"I think you should go back to the palace," said Sabra. It was still night. All the women were now well hidden in an underground lair, which no one knew existed. It was really the tomb of an old king from an older civilisation. The same civilisation that had build the great lion statue that stood in front of the now almost complete pyramid of Giza. (AN the sphinx though at this time still has the head of a lion.).

But now the tomb was stripped of its riches and of the body. But the paintings were still there, flickering and lifelike under the light of the torch.

When she saw Ismara was about to argue she then added "It's safer for you there. Besides we need a spy."

Ismara nodded. Then a thought came to her mind. "How can I relay messages?"

"Do you have a trusted servant?" asked Sabra.

"Not one I can trust fully." Replied Ismara as remembered how she would have to dismiss even her handmaids whenever Kahmunrah would come around. The memory seemed so distant, so beautiful so foreign. But she pushed it away. That memory was part of a world no longer hers.

This new reality was her world now. This world was harsh and the only way to survive it was to not long for the past but think of the future, and the steps to attain that future.

"Well how about animals?"

Ismara smiled she knew exactly which animal she was to use.

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The morning came around. Ahkmenrah expected it to be a day like every other. Ra's light was as ferocious as ever. His tongue was parched. No matter how many times he'd try to wet it over with his saliva, there would always be a dry patch.

Their quantity of water had been reduced to just two bowls a day. One in the morning one at night.

Ahkmenrah, despite his fallout with Montu had come just in time to help make the gruel for the next day's breakfast. Seeing how it was made, he was sure he would never touch it again without retching. But the longing for nourishment won over his disgust and he ate it. But even so he found it hard to force own his throat.

"The pyramid looks just about done" remarked Sabaf.

"And here I was thinking it would take at the least twenty years." Answered Kahmunrah then he gave a half snort half laugh "The Sumerians do have a knack for making things better and their own. Don't they?"

It was quite clear to see underneath this weak joke that Kahmunrah was beaten down. Everything he had ever strove for had been taken away from him.

Ahkmenrah felt guilty. After all he did take one of those things from him, and that was kingship.

"It's not theirs Kahmun" he started. "You were the one who conceived the idea."

"It will be credited to their name not mine."

Many things that are mine have been credited to other people. He wanted to say. But he didn't.

Instead he remained silent and continued eating his gruel. Ahkmenrah in return felt guiltier.

"It has been building very quickly though." Said Kahmunrah trying to steer their thoughts away. "It's not like their technology was any more advanced."

"There were more men this time around. " pointed our Sabaf.

Ahkmenrah nodded in agreement.

"If you ask me more men create a lot more mess. That's why I only had a few thousand, and mind you they were volunteers."

"Well I don't know maybe the gods made the days longer." Added in Ahkmenrah jokingly not realising the truth in the statement.

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"You were the High Advisor during the reign of Menkaure, Merenkahre and Ahkmenrah. Am I right?" asked Sargon. His was head still pounding from the hangover and the news that the women have escaped.

"Yes, Your Majesty. That I was." Answered Khufu bowing low.

"Can you tell me whose brainchild this Pyramid was birthed from?"

"You Majesty, there are thousands in this land known as the land of the pyramids. I mist beseech you to tell me of which pyramid you refer to."

"The pyramid under construction. The one due to be finished by today."

"Oh the Great Pyramid that your highness was the brain child of our very own Prince Kahmunrah."

"Not only is he brave and foolhardy but full of intellect. Very well bring him to me."

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Kahmunrah had the honor of placing the last block. Perfect. Just perfect. As soon as the stone was in place. He looked up. Then he looked around. The Kingdom was literally beneath his feet. He turned. He could see the whole of Egypt from here. North. East. South. West.

The excitement rushed through his blood. The hot wind blew in his face. He was on fire.

He smiled. Then he whooped with joy. He felt like the King of the world. The guard below gave him a stern look. Kahmunrah knew he was in big trouble but right now he couldn't care less. It was complete.

Then came the heartbreak. It won't be named his anymore.

"Oi!" came the voice of the guard.

Kahmunrah looked down. It felt so good to look down on someone who used to whip you mercilessly.

"King Sargon wants to see you!"

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Montu didn't talk him. Which was fine by Ahkmenrah. He didn't want to talk to him either.

But what did he mean when he said history was repeating itself? Was there something their father hadn't told them? If so what was it? Why didn't he tell them? What was he hiding.

He was handing out the fish to the workers this time around. He marveled at the fish. What once used to be fat pink fish were skinny. You could literally see the bones showing through.

The drought seemed to be getting worse every day.

Maybe every soon people will leave or die of hunger. Then Egypt will be gone.

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

"So I hear you are the designer of this lovely monument?" asked Sargon.

"Yes." Kahmunrah decided to keep the talking to a minimum.

"So it was originally supposed to be a tomb. Am I correct?"

"Yes..."

"How exactly?"

Kahmunrah realised there was still a way that the pyramid could be his. It was useless if he didn't tell them the plans of the tomb. So remained silent.

"If you tell me, I'll give you a good portion of land and money. I'll set your family free. Anyone you want to be set free."

"No! Not for all the riches under the earth."

"Not even for your brother...?"

"Leave my brother out of this!"

"As you wish."

He then gestured for the guards to take him away. But Kahmunrah soon realised he wasn't going back to his brother or Sabaf. Or the two young men that had been recently recruited.

Sargon wasn't giving up so easily. But neither was Kahmunrah.

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How was it? Thank you for your lovely comments and votes! Love you! Thank you for 21 k. Also check out my new book Daughter of the Apple. If you like Greek Mythology this is for you!

Pic of Tiger Shroff aka Kahmunrah above because I can :P.