The Path to Destiny

It had been three days since Jade arrived at the military camp, and so far, she had been treated well. She hadn't seen General Horus since their last conversation, but Hassan had been ever-present, watching her like a hawk.

He was the only one bold enough to openly question her oddity, though that didn't mean others weren't just as curious. The entire camp buzzed with quiet gossip about the mysterious foreign woman—her strange mannerisms, the way she spoke so effortlessly yet differently. They whispered about her, but never to her.

Jade's appearance only added to the mystique surrounding her. With honey chestnut-colored hair, pale skin untouched by the harsh Egyptian sun, and striking blue eyes that seemed almost unnatural in this land, she stood out among them like a vision from the gods.

The soldiers were particularly taken with her. They were captivated, unable to hide their fascination when she walked by. Some turned speechless just at the sight of her, while others lost their composure entirely when she smiled at them.

Jade carried an aura that made people want to protect her, revere her, as if she were something more than a lost foreigner—a goddess in their midst. And while she found their admiration overwhelming, it at least made things easier for her to move through the camp without fear.

"Hey, you weren't nearly this calm when we first found you. You looked terrified, barely breathing, and for a moment, I thought you were going to pass out. And yet, even then, you glared at us like we were the worst people you'd ever met," Hassan remarked, leaning casually outside her tent.

Jade rolled her eyes. "Who wouldn't panic when they find themselves surrounded by armed men, whispering about them like some kind of rare animal on display?"

Hassan scoffed as he folded his arms, his expression darkening. "Most prisoners we capture beg for a swift death. The alternative is worse—being sent to The Abyss. The Pharaoh's creation. Once inside, you don't leave. Endless torture until your final breath. Even our enemies fear it."

His gaze flickered over her.

"Yet, even while trembling and exhausted, you still had enough fire in you to stand your ground. Most would have begged for mercy, but you? You stood your ground like you belonged here. You didn't act like a woman facing certain death—you acted like someone who thought she had a choice."

Jade shifted under his scrutinizing gaze. Over the past few days, she had carefully pieced together information without raising suspicion, trying to make sense of where—and when—she was.

This was the New Kingdom and if she remembers correctly from her history class it's around 1550–1070 BCE. Which is the height of Egypt's power and influence, an era of grand temples, military conquests, and divine rulers.

Pharaohs were not just kings; they were gods among men, expanding Egypt's borders and ushering in an age of wealth and stability. The splendor of Thebes and Memphis, the might of its armies, and the devotion of its people were all testaments to an era she had only read about in history books.

And subtly, she had asked questions—nothing too direct, but enough to confirm who ruled this land during this era. This was the reign of Rameses II—a name forever etched in history. She had read about him in books, seen his mummified remains in a museum, encased in glass like a relic of the past.

She vividly remembered the gilded inscriptions on his coffin, the intricate carvings that told the story of his rule, and the amulet that had caught her eye—the very same one that had somehow pulled her into this world.

His reign had been one of power and prosperity, shaping Egypt into its golden age. At first, the realization had been a relief—at least she knew something about this time, unlike other periods that would have left her completely lost.

Yet questions lingered, gnawing at her like an unsolved puzzle.

Isn't he the pharaoh who not only led the kingdom into an era of unmatched prosperity, but only for his life to be cut short far too soon?

That's what she had read in the museum—his reign was magnificent.

..yet tragically brief.

She pushed those thoughts aside. She had bigger problems to deal with. "I told you before—I was lost, not a threat, yet you dragged me here anyway."

Hassan's smirk returned, but there was something behind it. Curiosity. "And now? You seem more eager to follow orders."

"Well, if you're taking me to the capital, then I might as well cooperate," she replied nonchalantly.

Hassan watched her for a moment before sighing. "General Horus said we're leaving for the capital tomorrow morning. Something urgent has come up, and even the Pharaoh suggested we return instead of waiting for him here."

Jade perked up. "Great!" She then turned to head inside her tent, eager to prepare for the journey.

***

Morning arrived with the golden glow of dawn spilling across the camp. Jade awoke feeling hungry, and the servants assigned to her brought fresh fruit for breakfast. She ate quickly, knowing that the journey ahead would be long and grueling.

By the time she stepped out of her tent, Hassan was already waiting for her. "The general is expecting you," he said.

She followed him to where General Horus stood, mounted on his horse, overseeing the final preparations. This was the first time she had seen him in days, and his presence remained as commanding as ever. 

His broad collar of gold and lapis gleamed under the rising sun, and his finely embroidered linen tunic, belted at the waist, bore the insignia of his rank—different from before, but no less striking.

"I trust you've been well these past few days?" he asked as she approached.

"Yes. Thank you for taking care of me," Jade said politely.

The general nodded. "It is my duty to see that you reach the capital safely." He paused for a moment before adding, "And to ensure you are not mistreated."

Jade nodded in understanding. She wasn't naive—he was watching her just as much as Hassan was. There was something about her they couldn't ignore. And she knew it.

A servant brought forward a horse for her. She hadn't ridden one before arriving here, but Hassan had been teaching her the basics.

She knew that if she didn't ride on her own, she would have to share a horse with someone else. And she definitely didn't want that.

As she climbed into the saddle, General Horus observed her closely. "Relax your shoulders. Horses are sensitive creatures—they can pick up on your nerves. If you're too tense, it may throw you."

Jade took a deep breath, forcing her shoulders to loosen. "Got it."

She adjusted her shawl, covering her head and most of her face, leaving only her blue eyes exposed to shield herself from the harsh desert winds.

General Horus turned his attention to the assembled troops. The decision to return to the capital had been made swiftly, following an urgent message.

Even the Pharaoh had agreed it was best to bring Jade to him rather than delay their meeting. Two hundred men, mounted and prepared for the long journey ahead, awaited his command.

"Move out!" he ordered, spurring his horse forward.

The battalion followed, a wave of disciplined movement flowing through the desert. Jade rode among them, adjusting to the rhythm of the horse beneath her, her mind racing ahead to what awaited her at the capital.

Something unsettled her. A feeling she couldn't shake.

The Pharaoh was waiting for her. And she had no idea what would happen when they finally met.

But one thing was certain. This journey was only the beginning.