All around the large throne room, the crowd continued to cheer and clap for the tall warrior woman named Fantu, who slowly made her way towards the king. They parted way for her as she approached, her head held high and a small smile on her lips as she waved back to them. When she reached to where the king sat on his throne, she went down on one knee and bowed her dark head as the crowd quieted, her staff held firmly in her hand. With a satisfied smile, King Narmer smiled and bowed back, acknowledging that she was indeed the winner of entertaining sparring match.
With that, the crowd once again burst in to cheering and clapping, then went back to the party, laughing and chatting with one another. The King then beckoned Fantu forward with a flick of his wrist. When she stood right before him, the king stood and beckoned Tari, Nkosi, and Fantu to follow him to a corner of the throne room where there were not too many people. But unknown to them, a young man with shoulder-length, curly blonde hair moved towards them and kept a close eye on them, hoping to catch what they were saying. Tari caught him from the corner of her eye, but shook her head to concentrate on what the king was planning.
The king smiled once more to the Kushite woman and nodded to Tari. "Fantu, this is the young girl Tari. I'm sure since you were here, you've heard about her and her....unique circumstance."
The tall dark-skinned woman turned to look at Tari, and bowed her head slightly. "Of course. Greetings to you, young Tari." Her voice was throaty and deep...although not quite deep enough to be mistaken for a man, and her accent reminded Tari slightly of the Caribbean people she's met growing up in New York. Now looking at her fully, Tari saw she she looked to be in her early to mid-twenties, and had deep, penetrating dark brown eyes, filled with passion that only a warrior would know, that only someone who fought for their lives on nearly a daily basis would know. She was almost...animalistic, reading to fight to defend her life and those she cared for. But Tari also saw a bit of compassion, as though the woman understood what it was like to be so far away from home, so far from those you love and care for.
Tari suddenly realized she was staring, and blushed deeply as she blinked and chuckled nervously. Fantu was just TOO cool! "Oh! Err..greetings to you..too!" Tari said, recovering and bowing her head also.
Fantu chuckled slightly, then turned back to the king. "How may I be of service, Your Majesty?" she asked, bowing her head slightly once more.
"You have great knowledge of the deserts Fantu, and she desperately need to go and visit the Temple of Nhut. Are you willing to take this task and help her get there?" The king looked at her seriously.
The woman's eyes widened slightly as she looked back at Tari, then back at the king. "The desert? To Nhut's Temple? But...that's sure death! Without preparations, they wouldn't last...."
"But you did." King Narmer said, cutting her off. When Fantu looked at him in surprise, he gave her a small smile. "Yes, I know a lot about you from your country. You know a lot about traveling in the deserts, and you ARE a great warrior. This young girl Tari..she needs our help, and you are the one I can trust. I cannot give you the full details, but she needs to get to the Temple f Nhut. It's dangerous, I know, but you can get her there, I know you can."
Fantu looked once more at Tari, and seeing the hope and desperation on her face, sighed and shook her head. "As you wish, My Lord, but it will not be easy. We have much to prepare for if we are to make it alive." Before she went on, she turned her head to look at Nkosi. "But does this...man have to come to?" She narrowed her eyes.
Nkosi's eyes narrowed too, and he balled his fists before he could help it. "What was that?" he said through clenched teeth. This woman didn't even know him, and she was already showing him contempt!
The king raised a hand to stop them from saying anymore. "Please, we have no time for this," he warned, then looking at Fantu with an almost pleading expression, said "I know very well your feelings on men Fantu, but yes, he is to go. He's the one that found her, and he will be the one to protect her on this journey. Just please do this for me...please."
For a moment it looked like Fantu was going to argue, but she sighed once more rolled her eyes. "Fine, but he better not slow me down. After all, he is just a man."
At that, Nkosi was just about to tell her off when the king gave him a warning look which quieted him. Tari looked from Nkosi to Fantu, her eyes wide. Oh man, this doesn't look good. I hope they're not going to fight the whole way! Tari prayed.
"Good then, now that's settled, you three should head back and start your preparations." began the king. But whatever more he was going to say was interrupted.
"Wait!" shouted a voice, following by someone rushing up to them. Tari turned, and she gasped as she realized it was the same young man that she thought was following them.
As she looked closer, she saw that he was one of the Greek men that were talking amongst themselves when she first arrived. He was fairly tall...though not as tall as Fantu, and had thick, curly blonde hair that fell to his shoulders. His light blue eyes were wide with anticipation as he stopped before the king and bowed low. He caught his breath for a moment, then looked up at the king. "Please, Sire, allow me to go with them!"
"And who are you?" Narmer looked at the young man in puzzlement.
"If you please, I am Atreus, of Greece, and I am one of the scholars come here to study. We...we spoke before, just a few days ago.." The young Greek man blinked his eyes hopefully.
"Ahh, yes, young Atreus." the king nodded. He then looked at him seriously. "But I'm afraid that cannot be possible. It will be a very hard journey, filled with danger, and..."
"Which is why it is something for future generations to read about!" Atreus smiled. "I could write about the journey, and that way, maybe...maybe more people will be willing to explore more of this land! And mostly because..well..because.." He blushed slightly as he bowed his head once more. "I also want to be a storyteller, and I can tell this will be a great story. Please, Your Majesty."
The king was quiet for a moment as he thought this over, then nodded his head. Perhaps it would be good for this story to be known...a group of brave people willing to travel the unforgiving desert, as most people are afraid to. He could only hope the young man would return safely. "Alright then, I will permit it. But you must be careful. This will not be a time for idealism."
The young man beamed as he straightened up and fixed his white toga. "Yes, of course!" he smiled.
"Another man?"growled Fantu, a scowl on her face. She walked up to him until she was very close to him, and pointed a finger at his chest. "You better not get in my way or slow me down either. Or you'll regret it! Be ready by sunrise tomorrow morning." With that, she turned away with a hmph and marched away to where a group of admiring people were waiting for her, hoping to give her congratulations on her win.
Nkosi rolled his eyes and took Tari's hand. "Come on, we should head back home and get things ready. We have an early day tomorrow." Tari looked up at him for a moment, then nodded. Nervousness was shooting through her body now, and she help feeling herself shake just a little. It was happening, it was really happening!
They said their goodbyes and respects to the king, then turned to leave. Tari stopped and turned to make sure that the young man Atreus would be ready, but when she looked at him, he was staring with his eyes wide at Fantu, a deep blush on his face. But before she could think of what he was blushing about, Nkosi was already pulling her along. Just as they were leaving the throne room, a group of Egyptian women entered the center of the room and began to sing, their voices carrying out through the whole room and melting the hearts all all who listened.
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Later that early evening, at Nksoi's home and after a small dinner, Tari and Nkosi excitedly filled in Salih of what transpired with the king at his party. When they were done, the older man smiled with delight and patted Tari's hand. "You see? I knew the king would help you!" he said, nodding his head. "The gods rarely show themselves to us, but when they do, there is nothing they cannot accomplish. There is no doubt you will be home soon, young Tari..where ever that is."
Tari blushed slightly and gave a small smile. "Thank you Salih...for everything." she said, placing her hand on top of his. The healer smiled gratefully, then turned to Nkosi.
"And you...I always knew you were meant for something great. I could see it in you, even when you were a child." He turned to where Nkosi was sitting next to him on the floor and put a hand on his shoulder. "You are so very brave to take on such a task at this. Your parents would have been so proud of you, just as I am." He smiled at Nkosi, but he couldn't hide the hint of sadness in his eyes. "I've often hoped..wished I could have had a son like you."
Nkosi's eyes widened slightly, and gently placed his hand over Salih's on his shoulder. "Salih..." he began, but the old man shook his head.
"No, it's alright. I guess this is how my fate was supposed to turn out." Salih said, looking at Nkosi. "I guess with all my work as a healer, it never really occurred to me to find a good woman, a wife to share my life with and to give me a family of my own. As a young man, I thought that those men who married were silly, giving up so much, that love was a complicated mess. I used to think that my work, my hobbies, were enough, that I didn't need someone by my side. I had my pick of women, of course, and I thought that would be my life. I thought that was freedom, to do what I pleased, when I pleased....no woman to answer to." He sighed and looked away. "But the years went by faster than I could imagine, and friends of mine found happiness and love with women they swore to stay away from. And I learned that a single life will always be fun at first, but in the end when everything is done and the sun has gone down, the only thing a bachelor life will give you...is loneliness."
For a few moments, Tari and Nksoi were quiet, letting Salih's words sink in, then Tari reached out and gently took his hand in her own. "Salih...there's always still hope." she said, her heart almost breaking for him. The older man smiled at her gratefully, touched her cheek, then stood up and stretched his arms.
"Oh well, enough of that! You both have MUCH to prepare for and little time to do it." With that, Salih hustled them around the house and the village, helping them pick out clothes, food, water, medicinal ointments, and weapons for traveling through a desert.
Soon they were done, and their belongings stacked against the front door and a crescent moon high in the night sky. Salih bade them goodnight, winking his eye, and left them alone to rest before they dropped from exhaustion. As soon as he was gone, Nkosi sighed, leaned against the wall in his bedroom, and slid down to the floor, finally letting his body relax. Beside him, Tari did the same, letting out a long, tired breath.
"That better be enough, because I don't think I could do any more right now." Tari chuckled, already feeling her eyes droop.
"I'm sure it will be. With the king's map, I don't think we should be in the desert too long. And we also have....Fantu." Nkosi said, frowning a little at the thought of her.
Tari turned to him and smiled, trying hard not to laugh. "Oh I'm sure she'll warm up to you." She leaned her head back and closed her eyes for a moment.
Nkosi frowned, seriously doubting that. Then lowering his eyes, he turned serious. "Tari...I just wanted to say, now that we're alone, that..well...if..I mean..when...you get back home, that I'll really...that is to say..you'll be missed." He blushed and cleared his throat. "I mean, you'll be missed by Silah and I, of course, and that I..we..hope to see you again because...because..." He turned to look at her, wondering what she thought of what he was trying to say. But to his surprise, he saw that the young girl had fallen asleep, a peaceful look on her face.
With a smile, Nkosi gently gathered Tari in his strong arms and sat her in front of him on his lap. In her sleep, she laid her head against his chest, as though seeking some warmth. He knew that he should have gotten up then and placed her in bed, but he was tired...oh so tired, and she felt so good in his arms like this. He smiled once more at her, and before he knew it, his eyes were closing too and sleep finally overtook him, and he was soon dreaming of Tari's trusting smile.
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The next thing Tari knew, she was being shaken awake. Was it time to get up already? It couldn't be, she had only closed her eyes a moment ago. But once again she was shook, and she had no choice but to open her still tired eyes. She saw Nkosi smiling down on her when she rubbed her eyes open, and she looked outside, she realized with a start that it was so early, there was just a hint of light in the horizon, signaling the new day to come.
"Time to get going, sleepy-head." Nkosi said, holding his hand out to her. Tari sighed, then nodded her head, allowing him to help her up from the bed. How she got in it, she didn't remember, but she hoped the sleep she got was enough. Quickly Nkosi made a light breakfast of bread and cheese, then the two packed their supplies on the two camels Silah had given them. After one last look at Nkosi's house, Tari climbed her camel with his help, and the two were off, headed for the palace.
When they arrived, the king, Fantu, and Atreus were already waiting in front of the immense palace, their own light brown camels loaded with their belongings. Next to his camel, Atreus kept giving Fantu nervous, shy looks, while Fantu did her best to ignore him, calmly rubbing her camel's nose.
"Ahh, you made it." smiled Narmer, walking up to Nkosi. He snapped his fingers, and a servant rushed up and placed a rolled up scroll in his hands. He held it out to Nkosi, who took it with great pride. "I know you will be able to do this, Nkosi," the king said, nodding his head. "Please come back safely. There's no way I could replace my finest guard so easily."
With a glint in his eye, Nkosi bowed his head to the king, appreciating his words. The king turned to Tari, and just as he was about to say something, some young voices filled the early morning air.
"Father, father!" yelled out a group of young children. Narmer turned around and smiled warmly, for rushing to him were his children. To Tari's surprise, three girls and two boys...all looking to be between six to ten years old, ran towards the king and enveloped him with hugs. The children resembled the king greatly...from his dark coloring to his strong chin, and they all traditionally had their heads shaven except for a small lock of hair to the side.
"What are you all doing out here so early?" he ask, looking at each of them. The eldest, a girl, smiled sheepishly.
"We just wanted to see the pretty lady go off on her journey! Everyone is talking about it!" the little Egyptian princess said. She beamed at Tari, and she help but feel her heart melt as she smiled back at the pretty little girl.
"Oh..thank you!" Tari said, then couldn't help chuckling as they all rushed up to her and gave her hugs.
"Come, we must go, we shouldn't waste anymore time." Fantu said seriously, climbing on her camel.
Reluctantly Tari climbed back on her horse, and they were off. The children ran beside them a little of the way, shouting and cheering, until they came to a hill. The children stood on top as the travelers rode on, and just as the sun came higher in the sky, they waved their arms and shouted their good luck. With hope in her heart, Tari waved back to them, giving them her best smile.
Soon they left the palace and the village far behind, the sun rising higher and higher in the sky. The temperature also began to get hotter and hotter, and soon, Tari felt as though she was in a steam room at a salon. She wiped sweat off her forehead, and just as she was about to feel like she would faint, Nkosi rode up next to her and handed her a leather container of water, a sympathetic smile on his face. Tari gratefully accepted it and drank her fill.
Hours passed, and Tari began to see less and less signs of life in the vast desert. Grass and trees gave way to large and endless sand dunes, and the clouds in the sky became thinner and thinner until they disappeared all together.
Fantu was in the lead, and her watchful eyes scanned the whole area, looking for signs of impending danger. Behind her, Nkosi kept an eye on the map. Next to Nkosi, Tari saw that the young Greek man Atreus was scribbling something on a scroll. She rode up next to him and looked at him curiously. "What are you doing?" she asked.
He looked up at her and smiled slightly. "I'm making sure that I write everything down I experience on this journey. As a storyteller, I can't miss anything!"
"And I have a feeling you won't," Tari said, smiling back at him. He chuckled, then continued writing, but Tari did catch him give a quick look at Fantu up front. Tari smiled knowingly at him, then continued to ride alongside him quietly.
Soon the sun mercifully began to set, and like magic, the temperature began to drop. A cool breeze began to blow over a relieved Tari and she breathed in deeply. They continued on until the stars began to twinkle in the darkening sky. Right after they passed another large sand dune, Fantu raised her hand. "We can rest here." she said, nodding her head.
With a relieved sigh, Tari slipped off her camel and stretched her arms high. Together the group set up a quick makeshift camp and started a small fire. A simple dinner of soup was prepared, and after that, it was decided that they should sleep. Atreus and Nkosi slept in one tent, and Fantu and Tari in the other.
Within moments Tari was asleep, the tiring journey catching up to her. It felt like she was asleep for only a few minutes when she was roughly shaken awake again. She opened her eyes, and watched with a beating heart as Fantu put her finger to her lips, indicating for her to be quiet.
She beckoned Tari to follow her outside, her staff held tightly in her hand. When they were outside, Tari looked around and saw nothing, but Fantu had a wary look on her face as she narrowed her eyes.
"Fantu, what is it?" Tari whispered. For a moment the taller woman said nothing, looking around, then Tari heard a small sound. Fantu grunted and went into a fighting stance. In the dying camp fire, Tari gasped in fear as she saw about half a dozen figures coming towards them. When they finally came into the fire's light, Tari's heart began to beat fiercely as rough looking men with sneers on their faces and weapons in their hands stepped before them.
"Bandits!" Fantu snarled, standing protectively in front of Tari.
Fear raced through Tari, and she could only pray that she and the others would survive this awful night.
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To be continued...
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