The Garden Of Egypt

Ch. 1

Ebony was tired. She married King Asim to keep her country from going to war with him. She had grown to love him and he her, only to have him suddenly turn horrible. Asim was now abusive and claimed he hadn't time for her. He created a harem and rarely spent time with her unless it was in court. She found refuge in growing a garden surrounded by a small but complicated maze. Her garden was beautiful. It was a place of peace and comfort, nearly mystical. It was out of place for a kingdom in the desert. Ebony was able to make any flower grow, so it was told. She was in her room, painting her lips, when her servant came in.

"King Asim commands your presence in court."

Ebony sighed and stood.

"How do I look?"

The servant ran a critical eye over her tight green dress with golden roses, her makeup, and shoes.

"Perfect. Your hair looks very good."

Ebony laughed.

"You're the one who braided it, Azizi. It's gorgeous." Her black hair was braided and wrapped in a rose shape.

Azizi blushed.

"Your pretty silver tiara makes it gorgeous."

Ebony smiled and checked the kohl surrounding her emerald green eyes and followed Azizi to the courtroom. The doors opened and Ebony schooled her face into a cold mask. She waltzed inside. Asim was sitting on his throne, his cold golden eyes bored. His eyes glanced up at her and looked away, uninterested, back to Ife, his concubine. The ministers and guards couldn't keep their amazement secret as they gazed at her incredible beauty. Asim never spared her another glance once she sat in her golden throne. She never asked why she was there. Asim soon straightened and called out for the prisoner to be brought in. The doors swung open and a giant was let in.

The giant was handsome, there was no denying it. Even covered in dirt and blood, he was handsome. His black hair was matted with blood that rolled down his dark golden face. His cobalt blue eyes were intelligent and scanned the room. Ebony took pity and looked away. The giant froze and had to be pushed to continue. His clothes were covered in holes, dirt, and blood. His hands, feet and neck were all chained together.

"Knee to the king!"

The cobalt eyes flashed with annoyance and a guard kicked the back of his knees, causing the giant to collapse.

"Well, Horus, it seems you won't tell me who the leader is. Why is that?"

So the giant's name was Horus? Interesting. Ebony kept a close eye on the giant. Horus raised his intelligent eyes.

"I don't know anything about the rebellion, Asim. Ife lied to you."

Asim leaned forward, his black hair tied back and his eyes narrowed.

"Ife would never lie to me. She knows what that means." He turned to Ebony. "Isn't that right, My Queen."

"Of course." Ebony said meekly. She inwardly cursed Ife. Her response brought her to the attention of Horus. He gaped at her beauty and her cold expression but quickly closed his mouth.

"See? My concubine wouldn't lie to me." Asim said, unaware of the reaction to what he had just said.

Ebony's eyes were filled with untold fatigue and Horus' eyes flashed with righteous anger.

"Why would you take a concubine when you have a queen at your side?" He roared.

Ebony eyed him with new-found respect and Asim eyed him with suspicion.

"My Queen lacks in giving me an heir." This statement brought silence into the room. Ebony rolled her eyes. You never even tried. She thought. Horus hid a smile once he saw the eye roll. The truth was fast becoming clear. "So I have a harem to produce me one. I'll keep her around and play with her when I want."

"Disgusting." Horus muttered.

"Last chance, Horus. Tell who the rebel leader is, or I'll kill Mother."

Ebony saw the struggle in Horus's eyes and knew what he had chosen.

"For the last time, Asim, I. Don't. Know."

Asim shrugged.

"Have it your way." He waved his hand and a guard brought a beautiful elegant woman forward. Her black hair had faded to gray and her dark eyes flashed with anger. "Kill her."

Horus struggled against the chains to no avail. The sword was raised and Ebony could no longer take it. Hehet was Ebony's first friend in the hellish palace.

"Stop!" The sword halted. "It's Khalfani. He's the leader."

Asim smiled and the sword was lowered in a cutting arc, slicing Hehet's head off. Ebony blinked and a muscle twitched in her cheek. Silent tears ran down Horus's face and his mouth moved with soundless words. Ebony sat there, keeping her tears at bay.

"Thank you. Now, My Queen, don't you need more workers in your garden? Here is your newest addition."

Ebony merely sniffed and turned her head. Asim's smile was wicked. With a wave of his hand, everyone was dismissed. Ebony slowly walked out, but once she was out of eyeshot, she ran down the dim passageways and straight into her garden, tears slipping from her delicate eyes.