The Story Of Nefertari

Attack On The Pharaoh

Chapter 2: Attack on the Pharaoh

Everyone gathered at the Arena screaming in excitement. Nefertari had never been at the arena before. She had been sitting in the middle row of bleaches opposite from the royal family who had a whole tent for themselves. She had just been assigned as the new royal healer and was not thrilled by the new post. Nefertaris mentor Haqq had been the one to recommend her. He had been the palace healer for twenty-four years now and was trusted by the Pharoah. Nefertari wanted to see the royals up close and decided the arena would be her best shot.

The trumpet was blown, and the cheers grew louder in excitement. Another trumpet and the seven prisoners exited a gate from the bottom east of the arena accompanied by eight guards. One guard stood forward holding a scroll and announced the name of the prisoners and the crime one by one.

“Ammon, charged for treason.”

“Zainab, charged for Adultery.”

“Horus, charged for treason.”

“Aten, charged for murder.”

“This is not at all justice.” Said the women a few feet from Nefertari. . “My brother was defending me from that guard, he does not deserve such a fate!” The royals stood up and turned around facing the woman. Two guards from nowhere marched towards the woman. Before they could reach her, she threw a blade aiming it at the Pharoah but stabbed the right shoulder of the prince Adnan. The guards dragged the woman to the centre of the arena. Prince Adnan only put pressure on the wound and sat back down, they all did. Nefertari found it odd. “Why would he not tend to his wound.” Nefertari said to no one. “Because without him there is no show.” Said the middle-aged man next to Nefertari.

The man saw the puzzled expression of Nefertaris face and further explained. “Prince Adnan is the controller of the serpents.” Nefertari grew up believing those were just mere rumours’. She had now gained a sudden interest in what was to befall the prisoners. She had not wanted to see them die, but she wanted to know how. The woman who stabbed the prince was made to stand last on the line of the seven. The guard with the scroll opened it and continued.

“Khalid, charged with theft.”

“His just a little boy.” Nefertari whispered. “How could they be so cruel.”

“Hapi, charged for treason.”

“Jabari, charged for murder.”

“Bes, charged for theft.”

“Zahra, charged for intent to murder.”

The guards marched to the entrance they came from and sealed the gate. Two guards carrying a golden chest emerged from a different gate, they placed the chest on the grown and left sealing their gate. The crowd cheered and the prisoners started running looking for exits. Each gate they tried was sealed. Khalid looked so scared. Nefertari wished there were a way she could save the child. The chest opened and inside were three fully grown naja hajes. The king cobras seemed strong and well fed. The three creatures slithered down the chest and stood tall with a third of their bodies. Their hoods flared. Nefertari feared for the prisoner, as a healer she knew that the venom of the naja haje cripples the nervous system. The venom first causes paralysis followed by respiratory failure and then death.

All the prisoners stood still except for Zahra. She ran towards a gate only hoping it would open. Before she could reach one of the king cobras blocked her way. She stopped and stood still. Praying the creature would not attack. Behind her was another which stood almost to its full length. It hissed and flared its hood moving its head slowly side to side. Zahra turned around slowly; fear written on her sweaty face. When she saw the naja haje eye level as her she screamed. The creature lunch forward with a swift quick move and injected its fangs on her face.