Ancient Egypt: On the Nile

Early the next morning, Naqadar was out in the open field. Marking off a moderate piece of land. It was odd to see the pharoah do this himself...So, people were obviously staring but trying not to...A strange site indeeed-watching a pharoah do manual labor.

Zafira looked over the shoulders of some whispering market place store owners. they had stopped when they saw the pharoah. Zafira shrugged. 'maybe he is different' she then mentally slapped herself. all pharoahs were the same. she walked along avoiding the eyes of upperclass people.

Naqadar walked over and grabbed a shovel and started to dig at a corner. He proceeded to do this for some time then whiped his forehead. The blazing desert sun was already starting to heat up. This was going to be a big project, he thought to himself.

After a few hours, the digging was shaping up some... It looked as if he was digging something about 4-6 feet deep and 10-20 feet wide, the length wasn't judgeable(word?). The crowd was getting larger and larger but he tried to ignore them.

Zafira was looking for some new quills for Dumi. he had about spent the last one he had. With a new pharoah meant more work for him.

A few more hours, more dirt moved, the crowd continued to grow. Many stood in shock of two things:

1. A pharoah out in the sun.
2. A man working this long without collapsing-yet. Even slaves get breaks every once in awhile...Their masters don't want them to die of heat stroke.

After coming back, Zafira shook her head at the shameless crowd. She walked towards the Pharoah which caused a lot of gasps from the crowd. A slave was going to approach Royalty. When she reached Naqadar. "Need help?" she asked.

Naqadar stood for a moment then looked to the ground then back up.

"It would be appreciated."

Zafira sat down her bag and got a shovel to help. "How may I be of service."

"Well...The final hole is going to be about 5 feet deep around that outline.." Naqadar pointed to where he had 'cut' an outline out and around. "Everything is perfectly straight, 90 degree angles and all...The hole needs dug and the coated marble will be in sometime in the next few days."

Zafira nodded, bowed, and then went to work. She knew Dumi would probably kill her for this. A smile crossed her face. maybe not. she had seen much change in him. She shokk herself from her thoughts and then begin digging.

Rameses was still in bad shape from the accident the day before, but he found enough strength to go out and help. Without saying a word, he and his brother Ikeny started digging.

Zafira looked over at rameses and smiled before going back to work. She was glad he felt better. Sweat was pouring down her face. She didn't bother to wipe it away.

Naqadar stopped and looked around. He saw the three other workers...More and more were walking closer and closer, digging with their hands if needed...Within a few more hours, the digging would be done.

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(The digging is now done)

Naqadar stuck his shovel into the ground and climbed out of the hole.

"Everyone here is invited to wash up at the palace and have a feast. I'll let the chef know..Your families are welcome also. We can send royal messengers home to notify them. Whenever you're ready, you may come."

Naqadar left, walking back towards the palace.

Zafira felt weak. She fell to her knees. She waited until she caught her breathe befor climbing out of the hole. She walked home with her sack in hand.

Dumi watched as a fairly dirty and sweaty Zafira walked in. "I need to clean up. Here are your quills." she said before leaving for the bathroom.

Naqadar got back to the palace and told his chef about what was to be done. The chef nodded and told someone else, soon there were no less than 50 workers scurrying around, yelling at each other while making food...The feast would take hardly any time at all with this many people working on it...

Naqadar walked upstairs to grab a green and gold tunic to wear to the feast and headed off to the bathroom to get washed up.

After he was done washing, he headed into his father's bedroom(he won't sleep there out of respect) and grabbed the ring that was given to him.

"Help me lead this great country, father..." He whispered as he put it on. Then he headed down stairs to await his guests.

Dumi and Zafira were the first to arrive. Both were wearing simple white clothes. Neither wanted to seem they thought they were better than the pharoah. Dumi made a comment but it was so quiet onlyZafira heard. She laughed.

Naqadar smiled when he saw the duo enter.

"First to arrive...Make yourselves at home, the dining table is through that doorway if you want to snag a seat. Though, I don't think you'll have a problem there. We've pretty much transformed the room into a mess hall. I'm allowing yourselves and Rameses and his family to sit at the head table...If you wish."

Rameses walked in, wearing his typical white linen kilt. He wasn't given to wearing extravagent clothing. He sat down at the table, nodded once to Zafira and then to Naqadar.

Zafira ler Dumi sit first before she sat down. She felt a little out of place ut she wouldn't have anyone knowing. She glanced at Rameses.

Everyone filled in the room and were chatting, "The palace really is beautiful from inside!", "Wow, did you ever think we'd live to see the inside of the royal palace?!", etc.

Naqadar stood up.

"Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen. We've come here to eat. And eat we shall. I won't talk long because I'm sure you're as tired as I. All that I ask is that we honor those who have died recently in creating my father's temple and for those who died in the past for this great empire. Whether you know it or not, you all are a part of history. Your names will be taken down and placed on the bottom of the new monument we started today," the crowd mumbled, "It will be black marble, coated in a new...coating that prevents erosion. The monument itself consists of two pieces, the base and the figures. The figures will be a soldier and a farmer. Written below it will be 'Our tribute to you, for you have given the ultimate sacrifice for us.' Now, lets eat!"

Naqadar motioned with his hands and off flew the plates. People stood, started to run over to the buffet line, then stopped. They all looked to the pharoah, almost in unicin(sp).

Naqadar laughed and said, "Go on! Go on!"

They stormed the line.