They took me from my home. They killed my parents with no mercy.

So began my walk with several girls joined me. They burned our village. There’s no longer a home to runway to, or hope to see our loved ones again. They chainted us and that was it.

We walked through the cold night, and seen the sunrise in the west sky. We know Ra had won the battle. The once golden light that we praised with our family, and friends. Our joy of Ra’s victory now is shadow by their death.

Three days... three days have passed since their death. After three days, the men finally decide to let us rest. They probably did it on purpose. Our strength is almost gone, and any ideas of running way is quickly gone. One girl try to but she fell before she could take other step. Most girls didn’t understand each other. It was obvious by their clothes, that they weren’t from the area. This hurt me. They didn’t know that the men were planning. But I think most of us already knew.

We were all women in chains after all.

Sex slaves most likely to be sold to the highest clinet. Others who were lucky probably servants. Most hope for the latter.

We’re no longer human. So did the only thing we could do.

We prayed to our Gods and Goddesses.

Hoping for a miracle.

None ever came.

Coming sunrise we continue our walk to the unknown.

-----

We gather together at night. While the men were sitting in the fire and laughing merry. They spoke about us. How much they would get for each of us, and what they’re going to waste on it too.

Until their boss, a tall and big man told them to quit their nonsense. All the men were silence at once. I would have found it funny if I wasn’t so tired and hungry.

It took three days. Three days of walking and hunger. We arrived in a city that I could only dream of. The capital of my country; Thebes. They took us to a large house. The inside of it only confirmed my fear and reality. Several women were laying in blankets in the courtyard. The women were from different ages and turned when we enter the courtyard. Their eyes showed the bitterness and sadness of their life.

They were of different ages and shapes. Some men were with them too, and their eyes followed our bodies like hungry animals. Two women dressed in finer clothing and older walked towards. The man holding our chains handing them to the oldest of the two.

“Make sure they’re ready in an hour.” The boss spoke. Two nodded and pulled us inside without a word.

Something was off. I noticed when they helped us bathe. The two women were taking extra care to make sure our bodies were fully clean. Why? I thought.

Isn’t this a whore house? Their customers were going to abuse our bodies and then move on.

I felt the soft silk of the cloth. One woman was looking at me intensely for a second before pulling the pink cloth from my body and instead wrapped a blue one. She walked away and went to the next girl who was crying. I refused to cry. My father said that it’s best to save your tears.

I looked down and held the silk dressed in my fits.

He wouldn’t like for me to cry. No papa would frown at me and shake his heavy head.

I shook my head and raised my head up high.

Tears are best for when you need them. When they were done with the 20 girls that’s when I noticed that not all of us were going to the same location. Half of our group were freed from their chains and two more women came. They hushed them into a different part of the room. The same woman who helped me dressed grad a hold of our chains. Her brown eyes stared at me.

“You have spirit girl, but this fight is already won” She muttered.

“If you know what’s best for you girl, you will learn that it best to let things happened” She added.

I raised my head up and shook my head.

“I won’t” I replied. The woman looked surprised that I could understand her.

“Bastard went to outskirts of the kingdom again? He won’t be happy about this” She muttered before pulling our chains. “Be silenced, and keep your ears opened” She whispered.

The dark sky and moon greeted us. I quietly offered a prayer to Ra’s safety. May he win the battle and let us see his light. The fainted line of torches lights lit our way to the unknown. We walked for a few minutes. I was the ahead of the group and kept up the man in the horse while muttering several curses at his stupid muscular self. I’m surprised that he still breathing epically since I wasn’t the first girl who cursed him. The woman’s words stood out to me.

“Be silence and keep your ears opened” I was an advantage than the girls before or at least the ones who didn’t understand. My eyes widen when I saw the craves of the Gods and Goddesses. A group of guarders stood in a row holding spears. When their gaze turned to us. Their gaze was cold and unforgiving. They held no pity. I flinch and quickly shook my head.

“What’s the matter? You seem to keep up more than the rest” The Slave owner spoke. I turned my head and looked at him. “Right you don’t understand a word” He chuckled.

I shook it off and continue my walk without much of a sound.

My eyes looked around and excitement filled my tummy. This was the palace. There was no mistaking such a holy place. This was just the outside of the palace. The guards in front of the wooden gates pointed their spears at us. “We weren’t expecting you until the fortnight tomorrow” One guard spoke.

The Slave owner chuckled. “His Highness wanted them sooner”

The guard looked up and shout. “Rami go check”

“Come on buddy, you know me. I just bring fresh maidens to add for his collection”

The guard frown and pointed his weapon. “That word is forbidden as you know” He snapped.

The slave owner nodded and raised his hands.

“I’m simply bringing gifts or order that he has asked of a simple man” He muttered.

“Femi let them in” “Rami” spoke from above us. The guard nodded.

Even in darkness, the palace was beautiful and I think I was the only local girl in our group. Since the majorly had their eyes cast down and were silently crying. This was the most important place in our kingdom and we’re going to be sold to the Pharaoh? My eyes wander to the area where the public was allowed and announcements are made by our King. Craves of the Gods were again in the walls and obelisk too. There was so much more my eye couldn’t see because of the darkness.

I give up looking after a few pulls from our “leader”.

My heart felt heavy when I realized that chains covered my wrists. This wasn’t time for admiration and excitement. My freedom was taken from me, and now I had to serve someone that thought less of me.

My humanity was rid away from my hands. If it wasn’t for these chains...my parents would be alive.

I felt tears but I refused to let them fall.

Different Gods and Goddesses were painted covered the walls and in several stone pillars. The bright colors and the faint glow of the torches guide their way. Several young women and three men walked in unison.

One man leading the group like a farmhand gathering sheep. The women already knew that their fate was already sealed. They would be deemed no longer human and their bodies will be abused. They would be forced to become women. The choice ripped from their hands. They’re nothing more than pretty dolls that their owner can use to play. If they wouldn’t have been so terrified and mourning their loved ones. They would have admired the large room. Many of the women weren’t from the area and didn’t understand the importance of the figures in the craves. They told of stories of the Gods, the victory of battles for the people of this land, and beginning. The history of the family who ruled this kingdom. Torches lined the pathway with guards carring heavy weapons. The man who led walked confined down the path. At the end of the path, there was a platform were several men stood beside the steps with two large statues of black jackals. The night was visible if you gaze up. Two men stood beside two golden pillars. Their gaze were lowered and each held a staff in each hand. Sitting on a golden chair if not for the decoration and colors it would have looked ordinary.

He sat with a bored expression and his head resting on his hand. Dressed in yellow striped linen headdress golden postiche and sign and a cobra and vulture. The two ladies who represent the union of Lower and Upper Egypt. Wearing a long linen robe with red, blue, and green, golden belt tied to his waist, and white tunic. Most of the men wore the same outfit but not with the belt nor the headdress.

The man stopped a few steps before placing his left foot forward and bowing.

“You’re grace” He spoke and lower his gaze. The girls looked around and few muttered to themselves quietly. The seated man didn’t bother to fix his stance. His brown eyes looked at one of the men next to him. “Donkor how unpleasing to see you again” His low voice echoed. His voice had a tone of authority one of the girls noted. She smiled when the man flinched and a slight shiver run down his body.

“Humble apologies my Pharaoh” The man spoke before the Pharaoh raised his hand silence the man.

“Those girls aren’t local, are they? Because you know better” The Pharaoh asked. His voice sounded bored but had an undertone of punishment.

“Not all of them your grace” Donkor spoke honestly. The Pharaoh’s eyes narrowed.

“Most aren’t but some from the bandit villages” He quickly corrected.

“You’re walking in a tin line Donkor that is my patience,” The Pharaoh said.

“I only want the finest and most beautiful for you my lord”

The Pharaoh chuckled.

“Pretty yes, but only she could rival Hathor.”

Donkor nodded several times.

“Of course, of course, my king. Our land still weeps for her lost” He muttered. The Pharaoh’s gaze turned a dark shade of brown. “Madu pay this man and get him out of my sight,” He said.

“I will admit they are pretty, and they are enough to entertainment for the time being” The Pharaoh nodded. The man in his left nodded and walked down the steps.

Wait he was going to buy us after all? I thought we’re weren’t beautiful enough for his holiness?

The slave girl thought.

“Inform her grace not to expect me in her charmers tonight,” The Pharaoh said. The man in his right nodded and bow before walking down the steps.

“She’ll be the first” His voice spoke. She didn’t need to look up nor guess that it was directed at herself.

She was in front of the group. She hated being scared. Her father would always bring her to his arms and reassured her that everything was fine but her father was dead. No, she refused to be scared.

She raised her head to look at her forced lover. The Pharaoh’s stare was elsewhere, but something behind him caught the girl’s attention. Behind the Pharaoh’s throne hidden under a silk transparent curtain was a painting. The cold breeze moved the curtain enough to see some of it. The painting of a beautiful woman. Dressed in teal length straight dress, bracelets on her wrists and arms with different colors. A golden brand with same colors as the Pharaoh’s belt was around her head. Only the cobra was on the crown. One locus flower was behind the crown. Brown hair was straight and covered some of her breasts were while lone one strand covered her multi-colored necklace with a teal colored lotus. Her lips were pink and her visible eye was teal. She was kneeling and stare forward. On her left hand, she held some of the long grass and her right held pink lotuses. The background was a blue sky and green grass around her and she stood on top of the water. The girl couldn’t keep her eyes and wished that the breeze could bow a bit stronger for her to have a longer time to see the painting.

She understood why now. They were pretty, but she was beautiful. This woman was she an interception of Hathor? How was it possible that a painting could capture her attention. Was she even real?

Who was this girl? The Pharaoh noticed the girl’s gaze and followed her sight.

The painting.

She was staring at the painting. His eyes narrowed.

“Take them to their chamber Madu” The tone of his voice quickly snapped the staring girl from her trace.

She noticed the man who bought her was gone and that men even the guards looked paler and were nervous. Madu nodded almost like he was expected this.

He silently walked down the steps and gesture some of the guards to help him.

Before fully exiting the room, she saw it. The Pharaoh had his back turned but he had lifted the transparent curtain from over the picture. He carefully placed his hand over the painting. She meant something.

Who was she?

The only thing this girl know was that she was beautiful.

Rehema muttered curses as quietly. What’s worse than being a slave?

Besides of the above answers. Simple serving his royal ass, and his macho court members. Those people are the ones that the Gods choose as their vessels? They were nothing but over-grow children.

Stupid bloodline Rehema thought to herself. His holiness decide that he needs several scrolls, and instead of sending his most trust and kind priest, no he wanted Rehema to get the items and bring them.

A slave! Whose had no business getting the most holy of scrolls. Fathers pushed their sons to just have a chance to be in the presence of Ra’s vessel, nope just let the slave do it.

And today happened to be one of the hottest day of the week, and the scrolls were located across the palace. The Gods love her!

Rehema almost dropped the seven large scrolls when her mind wander to the Gods.

The same Gods that didn’t listen to her prayers. The same Gods who did nothing when her family burned.

Rehema shook her head there was no reason to think. That’s done is done.

Her family is dead.

Rehema quickly hurried her paced.

The past was still painful. The past with it’s beautiful ‘what if’ was like sirens sweet tone.

She had no idea what a siren was but a vendor told one of the slave that is monster from his homeland.

Rehema didn’t want anywhere near that place if their monsters loru you with their songs.

The guards nodded at her as Rehema passed them. Rehema casted her eyes down and change her walk. Instead of walking with her right foot first, she walked with her left as sign of respect to his majesty. The powerful and kind Pharaoh. Rehema walked slower and heard the hush tones of the viziers, high priests, and royal overseers. What’s happening to day? Who was going to throw a tantrum today?

“Sire have you given as any thought of the Green One’s cult?” A middle aged man asked.

Brave one, Rehema though. The room became oddly quiet. It always did when the Green One’s cult was mention. Most of the people who bought it up look like they were going to be killed in the spot.

Rehema wonder why they did bring it up if they scared. This was sore subject.

The Pharaoh didn’t lifted his gaze.

“Do you have a problem with Priestess Nenet?” The Pharaoh asked

“Well sire, as several of us have pointed out that there are better candidates. More better women who are better qualified for um head priestess” The man muttered.

The Pharaoh point his finger on the scroll and raised his head not to look at the middle again man but to the young man next to him; Priest Madu. He was a tall caramel skin man with broad shoulders and a kind face. He was dressed as before when Rehema meeted him, expected today he was wearing a white headdress covering his bald head. Madu moved slight and looked at the paper. Rehema didn’t know how he did. Madu was able to read the Pharaoh’s gestures so well even the Pharaoh would be surprised when Madu would be at side him before he would call to him. The Pharaoh give the scroll to Madu who studied it quietly.

“Madu please double check this with old Seb, there must be a mistake” The Pharaoh’s voice change slight it held a bit of warm.

“Of course my Pharaoh” Madu replied. Rehema stood there waiting for them to noticed her.

She wasn’t allowed to speak until one of the lords or his holiness spotted her.

She felt the unfazed gaze of the Pharaoh’s.

Rehema wanted to shrunk why does he have to be so imitating?

“About time you came” He spoke. Rehema hated that he never rose his voice, but still made you feel like a child who took a treat.

“Madu can you please get those scrolls” He ordered. Madu nodded.

Rehema didn’t see his face as much as his feet.

“Sorry about that, the heat is getting to him today” Madu whispered. Rehema almost missed. He grabbed the scrolls and her arms almost give sign in relief. Rehema didn’t understand why Madu always try to apologize for something the Pharaoh did. Like it was his fault that the Pharaoh was a huge jerk.

Rehema was a slave after all.

“You are dismissed” He spoke alouder. Rehema smiled at Madu’s horrible attempted to sound annoyed.

She bowed lower and brief raised her eyes to catch a brief looked at the painting.

The wind blew and allowed her a second to look at the painting just be bit.

She did a horrible victority dance in her head.

She quickly left but not before hearing the usual respond to the replacing the priestess.

“You think your daughter is better qualified? Maybe your son is better qualified for your job” The Pharaoh’s response was always the same.

“She has done a excellent job and run the cult similar to Chisisi”

That always shut them up.

Whoever Chisisi was. Rehema salute her.

The aloud sound of music and laughed echoed. Several young women danced half naked. The room was opened and was spacely. Palm leaves, and lotus flowers were decorated in the room. In the center of the wall there was a painting of the Goddess Hathor. Laying under Hathor’s painting was a young woman.

Her skin was dark and puff wig with the vulture headdress. The wings speared and covered her head. Dressed in transparent linen cloth, a golden belt held the dress together. The young woman laugh and drink from her wooden cup. Her eyes were brown and similar to the same shade as the Pharaoh’s expect more bright and joyful.

“Ah such a lovely songs” The Queen signed and clap when the music stop. Her smiled fainted a bit.

“If only Habibah was here. How I miss her” She muttered. Habibah was one of her close friend, and cousin. It’s been so long since she saw. She missed her company and enjoyed gossiping about the nobles girls and boys. Habibah unfortunately left the palace a while ago. The Queen touched her chest and held her golden beetle jewel. Everything was so simple back then.

She missed watching the daughter of the Nile try to teach Habibah how to dance and failing. Isis and herself speaking to each other and discussing the latest business deal. The Queen turned to look at the image of Hathor. The goddess of music, love, dance, sexuality and joy. This parties were in honor of her.

The Queen smiled and thought for a moment that she wished a for a second that her friends would be here, and instead of pretending to enjoy this parties and company.

The daughter of Nile would try once again to teach them a few of the common dances that she learned. The three women would fail and laugh at the silliness. The daughter of the Nile would shake her head and rolled her eyes and teased them that how couldn’t they follow simple steps while they were taught by the finest teacher. The Queen shook her head and gesture to musicians to continue their songs.

Yes, her friends were no longer her but life had to continue.

There was no use to moping. The servant girl came and pour more beer in her cup.

Speaking of servants. Where was Rehema?

The Queen snapped her fingers and the same servant came running.

“Tell the guards to find Rehema and bring her to me” She ordered.

The girl simply nodded and left the room.

The Queen sip her beer and looked forward to the dancing girls.

Rehema hadn’t report to her yet and it’s been two days.

Two days since the Pharaoh visit her bed and she was glad for it. He wasn’t a horrible lover, but he wasn’t gentle as he used to. She sign and felt bad for the girls, but couldn’t help but be grateful it wasn’t her. The Pharaoh had change so much it was hard to remember that this man was her younger brother. His coldness towards everyone and herself hurt.

Priest Madu was the only one who seem to break that, but it would make sense since he was his personal guard before their father made him a priest. The Queen chuckle and laugh her at her foolishness.

Her father was in loved with Madu’s mother. She sometimes forgets that Madu is actually related to the royal family, but remembers that Madu’s mother was a well respected priestess.

She looked at her beer and turned to look up at Hathor.

The same girl returned with Rehema behind her.

“Rehema” The Queen greeted with a smile and gesture Rehema to come closer.

Rehema kneeled down and stared down.

“Tell me little one what did the court discuss today?” The Queen asked.

“Same as always your grace, and one member was talking about replacing the Priestess Nenet”

The Queen giggled. “Someone was brave to speak about replacing Nenet for whom?”

Rehema shrugged. “Their daughters? ” The Queen chuckled

Rehema noticed the girls around the Queen looked away disappoint and nervous.

“They’re wasting their breath since she was the one who picked her”

The Queen looked at her beer

“I miss them” She signed

“Please your highness rethinking this! That girl isn’t suited for the life of a priesthood!” a older man yelled.

“I agree your grace, that girl isn’t noble blood!” The other man spoke.

The men nodded and muttered to themselves.

The Pharaoh looked at them and scrow at them. They not going to let go are they?

Priestess Nenet had done a wonderful job as far as Madu said told him.

The Pharaoh signed and looked at his close friend and cousin.

“You’re grace” the man in his right coughted. The Pharaoh turned his head. His cousin Sutekh looked at him with a deep frowned and gesture his head slight. Sutekh was his cousin before Madu.

Sutekh father was the younger brother and even still had claim to throne since most of the Pharaoh’s siblings with the exception of his second wife were dead. The Pharaoh blamed the assassinations of his siblings Sutekh father and other family members. The Pharaoh would have throwing of the guilty into cells, but they still helped him reached the throne unknowing. The throne was covered in blood of his brothers and sisters that never had the chance to sit beside the times their father allowed them.

The Pharaoh didn’t held Sutekh responsible. He was nothing but loyal to him since the court found out that Sutekh’s father was involved with Ap- the Pharaoh stopped his mind from thinking the name. He was the vessel of Ra and his faithful messenger. There shouldn’t be thoughts of him in his mind.

The Pharaoh looked at Sutekh whose resemble so much like himself expected his more serious features. “Priest Sutekh and Madu what do you think we should do with this solution?” The Pharaoh asked. His right hand gesture to the royal overseers who looked at the priests.

Madu and Sutekh looked at each other.

“This matter was already settle seen that it was she who appointed Priestess Nenet and all of were together unlike now” Sutekh muttered. The royal overseers looked uncomfortable.

“Correct you are Priest Sutekh and since she did have the title of “Wife of Amun” and let’s not forget her bloodline and relationship with the cult of the Green One. If the wife of Amun had any doubt about her choice than...unless you guys have a problem with she decided ?” Madu asked.

His teal eyes looked at them and raised an eyebrow. “Are you doubt the Wife of Amun’s judgment?”

“NO! Never in millions years would be doubt her holiness!” One man shouted.

The Pharaoh looked at with cold eyes.

“This subject shouldn’t even be bought up again, and all of you should know better than to mention her in my presence. Now look at you forcing my high priests to break the law in order to explainted yet again” The Pharaoh spoke and stood up. The men looked at him nervously before looking at each other.

“Since we’re speaking about her, and given that it rude to speak of someone who isn’t here” Madu broke the tension. The Pharaoh looked at him confused.

Madu known that she wasn’t able to returned. Why would he-

“Priestess Nenet, I mean” Madu explained when he noticed the confused eyes stared at him back.

“Let’s settle this matter once and for all. I’ll sent messengers to all the high priests and viziers” Madu added. “Madu we should probably sent word too to her entourage given that they’re doubting her word” Setukh added. Madu and the Pharaoh flitch at the thought of having all the people that once surrounded her. Having all those people who essort her everywhere, but did make sense seen they were around her all the time and she probably discuss her ideas. The Pharaoh signed and nodded.

“You both bring excellent points and made having everyone who was there” The Pharaoh agreed.

“Let it be done Priest Madu and Setukh you have my permission to contact those and bring the M- I mean bring the daughter of Wadjet’s entourage to the palace.” He spoke.

“B-b-b- ut your highness we haven’t contact with the Green One’s cult in years!” One man spoke.

The Pharaoh nodded. “I take responsibility for that action but it about time we bring the Priestess before the court to make her case on why she should stay as head priestess without noble blood”

The cold hands pushed Rehema’s shoulder. Rehema tighten her eyes and refused to let them opened.

Whoever this person was didn’t get called into the Pharaoh’s chamber last night.

Her body was sore. Her thoughts wander to the woman in the painting. Would she have like what he did to her? Instead of avoiding eye contact would she look at him? The woman in painting had to be

someone important or least had to be. Why else would her image be place behind the Pharaoh’s throne? The cold hands still shook her a bit harder.

“Rehema get up!!” a high pitch voice cried. Rehema turned over and give the person her shoulder.

“Rehema this serious!” The high pitch voice cried.

“Eboni go back to sleep” Rehema muttered.

“The Queen has request your presence!” Eboni cried.

Rehema shot up and turned to look at her fellow slave. Like herself Eboni was very pretty. Her dark skin was the dark brown, her pitch black eyes were widen, and her face was round. Her black hair was in long braids.That why the Queen give her that name.

The Queen give all the girls new names. Some of the girls who were there longer than Rehema’s group said that they didn’t understand why. Rehema felt maybe the Queen wanted them to have something nobody else could have. They were brought to her the next day they arrived.

Rehema remember how the Queen looked at them with pity and smiled.

Madu and two women stood besides her. “I know most can’t understand me and the Pharaoh has forbidden me from translate my tongue. I can’t understand how all of you are feeling” She spoke with a gentle tone. “Most of you are cursing us; the ones that robbed you of your freedom. You’re family is dead and your home so far away.” The Queen turned to Madu and nodded.

“Bring the first girl forward” That how they got their new names. Rehema noticed that the Queen and Madu were always so kind, yet they still deferend the Pharaoh. Something happened.

Everyone seem to know and avoid the topic. What it was-

“Rehema, Rehema, Reheam!” Eboni yelled. The loud complains of the girls and muttered in different languages. “Rehema gogo” a young woman in her left muttered.

“Gogo little pretty” the girl in her right cried. Rehema rolled her eyes.

The girls have picked up certain words, but they were still limited.

“Alright pretties I’m leaving!” Rehema spoke aloud causing more girls to groaded in annoying and some sit up to give her a face. Rehema chuckled and sat up.

Both girls walked down the dark hall. Ra had yet to be reborn. The faded light of torches guide them to the court of the palace. The court had a beautiful garden in the center. A large pool covered half of the center. White lotuses flowers covered most of the pool. Rehema stop and looked at the garden. Nobody really came here. It was the Pharaoh’s private garden. He didn’t even come here and avoid it.

Rehema didn’t understand why. Why have this lovely garden and place to relax if your going to not used it. Must be a noble thing.

“Rehema come on!” Ebony cried while pulling at her arm.

Rehema nodded and followed to the familiar pathway to the Pharaoh’s apartment. Rehema and Ebony instead of taking the left side that lead them to the Pharaoh’s room. They walked to the right.

They walked passed several guards whose eyes followed them. It was uncomfortable, but it was familiar now.

“Oh, oh, oh Lost Maiden of the Nile, oh Lost Maiden of the Nile, oh LostMaiden of the Nile where has tho gone? Oh Lost Maiden of the Nile where are you hidden? Oh, Lost Maiden who is the chosen of the Gods.

Her dances were so elegant and lovely. O-”Both girls stop their steps. The Queen was singing that song again. Ebony didn’t know the song or the story behind it but Rehema did.

The legend of the Lost Maiden of Lower Egypt. Most of the children made their own version of the story and made a song that went along with it. Rehema remember making her own version and sing with her friends. They would pick the most pretty girl from their group and circle around her while singing the song. Rehema smiled fondly at the memory. Her friends were the best and funniest. It was disappointing that they didn’t survived the attacks of the bandits.

Yet, Rehema still had faith that her older brother survived the attack.She remembered that he went to the fields to look for something and didn’t return when the slave owners came to raved their home. Her heart refused to accept that she saw his bloody body with the rest of the men. Her mind argued logic.

The song of the Lost Maiden bought so many memories. The Queen must have very fond memories with the song or she liked to make people uncomfortable.

“She’s sing that song again. Do you think someone from court is there?” Ebony asked.

Rehema shook her head. The Queen had very dark humor at times and her entourage had to be always be on their toes. She wasn’t shy to call out her entourage or nobles about their reasons about them trying to win her favor. “Good luck trying to seduce him!” She would often say. No, Rehema though the Queen just liked to make people uncomfortable.

“Took you long enough” The Queen spoke. Rehema and Ebony looked at each other. The Queen was sitting in her vanity with a long skinny brush in her hand. The Queen’s vanity was covered with different shapes and color jars. Necklaces and rings were arranged by size and length. A wooden box was open with the lid on the side. Rehema couldn’t really see the Queen’s face since she had her back turned.

“Thank you Ebony for bring her. Please wait outside” The Queen said. Ebony bowed and left.

The Queen lifted circle mirror with a golden long handle.

“Rehema your going to town” Rehema’s eyes shot up to look at the Queen.

The Queen placed her brush into the small jar and moved it to her eyelids.

“You are the only one among the slaves who understands the language, and your looks won’t drew much attention at least I hope not” She muttered.

“There are people I haven’t heard from a while, and I’m worrying something way have happened”

Rehema was frozen. The Queen placed her mirror down.

“There are whispers about something my maids have spoken only little. I need you to find out what’s happening in my Kingdom.” She added.

“Do you don’t I’ll run?” Rehema muttered. The Queen turned around and smiled sadly.

“I hope that you do, but my husband will find out and thinks like some expect Madu that your are nothing but an outsider of this land” She admitted.

Rehema touched her chest. “You are my trusted informet and you remind me so much of someone. I wonder if that why he calls you so often?” The Queen thought.

Rehema blinked. Who was she referring to? A past lover of the Pharaoh? A friend?

The Queen shook her head. “You are going to be comply by Aya and Ebony and I want you three to look for a woman named Amunet”

Rehema nodded. “Ask her if she received any word from Yuma”

The Queen stood up and walked over to Rehema.

“Take this and tell them that Urbi sent it” Rehema looked at the small ring with a blue beetle on the top.

“I know the Pharaoh called for you last night, but I really need you to do this”

The Queen lifted the girl’s chin. Brown eyes stared at each other.

“Rehema you have my full trust and I’ll make sure you girls have a break from him for a while” The Queen said. Rehema nodded.

Even the thought of runway left her mind. The Queen’s smiled and trust meant the world to the slave girl. She was the only one who showed her any kindness when she didn’t have to.

The Queen and Madu were the only ones who treated the enslave girls like people.