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"Forgive me once again, my name is Osorsen H'Moghadam. Perhaps one day I shall find a secret to telling you apart, Lady Safiya."
Osorsen's eyes swept over her slowly, taking his time to note details of her face and commit them to memory. There was always something in twins that was the key to telling them apart, and though he didn't have her sister present to compare them directly, he was sure there was a detail in her eyes that would show him the way. He parted his lips to speak when the sound of Narmer's voice cut through and he breathed out a sigh instead, turning his gaze to his old friend with a hint of irritation. The other sirdar had been the one telling him to relax and enjoy the festival instead of focusing on his revenge.
"Perhaps if you looked as lovely it would be easier to smile at you, Sirdar Haikaddad."
He kept his cool as the uncle and niece spoke briefly, but as a familiar figure moving closer caught his attention his jaw set and any semblance of good humor vanished. If he'd been feeling wise, he would have moved away and left Narmer and Safiya to deal with the dowager queen, but he'd imbibed wine tonight and had yet to confront the woman who he had no doubt was a good portion of the cause of his misery. Turning to her with a cold gaze as he warned the younger courtier away from him, he felt a fist clench in anger and though protocol dictated he ought to bow, Oso refused to bend to her.
"Lady Isetheperu." His words were just as pointed as he blatantly left off her honorific. She was no majesty any longer, and he held no respect that might have given it as a courtesy. "We did not miss your concern. Unless your messenger was carrying other news of import along the Nile."
The dowager's note that she wished to speak to him further set his hackles on edge and he wanted to say it all now, get out the anger and resentment he had been building ever since he heard of Hatshepsut's marriage. She had promised, she had said she would only accept him. They had planned to marry and rule Egypt together, and now how easily her will and resolve had been bent, no doubt thanks to her mother's endless pressure. Shifting his weight slightly, as if preparing for a fight.
"Today is as good a day as any. I have little desire to stay in your nest of vipers longer than is necessary."
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"Forgive me once again, my name is Osorsen H'Moghadam. Perhaps one day I shall find a secret to telling you apart, Lady Safiya."
Osorsen's eyes swept over her slowly, taking his time to note details of her face and commit them to memory. There was always something in twins that was the key to telling them apart, and though he didn't have her sister present to compare them directly, he was sure there was a detail in her eyes that would show him the way. He parted his lips to speak when the sound of Narmer's voice cut through and he breathed out a sigh instead, turning his gaze to his old friend with a hint of irritation. The other sirdar had been the one telling him to relax and enjoy the festival instead of focusing on his revenge.
"Perhaps if you looked as lovely it would be easier to smile at you, Sirdar Haikaddad."
He kept his cool as the uncle and niece spoke briefly, but as a familiar figure moving closer caught his attention his jaw set and any semblance of good humor vanished. If he'd been feeling wise, he would have moved away and left Narmer and Safiya to deal with the dowager queen, but he'd imbibed wine tonight and had yet to confront the woman who he had no doubt was a good portion of the cause of his misery. Turning to her with a cold gaze as he warned the younger courtier away from him, he felt a fist clench in anger and though protocol dictated he ought to bow, Oso refused to bend to her.
"Lady Isetheperu." His words were just as pointed as he blatantly left off her honorific. She was no majesty any longer, and he held no respect that might have given it as a courtesy. "We did not miss your concern. Unless your messenger was carrying other news of import along the Nile."
The dowager's note that she wished to speak to him further set his hackles on edge and he wanted to say it all now, get out the anger and resentment he had been building ever since he heard of Hatshepsut's marriage. She had promised, she had said she would only accept him. They had planned to marry and rule Egypt together, and now how easily her will and resolve had been bent, no doubt thanks to her mother's endless pressure. Shifting his weight slightly, as if preparing for a fight.
"Today is as good a day as any. I have little desire to stay in your nest of vipers longer than is necessary."
"Forgive me once again, my name is Osorsen H'Moghadam. Perhaps one day I shall find a secret to telling you apart, Lady Safiya."
Osorsen's eyes swept over her slowly, taking his time to note details of her face and commit them to memory. There was always something in twins that was the key to telling them apart, and though he didn't have her sister present to compare them directly, he was sure there was a detail in her eyes that would show him the way. He parted his lips to speak when the sound of Narmer's voice cut through and he breathed out a sigh instead, turning his gaze to his old friend with a hint of irritation. The other sirdar had been the one telling him to relax and enjoy the festival instead of focusing on his revenge.
"Perhaps if you looked as lovely it would be easier to smile at you, Sirdar Haikaddad."
He kept his cool as the uncle and niece spoke briefly, but as a familiar figure moving closer caught his attention his jaw set and any semblance of good humor vanished. If he'd been feeling wise, he would have moved away and left Narmer and Safiya to deal with the dowager queen, but he'd imbibed wine tonight and had yet to confront the woman who he had no doubt was a good portion of the cause of his misery. Turning to her with a cold gaze as he warned the younger courtier away from him, he felt a fist clench in anger and though protocol dictated he ought to bow, Oso refused to bend to her.
"Lady Isetheperu." His words were just as pointed as he blatantly left off her honorific. She was no majesty any longer, and he held no respect that might have given it as a courtesy. "We did not miss your concern. Unless your messenger was carrying other news of import along the Nile."
The dowager's note that she wished to speak to him further set his hackles on edge and he wanted to say it all now, get out the anger and resentment he had been building ever since he heard of Hatshepsut's marriage. She had promised, she had said she would only accept him. They had planned to marry and rule Egypt together, and now how easily her will and resolve had been bent, no doubt thanks to her mother's endless pressure. Shifting his weight slightly, as if preparing for a fight.
"Today is as good a day as any. I have little desire to stay in your nest of vipers longer than is necessary."
It had gone from a rather quiet, and perhaps as a hope for the moment something that could be called flirting, although Safiya knew full well that her experience with anything like that was woefully limited should it move past the words, playful banter and the sensual touches that came alongside all of that. Safiya had not yet dared much more than kissing and the like and lately that had all fallen away to be replaced by only a deeper sense of longing that she could not yet manage to put into either words or even breathe the hope that it would be something other than an unclaimed ambition.
Safiya didn't think she could afford to assume that her uncle had stated his words as some means of laying claim upon her but it did not stop her heart from choosing to skip a beat and then again. Safiya wanted to have more than these random flutterings of something that was impossible and yet still determined to make sure she was incapable of handling even a casual thought without spending what seemed to be a kind of forever while she tried to puzzle it all out. She didn't want to end up with the assumption of her mind being addled in some fashion. Safiya had a sense of pride after all. Even if she knew herself to be occasionally ill-suited to some kinds of conversations and the topics which were raised in them.
"She was around here a moment ago" Safiya was not going to start watching over her sister like some kind of spy, but she was confident that she was safe. It might not be the right thing to do, but this was a celebration not some danger filled location that could see anything happen. Safiya believed that this would be good for both of them "I've been told that I am an inch or so taller than my sister, that might prove of some help" and yes, she might be continuing to feel a little bit playful as that smile was added on to her reply to the other man. Did Narmer not approve of the king? She had no foundation to build that assumption upon but rather it was just some vague sense of there being a lot more happening here than she knew about.
"I am very pleased, as well as honoured to meet you. Which I suppose goes without saying" it could not be the first time that someone had spoken words of flattery toward him. Safiya ws not going to deny that the way she licked her lips right now was intended to do more than wet the skin and enable to her continue to speak clearly.
That sensation was only reinforced when the queen mother arrived.
This was one of the more exciting moments in her life, not the sort of thing that Safiya would be likely to forget either. While she wanted to forge ahead and say something that was meaningful and even a little bit provocative, there as that lingering sense that she was just a whole lot more likely to end up messing the whole thing up "Having my uncle returned to us has... it has given us all a renewed sense of hope for the future and the continued success of our Hei" she really hoped it would help, even if only in some small kind of way and so she looked over at Narmer, wishing, and with a deep longing that he would reply and say something about her efforts.
While she wanted to say more or do something else, the rest of what was said seemed to have a sense of something more personal about it all. At least it was not the sort of thing that Safiya felt sure she should be commenting upon.
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It had gone from a rather quiet, and perhaps as a hope for the moment something that could be called flirting, although Safiya knew full well that her experience with anything like that was woefully limited should it move past the words, playful banter and the sensual touches that came alongside all of that. Safiya had not yet dared much more than kissing and the like and lately that had all fallen away to be replaced by only a deeper sense of longing that she could not yet manage to put into either words or even breathe the hope that it would be something other than an unclaimed ambition.
Safiya didn't think she could afford to assume that her uncle had stated his words as some means of laying claim upon her but it did not stop her heart from choosing to skip a beat and then again. Safiya wanted to have more than these random flutterings of something that was impossible and yet still determined to make sure she was incapable of handling even a casual thought without spending what seemed to be a kind of forever while she tried to puzzle it all out. She didn't want to end up with the assumption of her mind being addled in some fashion. Safiya had a sense of pride after all. Even if she knew herself to be occasionally ill-suited to some kinds of conversations and the topics which were raised in them.
"She was around here a moment ago" Safiya was not going to start watching over her sister like some kind of spy, but she was confident that she was safe. It might not be the right thing to do, but this was a celebration not some danger filled location that could see anything happen. Safiya believed that this would be good for both of them "I've been told that I am an inch or so taller than my sister, that might prove of some help" and yes, she might be continuing to feel a little bit playful as that smile was added on to her reply to the other man. Did Narmer not approve of the king? She had no foundation to build that assumption upon but rather it was just some vague sense of there being a lot more happening here than she knew about.
"I am very pleased, as well as honoured to meet you. Which I suppose goes without saying" it could not be the first time that someone had spoken words of flattery toward him. Safiya ws not going to deny that the way she licked her lips right now was intended to do more than wet the skin and enable to her continue to speak clearly.
That sensation was only reinforced when the queen mother arrived.
This was one of the more exciting moments in her life, not the sort of thing that Safiya would be likely to forget either. While she wanted to forge ahead and say something that was meaningful and even a little bit provocative, there as that lingering sense that she was just a whole lot more likely to end up messing the whole thing up "Having my uncle returned to us has... it has given us all a renewed sense of hope for the future and the continued success of our Hei" she really hoped it would help, even if only in some small kind of way and so she looked over at Narmer, wishing, and with a deep longing that he would reply and say something about her efforts.
While she wanted to say more or do something else, the rest of what was said seemed to have a sense of something more personal about it all. At least it was not the sort of thing that Safiya felt sure she should be commenting upon.
It had gone from a rather quiet, and perhaps as a hope for the moment something that could be called flirting, although Safiya knew full well that her experience with anything like that was woefully limited should it move past the words, playful banter and the sensual touches that came alongside all of that. Safiya had not yet dared much more than kissing and the like and lately that had all fallen away to be replaced by only a deeper sense of longing that she could not yet manage to put into either words or even breathe the hope that it would be something other than an unclaimed ambition.
Safiya didn't think she could afford to assume that her uncle had stated his words as some means of laying claim upon her but it did not stop her heart from choosing to skip a beat and then again. Safiya wanted to have more than these random flutterings of something that was impossible and yet still determined to make sure she was incapable of handling even a casual thought without spending what seemed to be a kind of forever while she tried to puzzle it all out. She didn't want to end up with the assumption of her mind being addled in some fashion. Safiya had a sense of pride after all. Even if she knew herself to be occasionally ill-suited to some kinds of conversations and the topics which were raised in them.
"She was around here a moment ago" Safiya was not going to start watching over her sister like some kind of spy, but she was confident that she was safe. It might not be the right thing to do, but this was a celebration not some danger filled location that could see anything happen. Safiya believed that this would be good for both of them "I've been told that I am an inch or so taller than my sister, that might prove of some help" and yes, she might be continuing to feel a little bit playful as that smile was added on to her reply to the other man. Did Narmer not approve of the king? She had no foundation to build that assumption upon but rather it was just some vague sense of there being a lot more happening here than she knew about.
"I am very pleased, as well as honoured to meet you. Which I suppose goes without saying" it could not be the first time that someone had spoken words of flattery toward him. Safiya ws not going to deny that the way she licked her lips right now was intended to do more than wet the skin and enable to her continue to speak clearly.
That sensation was only reinforced when the queen mother arrived.
This was one of the more exciting moments in her life, not the sort of thing that Safiya would be likely to forget either. While she wanted to forge ahead and say something that was meaningful and even a little bit provocative, there as that lingering sense that she was just a whole lot more likely to end up messing the whole thing up "Having my uncle returned to us has... it has given us all a renewed sense of hope for the future and the continued success of our Hei" she really hoped it would help, even if only in some small kind of way and so she looked over at Narmer, wishing, and with a deep longing that he would reply and say something about her efforts.
While she wanted to say more or do something else, the rest of what was said seemed to have a sense of something more personal about it all. At least it was not the sort of thing that Safiya felt sure she should be commenting upon.
He smirked at Osorsen's reply to him, knowing full well his friend's takes his fills of women, but cares not for their wellbeing when it came down to the crux of the matter. Not that Narmer was an innocent in the whole matter, really. As he met Osorsen's gaze with a cheeky glimmer in his own, Narmer knew exactly what he was doing. Blocking someone from a lovely lady was not something a friend would do, but Narmer played the difficult position of being the general's friend, but also being the guardian of the two lovely twins of the Haikaddad family that his sister-in-law had tasked to him for the night.
Turning to Safiya as she responded to him, Narmer raised a brow, and then nodded to Osorsen when Safiya stated her difference to Sameera. It was the same tidbit of information Na'meah had offered Narmer when he returned just two years back, but when the twins were apart, it was still difficult to tell. When Narmer turned his focus back on Osorsen however, the man paused when he noticed his friend's attention having shifted, and followed the other's gaze... only to have his hands tighten behind his back when he saw who it was
Ironically, it was Narmer's luck as the Dowager Queen chose that moment to walk up to their little knot of people and addressed them all, but primarily the general first. Whether that was good or not depended on one's perception, but as long as the conversation was veered away from his niece, he would take what little luck he could get.
Watching carefully as the Queen and the General engaged in conversation (for he knew what had went down between Osorsen and Hatshepsut, and the general was in no good spirits with the young Queen's mother and her decisions), Narmer winced at Osorsen's unhidden remark, but quickly jumped in to respond to the Dowager Queen with a pleasant smile, the kind Narutt had taught him to put on when he had grown old enough to join him in court.
"It is a delight to be back, Lady Isetheperu. I have indeed, came back, and can only hope I can be as great as my father and brother in leading our Hei. We shall speak at a later date of course, for I too wish for our Hei's to flourish," particularly his, since they could all use with an extra injection of the monetary sort, "but we shall speak of this later, after we have celebrated the.... new Pharoah."
The last two words were given only after a moments hesitation, and a flicker of his gaze to Osorsen to make sure his friend did not practically explode from anger.
Stepping back to allow Safiya to greet the Queen herself, Narmer's lips curled into a smile when he saw the poised way in which the young twin greeted the royal. Na'meah had obviously taught her well, which technically he should know, since she worked as the Queen's handmaiden... but watching it was a different matter.
His eyes softened when she praised him - Narmer still struggled from working under the shadows of his brother's and father's considerable reputation, and the words of confidence momentarily boosted his confidence. But the man was also well aware that this was his niece, and she technically had no choice but to act as a support for him, lest the Hei be seen as unstable. As such and in turn, Narmer merely tilted his head respectfully at the Queen, missing Safiya's look at him entirely as he stepped forward again. "Have you been well, my lady? The Queen looks radiant next to the Pharoah. I assume all has been uphill?"
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He smirked at Osorsen's reply to him, knowing full well his friend's takes his fills of women, but cares not for their wellbeing when it came down to the crux of the matter. Not that Narmer was an innocent in the whole matter, really. As he met Osorsen's gaze with a cheeky glimmer in his own, Narmer knew exactly what he was doing. Blocking someone from a lovely lady was not something a friend would do, but Narmer played the difficult position of being the general's friend, but also being the guardian of the two lovely twins of the Haikaddad family that his sister-in-law had tasked to him for the night.
Turning to Safiya as she responded to him, Narmer raised a brow, and then nodded to Osorsen when Safiya stated her difference to Sameera. It was the same tidbit of information Na'meah had offered Narmer when he returned just two years back, but when the twins were apart, it was still difficult to tell. When Narmer turned his focus back on Osorsen however, the man paused when he noticed his friend's attention having shifted, and followed the other's gaze... only to have his hands tighten behind his back when he saw who it was
Ironically, it was Narmer's luck as the Dowager Queen chose that moment to walk up to their little knot of people and addressed them all, but primarily the general first. Whether that was good or not depended on one's perception, but as long as the conversation was veered away from his niece, he would take what little luck he could get.
Watching carefully as the Queen and the General engaged in conversation (for he knew what had went down between Osorsen and Hatshepsut, and the general was in no good spirits with the young Queen's mother and her decisions), Narmer winced at Osorsen's unhidden remark, but quickly jumped in to respond to the Dowager Queen with a pleasant smile, the kind Narutt had taught him to put on when he had grown old enough to join him in court.
"It is a delight to be back, Lady Isetheperu. I have indeed, came back, and can only hope I can be as great as my father and brother in leading our Hei. We shall speak at a later date of course, for I too wish for our Hei's to flourish," particularly his, since they could all use with an extra injection of the monetary sort, "but we shall speak of this later, after we have celebrated the.... new Pharoah."
The last two words were given only after a moments hesitation, and a flicker of his gaze to Osorsen to make sure his friend did not practically explode from anger.
Stepping back to allow Safiya to greet the Queen herself, Narmer's lips curled into a smile when he saw the poised way in which the young twin greeted the royal. Na'meah had obviously taught her well, which technically he should know, since she worked as the Queen's handmaiden... but watching it was a different matter.
His eyes softened when she praised him - Narmer still struggled from working under the shadows of his brother's and father's considerable reputation, and the words of confidence momentarily boosted his confidence. But the man was also well aware that this was his niece, and she technically had no choice but to act as a support for him, lest the Hei be seen as unstable. As such and in turn, Narmer merely tilted his head respectfully at the Queen, missing Safiya's look at him entirely as he stepped forward again. "Have you been well, my lady? The Queen looks radiant next to the Pharoah. I assume all has been uphill?"
He smirked at Osorsen's reply to him, knowing full well his friend's takes his fills of women, but cares not for their wellbeing when it came down to the crux of the matter. Not that Narmer was an innocent in the whole matter, really. As he met Osorsen's gaze with a cheeky glimmer in his own, Narmer knew exactly what he was doing. Blocking someone from a lovely lady was not something a friend would do, but Narmer played the difficult position of being the general's friend, but also being the guardian of the two lovely twins of the Haikaddad family that his sister-in-law had tasked to him for the night.
Turning to Safiya as she responded to him, Narmer raised a brow, and then nodded to Osorsen when Safiya stated her difference to Sameera. It was the same tidbit of information Na'meah had offered Narmer when he returned just two years back, but when the twins were apart, it was still difficult to tell. When Narmer turned his focus back on Osorsen however, the man paused when he noticed his friend's attention having shifted, and followed the other's gaze... only to have his hands tighten behind his back when he saw who it was
Ironically, it was Narmer's luck as the Dowager Queen chose that moment to walk up to their little knot of people and addressed them all, but primarily the general first. Whether that was good or not depended on one's perception, but as long as the conversation was veered away from his niece, he would take what little luck he could get.
Watching carefully as the Queen and the General engaged in conversation (for he knew what had went down between Osorsen and Hatshepsut, and the general was in no good spirits with the young Queen's mother and her decisions), Narmer winced at Osorsen's unhidden remark, but quickly jumped in to respond to the Dowager Queen with a pleasant smile, the kind Narutt had taught him to put on when he had grown old enough to join him in court.
"It is a delight to be back, Lady Isetheperu. I have indeed, came back, and can only hope I can be as great as my father and brother in leading our Hei. We shall speak at a later date of course, for I too wish for our Hei's to flourish," particularly his, since they could all use with an extra injection of the monetary sort, "but we shall speak of this later, after we have celebrated the.... new Pharoah."
The last two words were given only after a moments hesitation, and a flicker of his gaze to Osorsen to make sure his friend did not practically explode from anger.
Stepping back to allow Safiya to greet the Queen herself, Narmer's lips curled into a smile when he saw the poised way in which the young twin greeted the royal. Na'meah had obviously taught her well, which technically he should know, since she worked as the Queen's handmaiden... but watching it was a different matter.
His eyes softened when she praised him - Narmer still struggled from working under the shadows of his brother's and father's considerable reputation, and the words of confidence momentarily boosted his confidence. But the man was also well aware that this was his niece, and she technically had no choice but to act as a support for him, lest the Hei be seen as unstable. As such and in turn, Narmer merely tilted his head respectfully at the Queen, missing Safiya's look at him entirely as he stepped forward again. "Have you been well, my lady? The Queen looks radiant next to the Pharoah. I assume all has been uphill?"
Sitting upon her throne at her husband's side, Hatshepsut watched the revelry going on around her. A servant had placed a tray of delicacies on a small table beside her and occasionally she popped one into her mouth, washing it down with a sip of wine. Now that she was pregnant, she was either sick or hungry all the time. The young Queen much preferred the hunger and tonight she felt better than she had in quite some time.
It was only her heart that was ill tonight. Though she tried to keep her eyes away from him, her gaze kept straying to Osorsen, who seemed to be completely ignoring her. She couldn't blame him. He had come home to find another man in his place, and their dream of ruling side by side gone forever. Hatshepsut felt so guilty about what she had done … or rather, what she had not done. However, had she objected, she doubted that the man she loved would have had the opportunity to ignore her. He would be on an embalmer's slab instead.
She had always known that ruling called for sacrifice, and so she had sacrificed her own happiness for Osorsen's continued survival. Iahotep's takeover had been executed too well to leave anything to chance, If she had protested, the obstacle in her husband's path would be removed as soon as he discovered what it was. Many people knew how fond she was of Osorsen. It would have only been a matter of time before somebody put two and two together.
The petite Queen wished she could tell him why she had acquiesced to the Council's demands, but she didn't know if he would ever want to speak to her again. Sending a letter seemed cowardly, and how would she know if he would open it or have it destroyed? And what if he didn't believe her? No, they needed to speak face to face so that she could explain.
Her eyes searched the room for him again and found him talking to Safiya and her brother Sirdar H'Haikaddad. Was he trying to get back at her by flirting with her retainer? Or were they simply discussing trivialities? It was difficult to tell from this distance, and if he was, she couldn't fault him for that either. He believed that she had betrayed him. Perhaps this was his revenge.
Unable to sit still anymore, she rose and stepped off the dais, deciding to roam around the room in case one of her subjects wished to speak informally to their Queen. Formality was not necessary during the festival and she wished to be approachable, even if her shyness made her want to flee. Hatshepsut had already earned the adoration of her people; now she needed to keep it. Let them fear their Pharaoh and love their Queen.
Trying to ignore some of the more bawdy activities going on around her, she stopped beside the pond. Impulsively, she kicked off one of her sandals and dipped her small foot into it, watching the little ripples fan out around her ankle and enjoying the refreshing coolness of the water. It wasn't a very queenly thing to do, but Hatshepsut was not just a Queen but a young girl of barely sixteen.
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Sitting upon her throne at her husband's side, Hatshepsut watched the revelry going on around her. A servant had placed a tray of delicacies on a small table beside her and occasionally she popped one into her mouth, washing it down with a sip of wine. Now that she was pregnant, she was either sick or hungry all the time. The young Queen much preferred the hunger and tonight she felt better than she had in quite some time.
It was only her heart that was ill tonight. Though she tried to keep her eyes away from him, her gaze kept straying to Osorsen, who seemed to be completely ignoring her. She couldn't blame him. He had come home to find another man in his place, and their dream of ruling side by side gone forever. Hatshepsut felt so guilty about what she had done … or rather, what she had not done. However, had she objected, she doubted that the man she loved would have had the opportunity to ignore her. He would be on an embalmer's slab instead.
She had always known that ruling called for sacrifice, and so she had sacrificed her own happiness for Osorsen's continued survival. Iahotep's takeover had been executed too well to leave anything to chance, If she had protested, the obstacle in her husband's path would be removed as soon as he discovered what it was. Many people knew how fond she was of Osorsen. It would have only been a matter of time before somebody put two and two together.
The petite Queen wished she could tell him why she had acquiesced to the Council's demands, but she didn't know if he would ever want to speak to her again. Sending a letter seemed cowardly, and how would she know if he would open it or have it destroyed? And what if he didn't believe her? No, they needed to speak face to face so that she could explain.
Her eyes searched the room for him again and found him talking to Safiya and her brother Sirdar H'Haikaddad. Was he trying to get back at her by flirting with her retainer? Or were they simply discussing trivialities? It was difficult to tell from this distance, and if he was, she couldn't fault him for that either. He believed that she had betrayed him. Perhaps this was his revenge.
Unable to sit still anymore, she rose and stepped off the dais, deciding to roam around the room in case one of her subjects wished to speak informally to their Queen. Formality was not necessary during the festival and she wished to be approachable, even if her shyness made her want to flee. Hatshepsut had already earned the adoration of her people; now she needed to keep it. Let them fear their Pharaoh and love their Queen.
Trying to ignore some of the more bawdy activities going on around her, she stopped beside the pond. Impulsively, she kicked off one of her sandals and dipped her small foot into it, watching the little ripples fan out around her ankle and enjoying the refreshing coolness of the water. It wasn't a very queenly thing to do, but Hatshepsut was not just a Queen but a young girl of barely sixteen.
Sitting upon her throne at her husband's side, Hatshepsut watched the revelry going on around her. A servant had placed a tray of delicacies on a small table beside her and occasionally she popped one into her mouth, washing it down with a sip of wine. Now that she was pregnant, she was either sick or hungry all the time. The young Queen much preferred the hunger and tonight she felt better than she had in quite some time.
It was only her heart that was ill tonight. Though she tried to keep her eyes away from him, her gaze kept straying to Osorsen, who seemed to be completely ignoring her. She couldn't blame him. He had come home to find another man in his place, and their dream of ruling side by side gone forever. Hatshepsut felt so guilty about what she had done … or rather, what she had not done. However, had she objected, she doubted that the man she loved would have had the opportunity to ignore her. He would be on an embalmer's slab instead.
She had always known that ruling called for sacrifice, and so she had sacrificed her own happiness for Osorsen's continued survival. Iahotep's takeover had been executed too well to leave anything to chance, If she had protested, the obstacle in her husband's path would be removed as soon as he discovered what it was. Many people knew how fond she was of Osorsen. It would have only been a matter of time before somebody put two and two together.
The petite Queen wished she could tell him why she had acquiesced to the Council's demands, but she didn't know if he would ever want to speak to her again. Sending a letter seemed cowardly, and how would she know if he would open it or have it destroyed? And what if he didn't believe her? No, they needed to speak face to face so that she could explain.
Her eyes searched the room for him again and found him talking to Safiya and her brother Sirdar H'Haikaddad. Was he trying to get back at her by flirting with her retainer? Or were they simply discussing trivialities? It was difficult to tell from this distance, and if he was, she couldn't fault him for that either. He believed that she had betrayed him. Perhaps this was his revenge.
Unable to sit still anymore, she rose and stepped off the dais, deciding to roam around the room in case one of her subjects wished to speak informally to their Queen. Formality was not necessary during the festival and she wished to be approachable, even if her shyness made her want to flee. Hatshepsut had already earned the adoration of her people; now she needed to keep it. Let them fear their Pharaoh and love their Queen.
Trying to ignore some of the more bawdy activities going on around her, she stopped beside the pond. Impulsively, she kicked off one of her sandals and dipped her small foot into it, watching the little ripples fan out around her ankle and enjoying the refreshing coolness of the water. It wasn't a very queenly thing to do, but Hatshepsut was not just a Queen but a young girl of barely sixteen.
When the young and nubile Queen at his side stood and decided to stretch her legs, Iahotep was distracted at first by the wine being poured into his - once again - empty goblet. The chalice was gold and finely inlaid with rich jewels and colouring. It was a cup worthy of a King. A King of Kings. The morning and the evening star that he had managed to bestow upon himself through fine military work and just enough cunning to turn fine into perfection. The Council had assured him the role of Pharaoh before anyone else who might have been able or willing was able to reach for it themselves.
More fool them.
When he realised that the woman who had graced the throne beside his had headed out and into the crowd, her tiny frame elegantly coated in fine raiment and her carriage that of a Queen, Iahotep felt a stirring of desire. It was a shame the woman was so beautiful and yet so dreadfully dull in the bedchamber. It felt a double-edged sword that he had managed to make her with child so soon after their marriage. Not that they were to announce such a thing just yet. The royal physicians had insisted on waiting to be sure and Iahotep was no simpleton. He was not about to risk the jeers and jokes of achieving an almost pregnancy. He would wait until they had been given the formal verdict in a few weeks. But, if it was confirmed (as the physician expected) that little Hatshepsut was indeed with child, Iahotep had no need to dally with her in the bedroom any longer, until the child was born and another needed to be conceived. A blessing that brought with it a curse for he was newly Pharaoh. And adultery - for some reason - was frowned upon by the Council. He would have to keep his chambers quiet of women for now. At least until he could herald the excuse of the Queen being too large to mate with and his appetites needing to be quenched elsewhere...
Watching her for a moment and then standing abruptly to join her, Iahotep reached over and secured a tight and hard grasp on the young girl's hand, his beverage in the other. He neither noticed the slight sway to his step, nor remembered the number of cups he had already consumed that had led him to such a state.
"You wish to walk, my dear?" He asked, the last word a bit of a drawl as they were both aware of a limited - if not zero - affection between the two of them. "Do so in your proper position." He insisted, tugging on her hand and moving her into his side, making it clear exactly where that position was expected to be.
In the process, however, he had not stopped her steps, and the journey had taken them to a small cluster of the Egyptian nobility, each drinking or speaking in turn. His gaze shifted over the young girl of the Haikaddad. She was a twin he knew, but had zero idea or inclination to care which of the two she was. His eyes simply leered as he took in her hair and dress from top to bottom. It was a shame her breeding had brought with it a touch of the savage about her appearance. A pure Egyptian held more elegant class about her. But there was a touch of exotic that was alluring in its own way.
They had approached the group in just enough time to hear the General Osorsen address his new mother-in-law and Iahotep took the opportunity to correct the man. The options were so few and far between, he wasn't about to let this one go unclaimed.
"Queen Dowager..." He commented at the man, raising his cup to his lips as his fingers twisted in amongst his wife's. "... is the correct and polite term of address, Sirdar Moghadam." Iahotep stated without regard for any awkward embarrassment his correction might cause to those present, his eyes darkening over the rim of his cup, as he drank deeply once more from its belly.
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When the young and nubile Queen at his side stood and decided to stretch her legs, Iahotep was distracted at first by the wine being poured into his - once again - empty goblet. The chalice was gold and finely inlaid with rich jewels and colouring. It was a cup worthy of a King. A King of Kings. The morning and the evening star that he had managed to bestow upon himself through fine military work and just enough cunning to turn fine into perfection. The Council had assured him the role of Pharaoh before anyone else who might have been able or willing was able to reach for it themselves.
More fool them.
When he realised that the woman who had graced the throne beside his had headed out and into the crowd, her tiny frame elegantly coated in fine raiment and her carriage that of a Queen, Iahotep felt a stirring of desire. It was a shame the woman was so beautiful and yet so dreadfully dull in the bedchamber. It felt a double-edged sword that he had managed to make her with child so soon after their marriage. Not that they were to announce such a thing just yet. The royal physicians had insisted on waiting to be sure and Iahotep was no simpleton. He was not about to risk the jeers and jokes of achieving an almost pregnancy. He would wait until they had been given the formal verdict in a few weeks. But, if it was confirmed (as the physician expected) that little Hatshepsut was indeed with child, Iahotep had no need to dally with her in the bedroom any longer, until the child was born and another needed to be conceived. A blessing that brought with it a curse for he was newly Pharaoh. And adultery - for some reason - was frowned upon by the Council. He would have to keep his chambers quiet of women for now. At least until he could herald the excuse of the Queen being too large to mate with and his appetites needing to be quenched elsewhere...
Watching her for a moment and then standing abruptly to join her, Iahotep reached over and secured a tight and hard grasp on the young girl's hand, his beverage in the other. He neither noticed the slight sway to his step, nor remembered the number of cups he had already consumed that had led him to such a state.
"You wish to walk, my dear?" He asked, the last word a bit of a drawl as they were both aware of a limited - if not zero - affection between the two of them. "Do so in your proper position." He insisted, tugging on her hand and moving her into his side, making it clear exactly where that position was expected to be.
In the process, however, he had not stopped her steps, and the journey had taken them to a small cluster of the Egyptian nobility, each drinking or speaking in turn. His gaze shifted over the young girl of the Haikaddad. She was a twin he knew, but had zero idea or inclination to care which of the two she was. His eyes simply leered as he took in her hair and dress from top to bottom. It was a shame her breeding had brought with it a touch of the savage about her appearance. A pure Egyptian held more elegant class about her. But there was a touch of exotic that was alluring in its own way.
They had approached the group in just enough time to hear the General Osorsen address his new mother-in-law and Iahotep took the opportunity to correct the man. The options were so few and far between, he wasn't about to let this one go unclaimed.
"Queen Dowager..." He commented at the man, raising his cup to his lips as his fingers twisted in amongst his wife's. "... is the correct and polite term of address, Sirdar Moghadam." Iahotep stated without regard for any awkward embarrassment his correction might cause to those present, his eyes darkening over the rim of his cup, as he drank deeply once more from its belly.
When the young and nubile Queen at his side stood and decided to stretch her legs, Iahotep was distracted at first by the wine being poured into his - once again - empty goblet. The chalice was gold and finely inlaid with rich jewels and colouring. It was a cup worthy of a King. A King of Kings. The morning and the evening star that he had managed to bestow upon himself through fine military work and just enough cunning to turn fine into perfection. The Council had assured him the role of Pharaoh before anyone else who might have been able or willing was able to reach for it themselves.
More fool them.
When he realised that the woman who had graced the throne beside his had headed out and into the crowd, her tiny frame elegantly coated in fine raiment and her carriage that of a Queen, Iahotep felt a stirring of desire. It was a shame the woman was so beautiful and yet so dreadfully dull in the bedchamber. It felt a double-edged sword that he had managed to make her with child so soon after their marriage. Not that they were to announce such a thing just yet. The royal physicians had insisted on waiting to be sure and Iahotep was no simpleton. He was not about to risk the jeers and jokes of achieving an almost pregnancy. He would wait until they had been given the formal verdict in a few weeks. But, if it was confirmed (as the physician expected) that little Hatshepsut was indeed with child, Iahotep had no need to dally with her in the bedroom any longer, until the child was born and another needed to be conceived. A blessing that brought with it a curse for he was newly Pharaoh. And adultery - for some reason - was frowned upon by the Council. He would have to keep his chambers quiet of women for now. At least until he could herald the excuse of the Queen being too large to mate with and his appetites needing to be quenched elsewhere...
Watching her for a moment and then standing abruptly to join her, Iahotep reached over and secured a tight and hard grasp on the young girl's hand, his beverage in the other. He neither noticed the slight sway to his step, nor remembered the number of cups he had already consumed that had led him to such a state.
"You wish to walk, my dear?" He asked, the last word a bit of a drawl as they were both aware of a limited - if not zero - affection between the two of them. "Do so in your proper position." He insisted, tugging on her hand and moving her into his side, making it clear exactly where that position was expected to be.
In the process, however, he had not stopped her steps, and the journey had taken them to a small cluster of the Egyptian nobility, each drinking or speaking in turn. His gaze shifted over the young girl of the Haikaddad. She was a twin he knew, but had zero idea or inclination to care which of the two she was. His eyes simply leered as he took in her hair and dress from top to bottom. It was a shame her breeding had brought with it a touch of the savage about her appearance. A pure Egyptian held more elegant class about her. But there was a touch of exotic that was alluring in its own way.
They had approached the group in just enough time to hear the General Osorsen address his new mother-in-law and Iahotep took the opportunity to correct the man. The options were so few and far between, he wasn't about to let this one go unclaimed.
"Queen Dowager..." He commented at the man, raising his cup to his lips as his fingers twisted in amongst his wife's. "... is the correct and polite term of address, Sirdar Moghadam." Iahotep stated without regard for any awkward embarrassment his correction might cause to those present, his eyes darkening over the rim of his cup, as he drank deeply once more from its belly.
Osorsen's uncouth words should not have caught the queen mother by surprise, and yet Isetheperu found herself taken aback. Her controlled, stony features lapsed, her brow raising, lips twitching in annoyance. She had known, of course, that the general would be upset. He certainly considered himself in the running to take her daughter as his bride, and if circumstances had been different, perhaps he would have been. After all, she had considered the man a friend of many years, and had helped him where she could as a favor to his house and out of respect for the aging Osorsen the greater.
The decisions she made regarding the future of her own house, however, were not to be made lightly and certainly not in the sake of the obviously tenuous name of friendship. Did you ever respect me at all? Isetheperu wanted to ask, as she evenly returned Osorsen's own malice-laced gaze, Or was it all a ploy for the crown?
A sudden violent urge overtook her, not for the first time. She longed for the strength of body to clean the disrespect off the man's ridiculously bearded face, but as always, she had no weapon to suit her but her words.
"Be careful not to let your tongue run away with your head, my friend," Isetheperu cautioned, her lilting voice enough to feign good humor, though anyone familiar with the once-queen would understand the threat of her tone. "You might find yourself missing them both."
The tension in the air was suddenly stirred as she sensed another approach and turned in time to catch the approach of her own daughter, tugged grudgingly to the new Pharaoh's side. Iahotep's interruption, for once, was a welcome one, as he came to defend her title against the younger man's insult. But she had to wonder whether her son-in-law did so out of regard for her dignity, or if it was a petty exercise of power over the rival who had once been his ally.
"Ah!" she exclaimed suddenly in a measure of delight. "Praise be to the King of Kings." Though every instinct in her body railed against it, Isetheperu inclined her head in a short bow before raising her own cup. She pressed her lips to the rim and tilted back, but did not drink, instead lowering it after a pause. "We were only just speaking of you."
Isetheperu did not like seeing her beautiful young Hatshepsut plastered to the new Pharaoh's side any more than Osorsen did, truly, but sacrifices had to be made. Was it not wonderfully selfless of her, to place the necessity and well-being of their future generations above her own human greed? Would the gods not smile favorably on her and her house for showing such restraint? This was one of many narratives she entertained. The truth was she felt some degree of fondness for Iahotep, at least in the degree that he was to be her instrument of power. The gods, however, needn't know this much.
After a moment she turned back to the H'Haikaddad pair, nodding politely in a way that she hoped would conceal that she had only been half-listening. "I foresee a strong future for Hei Haikaddad, if your lordship's military accomplishment is any indication. And Egypt will be that much stronger for it." Isetheperu did not issue compliments lightly, but considering that she may be about to lose a valuable alliance with Hei Moghadem if Osorsen could not resolve his pride, it was important for her to groom suitable replacements. Hei Haikaddad was not quite as powerful, at least not in recent decades. But if Isetheperu could have a hand in their reemergence, then perhaps Hei Fakhouri would have a more stable and beholden ally.
That, and despite herself, Isetheperu could not help finding some sympathy for Narmer and the situation into which he had been thrust. His circumstances were not so different from her own, she thought, trying to salvage a fading house from the brink of ruin. If she could help him in some way, perhaps her own uphill climb would not feel quite so hopeless.
"Indeed, the gods are surely smiling this night," she agreed with Narmer's last assessment, turning to grin at her daughter before addressing the group in a blithely conspiratorial wink. "And with any degree of good fortune, there will be more to celebrate in the coming months."
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Osorsen's uncouth words should not have caught the queen mother by surprise, and yet Isetheperu found herself taken aback. Her controlled, stony features lapsed, her brow raising, lips twitching in annoyance. She had known, of course, that the general would be upset. He certainly considered himself in the running to take her daughter as his bride, and if circumstances had been different, perhaps he would have been. After all, she had considered the man a friend of many years, and had helped him where she could as a favor to his house and out of respect for the aging Osorsen the greater.
The decisions she made regarding the future of her own house, however, were not to be made lightly and certainly not in the sake of the obviously tenuous name of friendship. Did you ever respect me at all? Isetheperu wanted to ask, as she evenly returned Osorsen's own malice-laced gaze, Or was it all a ploy for the crown?
A sudden violent urge overtook her, not for the first time. She longed for the strength of body to clean the disrespect off the man's ridiculously bearded face, but as always, she had no weapon to suit her but her words.
"Be careful not to let your tongue run away with your head, my friend," Isetheperu cautioned, her lilting voice enough to feign good humor, though anyone familiar with the once-queen would understand the threat of her tone. "You might find yourself missing them both."
The tension in the air was suddenly stirred as she sensed another approach and turned in time to catch the approach of her own daughter, tugged grudgingly to the new Pharaoh's side. Iahotep's interruption, for once, was a welcome one, as he came to defend her title against the younger man's insult. But she had to wonder whether her son-in-law did so out of regard for her dignity, or if it was a petty exercise of power over the rival who had once been his ally.
"Ah!" she exclaimed suddenly in a measure of delight. "Praise be to the King of Kings." Though every instinct in her body railed against it, Isetheperu inclined her head in a short bow before raising her own cup. She pressed her lips to the rim and tilted back, but did not drink, instead lowering it after a pause. "We were only just speaking of you."
Isetheperu did not like seeing her beautiful young Hatshepsut plastered to the new Pharaoh's side any more than Osorsen did, truly, but sacrifices had to be made. Was it not wonderfully selfless of her, to place the necessity and well-being of their future generations above her own human greed? Would the gods not smile favorably on her and her house for showing such restraint? This was one of many narratives she entertained. The truth was she felt some degree of fondness for Iahotep, at least in the degree that he was to be her instrument of power. The gods, however, needn't know this much.
After a moment she turned back to the H'Haikaddad pair, nodding politely in a way that she hoped would conceal that she had only been half-listening. "I foresee a strong future for Hei Haikaddad, if your lordship's military accomplishment is any indication. And Egypt will be that much stronger for it." Isetheperu did not issue compliments lightly, but considering that she may be about to lose a valuable alliance with Hei Moghadem if Osorsen could not resolve his pride, it was important for her to groom suitable replacements. Hei Haikaddad was not quite as powerful, at least not in recent decades. But if Isetheperu could have a hand in their reemergence, then perhaps Hei Fakhouri would have a more stable and beholden ally.
That, and despite herself, Isetheperu could not help finding some sympathy for Narmer and the situation into which he had been thrust. His circumstances were not so different from her own, she thought, trying to salvage a fading house from the brink of ruin. If she could help him in some way, perhaps her own uphill climb would not feel quite so hopeless.
"Indeed, the gods are surely smiling this night," she agreed with Narmer's last assessment, turning to grin at her daughter before addressing the group in a blithely conspiratorial wink. "And with any degree of good fortune, there will be more to celebrate in the coming months."
Osorsen's uncouth words should not have caught the queen mother by surprise, and yet Isetheperu found herself taken aback. Her controlled, stony features lapsed, her brow raising, lips twitching in annoyance. She had known, of course, that the general would be upset. He certainly considered himself in the running to take her daughter as his bride, and if circumstances had been different, perhaps he would have been. After all, she had considered the man a friend of many years, and had helped him where she could as a favor to his house and out of respect for the aging Osorsen the greater.
The decisions she made regarding the future of her own house, however, were not to be made lightly and certainly not in the sake of the obviously tenuous name of friendship. Did you ever respect me at all? Isetheperu wanted to ask, as she evenly returned Osorsen's own malice-laced gaze, Or was it all a ploy for the crown?
A sudden violent urge overtook her, not for the first time. She longed for the strength of body to clean the disrespect off the man's ridiculously bearded face, but as always, she had no weapon to suit her but her words.
"Be careful not to let your tongue run away with your head, my friend," Isetheperu cautioned, her lilting voice enough to feign good humor, though anyone familiar with the once-queen would understand the threat of her tone. "You might find yourself missing them both."
The tension in the air was suddenly stirred as she sensed another approach and turned in time to catch the approach of her own daughter, tugged grudgingly to the new Pharaoh's side. Iahotep's interruption, for once, was a welcome one, as he came to defend her title against the younger man's insult. But she had to wonder whether her son-in-law did so out of regard for her dignity, or if it was a petty exercise of power over the rival who had once been his ally.
"Ah!" she exclaimed suddenly in a measure of delight. "Praise be to the King of Kings." Though every instinct in her body railed against it, Isetheperu inclined her head in a short bow before raising her own cup. She pressed her lips to the rim and tilted back, but did not drink, instead lowering it after a pause. "We were only just speaking of you."
Isetheperu did not like seeing her beautiful young Hatshepsut plastered to the new Pharaoh's side any more than Osorsen did, truly, but sacrifices had to be made. Was it not wonderfully selfless of her, to place the necessity and well-being of their future generations above her own human greed? Would the gods not smile favorably on her and her house for showing such restraint? This was one of many narratives she entertained. The truth was she felt some degree of fondness for Iahotep, at least in the degree that he was to be her instrument of power. The gods, however, needn't know this much.
After a moment she turned back to the H'Haikaddad pair, nodding politely in a way that she hoped would conceal that she had only been half-listening. "I foresee a strong future for Hei Haikaddad, if your lordship's military accomplishment is any indication. And Egypt will be that much stronger for it." Isetheperu did not issue compliments lightly, but considering that she may be about to lose a valuable alliance with Hei Moghadem if Osorsen could not resolve his pride, it was important for her to groom suitable replacements. Hei Haikaddad was not quite as powerful, at least not in recent decades. But if Isetheperu could have a hand in their reemergence, then perhaps Hei Fakhouri would have a more stable and beholden ally.
That, and despite herself, Isetheperu could not help finding some sympathy for Narmer and the situation into which he had been thrust. His circumstances were not so different from her own, she thought, trying to salvage a fading house from the brink of ruin. If she could help him in some way, perhaps her own uphill climb would not feel quite so hopeless.
"Indeed, the gods are surely smiling this night," she agreed with Narmer's last assessment, turning to grin at her daughter before addressing the group in a blithely conspiratorial wink. "And with any degree of good fortune, there will be more to celebrate in the coming months."
If there could be one who was able to chill the area they were in, it would be this man. Saifya had not met the man, at least outside of the very formal settings - which included this one - but that didn't mean she would claim knowledge of him as a person, there were persistent rumours which even Safiya had heard and they did not exactly make her feel more welcomed to be in his presence. Safiya was puzzled at how quickly a moment had ended and another had arrived; would it always be like this?
However, the swift chill that ran down her spine as he arrived and spoke those strangely cruel and cold words had her shivering with the sense of loss, namely the warmth that had been building between her and the others. Safiya felt flustered and confused, and entirely out of her depth all at the same time.
Safiya was a young courtier and it was often hard for her to truly accept the rise and fall of the various people around here, along with their tempers and moods. The only person she truly relied on was her sister, that was why she alone knew the identity of the man to whom her affections had been placed. All she could hope was that it would be enough. Safiya had no interest in speaking now, this was almost to the point that she should perhaps step back and allow them to carry on without her adding anything more. Not that Safiya was truly sure about what she might add.
The slip up had been something relatively minor, or was it? Safiya was not sure that she could speak to how true or not that was but the correction had been uttered and that was something she would just have live with, much like the one whom had been addressed. Would it continue to escalate? There was a part of her that strongly suspected that she should step away and find some excuse to make her own departure. But it was hard to handle the desire to stick around and see what exactly ended up playing out, it was almost like watching some disaster unfolding in front of her eyes.
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If there could be one who was able to chill the area they were in, it would be this man. Saifya had not met the man, at least outside of the very formal settings - which included this one - but that didn't mean she would claim knowledge of him as a person, there were persistent rumours which even Safiya had heard and they did not exactly make her feel more welcomed to be in his presence. Safiya was puzzled at how quickly a moment had ended and another had arrived; would it always be like this?
However, the swift chill that ran down her spine as he arrived and spoke those strangely cruel and cold words had her shivering with the sense of loss, namely the warmth that had been building between her and the others. Safiya felt flustered and confused, and entirely out of her depth all at the same time.
Safiya was a young courtier and it was often hard for her to truly accept the rise and fall of the various people around here, along with their tempers and moods. The only person she truly relied on was her sister, that was why she alone knew the identity of the man to whom her affections had been placed. All she could hope was that it would be enough. Safiya had no interest in speaking now, this was almost to the point that she should perhaps step back and allow them to carry on without her adding anything more. Not that Safiya was truly sure about what she might add.
The slip up had been something relatively minor, or was it? Safiya was not sure that she could speak to how true or not that was but the correction had been uttered and that was something she would just have live with, much like the one whom had been addressed. Would it continue to escalate? There was a part of her that strongly suspected that she should step away and find some excuse to make her own departure. But it was hard to handle the desire to stick around and see what exactly ended up playing out, it was almost like watching some disaster unfolding in front of her eyes.
If there could be one who was able to chill the area they were in, it would be this man. Saifya had not met the man, at least outside of the very formal settings - which included this one - but that didn't mean she would claim knowledge of him as a person, there were persistent rumours which even Safiya had heard and they did not exactly make her feel more welcomed to be in his presence. Safiya was puzzled at how quickly a moment had ended and another had arrived; would it always be like this?
However, the swift chill that ran down her spine as he arrived and spoke those strangely cruel and cold words had her shivering with the sense of loss, namely the warmth that had been building between her and the others. Safiya felt flustered and confused, and entirely out of her depth all at the same time.
Safiya was a young courtier and it was often hard for her to truly accept the rise and fall of the various people around here, along with their tempers and moods. The only person she truly relied on was her sister, that was why she alone knew the identity of the man to whom her affections had been placed. All she could hope was that it would be enough. Safiya had no interest in speaking now, this was almost to the point that she should perhaps step back and allow them to carry on without her adding anything more. Not that Safiya was truly sure about what she might add.
The slip up had been something relatively minor, or was it? Safiya was not sure that she could speak to how true or not that was but the correction had been uttered and that was something she would just have live with, much like the one whom had been addressed. Would it continue to escalate? There was a part of her that strongly suspected that she should step away and find some excuse to make her own departure. But it was hard to handle the desire to stick around and see what exactly ended up playing out, it was almost like watching some disaster unfolding in front of her eyes.
Osorsen noted the shift in her expression as he spoke without his usual polite regard for her status. That had been lost the moment he heard that she had allowed the marriage of her daughter and the old general to take place. He couldn’t even blame the wine he’d imbibed, for he would have found it difficult to hold his tongue in any case. The threat she lobbed at him was barely veiled and he found himself grinning in a way that was more snarl and baring of his teeth than anything else.
”If you have the means to attempt such a thing, I would welcome the try. Though you may find my head and tongue more well guarded by the families of the realm than that of your new son.”
As if speaking his name drew his hated presence forth, Osorsen turned his cold gaze to the new pharaoh who clasped Hatshepsut to his side. The sight of her so close to that of his enemy made his blood boil further, and he met the man’s eyes without any sign of respect that he might have held in the past. The correction slipped past him as the dowager attempted to engage his friend in flattering discussion, one that allowed his smile to only grow. She was fishing for the wrong household. Haikaddad had always held a close alliance to Moghadam, and he and his own grandfather had taken in Narmer to conduct his military training that she so applauded.
”Yes. The Sirdar has grown strong under the supervision and training of his allies. Let us hope that Egypt’s strength grows in your favor.”
Without a bow, Osorsen instead upended his cup of wine with a clatter on the tray of a passing slave, letting the red liquid flow out and around it to the floor like a trail of blood. Blood he would not hesitate to spill if it came to it. He was more powerful than she gave him credit for, and whatever her reasons for choosing a common man to stand beside her daughter, she had clearly miscalculated what the power of nobility could do. Turning on his heel, he gave a whistle that had all of those associated with Hei Moghadam immediately set aside whatever entertainments they were partaking in.
It was a small show of power, as certainly some would not risk leaving and offending those royal, but those who held support for him, or were part of his holdings, all filtered out silently and he exited without regard for anything or anyone else that evening. He hadn’t outright declared a war upon them, but it was as close to the threat as he could come. They could scramble now to determine how it would all be taken.
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Osorsen noted the shift in her expression as he spoke without his usual polite regard for her status. That had been lost the moment he heard that she had allowed the marriage of her daughter and the old general to take place. He couldn’t even blame the wine he’d imbibed, for he would have found it difficult to hold his tongue in any case. The threat she lobbed at him was barely veiled and he found himself grinning in a way that was more snarl and baring of his teeth than anything else.
”If you have the means to attempt such a thing, I would welcome the try. Though you may find my head and tongue more well guarded by the families of the realm than that of your new son.”
As if speaking his name drew his hated presence forth, Osorsen turned his cold gaze to the new pharaoh who clasped Hatshepsut to his side. The sight of her so close to that of his enemy made his blood boil further, and he met the man’s eyes without any sign of respect that he might have held in the past. The correction slipped past him as the dowager attempted to engage his friend in flattering discussion, one that allowed his smile to only grow. She was fishing for the wrong household. Haikaddad had always held a close alliance to Moghadam, and he and his own grandfather had taken in Narmer to conduct his military training that she so applauded.
”Yes. The Sirdar has grown strong under the supervision and training of his allies. Let us hope that Egypt’s strength grows in your favor.”
Without a bow, Osorsen instead upended his cup of wine with a clatter on the tray of a passing slave, letting the red liquid flow out and around it to the floor like a trail of blood. Blood he would not hesitate to spill if it came to it. He was more powerful than she gave him credit for, and whatever her reasons for choosing a common man to stand beside her daughter, she had clearly miscalculated what the power of nobility could do. Turning on his heel, he gave a whistle that had all of those associated with Hei Moghadam immediately set aside whatever entertainments they were partaking in.
It was a small show of power, as certainly some would not risk leaving and offending those royal, but those who held support for him, or were part of his holdings, all filtered out silently and he exited without regard for anything or anyone else that evening. He hadn’t outright declared a war upon them, but it was as close to the threat as he could come. They could scramble now to determine how it would all be taken.
Osorsen noted the shift in her expression as he spoke without his usual polite regard for her status. That had been lost the moment he heard that she had allowed the marriage of her daughter and the old general to take place. He couldn’t even blame the wine he’d imbibed, for he would have found it difficult to hold his tongue in any case. The threat she lobbed at him was barely veiled and he found himself grinning in a way that was more snarl and baring of his teeth than anything else.
”If you have the means to attempt such a thing, I would welcome the try. Though you may find my head and tongue more well guarded by the families of the realm than that of your new son.”
As if speaking his name drew his hated presence forth, Osorsen turned his cold gaze to the new pharaoh who clasped Hatshepsut to his side. The sight of her so close to that of his enemy made his blood boil further, and he met the man’s eyes without any sign of respect that he might have held in the past. The correction slipped past him as the dowager attempted to engage his friend in flattering discussion, one that allowed his smile to only grow. She was fishing for the wrong household. Haikaddad had always held a close alliance to Moghadam, and he and his own grandfather had taken in Narmer to conduct his military training that she so applauded.
”Yes. The Sirdar has grown strong under the supervision and training of his allies. Let us hope that Egypt’s strength grows in your favor.”
Without a bow, Osorsen instead upended his cup of wine with a clatter on the tray of a passing slave, letting the red liquid flow out and around it to the floor like a trail of blood. Blood he would not hesitate to spill if it came to it. He was more powerful than she gave him credit for, and whatever her reasons for choosing a common man to stand beside her daughter, she had clearly miscalculated what the power of nobility could do. Turning on his heel, he gave a whistle that had all of those associated with Hei Moghadam immediately set aside whatever entertainments they were partaking in.
It was a small show of power, as certainly some would not risk leaving and offending those royal, but those who held support for him, or were part of his holdings, all filtered out silently and he exited without regard for anything or anyone else that evening. He hadn’t outright declared a war upon them, but it was as close to the threat as he could come. They could scramble now to determine how it would all be taken.
As the Pharoah approached and saw fit to correct Osorsen in his ways of addressing the royalty, Narmer internally winced, as his gaze flickered over to his friend. Having been acquainted with the Moghadam general for so long, he knew that the man's temper was not to be trifled with. It was how Osorsen had earned his reputation on the battlefield after all. While it was a temper to be feared in battle however, it did not work as well in court of course, and sure enough, the reaction was not at all surprising to Narmer, scandalizing as it may be. It did not help that Hatshepsut, the new and young Queen, was pretty much plastered to the pharoah's side, and while that may be an appropriate place to be for her, Narmer doubted Osorsen would appreciate seeing it.
Keeping silent as he watched his friend react, his eyes turned when the Queen Dowager addressed him, and smiled. "I appreciate your strong support, Queen Dowager." He could not risk his Hei's reputation nor standing within those of royalty for now, but neither could he outright go agaisnt his friend. It was the elder Moghadam who had accepted Narmer in to continue his training after Narutt's death had left him half-way done, and Osorsen had been a boon when it came to ensuring Narmer always got a strong opponent when training.
Yet at the same time, if anyone would understand the position Narmer was put in after the untimely death of his father and brother, it would be the Queen Dowager. Like himself, Isetheperu was lodged in a difficult circumstance, to save a house on the brink of ruin, in a situation seemingly quite unsalvageable. He understood her need to make difficult decisions... but he also understood why Osorsen's temper had been, of late, out of control.
The call of Osorsen for his allies to follow him left Narmer torn - he could not go against the Pharoah and the Dowager Queen, for to do so would spell utter demise of his Hei and any support he wished to gain from it. But to not follow Osorsen would be a betrayal he did not want to see through.
Picking the middle path, instead Narmer tried to distract other's from Osorsen's display by catching the eye of his sister-in-law across the room, and nodding at her before turing to bow at both the Pharoah, Hatshepsut, and the Dowager Queen. "I must make my excuses, for my sister wishes to have an audience with my niece after not seeing her for quite some time. Your Evening Radiance, I must ask for a few moments with my niece, and shall return her shortly." With another flourishing bow at the young Queen, he gestured at Safiya, waiting till they were out of earshot and blocked by the bodies of other's before asking, "The pharoah has not been giving you or your sister problems, has he?" After all, Iahotep's reputation preceded him.
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As the Pharoah approached and saw fit to correct Osorsen in his ways of addressing the royalty, Narmer internally winced, as his gaze flickered over to his friend. Having been acquainted with the Moghadam general for so long, he knew that the man's temper was not to be trifled with. It was how Osorsen had earned his reputation on the battlefield after all. While it was a temper to be feared in battle however, it did not work as well in court of course, and sure enough, the reaction was not at all surprising to Narmer, scandalizing as it may be. It did not help that Hatshepsut, the new and young Queen, was pretty much plastered to the pharoah's side, and while that may be an appropriate place to be for her, Narmer doubted Osorsen would appreciate seeing it.
Keeping silent as he watched his friend react, his eyes turned when the Queen Dowager addressed him, and smiled. "I appreciate your strong support, Queen Dowager." He could not risk his Hei's reputation nor standing within those of royalty for now, but neither could he outright go agaisnt his friend. It was the elder Moghadam who had accepted Narmer in to continue his training after Narutt's death had left him half-way done, and Osorsen had been a boon when it came to ensuring Narmer always got a strong opponent when training.
Yet at the same time, if anyone would understand the position Narmer was put in after the untimely death of his father and brother, it would be the Queen Dowager. Like himself, Isetheperu was lodged in a difficult circumstance, to save a house on the brink of ruin, in a situation seemingly quite unsalvageable. He understood her need to make difficult decisions... but he also understood why Osorsen's temper had been, of late, out of control.
The call of Osorsen for his allies to follow him left Narmer torn - he could not go against the Pharoah and the Dowager Queen, for to do so would spell utter demise of his Hei and any support he wished to gain from it. But to not follow Osorsen would be a betrayal he did not want to see through.
Picking the middle path, instead Narmer tried to distract other's from Osorsen's display by catching the eye of his sister-in-law across the room, and nodding at her before turing to bow at both the Pharoah, Hatshepsut, and the Dowager Queen. "I must make my excuses, for my sister wishes to have an audience with my niece after not seeing her for quite some time. Your Evening Radiance, I must ask for a few moments with my niece, and shall return her shortly." With another flourishing bow at the young Queen, he gestured at Safiya, waiting till they were out of earshot and blocked by the bodies of other's before asking, "The pharoah has not been giving you or your sister problems, has he?" After all, Iahotep's reputation preceded him.
As the Pharoah approached and saw fit to correct Osorsen in his ways of addressing the royalty, Narmer internally winced, as his gaze flickered over to his friend. Having been acquainted with the Moghadam general for so long, he knew that the man's temper was not to be trifled with. It was how Osorsen had earned his reputation on the battlefield after all. While it was a temper to be feared in battle however, it did not work as well in court of course, and sure enough, the reaction was not at all surprising to Narmer, scandalizing as it may be. It did not help that Hatshepsut, the new and young Queen, was pretty much plastered to the pharoah's side, and while that may be an appropriate place to be for her, Narmer doubted Osorsen would appreciate seeing it.
Keeping silent as he watched his friend react, his eyes turned when the Queen Dowager addressed him, and smiled. "I appreciate your strong support, Queen Dowager." He could not risk his Hei's reputation nor standing within those of royalty for now, but neither could he outright go agaisnt his friend. It was the elder Moghadam who had accepted Narmer in to continue his training after Narutt's death had left him half-way done, and Osorsen had been a boon when it came to ensuring Narmer always got a strong opponent when training.
Yet at the same time, if anyone would understand the position Narmer was put in after the untimely death of his father and brother, it would be the Queen Dowager. Like himself, Isetheperu was lodged in a difficult circumstance, to save a house on the brink of ruin, in a situation seemingly quite unsalvageable. He understood her need to make difficult decisions... but he also understood why Osorsen's temper had been, of late, out of control.
The call of Osorsen for his allies to follow him left Narmer torn - he could not go against the Pharoah and the Dowager Queen, for to do so would spell utter demise of his Hei and any support he wished to gain from it. But to not follow Osorsen would be a betrayal he did not want to see through.
Picking the middle path, instead Narmer tried to distract other's from Osorsen's display by catching the eye of his sister-in-law across the room, and nodding at her before turing to bow at both the Pharoah, Hatshepsut, and the Dowager Queen. "I must make my excuses, for my sister wishes to have an audience with my niece after not seeing her for quite some time. Your Evening Radiance, I must ask for a few moments with my niece, and shall return her shortly." With another flourishing bow at the young Queen, he gestured at Safiya, waiting till they were out of earshot and blocked by the bodies of other's before asking, "The pharoah has not been giving you or your sister problems, has he?" After all, Iahotep's reputation preceded him.
After removing her other sandal and splashing in the cooling water for a few moments, Hatshepsut stepped out of the pond and put her sandals back on. Bending down was a bit tricky, for her heavy crown and braided wig shifted a bit upon her head. She certainly didn't want it to fall off into the pool with so many eyes upon her.
As soon as she straightened up, she felt a large calloused hand grasp her own and she shivered as she looked up and met Iahotep's eyes. He seemed well into his cups and she knew better than to say anything against him. “As you wish, my husband and Pharaoh,” she agreed demurely. Though she wished to yank her small hand from his grip, any form of disharmony between them would look much worse than her crown and wig falling off.
It was an effort not to show her irritation when he pulled her to his side possessively, as if proclaiming to the world that she was his. It took even more resolve not to freeze in place when it became clear where he was leading her, directly to the group that included her mother, Sirdar H'Haikaddad, her retainer Safiya … and Osorsen. What would her lover think, seeing her in the company of the man who had taken her from him? Would he believe that she had wed Iahotep by choice? Or would he notice the sadness in her eyes and realize that she had been forced into marriage with him? I need to speak to him and explain.
Hatshepsut didn't miss the way Iahotep lasciviously looked Safiya up and down as if considering her as a potential mistress. She had never fooled herself into thinking that he would be faithful to her. Though she could have pleased him in bed, she had chosen not to, to just lie stiff beneath him and let him have his way with her. She didn't want his attentions and if she was pregnant, as she suspected she was, perhaps he would leave her alone until the baby was born. She wanted Osorsen and nobody else.
She kept her eyes averted, afraid all of her training in hiding her emotions would not prevent her feelings for Osorsen from shining through. The young Queen inwardly winced when her husband corrected him when he wrongly addressed her mother. He had probably done that on purpose, blaming Isetheperu at least partially from wrenching his dream away from him. Hatshepsut's fingers hurt, squeezed so tightly. It seemed as if Iahotop was giving her a silent warning not to betray him.
Her mother greeted Iahotep effusively and went on to praise Sirdar H'Haikaddad and predict a bright future for his house. Osorsen responded curtly and it was only when she heard the clatter of a goblet upon a tray that she turned her gaze toward him. He had overturned his cup and now he strode away, signaling to his supporters to leave with him. She applauded him silently for his courage and hoped that Iahotep wouldn't make him suffer for it.
Sirdar H'Haikaddad then made his own excuses to leave, asking her if she could spare Safiya for a few moments so that she could speak with her aunt. “Of course, Sirdar.” Hatshepsut smiled at her retainer. “Take all the time you need, Safiya. It must be exciting to see your family again.”
Her mother's grin and wink heartened her a bit. Once the others were out of earshot, she cocked her head at the woman who had given birth to her, again feeling the shift of her crown. “How did you guess that I am with child, Mother?”
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After removing her other sandal and splashing in the cooling water for a few moments, Hatshepsut stepped out of the pond and put her sandals back on. Bending down was a bit tricky, for her heavy crown and braided wig shifted a bit upon her head. She certainly didn't want it to fall off into the pool with so many eyes upon her.
As soon as she straightened up, she felt a large calloused hand grasp her own and she shivered as she looked up and met Iahotep's eyes. He seemed well into his cups and she knew better than to say anything against him. “As you wish, my husband and Pharaoh,” she agreed demurely. Though she wished to yank her small hand from his grip, any form of disharmony between them would look much worse than her crown and wig falling off.
It was an effort not to show her irritation when he pulled her to his side possessively, as if proclaiming to the world that she was his. It took even more resolve not to freeze in place when it became clear where he was leading her, directly to the group that included her mother, Sirdar H'Haikaddad, her retainer Safiya … and Osorsen. What would her lover think, seeing her in the company of the man who had taken her from him? Would he believe that she had wed Iahotep by choice? Or would he notice the sadness in her eyes and realize that she had been forced into marriage with him? I need to speak to him and explain.
Hatshepsut didn't miss the way Iahotep lasciviously looked Safiya up and down as if considering her as a potential mistress. She had never fooled herself into thinking that he would be faithful to her. Though she could have pleased him in bed, she had chosen not to, to just lie stiff beneath him and let him have his way with her. She didn't want his attentions and if she was pregnant, as she suspected she was, perhaps he would leave her alone until the baby was born. She wanted Osorsen and nobody else.
She kept her eyes averted, afraid all of her training in hiding her emotions would not prevent her feelings for Osorsen from shining through. The young Queen inwardly winced when her husband corrected him when he wrongly addressed her mother. He had probably done that on purpose, blaming Isetheperu at least partially from wrenching his dream away from him. Hatshepsut's fingers hurt, squeezed so tightly. It seemed as if Iahotop was giving her a silent warning not to betray him.
Her mother greeted Iahotep effusively and went on to praise Sirdar H'Haikaddad and predict a bright future for his house. Osorsen responded curtly and it was only when she heard the clatter of a goblet upon a tray that she turned her gaze toward him. He had overturned his cup and now he strode away, signaling to his supporters to leave with him. She applauded him silently for his courage and hoped that Iahotep wouldn't make him suffer for it.
Sirdar H'Haikaddad then made his own excuses to leave, asking her if she could spare Safiya for a few moments so that she could speak with her aunt. “Of course, Sirdar.” Hatshepsut smiled at her retainer. “Take all the time you need, Safiya. It must be exciting to see your family again.”
Her mother's grin and wink heartened her a bit. Once the others were out of earshot, she cocked her head at the woman who had given birth to her, again feeling the shift of her crown. “How did you guess that I am with child, Mother?”
After removing her other sandal and splashing in the cooling water for a few moments, Hatshepsut stepped out of the pond and put her sandals back on. Bending down was a bit tricky, for her heavy crown and braided wig shifted a bit upon her head. She certainly didn't want it to fall off into the pool with so many eyes upon her.
As soon as she straightened up, she felt a large calloused hand grasp her own and she shivered as she looked up and met Iahotep's eyes. He seemed well into his cups and she knew better than to say anything against him. “As you wish, my husband and Pharaoh,” she agreed demurely. Though she wished to yank her small hand from his grip, any form of disharmony between them would look much worse than her crown and wig falling off.
It was an effort not to show her irritation when he pulled her to his side possessively, as if proclaiming to the world that she was his. It took even more resolve not to freeze in place when it became clear where he was leading her, directly to the group that included her mother, Sirdar H'Haikaddad, her retainer Safiya … and Osorsen. What would her lover think, seeing her in the company of the man who had taken her from him? Would he believe that she had wed Iahotep by choice? Or would he notice the sadness in her eyes and realize that she had been forced into marriage with him? I need to speak to him and explain.
Hatshepsut didn't miss the way Iahotep lasciviously looked Safiya up and down as if considering her as a potential mistress. She had never fooled herself into thinking that he would be faithful to her. Though she could have pleased him in bed, she had chosen not to, to just lie stiff beneath him and let him have his way with her. She didn't want his attentions and if she was pregnant, as she suspected she was, perhaps he would leave her alone until the baby was born. She wanted Osorsen and nobody else.
She kept her eyes averted, afraid all of her training in hiding her emotions would not prevent her feelings for Osorsen from shining through. The young Queen inwardly winced when her husband corrected him when he wrongly addressed her mother. He had probably done that on purpose, blaming Isetheperu at least partially from wrenching his dream away from him. Hatshepsut's fingers hurt, squeezed so tightly. It seemed as if Iahotop was giving her a silent warning not to betray him.
Her mother greeted Iahotep effusively and went on to praise Sirdar H'Haikaddad and predict a bright future for his house. Osorsen responded curtly and it was only when she heard the clatter of a goblet upon a tray that she turned her gaze toward him. He had overturned his cup and now he strode away, signaling to his supporters to leave with him. She applauded him silently for his courage and hoped that Iahotep wouldn't make him suffer for it.
Sirdar H'Haikaddad then made his own excuses to leave, asking her if she could spare Safiya for a few moments so that she could speak with her aunt. “Of course, Sirdar.” Hatshepsut smiled at her retainer. “Take all the time you need, Safiya. It must be exciting to see your family again.”
Her mother's grin and wink heartened her a bit. Once the others were out of earshot, she cocked her head at the woman who had given birth to her, again feeling the shift of her crown. “How did you guess that I am with child, Mother?”
Neithotep H’Sheifa was a rare figure in the court, always having preferred her idle hours spent with friends and lovers who expected little of her. She avoided all of the parties and events that she could, only attending the ones that her mother gave her no choice on. But the Sed festival was a different beast entirely, a hedonistic revel that spoke to Nia in a way most others did not. Most importantly, it was one function in which most of her family would not be in attendance. Naturally, that fact alone was incentive for her to go.
When Akhenaten left the house that night, so did she, slipping out under the cover of darkness that her parents might not see what she was wearing and try to stop her. Though why they would, she didn’t understand. The beaded network dresses were all the fashion lately, and they were always trying to get her more involved in the things ladies her age were supposed to be interested in. Nia rolled her eyes, following closely behind her brother as they made their way into the palace of the Pharaoh. Her mother was a vexing mystery. Who’d ever heard of an Egyptian prude?
As soon as they entered the opulent building, Neithotep couldn’t help but gawk. The Sheifa household was a wonder in itself, but the Palace was on its own level of grandeur, especially decked out as it was for the festival. It didn’t take long for Nia to part from her brother and head her own way, swallowed by the sea of revelers only too eager to have her join them.
And who could blame them? Nia was particularly radiant this night, her lithe figure clad in a gown of netted silk, intricately beaded with gold and lapis lazuli that caught every flicker of the light. Rather than going barefoot as she usually preferred, delicate golden leather sandals were tied around trim ankles to accentuate the curve of her leg that much more. She also had gone heavier on the cosmetics than was her typical wont, eyes outlined and elongated with kohl and carmine darkening the pout of her lips. Long hair was immaculately braided and woven with gold whilst her wrists and neck shone with gold and jewels alike. A beauty in her own right, the young woman was absolutely resplendent in her unaccustomed finery, and she drew more than one eye as she started weaving her way through the crowd.
A smirk tugged at her lips as Nia plucked a glass of wine from a tray offered by one of the slaves, raising it to her mouth while her dark gaze roamed. Writhing bodies, gasping moans, the smell of smoke and sex… all this filled the room and more, and the woman felt her own blood surge in response. Downing the glass in hardly more than a few seconds, she set it back down and took a deep breath as she pondered everything the Sed had to offer. She wasn’t about to let a night like this go to waste.
The hours passed with Nia indulging in nearly every vice she had, lost to the whirlwind of careless pleasure that surrounded her. It only stopped when the scene with the Pharaoh and his young wife drew the attention of nearly every eye in the room, their activities halted as they all held their collective breath. Neithotep was clueless to many of the happenings of the Court in her marked avoidance of the Palace, but even she knew of the whispers that surrounded the Pharaoh, the Queen, and the Sirdar Moghadam. Judging from Osorsen’s rather pointed and abrupt departure, it would seem they were more than just whispers.
Rising from her most recent partner’s lap and standing up straighter to get a better view, she couldn’t help but notice Safiya (or maybe it was Sameerah?) H’Haikaddad snagged up in the middle of it while the barbed bickering commenced around her. Excusing herself with a kiss from the man whose name she’d already forgotten, she carefully made her way over to where her friend stood in the wake of it all. Concern for the girl’s welfare was written clearly on Nia’s pretty face; while she didn’t much care for most members of the Egyptian nobility, the Haikaddad twins had always been dear to her, particularly Safiya. And something told her Safiya could probably use a reprieve.
Before she could reach the girl, however, another man stepped in, a man she vaguely recognized as the twins’ uncle. Nalmer? Narder? Someday she’d have to start paying more attention when her mother instructed her on who belonged to what Hei…
Nia hesitated for a moment when her path was intercepted, but ultimately shrugged her shoulders and joined them. It’s not like she was particularly shy. “Safiya!” she greeted her friend, hoping she had the right twin. She was fairly sure she did, but like everyone else, there were certainly times where she had trouble telling them apart. “How have I missed you all night? Where have you been hiding?” Wrapping her in a hug, she brushed her lips across the younger woman’s cheek. Looking over at Safiya’s uncle, she nodded politely and offered a smile. “And a pleasant evening to you, Sirdar Haikaddad. Have you been enjoying the party? Aside from, well… that.”
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Neithotep H’Sheifa was a rare figure in the court, always having preferred her idle hours spent with friends and lovers who expected little of her. She avoided all of the parties and events that she could, only attending the ones that her mother gave her no choice on. But the Sed festival was a different beast entirely, a hedonistic revel that spoke to Nia in a way most others did not. Most importantly, it was one function in which most of her family would not be in attendance. Naturally, that fact alone was incentive for her to go.
When Akhenaten left the house that night, so did she, slipping out under the cover of darkness that her parents might not see what she was wearing and try to stop her. Though why they would, she didn’t understand. The beaded network dresses were all the fashion lately, and they were always trying to get her more involved in the things ladies her age were supposed to be interested in. Nia rolled her eyes, following closely behind her brother as they made their way into the palace of the Pharaoh. Her mother was a vexing mystery. Who’d ever heard of an Egyptian prude?
As soon as they entered the opulent building, Neithotep couldn’t help but gawk. The Sheifa household was a wonder in itself, but the Palace was on its own level of grandeur, especially decked out as it was for the festival. It didn’t take long for Nia to part from her brother and head her own way, swallowed by the sea of revelers only too eager to have her join them.
And who could blame them? Nia was particularly radiant this night, her lithe figure clad in a gown of netted silk, intricately beaded with gold and lapis lazuli that caught every flicker of the light. Rather than going barefoot as she usually preferred, delicate golden leather sandals were tied around trim ankles to accentuate the curve of her leg that much more. She also had gone heavier on the cosmetics than was her typical wont, eyes outlined and elongated with kohl and carmine darkening the pout of her lips. Long hair was immaculately braided and woven with gold whilst her wrists and neck shone with gold and jewels alike. A beauty in her own right, the young woman was absolutely resplendent in her unaccustomed finery, and she drew more than one eye as she started weaving her way through the crowd.
A smirk tugged at her lips as Nia plucked a glass of wine from a tray offered by one of the slaves, raising it to her mouth while her dark gaze roamed. Writhing bodies, gasping moans, the smell of smoke and sex… all this filled the room and more, and the woman felt her own blood surge in response. Downing the glass in hardly more than a few seconds, she set it back down and took a deep breath as she pondered everything the Sed had to offer. She wasn’t about to let a night like this go to waste.
The hours passed with Nia indulging in nearly every vice she had, lost to the whirlwind of careless pleasure that surrounded her. It only stopped when the scene with the Pharaoh and his young wife drew the attention of nearly every eye in the room, their activities halted as they all held their collective breath. Neithotep was clueless to many of the happenings of the Court in her marked avoidance of the Palace, but even she knew of the whispers that surrounded the Pharaoh, the Queen, and the Sirdar Moghadam. Judging from Osorsen’s rather pointed and abrupt departure, it would seem they were more than just whispers.
Rising from her most recent partner’s lap and standing up straighter to get a better view, she couldn’t help but notice Safiya (or maybe it was Sameerah?) H’Haikaddad snagged up in the middle of it while the barbed bickering commenced around her. Excusing herself with a kiss from the man whose name she’d already forgotten, she carefully made her way over to where her friend stood in the wake of it all. Concern for the girl’s welfare was written clearly on Nia’s pretty face; while she didn’t much care for most members of the Egyptian nobility, the Haikaddad twins had always been dear to her, particularly Safiya. And something told her Safiya could probably use a reprieve.
Before she could reach the girl, however, another man stepped in, a man she vaguely recognized as the twins’ uncle. Nalmer? Narder? Someday she’d have to start paying more attention when her mother instructed her on who belonged to what Hei…
Nia hesitated for a moment when her path was intercepted, but ultimately shrugged her shoulders and joined them. It’s not like she was particularly shy. “Safiya!” she greeted her friend, hoping she had the right twin. She was fairly sure she did, but like everyone else, there were certainly times where she had trouble telling them apart. “How have I missed you all night? Where have you been hiding?” Wrapping her in a hug, she brushed her lips across the younger woman’s cheek. Looking over at Safiya’s uncle, she nodded politely and offered a smile. “And a pleasant evening to you, Sirdar Haikaddad. Have you been enjoying the party? Aside from, well… that.”
Neithotep H’Sheifa was a rare figure in the court, always having preferred her idle hours spent with friends and lovers who expected little of her. She avoided all of the parties and events that she could, only attending the ones that her mother gave her no choice on. But the Sed festival was a different beast entirely, a hedonistic revel that spoke to Nia in a way most others did not. Most importantly, it was one function in which most of her family would not be in attendance. Naturally, that fact alone was incentive for her to go.
When Akhenaten left the house that night, so did she, slipping out under the cover of darkness that her parents might not see what she was wearing and try to stop her. Though why they would, she didn’t understand. The beaded network dresses were all the fashion lately, and they were always trying to get her more involved in the things ladies her age were supposed to be interested in. Nia rolled her eyes, following closely behind her brother as they made their way into the palace of the Pharaoh. Her mother was a vexing mystery. Who’d ever heard of an Egyptian prude?
As soon as they entered the opulent building, Neithotep couldn’t help but gawk. The Sheifa household was a wonder in itself, but the Palace was on its own level of grandeur, especially decked out as it was for the festival. It didn’t take long for Nia to part from her brother and head her own way, swallowed by the sea of revelers only too eager to have her join them.
And who could blame them? Nia was particularly radiant this night, her lithe figure clad in a gown of netted silk, intricately beaded with gold and lapis lazuli that caught every flicker of the light. Rather than going barefoot as she usually preferred, delicate golden leather sandals were tied around trim ankles to accentuate the curve of her leg that much more. She also had gone heavier on the cosmetics than was her typical wont, eyes outlined and elongated with kohl and carmine darkening the pout of her lips. Long hair was immaculately braided and woven with gold whilst her wrists and neck shone with gold and jewels alike. A beauty in her own right, the young woman was absolutely resplendent in her unaccustomed finery, and she drew more than one eye as she started weaving her way through the crowd.
A smirk tugged at her lips as Nia plucked a glass of wine from a tray offered by one of the slaves, raising it to her mouth while her dark gaze roamed. Writhing bodies, gasping moans, the smell of smoke and sex… all this filled the room and more, and the woman felt her own blood surge in response. Downing the glass in hardly more than a few seconds, she set it back down and took a deep breath as she pondered everything the Sed had to offer. She wasn’t about to let a night like this go to waste.
The hours passed with Nia indulging in nearly every vice she had, lost to the whirlwind of careless pleasure that surrounded her. It only stopped when the scene with the Pharaoh and his young wife drew the attention of nearly every eye in the room, their activities halted as they all held their collective breath. Neithotep was clueless to many of the happenings of the Court in her marked avoidance of the Palace, but even she knew of the whispers that surrounded the Pharaoh, the Queen, and the Sirdar Moghadam. Judging from Osorsen’s rather pointed and abrupt departure, it would seem they were more than just whispers.
Rising from her most recent partner’s lap and standing up straighter to get a better view, she couldn’t help but notice Safiya (or maybe it was Sameerah?) H’Haikaddad snagged up in the middle of it while the barbed bickering commenced around her. Excusing herself with a kiss from the man whose name she’d already forgotten, she carefully made her way over to where her friend stood in the wake of it all. Concern for the girl’s welfare was written clearly on Nia’s pretty face; while she didn’t much care for most members of the Egyptian nobility, the Haikaddad twins had always been dear to her, particularly Safiya. And something told her Safiya could probably use a reprieve.
Before she could reach the girl, however, another man stepped in, a man she vaguely recognized as the twins’ uncle. Nalmer? Narder? Someday she’d have to start paying more attention when her mother instructed her on who belonged to what Hei…
Nia hesitated for a moment when her path was intercepted, but ultimately shrugged her shoulders and joined them. It’s not like she was particularly shy. “Safiya!” she greeted her friend, hoping she had the right twin. She was fairly sure she did, but like everyone else, there were certainly times where she had trouble telling them apart. “How have I missed you all night? Where have you been hiding?” Wrapping her in a hug, she brushed her lips across the younger woman’s cheek. Looking over at Safiya’s uncle, she nodded politely and offered a smile. “And a pleasant evening to you, Sirdar Haikaddad. Have you been enjoying the party? Aside from, well… that.”
Smiling pleasantly as they left the Pharoah and the young Queen's side, a part of Narmer found it a pity that such a young and beautiful young girl was now married to the power-hungry and obviously slightly posessive Pharoah. It was to no surprise to anyone that Iahotep had done what he had done, but perhaps what did surprise Narmer was the fact that the Queen Dowager had went through with it. To a certain extent, he had always expected the Queen Dowager to be quite protective of her only daughter. That she had chosen Iahotep for her daughter's husband and as Pharoah was a mild surprise to him.
But such matters was not of his concern, at least not for now. He had his own problems with his Hei, and three young wards to care for, two of which were now within the premises.
Before his niece could answer her question however, a burst of a young body came, and Narmer's eyes widened as the dark-haired young lady Narmer recognized as the young daughter to Hei Sheifa burst forth to greet his niece, chattering excitedly in a manner that said the two were well acquainted before this. To say that he knew of his nieces's friends would be a lie, for Narmer had not caught up with his family in his years away, and despite having been back for over a year now, matters of the Hei consumed him so much, he could not take a breath to have social chatter with the younger children of his brother. His memory wasn't exactly the greatest either, and it took all he had to remember who belonged in what Hei, enough so he did not shame his Hei.
Caught off guard when the young lady addressed him, Narmer started back into attention, and gave a respectful nod and smiled in his usual charming manner at the girl and her greeting. "And same to you, Lady Neithotep." Had he seen the girl before? Not really. Narmer had been put through lessons many years ago as a child, when Narutt had newly taken over the family Hei, and insisted his younger brother learn.
He would remember faces sketched out, and while this lady in front of him was older then the sketch he had remembered, the man dragged the memory out of the dredges of his mind. He has heard of the young second-born of the Hei Sheifa to be a girl involved in many affairs... but whether it was true or not, Narmer dared not confirm, especially when Hei Sheifa was known to be avid and powerful merchants, which essentially made them a Hei Narmer desperately would like for his to be aligned with.
Which meant, he had to treat her kindly.
"I have indeed, although it is a tad more... large, then the parties I'm used to." the chuckle that accompanied his words was tinged with a slight sense of awkwardness, as if he wasn't sure how one should carry conversations like these. Allowing his eyes to roam a little, he saw the tangle of bodies, the extravagant displays of food, and then his gaze roamed back to Neithotep, the smile still in place as he asked. "And you, my'lady?" Briefly, the man let his gaze drop to Safiya, a silent question that echoed what he had asked earlier - and if it was fine for him to leave her alone in such an excessive affair of vices.
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Smiling pleasantly as they left the Pharoah and the young Queen's side, a part of Narmer found it a pity that such a young and beautiful young girl was now married to the power-hungry and obviously slightly posessive Pharoah. It was to no surprise to anyone that Iahotep had done what he had done, but perhaps what did surprise Narmer was the fact that the Queen Dowager had went through with it. To a certain extent, he had always expected the Queen Dowager to be quite protective of her only daughter. That she had chosen Iahotep for her daughter's husband and as Pharoah was a mild surprise to him.
But such matters was not of his concern, at least not for now. He had his own problems with his Hei, and three young wards to care for, two of which were now within the premises.
Before his niece could answer her question however, a burst of a young body came, and Narmer's eyes widened as the dark-haired young lady Narmer recognized as the young daughter to Hei Sheifa burst forth to greet his niece, chattering excitedly in a manner that said the two were well acquainted before this. To say that he knew of his nieces's friends would be a lie, for Narmer had not caught up with his family in his years away, and despite having been back for over a year now, matters of the Hei consumed him so much, he could not take a breath to have social chatter with the younger children of his brother. His memory wasn't exactly the greatest either, and it took all he had to remember who belonged in what Hei, enough so he did not shame his Hei.
Caught off guard when the young lady addressed him, Narmer started back into attention, and gave a respectful nod and smiled in his usual charming manner at the girl and her greeting. "And same to you, Lady Neithotep." Had he seen the girl before? Not really. Narmer had been put through lessons many years ago as a child, when Narutt had newly taken over the family Hei, and insisted his younger brother learn.
He would remember faces sketched out, and while this lady in front of him was older then the sketch he had remembered, the man dragged the memory out of the dredges of his mind. He has heard of the young second-born of the Hei Sheifa to be a girl involved in many affairs... but whether it was true or not, Narmer dared not confirm, especially when Hei Sheifa was known to be avid and powerful merchants, which essentially made them a Hei Narmer desperately would like for his to be aligned with.
Which meant, he had to treat her kindly.
"I have indeed, although it is a tad more... large, then the parties I'm used to." the chuckle that accompanied his words was tinged with a slight sense of awkwardness, as if he wasn't sure how one should carry conversations like these. Allowing his eyes to roam a little, he saw the tangle of bodies, the extravagant displays of food, and then his gaze roamed back to Neithotep, the smile still in place as he asked. "And you, my'lady?" Briefly, the man let his gaze drop to Safiya, a silent question that echoed what he had asked earlier - and if it was fine for him to leave her alone in such an excessive affair of vices.
Smiling pleasantly as they left the Pharoah and the young Queen's side, a part of Narmer found it a pity that such a young and beautiful young girl was now married to the power-hungry and obviously slightly posessive Pharoah. It was to no surprise to anyone that Iahotep had done what he had done, but perhaps what did surprise Narmer was the fact that the Queen Dowager had went through with it. To a certain extent, he had always expected the Queen Dowager to be quite protective of her only daughter. That she had chosen Iahotep for her daughter's husband and as Pharoah was a mild surprise to him.
But such matters was not of his concern, at least not for now. He had his own problems with his Hei, and three young wards to care for, two of which were now within the premises.
Before his niece could answer her question however, a burst of a young body came, and Narmer's eyes widened as the dark-haired young lady Narmer recognized as the young daughter to Hei Sheifa burst forth to greet his niece, chattering excitedly in a manner that said the two were well acquainted before this. To say that he knew of his nieces's friends would be a lie, for Narmer had not caught up with his family in his years away, and despite having been back for over a year now, matters of the Hei consumed him so much, he could not take a breath to have social chatter with the younger children of his brother. His memory wasn't exactly the greatest either, and it took all he had to remember who belonged in what Hei, enough so he did not shame his Hei.
Caught off guard when the young lady addressed him, Narmer started back into attention, and gave a respectful nod and smiled in his usual charming manner at the girl and her greeting. "And same to you, Lady Neithotep." Had he seen the girl before? Not really. Narmer had been put through lessons many years ago as a child, when Narutt had newly taken over the family Hei, and insisted his younger brother learn.
He would remember faces sketched out, and while this lady in front of him was older then the sketch he had remembered, the man dragged the memory out of the dredges of his mind. He has heard of the young second-born of the Hei Sheifa to be a girl involved in many affairs... but whether it was true or not, Narmer dared not confirm, especially when Hei Sheifa was known to be avid and powerful merchants, which essentially made them a Hei Narmer desperately would like for his to be aligned with.
Which meant, he had to treat her kindly.
"I have indeed, although it is a tad more... large, then the parties I'm used to." the chuckle that accompanied his words was tinged with a slight sense of awkwardness, as if he wasn't sure how one should carry conversations like these. Allowing his eyes to roam a little, he saw the tangle of bodies, the extravagant displays of food, and then his gaze roamed back to Neithotep, the smile still in place as he asked. "And you, my'lady?" Briefly, the man let his gaze drop to Safiya, a silent question that echoed what he had asked earlier - and if it was fine for him to leave her alone in such an excessive affair of vices.
She wasn't sure why her uncle would have any concerns about the Pharoah, at least she didn't initially, Safiya was not always as quick off the mark as she perhaps should be but she eventually got there. So, it was incredibly fortunate that Neithotep arrived when she did. Not only was the hug and the sight of her friend appreciated it also gave her the additional time to piece together what he had to be talking about.
Well, suggesting. Which was nearly as amusing as Neithotep being around.
Returning her kiss with one of her own as the two of them embraced, Safiya was truly pleased that she had found herself some company this evening that she was sure to be able to enjoy.
Even though she was aware that marriage was one of the events that remained very much on the immediate horizon of her future, out of her and Sameer it was not her own person that Narmer needed to be worrying about when it came to anything that might verge upon the scandalous. Safiya had already had to deal with the confusion on someone's face when she ended up smacking them for taking liberties with her person. Eventually, it had always been worked out and apologises exchanged but Safiya was either insulted or occasionally frustrated that she could not be more easily identified from her sister - if only to spare such moments.
She shook her head, caught in returning the hug first and dealing with her friend being here "I missed you as well! I sure it is yourself who had been hiding. I know I have been right here for so long" she looked sideways at her uncle as if it would provide the answer to why she might not have been so easily found. As much as Safiya cared for Narmer, she could not allow anything to suggest that to the rest of the world. It would be foolish and pointless and yet her heart continued to leap whenever he was around but still, Safiya did her best and as far as she was aware only her sister knew the truth of the matter.
"The Pharoah barely notices me or my sister, I am sure we only get any attention because we are two alike. It is the Queen we tend too and that is more than enough for me" which was not really much of an answer but Safiya also wouldn't risk saying anything that might turn out to be a lie.
Not that she believed her twin would be that stupid "Would you mind if Neithotep and I go to see about some fresh drinks, I am parched with all of this talking" the smile she offered was bright and cheerful even as it wavered a little while waiting for an answer. After all, she was supposed too and indeed should spend her time mingling with the rest of the people here. It was another - and good - way of showing her off to the men who might be interested in her as a prospective bride.
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She wasn't sure why her uncle would have any concerns about the Pharoah, at least she didn't initially, Safiya was not always as quick off the mark as she perhaps should be but she eventually got there. So, it was incredibly fortunate that Neithotep arrived when she did. Not only was the hug and the sight of her friend appreciated it also gave her the additional time to piece together what he had to be talking about.
Well, suggesting. Which was nearly as amusing as Neithotep being around.
Returning her kiss with one of her own as the two of them embraced, Safiya was truly pleased that she had found herself some company this evening that she was sure to be able to enjoy.
Even though she was aware that marriage was one of the events that remained very much on the immediate horizon of her future, out of her and Sameer it was not her own person that Narmer needed to be worrying about when it came to anything that might verge upon the scandalous. Safiya had already had to deal with the confusion on someone's face when she ended up smacking them for taking liberties with her person. Eventually, it had always been worked out and apologises exchanged but Safiya was either insulted or occasionally frustrated that she could not be more easily identified from her sister - if only to spare such moments.
She shook her head, caught in returning the hug first and dealing with her friend being here "I missed you as well! I sure it is yourself who had been hiding. I know I have been right here for so long" she looked sideways at her uncle as if it would provide the answer to why she might not have been so easily found. As much as Safiya cared for Narmer, she could not allow anything to suggest that to the rest of the world. It would be foolish and pointless and yet her heart continued to leap whenever he was around but still, Safiya did her best and as far as she was aware only her sister knew the truth of the matter.
"The Pharoah barely notices me or my sister, I am sure we only get any attention because we are two alike. It is the Queen we tend too and that is more than enough for me" which was not really much of an answer but Safiya also wouldn't risk saying anything that might turn out to be a lie.
Not that she believed her twin would be that stupid "Would you mind if Neithotep and I go to see about some fresh drinks, I am parched with all of this talking" the smile she offered was bright and cheerful even as it wavered a little while waiting for an answer. After all, she was supposed too and indeed should spend her time mingling with the rest of the people here. It was another - and good - way of showing her off to the men who might be interested in her as a prospective bride.
She wasn't sure why her uncle would have any concerns about the Pharoah, at least she didn't initially, Safiya was not always as quick off the mark as she perhaps should be but she eventually got there. So, it was incredibly fortunate that Neithotep arrived when she did. Not only was the hug and the sight of her friend appreciated it also gave her the additional time to piece together what he had to be talking about.
Well, suggesting. Which was nearly as amusing as Neithotep being around.
Returning her kiss with one of her own as the two of them embraced, Safiya was truly pleased that she had found herself some company this evening that she was sure to be able to enjoy.
Even though she was aware that marriage was one of the events that remained very much on the immediate horizon of her future, out of her and Sameer it was not her own person that Narmer needed to be worrying about when it came to anything that might verge upon the scandalous. Safiya had already had to deal with the confusion on someone's face when she ended up smacking them for taking liberties with her person. Eventually, it had always been worked out and apologises exchanged but Safiya was either insulted or occasionally frustrated that she could not be more easily identified from her sister - if only to spare such moments.
She shook her head, caught in returning the hug first and dealing with her friend being here "I missed you as well! I sure it is yourself who had been hiding. I know I have been right here for so long" she looked sideways at her uncle as if it would provide the answer to why she might not have been so easily found. As much as Safiya cared for Narmer, she could not allow anything to suggest that to the rest of the world. It would be foolish and pointless and yet her heart continued to leap whenever he was around but still, Safiya did her best and as far as she was aware only her sister knew the truth of the matter.
"The Pharoah barely notices me or my sister, I am sure we only get any attention because we are two alike. It is the Queen we tend too and that is more than enough for me" which was not really much of an answer but Safiya also wouldn't risk saying anything that might turn out to be a lie.
Not that she believed her twin would be that stupid "Would you mind if Neithotep and I go to see about some fresh drinks, I am parched with all of this talking" the smile she offered was bright and cheerful even as it wavered a little while waiting for an answer. After all, she was supposed too and indeed should spend her time mingling with the rest of the people here. It was another - and good - way of showing her off to the men who might be interested in her as a prospective bride.
Dark hair ruffled and the carmine on her lips smeared from the night’s… activities… Neithotep did her best to look dignified as she spoke with the two members of Hei Haikkadad. The Sed festival hardly expected too much dignity, but if she was to engage in polite conversation for too long, she wanted to at least appear a little more composed. “Indeed, I’ve enjoyed the party quite a bit,” she answered Narmer with a smile that said she was just as uncomfortable in this as he was. In spite of Iaheru’s rather exasperated efforts, Nia had never quite learned the finer points of being a courtier. Which included awkward small talk when she was drunk and slick with sweat from the evening’s efforts. “If more of the festivals were like this one, I’d actually come to them.”
Squeezing Safiya’s shoulder and looking at the girl, she smiled. Safiya had never been as wild as Nia, but she enjoyed her company nonetheless. Too many of the nobility were so conceited and stuffy, but the twins had never been that way, something which Neithotep highly appreciated. It was hard to be friends with someone who would turn their nose up at the company she kept or the activities she enjoyed, so she always found it refreshing to be around the younger ladies. She was happy to find they were both in attendance, even if she had been previously… distracted.
“I’ve hardly been hiding, either,” she insisted with a laugh that turned to a mischievous wink. “Then again, the places I’ve been tonight weren’t ones I’d expect to find you.” The sparkle in her eye was only outshone by the brightness of her smile, unashamed of her relentless pursuit of pleasure. Was that not the Egyptian way?
Noting the significant glance that passed between Safiya and her uncle as her friend spoke of the Pharaoh, she glanced between them curiously. She’d heard rumors of Iahotep’s proclivities, but avoiding the court as she did, she only knew so much. Surely with such a beautiful young wife, he wasn’t inclined to dally with her retainers. Then again, he was a man, and a ruler at that. Who was to say he wouldn’t do exactly such a thing? Glancing over to where he stood possessively grasping at his wife, Nia shuddered. She could only be thankful that it was rare she ever put herself in a position where he might notice her too.
Hearing Safiya beg Narmer’s leave to join her, Neithotep turned her attention back to both of them with another sweet smile. “Yes, Sirdar, might I steal her away for a time? I promise I won’t let her get into too much trouble.” Her eyes cut briefly over to the younger woman, biting her lip to hold back a laugh. As if she was ever one to keep someone out of trouble. “I have not seen her in a while. It’d be nice for us to catch up.”
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Dark hair ruffled and the carmine on her lips smeared from the night’s… activities… Neithotep did her best to look dignified as she spoke with the two members of Hei Haikkadad. The Sed festival hardly expected too much dignity, but if she was to engage in polite conversation for too long, she wanted to at least appear a little more composed. “Indeed, I’ve enjoyed the party quite a bit,” she answered Narmer with a smile that said she was just as uncomfortable in this as he was. In spite of Iaheru’s rather exasperated efforts, Nia had never quite learned the finer points of being a courtier. Which included awkward small talk when she was drunk and slick with sweat from the evening’s efforts. “If more of the festivals were like this one, I’d actually come to them.”
Squeezing Safiya’s shoulder and looking at the girl, she smiled. Safiya had never been as wild as Nia, but she enjoyed her company nonetheless. Too many of the nobility were so conceited and stuffy, but the twins had never been that way, something which Neithotep highly appreciated. It was hard to be friends with someone who would turn their nose up at the company she kept or the activities she enjoyed, so she always found it refreshing to be around the younger ladies. She was happy to find they were both in attendance, even if she had been previously… distracted.
“I’ve hardly been hiding, either,” she insisted with a laugh that turned to a mischievous wink. “Then again, the places I’ve been tonight weren’t ones I’d expect to find you.” The sparkle in her eye was only outshone by the brightness of her smile, unashamed of her relentless pursuit of pleasure. Was that not the Egyptian way?
Noting the significant glance that passed between Safiya and her uncle as her friend spoke of the Pharaoh, she glanced between them curiously. She’d heard rumors of Iahotep’s proclivities, but avoiding the court as she did, she only knew so much. Surely with such a beautiful young wife, he wasn’t inclined to dally with her retainers. Then again, he was a man, and a ruler at that. Who was to say he wouldn’t do exactly such a thing? Glancing over to where he stood possessively grasping at his wife, Nia shuddered. She could only be thankful that it was rare she ever put herself in a position where he might notice her too.
Hearing Safiya beg Narmer’s leave to join her, Neithotep turned her attention back to both of them with another sweet smile. “Yes, Sirdar, might I steal her away for a time? I promise I won’t let her get into too much trouble.” Her eyes cut briefly over to the younger woman, biting her lip to hold back a laugh. As if she was ever one to keep someone out of trouble. “I have not seen her in a while. It’d be nice for us to catch up.”
Dark hair ruffled and the carmine on her lips smeared from the night’s… activities… Neithotep did her best to look dignified as she spoke with the two members of Hei Haikkadad. The Sed festival hardly expected too much dignity, but if she was to engage in polite conversation for too long, she wanted to at least appear a little more composed. “Indeed, I’ve enjoyed the party quite a bit,” she answered Narmer with a smile that said she was just as uncomfortable in this as he was. In spite of Iaheru’s rather exasperated efforts, Nia had never quite learned the finer points of being a courtier. Which included awkward small talk when she was drunk and slick with sweat from the evening’s efforts. “If more of the festivals were like this one, I’d actually come to them.”
Squeezing Safiya’s shoulder and looking at the girl, she smiled. Safiya had never been as wild as Nia, but she enjoyed her company nonetheless. Too many of the nobility were so conceited and stuffy, but the twins had never been that way, something which Neithotep highly appreciated. It was hard to be friends with someone who would turn their nose up at the company she kept or the activities she enjoyed, so she always found it refreshing to be around the younger ladies. She was happy to find they were both in attendance, even if she had been previously… distracted.
“I’ve hardly been hiding, either,” she insisted with a laugh that turned to a mischievous wink. “Then again, the places I’ve been tonight weren’t ones I’d expect to find you.” The sparkle in her eye was only outshone by the brightness of her smile, unashamed of her relentless pursuit of pleasure. Was that not the Egyptian way?
Noting the significant glance that passed between Safiya and her uncle as her friend spoke of the Pharaoh, she glanced between them curiously. She’d heard rumors of Iahotep’s proclivities, but avoiding the court as she did, she only knew so much. Surely with such a beautiful young wife, he wasn’t inclined to dally with her retainers. Then again, he was a man, and a ruler at that. Who was to say he wouldn’t do exactly such a thing? Glancing over to where he stood possessively grasping at his wife, Nia shuddered. She could only be thankful that it was rare she ever put herself in a position where he might notice her too.
Hearing Safiya beg Narmer’s leave to join her, Neithotep turned her attention back to both of them with another sweet smile. “Yes, Sirdar, might I steal her away for a time? I promise I won’t let her get into too much trouble.” Her eyes cut briefly over to the younger woman, biting her lip to hold back a laugh. As if she was ever one to keep someone out of trouble. “I have not seen her in a while. It’d be nice for us to catch up.”
Watching the exchange between the two women had Narmer smiling, glad as he was to see his niece making friends amongst the nobility of Egyptian court. His best bet for now would be to chance upon a wealthy marriage for either of his nieces, for then their marriage would - hopefully! - bring in the gold Narmer need to keep the Hei afloat and back on its feet. In between learning bookkeeping and finances whilst running a new Hei and dealing with grieviences from family and province people alike, Narmer found himself running dry of resources more often then not.
To a certain extent, he was glad the Pharoah did not pay any extra attention to his two nieces, despite them always being in close proximity to him due to their status as the handmaidens to the Queen herself. To garner the Pharoah's attention was dangerous for the two young ladies, for they could not reject should the King himself choose to ask them for favors. Narmer did not want to be caugt in that position.
As his gaze turned to the Lady of Hei Sheifa however, the ruffled dark hair and smeared carmine had his brows raised, noticing the look of a lady who was less then... pristine in her appearance. How had Safiya make this connection and acquaintence then? Neithotep looked as dignified as any young lady of a noble Hei would, and her looks were beautiful, if not as stunning as some other hetaera's he's seen before. Still, she held her own charm, especially with a smile that had Narmer chuckling with her wry comment. "Perhaps we should have the Pharoah have more of the Sed festival then. It would seem many enjoy themselves." Narmer himself was inclined to, if not for the fact that both his nieces were present and he had to at least put forth a good example. In his younger years, Narmer had participated in a good number of hedonistic pleasures offered in such festivals.
Having to step into his brother's shoes however, meant the younger of the Haikaddad family had to curb his eagerness, which helped with age and the lesser hormones produced by his body.
A part of Narmer found himself uneager to allow Safiya to walk away with Neithotep herself, wondering at the activities the other young lady got herself into. He trusted Safiya of course, for if anything, his sister-in-law has managed to ingrain a sense of propriety in to both his nieces. The Lady Neithotep however... that, he would wish to further look into. She was a lady who was beautiful, but more then that she was a lady whose family and Hei was one Narmer was eager to get himself aligned with.
"Only a time?" he murmured in a teasing tone, and then nodded. "Of course... but you must return her to me personally, Sirdsett Neithotep, so I may bid you a proper goodbye for the night afore I leave." A twinkle sparked in the depths of his hazel eyes as he took a step back, and then bowed at the two ladies before melting away to find his own pleasures in the Sed festival, before he was to meet his sister-in-law and children for the night. If for one night, allow him to be himself and indulge.
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Watching the exchange between the two women had Narmer smiling, glad as he was to see his niece making friends amongst the nobility of Egyptian court. His best bet for now would be to chance upon a wealthy marriage for either of his nieces, for then their marriage would - hopefully! - bring in the gold Narmer need to keep the Hei afloat and back on its feet. In between learning bookkeeping and finances whilst running a new Hei and dealing with grieviences from family and province people alike, Narmer found himself running dry of resources more often then not.
To a certain extent, he was glad the Pharoah did not pay any extra attention to his two nieces, despite them always being in close proximity to him due to their status as the handmaidens to the Queen herself. To garner the Pharoah's attention was dangerous for the two young ladies, for they could not reject should the King himself choose to ask them for favors. Narmer did not want to be caugt in that position.
As his gaze turned to the Lady of Hei Sheifa however, the ruffled dark hair and smeared carmine had his brows raised, noticing the look of a lady who was less then... pristine in her appearance. How had Safiya make this connection and acquaintence then? Neithotep looked as dignified as any young lady of a noble Hei would, and her looks were beautiful, if not as stunning as some other hetaera's he's seen before. Still, she held her own charm, especially with a smile that had Narmer chuckling with her wry comment. "Perhaps we should have the Pharoah have more of the Sed festival then. It would seem many enjoy themselves." Narmer himself was inclined to, if not for the fact that both his nieces were present and he had to at least put forth a good example. In his younger years, Narmer had participated in a good number of hedonistic pleasures offered in such festivals.
Having to step into his brother's shoes however, meant the younger of the Haikaddad family had to curb his eagerness, which helped with age and the lesser hormones produced by his body.
A part of Narmer found himself uneager to allow Safiya to walk away with Neithotep herself, wondering at the activities the other young lady got herself into. He trusted Safiya of course, for if anything, his sister-in-law has managed to ingrain a sense of propriety in to both his nieces. The Lady Neithotep however... that, he would wish to further look into. She was a lady who was beautiful, but more then that she was a lady whose family and Hei was one Narmer was eager to get himself aligned with.
"Only a time?" he murmured in a teasing tone, and then nodded. "Of course... but you must return her to me personally, Sirdsett Neithotep, so I may bid you a proper goodbye for the night afore I leave." A twinkle sparked in the depths of his hazel eyes as he took a step back, and then bowed at the two ladies before melting away to find his own pleasures in the Sed festival, before he was to meet his sister-in-law and children for the night. If for one night, allow him to be himself and indulge.
Watching the exchange between the two women had Narmer smiling, glad as he was to see his niece making friends amongst the nobility of Egyptian court. His best bet for now would be to chance upon a wealthy marriage for either of his nieces, for then their marriage would - hopefully! - bring in the gold Narmer need to keep the Hei afloat and back on its feet. In between learning bookkeeping and finances whilst running a new Hei and dealing with grieviences from family and province people alike, Narmer found himself running dry of resources more often then not.
To a certain extent, he was glad the Pharoah did not pay any extra attention to his two nieces, despite them always being in close proximity to him due to their status as the handmaidens to the Queen herself. To garner the Pharoah's attention was dangerous for the two young ladies, for they could not reject should the King himself choose to ask them for favors. Narmer did not want to be caugt in that position.
As his gaze turned to the Lady of Hei Sheifa however, the ruffled dark hair and smeared carmine had his brows raised, noticing the look of a lady who was less then... pristine in her appearance. How had Safiya make this connection and acquaintence then? Neithotep looked as dignified as any young lady of a noble Hei would, and her looks were beautiful, if not as stunning as some other hetaera's he's seen before. Still, she held her own charm, especially with a smile that had Narmer chuckling with her wry comment. "Perhaps we should have the Pharoah have more of the Sed festival then. It would seem many enjoy themselves." Narmer himself was inclined to, if not for the fact that both his nieces were present and he had to at least put forth a good example. In his younger years, Narmer had participated in a good number of hedonistic pleasures offered in such festivals.
Having to step into his brother's shoes however, meant the younger of the Haikaddad family had to curb his eagerness, which helped with age and the lesser hormones produced by his body.
A part of Narmer found himself uneager to allow Safiya to walk away with Neithotep herself, wondering at the activities the other young lady got herself into. He trusted Safiya of course, for if anything, his sister-in-law has managed to ingrain a sense of propriety in to both his nieces. The Lady Neithotep however... that, he would wish to further look into. She was a lady who was beautiful, but more then that she was a lady whose family and Hei was one Narmer was eager to get himself aligned with.
"Only a time?" he murmured in a teasing tone, and then nodded. "Of course... but you must return her to me personally, Sirdsett Neithotep, so I may bid you a proper goodbye for the night afore I leave." A twinkle sparked in the depths of his hazel eyes as he took a step back, and then bowed at the two ladies before melting away to find his own pleasures in the Sed festival, before he was to meet his sister-in-law and children for the night. If for one night, allow him to be himself and indulge.