Chapter 24 Coming Home
Coming Home
The sweet smell of papyrus wafted into Zahra’s nose as she stirred in her slumber. Her pillow was hard, and she recalled she had been sitting at a table when she fell asleep.
Zahra sat up, wiping the drool from her mouth and looking about sleepily. Namir was standing above her, his hand hesitating over her. A blanket had been draped over her shoulders, and he looked as if he had just placed it there.
Aware of herself, Zahra blinked and looked down. “How long have I been…?”
“An hour or so,” Namir said, settling into a chair beside her.
They were in the library. Since they had stopped searching the border records, the library had become quiet again, but Namir had been busy investigating others that might have connections to the assassins.
“I am sorry Ramses had to pick you up again this morning,” Namir said in a quiet voice.
“You don’t need to apologize. I know you are busy with your investigations and looking for your bride.” She rubbed her eyes, but the sleep refused to budge from them. She could barely keep them open. Finally, after much more rubbing and blinking, she was able to wake herself up.
When she pulled her hands away from her eyes, Namir was staring at her, his brows knitted together in a curious worry.
Zahra frowned, pulling her mother’s scarf back on her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“I… Nothing.” He tapped the table with his fingers, his eyes focused on his hand. His question came anyway. “How long have you been tired?”
Zahra was taken aback by the question. She laughed. “It was a nap, Namir. I am only tired from all the searching.”
“Yes, mentally, we both are.” He lifted his hand to his eyes, rubbing them with his thumb and forefinger. “But that shouldn’t affect you physically. Lately, you have seemed so…” He opened his eyes, looking at her. “Fatigued.”
Zahra smiled softly, placing her hand on his arm. “I am flattered you are worried, Namir, but I am fine. I think we are both tired.”
Doubt flashed in his eyes, but he nodded with a sigh, resting his hand on the table once more. “Yes, I suppose so.”
Zahra was grateful he believed her. They both felt the weight of the day repeating on their psyches.
Namir had dark bags under his eyes, ones that had not been there when they had met.
Zahra had worried that Namir was also suffering from apollos, but Katerina had told her that it was the Thoth’s spell that made Namir tired.
His psyche was not strained as badly as Zahra’s.
It was a combination of the Thoth’s spell and her death every night that contributed to Zahra’s fatigue and the cracks on her psyche.
“We should do something today,” Namir said suddenly, pulling Zahra from her thoughts. “We should go somewhere. Partake in the festivities and relax a little. I think it would be good for both of us.”
Zahra smiled at the suggestion. “I agree.”
Namir moved to stand. “Excellent. I will tell Ramses to fetch our horses.”
Zahra’s smile faded. “What about your uncle?”
“Waaiz? He would not let me go if he knew. We will sneak past him.”
Namir offered his hand to her. She did not take it.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. The assassins are still out there.”
Namir’s gaze softened. “Ramses and some other medjay will be with us. My uncle does not need to know everywhere I go.”
Zahra took Namir’s hand, letting him pull her to her feet. “But he has kept you safe. I don’t want—”
Namir pulled Zahra closer to him, taking her other hand. “Zahra.”
Zahra looked up at him.
Namir rubbed his thumb against her hand. “We will be protected. We have evaded the assassins so far, and we will return to the pr-aa before it gets too late.”
Zahra sighed, looking down at their hands. “Very well, o méli.”
Namir smiled at the nickname. “Follow my lead.”
They walked down the stairs. Namir caught Ramses’s eye and signed to him, asking him to prepare three horses outside.
Waaiz paced downstairs, and Namir waited until he was out of sight before moving across the first floor.
Medjay stood by every entrance and throughout the library, bowing to Namir as he passed.
Nubia saw them walking by, but she did nothing but smile and wink at Namir before returning to her reading.
Namir and Zahra approached a door. The medjay guarding it bowed to Namir but did not move aside. “I wish to pass,” he said.
The medjay shook his head. “The Great Overseer told us that he is to accompany you anywhere you go.”
Zahra looked hesitantly at Namir, but he was surprisingly calm.
“I have already told the Great Overseer.”
Doubt filled the medjay’s features. It was clear this was not his first time dealing with Namir’s antics. “He should be here with you.”
“He is already outside,” Zahra chimed in. “Look. Do you see him in here anywhere?”
The medjay looked past them. The Great Overseer was nowhere to be found. He stepped to the side. “Of course. I apologize, my King.”
Namir flashed a smile at Zahra as they left the library. “How did you know he would be patrolling in the back at that moment?”
Zahra smirked, skipping ahead with a laugh while still holding his hand.
Ramses smiled and offered the reins for the horses to Namir.
Namir thanked him. “We are going to…”
Zahra’s brow furrowed. She had never encountered that sign before. Before she could ask what it meant, Ramses had nodded and promised to meet them there.
Zahra tied her scarf as Namir took the reins. Namir turned to her and bent his knee, helping her mount the horse.
Once Zahra was on her horse, Namir mounted on Victory. Ramses got on his steed. Six other medjay prepared to depart as Waaiz came out the door. He waved his arms. “Menes! Get back here!”
Namir took off, and Zahra followed. The land passed by in a blur. Zahra navigated the land expertly, leading the horse through the terrain. She caught up to Namir, grinning as she passed him.
A competitive gleam sparkled in his eye, and he encouraged Victory to go faster. Zahra laughed, urging her horse forward.
Namir took the lead, guiding Zahra north of the capital city.
Ramses and the medjay were behind them, scouting for any signs of the assassins.
Toward the west edge of the kingdom stood a small village with compact buildings and a small village center.
Beautiful decorations hung from every building, and the people within were happily digging into delicious food.
The sun was setting as they approached the edge of the village. Zahra slowed her horse, fear sitting in her chest. She would have to ensure they left before it was too late. Though Ramses and the medjay were here, there was still a chance that the assassins could locate them.
Zahra turned to Namir. “What is this place?”
Namir came up beside her, signing, “Ramses’s hometown: Zau.”
They tied their horses and joined the celebrations. Ramses stayed with Namir, and the other medjay took their stations at various parts of the village center.
An older woman with a smile like Ramses’s came running toward them, wrapping him in a hug. She signed to him. “Finally, you have come home.” She turned to Namir with a smile, signing, “And I have not seen you in some time.”
Namir grinned and hugged her. “Hello, Lina.”
Lina turned to Zahra with a smile, speaking, “And who is this?”
Zahra inclined her head to Lina and signed, “My name is Zahra.”
She will be joining us tonight,” Namir signed.
Lina grinned at Zahra, signing once more. “We are glad to have you, Zahra. I’m Ramses’s mother, Lina. Please, come and eat if you are hungry. There’s much to do and celebrate.”
Zahra smiled. “Thank you, Lina.”
Namir took her hand and led her toward the celebrations.
Ramses lingered behind, visiting with his friends and family.
Wood carvings and signs similar to the ones for sale in Illahun were on display around them, but these ones were different shapes, sizes, and unique colors.
Young children were playing games of hounds and jackals, and adults were playing senet on blankets nearby.
Zahra’s mouth watered as she looked at the array of fish, breads, meats, and vegetables. She grabbed a small loaf of bread and some sweet vegetables, satisfied with the meager amounts on her plate. Her eyes lingered on a piece of steak, its scent calling to her.
Namir tossed a piece of meat on her plate, nearly tipping it off balance. “Indulge yourself a little.”
Zahra smiled and followed Namir away from the table. People waved to Namir as they saw him, greeting him and Zahra.
Namir led Zahra to a place to sit, and they watched the celebrations.
“They called you ‘Namir’,” Zahra observed.
Namir nodded. “These people are like family to me. I have spent a lot of time here.”
Zahra studied him as she ate her food. Despite knowing that Ramses was Namir’s closest friend, she did not know much else about their friendship. “How did you and Ramses meet?”
Namir smiled at her in surprise. He laughed, looking down at his bread. “It was a long time ago.”
“I wish to know.” She scooted closer. “I feel I know nothing of your childhood.”
Namir hesitated.
Worry filled Zahra’s heart. “Unless you don’t wish to share, which is—”
“No, it’s just…I tend not to talk about it.” He turned to her. “But I would like to tell you.”
Zahra smiled softly.
Namir turned to his food, poking at it as he spoke. “When I was young, I was not well. I was in bed most days, and my parents did not think I would survive into adulthood.”
Zahra set her plate aside, hugging her knees as she listened.
“Ramses’s father worked as my personal guard and caretaker for some time.
One day, he brought Ramses with him. We did not always understand each other at first, but in time, we grew to be friends.
When I finally had the strength to move, he and my cousin taught me to wield a sword and ride a horse. ”
Zahra’s eyebrows raised. She had never heard Namir mention his cousin before. “Your cousin?”