Cover by Fiona Jayde

Tuya is a lady of Pharaoh’s Court in 1550 BCE, world weary, sophisticated, bored wih her life and her place in Egyptian society. Khian is a captain from a distant nome (province), in Thebes temporarily after serving in an ongoing war against Egypt’s enemies. He’s at Court to receive gold of valor for his actions in battle and she’s in attendance as a lady-in-waiting to the queen.

This isn’t their actual first meeting with conversation – I’ll do that one next – but this is where they take note of each other…

Boredom had been weighing on Tuya all afternoon. She’d sat through many audiences at the court of Pharaoh Nat-re-Akhte and this one was no different—newly arrived dignitaries to greet, a few issues needing  Pharaoh’s judgment, gold of valor to be awarded to a deserving soldier or two. In her five years as chief lady-in-waiting to the Royal Wife, Tuya had seen all variations.

Pharaoh would present the gold of valor next, and Tuya found herself glancing at the assembled soldiers. The officer captured her attention instantly. Something about his face drew her gaze. He had the look of a man going into combat and she guessed his unfamiliarity with royal protocol and the customs at court might lie at the heart of his tension. Or he was worried for his men that they’d manage the moments under Pharaoh’s scrutiny with honor. Direct attention from the living god was a frightening thing to most people.  She wished she could take the officer aside for a moment and reassure him that Pharaoh was a kind man, a soldier himself in fact, and would most likely be tolerant of any minor breaches in protocol from overawed rural troops.

The captain was looking at the crowd now, as he waited, and when his attention turned to her, she smiled and tried to project encouraging thoughts for him. It doesn’t matter how the court perceives you, only Pharaoh’s opinion counts with the gods. She guessed something of her attitude might have come across, as he gave her a smile and a little bow. Tall and muscular, he really was handsome, with a strong jaw, chiseled cheekbones and piercing hazel eyes.

Of course, thinking of becoming better acquainted with the man was foolish. A high-ranking lady like her would never mingle with common soldiers from some remote province of Egypt. Her usual companions were the nobility and the highest ranking officers of the army.

“Captain Khian of the Jackal Nome,” said the chief scribe, “And his personal honor guard, drawn from members of his provincial command, to represent the rest.”

The officer stepped forward, his plain blue cloak swirling around his legs. Six soldiers stood ramrod straight behind him and all saluted.

Pharaoh leaned forward to speak to the solider. “My general tells me your men held off the enemy at the Meribe Pass long enough for him to bring up reinforcements and turn the tide of battle. Well done.” He took the gold of valor, a heavy necklace of golden flies, from the scribe and looped it over the captain’s neck.

“It was either dig in and fight or jump off the cliffs at our back, Great One.” This Khian’s voice was deep, his smile engaging. “I didn’t see much choice in the moment, frankly. So we made a wall of our shields and dared the Hyksos to overrun us.”

Tuya held her ostrich feather fan still, waiting to see how the ruler would react to being addressed. Normally, the recipients of honors merely saluted and murmured their brief, awed thanks.

But Pharaoh was a former military man and in a good mood. He laughed. “Sometimes the best strategy is just to survive and fight like hell, captain, I quite agree.” He addressed the scribe at his side.  “A land grant and a writ of amkhu for the captain.”

Tuya was surprised. Amkhu, the honor of being buried at Pharaoh’s expense, was rarely bestowed these days.

Pharaoh continued, “Extra commendation to all members of his company and a gold bar for each man.”

Never at a loss, even when faced with unexpected requests, Edekh, chief scribe of all Egypt, turned to his assistant scribe, who handed him two scrolls. A tiny table was brought, the scrolls unrolled and held in place by servants, as Pharaoh impressed his seal into melted red wax.

“With Egypt’s gratitude.” Pharaoh handed the scrolls to the officer personally.

Tuya shook her head in wonder. This man and his soldiers must have accomplished quite a feat, no matter how low-key the discussion today was. Receiving the scrolls from the hand of the Great One was an incredible distinction.

Captain Khian saluted, his men following suit, and withdrew from the chamber, led by a scribe who stepped to his elbow when it was clear Pharaoh had completed what he wished to say. The group marched past Tuya, and she was surprised when Khian glanced sideways in her direction, inclining his head again ever so slightly.

She flickered her fan in front of her face as she blushed. The lady next to her leaned over, giggling. “Was the rustic flirting with you? Here, in front of the entire court?”

“Did the queen see?”

“No, calm yourself, Tuya, no one saw but me. Don’t worry; there’ll be no vicious gossip about you today, nor merciless teasing about your new taste for commoners. Your momentary inattention went unnoticed.” Her friend laughed and switched her focus to the next group claiming Pharaoh’s attention and the audience continued.

VS: But the two will meet again…

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LADY OF THE NILE by Veronica Scott

Tuya, a high ranking lady-in-waiting at Pharaoh’s court, lives a life of luxury, pageantry and boredom. Khian, a brave and honorable officer from the provinces temporarily re-assigned to Thebes, catches her eye at a gold of valor ceremony. As the pair are thrown together by circumstances, she finds herself unaccountably attracted to this man so unlike the haughty nobles she’s used to. But a life with Khian would mean leaving the court and giving up all that she’s worked so hard to attain. As she goes about her duties, Tuya struggles with her heart’s desires. 

When Tuya is lured into a dangerous part of Thebes by her disgraced half-brother and kidnapped by unknown enemies of Egypt, Khian becomes her only hope. Pharaoh assigns him to bring the lady home. 

Aided by the gods, Khian races into the desert on the trail of the elusive kidnappers, hoping to find Tuya before it’s too late. Neither of them has any idea of the dark forces arrayed against them, nor the obstacles to be faced. An ancient evil from the long gone past wants to claim Tuya for its own purposes and won’t relinquish her easily. 

Can Khian find her in time? Will he and his uncanny allies be able to prevent her death? And if the couple escapes and reaches safety, what of their fledgling romance?

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