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At twelve, Sutekh had reached an important milestone in the life of any Egyptian boy. He was now an adult in the eyes of the law. Now not only could the Sheifa heir attend council meeting with his father, but he could start to take on more responsibilities that would prepare him for his future role as a Sirdar. As excited as he was for this new change in his life; Sutekh already knew that his father wouldn’t be quick to burden his son with more tasks -- not when the boy was still knee-deep in his schooling. Even though Sutekh was a man now, he would still have a few more years in the classroom as he still had much to learn for the lot the gods had given him in life.
However, the young boy should not be thinking of things such as books and tutors. At least not on the day when Onuphrious and Iaheru were indulging in one of the boy’s birthday wishes; a chance to see the Great Pyramids up close. It was something that Sutekh had always longed to do every time the family passed by the great stone structures of dynasties past as they sailed up the Nile to Cairo. It was far too dangerous though, with all the smugglers and other shady characters roaming about the sandy province. Who knows what could happen if some of those less than honest folk caught wind that a future Sirdar was venturing close to the Stone structures?
It seemed unlikely that Sutekh would ever get to indulge in his curiosity, but his parents were more than willing to pull some strings for their golden child. That was why the Sheifa boy could see guards teeming all over the place as the Hei marched across the sands in sheer awe of size of the Pyramids. Trailing closely behind his parents, while clutching the hand of his littlest sister Nenet, Sutekh couldn’t believe how large the monument to Pharaohs who were now long dead. It didn’t seem possible that mortal men could have built such a thing. The gods must have helped with the construction. That was the only possible way that he could fathom such a fantastic structure being built.
‘Sutekh?’ An older voice called out to the boy, shaking him from his thoughts. The young boy glanced up to his father who had turned slightly to quiz the boy on what he already knew about the pyramids, ‘Can you tell me any of the King of Kings buried here?’ Onuphrious had lifted a single eyebrow at the boy, fully expecting him to be able to complete the task. As a future Sirdar, Sutekh needed to know the history of their kingdom. Luckily, the boy was not one to disappoint.
If anything, the boy was one to show off. So, as he grinned back at his father, Sutekh parroted back what was easily the most difficult name of the Pharaohs buried here that he could remember -- fully solidifying himself as a pretentious know-it-all in the eyes of the siblings who were less than eager to tag along, “ Atamennuterhekten!” Sutekh, of course, had gotten it right, earning him a wide beam from Oniphrious; one that didn’t exactly match the one Sutekh sported as he turned to the girl by his side. At ten, Nenet was still very much a child, but she and Sutekh got along well because she was already wise beyond her years. The two of them were the quiet ones in the Sheifa family, preferring a quiet day spent in the family’s library than one in the courtyard like Nia and Hena.
“ What about you? Can you name any of them?” Sutekh asked gently, being sure to give her a reassuring squeeze of the hand. He knew that his little sister was shy, even around family, but Sutekh tried to give her the confidence to overcome whatever it was holding her back.
The young boy didn’t know what exactly it was that kept Nenet from speaking up most of the time, but as a sound of laughter came from behind him; he could make a decent guess. He turned back to glare at the other Sheifa children who were following closely behind their brother and sister. The whole lot of them were troublemakers or at least they were in Sutekh’s eyes as none of them knew how to behave. Nef, as the oldest, was bossy and the other two… why they were something else. Sutekh almost dreaded having Nia and Hena come along as they would surely make a mess of things, but it had been made clear to him that if he wanted Nenet (the only sibling Sutekh truly got along with) to accompany him on this trip that the others would have to come too.
It was beyond frustrating for the boy who just wanted to learn more about the buildings and the Pharaohs -- not have to deal with whatever wild things the others were getting up to behind him. “ Would you all just knock it off?” He angrily hissed at them as Sutekh waited for his little sister to speak. It was her turn and so she should get the attention that she rightly deserved! Nenet might be soft-spoken, but it wasn’t a free pass to be rude to her.
However, Sutekh should have known by now that such chastisement would never work on his elder sisters and entitled younger brother. Telling them off was more like stoking the flames rather than getting the monkeys to settle down.
Oh, this was going to turn into a complete disaster, wasn’t it?
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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At twelve, Sutekh had reached an important milestone in the life of any Egyptian boy. He was now an adult in the eyes of the law. Now not only could the Sheifa heir attend council meeting with his father, but he could start to take on more responsibilities that would prepare him for his future role as a Sirdar. As excited as he was for this new change in his life; Sutekh already knew that his father wouldn’t be quick to burden his son with more tasks -- not when the boy was still knee-deep in his schooling. Even though Sutekh was a man now, he would still have a few more years in the classroom as he still had much to learn for the lot the gods had given him in life.
However, the young boy should not be thinking of things such as books and tutors. At least not on the day when Onuphrious and Iaheru were indulging in one of the boy’s birthday wishes; a chance to see the Great Pyramids up close. It was something that Sutekh had always longed to do every time the family passed by the great stone structures of dynasties past as they sailed up the Nile to Cairo. It was far too dangerous though, with all the smugglers and other shady characters roaming about the sandy province. Who knows what could happen if some of those less than honest folk caught wind that a future Sirdar was venturing close to the Stone structures?
It seemed unlikely that Sutekh would ever get to indulge in his curiosity, but his parents were more than willing to pull some strings for their golden child. That was why the Sheifa boy could see guards teeming all over the place as the Hei marched across the sands in sheer awe of size of the Pyramids. Trailing closely behind his parents, while clutching the hand of his littlest sister Nenet, Sutekh couldn’t believe how large the monument to Pharaohs who were now long dead. It didn’t seem possible that mortal men could have built such a thing. The gods must have helped with the construction. That was the only possible way that he could fathom such a fantastic structure being built.
‘Sutekh?’ An older voice called out to the boy, shaking him from his thoughts. The young boy glanced up to his father who had turned slightly to quiz the boy on what he already knew about the pyramids, ‘Can you tell me any of the King of Kings buried here?’ Onuphrious had lifted a single eyebrow at the boy, fully expecting him to be able to complete the task. As a future Sirdar, Sutekh needed to know the history of their kingdom. Luckily, the boy was not one to disappoint.
If anything, the boy was one to show off. So, as he grinned back at his father, Sutekh parroted back what was easily the most difficult name of the Pharaohs buried here that he could remember -- fully solidifying himself as a pretentious know-it-all in the eyes of the siblings who were less than eager to tag along, “ Atamennuterhekten!” Sutekh, of course, had gotten it right, earning him a wide beam from Oniphrious; one that didn’t exactly match the one Sutekh sported as he turned to the girl by his side. At ten, Nenet was still very much a child, but she and Sutekh got along well because she was already wise beyond her years. The two of them were the quiet ones in the Sheifa family, preferring a quiet day spent in the family’s library than one in the courtyard like Nia and Hena.
“ What about you? Can you name any of them?” Sutekh asked gently, being sure to give her a reassuring squeeze of the hand. He knew that his little sister was shy, even around family, but Sutekh tried to give her the confidence to overcome whatever it was holding her back.
The young boy didn’t know what exactly it was that kept Nenet from speaking up most of the time, but as a sound of laughter came from behind him; he could make a decent guess. He turned back to glare at the other Sheifa children who were following closely behind their brother and sister. The whole lot of them were troublemakers or at least they were in Sutekh’s eyes as none of them knew how to behave. Nef, as the oldest, was bossy and the other two… why they were something else. Sutekh almost dreaded having Nia and Hena come along as they would surely make a mess of things, but it had been made clear to him that if he wanted Nenet (the only sibling Sutekh truly got along with) to accompany him on this trip that the others would have to come too.
It was beyond frustrating for the boy who just wanted to learn more about the buildings and the Pharaohs -- not have to deal with whatever wild things the others were getting up to behind him. “ Would you all just knock it off?” He angrily hissed at them as Sutekh waited for his little sister to speak. It was her turn and so she should get the attention that she rightly deserved! Nenet might be soft-spoken, but it wasn’t a free pass to be rude to her.
However, Sutekh should have known by now that such chastisement would never work on his elder sisters and entitled younger brother. Telling them off was more like stoking the flames rather than getting the monkeys to settle down.
Oh, this was going to turn into a complete disaster, wasn’t it?
At twelve, Sutekh had reached an important milestone in the life of any Egyptian boy. He was now an adult in the eyes of the law. Now not only could the Sheifa heir attend council meeting with his father, but he could start to take on more responsibilities that would prepare him for his future role as a Sirdar. As excited as he was for this new change in his life; Sutekh already knew that his father wouldn’t be quick to burden his son with more tasks -- not when the boy was still knee-deep in his schooling. Even though Sutekh was a man now, he would still have a few more years in the classroom as he still had much to learn for the lot the gods had given him in life.
However, the young boy should not be thinking of things such as books and tutors. At least not on the day when Onuphrious and Iaheru were indulging in one of the boy’s birthday wishes; a chance to see the Great Pyramids up close. It was something that Sutekh had always longed to do every time the family passed by the great stone structures of dynasties past as they sailed up the Nile to Cairo. It was far too dangerous though, with all the smugglers and other shady characters roaming about the sandy province. Who knows what could happen if some of those less than honest folk caught wind that a future Sirdar was venturing close to the Stone structures?
It seemed unlikely that Sutekh would ever get to indulge in his curiosity, but his parents were more than willing to pull some strings for their golden child. That was why the Sheifa boy could see guards teeming all over the place as the Hei marched across the sands in sheer awe of size of the Pyramids. Trailing closely behind his parents, while clutching the hand of his littlest sister Nenet, Sutekh couldn’t believe how large the monument to Pharaohs who were now long dead. It didn’t seem possible that mortal men could have built such a thing. The gods must have helped with the construction. That was the only possible way that he could fathom such a fantastic structure being built.
‘Sutekh?’ An older voice called out to the boy, shaking him from his thoughts. The young boy glanced up to his father who had turned slightly to quiz the boy on what he already knew about the pyramids, ‘Can you tell me any of the King of Kings buried here?’ Onuphrious had lifted a single eyebrow at the boy, fully expecting him to be able to complete the task. As a future Sirdar, Sutekh needed to know the history of their kingdom. Luckily, the boy was not one to disappoint.
If anything, the boy was one to show off. So, as he grinned back at his father, Sutekh parroted back what was easily the most difficult name of the Pharaohs buried here that he could remember -- fully solidifying himself as a pretentious know-it-all in the eyes of the siblings who were less than eager to tag along, “ Atamennuterhekten!” Sutekh, of course, had gotten it right, earning him a wide beam from Oniphrious; one that didn’t exactly match the one Sutekh sported as he turned to the girl by his side. At ten, Nenet was still very much a child, but she and Sutekh got along well because she was already wise beyond her years. The two of them were the quiet ones in the Sheifa family, preferring a quiet day spent in the family’s library than one in the courtyard like Nia and Hena.
“ What about you? Can you name any of them?” Sutekh asked gently, being sure to give her a reassuring squeeze of the hand. He knew that his little sister was shy, even around family, but Sutekh tried to give her the confidence to overcome whatever it was holding her back.
The young boy didn’t know what exactly it was that kept Nenet from speaking up most of the time, but as a sound of laughter came from behind him; he could make a decent guess. He turned back to glare at the other Sheifa children who were following closely behind their brother and sister. The whole lot of them were troublemakers or at least they were in Sutekh’s eyes as none of them knew how to behave. Nef, as the oldest, was bossy and the other two… why they were something else. Sutekh almost dreaded having Nia and Hena come along as they would surely make a mess of things, but it had been made clear to him that if he wanted Nenet (the only sibling Sutekh truly got along with) to accompany him on this trip that the others would have to come too.
It was beyond frustrating for the boy who just wanted to learn more about the buildings and the Pharaohs -- not have to deal with whatever wild things the others were getting up to behind him. “ Would you all just knock it off?” He angrily hissed at them as Sutekh waited for his little sister to speak. It was her turn and so she should get the attention that she rightly deserved! Nenet might be soft-spoken, but it wasn’t a free pass to be rude to her.
However, Sutekh should have known by now that such chastisement would never work on his elder sisters and entitled younger brother. Telling them off was more like stoking the flames rather than getting the monkeys to settle down.
Oh, this was going to turn into a complete disaster, wasn’t it?
Akhenaten could care less about his studies, or the pyramids, or any of the long dead Pharaohs who were laid to rest there. He had never been one to study overly hard, sure he was smart, but he never put the effort in, not like Sutekh had. So this trip was just a waste of a day for him, he could be out playing with his friends or something. At least he had Nia there with him. He held tightly to his sisters hand as they walked behind the rest of their family. He was a little jealous as Sutekh got to walk beside their father, holding his hand. He couldn’t remember the last time his parents had paid as much attention to him as they did their eldest son. That was a big reason that Hena disliked his older brother, and why he acted out as well. It wasn’t fair that his brother got so much of his parents attention and the rest of them were left with scraps.
As Sutekh turned to chastise them for laughing and attempting to enjoy themselves, Hena kicked some sand forward towards their brother before he let go of Nia’s hand and set off in a run, shouting at his sister behind him.
“Can’t catch me!” He declared, before he looked forward so he wouldn’t run into anyone or trip, he ran past his parents and brother, giggling as he ran, not even entirely certain his sister was chasing him. The young boy simply enjoyed running through the sand, unaware of any dangers that might be around. He had no idea why they had to be surrounded by so many guards anyways. No one was going to be all the way out here and attempt to hurt them. At least he didn’t think so.
He ran towards the line of guards, ducking as they attempted to grab him and stop him, he was much quicker than them due to his small size and the energy of an eight year old. He gleefully grinned as he ran past the line of guards and off towards the pyramids. He was going to have fun, whether his brother and parents liked it or not. That’s what they had to deal with if they were going to drag him unwilling to such places. It wasn’t unknown that Hena was full of energy, energy that was usually put towards attempting to get attention, and often getting him in as much trouble as he possibly could.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
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Akhenaten could care less about his studies, or the pyramids, or any of the long dead Pharaohs who were laid to rest there. He had never been one to study overly hard, sure he was smart, but he never put the effort in, not like Sutekh had. So this trip was just a waste of a day for him, he could be out playing with his friends or something. At least he had Nia there with him. He held tightly to his sisters hand as they walked behind the rest of their family. He was a little jealous as Sutekh got to walk beside their father, holding his hand. He couldn’t remember the last time his parents had paid as much attention to him as they did their eldest son. That was a big reason that Hena disliked his older brother, and why he acted out as well. It wasn’t fair that his brother got so much of his parents attention and the rest of them were left with scraps.
As Sutekh turned to chastise them for laughing and attempting to enjoy themselves, Hena kicked some sand forward towards their brother before he let go of Nia’s hand and set off in a run, shouting at his sister behind him.
“Can’t catch me!” He declared, before he looked forward so he wouldn’t run into anyone or trip, he ran past his parents and brother, giggling as he ran, not even entirely certain his sister was chasing him. The young boy simply enjoyed running through the sand, unaware of any dangers that might be around. He had no idea why they had to be surrounded by so many guards anyways. No one was going to be all the way out here and attempt to hurt them. At least he didn’t think so.
He ran towards the line of guards, ducking as they attempted to grab him and stop him, he was much quicker than them due to his small size and the energy of an eight year old. He gleefully grinned as he ran past the line of guards and off towards the pyramids. He was going to have fun, whether his brother and parents liked it or not. That’s what they had to deal with if they were going to drag him unwilling to such places. It wasn’t unknown that Hena was full of energy, energy that was usually put towards attempting to get attention, and often getting him in as much trouble as he possibly could.
Akhenaten could care less about his studies, or the pyramids, or any of the long dead Pharaohs who were laid to rest there. He had never been one to study overly hard, sure he was smart, but he never put the effort in, not like Sutekh had. So this trip was just a waste of a day for him, he could be out playing with his friends or something. At least he had Nia there with him. He held tightly to his sisters hand as they walked behind the rest of their family. He was a little jealous as Sutekh got to walk beside their father, holding his hand. He couldn’t remember the last time his parents had paid as much attention to him as they did their eldest son. That was a big reason that Hena disliked his older brother, and why he acted out as well. It wasn’t fair that his brother got so much of his parents attention and the rest of them were left with scraps.
As Sutekh turned to chastise them for laughing and attempting to enjoy themselves, Hena kicked some sand forward towards their brother before he let go of Nia’s hand and set off in a run, shouting at his sister behind him.
“Can’t catch me!” He declared, before he looked forward so he wouldn’t run into anyone or trip, he ran past his parents and brother, giggling as he ran, not even entirely certain his sister was chasing him. The young boy simply enjoyed running through the sand, unaware of any dangers that might be around. He had no idea why they had to be surrounded by so many guards anyways. No one was going to be all the way out here and attempt to hurt them. At least he didn’t think so.
He ran towards the line of guards, ducking as they attempted to grab him and stop him, he was much quicker than them due to his small size and the energy of an eight year old. He gleefully grinned as he ran past the line of guards and off towards the pyramids. He was going to have fun, whether his brother and parents liked it or not. That’s what they had to deal with if they were going to drag him unwilling to such places. It wasn’t unknown that Hena was full of energy, energy that was usually put towards attempting to get attention, and often getting him in as much trouble as he possibly could.
At thirteen years of age, Neithotep H’Sheifa already showed the promise of the great beauty she would one day become. Large eyes framed with lashes like an antelope’s gazed upon the vastly huge pyramids with a shocked wonder, as her tangle of chestnut hair blew back in the warm desert breeze. While she hadn’t relished the thought of coming here with her whole family, even the oft bored adolescent had to admit the structures were an awe-inspiring sight.
They were so large, so incomprehensibly enormous, that Nia found she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Hand clutched tight in her little brother’s, she was unwontedly quiet as she basked in the glory of the old tombs, listening with only half an ear as their father quizzed Sutekh on the Pharaohs that lay below. What brought her back to the present was the sound of her pretentious sibling’s voice as he effortlessly named the most complicated one, the girl rolling her eyes and making a face at his back. Truly, could he be more of a show-off? How did Onuphrious and Iaheru not see right through him?
Deciding to just to ignore him, she instead turned her attention to Akhenaten, squeezing his hand and smiling down at him. He seemed restless as always, the look in his eyes promising that he wouldn’t remain well-behaved for long. When Hena got bored, Hena got creative, and she could only begin to imagine the sort of trouble he’d get into in a place like this.
As if on cue, her youngest sibling let go of her hand just as soon as she looked down at him, darting off through the line of guards with a laugh that echoed behind him. “Yeah, that’s about what I thought,” she muttered to no one in particular, but it wasn’t like anyone was listening, anyway. With Sutekh and Nefertaari there, no one listened to her or Hena. She’d be surprised if their parents even noticed their younger son’s absence at all.
For a moment, she looked longingly after her brother, biting her lip as she pondered what she ought to do. Part of her thought she should linger with the rest of her family; with that many guards surrounding them, she worried about the danger her parents sought to protect them from. Plus, she really did want to see the pyramids, even if Hena wasn’t interested. While she didn’t care so much about their history or their origin, they were beautiful, and Nia was nothing if not an appreciator of beauty.
But then again, if she followed her favorite sibling, she’d be able to get even closer, and without the boring droning of her father and his heir. In the end, the choice wasn’t that hard.
With her parents’ attention on Sutekh and Nenet, Nia figured they probably wouldn’t notice if she ran off either, at least not immediately. Shrugging and deciding she had nothing to lose, the girl slid out in the gap her brother had made, chasing after Hena in a fit of giggles.
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Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
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At thirteen years of age, Neithotep H’Sheifa already showed the promise of the great beauty she would one day become. Large eyes framed with lashes like an antelope’s gazed upon the vastly huge pyramids with a shocked wonder, as her tangle of chestnut hair blew back in the warm desert breeze. While she hadn’t relished the thought of coming here with her whole family, even the oft bored adolescent had to admit the structures were an awe-inspiring sight.
They were so large, so incomprehensibly enormous, that Nia found she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Hand clutched tight in her little brother’s, she was unwontedly quiet as she basked in the glory of the old tombs, listening with only half an ear as their father quizzed Sutekh on the Pharaohs that lay below. What brought her back to the present was the sound of her pretentious sibling’s voice as he effortlessly named the most complicated one, the girl rolling her eyes and making a face at his back. Truly, could he be more of a show-off? How did Onuphrious and Iaheru not see right through him?
Deciding to just to ignore him, she instead turned her attention to Akhenaten, squeezing his hand and smiling down at him. He seemed restless as always, the look in his eyes promising that he wouldn’t remain well-behaved for long. When Hena got bored, Hena got creative, and she could only begin to imagine the sort of trouble he’d get into in a place like this.
As if on cue, her youngest sibling let go of her hand just as soon as she looked down at him, darting off through the line of guards with a laugh that echoed behind him. “Yeah, that’s about what I thought,” she muttered to no one in particular, but it wasn’t like anyone was listening, anyway. With Sutekh and Nefertaari there, no one listened to her or Hena. She’d be surprised if their parents even noticed their younger son’s absence at all.
For a moment, she looked longingly after her brother, biting her lip as she pondered what she ought to do. Part of her thought she should linger with the rest of her family; with that many guards surrounding them, she worried about the danger her parents sought to protect them from. Plus, she really did want to see the pyramids, even if Hena wasn’t interested. While she didn’t care so much about their history or their origin, they were beautiful, and Nia was nothing if not an appreciator of beauty.
But then again, if she followed her favorite sibling, she’d be able to get even closer, and without the boring droning of her father and his heir. In the end, the choice wasn’t that hard.
With her parents’ attention on Sutekh and Nenet, Nia figured they probably wouldn’t notice if she ran off either, at least not immediately. Shrugging and deciding she had nothing to lose, the girl slid out in the gap her brother had made, chasing after Hena in a fit of giggles.
At thirteen years of age, Neithotep H’Sheifa already showed the promise of the great beauty she would one day become. Large eyes framed with lashes like an antelope’s gazed upon the vastly huge pyramids with a shocked wonder, as her tangle of chestnut hair blew back in the warm desert breeze. While she hadn’t relished the thought of coming here with her whole family, even the oft bored adolescent had to admit the structures were an awe-inspiring sight.
They were so large, so incomprehensibly enormous, that Nia found she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Hand clutched tight in her little brother’s, she was unwontedly quiet as she basked in the glory of the old tombs, listening with only half an ear as their father quizzed Sutekh on the Pharaohs that lay below. What brought her back to the present was the sound of her pretentious sibling’s voice as he effortlessly named the most complicated one, the girl rolling her eyes and making a face at his back. Truly, could he be more of a show-off? How did Onuphrious and Iaheru not see right through him?
Deciding to just to ignore him, she instead turned her attention to Akhenaten, squeezing his hand and smiling down at him. He seemed restless as always, the look in his eyes promising that he wouldn’t remain well-behaved for long. When Hena got bored, Hena got creative, and she could only begin to imagine the sort of trouble he’d get into in a place like this.
As if on cue, her youngest sibling let go of her hand just as soon as she looked down at him, darting off through the line of guards with a laugh that echoed behind him. “Yeah, that’s about what I thought,” she muttered to no one in particular, but it wasn’t like anyone was listening, anyway. With Sutekh and Nefertaari there, no one listened to her or Hena. She’d be surprised if their parents even noticed their younger son’s absence at all.
For a moment, she looked longingly after her brother, biting her lip as she pondered what she ought to do. Part of her thought she should linger with the rest of her family; with that many guards surrounding them, she worried about the danger her parents sought to protect them from. Plus, she really did want to see the pyramids, even if Hena wasn’t interested. While she didn’t care so much about their history or their origin, they were beautiful, and Nia was nothing if not an appreciator of beauty.
But then again, if she followed her favorite sibling, she’d be able to get even closer, and without the boring droning of her father and his heir. In the end, the choice wasn’t that hard.
With her parents’ attention on Sutekh and Nenet, Nia figured they probably wouldn’t notice if she ran off either, at least not immediately. Shrugging and deciding she had nothing to lose, the girl slid out in the gap her brother had made, chasing after Hena in a fit of giggles.
Even as a child, Nenet had never been what anyone would consider sedate. She’d refused to get off the boat without Sutekh promising to hold her hand, which he faithfully did. One of her siblings had been going on, and on, and on, about thieves and scoundrels that prowled around the desert, ready to snatch up heirs and little girls. This, of course, had affected Nenet’s every waking thought and somehow, holding her twelve year old brother’s hand meant that she was much, much safer. Such was child logic.
She looked around as they wandered towards the pyramids, in no way as fascinated with them as Sutekh was. Her true interest lay in the half finished sketch of the Nile that she’d left on the boat. While her father and brother discussed the pharaohs, Nenet was thinking about what she would add to the sketch. A crocodile, maybe? Perhaps Anubis peeking through the reeds? Lately she’d been starting to draw jackals and Anubis was a favorite of hers because of the clean lines on the god’s form.
“What about you? Can you name any of them?” Sutekh asked her and she nearly tripped, trying to think and walk at the same time.
“I…” she started. “M-Menk-kaure?” she hated being put on the spot and wasn’t at all sure that was correct. He had been a pharaoh but they’d had so many. She squeezed Sutekh’s hand in return, but that was as much as she planned to say about it. Unlike Sutekh, she did not want to show off. She wanted to be safe, secure, and not taken by ruffians. They’d pull out her hair and worse. At least, that was the story she was told.
Suddenly there was laughter behind them and while Sutekh glared, Nenet ducked her head, not wanting to look back at all. She was reasonably sure it was at her since there wasn’t anything funny that she could see. Just a huge expanse of desert and impossibly huge pyramids. He groused at the other three and Nenet pulled on his arm. “Shh,” she begged, knowing him being upset would only make it worse. He might be heir but the other three didn’t give any sort of flying flip about that position.
Sand sprayed Nenet’s back and she yelped, leaping right in front of Sutekh to get away from it. More sand sprayed as Hena rushed past, followed quickly by Nia. Nenet squeezed her eyes shut and thought about how much she’d rather be on the boat right now. Except, that she also had sand in her hair. Which...for some embarrassing reason made tears well up and she let go of Sutekh’s hand to fling herself at her mother.
“M-mom! H-hen-na th-thrrew s-s-sand a-at m-m-ee a-nd S-s-s-tek-kh!” Did she care that she was tattling? No. Hena was wild and mean. And Nia was never any help where he was concerned. And Nef? Nenet wasn’t sure that Nef was part of the family. Maybe she was adopted….
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Even as a child, Nenet had never been what anyone would consider sedate. She’d refused to get off the boat without Sutekh promising to hold her hand, which he faithfully did. One of her siblings had been going on, and on, and on, about thieves and scoundrels that prowled around the desert, ready to snatch up heirs and little girls. This, of course, had affected Nenet’s every waking thought and somehow, holding her twelve year old brother’s hand meant that she was much, much safer. Such was child logic.
She looked around as they wandered towards the pyramids, in no way as fascinated with them as Sutekh was. Her true interest lay in the half finished sketch of the Nile that she’d left on the boat. While her father and brother discussed the pharaohs, Nenet was thinking about what she would add to the sketch. A crocodile, maybe? Perhaps Anubis peeking through the reeds? Lately she’d been starting to draw jackals and Anubis was a favorite of hers because of the clean lines on the god’s form.
“What about you? Can you name any of them?” Sutekh asked her and she nearly tripped, trying to think and walk at the same time.
“I…” she started. “M-Menk-kaure?” she hated being put on the spot and wasn’t at all sure that was correct. He had been a pharaoh but they’d had so many. She squeezed Sutekh’s hand in return, but that was as much as she planned to say about it. Unlike Sutekh, she did not want to show off. She wanted to be safe, secure, and not taken by ruffians. They’d pull out her hair and worse. At least, that was the story she was told.
Suddenly there was laughter behind them and while Sutekh glared, Nenet ducked her head, not wanting to look back at all. She was reasonably sure it was at her since there wasn’t anything funny that she could see. Just a huge expanse of desert and impossibly huge pyramids. He groused at the other three and Nenet pulled on his arm. “Shh,” she begged, knowing him being upset would only make it worse. He might be heir but the other three didn’t give any sort of flying flip about that position.
Sand sprayed Nenet’s back and she yelped, leaping right in front of Sutekh to get away from it. More sand sprayed as Hena rushed past, followed quickly by Nia. Nenet squeezed her eyes shut and thought about how much she’d rather be on the boat right now. Except, that she also had sand in her hair. Which...for some embarrassing reason made tears well up and she let go of Sutekh’s hand to fling herself at her mother.
“M-mom! H-hen-na th-thrrew s-s-sand a-at m-m-ee a-nd S-s-s-tek-kh!” Did she care that she was tattling? No. Hena was wild and mean. And Nia was never any help where he was concerned. And Nef? Nenet wasn’t sure that Nef was part of the family. Maybe she was adopted….
Even as a child, Nenet had never been what anyone would consider sedate. She’d refused to get off the boat without Sutekh promising to hold her hand, which he faithfully did. One of her siblings had been going on, and on, and on, about thieves and scoundrels that prowled around the desert, ready to snatch up heirs and little girls. This, of course, had affected Nenet’s every waking thought and somehow, holding her twelve year old brother’s hand meant that she was much, much safer. Such was child logic.
She looked around as they wandered towards the pyramids, in no way as fascinated with them as Sutekh was. Her true interest lay in the half finished sketch of the Nile that she’d left on the boat. While her father and brother discussed the pharaohs, Nenet was thinking about what she would add to the sketch. A crocodile, maybe? Perhaps Anubis peeking through the reeds? Lately she’d been starting to draw jackals and Anubis was a favorite of hers because of the clean lines on the god’s form.
“What about you? Can you name any of them?” Sutekh asked her and she nearly tripped, trying to think and walk at the same time.
“I…” she started. “M-Menk-kaure?” she hated being put on the spot and wasn’t at all sure that was correct. He had been a pharaoh but they’d had so many. She squeezed Sutekh’s hand in return, but that was as much as she planned to say about it. Unlike Sutekh, she did not want to show off. She wanted to be safe, secure, and not taken by ruffians. They’d pull out her hair and worse. At least, that was the story she was told.
Suddenly there was laughter behind them and while Sutekh glared, Nenet ducked her head, not wanting to look back at all. She was reasonably sure it was at her since there wasn’t anything funny that she could see. Just a huge expanse of desert and impossibly huge pyramids. He groused at the other three and Nenet pulled on his arm. “Shh,” she begged, knowing him being upset would only make it worse. He might be heir but the other three didn’t give any sort of flying flip about that position.
Sand sprayed Nenet’s back and she yelped, leaping right in front of Sutekh to get away from it. More sand sprayed as Hena rushed past, followed quickly by Nia. Nenet squeezed her eyes shut and thought about how much she’d rather be on the boat right now. Except, that she also had sand in her hair. Which...for some embarrassing reason made tears well up and she let go of Sutekh’s hand to fling herself at her mother.
“M-mom! H-hen-na th-thrrew s-s-sand a-at m-m-ee a-nd S-s-s-tek-kh!” Did she care that she was tattling? No. Hena was wild and mean. And Nia was never any help where he was concerned. And Nef? Nenet wasn’t sure that Nef was part of the family. Maybe she was adopted….
Stoically following in the footsteps of an elder slave, Mara’s slim legs itch from the sand clinging to their diminutive frame. The small wrinkle of her brow deepens as she kicks out her knee at an odd angle, trying to free it from the flaxen grasp of her shenti. For all that the cloth represented one of her only (self-perceived, anyway) true victories of distinction, she could not help but wish that she was as naked as the young slaves of other households dotting the river’s edge. Then again, they had not slipped off the edge of their master’s boat as they tried to disembark and been fished from the river like ragged mullet.
“Come on, girl, keep up.”
Scowling at the order, Mara shimmies out her waist and legs once more before following the other servant’s direction. The pace Aam sets is a run to her shorter stride, and the fabric has ridden up rather awkwardly once more by the time they reach the rest of the party. Setting down the basket on her back, she jerks it roughly back into place as she gasps for breath, looking forward in wonder at the scene. It was beautiful. The azurine hue of the sky reflects deeply in her own, the pearly white of the casting stones rising up in mocking symmetry set perfectly within their expanse. Blinking away the harsh beauty of the landscape, Mara only half hears Onuphrious’ testing of his heir as she watches Akhenaten and Neithotep tumble into the expansive sea of red and gold before them. The darkened heels of their sandals flashing up in their wake almost seem to mock her as they run away. Dama flying across an expansive field of never-ending freedom… while she sat tethered like a fat goat waiting for slaughter upon a chain.
Or maybe not. Almost hopefully, Mara looks for Iaheru among the family. The older woman always stood out to her, even more so among the beauty of her family and possessions. Like offerings upon a shrine, they only served to compliment the quiet power and direction of their matriarch. The restrictions of sex did not hinder Egyptian women as it did their counterparts across the sea. For while her children might conduct themselves with all the solemnity of a pack of boars, Iaheru’s figure, even cold and distant, reminded Mara most of the women of her own home: modest, intelligent, and powerful.
Home. She must remember that. Her first week in the household after being sold had culminated in a visit to the wells of the Masboot district. Here her fellow Grecian slaves, so few in the H’Sheifa, had been quick to pull her into their midst, petting her fair cheeks, and murmuring in their tongue of origin sweet words of comfort as they welcomed her into their midst. Their own memories supplemented her fading dreams and bolstered her native speech even as she quickly mastered the Egyptian kotpic and took on all the mannerisms of her young mistresses.
Aam’s kilt pulls beneath her fingers as she offers up a plaintive look, “may I go and play?”
Annoyance and concern flickers across the young man’s eyes as he looks down at his charge. Mara had only come to replace Onuphrious’ cupbearer who lay at home with an aching abscess in his mouth. Too young to attend to their master, and too little to bear the weight of too much burden, she’d only been allowed accompaniment to keep her from beneath the heels of the kitchen staff who she annoyed daily with the recitation of her reading lessons.
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Stoically following in the footsteps of an elder slave, Mara’s slim legs itch from the sand clinging to their diminutive frame. The small wrinkle of her brow deepens as she kicks out her knee at an odd angle, trying to free it from the flaxen grasp of her shenti. For all that the cloth represented one of her only (self-perceived, anyway) true victories of distinction, she could not help but wish that she was as naked as the young slaves of other households dotting the river’s edge. Then again, they had not slipped off the edge of their master’s boat as they tried to disembark and been fished from the river like ragged mullet.
“Come on, girl, keep up.”
Scowling at the order, Mara shimmies out her waist and legs once more before following the other servant’s direction. The pace Aam sets is a run to her shorter stride, and the fabric has ridden up rather awkwardly once more by the time they reach the rest of the party. Setting down the basket on her back, she jerks it roughly back into place as she gasps for breath, looking forward in wonder at the scene. It was beautiful. The azurine hue of the sky reflects deeply in her own, the pearly white of the casting stones rising up in mocking symmetry set perfectly within their expanse. Blinking away the harsh beauty of the landscape, Mara only half hears Onuphrious’ testing of his heir as she watches Akhenaten and Neithotep tumble into the expansive sea of red and gold before them. The darkened heels of their sandals flashing up in their wake almost seem to mock her as they run away. Dama flying across an expansive field of never-ending freedom… while she sat tethered like a fat goat waiting for slaughter upon a chain.
Or maybe not. Almost hopefully, Mara looks for Iaheru among the family. The older woman always stood out to her, even more so among the beauty of her family and possessions. Like offerings upon a shrine, they only served to compliment the quiet power and direction of their matriarch. The restrictions of sex did not hinder Egyptian women as it did their counterparts across the sea. For while her children might conduct themselves with all the solemnity of a pack of boars, Iaheru’s figure, even cold and distant, reminded Mara most of the women of her own home: modest, intelligent, and powerful.
Home. She must remember that. Her first week in the household after being sold had culminated in a visit to the wells of the Masboot district. Here her fellow Grecian slaves, so few in the H’Sheifa, had been quick to pull her into their midst, petting her fair cheeks, and murmuring in their tongue of origin sweet words of comfort as they welcomed her into their midst. Their own memories supplemented her fading dreams and bolstered her native speech even as she quickly mastered the Egyptian kotpic and took on all the mannerisms of her young mistresses.
Aam’s kilt pulls beneath her fingers as she offers up a plaintive look, “may I go and play?”
Annoyance and concern flickers across the young man’s eyes as he looks down at his charge. Mara had only come to replace Onuphrious’ cupbearer who lay at home with an aching abscess in his mouth. Too young to attend to their master, and too little to bear the weight of too much burden, she’d only been allowed accompaniment to keep her from beneath the heels of the kitchen staff who she annoyed daily with the recitation of her reading lessons.
Stoically following in the footsteps of an elder slave, Mara’s slim legs itch from the sand clinging to their diminutive frame. The small wrinkle of her brow deepens as she kicks out her knee at an odd angle, trying to free it from the flaxen grasp of her shenti. For all that the cloth represented one of her only (self-perceived, anyway) true victories of distinction, she could not help but wish that she was as naked as the young slaves of other households dotting the river’s edge. Then again, they had not slipped off the edge of their master’s boat as they tried to disembark and been fished from the river like ragged mullet.
“Come on, girl, keep up.”
Scowling at the order, Mara shimmies out her waist and legs once more before following the other servant’s direction. The pace Aam sets is a run to her shorter stride, and the fabric has ridden up rather awkwardly once more by the time they reach the rest of the party. Setting down the basket on her back, she jerks it roughly back into place as she gasps for breath, looking forward in wonder at the scene. It was beautiful. The azurine hue of the sky reflects deeply in her own, the pearly white of the casting stones rising up in mocking symmetry set perfectly within their expanse. Blinking away the harsh beauty of the landscape, Mara only half hears Onuphrious’ testing of his heir as she watches Akhenaten and Neithotep tumble into the expansive sea of red and gold before them. The darkened heels of their sandals flashing up in their wake almost seem to mock her as they run away. Dama flying across an expansive field of never-ending freedom… while she sat tethered like a fat goat waiting for slaughter upon a chain.
Or maybe not. Almost hopefully, Mara looks for Iaheru among the family. The older woman always stood out to her, even more so among the beauty of her family and possessions. Like offerings upon a shrine, they only served to compliment the quiet power and direction of their matriarch. The restrictions of sex did not hinder Egyptian women as it did their counterparts across the sea. For while her children might conduct themselves with all the solemnity of a pack of boars, Iaheru’s figure, even cold and distant, reminded Mara most of the women of her own home: modest, intelligent, and powerful.
Home. She must remember that. Her first week in the household after being sold had culminated in a visit to the wells of the Masboot district. Here her fellow Grecian slaves, so few in the H’Sheifa, had been quick to pull her into their midst, petting her fair cheeks, and murmuring in their tongue of origin sweet words of comfort as they welcomed her into their midst. Their own memories supplemented her fading dreams and bolstered her native speech even as she quickly mastered the Egyptian kotpic and took on all the mannerisms of her young mistresses.
Aam’s kilt pulls beneath her fingers as she offers up a plaintive look, “may I go and play?”
Annoyance and concern flickers across the young man’s eyes as he looks down at his charge. Mara had only come to replace Onuphrious’ cupbearer who lay at home with an aching abscess in his mouth. Too young to attend to their master, and too little to bear the weight of too much burden, she’d only been allowed accompaniment to keep her from beneath the heels of the kitchen staff who she annoyed daily with the recitation of her reading lessons.
Iaheru trailed behind her children, ears keen to listen to their smarts and, unfortunately, their mischief. She expected obedience on today of all days, the solemnity of towering pyramids imparting reverence in the same vein as the occasion. Her son had come of age. No longer was he a child in the eyes of the laws, though Iaheru had vocally disputed that on the child's actual birthday. The presumptive Sheifa heir was expected to earn his station through intellect, not by blood alone. However, the truth of this blood pulled at Iaheru's insides even heavier on this day, wondering how, or if, her son would have experienced this day with his father. Her son would not ascend through intellect, nor would he in blood, but by a well intentioned lie.
As the years passed, Iaheru had convinced herself that this lie was the only way to keep her son safe. It did not burden her heavily as it once had. Her lie did not invade her thoughts as she took her afternoon tea, as she consorted with women and men of the court alike. She was the only one that seemed to notice the slope of his nose, the gold of his eyes, the straightness of his hair that was not mirrored in Onuphrious or herself.
She plastered her face with a pleasant smile, chin jutted upwards and kohl absorbing the oppressive sun. Of course Nenet lazily hung off of Sutekh, and likewise did Akhenaten and Neithotep. Nefertaari followed Onuphrious's coattails, constantly absorbing whatever the man had to say, rivaling the intensity that enveloped her brother.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees Akhenaten running off. Her hands clawed at the back of his neck like a lioness to a cub, but her fist clenched around dry air. "Akhenaten!" She projected, not a word of hesitance nor panic. Her children would not be the first children to misbehave in Giza. Onuphrious did not possess the same tolerance as Iaheru. Surely, the children would be punished severely by Onuphrious, most likely relegated to eat soldiers provisions devoid of salt and spice their palates were accustomed to.
"Neithotep," she growls. Emotion momentarily broke a steely exterior. The girl knew better. After all, she was older than Sutekh, listing the names of dead pharaohs and walking as a man beside his father that was not his father.
Nenet cries out and immediately Iaheru brushed past Nefertaari and crouched to the level of the fragile girl. She brushed the sand out of Nenet's clothing with quick strokes and shushed the wails of a girl a bit too old to cry like this. Yet, her Nenet had always been tenderhearted, her stutter an affliction that extended beyond her speech. "You're okay. Do not sacrifice the lessons learned here."
Iaheru bid a guard to look after her children that had taken to the stand with the message that dripped with a calm motherly anger. "Tell them that they can have their fun now, but they will pay tenfold later."
To add to her frustrations and the chaos, she emerged to find Mara. The sweet slavegirl had grown alongside her children. Iaheru couldn't help but feel a certain affinity for her, the matriarch thought that Mara resembled Nenet in her mannerisms, in her staunch obedience. The slave girl was a true pleasure to have around and Iaheru was reminded of her own beginnings. "Aam, why is a child toting so much weight?" The woman's brow furrowed, "And she doesn't have a scarf? She'll blister!"
"Come here, child," Iaheru pinched the bridge of her nose. As a master, the woman was kind to the obedient, but ruthless to the unruly. It wasn't uncommon for the Sirdsett to bear the whip more brutally than her mild-mannered husband. A source of fearsome rage, irrationality was only revealed in the Sirdsett when she was crossed, formidable not only the slaves, but nobles alike.
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Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
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Iaheru trailed behind her children, ears keen to listen to their smarts and, unfortunately, their mischief. She expected obedience on today of all days, the solemnity of towering pyramids imparting reverence in the same vein as the occasion. Her son had come of age. No longer was he a child in the eyes of the laws, though Iaheru had vocally disputed that on the child's actual birthday. The presumptive Sheifa heir was expected to earn his station through intellect, not by blood alone. However, the truth of this blood pulled at Iaheru's insides even heavier on this day, wondering how, or if, her son would have experienced this day with his father. Her son would not ascend through intellect, nor would he in blood, but by a well intentioned lie.
As the years passed, Iaheru had convinced herself that this lie was the only way to keep her son safe. It did not burden her heavily as it once had. Her lie did not invade her thoughts as she took her afternoon tea, as she consorted with women and men of the court alike. She was the only one that seemed to notice the slope of his nose, the gold of his eyes, the straightness of his hair that was not mirrored in Onuphrious or herself.
She plastered her face with a pleasant smile, chin jutted upwards and kohl absorbing the oppressive sun. Of course Nenet lazily hung off of Sutekh, and likewise did Akhenaten and Neithotep. Nefertaari followed Onuphrious's coattails, constantly absorbing whatever the man had to say, rivaling the intensity that enveloped her brother.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees Akhenaten running off. Her hands clawed at the back of his neck like a lioness to a cub, but her fist clenched around dry air. "Akhenaten!" She projected, not a word of hesitance nor panic. Her children would not be the first children to misbehave in Giza. Onuphrious did not possess the same tolerance as Iaheru. Surely, the children would be punished severely by Onuphrious, most likely relegated to eat soldiers provisions devoid of salt and spice their palates were accustomed to.
"Neithotep," she growls. Emotion momentarily broke a steely exterior. The girl knew better. After all, she was older than Sutekh, listing the names of dead pharaohs and walking as a man beside his father that was not his father.
Nenet cries out and immediately Iaheru brushed past Nefertaari and crouched to the level of the fragile girl. She brushed the sand out of Nenet's clothing with quick strokes and shushed the wails of a girl a bit too old to cry like this. Yet, her Nenet had always been tenderhearted, her stutter an affliction that extended beyond her speech. "You're okay. Do not sacrifice the lessons learned here."
Iaheru bid a guard to look after her children that had taken to the stand with the message that dripped with a calm motherly anger. "Tell them that they can have their fun now, but they will pay tenfold later."
To add to her frustrations and the chaos, she emerged to find Mara. The sweet slavegirl had grown alongside her children. Iaheru couldn't help but feel a certain affinity for her, the matriarch thought that Mara resembled Nenet in her mannerisms, in her staunch obedience. The slave girl was a true pleasure to have around and Iaheru was reminded of her own beginnings. "Aam, why is a child toting so much weight?" The woman's brow furrowed, "And she doesn't have a scarf? She'll blister!"
"Come here, child," Iaheru pinched the bridge of her nose. As a master, the woman was kind to the obedient, but ruthless to the unruly. It wasn't uncommon for the Sirdsett to bear the whip more brutally than her mild-mannered husband. A source of fearsome rage, irrationality was only revealed in the Sirdsett when she was crossed, formidable not only the slaves, but nobles alike.
Iaheru trailed behind her children, ears keen to listen to their smarts and, unfortunately, their mischief. She expected obedience on today of all days, the solemnity of towering pyramids imparting reverence in the same vein as the occasion. Her son had come of age. No longer was he a child in the eyes of the laws, though Iaheru had vocally disputed that on the child's actual birthday. The presumptive Sheifa heir was expected to earn his station through intellect, not by blood alone. However, the truth of this blood pulled at Iaheru's insides even heavier on this day, wondering how, or if, her son would have experienced this day with his father. Her son would not ascend through intellect, nor would he in blood, but by a well intentioned lie.
As the years passed, Iaheru had convinced herself that this lie was the only way to keep her son safe. It did not burden her heavily as it once had. Her lie did not invade her thoughts as she took her afternoon tea, as she consorted with women and men of the court alike. She was the only one that seemed to notice the slope of his nose, the gold of his eyes, the straightness of his hair that was not mirrored in Onuphrious or herself.
She plastered her face with a pleasant smile, chin jutted upwards and kohl absorbing the oppressive sun. Of course Nenet lazily hung off of Sutekh, and likewise did Akhenaten and Neithotep. Nefertaari followed Onuphrious's coattails, constantly absorbing whatever the man had to say, rivaling the intensity that enveloped her brother.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she sees Akhenaten running off. Her hands clawed at the back of his neck like a lioness to a cub, but her fist clenched around dry air. "Akhenaten!" She projected, not a word of hesitance nor panic. Her children would not be the first children to misbehave in Giza. Onuphrious did not possess the same tolerance as Iaheru. Surely, the children would be punished severely by Onuphrious, most likely relegated to eat soldiers provisions devoid of salt and spice their palates were accustomed to.
"Neithotep," she growls. Emotion momentarily broke a steely exterior. The girl knew better. After all, she was older than Sutekh, listing the names of dead pharaohs and walking as a man beside his father that was not his father.
Nenet cries out and immediately Iaheru brushed past Nefertaari and crouched to the level of the fragile girl. She brushed the sand out of Nenet's clothing with quick strokes and shushed the wails of a girl a bit too old to cry like this. Yet, her Nenet had always been tenderhearted, her stutter an affliction that extended beyond her speech. "You're okay. Do not sacrifice the lessons learned here."
Iaheru bid a guard to look after her children that had taken to the stand with the message that dripped with a calm motherly anger. "Tell them that they can have their fun now, but they will pay tenfold later."
To add to her frustrations and the chaos, she emerged to find Mara. The sweet slavegirl had grown alongside her children. Iaheru couldn't help but feel a certain affinity for her, the matriarch thought that Mara resembled Nenet in her mannerisms, in her staunch obedience. The slave girl was a true pleasure to have around and Iaheru was reminded of her own beginnings. "Aam, why is a child toting so much weight?" The woman's brow furrowed, "And she doesn't have a scarf? She'll blister!"
"Come here, child," Iaheru pinched the bridge of her nose. As a master, the woman was kind to the obedient, but ruthless to the unruly. It wasn't uncommon for the Sirdsett to bear the whip more brutally than her mild-mannered husband. A source of fearsome rage, irrationality was only revealed in the Sirdsett when she was crossed, formidable not only the slaves, but nobles alike.
To Nenet’s intense relief, her mother dropped impatiently in front of her and, with brisk strokes, batted away the sand from her clothes. The irritation of the gestures did not make Nenet flinch because she didn’t associate her mother’s mood with herself. After all, she’d been one of the well mannered ones. Although, when Iaheru told her not to cry, Nenet finished up with an exaggerated sniffle, but that was all. She looked to her mother with wide brown eyes beneath long, sweeping lashes, looking as cute and helpless as she could possibly be. Was she cute? Yes. Was she helpless? ...a little bit. She couldn’t argue like her siblings could, and she was definitely smaller and younger, so in that sense, yes. She was still very much the baby. Hena, meanwhile, though younger, was a boy of enormous energy and Nenet had always seemed younger in comparison.
She wanted Iaheru to stay with her and reached out for her mother’s hand but found a guard slipping his hand into hers instead. Looking up, she found the familiar face of a man that often accompanied them and though he was an adult and not unknown to her, she did not find the same comfort in his touch that she would have from her own mother’s hand. Nenet wanted to drop the guard’s grasp and seek out a different family member, but she was held firmly while her mother sorted out the nonsense with her siblings.
Her eyes wandered the scene, falling on Mara as Iaheru called the girl to her. A little snake of jealousy wriggled in Nenet’s chest as she watched her mother giving the servant girl more attention. In an unusual streak of rebelliousness, she broke free of the guard’s grasp and streaked toward Iaheru, intercepting Mara from getting to her mother. Nenet scooped up the servant girl’s hand, striding now with her toward Iaheru, intent on getting more attention, even if she had to stay with Mara to do it. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Mara, but they didn’t exactly play together as often as children might. Nenet was shy because of her speech and didn’t usually seek out other people. That generally involved talking. But if the games involved running around or tag or something along that line, she was as apt to join as anyone.
Presenting herself and Mara before Iaheru, she looked up at her mother, expectant of some kind of pat on the head or other form of affection.
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To Nenet’s intense relief, her mother dropped impatiently in front of her and, with brisk strokes, batted away the sand from her clothes. The irritation of the gestures did not make Nenet flinch because she didn’t associate her mother’s mood with herself. After all, she’d been one of the well mannered ones. Although, when Iaheru told her not to cry, Nenet finished up with an exaggerated sniffle, but that was all. She looked to her mother with wide brown eyes beneath long, sweeping lashes, looking as cute and helpless as she could possibly be. Was she cute? Yes. Was she helpless? ...a little bit. She couldn’t argue like her siblings could, and she was definitely smaller and younger, so in that sense, yes. She was still very much the baby. Hena, meanwhile, though younger, was a boy of enormous energy and Nenet had always seemed younger in comparison.
She wanted Iaheru to stay with her and reached out for her mother’s hand but found a guard slipping his hand into hers instead. Looking up, she found the familiar face of a man that often accompanied them and though he was an adult and not unknown to her, she did not find the same comfort in his touch that she would have from her own mother’s hand. Nenet wanted to drop the guard’s grasp and seek out a different family member, but she was held firmly while her mother sorted out the nonsense with her siblings.
Her eyes wandered the scene, falling on Mara as Iaheru called the girl to her. A little snake of jealousy wriggled in Nenet’s chest as she watched her mother giving the servant girl more attention. In an unusual streak of rebelliousness, she broke free of the guard’s grasp and streaked toward Iaheru, intercepting Mara from getting to her mother. Nenet scooped up the servant girl’s hand, striding now with her toward Iaheru, intent on getting more attention, even if she had to stay with Mara to do it. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Mara, but they didn’t exactly play together as often as children might. Nenet was shy because of her speech and didn’t usually seek out other people. That generally involved talking. But if the games involved running around or tag or something along that line, she was as apt to join as anyone.
Presenting herself and Mara before Iaheru, she looked up at her mother, expectant of some kind of pat on the head or other form of affection.
To Nenet’s intense relief, her mother dropped impatiently in front of her and, with brisk strokes, batted away the sand from her clothes. The irritation of the gestures did not make Nenet flinch because she didn’t associate her mother’s mood with herself. After all, she’d been one of the well mannered ones. Although, when Iaheru told her not to cry, Nenet finished up with an exaggerated sniffle, but that was all. She looked to her mother with wide brown eyes beneath long, sweeping lashes, looking as cute and helpless as she could possibly be. Was she cute? Yes. Was she helpless? ...a little bit. She couldn’t argue like her siblings could, and she was definitely smaller and younger, so in that sense, yes. She was still very much the baby. Hena, meanwhile, though younger, was a boy of enormous energy and Nenet had always seemed younger in comparison.
She wanted Iaheru to stay with her and reached out for her mother’s hand but found a guard slipping his hand into hers instead. Looking up, she found the familiar face of a man that often accompanied them and though he was an adult and not unknown to her, she did not find the same comfort in his touch that she would have from her own mother’s hand. Nenet wanted to drop the guard’s grasp and seek out a different family member, but she was held firmly while her mother sorted out the nonsense with her siblings.
Her eyes wandered the scene, falling on Mara as Iaheru called the girl to her. A little snake of jealousy wriggled in Nenet’s chest as she watched her mother giving the servant girl more attention. In an unusual streak of rebelliousness, she broke free of the guard’s grasp and streaked toward Iaheru, intercepting Mara from getting to her mother. Nenet scooped up the servant girl’s hand, striding now with her toward Iaheru, intent on getting more attention, even if she had to stay with Mara to do it. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Mara, but they didn’t exactly play together as often as children might. Nenet was shy because of her speech and didn’t usually seek out other people. That generally involved talking. But if the games involved running around or tag or something along that line, she was as apt to join as anyone.
Presenting herself and Mara before Iaheru, she looked up at her mother, expectant of some kind of pat on the head or other form of affection.
Hena’s laughter only grew as he realized his older sister Nia was following after him as he ran across the sands and towards the pyramids. Now it had turned from a simple act of boredom to a game with her, and he picked his speed up. And then he realized there was a guard following them as well...
And his laughter increased more as he sped toward the pyramid, his intent was to begin to climb it, if he was not caught and stopped first. His mother’s intent in sending the guard had been to deter her youngest son from acting as such, but instead it had only spurred him on. Hena knew that he would have hell to pay for this, that his father would likely punish him for quite some time for his behaviour, but he was never one to care much about the consequences of his actions. He was very much an enjoy the now and deal with the rest later type of boy.
Unfortunately for him, he was never destined to make it to the pyramids and start his ascent. Instead he tripped over his own feet and was sent sprawling out over the sand, landing face first. The stinging pain was enough to bring his fun to a quick end, and he quickly stood up, attempting to brush the sand from himself, spitting it out of his mouth as well as the guard caught up to him and grabbed his shoulder.
“Get your hand off me, commoner!” He shouted at the man, and the guard almost looked a little taken aback at the sudden shift in Akhenaten’s attitude. It didn’t take a lot to sour the boy’s mood, and the discomfort of the sand in his mouth and the stinging pain of the scrapes he received from falling were more than enough.
The guard attempted to tug Akhenaten back towards his family, but the boy dug his heels into the sand, and in his anger, he struck the man. Unable to reach much higher, he punched the man in the stomach, which probably hurt Hena more than the guard, though he would never admit it. He felt a little more satisfied with his actions, and his anger calmed, though with that feeling now gone, his scrapes hurt more and the guard seemed utterly confused as to what to do. But with the rest of his family rapidly approaching them, he seemed content enough to stand there and make sure that Akhenaten simply didn’t take off again.
“Nia!” He cried out, wishing for the comfort of his sister, as if her soft words and a hug would just make the stinging pain stop. He was fairly certain that Nia could fix any situation easily, she was magic like that. He looked up to her greatly and she had been the only one there for him his whole life. Most children would have called for the comfort of their mother, but Akhenaten had never found comfort with her.
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Hena’s laughter only grew as he realized his older sister Nia was following after him as he ran across the sands and towards the pyramids. Now it had turned from a simple act of boredom to a game with her, and he picked his speed up. And then he realized there was a guard following them as well...
And his laughter increased more as he sped toward the pyramid, his intent was to begin to climb it, if he was not caught and stopped first. His mother’s intent in sending the guard had been to deter her youngest son from acting as such, but instead it had only spurred him on. Hena knew that he would have hell to pay for this, that his father would likely punish him for quite some time for his behaviour, but he was never one to care much about the consequences of his actions. He was very much an enjoy the now and deal with the rest later type of boy.
Unfortunately for him, he was never destined to make it to the pyramids and start his ascent. Instead he tripped over his own feet and was sent sprawling out over the sand, landing face first. The stinging pain was enough to bring his fun to a quick end, and he quickly stood up, attempting to brush the sand from himself, spitting it out of his mouth as well as the guard caught up to him and grabbed his shoulder.
“Get your hand off me, commoner!” He shouted at the man, and the guard almost looked a little taken aback at the sudden shift in Akhenaten’s attitude. It didn’t take a lot to sour the boy’s mood, and the discomfort of the sand in his mouth and the stinging pain of the scrapes he received from falling were more than enough.
The guard attempted to tug Akhenaten back towards his family, but the boy dug his heels into the sand, and in his anger, he struck the man. Unable to reach much higher, he punched the man in the stomach, which probably hurt Hena more than the guard, though he would never admit it. He felt a little more satisfied with his actions, and his anger calmed, though with that feeling now gone, his scrapes hurt more and the guard seemed utterly confused as to what to do. But with the rest of his family rapidly approaching them, he seemed content enough to stand there and make sure that Akhenaten simply didn’t take off again.
“Nia!” He cried out, wishing for the comfort of his sister, as if her soft words and a hug would just make the stinging pain stop. He was fairly certain that Nia could fix any situation easily, she was magic like that. He looked up to her greatly and she had been the only one there for him his whole life. Most children would have called for the comfort of their mother, but Akhenaten had never found comfort with her.
Hena’s laughter only grew as he realized his older sister Nia was following after him as he ran across the sands and towards the pyramids. Now it had turned from a simple act of boredom to a game with her, and he picked his speed up. And then he realized there was a guard following them as well...
And his laughter increased more as he sped toward the pyramid, his intent was to begin to climb it, if he was not caught and stopped first. His mother’s intent in sending the guard had been to deter her youngest son from acting as such, but instead it had only spurred him on. Hena knew that he would have hell to pay for this, that his father would likely punish him for quite some time for his behaviour, but he was never one to care much about the consequences of his actions. He was very much an enjoy the now and deal with the rest later type of boy.
Unfortunately for him, he was never destined to make it to the pyramids and start his ascent. Instead he tripped over his own feet and was sent sprawling out over the sand, landing face first. The stinging pain was enough to bring his fun to a quick end, and he quickly stood up, attempting to brush the sand from himself, spitting it out of his mouth as well as the guard caught up to him and grabbed his shoulder.
“Get your hand off me, commoner!” He shouted at the man, and the guard almost looked a little taken aback at the sudden shift in Akhenaten’s attitude. It didn’t take a lot to sour the boy’s mood, and the discomfort of the sand in his mouth and the stinging pain of the scrapes he received from falling were more than enough.
The guard attempted to tug Akhenaten back towards his family, but the boy dug his heels into the sand, and in his anger, he struck the man. Unable to reach much higher, he punched the man in the stomach, which probably hurt Hena more than the guard, though he would never admit it. He felt a little more satisfied with his actions, and his anger calmed, though with that feeling now gone, his scrapes hurt more and the guard seemed utterly confused as to what to do. But with the rest of his family rapidly approaching them, he seemed content enough to stand there and make sure that Akhenaten simply didn’t take off again.
“Nia!” He cried out, wishing for the comfort of his sister, as if her soft words and a hug would just make the stinging pain stop. He was fairly certain that Nia could fix any situation easily, she was magic like that. He looked up to her greatly and she had been the only one there for him his whole life. Most children would have called for the comfort of their mother, but Akhenaten had never found comfort with her.
Onuphrious looked down on his son with pride, a genial smile softening his face. Sutekh was a smart boy, always had been, and he took to his lessons like a fish to water. Of course, he was able to offer the most complicated name of them all with an ease that bespoke of his hours of study. “Very good,” he praised his child, now a man in the eyes of the law. “I see you’ve been reading the scrolls I gave you.”
The Sirdar was content and at ease as they walked through the pyramids, a day trip at the whim of his heir. A trip to Giza had been his request for his birthday, and Onuphrious was happy to oblige. He enjoyed the time with his family, and the chance to impart something of cultural relevance on his brood was not an opportunity he wished to pass up. Of course, Sutekh had not been happy when the lord insisted the rest of his siblings would accompany him, but his heir’s education was not the only one that mattered. Besides, it was a good thing for them all to spend some time together as a family. Perhaps time away from home would do something to encourage the siblings to actually enjoy each others’ company rather than squabble as they so often did.
Of course, that was not going to happen. Why had he even really expected it? Nearly as soon as Nenet was giving her own answer, Onuphrious smiling proudly her way, Akhenaten was off and running, with Neithotep close behind. If there was trouble to be made, it was always those two. Apparently today was no exception.
“Once, just once, wouldn’t it be nice if they fell in line?” he muttered to himself, though loud enough that his eldest daughter, Nefertaari, overheard.
‘You know that will never happen, Father,’ she stated, the contempt clear in her tone. ‘Pests, both of them.’
“Now, now, Nef,” he scolded gently, even if part of him was inclined to agree. “They’re your siblings. No matter how they may vex you, there’s no need for name calling.”
Jaw set with irritation, his own voice added to Iaheru’s as he called out, “Neithotep! Akhenaten! Get back here, now!” Obviously, they didn’t listen, their laughter fading as they ran further away.
Before the guard his wife dispatched went after them, he grabbed his arm. “Make that twenty fold,” he growled, adding onto the Sirdsett’s threat. “If they’re not back here in the next ten minutes, inform them that their suppers and their breakfasts will be given to the dogs.”
Glancing over at Iaheru, tending to the girl they’d brought to be his cupbearer, he made a face. “Maybe we’re too easy on them,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “Perhaps we ought to start punishing them like we do the slaves. Maybe then they’ll learn.”
Overhearing Mara ask Aam if she could go and play with the others, he denied her with a sharp shake of his head, “No, don’t even think of letting her. It is dangerous for children to be running off on their own around here. We needn’t encourage Akhenaten and Neithotep by sending another child to them.”
Sighing, Onuphrious rubbed his temple as a headache started to set in. Was a peaceful family excursion truly too much to ask for?
Turning back to Sutekh, he attempted a smile. Might as well continue on with their purpose in coming here, whether certain members of the family wanted to participate or not. “Well, while we wait for them… tell me, Sutekh. When was the last pharaoh interred here?”
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Onuphrious looked down on his son with pride, a genial smile softening his face. Sutekh was a smart boy, always had been, and he took to his lessons like a fish to water. Of course, he was able to offer the most complicated name of them all with an ease that bespoke of his hours of study. “Very good,” he praised his child, now a man in the eyes of the law. “I see you’ve been reading the scrolls I gave you.”
The Sirdar was content and at ease as they walked through the pyramids, a day trip at the whim of his heir. A trip to Giza had been his request for his birthday, and Onuphrious was happy to oblige. He enjoyed the time with his family, and the chance to impart something of cultural relevance on his brood was not an opportunity he wished to pass up. Of course, Sutekh had not been happy when the lord insisted the rest of his siblings would accompany him, but his heir’s education was not the only one that mattered. Besides, it was a good thing for them all to spend some time together as a family. Perhaps time away from home would do something to encourage the siblings to actually enjoy each others’ company rather than squabble as they so often did.
Of course, that was not going to happen. Why had he even really expected it? Nearly as soon as Nenet was giving her own answer, Onuphrious smiling proudly her way, Akhenaten was off and running, with Neithotep close behind. If there was trouble to be made, it was always those two. Apparently today was no exception.
“Once, just once, wouldn’t it be nice if they fell in line?” he muttered to himself, though loud enough that his eldest daughter, Nefertaari, overheard.
‘You know that will never happen, Father,’ she stated, the contempt clear in her tone. ‘Pests, both of them.’
“Now, now, Nef,” he scolded gently, even if part of him was inclined to agree. “They’re your siblings. No matter how they may vex you, there’s no need for name calling.”
Jaw set with irritation, his own voice added to Iaheru’s as he called out, “Neithotep! Akhenaten! Get back here, now!” Obviously, they didn’t listen, their laughter fading as they ran further away.
Before the guard his wife dispatched went after them, he grabbed his arm. “Make that twenty fold,” he growled, adding onto the Sirdsett’s threat. “If they’re not back here in the next ten minutes, inform them that their suppers and their breakfasts will be given to the dogs.”
Glancing over at Iaheru, tending to the girl they’d brought to be his cupbearer, he made a face. “Maybe we’re too easy on them,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “Perhaps we ought to start punishing them like we do the slaves. Maybe then they’ll learn.”
Overhearing Mara ask Aam if she could go and play with the others, he denied her with a sharp shake of his head, “No, don’t even think of letting her. It is dangerous for children to be running off on their own around here. We needn’t encourage Akhenaten and Neithotep by sending another child to them.”
Sighing, Onuphrious rubbed his temple as a headache started to set in. Was a peaceful family excursion truly too much to ask for?
Turning back to Sutekh, he attempted a smile. Might as well continue on with their purpose in coming here, whether certain members of the family wanted to participate or not. “Well, while we wait for them… tell me, Sutekh. When was the last pharaoh interred here?”
Onuphrious looked down on his son with pride, a genial smile softening his face. Sutekh was a smart boy, always had been, and he took to his lessons like a fish to water. Of course, he was able to offer the most complicated name of them all with an ease that bespoke of his hours of study. “Very good,” he praised his child, now a man in the eyes of the law. “I see you’ve been reading the scrolls I gave you.”
The Sirdar was content and at ease as they walked through the pyramids, a day trip at the whim of his heir. A trip to Giza had been his request for his birthday, and Onuphrious was happy to oblige. He enjoyed the time with his family, and the chance to impart something of cultural relevance on his brood was not an opportunity he wished to pass up. Of course, Sutekh had not been happy when the lord insisted the rest of his siblings would accompany him, but his heir’s education was not the only one that mattered. Besides, it was a good thing for them all to spend some time together as a family. Perhaps time away from home would do something to encourage the siblings to actually enjoy each others’ company rather than squabble as they so often did.
Of course, that was not going to happen. Why had he even really expected it? Nearly as soon as Nenet was giving her own answer, Onuphrious smiling proudly her way, Akhenaten was off and running, with Neithotep close behind. If there was trouble to be made, it was always those two. Apparently today was no exception.
“Once, just once, wouldn’t it be nice if they fell in line?” he muttered to himself, though loud enough that his eldest daughter, Nefertaari, overheard.
‘You know that will never happen, Father,’ she stated, the contempt clear in her tone. ‘Pests, both of them.’
“Now, now, Nef,” he scolded gently, even if part of him was inclined to agree. “They’re your siblings. No matter how they may vex you, there’s no need for name calling.”
Jaw set with irritation, his own voice added to Iaheru’s as he called out, “Neithotep! Akhenaten! Get back here, now!” Obviously, they didn’t listen, their laughter fading as they ran further away.
Before the guard his wife dispatched went after them, he grabbed his arm. “Make that twenty fold,” he growled, adding onto the Sirdsett’s threat. “If they’re not back here in the next ten minutes, inform them that their suppers and their breakfasts will be given to the dogs.”
Glancing over at Iaheru, tending to the girl they’d brought to be his cupbearer, he made a face. “Maybe we’re too easy on them,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “Perhaps we ought to start punishing them like we do the slaves. Maybe then they’ll learn.”
Overhearing Mara ask Aam if she could go and play with the others, he denied her with a sharp shake of his head, “No, don’t even think of letting her. It is dangerous for children to be running off on their own around here. We needn’t encourage Akhenaten and Neithotep by sending another child to them.”
Sighing, Onuphrious rubbed his temple as a headache started to set in. Was a peaceful family excursion truly too much to ask for?
Turning back to Sutekh, he attempted a smile. Might as well continue on with their purpose in coming here, whether certain members of the family wanted to participate or not. “Well, while we wait for them… tell me, Sutekh. When was the last pharaoh interred here?”
Exhilaration flooded her senses as Nia streaked away from her family, following after Hena on swift, sure feet. He thought she couldn’t catch him? Ha! Even if he was smaller and faster, she was bigger and stronger, and eventually he was bound to get tired. She’d catch him yet!
Hena turned a corner the girl couldn’t see beyond, and the next thing she knew, she heard a cry of pain. Eyes widening in alarm, she ran toward the cry, suddenly certain this had all been a mistake. What if the stories Nefertaari told on the boat were true? Were there thieves and scoundrels hiding behind the pyramids, ready to snatch children up and steal them away? What if some cutthroat lingered out of sight and was slicing her little brother up as she fought to run faster?
I never should have encouraged him! I should’ve grabbed him before he took off!
If she’d done that instead, they’d be safe with the others, bored and listening to her snob of a brother show off. It wasn’t very exciting, true, but they wouldn’t be in danger. While it secretly gave Nia a thrill, a hint toward the reckless behavior that would become apparent in the years to come, she never wanted her brother to be hurt or in danger. She’d always put his safety before hers, and hearing him call her name tore at her heart.
“I’m coming!” she shouted as she finally rounded the corner, only to find that he’d simply fallen in the sand.
Hearing him yell at the guard who was so clearly taken aback, Nia sighed and gathered the boy into her arms. “Hush now, it’s all right,” she cooed, gently stroking his hair. Leaning back and framing his face with her hands, she searched his eyes to see if he was really in pain. He seemed all right, but who could be sure?
“He was only trying to help,” she berated him gently, squeezing him a little tighter. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
The guard, who’d seen it happen and knew the boy was fine, rolled his eyes. “Lord Akhenaten. Lady Neithotep.” His tone was clipped and short, clearly irritated with the job he’d been given. “Your parents said you need to return. Well, actually, your mother said, ‘You can have your fun now, but you’ll pay for it tenfold later,’ and your father said, ‘Make it twenty fold,’ but I think you get the idea. Come on, that’s enough of your games.”
Nia’s glare could have melted stone as she turned to look at the guard. He thought he could order them around? Well, he had another thing coming! Opening her mouth to tell him so, a loud bang off to their right caught her attention. Falling silent, her eyes went wide, looking between Hena and the guard. “Did you guys hear that?” she whispered, voice trembling in her sudden fear.
Nodding without a word, the guard gestured for them to get behind him, hand on the hilt of his blade. It was probably nothing, but he wasn’t about to take that chance. He’d been charged with the children’s safety, and that’s precisely what he meant to do. Keep them safe. Gesturing for them to get behind him, he held his fingers to his lips in warning, a warning Nia understood very well.
Covering Hena’s mouth before he could say anything, she gently tugged him with her behind the guard, glancing nervously in the direction of the resounding crash.
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Exhilaration flooded her senses as Nia streaked away from her family, following after Hena on swift, sure feet. He thought she couldn’t catch him? Ha! Even if he was smaller and faster, she was bigger and stronger, and eventually he was bound to get tired. She’d catch him yet!
Hena turned a corner the girl couldn’t see beyond, and the next thing she knew, she heard a cry of pain. Eyes widening in alarm, she ran toward the cry, suddenly certain this had all been a mistake. What if the stories Nefertaari told on the boat were true? Were there thieves and scoundrels hiding behind the pyramids, ready to snatch children up and steal them away? What if some cutthroat lingered out of sight and was slicing her little brother up as she fought to run faster?
I never should have encouraged him! I should’ve grabbed him before he took off!
If she’d done that instead, they’d be safe with the others, bored and listening to her snob of a brother show off. It wasn’t very exciting, true, but they wouldn’t be in danger. While it secretly gave Nia a thrill, a hint toward the reckless behavior that would become apparent in the years to come, she never wanted her brother to be hurt or in danger. She’d always put his safety before hers, and hearing him call her name tore at her heart.
“I’m coming!” she shouted as she finally rounded the corner, only to find that he’d simply fallen in the sand.
Hearing him yell at the guard who was so clearly taken aback, Nia sighed and gathered the boy into her arms. “Hush now, it’s all right,” she cooed, gently stroking his hair. Leaning back and framing his face with her hands, she searched his eyes to see if he was really in pain. He seemed all right, but who could be sure?
“He was only trying to help,” she berated him gently, squeezing him a little tighter. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
The guard, who’d seen it happen and knew the boy was fine, rolled his eyes. “Lord Akhenaten. Lady Neithotep.” His tone was clipped and short, clearly irritated with the job he’d been given. “Your parents said you need to return. Well, actually, your mother said, ‘You can have your fun now, but you’ll pay for it tenfold later,’ and your father said, ‘Make it twenty fold,’ but I think you get the idea. Come on, that’s enough of your games.”
Nia’s glare could have melted stone as she turned to look at the guard. He thought he could order them around? Well, he had another thing coming! Opening her mouth to tell him so, a loud bang off to their right caught her attention. Falling silent, her eyes went wide, looking between Hena and the guard. “Did you guys hear that?” she whispered, voice trembling in her sudden fear.
Nodding without a word, the guard gestured for them to get behind him, hand on the hilt of his blade. It was probably nothing, but he wasn’t about to take that chance. He’d been charged with the children’s safety, and that’s precisely what he meant to do. Keep them safe. Gesturing for them to get behind him, he held his fingers to his lips in warning, a warning Nia understood very well.
Covering Hena’s mouth before he could say anything, she gently tugged him with her behind the guard, glancing nervously in the direction of the resounding crash.
Exhilaration flooded her senses as Nia streaked away from her family, following after Hena on swift, sure feet. He thought she couldn’t catch him? Ha! Even if he was smaller and faster, she was bigger and stronger, and eventually he was bound to get tired. She’d catch him yet!
Hena turned a corner the girl couldn’t see beyond, and the next thing she knew, she heard a cry of pain. Eyes widening in alarm, she ran toward the cry, suddenly certain this had all been a mistake. What if the stories Nefertaari told on the boat were true? Were there thieves and scoundrels hiding behind the pyramids, ready to snatch children up and steal them away? What if some cutthroat lingered out of sight and was slicing her little brother up as she fought to run faster?
I never should have encouraged him! I should’ve grabbed him before he took off!
If she’d done that instead, they’d be safe with the others, bored and listening to her snob of a brother show off. It wasn’t very exciting, true, but they wouldn’t be in danger. While it secretly gave Nia a thrill, a hint toward the reckless behavior that would become apparent in the years to come, she never wanted her brother to be hurt or in danger. She’d always put his safety before hers, and hearing him call her name tore at her heart.
“I’m coming!” she shouted as she finally rounded the corner, only to find that he’d simply fallen in the sand.
Hearing him yell at the guard who was so clearly taken aback, Nia sighed and gathered the boy into her arms. “Hush now, it’s all right,” she cooed, gently stroking his hair. Leaning back and framing his face with her hands, she searched his eyes to see if he was really in pain. He seemed all right, but who could be sure?
“He was only trying to help,” she berated him gently, squeezing him a little tighter. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?”
The guard, who’d seen it happen and knew the boy was fine, rolled his eyes. “Lord Akhenaten. Lady Neithotep.” His tone was clipped and short, clearly irritated with the job he’d been given. “Your parents said you need to return. Well, actually, your mother said, ‘You can have your fun now, but you’ll pay for it tenfold later,’ and your father said, ‘Make it twenty fold,’ but I think you get the idea. Come on, that’s enough of your games.”
Nia’s glare could have melted stone as she turned to look at the guard. He thought he could order them around? Well, he had another thing coming! Opening her mouth to tell him so, a loud bang off to their right caught her attention. Falling silent, her eyes went wide, looking between Hena and the guard. “Did you guys hear that?” she whispered, voice trembling in her sudden fear.
Nodding without a word, the guard gestured for them to get behind him, hand on the hilt of his blade. It was probably nothing, but he wasn’t about to take that chance. He’d been charged with the children’s safety, and that’s precisely what he meant to do. Keep them safe. Gesturing for them to get behind him, he held his fingers to his lips in warning, a warning Nia understood very well.
Covering Hena’s mouth before he could say anything, she gently tugged him with her behind the guard, glancing nervously in the direction of the resounding crash.
Sutekh was a fool for thinking that this day would be a pleasant one, especially with Hena around. The little pest just couldn’t let the rest of them have anything nice, could he?
The twelve-year-old was just about ready to strangle his little brother when Hena decided that he was free to take the no wandering off rule as a mere suggestion. Their parents had been more than clear that all the children had to stay with the group. Giza could be a very dangerous place for little nobles and the retinue of armed guards couldn’t be stretched thin enough to properly protect them all if they decided to scatter to the wind. They needed to stay together. The common sense that was needed to comprehend this was so basic and straightforward that Sutekh was confident that the princess in Cairo would have no issues with the concept and she was four. If a child half Hena’s age could wrap her head around why they would all need to stay put, why on earth couldn’t the eight-year-old?
It was so ridiculous that Sutekh wanted to scream.
However, if the heir did that, he would end up with a mouthful of hot, blistering sand. As Hena ran past the duo of Sutekh and Nenet, the boy purposely kicked up small clouds of scorching sand. He clearly wanted the burning grains to pelt the pair’s bare legs. A small shout of pain escaped Sutekh as his little brother’s parting gift found its mark. Instinctively, the Sheifa boy tried to jump out of the way, but he found his path blocked by his sister as she too tried to dodge the sand as well. When Nia ran past after Hena, Sutekh tried to shift his stance a bit so Nenet wouldn’t get pelted by the sand a second time… but there really wasn’t anything that they could do once the grains were up in the air.
“Are you alright?” He asked his younger sister once everything had settled. Sutekh’s expression was softer than it had been a moment ago as his voice conveyed the concern he had over how Nenet was going to react to Hena’s little stunt. He knew that the ten-year-old could be sensitive to these sorts of things and normally didn’t take their younger brother’s pranks very well. This, of course, made Nenet a frequent target (sometimes even more so than Sutekh) because of the reaction that the imp could easily pull out of her. Honestly, it wasn’t fair. The girl already struggled enough with her stutter, she didn’t need their stupid brother making things worse. Sutekh tried to shield her from it as much as he could by stepping up to confront Hena whenever he heard that something had happened, but given that the pest had always been this way it clearly wasn’t effective. At least Sutekh could always try to be there to try and redirect Hena the best that he could. Either way, it was clear to Sutekh that even though Nenet didn’t voice as much that the incident had gotten to her. Sutekh could see her bottom lip beginning to quiver, a sure sign that the girl was about to cry.
If only Onuphrious had listened when Sutekh begged him to not let the troublesome duo tag along, this all could have been avoided.
Sutekh reached out to comfort Nenet and try to help her get the sand out of her hair, but before he had the chance to the girl was already running off towards their mother. He was more than a little hurt by this, but he didn’t let it get to him. Not when he saw the young girl struggling to choke out her words as she clutched to the fabrics of Iaheru’s dress. It was a clear sign that she was tattling on Nia and Hena. He couldn’t hide the self-satisfied smirk that was creeping onto his face when he heard this. (Sutekh did try to conceal it a bit though by bending down to shake the loose sand grains off of his legs.) Were these childish things to do? Certainly. However, Sutekh couldn’t help, but think that the other children deserved whatever was going to come from their ten-year-old sister running to Iaheru. It would serve them right for them to get into trouble. Nia and Hena knew what had been expected of them that day and they chose not to listen. He couldn’t really have sympathy for them especially as their antics were ruining his special day. The two of them more than deserved whatever punishment their mother was going to dole out of them being so reckless.
Their mother did not disappoint. As the older woman tended to her youngest daughter, Sutekh could overhear her speaking to a guard about her missing children paying tenfold for their fun had ceased. This was almost immediately doubled by the older man that was close to Sutekh. The boy also overheard his father tack on a rather cruel punishment on top of his wife’s very vague threat; which caused Sutekh’s eyes to widen from the shock of Onuphrious even mentioning such a thing.
He was immensely grateful that for once that he didn’t seem to be on the wrong side of his father’s ire as well. Even though the heir was nowhere near as bad as the spare, Sutekh’s inability to ignore the bait his brother set had gotten him into way more trouble over the past eight years than he’d care to admit. He was lucky that this primary concern had been Nenet following Hena’s escape. Otherwise, the hidden bastard might have been tempted to give chase himself, tapping into the sense of doing what was right that was not given him to the man at Sutekh’s side.
Even though he was in his parent’s good graces for the moment by actually following the rules, he knew that it could change very quickly. So, Sutekh resisted the urge to jump in and voice his own opinions on what the adults were going to do about the children in their care -- both slave and free. Truthfully, Sutekh did want to say something about not letting Nia be the one to mind Hena as she clearly could not handle such a task… but Sutkeh was basically a broken record when it came to this point. It was the first thing that the heir would mention whenever the children got into trouble, but his parents had yet to listen to him. It just wasn’t worth the effort of doing so again. Not when Onuphrious seemed to be satisfied with the punishment the two of them were going to get once they all returned to Thebes.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Sutekh could see Nenet with their mother and Mara, the slave girl. He didn’t get much of a chance to pick up on the jealousy that was practically radiating off of his sister though. Not when Onuphrious had turned his attention to his two shining gems in among the Sheifa family; Sutekh and his oldest (and arguably most insufferable) sister, Nefertaari.
“Nearly four hundred years ago.” Sutekh recited back when the older man quizzed him on the history of the structures, quickly recalling what he had read in the scrolls that his father had given him prior to this trip. Onuphrious was right when he noted that Sutekh must have been studying them, which was a bit of an understatement. The boy had never been the most adept student and struggled a bit more than his peers in a classroom setting. That didn’t mean that he was slow or dumb as the boy would almost always retain the needed information, Sutekh just needed a little more time with the material than most. If he had been born in any other family or into any other position than the eldest boy, this wouldn’t even have been a problem that was worth noting. However, he was the heir of the Sheifa line. In the boy’s mind, there was no room for being average. This was an issue that needed to be overcome, so that was why Sutekh threw himself headfirst into his studies, keeping at the difficult material until it finally made sense. He might have been only twelve, but there had already been so many nights where he had crawled into bed long after the sun had set as he stayed up just reading and rereading whatever scrolls his tutor had given him. This is what had happened with the ones that Onuphrious had given him about the pyramids, Sutekh had not put them down until he could practically recite what was on the papyrus from memory.
This was why he was always so eager to show off the things that he did learn. Not because he was an insufferable know-it-all like Nia and Hena liked to accuse him of being, but every little factoid he could recite represented hours of work. It was always a major victory for Sutkeh and of course, he would want praise for it.
However, this wasn’t something that was directly mentioned as the boy fell into an easy conversation with the man that he thought was his father. This struggle was just an accepted part of Sutekh’s life that he personally didn’t find it to be worth mentioning as his frustrations with Hena and Nia began to fade away. (It seemed to be what they said about being out of sight, out of mind was true after all!) With the terrors gone, it was so easy to focus on the chatter with his father as Sutekh jokingly quipped, “These hardly seem like questions, father.” A small beam appeared on the heir’s face as he looked up at the older man, silently challenging him to give the heir harder questions about the pyramids. After all, Sutekh didn’t stay up all night reading those scrolls just to ace the simple questions about the pyramids. This trip had been something that Sutekh had wanted for so long and he had put in so much effort into being prepared that he wanted to show it off. For once, he wanted to be the know-it-all that Nia hated. But most of all, Sutekh wanted to make Onuphrious proud of what he knew. He wanted to show that even though his siblings might not have cared all that much for the trip, it had not gone to waste on his heir. Sutekh didn’t even have the words to convey how grateful he was.
Before his father could say anything else though, a loud boom resounded in the open space. Sutekh quickly turned on his heels to look at where the noise had come from. It wasn’t that difficult to figure out as the Sheifa family would easily be able to see a large plume of smoke rise above the pyramid closest to them… the very same building that Nia and Hena had headed towards when they had run off.
“Father?!” Sutekh called out of fear as if Onuphrious somehow knew more than the boy, “What’s happening?”
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Sutekh was a fool for thinking that this day would be a pleasant one, especially with Hena around. The little pest just couldn’t let the rest of them have anything nice, could he?
The twelve-year-old was just about ready to strangle his little brother when Hena decided that he was free to take the no wandering off rule as a mere suggestion. Their parents had been more than clear that all the children had to stay with the group. Giza could be a very dangerous place for little nobles and the retinue of armed guards couldn’t be stretched thin enough to properly protect them all if they decided to scatter to the wind. They needed to stay together. The common sense that was needed to comprehend this was so basic and straightforward that Sutekh was confident that the princess in Cairo would have no issues with the concept and she was four. If a child half Hena’s age could wrap her head around why they would all need to stay put, why on earth couldn’t the eight-year-old?
It was so ridiculous that Sutekh wanted to scream.
However, if the heir did that, he would end up with a mouthful of hot, blistering sand. As Hena ran past the duo of Sutekh and Nenet, the boy purposely kicked up small clouds of scorching sand. He clearly wanted the burning grains to pelt the pair’s bare legs. A small shout of pain escaped Sutekh as his little brother’s parting gift found its mark. Instinctively, the Sheifa boy tried to jump out of the way, but he found his path blocked by his sister as she too tried to dodge the sand as well. When Nia ran past after Hena, Sutekh tried to shift his stance a bit so Nenet wouldn’t get pelted by the sand a second time… but there really wasn’t anything that they could do once the grains were up in the air.
“Are you alright?” He asked his younger sister once everything had settled. Sutekh’s expression was softer than it had been a moment ago as his voice conveyed the concern he had over how Nenet was going to react to Hena’s little stunt. He knew that the ten-year-old could be sensitive to these sorts of things and normally didn’t take their younger brother’s pranks very well. This, of course, made Nenet a frequent target (sometimes even more so than Sutekh) because of the reaction that the imp could easily pull out of her. Honestly, it wasn’t fair. The girl already struggled enough with her stutter, she didn’t need their stupid brother making things worse. Sutekh tried to shield her from it as much as he could by stepping up to confront Hena whenever he heard that something had happened, but given that the pest had always been this way it clearly wasn’t effective. At least Sutekh could always try to be there to try and redirect Hena the best that he could. Either way, it was clear to Sutekh that even though Nenet didn’t voice as much that the incident had gotten to her. Sutekh could see her bottom lip beginning to quiver, a sure sign that the girl was about to cry.
If only Onuphrious had listened when Sutekh begged him to not let the troublesome duo tag along, this all could have been avoided.
Sutekh reached out to comfort Nenet and try to help her get the sand out of her hair, but before he had the chance to the girl was already running off towards their mother. He was more than a little hurt by this, but he didn’t let it get to him. Not when he saw the young girl struggling to choke out her words as she clutched to the fabrics of Iaheru’s dress. It was a clear sign that she was tattling on Nia and Hena. He couldn’t hide the self-satisfied smirk that was creeping onto his face when he heard this. (Sutekh did try to conceal it a bit though by bending down to shake the loose sand grains off of his legs.) Were these childish things to do? Certainly. However, Sutekh couldn’t help, but think that the other children deserved whatever was going to come from their ten-year-old sister running to Iaheru. It would serve them right for them to get into trouble. Nia and Hena knew what had been expected of them that day and they chose not to listen. He couldn’t really have sympathy for them especially as their antics were ruining his special day. The two of them more than deserved whatever punishment their mother was going to dole out of them being so reckless.
Their mother did not disappoint. As the older woman tended to her youngest daughter, Sutekh could overhear her speaking to a guard about her missing children paying tenfold for their fun had ceased. This was almost immediately doubled by the older man that was close to Sutekh. The boy also overheard his father tack on a rather cruel punishment on top of his wife’s very vague threat; which caused Sutekh’s eyes to widen from the shock of Onuphrious even mentioning such a thing.
He was immensely grateful that for once that he didn’t seem to be on the wrong side of his father’s ire as well. Even though the heir was nowhere near as bad as the spare, Sutekh’s inability to ignore the bait his brother set had gotten him into way more trouble over the past eight years than he’d care to admit. He was lucky that this primary concern had been Nenet following Hena’s escape. Otherwise, the hidden bastard might have been tempted to give chase himself, tapping into the sense of doing what was right that was not given him to the man at Sutekh’s side.
Even though he was in his parent’s good graces for the moment by actually following the rules, he knew that it could change very quickly. So, Sutekh resisted the urge to jump in and voice his own opinions on what the adults were going to do about the children in their care -- both slave and free. Truthfully, Sutekh did want to say something about not letting Nia be the one to mind Hena as she clearly could not handle such a task… but Sutkeh was basically a broken record when it came to this point. It was the first thing that the heir would mention whenever the children got into trouble, but his parents had yet to listen to him. It just wasn’t worth the effort of doing so again. Not when Onuphrious seemed to be satisfied with the punishment the two of them were going to get once they all returned to Thebes.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Sutekh could see Nenet with their mother and Mara, the slave girl. He didn’t get much of a chance to pick up on the jealousy that was practically radiating off of his sister though. Not when Onuphrious had turned his attention to his two shining gems in among the Sheifa family; Sutekh and his oldest (and arguably most insufferable) sister, Nefertaari.
“Nearly four hundred years ago.” Sutekh recited back when the older man quizzed him on the history of the structures, quickly recalling what he had read in the scrolls that his father had given him prior to this trip. Onuphrious was right when he noted that Sutekh must have been studying them, which was a bit of an understatement. The boy had never been the most adept student and struggled a bit more than his peers in a classroom setting. That didn’t mean that he was slow or dumb as the boy would almost always retain the needed information, Sutekh just needed a little more time with the material than most. If he had been born in any other family or into any other position than the eldest boy, this wouldn’t even have been a problem that was worth noting. However, he was the heir of the Sheifa line. In the boy’s mind, there was no room for being average. This was an issue that needed to be overcome, so that was why Sutekh threw himself headfirst into his studies, keeping at the difficult material until it finally made sense. He might have been only twelve, but there had already been so many nights where he had crawled into bed long after the sun had set as he stayed up just reading and rereading whatever scrolls his tutor had given him. This is what had happened with the ones that Onuphrious had given him about the pyramids, Sutekh had not put them down until he could practically recite what was on the papyrus from memory.
This was why he was always so eager to show off the things that he did learn. Not because he was an insufferable know-it-all like Nia and Hena liked to accuse him of being, but every little factoid he could recite represented hours of work. It was always a major victory for Sutkeh and of course, he would want praise for it.
However, this wasn’t something that was directly mentioned as the boy fell into an easy conversation with the man that he thought was his father. This struggle was just an accepted part of Sutekh’s life that he personally didn’t find it to be worth mentioning as his frustrations with Hena and Nia began to fade away. (It seemed to be what they said about being out of sight, out of mind was true after all!) With the terrors gone, it was so easy to focus on the chatter with his father as Sutekh jokingly quipped, “These hardly seem like questions, father.” A small beam appeared on the heir’s face as he looked up at the older man, silently challenging him to give the heir harder questions about the pyramids. After all, Sutekh didn’t stay up all night reading those scrolls just to ace the simple questions about the pyramids. This trip had been something that Sutekh had wanted for so long and he had put in so much effort into being prepared that he wanted to show it off. For once, he wanted to be the know-it-all that Nia hated. But most of all, Sutekh wanted to make Onuphrious proud of what he knew. He wanted to show that even though his siblings might not have cared all that much for the trip, it had not gone to waste on his heir. Sutekh didn’t even have the words to convey how grateful he was.
Before his father could say anything else though, a loud boom resounded in the open space. Sutekh quickly turned on his heels to look at where the noise had come from. It wasn’t that difficult to figure out as the Sheifa family would easily be able to see a large plume of smoke rise above the pyramid closest to them… the very same building that Nia and Hena had headed towards when they had run off.
“Father?!” Sutekh called out of fear as if Onuphrious somehow knew more than the boy, “What’s happening?”
Sutekh was a fool for thinking that this day would be a pleasant one, especially with Hena around. The little pest just couldn’t let the rest of them have anything nice, could he?
The twelve-year-old was just about ready to strangle his little brother when Hena decided that he was free to take the no wandering off rule as a mere suggestion. Their parents had been more than clear that all the children had to stay with the group. Giza could be a very dangerous place for little nobles and the retinue of armed guards couldn’t be stretched thin enough to properly protect them all if they decided to scatter to the wind. They needed to stay together. The common sense that was needed to comprehend this was so basic and straightforward that Sutekh was confident that the princess in Cairo would have no issues with the concept and she was four. If a child half Hena’s age could wrap her head around why they would all need to stay put, why on earth couldn’t the eight-year-old?
It was so ridiculous that Sutekh wanted to scream.
However, if the heir did that, he would end up with a mouthful of hot, blistering sand. As Hena ran past the duo of Sutekh and Nenet, the boy purposely kicked up small clouds of scorching sand. He clearly wanted the burning grains to pelt the pair’s bare legs. A small shout of pain escaped Sutekh as his little brother’s parting gift found its mark. Instinctively, the Sheifa boy tried to jump out of the way, but he found his path blocked by his sister as she too tried to dodge the sand as well. When Nia ran past after Hena, Sutekh tried to shift his stance a bit so Nenet wouldn’t get pelted by the sand a second time… but there really wasn’t anything that they could do once the grains were up in the air.
“Are you alright?” He asked his younger sister once everything had settled. Sutekh’s expression was softer than it had been a moment ago as his voice conveyed the concern he had over how Nenet was going to react to Hena’s little stunt. He knew that the ten-year-old could be sensitive to these sorts of things and normally didn’t take their younger brother’s pranks very well. This, of course, made Nenet a frequent target (sometimes even more so than Sutekh) because of the reaction that the imp could easily pull out of her. Honestly, it wasn’t fair. The girl already struggled enough with her stutter, she didn’t need their stupid brother making things worse. Sutekh tried to shield her from it as much as he could by stepping up to confront Hena whenever he heard that something had happened, but given that the pest had always been this way it clearly wasn’t effective. At least Sutekh could always try to be there to try and redirect Hena the best that he could. Either way, it was clear to Sutekh that even though Nenet didn’t voice as much that the incident had gotten to her. Sutekh could see her bottom lip beginning to quiver, a sure sign that the girl was about to cry.
If only Onuphrious had listened when Sutekh begged him to not let the troublesome duo tag along, this all could have been avoided.
Sutekh reached out to comfort Nenet and try to help her get the sand out of her hair, but before he had the chance to the girl was already running off towards their mother. He was more than a little hurt by this, but he didn’t let it get to him. Not when he saw the young girl struggling to choke out her words as she clutched to the fabrics of Iaheru’s dress. It was a clear sign that she was tattling on Nia and Hena. He couldn’t hide the self-satisfied smirk that was creeping onto his face when he heard this. (Sutekh did try to conceal it a bit though by bending down to shake the loose sand grains off of his legs.) Were these childish things to do? Certainly. However, Sutekh couldn’t help, but think that the other children deserved whatever was going to come from their ten-year-old sister running to Iaheru. It would serve them right for them to get into trouble. Nia and Hena knew what had been expected of them that day and they chose not to listen. He couldn’t really have sympathy for them especially as their antics were ruining his special day. The two of them more than deserved whatever punishment their mother was going to dole out of them being so reckless.
Their mother did not disappoint. As the older woman tended to her youngest daughter, Sutekh could overhear her speaking to a guard about her missing children paying tenfold for their fun had ceased. This was almost immediately doubled by the older man that was close to Sutekh. The boy also overheard his father tack on a rather cruel punishment on top of his wife’s very vague threat; which caused Sutekh’s eyes to widen from the shock of Onuphrious even mentioning such a thing.
He was immensely grateful that for once that he didn’t seem to be on the wrong side of his father’s ire as well. Even though the heir was nowhere near as bad as the spare, Sutekh’s inability to ignore the bait his brother set had gotten him into way more trouble over the past eight years than he’d care to admit. He was lucky that this primary concern had been Nenet following Hena’s escape. Otherwise, the hidden bastard might have been tempted to give chase himself, tapping into the sense of doing what was right that was not given him to the man at Sutekh’s side.
Even though he was in his parent’s good graces for the moment by actually following the rules, he knew that it could change very quickly. So, Sutekh resisted the urge to jump in and voice his own opinions on what the adults were going to do about the children in their care -- both slave and free. Truthfully, Sutekh did want to say something about not letting Nia be the one to mind Hena as she clearly could not handle such a task… but Sutkeh was basically a broken record when it came to this point. It was the first thing that the heir would mention whenever the children got into trouble, but his parents had yet to listen to him. It just wasn’t worth the effort of doing so again. Not when Onuphrious seemed to be satisfied with the punishment the two of them were going to get once they all returned to Thebes.
Out of the corner of his eyes, Sutekh could see Nenet with their mother and Mara, the slave girl. He didn’t get much of a chance to pick up on the jealousy that was practically radiating off of his sister though. Not when Onuphrious had turned his attention to his two shining gems in among the Sheifa family; Sutekh and his oldest (and arguably most insufferable) sister, Nefertaari.
“Nearly four hundred years ago.” Sutekh recited back when the older man quizzed him on the history of the structures, quickly recalling what he had read in the scrolls that his father had given him prior to this trip. Onuphrious was right when he noted that Sutekh must have been studying them, which was a bit of an understatement. The boy had never been the most adept student and struggled a bit more than his peers in a classroom setting. That didn’t mean that he was slow or dumb as the boy would almost always retain the needed information, Sutekh just needed a little more time with the material than most. If he had been born in any other family or into any other position than the eldest boy, this wouldn’t even have been a problem that was worth noting. However, he was the heir of the Sheifa line. In the boy’s mind, there was no room for being average. This was an issue that needed to be overcome, so that was why Sutekh threw himself headfirst into his studies, keeping at the difficult material until it finally made sense. He might have been only twelve, but there had already been so many nights where he had crawled into bed long after the sun had set as he stayed up just reading and rereading whatever scrolls his tutor had given him. This is what had happened with the ones that Onuphrious had given him about the pyramids, Sutekh had not put them down until he could practically recite what was on the papyrus from memory.
This was why he was always so eager to show off the things that he did learn. Not because he was an insufferable know-it-all like Nia and Hena liked to accuse him of being, but every little factoid he could recite represented hours of work. It was always a major victory for Sutkeh and of course, he would want praise for it.
However, this wasn’t something that was directly mentioned as the boy fell into an easy conversation with the man that he thought was his father. This struggle was just an accepted part of Sutekh’s life that he personally didn’t find it to be worth mentioning as his frustrations with Hena and Nia began to fade away. (It seemed to be what they said about being out of sight, out of mind was true after all!) With the terrors gone, it was so easy to focus on the chatter with his father as Sutekh jokingly quipped, “These hardly seem like questions, father.” A small beam appeared on the heir’s face as he looked up at the older man, silently challenging him to give the heir harder questions about the pyramids. After all, Sutekh didn’t stay up all night reading those scrolls just to ace the simple questions about the pyramids. This trip had been something that Sutekh had wanted for so long and he had put in so much effort into being prepared that he wanted to show it off. For once, he wanted to be the know-it-all that Nia hated. But most of all, Sutekh wanted to make Onuphrious proud of what he knew. He wanted to show that even though his siblings might not have cared all that much for the trip, it had not gone to waste on his heir. Sutekh didn’t even have the words to convey how grateful he was.
Before his father could say anything else though, a loud boom resounded in the open space. Sutekh quickly turned on his heels to look at where the noise had come from. It wasn’t that difficult to figure out as the Sheifa family would easily be able to see a large plume of smoke rise above the pyramid closest to them… the very same building that Nia and Hena had headed towards when they had run off.
“Father?!” Sutekh called out of fear as if Onuphrious somehow knew more than the boy, “What’s happening?”
Hena felt so much better when Nia wrapped him up in her arms, suddenly the stinging from his slight scrapes had disappeared and all was well. At least for a short amount of time. He was going to open his mouth and make another comment as the guard spoke of his parents being upset that the two of them had run away. He had expected as much, his parents were boring and didn’t understand what it was to have fun, so of course they would be mad that he was having fun. Gods forbid they do anything other than talk about boring old dead people.
Then the loud bang happened and his sister and guard both seemed worried, causing Hena’s eyes to widen and fear begin to course through him.
He opened his mouth and began a shout for his father, but it was cut short by Nia covering his mouth with her hand, so all he managed to get out was.
“DA—” before he was cut off. He was shaking a bit out of fear, having no idea what was going on. Part of him believed that perhaps it was some elaborate thing set up by his parents to teach him a lesson about running away, though logically he knew it couldn’t be. They wouldn’t have had the time to set it up, and wouldn’t have known for sure he would run away or what direction he would run away in.
Hena had no idea what to do. He thought that he could probably run back to the group pretty quickly if the sand didn’t trip him up again, but he wasn’t going to leave his sister, and what if he did trip again and what ever had made that noise found him and got him?
Though it was likely it would happen here while they simply stood there, waiting to see what would happen.
Akhenaten tugged on his sisters hand, eyes pleading for her to leave with him. He didn’t want to be there any more. He wanted to go back to his parents and the safety of the guards. He regretted his decision to run away, and now more than anything he wanted his dad to take his hand and tell him it was going to be okay and promise to keep him safe.
“Nia, I want dad.” He said, pulling away from her so that her hand was no longer covering his mouth, though he kept his voice low, there was a bit of a tremble in his voice and his bottom lip that showed the boy was terrified and close to tears. He didn’t want to die.
What if the loud noise had been bad men? Ones that would kidnap him or kill him or something?
It felt like forever that they stood there, waiting to find out what was happening, waiting for the guard who had found them to make a decision about where they would go or what they should do. He surely couldn’t expect the two children to make such decisions?
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Hena felt so much better when Nia wrapped him up in her arms, suddenly the stinging from his slight scrapes had disappeared and all was well. At least for a short amount of time. He was going to open his mouth and make another comment as the guard spoke of his parents being upset that the two of them had run away. He had expected as much, his parents were boring and didn’t understand what it was to have fun, so of course they would be mad that he was having fun. Gods forbid they do anything other than talk about boring old dead people.
Then the loud bang happened and his sister and guard both seemed worried, causing Hena’s eyes to widen and fear begin to course through him.
He opened his mouth and began a shout for his father, but it was cut short by Nia covering his mouth with her hand, so all he managed to get out was.
“DA—” before he was cut off. He was shaking a bit out of fear, having no idea what was going on. Part of him believed that perhaps it was some elaborate thing set up by his parents to teach him a lesson about running away, though logically he knew it couldn’t be. They wouldn’t have had the time to set it up, and wouldn’t have known for sure he would run away or what direction he would run away in.
Hena had no idea what to do. He thought that he could probably run back to the group pretty quickly if the sand didn’t trip him up again, but he wasn’t going to leave his sister, and what if he did trip again and what ever had made that noise found him and got him?
Though it was likely it would happen here while they simply stood there, waiting to see what would happen.
Akhenaten tugged on his sisters hand, eyes pleading for her to leave with him. He didn’t want to be there any more. He wanted to go back to his parents and the safety of the guards. He regretted his decision to run away, and now more than anything he wanted his dad to take his hand and tell him it was going to be okay and promise to keep him safe.
“Nia, I want dad.” He said, pulling away from her so that her hand was no longer covering his mouth, though he kept his voice low, there was a bit of a tremble in his voice and his bottom lip that showed the boy was terrified and close to tears. He didn’t want to die.
What if the loud noise had been bad men? Ones that would kidnap him or kill him or something?
It felt like forever that they stood there, waiting to find out what was happening, waiting for the guard who had found them to make a decision about where they would go or what they should do. He surely couldn’t expect the two children to make such decisions?
Hena felt so much better when Nia wrapped him up in her arms, suddenly the stinging from his slight scrapes had disappeared and all was well. At least for a short amount of time. He was going to open his mouth and make another comment as the guard spoke of his parents being upset that the two of them had run away. He had expected as much, his parents were boring and didn’t understand what it was to have fun, so of course they would be mad that he was having fun. Gods forbid they do anything other than talk about boring old dead people.
Then the loud bang happened and his sister and guard both seemed worried, causing Hena’s eyes to widen and fear begin to course through him.
He opened his mouth and began a shout for his father, but it was cut short by Nia covering his mouth with her hand, so all he managed to get out was.
“DA—” before he was cut off. He was shaking a bit out of fear, having no idea what was going on. Part of him believed that perhaps it was some elaborate thing set up by his parents to teach him a lesson about running away, though logically he knew it couldn’t be. They wouldn’t have had the time to set it up, and wouldn’t have known for sure he would run away or what direction he would run away in.
Hena had no idea what to do. He thought that he could probably run back to the group pretty quickly if the sand didn’t trip him up again, but he wasn’t going to leave his sister, and what if he did trip again and what ever had made that noise found him and got him?
Though it was likely it would happen here while they simply stood there, waiting to see what would happen.
Akhenaten tugged on his sisters hand, eyes pleading for her to leave with him. He didn’t want to be there any more. He wanted to go back to his parents and the safety of the guards. He regretted his decision to run away, and now more than anything he wanted his dad to take his hand and tell him it was going to be okay and promise to keep him safe.
“Nia, I want dad.” He said, pulling away from her so that her hand was no longer covering his mouth, though he kept his voice low, there was a bit of a tremble in his voice and his bottom lip that showed the boy was terrified and close to tears. He didn’t want to die.
What if the loud noise had been bad men? Ones that would kidnap him or kill him or something?
It felt like forever that they stood there, waiting to find out what was happening, waiting for the guard who had found them to make a decision about where they would go or what they should do. He surely couldn’t expect the two children to make such decisions?
She peered up into Iaheru’s face, all dark eyes and smattered freckles across sunkissed bronze skin. The child of her mother, she felt full and sure that she was worth more than the pale, speckled girl beside her, no matter how bright eyed and fair haired the other might have been. All of ten, Nenet understood that there was a distinction between her own rank and that of Mara’s, but she didn’t yet fully grasp what that meant and had a child’s concern that her mother might choose someone fairer to grow attached to. She still waited for Iaheru but that didn’t last long.
Bang! Nenet dropped Mara’s hand and covered her ears, her knees bending the littlest bit as though the weight of the sound pressed her towards the sand at their feet. Literally shouldering Mara out of the way at this point, she put herself bodily against her mother and hid against her mother’s side for a moment, but then the moment passed without another loud sound. Slowly, she pried one hand off her ear, then the other and let her hands drop.
“W-w-what-t w-was-s th-th-at-t?” her slow words tumbled over each other, a little loud in the momentary silence but it was short lived. Her siblings also wanted to know what the sound was and every other child asked the same question. Nenet was timid, and a little cowardly at times, but she was as curious as any young girl could be and moved away from her mother towards the pyramid, thinking that her parents and siblings would naturally follow. The jealousy of the younger servant girl was forgotten for the moment, she tromped through the sand, fighting it sliding gritty and constant along the insides of her sandals until she came level with Sutekh. She stopped and looked first at their father, then her brother, and then back towards the pyramids where Nia and Hena still stood.
Nenet opened her mouth to ask again but there was a successive BANG, BANG, BANG in what she would have described were she older as scaffolding collapsing in multiple layers. A cloud of sand puffed from the pyramid’s side and hung suspended in a dull brown cloud against the aching blue of the sky. And then there was a scream. It was long and distant and inhuman. And it scared her. Nenet’s eyes were moon wide and she frantically looked at her father as though he had any kind of answer for what that might be. Words didn’t come, halting, stumbling or otherwise.
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She peered up into Iaheru’s face, all dark eyes and smattered freckles across sunkissed bronze skin. The child of her mother, she felt full and sure that she was worth more than the pale, speckled girl beside her, no matter how bright eyed and fair haired the other might have been. All of ten, Nenet understood that there was a distinction between her own rank and that of Mara’s, but she didn’t yet fully grasp what that meant and had a child’s concern that her mother might choose someone fairer to grow attached to. She still waited for Iaheru but that didn’t last long.
Bang! Nenet dropped Mara’s hand and covered her ears, her knees bending the littlest bit as though the weight of the sound pressed her towards the sand at their feet. Literally shouldering Mara out of the way at this point, she put herself bodily against her mother and hid against her mother’s side for a moment, but then the moment passed without another loud sound. Slowly, she pried one hand off her ear, then the other and let her hands drop.
“W-w-what-t w-was-s th-th-at-t?” her slow words tumbled over each other, a little loud in the momentary silence but it was short lived. Her siblings also wanted to know what the sound was and every other child asked the same question. Nenet was timid, and a little cowardly at times, but she was as curious as any young girl could be and moved away from her mother towards the pyramid, thinking that her parents and siblings would naturally follow. The jealousy of the younger servant girl was forgotten for the moment, she tromped through the sand, fighting it sliding gritty and constant along the insides of her sandals until she came level with Sutekh. She stopped and looked first at their father, then her brother, and then back towards the pyramids where Nia and Hena still stood.
Nenet opened her mouth to ask again but there was a successive BANG, BANG, BANG in what she would have described were she older as scaffolding collapsing in multiple layers. A cloud of sand puffed from the pyramid’s side and hung suspended in a dull brown cloud against the aching blue of the sky. And then there was a scream. It was long and distant and inhuman. And it scared her. Nenet’s eyes were moon wide and she frantically looked at her father as though he had any kind of answer for what that might be. Words didn’t come, halting, stumbling or otherwise.
She peered up into Iaheru’s face, all dark eyes and smattered freckles across sunkissed bronze skin. The child of her mother, she felt full and sure that she was worth more than the pale, speckled girl beside her, no matter how bright eyed and fair haired the other might have been. All of ten, Nenet understood that there was a distinction between her own rank and that of Mara’s, but she didn’t yet fully grasp what that meant and had a child’s concern that her mother might choose someone fairer to grow attached to. She still waited for Iaheru but that didn’t last long.
Bang! Nenet dropped Mara’s hand and covered her ears, her knees bending the littlest bit as though the weight of the sound pressed her towards the sand at their feet. Literally shouldering Mara out of the way at this point, she put herself bodily against her mother and hid against her mother’s side for a moment, but then the moment passed without another loud sound. Slowly, she pried one hand off her ear, then the other and let her hands drop.
“W-w-what-t w-was-s th-th-at-t?” her slow words tumbled over each other, a little loud in the momentary silence but it was short lived. Her siblings also wanted to know what the sound was and every other child asked the same question. Nenet was timid, and a little cowardly at times, but she was as curious as any young girl could be and moved away from her mother towards the pyramid, thinking that her parents and siblings would naturally follow. The jealousy of the younger servant girl was forgotten for the moment, she tromped through the sand, fighting it sliding gritty and constant along the insides of her sandals until she came level with Sutekh. She stopped and looked first at their father, then her brother, and then back towards the pyramids where Nia and Hena still stood.
Nenet opened her mouth to ask again but there was a successive BANG, BANG, BANG in what she would have described were she older as scaffolding collapsing in multiple layers. A cloud of sand puffed from the pyramid’s side and hung suspended in a dull brown cloud against the aching blue of the sky. And then there was a scream. It was long and distant and inhuman. And it scared her. Nenet’s eyes were moon wide and she frantically looked at her father as though he had any kind of answer for what that might be. Words didn’t come, halting, stumbling or otherwise.
“Lady Neithotep, Lord Akhenaten, we need to leave,” the guard urged the children he stood in front of, watching warily around them for further signs of trouble. So far, it was just a loud noise, but with no indication of the source, he thought it better they simply run back to the procession of Sheifa retainers rather than seek out its source.
Nia was quick to agree, nodding emphatically as she took a tighter hold of Hena’s hand. This certainly wasn’t what she bargained for when she ran after her brother, the fear for their lives overcoming any thrill she might have found in the danger of the situation. The young noblewoman made to start running off, only to find her brother snatched from her hands and thrown over the guard’s shoulder instead. As indignant as she was, she supposed it was probably better this way. He could surely carry him faster than she could drag him along.
The guard took hold of her hand and they ran, Nia glancing fearfully behind her as the noises got louder. All she could see was a cloud of sand with the sudden bangs, the smell of fire accompanying the sound of masonry crumbling in a stone avalanche. Eyes wide with terror, she did her best to speed her steps, but running through sand was no easy feat. What if stone started to fall on them?
Luckily, the trio was fast enough to get away, though the sound of the inhuman wail nearly halted Nia in her tracks. “My lady, we cannot stop!” the guard shouted over the sound, tugging the suddenly frozen girl forward. Fear nearly paralyzed her, her feet reluctant to respond, though she managed to push through. Standing still while the world fell apart around them would do nothing to help anyone.
After what felt like an eternity of running, they found themselves back with the safety of their family, the guard setting Hena on his feet as Nia pelted herself toward her father. Throwing her arms around his waist, her shoulders shook in belated sobs—hiccupping with the force of them.
“I’m so-*hic*-s-sorry I-*hic* ran o-off,” she sobbed into the linen of Onuphrious’s tunic, her stutter nearly as bad as her sister’s. “P-please can we-*hic*-just g-get out of h-here?”
There was another scream following the first, Nia tensing in her father’s arms. As Onuphrious pulled Hena into the protective circle of his embrace, the rest of her family was forgotten. Of course, all of this had been Sutekh’s idea, and though she was focused on her and Hena’s safety, she would certainly come to blame him for all of this later.
Even if she and Hena were the ones that ran off in the first place.
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“Lady Neithotep, Lord Akhenaten, we need to leave,” the guard urged the children he stood in front of, watching warily around them for further signs of trouble. So far, it was just a loud noise, but with no indication of the source, he thought it better they simply run back to the procession of Sheifa retainers rather than seek out its source.
Nia was quick to agree, nodding emphatically as she took a tighter hold of Hena’s hand. This certainly wasn’t what she bargained for when she ran after her brother, the fear for their lives overcoming any thrill she might have found in the danger of the situation. The young noblewoman made to start running off, only to find her brother snatched from her hands and thrown over the guard’s shoulder instead. As indignant as she was, she supposed it was probably better this way. He could surely carry him faster than she could drag him along.
The guard took hold of her hand and they ran, Nia glancing fearfully behind her as the noises got louder. All she could see was a cloud of sand with the sudden bangs, the smell of fire accompanying the sound of masonry crumbling in a stone avalanche. Eyes wide with terror, she did her best to speed her steps, but running through sand was no easy feat. What if stone started to fall on them?
Luckily, the trio was fast enough to get away, though the sound of the inhuman wail nearly halted Nia in her tracks. “My lady, we cannot stop!” the guard shouted over the sound, tugging the suddenly frozen girl forward. Fear nearly paralyzed her, her feet reluctant to respond, though she managed to push through. Standing still while the world fell apart around them would do nothing to help anyone.
After what felt like an eternity of running, they found themselves back with the safety of their family, the guard setting Hena on his feet as Nia pelted herself toward her father. Throwing her arms around his waist, her shoulders shook in belated sobs—hiccupping with the force of them.
“I’m so-*hic*-s-sorry I-*hic* ran o-off,” she sobbed into the linen of Onuphrious’s tunic, her stutter nearly as bad as her sister’s. “P-please can we-*hic*-just g-get out of h-here?”
There was another scream following the first, Nia tensing in her father’s arms. As Onuphrious pulled Hena into the protective circle of his embrace, the rest of her family was forgotten. Of course, all of this had been Sutekh’s idea, and though she was focused on her and Hena’s safety, she would certainly come to blame him for all of this later.
Even if she and Hena were the ones that ran off in the first place.
“Lady Neithotep, Lord Akhenaten, we need to leave,” the guard urged the children he stood in front of, watching warily around them for further signs of trouble. So far, it was just a loud noise, but with no indication of the source, he thought it better they simply run back to the procession of Sheifa retainers rather than seek out its source.
Nia was quick to agree, nodding emphatically as she took a tighter hold of Hena’s hand. This certainly wasn’t what she bargained for when she ran after her brother, the fear for their lives overcoming any thrill she might have found in the danger of the situation. The young noblewoman made to start running off, only to find her brother snatched from her hands and thrown over the guard’s shoulder instead. As indignant as she was, she supposed it was probably better this way. He could surely carry him faster than she could drag him along.
The guard took hold of her hand and they ran, Nia glancing fearfully behind her as the noises got louder. All she could see was a cloud of sand with the sudden bangs, the smell of fire accompanying the sound of masonry crumbling in a stone avalanche. Eyes wide with terror, she did her best to speed her steps, but running through sand was no easy feat. What if stone started to fall on them?
Luckily, the trio was fast enough to get away, though the sound of the inhuman wail nearly halted Nia in her tracks. “My lady, we cannot stop!” the guard shouted over the sound, tugging the suddenly frozen girl forward. Fear nearly paralyzed her, her feet reluctant to respond, though she managed to push through. Standing still while the world fell apart around them would do nothing to help anyone.
After what felt like an eternity of running, they found themselves back with the safety of their family, the guard setting Hena on his feet as Nia pelted herself toward her father. Throwing her arms around his waist, her shoulders shook in belated sobs—hiccupping with the force of them.
“I’m so-*hic*-s-sorry I-*hic* ran o-off,” she sobbed into the linen of Onuphrious’s tunic, her stutter nearly as bad as her sister’s. “P-please can we-*hic*-just g-get out of h-here?”
There was another scream following the first, Nia tensing in her father’s arms. As Onuphrious pulled Hena into the protective circle of his embrace, the rest of her family was forgotten. Of course, all of this had been Sutekh’s idea, and though she was focused on her and Hena’s safety, she would certainly come to blame him for all of this later.
Even if she and Hena were the ones that ran off in the first place.
Before Onuphrious could respond to Sutekh, the sudden noises coming from behind the pyramids caused him to freeze, filled with a sudden fear for his children. As angry as he was for their malfeasance, they were still his children, and the thought of them in danger nearly paralyzed his heart. Nenet rushed forward to join her brother investigating the sounds, and the Sirdar yanked them both back.
“Stay here!” he told them firmly, including Iaheru and Nefertaari in the order. While his daughter seemed to have no problem with it, his wife stepped forward to stop him as he made to rush off in the direction his children had gone. Cutting her off before she could say anything, he pointed toward Sutekh Nefertaari, and Nenet. “Remain with them! I will go after Neithotep and Akhenaten!”
Hurried footsteps carried him away from the procession, but luckily not far. The guard he and his wife sent after his errant offspring soon appeared from the sandy haze, his son thrown over his shoulder and his daughter held close at hand. His sigh of relief practically vibrated down to his toes as his children were given back into his arms, hugging Neithotep fiercely as he pulled Akhenaten into the embrace. Kissing the tops of both of their heads, he led them back to the rest of the family, his fear for their safety temporarily overcoming his frustration with their disobedience.
“Thank the gods you’re both all right,” he said with a tremble in his voice, so rare for a man of such composure. Holding them both at arm’s length, he inspected them closer to ensure they weren’t harmed, nodding in satisfaction when the worst damage appeared to be that to their psyche. “No more running off, do you understand?” His daughter, at least, was quick to nod yes, before he relinquished them both to their mother’s care.
While Iaheru fussed over her absent chicks, the sound of the screams gave Onuphrious pause, nervously tensing. Those screams didn’t sound human, and whatever they were, he wasn’t too eager to find out where they came from. “Ready the convoy,” he ordered the guards who surrounded them. “We need to turn back.”
Even if he was sure his older son would object, it was high time they called an end to this adventure and headed back home. The safety of his family was paramount, whatever the purpose of this excursion had been. The pyramids would still be here, and they could always return. That would be a little harder to do if they couldn’t leave this place intact.
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This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
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Before Onuphrious could respond to Sutekh, the sudden noises coming from behind the pyramids caused him to freeze, filled with a sudden fear for his children. As angry as he was for their malfeasance, they were still his children, and the thought of them in danger nearly paralyzed his heart. Nenet rushed forward to join her brother investigating the sounds, and the Sirdar yanked them both back.
“Stay here!” he told them firmly, including Iaheru and Nefertaari in the order. While his daughter seemed to have no problem with it, his wife stepped forward to stop him as he made to rush off in the direction his children had gone. Cutting her off before she could say anything, he pointed toward Sutekh Nefertaari, and Nenet. “Remain with them! I will go after Neithotep and Akhenaten!”
Hurried footsteps carried him away from the procession, but luckily not far. The guard he and his wife sent after his errant offspring soon appeared from the sandy haze, his son thrown over his shoulder and his daughter held close at hand. His sigh of relief practically vibrated down to his toes as his children were given back into his arms, hugging Neithotep fiercely as he pulled Akhenaten into the embrace. Kissing the tops of both of their heads, he led them back to the rest of the family, his fear for their safety temporarily overcoming his frustration with their disobedience.
“Thank the gods you’re both all right,” he said with a tremble in his voice, so rare for a man of such composure. Holding them both at arm’s length, he inspected them closer to ensure they weren’t harmed, nodding in satisfaction when the worst damage appeared to be that to their psyche. “No more running off, do you understand?” His daughter, at least, was quick to nod yes, before he relinquished them both to their mother’s care.
While Iaheru fussed over her absent chicks, the sound of the screams gave Onuphrious pause, nervously tensing. Those screams didn’t sound human, and whatever they were, he wasn’t too eager to find out where they came from. “Ready the convoy,” he ordered the guards who surrounded them. “We need to turn back.”
Even if he was sure his older son would object, it was high time they called an end to this adventure and headed back home. The safety of his family was paramount, whatever the purpose of this excursion had been. The pyramids would still be here, and they could always return. That would be a little harder to do if they couldn’t leave this place intact.
Before Onuphrious could respond to Sutekh, the sudden noises coming from behind the pyramids caused him to freeze, filled with a sudden fear for his children. As angry as he was for their malfeasance, they were still his children, and the thought of them in danger nearly paralyzed his heart. Nenet rushed forward to join her brother investigating the sounds, and the Sirdar yanked them both back.
“Stay here!” he told them firmly, including Iaheru and Nefertaari in the order. While his daughter seemed to have no problem with it, his wife stepped forward to stop him as he made to rush off in the direction his children had gone. Cutting her off before she could say anything, he pointed toward Sutekh Nefertaari, and Nenet. “Remain with them! I will go after Neithotep and Akhenaten!”
Hurried footsteps carried him away from the procession, but luckily not far. The guard he and his wife sent after his errant offspring soon appeared from the sandy haze, his son thrown over his shoulder and his daughter held close at hand. His sigh of relief practically vibrated down to his toes as his children were given back into his arms, hugging Neithotep fiercely as he pulled Akhenaten into the embrace. Kissing the tops of both of their heads, he led them back to the rest of the family, his fear for their safety temporarily overcoming his frustration with their disobedience.
“Thank the gods you’re both all right,” he said with a tremble in his voice, so rare for a man of such composure. Holding them both at arm’s length, he inspected them closer to ensure they weren’t harmed, nodding in satisfaction when the worst damage appeared to be that to their psyche. “No more running off, do you understand?” His daughter, at least, was quick to nod yes, before he relinquished them both to their mother’s care.
While Iaheru fussed over her absent chicks, the sound of the screams gave Onuphrious pause, nervously tensing. Those screams didn’t sound human, and whatever they were, he wasn’t too eager to find out where they came from. “Ready the convoy,” he ordered the guards who surrounded them. “We need to turn back.”
Even if he was sure his older son would object, it was high time they called an end to this adventure and headed back home. The safety of his family was paramount, whatever the purpose of this excursion had been. The pyramids would still be here, and they could always return. That would be a little harder to do if they couldn’t leave this place intact.