"Aqen is a God of the underworld, protector of the dead," Ankh said, his voice strong and proud as he looked up at the representation of his God. "He is the protector of the boat Meseket, which carries souls into the underworld. When Aqen is not needed, he is in a deep slumber until his time is called. Then Mahaf, ferryman of Meseket, wakes him."

Thea tilted her head to the side. "What importance does he bear on this town? Why is he worshiped here?"

"For his role with Ra." Ankh led her away to the statue of Ra, not far away. "Aqen holds the duty of bringing Ra his shen ring."

Thea blinked. "He was Ra's protector?"

Ankh smiled. "Ah, so you understand the weight shen rings carry."

"Yes," Thea said, idly walking back to Aqen's statue. She reached out to run her hand over the shen ring of his name, but then paused, not wanting to be disrespectful. She looked at Ankh. "May I?"

Ankh inclined his head. Thea looked back and touched the symbol.

Thea was immediately assaulted with visions. A tall man standing at the stern of a large papyrus boat. The same man, whose face was in shadows, crying. A freshly wrapped mummy lying at the end of the boat. The mans mouth, opening freakishly and impossibly wide, a shen ring coming out of it tied via rope to the uvula. The shen ring opening and wrapping around Thea's waist, pulling her closer and closer into the mouth. Thea screaming, trying to break free, two eyes staring her down--

"Thea!"

Thea stopped screaming. Ankh was kneeling besides her, looking petrified. The guards stood at attention, looking down at her only slightly less alarmed. For a moment Thea couldn't speak, much too afraid.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

"Visions," Thea said breathlessly, putting a hand to her head. "Visions of--of death, and a boat--and--"

"I'm sorry if I frightened you," Ankh said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I didn't mean to upset you by speaking of Aqen--"

"No," Thea assured him. "No, it wasn't that, I promise. It--"

Thea cut herself off, looking up at the guards. She could feel herself turn beet red. Great, she thought, now I'm going crazy in my dreams, too!

"Are you sure you're alright?" Ankh asked worriedly.

"Yes," Thea replied, brushing sand off herself before getting to her feet with Ankhs assistance. "It's just been a long day."

"Please," Ankh said, wrapping his arm around hers again, "come back with me."

"Oh no, I couldn't impose like that--"

Ankh began to lead her back towards his living quarters, the guards dutifully falling into step behind them. "I can have a room prepared for you in no time." Ankh stopped, only to take both her hands in his own and look at her hopefully. "Please?"

After just one more moments hesitation, Thea broke out into a sigh. "Well, I feel like I can't refuse the wishes of the Pharaoh."

Ankh laughed heartily, leading her away. "You are correct, you cannot." With a wink though he leaned in, speaking directly into her ear. "With you though, I think I'd make an exception."

Thea blushed, saying nothing.

~

Thea was shocked with the room. It was gorgeous. Her bed was made of plush violet velvet, set in a golden frame. A tray of food, beer, and wine awaited her. A large bath had been drawn, the water hot. Maids had been assigned to her and they insisted she undress. 

She was treated like a queen. Fragrant soaps were rubbed into her skin, making every part of her smooth. She felt embarrassed at her exposure--that was until they took olive oil, rubbing it deeply into her scalp. As this one done another maid massaged her shoulders with oils, and she found herself relaxing. By the end of it she smelled wonderful, was completely relaxed with her eyes closed, while the maids fed her food and gave her sips of beer. 

By the time it was time for bed, she was wrapped in fresh linen and her hair was dried. A final coating of oils were brushed into her hair, giving it a sleek, healthy shine. She was then provided a light weight nightgown, opaque and delectably comfortable. 

Thea thanked everyone as she laid down. Her head swam, slightly drunk from the strong beer she had had and the various aromas that came from her own skin and hair. It wasn't long before she drifted into the best sleep she had had in days.

~

"Good morning Ahmed!"

"Ah, Thea," Ahmed greeted, a wide smile spreading across his face. "So good to see you. You look well rested." 

"Indeed I am," Thea replied with a grin, walking over with a bounce in her step.

"I am happy you took my advice and took the day off yesterday."

"So am I," Thea replied. "I had the most wondrous dreams."

"Oh?"

"Yes," Thea replied happily, thinking about the room she had fallen asleep in. "I dreamed of being a Queen."

Ahmed's smile didn't leave his face. "I am so happy to hear that."

"So!" Thea said then, rubbing her hands together eagerly. "Have you started to decipher the vases?"

"No," Ahmed admitted. He viewed her sheepishly. "I felt--wrong, starting that process without you. When you went home yesterday, I did, too."

Thea put her hand on Ahmed's forearm. "Ahmed! I'm touched! I truly am."

Ahmed inclined his head. "It was nothing."

"No really Ahmed, that was very thoughtful of you, and I thank you sincerely for that."

The man colored slightly, reminding Thea of when she had introduced him to Rose. It made him seem more--human. Thea nearly chuckled to herself at the thought. Not like Ahmed seemed inhuman, but there was just...Something, about him. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on. The more she thought about it though, the more she was reminded of the fact his posture often seemed bird-like. 

That--she did laugh at. Ahmed looked at her questioningly. "What?"

"I'm sorry," Thea replied. "If I tell you something, do you promise not to be angry?"

Ahmed grinned. "I can't promise you that, Thea. It depends entirely upon what it is."

"Just how you sit in your chair, and how you stand. And you always wear a dark suit--you just remind me of a crow sometimes."

"A crow?" he asked, sounded amused. 

"Yes."

He grinned, poking his own nose. "It's this, isn't it? I'm cursed with my father's large nose."

"It's a very lovely nose," Thea said, "it's very striking--"

Thea froze.

Ahmed's smile slipped away. "What's wrong, Thea? You look like you've seen a ghost again."

Thea reached out, taking Ahmed's hand. He wore a black ring, one she had never noticed before. It was the insignia of a shen ring, golden, set against onyx. Thea's heart thudded in her chest, thinking of the statute and the disturbing vision she had in her dream. "Your ring..."

"Ah," Ahmed said, smiling, gently removing his hand from her grasp. "Also my father's. It's my prized possession. Did you just now notice it?"

Thea blinked. "Yes."

"I've been wearing it since day one."

Thea nodded, feeling silly suddenly. "I'm sorry...It just--never mind."

"What, Thea?"

"No, it's silly--"

"Nothing you could say to me is silly. I respect you immensely." 

"I just--the symbol reminded me of a disturbing part of my dream. That's all. I had forgotten about it until I saw the shen ring."

"Ah. Well, nothing disturbing here. It's the symbol for protection."

"I know," Thea said, still feeling unsettled.

Now Ahmed peered at her oddly. After a few moment, Thea blushed. "W-what?"

Ahmed took a step closer. "May I ask you something of a slightly personal nature?"

"Um, s-sure?"

Ahmed tilted his head. "Are you wearing perfume?"

"Oh..." Thea panicked internally. She had awoken that morning, the scent of the soaps, shampoos, and oils still fresh in her nose. She had assumed it was just herself remembering her vivid dream. "Um, n-no. W-why?"

Ahmed closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "How you smell today, it just smells like..."

Thea shivered. "W-what?"

Ahmed slowly opened his eyes, looking as though in a daze. "Home."