When we reached the City it was magnificent. Michael looked at me and said,
"We need to cover you up a bit. Press inside your ear and ask for options for visual virtual clothing. "
I followed his instructions and then on the side of my vision a Heads Up Display (HUD) appears showing me all the options of clothing for women in this century, I could choose the fabric, colour and fashion of the creation that would then holographically make the image appear over my clothing.
"Now say out loud, women in Egipt, 2600 BC."
Again I followed his instructions and suddenly my mind was flashed with information relating to the behaviour and customs of women in this time.
"This is really useful," I say, thinking back to how scared I was in Ancient Asia when I didn't understand the culture.
" It is, but" he starts to whisper "in this century you really need to be able to stop yourself from staring".
"Staring? What do you..." And then I see it. I see exactly what he meant, so I quickly look down at the sand between my feet.
We had been walking on the main road, and it is an early, busy morning around here. The workers are leaving their homes and heading off to work. That wouldn't be so unusual except for the fact that humans aren't the only ones walking down this street and seem to be following this routine.
"What are they?" I whisper to Michael, he smiles, almost laughs and says
"I guess your century would call them the aliens that built the pyramids."
"And are they really? The aliens?" He smiles at my confusion and says "yes and no"
I then feel my AI once again flashing my brain with information about these creatures and then I understand it all.
We stop at a market stall and Michael buys some bread. The seller while waiting for Michael to produce the payment gives me a penetrating glance. He comments to Michael
"That is a fine woman! I have been looking for a wife. Just look at her! Her skin is the colour of the moon, and so smooth, she would be the talk of Egypt, everyone will want to come and see her at my stall, it would be very good for business! How much for her? I can promise you a good dowry!".
I look up shocked and desperately stop myself from saying something or shouting. Michael looks at me trying to stay calm and then looks back at the Egyptian man he then explains that I am already promised to someone else. The man looks at us and thinks that is the starting point for some negotiation and starts arguing that he will be able to pay more for me than whatever Michael was previously offered. He starts explaining how many sheep and camels and bags of wheat he would be able to provide for me. Looking to cut him short, Michael explains that the man I am to be offered to is Kanefer. I quickly query my AI who this is and realise that Michaels is talking about the Egyptian prince, son of the ruling pharaoh. I understand what Michael was doing and I calm down with relief.
The man allows Michael to take the bread and go, but unhappiness is written all over his face. Michel hands me the bread
"I thought you might be hungry by now?"
"Thank you for that," I said with a smile " and for not selling me too."
As we walk down the road, we are able to see the river Nile, my heart fills with conflicting feelings. I am really glad I am about to see my family and get back home, but at the same time, it is a bit hard to think that this amazing adventure is about to end.
We reach the entrance to the stairs leading down to the river, two men were guarding the place. One of them asks:
"Who are you and what do you want here?"
Michael responds
"My daughter and I have been travelling for many days, we wish to refresh ourselves in the holy river before we head towards our journey's destination."
Before the man can respond four guards come running towards us.
"Stop them" they shout. As they reach us one of them says:
"We have been told that you have the woman which is to be betrothed to prince Kanefer? If so she must be placed under our protection immediately, if anything would happen to her Kanefer would have our heads!"
The two men at the gate look at each other surprised and I look at Michael with fear on my face. Behind the guards, the man from the market place runs up and indeed confirms that I am the one. The guards demand that we go with them. Without any other options, we follow them in silence.
We walk through the whole city and it takes us a good few hours to reach the palace. It is large and magnificent. Large columns, all made of stone and painted with a shiny and colourful substance, almost like glitter? Once we get to the gate one of the guards turns to Michael and says:
" You can say your goodbyes here, you are not allowed beyond this point, we will take her from here."
"What?" I whisper. I looked at Michael "Michael, please... what are we going to do? I am already married, I can't marry someone else? I love Robert"
"Don't worry, your wedding night won't be today"
"My wedding night?!"
"Technically you are not married to Robert yet, because he hasn't even been born yet." He's trying to say something optimistic, which only makes me more frustrated. He sees that and says
"Ok, ok, listen. Tonight will be the wedding party, it will last all night, you can ask your AI about it when you are alone. The marriage isn't finalized until after the wedding night so don't worry, we have tonight and all day tomorrow in case anything goes wrong. Just whatever you do, do not let them know that you are from the future or have an AI. I will come to the wedding with water and we can make our escape."
"But I can't. I don't know this man, I was never really betrothed to him"
"If you listen to your AI you will know that this prince all his life has struggled to find a wife. Apparently, it is something to do with his appearance, women that were engaged to him either ran away or killed themselves. I think the Egyptians are just really excited to find a woman willing to go ahead with this."
"Kill themselves, ran-away? You have to get me out of here!"
"Don't worry, I will get you tonight"
Hoping he is right, I say "Ok," and give him a hug, I then follow the guards with my heart pounding in my throat.
They lead me through several large corridors all in stone and marble, shining beautifully. Finally, they stop before a large door. One of the guards turns to me and says
"You may go inside my lady, there will be women there ready to serve you. We will let prince Kanefer know that you are here."
I look up at him hesitantly and give him a nod of understanding to everything he said, then I walk into the room. It is huge.
The whole floor is sand marble that shines like gold. There are several large windows and a gentle breeze hits my face as I enter in. I can see that the room is divided by sheets hanging down from the ceiling partitioning areas for changing and bathing. Further in I see there is a small pool of water with green leaves and flowers floating at the top of it and a warm smell of citrus and cinnamon hits my senses. I see a very large bed at the end of the room.
A number of women appear from behind the hanging sheets.
"Are you the one betrothed to prince Kanefer?" one of them asks, as they all near me.
"Yes, I am," I say. They lead me to some chairs and pillows and beckon me to sit down.
"Are you hungry? Or thirsty? Do you need anything?"
"No, I am fine, thank you," I say filled with fear. They look at me and smile, and I see kindness in their eyes.
The same one continues talking.
"Oh, I was just about to bring us all some tea, are you sure you wouldn't like some?"
"Ah, ok, maybe some tea would be nice, thank you."
"My name is Anipe, I am your head maid and these are Chione, Khepri and Panya. We will look after you and attend to your needs." She smiles and continues
"Go Panya, I am sure our tea is ready and waiting for us." Panya leaves the room as Anipe continues
"your wedding feast is tonight, we should start with a bath and get you ready. Any questions before we start?"
"Yes," I say "I need to pray to my goddess of love and power, to grant me all necessary powers to become a good wife to our prince, would you mind giving me some time".
Anipe looks at me with a gentle smile on her face and says
"Girls, lets leave our lady alone, so she can speak with her god." As the other girls are leaving she comes to me and whispers
"I know you might be worried, about... the prince and his expectations... and how to meet them... but, be assured that more than anything else our prince just wants a wife standing next to him, so he is able to put behind all the heartbreak of the past. If you wish..." she pauses, not sure if it's appropriate for her to continue, but then goes on
" you can talk to me if you have any questions or need any... guidance. I am your lady and will be discreet. I know the prince very well, and have grown to see beyond his... appearance."
"Thank you Anipe" I say "It means a great deal for me to know that I have you by my side. Let me pray now and after we shall have that tea and the bath?" Anipe nods in agreement and exits the room finally leaving me finally alone.
I look around to make sure that there is no one else in the room and go to a corner behind a curtain and press the AI.
"Tell me about the prince Kanefer 2600 BC"
My mind is flooded with very weird and disturbing information.
"I can't believe this," I say out loud to myself.
"What is it, my lady? What can't you believe in?" a voice behind me asks.
The AI had informed me that King Sneferu was not human. He had been living on earth along with humans and had gained kingship by marrying a human Egyptian princess. They had several children and one of them was Kanefer. The children were able to pass off as human in appearance, all of them except Kanefer, in fact, his appearance was so horrifying to humans, that legend says that humans would kill themselves when their eyes met the prince. Kanefer never married, he was a great warrior who had yet to be defeated in battle. He was the protector of his family, first protecting his father Senefru, and then protecting his brother.
I am startled by the voice and turn around and I see... a huge creature standing in front of me. He has four legs... no they are calves, like an animal, like a... bull? Hang on a second, I know what creature this is... he is a minotaur! So Minotaurs are real?! I look at him surprised, suspicious as I have never seen a creature so massive and impressive. He looks at me for a moment and seeing how shocked I am he says.
"I apologise for disturbing you my lady, I heard that you have arrived and are my betrothed, I wished to meet you... I am prince Kanefer."
"Oh," I say shocked. He is the prince?! No wonder, people were shocked at his appearance, he is massive, poor women I can understand why they might want to kill themselves rather than suffer through the wedding night with... I realise that I haven't responded to him yet, so I quickly say.
"Apologies my prince, I didn't mean to stare, I just haven't met anyone like you before."
"Are you pleased my lady with the appearance of your future husband?"
"It's me, who should ask you that, my prince," I say lowering my eyes.
He seems shocked by my response and says,
"Indeed I am, I have not been able to meet a woman, that has laid her eyes on me and was able to speak afterwards. I guess we must be soul mates!"
My eyes go wide, soulmates?! with a minotaur? I don't think so! I am married... Robert is my soulmate... Kanefer sees me lost in thought, so he says
"I am glad to have met you before our wedding tonight. I will leave you now my lady, so you can prepare. If you need anything your maids are here to attend to your every need and so am I. I am looking forward to becoming more acquainted with you soon."
"Thank you, my prince," I say and he leaves.