Daughter of the Nile

Chapter Ten

For the next three nights, the fever raged within the young pharaoh. Bektamunet refused to leave her brother's side. Sacajawea, Teddy, Jed, Octavius, Larry, and even Atilla took turns sitting with the Egyptian princess. Sacajawea made an herbal cure for Ahkmenrah to supplement the fever-reducer Larry had brought from home.

Bek's unrelenting vigil soon took it's toll on her, and it became apparent to the other exhibits. They all tried to convince Bek to rest, but she refused each time.

"I will rest when Ahkmen is well," she answered each attempt.

On the fourth night, Jed and Octavius took their turn in staying with Bek and Ahk in the guardroom. Jed stayed on the card table in the corner, working on one of the remote-controlled cars. Octavius stood on the side table near the pharaoh's head so that he would be near if Bek need his help with anything. He was not sure how much help he could give, but he wanted to do whatever he could.

He watched Bek bathe Ahk's chest and face once more. He could see the weariness in her every move that night. Worry and a touch of fear showed in her eyes; her lovely brown eyes, usually shining, were now dulled by exhaustion. She had foregone her usual circlet and jewelry. For the last few nights, all she had worn was her simple white gown, tying her long black hair back with a piece of her burial linen.

Octavius sighed heavily as he watched her dutifully tend her brother. He had learned from the time she had spent with him and Jedidiah, learning about their worlds and telling them about Egypt, that she was the one of the smartest and wisest women he had ever encountered. Now, he saw her caring and devotion to her family, and it amazed him. He had half-expected for her to demand that Sacajawea or another healer tend Ahk, like all of the other princesses he had met, but she chose to take on the humble duty and tend him herself. However, it pained Octavius to see her so distressed and exhausted.

Wearily, Bek rose to retrieve Ahk's next dose of medicine. She was so tired, bit she knew that she would never be able to rest, even if she wanted to. Not after...no, she could not think on those things. Ahkmen needed her. She was so weary that she could not clearly see where she was going, and she tripped on the hem of her gown, falling in a heap on the floor.

"My lady!" she heard Octavius cry out. "Lady Bektamunet, are you alright?" For a moment, all she wanted was to lay there and not move for at least a week, but she knew she could not. Slowly, she raised her head, looking to the little Roman anxiously standing on the edge of the side table.

As soon as he saw her falling, Octavius sprang forward instinctively, even though there was nothing he could do. She raised her head after a long moment and turned to look at him, the action clearly costing her a great deal of effort.

"I am...unhurt, Octavius," she answered. She wearily stood, stumbled to the counter where the medicine bottle stood, and returned with it.

"Please, Lady Bektamunet, will you not rest? Just for a little while," Octavius pleaded.

Bek sadly shook her head. "I cannot," she murmured. "As soon as I do, he will worsen; I feel it in my bones."

"I can watch over the pharaoh and wake you if he shows signs of worsening." Octavius offered. "Jedidiah will help me, I am certain. Please, my lady, you need rest!"

"Nay," she shook her head again. " I...I cannot..." Her voice grew shaky. "I...could not...bear it...if...if..."

Realization swept over the Roman. "You have had someone under your care, someone dear to you, die due to such an illness."

Bek closed her weary eyes and a tear escaped from each one. She nodded. "Someone I loved more than life itself. They died in my arms," she whispered and choked back a sob.

"I-I am so sorry, my lady," Octavius said quietly. He suddenly had the inexplicable urge to hold her. Hold her tightly and never let go. He yearned to comfort the broken young princess before him and see the hurts she kept hidden healed. "Please, my lady, I know you fear for your brother, like your...loved one...before, but you are not alone this time. Jedidiah and I will help Sacajawea look after Ahkmenrah. If you do not rest soon, you will likely pass out from sleep deprivation, since you clearly do not get any true rest during the day."

Bek nodded. "I wake as exhausted as when I lie down."

"Let us call for Sacajawea. Please, Lady Bek."

She looked up and met his pleading eyes. Deep down, she knew he was right, but her fears would not let her rest. However, his words and promise to watch over her brother in her stead comforted her. She knew in her heart she could trust him. Finally, she relented.

"Call for the lady of the Shoshone. I know Ahkmen trusts her implicitly."

"I'll go find Sac," Jed called. "Finally got his car fixed. I'll be back in a jiffy!"

Bek leaned down, laid her head on her brother's shoulder, and closed her eyes. She thought she felt a tiny hand stroking her hair. "Rest now, Bek. We will take care of you both," she heard Octavius say. In moments, she was sound asleep.

When Larry, Sacajawea, and Teddy arrived, the Shoshone immediately took the Egyptian princess' place. Larry blew up an old air mattress Nicky had found in the supply closet some time ago. Teddy went in search of something to use for sheets and a pillow. He soon returned with Atilla in tow. The president had found the headrest that Bek had used in life and brought it from her tomb. Atilla brought a couple of large furs from the Mongol display. One pelt he laid out on the mattress, the second he gently covered Bek with once Teddy had moved her to the make-shift bed.

Octavius watched them settle the slumbering princess onto the air mattress. She did not stir or wake even once. The general kept his post by Ahkmenrah as he promised, but he could not help but let his gaze wander to the sleeping Bek, sending up a prayer to the gods of Rome that they bless her with deep sleep and pleasant dreams.