The Morning Sun

The ending of Childhood

The sun shone down as Khepri ran through the palace her leather shoes making a thumping sound as she ran on the hard stone floor. She was late, Ebony her hand maiden had tried to raise her, but she had been in such a deep sleep even the gods themselves couldn't have raised her. She cursed as she sped towards the edduba. Her father, when he found out wouldn't be best pleased he always told her, her education was key more so than her brothers as he already knew what his future would entail, he would follow their father into the military.

She finally got to the edduba after what seemed like ages, her scrolls were falling out from under her arms as she entered the little open room. The chamber was light and airy with hieroglyphs of Thoth the god of wisdom and knowledge over the walls and ceiling.

Every eye turned to her and she blushed as tutor Khay's face turned stormy as he frowned at her "nice of you to join us, Lady Khepri" she gulped as she went to take her seat at the back of the class avoiding her brothers glare and the two Prince's glances.

Khay set down two scrolls of papyrus in front of her "translate these" he said before walking away. For the rest of the class she bent over the translations, Hittite messages to Ramesses pledging the treaty remain intact.

As the sun got higher in the sky she found it harder and harder to concentrate, the Princes and Princesses and fellow nobles sat working around her diligently, until the bell finally tolled she jumped out of her seat "I wish to see you before you go Khepri" tutor Khay didn't even look up as the students handed there papyrus scrolls to him, as they left. Meritamen gave her a sorrowful look and rushed out along with several of the other Princes and Princesses. She gulped as a hand appeared suddenly on her shoulder making her jump slightly " we will wait for you outside" she turned quickly to see Amunher and Prehir standing beside her "Thanks" she said giving them a nervous smile, with that the two Princes giving her one finale look made their way out.

Khepri walked towards the desk where Khay sat, she put down her partly finished scrolls onto the desk. Khay waited till the last of the students had gone then turned to her putting down his reed pen he fixed her with an intense gaze "I won't tell your father or mother about today" Khepri went to speak but he stopped her by interrupting " you are a good student, usually" he raised an eyebrow, pulling her papyrus towards him shaking his head slowly then continued "today though and for a few weeks I have felt that your interests don't lie in this edduba" he stopped again giving her an intense stare she remained silent wringing her hands together "I know your father has spoken to you about your future, you are lucky your father cares so much about you" Khepri bit her lip trying to avoid tears " This isn't like you Khepri whatever is on your mind and making you like this, I ask you to either face it head on or really think about your future" he turned back to the scrolls " you may go" he said as she bowed slightly then scurried out trying her best not to cry. The truth was she felt rotten ever since she had found out Amunher and Prehir were to leave the edduba and start training with their father. Her childhood was ending and everyone was telling her to grow up, but the truth was she didn't want to, she was only fourteen, she didn't want to leave that little girl behind who hunted and ran through the desert without a care in the world.

Authors note *

Edduba - was the ancient Egyptian school, where children of nobility learnt various skills. 

Thoth- God of Knowledge,wisdom and writing. Often represented as a man with the head of an ibis or sometimes represented as a baboon.