Chapter 5

Today is the day, all Egypt was buzzing everyone was excited to see the future queen prove herself and kick her cousin’s and uncle's asses. It was well known how evil they were, no one liked them at all. And that was why her grandfather didn’t choose her uncle as his heir even though he was the firstborn and the son of the first queen, unlike her father the second queen’s son.

Not to mention he didn’t have the mark of kingship. He ascended to the throne of Egypt at a young age but quickly validated himself and earned his people’s trust.

Tiye took a deep breath the air was crisp and clean, her balcony was overlooking the city from a side and the Nile as a background on the other, she enjoyed this view always, it made her feel close to her people even though she was miles and miles away.

She felt her friend’s silent steps but didn’t turn when she talked “I came to help you wear your armor, my princess are you ready?”

For the first time she heard her friend’s voice small and shaky, she knew she must be worried and it was obvious by her offer to help her into her armor. This wasn’t one of her duties, but she understood. Pilis wasn’t a small guy and was known for his strength and unfair ways to win.

“Thank you Disa that would be deeply, appreciated.” she smiled weakly, grateful for having her sister here supporting her physically and mentally she needed this.

“The entire city is talking about this fight, even bets were going around.” Mandisa laughed nervously, lightening the grim spirits.

“I am not ashamed to say that I made a minor investment. So you better win girl or you are going to pay me three times the value.”

Tiye laughed for the first time since that cursed meeting “I want all the names of those traitors who bet against me, I’ll have their heads for this.’’ Her friend laughed at her obvious joke, following her lead.

“Oh, it’s an extensive list, my princess trust my word you will have to hang half of your people and what a start it would be for your blissful ruling.”

“Wow, way to give me confidence, O great people of Egypt.’’

She finished tying her arm protection, making sure it was tight but comfortable, and then went for the chest piece, binding it tightly, but she declined the rest.

She will go through this fight with minimum protection and defense. She wasn’t going to hide behind metal; if she could she would use her bare hands.

“Ti but this is……” Tiye cut her off with a look

“I’m not going to play it safe sister I will be serious, this is going to be the fight for my right of life.” She said what her sister was thinking of, not only her but everyone. This wasn’t a fight to prove her worth, this was an execution. “Ti please come back victorious.” She hugged her tightly while Tiye patted her back, trying to swallow the pile down her throat.

“Where’s my father, he’s not coming to wish me good luck?” She asked in a small voice, even though she knew the answer. Her father is still angry with her. She doesn’t know if she should feel anger or regret. Anger for her disappointment in him, because her father thought she’s weak. Or regret that she caused him lots of pain and worry; she knows how much he loves her.

“He will be there watching you with everyone else, and I know you will make him proud, my princess.”

“By God’s will.” she whispered faintly.

The princess took her curved daggers and put them in their sheaths. Those were her weapons of choice. People may think it’s a stupid option, she needed something long to strike with without getting too close to her opponent, but unlike others, she was graceful and fast on her feet, unlike her big cousin so long weapons will hinder her movement and tactics.

“Princess the time has come.” A servant said from behind the closed doors of her quarters.

She took a deep breath and straightened her back, then headed to the arena.

Her horse walked steadily to their destination. Going through the market some of the people who didn’t leave yet bowed their heads, showing respect; she smiled politely to everyone and noticed the look of pity in their eyes. This didn’t make her angry, it only pushed her more.

She had made the right decision she needed to assure them that she will take care of them all. They will be safe and prosper under her reign.

She reached the arena but didn’t take the usual route to the second floor to join her father; she dismounted her horse giving the reins to Nephi, who insisted to accompany her while smiling weakly and followed the steps in the small dark passage which the fighters who came here to entertain her and the people, always used.

The entire arena roared when she stepped into the light. It was like the entire space was thrumming with life. She headed to where Pilis was standing proudly in his golden armor and acknowledged him with a brief nod, making him smirk.

Tiye didn’t let his confident look intimidate her as she tried to be calm and turned to where her father sat high on his dais. She bent one leg, putting her right fist on her heart, giving him the proper greetings of a warrior, showing him respect. The roars of the audience rose to a deafening level.

The king stood, raising his arm to silence everyone, and then asked her with the second to stand up. She stood with her legs wide apart and looked him in the eye when he started to speak.

“Dear people of Egypt, I have summoned you today to ease your worries. I have summoned you today so you can see if your princess is worth being my predecessor. Today she and prince Pilis will fight to show what they are made of. If he wins, he will be the next pharaoh and she will be his queen. If princess Tiye wins, she will be your next Thema and no one will question her right to the crown anymore or they will meet their end.” The pharaoh said, looking at his daughter proudly, never taking his eyes off of her.

“Weapon of choice?”

“I choose my long sword, my king,” Pilis said, raising his own sword and flicking it expertly.

“I choose my curved daggers, your highness,” The princess said confidently.

“Then let this dual begin may the gods bless the winner.” The king finished sitting in his chair.

“I might say cousin; you are brave to choose such a little thing to fight with. Are you sure of your choice? I will allow you the opportunity to select something else.” Pilis said while circling Tiye.

He thought she was crazy to think she can win this, his father wanted him to slit her throat and be done with it quickly, but he has other planes. He will keep her as his mistress, not even a queen she needs to be humiliated. She will be his slave and he will enjoy every moment of it.

Pilis charged, trying to gain the upper hand, he thought it would be better to be on the offense side, so she did what was expected from her. She defended, egging him to be more confident and aggressive; it was her way of measuring his strength and strategy.

He slashed his long sword right she dodged it, getting to the left just raising her daggers in front of her as a shield. He rounded again, growling, feigning a blow right again, but at the last moment landed left. The hit was hard, but her armor took most of the burn, throwing her a couple of feet away.

Their audience cheered and her cousin raised his hands, soaking in all the praise. What a fool, she stood smirking “Now my turn cousin.” Before he could turn and face her again, she ran quickly towards him her daggers in her hands.

She slashed with her right his abdomen then used her legs to slide on the ground, using her left hand to support her weight and body then jumped kicking him in his side making him lose his footing and kiss the dirt.

“You damn bitch I will enjoy this, I thought of going easy on you but you give me no choice. Your death won’t be quick.’’

He stood looking at his bleeding abdomen, growling taking another stance he charged her putting strength in his slashes making him clumsy on his feet. She used one dagger to protect her body and the other stabbing his side repeatedly.

He twisted his body around, evading her onslaught, getting away from her assault, and twisted so he was at her back choking her. He put all his strength in his hold, making air escape her chest. She gasped, her hands scratching his arms desperately.

With a mighty growl of a wounded beast, Tiye lifted her cousin up and threw him in the air making him lose his grip on her and lose his weapon in the process. Then landed with a thud on his back.

All of a sudden, Tiye felt a surge of power consume her body, she was angry no she was furious she felt her body was on fire, her mark burned and her mind swam in a sea of fog she can feel her body move, but has no control over it.

Stalking her cousin, she threw her daggers to the ground and approached him “How fucking dare you? You pathetic mortal thought you could kill me?” She snarled, kneeling beside him, her right hand squeezing his neck mercilessly.

Pilis looked at his cousin with big wide eyes this wasn’t the princess, what he was looking at was something else. Her eyes were yellow with black slits like a serpent and glowing like a million suns. The fingers which were choking him were tipped with claws that dug into his flesh.

As her voice was like sharp knives grating on his nerves, making him want to cower away.

She stood raising him in the process; he tried to get away from her hold, but it tightened farther. Now he was shaking, scared, while his body was held above the ground with only one hand holding his weight.

Tiye looked the mortal in the eye and sneered, no it wasn’t her, it was her body yes, yet she wasn’t in control someone else was, no something else was using her, she was only watching deep down from the small window made by her weak consciousness.

What is happening to her? What is this entity? She can feel everything, its strength, its powerful hold, its anger, and strangely protective love? “What are you? I mean, who?” she asked in her mind, not expecting an answer.

The entity replied in a feminine yet strong voice, “I am part of you as you are part of me Tiye, we are one but not whole. Soon you will know everything for now be sure that I am always here by your side with you and for you. Just tell me, do you want this mutt dead?” The entity asked, quietly squeezing her cousin’s neck tighter.

“You mean Pilis? He is an asshole, but I don’t want my people to see me as cruel and heartless ruler. Please don’t kill him.”

“As you wish, my sweet I just hope one day you won’t regret your decision.”

“Who are you? What’s your name?”

“I am Sekhmet.”

The goddess raised her cousin higher, looking him in the eye “Ra has blessed you mortal, you will live. For now, my human spared your life I wish you use this gift wisely and remember I’m always here with her.”

She threw him on the ground turning to look everyone in the eye roaring her victory “I am Tiye, (Chione) the daughter of the Nile, (Maye) Ra’s beloved, (Neith) the one who stands above all others, (Thema) the queen. I AM YOUR NEXT PHAROAH”

Tiye saw everybody kneel respectfully and fearfully, a strange feeling surging through her.

“This is the kind of respect you should get, my sweet, and you will soon. Now I will take my leave, but I promise we will meet again.” With that, the goddess left, and she regained control over her body.

Falling to her knees, she took deep breaths, trying to comprehend what just happened.

Her father’s voice boomed proudly through the whole arena, announcing her victory.

“The winner is princess TIYe daughter of King Zosar, the new Pharaoh.’’

That was the last thing she heard before losing her consciousness.