The sting of the whip burned on his shoulders. The salt of his sweat was on his brow. His tongue was parched, dry and burning. He had never known thirst to be so vicious; he had never known thirst could be so great. He had never known thirst could be such a monster.

The sun was hot and sultry. It had been like this for many days. Three days to be exact. Three days since Ahkmenrah had started. Six days since he saw Sabra. Dragging the large sandstone up the ramparts he could feel the rope dig into his shoulder and hands. His body was slick with something; he couldn't tell if it was sweat or blood. The coarse sand stuck to him and stung his eyes.

At least he was alive.

But what kind of life is one in shame?

But no thought of suicide entered his mind now. If it did he reminded himself he would fight till the last. He stole glances at his brother beside him. There was nothing, but a cool hard surface of grim determination. It was a like a glacier.

But there was also fire in his eyes. It was a soft glow in his glacier like expression. It was melting the ice, but very slowly. Yet once the ice did melt, there would be nothing but a firestorm.

There was nothing but dragging, dragging, dragging. The occasional whistle of the whip. They only got two types of breaks. One being when the sandstone is placed its rightful place, there was the perilous journey down the slope of the great pyramid. The other was one of the three water breaks. The water was cool and sweet on his lips. But it wasn't enough. There were rumors that already the wells, ponds, oasis and rivers were drying up. The rumors were proven by the scant amount of water they received. It didn't even equal a handful. The scarcity of water and worsening conditions made Ahkmenrah joke to his brother during one of the breaks.

"Seriously brother, you couldn't have thought of anything less ambitious. It had to have 210 layers of sandstone."

Kahmunrah gave him a sad smile. What the older brother felt was pang of nostalgia. The was time when he used to be so ambitious, learning to be King, when Ahkmenrah would distract him from his duties and drag him into trouble.

But the smile left him as quickly as it came as he glanced at his once beloved project.

Even half of its final height, the Pyramid was quite tall. It was getting built rather quickly. Already nine-tenths of the pyramid was built even though its height was only half of what it would end up as. (Check diagram above for proof) It was building quicker than most monuments of that time. Kahmunrah often wandered if there was a spiritual power also as work, lengthening the day of time. Because he could swear that thousands of hours had passed, but the position of the sun told him otherwise.

Little did either of them know that there was a spiritual power at work. And it was setting the whole country up for something great.

And for something unmentionable.

----------------------------

Shepseheret had been transferred to the kitchens when her sons, Kain and Sabaf had been taken in order to build the Pyramid. She knew how to cook. But never had she been in the heat of it all. The overwhelming smell of meats sweets and spices filled her nose. The humidity of the kitchen made her sweat.

Some of the kitchen-hands jeered at her, the Mother Queen of Egypt reduced to nothing else. But amongst the rest she had an air of respect.

Sometimes she would help cook the lavish meals that Sargon ordered. At other times she would sweep the floors.

Late at night she was sweeping a particular corner that was near the pantry. She heard the barely noticeable sound of the shuffling of feet.

As far as she knew, no one was in the pantry. Taking up all her courage she decided to investigate. She opened the door to see tall figure clad in white with a turban to match.

The figure turned sensing a disturbance.

Shepseheret was met with electric blue eyes and gave a sight of relief.

It was Sabra.

Shepseheret looked behind her. No one was there. Then again who else but her would be here. She closed the door behind her so only her and Sabra were in the small torch lit pantry.

Sabra tore off the cloth that attached to the turban that hid her face.

"What are you doing here?" asked Shepseheret frantically.

Sabra held out a watertight bag. In it was food. But there was more food than she needed. Three times as much a one person could consume in a week.

"Ismara..." started Sabra sensing the former queen's puzzlement. "You mustn't tell anyone...she is with child."

"With child" echoed Shepseheret.

"Yes!" then Sabra braced herself for saying the next words. "It's Kahmun's."

Shepseheret's features were those of mild shock. But she suspected as much. As a mother she knew had been hiding something. She had known him for nineteen years. In that amount of time she had memorized every part of his face. Inside and out. Head to toe. She knew everything there was to know. It was the same story with Ahkmenrah

Yet she never expected that it would be like this.

"But that means..." Shepseheret breathed out. But she couldn't complete her sentence.

It meant that even if all the heirs to the throne that Ahkmenrah had proclaimed would die. Khufu still had one more obstacle to go through.

"Please don't tell Ahkmenrah." Pleaded Sabra. "God knows how it would affect him."

For Sabra knew Ahkmenrah still loved Ismara. She saw it in his eyes. You can never forget your first love. And it hurt her know it.

Shepseheret nodded. There were mixed emotions. Anger for Kahmunrah's deceit. Fear for the safety of her family. Love for her unborn grandchild. Bliss in the fact that Khufu may not ever be able to win.

----------------------------------

As Sabra left the kitchens, the shadows assisting her, she couldn't help but think that this sneaking and stealing would be good practice for her ultimate goal.

That was to give weapons to all the Egyptians in the Palace.

At least all that were still known to be faithful to the Pharaoh.

Khufu had only told her of her own part in the vast plan.

Sabra couldn't help but feeling like a pawn in a larger game of Senet.

But as long as it was for a better cause, then so be it.

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Hi! How is it so far!

Super sorry for a short and late update. Being in high school its exam after exam after exam. At least I know I killed PDHPE.

Any way what do you think is Khufu's plan? Who do you think will come out on top? The Sumerians or the Egyptians?

Please tell me in your comments.

Also if you are enjoying this fanfic please check out:

Ancient Love by OurMidnightMemory

Anything for You by DestinedForGreen

Ahkmenrah's Hear by Sky_Rivers

They are amazing writers with amazing ideas and they deserve more reads. :)

Also check out a joint story written by me and my friend Thea its called "Love at First Fight" check it out at TheWritingAngels. We can use all the support we can get.