Hadara blushed slightly and set the platter on the table gently. "Hadara, I'm pleased to meet you. And may I know your name?" she asked automatically and covered her mouth as she realized this. She was a mere slave, she wasn't suposed to say things like that. "Im sorry forgive me... Forget I even spoke..." she said bowing and hoping he could forgive her.

The young man looked at the woman with his gentle eyes "There is no need to bow to me nor be shy around me, I am no one important and you will never come to harm in my presence. My name is Memphis and it is a pleasure to meet you Hadara." He couldn't get over the beauty this woman possessed and he suddenly got an idea. He could tell she was a slave and he didn't want to get her in any trouble but he had to ask. " My lady, would you like to stay and have lunch with me? It gets quite lonely in here by myself and it would please me greatly to have a guest as beautiful as yourself to eat with me for a change." Memphis made his way over to the table and pulled out a chair for her and smiled with a truly sincere and lonely look on his face hoping she would accept his offer.

Nebt-Hebt rolled her eyes to Femi and gave her a bow to let her know she would hed her warning. She gritted her teeth as she gave Pharaoh a deep bow as the warriors did with her. "Please forgive me of my rudness your greatness...Do not punished the others for my rudness great Pharaoh. We shall let you be great Pharaoh." She got up and turned and walked out the door keeping her head low till she left Pharaoh's presents. The Warriors by her side as they went. She stoped as she waited for Femi. She knew that Anubis would not be pleased he gave her the same answer every time. She always prayed that pharaoh would change his ways so the after life would not be a hell for him. The more she was around him though the more she knew there would be no hope for Pharaoh.

Hadara straightened surprised but her eyes went soft at his request. "Of course," she said and walked over to the table. She made no sound as she walked. Even her golden chains were silent barely moving as she walked. She smiled at him and sat in the chair he offered her. "Memphis.... A very strong name.... You are lucky for Oiris to have bestowed you with such a powerful name... It maches your talent in swords play well." she said quietly and smiled.

Miw-sher ran right into the midst of Nebt-hepts group. She stopped, startled at the gathering. She had been holding her chains in her hands to be able to run but now they fell out of her hands. "I'm so sorry High Priestess" She said and dropped to her knees, nearly laying on the floor. She turned her face to the stone beneath her feet and prayed to Bast that the priestess wouldn't have her killed for looking upon her. Tears leaked down her face as she once again was unable to escape. She may go against her master, but there was no way she was going to go against a god just to achieve freedom. Miw-sher knew that Pharoah had seen her and that she was going to get punished... SOON.

Femi bowed and left the palace and stood by Nebt het and saw the woman on the ground and knelt by her whispering quietly in her ear "Fear not for the gods watch you" She stood back up by Nebt het making plans in her head to help this woman.

Miw-sher wanted to look up but was afraid of looking at the priestess. She continued looking down but her fear dissipated some; how much harm could come to one who was being watched by the gods? Her tears still came but now a small smile played on her lips. Even after the woman had stood back up, Miw-sher remained on the floor. There was no use in continuing to disobey, it would only bring more punishment.

Memphis smiled at the comment, "Thank you. I see you have caught me playing with a few of my soldiers a time or two but that is nothing but child's play. I have yet to meet a man who can test me with a blade and it is all thanks to Osiris. He has blessed me with tremendous talent and I am grateful but enough about me I want to talk about you."

The young man went and poured two cups of wine for them and then took his seat across from the exotic beauty. "Where are you from?" As he waited for a response he fixed her a plate and then himself one. Then he gave her his full attention. He had a serene look on his face and was genuinely happy to be with her.

Nebt-Hebt bent down to the poor girl and gently held her face as she peered into her eyes. She spoke in a low voice as the Warriors steped in front of them so no one could see them. "Shh child I will not harm you. You are harmed enough by this place and it's master." She gently whiped the girls face of dirt. "Child your time is at had. Even the gods grow made at this man's actions. She picked up the chains and handded them back to her as she said a said a small pray for the girl. "Runing will only get you killed." She got up and pulled the girl up with her. She looked at the girl and took note of her. "Miw-sher do not fear us. We are friends child.* May Anubis be with you child." She turend and headed to Femis side as she felt tears grow inside of her. The pain she had saw in her eyes hurt to see. How could a man be so mean she wandered as she thought of how Femi and her could help her. She wandered* how they could help any of the slaves with Pharaoh gronwing more aragnt each day.

Femi could feel the gods anger toward the pharoah even as she stood there beside her friend. She too felt the tears in here eyes under the bandages but it wasn't enough to soak through. As for her plan she could see if one of her inside people could secure the woman for the rescue.

Though the other woman held her face up Miw-sher turned her eyes aside. Not looking at the priestess was so ingrained into her that it would take a long time before she overcame it and was actually able to look without fear. And, even though her eyes were turned away, Miw-sher listened closely and held onto every word the priestess said. When the other woman had released her she looked back down at the floor. As she walked away, Miw-sher gathered her courage and clenched her hand around the chain. She looked up just a little and peered at the priestess through her long hair. "Thank you..." She whispered.

Hadara smiled and took a sip of wine. "I don't remind you of anyone?" she asked softly and then shook her head smiling. "My mother always said I looked like my father but I think my little brother looks more like him then I. I'm the daughter of your old general.... Pharo killed my parents because they were only sworn to his father..." she said looking at her plate and taking a bight of the food before her. "But it's alright... I speak to them all the time... Oiris has been ever so nice to me...." she said and looked at the table and then at Memphis. "What about you dark hero? Is your past as twisted as mine? I dare say I hope not?" she asked quietly focasing on his burning emotions in his eyes.

Memphis soaked in her response and his face became full of sorrow. "I'm sorry about your family and you have my condolences but unfortunately my past is not much different from yours except the way I lost my family. My father died two years ago during a raid and my mother died giving birth to a sister that didn't live much longer than our mother. So, it was just me and my father for most of my life. Osiris has truly been good to me for giving me all that he has." Memphis finished up his plate and the sorrow faded from his expression as he lifted his cup of wine to his lips.

He took a sip of his wine then looked at her and gave her an earnest smile."Hadara, I know you are a slave to the pharaoh but I have a question for you?" His eyes shifted from their stillness to softer gentler one's as he relaxed and looked at his guest. He had a plan but he wasn't sure it would work but he could try.

Hadara set down her food looking at him curiously. She took a sip of wine and set down the cup. She was for ounce truely full. Being a slave ment less food. And lately she had been giving her food to the new slaves who weren't used to the rashions. "Ask away Memphis." she said meeting his eyes. She really had nothing to hide from him. And she thanked Oiris that he too was a worshiper of her god.

Memphis looked at her alluring eyes and smiled his gentle smile then asked her, "Hadara, how would you feel if I bought your freedom. The pahraoh believes I am a loyal servant and I have served him unquestionably. I pray to Osiris that he is able to reward his faithful servants as I have served him for years. I wish for you to come stay with me, as I have been alone for so long I finally feel I have a true friend and I want you to be free as I am. There is plenty of space and you can have any room of your choosing. How does that sound?"

Hadara was shocked and looked at Memphis not believing her ears. She clasped the table the words sinking in slowly. "I couldn't ask for it...." she said hoping that she had not presured Memphis into this. He was so nice, she didn't want him getting himself hurt for her behaf. "I would love to but what if the pharo says no? He will surely see something is going on between us... And he will undoubtably see it as something horrible..." she said and looked at him worriedly. "I don't want you getting hurt because of me." she said taking his hand on the table and looking into his eyes.

Memphis took both of her trembling hands and looked her in the eyes with a soothing expression in his eyes, "I will only attempt this given you are willing to take the risk. Should it fail I will not allow the pharaoh to harm you this I promise. The man is cruel but not without reason and sense. Although he may not have much compassion in those tainted bones of his."

The young commander got out of his seat and took the young maidens hand then lead her to his balcony on the third floor of his house. He looked out upon the land then said "Hadara I want you to take a good look at this land, it is a breathtaking view is it not? But to me in all its glory and splendor you surpass it head and foot. When I look at you I can see a wilted rose that is crying out for a ray of light. I want to be that ray of light and watch you blossom into a beautiful rose full of color and vitality."

Memphis turned towards her with delacate eyes and took both of her hands. The young soldier looked her in the eyes with passion and sincerity radiating from him. "What do you say?"

Hadara looked into Memphis's eyes her eyes softening. Her breath was taken away by his words and she looked at him. She felt so lucky... So touched by his words. "I-I- don't know what to say other than yes..." she said feeling so stupid that she couldn't think of anything to say. She didn't even look at the view anymore. She looked into his eyes his touch and words soothing her fears. She stoped shaking, not being able to look away from such brilliant eyes.

Memphis let a serene smile slip from his lips and then told the young woman "I will go to the pharaoh later this evening and try to reason with him if that pleases you my lady." Still clenching her hands he stared into her eyes awaiting a reply.

"Nothing would please me more..." she said feeling so greatful. She gently kissed his cheek and blushed. "I have to go..." she said quietly and headed towards the door. She knew she only had minutes before the guards noticed she was gone. She had to be in the palace when they found her or she would be doomed. She stopped at the door almost forgetting the platter and hurried to pick it up.

(If I forget anyone who stood up with the Pharaoh I'm truly sorry. There's quite a few people and many different names so it's rather hard to remember them all. ><')

The Pharaoh watched with anger shining dully in his eyes at the high priestess as she left. He knew that the next day she would mostly likely return with the same question and tomorrow he would give her the same answer. After a few moments he let out a sigh and returned to his seat. "I'm pleased to know that I'm not hated by all and that I have you my dear friend Ako, I'm also pleased to know that your slave woman too holds on my side" he said attempting to return a smirk to his face. His gaze then went to his slave woman that too was on his side.

"As for you Banafrit you have also pleased me, so in return I give you this. For this day, and this day only I shall permit you to do as you please. You are to return however to your place by the time the moon is fully risen" he said calmly. He knew fully well that many of his slaves held resentment for him, after all why else would they be so willing to rebel against him, and that it would be wise to keep one or two that held him in their good graces.

His gaze then looked out and he noticed one of his slave girls that had been obviously trying to escape. At the moment however he did not feel inclined to punish her himself at the moment. No instead he merely motioned for one of the guards, that by now had picked themselves up from the previous display of the priestess, to retrieve her and take her to the slave quarters. He would deal with her later. Besides he still had his friend Ako to entertain.

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Hor was about to protest Irisi giving him money for the dagger. Yes it was perhaps one of his greatest works, but she was royalty and a rather kind queen at that. Her next statement though was what truly shocked him. Sacrifice herself to Isis? He could not let such a thing to occur.

"My lady Irisi please reconsider your decision, for you are the only royalty that comes from that dreadful place that truly cares. Please, I am sure that the goddess Isis had placed you here for an alternative purpose rather than to be sacrificed. If you must sacrifice one then I would more than willing take your place" Hor said quickly as he lept from behind the small stand of weapons and went to block his queen's progression. He would not allow one so fair and kind that came from such a dreadful place to simply go and kill herself.

Ako smiled at his buddy and put out his hand snapping his fingers. Anaksunamun came to his side and bowed. He looked at her up and down with a letcherous grin.

"So you want to go take a look at those girls? I know exactly where they live and I know you will love it."


Irisi glanced at the kind man with tears in her eyes.

"I must do this. If I dont pharoah will surly kill me. He makes me punish my own sister and I cant deal with it. I do not wish to be queen. He killed my parents after we were wed and then took my twin sister as his favorite slave girl. Now she is locked in a cage without food for the day."

SHe was having such a hard time enduring the torture of being his slave and it was hard for her to deal with such things.

Nanu watched the things that occured. She had hoped the pristess would kill him but alas she left. She watched with tears in her eyes. She was hungry and sick and tired of thsi cage. She wanted to get out of here. This entire palace made her feel bad.

Memphis escorted the exotic slave maiden to the door then watched her run off into the distance. He was unsure that the pharaoh would agree to the deal and he was willing to do anything to have Hadara at his side but did not want to put her in danger. He would have to be more careful than ever when dealing with this snake in a human body.

Grabbing his sword, Memphis walked out back and began training. I seemed as though it was easier to think with a blade in his hand. Usually he fought with two blades but there was no need to train with them both as he just needed to think. His mind was so caught up on the woman he was afraid he would do something rash if it did not go well.

Finally he decided it would be best if he made a trip to the temple of Osiris and make an offering to him and ask him to anoint this meeting in his favor. Memphis grabbed several pounds of gold and made his way to the temple to pray and make an offering to the God of the dead.

Hadara quickly sliped into the palace and silently ran down the halls. Close to the kitchens she slowed her pace and calmed her breathing. All of a sudden a guard appeared and knocked into her making her trip and fall. The platter with the left over food spilled every where and wine splashed his shirt. "You little wrench!" he said angerily and she looked up horrified. He took her by the wrist and twisted her arm. "Stop it! Unhand me!" she begged. He smiledand kicked her angerily. "Now clean this up! If I ever catch you with a toe out of line I'll have you whipped!" he said and she trembled as he walked away. Hadara wanted to burst out crying but held back her tears. She quickly cleaned up the food and despised of it properly. Then she ran back to the wine spill and soaked in up with a cloth. When it was all gone she sighed relieved and retreated to her room. Her duties were over with and she usually spent this time trying to find a way out but she locked herself in her room and sobbed letting her prayers go to osiris. She wanted to be free... She prayed Memphis's plan would prevale.

When Memphis found his way to the temple he immediately walked over to the priest and handed him the offering. The priest was in awe at the substantial amount of this offering. He then looked at Memphis and nodded then took the offering to the back of the temple.

Memphis got down on both knees and began praying intensely to Osiris so that he may place his blessings upon this meeting. After a few minutes had passed the disciple of Osiris arose and made his exit. He went back to his house where he would lay down then prepare for the meeting.

The commander had a messenger sent to the pharaoh to make light of his appointment and then he made his way to his bed where he drifted into a light slumber.