I was still in a daze and couldn't believe my eyes how many of my troops and Nubian soldiers have died right in front of me and Ami. I thought I won but how come I feel lost and sad, defeated and sulking dirt inside.
I didn't want to leave Ami but I need to protect my army. Off to ride my horse but I felt something hit me in the head and I didn't know what happened after that.
I didn't want to kill Ami but I tried to stop her thrusting the knife on to her gut. I was defeated and she died. Then, I suddenly woke up from a bad dream killing Ami since she wants death rather than defeat or remorse from losing the fight….Ami, nooooo!!!
I woke up confused and not knowing where I am at the moment. Then, finding myself in a beautiful chamber where a pretty lady sits beside me tending to my wounds. Then, another woman, maybe about three or five years older than me since I am now fifteen, came in and pulled away the lady tending to me. She stood taller than me but fiercer and madder than the Prince of Nubia when I saw him last. I think I just met Sakhbe. Princess of Nubia and sister to Prince Hekanefer. I knew them from books and that Nubian princes have superhuman powers that they can move fast to fight their enemies and are believed to be strong. Yet as a pharaoh I too have superhuman abilities which I orchestrate in the battlefield.
I thought Princess Sakhbe will hit me with her hand so I jumped out of bed and pulled my sword out to protect myself. She came close and slapped me on the face then kissed me on the mouth rapidly. I was lost for words but I didn't expect her to do that thus we fell on the floor while she gave me all those sweet kisses. The lady tending to me earlier smiled, bowed in front of us then left. I was a bit scared because Princess Sakhbe is forcing herself to me. Wait, Sakhbe, wait! What are you doing? I am your enemy, and where am I?
You are in our palace in Sudan. My brother is still in the battlefield defeating your generals and army, Sakhbe said gently. No, get away from me I must be there fighting, in the same place where my soldiers are at, let me go!, I said and when Sakhbe didn't budge I got my sword and thrust it to her which she avoided and stood in front of me preparing herself to fight like a warrior she truly is. I have multiple wounds on both of my sides, arms and head thus fell to the ground when I suddenly felt dizzy. Sakhbe caught me and laid me back on the bed. She is worried that I might not live because I lost a lot of blood. She asked for their doctors in secret to help me. Sakhbe knew that if she helped me live her brother would kill her since she is princess of Nubia and a royalty that is supposed to hate and kill me, their enemy, pharaoh of Egypt. Henshupta, take it easy, you're not that well yet. You will be, you will be!, Sakhbe added repetitively and kissed my forehead. Why would I be treated with so much kindness by my number one enemy? Maybe Ami gave a good word for me, hmm!?, I thought and passed out. Well this sucks!
No sign of Queen Henshupta, anywhere, somewhere?, Sabah said while sadly standing in the vast beauty of the palace garden. None yet, sir!, General Jardin-Ur replied . But I've sent Spia to check on the outskirts of Sudan. I'm sure that she will be able to get information from someone there. Sir, what will happen if we wouldn't find Pharaoh?
I'm not certain either. The council leaders would dethrone her and will nominate another, from the scribes of someone they approve of. And that is what we need to avoid since several pharaohs have died and been murdered because of this controversial seat of a pharaoh, Sabah explained sighing deeply.
Inside the garden, from the corner of his eye, General Jardin-Ur saw Meraek entering and walking through the long aisle of it. He totally knew that she is worried about Henshupta. After asking Sabah to take his leave, he went running towards Meraek to comfort her in this trying times for Egypt.
'Misa el Khayr' (good evening) priestess!, General Jardin-Ur said bowing a bit in front of Meraek. Misa in Noor! general, Meraek replied plainly. I know what you must be feeling right now, but I'm here if you need someone to talk to!, General Jardin-Ur added and extended his hand to help Meraek walk pass a narrow space towards the creek that Henshupta ordered to build so that there will be flowing waters inside the palace.
We always come here to talk and joke around! I really miss her. It's been two months and there's no word from Spia nor the council elders about her whereabouts. My heart is overwhelmed with sadness, longing and fear that I won't be seeing Henshupta again!, Meraek explained now falling down to her knees and sobbing like a little girl.
Oh, no, no! Priestess, you're wrong, Henshupta is strong. She will make it. She will live and return to us. I promise you. I myself will scout even up to the ends of the earth just to find and rescue her!, General Jardin-Ur said reassuring Meraek that Henshupta is alive and that she will return to Egypt, with his people and his friends. He reached for Meraek's hands and held them to his heart.
Meraek, I have always liked you, ever since we were kids. I hope that you will let me love you. I know you favor the Queen over me. But let me make you happy while she is away. I will be your protector and I will help you get through this. We will be able to get over this together and the queen will return to Egypt to rule it again. Meraek sniffed and General Jardin-Ur dried her tears with his thumb. Meraek smiled and nodded in agreement.
General Jardin-Ur felt so glad and wished that queen Henshupta will never again return to Thebes. He may not be loyal to the queen but he is faithful to his position and the people of Egypt. He was the one who sent Spia to Sudan and advised her that when she finds the queen, she should kill her somewhere in the desserts near the Nile. General Jardin-Ur was commissioned by Sadiki to rule Egypt instead of Sabah, the young and new scribe of the queen. Sadiki knew that he has become a threat to some of the elders since he is close to the pharaoh than them. Since their ancestors was able to murder Hatshetsup, they can do that again with Henshupta.
It's been a year since General Jardin-Ur orderd for Spia to look for the queen. And the council elders are already preparing to give the throne to their chosen elite so that they could use him as a puppet. The usual thing the elders do after they plot or murder one pharaoh after another.