Daughter of the Nile

Chapter Fifteen

The next night, Ahkmenrah and Bektamunet both felt much better, Sacajawea still insisted on them resting. She did, however, relent on keeping them separated on the condition that they would not do anything taxing or strenuous. Teddy and Larry pulled a small gilt throne from Ahk tomb over to Bek's garden so they could sit together and rest. While they were arranging the furniture under the shade of the palms, Bek pulled a blue enameled box from one of the cases.

"You know, Ahkmen, I have been a few weeks now, and you still have yet to challenge me," she said, holding up the object in her hand with a mischievous grin. When Ahk saw what she had, a huge smile grew on his face.

"Sister, you are so on."

Jed and Octavius drove up to the Egyptian wing to check on Ahk and Bek. They found the pair sitting under the palms with a small table between them.

Suddenly, a cheer left Bek's lips. "Yes! Take that, little brother!"

The royal pair looked relaxed and much more informal than usual; Ahk did not have on his crown nor most of his jewelry, and Bek was the same. He wore a simple white kilt*, his orange-gold robe, sandals, wrist cuffs, and a much smaller jeweled collar than he normally wore. Bek wore her simple white , small earrings, and a lotus flower ring and pendant.

"Whadda think they're doin'?" Jed asked.

"I wouldn't know," Octavius answered. "A game, perhaps?"

They quickly climbed the leg of the table to the top where they saw a blue box with pawn-like pieces set on the top in little squares.

"What're y'all doin' up here?" Jed asked.

"Hello, Jed," Ahk greeted the cowboy.

"Master Jedediah, General," Bek nodded to each miniature with her own bright smile.

"Is this some sort of board game, my lady?"

Bek nodded enthusiastically. "It is senet**; it was one of the most popular games in Egypt."

"One that Bek excels in," Akh added, with a pointed look at the grinning princess.

"But you often beat me in hounds and jackals**," she waved off his claim.

"My lady enjoys board games, then?" Octavius asked.

"Enjoys and dominates in," Ahk muttered.

"I heard that," she giggled.

Ahk plastered a bright, innocent smile. "I have no idea what you are talking, sister."

"Is that so?" she playfully countered, picking up the four sticks laying on the table. They each had a black side and a blue side. Rolling them together in her, she cast them onto the table. Apparently, the pattern they made was good - for Bek. Ahk immediately gave an exaggerated groan as Bek threw her arms up with a cheer. She moved a piece shaped different from the others to the last square then off the board to join four other pieces like it.

"That's the fourth time tonight!" Ahk complained.

Jed's jaw dropped. "Ya mean ta tell me she's beat ya four times, boy?"

Ahk nodded dejectedly. "In a row."

Jed whistled lowly. "Well, shoot! Bad luck, pardner."

Octavius, on the hand, was doing his best to not smile too widely. "May I congratulate you on your victory, Lady Bektamunet," he said with a little bow.

"Thank you, General," She inclined her head to him, still smiling broadly from her success.

"What is going on in here?"

All eyes flew to the open doorway where Sacajawea stood with her hands on her hips and an expression of motherly consternation on her face. Teddy stood just beside her, blue eyes twinkling behind his glasses.

"It looks rather like she beat the pharaoh in a board game, my dear," he said.

"I told you both to rest,"Sacajawea said, ignoring Teddy and stepping forward.

"We are," Ahk protested. "Look we're just sitting here and everything. We haven't gotten up once."

Sacajawea came over to where they were and looked down at the senet game on the table. "Who won?" she asked softly.

"Bek did," Ahk sighed.

"Four times in a row," Octavius added, hoping he didn't sound too proud or anything.

"Thank you, Octavius," Ahk replied sarcastically.

"Yeah," Jed added. "Way ta go, amigo."

"What?" Octavius shrugged. "It's true."

A small grin broke out on Sacajawea's face. "Good job, Bek," she said quietly before turning and heading back to where Teddy stood in the doorway.

"What?" Ahk moaned, slouching in his chair.

As Sacajawea took Teddy's arm to let him lead her out, the president winked at Bek, sending his own silent congratulations to her.

"Aww, poor little Ahkmen," Bek teased. "Does he need a hug to mend his bruised ego?"

Ahk immediately sat up straight, causing Bek to giggle at him.

He imperiously crossed his arm over his chest with a mock scowl. "I am the fourth king of the fourth king! You should not be laughing at your pharaoh!"

Bek tried to smother her fit of laughter but failed. Reaching over, she ruffled his hair affectionately, causing Ahk to lose his stern expression and to break out into a wide grin as he pretended to fend her off. "Pharaoh you may be, but you will always be my little brother."

Jed and Octavius chuckled at their antics. The Roman general released a tiny sighed a little as he gazed up at the Egyptian beauty before him. Her eyes had lost much of the dull, tired look she had had for the last few days. Tonight, her chocolate brown eyes sparkled with a quiet joy and laughter. When they turned his way, a swarm of butterflies mysteriously erupted in his stomach.

By Jupiter, what's wrong with me? he thought. I am a Roman general! And yet, she reduces me to a nervous schoolboy with one look.

"My Lord General, are you well?" Her sweet voice broke through his mental monologue. Lookin up, he found her gazing down at him in genuine concern, and he felt the butterflies take flight again.

"Partner?" Jed looked and sounded innocent enough, but Octavius was not fooled. He could see the mischievous twinkle in the cowboy's eye.

"Of course, I am quite fine, thank you. Just lost in thought."

"Oh? What about?" Bek asked.

"Nothing of great importance," Octavius answered.

"Aw, he's probably jus' planning another night of training exercises for his men," Jed piped up. "He never lets 'em go too long without 'em."

"I see," Bek answered. "I supposed it would not do for an army to get out of practice, especially the Roman army. They have quite the reputation to uphold, you know." She sent Octavius a playful, pointed look, and his face heated up in a strange combination of pride and shyness at her cloaked compliment.

"Indeed, my lady," he answered with a bow.

Jed just stood back and rolled his eyes at his best friend. He had seen the blush creeping up Octavius' face and could sense the nervousness in him. The poor Roman general was in way over his head, and he stubbornly would not see it yet. Jed exchanged a quick look with Ahk, who was clearly thinking the same thing the cowboy was.

With tiny nods of their heads, Ahk and Jed cemented their agreement. Bek and Octavius were perfect for each other, and Ahk and Jed were going nudge them in the right direction.

* Kilt: wrap-around, knee or mid-calf-length skirt-like garment often worn by Egyptian men.

**Senet and Hounds and Jackals: popular ancient Egyptian board games. The rules for Hounds and Jackels are unknown, but rules for senet can be found at https://www.mastersofgames.com/rules/senet-rules.htm