Chapter 24 Coming Home #2
“Waaiz’s son. His name was Namir.” He tore his bread loaf into pieces, but he did not eat any of it. “He died in the Battle of Henen-nesut when I was eleven.”
Zahra’s heart ached. “I am sorry.” She hesitated. “Is… Is that why you…?”
Namir nodded. “It is why the people here call me Namir. I took on his name when he died, to remember him.”
Zahra smiled softly. “He must have had a great influence on you.”
“He did.” Namir sighed and looked out at the celebrations, his gaze resting on Ramses. “They both have. I would not be the man I am today without them.”
Zahra studied him. When they met, she wouldn’t have thought that he had been through so much. She finished her thought aloud. “It is admirable.”
Namir let out a half laugh. “What is?”
“Your journey to where you are,” Zahra explained. “You have had to endure many things: your sickness, the death of your cousin and your father.”
Namir looked down and traced his finger in the dirt.
“I suppose that’s true. I honestly barely knew my father.
Since we visited your people’s homes, I have wondered why he did what he did when your people came to Aur.
But he and I barely spoke until I was sixteen.
Since I became King, I have asked my mother about him, but she finds him hard to talk about.
My uncle, too.” He sighed, drawing a shape in the dirt.
“I know that he was a good king. He did much good for my people and increased trade and made peace with other countries that wished to war with us. I know resources were limited when your people arrived. We had been experiencing a year of famine, but I don’t know why he divided your people as he did.
It… It still does not sit right with me.
” He brushed the dirt over, making it smooth once more.
“I have tried to be a king he would be proud of, but it’s hard to do. ”
“You have been doing great,” Zahra encouraged with a smile. “You have already built new ports. You will do so much more.”
Namir let out a breathy laugh. “Nubia did all that. My parents trained her to be Pharaoh. She is good at it.”
“But you have done things she hasn’t,” Zahra insisted. “You have protected my people. You have fought assassins. I think your father was wise to choose you.”
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “I—I am glad you think so.” He rubbed his arm. “I… I was not sure if I should tell you this…”
Zahra tilted her head. “Tell me what?”
Namir hesitated. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he clasped his hands in front of him. “Have you ever heard of Ionian Fever?”
The name struck a chord in her. “Yes.”
Ionian Fever was a disease rumored to be brought to Aur by her people.
Zahra had heard of people having an intense fever that brought them close to death, but she had never known anyone who had had it.
During the first few years of Ionians living in Aur, her people were barred from many places because of the rumors, until the Pharaoh King and Queen put the rumors to rest to ease the tensions between the people.
Zahra had heard that the Pharaoh King had died of a sickness, but the royal family had never announced which one.
“He had been tired for some time.” Namir’s curls fell in front of his face, shielding his eyes from her sight. “When the fever hit, my mother did all she could to heal him, but it took him from us with such suddenness that all of her efforts went to waste.”
“I am sorry. It is an awful sickness.”
“I did not tell you for your sympathy,” Namir explained, looking at her. “I know how his actions affected you. I wished you to know why my mother and uncle are the way they are. They blame your people for his death, even though my sister and I do not.”
Zahra was quiet before she said, “Thank you for telling me.”
Namir smiled, then turned to the sky. The sun had set, and the fires from the village’s celebrations lit up the night.
Zahra turned her attention to Namir, tilting her head as she considered him.
When she first met him, she would have never thought that he suffered from sickness as a child or that he had lost the people he had.
Now, she could understand why he was so strong, and why he tried so hard to be the best he could be.
Zahra leaned back on her hands. “You remind me of Alkaois.”
Namir’s brow furrowed. “Who?”
“He is a hero from my people’s stories.”
Namir stuffed some of the bread in his mouth, raising his eyebrows as if prompting her to continue.
She grinned and looked out at the sky, beginning the tale of a fallen hero and the twelve challenges he faced. As she spoke, she moved her hands, telling the story as she remembered her mother would. Her mother’s scarf sat on her shoulders, and Zahra lit up with each scary battle.
Namir set his plate aside, leaning forward as she described a man who was cursed to lose everything, but who became a legend through his efforts to make things right.
“He is said to have gone on to dwell with the theos,” she finished, pointing to the constellation. The sky was just dark enough to make out the stars.
Namir considered her story with a furrowed brow. “I thought you said that he was a hero.”
“He was,” Zahra said, “but that does not mean he did not have flaws.”
Namir tilted his head. “Why would your Athene want to glorify a man who committed such a horrible crime?”
“Because he did not remain that way.” Zahra turned to Namir.
“Alkaois became legend not because of the great many things he did—good and bad—but because he never stopped trying to be a good person. He became a hero to many, even if he felt as the opposite himself. He is remembered for his bravery, honesty, and perseverance through not only his twelve labors but also through his own flaws and perception of himself.”
Namir was quiet, his face contemplative. “Why do you think I am like him?”
The answer came to Zahra immediately. “Your determination.”
Namir looked up at her in surprise.
She smiled. “You refuse to give up, despite the challenges you face. You are brave and kind, and you seek to do good wherever you go. When I look at you, I see not just a mighty King or a great Pharaoh, but a kind man with a love for his people.”
Namir blinked, stunned. “Do you really think I will be a great Pharaoh?”
Zahra looked into his eyes and opened her mouth to respond.
As she did so, a vision overtook her. She saw Aur with bountiful fields.
Its lands were rich with color, and near the horizon, she saw not the end of Aur, but the continuation of it.
Two lands had joined and become one, and the people of Deshret had become part of Aur.
And above it all, standing on a balcony overlooking the kingdom, was Namir.
He was older, with gray in his curls and wrinkles in his cheeks. And he was smiling.
Zahra took in a deep breath as the vision faded from her sight.
Namir looked uncertain as he watched her. “Zahra?”
She let out a breath. “Yes. You will be a great Pharaoh.”
Namir considered her words. He leaned forward, grasping the edge of her scarf. He rubbed it between his fingers and then looked into her eyes. “Has this… helped? I know you requested that it be picked up from your father, but—”
Zahra smiled, holding the other end of it. “It was my mother’s.”
Namir let go and leaned back as Zahra spoke.
“It feels like she is with me when I wear it. She was a sibyl, too, and I feel stronger knowing she is close. It helps me remember her.” She turned to him. “I would never have learned about her if it was not for you. Thank you for that.”
Namir smiled. “I am glad I could help.”
They finished their food, watching the people of Ramses’s hometown celebrate. Moonlight shone down upon them, and Zahra was grateful for its protection.
Namir stood suddenly, offering his hand to Zahra. “Let us play something.”
Zahra grinned and took his hand. He led her toward the games. There was a senet game open, and they sat down and began to play.
Namir started, and it was clear to Zahra he was trying to go easy on her.
She smirked, laughing at his shocked face when she moved her piece further than his.
Back and forth they went, until Zahra had taken her last piece across the board.
She waved it in the air. “You should know by now not to underestimate me.”
“I swear I did.” Namir laughed, leaning back on his hands. “Only my sister has ever beaten me at this game.”
“Then I am honored to share the accomplishment with her.” She returned the pieces to the board.
Namir watched her with interest. He leaned forward, helping her set the game back up. “I…have decided that when I find the maiden I chose, I will be taking the mark back and choosing another.”
Zahra froze, a piece still in her hand. She looked at him in surprise. “But you chose her.”
“I do not remember her,” Namir said, taking the piece from her hand and setting up the board. “How could I stick with my choice when I know not what kind of queen she will be?”
“I suppose that makes sense.” Zahra avoided his gaze.
This entire time, Namir’s bride had been nothing more than a vague person.
Now, he was planning on choosing someone to marry—to be his queen.
The thought of him choosing another made her heart burn, and she hated that it did.
“Who will you choose, then? Have you met someone while searching for your bride?”
“Sort of.”
When Zahra looked up, she was surprised to see him watching her with a soft smile. She looked away, toying with some grass by her leg. “I am happy for you. I am sure she will make a great queen.”
“She will.”
Zahra leaned back as Namir’s hand appeared in front of her. She looked up at him. “What is it?”
“Dance with me.” He grinned. “You were invited to a Feast, and not once did you enjoy the celebrations. Here is your chance.”