Jewel Of The Nile [COMPLETE]

Chapter Ten

"Ankhesenpaaten!" exclaimed Huy as I went back into the room. "I am so, so sorry. I should have said no to your offer! I should have put my foot down! Now you will be punished!"
I laughed shakily. "What? What are you talking about?"
"I heard that conversation you had with the Pharaoh. Everyone did. He has a very loud voice."
"Oh...that. Do not worry. I know my brother. He will say these things but he will not follow through."
Huy did not seem to believe me, but did not argue. "The doctors say that it is the plague, but it is only in the early stages so they may be able to save him."
"They will," I promised, but I was not sure. If these same group of physicians could not save my father, the Pharaoh...what chance did Kahmose have? But father did have a different sickness.
Some priests were sent in to do the usual rituals and spells over Kahmose to send away any bad spirits. His hands and feet were placed in ice cold buckets of fresh water, and a wet cloth was placed over his forehead. Huy and I watched as the servants and physicians grinder all sorts of herbs and plants, and mixed it in with wine. The doctor raised the drink to Kahmose's lips, and he drank it.
"Excuse me, Your Highness," bowed a servant. "But I am instructed to lead you and your friend into your separate rooms, so that you two are can be checked over. Please follow me."
He lead us into Huy's room first. There was one physician and one servant waiting for her. They began to check her over as the servant led me into my new bedchamber. There, at least five physicians and ten servants were waiting. I was appalled. I had clearly instructed Ay that my friends were to be treated the exact same as me. Hmmp. He and I would be having words.
After a long, tedious, wait, the physicians finally declared me infection-free. I asked to see Huy, but they told me that she was still being looked at. Something to do with her living in the city making her more prone - I did not really listen. I then ordered for some of my belongings to be moved from my usual bedchamber to this one.
As I waited, I noticed this room had a much bigger window than mine. In fact, I can say in all honesty that while my time there was short, I liked it much better than my permanent room.
The window overlooked the huge, sandy cliffs, where we went chariot-racing a few months back. It was quite beautiful, if you enjoyed looking at sandy deserts. But these cliffs were my home. I loved them with all my heart, even if they were not aesthetically pleasing.
Huy crept up behind me, and hugged me. I shrieked, and when I saw who it was, I began laughing. "So does this mean you are infection-free?" I asked Huy, who was laughing hysterically.
"Yeah," she said, gasping for air. "But they wouldn't let me into Kahmose's room. I hope he's alright."
"Do not worry," I replied. "I am sure he is. Our physicians are the best in the world. If they cannot heal him, nothing can."
"That's reassuring," Huy muttered. I laughed, just as the door opened.
"Good," I sighed. "If you could please place the small items on the cabinet over there, and the larger ones near the bed."
"Are you barking orders at me, Ankhesenpaaten?"
"Tutankhaten?" I frowned. Huy gasped. "What are you doing here? For all you know, I could be dying from the plague right now. I hear it is terribly contagious. We do not want the heir to fall ill."
Huy bowed, her head down. "Prince Tutankhaten."
I rolled my eyes. "Huy, you need not bow down to my baby brother! Rise, please."
"Excuse me! I am not a baby. And what if I like being bowed down to?"
"Then go into the city wearing Royal garments. Huy is not bowing to you." She did stand up again, but kept she head down.
"So you would send me out into the city to get sick?" Tutankhaten teased.
I rolled my eyes again. "Yes, brother. Of course."
He ignored my comment. "So, is this your friend that is ill?" he asked, nodding at Huy.
"No, this is Huy. My friend that is sick is called Kahmose, and is Huy's brother."
"Hello, Prince Tutankhaten."
"Hi," he replied shyly. "Do you have the plague?"
I groaned. "Brother, I just told you the answer to that question."
Huy giggled. "No, I don't."
"How is your brother? Is he expected to survive?"
"Your, um, physicians say that he's got a good chance of living because it is the early stages."
Tutankhaten nodded. "That is good."
I cleared my throat. "Huy and Kahmose are twins, Tutankhaten."
He raised his eyebrows. "Twins? My older sister Neferneferure used to have a twin. But Setepenre died years ago."
Huy did not say anything.
"Well...Tutankhaten, I suppose you best return to the schoolroom, and begin learning your Greek. Ha! Menna will not be happy that I am stuck in here for two months! I will not have to do his treacherous assignment!" I exclaimed happily.
"Yes, I better go back, but he already knows, and you are right - he is not happy! He thinks you purposely did this. He is very mad at you," replied Tutankhaten with a grin. He seemed genuinely happy to share the news.
Once he left, Huy faced me, her face bright red. "I can't believe I'm actually here, in the Royal Palace, friends with the Princess, and I've met so many of the most important people in the country! I have seen the Grand Vizier up close, had a conversation with the heir, and been a door away from the Pharaoh, the Queen and the old Queen! I can't believe it!"
I laughed. "Well, you better. This is going to be your home for the next two months. Enjoy it while you can."
She smiled wickedly at me. "Oh, I will. I wish I could stay here forever, although I would miss the streets. It is a shame we have to stay in our rooms, though."
"Well....maybe I could try and sneak you out in the middle of the night, just to show you the palace."
Huy clapped her hands excitedly. "Yes please!"
The door connecting my room to Huy's opened. "Miss Huy?" a servant requested. Huy nodded. "Yes?"
"Your brother is wishing to see you. Forgive me, Princess," she added as I stepped forward. "But the boy only wants to speak to Miss Huy."
Huy smiled apologetically at me and followed the servant out. Hmmmp. I rescued Kahmose from the city! If not for me he would be dead! He should at least say thank you.