THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 64

"Pharaoh!" a man came in and bowed before the lord of the two lands.
"What!"
"I just saw Lady Rashida go into the tunnels. We tried to persuade her not to go in but she forced us to go in threatening us with her life. There was nothing we could do so I had to come report it to you."
" What is she thinking ? Cover the tunnels on both ends. I will ride to the end of the tunnel to find her. Ready my chariot.Where is Baka ?"
There was no response.
" Incompetent fool! Come with me Astrid."
" Yes my lord."
The two walked outside and got onto a chariot. The horses were galloped quickly towards the direction ordered by Pharaoh. From the look in his eyes, Astrid could see fear and concern.
Rashida walked through the dark tunnel and reached the other end using a burning torch in her hand. It soon became light and she walked through the mud but did not care about dirtying her white dress. Her mind was focused on getting out of the tunnel and running away with Baka. She pushed away the gate separating her and her freedom and finally walked out. There stood Baka who helped her out.
"Are you alright ?"
"I am. Now what ?"
"Here change into these. They will disguise you and we will not be followed."
"Alright," she said and cringed at the creased and smelly dress. She hid behind some papyrus reeds and changed.
"Remove the jewels on your wig," he said and began to remove them for her. He then ruffled her wig. She looked scruffy. "Now nobody will recognize us."
She looked at her reflection in the water and she barely recognized herself. She looked so dirty. Would that be the price she had to pay to get happiness with Baka ? Now that she had run away, would her father be really disappointed in her and never love her again ? How about Smenkhhare, Seti and Thutmose ? Would they miss her ? Was Astrid laughing now that she had told on her to the Pharaoh ?
"We have much walking to do. Let's go."
She nodded and followed him. They had not walked for long when they heard the sound of many horses galloping towards them.
"My father," she whispered." Come on let's run."
They began to run but the chariots caught up with them and circled them. They had nowhere to escape.
Pharaoh walked down the steps of the chariot and finally towards her. He held no expression on his face. Behind him was Astrid who looked on with pity. He looked at Rashida from head to toe.
"Where do you think you are going ?"
"Father," she mumbled nervously." I..."
"What ? Speak."
She was trembling and looked at Baka who looked at the ground.
"It seems that you have become a mute," he told her and turned to look at Baka."So this is where you came ? Where were you taking my daughter ?" he barked as he grabbed Baka's neck." Speak up!"
"Father, don't harm him I'm begging you."
"I was trying to help the princess to escape," he said after Pharaoh let go of him.
"You were trying to escape ? What for ? What do you lack in the palace ? You have more than you can possibly need and is this how you repay me ? You ingrate."
"It's not what you think father."
"I won't hear another word from you," he said with a sigh." Arrest him," he ordered.
"No father don't," she cried." I will shoulder my own crime but spare him."
" You dare defend him ? You are really out of your senses."
" I was escaping with him because I know that you can never consent to my love with him. I love him."
The last part hit the Pharaoh and he was speechless.
" You what ?"
" I am in love with him," she cried.
" This is nonsense," he said as he got onto his chariot." To the palace immediately."
The charioteer whipped the horses and they all headed back to the palace in silence.
She was dragged into the hall and all eyes were on her. Pharaoh looked at her clearly thinking about the whole situation.
"Why did you try to run away ?" Smenkhhare asked.
She kept quiet shifting her look at her father, brothers and back to her father.
"Baka, were you trying to run away with her ?" Seti asked.
Again, there was silence. Pharaoh shook his head and shouted.
"Answer what you have been asked!"
"I wanted to elope with Baka because I love him," Rashida said." He is the one I want to marry."
A laugh escaped Smenkhhare as he shook his head.
" Him ?" he asked arrogantly." You are funny Rashida. Now let us be serious here. Where were you running off to and why."
" I already answered you. I want to be with Baka but none of you will ever consent to it. This was the only way."
" Really ?" Smenkhhare asked.
" Yes Smenkhhare. It is true. If you don't believe me then ask him."
" Is this true Baka ?" Seti asked.
" It is not true my lord. The princess forced me to help her escape because she feels unwanted here in the palace. She wanted you to look around for her and give her the attention she wants. That is what she told me and she took a dagger threatening to slit her throat if I did not help her. She is a royal and I couldn't let royal blood spill so I gave in to her request. I don't know why she says that we were eloping. Believe me your majesty."
Rashida opened her eyes wide in disbelief. She felt her world crumble on her. Had she not done everything for that man ? Did he not love her ? Had she not agreed to relinquish her title as the king's daughter for him ? Had she not snuck out of the palace to be with him ? She must have been dreaming. No. She had to confirm what she had heard.
"What ?" she asked." Why are you doing this ?"
"Do you see that, sovereign ? She wanted me to tell you that we were eloping but I couldn't do it. I even wanted to pursue her to come back and not go through with running away but here we are. If you need proof, here it is," he said as he took out a ring." This is the ring you granted to her my king. She gave me this as payment so that I can help her run off.
"I don't believe you Baka," Astrid said." I believe in what Rashida said and you know it. Would you dare swear by the gods that what you say is true ?"
"I do. I swear by the gods that I am telling the truth. May I die a horrible death if any word I spoke today in your presence is a lie."
"Rashida," Pharaoh called." What do you have to say ?"
"He is right father. I wanted to run away so I could get some attention from you," she said in a low tone feeling the sting of betrayal in her heart.
" With that, I order you Baka to be demoted to the lowest level guard within the outer palace. You Rashida, shall stay in your room until the day you get married. You shall no take a step out of your room no matter what happens. Take them away."
" Have mercy my lord!" Baka cried out.
Some guards dragged Baka out while two escorted Rashida to her room.
There then fell deep silence in the great hall as the scribe wrote down everything that had happened.