THE GREAT LADY OF ALKION

CHAPTER 74

"Father, we are running out of supplies," Asenath said.
" I have sent someone to fetch more for us. Don't worry."
"Alright."
"This is mugwort powder. Make sure to store it well daughter. It is harmful if used carelessly," Khafirin said as he handed her a pot full of the powder.
"Yes father. You have told me that a lot," Asenath smiled as she wrapped her arms around her father's shoulders." I am a good physician. Have some trust in me pa."
"Of course I trust you my flower but we need to be careful. Mugwort was used to harm Lady Meritaten and we cannot leave room for errors or else it will be off with our heads."
There was a knock at the door and Bennu peeked inside.
" Come in,"Khafirin said.
"My lady has been lacking some energy for some days now and she sent me here to get a tonic from you."
"I will prepare a mugwort tonic for her,"Khafirin said.
"Mugwort ?"Bennu asked." But won't that be harmful ? It was used to harm her before. Please use something else."
" I am afraid that what we can use for now is mugwort root. I have sent some physicians to fetch more herbs for use here. The mugwort is alright for her to boost her energy since she is not expectant."
" Thank you Lord Khafirin. I shall leave now."
She walked out and Asenath spoke as Bennu was shutting the door.
"This mugwort really is something father."
" Why ?"
" Some junior physicians have come to me before to complain that there were missing amounts of mugwort."
"I don't understand you."
" When Rashida was about to get married to Thutmose, there were small missing amounts. I looked into her illness then and you can remember that she was always feeling faint and had headaches. We used it to help treat her. I just find it quite strange that Meritaten lost her child because of it when we used it to treat Rashida then the missing amounts."
" Why did you not tell me that ? That was vital information."
" There were lots of things going on like Meritaten's miscarriage and the wedding. I forgot."
" I don't think Rashida is capable of such evil. That was her own brother's child. Besides, Meritaten lost the child because of using mugwort for long. Long before Rashida began to use it. I don't think she is behind that."
"It really is hard for her to escape suspicion now that we know that."
"This matter should not be discussed aimlessly. This is the king's daughter we are talking about. We will have to investigate further."
"Yes father."
"Now prepare Meritaten's tonic."

Bennu could not believe what she had just heard. She walked within the palace thinking and putting together all the pieces of what had happened to Meritaten. She had to report what she had found out to Meritaten immediately.
She saw Rashida from a distance and decided to follow her since she seemed to be headed to the basements and that looked suspicious.
Rashida was on her way to end things with Baka and they had agreed to meet in one of the many rooms in the basement. She walked cautiously since it was a bit dark and so she took a burning torch for light. She heard some footsteps and hid behind the wall. Bennu walked on wondering where Rashida had disappeared to.
Just then, Rashida came out of hiding startling Bennu.
"You dare follow me ?"
Bennu did not respond.
"I am talking to you. Am I not ?"Rashida asked.
"I heard you the first time," she hissed.
" Whom are you talking to like that ?"
"There are only two people here. Who else would I be talking to ?"
Rashida raised her hand ready to slap Bennu but Bennu held her back.
"Don't you dare. I don't care that you are the daughter of Pharaoh. I know what you did to my mistress. You poisoned her!"
"Are you out of your mind ?"
"I know everything. You sent Anippe to steal mugwort from Khafirin. I know it all and I will tell my lady."
" Why would I do that ? In case you forgot, that was my brother's own flesh so why would I harm it ?"
" Because you hate my mistress to the core. You made her lose the little love her husband had for her and the child she so desperately wanted. I shall reveal your truth today."
" You dare ? Go ahead and report me but you will be dead before you open your filthy mouth."
"Come with me and confess your crime,"Bennu said and began to pull Rashida's arm.
"Let go of me you cheap servant. Let me go!"
Rashida tried to free herself from Bennu's tight grip on her arm but couldn't. She tried to kick Bennu to no avail. They reached the top of a staircase leading to the basement while still struggling with each other.
"Let me go!" Rashida said and pulled her arm away quickly with all her might making Bennu lose her step and tip over.
Rashida gasped and rushed to hold onto her so she couldn't fall off but only caught Bennu's dress strap. The strap snapped out and Rashida watched in horror as Bennu rolled down the long flight of stairs before hitting the ground and her blood splattered all over the walls.
She lay on the ground with her mouth open and her eyes fluttering as she raised her hand looking at Rashida who stood frozen on the spot. She was in a lot of pain and her bleeding from her head couldn't stop. A little while later, her hand fell to her side on the ground and her eyes closed. Rashida looked around helplessly and placed her hand on her chest trying to catch her breath. Nobody had seen what had happened so she walked away to her room and shut the door behind her before falling to the ground still in disbelief.