Continuing on with my paranormal romance set in ancient Egypt…Nima and Kamin have been captured by a caravan master who plans to sell them to the pursuing enemy. Nima challenges the man to a game of senet, with her life and Kamin’s as the stakes and a blood oath between herself and the caravan master that they’ll each honor the outcome. Ptahnetamun, the caravan master, brings out a gameboard and they play, with Kamin, all the caravan workers and many of the caravan passengers watching. Today’s excerpt seems a bit spoiler-y but so many people wanted to see how the game ends…
(Based on my research and my consolidation of the differing views, painted sticks rather than dice were thrown to determine the number of spaces moved by a pawn. My sticks are black-and-white and earlier in the book I explained the points scoring system but basically if a white side is showing when the stick comes to rest, that’s worth one point and the pawn can advance one space. )
…Nima dropped the sticks on the table, much as Ptahnetamun had done a few moments before. As the counters rolled and spun, all eyes following their path across the table, a cold breeze swept across the campsite, causing the fire to dance and flicker eerily. One black side, then one white side to secure half the needed points. Two sticks kept going, tumbling ever more slowly. A white side—one more hard-won point. The fourth stick slid lazily across the table, black side showing, before taking an odd jump, ending on the white side and giving her the needed third point.
“You won,” Kamin said, half in disbelief.
Deliberately, touching each square in turn, Nima moved her pawn off the board, saying as she did so, “Victory is ours.”
VS sez: Ah, but how does Ptahnetamun react?
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The story:
Egypt, 1500 BCE
Nima’s beauty and skill as a dancer leads an infatuated enemy to kidnap her after destroying an Egyptian border town. However, she’s not the only hostage in the enemy camp: Kamin, an Egyptian soldier on a secret mission for Pharaoh, has been taken as well. Working together to escape, the two of them embark on a desperate quest across the desert to carry word of the enemy’s invasion plans to Pharaoh’s people.
As they flee for their lives, these two strangers thrown together by misfortune have to trust in each other to survive. Nima suspects Kamin is more than the simple soldier he seems, but she finds it hard to resist the effect he has on her heart. Kamin has a duty to his Pharaoh to see his mission completed, but this clever and courageous dancer is claiming more of his loyalty and love by the moment. Kamin starts to worry, if it comes to a choice between saving Egypt or saving Nima’s life…what will he do?
Aided by the Egyptian god Horus and the Snake Goddess Renenutet, beset by the enemy’s black magic, can Nima and Kamin evade the enemy and reach the safety of the Nile in time to foil the planned attack?
Can there ever be a happy future together for the humble dancer and the brave Egyptian soldier who is so much more than he seems?
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She beat the odds. Enjoyed the 8. I’m intrigued to know what happens next. 🙂
You write with such rich detail.
Very nice use of details and motion to describe the game being played!
You rascal. “Spoilery?” Too funny and thanks for that. Wonderful eight and now. . .
Lovely 8! I got a kick out of Kamin’s reaction. Am totally wrapped up in what happens to these two 🙂
good question. How does he react? I’m so far behind on my reading. I have to get to this one. Great snippet!
Fantastic second by second description of those sticks! The scene seemed to go in slow motion, increasing tension as it went. Nicely done, Veronica!
You made me feel as though I was right there in the heat of the action. Wonderful details! So happy she won, but I had a feeling she would! 😀
Ptahnetamun boasts the name of two gods… I wonder if he will be as wrathful as one? 😉 Wonderful eight! I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Interesting…what power gave that stick its odd jump…sounds like magic!
I would never rule magic out 🙂 Or one of the gods perhaps…
Good 8! (Of course I’ve read and enjoyed it, so I know what’s coming.)
Great description of the action, I could ‘see’ it very clearly!
As if there was any doubt! 😀
But, yes, let’s see if Ptahnetamun is a sore loser—I expect he can’t do anything with everyone watching . . . but everyone won’t be watching ALL the time.
The weird way those sticks were moving sounds distinctly hinky to me… Hope she doesn’t get busted for cheating, and he honor their deal!
Ptahnetamun has been cheating too…
I know, I read that. 🙂
But sometimes cheaters get very angry about losing, since they put all that work into winning, and all.
I’m happy and so very nervous. Exciting snippet!
Somehow, I think winning won’t be quite enough. Great 8. Can’t wait to see what happens next
The cold wind and eerie flickering made me wonder if there wasn’t some other force at work here. Terrific step-by-step action lends a lot of realism. Great 8.
I almost held my breath waiting to see what she’d get.
I’m glad the scene works for everyone! I’ll have to ponder what scene to share next week…but I’m sure I can come up with something LOL. Nima and Kamin are nowhere near done with their trials and tribulations on this journey.
Oh and thank you very much for all the comments!!! Much appreciated!
Wow. I was tense just reading the ending of the game because I know there will be more. Great snippet, Veronica. 🙂
you just might make this game the new fad!
Ooo, victory! Great description. Now I wanna know what happens next! Enjoyed your snippet. 😀
A fascinating game there.
I felt as though I was right there, witnessing the moment with bated breath.
I was tense reading the snippet. I don’t think he’s going to react well. Great eight!
I can’t believe she won, she is so good!
I’m glad she found a way to win. All the details help to bring the scene alive.