Ammon’s Return

The next morning they were awakened to shouting and the running of feet passing by their door. Nenet quickly jumped out of bed and rushed to the window, rubbing her eyes and peering out at the chaotic scene outside. There were people everywhere, rushing towards the courtyard and babbling excitedly amongst themselves.

Zahra joined her at the window and they both watched with growing curiosity.

"Nenet! Come on sleepy head!", a young man called out, laughing as he passed by the window.

Nenet recognized him as one of the boys who took care of the Pharaoh's horses in the palace stables. His name was Ahmed and they had been friends when he suddenly grew distant and seemed to avoid her. He must be very excited to be talking to her so casually again.

"Where are you going? What's happening?", Nenet asked, leaning further out of the window.

"His Royal Highness has returned! Crown Prince Ammon has returned victorious!", Ahmed shouted and grinned.

Nenet felt her heart start to beat faster and butterflies fluttered excitedly in her stomach. She had been waiting for his return for three long years, praying to the gods every night that she would see him again. Every day since she had watched him ride out of the gates that morning, she had replayed the scene in her head over and over again. Now he was finally here and she was overcome with relief and excitement at the thought of seeing him after so long.

"Nenet! Hurry and change so we can go to the courtyard!", Zahra cried, tugging her back into the room.

They scrambled to change and hurried outside, joining the growing throng of people making their way to the courtyard. They allowed themselves to be swept along with the tide of bodies until they finally reached the courtyard and made their way to the front of the main portico where they could get a better view.

The courtyard was already crowded and the gates were wide open in anticipation of the arrival of the Crown Prince and his men. They could hear the sound of the horses as the men approached and a hushed silence fell upon the crowd. The first line of men on horseback appeared outside the gates and the crowd erupted in a loud cacophony of sound.

Nenet craned her neck, straining to see above the sea of people who filled the courtyard but as the crowd surged forward, surrounding the men, her view was blocked. She tried to move closer but the bodies were packed so tightly together, refusing to budge an inch so she could only remain standing where she was.

Zahra was holding tightly on to her hand but soon they were forced to let go as the crowd pushed forward again, carrying them along with them. She was boxed in on all sides and no matter how much she struggled, her efforts were in vain. She could hear the crowd going wild, cheering and shouting, but she could see nothing but an endless wall of bodies in front of her.

In frustration, she pushed back, hoping to get out of the crowd and find another spot from which she could see. As she moved back, the crowd pushed forward, quickly filling the gap while shoving her further backwards until she found herself on the edge of the sea of people. She looked around, hoping to see Zahra, but knowing that she wouldn't, before she climbed the steps to the portico.

Her heart sank when she saw that the horses had already turned down the path that led to the stables, their backs now facing her. They were all dressed as merchants so it was difficult to tell one from the other without seeing their faces. She felt the disappointment settle in her stomach like a lead weight and biting down on her lip, she turned away and walked inside. She felt a bitter ache inside her chest and tried her best to ignore it as she made her way upstairs to the Pharaoh's chambers.

The guards opened the doors and she quietly slipped inside, hoping that he wouldn't notice that she was late. Looking around the large and sumptuous rooms, she couldn't see him and she padded softly across the floor and peeked outside. He was standing at the balcony rail, looking down at the courtyard, with a mixture of pride and joy, as he watched his son's arrival.

Nenet stood quietly behind him, just outside the doors and bowing her head, waited for him to notice her presence.

"You are late", he said but she detected no anger in his voice, only mild irritation.

"Forgive me Pharaoh, it won't happen again"

"Did you go to see the Crown Prince?"

"It was too crowded"

He walked inside, passing by her so closely that she felt his arm softly graze hers but refrained from looking up. Thoughts of last night, returned in her head and she pushed them away, as she followed him inside.

"I will have no need of you today, you can go and help in the kitchen for tonight's banquet", he said dismissively.

Inwardly, she breathed a sigh of relief, glad to be out of his presence, at least for today. She bowed and turned to leave when she heard his voice again, startling her as it always did.

"Return in the evening for my bath"

"Yes Pharaoh"

She fled the room before he could say anything else and all but skipped down the stairs and through the halls to the kitchen. For just a few hours, she could be with the other slaves and be normal. Being the Pharaoh's personal slave meant being in a state of constant anxiety, he was a kind and generous man but his carnal desires made her uncomfortable.

The kitchen was a hive of activity and with the constant fires burning in the cooking pits, the heat was stifling, even with all the doors and windows left open. Nenet spotted Zahra over by one of the large tables that were scattered throughout the room, and made her way over to her. The older woman was chopping vegetables and Nenet grabbed a knife and joined her.

"What brings you here?", Zahra asked, without looking up.

"Pharaoh is busy today and sent me here to help"

"Most likely meeting with the Crown Prince and the council"

"He didn't say but only told me to return in the evening for his bath"

Zahra stopped chopping and looked at her with narrowed eyes and her hand hovering over the vegetables.

"What about the others?"

"They weren't in his chambers this morning so I wouldn't know", Nenet continued chopping oblivious to the dark look on Zhara’s face.

"How many times have I told you to avoid being alone with him?", Zahra hissed across the table.

Nenet looked up, fearfully meeting Zhara’s gaze.

"It is not my doing"

"I cannot keep saving you from him. You were fortunate last night that the young slave was really in labor or I might not have been able to get you out of there in time", Zahra scolded her.

"I understand Zahra but he is the Pharaoh. What would you have me do?"

"Just find an excuse. Tell him that you are not well", Zahra gestured wildly in frustration.

"All the other girls my age have already lain with a man but yet you forbid me. I am the only eighteen year old virgin in this palace because that is what you want. Why? Who are you saving me for?", her voice was steadily rising.

Glancing around the room, Zahra saw that everyone was busy and no one was paying them any attention. She tried changing her tone, hoping to placate the girl.

"Nenet I am only doing what's best for you because I care for you"

"I think you do only what's best for you", Nenet retorted before throwing down her knife and heading for the door.

Zahra exhaled and put down the knife before wiping her hands on a small cloth. She would give her some time to calm down before she went after her. Lately she had become sullen and moody, especially when she learned that one of the other girls had gotten married or had sex with someone else in the palace. Last night Zahra had caught her watching the couple in the slave's quarters and had seen her desire in her eyes.

It wasn't that she didn't have suitors, there were plenty, but Zahra had made sure that they were scared off before they could try anything. It was what Ammon had ordered her to do and she never questioned his orders. She was relieved that he had returned, perhaps now he could watch over her himself.