Helena

Chapter 4

The soldiers all fell into flank and a carriage was brought to the front. The man that said my name came forwards me. He was a fat, bald man with high spirits. 

" Lady Helena , you must be tired from your long journey. Come!" he gestured to go inside the carriage. 

" Where is the Alastor? That young lad better not be still in Atlantis with some girl". 

" I am Keefu, your father's adviser". 

I finally looked at him. My father is Egyptian. Both of his parents came from a noble family. When his parents died he brought up by the Royal family. 

" Blessed you Lady Helena fro not even complaining about the heat ". 

" The heat is nothing compared to the days of water, thought I would rather have water than fire". 

I put my hands on the door and my satchel dropped out. I stood up ready to jump out when Keefu intervened and stopped me.

" The nag is gone. Most likely trampled by my soldiers."

I sat down. 

" I'm sorry Lady". 

Metal clanking came near me. A soldier ran up to me handed me the satchel. 

" Thank you" I said grabbing the bag. 

The soldier kept the head down and went back in line. Why would he not look at me? 

" Who was that soldier? I would like to thank him personally after this ride". 

Keefu turned around and smiled. 

" Do not worry. You have time to thank him later" he grinned. 

I looked at the soldier; strong and tough. I looked at him curiously and fell forward a little when the carriage halted. 

" What is going on here?" 

I stepped out of the carriage. " The road has been blocked". 

" How far are we from home?" 

Keefu squinted his eyes and looked far out. 

" I believe 1 or 2 miles" he replied. 

I looked out and spotted the a great wall. I began walking towards it. 

" Lady Helena, how could you walk? Your father will not be pleased with this sight" he said. 

" My father would not have me rot under the sun as well". I climbed over the small rocky hill. 

" Five soldiers will go with the lady" yelled Keefu. 

" The rest shall stay with me to move the carriage". 

Five soldiers stepped out and came with me as I started running to a nearby oasis. I ran through the trees and drank the cool water it offered me. 

" For a girl, I have never seen anyone so eager and impulsive". 

The same soldier knelled beside me. The Roman battle suit was covered in mud and his hand was cut up. 

" You do not look like a soldier. Surely a man like you holds a greater purpose than to be a soldier". 

I ripped a little shred of my tunic and wrapped it around his hand. 

" Thank you" he said gripping the hand. I laughed. 

" Consider this my way to thank you for saving my satchel". 

We walked further on into the gates of the city. The towering sandcastle stood in the end of the city grounds. The little mud huts filled the city. Small children blacked the road ways and adults worked diligently on their shops. I looked in awe at the city made of sand. 

" You will be meeting your father in the palace" said the soldier. I walked towards the big palace to discover it was much bigger than I thought. The archway could fit a giant. My father stood against a sand pillar carrying a book. He caught a glimpse of me and came up to me. He was dressed like a true Egyptian. Black kohl lined his eyes, his hair was shaved off completely, and he was dressed in cotton robes. He embraced me and smiled. 

" I expected you entering with great luxuries not covered in mud" he said. 

I only smiled and walked with him inside the palace. 

" Who is he, my husband?" I asked. 

My father sighed and continued walking into the throne room. The throne room was decorated with drawings and gold statues. Even the ceiling was painted in gold. 

" I am in trouble. My status has risen in Egypt so now they expect me to introduce children into society". 

I was confused. 

" Could you not have taken another wife. Nobody knows of your wife in Atlantis. Take the woman as a mistress if you wish to keep with tradition".

" I could, but I do not need a son as much as I need a daughter. Your marriage would bring me to a great status. The Pharaoh would once again remember me" he said. 

" Then give birth to another daughter". I walked away from him angry with his reasons to move me here. 

" You had always come to me and mother when you were in need of something. Could you not have come once just to see if we were well ?" I asked. 

A lady stepped between my father and me.