Ancient Egypt: On the Nile

"Well...My name is...Naqir. Good to meet you. Are you...from the area? Could I walk you home?"

Zafira looked at her feet. "Um, it's nice to meet you, Naquir, sir. Yes, I'm from this area. Um, I'm not sue my mas...um Dumi would be alright with a visitor. He's very budy." she said shifting her wait from one foot to another.

Rameses was walking through the aisles of the market when he stumbled upon Zafira and the hooded man. Not trusting whoever it was, he stayed to make sure he didn't do anything stupid. He said nothing, standing on the sidelines.

"I understand. Next time we meet, perhaps I could see your eyes. Fairwell."

Naqadar walked away, back to the palace.

He walked into the royal advisor's office.

"Send someone down to the Jewelry shop in the marketplace to purchase a necklace....Make sure it's a pretty one. Then send it to a Dumi's house and be sure that a girl named Zafira gets it."

"Sir, I am not your errand boy."

"Listen, advisor. You aren't important enough for me to remember your name so, you are whatever I want you to be. Understand?"

"Yes sir. Consider it done..."

Zafira watched Napuir leave. She saw Rameses. "Hey, what are you doing here?" she asked.

"Zafira, I um wanted to ask if you wanted to go to the market with me. I have enough coins to buy you a nice new robe. I'm sure Dumi wouldn't mind. What do you say?" asked Yuma.

"I was just looking around when I saw you and that guy..."

Zafira smiled. "I'm fine. He was the one that helped me." she told Rameses before turning to Yuma. "Um, I guess that would be nice." she answered nervously.

"What's wrong and are you ok after that push. It looked like it hurt," said Yuma.

Zafira looked taken back. "Um, only a little."

The royal advisor ran into the main chambers of the pharoah doing paperwork.

"Sire! Another one of our convoys has been attacked! This time closer to home! Why do you think they're moving closer? What do you think they're doing? What do you want to do, sire?!"

"They're moving closer because they think we're using other routes. Send out a convoy of soldiers. Only soldiers but dressed as merchants and traders. Be sure not to underestimate their forces, we have no way of knowing the size of...In fact, send out a few scouts first. Tell them not to report until they find something definate."

"Yes sire!"

"So do you want to go? What color robe do you want to get? I hear red is in this year with a bit of silver on the edges," said Yuma smiling.

Zafira's eye widened in horror. "Dumi doesn't even have something that extravagant. I would never want it to look like I'm better then him."

Zafira smiled trying to break her nervous habits. "Um, Maybe a green one." she said. "I was never one for what was in."

"Me neither that's why I always wear white. Here tell me which green robe you like the best," said Yuma as she led her through out the market.

Zafira still felt bad. All of Dumi's robes were tattered like hers. "THank you." she said in advanced. She looked at the robes. She enjoyed just looking, but owning a new robe excited her. "I like this one." she said showing Yuma. It was simple and yet beautiful.

(Would you hurry up and get home 😉 )

Zafira looked at the position of the sun. "I have to get home." she said before dashing home. She had to make sure Dumi was okay. He had been working for over twelve hours. She stepped through the door. Dumi was held a drink in one hand still working.

"Wait! I'll carry your robe for you. Anyways I don't have to attend the Rah service until the moon rises. Here let's go!" said Yuma as she dashed after Zafira in the sun streaked country.

Dumi looked up and smiled. "Have fun?" he asked. He then saw Yuma. "We have a guest?" he asked Zafira bfore turning to the other woman. "I'm sorry if I seem to be brushing you off. I'm quite busy."