Cleopatra's Maid

The Red Rug- Prologue

Kira stood, apprehensive at her master's command. The girl's hazel eyes blinked slowly, trying to figure out if she was dreaming or not. Kira was a young maiden, at only eighteen years old, yet the gods had blessed her with the job serving the Pharaoh herself. A job any proud Egyptian would gladly take on. However, Kira was beginning to question every single one of her choices she had ever made as she and her friend, Apollodorus, stood before Cleopatra. They were both summoned to the Queen's bed chambers, which was a shock in itself, but what the Queen would command as they walked in would be even more shocking.

"I am going to meet with the Caesar. Kira will dress me in my finest jewels before wrapping me up in this rug," Cleopatra pointed to a red rug resting in a heap on the floor, "Apollodorus will then tie the rug up and carry me out to Alexandra to meet with Julius Caesar."

"My Queen," Kira objected, "Are you sure this is safe?"

"Of course it's not, why would I do it if it were safe? Now go fetch my jewels."

Kira could only obey, despite her obvious distaste to this plan, and went over to Cleopatra's bedside table and picking up a small ornate box. Inside the box were strings of jewels and gold rings and silver bracelets. The things a girl like Kira couldn't even dream of having for herself. The maid pulled out a string of small green stones and began to weave them through her Queen's hair into a tight braid. If her master were to do this, she would need to have her long, dark hair away and out of her face.

"Apollodorus, while she dresses me, go out and find a sturdy string you can tie the rug up with, ask one of the scribes. Surely they would know where a strong rope would be."

The tall man gave a deep bow, "Yes, my queen." He then turned and scurried out of the room.

That's when Cleopatra turned to look the young maid in the eyes, "Listen to me girl, as soon as you're finished I will lay down in the rug and you will roll me into it. Make sure it's tight."

Kira nodded as she placed a string of rubies around the Pharaoh's neck. They sat in silence as Kira continued to decorate her Queen in the finest jewelry. This meeting must be an important one for her to insist on wearing all these rare jewels. She must be looking to make a strong impression on this Caesar. Kira knew that she couldn't fail her Queen. She had to look her best for this meeting.

As soon as they were done dressing Cleopatra, Apollodorus came running back in with a long rope. Cleopatra immediately stood up and pointed to the rug, "Kira, roll the rug out."

Kira obeyed, getting down on her knees and rolling it out on the bedroom floor. Cleopatra then laid down on top of it, lengthwise, and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Now roll it back up."

Kira pulled an edge of the rug up and over her Queen's body, then began to push the queen in an effort to roll her into the rug. Cleopatra ended up having to help by rolling on the ground herself. Eventually she was completely rolled up into the rug.

  A muffled voice came out from the rug, "Now tie me up so I don't fall out."

Apollodorus then crouched down on the floor and wrapped the rope around the rug three times, then tied it into a tight knot. Their job was done. Cleopatra was completely wrapped in the rug.

"Can you breathe, my queen?" Kira asked nervously. Their plan would fail if she suffocated, and both her and Apollodorus would be blamed for her death.

"I am fine. Now Apollodorus will carry me to Alexandria."

"What shall Kira do?" asked Apollodorus, looking at the girl with concerned eyes. He had beautiful eyes, a deep, dark brown.

"She will stay here and wait for our return."

  "Yes, my queen," Kira said in obedience.

Apollodorus stood, lifting the rug with a grunt and carrying it over his shoulder. He turned to Kira, "Stay safe."

"I'm more worried about you both," Kira looked at him with a worried frown.

"We'll be fine," Cleopatra piped up from inside the rug, "Now kiss your young maiden goodbye, Apollodorus, and let us be on our way."

The two friends laughed at this. Honestly, this whole situation seemed a bit comical. Apollodorus bent down slightly and kissed the girl on the cheek, "Farwell."

"Farewell," repeated Kira.

And with that he left the room.

Kira stood for a moment, wondering what to do next. She knew she should stay, it was her Queen's commandment after all, yet something inside her was telling her she must follow. Something didn't feel right about this. What if they got hurt? Or worse. Kira shook her head in frustration before rushing over to a table in the far corner of the room and pulling a drawer out, letting the contents fall to the ground. She had to hurry. Her Queen kept a dagger in this drawer, for safety reasons, and she had told Kira about it in case anyone should come after either her or her maids. She dug around in the pile of coins and knick-knacks before finding the dagger in it's sheath. The girl stood up and wrapped the sheath around her waist and tying it. Then she wiped the dust off of her old dress and pushed her hair off of her face. Kira's next move was rushing out of the room and scurrying down the palace halls and out to the garden. She could barley see Apollodorus in the distance, making him out by the red rug, walking down to the pier of the Nile. They would take a boat to Alexandria and would be there by the late afternoon.

Kira would sneak aboard.