The Queen's Magician

A Long Ride To Alexandria

Weeks had passed by since Chima’s spill. The good news was that he was healing from the collapse, but he could barely get out of bed without slipping onto the floor. The nurse had to assist him with walking. For that reason alone, I had to keep Chima in the infirmary until he was fully capable of movement on his control.

Rameses appreciated my orders for a change, but his mind was still set on his own business. Little did I know that my orders weren’t going to flutter around the palace for much longer. Actually, I should’ve known, but I was too focused on Chima to remember.

“Madara, why aren’t you packing yet?” my husband asked with concern.

“What do you mean?” I replied in question, “Are we leaving somewhere?”

“Yes! To Alexandria! Do you not remember?”

It didn’t take long to remember that again. “Oh no! I completely forgot! I must pack right away.”

“Calm thyself, Madara,” Rameses said, putting his hands on my shoulders to stop me from running to the chamber, “I’ll have the servants do that for you. I think whatever Chima is contagious because you are out of focus, my dear.”

Rameses wasn’t mistaken. I was losing focus of my surroundings. With that in mind, I remembered another thing that I was supposed to keep track of. Michael’s letters! I prayed that Rameses didn’t come face to face with the messenger while I was running around, mindless.

“Your majesty!” called Mera from the corner of the palace hall.

“Yes?” replied the Pharaoh, cocking an eyebrow.

“The messenger has come for the queen. He has a letter from her mother.” Mera quickly looked over to me, widening his eyes.

“Well, Madara, go with Mera. It must be important.”

I nodded once before walking with Mera to the front doors of the palace to meet the messenger. “My mother hasn’t wrote to me in so long,” I told the servant, “What word would she have for me?”

Mera scoffed. “Your mother didn’t write to you, your grace.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

“You should be aware of who does, your majesty.”

I stopped speaking and gasped. “Oh god.”

We arrived out side of the palace, where the messenger carriage sat in front of the steps. The messenger straightened his clothes and bowed to me. “From Rome, your majesty,” he said. That wasn’t the first time I came face to face with the messenger. He was the one that delivered my wedding gifts to the palace after my marriage to Rameses. His name was Ezra.

“Oh, thank you, Ezra,” I replied very gratefully. “How can I repay you for your service to me?”

“Only with thine smile, your highness,” he said, bowing his head again, “If thou wishes to send, I will come.”

“Oh, thank you.” I tore the stamp off the letter and unfolded it for me to see Michael’s most recent words.

Dearest Madara,

It has been so long since you have written to me. My heart has been filled with joy again with this, but it sinks to hear your concerns. I understand the anguish, and I do not wish for our love to die as much as you don’t wish it to. Fear not, Madara. Our time is approaching, and the ship is approaching the Roman docks. Soon, you’ll be coming as well. ‘Til then, I forever think of you. As much as I want to send a gift to thee, time is too short. I love you.

Always,

Michael, your Gold Magician

Then, the day had came. The day we left our kingdom to travel to Alexandria. The closer I stepped to the palanquin, the faster my heart had beat. I feared that I would faint before I would ever reach the great city. Though it was still warm in Egypt, I felt cold as ice.

“Madara, come along, darling,” said my husband, taking me by the arm.

“I come, I come,” I replied softly, stepping into the palanquin.

“Now, what is wrong, my dear?”

“I do not know, Rameses.” I sighed heavily for I continued explaining. “My head…”

“Someone fetch the queen some water!” demanded the Pharaoh, interrupting the rest of my explanation.

Mera bowed at the foot of the palanquin with a jug of water in his hands. “Shall I keep it inside in case her majesty needs more?”

“Yes, Mera. Thank you. Make sure the guards keep the palace under full protection. Chima is still inside.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Rameses,” I said, “Chima is highly guarded in front of the infirmary as promised?”

“Yes, my dear,” the Pharaoh responded, rolling his eyes. “It is assured.”

“What if thieves invade?”

“My guards are the highest trained in all of Egypt, Madara. I am completely sure no one is foolish enough to sneak into the palace when the ruler of the kingdom is out. Everyone in Egypt knows that.”

“Outsiders do not,” I muttered. I was unaware of the palanquin leaving the palace property until I noticed the marketplace. “What about extra food, Rameses?”

“The servant fetched them yesterday, my dear.”

I did realize that I was annoying my husband, but I was never used to leaving our city before, so I could at least admit that I was highly nervous about everything.

“Madara, may I ask you of something?”

Only moving my eyes, I replied, “Yes,” as emotionlessly as my voice could go.

“You have never traveled outside of Giza, have you?” questioned Rameses.

I shook my head slowly. “I have not. I lived in this city even when my mother gave birth to me. I was taught of the other cities, but I never went to see them for myself. Mother said, “Travel is a man’s business.” I…”

“Well, I shall make sure of your safety,” Rameses interrupted. “The outside world is a dangerous place. Not everyone is so friendly to the queen of Egypt, my sweet. That is the first thing you should be aware of, Madara. Once outside your kingdom, you are a victim in anyone’s eyes.”

“For your information, Rameses, a victim is a term used in one’s own mind. The only victim I am is being called one by a person who I married,” I hissed, almost grinding my teeth against one another.

“Madara, I made it my soul duty to…”

“Rameses, did you even hear me? I am not a victim.”

And that ended that. With that statement in mind, I knew it was going to be a very long trip to Alexandria.