The Falcon Rises (The Desert Queen Book 2) Read online

  As if she read my mind Ayn caught my attention. She was a charred, bloody sight, but never before had I wanted a woman so much.

  Surely she would be the death of me.

  Chapter Ten

  The Way Home—Nefret

  The sun hung low like a dying ember in the sky when we dragged the last body from our city the following day. Such was the swiftness of the attack that none of our allied forces were killed and only a few Meshwesh were injured. Ramose congratulated me privately and informed me that the Egyptian army planned to leave tomorrow—then he and I would leave in the company of a small escort. I had only two days before I had to leave my people.

  “So soon?”

  His hands on his hips, Ramose replied, “It will not get any easier with the waiting, and the Queen grows impatient.”

  “You have heard from the Queen?” I asked apprehensively.

  He waved his hand dismissively and replied, “I am familiar with the Queen’s general disposition, and she is not likely to change her mind or tolerate excuses.”

  I understood his hidden message. Do not ask for more time. It will not be given. Desperation rose within me, but I fought back that wild beast with as much dignity as I could muster. It would do no good to ask Ramose to allow me to remain in Zerzura, and I would not demean myself to do so. The irony was, for all his Egyptian pride, Ramose was as helpless as I was. To the Great Wife, the general was a tool that served her just as any slave or servant did. Just as I did.

  “Before I leave, I have a request.”

  “Another request?”

  I pressed on, unabashed by his attitude, “It is customary for queens traveling to courts to have attendants, I am told. Is this true?” He nodded, and I continued, “This will be my second trip to Thebes, and I am anxious to proceed in a manner that will please Queen Tiye, my generous benefactor.” I could see that my careful answer pleased him.

  He flashed a white smile and looked relieved. “You may have attendants. Who did you have in mind? Besides Ayn.”

  “I wish to bring only two attendants, as we can hardly spare more than that. I will take Ayn and also my uncle.” I tried not to smile at his surprise. And I silently prayed that he would acquiesce to my request without argument. I should have known better than to waste a good prayer on General Ramose.

  “Now why would you want to do that?” Ramose sat on the edge of the heavy wooden table in my private chambers. Whoever had dwelt here while we were away had been generous enough to leave behind beautifully carved wooden and marble furniture. Surely that had not been the Kiffians.

  Ayn lingered nearby, pretending she did not hear our discussion. She busied herself tidying my room, when in truth I owned hardly anything. I had noticed earlier that her things were in here as well, but I did not object. She had proved a faithful friend, even if I questioned her choice of lover. And I had to admit I was no expert on that. I could not make up my mind if I loved Alexio or hated him. I believed Astora less and less, and Ayn told me that she had never seen Pah and Alexio do more than flirt.

  “I have never met your master, but I hear he is a shrewd man. He must be, to rule Egypt so well.” I offered the flattery nervously, hoping it sounded natural. That got his attention, and he smiled again.

  “Yes, he is the epitome of shrewdness.” Suspicion grew in his voice, and he looked from me to Ayn, who did not meet his eyes.

  “I can only imagine the cost of this campaign. I’m grateful for the Great Wife’s attention, but I cannot imagine Queen Tiye would want to repeat this process. For whatever she thinks I am worth, I cannot imagine she would want to pay the price twice. Maybe you are not familiar with our agreement?”

  “Enlighten me, please.”

  I kept my composure and proceeded with my lie. Another skill I had to learn, apparently. My soul cringed at the idea, but I had to think about my father, the children and all my people. I hoped the general did not know the truth about my conversation with the Queen. I was counting on it. “The Queen generously agreed to help me recapture my homeland and bring my people into a peaceful existence. With my uncle left behind, I am afraid the latter will not be true. Omel would surely sell my kinfolk, maybe even my father, as slaves to work in his mines. He is rich and growing richer by the day, but that is not enough for him. My uncle will not rest until he is the King of all the Meshwesh.” At least part of what I said was true.

  “Well, if you are not here, it seems to me that he would be the obvious choice as leader. If not him, who do you have in mind? For I can see you have thought about this. You are cleverer than I thought, Desert Queen.”

  Ignoring his last comment, I confessed, “I do have someone in mind. It is Alexio, Omel’s son, who should rule.” Ramose enjoyed a hearty laugh as he slapped his knee and then rose to pace the room as he rubbed his smooth chin with his tanned hand.

  At least he has not said no outright. He is thinking about it, anyway.

  Ayn was very near to him, and I could see he wanted to reach out and touch her, but he refrained. How could she bear this man? Yes, he had a handsome face and a strong body, but his condescending nature and rude manners would never suit me.

  “How will that be any different? You said yourself he is Omel’s son.”

  “Yes, but Alexio is loyal to me. And he is loyal to the tribe—all the tribes. As my sister’s consort, he would keep the Meshwesh safe.”

  Ramose looked out the arched window of my chambers and watched the people below. The Meshwesh were tired but celebrating. Music rose from the streets, and the sounds of excitement filled the nearly empty city. Many families were camping in the streets instead of taking ownership of the empty houses. It would take some time for my people to become acclimated to this new way of living. I wished more than anything I could help them with this process. Now I knew they needed Alexio more than ever.

  “I am sure your uncle would have some opposition to this. And if I allowed him to express his thoughts, he might even convince me to let him stay behind. I am not sure the throne would object.”

  Ayn finally spoke. “Mekhma, I have pledged to go with you, but if you find it better that I stay, as your father’s or sister’s protector, I shall. I know your heart is here.” That got Ramose’s attention.

  Leaning his back against the window he quickly added, “In the interest of speeding up this process—I am anxious to be rid of this place—I will grant you your request. Horemheb, I mean Omel, shall return with us to Thebes.”

  “Thank you, General. Ayn? Will you please ask my uncle to come now? The sooner I give him the news, the better.”

  “Yes, mekhma. It will be done.” She padded away quietly, Ramose looking after her as she departed. He made no secret of his desire for her. I wondered how that would change when we arrived in Thebes. I knew he was married, and so did Ayn. But perhaps in Egypt such things did not matter.

  “Mekhma! Alexio has returned. He is on his way to see you,” Biel stood panting in my doorway. The concepts of pausing at doorways and courteous knocks were a foreign thing to my people. Living in tents takes away the need for such things as privacy and courtesy. I did not scold him. He would learn the new ways soon enough from Alexio and my father.

  “Thank the Shining Man for his protection!” I smiled and hugged the surprised Biel. I could not hide my happiness and had not thought to until I saw Ramose’s face.

  Biel did not notice the general’s dark mood, or if he did, he did not seem to care. “Alexio is tired but anxious to see his mekhma. Did you know there were guards outside?” Finally sensing the tension in the room he added, “I am surprised to see the Egyptian here, mekhma. Is anything wrong?” Now Biel was scolding me for the perceived offense to Alexio. Did everyone know of our previous arrangement? Ramose looked like a tiger ready to pounce on the boy.

  “All is well, Biel. Please wait outside. Let me speak to the general in private.”

  He shuffled his sandals momentarily but stepped outside as I asked, “Why are there guards outside m
y quarters? Am I to be kept a prisoner now? Couldn’t I have escaped a hundred times already?”

  “Yes, but now your lover has returned, Desert Queen.”

  I felt my face burn but did not rise to the general’s bait. “I see you have been listening to camp gossip.”

  “Is it gossip?” He raised his hands to stop me from speaking. “I have no interest in knowing the secrets of a queen’s heart, but I represent another interest: the interest of Egypt.” He stepped toward me and was only a few inches from my face. He reached his tanned hand up and stroked my hair thoughtfully. When I did not melt under his seductive gaze or flinch away like an offended maid he said, “I cannot deliver you to Pharaoh’s harem sullied, Nefret. He is not a man who likes to share anything.”

  “I am about to leave my home forever, General. Am I not allowed to say goodbye to the people I care about?”

  “You may bid farewell to your father, sister…whomever you like.”

  “Just not Alexio? You know my intention is for him to marry my sister. Why is seeing him a restriction?”

  “Do you think me a fool, Nefret? Marry your lover off to your addle-brained sister so that you can hope to one day return home to take her place? I assure you that if you were to do so, the full weight of Egypt would fall upon you and the Meshwesh. You belong to Queen Tiye now—Thebes is your home.” As I stood open-mouthed, Ayn returned with my uncle. I was surprised to see Astora with them.

  “Uncle,” I greeted him, deliberately not acknowledging Astora. She was a snake—of that I was sure—and I would never again acknowledge her presence. “The general and I were just discussing my return to Thebes.” Omel looked more of an Egyptian than Ramose did, with his wide gold collar and linen garments. I could see he had completely shed all signs of his Meshwesh heritage. And to think, he wanted to be the king of the clan!

  He smiled broadly. “What a great honor this is for you and all of the Meshwesh! If only we had known the details of your new role at court….” He turned to Ramose, who did not deign to answer him. Neither did I. Even if I had known what I would be doing in Thebes, I would not have shared the information with him.

  I smiled at him pleasantly. “Yes, an invitation to court is a high honor, as you have often told me yourself, Uncle. In fact, until recently I had no idea how popular you were with the Egyptians. I hear they have even given you an Egyptian name—Horemheb. Isn’t that what we heard, Ayn?”

  Ayn smiled at me. “Yes, mekhma. That is correct.”

  “Well, I have been privileged enough to receive a few kindnesses from Pharaoh’s hand.” He eyed Ramose with suspicion but asked him nothing. “I take pride in my name and in my Meshwesh heritage. I am doubly favored.”

  “In some ways, I have you to thank for this great privilege, Uncle. Without your connections and encouragement I would never have considered asking Egypt for help. Now, in the spirit of gratitude, I have decided that when I return to Egypt, you shall go with me. As my attendant, of course. We must represent our people with all proper decorum. Let me begin my career at court with the proper introductions. Who better to introduce me to the court than the great Horemheb?”

  He began to stammer his refusal, but Ramose finally spoke up. “Surely your queen can rely on you, Horemheb?”

  “I would never… that is to say…what about the tribe? I cannot just leave without…”

  I touched his arm and said, “Leave the tribe to me, Uncle. I assure you I will not leave our people in disarray. Our absence will hardly be missed.”

  Smothering his surprise he replied, “Then I will do as you ask, mekhma.” Astora stepped closer to him and he asked, “What about my wife? She is anxious to return to Thebes—she has family there. I assume she is to accompany her husband.”

  Still ignoring her, I spoke to Omel, “I have no need for another attendant, Uncle. I am afraid she will not return with us at this time. Perhaps later.”

  I saw Ayn smile behind Astora, but I kept my face blank. “Please prepare for the journey. We leave in two days.”

  He raised his hands in the sign of respect, then spun out on his oiled and sandaled feet, leaving only the smell of his cedar cologne. His wife lingered for a few seconds, long enough to cast a dangerous look in my direction, but she did not dare say a word in disagreement. I was still mekhma.

  Feeling emboldened I said, “General, I expect you to remove those guards from my chamber doors. I am not planning an escape and have never given you reason to think I would. Whatever camp gossip you have heard, I assure you it is not true.”

  To my shock he did not argue with me. “Of course, Queen Nefret. I am at your service if you require anything.” With a pleased smile he left Ayn and me alone. She reached out, took my hand and squeezed it.

  “You handled him in fine fashion,” she said, the admiration in her voice apparent.

  “I don’t think Ramose trusts me at all.”

  She laughed. “I was talking about your uncle. But no, Ramose trusts no one. Not even me.”

  I wanted to ask her if she had whispered to the general about Alexio and me. But if I was wrong, the slight would be unforgivable. She had never given me any reason not to trust her. Instead, I simply asked, “Ayn, I can trust you, can I not?”

  “You know you can. Why do you ask me this?”

  “I do not know. I am tired, Ayn. It is nothing. Please ask Biel to come see me. I am so hungry. Is there anything to eat? Maybe some bread? I can smell it, and it is making my stomach rumble.”

  With an uncertain smile she said, “I will bring you something. And I will get Biel for you.”

  The boy entered almost immediately, as if he had been listening at the open door. In a whisper I said, “Tell Alexio to meet me at the Lightning Gate. It will be well past dark, and I do not know how long it will take me to arrive. Please ask him to wait.”

  Biel nodded grimly and left me to myself. I sank down on a nearby chair, my hands shaking and my heart heavy. Whatever my fate, surely I could have this one night—one last meeting with Alexio? How unfair it would be to keep me from him for all eternity. No! It could not be! I would see him. I had to. And I would tell no one my plans. That way I would know for sure that no one had followed me.

  As I waited for Ayn, I strolled around the massive room. I had not chosen this place; Ayn chose it for me. She said it was fit for a queen. The walls were white stone, smooth with joints so close together that you could not fit a hair between them. It was a magic place, Orba had whispered to me earlier before he left to search for a divine spring or pool for scrying. The doorways and windows were topped with arches, and there were interesting symbols and shapes carved into the surface of the stones above the doorways. I wondered what they might mean, but I did not have long to think about it. Ayn returned with a tray of food, and we ate in silence together.

  Orba visited me that night and told me about my father’s progress. I had thought to go see him, but the Wise One advised against it. “Semkah has exerted himself beyond what was necessary today, and I fear he needs even more time and care to fully recover. I asked Leela to give him a sleeping potion to help him rest. Naturally he constantly objects to her care, but in the end, he saw reason and is now resting. On the other matter,” Orba said cautiously, mindful that Ayn was present, “I think that may prove more difficult than we first imagined. Your sister is not well, mekhma. I have had to move her from your father’s room into her own just to keep him rested. Leela assures me that she can care for them both, but I fear Pah is beyond caring for.” I swallowed the last piece of my bread and dusted the crumbs from my hands.

  “What are you suggesting, Orba? That I put her down like a lame horse or camel?”

  “Of course not. I wanted to make sure that you are aware of how sick she really is. She is out of her head and cannot carry on a conversation with another person, much less lead our people. The people will know that her spirit is struggling to keep her mind in one piece. Do you think they will stand by and welcome her once they see her wa
lking around naked talking to herself?”

  I no longer cared that Ayn heard our conversation. “This is why I want Alexio to become her consort. She will need his strength in these coming months. I have no doubt she will recover. Pah is strong—as she always has been. Besides, what alternatives do we have? Omel leaves for Thebes. And since my father is disqualified from reigning, there is no other choice. Surely you can see this. Unless the Council or its chief have decided another way around these rules?”

  He patted my hand like I was a child and shook his head. “No, mekhma. There is no other way. You are right, of course, but I felt it my duty to share with you my concerns.”

  I squeezed his small, gnarled hand and returned a smile to him. “I am depending upon you, Orba. There is no one else. Do what you must to help, but do not kill Pah or harm her further. Please, I beg the Council for mercy.”

  He promised me nothing but said, “Perhaps you should see her. Maybe your presence will help her know she is safe. Also, I hear that Alexio has returned. When will you inform him of your request?”

  “We will talk more about that later. I will see Pah soon. Go rest now, my friend, and leave these things to worry over tomorrow. That is when the real work begins. I’m counting on you.”

  The little man left, and Ayn and I finished tidying the room. This would be the first night we slept in a bed that was not on the ground. As we set about our task, I thought about Pah. With all my heart I wanted to see her, hold her, assure her that all would be well, but I could not forget Paimu. My treasure! How I missed her! I would see my sister, but not today. I was not ready to feel pity for her.