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The heat was the first thing she noticed. By the Gods, it was hot. Elena fanned herself with one hand, the other hanging onto their mode of transport -a river barge. It was a smoother ride than the large ship she’d said across the sea in, but not by much. Their ride was to be brief. Unfortunately it was to be followed by a chariot ride to the palace, courtesy of the Queen. The journey was nearly over and still couldn’t come soon enough. The large group of Greek nobility had been travelling for weeks to be in time for the Queen’s birthday celebration.
When land had finally come back into view, it had been a most acute relief for the Marikas noble, for whom the sea had seemed endless. Unused to sea travel, she’d been feeling out of sorts since leaving solid ground and was keen to rest before the celebrations began tomorrow. That was, until she’d caught sight of the lush greenery and golden dunes that made up the K’m’t landscape. She took a moment to feel grateful that her father had brought her and her sisters to attend on behalf of the Athenian royal family.
K'm't was different from anything she'd seen in her life. A merchant had once told her of the golden sands of his homeland, but she'd never imagined there would be so much of it! It stretched as far as the eye could see. As she watched, a large creature surfaced in the water not far from their barge. It sent up a small plume of water or air -she wasn’t sure which- making her gasp. Her hand retracted from the railing, frightened by the animals’ size and proximity. There were more along the shore with short, thick legs and large barrel shaped bodies. But it was the massive heads that framed gigantic fanged teeth that frightened her the most. They seemed like creatures of legend to the young Athenian, who had never seen anything like them.
"What is that?" she exclaimed, pointing.
Others came running over to see for themselves, but the Egyptian guides held their positions and chuckled. "A minion of the goddess Taweret, no doubt. She blesses our journey and the Queen's new life. We will keep our distance.” With their thick accents, it was difficult to understand the words, but the meaning was clear. There was no need for concern then, even if the creatures had ver large teeth. Noting her father's disapproving look, Elena moved away from the railing and took a seat in the shade, trying to put the river monsters out of her mind.
She must have napped on the cushions, because a short time later there was a loud commotion. They were alongside a large dock. Ropes were being thrown to and fro, and crates were being carried off and placed into waiting wagons. It was loud. Strange smells filled the air, as did a flurry of words in the K'm't language. It seemed their arrival was much anticipated, because there were groups of people nearby gawking at them. Fair enough. Elena found herself staring right back at their strange garments and golden skin.
The Athenian delegation disembarked and were led to a series of chariots. It all happened very quickly. Too quickly, in fact, for Elena to become concerned about their new transport. She accepted the hand of her guide and allowed him to help her ascent into the red and gold gilded wagon. In the wagon in front of her, she could see her parents pretending not to be impressed by the beauty around them. Pulling her eyes away, Elena decided to enjoy the remainder of the journey. Travel through the city passed in a blur, culminating with their entrance to the royal palace.
They passed between long rows of pillars adorned in marble and gold. It was unlike anything she’d ever seen, and Elena found herself speechless. She’d spent time in the Athenian palace (being cousins with the princess had its benefits), but this was a level of richness she hadn't known existed. She did not notice exiting the chariot, nor did she come back to herself as the guide indicated which slave she was to follow to her quarters. Pavlos quietly instructed her to go to her designated quarters, stating that he and her mother would oversee the offloading of the valuable gifts intended for the young Queen's birthday.
"Yes, of course father. I will see you later at supper."
Her mother clasped her hand briefly and touched Elena's cheek affectionately before sending her off. She dutifully followed the slave, welcoming the chance to rest from the journey while continuing to marvel at the motifs around her. What beauty! What decadence! In fact, it wasn’t until they had made their way along a few corridors before stopping that she came back to herself at all. The slave leading her had bowed low and had moved to the side of the hall. In the absence of knowing exactly what to do, Elena followed suit, despite not having seen for whom she was doing so. Then, as an older woman moved into view, it was very clear. In her best K’m’t she greeted the Queen Dowager.
“Your Majesty.”
Peach
Elena
Peach
Elena
Awards
First Impressions:Delicate; Kind smile, golden hair, soft hands, full lower lip
Address: Your Her Ladyship
The heat was the first thing she noticed. By the Gods, it was hot. Elena fanned herself with one hand, the other hanging onto their mode of transport -a river barge. It was a smoother ride than the large ship she’d said across the sea in, but not by much. Their ride was to be brief. Unfortunately it was to be followed by a chariot ride to the palace, courtesy of the Queen. The journey was nearly over and still couldn’t come soon enough. The large group of Greek nobility had been travelling for weeks to be in time for the Queen’s birthday celebration.
When land had finally come back into view, it had been a most acute relief for the Marikas noble, for whom the sea had seemed endless. Unused to sea travel, she’d been feeling out of sorts since leaving solid ground and was keen to rest before the celebrations began tomorrow. That was, until she’d caught sight of the lush greenery and golden dunes that made up the K’m’t landscape. She took a moment to feel grateful that her father had brought her and her sisters to attend on behalf of the Athenian royal family.
K'm't was different from anything she'd seen in her life. A merchant had once told her of the golden sands of his homeland, but she'd never imagined there would be so much of it! It stretched as far as the eye could see. As she watched, a large creature surfaced in the water not far from their barge. It sent up a small plume of water or air -she wasn’t sure which- making her gasp. Her hand retracted from the railing, frightened by the animals’ size and proximity. There were more along the shore with short, thick legs and large barrel shaped bodies. But it was the massive heads that framed gigantic fanged teeth that frightened her the most. They seemed like creatures of legend to the young Athenian, who had never seen anything like them.
"What is that?" she exclaimed, pointing.
Others came running over to see for themselves, but the Egyptian guides held their positions and chuckled. "A minion of the goddess Taweret, no doubt. She blesses our journey and the Queen's new life. We will keep our distance.” With their thick accents, it was difficult to understand the words, but the meaning was clear. There was no need for concern then, even if the creatures had ver large teeth. Noting her father's disapproving look, Elena moved away from the railing and took a seat in the shade, trying to put the river monsters out of her mind.
She must have napped on the cushions, because a short time later there was a loud commotion. They were alongside a large dock. Ropes were being thrown to and fro, and crates were being carried off and placed into waiting wagons. It was loud. Strange smells filled the air, as did a flurry of words in the K'm't language. It seemed their arrival was much anticipated, because there were groups of people nearby gawking at them. Fair enough. Elena found herself staring right back at their strange garments and golden skin.
The Athenian delegation disembarked and were led to a series of chariots. It all happened very quickly. Too quickly, in fact, for Elena to become concerned about their new transport. She accepted the hand of her guide and allowed him to help her ascent into the red and gold gilded wagon. In the wagon in front of her, she could see her parents pretending not to be impressed by the beauty around them. Pulling her eyes away, Elena decided to enjoy the remainder of the journey. Travel through the city passed in a blur, culminating with their entrance to the royal palace.
They passed between long rows of pillars adorned in marble and gold. It was unlike anything she’d ever seen, and Elena found herself speechless. She’d spent time in the Athenian palace (being cousins with the princess had its benefits), but this was a level of richness she hadn't known existed. She did not notice exiting the chariot, nor did she come back to herself as the guide indicated which slave she was to follow to her quarters. Pavlos quietly instructed her to go to her designated quarters, stating that he and her mother would oversee the offloading of the valuable gifts intended for the young Queen's birthday.
"Yes, of course father. I will see you later at supper."
Her mother clasped her hand briefly and touched Elena's cheek affectionately before sending her off. She dutifully followed the slave, welcoming the chance to rest from the journey while continuing to marvel at the motifs around her. What beauty! What decadence! In fact, it wasn’t until they had made their way along a few corridors before stopping that she came back to herself at all. The slave leading her had bowed low and had moved to the side of the hall. In the absence of knowing exactly what to do, Elena followed suit, despite not having seen for whom she was doing so. Then, as an older woman moved into view, it was very clear. In her best K’m’t she greeted the Queen Dowager.
“Your Majesty.”
The heat was the first thing she noticed. By the Gods, it was hot. Elena fanned herself with one hand, the other hanging onto their mode of transport -a river barge. It was a smoother ride than the large ship she’d said across the sea in, but not by much. Their ride was to be brief. Unfortunately it was to be followed by a chariot ride to the palace, courtesy of the Queen. The journey was nearly over and still couldn’t come soon enough. The large group of Greek nobility had been travelling for weeks to be in time for the Queen’s birthday celebration.
When land had finally come back into view, it had been a most acute relief for the Marikas noble, for whom the sea had seemed endless. Unused to sea travel, she’d been feeling out of sorts since leaving solid ground and was keen to rest before the celebrations began tomorrow. That was, until she’d caught sight of the lush greenery and golden dunes that made up the K’m’t landscape. She took a moment to feel grateful that her father had brought her and her sisters to attend on behalf of the Athenian royal family.
K'm't was different from anything she'd seen in her life. A merchant had once told her of the golden sands of his homeland, but she'd never imagined there would be so much of it! It stretched as far as the eye could see. As she watched, a large creature surfaced in the water not far from their barge. It sent up a small plume of water or air -she wasn’t sure which- making her gasp. Her hand retracted from the railing, frightened by the animals’ size and proximity. There were more along the shore with short, thick legs and large barrel shaped bodies. But it was the massive heads that framed gigantic fanged teeth that frightened her the most. They seemed like creatures of legend to the young Athenian, who had never seen anything like them.
"What is that?" she exclaimed, pointing.
Others came running over to see for themselves, but the Egyptian guides held their positions and chuckled. "A minion of the goddess Taweret, no doubt. She blesses our journey and the Queen's new life. We will keep our distance.” With their thick accents, it was difficult to understand the words, but the meaning was clear. There was no need for concern then, even if the creatures had ver large teeth. Noting her father's disapproving look, Elena moved away from the railing and took a seat in the shade, trying to put the river monsters out of her mind.
She must have napped on the cushions, because a short time later there was a loud commotion. They were alongside a large dock. Ropes were being thrown to and fro, and crates were being carried off and placed into waiting wagons. It was loud. Strange smells filled the air, as did a flurry of words in the K'm't language. It seemed their arrival was much anticipated, because there were groups of people nearby gawking at them. Fair enough. Elena found herself staring right back at their strange garments and golden skin.
The Athenian delegation disembarked and were led to a series of chariots. It all happened very quickly. Too quickly, in fact, for Elena to become concerned about their new transport. She accepted the hand of her guide and allowed him to help her ascent into the red and gold gilded wagon. In the wagon in front of her, she could see her parents pretending not to be impressed by the beauty around them. Pulling her eyes away, Elena decided to enjoy the remainder of the journey. Travel through the city passed in a blur, culminating with their entrance to the royal palace.
They passed between long rows of pillars adorned in marble and gold. It was unlike anything she’d ever seen, and Elena found herself speechless. She’d spent time in the Athenian palace (being cousins with the princess had its benefits), but this was a level of richness she hadn't known existed. She did not notice exiting the chariot, nor did she come back to herself as the guide indicated which slave she was to follow to her quarters. Pavlos quietly instructed her to go to her designated quarters, stating that he and her mother would oversee the offloading of the valuable gifts intended for the young Queen's birthday.
"Yes, of course father. I will see you later at supper."
Her mother clasped her hand briefly and touched Elena's cheek affectionately before sending her off. She dutifully followed the slave, welcoming the chance to rest from the journey while continuing to marvel at the motifs around her. What beauty! What decadence! In fact, it wasn’t until they had made their way along a few corridors before stopping that she came back to herself at all. The slave leading her had bowed low and had moved to the side of the hall. In the absence of knowing exactly what to do, Elena followed suit, despite not having seen for whom she was doing so. Then, as an older woman moved into view, it was very clear. In her best K’m’t she greeted the Queen Dowager.