English Version: Sands & Sparrow

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In the kingdom of Elydia, a land of golden sands and towering pyramids, there once ruled a King named Akmenrah, whose power stretched across all regions. As a formidable leader, his presence commanded respect even from afar. He established a pact of loyalty by imposing a binding agreement: the nobles and kings marked their allegiance when they willingly offered one of their daughters to serve as his concubine. The arrangement forged a harem, a lavish court within a palace, symbolizing the women's role in bearing heirs and their families' unwavering loyalty to King Akmenrah.

As the renowned Akmenrah grew increasingly enamored with gold and treasures, his chambers overflowing with precious metals and jewels from distant lands, he embarked on conquests, vanquishing and defeating kingdoms, thus expanding his empire's might. The clash of swords and the thundering of hooves became familiar across Elydia as Akmenrah's armies marched forth. The spoils of war filled the coffers of Elydia, enriching its people and solidifying Akmenrah's legacy as a conqueror.

When he turned fifty, his beard was streaked with gray, but his eyes were still as sharp as a falcon's. In the final chapter of his reign, he married the beautiful Princess of Asmatala named Meshkenet. Despite her tender age of sixteen, her youth a complete difference from Akmenrah's old age, Meshkenet ascended the throne to become the Queen of Elydia; her coronation was a spectacle of unparalleled grandeur. The streets of Elydia were decorated with colorful banners, and the people celebrated for days with feasts and dances to honor their new queen.

Nevertheless, mere power proved insufficient for the mighty King, who yearned for a son to inherit the throne, a desire that consumed his thoughts day and night. Regrettably, his aspirations were impeded as his efforts failed to yield a son within the Queen's womb. The palace physicians and priests offered prayers and potions but to no avail. In response, the kingdoms under Akmenrah's rule, eager to curry favor, offered their daughters as potential bearers of his heir. Among them was a chosen girl from the land of Samaria, a verdant oasis in the desert governed by King Kesekth. His daughter, Femi—meaning "to love" in Elydian—captured the King's attention with her grace and beauty.

Princess Femi possessed captivating light hazel eyes that seemed to shift color in different lights, giving her an inherent beauty that turned heads wherever she went. Princess Femi bore the King a daughter from their union, blessed by the gods, whom she named Nefertari, meaning "beautiful companion."

The young princess not only inherited her mother's grace but surpassed it. She had silky black hair like the night sky, porcelain skin that seemed to glow from within, and a statuesque figure evocative of Akmenrah's regal bearing. Nefertari's eyes were light brown like her mother's but flecked with gold, a striking blend of her parents' distinctive features, marking her as a princess of Elydia. As Nefertari grew, she was educated by the finest scholars in Elydia, learning the arts, sciences, and the ways of leadership.

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One scorching afternoon, the heat from the desert permeated through the sands, with not even a wisp of cloud in the sky to soften the unyielding rays of the sun. Desert animals sought refuge in the shadows of the pillars, the air thick and hazy. The hot temperature seared the skin of those waiting for the great King.

Rigid discipline and determination against the oppressive heat kept the troops standing patiently in the desert, flanked by majestic chariots lined up in a row. Their golden armor and spears glinted in the relentless sunlight, casting a shimmering halo over the assembled force. A thousand soldiers marched forward while the royal families observed from their balconies. From afar, the Queen watched, her head ornamented with a golden headdress and bracelets on her wrists, her white dress of exquisite linen embellished with beads that highlighted her slender figure. Queen Meshkenet, at last, bore an heir for the throne as King Akmenrah's lineage thrived within her womb. She cradled her one-year-old son on her lap, a delicate gold bracelet encircling his tiny wrist, as they awaited the start of the ceremonial parade.