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LunaDog wrote: ↑6 months ago
Caesar73 wrote: ↑6 months ago
Thank you
As you can see, the Black Lady has taken an interest in Natasha
I think the Master Thief sees a kindred soul in the Russian - the way Sarah talks to the Captives and Natasha seconds is telling
Believe me Sir, I AM taking an interest in Sarah's 'interest' too. Oh, and i like Birte too, she intrigues me also. You truly have the ability to create GREAT characters!
Thank you so much! I do my very best!
The Palace was buzzing with activities like a bee hive. Today the Son of Horus was to present his future bride, his Great Royal Wife to the assembled Royal Court. Only few had seen her – so a lot of rumours spread and Merit was hard pressed about first-hand information about the Woman Pharaoh had chosen as his bride “How does she look?” “Is she beautiful?” Is she as tall as they say?” Those were only a few of the dozen questions fired at Anna´s Lady in Waiting – and she declined them all: Politely but firm.
It had been only three days, since she had a chance to know the Grand Duchesse, but she found the Russian kind and warm – and courageous. There was not an air of arrogance around her. And with her violin play the tall dark haired woman had captured her heart. On a certain level Merit felt drawn to her.
Now Merit watched as Anna exercised. To her the Tai Chi moves looked like a slow dance. The Russian had explained to her, that Tai Chi was of Chinese Origin. To the Egyptian Anna made a very calm expression which Merit found strange.
She would have been excited at such an event and a nervous wreck. But if her Mistress was exalted or excited she hid it very well. She seemed to have covered her emotions under a dark veil of coolness. That veil sometimes slipped, when Anna thought nobody was looking too closely. Then Merit could see how much the Russian had to struggle to keep a straight face. But she did and that strength that resilience Merit admired. The young noble woman looked at her watch. It was a delicate piece, which reminded Anna of the one, her Uncle Fyodor her her presented with, so long ago. She had worn it, when she had met Chris´for the first time - a hot wave of anger surged through her body. Her Lady in Waiting could not know about her Mistress inner storm.
“It is time Anna” Merit reminded the violinist gently “We have to make you ready. The other Ladies will arrive shortly to assist with the preparations” Anna looked up “Right then, let us get ready” her voice, her face betrayed no emotion whatsoever. What Merit could not know: Anna had switched into her “Concert-Modus” – she was entirely focused and concentrated. There was no place for anything else than the task at hand: Normally a Concert on one of the great Podiums of the world, today her Presentation to the court.
The Preparations for this event Anna did more endure than enjoy. Mentally she was already on the procession to the throne room, walking the walk through the throne room to the podium, on which the Son of Horus would sit.
On his right side the Grand Vizier would stand on his left but one stair below, the High Priestess. So many steps to the podium, six stairs up – then Pharaoh would present her to the Royal Court ….
The maids around her were chattering away in that Egyptian Language that sounded foreign to her ears still, but sounded more familiar every day On any other occasion Anna Alexandrovna Romanova would have enjoyed the administrations of the Ladies. But not today:
Today they were just a means to an end. Today her robes, her makeup the jewellery would be her armour, her shield. And she would not allow anybody to penetrate it. Not Pharaoh, not the Grand Vizier and surely not Anck-Sun-Amun. To meet her Nemesis again, did not frighten her. In fact she welcomed it. It was time. About time. She felt in her guts the moment to even the score was not far away. Not today. But close.
“You do look every inch a Queen! Anna!” Merit marvelled in awe and broke her out of her reverie. And the Russian could not help herself, she had to smile “Don´t overdo it” she chided her Lady in Waiting. As much as the violinist was on her guard at all times: In Merits presence she felt she could relax – a bit – could be more Anna. And those small moments she cherished.
Her Lady in Waiting checked Anna´s appearance with a professional eye, the couldn´t have wardrobe malfunction today:
Anna´s Robes were traditional except her heels: On her feet she wore golden platform sandals of Gianvito Rossi. They fitted perfectly:
The red nail polish shimmered, the golden toe rings glittered. The long pristine white linen pleated dress, which left her shoulders bare, the golden Uraeus-Diadem on her head, the bracelets at her wrists – the beautiful-scarab-pectoral which rested between her breasts.
Merit closed the clasp which held the heavy purple cape together around her neck. The young Egyptian had to stand on her tip toes so tall was Anna with the platform sandals on her feet "Why must you be so tall!" she wheezed - which earned her a mischievous smile.
“Let me have a look in the mirror!” Anna commanded and looked at her mirror image. Her look had something of Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra from the heavy make up around her eyes down to her toes.
And a small smile, just for the fraction of a second curled her lips “Yes, I am ready. As ready as I can be!” As she stepped out of the dressing room into the antechamber of her quarters the animated Chatter fell silent as if cut off with a scissor.
Inwardly Anna smiled “I still know to make an appearance”
Head held high she strode to the open door of the Elevator. It would bring her to the courtyard of the palace where the procession would have already formed. For the first time since she had come around almost three days ago, she would leave that wing of the palace, where her chambers were located.
Anna knew without turning back, that Merit would follow her six steps behind. The doors of the large elevator opened with a soft hiss. So large it was the long train of her cape needed not to be ruffled. Merit entered the Elevator behind her, its doors closed, the lift descended.
The Elevator stopped. Its doors opened as noiselessly as they had closed. Anna composed herself, breathed in deeply as she left the elevator and stepped into the pleasant sun light of the still warm October Sun. She heard shouts, commandos. Anna felt perfectly calm. She was totally now in her “Concert Mode” – entirely focused and concentrated.
Right in front of her waited the heavy golden litter, which would be carried by sixteen carriers all clothed in the traditional short pleated linen skirts.
She stepped up the few steps of the pedestal on the right side of the litter so that she could step in comfortably. Merit helped her to sit and adjusted the trait and her robes than stepped down the stairs, turned to her and bowed. The Russian acknowledged her by a court nod – and memorized what she knew:
The head of the column would be formed by twelve chariots of war in three ranks.
24 Drummers would follow. Six lines deep.
Behind them sixteen Trumpeters, carrying long silver trumpets. After them would follow 64 Soldiers of Pharaoh´s Sacred Guards, their golden breastplates shimmering, wearing the rectangular shields customary for Egyptian Soldiers, they too highly polished.
They wore long spears, their polished spear tips reflecting the sun, after them twenty four priestesses of Hathor and Isis in their ceremonial robes. The Priestesses of Hathor carried their traditional Sistra, the traditional percussion instruments used for religious Ceremonies. The Priestesses of Isis would wear Tambourines.
Then the litter would follow. Behind the litter followed Merit alone – then 24 Selected Ladies of the Court in their court robes in pristine White, shimmering so white it hurt the eye. Another detachment of 64 Soldiers formed the rear of the column.
There was a strange Silence about the place. The procession would commence any moment now Anna knew. A strange calmness filled Anna, a feeling she knew, the same feeling before she stepped into the limelight of the concert stage “This is no different” she admonished herself “They want a good show? I will give them one!”
A sharp military command bellowed in a deep booming voice which would probably be heard out there in the desert rang across the court yard. In perfect synchronicity the 16 Carriers lifted the litter first up and then on their shoulders.
Another command and the Trumpeters tooted a Fanfare. Its bright silvery tone rang across the court. As one the 24 Drummers began to beat a slow marching rhythm. It reminded Anna of a Scene from “Gladiator” as Commodus enters Rome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzYnPrarCqQ&t=8s
Another Commando: And in perfect in step the van of the procession began to march in the slow hypnotic rhythm of the drums. The Russian looked straight ahead and fixated the massive first Pylon, painted in gleaming white, its reliefs painted in bright colours. Flags flapped in the light morning breeze. And on the procession went. On their left and on their right, they were flanked by an Avenue of Sphinxes.
The professional part of Anna Romanova was impressed by the precision and order of the procession. On any other occasion she would have enjoyed this spectacle – but her mind was fixed, was fixed on what lay ahead of her.
She had spent much time of yesterday afternoon with thinking through all possible scenarios, how it would be to face her Arch Nemesis Anck-Sun-Amun. In a short while she would stand before the man who had ordered her abduction and willingly sacrificed so many lives and was ready to sacrifice many more.
She would learn if their suspicions about the identity of the man who styled himself as God King, who had created the mirror image of an Ancient Egyptian Palace were true.
Anna concentrated again:
Now they had reached the massive gilded Gates of the first pylon, whose walls were covered with reliefs in bright colours. Banners were flapping in the light breeze. It became dark as the litter passed the gates but the darkness did not last long and the procession stepped into the first courtyard of the palace.
The slow marching steps of the Soldiers with their heavy hobnailed Sandals beat their hypnotic Rhythm on the polished limestone plates of the courtyard.
“Hopefully none of the carriers stumbles and we all crash to the floor” Anna mused dryly– and for just the fraction of a second the ghost of a smile curled her purple red lips. Her features froze to a beautiful mask of white marble again.
They passed the second Pylon, which had been larger than the first, the second court yard as well and approached the third Pylon which was even more massive. Behind it the great narthex, this feature was the only deviation from the perfect imitation of Egyptian Architecture:
From descriptions Anna knew that the large room possessed a large vaulted ceiling – a technique unknown to the builders of the pyramids.
As the procession entered the Narthex the marching column before the litter split with perfect precision in two and formed an espalier to the litters left and right. The drums continued their slow hypnotic beat.
The golden Gates to the Throne Hall were massive and Anna estimated at least 12 metres high. 6 Metres before the Gates the carriers stopped. The drums fell silent abruptly, as if cut off with a sharp knife. The sudden silence was a sharp contrast to the hypnotic drum beat before.
The Carriers set the litter down on a podium. On its right side six stairs led down to the floor. Merit walked up the stairs and adjusted Anna´s trait and robes. With a slow elegant fleeting movement Anna rose.
Merit helped her stepping on the most upper stair. Slowly and regally, head high, the Russian stepped down the stairs. Carefully minding her step: Five, four, three, two, one – and Anna stepped on the floor. She turned to the left and faced the gates.
Patiently she waited till Merit and two other Ladies of the Court had adjusted her trait. Slowly and measured Anna strode along till she stood before the massive gate. Almost noiselessly they swung open.
The Russian breathed in deeply and stepped over the threshold only followed by Merit as it was custom and tradition. The Hall before her was impressive: 48 massive Lotus Columns carried the ceiling which was covered with paintings in bright colours.
The Throne hall was packed with people who formed an espalier: At its end was a large podium to which six stairs led, Anna felt the eyes of the crowd resting on her. Not an unfamiliar sensation. But normally she stepped onto a Podium, her Violin in her hand, her beloved Lord Dunn Raven. Today was different. But Anna composed herself. She would not allow anybody to penetrate her armour: She looked at the Podium ahead of her.
One Woman who stood two stairs below the throne wore the traditional garb of a High Priestess. On the Throne sat a man in the full regalia of Pharaoh, wearing the red and white double crown, his arms crossed above his chest, holding Crook and Flail – at his right stood another man wearing the formal robes of his Office. The man next to Pharaoh and the woman below Anna knew.
The Herold interrupted her musings. Three times he smashed the metal end of his staff of office on the polished marble floor. The Hall fell silent: The Herold´s deep booming voice filled the large hall easily “The Royal Court recognizes Her Grace Grand Duchesse Anna Alexandrovna Romanova”
Another resounding Fanfare by the silver trumpets cut through the silence – bristling with anticipation
Anna knew “This is my signal” Her head held high, her eyes focussing only on the three Persons on the Podium she strode solemnly and slowly through the hall.
To Anna the only sounds she registered were the sharp clicks of her platform Sandals on the polished floor of black marble. She counted her steps. The hall was at least sixty metres long and at least 20 Metres wide. Later she learned the Hall was eighty metres long and thirty metres wide.
As she strode slowly nearer she could make out Anck-Sun-Amun´s face more clearly: The High Priestess black hair was sleek and shimmering. Her face a stony mask, her black eyes shimmering shards of Obsidian, her make up covered the half-moon scar on her left cheek, which Chris´ Katana had left – and Anna knew there was a second scar across the Egyptian throat – hidden also.
Anna smiled inwardly, her face betrayed nothing “At least I wear my scars openly bitch” Her decision not to cover the lightning bolt like scar above her left brow – souvenir of the terrible beating she had suffered by the Egyptian in that fateful night in the British Museum – had caused a small uproar among the Ladies responsible for her make up.
Anna had ended the dispute firmly “This is my decision and it stands” Her firm tone had quelled any further discussions. She had looked each Lady in the Eye: "The scar above my breast will not be covered too" This time there had been no dispute.
The Grand Vizier smiled that arrogant little smile, which seemed to be his trademark. He graced her with the smallest of nods. Anna knew that Ramose could be an important ally.
That he was no friend of the High Priestess was pretty clear – and the Russian had earned his respect with her preparation for today, how she had learned protocol and custom by heart. Yes Ramose could be a great asset in this pool of sharks. So she returned the almost imperceptible nod. The Violinist knew he had seen it.
Now she could see the features of the man on the throne clearly: “I know him and I know him not” If Anna had not prepared herself for this moment, she would have frozen on the spot or hurled herself at the man sitting there in the full regalia of Pharaoh:
Muscular, a perfect sculpted body and over seven feet tall “So our suspicions were correct” Anna mused as she strode nearer.
Her face was a stony mask still – but inside her a storm of emotions raged – even if she had prepared herself for that scenario. The man on the throne, the man wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt on his perfectly shaven head, the man who had complimented her “At my court you would be my Great Royal Wife”, the man they had been thought kidnapped by Anck-Sun-Amun, the man who intended to use the Sun-Ray of Amon-Ra to purge the World from any Unbelievers. This was Hiram al Mansour.
For a moment Anna had been inattentive – almost she had missed the designated spot she was supposed to halt: Six Metres before the throne. In one fluid motion she sank down first on her knees – and bowed till her forehead touched the cool marble floor her arms to the left and to the right side of her head. She held the pose.
Under Merit´s direction she had trained that movement long – and her Lady in Waiting had been a hard task master – now this training paid off. Time seemed to come to a standstill. Anna knew it was a minute at the most – but it felt much longer – till Al Mansour´s resounding baritone filled the hall with its regal cadences “Your Grace may rise and join us”
“F*ck you” Anna fumed, smiling “We will join: in Hell”
Getting up on her high heeled feet was even more difficult than getting down her knees, but the Russian rose in one fluid motion. Standing, she bowed her head, before she returned loud and clear “I thank you with my entire heart o Son of Horus, may you live a million years!”
There was a low murmur in the hall. Anna had returned Pharaoh´s greeting in the Old Egyptian Language, fluently without the trace of an accent. Ramose´s eye brows raised a fraction and small smile indicating his respect curled his lips. The Grand Duchesse definitely knew how to play a Game of Thrones.
Anna strode in slow and measured steps to the Podium and went up the stairs, as she passed the High-Priestess Anna whispered out of the corner of her mouth “Happy to see me bitch?”
As she stood before the throne she held her head down and sank to her knees a second time as it was tradition “You may rise Your Grace!” the king responded a second time and Anna rose.
Pharaoh stood too and Anna had almost to look up to the man who she knew as Hiram al Mansour. A warm smile curled his lips and their Eyes met – and Anna returned the smile equally warm. At least she hoped so. Her facial muscles felt stiff, frozen to ice.
The king took her right hand and turned Anna around so that they stood side by side and faced the assembled court “I, King Seti III, declare Her Grace Grand Duchesse Anna Romanova of the most noble and most ancient House of Romanov will be my Great Royal Wife. As my Great Royal Wife her Regal Name shall be Hatshepsut second of her Name!”
Even if she was prepared for this moment, Anna had the feeling she had to throw up, but in this moment she heard a voice softly speaking her name, a voice she knew
“Anna stay strong! I will be with you – always, wherever you are. Always! Remember me as I will remember you! Always!” If Chris´ voice had been just a figment of her overactive brain or for real she never learned.
But it helped her to get through this moment.
A deep booming voice thundered “Three cheers for the future bride of our Pharaoh!” Three thunderous cheers rang through the vast hall. As the crowd had fallen silent again Al Mansour addressed the Royal Court “As it is custom and tradition my trusty High Priestess and my steadfast and loyal Grand Vizier will escort my future bride to her quarters!”
As Anna had learned tradition demanded that the future Queen resided in her Quarters till the wedding. Also custom demanded the King would bed his bride only after the wedding “Small favours” Anna had mused as she had learned that.
What she found highly amusing was that her Arch Nemesis had to escort her to her litter and even to bow before her. At this moment the High Priestess took her left hand – if felt cool and dry – and the Grand Vizier her right hand and led Anna down the stairs, as they passed the assembled court Anna was all smiles as she nodded benevolently to the left and to the right.
She felt Anck-Sun-Amun´s grip tightening “My are we a bit testy today” Anna did not stop smiling and stepped – totally accidently on her Arch Nemesis left toes, fully – and with relish.
As she strode down the Hall again, Anna felt elated. She knew this was only the first step. But all in all it had gone well.