Ancient Egypt: On the Nile

"We won't have to worry about him either," said Yuma dusting herself off.

Zafira forced a smile but it turned into frown. "What about DUmi?"

"Maybe we could check up on them in disguise," she said.

"We have much more important things to worry about than Zafira cursing me. We have a fight for our lives tomorrow, Dumi. I suggest we get some rest."

Everyone went to sleep.

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Daylight came and with the morning sun came morning nerves, some of the rookies were up way before daybreak and therefore, still very tired.

The pharoah glanced around to see that the majority were awake. He jumped up onto a stump(Tree they cut down to make firewood the night before)

"Brothers!" Everyone gathered around and became silent, "We have seen far away lands together. We have seen empires rise and empires fall together. We have caused empires to rise and fall, together. Thus far, we have only been mercenaries, called upon for a fee to fight and defend or destroy a country...Or even...an empire. Now, the Babylonians are trying to destroy our EMPIRE! You see, we are all linked. We form a chain, us Egyptians, a family. What happens to one hurts us all. Yes, there will be merceneries fighting for them. Yes, you may know and love some of them. But they will kill you. They will kill you without mercy if you let them. If you let them kill you then you let that sheep herder that lives next door to you die! You let your child, who lay sleeping in his crib die! You let your family members, whether they be slaves, pets, or whatnot die! And worst of all, you let that brother standing next to you die as well...This chain is what will allow us to defend our Empire! This chain is what will allow us to save our brothers!"

Everyone goes extatic, the soldiers chant some Arabic name, possibly the creator of Egypt.

"Hear me!" The crowd then again goes silent. "Our scouts have said that less than an hour ago, the Babylonians went to sleep. They plan on attacking us later this evening while we sleep. We wait 2 hours! 2! Then we go. Why two? Because that is when Babylonians switch guards, every 2 hours. They are notoriously lazy, they'll hang around and chat while we slaughter them from behind. Now, we go! We'll wait for the change within 5 miles of their camp!"

Zafira shook her head. "I need to cfheck up on a riend, but visiting her may cause us our lives."

"It may not be a good idea then," advised Yuma. "Why don't we show the boys what we can really do. They don't know we can fight cause we were holding it back all the time." She grinned then.

Zafira sighed. "I have to. She is in great danger and involves the war."

"Ohh," said Yuma understandingly.

"You don't have to come. I've traveled to visit her many times and never een caught before, but Dumi does not know." Zafira said.
********
Dumi watched the eager warriors cheer on the pharoh. He looked at the necklace in his hand and rubed the emerald with his thumb. He had offered it to the pharoah but Naqadar ignored it. So dumi thought maybe he didn't care.

"But I need to come," she said.

Naqadar glanced down and saw Dumi fiddling with the necklace. He snatched it off of him. "I told you, forget her, we are about to fight for our lives. Do you understand this? You can't be thinking of anything else!" Naqadar slid the necklace into a pouch on the side of his horse.

Dumi looked up at Naqadar and nodded. "Agreed, your highness." he said getting up. He knew the pharoah was right ut it pained him to try to forget Zafira. He picked up his sword and took a deep breath.
*******
Zafira nodded. She led Yuma passed the babylonian camp and a little ways off. There, her friend stood looking out over the desert. She turned and smiled. Hugging Zafira, the woman sighed. "I have terrible news, Zaf. Your friend Mada has passed on."

Zafira stumbled. She couldn't believe it. The color drained from her face.

The other woman embraced her friend. "Zaf, the babylonian soldiers are on edge. Mada was punished for treachery."

"I'm sorry Zaf," said Yuma as she patted her back.

Zafcira pulled away from the two. "It's not fair." she said.

"It had to happen that way," said Yuma trying to comfort her.

Tutaka had seen the three people standing there talking. She had to warn them that the babalonians were coming. They were a great threat, and had tall fleet ships with double masts.

Who knew what was coming...

(no ships, hand to hand combat...For now, at least)

Zafira looked to Yuma and nodded. Hugging her other friend, the two set off to the temple so Yuma could pray.

"What should we do about Dumi?" asked Yuma worriedly sd she stepped into the musty temple.

Zaira sighed, "I don't know. We can't distract him while he's in battle."