattled with the storm; it had been raining since the night after it happened. He was taken from me. The gods were crying for him, and let them mourn, let them bewail until all the farmers lamented for their lost crops.

The prince stood and left, what difference would it make anyway?

I was lost.

I patted my pillow and acted like it was my Chigaru, deep down I knew it wasn't, deep down it was only fancy cloth stuffed with foam.

The door was opening again. I didn't know who it was, I didn't care. But suddenly I felt water being thrown on my face. It was icy cold and it stung my cheeks.

I blinked like I was blinking for the first time and looked up into the face of the prince. He had an empty goblet in his hand and a satisfied look on his face.

"The gods have cried long enough, Priestess. On your face now rests their tears, the tears for your Chigaru. They are not only grief but promises, Osiris will lead him to a eternity and you will meet with him again some day." I stared up at his face, it was like looking up at an infant speaking of the stars.

I nodded my head and touched the tears of the gods, "Thank you Sire."

I felt my arm being lifted and the goblet being placed in my palm, "Never forget their promise Kamilah, for you never know when you will need to remind the gods," I took the flask and held it to my chest, the gold was iced from the storm outside but it had held the tears for Chigaru.

I removed myself from my bed and bowed at the Prince's feet, the first genuine bow I had ever given him, "Your words purify me, your holiness," I said and felt my own tears returning to me, though these were tears for my safe return, and tears for Chigaru's safe journey.

When I had risen, Bomani spoke again, "Now, Priestess, if you don't mind, we do require that you let your sorrow end, so our vessel can return to Thebes."

He turned and left the room.

I hugged the golden goblet once before placing it on the wood floor. "Father Seth, give us safe passage, your daughter's grief has turned to unforgotten memories. Let him join your console." I placed the flask in my makeup case next to the mirror and ankh. I crawled to my bed and was subdued into a sleep I had missed for three days.

The next morning, the sky was clear and the water calm. The laborers on the deck above were rowing us back upstream to Thebes. I had Panya enter and help me get ready for the day.

She was overjoyed to see me in such a good state, she bustled with a new enthusiasm I had never seen her work with before.

My makeup was complete and my robes were spotless, Panya was now straightening the Ankh on my head.

I left my room that morning, and headed straight towards the deck. The morning was warm and fresh and I couldn't help but feel my spirits being lifted.

The first person I ran into was the Vizier and he clapped happily and smiled. He took my hand and kissed it: the first time a man had ever given me such a grand gesture.

"You save us from the swelling Nile, you have saved all of Egypt from flood!" he bowed and I bowed in return. I did not believe his words.

The next person I headed towards was the Prince. I had decided last night that I would drop my act; he deserved to see the true me, even if it was rude and arrogant.

He was practicing his archery: he lined up an arrow, released it. It was impossible to follow with human eyes and I heard the solid thud as it struck the center ring of the bull's eye.

"Brave Prince Jerk, I see we have learned the act of aiming a pointy stick at a circle," He started and turned towards me.

He glared at me like he once had, when we had first met, "Priestess sewer rat, I was hoping that a gust of wind swept you from your bed and into the Nile. But, I see now that you are unfortunately well."

I bowed my head, "Only thanks to your generosity, my lord."

Bomani turned away at that moment and concentrated on retrieving a new arrow, "Don't mention it… ever."

"Don't mention what, my lord?" it was not my voice, or Vizier Bankole's, but instead Neema's.

Bomani threw me an uncertain glance before reluctantly greeting the noblewoman and telling her that our conversation was nothing but of weather and crops.

Neema gave me a suspicious stare, "I see the Priestess has emerged from her hole. Has your grief for the dirty rat-dog finally ended?"

Bomani coughed angrily, trying to silence the conversation before a fight broke out.

I was calm with the comment, for I knew that Osiris was watching him now, "Lady Neema, I'm afraid that that statement coming from a murderer is rather low. You're not good enough to be a flea on Chigaru's rear." I said off handed.

I was amused when the Prince had to hold in a laugh and when Neema's face turned bright red, "You should watch your tongue little girl! I saved all our lives by ridding us of him!"

I became slightly heated at this statement but only showed it with a small smirk, "Is that so? Then remind me to throw your hide into the water the next time the Prince decides to go hunting."

Neema's already red face turned plum. She looked at the Prince for help but when she only saw an impassive look on his face she frowned and returned to the cabin, where she would most likely throw things at her maids until she had calmed down.

The prince shook his head and lined up another arrow, "You should watch Lady Neema. She can be worse then an adder."

After he had fired the arrow he turned towards me and gave me his all-to-familiar glare.

"Well then, lucky me that you're such a snake charmer," I said bluntly.

He leaned on his bow and snarled, "Woman, your wit is too quick."

I smiled sarcastically, "And that, Prince Charmer, was a close attempt at rhyming, perhaps you should not be a snake charmer but a poet?"

He gave a frustrated growl and took out two arrows and strung them both at once. Under his breath he mutter, "One arrow for priestesses and the second for their intelligence," he fired both and both struck the inner ring.

I clapped mockingly, "What does that mean Prince Jerk? Surely you don't mean to tell me you actually favor educated Priestesses?"

The Prince turned several shades of irritated red before he grabbed a third arrow and aimed it at the Nile shrinking behind us. He continued to look at me as his arrow pointed in the opposite direction, "And this, is for Priestess Sewer Rat."

He fired the arrow and it went sailing straight into the whirling waters, and off farther then my eyes could follow.

"Oh dear, you missed," I said as I turned to join Panya for breakfast.

My editors seemed to enjoy this chapter, but what did you think of it? Please review and tell me! ^-^

_ /\ _¸.¤**¤·.¸·¤**¤·

\ ¸.¤**¤ Fuyu-chan
/.· ·.\¸.·¤**¤·.,·¤**¤·