The Pharaoh's Whore

Chapter Twelve

"What?" I said, dazed because of what Cleopatra just told me.

"Badra is alive..." Cleopatra said gently.

I smiled and jumped up and started crying tears of joy, my dear Badra was alive!

"But...You need to get out of here immediately. I've arranged for a man and his wife, Allaut and Emmis to take you in until the Pharaoh returns and reclaims his throne" Cleopatra said.

"But...why?" I asked, shocked.

"Bernice is to have you executed in two days time. You need to go now! I've drugged the guards, it'll only last for about thirty minutes so you need to go!" She hissed.

"Where is their house?" I asked.

"I've got Arisone to drive you there. She is dressed as a Widow so no one will dare stop her." Cleopatra said.

"What about Alexia?" I asked gesturing to Alexia's sleeping body.

"Don't worry about him" She hissed, unlocking my cell door and pulling me outside of it.

"Woah" I said trying to steady myself, it had been a while since I had stood up.

"Go!" Cleopatra hissed, shoving my past the unconscious guards and towards a Widow, who was actually Arisone.

I pulled myself up behind Arisone. Cleopatra put a robe of black cloth around me and stuffed my red hair in a old linen hat. I waved goodbye to her as Arisone set off.

"How long?" I asked dazed, still my body didn't register what just happened.

"About a day's journey. I packed food for us." She said gesturing to the sack that she had slung across her shoulder.

"Thank you for doing this Arisone" I whispered.

"Cleopatra and I, we couldn't bare to watch our beloved sister executed and we know Father would be absolutely heartbroken." She whispered back.

"Tell me." She demanded.

"Tell you what?" I asked.

"About the dungeon. Tell me your story" She hissed.

So I told her, I told her about Alexia, how the guards had almost raped me, about Badra, everything that had happened.

"It must be horrible. I could've never survived that" She said shivering.

"Arisone, you are a strong girl. You're smarter than you think." I said hugging her from behind.

"Not really" She said laughing quietly.

"Now, eat and go to sleep. It will help pass the time" She said sharply as we crossed over into the desert area.

"Yes Ma'm!" I said saluting her while laughing.

She rolled her eyes and I indulged in the delicious food that she'd packed.

After I had ate all that I could, I settled down and laid my head on her back.

"Sleep well" She whispered to me.

I mumbled something of a goodnight but I was too far in the dream world to comprehend what I said.