The Pharaoh's Champion

Zahra leaned against a stone-cold pillar, desperately trying to stifle a yawn. Sleep had illuded her these past few nights. All had been quiet, there were no reports from the palace guards, and that was arguably more concerning than there being lots. As her mind reeled, the cool of the stone was such a welcome feeling, that she couldn't help but lean into it.

They'd been in the Great Hall for hours now, waiting for the Pharaoh to finish listening to the pleas of his people and communing with his guardians. Normally she liked this part of the job, it was nice to see the Pharoah speak with his people, he was firm but always fair just like the great ruler he was, and everyone left satisfied. But this time, she urged time to speed up.

      As she watched, the guardians called for a quick break. She relaxed at the idea of a break, her eyes grew heavy and suddenly she was laid on the silk sheets of her bed. So entranced, she could feel the smooth material run lovingly across her body.

"Zahra?" the voice was soft. A lovers call, almost.

      Then came the feeling of something warm on her shoulder.

      It ran up and down her arm, stroking her affectionately.

      A moan escaped her lips and she found herself leaning into the calming feeling.

She imagined it to be the Pharaoh's voice. Lately, she had secretly invented this scenario in her head on a couple of occasions. Hearing him call to her, but not in alarm or danger.

She arched her body further into it, a second warm feeling now cupped around her abdomen.

So good… she smiled contently as she moved even further into it.

Instead of a soft mattress and sheets, she felt nothing. Gravity took hold and for a brief second, she felt like she was falling.

Then she hit something hard, and the same warmth filled her back, a speeding pulse thrumming through.

       "Zahra, are you quite alright?"

       This voice wasn't imaginary…

        Her eyes shot open and she clumsily stumbled to her feet and turned to face the man she had just been imagining in her mind, actually stood in front of her.

        "Y-yes, yes Pharaoh, I'm fine. Absolutely fine. Fine"

        "Are you sure? You look pale."

        Slapping her hands to her cheeks, she felt a burning embarrassment ignite them.

         "So, you're... fine?"

         Oh Gods, oh Gods. Oh Gods. She stuttered as she struggled to get any audible words at all out of her mouth. "I-I, uh, I… I have to go."

          Before he could question her further, she turned on her heel and ducked behind another pillar at the far end. Her chest huffed and she slunk down the stone, praying the ground would swallow her up.

What the hell, Zahra! She cursed at herself. He's the Pharaoh, what is your problem!?

      She couldn't help but smack her hands against her head in frustration. Wait, no? Anger? Embarrassment?

Who knew anymore?

All she did know, was that she was starting to lose herself in this frenzy of desire, and duty. Before it was easy, he was there, she was here. She could think about him and nothing changed. But now, since then. Since he had her against the wall, with fingers and jawline grazing against her…

      Her body craved more.

      She'd never know how, but somehow she collected herself and looked over her shoulder. The Pharaoh had seemingly forgotten about their earlier encounter and was now having, what looked like a serious chat bordering on an argument, with a faithful guardian of his, Seto.

      She breathed a sigh of relief, Seto would likely keep him busy for a while, they often spoke for hours. She didn't mind Seto, the man whose surly attitude and determination could rival her own. They never spoke, never needed to, they each had a mutual respect for the other's loyalty to their Pharaoh. His loyalty was to the Pharaoh and the land, ensuring the well-being of the people and the economy was met. Hers was too the Pharaoh's immediate protection and security.

      She cursed herself again and lifted a trembling hand, how could she protect him when she couldn't clear her mind of… him.

Just then, she felt a puff of air and noticed a small shadow flicker in the corner of her eye. It came from the top of the great hall. A small balcony, too small for spectators, was only used when making repairs to the carvings in the wall.

      Then she saw it, a small hint of metal glinting in the light that poured through the open roof.

      Her feet moved before she realised, running full throttle towards the Pharaoh and Seto.

      She called out for him to get down. Crying out for him to hear her.

      He spun immediately, his face filled with concern at her cry. He wasn't far away, but it felt like time itself was slowing down around her. She moved as fast as her feet would let her and watched as his face slowly went through confusion, deduction and realisation at what was happening.

       She looked up at the intruder, who readied their weapon. Urging her feet to move faster she turned back to the Pharaoh.

He had seen the intruder and pushed Seto away as the guardian tried to stand in front of him as a shield.

         Everything was heightened. Her senses had peaked. She could see tiny dust particles wave frantically in the light from the commotion. She started to smell his scent as she got closer and closer. The stone felt colder than usual beneath her feet.

         Then her eyes widened in terror as she heard the unmistakable clunk and whoosh that came with the release of a crossbow.

Without thinking, her feet left the ground as she threw herself at the Pharaoh. Knocking him off balance and into Seto, who also caved under the momentum of her collision.

      They fell to the ground, and as soon as she felt the impact, the heat of the palace guards forming a protective ring around them, came.

      Seto and the Pharaoh fumbled around, trying to get their bearings.

      "Zahra, are y-..."

      Then she felt a searing pain in her thigh.

      Her ears rang with a high-pitched din. The Pharaoh loomed over her and shook her shoulders. He looked like he was shouting something, but she couldn't hear. Everything had dulled, like all the sensations before crashed as hard as they did. All she could feel was the pain creep over her as her body began to uncontrollably tremble and spasm.

       Seto came and pointed to an arrow in her thigh, it had gone straight through the thick trunk of muscle and there was blood seeping from it a bit too quickly for her liking. He stood and raised his arm, a process she was familiar with, it usually meant they were summoning a monster.

        She was still conscious, though she felt she wasn't in her own body. The Pharaoh grabbed at the arrow, and with a surprising amount of strength, snapped the end off.

        He sniffed it and shouted to anyone that could hear him.

        Amidst the pain and trembling, she saw shadows close in from every corner of her vision. The last thing she saw was the Pharaoh frantically shaking her shoulders and holding her cheeks. She couldn't hear him, or anything else. Just the din of a peeling bell that never stopped.

        Then the darkness took hold…

                              ****

Zahra shot upright with a gasp, cold sweat dried to her face and neck. She panted and frantically felt at her thigh. It was difficult to check for a wound in her jeans, but she was thankful there was no pain.

         She seemed to be on her own. As she gathered herself, she realised she was sitting on a plane, in an empty row of seats. Knowing better than to question how, or why, she rubbed her tired face.

        "Ah! You're awake," a friendly voice came from an elderly man who sat down next to her. "We were wondering if you were going to sleep the whole flight."

       Zahra chuckled half-heartedly and made polite apologies for any concern she caused. Lifting her head from the tray table she was leaning on.

          A voice came over the speakers. "This is your Captain speaking, we will shortly be arriving at our destination. Please could return to your seats, place your tray tables up and fasten your seatbelts."

      Zahra nodded at the faceless voice and looked out the window.      Towering buildings that speckled in the coming dawn glinted and beckoned travellers to land. These buildings were huge, much bigger than she was used to, even in the city back home, all clustered and organised like cliques of friends at a restaurant, gossiping and huddling around a table together.

        She was here. She had made it to Domino City.

        One step at a time, she reassured herself, the first thing on the list: get off this plane and find some coffee.